The Mech Touch

e lock imposed by the operating systems by the mechs simply couldn ’t be bypassed through any simple methods, such as wiping them out an installing new programming.

Ves either needed to work within the rules imposed by the operating system, or he needed to hack it in a way that didn ’t trip any failsafes.

”I really wish Alloc was here.
He would have unlocked these mechs with the snap of his fingers. ”

Sadly, the task fell to him.
It was a good thing he wasn ’t completely helpless in this regard.
His self-made comm still contained a suite of hacking software.
It should be able to hack most lastgen mech models below a certain price point, but the Dastardly Handsome Bastards happen to utilize currentgen mech models instead.

His bootleg hacking software might not be very effective, but the only way to find out was for Ves to make the attempt.

”Stand back. ” He instructed everyone else.
”I ’m going to attempt to hack the mechs.
While I don ’t think anything will happen if I fail, the Bastards may have booby-trapped them against attempts at theft. ”

The mech technicians obediently retreat.
Ves even placed his helmet back on his head to form a completely protective seal.

”Here goes nothing. ”

Ves activated his hacking software and directed it to work on the bestial mech.
Its console came to life and spat out a torrent of data, much of it Ves didn ’t understand.
After a minute or so of scrambling, the console finally displayed a very firm message.

[ACCESS DENIED.]

”It was worth a try. ”

Ves didn ’t give up.
He left the cockpit of that mech and tried to hack another one.

[ACCESS DENIED.]

Undeterred, Ves continued to cycle through several mech.
When he reached the sixth mech, Ves finally received a different message.

[ACCESS GRANTED.]

”Yes! It worked! ”

The bestial mech in question successfully came online.
The cockpit bloomed to life as many different consoles lit up.
Outside, its exterior lit up a bit as several lights blinked in different colors that corresponded to a standard startup sequence.

”Mr.
Larkinson did it! ”

If nothing else, his success truly cemented his authority over the mech technicians.
When Ves squired out of the cockpit, he ordered them to ready the mech for action.

”Refuel this mech and perform some light service on it while you ’re at it.
Get it done within an hour as we can ’t afford to keep it idle for long.
We need to start the hunt for Lord Javier as soon as possible, and we won ’t be able to go anywhere without our own mechs. ”

”Aye, sir, we ’ll get on it right away! ”

They didn ’t hesitate at all this time.
Mech technicians without working mechs were like fish out of water.
Now that they finally got to taste some drops, they immediately focused on their tasks.
They hadn ’t forgotten the import of their duties.

Ves nodded in satisfaction.
Even without a chief technician riding over their shoulders, they possessed enough sense not to slack off for too much.
Still, as he paused and observed their work, he found out why these techs ended up in the Vandals instead of a more prestigious mech regiment.

Their ability didn ’t quite measure up to the true professionals of the Mech Corps.
The amount of care and attention they put to their own safety was worrisome, and some exhibited annoying habits such as banging their tools against the object they were trying to service if anything didn ’t go too well.

”Stop trying to hit the mech with your multitool! ”

”Uh, ahm, sorry, sir! ”

A few minutes later, the same guy started hitting the mech with his tools again.

Problematic or not, Ves didn ’t have anything else to work with, so he tolerated their eccentricities.
Now that he got one mech to work, he was eager to unleash his hacking software to the other mechs in the stables.

After entering and exiting around twenty mechs in decent shape, he got around six of them online.
Three of them consisted of bestial mechs while the other three consisted of humanoid rifleman mechs.
It was a good mix of mechs, and should serve Captain Orfan well.

He contacted his superior through his comm.
”I ’ve got one mech ready to go, with five more mechs in the pipeline, ma ’am.
As for the remaining mechs of the Dastardly Handsome Bastards, it ’s unlikely I ’ll be able to get them up and running any time soon. ”

”I knew you wouldn ’t disappoint me! ” Captain Orfan grinned in a savage manner.
”Good work, Mr.
Larkinson.
Six mechs are sufficient for now, as I don ’t have a lot more mech pilots to spare.
Ready them all for action as soon as possible.
The main Vandal ground force is being stalled by much more resistance from Eneqqin ’s household troops than we anticipated.
It ’s vitally important that we take over some of their duties from behind enemy lines. ”

Ves wondered whether their meager numbers would amount to anything, but he kept his doubts to himself.
”I do have to mention that three of the mechs are bestial instead of humanoid.
Will that present a problem? ”

That caused Orfan to drop her grin a bit.
The Flagrant Vandals uniformly utilized humanoid mechs.

The only exception might be the Akkara heavy cannoneer, but that was basically a really big and fat humanoid mech with four instead of two legs.
It didn ’t take too much effort for a normal mech pilot to adjust to its control schemes.

”I will be certain to warn my men. ” She said, though her tone belied the difficulties in store for her mech pilots.
”Please prepare the training modules on the mechs in question.
Perhaps they could benefit from a brief refresher course. ”

”Yes, ma ’am.
I ’ll prepare the materials. ”

Orfan shut off the channel, leaving Ves with very few instructions.
It didn ’t take too long for Ves to put the bestial mechs in training mode.
After that, he instructed the mech technicians to welcome the mech pilots and assist them into taking control of the hacked mechs.

Ves already turned his gaze to the other mechs that stubbornly remained locked.
He knew that Captain Orfan ’s detachment wouldn ’t be able to accomplish anything of significance with six shabby mechs.

”More mech pilots will certainly trickle in during the day.
There ’s not enough time for the Vandals to complete their objectives.
The more mechs I can bring online, the better our chances of completing our objectives. ”

And making it out of Vesian space alive.