The Mech Touch

ta from all of the research projects the Vandals conducted, he tried to reconcile his conflicting urges.

”I may be a Larkinson, but I ’m not a warrior. ” He muttered.
”I have no place on the battlefield.
My presence makes no difference. ”

Ves inadvertently reminded himself of Eric Kichiro, the mech designer of Chopra Security Services and one of the few surviving Choprans the fleet picked up from a debris field in space.

The mech designer survived by being one of the first Choprans to abandon ship and eject from his escape pod.

He still remembered the phrase uttered by Eric.

”Cowardice is a virtue! ”

Of course, Eric subsequently died a coward ’s death.
A Chopran mech captain sneaked into his holding cell and executed the mech designer.

Did Eric deserve his death?

”He definitely had it coming.
His early flight set off a premature evacuation and practically ruined the Chopran ’s chances of winning against the NIN that stabbed them in the back. ”

Yet if Ves fled the Vandals, would he be committing the same sin as Eric?

Ves didn ’t think so.
First, the situation on the ground was a lot different than in space.
A few people on foot trying to flee wasn ’t as conspicuous as a bunch of escape pods emerging from a ship.

Second, Captain Byrd already tacitly consented to such behavior when she passed over the high-capacity data chips.
In fact, she even hoped that some of them might successfully flee.
The Vandals on the ground must not be forgotten.
All of their deeds and actions needed to be returned to the Bright Republic so that their sacrifice could be honored.

Third, Ves did not plan to flee too early in the battle.
Captain Byrd spoke correctly when she said that nothing could sneak past the Vesian blockade at their full strength.
Perhaps the means arranged by Miss Calabast might be an exception, but even then their chances of success became much greater if they fled at a time the Vesians incurred the maximum amount of losses possible.

”Cowardice is not a virtue. ” Ves concluded as he finished stuffing the data chip with all the research data he found valuable enough to carry away.
”Cowardice is a sin. ”

To flee from battle was a natural tendency.
To fear death and value your own life was as human as it got.
Yet Eric ’s actions accelerated the downfall of the Choprans.

Ves decided not to flee before the battle became decided.

After Ves finished stowing away the high-capacity data chip in a secure slot in his Earth Ant, he spent some time to prepare some supplies.
Aware that he couldn ’t bring too much, he mostly limited himself to carrying nutrient packs, water, a medical kit, batteries and some extra tools.

The nutrient packs contained enough calories to keep him alive for a very long time.
As the ultimate survival food the galaxy, they were jam-packed with nutrition and Ves could easily stretch out his supply for quite a long time if he went on a starvation diet.

On the other hand, he carried much less water, but his Earth Ant already contained an integrated water purifier.
As long as it remained working, it could easily recycle his urine as well as filter any water source he found in the wild.

Even though the astral winds covered the entire horizon, the ecosystem still supported rain, and plenty of rivers and lakes dotted the lands.
The only difference from a typical terrestrial planet was that Seven predominantly consisted of land.

After Ves finished preparing his pack of gear, Ves decided to pay a visit to Mayra.
He walked over the the Swordmaiden side of the camp and became inspired by the way the Swordmaidens pumped themselves up for battle.

Even if the Vandals resolved to fight to the death, they couldn ’t help but exhibit some fear.

It was different for the Swordmaidens.
Their warriors and mech pilots underwent an extensive amount of brutal training.
All of their cowards already died or left the sisterhood.
The only ones who remained successfully hunted an exobeast in the wild with nothing but their own bodies and a sword.

Swordmaidens capable of succeeding in their graduation ceremony no longer showed fear.
They even thought the Vandals might have exaggerated the threat posed by the Vesians.
They still believed they stood a good chance of winning.

Ves entered a familiar workshop and met with Mayra.
”I have something important to say.
Please call up Ketis. ”

Shortly afterwards, they entered a small office.
Once Ves activated his signal jammer, he began to broach the topic of escape.

”I ’ve come into contact with a third party. ” He revealed.
”I ’ve made a private arrangement with that person.
In the event of a defeat, the third party is willing to sneak me to the safe zone around the Starlight Megalodon and save me from Vesian pursuit.
I managed to negotiate the right to bring along an extra. ”

The pirate designers frowned.
Ketis still remained a little confused, but Mayra ’s eyes grew sharp.
The news that a third party might be staring at the Flagrant Swordmaidens and Vesians particularly caught her attention!

”Is this supposed third-party trustworthy in anyway? ”

”No. ” Ves admitted.
”I don ’t even know who she really is or who she works for.
However, I think she ’s sincere enough because she needs my cooperation with certain matters.
The point is that I may have a way of giving Ketis a way out. ”

”Hey! ” Ketis growled.
”If anyone ’s getting away, it should be Mayra! The Swordmaidens in the fleet still need her! I know my worth! I ’m a nobody right now. ”

Mayra immediately cut in, causing Ketis to halt.
”Absolutely not.
In no way will I allow this opportunity to fall on anyone else but you.
Although the offer from Ves sounds dubious, if anyone among us deserves an out, it should be you! ”

”But why?! ”

”Because I ’m old, and you ’re young! ”

Ves stood by the side, not wanting to intervene.
He felt touched by their selflessness and willingness to sacrifice themselves.

Ketis thought of the good Mayra could still do.
As a Journeyman Mech Designer, she could absolutely reinvigorate the surviving Swordmaidens.

As for Mayra, she considered Ketis to be her own adoptive daughter.
A parent should never put their own lives over their children.
Her sense of motherhood towards her protege compelled her to give Ketis the opportunity to escape and start a new life.

Because for Mayra, she loved Ketis more than she loved the Swordmaidens.