Chapter 51

　　Kal`s view expanded from the cockpit of the Nyx,` the entire galaxy of stars spread out before him. Behind, Caledon shone like a beautiful and fragile blue jewel in the darkness.

　　The Neural Burden of the Light Class Mech was high but manageable. His movements were sluggish at first, but he had plenty of room to practice in the expanse of space. The lack of gravity took some adjustment, and he had to constantly remind himself that his momentum would be maintained, which required counterthrust to slow.

　　The Nyx` was equipped with a backpack` type piece of equipment, a potent booster pack tied directly to the Mech`s reactor. He could reach unimaginable speeds with it, but the distance between objects messed with his perception of velocity and scale.

　　Starships were fragile objects, lacking shields and offensive weaponry. The slightest change in their internal systems could have catastrophic effects on the Engine. Even over the thousands of years since their invention, it was a limitation that couldn`t be overcome.

　　Space combat involved closing with the enemy rapidly, engaging them with Lasguns and short-range missiles. Mechs and assault ships would be the primary force, supported and resupplied from Starships placed well outside the combat zone to protect them.

　　Kal had seen the records of space combat from the AI Wars, where hypervelocity missiles using advanced computers could track objects at ridiculous distances, accurately striking them long before a Mech could engage. Whole worlds had been destroyed from orbit or Starships Jumping into a planet`s surface.

　　With the Taboo against AI technology and computers that could replicate the human mind, space combat had contracted,` significantly reducing the distance required to engage the enemy.

　　"Alright, Rookies, I want you to close in on that assault carrier. Remember to keep your distance from each other to avoid clustering together, and don`t fly in a straight line!" One of the more veteran commanders who had joined Kal`s House Guard spoke over their team comms link.

　　"Roger." The six-person crew sounded off, with Merit` speaking first. Taking a calming breath, Kal accelerated his Nyx` with a thought. The Neural Link replaced traditional, Taboo advanced computers, and the Pilot`s mind directly linked to their machine, Piloting as if it were one`s own body.

　　The Backpack` thruster on his Mobile Suit flared to a brilliant white, reaching maximum thrust momentarily. Kal could feel his body press into the cushioned cockpit as the acceleration flattened him backward.

　　Beside him, his companions accelerated gradually, their bodies comfortable pulling four g`s or more without a problem. For Kal, he rocketed past nine, through ten until he topped off at 11 g`s of acceleration.

　　"Are you insane!?" One of the other Pilots yelled out through the channel, watching the Nyx shoot ahead.

　　"Merit, are you trying to kill yourself!? Pull back on the throttle." Their commander advised, shaking his head at the rookie maneuver. A Mech could far outpace the Pilot within. Their bodies were the weakest parts of the Machine. As a Pilot grew more secure in their Mobile Suits, that limit could increase.

　　For a Rookie Pilot like Merit, he would likely pass out quickly.

　　"I`m good." Kal replied calmly, pushing the Mech to move faster.

　　With a thought, he cut the thruster, letting the Mech drift, before re-engaging the backpack` this time at a ninety-degree angle. The Nyx cut to the side, zig-zagging through space at breakneck speeds as Kal played around with the controls.

　　Behind him, his companions watched in awe as he far outpaced them, reaching the Assault Carrier first and decelerating. Pointing his Heavy Lasgun at the ship, he told the training crew they were under arrest.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

　　Minutes later, his companions rejoined him, none as comfortable with their Mechs.

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　　Two Weeks Before the New Year

　　The Pilot recruit`s Commander stood before them, wearing a bodysuit in the Caledonian colours of black and red. Lacking a helmet, his voice carried effortlessly throughout the auditorium on Luna.

　　The city was almost complete, their Mechs stored on the surface, while Starships docked using the newly constructed orbital platform and space elevator.

　　Addressing the crowd of two hundred Pilots in their cohort, the Commander outlined the day`s training exercise.

　　"You`ll be split up into two groups. A` Team will be assaulting the target, while the B` Team will defend. Since this is training for an authentic operation, we have secured a Starship for today`s maneuvers. I want to be clear, do not engage near it. The last thing I want is to explain to the Baron why we damaged one of his ships." The Commander stated, displaying a holo of the training area.

　　Combat doctrine stated that engagements should be far from a Starship to reduce the chance of unrepairable and catastrophic damage. The Starship would be positioned, with the defenders inside and unsuited, while only a small squad defends the exterior.

　　Once sensors picked up the enemy, they would exit the ship and sortie.

　　"For today`s training, Merit, you`ll lead team A.` Rex, Team B.`" The auditorium was filled with a strange combination of groans and cheers at the announcement. Merit had developed a reputation as one of the best Pilots in their Cohort, leagues ahead of the others. Team B` would have a disadvantage with him as an opponent.

　　Merit sat at the front, his bodysuit`s helmet already on as he took note of the training data on the holo. It had been odd to the others that he always hid his face and didn`t have a room with the others in the dormitory, but they had come to accept it after getting to know him.

　　They chalked it up to considerations for his skills.

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　　Kal waited until the countdown on his Mech`s HUD reached zero before speaking over Team A`s communication channel. They were on the surface of Luna, the staging area for the day`s operation.

　　"Let`s go." Kal spoke, his voice calm and assured as he had his Mech leap upwards off the surface, engaging the thrusters as soon as he was clear. All around him, others did the same.

　　Reaching maximum velocity, the familiar feeling of high acceleration pressed against him. Before he could outpace the others, he cut his thrust, cruising silently while ensuring that his Heavy Lasgun was primed and ready.

　　For training, they used real weapons that had been disabled but could ping` an opponent, giving their sensors an indication of whether they sustained damage or not. There were problems with it at times, Kal found that it was somewhat generous in range and accuracy compared to the VR game he was used to, but it was still better than live fire against allies.

　　The hundred Pilots spread out, their mechs glittering in the sunlight as they travelled through space, following the indicator on their HUD to where their target should be. Kal occasionally gave more commands, splitting them further into groups of four and having them slightly alter their trajectories so they could form a pincer formation.

　　Satisfied, he waited in silence until the Starship came into sight. His sensors picked it up before his eyes could see it, and the Neural Link buzzed` in his head to notify him.

　　"Target Detected." The mechanical voice spoke unnecessarily, as he could already feel` its presence.

　　Kal`s vision zoomed into it with a thought, revealing the ship`s boxlike structure and unadorned metallic surface. He spotted several Mechs floating around it for protection, and the bay doors were only now opening, showing that the defenders would likely be out of position once Kal arrived.

　　Grinning, he boosted his Mech forward, the others speeding up around him.

　　With the weight of his acceleration pressing against him, Kal lifted his Lasgun, sighting the first target and firing. Devoid of the satisfying crack` or the streak of light, his sensors pinged` to indicate he had struck the Mech dead center, its functions dropping as it died` and slowed to a stop to float helplessly.

　　Like a flash of light, Kal was everywhere, speeding through his foes, his weapon almost constantly firing. He was untouchable, and his agility pushed the Nyx` to its limits. Time slowed to a crawl as his instincts took over, and his connection to his Mobile Suit neared perfection.

　　When the commander called the training to end, the defenders were utterly routed, while losses on Kal`s side had been minimal. He had just been returning to Luna City when his commlink displayed a call from Caledon.

　　"Kal, we`ve just received a notification. The Imperial Guard is on their way here. They`ll be in the system within the hour." Sylla said, her voice grim.