Chapter 62

　　Humanity had been brought to the brink of destruction during their war against the sentient and infuriated Artificial Intelligence they had created. When peace finally returned, society exploded across the galaxy using the Engine.

　　But with the loss of AI, advanced computing and technological advancement ground to a halt. Humans could no longer rely on the assistance of computers to drive their civilization forward, and technology stagnated for centuries. When combined with the fear and pogroms against technology, humanity regressed for the first time in millennia.

　　Before the Grand Unification of the Empire, the Emperor was merely one of the few remaining oligarchs of Terra, a world still trying to recover from the previous conflict. Mechs and Starships had advanced leaps and bounds, but the Neural Burden on their Pilots still held them back. The human mind could only take so much, even with genetic enhancements and training.

　　Although fractured humans thrived as a species, there was a fear amongst the ruling nobility that without a unifying force to impose the Taboo against AI, humanity could one day be plunged into a war of annihilation that had nearly made them extinct.

　　Human civilization could have been very different without a fate-changing discovery on Terra, one that transformed the future of humankind. The first Titan Mech was born.

　　Using technology that bordered on the Taboo, it pushed past the established limits of the Neural Link. Better yet, the Engine that powered Starships could be used to generate unlimited energy and instantaneous travel anywhere in the galaxy, all within a single Mech.

　　Only one was created at the time, the personal Mech of the Emperor, who used it to lead his forces across the galaxy in a war of unification. Forging the Empire through blood and steel, his generals became the Ducal lords of their new realm.

　　Twelve Dukes ruled the galaxy under the benevolent oversight of the Emperor. They were the twelve stars that surrounded and protected the imperial eagle, immortalized in the symbol used for the Empire.

　　In recognition of their loyalty and to further cement his leadership, the Emperor created twelve Mechs based on the design of the original.

　　"Bound to their bloodlines, these Mechs are the incarnation of our duty to uphold the law and protect the innocent," Emeritus said as they stared at the Mech before them.

　　The Atlas stood over one hundred feet tall, humanoid, with its torso a base white, while black and red armour panels mixed with gold highlights. Perfectly proportioned, it appeared both noble and fearsome, with six bladelike protrusions on its back.

　　On its head, two green eyes were dim in the vault while a golden V` crested its forehead, similar to the symbol of war on the vault entrance.

　　Kal stood in awe at the Mech and the armaments it wielded. Particle Projection Cannons hung on both sides, along with twin Railguns and heavy Lasrifles.

　　"Named after the Titan Atlas,` it`s a Mech that can keep the sky from falling, like its namesake. Nothing in the galaxy can match its ferocity except for the other Titans in its class. But with that power comes a Neural Burden that can only be overcome by those who have been genetically enhanced through generations. Even then, it will kill the unprepared." Emeritus explained, staring at the Atlas for a moment.

　　"Kalen," Emeritus repeated, turning away from the Mech and staring at his grandson. Although it was only a Holo, the effect was uncanny, and Kal couldn`t help but think that the man was really there.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

　　"This machine must be kept away from your father. If I am unsuccessful, and he becomes Duke, he will use its power for selfish reasons. I fear that he will even wage war against the Emperor himself. Therefore, I have hidden it here until you are ready." Emeritus continued.

　　"I hope my fears are unrealized and things work out for the best, but I must be prepared for anything. Do not attempt to Pilot Atlas until you are ready. Even though it is attuned to our bloodline, the strain can destroy your mind if you are untrained and ill-equipped to control it.

　　"Atlas borders the Taboo. Its systems do not replicate a human mind but rather take a piece of the Pilot`s consciousness, even his soul, to reduce the strain. Each Pilot adds to the soul of the machine. Once linked to its Pilot, it will be a presence inside you for your entire life. You will become a part of something that has been in our family for millennia, almost an amalgamation of all of us."

　　"But that part is the very worst of our subconscious. It`s a machine of war, death and killing. It has taken that aspect unto itself. It will devour your mind if you are too weak, leaving you nothing but a husk, Kalen." Emeritus warned.

　　"Therefore, do not use Atlas unless you have no other choice, and only when you are capable." Emeritus finished. Letting out a sigh, the cracks began to show in his expression. His stern fa鏰de faded, leaving an older man behind.

　　"Take care, my boy. Hopefully, you will never hear these words." The image blinked out of existence, and the recording finished. Kal stared at the space momentarily, the vault around him silent as he processed what his grandfather had said.

　　He would never attempt to use this Mech unless his preparation failed and the enemy he was about to face was more than he could handle. Samuel`s warning had led him here in search of a final line of defence, something to use when everything had gone against him.

　　Shaking away his doubt and the lingering feelings his grandfather`s words left in him, Kal stepped towards Atlas, wondering how to go about entering the Mech. It had been left here for over five hundred years but looked brand new. It even lacked a layer of dust, it`s surface bright and shiny.

　　The cockpit section was closed, and the Mobile Suit stood upright and immobile. The vault around him was empty, the walls distant and bare. No repair stations, consoles or equipment. Aside from Atlas, nothing else was here.

　　"What am I supposed to do with you?" Kal whispered, gently placing his hand against the metallic surface of Mech`s leg. He was akin to an ant staring up at a person. The size difference was dwarfing.

　　Kal did not intend to pilot the Titan until he tested the connection between them. It wouldn`t be a last resort if it killed him as soon as he entered it. At the very least, he wanted to know how long he could pilot it in a pinch.

　　As a Light Class Pilot, he could potentially upgrade to a Medium without hurting himself, although he would likely be slow and useless until he adapted. But this Titan was above an Assault Mech. It could kill him as soon as he stepped inside and activated it.

　　It had taken Tamara hundreds of years of experience to become capable of Piloting an Assault class. And although she lacked a Noble`s genetic enhancements and a bloodline bred for Atlas, it demonstrated how difficult Piloting a high-tier Mech could be.

　　As Kal`s hand touched the metal of the Mech, the Mobile Suit`s green eyes glowed with an inner light. Unnoticed by Kal, its systems began to come online, and the reactor inside it began to spin. So similar to the mythical Engine, the heart of the Titan awoke.

　　"User recognized. Kalen Caledon." A mechanical voice spoke from the Mech. The machine`s cockpit opened, revealing a dark interior. A retractable ladder slowly expanded, reaching the floor.

　　Kal climbed inside the Mech and felt the gel cushion chair mould around him. It took some getting used to, the height difference between a Titan and his Nyx was astounding, and it threw off his perspective.

　　Tentatively, Kal pulled up the maintenance and optimization holo display, the initial step before connecting to a new Mech. No one leaped into a new machine unless they were absolutely sure they could handle the neural burden.

　　Instead, they did what was called a neural handshake.` A test to see if the Pilot could actually handle the load. The test would allow Kal to determine if he could even operate the Mech or if his head would pop like a balloon.

　　"Initial test Neural Burden." Kal ordered, awaiting the initial feelers` of the Mech`s neural link. When he felt nothing, he repeated the command.

　　"Access Denied. Neural Connection required." The mechanical female voice replied. Frustrated, Kal tried to bring up a manual or instructions for the Titan. He had only started to review some schematics when the voice spoke again.

　　"Initiating Neural Link."

　　"Wait, I`m no"- Kal`s voice was cut off as the Neural link connected, and he was overwhelmed with pain.