Chapter Text
The choice to tell Tem Ray of my Mobile Suit simulator comes down to the decision to try to maintain canon on it’s previous rails, or to chart a new path into the unknown. While running along the canon path is certainly safe allowing small changes to snowball into a new path, it’s almost assuredly futile. I now have 30 years of extra life experience compared to Amuro 1.0, more knowledge, more intelligence, etc. The snowball started rolling the moment the Forge lit up, and trying to slow it down will just end with me crushed beneath it.
Charting a new path also means that Side 7 has a better odds of not being destroyed, and saves many of the kids (for that is now what they are to me) from being conscripted to a war they don’t need to be involved in. I will never be able to connect with them like the original, and I certainly won’t be able to angst like the original. No, there is only one choice to make, the real question is how to convince my father to involve his son in top-secret military research. Preferably without revealing my own espionage. While it wasn’t explicitly mentioned, Amuro was aware of his father’s work on some level, so I should be able to work out a probable reason for building a simulator.
“Uh, I’ll show you after dinner, it still has a few kinks to work out, but it should be a useful thing for the Federation...maybe?” I eventually settled on saying. “Oh? Well, I’ll look forward to it, then!” Tem replied.
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Eating with the Bow mother and daughter was a bit awkward, it seems that having ten degrees worth of knowledge and a newly made Mensa level genius did not break either myself or Amuro of a general social awkwardness. (Maybe I can use the coding from the Learning computer to generate a social cue support system?) It also seems Tem is fairly awkward, it’s not like he can talk about work with civilians, so there isn’t a lot that we can talk about.
“...so, Amuro, how is school? Any subjects you are having issues with?” Tem finally said. Wait, a good chance to escape schooling has appeared!
“Not really. I was actually debating asking if I could test out. I’m not really learning anything new at this point, and only really talk with Hayato and Fraw there.” “Amuro!?” Fraw exclaimed. Which is fair, since this is the first I mentioned this.
“Hmm, We’ll discuss it. I’ll need to see where your studies are to decide.” This I was fine with, considering, you know, the ten degrees and general knowledge base provided by [Well Researched] & [Scientist Supreme]. In fact, it might even work to push my goal of joining Operation V.
“Sounds good.”
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After dinner came the moment of truth, or the first moment of truth at least. I sat down in the chair I was using for the Simulator, and started booting the software, making sure it was all working as intended (which, of course, it was.). I put on the Headset, and ensured the video would stream to the monitor outside, and started the first simulation run. Luckily, I hadn’t started with the Gundam as the first MS listed, but the Zaku I, since there was plenty of data on both Zaku models from the Operation V project. And since this will be used eventually by all potential MS pilots of the Federation, having a prototpye high-performance Mobile Suit as the first device is not the best way to train a pilot. A solid foundation before jumping to the top-tier suits is the best way to train, none of this sink or swim stuff.
As I’m running through the simulation, getting used to controlling the suit via the tutorial (Always play the tutorial, people!), I could practically hear Tem’s jaw hit the floor with what he was seeing. Here was his son, running a bare bones version of the mobile suit cockpit, from his bedroom using spare parts. If this doesn’t get me into the project, then the discussion we’ll have regarding where my knowledge really is now will. I doubt the Federation leadership will care about my age, they didn’t in the OG timeline.
So, as I finish the basics and get used to the controls (Which I feel I can smooth out with some software side controls, rather than everything being it’s own switch.) I pull off my headset, and turn to look at him. “So, how is it? Did I get the specs right? I wanted to make the feel as close to authentic as I could.” I said to Tem. “Amuro, you- yes, that was as close as one can get without a gyroscopic seat to simulate movement of the chassis. This is what you were working on?” Tem replied. As I was about to go into my techno babble, I hitched up for a second, Because the Forge was ready to send some more goodies my way.
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[Celestial Forge Connection link… Established.]
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[Calculating…100CP stored, attempting roll…]
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[Traditional Genius (SB Dragonball Z) (100CP) rolled, and added to the user’s being]
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And so, once again, my mind was expanded, but this went far beyond what the previous perks did. If those were mostly providing a good base of knowledge, with some Intelligence boosts and memory enhancement on the side, then this takes all of them and dials it up to Eleven. Once again, a dozen more degrees in sciences (particular to my situation, engineering) were shoved into my brain, at the level of the one and only Bulma Briefs. The character who took what is essentially a 21 century or so Earth and built a FTL capable ship with scraps from a centuries-old alien ship. In other words, an Einstein-grade super genius. This is supported by the secondary boosts. Once more, my memory is now-fiat backed to an eidetic level (again), and my IQ, which was already pretty damn good was set to a baseline of 250 IQ. That wording is IMPORTANT.
Most of the previous perks built on what was already there, which while not an insignificant level, it was not too far from the average – not like a 250 IQ. With that, plus the previous perks which now pushed me even higher, I can legitimately claim to be one of the foremost minds of this era. This is what the Celestial Forge can do, and yet, I still almost only got some boosts to my brain, and knowledge. I still did not have the Workshop key, but I wasn’t concerned about that yet, as that is usually given either at first waking or on first getting a Facility perk. I’m, more worried if I have some nerfed version of the Celestial Forge, but there isn’t much I can do about it regardless, so I put I out of my mind.
Tuning back into the conversation I having having with my father, “Well, I knew you were doing some weapons research with the Federation, and right now, the Mobile Suit is their biggest advantage. I figured it made sense that we were trying to make our own suit to counter theirs. Am I wrong?” Tem looked at me, flabbergasted, “No, but to make a functioning and accurate simulator from publicly available data is...it looks like we can probably get you out of high-school after all. And, if you’re interested, maybe I can talk to my bosses and get you an internship.” “That sounds great!”
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The next day, I’m sitting in an empty class room with Tem (He actually took a day off for this!) and the principal of the Acadamy. It turns out, that after a 100 years of advancements, testing ahead isn’t set grade by grade, but a huge, comprehensive, knowledge quiz to determine where you are academically. This means I could even get accredited as a Doctorate if I want. The question being, do I want to go so far?
Answer: of course. If I’m de-railing this train-wreck of a world, then best to do it now before I can start getting cold feet.
“You have until the end of classes, or until you decide to stop testing in all of the available subjects. You may begin.”
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8 ½ hours straight of testing everything under the sun, even my super brain is hurting a bit. Of course the fact that I was able to actually complete the quiz should be a good sign in and of itself. Considering they are testing damn near every field of knowledge, you’d think there would be some small things I’d not know. I’d say you underestimate what level having two dozen doctorates of knowledge gets you to. At a doctorate level, there is a lot of cross-over knowledge, and considering I have enough degrees at this point that I could open a single teacher college by myself – the actual coverage of my knowledge actually is worth many more lesser degrees in many other fields. Adding my baseline level of knowledge in every field from [Scientist Supreme], adding my ability to cross reference knowledge from [Well Researched], adding that this is already a futuristic society… well, I’m already at a ridiculous starting point.
If I was in a place like Worm, or Marvel, maybe I’d need to keep a lower profile, but here, I need to get the Federation’s attention. And their resources, since the Forge had not given me any ability to build stuff beyond what I can get my hands on in reality. Hopefully, before the month is out, I’d get something in that field, if only to start making field upgrades to the Gundams, but until then, I need to get in there and see what I can do to boost at least one Gundam to beyond the performance it shows in the show. Also, I need to get their systems encrypted, because what I saw of them was just sad.
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The next day, I wake up to an email, proclaiming my graduation of high school...and my new doctorates in many, many fields, and Masters, Bachelors, and Associates, in dozens more. I’m probably the guy with the most pieces of paper to hang on my wall now in this world. If this doesn’t get me into Operation V, then I may have to defect to Zeon in sheer embarrassment of their ineptitude.
Naturally, after showing my father the email, he packed me up in his car, and off to the ‘secret’ base we go. (Seriously, half the civilians on Side 7 know about the Federation team stationed here, no OPSEC at all.)
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Sometimes, it pays to have family in high places. While I knew that Tem Ray was involved in Operation V, I did not remember him being the Chief Engineer, directly under General Johann Abraham Revil himself. The Commander-in-Chief of the Federation Military during the One-Year War, and one of the few characters who would be a major boon to save past it. If he had been alive, the Titans may have still come into being, but they would be curtailed heavily in the atrocities they could pull with Federation money.
The General, after receiving an (encrypted) copy of my new degrees, simulator design – improved to allow for them to build in a full simulator chamber, and with the Data Khala connected version of my improved learning computer, which I called EVA (Evolving Virtual Apperception), - approved my attachment to Operation V immediately. I consider it’s ability to support the pilot near to the Zero system of the AC timeline, only without it feeding the data directly into normal pilots, it can’t ‘create the future’ like they could. But, with Data Khala essentially connected to every copy they make, including into future GM Mobile Suits, then I can at least operate with a pseudo-level of battlefield awareness to Wing Zero, even if I don’t become a Newtype.
I can also shut off any support for anyone who takes a GM unit later, or tries to use my software for purposes I disagree with, though I obviously didn’t mention that.
My first (official) look at the 3 Gundam units, I felt my inner geek squealing. Any mecha nerd would be going crazy looking at the first of the Real Robots. After being introduced to many of the of the engineers of the project, and the test pilots and soldiers that were prepared (Bright Noa was actually stationed here, who knew.) I was ready to get to work, but the Forge decided I needed one more boost before I started supping the Gundam units up.
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[Celestial Forge Connection link… Established.]
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[Calculating…100CP stored, attempting roll…]
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[REMODELLING (Medaka Box Abnormal) (100CP) rolled, and added to the user’s being]
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Oh. Ohhh. OHHHH!
This perk, finally, is something new, something that can allow for a real evolution of my combat potential, and that of others. This power, allows me to, quote, “Directly improve the power and efficiency or living beings or inanimate objects by remodeling them.” this would already be a godsend for working on the Gundam, but, it’s what I can do to humans now that makes this worth it. “...Turning someone into a powerful cyborg or bringing out latent Abnormal or Minus powers within your own brain, given you can use Remodeling on yourself just as easily.” In other words, I can now unlock my latent Newtype abilities literally right now. And then unlock Newtype abilities in anyone who has the potential. I can even boost my reaction, physique, caloric efficiency, oxygen intake needs, etc. I can literally make super-soldiers now! Yes, if I handle this right, the war will change really fast. I could be the father of the Coordinators of the UC timeline.
Finishing the debrief with everyone, it was time to start really making some waves.
“Alright, so after looking at the Gundam blueprints, I had some thoughts on improvements, please let me know if anything is unfeasible to be ready to go before the White Base arrives, we’ll table those for later or send them to Earth for other teams to work on...”
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I really should not have, but I underestimated the construction abilities of the UC Timeline. I shouldn’t have treated it so simply, after all, they’ve managed to build dozens of massive Space Stations all over the Lagrange points of Earth, setup a City on Luna, etc. still, I was amazed at the progress we managed on all 3 Gundams in the time we had available.
The first change was one I considered to be the most time-sensitive, was encrypting their systems. Full scale Quantum-entangled handshake encryption algorithms, all but impossible to crack without the key. Naturally, each pilot would be assigned a key, which would use their DNA to set a unique Identifier to prevent anyone from just swiping the key. While I did have to leave a backdoor for resetting the system if the pilot should ever die or be released from duty, there are enough checks and balances to prevent all but ripping the cockpit and computer out and starting over from allowing an unauthorized user. I also made some software level encryption and patched the Federation systems, which I imagine really threw off Zeon Intelligence forces.
My next focus was the cockpit redesign. With my knowledge and design abilities, I was able to put together the Panoramic cockpit about 3 months ahead of time. The benefits of full range sight it grants makes that a no brainer to implement. Included in that was the Linear Seat, which was mounted in the ‘bubble’ of cameras and had some airbags along it. This reduced the shock force Pilots dealt with by high-G maneuvers and impacts.
Next, and also the first change that wasn’t just moving Tech forward in the timeline, I moved many controls over to touch panels. The control locations did not change, so the simulations would not lose too much effectiveness, but I added customization for pilots when approved to allow for users who have preferences to have the buttons they use closer on hand. The touch panels were also more responsive than switches and buttons, not by much, but I was surprised by the electric-sensitivity already available in touch screens, I didn’t need to make many changes before getting it just right. I also was able to develop and integrate QEC communicators into all of them, as they are unaffected by the transmission loss issues of Minovsky Particles, and the range issues of laser and contact link communications. After that, I switched the Stick controls over to the Arm Raker type of control system. It is essentially a sphere the pilot can rest their hand on, and rotate to move the suit, it includes space for even more buttons. This both adds flexibility and simplicity to the Pilot’s ability to maneuver while inputting controls. Finally, while it wasn’t relevant to these units, I included the ability for the Cockpit to turn into an Ejection pod, which will reduce the cost compared to trying to implement the Core Block system like the Gundams, GunCannons, and GunTank all use, and increase general pilot safety when the GM eventually comes out.
All of this only took a week to implement on all three Gundam Units. Naturally, they all had the EVA system installed, and a Simulator template was added for this model of unit for the pilots to train on. It was then time to get ambitious. Starting with one of the units we would push the Gundam performance even further beyond (cue 5 minutes of Super Saiyan screaming).
While I wouldn’t be able to strip the unit down and rebuild it from the ground up to include a movable Frame concept used in later Mobile suit design, I could at least make iterative improvements to the general systems and weapons. The first thing I did was change the original joints from a rigid 2-D system to a Globe Joint system, improving joint range of motion, and increasing AMBAC capabilities. I was then able to integrate the Magnetic Coating right out of the gate, which will provide a nice performance boost and reduce wear and tear. I was also able to convert the vernier thruster from using a reaction mass to using a Minovsky Particle electric propulsion thruster. This not only freed a nice little chunk of space from the internals, but also means that as long as it has power, it can keep moving, and the thrust generated is higher as well, up to 97000 kg, allowing for faster 3-D movement and a Max acceleration of 1.50 G.
The thruster changes made took another 4 day for this unit, and then the Forge struck again.
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[Celestial Forge Connection link… Established.]
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[Calculating…100CP stored, attempting roll…]
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[Cry Havoc (World of Darkness - Genius The Transgression) (100CP)] rolled and integrated in the user’s being.]
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Well now, that was quite handy. All of my inventions from now on would fiat-backed into being black box technology. So, if I don’t give someone a blueprint to what I do, then they won’t be able to reverse engineer them. And it was retroactively applied to all of my work, so now that I’d done a lot of stuff with both the Gundams and the Federation systems... the Zeon Intelligence guys are really having a bad month thanks to me. It’s almost as good as having Blank in a tech focused universe like this. Almost.
Regardless, it didn’t really change any of my plans so, I went forward with my work.
I re-designed the ECAP system using my new knowledge of spatial compression from the DBZ universe, increasing the ‘ammo count’ as it were for the Beam Rifle to a level where single battle operations would not have reloading issues. Due to the nature of the system, I could only improve its energy efficiency by so much, but I was able to reduce the draw of power on the reactor by a few notches, And increase it’s effective range and rate of fire, while also adding a variable toggle for the firing method, allowing for single shot, burst, and a close range beam spray, which is similar to a shotgun.
To prevent power loss due to the thruster output, I redesigned the Minovsky Ultracompact Fusion Reactor, not only increasing its efficiency to up to 2950 kW, but also lowering its weight by a bit as well. I had other ideas for a new type of power source entirely, but did not have the time to design, build, and test. Regardless, thanks to the improvements, I was able to integrate a limited version of the I-Field Generator, providing some level of Beam protection if needed, though it was no where near as powerful as a Mobile Armor could make it, nor could it run as long. I instead routed to the arms, and set it up to activate when ‘blocking’ using either arm, then deactivate after, to save both energy and reduce the overheating.
The final change I had time to make was to sensors. I integrated a passive input LIDAR system to allow for high fidelity short-to-mid range range detection, essentially using any light reflected from objects to map the object. The range of this system is only up to 500 meters, less than even the original sensors, but it provides an incredibly precise ability for detection of any physical object down to the size of a small animal, and can even detect incoming beams. This also improved the Panoramic camera systems, as it did not need to rely so heavily on simulating the gaps between cameras, and so freed up some processing space for other things.
We were able to integrate these changes fully into two of the three Gundams, and were working on the third, when the notice of White Base scheduling their pickup was sent out. The Third unit would have to be re-assembled missing some of the performance boosters, in particular, the higher performance Reactor, the I-field Generators in the arms, and the LIDAR systems. The pilot of that unit would need to be easy on the throttle until it could be switched out.
During my free time, I was able to test and use my [REMODELLING] ability to find the Newtype ability after checking the blood of quite a few Spacenoids. While I wasn’t able to unlock it quite yet, simply knowing who has the potential is already a boon, and I was able to devise a Newtype blood test easily enough. In the meantime, I’ve boosted my own conscious reaction time down to the closest to I could get it, 0.16 seconds, nearing the limit of baseline human biology, and improved my bodies durability a bit. There’s only so much I can do here, as the base was meant for Mechanical Engineering, and doesn’t really have the facilities for bio-engineering.
As D-Day arrived, I could only wonder if Char would track the White Base like he did in canon. If so, my first battle was approaching. As I ensured everything was packed and ready to go, the Forge struck once more.
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[Celestial Forge Connection link… Established.]
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[Calculating…100CP stored, attempting roll…]
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[Scanner | Upgraded scanner | PDA (Subnautica) (100CP) rolled, and add to the user’s being]
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….Fuck, I could have used that a few days ago.