Chapter 66: Real Men Ride Zaku
Adding a Gatling machine gun to the back, emitting blue flames.
Equipping it with miniature armor-piercing rounds, air-to-air missiles, anti-armor missiles, and so on.
Laser weapons, of course, couldn't be left out.
Russell swiftly sketched according to his imagination.
At the beginning, he referenced Colonel Rhodes' War Machine.
However, as he added more weapons, the appearance of the battle armor evolved into the look of another type of advanced high-tech body.
In the end, the battle armor had a completely different appearance.
Uh...
Looking at the design draft of the battle armor, Russell slightly furrowed his brows.
His drawing skills were pretty good, at least he managed to depict what he wanted.
But the modified Endosymbiotic Battle Armor armor ended up looking a bit like a type of advanced machine known as a "Gundam."
No, not just a bit; it looked almost exactly like a different form of Gundam.
Gundam was for adolescents, Zaku was for men!
Gallop through the battlefield with a handsome Gundam body, sweep across the cosmos, achieve timeless military exploits, and become a hero admired by all.
Fame, status, love—easily attainable. Which young man wouldn't desire such a splendid life?
But these were privileges reserved for protagonists.
As commoners, as players without any innate advantages, as unofficial filler NPCs in the Earth-based virtual reality game, ordinary people could only rely on their own efforts and sweat on the smoky battlefield, piloting mass-produced Zaku's with life and blood, trading them for valuable experience and the chance to survive.
Lacking superior mechanical performance, compensate with adept operational skills!
Without inborn talent or support from a distinguished background, trade with sweat and blood!
Lacking advanced weaponry, face the enemy head-on with hot energy axes, real knives, and guns!
Although the mass-produced Zaku didn't look as cool and powerful as a Gundam, the pilots of the Zaku's, armed with only limited weapons, defended their convictions and dignity!
A real man should understand his place: standing at thirty, understanding at forty, and enlightened at fifty!
A real man, even after understanding the essence of life, should still strive, persist, cherish, and be the steadfast and indomitable true man who'd rather die than accept defeat!
As Russell redrew the design sketch, he recalled various scenes of blood and passion left behind by the Zaku.
Soon, the battle armor's alternate modified form was depicted.
Unlike the cool Gundam with mobile wings, the Zaku-type battle armor looked much rougher.
After scrutinizing the two completely different design drafts of the Gundam-type and Zaku-type battle armor in his hand, Russell eventually made a decision.
Only children make choices; adults take everything!
Not only the design sketches for Gundam and Zaku but even the initial modified design resembling War Machine, Russell decided to keep them all.
After all, the Endosymbiotic Battle Armor had the ability to transform, so having a few more forms didn't matter much; it would just mean a bit more work for Peter.
While Russell finished designing the aircraft modifications, No. 3 had completed its inspection and reinforcement of the laboratory systems.
After No. 3 reverted the battle armor's right index finger back to its normal state, Russell handed over the design sketch to No. 3.
"This is a preliminary upgrade and modification plan for the battle armor. Take a look!"
Although No. 3 wasn't a real lifeform but an artificial intelligence, Russell still decided to respect its opinion.
"Understood, sir!"
Without any hesitation, No. 3 quickly skimmed through the sketch Russell had given it.
No. 3 wasn't familiar with Gundam or Zaku.
However, it had its own sense of aesthetics.
After looking at the sketch Russell had handed over, No. 3 picked up a pencil from the desk and started making modifications on the sketch.
A few minutes later, a design sketch that aligned with No. 3's aesthetics was completed.
No. 3 didn't deviate from Russell's original design; it just added some tiny details that immediately elevated the design's grandeur.
Russell glanced at the modified sketch No. 3 returned, nodding in satisfaction.
"Let's proceed with these upgrade sketches. I want all three forms!"
"By the way, Peter doesn't have much social experience. While you're in the laboratory, keep an eye on him. Don't let him get taken advantage of without realizing it!"
No. 3 quickly nodded and replied in an electronically synthesized male voice, "Understood, sir!"
After keeping the modified design sketch No. 3 had worked on, Russell returned to the laboratory on the second floor with No. 3.
Before entering the laboratory, he heard laughter coming from inside.
Uh...
Could it be that young Peter had already been taken advantage of by those female assistants?
Thinking this, Russell quickened his pace.
Upon returning to the laboratory with No. 3, the scene inside the laboratory was slightly different from what Russell had expected.
Young Peter hadn't been entirely consumed by these Victoria's Secret model-like female assistants.
However, Peter, with a bright red face, was sitting in a chair, his clothes somewhat disheveled, and his youthful face and neck bearing noticeable lipstick marks.
Although Peter hadn't been completely devoured by these female assistants, judging by his current appearance, he probably hadn't escaped being taken advantage of by them either.
Seeing Russell return with No. 3, Peter quickly stood up, emerging from the group of twittering and giggling assistants, and stood before Russell.
"Sir, I..."
Peter wanted to say something, but Russell cut him off before he could finish.
"You're almost an adult; there's nothing to be embarrassed about!"
Russell patted Peter's shoulder, then bent down and whispered into Peter's ear, "It's fine to have fun, but be sure to stay safe."
"If you end up having a child before graduating, your beautiful aunt will kill me!"
After saying this, Russell didn't pay attention to Peter's flushed face and handed the design sketch to him.
"These are preliminary plans for the upgrade. No. 3 will assist you. If you need anything, you can always talk to No. 3 or those assistants."
"No. 3?"
Peter asked with confusion.
"No. 3 is the artificial intelligence of the battle armor!"
Russell explained briefly.
Looking at the silver battle armor standing beside Russell, Peter couldn't help but show a surprised expression.
Although he was a very intelligent high school student, concepts like artificial intelligence and high-tech battle armor were still a bit distant from his daily life.
As someone who enjoyed watching movies, he was no stranger to the common depictions of artificial intelligence and advanced battle armor in sci-fi films.
However, this was the first time he had encountered these things in the real world.
Holding the design sketch in his hand, Peter stared at the Endosymbiotic Battle Armor with unblinking eyes.
Likewise, the beautiful female assistants in white lab coats and black stockings were also gazing at the battle armor with unwavering attention.
Despite their innocent appearances, their attractive looks and figures might lead one to question whether they possessed any actual research capabilities.
However, don't forget that they were all members of HYDRA.
Although HYDRA might have some intention of using seduction tactics on Russell, the individuals they sent would certainly not be brainless ornaments.
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