novelsite Chapter 22: AS
Chapter 22: AS
At this moment, what appeared in front of Guo Yi was a mecha that looked like a Gundam.
The reason it is said to be similar is that, apart from being humanoid like Gundam, the mecha is different from Gundam in every other way.
First of all, there is a significant difference in height between the two: Gundams are generally over ten meters tall, some are tens of meters tall, and some are even as big as warships.
The mecha designed by Zhou Lao and his team was only about eight meters tall.
Secondly, there are significant differences in the power layout: the Gundam has obvious engine nozzles used to adjust attitude, assist in movement and flight, etc.
The mechs that Zhou Lao and his crew had no engine nozzles from top to bottom, so they couldn't even do a jump, let alone fly. They relied entirely on the performance of the mechs and the pilot's skill.
Next is the difference in weaponry: Gundam not only has various weapons on the machine itself, but can also be equipped with additional weapons and equipment according to combat needs.
The mechs of Elder Zhou and his team had no weapons, either inside or out; they relied entirely on additional equipment.
Aside from the visible external differences, the internal structure, operating systems, cockpit, and so on are all different.
Oh, right, there are two other things that are the same as Gundam: they are all battery-powered machines, and they both operate primarily using a distributed psycho-link system.
Such a machine reminded Guo Yi of a special kind of machine, the AS (Armored mobile master-Slave system) from Full Metal Panic!, which spread the term "black technology".
But AS is AS, and MS is MS!
In line-of-sight warfare, mass-produced mobile suits can replace aircraft, tanks, and warships as the main weapons for two reasons: first, their superior mobility, adaptability, defense, and attack power; and second, the fact that Gundams have enough volume to accommodate various devices that enhance line-of-sight and other weapons.
As for AS...
Due to its size limitations, an AS without a λ-DRIVER system has too many disadvantages: it can't fly, can't jump high, can't run fast, is expensive to build, and can't be used in space, etc., making it far less cost-effective than a tank.
Therefore, after Guo Yi finished looking at the mecha designed by Elder Zhou and his team, he asked with a strange expression, "Elder Zhou, the project you received isn't about developing a mecha that can replace mass-produced MS, is it?"
Do you think this mech can replace a mobile suit?
Old Zhou asked a question in return, and then explained, "The project we took on requires us to develop an inexpensive mecha with low learning costs that can be used for security and civil engineering in the Tushita Palace for daily security and civil engineering."
After explaining, Old Zhou said with a headache, "We have tried our best to reduce the learning and manufacturing costs of this mecha, but it still doesn't meet the standards."
With our current capabilities, further reducing learning and manufacturing costs is not something that can be accomplished in a short time. Therefore, we would like to ask if you have any solutions to further reduce them.
If we don't have a solution, then we'll put this project on hold and move on to other projects.
"I see……"
Guo Yi nodded in sudden realization, and then a somewhat historical anime series flashed through his mind: Patlabor.
That anime series features both civilian, inexpensive mechs specifically designed for civil engineering and police-grade inexpensive mechs used to stop civilian mechs from causing damage.
However, neither of those types of mechs has a life support system and therefore cannot operate in space.
Furthermore, the operating systems of those two types of mechs are also inadequate; they are too easily hacked and too prone to going out of control.
Besides, since they are cheap and have low learning costs, why not promote their use in the atmosphere as well?
Thinking of this, Guo Yi asked, "How long will the learning process take? What are the manufacturing cost requirements? Also, is it only for use in space, or is it for both space and atmospheric use?"
"The faster you learn to operate, the better. The total price of the learning equipment should not exceed ten million. The smaller the learning space, the better."
In terms of manufacturing costs, the main body will not exceed 20 million, and each other piece of equipment will not exceed 10 million.
Ideally, it should be usable both in space and within the atmosphere; if that's not possible, space use should be prioritized.
After speaking, Old Zhou asked curiously, "Do you have a solution?"
"Generally speaking."
"Very good!"
Yue Mingyuan's eyes lit up, and he said happily, "Chief Engineer Guo, then I'll leave this project to you."
"..."
Guo Yi narrowed his eyes and looked at Yue Mingyuan with a kind smile: "Old Yue, you seem so happy..."
"You called me here just to dump this project on me, didn't you?"
"We didn't intend to dump it on you."
Old Zhou came to Yue Mingyuan's rescue, explaining, "If you have a plan and are willing to do it, that would be the best."
If you don't have a plan or are unwilling to do it, then we should quickly put this project on hold and focus on designing the construction plan for the Tushita Palace and the corresponding engineering equipment.
"Is that so..."
Guo Yi nodded, then estimated: "Within a month, I can design the mecha and all the related equipment."
As for the related systems, I should be able to finish coding all of them within six months.
"Chief Engineer Guo, how long do you estimate it will take us to produce that mech for testing?"
"It should take about five years..."
Five years!?
Yue Mingyuan frowned, slightly puzzled, and asked, "Chief Engineer Guo, why does it take so long?!"
"Because we need to get the MS out first before we can work on the mech."
"What if we halt MS production and focus all our efforts on producing those mechs?"
"Suspend MS production!?"
Yue Mingyuan's words made Guo Yi frown, and he asked in confusion, "Is the mecha being produced in such a rush that we have to suspend MS production to make it?"
"Because that mecha is a dual-use product for both police and civilians, it involves not only the Tushita Palace Project, but also many related matters such as the layout and adjustment of related industrial chains, macro-control of people's livelihood, financial management, construction and management of relevant departments, etc."
Therefore, the sooner we produce that mech, the sooner the relevant adjustments can be made, and the smaller the impact on people's livelihoods will be.
"Is that so..."
Guo Yi nodded and recalculated: "If we stop MS production and focus all our efforts on producing the mecha, we should be able to produce two prototypes by January."
As for the relevant systems, I should be able to get them working overtime.
However, in that case, I won't have time to take care of the trainees.
"Let the trainees study on their own for now; the mechs are the priority."
Without hesitation, Yue Mingyuan abandoned the trainees and finally confirmed, "Then let's set a date before the end of the year to build a police prototype and a civilian prototype for testing, is that alright?"
"OK."
Guo Yi nodded, stood up and asked, "Is there anything else?"
If there's nothing else, I'll go back and get started now.
"It's alright now."