The Mech Touch

After Ves made his announcement to the Design Department and sorted out his messy thoughts, he called Harry Kaikkonen to his office.

Compared to the other Journeymen in the Design Department, Harry possessed a strong sense of confidence as well as admiration towards Ves.

Ves took this as a good development.

The second-class mech designer not only gained a lot of confidence in his recent improvement, but also maintained his strong respect towards his superior.

"Patriarch."

"Take a seat, Harry."

Ves activated his desk terminal and called up the Journeyman's recent logs and design files.

Even though he only spent a short amount of time skimming through the records, Ves already gained a much more comprehensive understanding of what Harry Kaikkonen had been working on since he joined the Design Department.

"I see that you have devoted much of your energy to mastering luminar crystal technology. Can you tell me the reason why? I mean, you already developed your own understanding of energy weapon systems. For what reason have you decided to pursue this obscure and incomplete alien technology?"

"Because I can." Harry replied with a steady voice that conveyed his confidence. "Not everyone has access to luminar crystal technology to begin with, but I am different due to becoming a part of your clan and Design Department. Since you have made it available for study, I do not want to waste this opening by ignoring this tech and its obvious potential."

"Didn't you struggle to learn it due to its obvious alien technological principles, much of which has been lost in time? It is one thing to try to learn alien technology with full documentation available, but what I have been able to recover from an alien ruin and borrow from the Red Association is anything but complete. It is a risky choice to commit so much to understanding and mastering foreign technology. If you are too obsessed with it, you may end up losing the ability to progress further if you end up getting stuck in your studies and research into deciphering the working principles of luminar crystal technology."

Ves spoke these words out of genuine concern for Harry's future. The Journeyman was one of the few ranged weapon specialists in the Design Department.

Even if it was not so difficult to hire young and talented Journeymen with similar specializations these days, it was troublesome to recruit and indoctrinate replacement mech designers.

"I understand your concerns, sir, but I have made my own calculations." Harry responded without losing any of his composure. "I stand by my choices. From the moment I first got in touch with luminar crystal technology, I fell in love with it. The power and potential of the energy weapons developed by this extinct alien race is far more advanced and multi-dimensional than any conventional human tech that I have encountered. Maybe the Rubarthans have developed powerful energy weapon systems that can rival the power of luminar crystal technology, but I do not think they can get close to matching the versatility of this alien tech. The luminar race is utterly unmatched when it comes to surpassing the limits of light and crystals. When they combine the two with their intricately powerful tech, they can produce miracles that almost no machines can match. That reason alone is enough for me to commit to this field."

The burning passion in Harry's eyes made it clear that the obsession had already taken root in his mind and spirit.

It was too late to dissuade the energy weapon specialist from falling into the rabbit hole of luminar crystal technology!

Ves slightly grimaced. "Well, you are an adult as well as a Journeyman Mech Designer. You are entitled to make your own decisions. Can you tell me what you are trying to accomplish by working so hard to master luminar crystal technology?"

"Why certainly, sir." Harry Kaikkonen already expected to answer this question. "As you know, my specialization lies in precision focused laser weapon systems. I rely on the use of organic focusing crystals that can dynamically adjust their convexity to produce precise focus at specific distances, thereby making my weapons more deadlier without increasing their energy usage. My work on these laser weapon systems has enabled me to develop a good foundation in crystallography, which has helped me understand and appreciate the value of luminar crystal weapons much better."

Luminar crystal technology was not just about producing exotic light beams, but also the crystals that were able to produce these bizarre effects.

"It is not the composition of the crystals that make luminar weapons so strong and effective." Ves argued. "The choice of materials definitely plays a role, but that is far from enough. It is the alien circuitry that is somehow carved inside the crystals that turns them into luminar crystal weapons. That is the true secret to this alien tech. How are you able to grapple with the luminar circuitry when no manual exists that can teach you how they work or how you can develop new patterns?"

Harry's smile faded a bit. "That is indeed a serious problem. I have tried my best to overcome the gap in theory. I have spent many days in the lab and workshop on experimenting with luminar crystals in order to gather large amounts of empirical data. I have spent my MTA merits to secure interviews with the researchers that have worked on luminar crystal technology to learn their personal insights. I have also taken the initiative to reach out to the design spirit known as the Illustrious One for advice and assistance."

As if on cue, Ves felt a new presence appearing inside the office.

The Apocalypse Warden bodyguards that were silently staying vigil in the same room suddenly grew tense, but Ves quickly waved at them to relax.

The new arrival was friendly.

In a clear show of support, the Illustrious One chose to manifest a small part of himself in this space!

Only a small and weak ball of light showed up. The design spirit clearly felt it was not necessary for him to present a more complete alien visage.

Even so, the Illustrious One already conveyed his sincerity by making this small effort. The ball of light enthusiastically bobbed up and down before circling above Harry's head.

Ves was not too surprised that the Illustrious One had decided to hook up with Harry Kaikkonen.

The Journeyman Mech Designer was the second mech designer in the Larkinson Clan after Ves that took luminar crystal technology seriously.

As a design spirit that was based on the remnant of a dead but powerful member of the luminar race, the Illustrious One probably hoped that Harry Kaikkonen would either restore the forgotten tech of 'his' people or do it justice by building on top of the original alien foundation.

Luminar crystal technology was the only concrete legacy that its inventor race had left behind in the cosmos. It would be a pity for the scraps that remained after the erosion of time to become neglected to the point where they became completely forgotten.

"Have you decided to become his patron?" Ves asked the Illustrious One directly.
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The ball of light bobbed up and down as a clear sign of approval.

"That is… good. I would have liked to spend more time on developing luminar crystal technology further, but… my design philosophy comes first. I cannot do this tech justice anymore. It is better if I can pass the baton to another qualified mech designer who harbors enough passion to bring it to a greater height."

Ves used to be a lot more passionate about luminar crystal technology, but that was in the past where he had the time and energy to engage in such frivolous explorations.

He could have chosen to turn it into a serious minor specialization, but he eventually declined to do so. His development in this tech had stagnated as he spent his time on other projects.

Aside from that, his inclinations had also changed. Rather than embracing the power of light, he had turned to the power of darkness.

While Ves did not regret the decision to turn the darkness E energy attribute into the third major component of his nascent domain, it definitely caused him to feel more estranged with the alien tech that he relied upon to make his ranged mechs stronger in the past.

This may be one of the reasons why Ves did not hide any of his work and research related to luminar crystal technology and freely put it up for exchange in the Design Department.

Letting Harry Kaikkonen 'inherit' his existing accumulation in luminar crystal technology resulted in the most ideal outcome.

Ves did not feel jealous or resentful at all that Harry had chosen to take up this mantle and earn the Illustrious One's friendship and support in the process.

The Larkinson Clan maintained relations with many design spirits. Ves may have created a lot of them, but his intimacy with them varied considerably. He was only particularly close with a handful of them. The remainder were free to make their own decisions on who they wanted to befriend.

As Harry continued to work with luminar crystal technology, the Journeyman would definitely grant the Illustrious One greater satisfaction than Ves had ever done!

Even so, just having the intention was not enough. Harry needed to prove he had the ability to realize the lost potential of luminar crystal technology if he wanted to avoid getting stuck in his career.

"Gloriana told me that there is reason for me to feel assured that you are the right person to handle this difficult and incomplete tech."

"That is correct, sir. You still remain skeptical of my abilities. You are right to harbor doubts towards me, but I will prove to you that I can do more with luminar crystal technology than many other mech designers. Let me introduce you to Lightbringer, my companion spirit."

Before Ves' eyes, Harry Kaikkonen began to withdraw a shining cube light from his forehead!

Most companion spirits tended to take on the shapes of animals. A few came in the form of humans, but rarely did they assume the appearance of inanimate objects.

Harry deliberately shaped his companion spirit into a cube, and not just any geometrically shaped object.

Ves widened his eyes as he gazed at a spiritual copy of a crystal cube!

"That is…"

"It is a close replica of the relic crystal cube that is used to burn the unique luminar circuitry inside half-complete luminar crystals." Harry replied. "This is the core component of luminar crystal technology. In order to be able to understand and eventually surpass the original boundaries of this alien tech, I turned my companion spirit into a cube myself. I hope this shows my depth of commitment to exploring this exotic tech to the fullest."

Ves still locked gobsmacked. He never imagined that Harry would make such a daring and unconventional choice!

"Why a cube?"

Harry grinned. "Because according to the notes that you have left behind, luminar crystal technology is inherently intertwined with hyper technology and E-technology. Without an E energy medium that is fully under my control, it is difficult for me to truly grasp the principles behind this tech. Ever since I transformed my companion spirit into this shape, I have already begun to grasp those lost principles. I have only touched the surface of what is possible, but as I continue to explore the secrets of this cube, I am confident I can understand how luminar circuitry works."

"Are you trying to return luminar crystal technology to its former glory?"

"Not exactly." The ambitious Journeyman shook his head. "As much as I adore this tech, I am ultimately a human, not a member of the luminar race. My ultimate ambition is to develop a humanized version of this tech that anyone can use. Once I have mastered luminar crystal technology to an extensive degree, I intend to move beyond imitation and restoration and go all-in on creation. It is my deepest wish to develop a human derivative of this tech that is ultimately stronger, more rational and more easily applicable!"

Ves finally learned why Gloriana had taken a liking to Harry Kaikkonen.

It turned out that both of them harbored similar ambitions!

They were both mech designers who aspired to master a difficult but promising form of alien technology, only to convert the insights they learned into adapted conventional technology!