Planet of Sand and Oasis of Iron

Chapter 145 144. I checked and found that there are no other shortcomings except poverty.

A normal, combat-capable machine is composed of multiple parts, each of which has several parts that can be described in detail.

Here we will only talk about the parts that mercenaries can understand. Simply put, it is the head, torso, arms, feet, thrusters, and engine.

The head houses a high-speed camera and computing unit, while the torso houses the main control computer and an independent mercenary cockpit. It even has an engine.

The arms are used to mount weapons, and there is even a special weapon rack on the back to enhance firepower.

The feet are responsible for propulsion, movement, load-bearing, etc. All modules are indispensable parts of this body, and damage to any part is unacceptable.

"Actually, you're mistaken about one thing, Red Crossbow. A mecha has more than just two legs. It just happens that yours has one."

"Lightweight bipeds allow for faster movement, while heavy bipeds have a higher carrying capacity. Yours is actually a heavy-duty biped."

Recalling the battle in the snow, Cypher nodded slightly - that's true! Without this carrying capacity, Cypher couldn't possibly allow the machine to carry such 'illegal weapons'.

"Besides that! We also have quadrupeds that can temporarily levitate, can withstand the recoil of heavy weapons, and even tank legs that can ignore the load!"

The girl suddenly came over enthusiastically - behind her, there were countless cables on the ground, winding down from the body of the machine, making people dizzy.

What she didn't know was that in a corner of the hangar, Lin Shenxue was stealthily peeking out to look over here.

A strong sense of crisis crept up Lin Shenxue's back!
"Would you like to consider purchasing additional machine configurations? Let me tell you, each company's machine has its own unique characteristics. The best-selling one lately is the tank chassis from the Phantom Mist Group!"

"Firepower is paramount! With thick armor and a sturdy chassis, a single machine can unleash the heavy firepower of at least three!"

It sounds like the legs are thick and the head is heavy and the waist is light. Won't it break the waist of the body?

"Hey, that's the slogan of the Phantom Mist Group. Something like... a big tree will bear big fruits."

As he was speaking, Lin Shenxue came over and asked on the tablet who this person was.

"Hmm? Hello, hello. I'm a subordinate of the independent mercenary 'Dust', and also a key weapon craftsman on that 'Rubbish'~"

Naming your car 'Rubble' sounds a bit of a bad taste.

"Weaponsmith? Can you repair engines?"

"Well... I can fix it if you insist, but I might not be able to do it very well. If you really want to fix it, I have a mechanic on board."

Lin Shenxue visibly relaxed a little, just a little.

She just watched from the side - as for the machine, she only knew how to inspect it, and she was completely clueless as to how to fix it.

"Hmm... Your machine is incredible. Its output limit is so high that it has already crushed the most advanced machines of this generation."

"Is it a vision reward?"

Cypher nodded.

"I see, this is... uh uh uh—"

The green-haired girl let out a long bubbling sound from her throat and scratched her head vigorously. She felt that if she continued to rub engine oil on her head, her beautiful hair would probably fall out completely within the next month.

"Finding an engine that's compatible with your machine is incredibly difficult. Firstly, there are only a few popular models on the market, from cheap to expensive, that can at best get it started. I'm guessing the thrusters will run out of energy after just one spray."

"And then... well, if we buy a first-hand, genuine engine from the company, it'll start at at least 1.5 million, and an engine in the 3 million range."

"If it's a mercenary support system, you'll get a discount if your rating is high enough. Desert Transformation Agency..."

After quickly coming up with several ideas, she hesitated for a moment and quietly asked what level Cypher was in the Mercenary Support System. "If you're asking about independent mercenaries, it's level four. If you're asking about special licenses, it's still unrated. I haven't even taken the test."

"Ah... That's troublesome. Not only is there no discount, but I can't even purchase the high-level unlocked items."

There's nothing I can do about it. I'm just a new mercenary and I haven't killed enough people yet, nor have I completed many missions.

He thought for a moment and suddenly added, "But I've already reached level five at the Transformation Agency. Oh, and the leveling rules for the Transformation Agency and the Mercenary Support System are different..."

"I know that. Every company has its own logic. Look at Huanwu Group, it's just a few bars, Abian is 'P something' and the I/O is resistors and stuff..."

What the hell is a resistor? Is there a sliding rheostat?
Imagine an I/O company employee quitting because the voltage was too high and the employee exploded. If it weren't for the machine body, Sefer would probably laugh.

"That's getting off topic. If your transformation mechanism reaches level five, you should be able to purchase a lot of things. Are the engines for organics among them?"

The answer is yes, but according to the data provided by the girl, the engine unlocked at this level cannot be installed on this machine at all.

And it costs 300,000, which I can’t afford.

"Alas... there's nothing I can do, unless you know a senior executive at a certain company who can sell things to you through private channels."

"Oh, right! I noticed your machine's cooling system is unique. The consumable heat sink is a good idea, but you have to stock up, lest you run out and run into a crisis!"

"It just so happens that I can make this kind of heat sink..."

Seifer put his hands on his hips in annoyance and said, "You're starting to rip off regular customers, huh? Go away, I don't have that much spare money right now."

"Oh, don't say that. By the way, I see there are a lot of scratches on your car. I guess it hasn't been properly maintained..."

Lin Shenxue raised the tablet and was about to hit her, but then he thought it would be very expensive to repair the tablet and gave up.

Cypher picked her up and put her back on the tricycle. "Anyway, it's a blessing in disguise that we didn't just buy an engine in Forge Node City and install it."

"Yes."

"Well, once I get the engine, I'll ask you to install it for me, okay?"

"Of course! Oh, by the way, to compensate you, I'll equip your machine with additional weapons later. That thing will be used to make up for the difference in price. As for installing it... uh, I'll install it together with the engine when the time comes?"

Seifer asked cautiously, "Do you want money?"

"It's free! I worked for free, and it almost cleared the bill!"

That's good.

After watching her take the partitions used in the construction and leave, Cypher closed the hangar, blocking the mercenaries' gaze, and suddenly turned his head: "Why were you so nervous just now? Are you afraid of losing your job?"

Lin Shenxue thought for a while and shook her head firmly.

"What a shame! I thought you were worried about duplication of roles, but it turns out your presence in the car is becoming less and less noticeable. Don't worry, you're a mechanic and she's a weapons craftsman. Your fields only slightly overlap."

Lin Shenxue nodded slightly, then tapped the tablet, which read "Senior Mechanic".

"Okay, senior... Did you complete today's routine maintenance? How's the engine? Did you read the report generated by the car? Did you deliver the purchased shells to the ammunition silo?"

The series of questions made Lin Shenxue cover her headphones tightly, emphasizing that she didn't want to listen, but unfortunately... the captain's authority in this car is unlimited!

In order to eat delicious meals and sleep in a comfortable bed, Lin Shenxue reluctantly embarked on the maintenance journey.

(End of this chapter)