Alarm sound reference: https://youtu.be/fpQHabt6e-w
A cacaphony of noises blared through the resting chamber of our dear Shagun. The disastrous masterpiece consisted of: pre-interstellar car alarms, sirens heralding nuclear fallout, A broken piano, an audio of a man shouting sourced from God knows where, Police and firefighter sirens, electro dance music, and among many more greet our sleeping main character.
"F*ck!" An enraged shagun woke up.
"What was that? That d*mn alarm could kill a symbiote in seconds " Shagun utters angrily as he gets of bed and ruffles his messy auburn hair out of sheer annoyance.
Well. At least you know it's effective. The system commented.
You're not helping alleviate my morning irritability system. And also, are you mocking me right now huh? Easy to say for an ethereal lifeform who doesn't need to sleep. Shagun countered in his mind.
The system was about to engage in round two of their mental bickering, when Overwatch, the ship's A.I. spoke
"I apologize Captain, the alarm was designed in such a manner to facilitate morning alertness."
"Can't lie, it's pretty d*mn effective." Shagun muttered grumpily.
Paying no mind to the rude awakening no longer , Shagun breathed in deeply.
Like a black hole devouring light, his lungs devoured the surrounding oxygen greedily.
A fact that Shagun attributes to his predecessor's bloodline and royalty exclusive breathing technique.
After all, even if the predecessor was far from the direct line of succession, he was still the emperor's bloodline.
After stretching, Shagun says to overwatch.
"My deepest compliments to whoever buil this bed. It's comfortable enough that I slept so well. Too well in fact that even when I woke up, I just want to lie down and do nothing all day"
"That's good to hear, captain. If you would like to rest more, you are free to do so as there is nothing urgent as of the moment. " Overwatch replied
Shagun chuckled at that.
"Thanks for the offer, but I would like to decline. I haven't even familiarized myself with the ship yet."
"Your choice, Captain. It was merely an offer."
If Overwatch had a physical form, it was probably shrugging right now.
"Now on you go to your duties Overwatch. I could tour the ship myself."
"Affirmative, Captain." Overwatch replied before vanishing from sight.
Shagun stood up and walked at a leisurely pace towards the door.
When suddenly, his stomach craved release.
With a speed like kidlat, he rushed to the bathroom.
After all, we all know that a man in need, is a man of speed.
Anyways, while sitting on his throne made of marble , our Emperor Shagun couldn't help but think.
What should I do for today? Or rather, where should I start? F*ck it, let's just go with the flow.
Shagun thought. And it's normal. We're all like Shagun, just existing. Just going along with the flow. That's the default. The reality for most of us.
But at the end of the day, you and me, he and us, are organisms that possess will. A will that crowned mankind as the apex. And the only thing that's stopping us? Ourselves. Not them, not society, not whatever excuses nor reasons you could think of.
Because in the end, what's stopping you from standing at the zenith? The reasons your mind concocts , the excuses it makes, in the end, stem from itself. So why can't a creator also be the destroyer? Why can't it forget what it thought of? Destroy what it made? That's the paradox.
And as if sensing his intent to slack off, the system responded in kind.
"DING. First quest issued. Check the system panel for further information"
"Bituin." Shagun uttered.
----------------------------------------Cosmo Emperor System----------------------------------------
Quest:
Mission: Everything starts somewhere.
Mission Details:
Explore the layout of the entire ship: 0 / 1
Familiarize with the controls of the mecha: 0 / 1
Train your body: 0 / 1
Draft Preliminary escape plan: 0 / 1
Time limit: 24 hours
Punishment of failure: System shutdown for 30 days
----------------------------------------Cosmo Emperor System----------------------------------------
After finishing his business, our emperor Shagun entered the disinfection chamber as he pondered about the system quest given to him.
All these aside, it is worth noting that even in the Interstellar Age, comfort rooms still function the same way and is not all fancy as some might think.
After all, even if the technology is developed, the purpose remains the same: A place for waste products the body can't absorb.
Because as long as an organism hasn't reach tier three, in which the body has optimized energy absorption; there would still be excess waste generated from intake of any energy source material
However, it is must be said that the rigorous years of research wasn't for naught.
Because currently, compressed artificial food for stellar travel has been optimized to be able to supply sufficient energy while also make excretions minimum to facilitate easier disinfection in the chamber.
Back to the point, Shagun didn't remaine idle as he strolled and explored the whole ship layout while pondering.
After all, it doesn't hurt to be familiar with his future 'companion' in his early path to the throne?
And now that he scoured the entirety of it's structure, he realized that the ship is awfully small compare to other Z Class ships.
And based on his predecessors knowledge, even if the Zeta Class cruiser belongs to the lowest tier of ships, it shouldn't be this small.
"Overwatch, can I ask if your database has any information on why our ship is so small?"
"Captain, this is due to the fact that the ship model you currently possess is the top technological blueprint optimized for Mission: Last Hope by the V'tuen Empire in the case of imminent collapse. Therefore, it is heavily focused on self sustenance to maximize survivability of each heir candidate even without a crew. Therefore, it is extremely minimalistic with only basic vital compartments. "
As Shagun was processing the information, notifications sounded in his mind.
DING, Subquest Explore the Layout of the ship has been completed. Quest Progress 1/4 .
DING, new ship detected. Information available in the system panel. Modifications available.
Hearing the second notification, Shagun was excited. Why? Because this gave him a new idea, if he registers ships into his database just by familiarizing himself with the components and the details, then does this mean he just needs to 'inspect' the current 'top' ships of this era and be able to make it better with his system?
Shagun thought gleefully. And while doing so, he only now feels that the path forward to being Emperor of the cosmos doesn't seem so distant afterall.
However, he would need to place these thoughts on hold since he doesn't even have access to current top ships, heck, he doesn't even know where he is.
Besides, even if he did, he doesn't have any modification cards available to be able to realize his theory.
With the first subquest out on the way, Shagun then decided to proceedeto the Mecha bay to complete his second sub quest.
Arriving at the mecha bay and peering inside, he found out that contrary to his expectations of technological grandeur; the Mecha bay is relatively simple.
It only has a few mechanical arms equipped with different tools probably used for repair, a few metal boxes which probably contains materials needed for repair, and that's it.
But amidst this relatively plain and simple background, stood a conspicuous fully black mecha.
Looking at this technological marvel, Shagun inspects it closely, because beauty was made to be appreciated wasn't it? And besides, which hot-blooded young man can resist such badass and majestic ride.
Shagun noted that the mecha stood 8 feet tall. Though it was modeled after human anatomy, the blend of features from xenomorphs and the Yautja make it ferocious and intimidating. No weapon modules are exposed, but Shagun doubts a mech that looks like it's built for combat wouldn't have one.
After his inspection, Shagun searched his predecessors memories on how to operate a mecha. After all, in his time on blue planet, such technology was only seen in movies and not employed in real life.
As he found the memory that contains the instruction on how to operate and pilot a mech, Shagun circles towards the backside before pressing a button that opens the hatch.
Inside the mech , the controls and configuration is simple. It's internal control module seemed to be inspired by Ironman from Blue planet, and a mix of Pacific Rim.
Yet what prominently stood out is a function that most mech's do not have: A control panel entitled, "Release The Beast" . And the specifics of what it does? Hopefully we'll never find out.
Moving on, using his predecessors memories, Shagun powered the mech and started this beast of a machine.
In the cockpit, Shagun connected his comms to the ship.
"Overwatch, can you hear me?" Shagun verified.
"Yes, captain." Overweatch replied.
"Good. I want you to do a perimeter scan outside the ship and open the hatch if it is safe. I want to do test runs to get familiar with the Mech."
"Affirmative Captain."
Shagun familiarized himself with "The Beast". Feeling every limb, every part, and registering the response delay between his own neural system and the Mech's network.
He tried moving the mech slowly. Good response. And surprisingly, it's more fluid than the training mechs in his predecessors memory. And note, the training mechs for imperial offspring were already among the best in response in the V'tuen empire, and yet this mech seems to surpass by a margin.
As expected of a product of the amalgamation of the resources of a behemoth like the V'tuen empire. It's technology realm is the best even among the best. Shagun mused
Yet such a powerful empire that could produce a beast like this fell into ruin? Seems that no matter the era; the world, or the universe rather, a dog eat dog world. No different from an ocean of tumultuous waves. If even such an empire fell to it's ravages, then in the Grand scheme of things, what are the odds of survival for a speck of dust like me ? Shagun thought.
"Captain, no hazardous temperature or hostile life signatures detected. You are free to go."
Shagun snapped out of his thoughts as Overwatch spoke into his intercomms.
"Copy that" Shagun replied before he piloted the mech out of the mecha bay and towards the hatch.
He stopped before the metal doors separating him from the world beyond.
HSSSSSSSSS
The doors slowly slid open as the view before him revealed a barren expanse.
Jagged rocks protruding from the surface, cosmic sand swirling around due to planetary winds. And solar flares from a distant star constantly scorching the already barren land.
THUD. The heavy metal of the mech stepping on the ground produced a sound though minimal, was considered loud in this eerily silent environment.
Meanwhile, Shagun inside the cockpit was giddy and all; like a child who got a new toy. After all, even though the body already piloted the mech, technically it's 'his' first time doing so.
THUD. THUD. THUD. THUD. As Shagun started to walk, each step was accompanied by a THUD, Like the drums of liberation, as if announcing that the beast has been unleashed; echoing far and wide, as if wanting the whole world to know, that the monster is out of its cage .
As if injected with chicken blood, Shagun started to trot. Not too fast , yet not too slow either. But then , he gradually increased his speed. His steps were intentional, careful even, trying to get the 'feel' of the mech. Then he got bolder, he started to accelerate, FASTER! FASTER! and FASTER! until it was a full on sprint.
He tried different maneuvers, ranging from slides, to jumps, to backflips, to flips, and so far, everything was fluid and smooth. Then screens started to flash red in front of his retina.
===============/!\ WARNING /!\ WARNING /!\===============
Bodily functions are showing exhaustion.
It is recommended for the pilot to slow down or activate autopilot mode.
===============/!\ WARNING /!\ WARNING /!\===============
===============/!\ WARNING /!\ WARNING /!\===============
Bodily functions are showing exhaustion.
It is recommended for the pilot to slow down or activate autopilot mode.
===============/!\ WARNING /!\ WARNING /!\===============
Shagun slowly decelerated and walked back towards the ship. The nutritional fluid injector pierced into his suit and pumped essential nutrients to keep functions going.
Now that the adrenaline rush is over, he could feel that several parts of his body, especially his limbs and core, are aching and sore. He mentally notes to himself to always monitor his condition, or else such situations happening in the middle of a battle could be fatal.
As he reaches near the ship, he forgot that he hasn't tried out the weapons system of the mech suit yet.
Well, he could still ask overwatch about it though.
"Overwatch, what weapon configurations are installed on this mech?"
"Captain, the Maharlika Exo Suit 4th Generation is equipped with a Varyl 4th generation Laser Rifle with 500 rounds as it's primary weapon and a Varyl 4th generation Laser pistol with 120 round as it's secondary weapon. The mech also has a built in silos that could store up to 10 medium range explosive missiles as well as 5 short range concussion blast missiles. In the instance where melee combat is needed, the fists of the Maharlika has small thrusters that could make short bursts to make blows more impactful. Number of rounds depends on total energy left"
Listening to overwatch, Shagun felt excited. Why? Because according to his predecessors knowledge, the Varyl Model Series only has 3rd Generation available to the public. And it's like a hot potato to any private due to it's high firepower and cost effectiveness. Now the weapons of the mecha are both 4th generation. Meaning, they are a generation ahead of the currently existing models! One must imagine the power contained in these babies.
"Overwatch, are you sure these really are 4th generation models? Aren't the Varyl series only up to the 3rd generation so far?" Though excited, Shagun had to clarify he didn't mishear.
"Affirmative, Captain. These were part of the investmens of the V'tuen Empire Mission: Last Hope. These is to ensure that if any offspring survives pursuit and wakes up from the cryo pod, wherever they are, they won't be vulnerable at least. "
Shagun marveled at how generous and far sighted the V'tuen Empire was. Though he has doubts why such a powerful Empire fell too quickly, but alas, he is but a vagabond at this point and has no strength to worry about whatever grand scheme might have been in place.
DING, Subquest Familiarize with the controls of the mecha has been completed. Quest Progress 2/4
Shagun was snapped out of his reverie by the system notification.
He realized he is already halfway from completing his mission, making him look forward to what rewards this first mission would give him.
The doors to the Mech bay opened as Shagun stepped towards the mechanical arms to perform routine maintenance.
The hatch of the mech opened as Shagun stepped out wobbly.
"Captain, I advise you to go to the med bay for recuperation. Your body is showing signs of strain in several areas that if prolonged, would risk injury."
Shagun wanted to finish the 3rd sub quest as soon as possible and didn't heed the advices of Overwatch. So Shagun was walking towards the training room.
HOST, there is still 20 hours before the quest deadline, there is still a lot of time for you to rest and recuperate. Even if the system is giving you a quest that is urgent, it still prioritizes the HOSTS's overall being.
Shagun steps faltered.
He realized that in his excitement to complete the first quest , he completely forgo long term benefits for short term gains. Which is stupid, but who can blame him? After all, as a young hot blooded youth, emotions sometimes cloud rational judgements.
"Thanks for the reminder , Overwatch."
Also thanks to you, system.
"I am always Glad to help captain." Overwatch replied.
Soon, Shagun walked towards the Vita Neosus 3000 and laid down.
Inside the pod, Shagun thought about what possibly might be the rewards he would gain from the first quest , plans for the future, and many other things. Unknowingly, he then drifted into sleep.