Max connected to the ship using his personal chip.
He noticed that there was no interference with the connection; all the data was clear.
Max asked Naviel for the information needed to release the ship, which he had in his records.
Naviel said, "To unlock the ships, based on the records I found, you need a large amount of energy and must send that energy to the island. Then the ship will be able to depart."
Max ordered the ship to store energy for now.
He needed to figure out a way to leave this place. If he jumped up to the ship, he'd be a sitting duck in the sky for any attack; it wasn't wise to take that risk.
Max thought about researching a way to store and use energy without it being absorbed by the ground, or another method to move forward without that energy.
So far, he had only considered kinetic energy; the only problem would be fighting the sentinels.
Max asked, "How many sentinels have your people recorded over the years?"
Naviel left the area and returned with a stack of wooden tablets containing records.
"According to our observations, two sentinels have been recorded every twenty kilometers."
If what Naviel said was correct, then they could fight them one by one, but they were all connected, and if one was destroyed, the others would gather at that location, based on their records.
Max outlined a plan that would make use of biomechanics. To combat the sentinels, he proposed creating armor that wouldn't consist solely of metal plates but rather a complex impact-absorption system, which could prevent casualties among the armies.
And the weapons would be powered by pneumatic energy.
Max asked who the best mechanical engineer was for Naviel, who was listening to his plan.
Naviel listened thoughtfully and said in surprise, "Using that energy source is quite ingenious."
"Sankito, whom you met earlier, was our chief engineer before we ended up here; he has the deepest knowledge of mechanics."
"Guard, go get Sankito."
After speaking, a guard standing at the door left to fetch Sankito.
"Max, what's your plan with pneumatic energy? Do you want to create a new technology tree on this island?"
Max spoke calmly: "We can use it to defeat the sentinels and find out what's absorbing all the energy."
As the two of them were discussing the pros and cons of the plan,
San entered the hall, knelt before Naviel, and said,
"Chief Naviel, I am at your service."
Naviel spoke calmly: "Our guest wants to use pneumatic energy to defeat the sentinels, and I want you to help him with this research."
San thought about the plan and said with a hint of surprise, "We never thought of that approach; it seems quite promising."
"Max, let's go to my lab and start the research."
Max nodded, said goodbye to Naviel, and followed San.
As he walked past the building, he saw a large, bright area, as if it were being polished
every morning.
The place was simple, with precision and measuring tools neatly organized. San walked over to the table and said, "Our civilization has never focused on using air pressure. I have some ideas, but I'd like to hear your plan."
Max explained his plan to arm the army with impact-absorbing armor and weapons that use air pressure.
To create pump machines to store compressed air in steel cylinders, using the force of nature or the strength of all the personnel to turn some cranks.
San listened and said, "As for the armor, I know a few combinations we can use so the sentinels won't leave even a scratch."
"As for the other aspects, I can focus on the structure and durability."
Max listened and said, "Okay, I'll focus on the details to increase the power."
A few days later
The interior of the cave had undergone a tremendous change. The Anaki were running about, each busy with their tasks, and some were wearing new suits that allowed them to move faster.
They wore layers of lightweight metals reinforced by non-Newtonian fluids and hydraulic systems that harden instantly under pressure.
Protecting their organs from the vibration of enemy weapons. To compensate for the weight of the plates, the suit is equipped with spring-loaded exoskeletons and pulleys that store energy. From the soldier's own movement, allowing him to run and fight for hours without extreme fatigue.
And each of them was carrying a backpack that served as a mini air compressor with several cylinders; it had tubes that could be connected to weapons.
The pneumatic rifle was a large barrel with a cylinder attachment. When this weapon is fired, it releases compressed air for a fraction of a second, propelling a bullet through the barrel that travels various meters with great force.
At the end of the cave was what looked like a giant mill, which the Anakis were using pedals to turn the structure's gears.
More and more compressed air cylinders were being created.
Max and Naviel were both equipped with armor, and thanks to their strength, each carried a mini compressed-air machine gun.
It looked like the beginning of a mechanical war, with gears everywhere.
Max looked around and said, "Once everyone is equipped, we can begin our mission."
Naviel said with a twinkle in his eyes, "Finally, we have hope of escaping this purgatory. If all goes well, you'll be a friend to the Anaki people, and on my honor, I promise."
As they both talked, they worked out the plan.
Based on the information he has, each obelisk on the island would be a drainage point. If he could destroy it and cut the connection, he might have an advantage.
However, any action taken against the obelisk will attract the sentinels' attention.
So he needs time with the obelisk to study it.
After another ten days, everything was ready and in order, right down to the final creation.
Something that pushed the technical limits of the Anakis engineers to their limits.