he reasons why I opted to join the Planetary Guard.
It ’s much simpler here, since we ’re only responsible for defending a single planet. ”

The burden of defending more than a thousand star systems at once fell heavily onto the shoulders of the Mech Corps.
It was a difficult job to juggle at the best of times, but once you factoring in the limited amount of funds and resources it had at its disposal, then internal fights often broke out.

Mech pilots being what they were, it wasn ’t unheard of for hem to punch each other in their faces.
Even upper echelon would sometimes be guilty of this, as they all used to be mech pilots themselves.
They learned their entire life how to develop their aggression and channel it against their opponents.

Learning how to compromise came much later in their careers.

”Since I ’m going to be cut off from everyone very soon, I ’d like to pay a visit to you.
Are you free for today? ”

”Hm, it ’s all hands on deck at the Planetary Guard right now, but we recently stepped down from the highest state of readiness.
As long as ask around for some favors, I can probably clear up a couple of hours in my schedule.
Is that alright? ”

”That sounds great! ”

A couple of hours later, Ves arrived at a stately-looking condominium in the middle of Dorum.
Melinda ’s current apartment was actually one of the rewards he dangled out for her in exchange for piloting the Blackbeak in the duel against Captain Vicar ’s Havalax.

As far as condominiums went, the place Melinda lived portrayed a lot of quiet elegance.
It was probably a huge hit to women, but others might like it as well for all the peace and quiet it radiated.
The inner spaces contained a lot of gardens and minimalistic artwork.
Together, they provided residents with a rare moment of serenity in an otherwise busy planet.

Once he reached the top of the condo, Ves stepped inside the penthouse, which commanded a sweeping view over Dorum.

”Welcome to my place! ” Melinda waved from a sofa.

”Looks like you are doing well for yourself. ”

”Heh, ever since the duel, I can ’t even show my face in public anymore.
Even though a lot of time has passed, hardly anyone forgot about that fight.
I beat down a captain of the Mech Corps! Hardly anyone else can claim they can do the same! ”

As Ves took a seat on the opposite sofa, Melinda blabbered on about how everyone treated her with more importance.
The Planetary Guard started grooming her into an officer while her fellow mech pilots constantly slapped her back for showing that they could measure up against their military counterparts.

Ves smiled at her stories.
If not for her current career, she would have made a perfect spokesperson for the LMC.

”What do you think about my new design? ”

”I followed your press thingie while I was out on patrol.
Don ’t tell my captain I did so. ” She winked at him.
”All in all, if you weren ’t my cousin, I would have smacked your mouth.
Really now, do you really have to charge so much for a rifleman mech? It ’s insane! ”

”It ’s not meant to be a mass-production model.
The Crystal Lord offers several enhancements over the mainstream models. ”

”Hah! Sure, but who would want to buy a single overengineered mech when they can get two normal ones instead? ”

”My product doesn ’t cater to the average consumer. ”

”I ’m telling you, each time I see you, your mouth is getting bigger and bigger.
You ’re greedy, Ves.
It ’s gotten to the point where its blowing over to the rest of the Larkinson Family.
Last time I visited Rittersberg, all they talk about is stocks and dividends and how much money you ’re going to shovel in their pig-like throats. ”

Ves laughed awkwardly at that accusation.
”Everything ’s easier with money.
Do you think a fancy place like this can be bought for a couple of credits? ”

”That ’s not the point I ’m trying to make.
You used to be small and cute, you know? Just like any other munchkin at the Larkinson Estate. ”

”I ’m a grown person now.
My innocence is long gone. ”

”I get the feeling you lost a lot of other things as well along the way. ” Melinda spoke with a low voice.
”Meeting you again has made me realize you ’re turning into something else.
The Ves I used to know is slowly making way for a different kind of person. ”

”What kind of person are you talking about? ”

”You ’re turning into one of those stereotypical mech designers you see in the dramas.
Not the losers who are barely keeping their workshops afloat, but those successful ones who let their achievements grow their egos blow through the roof. ”

Ves knew what she was referring to.
The mech designers portrayed in those stories tended to be the ruthless sort who fought and cheated their way to success.
They didn ’t hesitate to order a hit on their competitors if they could get away with it.
They treated their own subordinates like furniture and their customers like sheep.

In the dramas, mech designers like that often showed up as conceited villains who thought they could get anything they wanted as long as they threw enough money at it.
They treated their existence as if they had been descended from gods, and they openly behaved as if the galaxy revolved around their whims.

As Ves momentarily reflected on himself, he had to admit he changed from two years ago.
”Even if I ’m a different person now, I hardly walk and talk like one of those stupid caricature.
I only changed because this is the way that business is done.
The true mech industry is hardly cutthroat to the extent where I dress up in stealth clothing and sneak into the bedroom of my rivals to assassinate them in person. ”

The convoluted stories the entertainment industry came up with regards to mech designers boggled the mind.
Though they also broadcasted other stories where mech designers played the hero, it was far too common to see them in the role of ruthless mech magnate.

Melinda didn ’t appear to be convinced.
She stared hard at Ves as she stood up and walked close to him.
Once she reached his position, she extended her hands and grabbed his cheeks, only to pull them apart.

”I know the old Ves is still there! Come on out! ”

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