prynovel Chapter 3: The Assassination Operation of the Holy Cardinal!
Chapter 3: The Assassination Operation of the Holy Cardinal!
[Just arrived on Mars, currently in Tharsis, and I saw 19m SA moving online.]
[The movement of this mecha is quite smooth.]
[Send a test to check the numerical strength!]
The comments section was flooded with messages before people started refusing to eat beef noodles.
He took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, and threw an assessment at the machine.
Perhaps because it was a casual activity mission, or perhaps because the driver's level was too low, the requirement to not eat beef was quickly passed.
The data panel unfolds directly in the center of the live stream screen.
——【Star Rider-α】——
Body Health: 3200
Shield value: 2000 (renewable)
Armor value: 1250 (non-renewable)
Energy limit: 4000
Mobility rating: 91
Evasion rate: 21%
Tracked: 26
Accuracy bonus: 14%
Electronic interference resistance: 18%
Maximum heat load: 115
Standard energy level: 800
Peak energy level: 1600 (fluctuates depending on pilot synchronization rate, nerve stress tolerance, and battlefield performance).
……
【Frame Bar】
Power Core: Second-generation high-density fusion reactor, Star Torch type | Energy limit 4000, power supply stability +30%, overall coupling efficiency improved by 10%.
Propulsion System: Vector Pulse Nozzle Assembly Type II | Mobility +91, Evasion +21%, Short-Term Sprint Speed +45%
Fire Control/Sensing: Composite Fire Control Array - Accuracy Type | Accuracy +14%, Tracking +26, can lock onto 4 targets simultaneously.
Shield Generator: Medium Phase Energy Shield Type II | Shield 2000, used to resist beam attacks, regenerates 200/second, restarts after a 4-second delay after being hit, requires a minimum of 500 energy points to start each time.
External Armor: Titanium Steel-Ceramic Composite Armor, Second Generation Military Grade | Armor 1250, Blast Damage Reduction +12%
Control System: Neural Response Skeleton - Tactical II | Action latency reduced by 18%, melee combo correction +15%
Mental Resonance Framework: Military Simplified Type | Temporarily increases overall machine performance by 5%~10% in high synchronization state, but increases mental burden and unlocks corresponding machine spirit slots — [Current Machine Spirit Slot Equipped: 0/1]
Auxiliary System: Tactical Computer TCS-5 "Frontline" | Weapon switching time reduced by 20%, provides threat rating and ballistic prediction.
……
[Weapon Slots]
High-Frequency Beam Dagger (Melee/Premium Blue) | Attack Power: 460~800 | Special Feature: High-Heat Cutting, inflicts an additional 20% armor penetration damage on armored targets.
Light Beam Rifle Type II (Mid-to-Long Range/Good/Fine Blue) | Attack Power: 560~1000 | Range: 0~8 km | Special Feature: Stable beam output, +10% extra damage against shielded targets
腕部榴弹发射器（中程/优质蓝）|攻击力：500~900|射程：0~1km |特性：範围爆炸，对集群、掩体与轻型载具效果显着，弹药容量6发。
……
Star Rider-α is a second-generation SA equipped with a psycho-frame device.
The psychoframe is standard equipment on second-generation mobile suits. For pilots with high synchronization rates, the psychoframe indicates one thing—that the upper limit of the mobile suit will no longer be entirely determined by the steel itself.
The psychoframe is a small step in the development of SA mechs, but a giant leap for real-type mechs towards super-type mechs.
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
Because I was in the middle of an event mission, the assessment that I don't eat beef was successfully passed under a special mechanism.
Upon seeing the data of this SA unit, Lao Niu's comments exploded instantly.
[Ouch, if that beam of light hits me, I'll be covered in bruises!]
[If I saw SA in the real world, I'd definitely want to lick her boots, but this is the comments section, so I'll just say this: SA isn't anything special!]
[Hmph, once we reach the Emperor level after the Fourth Calamity, we'll defeat one SA with a single punch!]
[With such large fluctuations in energy levels, it all depends on the pilot's skill.]
[Mobile Suit 91 is pretty smooth~ Wait a minute, is it secretly advertising something?!]
The comments section erupted with lively analysis of the numerical values. Some calculated the damage, some compared it to other civilizations' mechs, and some were already fantasizing about how they would one day unleash their full power in SA.
Just as everyone was praising it, a sharp-eyed viewer suddenly posted a message in the sky in the upper right corner of the screen.
[Wait a minute... isn't there another mecha in the sky?]
He subconsciously raised the camera because he doesn't eat beef.
The skies above the Tharsis Plateau, which were previously occupied only by patrol drones and security floating platforms, now feature a black silhouette. The aircraft has a slender outline, flared shoulder armor, and four propulsion units spread out in a cross shape at its back. Its overall lines are clean and sharp, resembling a long blade standing upright in the sky.
It hovered, without the Templar insignia.
The comment section was flooded with messages.
[Streamer verification! Quick verification!]
[This mecha is pretty cool!]
[This design is off. I've looked at all the Martian mecha designs, and I've never seen a SA mecha like this before.]
The instinct to avoid beef is to reiterate the assessment.
This time, the system feedback was extremely brief.
[Target: Skydrive Type I]
【other:???】
[Didn't pass? This SA rating is very high!]
[Family, something feels off, the atmosphere seems a bit strange...]
In the center of the training hall, Elias, who was piloting Star Rider-α, also noticed the anomaly in the sky. He frowned slightly, subconsciously thinking that this was a sparring session arranged by his grandfather. After all, adding a temporary confrontation to the promotional event would better showcase the machine's performance.
Until an emergency communication sounded in the cockpit.
[Unknown machine has illegally intruded; identification failed. All personnel must evacuate immediately!]
The loudspeaker's shrill voice echoed over the martial arts hall, an energy barrier began to rise, the crowd descended into chaos, and the security knights quickly retreated to the viewing area.
"Elijas, retreat!" Marcus's voice cut into the private channel.
Inside the cockpit, the young man smiled.
"Don't worry, Grandpa."
"Star Rider-α is in my hands; we will win!"
After declaring his "will win," the landlord's foolish grandson pushed the lever and accelerated toward the unknown machine.
The thrusters exploded, and Star Rider-α skimmed up above the training hall, its light beam gun firing in bursts, several beams heading straight for the black machine.
call out--
call out--
Facing the Star Rider-α's fire, the Sky Drive Type I used its superior mobility to maneuver, the beams of the beam guns grazing past it. Its mobility was clearly over 100, and the pilot was extremely skilled.
Elias, inside the cockpit of Star Rider-α, tensed up. Since his ranged attacks were unsuccessful, he decided to engage in close combat and have some fun with this unidentified machine.
Under his control, the machine quickly closed the distance, and the beam dagger popped out, its blue-white blade slashing towards the opponent's chest.
With this slash, he intended to disembowel the opponent!
Seeing that Star Rider-α was about to attack at close range, Sky Drive Type I simply raised his hand, and a SA physical longsword slid out from his wrist, rushing straight towards Marcus's foolish grandson.
Clang——
The two machines passed each other in mid-air.
Sparks exploded!
Click.
The Star Rider-α's right arm snapped off mid-air, and alarms flashed wildly inside the cockpit.
【warn! 】
【warn! 】
"This is impossible! What kind of crazy maneuver is this?!"
Just as Elias was about to ascend, the black machine was already close by.
Elias's breathing suddenly quickened. He was about to increase his altitude when the Skydrive Type I was already close by.
"Grandpa, save me..."
The image Elias saw finally froze in the red alert light.
click-
The Sky Drive Type I's solid longsword thrust straight through the Star Rider's chest armor, the blade penetrating the cockpit before being pulled out—the entire action was swift and clean.
boom--!!!
Star Rider-α exploded in mid-air.
Elias, fleeting.
On the ground, the security knights were quickly dragging Marcus toward the cover. The old man looked up at the exploding machine in the air, his mechanical vocal cords trembling uncontrollably.
"No--!"
Before his wailing had even subsided, the Skydrive Type I had already turned around.
Inside the cockpit, Zhang Nanhai stared coldly at the stubborn old man and said in a deep voice:
"Skydrive Type I, commencing target removal—"
You old fogies, you've been hindering human progress for far too long!
He raised the beam rifle, aimed, and then pulled the trigger.
Zhang Nanhai, who is most respected for his seniority worldwide, chose to offer fireworks to his predecessors.
boom--
A high-energy beam of light fell from the sky and pierced straight into the viewing platform, tearing open the protective layer that was not yet fully closed, and the entire area collapsed in the incandescent white light.
Two Cardinals were instantly vaporized, and the third Cardinal was knocked over by the aftershock before he could even take cover, and he was also killed.
This beam of light took away three Martian veterans.
The aftershocks of the explosion also affected the surrounding area.
The press box, along with the hovering cameras, was blown away, and the outer casing of the ground defense cannon was cracked, with hot debris falling into the crowd, triggering a second round of chaos.
Marcus was dragged into the bunker by four close security knights. Metal fragments grazed his mechanical exoskeleton, and the energy indicator light in his chest flashed violently, yet he was still alive.
Inside the cockpit, Zhang Nanhai had already locked onto the angle for the second wave of fire, preparing to finish off the remaining enemies.
Just then, the alarms outside the sanctuary suddenly escalated, and a large number of church SA units took off from the high-altitude passage and flank platforms, quickly assembling to form an encirclement.
Zhang Qiming sent a brief instruction to Zhang Nanhai via an encrypted channel.
"South China Sea, retreat!"
Zhang Nanhai did not hesitate.
The Skydrive Type I propulsion unit exploded instantly, and he crashed head-on into two approaching Church SAs. His physical longsword swept across, severing the shoulder of the first machine. The second machine attempted to close in and lock on, but he used a very short reverse jet to create distance, fired a beam rifle at point-blank range, and headshot it. He then turned and gained altitude.
The main force of the church's mechs has already deployed into pursuit formation, with several beams of light crisscrossing in the air.
The Skydrive Type I maneuvered at high speed over the volcanic city-state, its propulsion exhaust leaving a straight trail in the night before disappearing beyond the horizon of the Tharsis Plateau a few seconds later.