190: Powered Suit Workshop ※

This chapter is told from Vee's perspective.

"Well, we've arrived."

After seeing Satā in the form of a powered suit within Satā's greenhouse, we decided to visit a powered suit workshop, hoping to gain some insights by learning about standard powered suits.

Incidentally, this workshop is connected to the intelligence unit, though its publicly visible portion appears to be an ordinary workshop.

"Then, Master Vee. I'll negotiate to get access to the back area."

"Please do. A note."

The note drifted away from me and approached the staff member... then vanished completely into the staff-only area, as usual.

Now, I should be fine from here on out.

"Sata. What about the powered suits?"

"Hmm... I've never had the chance to examine one this thoroughly and in such detail before, so it's quite fascinating."

Sata is examining a typical powered suit displayed in the store.

First, the basic models that can be used immediately after minimal adjustments, once purchased.

Then, the customizable parts that can be swapped out based on the customer's preferences.

Finally, although there are no actual prototypes, the kinds of custom-made suits that could be created with special orders.

"Umm, this is quite fascinating, isn't it?"

"Are you interested in them too, Joharis?"

"Yeah, I'm curious about it. The gear we use ourselves could technically be considered a type of powered suit, depending on how you look at it."

"That's true. If you think about it from the definition of a powered suit, it definitely fits."

What exactly is a powered suit?

A powered suit, simply put, is a device worn in the form of clothing that enhances or adds various abilities to the wearer.

From that perspective, the unit that Joharis uses can certainly be considered a type of powered suit.

"Is this an arm specialized for grasping and cutting?"

"Wow, it's like spider legs. That means it can reach places even caterpillars can't."

If we take a more reckless approach to thinking about it, it might be better described as a versatile heavy machine.

Essentially, powered suits are bipedal and possess exceptional mobility, capable of traversing even rubble that caterpillars can't manage.

The arms and hands move in sync with the operator's movements and can exert strength far beyond that of a bare human.

The exoskeleton itself remains unshaken by minor impacts, even without the shield module.

Depending on the installed modules and sensors, the suit can detect things completely beyond the range of human perception.

And even if damaged beyond repair, it's just a machine after all—easily replaceable and repairable countless times.

Yet despite being such a remarkable piece of technology, its applications remain limited... probably due to its size and cost.

Typical powered suits stand around five meters tall and are proportionally wide.

Given that size, they naturally can't navigate the narrow corridors of colonies or spacecraft.

"Is this what you get when you extract just the cockpit section?"

"Looks like it. Some are spherical and completely isolated from the outside, while others have the pilot's limbs inserted into the powered suit's arms or legs."

"In my case, I suppose only the cockpit-only version would be useful."

"Sat. I'll buy it if you need it. Just the cockpit section isn't that expensive."

"Hmm... Sure, thanks."

Since Sat. wanted it, I'll purchase the spherical cockpit.

If we modify it based on this, we might be able to operate a powered suit from a greenhouse, just as Memo mentioned, and stand on the battlefield.

"Miss Vee, Sat., Lord Johalis. Permission has been granted. Please come in. The head of the workshop will be seeing you."

"Understood. Sat., Johalis, let's go."

"Got it."

"Understood, sir."

We head deeper into the workshop.

We also have the cockpit we purchased carried further inside.

"I am the one assigned to this task. I am aware of the circumstances regarding Lady Virijianira and Lord Sata, so please feel free to ask me anything. I will do my best to answer within my knowledge."

The woman who greeted us was human.

She's wearing a suit, but the feel of her hand during our handshake and the way she seems unfamiliar with wearing one suggest she's more accustomed to personally adjusting powered suits at the worksite than attending to nobles like me.

Inside the room, there are numerous tools and equipment for assembling and adjusting powered suits, yet everything is neatly organized and the space is immaculate.

"Thank you. Then, Satu."

"Got it."

Satu opens the gate, and out steps a powered suit—or rather, Satu herself, in the form of a powered suit, walking forth.

The female attendant, upon seeing this, briefly flinches in surprise, then quickly begins to suspect something, gradually realizing various details, her expression growing troubled. After a moment, she focuses intently, determined to examine it more closely.

"This is me, or rather, me in the likeness of a powered suit."

"I see. Another utterly outlandish thing..."

"Um, well, first off, I'd like us to figure out how to disguise it as a regular powered suit, and how to connect it to the cockpit. Something like that."

"Is that so?"

The officer hesitated slightly at Sata's words...

"Let's completely give up on the disguise aspect. It's unnecessary from the start. So let's focus solely on how to connect it to the cockpit."

She spoke clearly and decisively.