mech mechanic

In the Karl Star Nation, on the Death Star, lies the Ninth Prison.Barely passable living conditions did nothing to bring prosperity to this planet. At some point, it had turned into a trash star, where piles of mechanical wreckage towered like mountains, occasionally sparking arcs of electricity. The air reeked of burnt cables.The Ninth Prison, which occupied nearly half of the planet's area, stood amid these ruins. Its numerous zones resembled fortified strongholds—under the glow of the blue star, they exuded an eerie sense of solemnity.As the largest prison in the entire Karl Star Nation, it held countless inmates, along with countless unspeakable secrets. Consequently, it was equipped with an extremely sophisticated intelligent security system and weaponry.For over 600 years since its construction, it had maintained a zero escape rate. Coupled with fairly good benefits, it had become the dream posting for prison guards across the Karl Star Nation.Lin Jie had once harbored this dream and strived for it relentlessly. And fate had not let his efforts go to waste—after 23 years of struggle since birth, he finally set foot in the Ninth Prison, successfully becoming a... detained inmate.Interrogation Room in Prison Zone T"Prisoner T9527, Lin Jie, 23 years old, ordinary human. You look even more handsome in person than in the photo..."Lin Jie sat on the interrogation chair, watching as the middle-aged woman in front of him set down the file in her hand. She smiled faintly and said, "Hello, Mr. Lin Jie. Let me introduce myself. My name is Jenna Downs, and I am the Warden of the Ninth Prison.""Greetings, Warden," Lin Jie replied."You may call me Ms. Jenna, or Mrs. Downs," she said.Friendly conversation to build rapport—one of the basic interrogation tactics... Lin Jie returned her smile. "Very well, Mrs. Downs. Actually, I have long heard of your deeds. It is an honor to meet you today. I never expected you to look so well-preserved. At 55, you barely have any wrinkles."Jenna's lips twitched, and the forced smile on her face almost faltered."I apologize for my rudeness. Allow me to rephrase that..." Lin Jie continued. "For an ordinary human, you look remarkably young. You don't seem 55 at all.""Is that so? Then how old do I look to you?" Jenna asked."Fifty-four," Lin Jie answered."Do you think you're being humorous?" Jenna raised an eyebrow, her amiable smile fading. "Your joke is not the least bit funny, Mr. Lin Jie. Where do you think this is? This is the Ninth Prison, and I am its highest authority. I am questioning you!"An upgraded tactic: intimidation when the interrogated refuses to cooperate... Lin Jie thought. Is there nothing more advanced?His smile widened. "All right, Warden. It was just a joke—no need to get so upset. Excessive anger can disrupt the secretion of luteinizing hormone from the basophilic cells in your anterior pituitary gland.""...What happens then?" Jenna asked, 不由自主."It can cause irregular ovulation...""9527!" Jenna's patience finally snapped.As the warden, she had dealt with countless inmates—countless scumbags and villains in the Ninth Prison, many of whom had openly provoked her. Yet somehow, Lin Jie's casual remarks irritated her more than any filthy, vulgar taunts ever could.But... she had to hold back.Taking a few deep breaths, Jenna opened her eyes again, struggling to soften her 狰狞 expression. "Mr. Lin Jie, you are still young. Think about your family and friends, think about yourself—you still have a bright future ahead. Why must we talk this way? To be honest, the reason I'm meeting with you today is that I want to help you."The ultimate interrogation tactic: emotional appeal... Lin Jie sneered inwardly, but his face promptly showed a hesitant look, as if he was deep in thought. After a moment, he turned to Jenna and asked, "Really? Can you truly help me?"He's caving in... Jenna's eyes lit up. She pressed on gently, "Of course I can. Otherwise, with so many prisoners in the Ninth Prison, why would I take the time to talk to you alone?""Then... what do you need me to do?" Lin Jie asked."I need your cooperation," Jenna said, a smile returning to her face as she thought she had found a breakthrough. "I need you to trust me unreservedly. Tell me about your background—why were you sent to the Ninth Prison? What crime did you commit?"What crime could I have committed? I'm only 23! I just want to survive—what crime is that... Lin Jie complained silently. Outwardly, however, he put on a look of willingness to confess. "To be honest, Mrs. Downs, I hacked into the Presidential Palace's security system, snuck inside, and evaded the guards for three hours. After knocking out over a dozen bodyguards, I finally found the President's son and successfully stole the lollipop from his hand."Jenna's expression darkened again. She stared at Lin Jie coldly. "The President only has three daughters—he has no son!""Oh? Then let me make up another story for you," Lin Jie said casually."Mr. Lin Jie!" Jenna snapped."Don't be in such a hurry, Mrs. Downs. I can make up plenty of crimes. Surely one of them will fit me," Lin Jie replied."9527!""Are you getting angry again? Don't forget—anger can cause irregular ovulation...""Shut up! Shut up, you bastard!"Jenna completely lost her composure. She almost shouted as she ordered the guards to drag Lin Jie away. It took her a long time to calm down and sink back into her chair.The dim light accentuated the nasolabial folds that had deepened with age. Above them were a pair of venomous eyes, clouded by menopause.The Yard"Evidently, in any world, age is an absolute blow to harsh-tongued women...." By the pool in the recreation area, Lin Jie lowered his head and smiled, having just splashed water on his face.Yes, Lin Jie was a fellow townsman of all of you—his ancestral home was Earth.After transmigrating to this world, he had spent 23 years growing from an infant, gradually learning the language and knowledge here, disciplining himself strictly, abiding by the law, and striving to grow—until he was thrown into the Ninth Prison. The twists and turns in between were far too complex to be summed up in a few words."Hoo—" Lin Jie let out a long breath.The water in the pool reflected his appearance: black hair, black pupils, and stubble that had grown around his mouth over the past few days, adding a touch of weariness to his look. His slightly melancholy eyes, paired with a hint of playful laughter, gave him an unusual air of freedom and ease. Unfortunately, the gray prison uniform on his body and the electronic collar around his neck ruined the overall aesthetic of the image."I'd only heard about these things before. Now I realize—they're really uncomfortable," Lin Jie muttered, turning around and touching the electronic collar as he observed the other inmates who were also exercising nearby.Most of the prisoners in the Ninth Prison, like Lin Jie, were so-called "ordinary humans." Their physical features were not much different from people on Earth. It was said that this race was relatively common in the universe and had no distinct racial characteristics—hence the name "ordinary humans."As far as Lin Jie could see, there were only a handful of other alien races in Zone T. They looked bizarre and unsightly, each in their own way.However, they all had one thing in common: they all wore this electronic collar.From what Lin Jie had learned, this collar not only suppressed superhuman abilities but also had satellite positioning and explosion functions. If anyone tried to escape beyond the designated area or use external force to remove the collar, the device would detonate on the spot.Seeing everyone staying obediently within bounds, Lin Jie had no intention of courting death by trying to remove the collar. Instead, he slowly closed his eyes and focused his consciousness inward, into his own body.As a transmigrator, he actually possessed something special—a rubik's cube.It was inside his body—either in his brain or somewhere else. Even the advanced instruments of the interstellar era could not detect its exact location, so Lin Jie naturally couldn't be certain. But as long as he closed his eyes, he could see it.In a dim space, the rubik's cube floated quietly.It was made of an unknown alloy, with all six faces the same color. However, each small face was covered with different pale white patterns, and the dividing lines glowed with a faint blue light, exuding a strong sense of technology."Twenty-three years now, rubik's cube..." As he admired the cube, Lin Jie felt a rare sense of helplessness.His connection with this rubik's cube dated back to before his transmigration. In fact, Lin Jie was almost certain that this cube had played a major role in his transmigration.Back then, he had just been an ordinary employee at a company. After landing the job, he had gone out for a nice dinner to celebrate. On his way home after dark, he noticed something glinting in the grass by the roadside. Driven by instinctive curiosity, he went over to check.That glinting object was this rubik's cube.And his transmigration began at that very moment.Originally, a rubik's cube with all six faces the same color—relying on fragmented patterns to be solved—was already extremely difficult. Most people would give up after a few attempts, at most taking it home as a decoration to tinker with in their free time.But Lin Jie was not an ordinary person.Call it obsessive-compulsive disorder or a quirk—whatever you like.In short, he had a peculiar obsession with puzzles, rubik's cubes, and computational decryption. He once had a remarkable record of staying awake for three days just to clear a puzzle game.That night, this rubik's cube had ignited his competitive spirit.He squatted by the side of the road, constantly observing and thinking, staying there from night until the middle of the night. After four hours, he finally managed to piece together the messy patterns on one face of the cube into a complete design.Then, he transmigrated.Yes—without the slightest warning, without any hesitation. He didn't even have time to see clearly what the pattern he had pieced together looked like before he was whisked away to this interstellar world.Starting from a newborn, he had spent over 20 years growing up—only to end up as a prisoner.And for over 20 years, this rubik's cube had remained inside his body. He could see it whenever he closed his eyes, but it had never done anything.Lin Jie had tried countless times to twist it again, to communicate with it.But the rubik's cube was like an irresponsible heartbreaker. It had lured Lin Jie that night, "interacted" with him by the roadside for four hours, abducted him to this interstellar world, and even entered his body... Then, it had abandoned him.For 23 years, it had just floated there, motionless. No matter what Lin Jie did, it showed no reaction at all.This left Lin Jie utterly speechless."Damn it..." Once again failing to make contact, Lin Jie opened his eyes in frustration. He looked around and muttered, "24/7 surveillance, an electronic explosive collar that suppresses abilities, 50-meter alloy walls, and military satellites providing protection... And this rubik's cube is completely useless. How the hell am I supposed to get out of this place?"All of a sudden, a heavy rumble echoed as the metal gate slid open. Lin Jie and the other prisoners turned to look—and two figures came into their sight.Leading the way was a bald man. Like Lin Jie, he was an ordinary human, but his body was much taller and stronger—at a glance, he stood over two meters tall, exuding an overwhelming aura. He made the young curly-haired man beside him look even smaller and frailer by comparison.The moment they appeared, the noisy yard fell completely silent in an instant."A prison bully?" Lin Jie raised his eyebrows slightly.On the other side, the bald man seemed accustomed to such reactions. His expression remained stern as he walked into the yard with the young man beside him.However, what surprised Lin Jie was that a transport vehicle followed closely behind them. As the two men entered the yard, the vehicle drove in as well.Standing on the vehicle was a metal behemoth over five meters tall—humanoid in shape, with a damaged chest and abdomen, revealing the cockpit inside. Its overall proportions were sleek, indicating that the mecha's designer had deliberately prioritized agility. However... its condition was clearly poor. The aged, rusted parts and the acrid black smoke drifting out of its interior all screamed that it was on the verge of being scrapped.A combat mecha... Lin Jie narrowed his eyes.Why would there be something like this in a prison?