"Doctor, the prototype's PS armor hasn't undergone activation testing yet, and the experimental data in space is also unknown. Do we need to apply for testing permission from the boss?"
As William approached Halsey and the others, he heard a researcher ask Halsey about applying for testing permission.
"That…" He then calmly reminded, "No need to submit it. I'll approve it directly."
The researchers quickly turned around, facing William respectfully and saying, "Boss."
Halsey also feigned respect in front of everyone, smiling at William and saying, "Boss, you're here."
"Ah." William waved his hand, signaling the Alphas behind him to disperse.
He walked to the front of the prototype, looking up at Umbrella's 'Gundam', and nodded with satisfaction.
He then said to Halsey, who was already standing beside him, "Very good. I heard from your assistants that this prototype seems to be ready?"
"Yes, this Strike, designated MS-X101, is theoretically complete, but there are no records of actual operation yet," Halsey replied.
"There's no time like the present," William said, looking down at Halsey. "Since this Strike is completely finished, let's conduct the test flight today."
"Hmm…" Halsey pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "No problem."
"As for the pilot, I believe an AI equipped with a prosthetic body would be most suitable. They can record detailed data of the prototype's movements."
"Good." William didn't waste any more words. He turned and left with Hank and the other Alphas, instructing the researchers, "Keep busy, everyone, and help the Doctor prepare the prototype for its test flight."
"Yes, boss."
——————
…
Two hours later.
Inside a lounge on the ship's port side.
Through the thickened porthole, one could see the starry cosmic scenery outside, and even Venus, appearing like a ping-pong ball in the distance.
This lounge was a place for employees to relax, equipped with a bar, pool table, arcade games, and other facilities.
But at this moment, the employees here were not relaxing and playing; instead, they all fixed their gaze on the window.
Because employees had learned through various channels that a new type of 'fighter jet' would be test-flying soon.
William, in his office, was also sitting behind his desk, watching the MS-X101's test flight process via monitor.
Hangar three of the Infinity.
Section three was located on the ship's port side, housing a large number of carrier-based aircraft such as F-X, B-65, and Viking fighters.
At the same time, section three was also equipped with several electromagnetic catapult channels to increase the initial speed of the carrier-based aircraft.
And in front of the leftmost catapult channel, the MS-X101 prototype was being assembled by ground crew using mechanical arms.
The catapult channel was designed from the outset to accommodate different specifications of aircraft, and the MS-X101, performing a kneeling action, could just fit into the channel.
The camera zoomed in on the deck.
An AI with a prosthetic body, dressed in a dark grey sealed pilot suit, walked towards the MS-X101 with a helmet in her left hand.
The AI responsible for piloting the prototype was Cortana of Spartan Blue Team.
Equipped with a prosthetic body, she had a skin tone similar to humans, short black female hair, and her pupils, like Serena's, emitted a faint blue light.
Cortana came to the front of the MS-X101, put on her helmet, and used the prototype's built-in foot-operated lift cable to enter the cockpit in the machine's abdomen.
The hatch closed.
The screen switched to inside the cockpit.
Cortana sat down and pressed the start button on the control panel. Immediately, all displays lit up, and at the same time, the surrounding screens generated a view of the hangar.
Then, under the guidance of the ground crew, she controlled the prototype to step onto the catapult and made the prototype perform a kneeling action with its legs.
The catapult carried the prototype smoothly into the channel, and the valve was lowered to isolate it from the hangar, depressurizing.
After depressurization was complete, the valve at the end of the channel slowly opened, revealing the space outside the ship.
At this point, Cortana raised her hand again to flick a button, adjusting the machine to its optimal state, then placed both hands on the control stick.
She said, "This is Test Pilot Cortana. Prototype MS-X101 is ready for catapult launch."
"This is the bridge." Serena's voice quickly returned through the comms. "I have approved the MS-X101's catapult procedure. You are clear for launch."
"Received."
No sooner had she spoken than Cortana saw green indicator lights flashing on both sides of the channel.
Seeing this, Cortana pushed the control stick forward, and the catapult began to accelerate rapidly along the track.
Whoosh—!
The prototype launched from the Infinity, and its back thrusters activated, flying rapidly under Cortana's control.
As the prototype passed the front left of the Infinity, Cortana also activated the machine's external PS armor.
The previously dull color scheme transformed into a white main body, with dark and light black on the chest and waist.
Combined with the red and white umbrella logo on the machine's left shoulder and the yellow warning stripes at the joints, this Strike-type MS prototype had a strong Umbrella aesthetic.
The prototype performed short-term acceleration, deceleration, emergency stops, and other test performance actions according to the procedure.
.
In the previously mentioned lounge;
"Wow! This new mecha is much smaller than the Divine Body, but it looks very powerful!"
"The Divine Body has a strong biological feel, but this one… tsk tsk, I like it."
"Looks are combat power, no matter what, our company has added new weapons, haha."
Upon seeing the prototype successfully test-fly outside the window, the employees all expressed their joy.
After all, their company could continuously produce epoch-making weapons and technology, and besides excitement, there was pride.
.
And in his office, William, watching Cortana pilot the Strike-type MS prototype via the Infinity's external surveillance cameras, couldn't help but mutter to himself:
"When I have time, I need to contact the toy department and have them try producing plastic model kits. This world needs more 'Gunpla builders'."
"Oh, right, I also need to discuss with Halsey later and have her design a custom machine for me."
"Hmm, that's decided."
——————
…
Project: High Mobility Humanoid Weapon (MS).
Codename: Strike.
Description:
The Strike-type MS successfully completed its test flight on August 20, 2015.
Through subsequent experimental data, it was concluded that this new type of weapon, in zero-gravity and atmospheric environments, surpassed existing fighter jet concepts in terms of mobility, defense, attack power, and many other aspects.
Its cost is equivalent to six F-X or three Viking fighters.
Therefore, Umbrella decided to begin mass production of the Strike-type MS in September 2015.
The first batch of twenty units ordered from the armory factory in the suburbs of Halfa City will be delivered to General Ostrovsky's (Andrei's) containment fleet in the first quarter of 2016.
If the Strike-type MS passes the test of actual combat, Umbrella will consider its mass production.
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