The Mute Builders weren't working alone in this hangar as there were several engineers assisting or learning from them.

Jace, one of the rescued survivors in the evacuation shelter of the previous Dreadnight Fortress, was one of them. With his Talent called Gearspeak, he was considered to be one of the best engineers who could rival Eliot Mercer in the Springriver Manor.

At this time, Jace couldn't help but appreciate the sight of the new engine they had developed. He then checked the report he had with him.

[ GM Drive - Flight Engine Core ]

[ Type: Mobility Module / Power Source

Quantity Produced: 21 Units

Origin: Reconstructed from the damaged Advanced Floating Engine Core. ]

[ Description:

The GM Drive is a high-grade levitation engine designed to grant flight capability to Mech Frames. Originally part of a Flying Fortress power system, the core was heavily damaged… over 60% structural loss and nearly half its circuitry destroyed. With Cloud's assistance and the Builder's hard work and skillful craftsmanship, the salvaged components were reforged into 21 fully functional GM Drives. ]

[ Effects:

- Grants Flight Capability to Mech Frames

- −35% Energy Cost for aerial maneuvers

- +20% Energy Circuit Stability when paired with Tier 4+ cockpit systems

- Enables Emergency Hover Mode during system failure or pilot injury ]

Jace couldn't help but smile after seeing the report.

Shane would definitely be happy once he read the data.

Since they had just completed one GM Drive, no one knows about it yet except for the workers. Even Shane was probably too busy dealing with the Zombie Waves right now…

'The GM Drive marks their second step into aerial warfare…' Jace mused.

Although he wanted it to be the first step, the Floating Fortress that Shane had take out was definitely the first one in this matter.

Soon, a test was done, and Jace could see the Mech Frame hover…

Not high. Just a few meters off the ground, but it hovered.

The hangar lights activated as the engine pulsed…

Whom~

Soon, the test was done, and the Mech Frame landed.

[ Flight Capability Confirmed. Stabilizers Online. Energy Core Stable. ]

Pssh~

The cockpit canopy slid open, revealing a sleek interface designed for full neural sync… Then, the female pilot came out…

"That was amazing!" She said with excitement. She wanted to join the battle outside already.

"We need some combat testing anyway… I can get it outside."

Sheena, the female pilot, suggested to the engineers working around the hangar.

However, even if they want to, they do not really have the authority to send this out without Shane's permission or Arial's signal.

"I already asked Arial about this… He mentioned that he was asking Sir Shane about it." Jace said as he saw the pilot approach.

He then glanced at the engineers nearby, then back at the Mech.

"For now… how about thinking of a new name for this unit? It's not part of the AEGIS Series anymore. This is something else."

That caught everyone's attention.

The AEGIS Series had been the backbone of the Shelters ground defense. They were Juggernaut, Vanguard, Phantom, Bastion, Reaper, Overseer. Each one was a five-meter tactical frame, built for terrain warfare and close-range engagements.

But this?

This was twelve meters tall. Flight-capable… That was built for aerial dominance.

They couldn't just slap "AEGIS-07" on it and call it a day.

One of the engineers, a younger man named Riko, scratched his head. "We could call it AEGIS-F. Like 'Flight' variant."

Jace shook his head. "No. This isn't a variant. It's a new class. The AEGIS units are ground-based. This one broke gravity."

Sheena folded her arms as she also felt inclined to make her own suggestion since she was the first tester… "Then we need a new series. Something that reflects what it is. What it represents. After all, you'd probably make a different type of these Flying Mechs, right?"

Riko then raised his hand and suggested.. "Skyknight?"

"Too fantasy," Sheena replied.

"Stormblade?"

"Sounds like a sword," Jace muttered.

Another engineer, stepped forward.

"How about Valiant Series?

Everyone turned.

Sheena raised an eyebrow. "Valiant?"

Mara nodded. "I think it's symbolic. It was built during the Red Night. Under siege. By these special mute builders and salvaged tech…"

Jace considered it. "VALIANT Series… I like it. It separates it from the AEGIS line. Ground versus air. Tactical versus strategic."

Cloud's voice echoed from the terminal nearby.

[ New Mech Series Registration: Pending. Awaiting designation. ]

Jace tapped the interface.

[ Series Name: VALIANT ]

[ Unit ID: 01 ]

"Now we need a name for the first unit," he said.

Sheena looked up at the frame again. The hangar lights reflected off its armor, the GM Drive humming beneath its core.

"It broke gravity," she said softly. "First of its kind. Built from wreckage. Call it Skybreaker."

Jace smiled. "VALIANT-01 'Skybreaker'. That works."

Another engineer nodded. "It's poetic… and intimidating."

Riko grinned chuckled and nodded... "Better than Stormblade."

Just like that, Cloud confirmed the entry.

[ Mech Series Registered: VALIANT ]

[ First Unit: VALIANT-01 "Skybreaker" ]

[ Classification: Aerial Combat Frame - 12m Class ]

[ Status: Prototype - Flight Capability Confirmed ]

Jace turned to the team. "This is the start of something bigger. We're not just defending the walls anymore. We're building the future."

Sheena cracked her knuckles. "Then let's make sure Skybreaker earns its name."

***

Soon, Arial contacted them through a warden unit nearby.

"This is Arial…" the commanding officer's voice echoed through the comms. "We've got a situation."

Everyone in the hangar froze.

"Visual confirmation just came in... A flying Zombie Lord has breached the outer perimeter. Anti-air machine guns are ineffective. Target is armored and highly evasive. The barrier at New Genes Shelter is holding, but it won't last more than twelve minutes."

A beat of silence followed..

"Immediate interception required. I repeat… interception required. We need the Mech Frames that could shoot down that thing… It doesn't matter what kind! The Zombie Lord must be grounded before it reaches the inner dome."

The comms cut.

Sheena's eyes lit up with adrenaline. She turned sharply toward the engineers…

"Equip all the weapons… hurry! I'll deal with the Zombie Lord! Let's surprise everyone!"

Jace didn't hesitate. "Load the aerial combat rack! Twin burst cannons, energy spears, flare pods… everything we've got!"

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