The researcher replied with a string of data, and the man mused for a moment. "This wavelength is a bit dangerous. It could easily cause neural overstimulation and lead to brain damage. Can we weaken the stimulus?"
The researcher frowned and shook his head. "Thatâs not really an option. If itâs any weaker, a large portion of people wonât be able to link to the mecha."
"Any improvements on the materials? I recall a new batch of Energy Mine arrived."
The researcher said, "Itâs here, but a portion of it is too unstable to use. Only twenty percent is usable. The patches donât need any improvement, but everything else still needs modification."
So, when broken down, this batch of Energy Mine was nowhere near enough.
The middle-aged man tapped the data sheet. "Order more. Even if itâs not enough, we have to use what we have. There are no substitutes yet, so all we can do is keep trying."
The researcher looked at him, hesitating. "But our budget for this year is already larger than before. The higher-ups will probably require you to explain this in person."
The middle-aged manâs expression remained unchanged. "Iâll go in person."
"This is a critical moment. If we stop now, all our previous efforts will go down the drain."
He was clearly the highest-ranking person there. After dealing with everyoneâs issues, he headed for his office.
Everyone he passed on the way stopped and called out to him, "Engineer Jarvis."
He nodded in acknowledgment without breaking his stride, walking briskly through the research area.
As soon as he entered his office, the Intelligent Brain placed a call to his superior.
Soon, a slim, shrewd-looking man with short, wine-red hair and slightly narrowed brown eyes appeared on the Intelligent Brainâs display.
"Whatâs wrong?"
Engineer Jarvis tugged at his collar. "My subordinates are worried the expenses are getting too high. They wanted me to come and explain things to you."
If Zoe Pierce had been there, she would have recognized the slim, red-haired man at a glance.
He was the same man from Chase Shawâs investigation files: Wesley White.
Hearing Engineer Jarvisâs words, Wesley White cracked a wry smile. "When have I ever put a cap on your spending? Arenât these all necessary expenses?"
Engineer Jarvisâs expression softened. He sat down and rubbed his temples. "They are. Itâs just that our results havenât met the requirements, so Iâm getting a little anxious."
On this front, Wesley White was more philosophical than Engineer Jarvis. "Isnât that just how research goes? You make a huge investment, and you might end up sprinting full-speed in the wrong direction, without a single cent to show for it in the end."
"Arthur White!" Engineer Jarvis snapped.
Wesley White, or rather, Arthur White, raised an eyebrow. "Getting superstitious on me now? Canât even talk about things like that?"
Engineer Jarvisâs gaze was unfriendly. "Youâd best not say things like that."
The comment had clearly struck a nerve.
Arthur White didnât press the issue, changing the subject instead. "James Jarvis, if you manage to create this thing, youâll be the top scientist of this era."
His eyes bored into James Jarvisâs face. "Bar none."
James Jarvis knew that, of course, but he felt such words sounded arrogant before the task was actually accomplished.
To say it now felt more like a joke.
"Besides, itâs not as if youâve accomplished nothing. Youâve already completed the third-generation mecha. Iâm sure youâll soon reach the fourth and fifth generations, each one stronger than the last." This was why the funding and resources had never been cut off.
They had seen real, tangible results, which justified the continuous investment.
James Jarvis picked up a glass of water from his desk and took a few gulps before saying in a low voice, "Send more N781 Ore. Weâre short on that type of energy source."
Even Arthur White couldnât help but frown. Money was easy to arrange, but acquiring Energy Mine was another story. Procuring too much of it would draw unwanted attention.
But this was a problem they couldnât avoid. They held plenty of other assets, but something like Energy Mine was so widely distributed that it wasnât easy to purchase in its entirety.
Evidently, N781 Ore was a resource they didnât possess themselves and had to acquire from various sources.
"You have to find a way to get it soon. Every day weâre delayed is just more money burned for nothing," James Jarvis said emphatically, seeing Arthur Whiteâs predicament.
If they couldnât solve the Energy Mine supply problem, they couldnât continue.
Arthur White rubbed the bridge of his nose. "You sure know how to make things difficult for me."
He sat up straight. "Alright, Iâll figure something out. Iâll see where I can get my hands on some more for you."
James Jarvisâs expression relaxed. "Iâll be waiting for good news."
Arthur White scrolled through a list on the Intelligent Brain, his mind racing through the ore sources each name represented. He glanced at the other manâs face. "You should get some sleep. Your eyes are completely bloodshot."
"Thereâs a wise old saying: your health is your most important asset."
"If you break down, this entire base wonât be able to find another James Jarvis." His finger paused on a name, and he sent off a message.
James Jarvis leaned back in his chair. "I know. Donât worry. Iâll go rest as soon as we hang up."
Arthur White was noncommittal.
The Intelligent Brains on both ends fell silent. Just as Arthur White was about to disconnect the call, he heard James Jarvis speak again, his voice no longer as firm and forceful as before.
"Arthur White... two more people died today."
His words were like a faint, pre-sleep sigh, adrift and filled with loss.
Arthur Whiteâs gaze shifted from the list of names back to James Jarvis.
Jarvis was wearing a standard lab uniform, his body sunk into the chair. He was much taller than Arthur White and sometimes seemed more like an Alpha, possessing both a refined appearance and a brilliant mind.
Now, his eyes were lifted toward the dark cavern ceiling, not at the image of Arthur White on the Intelligent Brainâs display.
"Yes. My subordinates already reported it," Arthur White said.
Thatâs why he understood all the more why James Jarvis was so relentless in his push to advance the experiments.
"James Jarvis, they sacrificed themselves for this cause. Theyâll be buried in the memorial park, and every one of us will remember them."
James Jarvis stared blankly for a moment, then wiped a hand over his face. "I know. I know."
"All of us are fighting for this ideal. All of us!" Arthur White said, looking at James Jarvis intently. "If tomorrow there were a necessary reason for me to make a sacrifice, I would do it without a second thought."
"James Jarvis, weâre not the same. I can be replaced. You canât."
"You are our hope. When it comes down to it, your priority level is far higher than mine. I need you to remember that."
"Donât lose your way. Youâre already on the stepping stone to success. You just need one more push, and you can lead us all to the other shore."
"The path to paradise is through a narrow gate. It was never meant to be an easy walk."
James Jarvis took a deep breath. "Alright, you can stop with the pep talk. I know all this. Who have you been talking to, anyway? This doesnât sound like you."
Arthur White chuckled. "You have to learn a few lines like these when youâre dealing with all those noble lords. You interested? Iâve got a collection of philosophies from various planets right here."
"No, thanks," James Jarvis said. "You can keep that stuff for yourself."