Prologue Red 9

She is the Duchess of the Duke of Norman, with the surname Su. Throughout the Great Eagle Empire, the number of people who have met this Duchess is estimated to be no more than one hundred. If a list of these nearly one hundred individuals were to be compiled, it is likely that some of their names would frequently appear in the mainstream newspapers and magazines of the Empire, known to the public. Of course, there are also more than half of these individuals whose names are unknown to the public, who they are, and what their occupations are.

Manager Zhang seemed to sense her slight disappointment, nodded gently, and left through the door

In the field of vision, the mining site rises from the ground like a colossal steel beast, devouring countless metallic objects

Regardless of how one puts it, this unexpected incident has added many aspects worthy of attention beyond the soap opera events that people discuss during their leisure time.

However, the pilot of that dilapidated mech was unaware that even such a jest had piqued the interest of these prominent figures in the room and what it might signify

One month later, information from a black box extracted from the wreckage of a mecha that had fallen during that storm was placed on the desk of the incident investigation team at the Imperial Cabinet's General Office

... ...

Zhang Guan Shi clearly observed that when he finished speaking, the colors in the girl's eyes brightened significantly

Whoever knew it swayed for a moment, then continued to stand up and escape with the red 9 mech. Only then did everyone react, realizing that this ugly mech not only looked like a distorted fruit, but its cockpit was also damn crooked!

Beneath the night sky shrouded in countless stars, the ugly mech stood half-destroyed, sparking with electricity, facing her own severely damaged mech. Yet, it was this exceedingly ugly, incomplete, and dilapidated mech that had just stubbornly dragged her through the storm, surviving against all odds

Is it because of my identity

A knocking sound came from behind the door

On Haizhou No. 12, amidst the vast expanse of the surface shrouded in swirling darkness, twelve flickering red lights intermittently shone through the obscurity

Because they understand that if everything recorded on the screen is not a coincidence, what does that imply? What an astonishing conclusion that is

It is well known that the so-called military 333th regiment is, in fact, the guard belonging to the noble Norman family. The history of the Norman family can be traced back to the founding period of the empire, and it is one of the four prominent families that have produced three imperial heads and five government prime ministers, being the legendary and illustrious ducal family.

She did not believe that there would happen to be such a mech nearby acting heroically at that moment. Therefore, this could be a sophisticated operation aimed at kidnapping someone from the Norman family, carrying with it ulterior motives.

However, this mine does not provide a touching sanctuary akin to a traveler in a storm finding a deserted inn. Instead, it heralds the arrival of the most terrifying "Metal Tide Explosion" in the midst of the storm

At this moment, the mech is utilizing the afterburners on its back, attempting to stagger along while pressing down on the ground as much as possible

... ...

Warning! Unknown foreign object approaching warning!

For those officials in the empire who are desperately climbing upwards, it represents a turning point in their fate. For the tycoons and merchants, it may signify an inexhaustible source of power and wealth. For an ordinary person piloting a dilapidated mech, it might represent an opportunity that their ancestors could never encounter over three generations, or a life that may never return to peace again

People do not even dare to breathe

Upon arriving at the door, she gave a slight bow to the people in the room, "Thank you all for your hard work regarding the follow-up investigation and the events that have occurred during this period."

Upon witnessing this, almost everyone in the hall could hardly bear to look. Although human society has developed to its current level, under harsh natural conditions, no one dares to truly say that "man can conquer nature"

There are still a few people in the room who have not left; they remain because they see the middle-aged man still seated, deep in thought. The "Golden Leaf Violet" Imperial Combat Hero Medal on his chest is intimidating, as there are only 5 individuals in the Empire who hold this honor. Thus, his silence naturally carries an extraordinary weight

However, as traditional forces disintegrate with humanity's expansion into the universe, and the state apparatus becomes relatively weakened, those who rise and seize social assets and power can, with every action and thought, influence the lives of thousands of people at all times and from all aspects

We are the same type of mecha. Yet, we are not the same. My red 9, is it a model 13 or 14? If the mecha I was piloting at that time had the same performance as theirs, perhaps now, I would also be dead

Yet those present must keep their eyes wide open and continue watching. The footage from the recorder jumps again, stirring the hearts of everyone. The mech that everyone has been waiting for appears within the view of the recorder

This is not a coincidence

What does it mean when you say no traces were found

"If it weren't for those unnecessary fittings of this ugly, foolish fellow, and that crooked cockpit, this mech would have long been scrapped, and the person inside would have already ascended to heaven," the speaker continued, his voice steady but laced with a hint of mockery. "This is purely a farce. I oppose spending manpower and resources to investigate the origins and whereabouts of this individual! Although we need to express our gratitude and repay the person who rescued the Red 9 mech, it must be voluntary on their part. If they simply vanish into thin air, it means they have forfeited the reward!" This is purely a farce. I oppose spending manpower and resources to investigate the origins and whereabouts of this individual! Although we need to express our gratitude and repay the person who rescued the Red 9 mech, it must be voluntary on their part. If they simply vanish into thin air, it means they have forfeited the reward!

It is unknown who broke the silence with a sudden exclamation. On the recording device's screen, the misfortune of the mech finally arrived, as the main body of the mine dragged itself towards the red 9 mech. Like a dinosaur, it was about to step on a person of toe height!

Duke's residence

But soon she felt a deep sense of vigilance, as she understood her own identity and recognized that this mecha was clearly not of legitimate imperial origin. Its agility suggested that the shabby appearance was likely a means to conceal its true nature, and she pondered what the true purpose was behind this act of snatching her away from the storm.

The girl gazed out at the sunlit window, her beautiful features faintly visible in the reflection of the glass, "... they are all dead"

Unit 1, evade! Evade! Beep... crackle...

The middle-aged man pressed his five fingers together, his expression and demeanor concealed beneath the high, prominent ridge of his hooked nose. After a while, in the utterly empty room, his deep voice, imbued with a strange charm, resonated.

Find him

The silhouette of the departing mech under the night sky is reflected in her deep brown eyes, resembling a sculpture

Astronomical Almanac 2013

Set forth!

The remaining people looked at each other in bewilderment

In such a harsh environment, indeed no life can survive in such a terrifying and violent nature, yet humans are always a peculiar species, capable of creating tools to assist them in achieving miracles that other forms of life cannot accomplish

What is most unbearable to witness is a mech that is about to enter a pit granted by the heavens to evade the oncoming metal storm. Unexpectedly, a crane arm, swept by the storm, comes crashing in, instantly sending that mech into the tempest, as if it were devoured by a giant beast

She was dressed in a black suit, without a single wrinkle. The terms "graceful" and "elegant" seem utterly insufficient to describe the aura she exuded from within. If one must attempt to characterize her, a mysterious flower species from the ancient Earth era known as "violet" might perhaps encapsulate her enigmatic nobility

The source of these twelve flickering red lights in the storm is twelve steel bodies. The pinnacle of contemporary human society's technological achievements—powered armor

The military spokesperson stated that dozens of the Empire's 10th generation mechs, known as "Sky Cavalry," from the 333rd Brigade of the Great Eagle military encountered a pressure storm during the routine exercise at Haizhou No. 12. The whereabouts of the mechs are unknown, and the casualties among the personnel on board are unclear. The Empire's military is currently conducting a full-scale search for this sudden incident

No one has yet discerned the identity of the shadow, which resembled a bandit seizing a flower maiden, as it hoisted the red 9 mech onto its shoulder, swiftly detonating the thruster behind it, and then suddenly lunged forward, charging directly towards the main body of the floating mining site.

It is this abominable outcast, which they view as a desecration of the aesthetic of mecha fluidity, that charged into the floating ruins of the mining site with the red 9 mecha, sometimes crawling like a spider with its four legs bent at the joints, evading the steel flying spears, weaving through the remnants of steel house frames in the mining ruins, and dodging the assaults of metallic torrents

The crossbeam, lathe, office chair with a steel frame that is mottled and twisted beyond recognition, crane, and abandoned fuel barrels are all tightly wrapped in a massive storm, surging towards twelve mechas! They resemble twelve distant travelers, confronting the mudslide unleashed by a sudden mountain flood

"In this past month, aside from uncovering some clues from that night, we have had no further leads."

That was a mech numbered 9. Unlike other mechs which are black, the number 9 on its paintwork is red

This is the exclamation of surprise that someone has gasped in the room

Capital Star of the Great Eagle Empire

Dancing in a storm while carrying another mech, how could one avoid getting their feet wet? Thus, this mech is often struck by sparks flying in the storm. It was even hit head-on by the wreckage of a giant bus at high speed, instantly knocking it to the ground with a large dent in its front. For a moment, it led people to believe that the pilot inside had already met their demise.

Only one middle-aged man with a stern appearance, dressed in a military uniform, remained seated in the same place, with the screen still displaying the last captured image of the record

A shadow emerged suddenly from the unseen depths of the storm without any warning

The enormous air resistance and the propulsion system clearly surpass the thrust of other mechs, resulting in a balance that allows this mech to travel close to the ground, thereby avoiding the most disastrous metallic chaos in mid-air

No one doubts the prominent position of the Norman family among the imperial nobility, which is precisely why this common accident of a mech crash has become a nationwide news event, drawing such attention that it causes concern among the well-meaning within the empire, glee among the disputants, and a watchful eye from those with ulterior motives.

Haizhou No. 12 is a garbage star. It is one of the twelve ringed stars of He Pan Star. This place is a well-known slum. In the impressions of the refined aristocrats of the capital star of the Great Eagle Empire, it has always been synonymous with filth and vice, a place that harbors corruption and depravity

Together with the red 9 mech in its embrace, it resembled a disabled person dancing with a graceful woman in the pouring rain

In the recorded footage, the mine resembles a steel behemoth being dragged across the surface amidst the ravaging storm, its fierce "body" continuously unleashing a dense torrent of metal, enveloping the assembled mechs.

I understand now the girl gently nodded her head her voice like the quiet flow of water and fireflies

However, shortly after the command of this sentence was issued

The door is closed

Amidst the violent shaking of the recorder, the shadow that appeared to have "hijacked" the Red 9 mech gradually revealed its true form.

The dilapidated mech moved once again, not resorting to any pretext to take hostages or engage in inhumane actions. Instead, it walked and turned, just as it had when it arrived, heading into the boundless darkness.

The brilliant expanse of the starry river, a task force composed of advanced imperial hawk-class space reconnaissance aircraft, carrying skilled personnel, trails a beautiful tail of fire towards that gray garbage planet in the universe

The girl is dressed in a simple, fitted V-neck velvet loungewear, her exposed skin surpassing the beauty of frost and snow. She is the television host, recently crowned as the goddess of home and hearth, who has taken the empire by storm. Upon seeing her, one cannot help but feel a twinge of jealousy, both for her figure and her looks.

The venue was momentarily filled with an uproar. Rather than being shocked by the video, people were more astonished by how the mech resembled a wretched toad struggling desperately for survival in a muddy pond.

However, the subsequent scene left everyone speechless

"Miss Nolan. Your red Mech 9 has been sent to Nahn Company for repairs. They have stated that, depending on the severity of the damage, it will take at least three months to fully restore. This mech has saved your life; even if it cannot be used in the future, it can be kept in the warehouse of your estate as a permanent collection and memorial..."

Yet this has clearly exhausted all the strength of the mech, akin to a wealthy young lady carefully lifting the hem of her dress while walking on the muddy roads of the countryside. Perhaps this young lady has strained herself to maintain this simultaneously dignified yet deplorable state, furrowing her brow to avoid becoming utterly filthy

Subsequently, people gradually realized that this mech was not merely a shabby exterior concealing a valuable interior. It was not more advanced than the fourth-generation mechs of the empire it had captured, but rather benefited from its understanding of the terrain. When it lay down, it did so without hesitation, and when encountering cover, the mech was always able to find the most opportune moment to exploit any openings. Its familiarity with the terrain and its timing could be said to be the reason why this mech, along with another mech, could endure in the storm for such an extended period.

This modern retro-style building faces a meticulously trimmed lawn, connected to the imperial azure sky.

Zhang Guan Shi found himself unable to face the girl's clear eyes, and lowered his head, saying, "This is different; we must prioritize your safety, Miss. At all times."

In comparison, the Imperial Red 9 mech that he had captured at his waist resembled a perfectly dressed noble with an exquisite figure, while that tattered mech could no longer be described as a crude country bumpkin with bare arms, but could only be considered to be at the level of a disabled person

The crowd stood up to bid farewell to the Grand Duchess as she departed. Subsequently, the people gradually dispersed.

Imagine the overwhelming electronic waste and sand and gravel on the garbage planet, driven by powerful cyclones, invading the land and ruthlessly destroying everything in their path. It is akin to the majestic spirit of ancient Earth, where Caesar of Greece reigned supreme, sweeping across the continents with an air of dominance, creating a scene of devastating destruction that warns all living beings to stay away

The hall fell into darkness, and the projector displayed information from the wreckage in front of the screen. Everyone fell silent. The scenes depicted in the images shocked the eyes of all present

After a month of the incident entering the aftermath stage, the fervor of the imperial society's attention to this matter has finally subsided. This is clearly in line with the wishes of the imperial military and the Norman family—no one wants to be ridiculed and mocked in front of their own people and foreign media due to such disastrous news

The next day, major imperial media outlets such as the Great Eagle Empire National Television, Riverside Star District Television, and Donghua News simultaneously broadcasted the news that had caused a public uproar.

This incident gradually subsided over the course of one month; however, for the military and the Norman family, this month was akin to being in a state of constant turmoil.

Twelve mechas struggled to navigate through the storm when suddenly an alarm sounded. The already unstable formation immediately collapsed, and the mechas quickly scattered in panic amidst the storm. The source of such terror for these technological marvels of human society was a dilapidated mine that appeared not far from the hellish scene within the storm.

"Looking for death!"

Madman

It is as if an invisible Grim Reaper is ensnared in a storm of metal, reaping the advanced mechas of these empires, harvesting the lives of these pilots, whether young or weathered by time.

Seeing the girl standing beside the large floor-to-ceiling window, her gaze profound, the butler let out a deep sigh from the bottom of his heart. No matter how optimistic and cheerful a child may be, having witnessed that hellish and terrifying scene, it is likely that they would also fall into a state of despondency for a period of time

The old monsters present were sweating slightly in their palms, and their breathing had even become heavy.

Because my status is superior, everything I was born into, the protection and resources I receive, are vast compared to others. Therefore, in the same circumstances, they all died, while I was able to survive. Does this mean that my life is inherently more noble than theirs

... ...

The metal tide formed here due to the temperature and pressure differences is, however, a severe weather phenomenon that even a three-year-old would know about from the chapters of "National Geographic of the Great Eagle Empire"

... ...

A single stone stirs up multiple waves. Some citizens, unable to clearly understand what the mechas encountered on Garbage Star No. 12 in Haizhou, held a march to protest against the imperial government's military technology department for squandering taxpayers' money. There were also citizens who spontaneously held memorials for those unfortunate pilots, whose fates were presumed to be sealed. Outside the empire, foreign media have not been lacking in commentary on this incident. However, what draws the most attention is not the words of the Great Eagle military, but rather the 333rd Brigade. Outside the empire, foreign media have not been lacking in commentary on this incident. However, what draws the most attention is not the words of the Great Eagle military, but rather the 333rd Brigade

Everyone present swore that they had never seen such an "ugly" mech

It is this kind of despair

The woman suddenly fell silent

Danger, body collision warning! Repeat, danger, body collision warning! Beep...

In the office hall, several military officials over the age of fifty were seated. The uniform gold stars on their epaulettes and the dazzling array of medals on their chests all exuded a profound aura. However, the most eye-catching figure in the hall was not these commanding military elders, but a woman with a black mole at the corner of her mouth

She gazed out of the floor-to-ceiling window at the clear sky over the capital and the lawn of the duke's residence, the reflection in the glass revealing her eyes, as if illuminating the scene of traversing through the storm

The lights have come back on.

In front of a floor-to-ceiling window on the third floor, stood a girl

They are referred to as "nobility." However, this does not denote nobility in the traditional sense. Rather, it is a collective term for that small triangular layer at the top of the pyramid within the hierarchical structure of human society. In modern human society, it refers to those who hold power.

The words of the imperial battle hero Tian Yinzhu will never be recorded in the official normal meeting minutes

Number 3! Number 3!

This is a scene of death, as a mech is instantly pierced through the cockpit by a beam the length of a basketball court, severing it in half along with the pilot, reducing them both to a pile of fragments

The Duchess took a deep breath, suppressing the emotions that had been unsettled since earlier, and looked around at the gathered crowd, saying, "What do you all think?"

The mecha activated its cannons and fired at the metallic rain, but was soon dismembered by the overwhelming tide of metal.

Certainly, all of this was fleeting due to the lack of information regarding that pilot

The Duchess nodded slightly and stood up. The security advisor beside her immediately accompanied her. With the dust settled, all she wanted was the result

The mine is in "motion"

During this month, she often found herself in a daze, unable to sleep restlessly.

In the investigation over the past month, we have still been unable to locate any traces of that mech and its pilot. Therefore, today representatives from the intelligence department have come; they are aware that you are unwilling to meet with them, so they have entrusted me to inquire whether you recall any additional clues, such as the pilot's gender, age, appearance, or any other distinguishing features. Otherwise, those individuals from the investigation department will truly miss this lead.

What a stroke of luck ... ... that's wonderful

Yet whenever it is unable to evade the metallic turbulence, this mech is always able to avoid the most fatal harm at the most critical moment

Regardless of whether this person possesses any extraordinary qualities, one undeniable fact remains evident from the recorder: during the process of evading the storm, he demonstrated a remarkable familiarity with the local terrain of Haizhou No. 12, skillfully utilizing the landscape to repeatedly avoid tidal surges. This is certainly not something a novice pilot could achieve. Therefore, he must be a local of that junk planet. A intelligence officer placed the final conclusion on the table, stating, "However, over the past month, we have not been able to locate that dilapidated mech, nor have we been able to find any information regarding the pilot inside."

Manager Zhang shook his head, "The deaths of those pilots do not imply that the young lady's life is more precious than theirs. We have not abandoned them, and this is not your fault. It is the disaster that led to such consequences. They perished because of the disaster, while the young lady survived because someone saved her life at that moment. Otherwise, regardless of whether the young lady was piloting a more advanced mech, the crash rate in such circumstances would still be quite high. Therefore, please do not overthink it. In the eyes of your family and even in ours, the young lady's life is indeed more precious than anyone else's."

The room remained silent for a long time

This enormous mine, whose origin is unknown, now appears like a colossal steel beast under the fierce power of the storm, dragging its massive, unwieldy, and grotesque body, "moving" in the storm.

At times leaping to the left and right, taking large strides to run, jumping, lying in wait, surging forth, and dashing forward

An elderly man, adorned with a spectacular array of medals on his chest, spoke after a moment of silence, "I have no intention of judging this person's mecha skills, as some of the techniques seem overly obscure to me. Some mistakes might even be ones that a novice at the academy would not make. However, I must say, in comparison to this... impressive mecha, achieving such a level is quite rare. Have you seen its grotesque structure? ... Please forgive me for using the term 'structure' instead of 'design'; these structures are completely inconsistent with fluid dynamics, yet he is able to maneuver through storms with ease, aside from his adeptness with the terrain... There is one more thing that is impressive, and that is the degree of divine favor he has received!"

Until the recorder was interrupted. The last image showed the mech carrying the recorder also suffering severe damage, suddenly crashing to the ground, and then that shabby and ugly mech, with its red 9, continued to race through, despite having broken arms and legs, it still ran at an astonishing speed, leaving everything behind.

It is precisely because it is unique that everyone in the room at this moment wishes they could grasp their hearts in their hands

It was as if he and his mech had never appeared on that garbage planet, simply vanishing into thin air

Waltz in the Storm

The main body is an irregular sphere, resembling a repurposed single-person landing capsule, covered in numerous pockmarks and patched seams. The arms of the mech are particularly distressing, featuring an external hydraulic transmission structure, with even the crankshaft clearly exposed, and the two legs appear to be a haphazard assembly.

The butler hesitated to speak, but finally said, "... Although I do not know whether I should say this, I feel compelled to express it, Miss. Everyone goes through some terrifying experiences, but those frightening events should ultimately be transformed into a source of growth, rather than remaining as shadows. I hope you will soon emerge from these shadows; this is merely a necessary phase."

There were also mechs that traversed through this metallic rain, their bodies filled with iron spikes and steel rods. They struggled forward for a few steps, only to be met with a flash of electricity before collapsing, ultimately being dragged into the wind. They became a splash in the storm.

The screen shook violently, and the mecha pilot carrying the recorder clearly possessed exceptional skills. At that moment, he recklessly lunged toward the mecha, seemingly attempting to rescue it. However, like a clay Buddha crossing a river, he was unable to protect himself. Just as the red 9 mecha was about to be crushed by the main body of the mining facility.

The people in the hall were watching the projection, clearly too occupied to appreciate this ballet on the edge of a knife. The Duchess maintained a tense and serious expression, but at this moment, she finally showed signs of emotion and began to crumble. Her fingers, clenched into a fist, sank deeply into the flesh of her palm.

Twelve mechas, broad-shouldered and slender-bodied, advance through the storm. The rear-mounted engines emit a red glow, indicating that they have reached maximum thrust. However, these mechas still appear small and weak in the face of a nearly catastrophic natural disaster

The butler, dressed in a suit and leather shoes, entered through the door of the duke's residence

Her beauty is entirely natural, devoid of any impurities

In the cockpit, she lightly bit her pearly teeth, her graceful figure pressed tightly against the perfectly fitted seat. Her arms crossed protectively over her form-fitting attire, accentuating her proud and prominent chest. As she desperately remained on guard, contemplating that if the cockpit were to be pried open by this lewd mech, and the adversary were to be tempted by her appearance, she would rather bite her tongue and die than allow the villain to succeed in tarnishing her family with threats, her thoughts wandered in various directions.

Thus, this incident was referred to at the time as the "Haizhou No. 12 Incident"