"Not bad. You killed a Rank-C experimental organism using only two functions!"
A voice echoed strangely, resonating throughout the simulated forest of Testing Ground No. 7.
Hearing the voice, Sriya showed no surprise. Instead, he remained calm and replied, "Dr. Vade, send in something more durable. I haven't even touched most of the integrated functions yet!"
"This was merely a field test for your arm's operational status. Cultivating a Rank-C organism costs a significant amount of Berries; we aren't so decadent as to waste them like that," Vade's voice continued.
Within the base, the primary research focus was Biological Weapons and Bio-Genetic technology, with robotics and mechanical engineering serving as secondary disciplines. Under Dalt's biological expertise and with the full support of Aeridar, numerous biological monstrosities had been created. To categorize them, a ranking system had been established: X, S, A, B, C, and D.
The snow leopard Sriya had just slain was a Rank-C, an organism specializing in speed, capable of covering a hundred meters in a staggering two seconds, with hide durable enough to deflect standard flintlock rounds.
Above that sat Rank-B, which included mass-produced Dragonian biological weapons.
Rank-A consisted of bio-monsters cultivated through rare strokes of luck within the base (comparable to the Dragon Vegapunk created on Punk Hazard).
As for Rank-S, that was the level of Alvis Island's Guardian God, Calamodus.
The highest tier, Rank-X, remained a category of the unknown, represented by a single biological anomaly: "Beast" Kaido.
Upon hearing the doctor's reprimand, Sriya lowered his head. "My apologies. I acted impulsively."
Shortly after, the gates to the proving ground slid open, and Sriya stepped out of the simulated forest.
Back in the laboratory, Sriya sat in a white ergonomic chair, resting his metallic right arm on a diagnostic machine.
"From the combat data, everything looks perfect. We just need to perform the final calibrations," Vade said. He extended his own silver-white metallic hand and tapped Sriya's arm with his index finger, producing a crisp, metallic clink.
Due to the complexity of his mechanical research, Vade had replaced his own hands with cybernetics to handle intricate experiments. Thus, the arm he had built for Sriya was a masterpiece of engineering.
"I appreciate the help, Dr. Vade," Sriya said respectfully.
Though it wasn't his original arm, being equipped with such a high-performance limb was enough to cause his combat strength to skyrocket.
"This arm is forged from a specialized alloy steel laced with Seastone. It's a natural counter to Devil Fruit users. The fingers and palm edges can shift to different attack forms. Additionally, based on the Captain's abilities, I've installed air compression and jet propulsion modules. For Enel-sama's influence, I've added a high-output electro-shocker capable of discharging intense currents. As for the other minor functions, you'll have to explore those yourself," Vade explained, summarizing the materials and capabilities.
"Thank you truly," Sriya said, nodding toward Vade.
Vade gave a nonchalant smile and added, "I should tell you: the Captain sent Enel to find Jack the Drought. Enel leveled one of the Beasts Pirates' outposts and took one of Jack's eyes."
"The Captain! Enel-sama!"
Sriya's eyes widened with emotion, a wave of warmth washing over him.
He knew the Captain wouldn't let the previous incident slide, but he hadn't expected such a fierce response. To dispatch "God" Enel... even if it wasn't purely for revenge, the scale of the reaction made his heart swell with pride.
"The Captain wanted me to tell you: recover well. There is much work for you to do within the Elite Strike Team," Vade said casually, his metallic fingers shifting into screwdrivers and small wrenches as he adjusted the bolts in Sriya's arm.
"Cap... Captain..."
For a moment, Sriya's eyes grew misty.
He wasn't even an Executive Officer, yet he received such direct care from the Captain. It gave him the deep feeling that he would gladly lay down his life for a leader who understood his worth.
A few minutes later, Vade withdrew his hand. "All calibrated. The rest depends on your own skill."
"Thank you, Doctor." Sriya stood up from the intelligent chair.
"Oh, right!"
Vade was about to leave when he remembered something. He turned back and said, "The Exoskeleton Combat Suits the Captain commissioned are finished. We just need the final live combat trials. I'll instruct the production line to manufacture twenty suits over the next few days. You'll be in charge of them."
"Exoskeleton Combat Suits? Like the ones used by Germa 66?" Sriya asked curiously.
"Precisely. Though, functionally speaking, only the custom suits used by Judge and his children are superior to these. My design is the mass-production version," Vade replied.
"Dr. Vade, this is Andrei. Please open up!"
Suddenly, the intercom buzzed.
Vade pressed a green button, and the alloy lab doors slid open with a soft hiss. A burly man in a black sleeveless shirt entered, his muscles rippling under his skin.
Andrei, a descendant of the Gamas Kingdom, formerly the third leader of the Alvis Town hunting party, and currently a combatant of the Chris Pirates and member of the Elite Strike Team.
"Yo, Sriya! That arm looks badass!" Andrei greeted with a grin the moment he saw him.
"You've said that six times now," Sriya replied deadpan. "If you like it so much, I can cut your arm off and ask Dr. Vade to install one for you."
"Uh... I think I'll pass on that!" Andrei waved his hands frantically, immediately dropping the subject.
"Is there something you need?" Vade asked.
"We received a mercenary contract. The Royal Family of the Bivins Kingdom has requested us to suppress a rebellion. I remembered that Dr. Vade's Exoskeleton Combat Suits were ready, so I came to see if we could take a few sets to the battlefield for testing," Andrei explained.
"Perfect timing. I just put Sriya in charge of that. You two can head out together!" Vade's eyes lit up. "Make sure you record the performance data of the suits during the operation!"
"No problem. I'm a brawler, so I'll handle the fighting. I'll leave the recording and paperwork to Sriya," Andrei chuckled.
"Agreed," Sriya nodded.
"Then let me give you a rundown of the primary functions!"
Vade excitedly brought out a blue-and-white Visual Den Den Mushi. As the light hit the smooth white wall, a detailed schematic of a strange combat suit appeared.
"The Warrior-T13 Offensive Exoskeleton Combat Suit! No unnecessary bells and whistles. Its primary purpose is to reduce the load on the human body and minimize stamina consumption. The armor can deflect standard bullets, and the forearms are equipped with mini-electromagnetic cannons and retractable arm-blades..."
Vade began enthusiastically briefing Sriya and Andrei on the fruits of his labor.