Jin announced to Reiko that he was officially beginning the performance upgrades for their aerial combat forces.
"What specifically do you have in mind, Father?" she asked.
"I’m going to make them fully operational in space."
Currently, every aerial unit was equipped with force generators, meaning they were technically capable of spaceflight as long as no humans were aboard.
"But they’re only space-capable in the most basic sense," Jin added.
"That is true, Father."
"We have no idea what to expect from Hale. It’s better to be safe than sorry."
While Jin felt their current power and defensive capabilities were respectable, he was concerned about their sheer numbers in a potential space conflict.
"Take the long-period planet Modenu, for instance. We managed to handle the fragments because they were within the atmosphere, but I don't know how we’d fare in the vacuum of space."
"I understand your reasoning, Father."
Fortunately, as products of magi-craft, the aircraft had ample internal space to accommodate additional hardware.
"I’ll be adding barriers and long-range cannons."
Specifically, he intended to install Aegis shields and Large-class Magi Trans Cannons. With these upgrades, the Sky squad would be fully operational as a space fighter wing.
"There, that should do it."
Once Jin finished creating the design base templates, he handed the instructions over to the Smiths. The upgrades for the Skylark, Albatross, Raptor, Pelican, and Condor units would likely be completed within two days.
"Alright, now for this one."
Jin decided to personally handle the modifications for his custom craft, Pegasus 1. While the ship could carry a human into space for short durations, Jin was worried about the lack of protection against harmful cosmic radiation.
To solve this, he installed a powerful, triple-layered optical barrier. He configured the barrier to allow only visible light to pass through, and even then, it would automatically filter out any light exceeding a certain intensity. This would prevent the pilot from being blinded by the brilliant flashes of explosions or other celestial phenomena.
"Father, thank you for your hard work. Perhaps you should call it a day?"
"Ah, is it that time already?"
It was nearly 6:00 PM. Jin decided to take Reiko's advice. After a relaxing soak in the bath, he savored Elsa’s home-cooked meal and enjoyed a quiet evening of rest.
"What is on the agenda for today, Father?" Reiko asked the next morning.
"Today, I’m creating Rei."
"Rei?"
"Yes. An assistant for Maquina. Do you remember the persona you operated from within once before?"
Jin was referring to the female knight who had rescued Elsa’s brother, Fritz, from a monster in the former Leonard Kingdom.
"Yes, I remember."
At the time, Reiko had worn Extension Gauntlets on her arms and Secret Boots on her legs, topped with a full-face helmet and a suit of armor to disguise her height by about twenty centimeters.
"The armor from that mission is still in storage. I plan to build an automata designed specifically to wear it and act as Maquina’s assistant."
When Jin added, "After all, I need you to stay by my side," Reiko beamed with a happy smile.
"I understand. I shall assist you in her creation."
The construction was a process both Jin and Reiko knew by heart.
"I think we’ll make her roughly equal to or slightly better than the Land units," Jin mused.
While she would rank below Reiko in performance, her internal structure was based on Reiko’s design. Her final capabilities would depend on the quality of the materials used.
Jin gave the new automata a petite, 150-centimeter frame. He chose a blue-silver shade for her hair and gave her ice-blue eyes.
"Father, is there a specific reason for these choices?"
"Not particularly. I just wanted to use colors that wouldn't normally be found in humans, much like I did with Anne and the others."
"They seem like colors one might find among the demon race."
"Perhaps, but I don't think they're quite the same."
While some among the demon race had silver hair or light blue eyes, none possessed this specific blue-silver shade. Furthermore, Jin doubted anyone had eyes quite as piercingly blue as hers. He finished her look with semi-long hair that fell to her shoulders.
"There. She’s finished."
Jin established the chain of command: Jin held primary authority, followed by Laojun, then the Mentor. Elsa and Reiko held the fourth and fifth positions, respectively.
"Rei, I’ll be counting on you from now on."
"Yes, Jin-sama."
While she likely wouldn't appear in public often, she would have her hands full coordinating the World Security Guard alongside Maquina.
"Phew..."
Late that afternoon, Jin was relaxing in the hot spring at his home.
"I’ve checked quite a few things off the list... I wonder if there’s anything I’ve missed?"
"You have been working very hard, Father," Reiko replied to his idle thought. "Please, try to take better care of yourself."
Jin stretched his limbs in the warm water. "Yeah, you're right. It wouldn't do to be bedridden when it really matters."
"I just tend to get impatient," he muttered, looking out the window. In the twilight sky, the recently risen moon, Uni, hung suspended. "I wonder if the spaceship over there is finished yet?"
Jin suggested going to check on it, thinking it would serve as both a rest and a change of pace.
"Will that truly count as rest?" Reiko asked, sounding a touch skeptical.
Just then, Elsa called out that dinner was almost ready, prompting Jin to finally climb out of the bath.
After a pleasant dinner, Jin told Elsa about the construction progress on Uni.
"The ship should be nearing completion. I was thinking of going to see it tomorrow."
"Via the Doppel?"
"Of course."
"Nn. Then I’m going too."
"Alright."
With Elsa’s participation decided, Jin went to bed feeling a spark of excitement he hadn't felt in quite some time.
"Alright, let’s Link."
"Nn."
The following day, Jin and Elsa sat in the Doppel control seats within the command room beneath the laboratory.
"Activating."
Jin and Elsa's vision shifted. To their senses, it felt no different than inhabiting their own bodies.
"My Lord, Elsa-sama. Have a safe journey."
Using the Warp Gate to Uni, the two transported to the facility inside the moon.
«Welcome, Jin-sama, Elsa-sama.»
Jack, the lunar magi-brain, greeted them.
«The three escort ships are complete.»
"Wait, three ships?"
«Yes. They are 100-meter-class spherical vessels. Their basic design is modeled after the Vulcan.»
"I see..."
Since the Vulcan had also been built in Uni's arsenal, it made perfect sense for Jack to use it as a reference.
"In that case, let’s have a look."
«Certainly. I shall guide you.»
Jin operated his Doppel with a sense of childlike wonder as they set off to see the new fleet.