Chapter 61: The SDG Project
As the final welds cooled, a new, incredible scent began to waft through the sterile metal corridors of the ship—the smell of roasting meat, wild herbs, and fresh bread.
In the residential kitchen, Gideon had taken absolute command. He had turned the bulk supplies we brought back from Edge-Reach into a genuine, morale-saving feast using his massive cast-iron pot. Jax and Elara were already in the mess hall, sitting with the new refugees. Seeing the children finally eating a real, warm meal in absolute safety, the heavy tension that had gripped the ship since Oakhaven finally began to lift.
While the Pack ate, Aria and I stood on the bridge, the lights dimmed to a tactical amber. The newly acquired hand-drawn maps were projected onto the central holographic table, mapping our route into the expanse. But floating next to the map was a series of complex, three-dimensional wireframes.
"We hit the Level 30 threshold," Aria said, her silver eyes reflecting the glowing schematics. "The Wild Frames are incredible, but as the First Fangs grow, we need a standardized, high-output partner frame that doesn't require a Progenitor to pilot. Something dense. Something resilient."
"The SDG Project," I nodded, rotating the central wireframe. "Super-Dense Geometry frames. Scaling down the eighteen-meter Titan mechanics into highly compressed, autonomous, or heavily-armored pilotable units for the kids."
"I've categorized the soul-blueprints based on pilot affinity," Aria explained, swiping her hand through the holograms. "First, the Knight Gundam Series. Medieval, Paladin-themed SDs heavily shielded with phase-shift armor. Second, the Musha Gundam Series. Samurai-themed SDs focused on high-speed, localized strikes. Vander can help us sync these with the kids who take to his sword training. And for the S-Rank anomalies we find out in the frontier... the World Heroes Series. Mythic-themed SDs, tapping into legendary resonances like Wukong or King Arthur."
"It's a perfect foundation," I agreed. "We build the standard G-Types for the baseline defenders, and as we gather more materials in the Hollow Mountain, we can experiment. I already have the theoretical schematics for a Freedom and Strike variant, and if we find a pilot with an aggressive, feral synchronization rate... a Barbatos or Aerial core."
Master Elias and Mistress Vael stepped onto the bridge, joining us around the projector. They looked at the route mapped out on the holographic table.
"Once we cross that ridge," Master Elias said, pointing his wooden staff at the jagged, towering line of the Iron Peaks, "we are entirely off the Crown's radar. There are no outposts. No guards. No Royal Armada."
"Good," I said, stepping up to the captain's console, my hand resting firmly on the heavy throttle. "Angel, spool up the repulsor lifts to maximum clearance. Engage the GM Shroud."
"Acknowledged, Progenitor," Angel's voice rang out, clear and sovereign. "Stealth field engaged. Systems optimal."
The primary thrusters flared with a silent, invisible sapphire glow. The Archangel shot forward, a ghost riding the wind, disappearing completely into the vast, untamed Wilds of the East.
[ARC END: THE FIRST WAR]
[NEW ARC BEGINNING: THE EASTERN EXPANSE]