As the limb parts are fabricated one by one and assembled or welded together. All people can tell it looks like an artificial limb. What makes it more astonishing is that no extra or failed parts are made. Xiao makes the best use of his time which proves that he had the blueprint in 'two minutes'.
"Wtf, what if he makes it?!" Lu is surprised which leads to Qian's angry stare. Grandpa is so mean! Noticing the surprise on their faces, Xiao almost laughs out loud. The blueprint is already in his mind. It is hard to lose this test.
[You made |Artificial limb (mechanical powered)|, 2k experience obtained]
[ |Artificial limb - left (mechanical powered)|: special equipment, highly simulated framework which is powered with mechanical force. The joint is adjustable. Kind to skin. Perfect for disable. Highly durable]
A shining artificial limb is made by Xiao in two hours and thirty-three minutes. All are shocked! He made it! Qian can't hide her joy; she thinks, "My lucky day!"
"Apply a silica skin on the surface, this will look like a real limb", Xiao adds.
"Stop that nonsense, let him try it." Geezer Lu is really surprised by Xiao's performance, but the decision is in his old friend's hands. There is still a chance to kick Xiao away. Gao shakes his head and takes the limb. He likes it at first sight and tries it on. Once it is connected, he feels the softness from it, which is not like other artificial limbs that will make his muscles painful. At the same time, it is perfectly jointed. Gao was against artificial limb is because they are inconvenient. But Xiao's artificial limb is good and when he swings the limb. There is a feeling that his limb is actually there!
Perfect!
Only this word can describe Gao's feeling at the moment.
"How is it?" Lu is drinking his beer calmly. He is confident that his friend knows what he wants.
Qian looks nervously at Gao. Gao is concerned. He has to choose between a friend's request and the truth. He thinks for a while and decides. "This limb is good, I am satisfied." Lu spits out the beer he just drank and stares at Gao.
"It is yours if you like it" Xiao is expecting this answer.
"Thanks for the favour", Gao nods.
Lu is shocked. After all, Xiao used my materials and my place. The favour should be mine! Have you asked me?
"Can I stay then?" Xiao asks.
Lu looks bad and goes upstairs. He has to permit, "Ahh, I will let you stay. Let's see how long you can persist!" Qian is ecstatic. She even starts dancing around Xiao.
Gao knows this is it and smiles at Xiao. He says goodbye and leaves. He walks out of the street and gets into a waiting bulletproof car. The driver hands over an encrypted phone with respect and Gao dials a number. He soon changes from a kind geezer into a dignified leader. He says, "The target rewarded by the Sprout, Zero, sneaked into West capital, the location is … Attention is needed. The target gets in touch with me briefly. soft sound out is suggested. No force is allowed until further order."
The betrayal from the Sprout is very welcomed in the six nations for informations of the Sprout. However, betrayal escaped before are insignificant. Xiao is the only one rewarded betrayal, and the reward is a million! Maybe he has important intelligence. Because of this, Gao decides to be cautious.
…
Xiao is alone in the room allocated by Qian. With the performance today, Gao would not take him as a threat which is a good beginning. There are three advantages to staying in the shop. First is the precious knowledge of a machinist that Lu has, which saves him time to find them. Secondly, the shop can be his shelter to hide from the Sprout. There are spies in six nations, including Western Capital. There is a risk of exposure. But the power of Lu is high enough to counter any straight attack. Although geezer Lu looks casual, he is one of the few class D super power in blue planet. He could fight a dozen Haila at the moment. In Version 1.0, the strongest NPC would be at most class C on the planet for a new player.
There is a famous theory in Machinist system - "Only a strong individual can manage a strong machine". As the power class gets higher, the machine/equipment can only be used by machinists. The other four superpowers can't use them. Not all machinist fights with giant cannons or guns. High level machinist can fight with different machine which create many modes - melee rushes, control, defence or range support, etc.
The official description for machinists in Stellaris Legend is,"Skilled in using machine weapons to fight, the ability to complete fast assembly. A comprehensive specialisation." 'fast assembly' is the key talent for Machinists. When they acquired |High dense matter condense|, |Basic space|, Machinists can store powerful weapons in a ring-sized metal sheet. The weapons inside can be ready at any time they like when fighting.
The weight of items for players is real and the weight one can sustain is limited. 'Space bag' is only possible for machinists, magicians and rare space control superpowers.
Thirdly, last but not least, the hidden storyline, which leads to several good blueprints for low power class machinist. Lu will leave the shop in the future and leave a code case which contains all blueprints he creates. He will ask Qian to hand over to her father, Cheng. Cheng leads a group of stragglers but has a bad relationship with his dad Lu.
The player who shared the hidden storyline made great efforts. He completed a twenty-step mission and finally got the code. Then spent a lot of time collecting all the materials and metals required by the blueprints. Once he finished, the reward was a big rise in combat effectiveness. He became an overlord in the PVP field with a record of thirty-eight winning strikes.
The equipment/machine in those blueprints is really powerful for lower class machinist. Now, Xiao doesn't have to complete the twenty-step mission. He knows the code! Because the player shared all details of the hidden storyline in the forum which raised attention from the community. Now, Xiao takes the advantages.
"The salary for a trainee is 200 BP coins per month, meals and accommodation provided. There is a free room on the second floor. The daily work is learning machine repair and completing the customers' orders. Clear?" Qian is a bit nervous to discuss the salary after she saw Xiao's gift. She is afraid that this salary will piss him off, but she can't afford more.
"Sure!" Qian is so happy that Xiao agrees to stay. The style of the second floor is like a suite, a guest room, a bathroom, a kitchen and several bedrooms. Qian takes Xiao into his bedroom. A wooden bed, a closet, a bookshelf and a small table. "This is your room now." Qian gives the key to Xiao and helps him clean the room. $200 is not enough for living expenses in Western Capital but Xiao takes it. It is impossible to find cheap labour like him. This lad must have been very poor before. Qian decides to be kind to Xiao in case he runs away.
The trainee is not nervous, but the employer is. Such sarcasm.