After the discussion concluded, Amir pulled the conceptual blueprints for a mechanical exoskeleton from his backpack. He had prepared these long ago.
Although he had never heard of such a concept before, Kahraman understood it quickly. It was essentially what he already did—cybernetics—but instead of replacing organic tissue, the mechanical device was moved to the exterior to support the body.
"I can't believe I never thought of this. I'm such a fool. If it weren't you, Amir, I would have loudly shouted down anyone else who suggested this, asking why they didn't just use droids."
Ahsoka asked quietly, "Why not just use droids?"
"Droids? How can those stupid, stagnant droid brains compare to humans? They have no strategy, no adaptability! No matter their numbers, they can only deal with ordinary people. But if humans have this exoskeleton—combining powerful strength with a flexible mind—their combat power could even rival that of a Mandalorian!"
BD-4 also let out two weak beeps of protest. When badmouthing droids, maybe check if there's one present first.
"This will require a massive amount of funding." Ahsoka frowned as she looked at the design blueprints.
"The cost of an exoskeleton is indeed much higher, but arming a few hundred people shouldn't be a problem," Amir said. Of course, that depended on actually building the prototype first.
"Hmm. We can start by assigning one to each squad in the various sectors and gradually increase the number later. The base still has some spare funds; I'll transfer them to you first."
"Mn..." Kahraman didn't refuse the support. Supporting this research with his own financial power would be a strain. Although the entire space station belonged to him, the operational costs were huge, and his personal savings weren't bottomless.
Amir thought about the credits stored on his ship and said, "If that's not enough, I can supplement it. After all, once the product is finished, I want a set for myself, too."
Kahraman reminded Amir, feeling a bit embarrassed, "The funds required for scientific research are often astronomical, usually starting in the hundreds of thousands of credits..."
"Mm." Amir nodded. He had already decided; using the money for this purpose was perfect.
Amir understood Ahsoka's situation. Although the Resistance had funds, every credit was allocated, and their liquidity was tight. They certainly didn't have as much cash on hand as he did right now.
Seeing the pained expressions on Kahraman and Ahsoka as they tried to be polite about the money, Amir guessed what they were thinking.
"Stop looking at me like that. I have money. A while ago, I robbed Oba Diah." Amir couldn't help but laugh.
"What?" Ahsoka was shocked. "You did that? Breaking into Oba Diah while the Pykes were out protecting their spice mining base? Haha, those smugglers have been searching for the culprit like madmen lately."
Amir smiled faintly. They probably wouldn't find him. From the moment he approached the Pyke syndicate's headquarters, not a single surveillance camera had been working. However, the Pykes knew Senir, so the Quarren would have to take the blame for everything.
"It's a long story... Basically, an old friend asked me for help to find evidence of collusion between Imperial officers and the Pykes. Once I was inside their vault, there was no rule saying I had to leave empty-handed."
"Speaking of which, you know him too. The first time we met on that prison ship, he was the one who sent me."
Ahsoka quickly recalled. "That contact has leaked useful information to us many times, but we never knew what his motives were."
"What kind of information?" Amir asked, intrigued.
"Mostly Imperial data, like supply ships heading to the front lines or hidden supply depots. We've had significant harvests every time."
Amir held back a laugh. Senir was most likely using the Rebels as a weapon. Once those supply ships or depots were raided, someone would take the fall—and that person likely had a conflict with Senir.
However, it wasn't total exploitation. At the very least, the result was a win-win for both sides.
. . .
After the discussion, Kahraman took Amir and Ahsoka to the lower levels of the Eternal Ark. As they descended in the elevator, Amir realized there was a whole other world inside this space station.
They used Kahraman's private elevator located inside the clinic.
Not long after, the elevator doors opened. Amir saw a spacious area, bright and immaculate. The underground level of the Eternal Ark was divided into many interconnected zones.
The room they were in was undoubtedly where Kahraman manufactured his cybernetics. There was a large workbench in front of them, where several droids were intently manufacturing mechanical arms of various models.
"This space is too small. Come this way." Kahraman led the two down a corridor into another room.
This space was much larger, filled with brand-new instruments that looked complex and expensive.
"My entire fortune is right here. These instruments should meet the requirements for our experiments. If you need anything else, I'll keep looking. For now, let's work here. I'll get some more droids to set up an assembly line."
Amir was extremely satisfied.
Seeing these instruments, he felt excitement rising in his heart. He had always used the crudest tools; now, it was like a beggar suddenly moving into a palace.
He didn't want to leave.
Under Kahraman's explanation, Amir quickly understood how to use these instruments and machine tools. He began designing and modifying using Kahraman's existing materials.
Ahsoka didn't stay long. She just told them that a batch of funds would be sent over in a while, and then she left.
Milisen and 32 were also happy to hear they would be staying here for a while.
The Eternal Ark was huge with many places to play, and Milisen was excited. Euphemia was happy to act as a nanny.
32 stayed behind to help Amir and Kahraman. While helping, he was eventually pinned to the workbench by Kahraman, had his limbs removed, and underwent a massive overhaul.
Amir already had a finished prototype for the Smart Tactical Backpack, so the improvements went quickly. Only two days later, a new alloy backpack was strapped to Amir's back.
Connected to the backpack was a monocle eyepiece.
The eyepiece had a ring-shaped bracket that hung behind the head. When in use, the lens could be pulled down to cover the eye, displaying a HUD.
The screen displayed the environment scanned by the backpack's sensors.
Amir was currently facing away from the room. Inside the room, several humanoid targets propped up by iron plates stood in waiting.
Through the lens, Amir could clearly see the scene behind him.
Several targets were automatically circled by red frames, each marked with a specific letter.
Amir softly began to call out: "A . . . D . . . B . . ."
As Amir spoke, the blaster mounted on the backpack fired rapidly. The blaster bolts almost formed a flowing curve of light, strafing the targets Amir had called out with incredible speed.
"Excellent! Very accurate! Try manual selection," Kahraman said from the side.
Amir looked at his right hand, where a new datapad was mounted. It displayed the same image as the eyepiece.
Amir quickly tapped to select a few targets, and another burst of gunfire rang out from behind him.
All targets hit.
Kahraman clapped his hands.
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