Neural Connection Failure

June 19, 2024.

Six in the morning.

The reveille had already sounded.

However, Xiao Shou usually woke up around this time anyway, so it wasn't too difficult to adapt.

He put on the uniform that had been prepared for him yesterday.

The uniforms used to be dark green.

The Jaeger Operations Department's uniforms had been slightly modified.

They were now black.

While they still looked dashing, they somehow resembled security guard uniforms…

Even though Xiao Shou was a Jaeger pilot, he didn't seem to receive any special treatment.

His rank insignia was a single bar.

Uh, Private.

The Dalian Shatterdome base had a total staff of over twenty thousand.

Departments included the Command Center, Information Intelligence Analysis Group, Emergency Response Force, Logistics Support Department, Transport Helicopter Squadron, Escort Fighter Wing, and more.

However, the overall focus of their work revolved around Jaegers.

After finishing his morning training, Xiao Shou was led by Jin Rong to the Shatterdome's main hall.

Mao Shucheng and Zhu Qian weren't in the Command Center, but right in front of the Jaeger.

"Xiao Shou, the Jaeger standing before you is named 'Taishan'! It was personally named by the Commander. Do you know its meaning?"

"I would be honored to hear it, Commander."

"Taishan is the foremost of our nation's Five Great Mountains, a sacred mountain that guards our country!"

"It holds a pivotal position in our traditional culture and mythology."

"As the saying goes, all men must die, but their death may be heavier than Mount Taishan."

"The myths of Taishan's imperial sacrifices and other ceremonies sufficiently demonstrate Taishan's importance to us."

"The Commander hopes that Taishan will stand firm on our Pacific Rim defense line, shielding our people from wind and rain, and protecting their well-being."

"We hope you can bear the mission of Taishan!"

"Yes!"

Xiao Shou's reply was quite somber. He had initially been novelly excited about piloting a Jaeger.

Now, he finally understood the heavy responsibility that "Taishan" carried.

It was to stand firm on the Pacific Rim defense line, unable to retreat even an inch.

One step back could mean the lives of tens of thousands of compatriots.

This battle could not be lost, dared not be lost, and could not afford to be lost.

"Next, prepare for the dual-pilot system's neural connection!"

After Mao Shucheng gave the order, he and Zhu Qian turned and returned to the Command Center.

Jin Rong stayed behind.

"Shou, don't worry. Every operation of 'Taishan' will be accompanied by an Information Intelligence Analysis Group to conduct specific data analysis on the Jaeger and the Kaiju."

"Based on the Kaiju's characteristics, they will provide you with multiple combat plans. You are not fighting alone."

"Come, everyone, get acquainted. You will all be comrades fighting side-by-side from now on."

As Jin Rong finished speaking, three soldiers gathered in front of Xiao Shou.

All three members of the Information Intelligence Analysis Group were female soldiers.

One of them was somewhat surprising to Xiao Shou; it was the same female soldier who had knocked him over at the base entrance yesterday, and she was among them.

The female soldier wasn't surprised by Xiao Shou either. She had been present when Xiao Shou underwent the neural connection test yesterday.

Without any pretense, she volunteered to introduce herself first.

"My name is Lin Yuxuan, and I will be responsible for internal data and information analysis for 'Taishan'."

"Xiao Shou, the second pilot of 'Taishan'."

The two saluted each other.

"Zhan Siqi, responsible for Kaiju intelligence analysis."

"Hello."

"Li Jiaxin, responsible for coordinating battlefield logistics and support."

"Hello."

After the few people got acquainted, the three returned to the command center.

Lin Yuxuan was naturally outstanding; Xiao Shou felt she could debut as a star without any problem.

Zhan Siqi and Li Jiaxin also pleasantly surprised Xiao Shou, as they were very different from the tough warrior image he had in mind.

"As for me, I'm the leader of the intelligence analysis team, which means I'm your direct superior."

As expected, he was just a subordinate, the lowest in the organizational hierarchy.

Xiao Shou waited for a long time until the pilot for position one finally arrived.

To his surprise, the pilot for position one was a female warrior.

She looked to be in her early twenties, a bit older than Xiao Shou, with a delicate face but firm features and an imposing aura, which gave Xiao Shou a sense of familiarity.

"Hello, my name is Xie Yushan. Please guide me."

"Please guide me."

Good heavens, setting aside her face and appearance, she was practically a smaller version of Jin Rong, possessing the same capable demeanor.

"Alright, enough small talk. Prepare for your first dual-pilot neural connection practice."

"Taishan" had also completed its assembly and welding work by then.

The words "Taishan" were engraved in large characters on its left chest.

On the right chest was a painted symbol of the Five-star Red Flag.

Xiao Shou and Xie Yushan entered the cockpit of "Taishan," which was its head.

The elevator then descended rapidly, and Xiao Shou almost lost his footing, dangling in the air.

The speed was much faster than a regular elevator.

The cockpit was tightly connected to the Jaeger. At this moment, "Taishan" officially made its debut!

Inside the cockpit, there were two connecting platforms that resembled treadmills.

Xiao Shou stood on the control platform, and the fixing device was tightly secured to his boots.

Below, the gears of the nuclear turbine engine were turning.

Honestly, Xiao Shou felt a bit apprehensive and didn't dare to look down at the massive gears.

"After putting on the neural connection device, pay attention. The dual-pilot system will connect your memories. Don't get lost in past memories; return to reality to control the Jaeger!"

Jin Rong issued instructions remotely from the command center to the two inside "Taishan's" cockpit.

"Now, put on your helmets and prepare for your first dual-pilot neural connection."

After Xiao Shou put on his helmet, the familiar scene unfolded again.

His mind began to replay his life events like a fast-forwarded movie.

This time, however, Xie Yushan's memories were also mixed in.

The two sets of memories merged, appearing chaotic and disorganized.

"Pilot's connection value has reached ninety-two percent. The current connection waveform is stable and normal."

Lin Yuxuan intently watched the numerical readings from "Taishan's" consciousness sensors on the screen.

Jin Rong also watched "Taishan's" dynamics with great tension, as the success of this operation was crucial to Z Nation's entire Jaeger combat deployment plan.

It was also vital to the efforts of over twenty thousand people at the Shatterdome base who had worked day and night for nearly half a year.

Even Mao Shucheng and Zhu Qian, standing by the observation window of the command center, and all the busy staff below, held their breath, anxiously awaiting the successful piloting of "Taishan."

But in Xiao Shou's mind, the most unforgettable scene was the moment "Shanlan" was about to land.

This scene, which he had been avoiding for the past six months, wasn't due to a fear of "Shanlan."

It was his anger at his powerlessness when the old dean met his unfortunate end.

He involuntarily extended his right hand.

"Warning, Xiao Shou's connection is deviating. He is trapped in past memories and cannot break free!"

"His connection value is too strong; he has seized control of 'Taishan'!"

"Taishan's" right hand extended and opened, just like yesterday.

"Alert, safety mode disengaged. Particle cannon preparing."

"Taishan's" outstretched right hand revealed its cannon, which began to charge the particle cannon.

The target was the command center.

"Damn it, force a shutdown of the neural connection!"

"Xiao Shou's connection value is too strong; remote control is ineffective!"

Jin Rong immediately grabbed the intercom upon hearing this.

"Xie Yushan, Xie Yushan!"

"I'm here, team leader."

"Initiate forced disconnection of pilot neural connection program!"

Xie Yushan severed the neural connection process, losing the link from the dual-pilot system.

The rampaging "Taishan" gradually stabilized.

Xie Yushan helped Xiao Shou, who was still dazed and gasping for air, out of the cockpit.

Seeing "Taishan" cease its movements, the onlookers below finally dispersed with a clamor.

Jin Rong in the command center also breathed a sigh of relief.

If all of this hadn't been stopped in time, and her Jaeger had destroyed the command center, the consequences would have been dire and unimaginable.