Titan Trial

Li Qinwu sat down in the chair.

"Come on, power it up. Let me show you what I can do!"

Busi pulled a bundle of Neural Interfaces from the Ascension Throne and plugged them into Li Qinwu.

Li Qinwu had undergone surgery to install many Neural Interfaces so he could wear Power Armor. Now, neural cables filled every one of them.

Busi said:

"My lord, I will slowly guide the data streams generated by the Cogitator Arrays through your brain.

You need only withstand the data overflow from 5,000 Cogitator Arrays for at least twenty-four hours to pass the test!

Then you will be qualified to board the Reaver Titan, sit upon the true Titan Throne, and undergo the Titan Trial!"

Li Qinwu asked, "Only 5,000 Cogitator Arrays? How many can an ordinary person withstand?"

"An ordinary person can withstand between 200 and 400. Of all the subjects tested over the years, the best managed only 1,500. That's still a long way from 5,000!"

Li Qinwu said he understood and told Busi to get on with it.

Busi worked the controls beside the Ascension Throne, then pulled a lever.

The next moment, Li Qinwu frowned. A massive data stream poured through the Neural Interfaces and into his brain!

The data was a jumble. Some concerned this year's steel output, some tallied food rations for Underhive factory workers, and some contained weapons-testing results!

All that chaotic data rushed through Li Qinwu's mind, leaving him dizzy.

Eyes closed, he asked Busi, "How many Cogitator Arrays did you turn on?"

Busi glanced at the control panel.

"Five hundred!"

Li Qinwu said, "Is that all you've got? Take it straight to 2,000!"

Seeing how confident Li Qinwu was, Busi gripped a lever and pushed it forward.

The data streaming into Li Qinwu's brain climbed