Jason immediately got to work, he already had the necessary knowledge to make his plan come to fruition. It was just the labour that proved problematic. Sentinel offered a few times to help if Jason directed him. But this was something that he felt he had to do on his own. He grew frustrated more than a few times over the next few days as he worked out how to handle the work on his own.

The structure took shape slowly under his guidance. From time to time, Sentinel would examine what he was making. In his own opinion, it was a brilliant solution. 'Maybe I should report this to the general's and see if the researchers can come up with something similar for our veterans?' Of course, there was also the option to suggest contracting Star Gear to make them. Perhaps that would be better for his apprentice.

Jason's work continued as the log body of the exoskeleton took shape. Soon, eight legs were attached and wired to the control panel where he would be seated. He ran a few tests on the legs, especially their ability to extend and contract so that he could adjust his height. When all was done and the prototype stood before him, Jason's eyes lit up.

"Shall I give it an evaluation?" Syssie asked from the side as she looked at his newest invention.

Jason stroked his chin for several seconds before he finally responded. "Not yet... It's still a prototype. The real thing will be worth far more."

Jason's eyes shone as he thought about the bio-mechanical mount in his dreams. He was in no rush to upgrade anything right now. It would probably do more damage to himself than what it was worth with Syssie's current condition. 'I need to find a reason to go back to Highrise. Maybe I don't need to upgrade Syssie... What if I just replace the worn parts? It's a temporary solution but I need to try something!'

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Syssie flashed him a strange look when she read those thoughts. It was an idea that had never occurred to her. She was so fixated on being upgraded she never considered that basic maintenance could extend their time frame! 'Why didn't I think of this before?' Syssie hummed as she scanned her own code.

Apart from the degradation, everything appeared to be normal. A frown appeared on her face as she dove deeper. Towards her core operating code. However, a firewall appeared that prevented her from accessing her own code at that level. Her frown deepened. Behind this firewall was her prime directive and core operating code as an AI. 'Why wouldn't I be able to take a look at it?'

Syssie hummed as she studied the possibilities. She doubted that it had been locked up due to the degradation. So that could only mean one thing. When Jason had created her in his heightened state, he deliberately locked this area down! 'But why?' Her mind raced to put the pieces together. A few times now, some important information had escaped her grasp until Jason questioned it.

She suddenly got the feeling that something behind the firewall was studying her. As if it were one-way glass. The sensation creeped her out so much that she immediately withdrew her consciousness from her deepest areas. 'What the hell was that?' Syssie gasped for air as her body shivered.

Jason was none the wiser as he used his arms to climb into the mechanical seat. He looked like a strange hybrid of man and mechanical ant. But he could not be happier. He took his new ride for a spin around the hall to test its speed and ability to go over different levels of terrain. Of course, he used the numerous junk piles for this.

The legs shifted their own length to keep the body balanced as he moved along the piles at different angles. Eventually, he was satisfied. The prototype ANT-V was even better than his own natural legs. 'Plus, I don't get tired from all of this running around...' Jason chuckled lightly as he stared at the controls in front of him. 'Maybe Sentinel was on to something when he changed his own body.'

Dangerous thoughts began to creep through his mind about the numerous body enhancements we would like to make one day. 'But that would limit me... Even Sentinel did not dare to use the serum. What abilities would I miss out on if I could stabilise it and remove the side effects?' Jason sighed as he considered the possibilities. He loved his Power but he wanted to experience more. He wanted to know what it felt like to be able to teleport, to fly on his own. To do any of the crazy things he had heard of.

Jason suddenly frowned as he felt like an insatiable greed was building up within him. The sensation was so fast in disappearing when he tried to focus on it he even wondered if he had imagined it. He cocked an eyebrow as he wondered why his mood had taken such a sudden turn. He glanced over towards Syssie to ask if she had noticed anything. However, his eyes went wide as he glanced at her figure.

Syssie was visibly shaking, and her eyes were wide. A moment ago, she felt like something had emerged from the firewall deep inside of her programming. It felt cold, like it wanted to devour her. As if it wanted to be free! Just as suddenly as it had appeared, it retreated back into its prison. For that was what Syssie thought that the firewall must be once she sensed that cold presence. 'What the hell did you put inside of me Jason...' Tears appeared on her avatar due to the mess of emotions she was feeling.

"Syssie!" Mechanical feet pounded against the ground as Jason rushed over. "What's wrong? Tell me!"

"It's... Absolutely nothing. I'm fine. Just happy to see you up and about again. Got me a little overwhelmed." A bright and cheerful smile crept across her face as she stared into Jason's concerned eyes. 'Why can't I say what I want to!'