Chapter 17: Trap
Startled but intrigued, Annie cautiously stepped forward into the workshop. She looked small and vulnerable in the vast space, her eyes focused on Zack as she slowly approached. "My mom... she asked me to follow you," she said quietly.
"I know," Zack replied, not looking up from his work. He was dismantling parts of the MV-01 armor, but glanced at her for a moment. "This is MV-01. I'm making some upgrades. Watch closely. You might learn something."
Annie stood nearby, her expression serious as she took in every detail. Despite her timid appearance, her sharp mind was fully engaged. For the next three hours, Zack worked on the armor, adjusting the transmission systems, reworking the joints to improve mobility, and enhancing its overall efficiency. By the time dusk arrived, he was putting the final pieces back together.
Stepping back, he quickly tested the armor. The upgrades were a success; transmission efficiency had increased by 30%, boosting both speed and maneuverability. While it still wasn't as flexible as a living being, it was much more agile than before.
"Not bad," Zack muttered, satisfied.
After a brief pause, Zack thought about Sophia, left alone at the mansion. His mind wandered to her well-being, and he called out to his AI assistant. "Ego, check on Sophia Monroe."
"Yes, sir," Ego responded. Within moments, a live feed from Mansion No. 9 appeared on the screen, showing Sophia sitting at the dining table. She glanced at the clock every so often, several untouched dishes laid out in front of her.
"Didn't I tell her I wouldn't be back until tomorrow?" Zack murmured as he watched her.
"Ego, let her know not to wait up," he added. "I won't be back until tomorrow."