The Real Daughter Just Wants to Pilot Mechas - Chapter 162

Jiang Momo’s expression was so grim it seemed like water might drip from her face. Little Eight was a bit anxious and tried to comfort her.

[It’s okay, Momo. It’s very safe here and you’re already way ahead in the vote for the director of the research institute. The textbook was just released, so it won’t have a major impact. Once you take office, the President won’t dare make any rash moves.]

“I’m not just worried about that.”

Jiang Momo shifted her position irritably. In her mind, textbooks were something sacred. Ideally, everything written in them should be like axioms.

Little Eight had once told her that if someone’s name appeared in a history book, it meant eternal honor. That was why seeing herself praised across the entire Star Network hadn’t moved her as much as seeing herself mentioned in the textbook just now.

Most importantly, from a student’s perspective, what a teacher said was absolute authority. If the textbook stated that the legendary mechas were made by a team, then regardless of what information floated around online pointing to her individually, the students would instinctively believe the textbook. It wouldn’t just affect the present, but it would shape an entire generation.

Jiang Momo opened the trending topics on the Star Network again. Disappointingly, everyone was still focused on denouncing the proposal. No one seemed to have the energy to speak up for her right now.

Suddenly, her light brain pinged. It was a message from Ge Qing.

[Ge Qing]: Momo, did you know the latest edition of the textbook was changed?

[Jiang Momo]: I know.

[Ge Qing]: Central Mecha Academy won’t be using that version. Don’t worry.

Jiang Momo blinked and replied with a short message of thanks. Her eyes then shifted, catching a live stream titled [Interview with the Mecha Makers Team~] on the Star Network.

In the stream, Scarface and Black Tiger stood stiffly in front of the camera, with eighteen other researchers lined up neatly behind them.

Little Eight immediately pulled up the context from its memory archive.

[The President thought the two interstellar pirates would be easier to manipulate, so he had the reporter focus the interview on them.]

Jiang Momo said nothing, her eyes fixed on the chat comments. Many viewers were questioning the narrative of the ‘research team,’ pointing out inconsistencies with what the President had said in his livestream.

Just then, the reporter’s voice came through.

“How could a legendary mecha be developed by just one person? Back then, others weren’t in a position to be publicly acknowledged and she just happened to be the most famous. Later on, she got greedy and wanted to take all the credit, so we had to reveal the truth to avoid hurting the rest of the team.

“I must clarify that although these two researchers were once interstellar pirates, they’ve made real contributions to the Federation. They love our Federation just like any ordinary citizen.”

The reporter pushed the mic toward Black Tiger and Scarface, asking, “Do you have anything to say about the mecha development?”

Jiang Momo rested her chin in one hand, thoughtful.

“So E Mingjun made another deal with the President? The President’s really trying to soften the interstellar pirates’ image, although it’s a little too obvious.”

[More or less,] Little Eight said, swishing its tail. [E Mingjun and the President are scheming to trap each other. The President probably thinks it’s worth giving a little slack while keeping pressure on him, so he’s intentionally building up positive public perception for some of the interstellar pirates.]

[As for Black Tiger and Scarface, the President promised that if they cooperated with the interview, they’d be granted full civilian status like the other researchers, with their criminal records wiped clean.]

On the stream, the two men clearly hesitated.

Then Black Tiger took a deep breath and suddenly said loudly, “The development of the legendary mecha started much earlier than people think. All of us here were only brought in after it had already entered the First Military District. We actually had nothing to do with its development.”

He turned and looked at the other researchers lined up behind him. “Isn’t that right?”

Jiang Momo muttered, shaking her head, “Not right.”

The development of the energy core for legendary mecha really benefitted from their contributions.

“Right~!” everyone shouted in unison, their voices ringing out powerfully. “We would never be ungrateful…”

They had just finished saying ‘ungrateful’ when the livestream was cut off.

“Are they okay?” Jiang Momo asked.

[They’re fine. Lu Feng stepped in to protect them. Right now, they’re the only ones who can make the energy core for legendary mechas, so their lives aren’t in danger,] Little Eight answered as it secretly marked every researcher for special monitoring.

It had always known that there were still good, loyal people among humans but seeing Jiang Momo encounter a group of them still moved Little Eight. It wouldn’t let anything happen to them.

***

Two days passed in a flash.

Many things happened in between but it also felt like nothing had really changed, except that the selection for the director of the research institute was finally settled.

It was Jiang Momo.

After receiving confirmation of her appointment, the President, who had repeatedly tried to sabotage her chances and failed, flew into a rage and slammed the walls of his office. Then he sent E Mingjun a batch of 800 civilian identities and matching light brains, along with a message.

[These light brains have built-in identity data. Once worn, they will display the associated identity. Your people can board civilian ships and enter the Central Star System.]

In the Federation, the official ID document is the household registry, but nobody carries that around. Instead, the most common identity verification is the light brain. When worn for the first time, it syncs with the wearer and displays their identity, becoming a secondary but most widely used form of ID.

Soon, news broke at the Central Star System’s port’s security checkpoint that a group of dangerous fugitives had been detected trying to enter. During the arrest, the suspects violently resisted and were all killed. Across all patrol ports, a total of 803 were reported dead, with 56 guards lost. The preliminary conclusion stated it was a premeditated terrorist attack crushed in its infancy. Once again, the mobile port guards had protected the safety of Federation citizens.

At least, that’s what the news said.

When Jiang Momo saw the report, it took her a few seconds to process it. Then her eyes narrowed and her thoughts raced. “This was E Mingjun’s deal with the President?”

[Yes. It’s just one part of their individual schemes playing out,] Little Eight replied.

It had just picked up E Mingjun’s actions. Glancing at Jiang Momo who was still lost in thought, Little Eight felt conflicted.

The President, this time, likely wouldn’t be able to recover.

E/N: President, when you cut off your support left, right, and center…