Unstable Isotope: The First Solo Mech Pilot

She turned to Max, her tone now brisk. "You can either stay and support him, or leave. Either way, we're moving forward."

Max glared at her but stayed silent.

Cortana got behind Leo and started wheeling him into another room, an operating room with all types of machines working autonomously, She pressed on a monitor and like clock work doctors and scientists alike entered the room in an orderly fashion, they guided Leo out the wheel chair as max stood outside watching through a glass panel.

The sterile smell of the operating room was sharp, and the cold air prickled Leo's skin as he lay on the table. Machines hummed softly around him, and Cortana stood by, overseeing the surgical team.

 "This is it, Leo," she said. "Once we begin, your body will no longer move from the neck down. The neural augmentations will reroute that freed-up capacity to enhance your compatibility with the mech systems. If this works—and I'm confident it will—you'll be the first fully autonomous mech pilot in human history."

 Leo took a deep breath. "No pressure, right?"

 Cortana chuckled softly. "Pressure makes diamonds, Mr. Trask."

 As the anesthesiologist prepared him for sedation, Cortana leaned closer. "You'll wake up in a few hours, completely changed. This will be your last moment as you are now. Any regrets?"

 Leo stared up at the blinding lights, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "No regrets. Just... make it worth it."

 She nodded, her face softening for the first time. "We will."

 The last thing Leo saw before drifting off was Cortana's face, filled with determination—and something else he couldn't quite place.

 Darkness took him, and his journey into legend began.

Darkness gave way to light, harsh and sterile. Leo blinked against the brightness, his head feeling foggy and heavy. Slowly, the haze cleared, but something felt wrong—terribly wrong. He tried to move his fingers, then his toes. Nothing. There was no sensation, no connection. His chest heaved as panic set in.

 "Help!" Leo's voice cracked as he shouted. "Somebody! I can't—"

 The door slid open, and Cortana stepped in, followed by a small group of doctors. Her expression was calm, reassuring, but her eyes carried a weight of understanding.

 "Leo," she said softly, walking closer. "It's okay. You're okay."

 "Okay?!" His breathing quickened as he tried again to move, to feel something, anything. "I can't feel my body! What did you do to me?!"

 Cortana raised her hands in a placating gesture, her voice steady. "Leo, listen to me. This was expected. The surgery was successful, but your body is now fully paralyzed from the neck down. That was the agreement. I know this is overwhelming, but you're safe, and we're here to help you adjust."

 A doctor approached, placing a hand on Leo's shoulder. "Mr. Trask, your vitals are stable, and there's no sign of complications. What you're experiencing is entirely normal given the procedure. Breathe with me. In... and out."

 Leo clenched his teeth, his breath shaky but gradually slowing as the words sank in. He shut his eyes tightly, letting the reality settle over him like a cold wave.

 After a long silence, he finally spoke. "So… it worked?"

Cortana smiled gently. "It did. The neural augmentations were integrated flawlessly. Your mind is unburdened now, free to focus on piloting without the distractions of your body. You'll need a week to recover, but after that, you'll start your training."

Cortana pulled up a chair and sat beside him. "Because of your unique circumstances, you won't be training like the other cadets. You'll be trained with a group of selected individuals, and your program will be tailored to your abilities."

Before Leo could respond, the door opened again. A tall, imposing man in a crisp UCSM uniform stepped inside. His presence filled the room, and the air seemed to shift.

"Leo Trask," the man said, his deep voice carrying authority. "I'm Captain Morgan, and I'll be overseeing your training."

Leo blinked, momentarily distracted from his condition. "You're… you're a pilot?"

Morgan smirked. "Not just a pilot. A decorated one. And if you're smart, you'll listen to every word I say. Your life... and the lives of everyone you'll fight to protect will depend on it."

Cortana gestured toward Morgan. "Captain Morgan is one of the most experienced mech pilots in the UCSM. He's been on the front lines longer than most of the legends I showed you."

Morgan crossed his arms, his gaze sharp. "Theory first. Before you step into a mech, you need to understand it—every nut, bolt, and circuit. A pilot isn't just a driver; they're an extension of the machine, and the machine is an extension of them. You can't afford to make mistakes."

Leo nodded, still shaken but beginning to feel the flicker of determination reigniting within him. "I understand."

Morgan stepped closer, his expression softening slightly. "Good. Because when you're out there, you won't have time to second-guess yourself. The mech will respond to your every thought, but it will also punish hesitation. We'll start slow, but when I'm done with you, you'll be ready."

As the doctors began running checks on his augmentations, Cortana leaned down and whispered, "This is going to be hard, Leo. Harder than anything you've ever done. But if you see this through, you could become something extraordinary."

Leo swallowed, still grappling with the enormity of what lay ahead. He couldn't feel his body, but his mind was sharp, his resolve beginning to harden.

"I'll do it," he said, his voice steady. "Whatever it takes."

Cortana nodded, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. "Good. Because the galaxy doesn't wait, Mr. Trask. And neither do we."

As Cortana straightened, her sharp eyes scanned the monitors, relaying data to the team of doctors. The air hummed with faint whispers of medical jargon, but Leo's world felt oddly quiet—a cocoon of sterile lights and muted sensations.

The med bay doors hissed open, breaking the illusion. Heavy boots clunked against the floor, each step deliberate. Captain Morgan entered, his presence a thundercloud in the otherwise clinical space. He took a moment to survey the scene, his gaze landing on Cortana before shifting to Leo.

"So, this is the one," Morgan muttered, crossing his arms. His voice carried a weight that silenced the room.

Cortana turned, her professional smile returning. "Captain Morgan. I wasn't expecting you to visit so soon."

"Figured I'd meet the future," he replied dryly, nodding toward Leo. "You look like hell, kid."

Leo blinked, his head tilting slightly to focus on the veteran. "Just had my body carved up and my brain wired into a machine. Not exactly a spa day, sir."

A flicker of amusement passed through Morgan's eyes, though his expression remained stoic. "Fair point. You feeling ready to carry the weight of that mech all on your own?"

Leo hesitated, his jaw tightening. "I don't know what ready feels like anymore. But I said I'd do it, and I will."

Morgan pulled up a stool, the groan of metal echoing in the room as he sat down. His weathered face leaned closer, voice dropping to a low rumble. "You're green, Trask. Fresh out of surgery and already promising the moon. Let me tell you something—this ain't what they sold you."

Cortana's smile thinned, a flicker of irritation crossing her features. "Captain, Leo's fully aware of the stakes. This program is—"

Morgan raised a hand, silencing her. "I know what this program is, Doc. It's a gamble. And the ones who lose don't get to tell their side of the story."

Leo's eyes narrowed slightly, his voice steady. "You think I can't handle it?"

Morgan leaned back, crossing his arms again. "Doesn't matter what I think. What matters is what happens when you're out there. No co-pilot to share the load. No fallback. Just you, the mech, and an enemy that doesn't care how advanced your tech is. They'll hit harder, faster, dirtier than you've trained for. That's the reality you signed up for."

Cortana stepped forward, her voice calm but edged with steel. "And that's exactly why this program exists. Leo's augmentation isn't just an experiment, Captain—it's a necessity. The enemy is adapting faster than our tactics. We need pilots who can push beyond the limits of human endurance. And Leo is uniquely suited for that."

Morgan's gaze lingered on her for a moment, then shifted back to Leo. "You're not a soldier anymore, Trask. You're a tool. And tools get used until they break. You ready for that?"

The words hit hard, but Leo's resolve only hardened. "If I break, I'll break fighting. That's what I signed up for."

Morgan nodded slowly, something like respect flashing across his face. "Good. Just remember, the galaxy's full of people who'll pat you on the back until you're no use to them anymore. Trust your gut, not their promises."

Cortana smiled again, her composure unfaltering. "Leo will succeed, Captain. He understands the stakes." She placed a hand on Leo's shoulder, her touch light, almost rehearsed. "This is the future, whether you accept it or not."

Morgan stood, adjusting his jacket. "Future or not, someone's gotta survive long enough to tell the story. Good luck, Trask. You'll need it."

He walked to the door, pausing just before it opened. Without turning, he added, "And, Doc? You'd better hope your numbers are right this time."

As the doors slid shut behind him, the room felt colder. Cortana's expression remained calm, but Leo noticed her fingers tightening briefly around her clipboard. He exhaled, his mind racing, but his voice was calm.

"He's not wrong, is he?"

Cortana's expression softened, her tone warm but firm. "Captain Morgan has his perspective, Leo. But it's the perspective of a man who clings to old ways because he fears the new. You're not like him. You're better. Stronger."

Leo's gaze drifted to the ceiling, his thoughts swirling. He didn't answer, but deep inside, a quiet determination took root. He'd prove Morgan wrong—or prove him right, if that's what it took to survive.