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Advancements in the miniaturization of fusion reactors allowed for the Mark 1’s to emerge as hybrids, relying both on umbilical and internal power for prolonged, independent exploration. And while the eyes of every world power were turned towards the stars, there were still those in the auspices of power who regarded Ladera’s PUEXOs as more than just tools for naval exploration.
“How much more difficult to put a PUEXO in space than under the water?”
“Why bother risking the lives of saturation divers when you can send a trained PUEXO pilot?”
“What are the military capabilities of the PUEXO?”
A staunch pacifist, Ladera had all but refused to entertain working with the United States military. The PUEXO exists solely for the betterment of humankind. In the 24th century, what more did mankind need to kill each other with? Beyond joint scientific explorations with the navy, any and all attempts to fund the development of purely military PUEXO suits were rebuffed.
Up until the recession of 2349, as the world economy buckled under the strain of supporting too many off-world colonies. Threatened with the loss of his dream from falling stock values and investors threatening to pull out, Ladera reluctantly accepted a deal with the military, and produced the Mk. 1 TRTN-00 <span class="mu-i">Triton</span>-class. The first purely military PUEXO, one that the tech entrepreneur forever regretted producing, it saw limited, but effective action to justify the continued funding. And to Ladera’s despair, it wouldn’t be the last he would be forced to make throughout his lifetime
But you think he would be proud, relieved even at how the world post-Cataclysm’s used his machines. Even long after his death, the current state of Earth makes the PUEXO all but a keystone in mankind’s continued survival. And, hopefully, the return to a more civilized age than the current technologically-disparate and cultural-political mess that’s comprises the Flooded World.
You have the distinct privilege of piloting a Mark 2 MGLN-011. Unlike its generational siblings, the CLMB-009 <span class="mu-i">Columbus</span> and the ERKS-010 <span class="mu-i">Erikson</span>, the <span class="mu-i">Magellan</span> was designed for extreme deep-sea construction and industry. A combination of steel and titanium alloy plating keeps the PUEXO from crumpling like a tin can at even the most extreme depths. A fusion reactor-battery hybrid powers the PUEXO, with trio of chargeable batteries serving as auxiliary backups.
She can do it all: deep-sea welding, cable-laying, pipe sinking, structural reinforcement…fishing, even. You’ve put shark and marlin on the table before, when supplies got low. The wrist-mounted harpoon gun isn’t only for scaring off more ornery and aggressive sea life. And, for whenever the skiff comes to pick you up, salvage for the foreseeable future.
That isn't too unfamiliar a field, but it'll be odd getting back into that saddle after years aboard the Duck.
(cont.)
