"Alright, Ella. Eclypse is ready. I guess you guys want to get back to the search, so I'll just-"
Ned, Weren't you going to explain something?
"Oh...Right. I assume you want to know about the program?"
Ned sat down on a bench, sighed, and started talking.
"About three years ago, when I started my research into EMP technology, the security council saw what it could do, and they were scared. No, that's not the right word. Cautious. They were worried what could happen if an enemy managed to build the stuff we were buliding. So, they told the designers to start working on anti-EMP technology. Me and Leo were working together on it, and eventually we made a breakthrough. It was a way to effectively cancel out EMP based attacks. However, the research had had cost a lot. They didn't want anyone to know how much of the budget we had used on a type of weapon that hadn't even been invented yet."
He motioned towards Eclypse.
"They kept it secret. Remember that energy transfer upgrade a while back? While the Mechs were in the shop, they had us upload Plan 95. Every regulation mech built in the city has it. Even Choppy."
Ned stood back up.
"Listen, I'm sorry. I've always felt rotten for having to keep this kind of secret. If you have any questions, I'll be in the smithy later. But right now, I need to go activate 95 on the rest of the mechs."