If the MTA hadn't issued their verdict on it, she would have thought that her mech was outright brainwashing the people that fell into its range!
In truth, Melinda and the rest of the Planetary Guard concluded that the effects were a little bit more mild. The Desolate Soldier roused certain thoughts and emotions, causing them to become more pronounced.
As soon as someone walked out of range, those thoughts and emotions quickly went back to normal. The person affected by the Desolate Soldier would only be left with the memories and impressions of their moment of inspiration.
However, this was enough to change their original trajectories! The sense of duty that they felt was so sublime and fulfilling that many people no longer viewed their lives the same way.
Not everyone discovered their sense of duty.
Some, like Melinda, already performed their duties. The Desolate Soldiers only strengthened what they already possessed.
Others were too unrepentant to reform. Their blackened minds completely rejected any notions of duty.
Most people came away with something extra to think about. While they didn't change their lives to a drastic degree, they became a little bit more inclined to answer the call of duty.
This was sufficient! Compared to the government's propaganda efforts, the impact of the Desolate Soldiers on the moods of the citizens was much more immediate.
The short-term stability produced by the disgustingly-cheap mechs was incredibly valuable! So much so that the Planetary Guards of other planets in the Republic started to take note! The LMC received more and more orders!
Driven by the actions of the Planetary Guard forces, other outfits began to take note of the Desolate Soldier.
Aside from their ability to inspire duty, the Desolate Soldier was still a functional combat mech. Its primary purpose was to offer the market an affordable means to field lots of mechs in battle against the sandmen.
"This mech is not half-bad."
Did mercenaries care about duty? Not necessarily. Yet even mercenary corps saw value in the mechs.
If nothing else, their mech pilots wouldn't cut and run so easily if they piloted the mechs. It had already become known that the Desolate Soldiers affected their mech pilots most of all!
For this reason, the private sector began to order Desolate Soldiers as well, though only single copies or small batches at a time.
Under the backdrop of this major movement, a single young man stood on the sidewalk as a patrol of Desolate Soldiers walked past. The man admired the mechs with a heated glance, and his entire mind and body vibrated with excitement as he basked in the auras of the mechs.
"Mr. King."
A man in uniform walked up to the young man. The visor on the newcomer's face looked incredibly distinctive.
The younger of the two immediately stood at attention. "Avatar Commander! It's an honor to meet you in person!"
Melkor Larkinson smiled. "There is no need for that. The Avatars of Myth is not a military mech force."
"Ah, sorry."
"No need. It is a pleasure to witness your enthusiasm. While I can guess that you received some attractive offers from the Mech Corps, we will not treat you wrong."
Normally, Melkor never bothered to travel to Bentheim to greet a new recruit of the Avatars of Myth.
Only a few circumstances compelled him to move out in person. The recruitment of a top graduate of the Meirling Advanced Mech Academy definitely qualified!
"I'm ready to go, Commander Larkinson."
"Good. Our shuttle awaits, Joshua."
Joshua obediently followed after the Avatar Commander, knowing that he was close to fulfilling one of his most cherished dreams!