Sapphire stands in the center of the training room with her new gun arms, her combat legs open and lights up. Gentle music plays over the speaker, the beat keeping her happy. She snaps her fingers to the beat as she focuses and extends out the barrels on her gun arms. Light music continues to plays over the speakers as Sapphire taps her right foot to the beat. The room shifts around and extend up as a yellow hologram float in the center of the room. Sapphire looks around as the door opens and Dr. Benjamin and a few others walk in and head her way.
Hauling a cart behind them, she sees some black armor with a sleek front and silver lines running along the chests upper plates. Layered plates run down the midsection with sleek round shoulders. So, what do we have now? Sapphire asked. Coming to a stop, Dr Benjamin looks over to the armor. This is XO-01 prototype combat armor, Dr Benjamin said. This can protect you from small arms and some major rifles, anything over 7.62 rounds will damage or even pierce through its plating, Dr. Benjamin said. We also have a helmet for you, Dr. Benjamin said. Looking past the armor, she sees a rounded helmet with silver lines and a black visor. Braces run around the chin and seem welded to the back.
The two assistants reach down and pick up the armor and step over towards Sapphire. Seeing two spikes on the back, Sapphire looks a bit nervous. Do not be alarmed, those data spikes are meant to be inserted into slots on your upper and lower back, Dr. Benjamin said. Sir, her shirt is blocking the data ports, the right assistant said. Sapphire looks confused and looks behind her. Sapphire looks a little angry as her eyes turn red. She turns her head down towards Dr. Benjamin. He feels a swing coming and slowly moves backwards. Ok, just make me some clothes that will work with the armor, Sapphire said with frustration in her voice. Can you please remove your shirt? The second Assistant asked. Sapphire starts to feel sick in her stomach as her throat and starts to gag. Turn you heads away, Dr, Benjamin said with a firm tone. Dr. Benjamin turns his head away as she reaches down and lefts her shirt and tosses it at him. the Assistants move in and slip the armor onto her back and swings the front of the armor around and locks it.
Seeing the armor syncing with her systems, it begins to tighten around her body. Does it feel tight anywhere? Dr Benjamin asked. Sapphire feels pressure on her chest. It feels a little tight across my chest, Sapphire said. Reaching to the side, Sapphire taps the side and sees something pop up in her eyes. Arming weapons, the message said. A small whirling sound rings out as round began to run along the belt and into her arms. This armor was preloaded? Sapphire asked. Dr. Benjamin removes the shirt from his lap with a confused look. It was not supposed to be, Dr. Benjamin said. Sorry sir, I was working on the feeding system, one assistant said. Did you use live rounds? Dr. Benjamin asked with a worried tone. I had too sir, the practice rounds where too heavy for the loading system, the assistant said.
OK, Dr. Benjamin said as he reaches up to his earpiece and presses down. General, we have live rounds in the armor, requesting permission to use drones for this exercise, Dr. Benjamin said. Alright, thank you, Dr. Benjamin said. Reaching over he places her shirt on the cart and picks up the helmet and hands it over to her. Taking the helmet, she lifts it up and places it on her head as a slight wisp could be heard as the helmet closes.
Sapphire stands still as the helmet lights in the form of a red skull. Ms. Sapphire, did you create that design on the helmet? Dr. Benjamin asked. What design? Sapphire asked. You seem to have formed a red skull on the helmet, Dr. Benjamin said. I think the armor is picking up on my thoughts, Sapphire said. He shakes his head in disappointment, sorry, I did not mean for that, Dr. Benjamin said. Also, I have one last thing for you, Dr. Benjamin said. Snapping his fingers quickly, his assistants take off running out of the room. After a few minutes they return with a black cloak. The assistants reaching them and extend out the cloak. This is for you, a Nano fiber cloak mixed with ballistic fibers, your back is the weakest point on your armor, Dr. Benjamin said. Sapphire takes the cloak and swings it over her head. It seals itself to her neck and the back of her helmet.
Dr, please clear out, we will begin the test, General Anderson said over the P.A. system. Turning his chair, he starts to move as the assistants grab the cart and push it behind Dr. Benjamin. They reach the door as it opens and pass through and disappear. Sapphire turns to face the goal and sees it floating in the center of the room. A square beneath the target sinks away into the floor.
A light buzzing echoes out as drones with large round propellers on the sides fly out of the opening. Their rounded chassis were blue with a white strip on the sides. Small guns could be seen on the bottom of the bodies with small circle sensors. The Drones begin to fly around the room and come to a stop next to the goal. The floor starts to shake as it shifts into an urban setting. Sapphire looks around and examines her surroundings. Four large brick buildings line the sides as three building line the far end. The buildings showing three levels each. The lights in the room dim as the streetlights pop to life as the drone go dark. Sapphire looks around as her helmet does not pick up the drones movements. “Begin”, General Anderson said in a firm tone.
Talking a few steps forward as her thrusters extend out. Flashes erupt in the distance as rounds land around her. Firing her thrusters, Sapphire shoots backwards and raises her arms and takes aim. Seeing a target icon popping up in her helmet, it moves as Sapphire adjusts her arms and fires. A quick burst erupts from her arms, Sapphire feels herself flying backwards and crashes into the wall. The rounds she fired hits and explodes and lights up on the drones. Sapphire cuts her thrusters and drops and lands on the ground and hunches forward. Taking cover behind a barricade, bullets land on the other side.
Ok, looks like they are using stealth tactics, Sapphire thought to herself. She leaps to the right and rolls into a sprint. Running along the siding, Sapphire keeps her arms raised as she sees rounds loading into the chamber. Coming to a junction, Sapphire creeps out and enters the junction. A bright light erupts in the distance with a missile heading right for her. After a few seconds an explosion erupts in front of her and shoots her into the wall. Gasping hard, she lands on her back and tries to catch her breath. Hearing a slight humming in front of her, Sapphire slowly raises her left arm and takes aim. Relaxing her body, a drone lights up and moves forward and shines a light upon her. Coming to a stop, it extends its guns and takes aim.
Gotcha, Sapphire said. Firing a shot from her left arm, she hits the drone’s left propeller. It spirals out of control as she fires her thrusters and leaps up and grabs the drone by its chassis and slams it into the wall. She takes aim with both arms and fires away into it. The metal crunches and rips as the explosions rips and tear it apart from the inside. The drones sensors came back online as it begins to chirp in a rapid pattern. Sapphire’s helmet detects the core going critical, she fires her thruster and shoots away. A bright light erupts as debris flies everywhere. Landing on the roof as her helmet darkens, she walks forward and comes to a ledge she kneels and looks out.
Seeing the goal disappear and reappear, she gets the idea of they are in a defensive mode. Raising her left arm as rounds load into the chamber as she sees a dim light and takes aim. Firing, dim light explodes in the distance. The Drones come to life as they began to fire upon the area. That is how they found me, Sapphire thought to herself. Taking a few deep breaths, she focuses and flips through her vison.
Switching to her night vision, she sees the drones moving back to the goal. Counting four drones as they circle around, one breaks off and searches the area. Bait to draw me out. But can I get them to fire upon each other, Sapphire thought to herself. Aiming her right arm and plans the shot and fires a three-shot burst. The rounds exploding around the drone and hears the others fire at the drones location. the drone falls to the ground with a crunch as oil as sparks shoot forth. Focusing her vision, she looks closer to the drone on the ground. It explodes shortly after and causes a part of a building to collapse.
The lights swiftly come online and brightens the room. She closes her eyes as the light temporally blind her and stumbles backwards. Rounds and missiles impact around her, loud thumps ring out as several rounds impact her armor and forces her away from the edge. She opens her eyes as her vision changes to normal and sees the drones moving towards her. Firing their guns, the building crumples with each hit it takes. Running forward, she fires her thrusters and leaps over the edge and spins forward and aims her arms. Firing full auto, the drones move to the side as they dodge the rounds and adjust themselves and fire. The drones launch a few missiles, they explode around her as she fires her thrusters. Sapphire steadies out and flies forward and past the drones. shooting behind a building, she adjusts her legs as she feels her heart race.
Starting to chuckle, I can fly, wow this is incredible, Sapphire thought to herself. Coming to another corner she backs left and shoots around the corner with a narrow arch. Coming out into the opening, she cuts her thrusters and rolls as she hits the ground. She stops behind a barricade and sees a Drone fly overhead and starts to scan the area. Ducking down, she paces her breathing and relaxes her back. I wonder if I can toss a round into the propellers, Sapphire thought to herself. Raising her left arm, she ejects a single bullet and takes it in her right hand. Standing up, she pulls her hand back as she lines up the throw and tosses the round up.
After a few seconds, the left propeller of the drone explodes and spirals out of control and crashes into a wall. Rounds in the drones chamber erupt from the body. Ducking down as the bullets fly overhead and shatters pieces of the wall. Ok, that will be a last resort, Sapphire thought to herself. The sounds die down and she slowly stands up and looks around the area. Raising her arms up as she takes a few steps and turns the corner. Keeping her eyes on the windows as she slowly walks forward. Only two left, I should head to the goal, Sapphire thinks to herself.
Lowering her arms, Sapphire burst into a full-on sprint. Reaching a wall, Sapphire fires her thruster and launches up to the top of the building and lands on it. Looking around, she does not see the drones anywhere. Something is not right, Sapphire thinks to herself. Rounds erupting all around her as the floor began to crumble. Firing her thruster as the floor gives away, she flies away as the drones move out of the hole and began to pursue. Cutting her thrusters, she falls towards the ground and flips around and fires. The drones scatter as she fires her thruster and flies along her back. Flipping around she sees a window coming up as she cuts her thrusters and rolls into the window. Smashing through the window into a brick room, she lands and rolls forward and comes to a rough stop as she hits the wall.
Feeling sick, Sapphire falls onto her front and breathes heavy. Loneliness, fear, slips into her mind. How can I go on without you? Sapphire thought to herself as her heart sinks into her stomach. A faint crying sound rings in her ears, what am I remembering? Sapphire thought to herself. Gripping her left hand tightly. James, please give me the strength to keep fighting? Sapphire said in a weak voice. Feeling her ring pressing against her chest, she moves her arms out and pushes herself to her knees and crawls along the floor. A light whirling comes from the window. Looking around she sees a closet and mirror sitting in the open. Getting up she runs to the closet and opens the door as she takes the mirror and angles it. A Bright light erupts by the window, she ducks into the closet and sees the drones enter the window one at a time. Seeing them turn around and seeing her reflection she raises her arms up in a surrendering position. The whirling grows louder as it approaches, Sapphire I thought you would keep on fighting, General Anderson said through the drone.
Getting to the door she drops her left arm and fires into the drones chassis. Nope, just laying a trap, Sapphire said as she drops her right arm and fires into the wall. Breaking through she leaps through the hole and into the outside and fires her thrusters. Taking off she sees the goal raising up into the center of the room. The remaining drone erupts through the building and begins firing at her legs. Hitting her left leg, it erupts as the thruster blows. Loosing speed and altitude she flips around and increases the power to her remaining thruster. The drone stops and fires at a rapid rate. Missiles exploding around her as bullets clink and bounce off her armor and push her from side to side. Reaching out with her left arm, she grabs the drone chassis and digs her fingers through the metal. It begins to fly faster and spins around. Sapphire reaches up as the pressure builds on her body and rips its right gun off.
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Thrusting upwards, she slams the gun into the drones chassis. Sparks shooting out as round drop out with a clink as it bounces off her armor. The drone spins around with speed and force. Flying down, the drone slams Sapphire into a light pole and then another. Pulling the gun out and releases the barrel, she punches upwards into the hole and rips the chassis open. Seeing the internal working, Sapphire finds the main motor in the center and grabs it. She pulls down as the drone arches upwards towards the wall. Ok, not a good move, Sapphire thought to herself. Then twisting the motor hard to the left, she feels the drone turning hard as she slams into a building. Releasing her grip, she pulls herself off the wall as the drone flies out of control and crashes into another building.
After a few seconds, the drone explodes and causes the side of the building to collapse. Totally not a good idea, Sapphire said with a strain of pain in her voice. Firing her thrusters, she pushes herself off the wall and heads towards the goal. After thirty seconds she passes through the goal. Test complete, General Anderson said over the P.A. system. Sapphire head toward the door of the room, General Anderson said. The room quickly shifts back to its blank form, Sapphire descends to the ground as her thruster flickers. Landing on the ground she checks her legs and sees the has thirty seconds of fuel left in her legs.
The door opens as her stomach growls in hunger. Dr Benjamin and his assistants comes into the room with the cart. Her normal arms and legs rest on the cart along with her shirt. Coming to a stop as they reach her, Sapphire reaches up and pulls he cloak back and removes her helmet. Ms. Sapphire how do you feel? Dr Benjamin asked with a worried tone. Why do you ask? Sapphire said. We detected a surge in mental activity, Dr. Benjamin said. I am fine, tired, and hungry, Sapphire responded.
Let us get you out of that armor, General Anderson said that this will be all for today, Dr. Benjamin said with a calm tone. the Assistants move to the side and quickly remove her armor as Dr. Benjamin hands her the shirt. Taking the shirt, she puts it on as she ejects her arms. The assistants catch the arms and places them on the cart. Thirty seconds pass as they help attach her legs. Ok, that will be all, Dr. Benjamin said. Sapphire nods and walks towards the door, Dr. Benjamin turns and follows her.
Sapphires eyes turn blue as she feels his presence, she looks back with a confused look. Why are you following me? Sapphire asked. I am here in case you need help, Dr. Benjamin said. What kind of help, Sapphire snapped with some anger! Your mental state, also I feel like your depression has been affecting you, Dr. Benjamin said. Sapphire shows her sorrow as pressure builds in her eyes. She turns her head forward as she reaches the open door. Like hell it has been affecting me, Sapphire said as she passes through the door and turns right. I have lost my husband, my best friend, the only one I ever came to trust, Sapphire pauses as she contemplates taking her own life. How would you feel losing someone like James? Sapphire said with sadness in her voice. I lost my life, my family, now I am starting to remember something, and it scares me, Sapphire said.
Dr. Benjamin looks down to his lap. I know how you feel, I lost my wife in an accident, she was the greatest thing in my life, losing her helped bring us to where we are now, Dr. Benjamin said with a fluctuating voice. Sapphire opens her mouth. No, I never wanted anyone else to suffer the same fate, Dr. Benjamin responded. Her stomach rumbles louder in the hall. Let us get us to the mess hall, you need to eat some food, Dr. Benjamin said. I feel fine, I am not hungry, Sapphire said.
Your body burns energy at a slower rate without your original arms and legs, Dr. Benjamin said. grunting in disappointment she picks up the pace. I still recommend you eat at least a few times a day, your body does still need the nutrition, Dr. Benjamin said with a calm voice. Then why was my heart racing during the training session? Sapphire asked. Dr. Benjamin rolls up to her left side and keeps a steady pace. Turning right they began to head towards a lift. I think your brain is using more oxygen then normal, Dr. Benjamin said. Reaching the lift, she reaches out and touches the button as a green light pops up.
That makes some sense, I am missing my real arms and legs, Sapphire said. the door slides open as a light ding ring out. Stepping in, Dr. Benjamin turns and presses a button on the right. The doors closing tightly as they began to ascend. Reaching up, she places her right finger and thumb into her mouth and gives a gentle whistle. Calling someone? Dr. Benjamin asked. Yeah, I let Captain Iron-Feathers out of my quarters for some exercise, Sapphire responded. His right eyebrow rises slightly as they feel the lift come to a complete stop. Why? Dr. Benjamin asked. He is James and my pet, Sapphire said. the Door opens as a squawk could be heard on the other side. Fire the Cannons, Captain Iron-Feathers said.
Reaching out her right arm as the door fully opens and he flies in and lands on her arm. Cooing slightly and he flaps his wings. Parlay? Captain Iron-Feathers asked. Leaning her head forward, he asks if you want to be friends? Sapphire asked. You can understand that bird? Dr. Benjamin asked. Every sentence, he picked up on our language while me and James talked, the pirate words from his favorite movies, Sapphire said. Stepping out of the lift, she sees the mess hall a few junctions down. So, what is on the menu today? Sapphire asked. I have no idea, I often just keep to my lab, Dr. Benjamin said.
Starting to walk forward, Captain Iron-Feathers flaps his wings as he picks up a smell. Looks like either steak or fish, Sapphire said. How do you know? Dr. Benjamin asked. He gets this way when he smells something he loves to eat, Sapphire said. Reaching up with her left arm, she scratches his chin. Reaching the door, they step though into a massive room with a large glass window. Her eyes widen as she sees the clouds and the sea down below.
Why are we on a sky fortress? Sapphire asked. Safety reasons, I theorized you might have come back with cyber degradation, Dr. Benjamin said. Cyber what? Sapphire asked with a confused tone. A rare condition, after implanting cybernetics in your body, your mind might have degraded at a rapid rate, Dr. Benjamin said. Oh, so you thought I was going to be a simpleton, Sapphire said. Worse, I experimented with rats and other dead animals, Dr. Benjamin pauses as he remembers the disaster. She looks over with confusion and a worried look. The Animals I brought back showed signs of elevated aggression and killed the others before dying themselves, Dr. Benjamin finishes up. Oh, sound unpleasant, Sapphire said.
Stepping forward, Sapphire spots a rack of trays and reaches out and picks one up. Dr. Benjamin follows behind her and rests his tray on his lap. Slipping into an alcove, they see a counter with glass and a few chefs behind it. Their white uniforms stood out with gold buttons. Stepping up to the counter, she reaches up as one chef lifts a plate over and plants it on her tray . Sorry ma’am, but we do let animals in the serving area, the chef said. Go walk the plank, Captain Iron-Feathers said. Sorry, sanitary rules, the chef said. Captain-Iron Feathers extends out his wings he takes off and flies out of the alcove. The chef reaches out and plants a plate on Dr. Benjamins legs. Moving forward they see bottle of water with flavor labels on the bottles.
The bottles where elongated cylinder with an opener on the top. Reaching forward, she takes a blueberry bottle as Dr. Benjamin takes a banana bottle. Pulling away, they exit the alcove and sees Captain Iron-Feathers standing on a table flapping his wings to get their attention.
Walking forward, they pass by a few tables and reach the table with Captain Iron-Feathers. Quickly taking a seat, she plants her tray down as he takes a few steps forward. Dr. Benjamin pulls up and sets his tray down. I see you two forgot to get a few utensils, General Anderson said with a calm tone. Setting his tray down, he hands out two forks to Sapphire and Dr. Benjamin. I thought you had a meeting after the test? Dr. Benjamin asked. I took a page from Sapphire’s book and told them to shove it, General Anderson said. You are normally polite about meetings, Dr. Benjamin said. If you live long enough, you get tired of a few things, General Anderson pauses. The council is one of them, General Anderson said.
Sitting down, he looks over and sees Captain Iron-feathers trying to get at Sapphire’s food. She reaches down and picks a large strip of meat and hands it to him. Taking the meat in his beak and pulls his head back and rips into it. It was a meeting the General council, Dr. General Anderson said. You seem to be getting distant with the council, Dr. Benjamin said. Distant barely covers it, picking my daughter in law for cybernetic resurrection without informing me crossed the line, General Anderson said with a frustrated voice. This incarnation is dumber then the last, General Anderson said. Will they let you stay on the council? Dr. Benjamin said. They will, I have a higher standing with the council then the upstarts, General Anderson said.
What are those upstarts you mentioned? Sapphire asked. A few newer additions over a year ago, they seem way too power hungry, General Anderson said. Why do you say that? Sapphire asked. They are pushing for war against the theocracy, and Scrappers, General Anderson said. why would they want to pick a war against the junkie Scrappers? Sapphire asked. They see them as weak, we lost three sky fortresses on a hunch of theirs, General Anderson said. Those upstarts had bad intelligence saying they were building a superweapon, so they sent four sky fortresses, the Damocles was the only one to make it back, General Anderson said. Dr. Benjamin rolls his eyes. You spirit believers are nuts, Dr. Benjamin said.
My grandfather flew the Artemis, an asteroid hit and damaged the main fuel line, she kept flying until she landed on E’gaia, general Anderson said with pride. James took me to the Artemis, the figure of your grandfather spoke of the spirit of the Artemis, Sapphire said. James shook it off as I was left confused, Sapphire said. What is the spirit? Sapphire asked. it is the spirit that inhabits the Artemis and Damocles, I remember an old piece of wisdom my grandfather told me, General Anderson said. The ship is your family, treat her well and she will get you home, General Anderson said. The wisdom holds true, the gun emplacements shredded the back port engine, but we kept flying as the others began to go down, General Anderson said with pride.
I am so proud of her and an honor to be her commander, General Anderson said. Leaning over to Dr. Benjamin, does he fuck the ship in his spare time? Sapphire asked. Dr. Benjamin shrugs his shoulders and laughs harshly, he said he saw the Artemis during one battle, Dr. Benjamin said. lack of oxygen can cause hallucinations, Sapphire said. I do not have sex with the ship, and I did see the Artemis, the Damocles even picked up on its transponder signal, General Anderson said. Sir, please, it is an old fleet legend, Dr. Benjamin said. I know it is true, others have reported seeing the Artemis in battle, General Anderson said.
I have no idea if this is true, but James did have some faith in the spirit, Sapphire said. That is my boy, General Anderson said with a tremble and pride. Also, I have the results of the last test we had you do, General Anderson said. I failed again, Sapphire said. No, you passed with a time of several minutes, General Anderson said. But we are seeing your trying to fight like James, not like yourself, General Anderson said. Sapphire you need to get back to your center, when you attempted to escape you fought like yourself, General Anderson said. That was before I found out he was dead, but I must keep moving on and get justice, Sapphire said.
Captain Iron-Feathers flaps his wings in excitement. Looks like he approves, Dr. Benjamin said. but I see you still are rushing headfirst into the fight, General Anderson said. Oh, like you had a reaction when I first started to date James, Sapphire said with a firm tone! you mean when I arranged a date for him after you too got together, General Anderson said. I know it was a mistake, James confronted me before your wedding, General Anderson said. Looking confused, she reaches up with her left hand and holds it close to her heart. James you loyal jerk, Sapphire said softly.
He was furious with me as I attempted to wed him off to another Generals daughter that had feelings for him, General Anderson said. I know you attempted to crash our wedding with another bride, Sapphire said with a firm voice. After that day I saw how loyal he was to you, the same loyalty I still show my wife, General Anderson said. The Woman that got you to drink again? Sapphire asked. A tear began to form in General Andersons left eye.
She helped me put my life together, without her I would not have had James, General Anderson said. For a very long time my PTSD fueled my nightmares, witnessing so many of my friends being torn apart, General Anderson said. She was one of the few that knows. Quickly realizing he said too much he looks away. Sapphire looks confused but shrugs her shoulders. General Anderson narrows his eyes and looks back to them. How did you find out this information? General Anderson asked. Raising her left hand and points to Dr. Benjamin. Before you throw me out, I had told her or she would have broken several more or your ribs, Dr. Benjamin said. I will have a talk with you later in my office, General Anderson said. Looking down he begins to eat as Sapphire sets her fork down and slides the tray over to Captain Iron-Feathers. Lowering his head, he takes some scraps and begins to eat.
You do not seem to be very hungry? General Anderson asked. Sorry I do not have much of an appetite since I became this abomination, Sapphire said. You are not an abomination, Dr. Benjamin said with a calm voice. Jumping up as her eyes turn red and look directly at Dr. Benjamin.
Look at me, my real arms and legs are gone, my eyes replaced, Sapphire screamed! General Anderson opens his mouth, Sapphire. Shut up, Sapphire cuts off General Anderson. Now I am remembering something, A babies crying rings out in Sapphire’s ears. I wish you never brought be back, at least I would be at peace and be with James, Sapphire said. I know your pain all too well, General Anderson said under his breath. Sapphire breathes heavy and takes off running, Captain Iron-Feathers nods his head in thanks and takes off and follows Sapphire.