Sapphire walks down the hallway, a metallic clink rings out with each step she takes. A ring hangs around her neck on a simple string, bounces on her upper chest. Her light green tank top was tightly strapped to her chest as her deep green shorts wrap around the line of her legs. Keeping her eyes down, she tries switching through her vision. Her pupils shut and open rapidly. Seeing no change in her vision, Sapphire grows frustrated, her face begins to twitch. Why can I not change my vision like when I woke up? Sapphire thinks to herself! Sapphire Anderson, report for combat training on deck three, a voice said over the intercom. Looking around she sees a junction coming up and a terminal sitting on the right. Turning right, she sees the terminal come to life as she approaches.
Her eyes quickly shows a data link connection to the terminal. Why can I not control my bloody cybernetics? Sapphire thought to herself. Beginning to search, she finds the location of the combat training center. Seeing Deck three in the center of the base. Her face slowly turns to confusion as she wonders why a land base needs decks.
Must be a mistake in the system, Sapphire thinks to herself. Searching deeper into the systems she finds a file named sky-fortress Damocles. Feeling her head start to throb again, Sapphire breaks the connection and turns away. Feeling a harsh headache coming on, she reaches up and presses on her temples, a painful expression emerges on Sapphire’s face. Feeling the pressure fading away, Sapphire slightly grinds her teeth in anger.
Sapphire lowers her hands to her side as she sees a stairwell on the right. Turning, she reaches the stairs and looks at the sign. Deck two, living quarters. I guess I need to head on down, Sapphire thought to herself. Reaching over and takes the rails and sliding down and lands on her feet. Looking around her eyes pop up a directional icon directing her to the left. I am fucking, hate this shit, Sapphire says under her breath!
Ms. Sapphire, Dr. Benjamin said with a welcoming voice. Turning her head to the left, she sees Dr. Benjamin rolling up to her. Your transition with the cybernetics is not going well? Dr. Benjamin asked. No, it is not, I cannot seem to control what my cybernetics are doing, Sapphire states. It is be expected, you are the first to be brought back, Dr. Benjamin said. Why, the first, did you not use others? Sapphire asked. Looking down with shame on his face. I never wanted to bring someone back without their permission, Dr. Benjamin said. Looking down with shame on her face, feeling her tears ducts throbbing. It was wrong of me to do this, it is my unforgivable sin, but the General was ordered, Dr. Benjamin said.
Just why was I chosen to be brought back to life? Sapphire asked with a tremble in her voice. You were brought in, it could have been anyone, Dr. Benjamin said. Sapphire looks down to her ring and digs deep to the memory of James proposing to her. Dr. please, if you find the ones that took James from me, allow me justice? Sapphire said. Looking up, Dr. Benjamin ponders the thought and exhales with frustration. That is not my call to make, General Anderson can make that call, Dr. Benjamin said. Dr. Benjamin turns his chair away and moves up the hall and comes to a complete stop. If I know, the general well, he will want justice for his son, Dr. Benjamin said.
Sapphire looks up, her eyes changing to a light blue color. Dr. Benjamin looks back and sees the change in her eye. It may not be my place, but it seems that your eyes change when you switch in-between your old self and new self, Dr. Benjamin said. It’s becoming that obvious? Sapphire said. It is, Alexandra was reprimanded for throwing me under the bus yesterday, Dr. Benjamin said. I had a feeling, I saw one soldier on edge, Sapphire said.
Looks like, your body has accepted your cybernetics, Dr. Benjamin said. Then how come, I still cannot control them? Sapphire asked. It will take time, eventually you to will gain control and it will seem like second nature, Dr. Benjamin said. But be careful, you are more susceptible electrical and data attacks, Dr. Benjamin tells her in a worried tone. Data attacks? Sapphire asked. Due to the systems in your brain, any breach of your security and someone can cause damage with an increase in data, Dr. Benjamin said.
Starting to walk forward, Sapphire keeps her eyes on the ground. You need to be strong, James would not want you to be this way, Dr. Benjamin said. Sapphire looks up as she feels the pressure fading as she clenches her hands tightly until a whirling sound rings out.
Both move forward in a gentle pace, Dr. Benjamin reaches up and places his hand on his ear. General, we are almost to the combat center, Dr. Benjamin said. Sapphire looks down to him, her face turns to frustration. How long have you known the general? Sapphire asked. Lowering his hand and places it on his chin. I have known him well before James was born, I helped watch over the young kid, Dr. Benjamin said. Sapphire looks a little confused as she processes this information. James never mentioned you before, Sapphire said. Not surprising, he was only a few years old when I watched him, Dr. Benjamin said.
Turning right, Sapphire keeps quiet as she keeps her memories close to her heart. What do you want today? Sapphire asked. We are going to test your combat skill and test some new arms and legs for you, Dr. Benjamin said. What new arms and legs? Sapphire asked. Dr. Benjamin starts to chuckle and comes to a complete stop. Your combat arms and legs, if you are going after them might as well have the fire power, Dr. Benjamin said. Are my current arms and legs up to standard for combat? Sapphire asked. Not really, they survived combat but are not designed for it, Dr. Benjamin said.
Sapphire seems slightly surprised, I did not think that the asshole General would allow that, Sapphire thought to herself. It is alright, you can speak your mind, Dr. Benjamin said. I thought I was restricted to my hands as weapons, Sapphire said. 90% of the crew wants to keep any weapons out of your hands since your escape attempted, Dr. Benjamin said. General Anderson wants you ready soon, he has a deadline he as to meet for this project, Dr. Benjamin said.
Sapphire looks shocked as she hears the news, most likely for James, Sapphire said. looking down and shakes her head as she has the wrong feeling. When he heard the news of what happened to you two, he began drinking heavily again, Dr. Benjamin said. He came wandering onto the bridge with a bottle of whisky in his hand and broke down, Dr. Benjamin said. But he is a recovered alcoholic, Sapphire said. The news drove him to drink again, the same drinking that happened when he lost his wife a few hours after James was born, Dr. Benjamin said. He was a wreck, tattered clothes and greasy unkept hair. General Lisa and I went to check up on him and found him passed out with James crying in his crib. How did she die, Sapphire asked? Complications during childbirth, her heart valves ruptured, Dr. Benjamin said.
James was never told and has weighed heavily on him, Dr. Benjamin said. I remember a young James looking depressed as he never met or knew her as he looked at photos of her, Dr. Benjamin said. Turning her head away, she slowly began to realize. That is why he was tough on me, Sapphire thought to herself. After he lost his wife, Adam did not want anything to happen to his son, Dr. Benjamin said. Maria was a good friend and colleague in the fields of robotics and biology, Dr. Benjamin said. Seeing that loss, I began to work on the research to cyber resurrection, Dr. Benjamin said.
Let us get moving, we will see how things change, Dr. Benjamin said with a broken tone. General Lisa was a friend to him? Sapphire asked. Sorry, she was Maria’s best friend and James’s Godmother, Dr. Benjamin said. But with increased tension building with the Theocracy, she was needed elsewhere, Dr. Benjamin said.
Starting to move again, Sapphire pondered deeply on how James never did talk about his mother. After a few minutes they reach the combat training center. Looking the door over, she sees another entrance just a few meters away. Doc, which door do I need to go to? Sapphire asked. The door a few meters down, my assistant will help attach and calibrate your arms and legs, Dr. Benjamin said. Calibration? Sapphire asked. Yeah, the first test is to see what power the arms have and calibrate them accordingly, Dr. Benjamin said. More power is just fine, Sapphire said. Sorry but more power could cause the arms to explode, Dr. Benjamin warns.
I remember flipping your table, Sapphire said. looking down to his leg and chuckles briefly. Walking away, she keeps an eye on the door. Reaching the door, it opens as she gets close and steps through. Stopping, Sapphire doubles back and leans out the door. Hey doc, Sapphire said. Sapphire reaches up and takes her ring off her neck and tosses it to him. Hold onto this for me, Sapphire said. Dr. Benjamin reaches up and catches the ring in his hands. I will give it back after the session, Dr. Benjamin said.
Looking around the room with a careful eye. Sapphire sees grey lockers line the walls with light brown benches in front of them. A cart sits in the middle of the room with a white cloth over it. Stepping forward, Sapphire comes to a complete stop as she hears a flush. A door opens behind her as she keeps her eyes on the cart. Oh, you are here faster than I was expecting, the assistant states! Turning around as he straightens out his lab coat. The Assistant walks around and stops next to the cart and reaches down and takes the cloth.
What is this about new arms and legs? Sapphire asked. I think you will like these, the Assistant said in a happy tone. He pulls the cloth back and revealing the arms and legs. Her eyes widen as she looks over the sleek angled legs. Seeing two long rounded legs with angled plates covering the knee joints. The front was angled with a small base with a long heel near the back. Three left and right arms lay beneath the legs. I am not a stripper, Sapphire said. This design is meant to help you balance and deliver a higher-grade kick, the assistant said. Still not a good choice for a design, Sapphire said.
Two arms were bulky with a hatch on the upper biceps. Another two were slightly thinner with a raised section near the upper wrist. The last set of arms were raised at the top of the wrist with two barrels extending out. Please take a seat and I will go over the arms and legs. Sapphire looks around and selects a bench, she walks over and sits down. A small squeak rings out as he pulls the cart over to her and stops. The Assistant reaches over, he picks up the first right bulky arm and lifts. This is a flamer arm for you, the Assistant said. Flamer? Sapphire asked. Yep, fires napalm gas mixed with white phosphorus, the assistant pauses. Reaching up and taps the top bicep, a department hisses and extends out revealing a canister. Taking the canister in and holds it gentle in his hand.
This is enough fuel for three minutes of sustained fire, the assistant said. Placing the canister back into the arm, he closes it back up. What is the range on the arm? Sapphire asked. Five meters, it has a streamline nozzle on the end, the Assistant said. What about the others? Sapphire asked. Gun arm, and blade arm, the gun arm fires twenty-five rounds a second, but must be connected to an exterior ammo supply, the Assistant said. So, it is a belt feeder, Sapphire responded. You can fire either 10mm explosive or armor penetrators , the Assistant said. What about higher caliber rounds? Sapphire asked. Ammo can be swapped out, but comes at reduced capacity, the Assistant said.
What about the blade arm? Sapphire asked. Setting the arm down and picks up the right blade arm. Reaching over, he tapes the lower casing. A meter-long blade shoots out and began to glow a bright orange color. Looks like its superheated, Sapphire said. It is, burns at 3871. Celsius, it will cut and burn through almost every object in its way, the Assistant said.
How does it keep the heat up without weakening the blade? Sapphire asked. It vibrates at a high frequency dissipating the heat and keeps the blade stable, the Assistant said. I want the right blade arm, Sapphire said. Good choice, now please eject your current arm, the Assistant said. Sapphire looks confused and looks to her right arm. And how do I eject it? Sapphire said with an angry tone. Did, Dr. Benjamin explain how to remove your own arms and legs? the Assistant said. That part he seemed to have been skipped over, Sapphire said.
Focus on the limb and think on ejecting it, the Assistant said. Closing her eyes, she focuses on her arm, seeing a notice in her eyes saying ejecting all limbs. Her arms and legs hiss and pops off and clashes to the floor. Losing her balance, Sapphire falls backwards onto the ground with a slight crash.
A slight snicker breaks out in the room. Looking up with rage on her face. Ok, asshole help me up! Sapphire screamed! Walking over with an arm, the assistant looks down and kneels next to her. Slipping the arm into her right socket and snaps it in place. Sapphire sees an attachment in her eyes as she begins to move the fingers. Moving her arm and plants her hand on the ground and pushes herself up. Feeling her but on the cold floor and looks harshly to the assistant. Grab the legs so I can stand up! Sapphire screams at him.
Standing up, he walks away with a haste in his step. Hearing a metallic crash, the Assistant comes around with the legs in his arms. Coming to her, he sets them down on the ground and begins to attach them to her sockets. Moving her feet as she grabs his shirt and pushes herself up along with the Assistant. Ok, try and take a few steps, the Assistant said. moving her right leg forward with a light step then moves the other.
Walking slowly, she keeps her balance on the front of her feet and heads to the other side of the room. Those legs have built in rockets for shorts bursts of flight, the Assistant said. Reaching the wall as she thinks of flight, the back of her legs opens and reveals short rockets. Turning to face him, she forgets about flight and the rockets recede into her legs. how long can I fly for? Sapphire asked. You are limited to four minutes of flight, the Assistant said. Not much time, Sapphire said. Limited resources, beside the fuel in your legs are expensive, the Assistant said. What do you want for your left arm? the Assistant asked. I will take the flame thrower, Sapphire said.
Walking forward and reaching the table, she reaches down and picks up the left arm and sinks it into the socket. Seeing the system integrating the arm as she moves her fingers. focusing on her left arm a nozzle extends out as a flame light’s up. Looking her over with a careful eye, let me see if you attached your arm right? The Assistant tells her. I think I got it right, Sapphire said. Ok, but we will see when they are tested, the Assistant said. Head out the door in the back-left corner and onto the training floor, the assistant said. Nodding her head in agreement as she turns towards the door and starts to walk. Reaching the door, it slides open with a bright light coming through. Stepping through, her eyes try to adjust, she comes to a stop and looks around a wide-open room.
The room was empty with a large grey square tile floor reaching from one end. Windows along the top where slight tinted. Sapphire makes out a few figures behind the glass. Sapphire are you ready for this test, General Anderson said over the loudspeaker. Sapphire nods in approval and bends her legs. Aloud hiss rings out on the other side of the room, turning her head and sees three squares pulling back. Techno with rounded chests and arms raise from the openings with batons in their hands. Looking to the Techno, she began to scan with her eyes and sees they were not online yet.
Simple target practice, Sapphire said out loud. Yes and no, they will be activated when the test is set, General Anderson said. Activating her flame thrower, Sapphire takes aim and sees they are out of range.
The Techno’s eyes come online, they begin to move their arms and legs. This test is to see if your arms work, General Anderson said. The Techno began to move and spread out as they ready their weapons. Seconds pass as Sapphire keeps her eyes on the Techno as they begin to circle around her. Begin, General Anderson said over the loudspeaker. The Techno burst into a full-on sprint and head right for her. Extending out her left arm, Sapphire spins in place as she fires her flamer. The white flame, circles around her as she sweats up a storm.
The Techno on the right hits the flames and began to melt. Sparks shooting out of its joints as its eyes crackle and burst as it collapses to the ground and melts into a pile. The other two jump over the flames and thrust their weapons at Sapphire as they land on the ground. Stepping back, Sapphire dodges the front Techno’s weapon as she feels a heavy shock erupt on her back. Arching electricity overwhelms Sapphire’s body as he eyes began to show a warning. Sapphire kicking forward and knocks the Techno in front of her backwards. The Techno landing on its back and began to roll from side to side.
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Bracing her legs, Sapphire spins on her left heal and shoots her right foot up and kicks the baton out of its hand. Quickly spinning counterclockwise, Sapphire raises her right leg and kicks rapidly into the Techno’s chest and grabs the baton and rams it through the Techno’s head. The Techno’s eyes flicker on and off as it loses power. Sapphire pulls her heal free and grabs the Techno and lifts and slams it into the other Techno. Electricity erupts from the Techno as its eyes burst and sends glass shards flying. Sapphire reaches and grabs the Techno and lifts it up as the Techno behind her gets to its feet. Sapphire swiftly spins and lobs the Techno across the room and into the other with a crashing sound.
The Techno sliding back as it tosses the broken Techno off and comes to a complete stop. Stopping for a few seconds, Sapphire spots another baton in the left hand of the Techno. It looks at Sapphire and bends its legs as ignites its thrusters and shoots forward. Sapphire keeping her breathing steady as she extends out her blade and bends her knees and angles her right arm. Damn it, I hope I can use this blade right, Sapphire thought to herself! The Techno getting in range and swings its right baton at a high speed as it thrusts it’s left into her right leg. Raising her blade up and across her head, Sapphire feels the impact pushing her back. The second baton hits her leg and sends a shock throughout her body.
Sapphire bends and shoot her left arm forward as she fires a blast from her flamer. The Techno stepping to the side of the stream, Sapphire lunges forward and twists her body and slams her right shoulder into the Techno’s chest with a loud clash. The Techno stumbles back as Sapphire swings her right arm across its legs leaving an orange glow. Pulling her right arm back, she stabs rapidly into the Techno’s chest. Pulling her blade free, Sapphire raises her right leg and gently kicks the Techno and watches it crash onto the ground.
Sapphire stands there with sweat running down her face and into her eyes. The floor began to shake and disappear as her platform slides back to the entrance. Urban combat training, a synthesized voice said out loud. A platform rises with three more Techno on the other side. Brick buildings shoot up and buildings rise and cover the techno. Excellent work with the weapons, General Anderson said. Now it’s time to see how well you handle urban combat, General Anderson said.
Sapphire looks around the buildings, she sees walkways above her and lights along the sides. Railing and light poles run along the edge of a massive opening in the center of the room. Sapphire noting some open windows and doors. Eliminate the techno, General Anderson said. “Begin”, the voice said. Bending her legs as her thrusters emerge and launches her upwards. Seeing a timer in her eye, Sapphire crashes into a light pole and slams into the ground. The pole sparking and comes down and crashes onto Sapphire’s legs. Systems destroyed, A messages pops up in sapphire’s eyes. “Stop, recall the Techno’s”, General Anderson said.
Looking down and seeing her legs under the pole and extends out her left arm and extends out her blade. Moving it up, the metal began to melt as the blade works its way through. Pulling the blade free, Fuck, Sapphire screamed out loud. The Door to the room opens as Medics and General Anderson run in. Sapphire are you, ok? General Anderson asked. Fuck you! Sapphire said. Reaching up to his ear, send the Techno to my location, General Anderson said. The room began to slowly revert to normal as their section stays the same. The Techno coming around the corner and sees Sapphire pinned under the pole. Moving forward as the Medics and General Anderson stop and kneel around her.
The Techno reaches the pole and grab it on different angles and lift. Thank you, General Anderson said. No, problem General, The Techno said. Moving the pole to the side, the Techno toss it away. A loud crash rings out as the pole lands in the distance. Sapphire looks down to her legs and sees the sparks and dented metal. Five minutes and you already broke your legs, General Anderson said. She focuses on her legs, a loud hiss rings out as her legs eject. Dr. I need your assistant down here with Sapphire’s non-combat legs, General Anderson said. After a few minutes, the door opens with, the Assistant running in with her legs in his arms.
Reaching them, he bends down and quickly attaches the legs to her sockets. Pushing down on her palms and slowly stands up and looks back down on her legs. How, long? Sapphire asked? Three seconds, General Anderson said. Shaking her head in disapproval, I need more time to get use to my cybernetics, Sapphire said. Sorry, Sapphire, but we need you ready by the end of this month, General Anderson said. That is three weeks away, Sapphire said. Dr. Benjamin and his assistant will meet you at the range for weapons tests, General Anderson said in a firm tone. I thought this was weapons testing? Sapphire asked. No this was a main starting test to see what work needs to be done, General Anderson said.
Shaking her head in disapproval again, she lets out a sigh of frustration. Ok, but you will need to explain this later! Sapphire said with a frustrated tone. Turning away, she makes her way through the medic and the assistant as he stands up and follows. Ms. Sapphire did your legs work as expected? the Assistant asked. They did, a little lag time on when the thrusters began estimating the flight time, Sapphire said. Reaching the door and passing through, the assistant turns away and heads down the hall. Wait here, the assistant said. Coming to a stop, she feels her frustration growing in the back of her mind.
A rolling sound echoes down the hall as the Assistant pushes the cart forward. Turning away and begins walking forward with a slightly heavy step. Ms. Sapphire, do you want to get dinner after this? the Assistant asked. Turning her head, she looks towards him. I mean, woman like you needs. Stopping hard as she spins and kicks the cart away and grabs the assistants throat. Sapphire slams him into the wall as she extends out her blade and holds it close to his gut. Her eyes shifting to a deep red color as the heat seeps through his clothes. He laughs in joy, Sapphire tightens her grip on his throat cutting off the sound. The Assistant reaches up and bangs on her arms as his face began to turn blue.
Moving her head closer, she looks him directly in the eyes. I will never love anyone else, MY HUSBAND WILL BE THE ONLY MAN I LOVE, Sapphire said with a harsh tone. Retracting the blade and releasing her grip, he drops to the floor and coughs. The Assistant slowly starts to move and rolls over onto his front. Turning away, she walks with a heavy step and hunches forward. Ask me out again and I will shatter your legs, Sapphire said with hatred in her voice. Walking down the hall, her eyes turn a blue as she feels the pressure building. I cannot rest until I bring your killers to justice, Sapphire said under her breath.
Walking down the hall she sees a terminal and looks to the screen. Thinking of the weapons range, her systems connects with the terminal and pulls up the information. Seeing a map in her eyes she moves away and walks slowly with a heavy step. Her anger and sorrow mixing in a torrent of emotions. Taking ten minutes, she reaches the door and reaches out an takes the handle. Twisting and pulling the door open, she steps through and pulls the door closed.
Soft booms could be heard as muzzle flashes erupt from the dividers. Dr. Benjamin turns around and waves her over. Walking forward she see another cart next to him. Rolling her eyes as she comes to a complete stop. So, what do you have for me to break now? Sapphire asked. Reaching over and pulls the cloth off the cart. Her eyes widen as she sees a long rifle with a single short barrel. The outer casing softly angled around the barrel with a small rectangular screen. A small extension sticks out from the bottom. The stock and extends out and curves at the end. An extended magazine rests in front of the grip and guarded trigger.
What is this? Sapphire asked. The mark-one-nine, tactical battle rifle, Dr. Benjamin said with a smug tone. Reaching over he picks up the rifle and hands it to her. Taking the rifle in her hands, her eyes update to the new weapon. Seeing an ammo count in the bottom right of her vision. Sniper mode, Sapphire sees and selects it. A circular scope extends out as barrel extends outwards. Dr. Benjamin laughs as he sees the weapon change. Lowering the weapon and points the barrel to her left hand, what’s so funny? Sapphire asked.
You seem to be taking it easy and not reckless, Dr. Benjamin said. Sapphire shoots him a sharp and annoyed look. I just recently smashed my legs, Sapphire said. I know, besides, I expect you to break this rifle, Dr. Benjamin said. Why? Sapphire asked. To help improve the weapon and design, Dr. Benjamin said. Your combat arms could crush the grip and barrel, Dr. Benjamin said. What rounds does this thing fire? Sapphire asked. 9.89 rounds, Dr Benjamin responded. Those rounds do not even exist, Sapphire said.
They were invented in the last year, but you were unconscious, Dr. Benjamin said. Reaching over he picks a round up and holds it in his hand. the elongated round tip extends several centimeters out. Moving his hand over, he picks up magazine and loads the round in. Handing the magazine to her, she takes it and ejects the clip. Loading in the clip she steps towards the bench and looks down range. Are you ready to begin? a computer asked. Yes, single target, Sapphire said. Lights come to life and form a blue target fifteen meters down.
Lining up the shot, Sapphire notices the screen showing fifteen meters and one round in the chamber. She extends her finger to the trigger and squeezes gently. Aloud boom rings out as she feels a massive kickback into her shoulder and shoots her back. The target shattering as the bullets hits the mark. Right inner center ring, the computer said. shaking off the kickback, she lowers the weapon and walks to the bench. That looked painful, Dr. Benjamin said. Looking to her right shoulder a black bruise forms near the edging of her arm. Hunching forward as she releases her weapon. It does, Sapphire said. Why can I feel pain suddenly? Sapphire asked. The pain inhibitor activates when you know you are in combat, Dr. Benjamin said.
Reaching up to his ear. This is Dr. Benjamin, he said. A few minutes pass as he listens to the information. Standing up right, she bends down and picks up the weapon and stands back up. Alright, thanks for the information, Dr. Benjamin said. Looks like the weapon malfunctioned, Dr. Benjamin said. What malfunctions? Sapphire asked with a curious tone. The rounds heat and force caused cracks to form in the barrel, Dr. Benjamin said. She shifts her eyes in confusion and looks down to the barrel. Her eyes focusing in and detects small cracks in the upper barrel. From the damage, another powerful shot will cause the barrel to explode? Sapphire asked. Dr Benjamin nods in agreement, it could send shrapnel into your brain and kill you, he said.
We are going to lower the caliber and make sure to add a secondary loading chamber, with a secondary barrel, hopefully the gas chambers will absorb the flash and steady the kickback, Dr. Benjamin said with a slightly frustrated tone. The sound is a narrow focus wave to silence the shot, Dr. Benjamin said. Sapphire gently hands him the rifle, Dr. Benjamin reaches out and takes it and places it on the cart. Reaching over he picks up a pistol and hands it over to her. Another, weapon? Sapphire asked. This is your secondary weapon, Dr. Benjamin said. Taking the pistol, new information forms in her eyes. Semi-auto or full auto? Sapphire asked. Semi-auto, with an eighteen-shot magazine, Dr. Benjamin said. Flipping it around an taking it by the grip. The long barrel extends out with a line running across the tip.
Seeing no ammo in her eyes, she looks to Dr. Benjamin. Oh, I guess you might want the ammo, Dr. Benjamin said. Reaching over, he takes a clip and hands it to her. Sapphire takes the clip, and she nods to his leg, she moves it under the grip and slides it in and pulls the top back. Walking to the bench, Sapphire takes aim. Begin multiple target practice, Sapphire said. Blue targets began to form and move around the range. Following the targets, she began to fire and hit the targets. After a minute passed, the weapon clicked as the hammer hit nothing. Computer end simulation, Sapphire said. Thirteen targets hit, the computer said. Looking frustrated she steps back and hands Dr. Benjamin the gun. Taking it, he places it on the cart and looks back and sees her frustration. You still need some time to adjust and practice, Dr. Benjamin said with a slight smile.
I hope so, looking down she sees her arms and legs, I am monster, Sapphire said. feeling the pressure building along her eyes, she looks away. You are not a monster, Dr. Benjamin said. My past and what I am know, I am a cybernetic cadaver, Sapphire said. Reaching out and placing his hand on her blade arm. You are not either of those, you are still you, I am sure James would not care, Dr. Benjamin said. Starting to shake, she looks up and look to Dr. Benjamin. Thank you, Sapphire said.
The door opens with a squeak. The assistant steps through holding her normal arms. Jacob, please help her replace her arms, she is done for the day, Dr. Benjamin said. Walking up as he separates the arms and comes to a complete stop. Focusing on her arms, she hears a slight hiss as her right arms pops off. A light clank echoes out as the arm lands on the floor. Reaching over he inserts her right arm into the socket. After a few seconds she moves her arm over and takes the flamer arm and grabs it tightly. A hiss rings out as she moves the Flammer arm. The Assistant moves to the left and inserts the left arm into the socket. Moving her left arm and takes the flamer arm and hands it to him. Dr. Benjamin reaches out and hands Sapphire her ring. Sapphire takes the ring and puts it back around her neck.
Turning away, she heads for the door as she picks up an internal communication. All units, Animal escape from the General’s quarters, the voice said. Looking slightly confused, Sapphire wonders what pet the General had. Stepping out of the door, she reaches back and pulls it shut. All units, the animal is heading for deck three, the voice said in her ears. Avast their amity, a voice said out loud. Sapphire stops dead in her tracks, she feels her arm raising up as she feels her hope and eyes widen. Prepare to be boarded, the voice said. looking forward as she sees the animal flying right towards her.
The Animal’s head was triangular with golden eyes and yellow beak. Its long neck was covered in scaly feathers with wide wings. Spiky quills run along its back and wings. Four talons hang on the feet and extends outwards. Landing on her arm, it folds in its wings and arks its neck and looks at her. Hand over the treasure, the bird said. A smile widen on Sapphire’s face as she reaches up and rubs then scratches the area around his beak. I am happy to see you captain Iron-Feathers, Sapphire said. Cooing in happiness he looks around and flaps his wings. Three soldiers come running around the corner as the center soldier reaches up to his ear. General, we found the bird, want us to return it to your quarters, the solider asked?
Yeah, it is with Sapphire, pausing for a second. Ok, we can head back, the bird belongs to Sapphire, the soldier said. Turning away, they start to walk and disappear as they reach a junction. Her ear began to vibrate, she reaches up with her left hand and presses on her ear. Sapphire, come in, this is General Anderson, he said over the line. Thank you for taking care of Captain Iron-Feathers, Sapphire said with a happy tone. I am moving his perch and his movie collection to your quarters, General Anderson said. Mutinous dog, captain Iron-Feather said out loud. James told me he was smart, not load a movie and hack a door open smart, General Anderson said.
Yeah, he loves his pirate movies, he was watching one morning. We wondered if we left the movie on, but he got the data stick in on his own, Sapphire said. whistle comes over the line, walk the plank, Captain Iron-feathers said. Have you let him watch his movies, Sapphire asked? I have, General Anderson said. exhaling with some frustration. Send the data stick to my quarters, I will check to see if his collection is intact, Sapphire said. I have sent it along with his food, General Anderson said. What have you been feeding him, Sapphire asked? Mice and rats mostly, he seem to be a picky eater, General Anderson said. He prefers fish and beef, Sapphire said. He eats fish and beef, General Anderson said.
Yeah, he never took to mice and rats, Sapphire said. Captain Iron-Feathers slowly steps to the side and walks up her arm and stops on her shoulder. Wrapping his wings around her chest as he slips his left foot on to her shoulder. Placing his head on her head and begins to lightly coo in happiness. I will head to my quarters and take care of him, Sapphire said with a happy tone. Moving her left arm down, she begins to walk forward as Captain Iron-Feathers began to whisper a shanty song.
Moving through the hall, she sees the stairwell and turns and climbs up. Reaching the second level, she turns right and keeps walking at a steady pace. After ten minutes she reaches her quarters and reaches out and opens the door and steps through. Seeing a small box on the bed, Captain Iron-Feathers perks his head up and takes off. Flying to the box, he lands on the bed and reaches up with his right foot and opens the box and sticks his head in. Pulling out a data stick and sets it on the bed, he sticks his head back in and quickly flaps his wings.
Seeing him in distress, she walks forward and investigates the interior of the box. Seeing a photo of them out for a day. Dust circling around a spot and she figures out what is wrong. Reaching over she pets his back, do not worry Captain, we will find you a new hat, Sapphire said with a calm tone. Treasure from my first mate, Captain Iron-Feathers said with sorrow in his tone. Remembering the hat James got him as a gift, the small leather hat had a gold lining around the rim with small blue beads. Reaching up and pressing on her ear. This is general Anderson, he said. Do you know what has happened to Captain Iron-Feathers hat? Sapphire asked.
What hat, I never saw a hat in your place when I was cleaning it out, General Anderson said. Sitting on the bed, she reaches over and picks up the data stick and pokes Captain Iron-feathers. Pulling his head out of the box and sees the data stick and takes it with his beak. Taking off, he flies around looking for a screen. James bought him that hat, Sapphire describes the hat in detail. James told me it needed some repairs, punctures from claws, General Anderson said with a calm voice. I think I know the shop, when we get into range I will contact the shop, Sapphire said.
I think it was Fashion challenger, General Anderson said. I will get into contact with them, Sapphire said. Hearing music coming from behind her, I need to go, I have a bird to attend to, Sapphire said. Landing next to her, she swings her legs around and turns to the screen. Laying his head down on her legs as he looks to the screen with a small tear in his eyes. I miss him too, Sapphire said with sorrow in her voice.