Jehz and Naviz landed their ship in the docking bay of the Haak fighter serving as their base and began preparations for a new experiment on the suit. It was the latest in an increasingly frequent sequence initiated by the discovery that the suit could fly and accelerated by the earnest curiosity of his sponsors to learn what else it might be capable of. The excitement of all the parties involved - Musa, Illuta and Rija was palpable though each group had their own, often conflicting reasons for pushing the effort forward. Collectively they had caused a lowering of the risk concerns and that joined with Jehz’s new assertiveness to dramatically change the rhythm and risk of the experiments. Trials once scheduled monthly were now done every few days and Naviz and his team struggled to keep up despite the dramatic increase in available resources. The personal time with Jehz that he had used to reconnect emotionally, gauge his readiness, and prepare him for the next step had also largely disappeared. Naviz felt he was losing his ability to steady and guide Jehz’s development and it was not a good feeling.
“Wow, remember that day we learned that suit could fly, Jehz?” said Naviz as they stepped into the planning room to talk through the upcoming mission. Jehz nodded and smiled. “It seems so long ago now, so much has changed, and fast. Maybe too fast. That was really something though, wasn’t it? The suit could friggin’ fly – and faster than our cruisers! When you took off like a rocket, I thought for sure you were never coming back. I’m don’t think I would of if I was you.”
“Well, if I didn’t, I knew you’d be rotting on some god forsaken backwater given all the protocols broken that day. I couldn’t let that happen to my best buddy, could I? You owe me bigtime by the way.”
“What a guy, so selfless – you probably just couldn’t think of anywhere else to go and you always were a kiss-ass, Jehz, so I’m sure you couldn’t wait to report back to the Musa Council about how cool your little suit was turning out to be. Look Daddy, it flies,” said Naviz jumping around and doing his best impression of a young girl’s voice.
“I know – it is pretty cool, isn’t it?” said Jehz, trying not to laugh at Naviz’ imitation but not able to suppress it. “Remember the week after when I followed your spaceship after you left on that vacation to Zupin. About an hour in I popped up outside your window with that Rales mask on, oh man, you should have seen your face – wait I have an image of it right here, don’t I? Would you like it up on your screen? Sure you would, your copy keeps getting deleted somehow. I thought for sure you were going to piss your pants.”
“I have to give you credit on that one Jehz, but I am still way ahead of you on the practical joke scale in quantity, quality and creativity, so don’t push your luck. Now are you ready for your challenge today? I think you might find it interesting – we are not going to baby you anymore. That’s what you asked for right?” Jehz stared intently at Naviz, catching something in his mentor’s tone that suggested today would be a serious and dangerous test. “You need to be at your best today, Jehz, this one is no joke. One mistake and you’ll be joining your ancestors and General Daddy won’t have anyone to blame but his sorry-ass son.”
“That’s exactly what I asked for, and frankly your boys have been doing a lame-ass job trying to come up with something interesting.” Over the last few months since the now infamous flight discovery, Jehz’s support team had finally begun to rapidly increase the danger and complexity of his tests. With every new challenge however, it only became more apparent how incredibly powerful the suit was which in turn created more even excitement and urgency about understanding its capabilities. To nearly everyone’s surprise save the Rija, the suit appeared to be invincible and Jehz’s mastery of it was increasing rapidly.
Over the last month, it had survived without even a ripple of weakness numerous single force gun blasts that would have killed twenty-five men. Though it looked to the naked eye as if Jehz had not even been hit, the Illuta were claiming the energy dispersal sensors show the suit had literally absorbed the energy, though of course they had no idea how. No technology even remotely resembling this had even been seen or recorded in the Given Empire. Other types of explosive charges and exposure to severe chemical attack were similarly unsuccessful.
On top of the unparalleled defensive elements of the suit, Jehz had begun to develop what he called the “push” attack he had initially used instinctively during the war games episode. The Illuta were still studying how it worked but the initial data suggested it somehow concentrated and rapidly accelerated molecules in the atmosphere to create shock waves and explosions. The results could be widespread and enormously powerful or concentrated to an incredibly small size and blast radius. While other experiments had illustrated additional offensive capabilities such as heat, cold, and even radiation blasts, the “push” was the most powerful, flexible, and controllable attack Jehz had in his repertoire and had become his most often used weapon in the drills.
Though he was working hard to project a loyal and supportive impression to Jehz, Naviz had originally been shocked when the design for this drill had been laid out by the command team. Thirty S-class drones, equivalent to Haak fighters would be aligned in three waves. The first wave of five would attack with beginner formations and patterns, using non-lethal force only. The second wave would employ ten drones in advanced formations and force guns at 50%. This was way more firepower than Jehz had ever faced before and with a higher number of targets. That fact alone was enough to worry Naviz, it seemed clearly too steep a step up. What if they hit the limits of the suit? With this kind of uncontrolled attack, it could mean a quick death for Jehz if mistakes were made in any number of different areas. Considering the parameters of the second wave were overly risky, the final wave of fifteen drones using full war-mode attacks and 100% force guns seemed completely reckless. Had they decided that Jehz was a danger and were trying to create a situation where they could “accidentally” kill him? That scenario seemed hard to believe but the increased danger from the previous tests was nearly impossible to fathom. As the presenting officer wrapped up the mission overview, Naviz had been itching to speak up.
“Can I state the obvious here and ask about the dramatic risk escalation from the previous missions? Why are we moving so quickly? Even adding only the second wave of drones would give us data well beyond our current state.”
The captain glanced at him confused. “Jehz asked for this risk level and the mission was designed with detailed input from both he and the General. I assumed as his managing officer, you might have been aware of that. Regardless, of course the escalation of the attack waves will only proceed if there is no sign of danger or weakness with the suit. The Illuta are saying based on the results to date that there is a very low probability even numerous 100% force guns would create a lethal result given the suit’s response in previous tests.”
”With all due respect, Captain, how do we know that? We can’t project future results for something we can’t even begin to model and understand. Jehz’s impatience with our protocols is well known but he is no better a judge of what the suit can do than we are. Does this not strike anyone else as ill considered?”
He looked around the planning table, hoping for support but the rest of the officers were clearly avoiding his gaze. They all knew, he thought. Why did Jehz not come to me to discuss this before pushing it with the council? Probably because he knew I would try to stop him, and for a while Naviz had every intention of doing just that. He had sat up late in his room for multiple nights, deeply uneasy, trying to figure an angle that would back Jehz down a little or somehow slow the process, but in the end he knew he had to let it go. Jehz was a highly trained military officer who knew full well what he was getting into. He wasn’t sure what Jehz’s true motivation for this move was, but he guessed the stupid bastards that had pushed Jehz into a corner for two years were about to get a little blowback. Jehz was likely getting ready to put on a demonstration. Naviz could only just hope it wouldn’t be one that highlighted how cavalier they had been with Jehz’s life or how little Jehz seemed to care.
As the experiment got ready to start, Jehz floated in position, trying to figure what direction the fighters would come from. Once he did that, he could arc around in a countering move, engage them quickly and get what should be a trivial first stage challenge out of the way. He had no doubt the suit could easily absorb any low power attacks, but he still wanted to be as tactical as possible and approach the test operationally just as he would any other military exercise. Predictably, the first wave of drones appeared over the top of the Haak command ship they were using as a base and closed rapidly, firing aggressively as they approached. The ships had locked onto Jehz easily given his static position and the force gun blasts washed over him. The blasts caused no damage but Jehz was embarrassed by his inability to elude even a basic attack.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
He had seen them coming but could not quickly coordinate his response to counterattack, elude the drones, and return fire. Somehow, without pilot controls and feedback from teammates he felt lost and had not yet learned to operate at full speed, even against lesser drones than these. He knew he had to move though and spun sharply away from the barrage, shaking the drone’s radar locks temporarily. The drones reacted smoothly to his turn and were soon in pursuit again. Jehz silently reprimanded himself over his poorly executed escape. He needed to cover more distance with his maneuvers, use his speed and agility to outpace the drones. Though continuing to get pounded with incoming fire, Jehz managed to destroy two of the drones by creating a large field of push bursts as the formation made a flanking pass by him. The engagement continued for several additional passes with similarly successful but inelegant results. The drones were quick to find him but could not break through the suit and Jehz was eventually able to overwhelm them with push attacks. As the last drone exploded, Jehz relaxed but his confidence was shaken. Everything was happening too fast and he been unable to execute the basic maneuvers he had been practicing while hitting any of the drones with the push. He took some comfort in knowing these drones were full military grade and their performance characteristics were well above his practice drones but knew he needed to adjust quickly if he was going to do anything but stumble through the trials.
Though embarrassed, he was not hurt, he hadn’t even felt any of the force gun attacks even though he had been hit fifty times, so he fully expected the test to continue. He scanned the horizon for the drones. To his left, he noticed a grouping of three drones making a curving attack in a batwing formation. This time they would not catch him off guard and he shot away quickly only to find himself directly in the sight of another group of drones. The first group had purposely driven him in this direction and he had fallen for it. As the barrage of force gun shots from the second grouping blasted off the suit, Jehz knew he had to try a different tact. He tried to clear his mind and visualized himself chasing the attack group that was now trying to level him.
Though he had tried this many times, he had not yet been able to achieve the proper level of focus to fully command the suit’s movements in earlier drills. Somehow this time things felt different. Jehz didn’t know if that was due to his frustration or the realization that he might be in real danger, but nearly instantly he found himself in exactly the position he had imagined, chasing the group that had just been firing on him. As they started a turn to reengage, he focused his push on all three drones at once and flicked his fingers to release the attack. All three drones exploded simultaneously. Jehz noticed he felt a stronger connection to the push than he had in earlier missions. It was almost as if he had been able to see all three drones being attacked at once, holding multiple targets in his head for the first time. He hadn’t directly felt the influence of the suit, but it seemed to have sharpened his concentration, or somehow lifted the responsibility of tracking the attackers from his mind so he could concentrate on implementing the attack.
Trying to hold that feeling, he turned to see the first grouping closing in on him against, firing quickly, taking advantage of his hesitation after destroying the previous attack group. Although he was being hit, Jehz was able to quickly focus on the approaching group without distraction and with a wave of his hand, the three drones exploded into pieces. Jehz was surprised how easy that had been and how well oriented the suit seemed to be to the test, almost as if it finally knew what he was trying to do and was somehow working with him, acting as a part of him for the first time.
Feeling a burst in his confidence level, Jehz hung in space waiting, knowing instinctively he could now take the drones head on without floundering. Off in the distance, the last formation moved in as an attack group, seemingly intending to approach him head on. “Sitting ducks”, thought Jehz, “They really have to try and make it harder than this”. While not approaching in military style formation and still a large distance off, Jehz focused his attention on tracking the group, notifying the suit of his intention. Well out of typical force gun range the drones suddenly split off from each other, all moving in different directions, trying to confuse and distract him. Without hesitation and almost without realizing it, Jehz held out his arms. He recognized the cross-attack formation instinctively and while he could not see all the drones, he could anticipate their movements and with a wave of his hands, all four drones simultaneously exploded.
In the control room, the officers watching the drill were stunned. Jehz had showed only a flash of this level of abilities in previous trials. “Impressive” said the captain, looking at the analysis of the final attack. “Those final shots were three times the range of our top radar, and four times our longest-range force guns. All four were in widely spread quadrants and if I am reading this right, there were only four shots fired. Still think we are moving too fast, Naviz, or putting your prize student in too much danger?”
Naviz sighed, frustrated at the lack of restraint and concern being shown for Jehz, “Of course not sir, but with all due respect, there was nothing in the initial trials that suggested this possible outcome. I’m guessing your statement was largely rhetorical but I only sought to manage Jehz’s development with the proper amount of risk management and restraint for the benefit of all, including Jehz.”
“Understood Naviz and your efforts are well respected and appreciated. I think we are all a bit carried away at what we have just witnessed, are we not, so please forgive the bombast. The latest and perhaps greatest weapon in the rich history of Given military tradition is rising before our eyes, brothers and sisters. This is truly as historic moment – one you will recount to your grandchildren many times during Luyermain.
“But for now let us refocus and finish our task for today. Given the ease by which our young hero has dispatched his latest group of foes, I say we push the envelope a little and send the final fifteen drones in a single attack. Any objections? Naviz?”
“Now I know you are just trying to provoke me, sir, but I will take the bait and provide a voice of reason and calm to these manically jubilant proceedings. Yes the performance is startling, Captain, but do you really think it wise to change course like this midstream? Let us not get too carried away until we’ve had time to study the data. Jehz might appear indestructible but nothing in the universe is. Many societies of men had thought their worlds untouchable, their weapons unbeatable until the Given arrived to show them just how wrong they were. There is a limit somewhere in Jehz’s suit and we would be well served to approach it slowly rather than with a rapid charge that will be difficult to correct.”
“Objection noted, Naviz, but I think now is exactly the time. It seems like Jehz was right after all and the sooner we determine what he is truly capable of, the closer we all are to our future and destiny. Send them in – single formation.”
Jehz waited, knew he had made his point. He could only imagine the awe in the control room over his dismantling of the last formation, he was a bit in awe himself. The prisoner was finally walking through the locked door to take his rightful place with his fellow soldiers. How long would it be before he began a slow march up the stairs to the offices of his superiors to ask for a place by their side as well? Or at the head of their planning table? Though Jehz was only reveling in the moment and not pondering such developments, the Musa and Rejiz leaders watching the feed could only stare forward and hope their training and culture would hold. What happened next made them pray for it.
All fifteen drones in the final attack formation moved toward Jehz as a group. Well outside the range of Jehz’s previous counterattack on the drones, they broke in a Swarm formation. Intended to intimidate and overwhelm a potentially superior opponent, the Swarm required precise flying and firing angles to ensure the safety of the ships in the formation but if done correctly, the targets were doomed. One of the engineers armed the drone’s force guns to full strength and with that signal rippling through the spectator’s area, all turned to watch their screens. Jehz felt a bump in his mind, a warning, when the force guns switched on, he did not know if it was somehow real or imagined. He hadn’t felt anything like that moving through the suit since returning from the Rising Sun, and it chilled him and focused his attention on the approaching drones. Letting the image of the formation sink into his mind, he then tried to focus on the center of the group, hoping to take out a few at a time. As he raised his hands, he still felt a faint awareness of the rest of the ships. He then flicked his fingers, and all fifteen drones exploded in simultaneous fireballs. Jehz stared in amazement at what he had done and the control room exploded in cheers.
“What did I tell you? What in the name of Voz did I tell you assholes! The future of the Given has arrived and all good people in the galaxy will now bow before us and the evil ones cower and shake as they are torn into space dust. The gods have smiled upon us and no enemy will escape our reach.”