Chapter 7

My eyes go wide as everything beyond my elbow turns into what I can only describe as a blade of pure green energy of some kind. Well, pure energy might not be accurate—instead, 25% metal structure and 75% energy.

I feel a force on my back propel me forward at high speed as Varialax jams the blade straight into the griffon’s face. Terrified, I watch the griffon’s eyes roll back and its body goes limp almost instantly.

With no regard for the animal that just received an vivisection, Varialax puts my other hand and both feet on the body of the griffon. Then, I hear a high-pitched whine coming from my back.

A massive force propels me upwards at high speed as the blade is violently torn out of the griffon’s body. As I gain altitude, my arm returns to normal, and the sword fades away among the green squares.

[https://i.imgur.com/u6FP1ut.png]

XM5

Just as quickly as the sword disappears, an assault rifle takes its place in my hands. As I reach the propulsion’s peak, I thrust into the middle of the horde and gunfire. Varialax then has me bend into a backflip motion while taking aim to quickly shoot a griffon that was too close to the Valor for comfort.

With robotic aim and perfect recoil control, the griffon can’t even tell what hits it as its head explodes in a bloody fashion.

Varialax hovers and locks onto another griffon darting toward the front of the aircraft. I feel propulsion again, forcing me to dive head-first toward the mythical threat. Just before reaching it, Varialax pushes another flip out of me, allowing me to crash on the griffon flat with my feet.

While the griffon furiously fights to stay in the air, Varialax aims the rifle in-between my legs and unloads a burst of bullets into the beast’s belly, causing a brief screech. But then, I hear the whine again.

Before long, I am flying through the air as the griffon’s body plummets toward the ground.

Now flying above both the horde and aircraft, Varialax finally slows down to a hover. The assault rifle then gains those familiar green squares and disappears from my hands. I notice the armor near my wrist glowing neon green as it leaves.

FIM-92 STINGER X2

Numerous squares appear, starting at my hands, traveling to my shoulders, and then next to my head.

Finally, two rocket launchers appear in my grip facing downwards where the squares once were.

Then, Varialax effortlessly points them upwards, stretching my arms far above my head, before bringing them down in front of me, aiming at two griffons hovering in front of the Chimera.

AUTO LOCK

A beeping/buzzing raids my ears as two red reticles appear on the two griffons.

FWWOOOSSSHHH

The two launchers unleash a loud rush of wind and smoke as they speed out of their pods and stream toward their targets.

The two griffons dart in opposite directions as fast as their majestic wings would let them, but they are no match for the speed of a stinger missile, causing them to be engulfed quickly in bright balls of light.

I feel a primal fear spread through my body as the chimera glares me down with all three heads. The goat head snarls at me while the lion head releases a mighty roar that vibrates through my chest. The dragon head remains silent as its mouth begins to glow.

Without even flinching, Varialax forces me to toss the two rocket launches. Then, as they fall and disappear, Varialax turns its undivided attention toward the chimera.

I hold my breath as propulsion throws me forward toward the beast. Then, with zero hesitation, Varialax charges the beats head-on. I scream on the inside as we close in. The dragon’s head glows brighter, and Variralax gives me a thermal warning

As our speed becomes breakneck, the dragon head does what any dragon would do and releases a breath of blazing fury toward me.

However, just as it’s about to reach me, a force pushes me down at high speed and pushes me over.

As I do an aerial tumble under the beast, I feel the heat travel above me.

Just as I reach under the beast, the same force on my back forces me to stop spinning and face up directly at the three angry faces.

M32A1 MGL

A weapon that looks like a mixture between a grenade launcher, assault rifle, and revolver begins to form in my right hand. Varialax aims up as the gun finishes constructing and starts pulling the trigger as fast as possible without my fingers breaking.

Each shot that goes off causes the three heads to roar out in pain as feathers, scales, and even a tail rain down past me.

Before long, I hear a depressed groan as the chimera's body falls down, barely missing me.

Once the chimera passes, Varialax tosses the weapon and finally rotates me upright as we gently hover in the air. For a few moments, the only two sounds I recognize are my ragged breathing and a soft whining/jet noise coming from my back.

I float in the crimson evening sky as my brain attempts to process what happened. Finally, I slowly look at my armored hands as I realize I can control my limbs again.

BRRRRRTTTT

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

SCREEEECH

My moment of shock and solitude is harshly interrupted by the sounds of the Gatling guns and the demise of two more griffons. While they fall to their death, the last griffon of the swarm dives into the forest and flies low to the ground, making its escape.

The sound of the valor grows louder as it descends toward me. Once it reaches the same altitude, it turns its opened door to face me. Without thought, I lean forward and gently float to the valor.

Now inside, the wind fades as I listen to the whining sounds, and the jet behind me quiet down and shut off. My feet touch the floor of the aircraft shortly after.

I look around to see all the marines, the pilot, and Prim staring at me without a word. My body betrays me and refuses to move as the door behind me shuts on its own.

What feels like hours of silence goes by.

My mind is as blank as… I can’t even make an analogy right now.

Surprisingly, the one that breaks the silence is…

“...And you really expect me to believe that he’s a civilian? After all of…. That?!” Bell says in a low voice while looking at Prim from the Gatling gun.

“No civilian could EVER do that…” Rider says while slowly looking at me. “Who the… No. What the hell are you?!”

“T-t-t-that was completely insane!!” Barnes yells with his hands on his head. “I’ve never- that- you pulling weapons out of nowhere! And it’s like you didn’t even care about recoil or weight at all! A-and those wings you had-”

“Didn’t obey any laws of aerodynamics.” The pilot interrupts Barnes. “Those wings or thrusters or whatever they are- they definitely helped with propulsion and direction, but everything else… it was like… antigravity?”

“I’m more curious about how you handled two Stingers the way you did.” Vandertide begins. “Using only one hand for each like that… no one can do that.”

“YOU’RE LIKE A HUMAN-SIZED GUNDAM!!!” Barnes yells from his seat.

I was screaming inside the whole time.

“I don’t know what this ‘Gundam’ is, but,” Rider says while leaning in. “I’m having trouble believing that tax dollars could create… whatever you are.”

“I admire you, Captin Key, but…” Bell turns toward Prim, lying on her stretcher. “...I don’t trust this one bit. We need answers.”

She looks straight ahead and takes a deep breath before speaking. “That's…”

However, Rider interrupts her. “Lemme guess. Classified.”

Prim, without saying another word, slowly hangs her head.

…

…

…

Bay County Air Base

Prim has taken me to this airbase more than once. So often that the place has started to become more like a college campus that just so happens to have military equipment and discipline.

The people around here have been kind to me, showing me their cool vehicles and even some jets.

I’m almost starting to like the atmosphere, which I think maybe Prim’s goal.

How nostalgic.

There is now thick air throughout the base. People are running back and forth through hallways and doors with either laptops, stacks of paper, or weapons.

There are some people in everyday wear and others in body armor.

One guy runs past with a cart full of fast food bags and pizza boxes.

Of course, as for me…

“DON’T YOU DARE!!” Prim yells at a guard wielding an M4A1.

Standing by both sides of me are what I assume are two military police officers with their guns out. Prim is still on the stretcher but is attempting to get up.

In front of me are two more guards, but standing between them is an older man with gray hair and glasses. He is wearing a dark blue uniform with many insignias and medals on it. The man is looking at me with lowered eyebrows. His puffed-out chest and hands behind his back give him a look of dominance over me.

I look at the name. Kent. General Kent.

“And why shouldn’t we? As far as we know, he stole government property.” General Kent says while side-eyeing Prim.

“Would you rather us be mauled to death then?! I can explain everything in detail that happened inside that building! He’s not the nefarious criminal you’re making-” Prim tries to explain.

“If he really did half of the stuff the extraction team and pilots said he did, then he’s dangerous.” The general says while adjusting his tie and looking back at me.

“To be fair, he did save us from a horde of… what were they again, Private Barnes?” Vandertide says while looking down at the Private.

“Griffons and a Chimera. They were close to overrunning us.” Barnes says quietly.

“Which is exactly why I’m having him arrested and not executed for high treason.” The general says, looking at Vandertide and Barnes before looking back at me.

“Because you did what you did, that tells me you know what you are doing. That you KNOW how to use classified US weaponry.” The general says directly to me with his eyes narrowing.

“S-sir, I– mean general,” I start while stuttering. “T-this may be hard to believe, but that wasn’t me c-controlling the armor. The artificial intelligence did it by itself.”

“Oh really?” The general says while narrowing his eyes. “You expect me to believe that an AI would be able to have perfect recoil control and handle all the weapons the way you did out there?”

“Y-yes,” I state plainly. “I figured that would be much more plausible than any regular person doing it. I mean- have you ever seen an aim bot?”

“No, as a matter of fact, I have not.” He states plainly back at me.

Why did I think a General of the United States would know what an aim bot is?

“I think we’re done here.” The general says while turning around. “I don’t care what it takes, get him in custody and get that armor off-”

Prim groans as she gets up from her stretcher and lunges onto General Kent’s shoulder. He whips his head and gives a look like he’s about to have her ripped in half, but before he can take any action, Prim leans in his ears and starts whispering in the most aggressive way I’ve ever seen a person whisper. The guards come to pry her off, but the general motions them to stop as Prim continues her whispering.

Before long, General Kent leans back from her and scrunches his face in anger and confusion. He turns towards me for a few seconds before glaring back at Prim.

“...They’re really coming?” He asks Prim in a slightly doubtful voice.

Prim simply glares back and gives a single nod. The general and Prim stare for a few moments before he finally breaks the silence.

“...If you’re lying, you’re court-martialed.” He says in a low tone. “Take her to the med center. And you…” He says to the guards before looking back at me.

“Follow me.”

“Wait, Prim!” I yell out as she’s carried back to her stretcher. She looks at me and her face softens with a calm smile and easy eyes.

“You’ll be fine, Monarch. Just be patient.” She says in a smooth, relaxing voice.

“But Varialax is at 1%!” I say to her.

Her eyes go wide, and her mouth opens as she gasps.

“What’s gonna hap-” I try to ask, but she screams.

“HE’S GONNA NEE-”

0%

Everything instantly goes black. I lose all five senses.