Steven's eyes darted frantically between the Hub's holographic display and the door, where Kiara Mendez stood guard. The all-too-close thud of the Raptors against the mail store's back wall sent a chill down his spine.
"How much longer?" Mendez hissed, her ear pressed against the door.
The display kept scrolling, his fingers flew across the interface. "I'm trying!" he said, desperation evident in his voice. "There are so many options. I don't want to pick the wrong thing, but we're running out of time!"
"Just pick one," Mendez said, "it doesn't matter."
In a moment of panic, he addressed the Hub directly. "Hub, pick a gun for me. Just whatever you can make fast," he pleaded, then quickly added, "Wait. It also has to be powerful enough. The fastest thing you can make that can destroy those raptors with a single shot each."
The Hub's interface flickered, then displayed an image that looked vaguely pistol-shaped. "Based on the restrictions provided, the optimal weapon is a G-100. Confirm selection," the Hub said.
He didn't bother reading the description. "Confirmed," he said hurriedly.
To his surprise, the Hub's display changed yet again, showing a progress indicator and a series of status updates he hadn't seen before:
Calculating biometric ratio.
Optimizing available raw stock.
Optimizing available components.
Loading equipment schematic.
Begin construction
"Get ready," he said over his shoulder to Mendez. His eyes remained fixed on the progress, willing it to move faster. The thuds against the wall grew more insistent, and he could hear the screech of metal giving way.
"Come on, come on," he muttered under his breath, watching the Hub's output port intently.
Finally, a soft chime emanated from the Hub. The output port lit up, and a small, sleek handgun emerged. It was compact but had an unmistakable alien aesthetic—a fusion of advanced technology and practical design.
His eyes widened as he reached for the G-100, pulling it from the output port. It fit comfortably in his hand, surprisingly lightweight for its apparent power. A small display on its side showed a count of five shots.
"Five shots," he murmured, turning the weapon over in his hands. "Let's hope that's enough for two Raptors."
Mendez eyed the weapon skeptically. "That's it? It better pack one hell of a punch."
The moment was cut short by the sound of tearing metal. The Raptors were hitting the metal door at the hinges. It wouldn't be long now.
He handed the G-100 to Mendez, his expression grim but determined. "You're the better shot with a pistol. Make them count."
Mendez nodded, hefting the small but hopefully powerful weapon. "Two Raptors, five shots. Should be more than enough."
Bravado, surely, he thought to himself before giving Mendez a curt nod.
"Let's get behind the Hub," he suggested.
They crouched together behind the Hub Station. He figured it was the sturdiest thing left in the storeroom after it had already consumed most of the contents to make their armor.
"Where do I aim?" Mendez asked.
"Center mass," he said, but it was a guess.
One of the Raptors burst through the metal door with a deafening crash, its three-legged form skittering into the room. Mendez's hands shook as she aimed the G-100, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps.
The first shot went wide, the high-caliber projectile embedding itself in the wall. She cursed under her breath, trying to steady her aim. The second Raptor was right behind the first, undeterred by the shot. They advanced, splitting to flank the cadets, their central bodies pulsing with red lights, like eyes sweeping the room.
Mendez squeezed the trigger again, but her shot barely grazed one of the Raptors, causing it to stagger but not stop. The machines were almost upon them now.
He looked for something to use as a weapon.
In a surge of desperation, Mendez took a deep breath, aimed carefully, and fired. This time, the projectile hit its mark, striking the first Raptor's central core. The machine shuddered and collapsed in a shower of sparks.
Without missing a beat, she pivoted and fired at the second Raptor. The shot was perfect, piercing through the machine's chassis and causing it to explode in a burst of blue energy.
For a moment, the room was silent except for the hum of the Hub and the faint crackle of damaged electronics. Mendez lowered the G-100, her hands still trembling.
He exhaled a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. "Nice shooting," he said, his voice tinged with relief.
She nodded, her face pale but determined. "That can't be the last of them."
She was right, they needed to get ready for more.
"Hub, we need another one of those," he said. "And how do we reload it?"
"Sending instructions to your emblem now," the Hub replied.
Mendez tapped her emblem, "display G-100 data," she said.
The emblem, a pendant-sized pin on her chest armor, projected a rudimentary display by illuminating individual dust particles.
After reading the data, she spoke decisively. "Hub, make that two antipolar cell packs and another G-100."
He watched as Mendez studied the holographic display from her emblem. Her eyes narrowed in concentration as she absorbed the information about the G-100.
The two packs emerged from the Hub in mere seconds.
"That was quick," he said.
"Probably tuned for fast reloading," Mendez said, almost making the statement into a question. He nodded.
"It says that the cells attach to the waist," she explained, offering up one of the packs to the area where the belt was hidden under the waistband of the armor. "There's some kind of connection system built into the trousers." She let go of the pack and it hung there on her hip.
He nodded, fascinated by the alien technology's integration with their gear. "Clever design," he muttered.
Mendez continued, "It looks like we can recharge the cells using modules salvaged from the Raptors. And there's a button on the gun to draw power from the cells."
He glanced at the fallen Raptors, his mind already racing with possibilities. "So we could potentially keep fighting as long as we have enemies to salvage from?"
"That's the idea," Mendez confirmed. She pressed a button on the G-100, and he heard a faint hum as the weapon connected to the cell pack on her waist. "Less than a second," she reported, holding up her freshly reloaded gun.
He moved towards the Raptor remains, salvage tool in hand. "I'll see what I can get from these two while the Hub makes the second gun. We might need it sooner rather than later."
As he began the salvage process, he couldn't help but marvel at the efficiency of the system they'd stumbled into. It was almost like the Hub had been designed for this exact scenario – turning the enemy's technology against them.
"How long until it's ready?" he called over his shoulder to Mendez, who was monitoring the Hub's progress.
"Maybe three minutes," she replied, her voice tense with anticipation.
As he worked on salvaging the Raptor remains, his mind raced with thoughts about the weapon system they'd stumbled upon. The G-100 was just the tip of the iceberg, he realized. In his frantic scrolling through the Hub's options, he'd glimpsed a vast array of weaponry that they could potentially access.
The G-100's ammunition puzzled him. It fired physical projectiles - bullets, slugs, or maybe even some kind of high-tech flechettes - but recharged with energy. That implied some form of energy-to-matter conversion, a concept that both thrilled and terrified him. The sheer amount of energy required for such a process must be enormous, he thought. It was no wonder the weapon only had five shots.
What other platforms had he seen? He tried to recall the blur of schematics that had flashed before his eyes. There were definitely pure energy-based weapons in the mix - perhaps more efficient, but possibly less powerful against the Raptors' armor. Plasma weapons? Particle beams? The possibilities seemed endless.
He found himself both excited by the potential and frustrated by their lack of time to explore it. When would they have a chance to really delve into the Hub's capabilities? Between waves of Raptor attacks? During lulls in their desperate flight across enemy territory?
As he extracted another module from the fallen Raptor, he made a mental note to prioritize understanding their new arsenal. Knowledge, he realized, could be just as powerful a weapon as the G-100 in this strange new war they'd found themselves fighting.
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"Hey Mendez," he called out, an idea forming. "Once we get out of here, we should take some time to really study what the Hub can do. There's so much more we could be using."
"Here," she said, and he was startled to find her right beside him. He'd dropped the tool and reached out to pick it up but leaned too far while he was in the squat position. "Easy there," Mendez said, pulling him back upright.
He sat there on the ground and let out a nervous laugh. He dusted off his hands, scooped up the FST and accepted Mendez's outstretched hand, pulling himself to his feet. Holding it by the barrel, she handed the new G-100 to him, grip first.
He took the G-100, the alien alloy was cool to the touch, its surface smooth and unmarred.
"Thanks," he said, examining the weapon closely. "How does it feel to shoot?"
Mendez shrugged, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Like nothing I've ever handled before. It has a definite kick, you can feel the power when it fires but it isn't as bad as a revolver."
"I've never tried a revolver," he said.
"I was only allowed to take two shots with the instructor bracing my arms for me," she said.
"Seems a bit creepy," he said.
She shook her head. "It was nothing like that. And the instructor was a woman."
"Go on," he said.
She backhanded his shoulder playfully. "Just put this on," she said, handing him his cell pack.
After clipping the power pack on his embedded belt, he took a better look at the gun, turning the G-100 over in his hands. The small display on its side showed a full count of five shots.
"We're going to need a holster," he said.
"Ask the Hub, I guess?" Mendez suggested.
He nodded. "Hub, can you make us holsters for the G-100?"
"Your emblem controls the weapon attachment functions for your armor," the Hub replied.
He tapped his emblem. "Weapon attachment."
"Position the weapon in the desired attachment configuration and say 'attach weapon' or 'show attachment options'," the voice of the emblem said in his ear. He was still not used to the direct communication that it used.
Cautiously, he held the G-100 against his right thigh. "Attach weapon," he said.
There was a brief tingling sensation, and suddenly the G-100 was securely fastened to his armor. He tugged at it experimentally, finding it held firm but released easily when he applied the right amount of force.
"That's... convenient," he said, impressed by the seamless integration of the alien technology.
Mendez watched the process with interest. "My turn," she said, positioning her G-100 on her left hip. "Attach weapon."
The same process occurred for her, the weapon smoothly integrating with her armor.
"You've got to give it a bit of a tug," he said, sharing what he had already learned.
"We should probably start thinking about fortifying this room," she said, glancing at the damaged door. "The Hub is too valuable to leave behind, and we need a secure base of operations."
He hadn't really considered staying here. He wanted to get as far away as possible. Back to the Army side of the territory. But he realized that Mendez was right. He pictured the map of occupied territory in his mind. From their location in downtown Philly, they would need to move west, probably more than twenty miles in the snow. All the while trying to dodge the enemy. But would they just leave the Hub behind? He'd already chosen to hide behind it because it was the heaviest thing in the room.
No, Mendez was right. He made his mind up.
"Good thinking," he said, "let's see what defensive options the Hub can provide us with."
Mendez posed the question to the Hub.
"Defensive structures may only be build within defense force territory," the Hub said. "Do you wish to claim this territory for the defense force United States Army?"
He listened intently as the Hub explained the situation, his brow furrowing with concern. Claiming territory, even a small amount, seemed risky given their precarious position deep within enemy-controlled Philadelphia. But the need for defensive structures was undeniable.
"Mendez," he said, turning to his fellow cadet, "what do you think? The Hub says we need to claim territory to build defenses, but it's offering a compromise - a small area to avoid detection."
Mendez bit her lip, considering. "It's a risk, but we need those defenses. If we keep it small, maybe we can fly under the radar long enough to fortify our position."
He nodded, then addressed the Hub. "Show us the area we can claim."
A holographic map flickered to life, displaying a top-down view of their surroundings. He recognized the layout of The Arch, the short 8-story building they were in, dwarfed by the towering Comcast Center across the street. The Hub highlighted a square area, approximately 40 meters on each side, encompassing their storeroom.
"That's not much," he murmured, "but it's a start. We'll have to be smart about how we use this space."
Mendez leaned in, studying the map. "We should prioritize reinforcing the walls and doors. Maybe set up some kind of early warning system if we can."
He took a deep breath, weighing their options one last time. The risk was significant, but the potential benefits of having a fortified position outweighed the dangers of remaining defenseless.
"Alright," he said finally, his voice firm. "Hub, we'll claim this territory for the United States Army. Let's keep our defenses limited to reinforced barriers for now. We don't want to attract too much attention."
As he confirmed their decision, he couldn't help but feel the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders. He moved over to the doorway where the two raptors had broken through.
The Hub played a pleasing musical trill and an update pinged on their emblems, it projected a message informing him that he was inside defense force territory. He could see a similar glow coming from Mendez's emblem, though it was unreadable from his angle, he assumed it was identical.
"Territory successfully claimed. Defensive structures are now accessible through the defense menu," the Hub announced.
"Okay, let's see what we've got," he said over his shoulder.
Mendez stood in front of the Hub as he looked back and forth between her and out through the door. He kept his hand on his thigh, ready to draw the gun. Mendez's attention was on the holographic display projected by the Hub.
"Alright, defense menu," she muttered, navigating through the options. "Looks like our choices are pretty limited."
He nodded. "What's available?"
"One type of wall and door, both made from something called spuncrete," Mendez said, tapping on the descriptions. "The material is supposed to be lightweight but incredibly strong. Seems like it can withstand significant force."
"That'll have to do," he replied, studying the specs. "Let’s start with the walls. We need to make sure this room is secure from all sides."
"Okay, one sec," she said.
He moved to the other side of the shattered doorway, trying to get a view up the other side of the street. Snow was drifting in through what used to be the floor to ceiling windows that served as the front of the store. He barely felt the cold, warmed by his armor, he guessed.
"I'm not sure where to put it," Mendez said. At the same moment, a faint violet outline began to glow on the floor of the store room.
"Are you doing that?" he asked Mendez.
"Doing what?"
"This glowing line," he said, "look at this."
She hurried over, her eyes wide with curiosity. He watched as her head ping-ponged back and forth between the glowing line and the Hub's display, her brows furrowing in concentration.
"That is the same outline," she confirmed, her voice tinged with amazement. "It's showing us exactly where to place the defenses."
"Can you move it so it's lined up with the front of the building?" he asked, an idea forming in his mind.
She ran back to the Hub. "Tell me when to stop," she said, her fingers poised over the control panel.
He waited as the line began to shift, inching towards the front of the building. The glow cast an eerie light on the snow-covered floor, making the scene feel even more surreal.
"That's too far," he said, his brain working rapidly to visualize their defense plan. "Hub? Can you display a grid?"
"Grid mode activated," the Hub responded, its voice calm and mechanical.
"Okay I see the grid," Mendez said.
There was no grid on the floor of the mail store, however. He let out a sigh and took a chance, stepping back to look at the Hub's display alongside Mendez.
He had to go back and forth a few times, checking the position after Mendez moved the outline one grid space at a time. The glow shifted incrementally, aligning with their mental map of the store's layout. Finally, they had nailed it.
"Perfect," he said, a sense of accomplishment washing over him. He held out a fist for Mendez to bump.
She returned his bump with a determined smile. "Now we just need to pick the spot for the door," she said.
He glanced around, considering their options. "We need it to be easily defendable but also provide a quick exit if we need to bail out. Let's put it near the back, away from the main street."
"I think that's outside this storeroom, out into the alley," Mendez said, measuring the location with her fingers against the grid. She traced the outline, ensuring it lined up with the alleyway. "Hub," she said, "what happens if the walls of the territory extend beyond the existing walls of this room?"
"Additional material costs are needed to support existing structures," the Hub replied. "Current wall position will use 81.114% of stored materials. However, the displaced interior material will be converted as salvage."
He nodded thoughtfully. "Okay, so we’ll lose some material upfront but gain some back from the salvage. Sounds like a fair trade-off, especially if it gives us better access and more room to maneuver."
"Don't forget we've still got the rest of those two raptors to salvage," she said, pointing.
He nodded. "Even better, let's do this."
Mendez confirmed the placement, and the Hub projected the final blueprint onto the grid. The door's location was now set, ready for construction.
The transformation began with a low hum that vibrated through the floor, resonating with the building's very foundation. Chen and Mendez stepped back, watching in awe as the Hub initiated the construction sequence.
From the ground up, the spuncrete materialized in a dazzling display of light and energy. Thin beams of blue light shot out from the Hub, tracing the outlines of the new walls. The existing steel, brick, glass, plaster, and wood of the building seemed to shimmer and dissolve, absorbed into the swirling vortex of energy.
The skyscraper around them groaned as the structure was reinforced, but his engineering mind marveled at the precision. He could see the intricate details of the process—the steel beams bending and reshaping to form a stronger framework, the brick and plaster merging seamlessly into the spuncrete, the glass melting and re-solidifying into reinforced panels.
"Holy shit," he said, mostly to himself.
It was like watching a master craftsman at work on a monumental scale. Every piece of material was repurposed with surgical precision, preventing the building from collapsing even as it was being fundamentally altered. The new spuncrete walls grew steadily, their surfaces smooth and unyielding, forming a protective shell around the designated territory.
The door took shape next, emerging from the wall as if being sculpted by an invisible hand. The spuncrete solidified into a sturdy barrier, its surface sleek and formidable. As the process continued, the Hub's beams of light pulsed rhythmically, coordinating the transformation with flawless synchronization.
He noticed how the Hub strategically reinforced key structural points, distributing the weight and tension to ensure the building's stability. Support beams were thickened and connected in a web of strength, the old materials blending seamlessly with the new. It was an architectural marvel, a blend of alien technology and human ingenuity that left him breathless.
Mendez watched in silent amazement, her eyes wide with wonder. The entire process took only minutes, but it felt like witnessing the birth of something extraordinary. When the last beam of light faded, and the hum died down, they stood in a transformed environment.
The storeroom now felt like a fortress. The reinforced walls gleamed with the polished sheen of spuncrete, and the door stood solid and imposing. The building around them had been fortified from the ground up, a testament to the Hub's incredible capabilities.