Chapter 21

  It had been days since Rei started her training regimen with Mizumi. The first day, she was introduced to some of the other options offered by her battle robe. From her experiences, she knew the blue-form enhanced her speed to levels beyond her comprehension—speeds which were physically demanding. The green form had only been used in short bursts, but it had offered an enormous strength boost and much like the blue was taxing. Her black-form made her a force to be reckoned with in close quarters and was much less demanding than the other two.

  At last, she was introduced to her grey-form which reacted to firearms. The sound of the projectiles was tumultuous, but somehow invigorating to her. She was aware of weapons such as the tried-and-true bow and arrows and was receptive to the advantages a firearm gave her. While in the grey form, she found herself able to shoot with pinpoint accuracy, thus maximizing her range. The ability to strike targets from hundreds of yards away only broadened the range of her lethal abilities.

  The second day was spent trying to learn the many different firearms in use by the Liberation forces. With the robe, much of the knowledge needed to operate the weapons was already force-fed to her through commands. However, Mizumi made sure that she was confident with the weapons in case she was ever to be put in a situation without the robe. The constant classes and stream of information continued to tax her, making each night in bed feel like a blink.

  Through each class, she continued to think about her conversation with Mizumi and Paxton from days prior. Once again, she started to feel weary thinking of possibly entering another endless cycle like the village. Just like her days under Hideo’s wing, she was starting to realize that Mizumi was preparing her for a greater fight just the same. The thought continued to linger on her mind, haunting her just like her encounter with Yuki. In the days since, she had not seen Yuki—or Tetsu for that matter—around the ship. The two seemed to phase in and out of her life, almost like apparitions.

  I hope he’s doing ok.

  Tetsu was getting quite acquainted with LtCol Ginger, in fact not spending much time away from the officers’ quarters. On the third day, she was finally given a new set of clothes and stripped of her battle robe. With the conflict seemingly winding down, Megumi offered to try and use the robe in attempt to make more. The technology behind the robes was something that tickled her curiosity, and only pushed her to try and reverse engineer it. The robes themselves were very limited in numbers—something that could only be used with Deep users, and a rarity. At this point, Mizumi, Rei, and Shirow were the only troops on board issued with such.

  With what supplies they had, Megumi set out to try and create additional robes in the hopes that Tetsu, Nomad, and Judai would be able to become outfitted with the technology. They were on the cusp of finally having a brand-new squad of super fighters which would easily be able to decimate the G.E.I. forces.

  When the fourth day on board the ship came around, Rei felt she was in a delirium the moment her eyes opened. Without the robe, she started to feel clarity without the onboard AI continuously feeding her commands. For once, she finally felt alone in her own head, a sense of normalcy in the insane world she had stumbled into.

  Upon waking, she wrestled her way out of bed and into the shower, mindful to avoid the big “C” under the faucet.

  You’ll never get me again, she thought to herself, thinking of Megumi’s prank back on board the Mobile Carrier.

  The sensation of soap and smelling clean was above all the other advancements in this new world. Life before it was something she was not sure she could go through again. By the time she got dressed and made her way into the halls, the crew was already moving through. The shift from the cold empty halls to the surroundings bustling with chatter snapped her back into focus. She forced herself to try and eat something from the mess hall before finally going back to the lab where she had encountered Yuki days before.

  Mezrich and Megumi were inside the lab, already at work on several projects. The two were so captivated in their research that Rei’s presence had gone unnoticed. Both were still wheelchair bound, but despite the restrictions they were just as productive as ever. The insides and outs of Yulia’s remains helped Megumi unlock entire worlds of technology. While Rei found herself struggling to sleep under the estranged conditions, Megumi had been struck with inspiration.

  “I didn’t realize you were there,” Mezrich said. He started to roll his wheelchair away from his bench before turning to face her. “How has everything been going with your training?”

  “It’s been quite overwhelming; I don’t know how anybody here can keep up.” Rei spoke after taking a deep breath.

  Megumi pulled herself away from her work for just a moment, lighting up to see Rei dressed in green shorts with a matching shirt. She pulled the goggle from her face, only to wince as the light from the room pierced her eyes.

  “I’m so used to seeing you in your robe,” Megumi said as she started to rub her eyes. “I have yours ready to hand back, it didn’t take very long to analyze it against the data we had on board the ship. With a lot of the materials still remaining, we were able to repair an older model. This one was in terrible shape, but we managed to get the Quantum Stack back online.”

  Megumi was starting to go on. Her face danced with enthusiasm as she started to continue to describe her achievements. The sight of her finally in her element brought some cheer to the others. Rei’s face started to curve, showing a forced smile to cover her confusion. She turned her eyes to the floor while her face slowly started to flush. Being in the presence of somebody with intellect far beyond her own was an intimidating on a different level.

  She then asked, “That’s all great, what does that mean?”

  “I’m sorry,” Megumi blushed as she spoke. She then started to wave her hands frantically before continuing, “Quantum Stacking is the technology used to conceal weapons in your robe.”

  “Is that what it’s called? I never wondered how I could put my sword in my robe and not know it’s there. I don’t understand any of it.”

  Megumi chuckled again, “I do. I get into the technical jargon I just sound like dork sometimes.”

  “That’s not a bad thing,” Nomad’s voice called out through the doorway, giving Rei a quick shock as she entered. He stepped past Rei and over to Megumi, causing the smile on her face to become brighter. “I’m glad to see in your element.”

  “She’s a natural,” Mezrich jovially added. He started to roll his chair closer to them, moving carefully around the work benches. “We have a new battle robe that we’d like to do a test run with.”

  Nomad sniggered, finally turning away from Megumi before replying, “I guess that would be me?”

  “There’s always Tetsu.” Megumi said.

  “No, I think I should do it,” Nomad interjected, cutting of Rei and the others. “I’ve been training with Rei pretty hard, and I think if I had something to help me get amped to her level, we would have a better shot in the next battle.”

  “Where is Tetsu?” Rei quickly spoke up, thinking of her last encounter with him. With all the training, she started to think about his last request to her. Her heart slowly began to sink, causing Nomad to perk up as he noticed the changes in her features.

  “Have you not talked to him?” he asked.

  “No, I was meaning to,” she started to think of Shugo again. There was this thought of not seeing Tetsu again—an irrational one, but with what she had been through, it was always a possibility. People always had a habit of drifting in and out of her life. She crossed her arms before raising her hand up to her chin. “I know we’ve been busy… I just feel bad.”

  “I see,” Nomad replied. A knowing smile appeared on his face before he leaned forward. “I’m pretty sure he understands you’ve been busy. Let him know how much you missed him.”

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  Rei blushed at the thought, turning away from him before Megumi and Mezrich could chime in. Tetsu’s request was not on her mind much, and she could sense some regret not being able to see him right away. She tried to hide the embarrassment, choosing to put on her usual stoic and cold stare.

  “I think I have some down time today, maybe I should.” Rei said, almost stuttering as the words left her mouth.

  “That’s so sweet,” Megumi replied before turning back to her work bench. “You two do that. In the meantime, I have a little bit of surprise for the Major. Something big.”

  The inside of the flight deck was filled with a handful of personnel fast at work on the next deployment. The operations were winding down, and the Deck Hall was getting ready to finally lift off. It would take a few more hours before they would be ready, and Rowan was on board with the rest of the men. Her last few days were spent reporting to Paxton and Ginger between courses on the flight simulator.

  Every time she saw Ginger in his office, Tetsu was there running errands in for him. After the heartbreaking rejection and seeing him be able to get cozy with the new chain of command, she found a new burst of inspiration.  The progress she had made in the short time was noteworthy. Now, she was fast away at the dog fight simulator. It was built into the many programs on the flight simulator—a small console set up on the deck. It was a small, spherical shaped pod fit with a mock control panel to help simulate the fighter jets in the bay.

  Rowan stayed engaged in the simulation with a VR-Helmet over her head and her hands going back and forth across the panel. By now, the controls were second nature—every moment having to adjust the throttle and rotate the joystick to keep the ship level. Every time the G-Forces in the simulation raised, the screen would slowly begin to dim. She was already getting used to being able to minimize the sudden increase and optimize the lethal capabilities of the ship.

  Outside of the pod, Paxton and Ginger sat by while she finished through the simulation. Unlike Ginger, Paxton was excited to see her progress in the few short days. He watched on, slowly grinding his teeth while the sounds from inside of the pod continued to play. Ginger stared on, holding onto a small plastic bottle as he pressed some tobacco into his lip.

  “This is what you wanted to show me?” Ginger asked.

  “She’s aced a number of the simulations already,” Paxton replied as he lifted his hand to him, silently asking for a pinch. “Ya can’t argue against talent.”

  “If you’re going to train a pilot, why not Tetsu? That man has got balls.”

  “Tetsu,” Paxton’s eyes danced for a moment, trying to recall the name. He quickly retrieved the can of tobacco from Ginger’s breast pocket, feverishly stuffing a small pinch of the fine tobacco into his lip. His eyes twitched as the substance started to burn into his lips before continuing, “Ninja Boy? Why Ninja Boy?”

  “Why not?”

  “Well, ain’t that sweet? Looks like you and Ninja Boy are attached.”

  “I don’t like putting enlisted behind a ship.”

  “Ninja Boy ain’t enlisted either. He ain’t a pilot though, he’s a ninja. You can’t be takin’ my ninja from me and put him in a jet.”

  His words slurred, only causing Ginger to shrug off his remarks. The tension between the two remained thick, keeping the two peers constantly in some sort of competition. The simulation inside of the pod came to a quick pause, causing Rowan to erupt from inside.

  “I finished it, sir.” Rowan said.

  “I told ya she was good,” Paxton blurted out before giving Ginger a quick bump with his elbow. He walked over towards the simulator, taking notice of the small display on the side. It provided a 3D projection of the simulation on the inside before lighting up with a small timer. He continued, “One twenty-seven, that’s a record.”

  “Just a game.” Ginger replied.

  “Last pilot to get anything near that was Brian, and that son-of-a-gun was the best damn pilot we had.”

  “Key word,” Ginger paused for a moment before Paxton turned back to him. “Had. I’m still not planning on sending her into a battle any time soon. I know you make good decisions, Major, but if I have a say in it, she stays on the ground.”

  “Always cautious.”

  “Which is why I bring every man home,” Ginger fumed. He quickly pulled the bottle towards his mouth to spit before turning his gaze to the can of tobacco in Paxton’s hands. With a quick swipe, he yanked it from Paxton’s hands and pocketed it. “There’s a reason I’m the Lieutenant Colonel, don’t forget that.”

  Paxton bit his lip, the words hung in the air before Ginger started to turn towards the entrance. Before he stepped away, Rowan emerged from the simulator with glassy eyes lit up from excitement. Upon seeing Ginger, she snapped to attention, boot heels clicked before she raised her hand to salute him.

  “Done, sir, done.” Rowan said with a voice filled with enthusiasm.

  “This isn’t boot camp,” Ginger replied. He rolled his eyes at the sight before beginning to make his way towards the exit, finally concluding, “We don’t salute without a cover on your grape.”

  Just as he stormed off, Rowan loosened up. As she lowered her hand, Paxton gave her a gentle pat on her shoulder.

  “What’s the matter with him?” she asked.

  “He’s just being a fuckin’ asshole, is all,” Paxton replied softly, almost whispering. He turned towards the floor, quickly spitting a glob of brown on it. “Good job, kid.”

  “I take it he doesn’t like me all that much.”

  “I don’t think he really likes anybody, to be honest.”

  Ginger stepped through the door, quickly barking at a few of the troops while he stomped ahead. Mere seconds after he disappeared, Megumi rolled in with Nomad behind her. Mezrich followed closely, casually rolling the wheels of his chair forward. The sight of Paxton filled Megumi’s face with excitement, causing her to rise to her feet. In her hands was a small pair of sunglasses, both with thick frames and large temples that curved inward.

  “Don’t walk, damn it.” Nomad called out to her, giving the back of her shirt a pull.

  “I can’t wait,” Megumi replied. She gently sat back down in the chair, anxiously waiting for Nomad to push her over. “Major, I’ve been working like crazy, you’ll love this.”

  Paxton was more than enthralled to see the excitement on Megumi’s face, unable to help but smile while Nomad rolled her forward. She finally presented him the glasses while her hands trembled.

  “What’s this supposed to be?” Paxton asked after grabbing hold and cautiously examining the lenses.

  “It’s something we can mass produce for combat. I was able to manufacture it using the same technology from Rei’s combat robe,” Megumi said as she unlocked her fingers leaned forward. She pointed towards the right temple, turning Paxton’s attention to a small red switch etched in it. “If you engage this, it sends signal to your brain that will increase your reaction times.”

  “How’s that?”

  “It’s still in testing, but it has something to do with the Deep,” Mezrich addressed him after clearing his throat. “I know not everybody can harness that energy, but everybody has the potential to tap into it. This is like a jump start. It can give a non-user some type of edge in a battle. Your body may not be able to move at the speeds it can help you comprehend, but it could save you in a tight spot. Theoretically, everything would look like it’s moving at half speed.”

  “Half speed,” Paxton lifted the glasses towards his face, hesitantly holding them near his eyes. Instead of placing them on his head, he shrugged and gently placed them into his front pocket. “And you built this with what technology we have?”

  “We were able to prune through a lot of the data from the Mobile Carrier,” Mezrich quickly spoke up, cutting off Megumi before she could reply. “With some of the technology we use for the VR simulators combined with our knowledge of the NixFeelTech, of course. The way the G.E.I. knows how to enter a person’s mind just opened up so much potential.”

  “Does it work?”

  “Yes, sir.” Megumi chirped.

  “Well, I’ll be,” Paxton remarked. “If this is what you could come up in the field, I can only imagine what you’d do back west.”

  “That’s not all, sir,” she continued. “Those mechanical arm attachments you have could be upgraded too. I was thinking something to work with your legs. You would be much deadlier, to be honest.”

  “Hot damn,” Paxton’s face lit up again. He chuckled softly, turning to face Rowan as he continued. “That’s called staying useful. Hopefully you guys have gotten some progress on Delta.”

  Mezrich gritted his teeth softly, adding, “Not yet sir. Whoever the hell is in charge of engineering with the Weapons Administration has been making some wild advancements, it’s like trying to decipher alien technology.”

  Paxton shuddered at the thought, thinking of the people pulling the strings behind the show. He was more than enthusiastic to see the fruits of Megumi’s labor, but Mezrich’s words lingered on his mind.

  “Who the hell is the engineer in charge?” he asked.

  “Melora,” Megumi responded. “I think her last name was Abramov. I always thought I was smart, but she’s something else. It’s like working with a demon or something.”

  “From what I’ve seen, that sums it up,” Mezrich added, nervously bobbing his head. “It’s definitely not human.”