The workshop smelled of burnt hair and glue, and metal. It was dark in most corners except for her workstation, which was really a giant metal table with hundreds of tools at her disposal. The desk was rusted in many places, especially the legs and surface.
She had three high powered desk lamps to illuminate her work. In her hands, she held what would be the head for Lord Daemon's suit. The frame was carbon fiber, pure black. Then there were some silver and cobalt blue components for the facial contouring, and then an LED panel where his eyes would be.
He could change how his eyes would appear, so he could give off different facial expressions. The lights would show up blue.
She picked up one of her soldering tools and turned the head upside down to reveal the mess of wires coming out from the neck stump. She went working at a few of the wires, cutting them down to size and putting them in their proper places.
Little sparks flew up here and there, her hands and face protected by gloves and mask.
This is coming together now. This is the last thing! Yes. And then Daemon can try it out, we can take the world for ourselves, and then I'll be rolling in sweet sweet dough. Me and Jordan, living the high life. Just like we deserve. Then we can start a family, finally. I'm really ready to have kids. Mentally, physically, and soon, financially. I just hope he won't be too mad at me after all this. I imagine he will be, obviously, I'll have to find some way to get him to forgive me. Once he sees how much better we have it he'll understand.
She set the soldering tool down. Put the head on the table. Reached across and moved the cursor on her computer a little to keep her screen from going dark. On it was an assortment of hand-drawn sketches which she'd scanned onto the computer. Sketches of the suit.
The pictures were attacked by a storm of pixels and snow, which then faded and revealed the face of Lord Daemon.
He had strong, chiseled facial features, like one of those Roman busts come to life. His almost-black brown hair was neck-length and messy, had a slight curl to it as well. He had eyes that looked as if he were seeing things a thousand miles away, but also intensely fixed on her. His skin was pale olive, and he had a few days worth of facial hair.
"Hello Allie, how goes your work? I have to say I'm very impressed with Deadcode's suit. Works like a charm." He said.
She stood up and picked up the head, the wires still warm from the soldering. She turned it so he could see the face.
"Just about done, Lord Daemon. How's it look?"
He smiled and nodded with satisfaction.
"It looks fantastic," He replied. "Just wondering, how long ago did you last sleep?"
"Maybe forty eight hours ago? Fifty-two at most." She replied. There was no hint of exhaustion in her bones. She had times where she could work without tiring for a week straight, building and creating, fixing and tinkering. It was just something within her, a bright ball of energy that wouldn't settle until everything she wanted to do was done. Some called it mania. She preferred the term productive.
"And you're not tired?" He asked.
"Not in the slightest."
"Wow, I certainly picked the right woman for this job."
"That you did." She responded. "Have Guy and Danielle tested their suits yet? I know Danielle's is a little makeshift, but it's strong just the same."
"They love their suits. I renamed them just so you know. Danielle is now officially Roman Candle, for that fire burst affect you gave the suit. I love that by the way. Thirty fireballs in under a minute? Fantastic. Guy now goes by Caliber, and boy is he strong now. He can smash a cinder block over his knee like styrofoam."
"I'm glad they like them. I'm quite proud of those, you know only having had two and a half days to assemble them." She said. "Your suit is done now. I'll hook up the head to the rest of the body and you can try it out. I have to say, making a suit, a shell, is one thing. Crafting an entire man out of wires and metal is a lot trickier."
She tucked the head under her arm like a football and turned her back to him. Walked a few paces away, pulled a beaded chain on the ceiling which turned on the overhead light.
The light cast it's soft yellow illumination onto the suit, standing upright, supported by the pillar behind it.
The body itself was carbon-black, the armor plates were silver, bordered by cobalt blue. The joint plates were thick enough to protect the wires beneath them, and so expertly segmented that he'd have a full range of motion practically everywhere. Hanging from the shoulders was a half-length black cape, shredded to pieces like on the Deadcode suit.
The elbows each had a wicked silver hook on them, so if he elbowed someone behind him they'd be gutted when he pulled back. The knees also had these hooks, for the same effect.
She lifted up the head, held it over the neck stump, and let go. The head magnetised itself into place, perfectly locking with all the other wires and plugs, easily done since she'd measured everything so precisely.
It was done.
The suit was perfect, shiny like a brand new car, and strong enough to be struck by anything up to a fifty caliber round without taking any damage.
"It's set, try it out." She exhaled shakily.
It's done. I hope it works!
She glanced back at the computer. The screen went black. Then she turned back to face the suit. There was a long moment of silence.
Her heart pounded so hard she could feel it in her neck, her palms and fingers grew moist with sweat. Oh gosh, it doesn't work. After all that it doesn't work.
"Daemon?" She called out.
The light panel flashed neon blue for a few seconds. A pair of eyes appeared.
"Are the eyes lit up?" A metallic sounding voice asked.
She took a step back and put her hands to her mouth, hiding one of the largest grins she'd ever bore. It works! It works! Eeeee!
"Y-yes. They look perfect. Can you move?" She inquired, taking her hands from her mouth.
One leg bent at the knee and then lifted. The foot planted on the ground a foot ahead with a soft clanging sound. The other leg followed and stood straight beside the first. He brought his arms up by his sides, placed his hands on his hips, turned his head to the left and started laughing. Laughing like he was relieved and excited. Then the laughter was cut short.
"It's time for Phase Four," he said, the metallic sound to his voice fading away.
"And what exactly is phase four?" She asked.
She took a few steps back and adjusted her blouse.
"Phase Four, my dear Allie, is the part where you and Jordan get to start a family."
The grin returned with a vengeance, and she took her hair out of the ponytail holder, letting her hair fall loose around her shoulders.
"Well then, what are we waiting for?"
YOU ARE READING
Dusk Harbor 1999
Science FictionYou've been out superheroing all night, and you just got your behind handed to you by a fellow hero who can't keep to his own territory. You come home to see that your beloved cat has brought in a business card, it's an invite to a secret meeting of...
