Champions (Volume 1)

Champions Ch02 - Siege

Champions

Ch02 - Siege

"We are scared of what we don't understand."

"Another salvo has hit our ship. Our hull has not sustained damage, but we should leave. I am encountering reports of experimental weapons which might have the power to breach our hull." Will informed. I knew it wasn't to me, but he I guess he didn't have anything that kept him from actually saying this information.

"So what should we do?" I asked Alex. Alex looked around and shrugged. I know why, too. We are in a white box room with two AI arguing with a ghost.

The second AI, which I assume Alex has a name for, stopped his bit for a moment and said, "As part of this program, you are meant to build your own armor and weapons. We have step-by-step instruction for those without knowledge of what class they have chosen. Please, try something while we sort out this issue." When he finished, a large piece of floor came out, revealing a forge-like area.

Alex and I looked at each other, shrugged, and walked over. The area was large, raised, and a lot better for something to do. Alex pulled up schematics on a weapon, while I pulled out materials to shape. There was something here labeled Adamantite, and I pulled that out. I had heard of it before, supposedly being more stubborn than a diamond.

After I had fully lifted the metal off the shelf, I went to raise it up, but immediately dropped it. It was heavy! If I'd have known that, I would've not pulled it off the shelf. "Alex, think you can help me pull this back into its spot?" I asked. I needed help. Hopefully there is a sort of exercise program in those AIs.

Alex walked over and tried to heft the metal up himself, to no avail. He braced himself like it was heavy, but he still underestimated it.

I overheard one of the AI, "How long will it take for one last human?" Are we getting another person on here? I hope it isn't an adult; they like to take charge, thinking they're right all the time.

I bent down and Alex said, "Count of three."

"One, two, three!" Alex and I had counted together, lifting up the box with great effort. Even with another person, it felt like I'd drop it any second. Sliding the box into its cubby, I thanked Alex and moved on to a different material.

Looking through the materials, I saw a few things I knew were light. I also knew they weren't the strongest of materials. I chose aluminum, knowing I could lift it and fabricate something from it. I also picked up tin and a piece of adamantite. Hopefully I could do something with this. Walking over to the forge, I set all the materials into one bin and they melted.

"I didn't expect that..." Picking up the bin, which would have been a bad idea until I noticed there was no heat, I set it down until the metal cooled. It didn't take long, but I noticed there were pieces labeled carving blocks, and picked one up. There was a sort of carving tool near it, too. Picking that up, I ran it across the block. The parts that it touched dissipated, leaving a clean streak through the block. I began to carve a chest piece, since that was the only thing wider than the streak.

***

About halfway through carving the chestplate, Will had started to make loud reports that were meant for the entire ship. "HULL BREACH! UNABLE TO LEAVE ATMOSPHERE! AREAS 5A THROUGH 6B BREACHED!"

"I wonder where 5A through 6B is?" I questioned.

"HUMANS HAVE BOARDED THE SHIP! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!"

That is not good. Many species could be killed, or those soldiers could be killed.

"If I may suggest, releasing us for a few minutes could help you distract them long enough for you to teleport them off the ship, and get anyone in those unsafe areas out long enough for you to repair and leave atmosphere." Alex suggested. Certainly was a mouthful, but if that voice was smart enough, he'd take the suggestion.