Champions (Volume 1)

Champions Ch07 - Conspiring

Champions

Ch07 - Conspiring

"We have never faced a greater enemy."

Grace finished wrapping up my shoulder and applying the gauss to my cheek. The carbon fiber shattered at the high caliber bullet and embedded itself in my skin. Gladly, the bullet went clean through. "Last night went well." I said sarcastically. I mean, I got shot, so...

"Why on Earth did you agree to shoot the armor while Sam was in it?" Grace scolded. Then she turned to me. "And why would you ask to be shot?"

Alex and I were silent. My answer would be too stupid, and I know Alex's would be too.

Grace got up and walked away, steaming from our stupidity. "You know this is why women live longer." Alex told me.

***

"Six hours and twenty-three minutes left." I told the two. "Are you sure we don't have any painkillers?" I asked. The pain is still there, and it hurts more than you might imagine.

"We don't. You'd have to go to the doctors for anything better." Grace answered. This is going to be a long while of wait.

"So you got, what, a third degree burn and a gunshot wound?" Alex asked. I nodded. "Man, that is not good for you. Oh, and sorry for shooting you." Alex continued. I waved it off.

"You're fine, I did ask you to shoot me." I told him.

"What should we do until the meeting?" Alex asked. He looked to me and then to Grace. "Obviously no combat." He admitted as he gestured towards me.

"You two go on ahead, I think I could use some sleep. Or some think time." I told them. They looked at me for a moment before walking away. "I might even have an idea for a shield..."

I got up, against "doctor's" orders and walked over to the forge. I would like this rated for hard light combat, so I queued up Savvy.

"The only hard light resistant material known is in your training armor. You will have to melt it down to get the material." Savvy explained, making the compartment come up through the floor. I took the gauntlet and secured a large steel plate to it, because I wasn't going to hold the shield, I was going to fasten it to my arm, but still allow it to move off in case it was caught.

I took the shield out of the compartment and threw it into the forge, melting it almost instantly. I removed the result to cool and started to grab some carbon fiber, wax, and a large magnet. I also grabbed a drill, so I could shape the shield.

I figured that a perfect design would be to make it heaviest in the middle, and a sort of blade design. I should probably grab something to make the bottom and point sharp...

***

Before I could finish, the timer sounded and I was up, already calling for Grace and Alex to move.

I put on the shattered torso, grabbed the gauntlet, and put on the rest of my training armor and waited for the pair to reach me. An ache appeared in my head.

"Move quietly, for they have found their way through the ship. Stay vigilant, and don't be afraid to use your talents. You don't have the aura to protect you this time." The ache disappeared once more.

"We should really get moving. I don't think it'd be safe out here for long." Alex told us as we left the room, "We're down one."

Alex raised his revolver and kept it up, and Grace simply kept her hands around her stomach. Sadly, the bullet wound is on my main-hand side, and I can't do anything with it. I do have my shield-hand though.