"Sacrificial magic is an iffy thing. On one hand casters can achieve in-the-moment benefits and solutions to get out of iffy situations, but be warned. The results of such magic is often decided by the runes themselves. The caster can only control the symbol which creates the rune, but all other variables are left to the decisions of nature itself."
-Mage's guide to magic, volume 1
The massive hole in the hall led to the compartment below, which was the loading bay for large ships and cargo. There was a huge cargo container suspended in the air below the main hall stage. The changes in the ship's layout caused the artificial gravity system to malfunction, switching the polarity and direction of the pull at intervals. Elizabeth grappled onto a walkway overlooking the area.
Elizabeth: [A treasure vault hidden in plain sight as a loading crate. Sounds like a Prius thing to do.]
Elizabeth landed on a cargo crate, which was in the midst of being transported by mag-rails to the other end of the bay. She looked around, and memorized the bay's layout.
Elizabeth: [Large cargo bay. Tall cargo crate stacks. Parked ships which have automated turrets. Automated rail system which carries three crates at once from the loading bay pads to the next room. Network of walkways suspended above crate level. Since this is a loading bay, I expect the hull to be the thickest here to protect the cargo. Most ships will have used Tritynate, a material that is highly resistant to heat and trauma. If a protracted battle has to happen, this is the place.]
The ship's alarm continued blaring. The man crashed into the bay, yet the floor that he had landed on did not give way, neither were there any signs of damage. The man discarded two used canisters, and engaged a third canister. He was ready for a fight again.
*WARNING. ARTIFICIAL GRAVITY SYSTEMS ARE MALFUNCTIONING. PLEASE STAY CALM AND ENGAGE A GRAV SUIT. WARNING.*
Elizabeth: [Cargo crates are magnetized to stick to each other and the ground. The gravity can change, but the layout of the room remains static.]
The man started to climb the crates. The gravity flipped, but the man was unaffected. He was utilizing the technique of discharging plasma as a way of boosting against the pulls generated. Elizabeth relied on her grapple line to attach and counter the changes in gravity.
Elizabeth picked up a shard of metal.
Elizabeth: "Hey, monkey! over here!"
The man immediately shot a controlled plasma stream, small enough such that Elizabeth's previous tactic of reflecting the rays would not work again.
Man: Your futile trick will not work again.
Elizabeth: [Damn. A synthetic. That explains everything.]
Elizabeth immediately raised the metal sheet, tilting it at a forty degree angle. The sheet reflected the stream off onto a far panel on the wall.
Elizabeth: "It's a new trick. Suck it up."
*WARNING. EXTREME HEAT DETECTED. INITIATE COOLING PROCEDURES.*
Several walls on the bay released outlet valves, which jetted cooled liquid out at the cargo in a bid to cool off the source of the heat.
Synthetic: I could break your feeble human body even without plasma.
Elizabeth: "Come and show me then!"
The synthetic started to rush at Elizabeth, while it vaulted over obstacles and crates at an alarming rate. The coolant liquid sprayed all over the arena.
YOU ARE READING
In Silent Dreams
Bilim Kurgu4041. The advent of science has allowed man to reach the stars. We have built magnificent cities and terraformed beautiful planets, but despite this monumental achievement, a flame is dying. Elizabeth Hailley. Hunter. Predator. Human. An avenging...
