10 Minute Tales, Part 2

Sep 14 - Prototype Armour

"Come on, it's ready, right?" she grinned. She had been working in this lab for two years, and it was finally paying off. The suit was nearly ready. "It's gotta be ready!"

"There is a working prototype, yes." the scientist admitted, adjusting his glasses a little. "I assume your enthusiasm means you are willing to test it?"

"Hell, yeah! Power armour, go!" she grinned, bouncing on her heels eagerly. "It's all set, right?"

"More or less. We will be testing its mobility first. Just go through the obstacle course."

"Gotcha. Weapons, yet?"

"None. They are not required for this course."

"Aw, man... do I get flight, at least?"

"Indeed." he nodded. She giggled and bounced through the door.

"Oh, would you look at that!" she laughed, running over to the armour. It was simple, a set of exoskeletal armour that would fit around a normal bodysuit. She practically jumped into it, tightening the armour as quickly as she could.

"Secure torso." a voice spoke over a loudspeaker.

"Yeah, yeah, I've already got everything secure." she shook her leg around, proving it was tight.

"... very well." the speaker sounded less than impressed, but the door rattled open. "This test is outside. Please leave the building."

"Got it!" she grinned, walking out. The power suit was very light, barely weighing her down. This would be fun.

-----

"What the hell is this?" she stared at the course laid out before her. It was one of the most dangerous courses she had ever seen. Spikes, bursts of flames, chainsaw blades... why was it so deadly?!

"The power suit you have equipped should be able to protect against the hazards as long as its shield holds sufficient energy. If you wish to test it, there is a saw blade to your left." She looked, and sure enough, one was spinning wildly.

"This is crazy! How am I supposed to know how the shield's doing?"

"Consult the gauge on your left arm." she looked down at the arm.

"Okay, it's full right now..."

"Good. You should have enough energy for one minute total of exposure to that saw blade."

"Okay... so, what, just run this?"

"Indeed. The power armour's exosuit should enhance your mobility and strength. Navigate this course as quickly as you can."

"Got it." she frowned a little, but shook herself down. She was wearing the future! How was that not awesome? She grinned as she regained her confidence, preparing to go. "Tell me when."

"When you are ready."

"Are you ready?" she teased, breaking off into a sprint. The speed that the suit offered caught her off-guard and she nearly slammed into a wall. "Holy jeez, you guys worked hard on this one! Stopped as quickly as I started, at least..."

"Please continue."

"Right, right..." she huffed and moved on. A wall soon appeared before her, far taller than she was expecting and perfectly smooth. "No handholds?"

"Please continue." the voice insisted. She sighed and looked up.

"What, do I jump or something?" she tried a simple hop. With minimal effort, she had ascended a metre into the air. She yelped and landed, wobbling for balance. It didn't even hurt! "What the hell? Even jumps?"

"Even jumps." the voice continued. "Please, continue."

"Jeez, this thing's crazy..." she grinned as she jumped up to the wall. She liked it already!