Chapter 84: MV-09-Apex Suit
Zack leaned over his workbench, his fingers already sketching rough designs on the digital pad. "Ego, take notes. We're building a new armor system. Let's call it the MV-09 Apex Suit. Structural design based on the modularity of the MV-07. Material: ultralium alloy with graphene reinforcement. Power source: upgraded hydrogen fusion core with supercapacitor backups. Now, weapons..."
He paused, tapping his stylus thoughtfully against the pad. "We need a full loadout. Wrist-mounted laser emitters, palm kinetic pulse cannons, micro-missiles in the shoulders and arms. As for close combat..." He frowned. "Chainsaws? Too bulky. Let's go with something sleek. How about... an electromagnetic whip? Compact, powerful, and versatile."
"Noted, Sir" Ego chimed in. "Would you like to optimize the whip for cutting through conductive materials, or should it also include high-velocity shock capabilities?"
"Both," Zack said with a grin. "Let's make it multipurpose. High-voltage shock for disabling electronics, and cutting power for physical barriers or enemies."
The first draft of the Apex Suit blueprint began to take shape, its streamlined frame incorporating Zack's every improvement. The suit's fusion core would be housed in an armored spine section, ensuring maximum energy output while keeping weight balanced. The ultralium-graphene composite provided the perfect blend of flexibility and durability, while the modular design allowed the suit to repair itself mid-battle by swapping out damaged components.
After hours of intense focus, Zack sat back, satisfied with the final design. He transferred the blueprint to Ego's database and, in a rare symbolic gesture, incinerated the original sketch with a plasma cutter. "How long to manufacture?" he asked.
Ego responded promptly. "Fabrication of individual components will take approximately 14 hours. However, due to the ultralium alloy smelting and graphene bonding process, total assembly will require three days."
Zack nodded, his mind already moving to logistics. "Three days is tight, but doable. We'll need more ultralium for this, though. Send me the coordinates of the nearest vault with the remaining supply. I'll handle the delivery myself."
Meanwhile, in a battered helicopter several provinces away, Ava struggled to stay conscious. Her pale face was etched with pain, and her lower abdomen was wrapped in blood-soaked bandages. The sharpshooter's escape from the Imperial City base had been far from clean—three bullets had penetrated both the steel plating and her body. "Just a bit further..." Ava whispered, her hands trembling as she gripped the controls. Her vision blurred, and her strength waned, but she refused to give in.
The helicopter wobbled dangerously, descending toward the ground. With her last ounce of strength, Ava pulled the lever, softening the crash landing in an unfamiliar city before blacking out entirely.
"Roar!"