Around the surface of the planet labeled Administered Planet 67, its inhabitants went about their daily business. Construction continued on the new high-rises around the major cities, the adults mingled to and from work, and children sat awake in their classrooms ready for another day of learning. Well, most of them anyway. The situation at the main TSAB research facility on the other hand was another story. Researchers, office personnel, and security were rushing about to prepare for the live demonstration of their Project DenLiner. What would have been a simple systems test was amplified by interest in the latest development by the higher ups in the TSAB. Thus they had been notified a few days prior that several TSAB officers would be arriving to oversee the test and report back their evaluation of the ‘revolutionary’ system. Needless to say that opened up a large can of worms.
The rising of the sun to its apex and the heavily escorted convoy of TSAB vehicles meant that they were out of time to prepare. Guards and the few TSAB members on site were quick to assemble and salute the approaching cars. Technicians scrambled around the testing field for final checks on the equipment for the fourth time. This would be the first time such high ranking officials have come to their lowly building and they weren’t going to screw it up.
Doors opened from the three cars, allowing the TSAB officials inside to meet out into the cool air. The security head was the first to greet them, dressed in his best uniform. To hold up appearances he personally escorted the trio through the building to the observation deck in the rear. He did his best to answer any question they might have along the way about their research or world, as well as struggling to maintain his professional and calm demeanor.
Normally the observation deck was untidy, littered with random readouts, cans, bottles, and miscellaneous data collection equipment. What greeted the guests was something radically different. Several padded chairs lined the protective shielding that overlooked the test field below. All the random clutter was cleaned out, revealing the highly polished floor that no one had been in ages. A lone figure stood waiting for them in the corner next to the shielding. She stood at an average height dressed in a dark blue blouse and black formal skirt. Her hands were tucked casually in the pockets of the lab coat, which her co-workers were unable to convince her not to wear, worn over her clothes. A smile formed on her lips as she welcomed the guests.
“Ah, good afternoon Admiral Janeway, Admiral Harlawown, and General Gaiz. Welcome to our humble facility.”
The trio nodded to the false-blonde.
“Thank you Doctor Akagi,” politely responds Chrono, “I believe you have something you would like to show us?”
“Yes, we do,” she quickly responds and gestures for them to sit, “As you are well aware, several years of research and testing on Project DenLiner have recently yielded fruit. Mages today face countless challenges in combat situations and are limited in what they can do because of their Devices. The limited capacity of modern Device AIs to process and support only one class of magic hinders a mage from expanding and finding their potential. Project DenLiner seeks to bring an end to those limitations. By incorporating multiple AIs into a Device, a mage is able to use multiple classes of magic at their peak potential without putting a lot of strain on themselves or their Devices. Although limited in its current state, we have managed to incorporate four independent AIs into a Device with three of them specializing in anti-AMF combat.”
“Anti-AMF combat?” questions Janeway.
“Yes, with the rise of use of AMFs by these Gadget Drones we sought to also find a solution. Rather than relying on the conventional use of mid- and long-range combat, Project DenLiner makes use of augmenting close-combat weapons with magic. In this way the user’s combat efficiency isn’t hampered by the standard AMF.”
That seemed to grab their attention as the trio nodded. Even the gruff Regius seemed mildly interested now.
“But words are merely words unless they can be proven. So if you would please turn your attention to the testing field in front of you…”
Three sets of eyes turned and found the empty field to be no longer as empty. A young man stood out in the middle of the artificially covered ground in a standard TSAB uniform. A black object was gripped in his right hand.
“Our testing field uses the same solid-holographic projection system of the TSAB training facilities. For today’s demonstration we will be using the default field so you may view the test without any obstructions.”
Red lights around the perimeter of the field flashed in sequence, announcing the start of the demonstration. In the middle of it all, Ryotaro held the pass to his side and took a breath. The belt materializes around his waist and he presses the red button with his free hand.
“Henshin.”
He swipes the black Pass over the Terminal Buckle, calling forth the red Barrier Jacket.
Sword Form.
Above the field, the spectators watch and look over the rather unique Barrier Jacket design. It was fairly distinct and unlike the Barrier Jackets they were used to seeing.
“Ore…Sanjou!”
All three turned to look at the nervously laughing doctor after seeing the mage pose rather dramatically.
‘I am SO gonna kill him…’
The demonstration continued with several groups of oval-shaped drones appearing from the edges of the field and easily being dispatched in close-range combat solely by the DenGasher. As he sliced cleanly through another drone, incoming fire forced him to roll to the side and assess the new threat. Several large spherical drones floated onto the field and fired. Ryotaro knew from previous training sessions that they had a reinforced shield and required a bit more ‘persuasion’ to take down. Rolling past another burst of fire, he presses the yellow button on the Terminal Buckle and swipes the Pass.
Axe Form.
Red armor segments shift and morph to their new yellow configuration with Ryotaro quickly rearranging the DenGasher to a different configuration. Satisfied with the axe in his hands, he charges the nearest drone and slams the magic-reinforced blade into its shielding. The yellow barrier strains for a moment before shattering, allowing the axe to continue on its way and cleave the drone in two.
“While not radically different than Sword Form, Axe Form specializes in barrier penetration and strength augmentation.”
The group continues to observe the now yellow figure cleave its way through the large drones with ease. As he bisects the last drone, several groups of aerial drones materialize above the field and start diving runs at their intended target below.
Rod Form.
Yellow gives way to blue in his new Barrier Jacket configuration. He quickly reconfigures the DenGasher into an almost 2 meter long rod with bladed edge and takes out a diving drone. Several more attempt to dive and fire, only to be skewered by the bladed edge at range. Finding the current tactic unsuccessful, three groups of aerial drones maintain their altitude and bombard the field with their blasts.
Gun Form.
The barrier Jacket shifts yet again to purple with two plates on the front folding open. Ryotaro returns fire with the now gun mode DenGasher at the drones above as they take evasive maneuvers to try and avoid the incoming fire.
“We also realized that ranged combat is just as important as close-range combat so we developed the Gun Form to fulfill this need. This form is also able to take out a large group from range.”
Receiving the confirmation command from above, Ryotaro swipes the Pass over the Terminal Buckle.
Full Charge.
The remaining aerial drone swing around for another strafing run high above the testing field. On the ground Ryotaro grips the DenGasher with both hands and takes aim. The two orbs on the open chest panels glow and channel magic to the front of the barrel.
Wild Shot.
He pulls the trigger and sends the almost meter wide sphere of purple, concentrated magic at them. They try to veer away, but the attack impacts an aerial drone on the end and detonates, enveloping them all in the massive explosion.
“That was quite an impressive demonstration, Doctor Akagi.”
“Thank you Admiral Janeway. Now, if you’ll follow me to the debriefing room…”