Preparations And Equipment

"Gentlemen.", Terwin greeted.

Akiol was accompanied by Hank. The two had made a swift recovery. Having access to top of the line medical treatment proved to be very effective. A few days had passed and Terwin was spending his time busily. Information regarding their competitor had been gathered swiftly.

Taking a seat Hank spoke, "I take it the preparations have been made?"

"Mostly."

Terwin picked up a remote and clicked a button. A monitor changed images until Terwin found the one he wanted, "It took a bit, but I believe we have found their more important facility. This one should have the information regarding the advanced suit they had, and any more products. Security isn't any joke. I wouldn't doubt they have some of the suits in action."

Akiol spoke, "This place alone?"

"The amount they've invested into this project would be crippling if it didn't produce results. We simply must get rid of the result before they can get a return on this investment. Do that, and the company goes under."

"My goal isn't to bankrupt a company."

"This is the only feasible way to make sure they don't mess with you. You target their important members and it'll only increase your target. Do this and they won't have the capital to act."

Akiol's eyes narrowed, "What's security like?"

"A fortress. Heavily armed guards patrol constantly, anything seems remotely off and the whole place goes on lockdown.", Terwin clicked a button, "Additionally all of this is just the outside. We have zero idea on whats on the inside."

"An impossible raid.", Hank spoke his thoughts.

"We can provide real time feedback. But yes, overall this isn't possible with our current capabilities."

"What is the point of us speaking of it like this then?"

"Because that's just with our current capabilities. We're developing something, which requires both of you to add input. Since you were injured I couldn't ask."

"Something to help us?"

"It should do more than help. We can continue talking about this matter on the way to the testing facility."

Terwin lead the other two to an elevator while speaking, "If it wasn't for your ability to stand against the suits, I would have called this suicide."

"I would have died already.", Akiol corrected.

"Perhaps. I have to warn you, I cannot provide any assistance with manpower. If you want this done, you'll have to do it practically alone."

"That's fine."

Terwin's eyes narrowed, "Alright. Hank will join you on this raid. I doubt you'll be willing to gather information for us."

"I'm not so sure that would be a good idea."

Hank responded to this, "I might be lacking against those high tech suits, but otherwise I can handle myself just fine."

"You might not even be helpless against those suits.", Terwin said mysteriously.

Ding~

The elevator stopped and a pair of doors opened. Stepping onto the ground Terwin walked forward, "We studied the suit thoroughly. It's a marvel of technology. You could compare it to a hollow body. Mimicking how our muscles work with powerful alloys and advanced technology. Its weight would normally be an issue, but since it's so fine tuned it can carry itself just fine, even enhancing the one who wears it. The problem is the amount of fine tune adjustments you need to move any of its limbs."

"If it mimics the human body, what's the issue?", Akiol listened and added his input.

"It mimics it too well. If I were to ask you to tell me how exactly your muscles operate when you bend your arm, could you do it?"

"That's not my area of expertise."

"You've come to the crux of the issue. Experts in that field could perhaps explain how it works, but mimicking it is an entirely other matter. These tiny adjustments the suit completes looks to be the work of an advanced AI. Problem is we cannot access this AI at all."

"That's why Hank is participating in the raid. You want to get your hands on the AI."

"You're partially correct. That is why Hank is participating, but I do not want the AI. I wish to destroy it."

"Why?"

"It's too early for this level of power to enter the scene."

"Trying to be a hero?"

"Hero? Not at all. This suit would put us out of business."

Akiol made an inexplicable expression. Instead of commenting he massaged his palm. The three turned a corner and walked up to a large pair of doors. They slid open slowly from the weight, showing a large empty space. Akiol found it was somewhat similar to Torch's underground factory.

Someone in a lab coat rushed up with a large case. Placing it on a table they clicked it open, "The latest prototypes. We've fine tuned it as much as possible in this short time window. As for the other product, someone is bringing it over."

"Good. You're excused."

Terwin placed a hand on the contents inside, "Our own attempt at mimicking the suit."

"I thought you said this sort of technology was too soon."

"This is only to close the gap. You'll need more than your flesh and bone to successfully take down that facility. This won't be able to compete directly, but it won't make you helpless against their strength.", Terwin looked at Hank meaningfully, "Please, try them on."

The two equipped the strange outfit. Several pieces of technology beyond Akiol's understanding clicked together. Energy whirred throughout the outfit. Eventually it reached a point where the rest of it moved on its own, equipping itself somehow. Terwin spent some time to educate, "Enhancement suits. These should give you more than a fighting change against their more advanced suits. You're no match in a contest of direct strength of course, but with your skills I have no doubt you'll be able to use them effectively. An advanced polymer coats the outside to protect you from any ballistic weapons. Standard weaponry won't pierce this, but it'll still hurt. If they have any armor piercing round you might risk more fatal wounds."

Akiol could feel the strength the suit provided. If he had this when he originally fought the high tech suit from Harrell, he wouldn't have needed Aura. Now with this and Aura put together, the fights wouldn't need to be about attrition anymore.

Terwin continued, "Additionally any requested weapons are yours as you please. Hank we've already finished your modification requests. This time we've finished the knife, it shouldn't have the issues previously."

Hank nodded, "I shouldn't have any problems with the raid then. Unless something unexpected appears."

"Let's not jinx ourselves. As for you. . .", Terwin glanced at Akiol, "We've made something."

As if called upon another person entered the room. A long case in their hands. Lifting it up they presented it to Akiol, "One of a kind. We've had some fun making this, hope you like it."

The suit opened and a sword fell downwards. Hovering in the air it seemed to be held by some force, maybe magnets? Akiol grabbed the blade and felt no resistance when he pulled it away. A simple scabbard protected its blade, although this time more solid. Unsheathing the blade caused it to crackle with silver arcs of electricity. Feeling its weight he noted, "It's got a guard this time."

"Thanks to that we were able to make the vibrations intense enough to have the same performance as the knife. It should be able to cut through even the toughest of alloys."

The sword hummed, Akiol could feel the energy coursing through it. The scientist gestured throughout the room, "Want a field test? We can have targets appear. With that information we can make adjustments to the suits as well."

"Alright."

Akiol was keen upon testing the new sword. Getting used to it and the suit would take some practice.