Railgun Lab Testing

Bell awoke, finding himself beneath a clean, white ceiling. Harris and Amelia stood nearby. He noticed he was fully clothed in new attire, a change prompted by the near-destruction of his previous outfit. Apart from a mind-interface device on his head, there were no tubes connected to his body.

"So, care to fill me in on what happened? Besides the railgun turning me into a crispy critter," Bell inquired, removing the mind-interface device. Examining himself, he saw burn scars but nothing seemed seriously damaged.

Amelia, assisting Bell as he got up from the medical pod, responded, "Well, sir, the railgun itself was unscathed. It was the battery that zapped you the moment that thunderous sound hit. The next thing we knew, you were convulsing on the floor."

Concerned, Bell questioned, "Did my face get burned too?"

"Your face is mostly fine, but your hand took a hit. It's a miracle the medical pod managed to repair it without Lisa or her team present," Amelia added, admitting her lack of medical expertise.

Completing his recovery, Bell picked up the bomb suit from the floor. Though tattered and marked by burns, it remained mostly functional. Aware that the real danger lay in the electricity rather than the recoil, he donned the suit and left the medical bay. Walking through the hallway, he made his way to the main lab where the railgun awaited.

"We've already crunched the numbers on the projectile's power in joules, and I can assure you, there's no armor standing up to this gun," Harris chimed in.

Curious, Bell inquired, "How potent are we talking about here?"

"Believe it or not, it surpasses the energy output of a 120mm smoothbore gun. However, due to the projectile's size, its impact wouldn't cause as much damage as a regular dart," Amelia explained.

"How much more powerful are we talking about?" Bell sought more details.

"I doubt anything could shield you from this thing. A biological creature would likely be vaporized, and a magical shield would shatter easily," Amelia responded.

"Can you quantify it for me?" Bell pressed for specifics.

"Roughly ten times more potent. I'm not exaggerating; this thing is the epitome of anti-armor," Amelia proudly declared. She then handed the railgun to Bell with a sense of accomplishment, akin to a mother passing her newborn to the father, such was her pride in this creation.

Taking hold of the railgun, Bell immediately noticed its increased weight, reminiscent of hoisting a machine gun rather than an assault rifle. It felt comparable to the contrast between a lightweight H&K 416 and the bulky Lewis Gun favored by the empire. The added heft, he mused, was likely a safety measure given the immense power of the weapon.

Upon opening the railgun, Bell observed a cartridge containing the tungsten arrow ready to be unleashed. An engraved marking, now labeled IPR-1, adorned the railgun, signifying its unique identity.

Exiting the lab with the railgun in hand, Bell and the others returned to the testing zone. Changes were evident, particularly the presence of multiple layers of thick metal sheets with perforations, suggesting Harris and Amelia had tested the railgun in Bell's absence.

"The only drawback to the railgun lies in the integrity of the projectile itself. It's not hard enough to withstand the kinetic impact, to put it mildly," Amelia explained.

With a modern scope aimed, Bell directed the railgun toward the metal sheets while Harris and Amelia stepped back, wary of potential ricochets that could prove lethal. The barrel emitted a blue glow as Bell inserted the battery.

"3... 2... 1... FIRING!" Bell pulled the trigger.

The 3 kg tungsten projectile rocketed from the railgun at an astonishing speed, causing an explosion upon contact with the first metal sheet. In a matter of moments, the tungsten arrow effortlessly traversed multiple metal sheets, only halted by the last one. Molten metal sparks scattered, a testament to the sheer energy of the projectile.

Bell, astonished, couldn't believe what he witnessed. Each metal sheet was as thick as his own body, yet the railgun penetrated them effortlessly until the final sheet. This weapon had the potential to redefine one-on-one combat, ensuring the safety of soldiers when facing the summoned heroes of the Southern Coalition.

[Finish The Prototype] [1/1]

Congratulations on completing the Infantry Portable Railgun MK 1. This railgun will undoubtedly provide a significant tactical advantage against nearly all targets. Finalizing the railgun will also include it in your inventory for a substantial price. The portal has been opened. 

[Reward: Access To Outside World]

The portal flickered to life once more, signaling the conclusion of a demanding fifteen-day experiment. The team, fatigued yet victorious, leapt through just in time, having finally unearthed the much-sought recoil-compensating system. As a bonus, Bell successfully integrated the IPR-1 into his system, marking a new achievement for the team.

"I never thought I'd miss it, but I actually missed the snow," Harris remarked, stepping out of the portal, his breath visible in the cold air.

Bell leaned closer to his microphone, his voice clear and steady, "Spear 0-1, this is 0-7. We've found 0-4, alive and well. We're heading back to base now."

The response crackled through, "0-7, got it. I was about to come check on you, but it sounds like you've got everything under control. I'll stand down. Seven out."

Lukas' last message, especially his use of the word "quickly," left them puzzled. Their efforts in developing the railgun and navigating alternate dimensions for fifteen days were anything but quick. But Bell dismissed the thought. The most important thing was that they had all made it out alive and intact. The relief of leaving that intense, otherworldly realm was palpable among them.

In his cumbersome bomb suit, Bell climbed into the front passenger seat of the JLTV. Behind him, Harris efficiently loaded all their equipment into the vehicle's rear compartment. In the driver's seat, Amelia took a moment of rest before they set off on their journey back to base. The discovery of the lab was significant, promising to greatly enhance their research and development efforts.

Yet, what intrigued Bell most was the potential of the ancient site they had explored. He pondered the possibility that it harbored secrets or a database pivotal in their quest to develop effective medicine to combat the outbreak. To Bell, this was the crux of their mission. Eliminating the husks was one thing, but ensuring their people could lead normal lives again was paramount.

"Get some rest, Bell. You need it," Amelia's voice was gentle yet insistent, her eyes conveying a mix of concern and respect. "After all, there's a big job ahead."

"Right," Bell responded, his hands working to remove the bomb suit helmet, his face etched with the weariness of their ordeal. He placed the helmet on the car's dashboard with a soft clunk. "I'll catch up with you two at the base."

From the backseat, a muffled voice piped up, "No problem, boss. Hey, Amelia, I'm grabbing some shut-eye too."

Amelia's sigh was audible, a sound of reluctant acceptance. "Fine."