A: I must ask, what are those around you arms and legs?
B: I’m testing something I call “exo-suit” of course it’s not complete yet, but I’m done with the torso.
A: you made a hole through titanium.
B: and it’s not neurologically-linked yet -- Anon Guest
Of course Human Asty was up to something in the workshop. The ship-shuddering boom was a dead giveaway. Companion Zee decided to see what the devastation was about this time before it came to major structural damage.
There was a solid titanium plate with a fist-sized hole in it and a triumphant Human Asty extracting the fist. They were wearing something gleaming and vaguely skeletal over their body. "Ha! Yes! Excellent."
"What are you wearing?" said Companion Zee. On closer examination, Zee could see that it was a series of frames around Asty's body, appearing to be high-grade battle-ready cerametal with microservos along its glistening substructure. "What are you wearing?"
"It's an exoskeleton. Some assembly required, instructions in three languages and written by someone who understands none of them. It's not finished, yet, but I got the torso going. That's a victory."
Humans. They can, had, and would fight with anything. Thank the Powers that they can battle without major property damage, including philosophical battles with abstract concepts. Alas, this was not the case here and now. "You just punched a hole through titanium plate."
"I know! And it's not even neurologically linked in, yet. This is gonna be so useful, next mish!" Human Asty paused to examine their current work. "Of course, I'll have to modify my livesuit so this can fit underneath, but it's already combat-rated, so no big."
Of course a Human would want a combat-rated livesuit, because they were the toughest available livesuit and resilient against a great deal of opposition. "I know you want this for reasons," began Zee calmly, hoping that they could rationally and logically convince this reckless Deathworlder towards a less gung-ho chain of choices. "I would like to share in these reasons so we can decide together the best path for progress."
This earned one of Human Asty's withering Looks that said, Where have you been? "You don't remember that planet where the trees acted like snapjaws and Luaru got stuck? I just about split myself getting her out. There's limits, even with the peakphys regime. I need to be able to help you all even when I normally can't."
Zee, who had never heard the phrase 'torn muscle' before that day, could see Asty's point. "There are also limits to technology," ze soothed. "Will you be prepared even when the best you have fails?"
Human Asty slumped into their chair, drawing their legs up as they curled in on themself. "I dunno. At minimum, I'll be able to say I did everything I could."
Humans would, could, and did pack-bond with everything that crossed their path. Zee was reminded once more how much Asty cared for each of them. This was yet another manifestation of their hero/helper complex that would warrant continued therapy during their journey together. In the meantime, there was what Zee could do now. "I can help you with the legs, if you like. Though I don't know how you plan to test them."
"Kicking the titanium plate is good for me," said Asty. "I got a lot of self-anger to work out."
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / albund]
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