Secrets of the Ancients
8 - “Technology”
“Everything Lee said was true; he did not do anything to hamper the Endless. It was most probable that someone else did it. As Bahamut has suggested, the Star Syndicate could be one of the suspect organisations.”
It was the next day and Marcus paused as he proceeded to a thick metallic door with Bahamut, Inuyasha and Williams - who had now become his friends. Marcus placed his hand on the detector and spoke his name while inputting an uncountable pin code (every time he entered a letter, the machine beeped). The doors opened at his command and the four walked into the large warehouse which contained shelves of strange machine or junk as Bahamut recognised it.
“What is this place?” asked Inuyasha as he stared around inquisitively.
“This,” said a fifth voice; “Is the Department’s highest grade of technology.” And from their right came a man with a hatchet looped to his belt. He smiled as he greeted Marcus warmly.
“I am the Weapon Master. I assume you’re not in here just to look at what we’ve developed?”
“No,” said Marcus. “Code forty seven. We need technology associated with concealment.”
“Very well,” smiled the Master, “Follow me.”
The group quickly followed as Williams started a new conversation. “So Marcus, did you find anything about those books?”
“As a matter of fact I did,” said Marcus as they stared in the direction of movement, “I asked my top detective, Wylo to go on the case. He checked the books and managed to find ten pieces of minute metal scraps. However under closer investigation, he realized they were metallic machines.”
“Metallic machines?” the three were intrigued, “What did they do?”
“Wylo tested each machine individually using different speeds of current and voltages. It only responded to one type.”
“And what was that?” asked Inuyasha.
“A low voltage and a current of three hundred kilometres an hour with a range of fifty feet. The only thing we could think that was capable of this is the brain’s central nervous system. Since the size of the machines is so small, it is also probable that the time to keep these machines running is less than ten minutes. However, the technology required to make these are even beyond our reach.”
“What he’s saying,” smirked the Master as they stopped before a specific shelf, “Is that these machines are nano bots capable of undertaking tasks at minute scale. Anyway, here we are. These gadgets will assist you in your mission tonight.”
The group looked at each other as they nodded. The three of them would sneak through the building at various entrances and find out if the Star Syndicate was responsible for the chain of recent events.
“This,” smiled the Master, pointing at a specific glass rod next to a shoe, “Is our latest technology of glass weaponry. This rod is simple to use.”
The Master pulled the rod as he unclipped it, forming a simple design of the pistol. “It is equipped with fine glass bullets that can shatter depending on what they strike. A deadly weapon. A silencer is attached for safety reasons. These weapons have been designed to hide from metal detectors. And these,” the Master pointed to the shoes, unclipping the soles off to reveal empty gaps; “go in the left. You get two cartridges which slot into the right.”
“Is that all?” asked Williams, wanting to see more.
“Of course not,” grinned the Master, “There’s also the grappling hook for one person. It has a fifty foot range and is easy to use. The rope present is not metallic and is very powerful. It has been designed with funnel web spider silk, so it takes a lot to break it.”
Even Marcus was deeply intrigued, seeming to be not aware at all the technology he had at hand. “Is that all?”
“I guess I can give you one more thing,” smiled the Master, moving towards a wardrobe next to the shelf. He opened the door as he grinned, “These are Kevlar suits. They look beautiful on the outside and are strong as hell on the in. I’m sure you can choose what to wear. I think that’s all you’ll need. Keep in mind that there will be a large number of the Star Syndicate there, so if they find out too much of our recent technology, then we may lose some very valuable secrets.”
“Are you coming tonight?” smiled Bahamut, expecting a reply of approval.
“No. I was not invited. But remember, you’re there on a task and that’s finding out what the Syndicate are up to. Use these weapons only if you need them. I think this is all you require. For now, I have other matters to attend to. Marcus, would you care to escort them out?”
Marcus nodded as he quickly led the three out of the room with their supplies. Bahamut shook deep within, excited at the possibilities that could occur at the ball tonight.
