Chapter 53: Mechanised Assault Combat Exosuit

"I will need you three to sign an NDA before I say more, I hope that's alright with you?" Sarah spoke with her aura and tone much more professional than earlier.

"Yeah, that's fine." Jake spoke as he quickly looked over the documents displayed on the device in front of him.

The Atlas had quickly given him a breakdown of the NDA, the standard legal talk and that if this information were leaked to a third party, the trio would be wholly responsible for any damages to the company or others.

After a minute, Jake proceeded to sign over the NDA, before passing it over to the girls.

After everyone had signed and Sarah went over the agreement one more time, she darkened the lights before a projection was shown over a white wall to the left of the trio.

Multiple large photos of the armour they had seen before were displayed on the wall.

Sarah started to speak as more information was displayed in the suit.

"The Mechanized Assault Combat Exosuit (M.A.C.E.) is a state-of-the-art, human-wearable armour designed to enhance a soldier's capabilities on the battlefield."

The suit resembled a sleek fusion of advanced technology and tactical design.

"The M.A.C.E. provides a formidable combination of protection, strength, and speed." Sarah spoke as she proudly spoke of the suit.

"The MACE is constructed from lightweight, yet durable, composite materials, the exosuit features a streamlined and agile appearance, offering optimal mobility without compromising resilience.

Its modular design allows for customization based on mission requirements.

The armour incorporates advanced kinetic energy absorption technology, dispersing and minimizing the impact of projectiles.

A refractive energy shield adds a layer of defence against energy-based attacks. Reinforced plating on vital areas protects the wearer from shrapnel and ballistic threats." Sarah spoke highlighting its features.

"Hydraulic and servo-driven actuators enhance the user's physical strength, allowing them to carry heavier weaponry and equipment.

The exosuit assists in lifting, carrying, and manipulating objects with increased ease, providing a significant advantage in combat scenarios.

The suit also features integrated micro-motors and articulated joints which optimize the wearer's agility, enabling swift and fluid movements.

The MACE allows for enhanced sprinting, jumping, and evasive manoeuvres, granting the wearer a critical edge in both offensive and defensive actions."

Sarah continued to speak on the suit. Jake as well as the girls felt odd, as if they were the customers themselves.

After all, were they not here to pick up something to deliver?

"Um, excuse me, Ms Sarah? May I ask why you are giving us such information? After all, we received orders to pick up supplies from here and deliver them to the Carter system." Aria was the one to speak as she stopped Sarah during her presentation.

Sarah did not mind as she had already noticed the confusion on their faces.

"It seems you were not made aware." Sarah smiled and spoke.

"Aware of?" Jake asked as he narrowed his brows.

"We received an order of 100 units of MACE armour, courtesy of the DTG. We also received payment and instructions for one more set in the name of Jake Avalon." Sarah spoke as the trio finally understood why they were receiving such information.

"Wait Elian?" Aria whispered to Jake and Lyra.

"I think so." Jake grinned as he felt a little excited.

Only Lyra featured a confused look on her face. When Jake explained to her that only he and Aria had gone on that trip, she got angry for leaving her out in the past.

After Jake had explained everything to Lyra and cleared up a few things with Sarah, she continued, wanting to finish her speech.

"As I was saying, The exosuit requires a skilled operator, utilizing a neural interface that reads the wearer's movements and intentions. This interface ensures a natural and intuitive control experience, allowing the operator to maximize the suit's potential without extensive training.

While you are not a soldier, I was told you are capable enough to grasp it?" Sarah spoke to Jake, revealing that Elian was most likely the one who said that.

'It seems he knows more than we thought?' Jake spoke to the Atlas.

(I agree, however, it is a nice gesture to gift the armour to us. It's quite expensive too.) The Atlas spoke highlighting the value of the product.

"While a formidable asset on the battlefield, the MACE is not invincible. It requires a sustainable power source, limiting its operational duration.

Additionally, the exosuit's agility decreases in flight mode, making the wearer vulnerable during prolonged aerial engagements." Sarah ended, speaking of its disadvantages.

(All in all, it is an impressive suit, Jake. It will come in handy soon enough.) The Atlas spoke, the end of its sentence rather ominous.

'Either way, let's hope we don't use it too soon.' Jake spoke to the Atlas.

"Now then.." Sarah spoke as she clapped her hands once.

"Shall we take a look at what you are going to transport?" Sarah spoke to the trio.

Sarah led the three to another elevator, this one much deeper than the previous one.

"Welcome to our warehouse!" Sarah spoke as she led the three through the large warehouse full of workers packing and placing weapon crates, vehicles and armour pods neatly into the large subterranean storage facilities.

"A4, A4, ah here it is!" Sarah spoke to herself before finally finding a certain room.

Sarah led them into a medium-sized room, it was quiet and empty except for a large number of rectangular pods 8 metres long, 4 metres wide and 2 metres high.

"Are they MACE pods?" Lyra spoke up. She was perhaps the most excited about seeing the pods as she recognised the shape and details.

"Yes, they are. Jake, you and your crew are to transport 50 pieces of M.A.C.E suits to Libra Station in the Carter System. Once the delivery has been completed, your funds will come through the DTG." Sarah spoke giving Jake, the last bit of details about the contract.

"Thank you, Sarah." Jake spoke as he slightly nodded his head.

"Oh yes, I almost forgot. Your suit as well." Sarah spoke as she remembered something. She quickly pressed a button on the wall as a robotic forklift quickly entered, carrying another rectangular pod.

This one was a little larger than the others and was all black, unlike the silver metal colour of the others.

"This one is yours." Sarah spoke with a smile as she placed one hand on the top of the pod.

"It's a special model, made specifically for the Army." Sarah spoke as Jake and the girls walked around the pod.

"Right then, it should take a bit of time to load the pods on the ship so you guys are free to head back to your ship or you can wait for me at the lobby." Sarah spoke offering options to the trio on how they would like to spend their time.

The Atlas had already analysed everything that Sarah had shown them during the tour earlier and Jake wanted to check out the MACE suit.

"I'm going to head back to the ship and check out the MACE suit. Aria, Lyra, what about you two?" Jake asked.

"Um, I wanna see the suit too." Lyra spoke in a shy tone, trying to contain her excitement.

"Jake, I'll be with you in half an hour. I want to discuss a few things with Sarah." Aria spoke before turning to Sarah "I hope that is fine with you?" Aria asked Sarah for confirmation.

"Oh, that is not a problem." Sarah said quickly.

"If you have any further questions or need any help, let me know. We will see you later, Jake." Sarah spoke as she led Aria with her towards the main floor.

Aria waved to Jake and Lyra, before mouthing she would be back. Jake was amused at Aria's childish antics and smiled before heading back to the ship, led by the robot.

Jake and Lyra went to the back of the cargo bay, the MACE suit already placed into the personal storage bays for more privacy, while the machines loaded the rest of the MACE suits for delivery.

Jake looked at the dark black metallic pod. It was smooth with no door, lever, hinge or button.

"Huh? How does it open?" Lyra asked confusedly as she looked around the pod.

(The centre of the pod has a verification scanner. Place your thumb and iris on it.) The Atlas told Jake as he followed its instructions.

A whoosh sound was heard, as pressurised icy air left the sealed pod. The top of the pod, split into two as it opened up before lowering down into the sides of it, exposing the large metallic black exosuit that fitted perfectly into it.

The suit lay in the pod, standing at 6 foot 5, the outer shell of the suit looked and felt like a tank.

Jake once again pressed a button on the centre of the chest of the suit, which after a tiny beep, quickly opened up, exposing the internals of the MACE suit.