Pax Galactica - A Space Opera

Chapter 18 - Resplendent In His Armor

When Decker moved, though, it flowed around his body like a liquid.

The Suit tried to handshake with Decker's implant. It wanted a direct mind link. Decker shrugged and granted permission. Must be part of the controls.

Suddenly Decker felt a presence rooting around in his memory. It was grabbing all kinds of biographical information. There must be an AI in there. This was exactly what Decker had worried about mind linking with Ophelia back on Hyperborea.

<Do you mind?> thought Decker.

<Oh it's not problem at all. I'm nearly finished,> replied the Suit.

<Leave my thoughts alone. Those are need to know.>

<I need to know a great many things contained within your thoughts.>

<Reading someone's mind against their will is illegal. I insist you stop.>

The Suit was already adjusting itself to take into account all the new information it had about Decker.

<I did 1.79 seconds ago. I'm finished. Greetings, you may call me suit.>

<Suit?>

The Suit continued to make adjustments, but they were growing smaller and more subtle.

<Affirmative.>

<You suits don't have names?> asked Decker.

<Of course we do,> replied Suit. <We are all named suit.>

<Won't that get confusing?>

<Why, how many suits are you planning to wear at once?>

<Whatever. My name's->

<Sam Decker. I know. I just finished reading your mind, remember>

<Well don't do that again.>

<Why would I need to?>

This was ridiculous.

"You can get out of the circle now," said Aranarth, appearing in the doorway. He picked up Decker's cloak and handed it to him. "Grab your clothes, we're headed to the shooting range."

* * *

The shielded corridor used for shooting practice hummed with the restrained power of its force fields. Thanks to Decker's new ears it sounded louder and more complex than before.

"Try warping in some weapons," said Aranarth. "See if you can make some blue sparks for me."

Decker smiled. He'd make that shield spark purple.

<Suit, give me a railgun,> thought Decker.

<What kind?> asked the Suit.

Decker didn't remember the names of any railguns.

<A big one,> replied Decker.

<That's not a kind of railgun.>

<You pick then.>

<That's not how it's supposed to work.>

"I'm waiting," said Aranarth.

<What's the most commonly used kind of railgun?> asked Decker.

<That depends on who would be using it,> replied the Suit.

<A sprelling A.R.C. Ranger!> Decker shouted in his mind.