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found out the system was powerless. The transport tubes
generated through a special coil that created a field. The computer used power
to interrupt the field , turn it up for
descending, and off for ascension. It was strange, thinking about it. More
power equaled weaker field, and less power equaled stronger field. Therefore,
if the power failed a person would just hang in the air and not go anywhere
because all the fields would be the same. Then they just used a ladder to pull
themselves to the next level, or to wherever they needed to be. He just thought
of it as a human rail gun … same principles. There were, of course, special
harnesses for visitors who didn’t have nanites.
    Jonathan’s feet lightly touched
the deck as he stepped off the lift. Andie was there, sorting through her
medical supplies. Bill handed Jonathan a dark blue suit. It was made of some
type of flexible polymer. Jonathan looked at Bill as if asking a question.
    “Power armor, it should stop a
bullet if they start shooting,” Bill said.
    Bill was already wearing a
similar suit. His rank had transferred to the left breast of the armor.
    Jonathan put it on over his head.
He pulled the instruction manual for the armor into view in his head.
    Jonathan's manual defined the
armor as type-three assault armor. It came standard with a personal shield and
a built-in personal computer. The armor used a material called smart fabric
that came from a special Cardinium alloy that didn’t conduct energy or create
it.
    The suit molded itself together
when the wearer pressed the front and back together . Then it created the rest of the suit that would
eventually cover the limbs of whoever wore it. This allowed suits to fit
multiple races, as long as the wearer had the nanites to control it. The key to
the suit was the personal nanites, they told the suit it was on a person, and
this person had authorization to wear it.
    ‘Suit construction complete,
self-check initiated. Diagnostics complete. All systems are normal. Power
output is within operating parameters,’ a metallic voice echoed in Jonathan’s
head.
    “Wow,” Jonathan said.
    Bill grinned, and said, “Yeah, I
said the same thing. The suit acts as an environmental suit, too. If it detects
any harmful contaminants, it will construct the helmet to protect the wearer.
You can also put it in battle mode by thought. It will do the same thing, as
well as power up the personal shields. Atlanta prepped me as we went to the
shuttle, she said there were heavier models on the base, but these should
protect us just fine.”
    “Nice,” Jonathan said. “Well,
let’s get this show on the road.”
    Jonathan reached the back hatch
and cycled it open. The Coast Guard personnel gasped when he came into sight.
The rowers even stopped rowing once they realized they were looking at another
human. Jonathan stepped out to the edge of the lowered hatch in a slow
deliberate manner. His hands held open and slightly out from his body.
    “Who are you?” a man wearing
sergeant stripes asked.
    “My name is Commander Hunter. Are
you in need of assistance?” Jonathan asked.
    “What branch of the military?”
the man asked.
    “Well, I’m, uh, from a secret
branch, and it’s need to know,” Jonathan said. “I take it you’re
in command?” Jonathan saw him glance over at a woman in the back of the boat,
who gave a slight nod.
    “Yes, I’m in command. We require
assistance, our ship sunk before we could get word out,” the man said.
    Jonathan nodded, “Well, let’s get
you people on board and then we can take you wherever you need to go. I’ll have
to ask you all to give up your arms though.”
    Several of the people looked at
each other, mostly the people with their weapons trained on Jonathan. “I don’t
think we can do that,” the man said.
    “You can’t get on this vessel
while you’re holding arms. I won’t allow it as it would put us all at risk,”
Jonathan said.
    “You mean you,” another man said.
He