Read Cartlidge: Rise of the Imperfect Flame for Free Online

carried any form of fully automatic fire, since
the rate of fire would easily overheat and melt the rifle, injuring its owner
in the process.
    Bladed weapons were particularly interesting. While swords
of varying lengths were the most common, Rovanekrens also implemented axes,
spears, and other forms of bladed weapons into their arsenal. Rovanekren
weapons, when activated, created a small field of energy around the blade,
superheating it. This effect allows a warrior to cut through armor with
relative ease, and create a burning pain upon contact with flesh. These blades
are also electrified, creating a small stunning effect on those who are not
properly trained. This design works only with bladed weapons, preventing
effective use with any form of bludgeon. Typically, low-ranking soldiers are
equipped only with a rifle, the armor on their backs, and a single electrified
knife and can only earn such weapons through successful missions.
    Our second day focused on armor. We started by learning
about “mesh”, a blackened Rovanekren substance that acted as a secondary
defense. The mesh was formed into a full body suit fitted to the exact shape of
its user’s body. It acted as an advanced form of the typical 21st century
bulletproof vest, absorbing some of the force of incoming rounds while also
preventing puncture wounds from shards and shrapnel. We watched as one of the
instructors fired several rounds into a training target that was covered in a
mesh suit. The mesh stopped most of the rounds, but sustained fire eventually
prevailed.
    “As you chevaknev see… suits… not invincible.” The
instructor spoke in Rovanekren. I had managed to teach myself the general
concept of the language, but after only two months of learning there were still
many words and phrases that would slip by me when someone spoke.
    “Don’t think you can… just because you survive… being hit
for the first or second time.” We were told to put on our own mesh suits,
designed specifically to fit our bodies. Although thick, the outfit was
designed specifically to allow unrestricted movement. While the other soldiers
accustomed themselves to the armor, the instructor spoke about our armor’s
second feature: plates.
    While design changed dramatically from suit to suit, plates
typically covered the arms, legs, chest and head area. The stomach and joint
areas were often left exposed to allow movement, though exceptions were common,
depending on the warrior’s preference. The helmet covered the warrior’s head
completely, exposing only the crest of horns. Each helmet was unique to the
warrior, with either slight or radical variations in the design of the visor.
The watchers of our group were given helmets that were specifically designed to
allow enhanced visibility. My own armor and mesh suit, however, was not ready
yet. Since I was human, the armor had to be custom made elsewhere. Instead, the
instructors placed weights on me, and then told us all to go on our daily run
with our armor on.
    Training went as normal one could expect for a few more
days. Half way through the month though we began the actual testing. We were
pitted against each other in fights to test our abilities in the arena. On
average, half of the recruits fail during the arena section of the testing
month. In fact, I came to realize that failure was rather common for recruits,
and those who pass during the testing month have already been through their
third or fourth year of training. I became nervous as I entered the preparation
room. Arena fights were not like simple sparring matches. Here, we were given
specialized weapons that recreated the pain of the real battlefield. Though
death was rare, it was still a factor in an arena fight. I chose my weapons and
sat for a moment to calm myself. While we were able to choose any weapon we
wished, we were not allowed any armor. I walked towards the doors of the arena
pit. In order to pass, I had to win in two of my four matches. Two of