Chapter 41: New Holo-Pad

They strapped themselves into the only two wall-mounted seats left. Two of the Panoplians followed them in, their metal arms raising to form a perfect ninety-degree angle as they grabbed bars hanging from the roof. The ramp rose, clicking into place and blocking the bright lights of the hangar. Without missing a beat, the fluorescent bulbs flickered on, keeping the APC well-lit but not blinding. The rest of the soldiers in the vehicle all appeared to be the gun-wielding variety, their leather armor and laser rifles revealing their purpose. ’I bet we will meet the other mages at the meeting point.’ Many of the men shot Charon and Emerius wary glances, their eyes narrowed in suspicion. All but a middle-aged man wearing a white smock. The moment the APC began to move, he unhooked himself from the wall and walked to a small toolkit resting on the floor. He flipped it open and grabbed what looked to be a bulky handgun, as well as two cylindrical cartridges. He pressed a button on the handle and part of the barrel extended to the side, allowing him to fit one of the cartridges inside. With his thumb, he pushed the slot back inside the gun. Turning to the two, he offered them a slight smile and spoke, revealing a thick accent. It was guttural and rough, with sharp edges. His "W’s" sounded like "V’s", and every consonant was clipped. "Velcome, friends. It is a pleasure to have you join us today. I am one of this battalions medics, and you may call me Doctor Becker." He held the strange gun to his side with one hand while extending the other to Charon. Smiling in return at the kind doctor, Charon grabbed the hand. "It is good to meet you, I am Charon, and this is-" His words were gut short as Doctor Becker thrust the gun forward, putting it up to Charon’s neck and pulling the trigger. A jolt of pain went down his spine, his other arm snapping up to try and grab the weapon. To his shock, Emerius beat him to it, having clasped the doctor’s wrist in a vice while his other hand began to draw his sword. A dozen guns were raised at once, aiming at both of them. Doctor Becker jerked his arm free, raising his hands and chuckling softly, an apologetic smile on his lips. "My apologies, friends. When you had entered, I made the judgment that this one would be less receptive to my offered medications, and so I sought... alternative means to administer it." Rubbing the point of impact, Charon grimaced as he felt his own blood. His throat was suddenly sore, and he could taste something metallic on his tongue. "What did you do to me!?" The doctor flashed the second cartridge, showing it to be a steel capsule with a blinking green light on the end. "Nothing that isn’t standard issue for our ranks. If you are familiar with a holo-pad, then imagine this as the next step in scientific advancement!" Charon stared at the man, aghast at what he had done. "What do you mean a holo-pad? What exactly did you do? Give me answers!" Emerius punctuated his words, his blade ringing as it was pulled a little more from the sheath. Even when he man next to him thrust his laser rifle into his gut, the black haired swordsman didn’t stop, his eyes locked onto the doctor. Doctor Becker tapped his own head and chuckled. "Just think of the word ’Information’, and witness the marvels of science!" Still fuming at the man’s actions, Charon figured "what the hell" and did what the doctor suggested, closing his eyes and thinking the word. ’Information.’ Instantly, a series of words appeared in his mind, formatted like they would be on a holo-pad. [Name: Charon] [Rank: Novice 2] [Patron: Death] [Element: Soul] [Abilities: Soul Summon*] [Relics: None] His eyes shot open, the text still floating in front of his eyes. Charon looked the information up and down, his jaw slowly dropping as he came to terms with reality. ’It’s just like a holo-pad, but in my brain! Now I don’t need to take one with me to see my personal data. It even added my rank up!’ He couldn’t believe something like this was possible, let alone freely given just like that. He looked up at Doctor Becker and spoke, his tone more than a little unfriendly and accusatory. "Is it anything other than a holo-pad?" The man shook his head. "I am afraid not. I have been working with the High Elders to add further features, such as medical scanning software, but they have decided against anything that may be considered invasive." Charon glared at the man incredulously. ’Invasive? Like shooting a machine into someone’s neck without their consent?’ The doctor ignored his look and reloaded the gun, fitting the second cartridge into the slot and turning to Emerius. "Vell, now that that is out of the way, would you be so kind as to oblige me with your neck?" Charon knew the answer before his friend spoke. His voice was hard, a threat clearly being implied. "No, I will not allow you to put that device anywhere near me." Doctor Becker sighed. "That is what I expected, but I must warn you, it is mandatory to serve as a mage. If you refuse, we will have no choice but you leave you here. You may return to the Fort and do as you please, but you will be ineligible for the army, nor this mission." The words hit them both like a sack of bricks, Charon being the first to respond. "You can’t leave him, the High Elders said he could come with me. If you abandon him, you will be going against their orders." The doctor shook his head. "I’m afraid they gave us no option regarding you, but your friend is another matter entirely. They informed us to treat him as any other officer trainee. If he refuses our requirements, then he will be left, just like any other trainee." Outraged at his friend being forced into the unjustified position, Charon opened his mouth to argue some more, but this time, Emerius acted first, pulling his robes hood down to expose his neck. "Do it." Before he could intervene, the doctor raised the gun to his neck and injected the holo-pad. Emerius grunted, but didn’t move, a thin trail of blood running down the side of his throat. "See? That was not so bad. It will do you much good during combat. The days of magi struggling to learn the secrets of their spells during a fight are behind us, all through the gift of modernity." There was a note of arrogance in the man’s method of speaking that grated on Charon, but it was completely outshone by his fury at their lack of choice. ’They offer us the army as an out, a way to solve both of our problems, then they attack us with technology we know nothing about? How the hell do they consider this fair?’ Ready to give the doctor an earful, he was stalled by Emerius whispering something under his breath. "Incredible..." Charon turned, his brow creased. "Are you okay?" Emerius nodded, a smile spreading across his lips. "I have seen a great many technological marvels on Earth, and yet nothing in the field of cybernetics compares. To seamlessly integrate a holo-pad into the human mind without extensive surgery is simply incredible." Doctor Becker beamed at his words, giving a short bow as he stepped back into his seat, his balance never wavering even as the APC jostled over the terrain. "I am glad you can see the beauty in it. Not all appreciate such innovation." Charon continued to stare at Emerius in disbelief at his sudden acceptance. His friend caught his look and shot him one of his own, the meaning clear. "Not now." Looking away, Charon suppressed a smirk. ’Emerius knows what he is doing. The important thing is I can see my abilities again, and learn new ones.’ He wasn’t aware of how many ranks were between Novice 2 and the next ability, but he was eager to learn. ’Soon.’ The Warden’s voice brought a smile to his face, confident in his summons accuracy for no other reason than a gut feeling. ’Soon it is then.’ A fist banged on the wall separating them from the driver’s compartment, followed by a loud voice. "Arrival in five, prepare to disembark for orders."