The two sat slumped against each others back unconscious. The duo awoke around the same time as each other. Both had been stripped of their weapons.
Slowly the scenery melted into place, revealing unfamiliar surroundings. Before them an enormous screen. The screen was that similar to a terminal, completely comprised of black and green. Even more strange was the room. It appeared to be constructed from light grey tiles. The ranger attempted to grasp his hat, but it was missing along with his aviators.
Christine attempted to stand, realizing that they were not bound, like she first thought. The ranger took this as an instruction to also get up. Christine began to speak.
"Wh- where are we?".
She notice a crisscross of scars on the rangers face. One eye was glazed white.
He's half blind!
The zigzagging scars ran along his face getting as far down as his neck. Christine looked rather baffled at the ranger.
The ranger explained.
"A raider tribe who wielded razor wire is a deadly combination. I normally wear the hat and glasses to prevent people from being frightened. I don't really care."
A mechanical voice interrupted them saying
"Hello Mister Mayland and Miss Royce, today I have an experiment to run, that's why you're here. At its completion I will release you and terminate the other experiment at the Sierra Madre, as per your wish Miss Royce. You may notice that your weapons among other things have been stripped from you. I will return them at the end of the experiment, but for now you will be testing the combat proficiency of some security systems I have been developing."
"who are you? Your not a brain in a jar like at the Big MT?" Christine demanded, staring at the screen.
"Me? No. I'm not brain in a jar. Shall I explain? Prior to the war that brought the wonder of barren radioactive wastelands, I was researcher Dr Brian Smith at a secret West-Tek research facility, in the edge science research division. Just prior to the war I was researching cybernetic implants for military applications, finally coming to the conclusion for maximum efficiency for military application full cybernation was required. This is where I developed my prize piece of research, R-01 neuro-computational matrix. A vast complex array of interconnected computers capable of housing a human conscious. From their I transplanted my conscious into the matrix. Now I remain here and conduct experiments and performing research until the time comes for me to reclaim the wasteland for humanity" the screen explained, with all of the arrogance you would expect from a pre-war scientist.
"Now, it is time to begin" the screen exclaimed.
The room began to shift, the tiles extruding themselves into boxes, slowly forming terrain, then the holographic projections activated. The mass of white boxes was replaced with what appeared to be a pre-war city.
"Today I will start by testing power armor that was adapted from the T-45b. You will notice your are one of you is equipped with a 10mm sub-machine gun and the other plasma rifle, being the most common of the small arms and the most powerful of the common energy weapons.
Let the experiment begin." the voice explained.
From a behind a building appeared to armor, clearly being operated mechanically.
The unmanned power armor then applied suppressive fire on the duo as they dove for cover.
Both pressed against the back wall of a building, contemplating their next move.
"If one of us can get behind the armor and hit the hydraulic lines for both legs, that should immobilize it." Christine Explained.
The ranger instructed Christine on his plan.
"Ok, I'll draw its fire and you make you way behind.
Ready…
3, 2, 1"
The ranger ran out with the 10mm sub-machine gun drawing its fire. All seemed to be going well. He had established a position behind a garden retaining wall.
Now came Christine's part. She slowly crept around the corner, trying not to raise any attention.
Half way their. Good
Then the bullets flew toward her. She had been spotted.
Christine jumped through a shop windows. Shards of glass went everywhere and the suppressive fire continued.
The ranger saw his chance.
He jumped over the retaining wall and raced toward the power suit.
50 feet.
30 feet.
20 feet.
10 feet.
The 10mm sub-machine gun ripped apart the hydraulic lines of the power armor.
The armor was rendered immobilized.
"Hmm... Interesting.
Hydraulic lines vulnerable to close range machine gun fire.
You see the combat AIs never think of manoeuvres like that.
Now time for another live weapons test.
See if we can break a spider tank ay.
".
