Chapter 13: Device Testing

In preparation for the testing of the devices, Isabella and Gina closed the windows, covered the drapes facing the back of the mansion, and closed the vents to prevent air from the outside pouring in. Makoto said when they experiment the devices they would close and cover the windows as a precaution. If they were testing biochemical weapons, they closed the vents, place the devices outside and detonate them with remote control from the inside. Haruhi had asked if testing was the reason for why there were no animals on the planet based on what Makoto had told her but Ethan said, "There are animals on this planet, but there is a boundary fence within a 16 kilometer radius of this house to keep them away."

Isabella and Gina remained indoors as Kevin came through the rear with safety goggles that resembled dark sunglasses, ear covers and hard hats for everyone. They walked out further until there was a 4 foot dip in the ground with a 4 foot concrete barrier wall. "This is where we do testing." Makoto said. They all got into the dip and put on the glasses and ear covers along with hard hats. That's when Ethan began the experiment. "This is your typical stun grenade that riot police use," Ethan said holding the real stun grenade in his hand, "The one you have in your hand Kyon is 10 to 20 times more powerful than this one. While this one will keep people at bay, the one in Kyon's hand will clear the street. When I say 'fire in the hole,' sit against the wall and face the mansion."

He unlatched the stun grenade and threw it over the wall far enough. It landed on the ground and then exploded, making a loud sound. They hardly flinched. It was very loud, but with ear covers, it was a muffled sound. It made a quick flash followed by a small release of smoke.

"Kyon, hand me the stun grenade you have." Ethan said. Kyon gave him the soda-can version of the stun grenade. "Go ahead and fire in the hole. And make sure your glasses are on." He unlatched the stun grenade and again, threw it over the wall before ducking. The device landed about 30 feet away from the wall.

Before Kyon could ask what the difference between the two was, the earlier sound that sounded like a small explosion sounded like the detonation of a large bomb that was just behind them. It was loud enough that they all had to cover their ears through the ear covers. Also, there was a strong blinding bright light following the explosion, bright enough to show through the glasses. They closed their eyes tight, even tried to cover their faces with their hands but it didn't help. Even with their eyes closed and hands covering their faces, they could still see white. Haruhi began screaming until the white light dissipated.

They glanced back over the wall. All five of them were trying to blink their eyes to bring them back to reality. The bright light produced glare, which was affecting their eyesight. Their vision returned and they could see the landscape before them as clear as day. The power of that stun grenade was enough to scorch the ground the color light brown and cause the surrounding trees that were about 30 feet away to mold in the after effect of the explosion. The device that landed on the ground along with the earlier stun grenade disappeared. If they had looked close enough, the ground where the grenade landed sunk about eight inches. Even the bomb had not disrupted the dirt.

"What in the hell was that?" Kevin said shocked, his mouth wide open.

"That," Ethan began, "was a flashbomb disguised as a modified stun grenade. More powerful. Unlike the previous one that exploded and didn't cause much damage, this causes damage beyond a 10 foot radius. By the look of the trees that molded in the outward direction of the blast radius, it can go beyond I say about 20 or 30 feet away, further than I expected. It can damage wall systems, steel, shatter glass up to thicknesses over 10 inches; the blinding light that you experienced is meant to incapacitate those within the range."

"Incapacitate? It almost damn near made me blind!" Kevin said in a harsh tone.

Ethan moved over to the other side of the concrete wall and noticed that the wall remained intact with exception of a few cracks that had widened. Luckily, he threw the canister far enough that the barrier wall—buried deeper into the ground and made of steel with concrete—didn't crumble. If it had been just a concrete barrier, the 2 foot thick wall would have crumbled and crushed them in the dip. "Well, in case you were cornered and you need to incapacitate your enemy, this would do the trick. But if you're heading to the Entity, I don't know what walls they have."

"Excess reinforced steel that's made to withstand an RPG." Kevin said.

"Aw, it'll bust through that." Ethan said.

Makoto hoped so.

The last experiment consisted of the "tear gas" canisters. The metallic one was another basic canister riot police use while the other was a modified canister of a stronger agent. With no wind blowing, Ethan threw the basic canister very far and it spewed a cloudy substance in the hole created from the earlier flashbomb. "This canister is basic tear gas that is meant to cause irritation within the eyes. As before, used by riot police" Ethan said. He got the one Haruhi had in her hand and warned everyone else to run back to the house as quickly as they could when he threw the modified version in the same hole. "When I throw this, run back to the house. The last one in before me, wait until I get in then shut the door."

"Wait!" Kyon said, stopping him from throwing the canister, "What is in that canister that we have to run back to the house?"

"CR gas," Ethan answered, "Unlike tear gas that causes irritation to the eyes, CR causes skin irritation, blindness, and immediate incapacitation. Also meant to be lethal if inhaled. I've tested this canister before on a robot that resembles a humanoid interface and it can damage systems within, causing them to pass out or malfunction. That's why I need everyone to run back to the house. We could use a small bomb to detonate it with a remote, but if we do, the effect could cause it to drift towards the house."

Everyone waited for Ethan to throw the canister for the moment to run. He threw it harder, the device flying through the air before it hit the ground about 35 feet away. But everyone was on a beeline dash for the back door before it hit the ground. The device exploded, making the same sound as the normal stun grenade. Kyon, who was holding Haruhi's hand in the mad rush back to the door, looked back to see a pale-yellowish color emitting from the canister. He concentrated on the door and got a head start from everyone else. Haruhi looked back and noticed the yellowish color drifting in the opposite direction of the house. It was a large yellowish cloud, almost towering about six feet high. They all made it back in through the door; Kyon remembering to shut the door the moment Ethan got in. They all took a moment to catch their breath. "Well," Makoto began trying to catch his breath, "I guess you outdid yourself Ethan. I'll remember to collect more when we leave. Now what did you want to tell us Kevin?"