HARM by Peter Lok Page B

little. 
    The machine he was riding in would have been technically impossible to build seven months ago.  The technology to build something like it, something much cruder and different existed, but this mecha used alien technology.  Alien technology had been captured or recovered, then reverse engineered to build new weapons, chemical fusion power plants, synthetic muscle, a ctive molecular armour, and even cybernetic mental interfaces.  The governments of earth, with their best scientists, most powerful computers, and massive, around the clock, desperation had worked miracles through international cooperation and collaborative miracles due to the Internet.
    Japanese robot scientists, Russian physicists, American computer scientists, Canadian nanotech researchers, German weapons engineers, and a host of help from other nations had learned and innovated from the fragments of alien technology.  Even with the massive devastation to modern society from the alien war, communication and collaboration went on through the nets.  Thanks to advanced computer directed manufacturing and fully automated factories new designs were created, prototyped, and tested with astonishing speed.  These same robotic factories also enabled countries to keep manufacturing, despite the war losses and supply chain disruptions, as manufacturing was no longer centralized in Asia as it was at the beginning of the 21 st century.
    The HARM’s AI computer voice suddenly spoke.  “ Cerebral synchronization complete.  Please begin operational validation tests . ”
    Joshua moved his right arm, followed by his left arm, then flexed his fingers, causing the three fingered grippers on the mecha’s arms to open and close.  He then rotated his head ensuring the sensors in the mecha’s head were tracking his motion.  Walking forward two steps he then turned 360 degrees both left and right.  Finally, he mentally activated his offensive and defensive systems to complete the testing, but not before he double checked the power couplings to the coil-gun as it drew it’s power from the mecha’s power plant.
    “ HARM X-14 is ready for operation , ” the AI spoke out.
    “Great.” Joshua spoke out.  “All weapons and systems check out.  X-14 is moving out.  Will head to Waypoint Charlie to rendezvous with Bravo Company, 3 rd armoured battalion .”    
    “Open the bunker doors,” Janet directed. “Inform General Garcia that X-14 is on its way to join the blocking force .” 
    The mecha walked forward up the ramp from the underground hanger to bunker exit.  At low speed the full of extent of its agility wasn’t evident at all.  It moved like a lumbering four story high giant, but without the sound of heavy whining of motors or hydraulic actuators. The synthetic muscles that powered the machine flexed and pulled it along with only a slight whirring sound that was drowned out by the thumping of its heavy footsteps.
    “Good luck, Josh ua ,” Janet spoke, even as the technical crews in the hanger all raised a cheer.  “Go kick some alien butt. It’s time for some payback.”
    “I’ll be ready – X-14 and I – we’ll do the job.  We’ll stop them or buy you more time.”  Joshua pivoted the mecha around and gave a thumbs up with the mecha to his crew, raising more cheers.
    When Joshua was clear of the bunker, the massive doors closed again and Janet spoke again off comm.  “Continue with the evacuation of all personnel to Site B.  This facility is shutting down as scheduled.”
     
    ****
     
    Joshua followed his visual direction indicators to run X-14 towards Waypoint Charlie once he cleared of the bunker.  His main gun was cradled across the front in the travel position between both of his arms to reduce strain on the gun arm from the heavy mass of the tubular coil-gun.  The machine's synthetic muscles flexed to pushed it to maximum speed within seconds.  He dodged and leapt over abandoned vehicles, trees, fences, and drainage