Back in NYC, at the airport. A scene of organized chaos unfolded, reminiscent of a grand military exercise. Aegis, towering like a colossus, opened its massive tail hatch. The ramp extended with a mechanical whir, forming a sturdy slope capable of supporting the weight of the heaviest vehicles.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
Two Goliath lumbered forward, their massive frames looming over everything around them. As they approached Aegis, their bulky mechanical bodies began to fold in on themselves. Their arms retracted, their legs folded, and their 8.8-meter-tall forms compressed into compact 4-meter-by-3-meter rectangles.
Wheels emerged from their undersides, allowing them to roll forward. This design wasn't about style—it was practical, created for easier transportation. Soon, a dozen fearless warriors approached the folded Goliaths and began pushing them up the ramp into Aegis's cargo bay. The sound of heavy machinery echoed across the tarmac as the massive machines were secured inside. High above the loading scene, Zack hovered near Aegis's underbelly, his Apex Mk-2 thrusters holding him steady. "Ego," he said, running his hand across the ship's gleaming alloy surface. "What's the status of our loading?"
"All critical systems are operational, Sir," Ego replied. "The Titans have been secured. All personnel and equipment are ready for deployment."
"Ego," Zack asked, taking in the massive interior, "what's the maximum carrying capacity of Aegis again?"
"Sir, the maximum load capacity is 300 tons. The total maximum takeoff weight is 840 tons," Ego responded. "Aegis can accommodate up to 20 mechanical dogs, 15 fearless warriors, 2 Goliath drones, 10 unmanned armors, 10 Teror Spiders, and one second-generation Avalon fighter. Additionally, it can carry 20 to 25 human crew members."
Zack nodded thoughtfully. Aegis was the linchpin of Zack's global strike system. At its core, it was a stealthy, supersonic transport aircraft capable of flying at Mach 5. While its primary purpose was transportation, it boasted a robust defensive suite, including two 30mm Vulcan cannons mounted under its wings, 16 laser interceptors, 10 sets of countermeasure flares, and 22 air-to-air missiles.
Despite its defenses, Aegis was not built for direct combat. Its offensive capabilities relied entirely on the second-generation Avalon docked on its back. Of course, the odds of Aegis engaging in direct air combat were minuscule. The advanced stealth technology rendered it nearly undetectable by any radar system on Earth. Beyond its stealth features, Aegis was also equipped with the same ring-shaped energy shield generator found in Apex Mk-2. This allowed it to deploy a defensive shield capable of absorbing and deflecting attacks when necessary.
This wasn't just a transport aircraft; it was a technological marvel. Aegis exemplified how advancements in technology elevated not just individuals, but entire systems, to new heights. "Sir, the mechanical army deployment is nearly complete," Ego's voice interrupted Zack's thoughts. "Shall I contact Ms. Ava?"
Zack's eyes lit up. "Ah, right. Almost forgot." As the pilot of the second-generation Avalon—the only dedicated air-combat vehicle aboard—Ava's expertise was indispensable. "Call her over," Zack said.
Just as Ego had outlined, Aegis now carried its full complement of forces: 20 mechanical dogs, 15 fearless warriors, 2 Titan drones, 10 Mark unmanned armors, and 10 Teror Spiders. The massive cargo hold was now filled to capacity, the equipment meticulously secured for deployment. As the preparations were completed, a second-generation Avalon hovered over the runway. "Sir, what is this?" Ava's voice crackled through the comms, tinged with awe as she looked down at the massive aircraft occupying two full runways.
"Aegis," Zack replied, his tone filled with pride. "Park the Avalon on its back."
Moments later, the upper panels of Aegis shifted, revealing a dedicated docking slot designed specifically for the Avalon. "Parking on another plane? That's new," Ava muttered, her usual cool demeanor giving way to a rare moment of surprise. Switching the Avalon to vertical takeoff and landing mode, she carefully descended into the docking slot.
As the Avalon settled into place, mechanical clamps secured it firmly with a series of soft clicks. Ava's control panel flashed with new instructions:
[Fighter secured. Manual controls are now disabled.]
[Please disembark through the belly hatch.]
"The belly hatch…" Ava murmured, finally understanding the purpose of the circular hatch in the Avalon's floor.
The hatch opened automatically, revealing a staircase leading into the heart of Aegis. Stepping down, Ava was immediately struck by the sleek, metallic corridors of the aircraft. Soft, ambient lighting illuminated the space, though she couldn't pinpoint where the light was coming from. "Sir?" she called, her voice echoing faintly in the corridor. Though close to Zack, she habitually addressed him formally during missions. Before she could say more, a holographic projection materialized on the corridor ceiling, displaying a detailed map of Aegis's interior.
"Welcome aboard, Ms. Ava," said a smooth, feminine voice. "I am November, the onboard AI of Aegis. Please proceed to the main control room." Ava blinked, momentarily taken aback. Though she had seen her fair share of advanced technology, the sophistication of Aegis exceeded her expectations.
This "November" wasn't even an AI in the traditional sense. It was more like a smart onboard assistant—cleverer than a robotic dog, but nowhere near the complexity of a true artificial intelligence. For Ava, someone encountering this kind of tech for the first time, the sudden voice in her headset startled her. "Oh, okay, yes!" she replied, quickly snapping to attention. Without hesitation, she ran forward, following the guidance displayed on her internal map.
One unique feature of Aegis was the ever-present holographic projection guiding her way, no matter how fast she moved. A virtual arrow hovered just in front of her, marking her direction clearly. The interior of Aegis was practically a holographic wonderland, with every surface seemingly alive with light and data. This tech ensured the crew could access vital information instantly. Following the projection's lead, Ava navigated her way through the ship, passing by areas like the dining hall, the conference room, and even a lounge and an entertainment center. Yet none of these spaces prepared her for the sight that awaited in the main control room.
The main control room of Aegis was massive—nearly the size of a basketball court. Every inch was alive with a futuristic glow, holographic interfaces displaying streams of data and final system checks before takeoff. The room didn't feature traditional controls like keyboards or monitors. Instead, it was divided into specialized cockpits: semi-enclosed pilot pods, crew stations, communication hubs, and data management cabins. There were even fully enclosed combat and command cabins for high-stakes operations.
But the most breathtaking part? The view. The walls, ceiling, and even the floor gave the illusion of being made of glass, offering a stunning 360-degree panorama. In reality, the ship's nose was sealed under layers of heavy armor. The "view" was a technological marvel, created by high-definition lens feeds and ultra-clear holographic projections.
Ava finally pulled herself together, shaking off the awe as she noticed Zack had already entered the room. "Sir!" she called out, snapping into her professional demeanor.
Zack turned to glance at her, offering a short nod. "You're here," he said simply, his focus returning to Aegis.