Solar panels—most people know they work using photovoltaic (PV) cells to convert sunlight into energy. But Ruger had studied them intensely since childhood. His father had once experimented with a theoretical combination of highly efficient photovoltaic cells using an ultra-dense, compact material. If successful, it would have created the strongest energy-absorbing material known to man.
Now, years later, Ruger was bringing his father's work to life. But he wasn't stopping at solar power. He was integrating an advanced nuclear fission process—one that allowed atoms to be separated and reformed in a near-infinite cycle. He called the refined element "Pruin," a special variant of uranium capable of regenerating its atomic bonds after a controlled split. This innovation would allow his suit's core to generate energy almost indefinitely, giving him the sustained power necessary for deep-space travel.
But he wasn't there yet. His current prototype relied primarily on solar power, supplemented by advanced energy storage cells developed in the Deca Era. Under optimal conditions, the suit could function for five days without sunlight, running at 70% capacity. However, flight required an immense energy output, and without further breakthroughs, sustained aerial maneuvers remained a challenge.
Another issue was stabilizing the gravitational propulsion system. The original Rikapud design had been erratic, but Ruger had modified it, integrating energy-blast technology from the captured ship. By regulating energy discharge and synchronizing it with gyro sensors, he improved stability and efficiency. The suit's navigation system now worked in tandem with Earth's satellites, allowing precise flight control. At peak thrust, it could theoretically reach Mach 5 for 15 minutes—but the strain on its power reserves made it a last-resort maneuver.
The Black Officials were undergoing intensive flight training to master their own prototypes. Ruger, however, spent most of his time alone, pushing himself to the limit. The rage that fueled him had turned into an obsession. His mother remained his only pillar of support, but even she wasn't privy to all his secrets.
Four Months Later
The suit was 80% complete. So was the warp machine. Or at least, that's what he believed.
Then, the alarms blared. An emergency alert echoed across the base: the Rikapud invaders had returned—sooner than anticipated. Their absence of communication had likely spooked them. This time, their objectives were unclear, but the urgency was undeniable. The Black Officials were deployed immediately.
Their mission was straightforward: secure the enemy ship and identify any infiltrators among the civilians. The challenge? Keeping the public unaware. If the world discovered extraterrestrial threats, it would incite panic. The invasion had to remain a mere conspiracy theory—nothing more.
As Ruger geared up for battle, a nagging thought lingered in his mind. Had the Rikapuds found a way to control their warping technology? Or were they still searching for the missing piece—the very piece Ruger had been working on?
The mission was about to begin. Would they succeed in containing the threat? Or would the secret invasion of Earth be exposed to the world?