Chess Pieces

“One shot.”

“Load the next shell! Use the Lightning Stone tipped one and increase the number of capacitors by two. Keep the angle at forty-five degrees.”

“One shot!”

“Yes, that’s why we’re increasing the capacitors by two. The framework can’t support it, but it’ll be good to see the failure point, as well as the extent of the damage.”

Azura glared at Shiro. Despite her expression, Shiro could tell she was curious to see the rail cannon prototype in action.

“Also, check this out; The light rail cannon.”

Shiro reached down and pulled out a miniature version of the heavy rail cannon. It had the same basic construction: two parallel aluminum rails, ceramic insulation, and a metal lattice reinforcement. Unlike the full-sized weapon, these rails were only half Shiro’s height, with much thinner reinforcement and only room for three capacitors.

Azura instinctively pointed her spear at Shiro, then stopped herself halfway. She looked over at Geraltavin, who was helping set up the large cannon.

“Who allowed him to have a weapon?!”

“It’s so he can shoot me. That way I can finally get some rest.”

Azura ignored Geraltavin’s grumpy comment and turned back to Shiro.

“Wouldn’t this light version also break itself?”

“Yes, and it still does. But the range we’re trying to achieve with this one isn’t the same as the range we’re aiming for with the heavy.”

“What’s the range then?”

“Right now it’s about that of a shortbow, but the intention is roughly two heavy warbows.”

“Sounds optimistic.”

As the tech currently stands, expecting the light rail cannon to match an assault rifle might be too much.

Still, compared to what I'd heard of mages…

“Maybe so. But I don’t think it is.”

“…Go help get everything ready. You have more meetings to attend today.”

“I spent three days waiting to start testing. Getting chauffeured around to political talks where I probably made a fool of myself. I’d rather you take this and shoot me after Geraltavin.”

“Go!”

“Alright, alright.”

Shiro set the light rail cannon down and joined Geraltavin and the others in loading the heavy rail cannon.

Azura then walked over to Johnaquil, and began tapping him with the blunt side of her spear. He was still asleep on the ground with a blanket wrapped around his head.

“Wake up.”

“Ughhh… Is it morning already? Azura? What are you doing here?”

“Better question. Why are you approving funding for all of this?”

Johnaquil sat up, still groggy and tired from the little sleep he’d managed on the rough terrain next to the weapon testing site.

“I’m not sure what you’re asking.”

"Don’t play dense with me. You’re the treasurer. All this feather steel and lightning stone being completely wasted. You have always been the frugal type yet you seem fine pouring money into a weapon that keeps destroying itself?”

"...have you seen it fire yet?"

"No. But I've been informed of its current capabilities."

"And did you ask Shiro what he expects of it?"

"Not for the big one. He wants the small one to double the range of a heavy warbow. What good is optimistic hopes? Do you believe his words so much?"

"No. He's not charismatic. He speaks plainly. Even doubts his own creations... So when Shiro speaks of expectations so uncertain, yet so matter of fact, you wouldn't believe him."

"Where are you going with this?"

"I watched the first rail cannon as it broke. I may not have any Talents, but I watched as simple single electric runes curved the metal rails in an instant. And rod it shot? Do you know what became of it? Feather Steel turned to gas in the blink of an eye. Like ice to steam but I couldn't tell you if the steel ever became liquid."

"..."

"Such power in a failure. Even though only air was shot, the force pulled the winds from behind us, slamming into our backs. We were stunned... Yet this was an expected failure. Unfazed, Shiro spoke as plainly as ever. The limitations of feather steel, from what I understood of it."

"…That’s it, then. Fear? Awe? The weapon’s power made you believe it’s worth any cost of development.”

“You and many others of the court don’t value our hero. Let me ask you, as a general, what value do you place on him?”

“He has ideas. Knowledge of another world, but he’s a smith who can’t forge. Without Geraltavin he’d be useless. I’m waiting to see what Shiro can actually do with his help.”

Johnaquil was quiet for a moment, then spoke carefully.

“You're quite skilled at chess, aren't you?”

“What does that have to do with anything?"

“The difference between the pieces is their power. Shiro is no stronger than a pawn. He has no authority like the King. No Talents to let him stand above the board like a Rook. Everyone was expecting the Hero to be a Queen. A powerful piece that could fell any other with a single move. Some nations have heroes so strong you might even call them a hand that wipes the bored."

Johnaquil looked toward the rail cannon. The loading was done. Shiro and Geraltavin were on their way back over to them.

“Shiro isn’t any of those. He’s the one who carves the pieces. Who writes the rules and draws the board. The old game is ending. Knights and Bishops won’t decide the next war. What matters now is stocking up on the new pieces he carves.”

Johnaquil stood up as the two arrived. While Azura took a moment to regain her composure after the tense conversation.

"Looks like you're awake. We're doing one more shot with the zircon, er, lightning stone tipped shell."

"I see..."

Even after all his talk, Johnaquil still tensed at the use of expensive material.

"... well since Azura is here for this last shot. I believe it's worth showing."

"Sure. Let me see it then."

Shiro turned to the guards at the heavy rail cannon.

"Ready! Aim!"

Time to see what happens when magic meets machine.

"FIRE!"