The New Suit: 30 Days of Creativity Day 3 - Chrome

30 Days of Creativity

The artificial lights glinted off the shiny unused armor. The flawless surface reflected distorted images on every surface and it made Alex squirm. He looked down at his own rusted and worn armor, scraped at a patch on his chest, and frowned.

"I feel sorry for these newbies," he muttered.

"They don't know any better, Alex," Bree startled him.

Alex didn't flinch, but he turned quickly. "It's not like they're going to be using it very long anyway. You know the survival rate out there."

Bree brushed a loose strand of amber hair from her face. "But some of them will, and this will help them make it. They're not all as experienced as you are. Their training won't prepare them for the crags. That's why they need us to teach them. That's why they need you to be a leader."

Alex nodded. "But I'm not their leader. Remember? They gave that job to Jack."

She stepped closer and tapped on his armored chest. "But they look up to you. Whether you like it or not, you're a leader."

"Give me my own tried and true armor any day. That new shiny stuff hasn't been tested."

"It's supposed to be much stronger and lighter than the carbon weave. Some new allow that is more flexible but harder under extreme pressures and impacts."

Alex shook his head. "It just looks like old fashioned chrome to me. I don't-"

The alarm sounded and red lights began flashing down the hallway.

They both shoved on their helmets and Alex adjusted a fitting on Bree's shoulder. "It looks like they'll get a chance to test it sooner than we thought," he said, patting her on the shoulder.