Codename Prometheus

The conference room was silent as the most powerful military and scientific minds of the base gathered around the long, polished table. The atmosphere was tense, filled with a mixture of skepticism, curiosity, and a hint of anticipation. At the head of the room stood Admiral Vance, flanked by Professors Caldwell and Linford. Seated across from them were top-ranking military officials, strategic analysts, and high-level engineers, each eager to hear what had necessitated such an urgent and classified meeting.

Elias stood near the front, a slim metallic case resting on the table before him. His hands were steady, his gaze unwavering. He had rehearsed this presentation a hundred times, but now, under the scrutiny of some of the world's most influential decision-makers, the weight of what he was about to reveal settled heavily on his shoulders.

Admiral Vance cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "Ladies and gentlemen, what you are about to witness is not just another weapons development program. This is a fundamental shift in modern warfare. Professor Caldwell, please proceed."

Caldwell stepped forward, activating a holographic display above the table. Instantly, technical schematics, ballistic data, and energy readouts filled the air in glowing blue light.

"What we have developed is a fully functional electromagnetic rifle," Caldwell began. "Unlike conventional firearms, this weapon does not rely on chemical propellants. Instead, it uses an advanced electromagnetic acceleration system to propel projectiles at hypersonic speeds."

There were murmurs around the room. General Mercer, a hardened veteran with decades of battlefield experience, leaned forward. "How fast are we talking?"

Linford answered. "We have achieved consistent velocities exceeding Mach 7. That is roughly 2,400 meters per second. To put it into perspective, that's more than double the speed of a standard sniper round. At these speeds, kinetic energy alone is enough to vaporize most materials on impact."

The murmurs grew louder. A tactical analyst raised a hand. "Vaporize? Are you suggesting that armored targets, bunkers, and even reinforced vehicles would be ineffective against this weapon?"

Elias nodded. "Exactly. In our tests, reinforced composite plates rated for heavy-caliber ballistics were not just pierced, but outright obliterated. This is not penetration in the traditional sense; the sheer force of impact is enough to cause catastrophic structural failure. No known armor can withstand it."

General Mercer crossed his arms. "This all sounds impressive, but let's address the elephant in the room—power consumption. Rail-guns require massive amounts of energy, making them impractical for field deployment. You want to tell me you solved that issue?"

Elias tapped the case on the table. "The key breakthrough is our energy source. This rifle is powered by a high-density energy core. Unlike conventional batteries, this unit provides stable, high-output energy with minimal degradation. It allows for up to 900 shots before requiring a recharge."

The room fell silent once more. The sheer number stunned even the most skeptical attendees. Rear Admiral Holt, a logistics specialist, finally spoke. "Nine hundred shots? That would require an entire mobile reactor. How compact is this energy core?"

Elias pressed a button, and the case unlocked with a soft hiss. He lifted the lid, revealing a sleek, metallic rifle alongside a small cylindrical core no larger than a coffee mug.

A collective gasp filled the room.

Linford gestured to the core. "This device represents a revolution in energy storage. It is compact, safe, and delivers consistent high-output energy. If we can scale this technology, it could be applied far beyond weaponry—vehicles, aircraft, even power grids."

Mercer shook his head in disbelief. "If this is real, then fuel-based warfare is over. Armies would no longer rely on supply chains for ammunition and fuel. This changes everything."

Admiral Vance leaned forward. "It's real. And that's precisely why this briefing is taking place in a classified facility. This technology, if leaked, would trigger a global arms race the likes of which we haven't seen since the Cold War. We need to decide how we proceed."

A cyberwarfare officer raised a hand. "If this weapon is deployed, how do we ensure it doesn't fall into enemy hands? If someone reverse-engineers the energy core, containment is lost."

Elias nodded. "That's why we've implemented biometric locks and anti-tamper mechanisms. The rifle will only operate for authorized users, and any attempt to breach its internal systems will result in immediate self-neutralization."

"Meaning?" Mercer asked.

"Meaning that if an unauthorized party attempts to fire, open or modify the rifle, the energy core will safely self-destruct beyond recovery at such a temperature that the weapon would be a lump of metal afterwards, which can also be activated remotely if need be."

Silence once again filled the room as the weight of the discussion settled in. Everyone present understood what this meant: not just a new weapon, but a new era of warfare. A tool so powerful it could render entire military doctrines obsolete.

Admiral Vance stood. "We have two priorities moving forward. First, finalizing security protocols to ensure this technology remains in our hands. Second, assessing deployment strategies. We need a dedicated task force to handle the introduction of this system into active service."

He turned to Elias. "You built this weapon, and no one understands it better than you. Are you ready to take the next step?"

Elias met his gaze, his expression resolute. "I didn't create this to keep it locked away in a lab. I built it to change the battlefield and the Country. I'm ready."

Vance nodded. "Then let's begin."

As the meeting concluded, the officials left with a newfound understanding: war had just entered an entirely new chapter. And the world would never be the same again, but the surprises weren't over and neither the meeting

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