Clyde drove David back out to the old industrial building from the night of the fight. It was sunset now and there was still some light out. This time David saw clearly where the building was, since Clyde was not driving in circles to throw him off. The building looked more worn out in the daytime. The few patches of grass were dry and brown. The sign on the building read 'Ferreteria' (hardware store); remnants of the previous incarnation of the site. There was another sign that read 'No Trespassing' which made David wonder who would. Windows were boarded and there did not appear to be any neighbors. Fact is there did not appear to be any reason why anybody would stop there.

The road was heavily transited by big rigs, and tankers. The road was unpaved, just like at the old pier where Clyde's other business was across town. One thing was certain, this place was secluded.

"Should have brought me here at night. This place looks worse during the day," said David.

"It's not what you have to work with that matters, it's how you use it," said Clyde with the old man sage that gets under young people's skin.

They walked in through the same door leading to the same run down room and into the same gritty workplace as they had a few days before. There was sense of excitement and discovery for David this time around. A sensation of being allowed into a secret and forbidden place. As much as David did not want to admit it, he was impressed and thrilled to be allowed back here. He knew the risk Clyde was taking, and felt honored of the trust this showed him.

The dim light bulbs that lit the room gave off an orange hue that made everything look cast aside and forgotten. Like relics in the attic of your father or grandfathers past triumphs.

"You are going to need better lighting than this. You ever hear of energy saving bulbs?" snarked David.

"Son, you are of so little faith," said Clyde. He turned on an overhead light fixtures similar to the ones used in professional garages. They were not new but they did the job, and lit the room much better.

"Eh. Little better, but could still be brighter," said David.

"Yeah and we could also give away our position much better that way too dummy," replied Clyde. David nodded in agreement and dropped the subject.

"So, what's the deal now?" asked David already forgetting the terms set forth by Clyde.

"Now we fit you," said Clyde who had pulled out armor and set it in a table in front of David.

David looked at the armor and smiled in amazement. For so long while out on patrol, seeing many soldiers wounded or killed, this sitting in front of him seemed like a godsend.

"This...this should be out on the field," said David touching the armor.

"It should be. But bullets are cheaper," replied Clyde.

"It also needs a lot of work done before it can be helpful in service. Lots of research and lot's of time and money. I'm good, but I can only do so much," said Clyde as he handed a cap and shoulder pads to David.

"Jesus, it's heavy!" said David.

"Yes. One of the drawbacks. Especially if you are a shrimp," said Clyde.

"I can carry over a hundred pounds in full gear with RUCK and body armor in the field for hours and in hard terrain," said David trying to prove himself.

"Well good, because it's going to be close to two hundred pounds draped over you, and will be limiting your mobility. Also, it gets hot and stuffy and I hope you are not claustrophobic because it will feel like carrying your own casket. Because if it doesn't work, you will be," warned Clyde.

"Hmm, the bullets are starting to sound like a good option right around now," commented David.

"No fire arms! I did not spend the last decade sinking my life into this to go on a shooting spree," said Clyde adamantly.

"Besides, I haven't had a need to carry a gun with this thing yet. You should have no problem at all," said Clyde.

"Don't agree with that completely, but I'm not against it," said David.

"Well, get real comfortable with it, because so long as you are using my equipment, that's the rule. Now try this stuff on. Gotta make sure it fits," said Clyde as he let David try on the full armor with his help.

The armor consisted of a helmet, chest guard, biceps, forearms, gauntlets, thigs, shins and feet. It resembled and old knight's armor made out of Kevlar and compressed sheets of fiberglass, nylon, and synthetic plastics, similar to those used in bulletproof glass.

Two people were required to into the armor and David wore a fire suit beneath it. It was not fancy but it was practical. There was a rubber lining underneath for the comfort of the wearer and metal plate at the joints also covered in rubber.

As soon as David finished putting it on, he started to sweat. The suit did move smother than David thought it would but it still was very confined and it did feel claustrophobic. The whole thing on did weigh close to one hundred fifty pounds. The legs, and the arms felt heavy but did have a good range of motion

"This actually fits pretty well," admitted David.

"Almost as if you knew I'd be wearing it and you resized it for me," said David. Clyde did not reply.

"Good, good. You can take the helmet off. You can only have the whole thing on for thirty minutes at most before the inside gets too hot. It can up to 130 degrees inside and then you'll get heatstroke. Keeping the helmet off will make that time last a little longer," said Clyde.

"Just thirty minutes? That's hardly enough time," said David.

"For what? You not using this to run a marathon, It's touch and go. In an out," said Clyde.

"Stake-out are not thirty minutes," said David.

"That's what these are for," said Clyde opening vents in the chest and arms.

"These vents will let you cool down but you are completely exposed and vulnerable while they are open. Keep the helmet of and you can sit comfortably for hours if need be," said Clyde.

"Your definition of comfort and mine are very different," said David.

"Also, don't get shot or stabbed in the gut. It's the thinnest part so you can flex more," said Clyde.

"Woah! So many rules. Anything else?" asked David.

"Yes. This is not some indestructible, magical suit. It'll work well with small fire guns and some mid-sized weapons. Your shot guns, Uzis and caliber under 9 mm. It's finite. Every shot degrades it. You are not immune to bullets. It'll break down and every shot will reduce its efficiency. Point blank shots are a no-no. May not kill you. Even then if the bullet get through, they could burn like a mother. Bottom line don't get shot!" concluded Clyde.

"Hmm, I can see now why this was never taken out," said David.

"Don't knock it. I've been able to do some descent work with it with my old untrained ass," said Clyde.

"I know. Just giving you a hard time. It's better than nothing," said David.

"Good. Well take it off now so I can make some modifications to it to fit you better," said Clyde.

"You know what. I think I'm good. I think I'll wear it out," said David.

"Excuse you!?" replied Clyde.

"You crazy or something?" he continued.

"What better way to test it out and see what need to be adjusted that taking it out?" said David.

"No sir! Your hand is all messed up. You've never worn this and no, it's just not gonna happen," said Clyde.

"I don't plan on getting into any fights tonight. Or getting shot or anything dumb like that. But you know as well as I do the there are no better test than field test. So come on, let's get out of the workshop and test this bad boy out," said David trying to convince Clyde.

Clyde contemplated and mulled the subject over.

"Come one, just a quick spin. For research purposes," said David trying to appeal to Clyde's research side.

"Ok, but only testing, no engaging," said Clyde again setting some conditions.

"You got it. No rescuing cats, or helping little old ladies cross the street," said David.

"Yeah, you keep being funny and I'll drop you off at MLK and Crenshaw; let all those boys use you as target practice," replied Clyde. That corner notorious for being dangerous.

"Well, let's get going then," said David eager to get on the road.

"Wait let me get some more things then," said Clyde.

"What things?"

"Since we are in an experimenting mood, there are some other toys I'd like to try out," said Clyde.

"Toys? What toys?" asked David with some concern.

"Don't worry about it," replied Clyde mysteriously.

David took off some of the heavy pieces and put them into the old van that Clyde had used the last time to carry David away from the beat down. Clyde loaded some heavy bags into the truck that made a loud thud once they landed on the bare metal flor. David looked at Clyde with concern as Clyde smiled back.

"So, where do you want to go test this stuff at?" asked David.

"You want a field test then you need a field," said Clyde starting the van and driving off.

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Hello everyone!! You have all been so great keeping up so I'm doing my best to post things frequently. I hope you enjoyed the chapter and like where it is going. :) 

So what do you think? I've tried to research things as much as possible but I'm not part of the armed forces or any of the agencies.  So if any of you ever see some inaccuracies I'd love to be set straight! 

I have the utmost respect for all those who serve and I want to be as accurate as possible and take no offense to be corrected. I want to write for you as much as everyone else. Soo let me have it! 

Well, I hope you all enjoy the latest installment and I'll have some more updates over the weekend. Please feel free to comment and you are always welcome to vote! 

Yours truly, 

Rog.