Quick author's note before I get on with this story. I recently got into Raildex and I think it's a great series. I'm still quite new to the series and I've only seen the anime, so my knowledge on the series will be very lacking. I hope this doesn't cause any huge problems with you. Also, this story will contain OCs, but I will attempt to use the canon characters as much as possible although they might appear OOC. I hope you enjoy this first chapter!
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Roland Arin twisted his wedding ring nervously as he sat in heavy traffic, the honking of horns in the background. The middle aged man was sitting in the passenger's seat of a black luxury car, a woman who was obviously taller than him in the driver's seat. The two of them were dressed in white lab coats and black dress pants, but Roland was wearing a cream colored dress shirt underneath while the woman wore a plain white t-shirt, although it couldn't be seen because she had buttoned all of the buttons on her lab coat. The woman tapped the steering wheel of the car anxiously, glancing at her companion to see him messing with his ring.
"Something wrong, Roland?" she asked as the man glanced at her and sighed.
"I'm just nervous." said the gray haired man as the woman laughed.
"You're nervous about giving a presentation in front of some old geezers and your idiotic peers? That's a new one." said the woman sarcastically as the man smiled slightly.
Still, Roland couldn't help but feel nervous. While Alice had a way of making him feel better, even the smallest possibility of his plan getting rejected made him nervous. The short man twisted in his seat, trying to get comfortable.
"Alright, you've got a point there, but I still can't help but feel nervous. Let's just say that there's a possibility the plan is rejected. What then? Our hard work and the sacrifice the volunteers made will have gone to waste. I would feel terrible." replied Roland, looking out the window at the pedestrians walking alongside the road.
Alice frowned as the car inched forward. She had spent nearly twenty years married to this man, yet she never got used to his nervous chatter.
"The plan will be accepted and here's why. While you're a more obscure researcher, you have no record of failure. Your peers are better known, yes, but they've set up grand schemes that have failed every time. They're more likely to accept your plans because you're someone who has demonstrated competency. Don't lose your nerve, Roland. Our efforts will not be in vain." said Alice seriously as she gripped the steering wheel tightly, her voice growing quiet.
Roland sat quietly as he thought about what his wife had just said. Alice had a point and Roland smiled. His wife was right. He couldn't lose his nerve.
"Alright, here we go." said Alice as the traffic up ahead cleared, the car moving smoothly towards its destination.
…
Roland and Alice stood in front of the solid wooden doors that led onto the stage. They were both silent, concentrating on the task ahead of them. Roland took a step forward and put his hand on the door so that he could enter the stage. His future was beyond this door.
"What is it the Japanese say? Ganbatte? Give them a run for their money, Roland." said Alice as Roland nodded his head, pure determination in his eyes.
He pushed the doors open and walked onstage.
He could feel their gazes on him. Roland smiled confidently as he reached the podium to the side of a large projector screen. He stared out at the crowd of his peers, every one of them wearing a suit or a lab coat. It was time. He cleared his throat and began as the lights dimmed.
"My name is Doctor Roland Arin. I am a certified researcher of Academy City and I am here to propose a new plan in order to further research in the field of Esper Abilities," he said as the projector screen displayed 'The Machine Shop Project' in black letters. "I believe everybody knows of the recent failures of the Level Six Shift Plan and the Radio Noise Project."
Roland snickered to himself as he noticed several members of the audience shift in their seats uncomfortably. He had struck a nerve. He continued with the presentation. The projector displayed several graphs and other scientific data.
"I created the Machine Shop Project in order to further Esper Ability research by utilizing several ideas that were very apparent in the Level Six Shift, the Radio Noise Project, and the Level Upper Incident. Through extensive research, I have developed a plan that might be the only practical way to induce a level six shift," said Roland as he pointed to the information displayed behind him. "My company, POLYGON, has researched the AIM waves of the seven Level 5 Espers within Academy City. Using the data obtained from this research we have developed a way to mimic the AIM waves of a Level 5 Esper."
The crowd began to murmur, the sound filling the silent room. Roland stood at the podium waiting for the noise to die down. Once everyone became quiet, he continued.
"POLYGON's development allows us to hardwire an individual to have similar wavelengths as a Level 5, making them a Level 5 as well. We call the process 'hardwiring' and we will begin testing on Child Errors as soon as you approve the project. Should the project be approved, we will be able to boost the lowest ranked Espers to Level 5 with no trouble at all." stated Roland as there was more murmuring.
The researcher was about to continue when somebody in the crowd raised their hand. Roland nodded his head as the person asked him a question.
"You say that you've utilized concepts in the Level Six Shift Plan, the Radio Noise Project, and the Level Upper Incident, but so far you've only really explained the Level Upper Incident. Where do the other two projects factor into this plan?"
Roland smiled calmly and continued the presentation. The question was a perfect transition to the next part of the presentation.
"That is an excellent question. The other two projects are actually the next stage of the project. Once we have created enough Level 5 Espers, POLYGON will create the Level 5 Network, subconsciously linking them all together. This idea was used in the Radio Noise Project, but I have tweaked this idea. The Level 5 Espers will not share memories and experiences, but will be able to contribute calculation ability to the command center," explained Roland as the projector displayed data from the Radio Noise Project and the Level Six Shift Plan. "Finally, I believe everybody here also knows a certain Level 5 Esper by the name of 'Accelerator'. His current state only allows him to use his powers when the calculating power of the MISAKA Network contributes. The command center of the Level 5 Network will work in the same way. Imagine a Level 5 Esper who could receive calculations from tens if not hundreds of other Level 5 Espers with just the flick of a switch. That person would be able to defeat any enemy in battle with ease and, if my calculations are correct, reach Level 6 at least for a moment. Any questions?"
…
I apologize if this chapter felt awkward. It has been a while since I wrote anything so I am currently using this story as a sort of warmup. I hope that the OCs were not too obnoxious. There will be more OCs coming, but canon characters will be a major part of this story. Please review if you liked the chapter and want to see more!
