Chapter 4

Specter of the Past

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It seemed like things had finally settled down for the officials. The chaos left by Nebula sudden attacks seemed to have dissipated and both of our officials enjoyed some peaceful and quiet time. It was truly strange that there hadn't been any news about the activities of Nebula in the sector, maybe they had been keeping a low profile and went to lick their wounds. Chaud had spent some times with Mhaera to show her some of the ropes, today, he figured that it was time that she learned about the program advance…

Now… Said Chaud as they both stood before the virtual training machine. Now, that we are done with the basics, it is time that you learn about the Program Advance…

Program Advance? Shyly asked Mhaera upon hearing the unfamiliar term.

The Program Advance, is a weapon of tremendous power that every skilful netbattler must learn one day or another. It consists of a powerful attack that is created by combining certain chips and by achieving full synchro with your navi. It is imperative that the synchro is perfect, or else, you'll only be wasting valuable time and chips…

I'm sorry… But I doubt I have any chips capable of performing a Program Advance…

Which is why I brought you these. He took three chips out of his pocket and negligently gave them to her.

Mhaera looked quizzically at the chips. Fire Burner. She said softly.

Yes, by slotting those three copies in a succession, you will be able to create the Program Advance named Wide Burner. But of course, the chips are useless without a good technique. I and ProtoMan will demonstrate it to you. Let's go ProtoMan!

Understood, master Chaud. Activating level 15 cornering simulation. Many training navis appeared all around ProtoMan and began closing on him.

Program Advance, Sword, Slot-In! A sword appeared instead of ProtoMan right hand who then cleaved through a few navis that had gotten too close to him. Wide Sword, Slot-In! A second sword appeared instead of his left hand, afterward, he executed a circular attack with both swords to get rid of six training navis that had hoped to catch him off guard. Long Sword, Slot-In! ProtoMan swords began to glow in a bright green light and both swords merged into an energy sword. Life Sword!

Life Sword! The sword navi made a wide slash and a powerful wave of energy cut through all of the remaining training navis. The sword vanished and ProtoMan resumed his usual stance.

Wow…

A-W-E-S-O-M-E! Loudly said Blaze who had been watching ProtoMan while he was fighting.

Even though it's powerful, you mustn't overlook the fact that you have little time to unleash it. Should you fail to aim it appropriately, it will dissipate just as ProtoMan sword afterward.

I understand.

Good. Now, ProtoMan will be your target…

What? Are you sure about this?

Do not worry, he's more than prepared to handle it. They went on with the training, the two first times weren't very good at all. But surprisingly enough, the third time, Blaze managed to execute the Program Advance. Of course, ProtoMan was safely behind his shield when that happened. Though, Chaud was very surprised at how quickly she had grasped the concept, the sync between her and her navi had been perfect all along. Even for him, it had taken seven tries to accomplish this. Perhaps, the officials hadn't been completely wrong about her…

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Briefing Room…

Later that day, Chaud had been called by an high ranked officer, why? He couldn't say for sure, this man had been very secretive about this. He entered and found the very same officer that he had met during the second attack of the headquarter.

Greetings. Said the old official.

Likewise. Negligently answered Chaud. What is this matter that requires my attention?

I see… Alright, I have asked you to come here, so that I could inform you about the operation of tomorrow.

What operation are we talking about? I wasn't informed about anything like this.

Now you are. We have found Nebula secret base…

You've found it? How come that no one seems to be aware of it?

We want to keep this a secret for as long as possible, we don't want to alert them before we strike. The operation begins tomorrow at 5 PM, be ready for it. Understood?!

Yes… He said with a moment of hesitation, and as the man was leaving, he asked. May I see where this base is located?

Why?

Just so that I won't be rushing blindly into oblivion…

Alright. The man typed a few things on the briefing computer and a map of the city appeared. A red pointer appeared at a building that was quite ironically, close to their headquarter. Here it is. Whoever is leading them, he's very clever… We never even guessed that they could be on our own turf. Regardless, we got no more information about the area. Prepare yourself carefully, tomorrow will be a long day. The screen turned off and the man went on his way. Chaud silently went to his room and sat on his bed.

Is there something wrong master Chaud? Said ProtoMan from his PET that Chaud had negligently thrown on the bed.

Tonight… Tonight, we're going there.

Are you sure that it is a good idea, you do know that there's a high chance that he…

I know, this is why we're going tonight. Understood?

Yes master.

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Meanwhile, inside Nebula base of operation…

A tall navi was sitting on a throne that was drowned in shadows. He had developed the habit of sitting there when he needed some times to think over his strategy. It had been almost a week since FeralMan failure and his forces had been severely diminished, an all out assault at the moment, would have be suicide. Suddenly, he caught the sound of someone who was trying to conceal his movement.

The tall form finally spoke to the intruder. I already know that you're here, tell me what you need to tell me or disappear.

Kekeke! You are as keen as ever… Though, some manners wouldn't hurt you… Said Schilt who approached the dark navi.

Speak or begone! I don't care either way.

Tsk, no manners at all… Well, I come bearing bad news, the officials have found our current location, and they are planning to storm our base tomorrow.

I am already aware of this operation. Do you have anything else to add?

I don't understand… How could YOU know?

I'm the one who have leaked this information.

How dare you betray us in such a manner?! We were so close to succeed! How dare you ruin lord ShadeMan plan?! Angrily replied the cloaked navi who was about to activate the torturing device.

I have already informed that winged fool about this, he has finally come to my way of thinking. The dark navi couldn't help but to feel a great satisfaction at Schilt disbelief. Of course, a lowly underling like him couldn't understand such a logical move. Now, you will evacuate the base except for the guards that I have already handpicked, you will go to our temporary base and await my instructions. I will join you shortly.

Schilt couldn't believe the nerves of this navi, how could he be responsible for those two fiascoes and still be in ShadeMan favor. … Fine! The cloaked navi disappeared in the shadows and left the dark navi to his thoughts.

All that remains… Is to wait for him…

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That night, at the official headquarters...

Chaud had awaited that the whole headquarter would be asleep to act. He had managed to sneak out without any difficulties, besides having talk his way out of Mhaera who had remained awake to practice the Program Advance in her room. Since that their rooms were beside each others, she had easily spotted him. Fortunately, she hadn't suspected anything.

He arrived at the abandoned building and found an old terminal where he could jack-in. ProtoMan was wearing a long dark blue cloak to hide within the shadows of the network. This place didn't had much light and he had to rely upon his other senses to see his surrounding. Strangely enough, he hadn't encountered any guards so far. Were they so careless as to leave their own base unguarded? ProtoMan continued his way through the maze-like corridors and a while later, he heard small noises coming from ahead of him. He jumped on the wall and held himself above to see what were those noises. A heel navi walked below him, he seemed to be patrolling the surroundings and he didn't seemed to be bothered at all by the darkness.

We can't afford to let him see us. ProtoMan, get rid of him. ProtoMan silently nodded under his hood and went down the wall, a sword appeared instead of his hand and he mercilessly sliced through the heel navi.

Mission accomplished.

Good, go on with the investigation.

ProtoMan continued through the maze. Along the way, he encountered about ten heel navis, whose awareness seemed to be quite questionable. A while later, he found a dimly lit room, this room had a long red carpet that led to a stone-carved throne. It seemed like there was no one in the room. He approached the throne carefully. When he arrived at it, he felt a strong shiver going down his spine and he turned around to see what could have been the cause of this shiver. His fears were indeed funded, as a tall dark purple navi was standing a few foots away from him. This navi was about twice his height and wore a dark purple armor that seemed to absorb the shadows around her and on its chest, a blue X-like symbol could be seen. To conceal his face, he wore a dark purple knight-like helmet that made it almost impossible to see anything else but his darkened skin and his stern dark gray eyes. He also wore dark purple gauntlets that made it seems unlikely that anyone could disarm him and a dark gray cloak that was paler on the inside. The tall navi finally spoke.

I have been expecting you... ProtoMan.

King!

Under his emotionless helmet, King couldn't help but to smile at ProtoMan reaction. I don't know what you were seeking, but this base is no more, all that remain here, is you and me. Those guards that you have killed, were mere incompetent pawns that I wanted to get rid of.

Stop fooling around King! What are you doing with these monsters! Where were you all this time!

You shouldn't ask those questions, because they are irrelevant. Who? What? Where? When? How? All of those questions means so little in comparison of the why.

So be it, why have you forced this meeting? Nebula is obviously gone.

I came here to deliver you a warning. Stop putting your nose in Nebula business.

Why King? Why?! Why are you with them? The officials desperately needs you, they are in a state of disarray because of your disappearance. We... I don't want to fight you...

Have you already forgotten everything that I have taught you? Emotions, friendship, love, those are only obstacles in your way. When the enemy is before you, there is only one option. They must be eliminated.

DON'T force me to do this...

I knew that it was useless. A dark purple halberd, whose blade was surprisingly keen, appeared in his right hand. Our weapons will speak truer than words. Defend yourself! The former Net Savior swiftly charged toward ProtoMan with his halberd. ProtoMan didn't had enough time to dodge the incoming halberd and blocked it with his own sword, which made his cloak fall down on the ground. King strength was the same as ever, he had an extremely hard time holding back the halberd.

Wind, Knight Sword, Slot-In! A wind box appeared beside ProtoMan and blew King two panels away. ProtoMan sword changed into a very long sword that would hopefully be more than a match for the halberd.

Those tricks are useless. King threw his halberd at the wind box and deleted it. He called his weapon back to him. ProtoMan sent three waves of energy toward King, the former Net Savior cleaved through them as if they were mere annoyances and resumed his attack. The dark purple navi swung his halberd at the sword navi and sent him crash on the ground. He quickly jumped beside the red navi and put his blade under ProtoMan neck. How can you even hope to win against Nebula if you can't even win against me?

The sword navi shame was unbearable, he was right, how could he even hope to defeat him.

I'm only going to say this once. If you value your life, stay out of my way. The former Net Savior dismissed his weapon and disappeared in a portal of parasites and shadows.

ProtoMan... Jack-Out...

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Next week: Chapter 5: Crazed Beast.