Chapter 26: New recruits

Will Sebastian worked in a state-of-the-art tech lab funded by the Gravekeeper's, working on the computer in front of him while in the center of the room, a single red rose floated in a glass cylinder filled with water.

Peeacee wiped some of the sweat off his forehead as he typed page after page of computer code. She starting to get very worried about him, he hasn't slept in the past two days; this being the last day of the deadline David gave him to make his project work with already twenty-four failed attempts his under his belt.

"Please Will, you need to eat something," she pleaded to him, looking at the full tray next too him, "You haven't touched your food all day."

He breathed heavily. "I can't right now, if this doesn't work I won't have any other chances."

"But Will," she wrapped her arms around her from behind, hugging him tightly, "you can't neglect your health like this," she wished she could cry at this moment, "Just please stop pushing yourself like this."

A knock on the door caused Peeacee to let go of him. "It's open," she called out.

The door slowly opened as Chief David and Vassal 1 walked in. "Hello, Mr. Sebastian," David announced, "this is the last day; I hope everything has worked out with what my Organization has donated for your progress."

"Perfect timing, David," Will stated, "I was just about to perform another test, and this one won't disappoint I promise," he hoped.

"Is there anything I can do, Will," Bastian basically begged to work along side one of his idols.

"Sure," Will replied, turning his attention back to his screen, "Peeacee, please show him what he needs to do."

But Peeacee didn't reply; her face looked to be on the brink of tears as she rubbed one hand over the other.

"Peeacee," Will stated a little louder, snapping her out of her thoughts, "please show what Bastian needs to do."

"Ah, yes," she replied in a depressed tone, leading Bastian over to another computer.

"My entire Organization has complete faith in your abilities, Mr. Sebastian. So please relax and do your best," Chief David commented.

"T-Thanks," Will replied nervously, since his life's work was hanging by a thread on this last test.

All eyes were focused on the rose in the middle of the room. "Releasing the Nano-Machines into the cylinder," Will announced, programming the robotic arm to inject the small vile into the cylinder, "Step 1 complete, now programming the Nano-Machines to enter the rose's DNA structure."

He typed the program at rapid speed. "Bastian how is the condition of the Nano-Machines and the Rose structure?"

"Everything is green so far, Will," Bastian replied.

"Excellent, but step three is where I need for you to take detailed notes; so get ready," Will informed. "Now Step 3, activating the Nano-Machines to change the pigment within the DNA structure."

It all came down to this, one slip up and he could destroy the DNA structure and the project will be deemed as a failure. Nothing seemed to happen for the past few seconds but to their excitement the red rose slowly turned to a light shade of blue.

"It worked!" Will exclaimed. "It's a success!"

"See, I knew you could do it," Chief David replied, "because of your success I want for you to take the day off, but after that I want you to work on perfecting it even for human use and mass producing your brilliant invention. I have big plans for this."

"Thank you, David," Will replied, "If it wasn't for your Organization I don't think this could have been possible."

"But now, get some rest," David replied, "I want you back at one-hundred percent. Let's head out, Vassal 1."

"Yes my Chief," Bastian bowed and followed David out of the room.

But before they walked out, David turned around. "Just to make sure you get some rest, Mr. Sebastian, this lab will be closed for the next twenty-four hours."

Will was shocked to hear this, but the Chief added. "I am well aware of your work-a-holic condition and I'm sorry if I pushed you to hard, but use this time to get the rest your body needs."

He didn't have the energy to put up a fight. "I understand, David."

"Thank you very much, David," Peeacee bowed as David waved when he walked out the door.

Bastian and David walked down the bare hallway of the Gravekeeper's Dorm. "That was very generous of you, my Chief," Vassal 1 stated.

"It was nothing compared to what he will soon bring to my Organization," David replied, "but that does remind me, please inform Miss. Rhodes that I would like to speak with her in my office as soon as possible."

"It will be done," he then looked at the clipboard in his hand, "but as we walk, would you like to hear the report so far with the finances?"

He nodded. "Yes, how are the cards sales coming along?"

Later that same night, David looked out his window at the starry sky, unlike the sky in his city where because of all the lights the stars were barely visible. He gently stirred the glass of apple cider in his hand but before he could take a sip, the door was slammed open.

He turned around to see Alexis; her happy and kind face was now colder than ice from the depths of Antarctica. "What is with this," her harsh voice yelled, stomping towards his desk as she slammed the paperwork on top of it, "there is an error on the funding, we got a lot less then what we should have on that last shipment."

But as she went on, he only chuckled. "What are you laughing about, my Chief? Someone is obviously taking money from the Organization."

But without another word, David pulled out some paperwork and gave it to her. "Those ones you have I had Vassal 1 send to you instead, these are the real forms."

She was shocked to hear this as her eyes scanned the paperwork. "Why did you do that?"

"Because, it was your final test, Miss. Rhodes," he replied as he poured another glass of apple cider, "I was making sure that your mind was no longer wandering. So take this and celebrate."

Her eyes narrowed at the glass as she accepted it. "You know, you seem to enjoy giving me these tests, my Chief," she stated in a cold tone, taking a few sips.

"It's because I might be able to accept you credentials and abilities, other men might be sexist pigs that will do what ever they can to prove you are not worthy of this position because you are a woman," he replied, "but there is another reason I called you in here."

He took a sip. "So," she sat down in an open chair, "what else did you want to talk to me about."

He opened his desk and pulled out a small envelope, where he handed it over to Alexis. There she opened it to see two cards: Gravekeeper's Cannonholder, Gravekeeper's Commandant and a piece of paper that described what they meant. "These are the two new Districts that I'm planning to open up in the Organization; soon I'm going to bring it up in the Meeting of the Chiefs," he took another sip to finish off his glass, "I need for you to find some new willing members to start them."

She looked over the piece of paper and nodded. "That shouldn't be a problem; I already have two in mind for the Cannonholder's Division."

"Excellent," he grinned, "if they both want the position have them duel, I want to see their capabilities for myself."

She drank the rest of her glass and set it on the desk. "It will be done, my Chief."

She stood up, bowed and started to walk back towards the doors, but was stopped as David asked. "So, you're not going to talk to that idiot anymore?"

Her eyes grew colder, as if they were now made of ice, not even turning around to reply. "Why should I care about that moron?"

With that, she walked out of his office and closed the door; where David rested his chin on his intertwined fingers and grinned from ear to ear.

The next day came as everyone watched the second match in the fourth round of the tournament coming to an end. "Now my Red Eyes Meteor Dragon," Edgar called out, "attack Kristen's Lady Ninja Yae and end this duel!"

The 1100 attack power monster stood no chance to his dragon's 3500, so with one powerful molten meteor blast it completely destroyed her ninja and the remainder of her life points.

"The winner of this match is," Crowler announced, "Edgar Knight of Duel City Academy!"

The audience cheered as he bowed, but he also looked around to see David wasn't in the audience, making him wonder what has happened to that strict business duelist he used to call his friend.

But in the stands, Jaden was depressed as well; haven't been able to get a hold of Alexis in any way, shape or form. "Are you ok, Jay?" Syrus asked his good pal.

"It's just," Jaden replied in a worried tone, "besides class I haven't seen Alexis at all."

"Well whatever you did really seem to tick her off," Chazz added his two cents from the seat above, "because she is working the rest of us a lot harder than David ever did."

"So what is up with my sister?" Atticus asked, turning his head to face Chazz.

"I don't really know," then his eyes turned into a pair of beating hearts, "but as long as it's Alexis she can order me all day long."

The small group shook their heads to their love obsessed on-and-off friend. "Well I just know," Atticus looked down, his voice barely above a mumble, "my sister has really changed."

Jaden couldn't help but look away, knowing in some way that this was his entire fault.

The sun started to set on another day at Duel Academy. The strong waves could be heard clashing against the tall cliff overlooking the seas as Hassleberry and Backfire walked up, each reading the small piece of paper in their hands.

The stopped as they arrived on the green plateau. "Hey what are you doing here?" the dinosaur duelist called out.

"I'm here for a job interview," Backfire replied, "why are you here?"

"I'm here for a job interview as well!"

"You are both here," they heard a cold female voice call out to them, causing them to turn and see Alexis walking up to them, "and on time as well, very nice."

She stopped. "Who in Sam Hill are you?" Hassleberry called out.

But Backfire hit the muscle bound teen over the head. "Are you blind? She is the Chief of the Gravekeeper's Organization! Alexis Rhodes."

"I'm glad to know you know what your dealing with, Backfire," she smirked icily, "but the reason I called you two here is because a new Division might be opening up in the Organization and both are you are eligible for a 1 rank in this District."

Backfire grinned. "You got my attention."

"A top rank," Hassleberry thought aloud, "I like the sound of that."

"Good to see that you're both on the same page, but since you both want the position it will be decided in a Duel. Ok?"

They looked over at each other, grinned and nodded to Alexis. "Alright, let's start the interview," she smirked.

The two had their duel disks ready and 4000 life points each. "Let's duel!" they called out, starting the match.

"Rock and Roll," Backfire announced in his serious tone as he drew his sixth card, "Now I start off the match with my Spell Card, Terran Command Center!"

Then behind the duelist, a large steel dome structure floated down from the sky and locked itself on the ground. "Now this Spell of mine comes with its own construction team, so it let's me, once per turn, to grab a Terran Spell Card from my deck."

He searched through his deck, grabbed a card, shuffled and returned his deck. "Now I play the Spell Card, Terran Factory."

From the Command Center, humanoid Machines rolled out and built the structure, where they returned back to the building. "So now I will summon, Terran Marine in attack mode,"

The 1500 attack powered humanoid monster was then summoned to the field, in a large blue armored suit making him look bigger than he really was, holding a large gun that only a man with super human strength could carry, let alone fire. "With that I will end my turn, give me something to shoot."

"Ten-four!" Hassleberry called out, drawing his sixth card, "Now come to the front-line Gilasaurus!"

There, the 1400 attack powered Raptor was summoned to the field where Backfire was shocked. "Oh my gosh, your whacked!" he blurted, "he is weaker then my Marine."

"Well grunt," the Dino duelist smirked, "you might want to know that was a special summon, because he is being used for a sacrifice so Gilasaurus, you are dismissed."

The vicious dinosaur was sent to the graveyard, "Now come out and fight, Dark Driceratops."

Then, the large Jurassic beast was summoned to the field with 2400 attack points. "Now attack his Marine, forward march!"

It flapped its large wings to fly high into the air, and then skydived straight down, destroying Backfire's monster and dropping his life points to 3100. "Now I will stand down, your move."

Backfire grinded his teeth as he placed his fingers on the next card. "I vote I frag this commander," he drew his card."

Alexis watched the match from a distance, smiling icily. "I hope the view is alright for you, my Chief," she spoke into her headset.

"Yes it is," his voice replied, "isn't technology great?"

"Well I hope you are enjoying the match so far, such a difference between the two don't you think?"

"Yes there is," he chuckled slightly, "one duels with the future as the other duels with the past, I can't wait to see how this turns out. But we aren't focusing on their differences here, their similarities is what I am most interested in."

"Well for a 1 rank on the line, we are in for quite a show," she replied, watching the match with dark eyes.

Backfire looked at the new card. "Well, with that move you got my attention," he grinned, "time to fire it up."

But just as it hit his Standby Phase, the Terran Factory behind him started to light up. "Ah, now the special ability of my Terran Factory kicks in, since 1 turn has past I'm allowed to special summon from my deck, a Terran Vulture."

There on his side of the field, a humanoid monster rode a hovering motorcycle with only 1000 attack. "But before I go more into him, my SCV's need to build me another building; and the building is, Terran Starport!"

The humanoid machines left the Command Center once again to build a large building complete with a landing platform, where they returned to the main base. "Job's finished. But now onto the Vulture, because I sac him to summon, Terran Siege Tank!"

His monster then disappeared from the field where in its place; a large heavily armored tank with 2000 attack aimed its large cannons at the large Dinosaur. "And you called me whacked," Hassleberry stated, "now you've summoned a weaker monster."

"I'm about to drop the hammer," he grinned, "because of its Special Ability it can transform; so, move it!"

Hassleberry watched as the Siege Tank turned around, aiming the cannon right at Backfire. But then, from its sides, two large legs came out and secured itself to the ground and the cannons itself folded in where the back grew out and aimed right at Dark Driceratops. "It's jacked up and good to go; using its ability it can destroy one monster with a weaker defense than its attack once per turn," he informed, "so Siege Tank, fire it up!"

Then with a sound barrier blast, it wiped out the Dino Duelist monster, leaving only a smoking crater. Without being grounded the tank would have probably flown off of the cliff. "Nothin' like a good smoke," Backfire commented, "but there are two drawbacks to this: now I can't attack with it and it can't switch into defense. But before I end my turn I play the spell card, Operation C.W.A.L."

(Authors note: it stands for Can't Wait Any Longer)

But after he activated that spell, nothing happened. "Ah, your going to have to give me the 411 on this card," Hassleberry stated.

"De-lighted to SIR," Backfire called out, "well from now on, each of my standby phase counts as two for my structures, letting me summon others a lot quicker. I'm standin' by for your move."

Hassleberry could tell that he wasn't doing to well, even though so far he has been the only one to do any damage that won't be true for very long. "I draw," he drew his card then grinned, "well your not the only one who can summon stronger creatures faster."

"Yeah?" Backfire asked.

"Well first I will play my spell card, Living Fossil, allowing me to bring back a dinosaur from my grave at the cost of 1000 of its attack points," he announced as he pulled Dark Driceratops back to the field, "but know I will play Big Evolution Pill, Tributing my Dino and now for the next three turns I can Normal summon without a tribute. And I will start off with Black Tyranno."

The large T-Rex was then summoned to the field with 2600 attack points just as Hassleberry opened his field spell holder. "And I will also big you to my world, Jurassic World."

He set the Field Spell where the area around them was changed into a dinosaur's paradise. "This field spell gives all of my dinos a 300 point boost, so my Black Tyranno goes up to 2900. Black Tyranno, charge!"

But as the large dinosaur was charging, a small spider-like robot appeared out of the ground. "What in Sam Hill is that?"

"I have ways of blowing something up," Backfire grinned, "it's the special ability of my Vulture, when it's summoned it implants that little device into the ground, now when you attacked it will attack your dinosaur and drop it by 500 attack points.'

The spider then kamikazed at the Black Tyranno, dropping it down to 2400; but that didn't slow it down as it destroyed Backfire's Siege Tank, dropping him down to 2700. "With a card face down I will end my turn."

"Good to go," Backfire replied, drawing his next card, "Well it's my standby phase, so I will have my Command Center build me a Terran Barrack," there one his fourth spell/trap zone the humanoid robots built a large building then returned to the Command center. "Now my Terran Factory kicks in, letting me Special Summon to the field Terran Goliath."

The large heavily armed combat walker was summoned to the field with 2500 attack points, but strange enough it took up two Monster Zones. "The only drawback to this creature takes up two zones because of its size, but now it's my Main Phase and I play the Spell Card Show me the Money, allowing us both to replenish our hands back up to 6 cards."

They both drew till they had six cards. "Now I summon, Terran Firebat in attack mode," he stated as the 1700 humanoid monster was summoned, looking just like a Marine but in a red suit, "Now Goliath, identify target and proceed!"

The combat walker turned its axis to aim its two Gatling arms and fired, putting more holes in the prehistoric beast then roll of Swiss cheese and dropping Hassleberry's life points to 3900. "Now Firebat, let's burn!" he called out as his troop approached the Dinosaur duelist and with a flamethrower on each arm blasted him with a wall of fire where it left him with 2100 life points.

"OUCH THAT'S HOT!" Hassleberry yelled; running all over the place as Backfire could only smile.

"I love the smell of napalm. I will now place a card face down and end my turn."

Hassleberry drew his card. "I will now discard one card from my hand to activate my face-down card," he said as he discarded his Super Conductor Tyranno, "Fossil Excavation. Now I can special summon my Super Conductor Tyranno to the field in attack mode."

But Backfire was confused from the appearance of the 3300 attack powered monster, but 3600 because of the field spell. "Come again, Cap'n?" he called out. "When did you get him in the graveyard?"

"That's Sergeant to you!" Hassleberry yelled, "I discarded it to activate the ability of my trap, but now I will also use the ability of my Big Evolution Pill to summon my Ultimate Tyranno!"

Then another giant T-Rex was summoned to the field with 3000 attack points, now up to 3300 because of the field spell. "Now I play the spell, Dino Roar, it only works if I have a Dinosaur on the field; it allows me to destroy as many face-up spells and traps on the field as there are dinos on the field. So now my Dinos will destroy your Command Center and Factory!"

Both of the dinosaurs' roars blasted away his two buildings. "Now I will have my Ultimate Tyranno attack your Firebat, and because of its ability it has to attack all of your monsters."

"Not so fast! Backfire called out, "I too activate my trap card, Infested Terran."

The trap card revealed itself, "Now my Firebat becomes infested, no longer anything human."

The Firebat then gave a horrifying scream as a strange organism could be seen covering the soldier; then with tentacles coming out of its back and glowing red eyes it charged headfirst at the attacking dinosaur. "Now he is nothing more than a mindless bomb."

The Infested Firebat jumped headfirst at Ultimate Tyranno and exploded, taking the dinosaur with him. "You would just sacrifice your men like that?" Hassleberry exclaimed in disgust, "That's horrible."

"I read you," he replied unhappily, "but all is fair in war."

"Well then; Super Conductor Tyranno, attack his Goliath!"

His other T-Rex then launched its electric attack, overloading the machine into fireworks; dropping Backfire's life points to 1600. "I will end my turn; now let's see you recover from this!"

"Roger that," Backfire stated as he drew his card, "Well I will use my Barracks ability, summoning a Terran Firebat in defense mode, he called out as Firebat was summoned with 1500 defense. "Then I play the Spell card, Terran Bunker," he stated as a Bunker appeared in the Monster Zone over the Firebat, "now no matter how strong the attack, this negates one of them, I will now end my turn."

But even though it looked grimed for him, he could only smile in his mind. Come on, just one more turn and you will see the most powerful monster in my deck.

Hassleberry drew his card. "Well then, your lucky I don't have any monsters to summon with Big Pill, but I can summon Archeonis in attack mode," he stated overconfidently, sounding like he believed he was going to win this match even with summoning a 300 attack powered monster, "I will also equip him with Sharp Talons, increasing his attack by 800."

The annoying Jurassic bird went up to 1100 life points as he also informed. "Oh, and this monster can attack you directly, so go my Archeonis, attack his life points directly!"

Backfire was shocked as the bird flew over his defenses and clawed at him, dropping his life points to 500. "Now Super Conductor Tyranno, attack his Bunker!"

The lighting storm destroyed his Firebat's only defense as Hassleberry then ended his turn.

Backfire drew his card and said. "He's dead Jim!"

"Who's Jim?" the Dino Duelist asked.

"Well, you really should have used your Dino Roar on my Starport, because three of my standby phases have come. So now I will summon my most powerful monster, Terran Battlecruiser!"

Hassleberry was glad he wore brown pants that day as he saw that spaceship, both heavily armored and equipted with enough firepower to cause another mass extinction on the dinosaurs; taking up three monster zones, 3500 attack points with 4000 defense. "Battlecruiser operational!"

Hassleberry was completely speechless by its presents as Backfire explained about it. "This usually takes six turns to summon with Starport but Operation C.W.A.L. really helped, making only three turns, but now I will use the Spell card, Yamato Gun! Allowing me to destroy every monster on your side of the field in one giant blast!"

A large gun came out of the front of the Battlecruiser, charging up a strange orange energy where it fired, leaving no trace of Hassleberry's monsters with an Earth-shaking explosion. "Your lucky though, my Battlecruiser can't attack after that spell; but my Firebat can," he switched his monster to attack, "now turn up the heat!"

The Firebat launched its attack, dropping Hassleberry's life points to 400. "I'm just curious, why am I so good?" Backfire chuckled. "I will end my turn."

Hassleberry knew that he had no card that could stand up to that kind of firepower, but he still drew his next card. But he just smiled, folded the cards in his hand and placed them back on the top of his deck. "I'm going to have to retreat; my forces aren't strong enough to defeat what you have now."

The virtual projection then disappeared as Backfire cheered. "I am invincible, that's right!"

"Well, you put up a good match," Hassleberry complimented, "it looks like you get the 1 position."

"Not quite," they heard a male's voice from a speaker system, turning to see Alexis walking up to them, holding out her headset with the speaker system on, "Miss. Rhodes never said that the winner would get the position."

"The Head Chief," Backfire said in shock, saluting along with Hassleberry.

"I have been watching this match through this devise and I must admit this was quite a match. But I'm going to give the position to Mr. Hassleberry."

Hassleberry was thrilled. "Thank you, Chief."

But Backfire wasn't. "How so?"

"Well because, if it wasn't for you summoning that Battlecruiser you would have lost, putting all your faith in one move isn't what I'm looking for in that division. But Hassleberry pulled out some great strategies and also knew when to retreat when needed," David replied, "but I will give you the 2 Rank, where when you return to your area you will get a 1 Rank."

"Thank you, Chief David."

"Well now, head back to your dorms; you will be informed on your positions in two days."

They saluted and walked off, leaving Alexis grinning icily. "Well, it looks like once your idea passes through the Meeting of the Chiefs, the Division will already have willing members," she placed the headset back on.

David chuckled. "Yes Miss. Rhodes; soon Project Terraforming will be up and running with the full force of the Gravekeeper's Organization behind it."

To Be Continued

What is the Cannonholder and Commandant Division going to be, what does David have planned with the Blue Rose Project and what is Project Terraforming? Read and (I can't stress this enough) review to find out.