I didn't want to go back to the Basilicom. My first day here I escaped that place. But, now I have no choice. I need to know what the hell's going on.The place was littered with guards. I didn't plan on fighting them. Because they are only soldiers doing what they're told. Yet a part of me believes that they should be out there. Protecting the people. I've been on my own, in the middle of a warzone.
Sneaking in was quite easy. I knew where the guards, and surveillance equipment are thanks to an Electric Pulse every now and then. I also had an instinct on where to go.Like you moved out of your house to a new home. But years later you visit your old home, and you remember where everything was. That's the best way to describe this instinct.
Eventually I made my up, and I was outside the office of the Oracle, Chika Hakozaki.
Cole opened the door and saw the Oracle. She wore a black and green, flowing black dress that emphasized her body. Her minty green hair is done in a high ponytail. Her piercing red eyes stared at Cole. She looks malnourished, and with deep bags under her eyes.
"Who the hell are you?! How did you get in here undetected?! I'll have you arrested for this!" Chika yelled as she shot up from her desk. Papers flew across the room, fueled by Chika's stress and anger.
"My name is Cole Macgrath, and I'm Leanbox's CPU Candidate," Cole confessed with a straight face. Chika shook her head, muttering no over and over again. "NO!" She screamed and she gripped her hair and pulled.
"You liar! lies lies lies lies lies!" She screeched and Cole glared. Her blue eyes glowed purple and green electricity sparked off her. "Listen lady, you need to cool it! I woke up naked next to this crystal, and I escaped this place. Not knowing where the fuck I am!" Cole explained, getting frustrated. His lack of sleep and constant stress from the fighting isn't helping either.
Chika froze up, and her lips quivered. "Only someone with high authority would know where the Sharicite is, or the CPU born there," Chika said as she began to hyperventilate. Cole ran to her side, her eyes going back to normal and the lightning disappeared.
"Take me to where you were born!" Chika demanded, and Cole walked out of the office, Chika following her. Chika was limping and looking like she was about to collapse at any moment.
Cole picked her up bridal style and soon made it to the Sharacite room. Chika's face was broken, and she fainted out of exhaustion. "Shit!" Cole cursed and she placed Chika down gently.
Her hands crackled with lightning, and like a defibrillator, she placed it on Chika's chest. Waking her up, and she glared at Cole. "You truly are Leanbox's Candidate. Take me back to the office," Chika demanded and Cole compiled.
A worker gave them food and Chika wolfed down her food. Cole slowly ate her food, pitying the poor Oracle. "Despite my own, personal feelings, on the matter of your existence. Everything points to it. How you know where the Sharacite is, why Leanbox's Shares have been increasing because of your exploits, your powers."
"Leanbox needs you, the other nations have their Candidates to fall back on. We didn't have that, until now. Cole Macgrath, help your nation and it's people," Chika said. It's clear she doesn't like Cole, but is swallowing that dislike for the good of the nation.
"Lady, I was already doing that. Tell me what's been going on. Where the hell is Vert? Why did you close the borders and put Leanbox in quarantine? Why haven't you sent people out of the Basilicom?" Cole asked, angry at Chika's lack of action.
"Because I didn't know what to do! Even if Lady Vert didn't know what to do! She always made sure everything was alright! I didn't want the ASIC to get any type of reinforcements, so I panicked. I thought that if I waited, Lady Vert would return!" Chika ranted, letting out all her pent up emotions.
"Where is Vert?" Cole asked, a feeling told Cole that Vert is dead. It wouldn't surprise her, given the fact that it took the death of thousands to grant Cole her powers. "Thw ASIC captured Lady Vert along with the other CPUs," Chika replied and Cole rubbed her forehead.
"Now that we know Leanbox has a Candidate. We can place our hopes in someone. I hate the fact that YOU are Lady Vert's little sister. That shaved hair and courier outfit. You look more like a vagabond than a CPU, but for the sake of the nation Lady Vert treasures. I will tolerate you, Lady Cole," Chika said.
Cole felt uncomfortable with 'Lady Cole'. First off, Cole was a man in her previous life. Cole is also humble in nature. The thought of a title like that felt wrong. Especially since she did nothing to earn it. Then, she thought of what Zeke would think about 'Lady Cole'.
A freezing pain gripped Cole's chest. "Half as long, twice as bright," Cole muttered, her face downcast. "What?" Chika asked, and Cole told Chika it was nothing.
"First, we announce who you are. Given the fact you are already well liked among the people. They'll most likely accept you more readily," Chika said and Cole sighed. Dreading this inevitable moment. Still, she and Chika left the office and entered the broadcast room.
Once Chika was live, she felt the hateful gazes of the people. The people she abandoned because of how scared and alone she felt. "People of Leanbox, I have great and important news. Thanks to the faith you poured in. Before Lady Vert went missing. Our Sharacite had an anomaly and someone broke out of the Basilicom."
"I am pleased to announce the fact that a CPU Candidate was born right under our noses. Yes, our dream of having a CPU Candidate for Leanbox, that was considered impossible has been made a reality."
"You have met her before. She is 'The Electric Woman', 'The Patron Saint of Leanbox', 'The Green Lightning', and 'Trish Dailey', meet our very own, Lady Cole Macgrath," Chika announced, and the footage shifted to Cole.
Chika looked at the shares, and they are number one. The people already had faith in Cole. Now, their faith has been sealed.
Cole couldn't think of anything to say. She couldn't give a speech. Then she remembered the death of Empire City. "Vert has been given powers to help Leanbox. She was strong, she was ready, she had fought the ASIC with everything she had. But it wasn't enough, that needs to change."
"We're going to work. I am calling all of Leanbox's Guild Agents. I need all hands on deck. Then, we're taking the fight to these ASIC Bastards. People have died because of them. Friends, mothers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, fathers, coworkers. We have all lost something."
"I don't know if any of you've let someone down, got your ass kicked, or straight up failed. But those are the moments that define us. They push you further than you've every thought possible and force you to make choices. No matter what the cost," Cole finished her speech.
Then, the feed went off after a few seconds. Cole checked her phone, FoB was calling her. Cole stepped out of the room and answered her call.
"When were you planning on telling me, Trish?" FoB asked, using Trish in a sarcastic manner. "Look, FoB, I'm sorry, I was alone and didn't know who I could trust," Cole apologized and FoB sighed over the line.
"I'm sorry as well, i've been a huge bitch and you don't deserve that. The thing is, Cole, can I call you Cole?" FoB asked and Cole said she could. "Thanks, I knew it felt unnatural to call you Trish. Cole, that's a nice name. It sounds more like a guy's name, but it suits you," FoB complimented Cole.
"Hey, things will work out. I've got a lot at my disposal. We'll be cleaning up the streets soon," Cole promised. "Cole, I don't think you should do this. The CPUs, they've trapped us in a cycle."
"Yes, they protect us from threats. But then more threats rise up to challenge them. The CPUs stop them, and the cycle continues. The ASIC, they just want to destroy the world. We've lost our independence to the CPU," FoB said and Cole asked what she is talking about.
"Cole, I've lost a lot to the CPUs. My family lived in Lastation. Until we were abandoned by Black Heart. Now, my sisters are Guild Agents. I think the Basilicom should be locked down. I don't want them to get hurt in this war," FoB explained.
"If you don't believe in them, that's fine. I'll keep your sisters safe. Stay safe alright?" Cole promised. "I have a question, Cole. Do you take life or do you give it? Who is the victim, and who is your foe?" FoB asked.
Cole didn't answer the question. "Let's have some lunch Cole," FoB offered and Cole accepted. They hung up and Cole looked to Chika. "Well, let's get to work," Cole smirked. Chika sighed in frustration at Cole.
Cole entered a war room and looked at all the assembled players. One was a girl in a leather jacket with a white bird on the back. A red beanie, ripped jeans, and a chain wrapped around her arm. She has coal eyes, and stringy black hair. "InFAMOUS: Second Son, greatest artist in the nation. Call me Second Son," Second Son introduced herself with a cocky tone and a mischievous grin. Cole shook her hand cautiously.
Another girl stepped up. Greasy maroon hair tied in a short ponytail. She has tired blue eyes, baggy and faded clothes. A red nose and is bouncing on her feet. "InFAMOUS: First Light, what do you want me to do?" First Light asked with outstretched arms and an angry look.
The third girl has bright red hair in twintails. A cold expression and a revealing maid outfit. "My name is CAVE, and I am your perfect and elegant maid, Lady Cole," CAVE deadpanned.
The fourth girl wore a black crop top and skirt. She is dolled up and has long turquoise hair, and on top of that are headphones. She has a bright smile and sparkling pink eyes. "I am 5PB., nice to meet you Lady Cole!" She chirped with a wink and her tongue sticking out.
The last girl was large and with a crew cut. Olive green fatigues with a camouflage bandana around her neck. She has a '771' patch on her left breast. She saluted, "General Bungie 771! Reporting for duty, Leanbox's Spartoi are at your command!" She exclaimed stoically.
I looked at my ragtag group of fighters. We discussed the threats and our plan. Each gang in Leanbox's ASIC division have their own methods and end goals.
DataDynes are dealers in Arfoire Chips and other contraband. They are the most secretive and passive. They work in the shadows, creating a web of information. Dirt on the CPUs and other people of high esteem. Blackmailing citizens to do their dirty work. We would deal with them once we get the information and time. They'll remain untouched for now.
The Locusts are our first and primary target. They pose the biggest immediate threat to the people with their constant massacres. We need to take them out hard and fast.
The Killer Instincts have kidnapped civilians, and are doing God knows what to them. With those kidnapped people, they are the next biggest target.
Finally, The Graveminds. Ambush predators who attack people with snipers, RPGs, or suicide bombers. They don't actively go after civilians. But they if innocents are caught in the crossfire. They don't care. They are focused on winning their war against the other gangs.
We're not gonna be on the backfoot. We're done defending. We're taking the fight to them, and we are going to win this war.