Chapter 2
Demonstration
"So what is it?" Aidam stood in the testing range, deep within the core of the Direct basement. Several officers were there to witness the goings on, including that of Mitchell Skos, an accomplished Lieutenant under Aidam's advisory.
"We call it the Force Generator. We took the same generator schematics of the Cyclone cannon and added a rare element supplied by Exodus. This caused-
"Exodus?"
"Er," the engineer was thrown off by the interruption. "Yes, Exodus, uh, Tren offered it to our head engineer saying that, uh, they couldn't do anything with their lack of technology, so we could take it and use it as, um, our own."
"And you agreed?" Aidam inquired.
"Uh, well, yeah." He stammered.
Aidam waited, his stern demeanor disintegrating fast into a grin, "Good, well done. Continue."
"Right, ok, um, yeah. This caused the molecules within the plasma solution to increase their rate of impact, or increase their "force" of connection, enabling them to go through auras, you could say."
"I understand, may I try it?" Aidam asked.
"Oh, of course sir. Here." He handed him the gun. It was sleek and long-shafted, the barrel itself thinner and more concentrated. The back end had one circular cylinder and a bottom adjustable cartridge ahead of the trigger. The metal Lathe had a red tint to it in the light. Aidam's eyes followed the scientist's pointing finger to six rectangular monoliths lined up. He took aim and fired one shot.
Every engineer's pair of eyes widened and bulged at the sight. The shot burned through each monolith with lightning speed, finally to enter an absorbing plate at the end.
"Excellent." He handed the gun back to one of the engineers. "Have you tried putting the energy in smaller casings, smaller guns?"
"Yes." The engineer hastened to say, "This one is can be upgraded, that's what the cartridge is for, and we have several successful models that have been tested in a smaller, pistol cartridge."
"Very good, Fredrick, keep working on the smaller cartridges and duplicating them. Oh, and," from within his jacket he revealed a small folded paper and held it between two fingers before the engineer, "give this to the head of your project. It was mapped out and recommended by one of my students." He leaned closer, "I suggest you take good measurements."
Mitchell watched and nodded when he saw the paper come out and into the hands of the engineer.
ATTENTION: ALL COUNCILMEN TO THE BOARD IMMEDIATELY. REPEAT: ALL COUNCILMEN TO THE BOARD ASAP
"Hm, uh, Mitchell," he motioned for Mitchell to come over, "My student will fill you in on the statistics, but I must be going." He began to exit. When he and Mitchell crossed, he clutched his arm and whispered, "Soon." Then let go and left.
Yeah, yeah, don't give me that crap, I know. Mitchell knew and made his way down to the deck.
"Well, gentlemen, this is a crisis, for all of us. Aidam, I won't blame you. You conceived him, but I won't blame you. What you created was for military reasons, not to be a psychopathic killer."
"Okay, I think we got the point there." Aidam ended it.
"Very well," Hyle sighed, then began, "Cinder was last spotted by a street Surveyor, the same who helped in the last incident involving Cinder, by the Square."
"Who was that, councilman?"
"Oh, Trevor recommended him, but he volunteered his services whenever he found something unusual that we did also."
"What is his name?"
"Oh, a Leon Orson."
The name struck Aidam hard and fast. That's the same boy who intervened with the Enforcer. He's helping us?
"Alright, let's get on with this please." Shane brought everyone back. "Aidam?"
"Hm?" Aidam shook himself out of it.
"Something wrong?" Shane knew the reason why Aidam was reacting that way, but chose to play along.
"No, nothing's wrong." Then, to the group, "I think I may be able to take care of this crisis." He took out the Force project folder.
Mitchell strode over to one specific working table and extended his hand to the engineer there. She graciously shook it. "So, you must be Mitchell."
"Mitch."
"Ok, well, I'm Maron. Pleased to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine."
"Don't flatter yourself." She muttered.
"Oooo shot down." Mitch murmured as well.
Mitch felt an uneasy silence settle, wondering how he should break it. He didn't. "So, you want me to build a suit for you?" Straight to business, screw the pleasantries.
"Uh, yeah."
She studied the sheet, "This is pretty basic, the schematics I mean."
"Well, that's where you come in." Maron quickly brought her eyes at him, "I need defensive gear, possibly resistant to 200 times the force of a normal human."
"And you want me to do this?"
"Well, yeah. I can offer insight, but when it comes to knowledge of the technology, we need your analysis." Maron was staring him down, as if she didn't like what he was asking, "Is that alright?"
She kept glaring, then her expression softened dramatically, "Cool your jets, military boy, I'm just messin' with you." A few snickers escaped the nearby engineers. She then called to her staff, "Alright, you heard the man, let's build him a battle suit."
"So, this, Force Mechanism, has it been tested without our consent?" Shane threw out the idea of command into the discussion.
"Yes, it has." Aidam didn't hesitate. "But I wish to give you reasons as to why it can be applied to our military." He got into position for his point, "You were saying that everyone is afraid of Cinder and won't face him knowing that weapons won't do a shred of good. This time, however, when this technology is fused into our normal arsenal, they can have no fear, knowing that their weapons will do a great deal of damage to targets like Cinder."
Shane and the majority of the board seemed unconvinced.
"I simply need something to give to you that would have you see what I can see for this technology."
"And what would you suggest, Chancellor?"
"A demonstration, to show you the glory and power of the Force Generation. Have us take care of Cinder."
"Ha! That would be nearly impossible, what with your lack of experience in the field of command, I don't see-
"I'll agree to that." The Headmaster descended from the alcove in the ceiling, remaining passive till now. Hyle froze. He continued, "Let's see if you fall on your face for once or maybe, just maybe, prove that your military strategies are our best. If you succeed, we will pass the Force G. experimentation and practice."
"Agreed." Aidam returned calmly.
Hyle stood quick and defiant, "Wait! You can't base our entire decision on a childish seek and destroy mission just because of the Headmaster!"
"Stand down Hyle, you haven't been in here long enough to realize the power of the Headmaster." Aidam said composed and icy.
He was right. Hyle was no more than twenty-five, in Direct for maybe two years, and just omitted onto the council. He was very bright and intelligent, but he didn't always know when to stop. This time, he did.
Operations commenced immediately. Trunks' younger sister, Bra, took up strategic posts.
ENTRANCE GRANTED the doors slid apart like a sheath, and Bra entered Aidam's quarters. He contemplated turning around to see her, but then shut the thought away, for fear Trunks may be coming. "Welcome, what's up?" he chimed instead.
"I've found some blueprints of the underground of the city that you might find interesting." She said calmly, sparking his interest.
His voice didn't betray that interest, "Hmm, is that so?"
"It may, or will, help you in your coming battle."
"I think I'll be fine." He said it very curtly, harsh and short enough to stop anything, too much for his intent. Bra stepped back slightly, eyes narrowing in confusion at the angry reply. But she mustered an equally short, but softer reply.
"Just don't get yourself killed, alright?" she asked.
"Is that...concern I hear from my rival's sister?" now he turned around.
"Trunks isn't your rival, you two just don't share the same points." Just then, Trunks entered the room without making a scene; he had heard the whole conversation.
"Bra, what are you doing here, you should be at the Support meeting." He inquired huskily.
"Calm down, bro, I was just having a friendly strategic chat with Mr. Stronkhold before he goes off to war."
"I thought I told you not to talk to him, it only encourages his ideas."
Bra looked up at her brother, "You do realize I'm 26 right?"
"I'll speak to her if I damn well please, Trunks."
Trunks stepped past and in front of Bra, half "protecting" her. "Don't tell me what you can do that involves my family, is that clear?"
Aidam stood and got in his face, "I will do what I see fit and is in my best interest, is that clear?"
"Did I miss something?" Bra loudly interrupted. They stopped and turned to her. "No, really, I think you two should draw your swords, or guns, or whatever else you're hiding in your pants, and, you know, slug it out." They stared at her, almost dumbfounded. Now with their attention, she continued, "Of course there is a big, red, winged, fuming warlord outside incinerating cars and nuking buildings and if you two can't stop this pissing contest, then I suggest you take your little Mr. Happy and shove it up your ass, because it won't be going anywhere else." She paused, staring them both down. "Now, Aidam, I think I have something that might help you in your strategy. Follow me."
Aidam turned his head slowly to Trunks and muttered, "Wow."
"Yeah." Trunks nodded in agreement.
"As you can see, there are still the navigation tunnels from the Gang Wars." Bra traced them on the map with her finger. Aidam was leaning over the map on the other side of the table. "I think you could spread your forces through all seven tunnels to ambush wherever Cinder is at the time from all sides."
"I agree." He looked into her eyes, "And, thanks, for what you said back there."
"Aidam, you're welcome, but, I meant it. If that happens again, I, personally, will make sure you walk funny for the rest of your life. Understood?"
"Understood." Aidam grinned.
"I can do that, Aidam." She whispered, very close now.
His grin faded slowly and he left with a few "coughs", "ahems", and "excuse me's". Bra crossed her arms and leaned back in the chair, laughing quietly.
Mitch was on his way to briefing, wearing a large cloak/coat over his FG Suit, hiding the modules and sleek armor from view of the common staff members. In his mind was a mix worry, adrenaline, and an odd sensation to throw up. Luckily, as he reached the briefing room, he was greeted by mutual feelings and helpful friendships, easing at least his worries.
Aidam was in front of the projection coordinate, standing with a General's air about him. He stood almost too tall, too confident, but he didn't care, he had his pride. "Welcome, warriors. Soldiers, fighters, and raptors of the sky, I bid you to this new generation. If success is proven tonight, we will have a new defense against new opposition. You've all seen the tapes and private demonstrations, but it is time for the factions and the rest of the world to be opened to this new possibility." Aidam began to pace a long line back and forth across the briefing area, hesitant to continue, second-guessing himself of what may occur if he said more. He betrayed his judgment, "As I had said, you've seen the tapes and you know what you are capable of doing. Show no fear, you can hurt and kill Cinder with the weapons you will hold in your hands. Use your best judgement of combat and always, remember you are Direct's men and women, nothing will change that. Dismissed." He saluted, then walked through the parting bodies, each of them stiffening and saluting as he passed.
Only one of them, leaning against the door's side, did not show this same enthusiasm. Aidam stopped at the door and asked the one, "Leon Orson?"
Leon pushed off from the wall and stood relaxed, waiting. Aidam outstretched his hand. "I just want say how much we appreciate you helping us."
Leon looked to the hand, then into Aidam's eyes. "Right." He turned out the door, but a commander blocked his path.
"Soldier!" the commander barked, "Your officer expects to shake your hand, be honored!"
Leon, still no expression on his face, looked into the commander's eyes now. "He's not my officer." He brushed past, "And I don't want the honor."
The commander began to follow, but Aidam stopped him. "No, he's right." His eyes followed the Surveyor, "I'm not his officer."
The sky had darkened dramatically, hopefully coincidentally; Aidam didn't want God to be mad at him as well. The horizontal double doors creaked open slowly, lettering only a sliver of light dance over the twenty troops behind Aidam.
"Let's do this."
Soldiers rose from the smallest of areas: doors behind bolted trashcans, basements, and even a public restroom. But despite the oddity of the areas, they were all strategically placed. Aidam and Mitch had separated for ground and command cover, but not five minutes after launching the operation; there was a sighting.
"Sir!" Mitch came running in from the East sector. "I saw him, heading to the Lake Port."
"Let's get a squad down there now!"
"Sir?" Mitch asked, turning back around, "May I face him before the squadron? We could use the new weapon, test it out."
Aidam considered this, but he knew Mitch was already past being capable, so he sighed and said, "Very well."
Mr. Kaaz was having "fun", crushing and incinerating a few cars, then bending many a lamppost by his will. Growing tired of this, he found the rarest of bums in a darkened alleyway. He pounced after him, landing halfway onto one of the grates emitting smoke and steam. The bum yelped and fled as if Satin were on his tail.
"Cinder!" Cinder turned toward the voice coming through the mist from the sewer vents. "Come so that I may send you to hell!" He came through the mist.
He was only a boy, possible in his early twenties. But his suit still fit him perfectly. His forearms had three jutting half-oval crystal add-ons, which were radiating a low glow. The same was all around his shins, four on each. Black gauntlets, with smaller versions of the crystal lining the fingers covering his hands. The rest of his suit was layered with armor and leather and a few loose strands of cloth. An electronic headband with a few flashing lights was all that was on his face.
"You dare challenge me? You're only human, you have no power against me."
"That's what technology's for." Mitch spread his legs out and went closer to crouch position. The crystal became a neon gold. With his enhanced legs and thinking, he sped and delivered the first punch with his right.
Cinder shook a little from the impact, then looked down at Mitch. "Oh, that really hurt." He said in a sarcastic tone.
Mitch cranked a dial on his right arm; the crystal became a hot green. He brought his arm back out and threw it back in. This time, Cinder blocked, but you could tell he was struggling. Mitch was constantly tapping his palm with his middle finger, bringing his strength to 40 to 1, in increments of 5 for each tap on his left hand. "This should." Crunch!
His other fist went under his right and into the chestplate, making the armor shatter. Cinder rocketed out of the alley and into a street lamp; it bent around him on impact. In annoyance, Cinder grabbed it, yanked from him, and hurled it at his assailant. The boy easily "roundhoused" it in two, sped forward, simultaneously bringing both arms to 40/1, and sucker punched the mutant, flinging him into open traffic.
Cinder used his momentum and sprang up further in the air, landing on the other side of the street. Mitchell watched the moving traffic, waiting to cross, and caught Cinder's taunting gestures. Fine. Here goes. He punched the switches and buttons on his boots, waited a few seconds, and sprang up and high over the traffic. Cinder's eyes bulged, following him flip once forward before landing directly in front of him.
"Happy?" Mitch asked.
"Very." Cinder said, and immediately tried to attack. Mitchell ducked and hooked with both fists to the gut, then face. But Cinder retaliated and socked him in the chestplate.
Mitch felt the force, and flew the length of the street and farther aways, his arms digging trenches in the concrete and pavement. But he was not in pain. He looked himself over again; he was fine. I'd better thank Maron profusely if I live through this. Shock absorbers, I love it!
A semi truck passed in front of them, and Mitchell was in the air before it had passed. He landed on Cinder diagonally, pummeling him to the ground and digging a similar trench. When he had skidded to a stop, Mitch, with his heightened kicking strength, punted the chin.
Cinder's body continued the trench until he arched over the side of the oil-lifting terrace.
Mitch caught Cinder's arm and armed his other cannon cylinder. "Watch it. Hell might have frozen over for the time being, but please, give me an excuse to kill you."
His grin reappeared and he yanked with his held arm, hurling Mitch over the side. He easily floated back up to the edge. Mitchell fell the distance, struggling in the air to get his feet facing the ground. Slam! He sunk into the floor, a radius of four feet crumbling and sinking in with him. Even though the boots absorbed most of the shock, the youth was still shaken. But he got his instincts back in time. Whirling around, he got Cinder back in his sights. The topmost crystal on his right arm opened up to reveal a force cannon. Commence firing.
The blast connected squarely in Cinder's back, weakening him as two more shots pummeled his shoulders. Mitch aimed a little lower, and blew apart his footing. Still weakened by the first blasts, Cinder did not bother to fly out of the fall and crunched into the pavement. He slowly got to his knees.
Mitch opened his left cannon and commenced rapid fire into the new crevice. Stone and ash flew everywhere. The smoke clouds billowed up high into the sky, mixing into the wind. Cinder's figure rocketed up and out of the smoke, some gray dregs hanging from his armor. Mitch charged his feet, and matched the move, pursuing with ten times the speed of what he was used to.
The chase was fierce, Cinder projecting to any rooftop he could find, then dropping randomly to the ground as to throw off his pursuer. But every time he tried to pull away, he found this human at his heels.
Mitch was enjoying it, but he knew the procedure now, and the time was closing. He saw the opportunity and whispered to his mike, "He's in the North Sector point. Go now." Cinder had reached the side of another medium brick building, gouging his claws into the side and half climbing half flying up it. Halfway up, he stopped, sensing no more presence near him. Turning around, the streets were empty. I've lost them. He resumed and propelled the remaining distance over the side onto the top.
Mitch and Aidam stood tall and proud, watching the warlord's ascension with adrenal anticipation. Mitchell could hardly contain his impulses to scream and open fire, now knowing at least some of the force he held all over his body. Cinder was last to notice he had been duped, however, and hardly showed emotion. He simply powered up and charged two fireballs.
"Not. So. Fast." Aidam said.
The cruisers rose from each alley, their thundering song and rapid rhythm of engines offering the only music in the night; the only prelude to chaos.
"You needed reinforcements, you weaklings!?" Cinder scoffed at Aidam and Mitchell.
Aidam ignored his taunt, "Cinder Kaaz, you are in direct violation of every code we have to insure peace. Prepare to be chastised!" He waved to the captain of a far cruiser. The cruiser had its Cyclone batteries armed momentarily. All other cruisers followed suit.
Cinder turned to each ship as its guns armed, at each one growing more and more disgruntled. At last, the final gun armed, everyone waited. Aidam knew this was right, at this moment, he had proven his point. All his pilots had no fear, knowing that their weapon would harm the target strongly. Yes, they were nervous, but they weren't afraid.
The gattling guns rattled off their rounds. Cinder was no longer there, but soaring over them in a high leap. Most of the ships followed and stopped firing, but one particular pilot kept going. From his cockpit he saw the warlord's red, single-winged body follow his ascension, cylinders blaring, and he let out a roar of desperation over the Tac Net, "Come oooooon!" as his cruiser went upside down and he maneuvered enough to crash sideways, caught on the edge of the roof.
"Pilot! Are you injured?" Aidam yelled over the Tac.
"Fine, sir, just letting my heart rate return to normal." He returned quickly.
Cinder disappeared down the dark chasm of brick. "Commence operation Vertigo! Don't lose him!" Aidam called into his mike. He nodded to Mitchell, who nodded back, and they charged opposite ways. Aidam unsheathed his own force blaster; a small, cylindrical barrel with a few odd markings, but nothing more unusual than that.
Trunks watched the city from the Direct spire, looking intently at nothing in particular. "He's going to go too far, he already has, in the middle of the evacuation traffic." He paused, thinking, "I have to do something." But the moment he turned, the Headmaster was there, hovering ghostly around him.
"You doubt Aidam's abilities, I see." His voice emitted from within the bionic metal.
"I don't doubt his intentions, though, he's just carrying it out wrong." He shouldered past him.
"Take your sword!" the Headmaster called back without looking.
"Already way ahead of you!" Trunks stormed off.
The air outside was dank with the faint smell of ash. The wind had blown the scent of battle near here. Trunks looked around to see there was no one watching, then powered up and bolted toward the scent.
"Men, we have him!" the Lieutenant called, "Ready." His squad, the Terra, brandished their weapons, creating a column of soldiers to block Cinder's path. "Aim." Their crosshairs found their target. "Fire at will!"
They spread out, sectioning off Cinder's escape routes with laser fire. The warlord took off around the only open corner. A flash of cloth and steel danced into his way. The figure had medium-length purplish silver hair, and a fine goatee. He was standing low, spread out, daring him to pass. And something about his eyes, blue and silver reflections, which struck the fanatic fear felt against an opponent: when you know you can't win.
The squad had caught up and readied their weapons once more. Cinder whirled back to find nothing but a small dust cloud lifting off. He tore his arm back to the squad, loosing a fireball the size of a basketball.
The first of the squadron ducked for cover, but the Lieutenant was left staring dumbly at death. Aidam tackled him in time, and, from the ground, blazed several shots. The fear of the rest dissipated and they flared as well. Cinder roared and took flight, landing somewhere in the distance. "Spread!" Aidam ordered, "Go in groups from now on." He added with a quick glance to the Lieutenant.
He charged down another street, following his instinct as best he could. He donned his visor and looked through the wall. He saw a shape and took aim.
The blasts penetrated the brick with ease and began to follow the red behemoth. This lasted until he realized where they were coming from...
He saw the blast coming and dove to the right, fire and smoke filling where he once was. Landing on his side, he fired into the smoke and heard loud footsteps. Two paratroopers landed near him to cover. They heard the crash of breaking glass.
Cinder lifted himself up from the shards and stared into the small barrel of a force pistol. "Hold it right there, you disgusting red monkey." Leon taunted over the barrel.
The "red monkey" growled, but then received a shot in the shoulder, bellowed, and swung his backhand before galloping away. Leon fell out of the way, nearly getting his head knocked off.
"Men!" Aidam called on his troopers, "Head after him!" Then, he hoisted himself up and dashed over to where Leon lay, "Are you alright."
Leon didn't answer right away, but instead looked up at a trooper flying over him and into the nearest lamppost.
"Aidam! Duck!" the blast seared over the councilman, and Leon returned fire with six well placed shots. The fifth struck the thigh.
"You alright." Aidam asked, wiping himself off.
"Yeah, fine. You?"
"Yeah, did you hit him?"
"In the thigh, I think." Leon calculated.
"Good call. Thanks. Now let's go get that bastard." Aidam started off, but Leon stopped him for a moment.
"Heh, it's kinda' funny, heheh, that I'm helping you." His eyes maneuvered into his, "You who, inadvertently, tried to assassinate my brother and multitudes of others." He whispered, "Trevor told me."
"I-I am so sorry, God, I am sorry." Aidam whispered back.
"You're doing this to make up for yourself aren't you?"
Aidam didn't answer.
"Well, it's working. NOW let's go get that bastard." Leon smiled lightly.
"Agreed."
They jogged side by side, then spread slightly. Now more comfortable, Aidam conversed over the headset, "You've got a pretty nice shot for a civilian. You want a job?"
"Ha! Give me a sword and I'm in."
"A sword, huh? I think we may have some of those in stock for you." Aidam noted the one hanging from his own belt. But the warlord had not gone far, shouts and gunfire leading them to his spot.
Cinder was surrounded, all the remaining squads had found him, and Aidam and Leon closed the only gap he had left. That final gap was the one he attacked. He went for Leon first.
Panic slithered into Leon's reaction time and sped it up, firing off as many singeing blasts as he possibly could. Cinder cried in pain, but did not stop, and in one swipe had sliced the gun in two. But six bolts in his back stopped his advance and turned his wrath on Aidam. The squadron got the idea, and, one by one, they fired on him, drawing his anger upon them, farther and farther away from the surveyor.
It did not take Cinder long to realize the scheme, though, and he charged an immense fireball with both hands, turned, and hurled it at Leon.
Aidam unhitched his sword.
"Leon!" he whacked the sheath out, propelling sword hilt first to the Surveyor, who caught it and swung with experience into the blast. It reflected off, but Leon was still shaken profusely.
Aidam watched Cinder's shape leap from its spot, fly over his head, while firing at it, and land on the end of the building. Cinder dashed for his life.
Mitchell charged up, but stopped behind Aidam's stiff left arm; the councilman aimed with his right. The beam fired. It cut through red flesh; clean through. Another lifeless wing spasmed to the pavement and Cinder screamed in agony as blood spilled onto the black street.
They followed, but all stopped behind an outstretched sword. Trunks appeared from the shadows. "That's enough, you've proven your point."
"But he's getting away!" Mitchell screamed.
"There are residencies that way, I don't want a warzone to happen there."
"But what about-
"I'll take care of it." When he noticed Aidam ready to question again, gestured, "I know where to find him, you don't." and with that, he vanished.
Demonstration
"So what is it?" Aidam stood in the testing range, deep within the core of the Direct basement. Several officers were there to witness the goings on, including that of Mitchell Skos, an accomplished Lieutenant under Aidam's advisory.
"We call it the Force Generator. We took the same generator schematics of the Cyclone cannon and added a rare element supplied by Exodus. This caused-
"Exodus?"
"Er," the engineer was thrown off by the interruption. "Yes, Exodus, uh, Tren offered it to our head engineer saying that, uh, they couldn't do anything with their lack of technology, so we could take it and use it as, um, our own."
"And you agreed?" Aidam inquired.
"Uh, well, yeah." He stammered.
Aidam waited, his stern demeanor disintegrating fast into a grin, "Good, well done. Continue."
"Right, ok, um, yeah. This caused the molecules within the plasma solution to increase their rate of impact, or increase their "force" of connection, enabling them to go through auras, you could say."
"I understand, may I try it?" Aidam asked.
"Oh, of course sir. Here." He handed him the gun. It was sleek and long-shafted, the barrel itself thinner and more concentrated. The back end had one circular cylinder and a bottom adjustable cartridge ahead of the trigger. The metal Lathe had a red tint to it in the light. Aidam's eyes followed the scientist's pointing finger to six rectangular monoliths lined up. He took aim and fired one shot.
Every engineer's pair of eyes widened and bulged at the sight. The shot burned through each monolith with lightning speed, finally to enter an absorbing plate at the end.
"Excellent." He handed the gun back to one of the engineers. "Have you tried putting the energy in smaller casings, smaller guns?"
"Yes." The engineer hastened to say, "This one is can be upgraded, that's what the cartridge is for, and we have several successful models that have been tested in a smaller, pistol cartridge."
"Very good, Fredrick, keep working on the smaller cartridges and duplicating them. Oh, and," from within his jacket he revealed a small folded paper and held it between two fingers before the engineer, "give this to the head of your project. It was mapped out and recommended by one of my students." He leaned closer, "I suggest you take good measurements."
Mitchell watched and nodded when he saw the paper come out and into the hands of the engineer.
ATTENTION: ALL COUNCILMEN TO THE BOARD IMMEDIATELY. REPEAT: ALL COUNCILMEN TO THE BOARD ASAP
"Hm, uh, Mitchell," he motioned for Mitchell to come over, "My student will fill you in on the statistics, but I must be going." He began to exit. When he and Mitchell crossed, he clutched his arm and whispered, "Soon." Then let go and left.
Yeah, yeah, don't give me that crap, I know. Mitchell knew and made his way down to the deck.
"Well, gentlemen, this is a crisis, for all of us. Aidam, I won't blame you. You conceived him, but I won't blame you. What you created was for military reasons, not to be a psychopathic killer."
"Okay, I think we got the point there." Aidam ended it.
"Very well," Hyle sighed, then began, "Cinder was last spotted by a street Surveyor, the same who helped in the last incident involving Cinder, by the Square."
"Who was that, councilman?"
"Oh, Trevor recommended him, but he volunteered his services whenever he found something unusual that we did also."
"What is his name?"
"Oh, a Leon Orson."
The name struck Aidam hard and fast. That's the same boy who intervened with the Enforcer. He's helping us?
"Alright, let's get on with this please." Shane brought everyone back. "Aidam?"
"Hm?" Aidam shook himself out of it.
"Something wrong?" Shane knew the reason why Aidam was reacting that way, but chose to play along.
"No, nothing's wrong." Then, to the group, "I think I may be able to take care of this crisis." He took out the Force project folder.
Mitchell strode over to one specific working table and extended his hand to the engineer there. She graciously shook it. "So, you must be Mitchell."
"Mitch."
"Ok, well, I'm Maron. Pleased to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine."
"Don't flatter yourself." She muttered.
"Oooo shot down." Mitch murmured as well.
Mitch felt an uneasy silence settle, wondering how he should break it. He didn't. "So, you want me to build a suit for you?" Straight to business, screw the pleasantries.
"Uh, yeah."
She studied the sheet, "This is pretty basic, the schematics I mean."
"Well, that's where you come in." Maron quickly brought her eyes at him, "I need defensive gear, possibly resistant to 200 times the force of a normal human."
"And you want me to do this?"
"Well, yeah. I can offer insight, but when it comes to knowledge of the technology, we need your analysis." Maron was staring him down, as if she didn't like what he was asking, "Is that alright?"
She kept glaring, then her expression softened dramatically, "Cool your jets, military boy, I'm just messin' with you." A few snickers escaped the nearby engineers. She then called to her staff, "Alright, you heard the man, let's build him a battle suit."
"So, this, Force Mechanism, has it been tested without our consent?" Shane threw out the idea of command into the discussion.
"Yes, it has." Aidam didn't hesitate. "But I wish to give you reasons as to why it can be applied to our military." He got into position for his point, "You were saying that everyone is afraid of Cinder and won't face him knowing that weapons won't do a shred of good. This time, however, when this technology is fused into our normal arsenal, they can have no fear, knowing that their weapons will do a great deal of damage to targets like Cinder."
Shane and the majority of the board seemed unconvinced.
"I simply need something to give to you that would have you see what I can see for this technology."
"And what would you suggest, Chancellor?"
"A demonstration, to show you the glory and power of the Force Generation. Have us take care of Cinder."
"Ha! That would be nearly impossible, what with your lack of experience in the field of command, I don't see-
"I'll agree to that." The Headmaster descended from the alcove in the ceiling, remaining passive till now. Hyle froze. He continued, "Let's see if you fall on your face for once or maybe, just maybe, prove that your military strategies are our best. If you succeed, we will pass the Force G. experimentation and practice."
"Agreed." Aidam returned calmly.
Hyle stood quick and defiant, "Wait! You can't base our entire decision on a childish seek and destroy mission just because of the Headmaster!"
"Stand down Hyle, you haven't been in here long enough to realize the power of the Headmaster." Aidam said composed and icy.
He was right. Hyle was no more than twenty-five, in Direct for maybe two years, and just omitted onto the council. He was very bright and intelligent, but he didn't always know when to stop. This time, he did.
Operations commenced immediately. Trunks' younger sister, Bra, took up strategic posts.
ENTRANCE GRANTED the doors slid apart like a sheath, and Bra entered Aidam's quarters. He contemplated turning around to see her, but then shut the thought away, for fear Trunks may be coming. "Welcome, what's up?" he chimed instead.
"I've found some blueprints of the underground of the city that you might find interesting." She said calmly, sparking his interest.
His voice didn't betray that interest, "Hmm, is that so?"
"It may, or will, help you in your coming battle."
"I think I'll be fine." He said it very curtly, harsh and short enough to stop anything, too much for his intent. Bra stepped back slightly, eyes narrowing in confusion at the angry reply. But she mustered an equally short, but softer reply.
"Just don't get yourself killed, alright?" she asked.
"Is that...concern I hear from my rival's sister?" now he turned around.
"Trunks isn't your rival, you two just don't share the same points." Just then, Trunks entered the room without making a scene; he had heard the whole conversation.
"Bra, what are you doing here, you should be at the Support meeting." He inquired huskily.
"Calm down, bro, I was just having a friendly strategic chat with Mr. Stronkhold before he goes off to war."
"I thought I told you not to talk to him, it only encourages his ideas."
Bra looked up at her brother, "You do realize I'm 26 right?"
"I'll speak to her if I damn well please, Trunks."
Trunks stepped past and in front of Bra, half "protecting" her. "Don't tell me what you can do that involves my family, is that clear?"
Aidam stood and got in his face, "I will do what I see fit and is in my best interest, is that clear?"
"Did I miss something?" Bra loudly interrupted. They stopped and turned to her. "No, really, I think you two should draw your swords, or guns, or whatever else you're hiding in your pants, and, you know, slug it out." They stared at her, almost dumbfounded. Now with their attention, she continued, "Of course there is a big, red, winged, fuming warlord outside incinerating cars and nuking buildings and if you two can't stop this pissing contest, then I suggest you take your little Mr. Happy and shove it up your ass, because it won't be going anywhere else." She paused, staring them both down. "Now, Aidam, I think I have something that might help you in your strategy. Follow me."
Aidam turned his head slowly to Trunks and muttered, "Wow."
"Yeah." Trunks nodded in agreement.
"As you can see, there are still the navigation tunnels from the Gang Wars." Bra traced them on the map with her finger. Aidam was leaning over the map on the other side of the table. "I think you could spread your forces through all seven tunnels to ambush wherever Cinder is at the time from all sides."
"I agree." He looked into her eyes, "And, thanks, for what you said back there."
"Aidam, you're welcome, but, I meant it. If that happens again, I, personally, will make sure you walk funny for the rest of your life. Understood?"
"Understood." Aidam grinned.
"I can do that, Aidam." She whispered, very close now.
His grin faded slowly and he left with a few "coughs", "ahems", and "excuse me's". Bra crossed her arms and leaned back in the chair, laughing quietly.
Mitch was on his way to briefing, wearing a large cloak/coat over his FG Suit, hiding the modules and sleek armor from view of the common staff members. In his mind was a mix worry, adrenaline, and an odd sensation to throw up. Luckily, as he reached the briefing room, he was greeted by mutual feelings and helpful friendships, easing at least his worries.
Aidam was in front of the projection coordinate, standing with a General's air about him. He stood almost too tall, too confident, but he didn't care, he had his pride. "Welcome, warriors. Soldiers, fighters, and raptors of the sky, I bid you to this new generation. If success is proven tonight, we will have a new defense against new opposition. You've all seen the tapes and private demonstrations, but it is time for the factions and the rest of the world to be opened to this new possibility." Aidam began to pace a long line back and forth across the briefing area, hesitant to continue, second-guessing himself of what may occur if he said more. He betrayed his judgment, "As I had said, you've seen the tapes and you know what you are capable of doing. Show no fear, you can hurt and kill Cinder with the weapons you will hold in your hands. Use your best judgement of combat and always, remember you are Direct's men and women, nothing will change that. Dismissed." He saluted, then walked through the parting bodies, each of them stiffening and saluting as he passed.
Only one of them, leaning against the door's side, did not show this same enthusiasm. Aidam stopped at the door and asked the one, "Leon Orson?"
Leon pushed off from the wall and stood relaxed, waiting. Aidam outstretched his hand. "I just want say how much we appreciate you helping us."
Leon looked to the hand, then into Aidam's eyes. "Right." He turned out the door, but a commander blocked his path.
"Soldier!" the commander barked, "Your officer expects to shake your hand, be honored!"
Leon, still no expression on his face, looked into the commander's eyes now. "He's not my officer." He brushed past, "And I don't want the honor."
The commander began to follow, but Aidam stopped him. "No, he's right." His eyes followed the Surveyor, "I'm not his officer."
The sky had darkened dramatically, hopefully coincidentally; Aidam didn't want God to be mad at him as well. The horizontal double doors creaked open slowly, lettering only a sliver of light dance over the twenty troops behind Aidam.
"Let's do this."
Soldiers rose from the smallest of areas: doors behind bolted trashcans, basements, and even a public restroom. But despite the oddity of the areas, they were all strategically placed. Aidam and Mitch had separated for ground and command cover, but not five minutes after launching the operation; there was a sighting.
"Sir!" Mitch came running in from the East sector. "I saw him, heading to the Lake Port."
"Let's get a squad down there now!"
"Sir?" Mitch asked, turning back around, "May I face him before the squadron? We could use the new weapon, test it out."
Aidam considered this, but he knew Mitch was already past being capable, so he sighed and said, "Very well."
Mr. Kaaz was having "fun", crushing and incinerating a few cars, then bending many a lamppost by his will. Growing tired of this, he found the rarest of bums in a darkened alleyway. He pounced after him, landing halfway onto one of the grates emitting smoke and steam. The bum yelped and fled as if Satin were on his tail.
"Cinder!" Cinder turned toward the voice coming through the mist from the sewer vents. "Come so that I may send you to hell!" He came through the mist.
He was only a boy, possible in his early twenties. But his suit still fit him perfectly. His forearms had three jutting half-oval crystal add-ons, which were radiating a low glow. The same was all around his shins, four on each. Black gauntlets, with smaller versions of the crystal lining the fingers covering his hands. The rest of his suit was layered with armor and leather and a few loose strands of cloth. An electronic headband with a few flashing lights was all that was on his face.
"You dare challenge me? You're only human, you have no power against me."
"That's what technology's for." Mitch spread his legs out and went closer to crouch position. The crystal became a neon gold. With his enhanced legs and thinking, he sped and delivered the first punch with his right.
Cinder shook a little from the impact, then looked down at Mitch. "Oh, that really hurt." He said in a sarcastic tone.
Mitch cranked a dial on his right arm; the crystal became a hot green. He brought his arm back out and threw it back in. This time, Cinder blocked, but you could tell he was struggling. Mitch was constantly tapping his palm with his middle finger, bringing his strength to 40 to 1, in increments of 5 for each tap on his left hand. "This should." Crunch!
His other fist went under his right and into the chestplate, making the armor shatter. Cinder rocketed out of the alley and into a street lamp; it bent around him on impact. In annoyance, Cinder grabbed it, yanked from him, and hurled it at his assailant. The boy easily "roundhoused" it in two, sped forward, simultaneously bringing both arms to 40/1, and sucker punched the mutant, flinging him into open traffic.
Cinder used his momentum and sprang up further in the air, landing on the other side of the street. Mitchell watched the moving traffic, waiting to cross, and caught Cinder's taunting gestures. Fine. Here goes. He punched the switches and buttons on his boots, waited a few seconds, and sprang up and high over the traffic. Cinder's eyes bulged, following him flip once forward before landing directly in front of him.
"Happy?" Mitch asked.
"Very." Cinder said, and immediately tried to attack. Mitchell ducked and hooked with both fists to the gut, then face. But Cinder retaliated and socked him in the chestplate.
Mitch felt the force, and flew the length of the street and farther aways, his arms digging trenches in the concrete and pavement. But he was not in pain. He looked himself over again; he was fine. I'd better thank Maron profusely if I live through this. Shock absorbers, I love it!
A semi truck passed in front of them, and Mitchell was in the air before it had passed. He landed on Cinder diagonally, pummeling him to the ground and digging a similar trench. When he had skidded to a stop, Mitch, with his heightened kicking strength, punted the chin.
Cinder's body continued the trench until he arched over the side of the oil-lifting terrace.
Mitch caught Cinder's arm and armed his other cannon cylinder. "Watch it. Hell might have frozen over for the time being, but please, give me an excuse to kill you."
His grin reappeared and he yanked with his held arm, hurling Mitch over the side. He easily floated back up to the edge. Mitchell fell the distance, struggling in the air to get his feet facing the ground. Slam! He sunk into the floor, a radius of four feet crumbling and sinking in with him. Even though the boots absorbed most of the shock, the youth was still shaken. But he got his instincts back in time. Whirling around, he got Cinder back in his sights. The topmost crystal on his right arm opened up to reveal a force cannon. Commence firing.
The blast connected squarely in Cinder's back, weakening him as two more shots pummeled his shoulders. Mitch aimed a little lower, and blew apart his footing. Still weakened by the first blasts, Cinder did not bother to fly out of the fall and crunched into the pavement. He slowly got to his knees.
Mitch opened his left cannon and commenced rapid fire into the new crevice. Stone and ash flew everywhere. The smoke clouds billowed up high into the sky, mixing into the wind. Cinder's figure rocketed up and out of the smoke, some gray dregs hanging from his armor. Mitch charged his feet, and matched the move, pursuing with ten times the speed of what he was used to.
The chase was fierce, Cinder projecting to any rooftop he could find, then dropping randomly to the ground as to throw off his pursuer. But every time he tried to pull away, he found this human at his heels.
Mitch was enjoying it, but he knew the procedure now, and the time was closing. He saw the opportunity and whispered to his mike, "He's in the North Sector point. Go now." Cinder had reached the side of another medium brick building, gouging his claws into the side and half climbing half flying up it. Halfway up, he stopped, sensing no more presence near him. Turning around, the streets were empty. I've lost them. He resumed and propelled the remaining distance over the side onto the top.
Mitch and Aidam stood tall and proud, watching the warlord's ascension with adrenal anticipation. Mitchell could hardly contain his impulses to scream and open fire, now knowing at least some of the force he held all over his body. Cinder was last to notice he had been duped, however, and hardly showed emotion. He simply powered up and charged two fireballs.
"Not. So. Fast." Aidam said.
The cruisers rose from each alley, their thundering song and rapid rhythm of engines offering the only music in the night; the only prelude to chaos.
"You needed reinforcements, you weaklings!?" Cinder scoffed at Aidam and Mitchell.
Aidam ignored his taunt, "Cinder Kaaz, you are in direct violation of every code we have to insure peace. Prepare to be chastised!" He waved to the captain of a far cruiser. The cruiser had its Cyclone batteries armed momentarily. All other cruisers followed suit.
Cinder turned to each ship as its guns armed, at each one growing more and more disgruntled. At last, the final gun armed, everyone waited. Aidam knew this was right, at this moment, he had proven his point. All his pilots had no fear, knowing that their weapon would harm the target strongly. Yes, they were nervous, but they weren't afraid.
The gattling guns rattled off their rounds. Cinder was no longer there, but soaring over them in a high leap. Most of the ships followed and stopped firing, but one particular pilot kept going. From his cockpit he saw the warlord's red, single-winged body follow his ascension, cylinders blaring, and he let out a roar of desperation over the Tac Net, "Come oooooon!" as his cruiser went upside down and he maneuvered enough to crash sideways, caught on the edge of the roof.
"Pilot! Are you injured?" Aidam yelled over the Tac.
"Fine, sir, just letting my heart rate return to normal." He returned quickly.
Cinder disappeared down the dark chasm of brick. "Commence operation Vertigo! Don't lose him!" Aidam called into his mike. He nodded to Mitchell, who nodded back, and they charged opposite ways. Aidam unsheathed his own force blaster; a small, cylindrical barrel with a few odd markings, but nothing more unusual than that.
Trunks watched the city from the Direct spire, looking intently at nothing in particular. "He's going to go too far, he already has, in the middle of the evacuation traffic." He paused, thinking, "I have to do something." But the moment he turned, the Headmaster was there, hovering ghostly around him.
"You doubt Aidam's abilities, I see." His voice emitted from within the bionic metal.
"I don't doubt his intentions, though, he's just carrying it out wrong." He shouldered past him.
"Take your sword!" the Headmaster called back without looking.
"Already way ahead of you!" Trunks stormed off.
The air outside was dank with the faint smell of ash. The wind had blown the scent of battle near here. Trunks looked around to see there was no one watching, then powered up and bolted toward the scent.
"Men, we have him!" the Lieutenant called, "Ready." His squad, the Terra, brandished their weapons, creating a column of soldiers to block Cinder's path. "Aim." Their crosshairs found their target. "Fire at will!"
They spread out, sectioning off Cinder's escape routes with laser fire. The warlord took off around the only open corner. A flash of cloth and steel danced into his way. The figure had medium-length purplish silver hair, and a fine goatee. He was standing low, spread out, daring him to pass. And something about his eyes, blue and silver reflections, which struck the fanatic fear felt against an opponent: when you know you can't win.
The squad had caught up and readied their weapons once more. Cinder whirled back to find nothing but a small dust cloud lifting off. He tore his arm back to the squad, loosing a fireball the size of a basketball.
The first of the squadron ducked for cover, but the Lieutenant was left staring dumbly at death. Aidam tackled him in time, and, from the ground, blazed several shots. The fear of the rest dissipated and they flared as well. Cinder roared and took flight, landing somewhere in the distance. "Spread!" Aidam ordered, "Go in groups from now on." He added with a quick glance to the Lieutenant.
He charged down another street, following his instinct as best he could. He donned his visor and looked through the wall. He saw a shape and took aim.
The blasts penetrated the brick with ease and began to follow the red behemoth. This lasted until he realized where they were coming from...
He saw the blast coming and dove to the right, fire and smoke filling where he once was. Landing on his side, he fired into the smoke and heard loud footsteps. Two paratroopers landed near him to cover. They heard the crash of breaking glass.
Cinder lifted himself up from the shards and stared into the small barrel of a force pistol. "Hold it right there, you disgusting red monkey." Leon taunted over the barrel.
The "red monkey" growled, but then received a shot in the shoulder, bellowed, and swung his backhand before galloping away. Leon fell out of the way, nearly getting his head knocked off.
"Men!" Aidam called on his troopers, "Head after him!" Then, he hoisted himself up and dashed over to where Leon lay, "Are you alright."
Leon didn't answer right away, but instead looked up at a trooper flying over him and into the nearest lamppost.
"Aidam! Duck!" the blast seared over the councilman, and Leon returned fire with six well placed shots. The fifth struck the thigh.
"You alright." Aidam asked, wiping himself off.
"Yeah, fine. You?"
"Yeah, did you hit him?"
"In the thigh, I think." Leon calculated.
"Good call. Thanks. Now let's go get that bastard." Aidam started off, but Leon stopped him for a moment.
"Heh, it's kinda' funny, heheh, that I'm helping you." His eyes maneuvered into his, "You who, inadvertently, tried to assassinate my brother and multitudes of others." He whispered, "Trevor told me."
"I-I am so sorry, God, I am sorry." Aidam whispered back.
"You're doing this to make up for yourself aren't you?"
Aidam didn't answer.
"Well, it's working. NOW let's go get that bastard." Leon smiled lightly.
"Agreed."
They jogged side by side, then spread slightly. Now more comfortable, Aidam conversed over the headset, "You've got a pretty nice shot for a civilian. You want a job?"
"Ha! Give me a sword and I'm in."
"A sword, huh? I think we may have some of those in stock for you." Aidam noted the one hanging from his own belt. But the warlord had not gone far, shouts and gunfire leading them to his spot.
Cinder was surrounded, all the remaining squads had found him, and Aidam and Leon closed the only gap he had left. That final gap was the one he attacked. He went for Leon first.
Panic slithered into Leon's reaction time and sped it up, firing off as many singeing blasts as he possibly could. Cinder cried in pain, but did not stop, and in one swipe had sliced the gun in two. But six bolts in his back stopped his advance and turned his wrath on Aidam. The squadron got the idea, and, one by one, they fired on him, drawing his anger upon them, farther and farther away from the surveyor.
It did not take Cinder long to realize the scheme, though, and he charged an immense fireball with both hands, turned, and hurled it at Leon.
Aidam unhitched his sword.
"Leon!" he whacked the sheath out, propelling sword hilt first to the Surveyor, who caught it and swung with experience into the blast. It reflected off, but Leon was still shaken profusely.
Aidam watched Cinder's shape leap from its spot, fly over his head, while firing at it, and land on the end of the building. Cinder dashed for his life.
Mitchell charged up, but stopped behind Aidam's stiff left arm; the councilman aimed with his right. The beam fired. It cut through red flesh; clean through. Another lifeless wing spasmed to the pavement and Cinder screamed in agony as blood spilled onto the black street.
They followed, but all stopped behind an outstretched sword. Trunks appeared from the shadows. "That's enough, you've proven your point."
"But he's getting away!" Mitchell screamed.
"There are residencies that way, I don't want a warzone to happen there."
"But what about-
"I'll take care of it." When he noticed Aidam ready to question again, gestured, "I know where to find him, you don't." and with that, he vanished.