Black Feather: Episode XXXI
"Lucifer: The Dark Angel"
Laevaentteinn Rebel Base, Main Conference Hall
11:03 a.m., 03/19
"Garnet?"
"You heard right. She has the codekey for breaking through security in one of Sphere's labs."
"Sphere... Is that who you're fighting against?"
"We oppose all corporations except Union. They are our main benefactor." A long pause ensued. Lucifer spoke again. "We have reached the new world. And with it, there must be new resolutions. However, there hasn't been any. Sphere has fueled the corporate war as of late, and I... we believe that by taking them down, the war should at least subside long enough to make our main move."
Qastor glanced at Diana, who was staring at the sky through the table's reflection. Lucifer turned from the scenery and back at Qastor.
"The first mission begins tonight." Lucifer slowly paced back and forth.
"What are the objectives?" Qastor turned his head toward him again. Lucifer motioned to sitting woman, who reached for a cell-phone-sized controller. Lucifer walked to the middle of the hall. Qastor stood up and followed. Upon meeting Lucifer face-to-face, the room was pitch-black again. Qastor glimpsed wildly about. It was soon that he would discover that the glass panels actually formed an immense monitor. A 2-D map of a city glowed in the monitor. Intricate, translucent lines mapped the streets, while similarly colored circles and rectangles outlined the buildings. A cursor highlighted a specific area in the northeastern section of the city.
"This is Galistone County of Sphere. The highlighted area is the county's exportation energy plant, which provides energy for any outlying structures in the vicinity." The county map flashed, shriveled, and revealed more of the surrounding area. Another structure, located south of the county, was highlighted. "That building you see at the bottom is Garnet's current location. We are to put the exportation energy plant out of commission and raid the keep."
"The keep? Is that what it's called?"
"Correct. That structure is the Gardens Accord Keep. Its name betrays its true self. It is a massive defense structure heavily guarded and protected by an infallible security system. It also has a defensive dome shield protecting the entire keep."
"What is the purpose of the structure?"
"The keep stores Sphere's top-secret experimental results and raw data, as well as newly developed military weapons and shells. Garnet is locked in a certain area we haven't been able to map. Sphere must've thought we've completely withdrew from the area, so Garnet remains undetected. But... That mistake might not last for long. We have reason to believe it's deep underground. Once the power's out, the security system should deactivate for at least two minutes. That's where you and Diana come in. You two are to infiltrate the facility and rescue Garnet."
"With what? MTs?"
"No, with ACs. We've fully repaired your AC."
"Thanks, but... Aren't ACs too big for infiltration?"
"The entire facility has passageways which may accommodate an AC. MTs and such are required for the transportation of materials in and out, so large passageways are required."
"What about the dome? How can we get through it?" Qastor sounded unsure.
"The dome needs to open in order to let their security forces out. When that happens, we'll detonate the gates, disabling them and leaving them open. If the dome doesn't open, we'll have to blow a hole in it."
"Alright. But, what about Garnet? What does he... uh, she look like?" He faltered as he said this, trying to remember the details.
"She should still be in her AC." A new image appeared. A mellow red mid- weight bipedal AC was shown. "That's her AC. If she's not in it, I suggest you search on foot, for her own safety."
"Alright, I gotcha." Qastor was casual now that he's been standing in the same place for quite some time.
"Do you have any questions?"
"Yeah. Don't forget. I'm a Raven. So... What's my reward?" He expected some respect since he was a Raven.
"Besides letting you live and having provided you with food and shelter, I've prepared an AC part for you. I will also cover the maintenance and repair costs. Do you have any more questions?"
"No, I gotcha."
"Be ready by 1900 hours. Once you are, head for the hangar. Your AC and transport will be waiting."
Fluorescent lights switched on in the ceiling and everything revealed itself. Qastor didn't care, as he just wanted to get out of the room. When he turned around for the exit, Diana made her way out.
"Lucifer doesn't like it when those under him behave like that." Diana was waiting for him in the hall.
"What's up with him?"
"He's worried."
"About what?"
"Sphere of course. They've been acting up lately, and sending their forces all over the land. We figured they'd be searching for something, but Lucifer isn't sure. But, whatever they're looking for, it's big."
"Yeah, well, that's his problem. Not mine."
"I'm not so sure about that. If one corporation conquers all, it affects everyone. Even Ravens."
"Whatever... but I'll keep that in mind."
"I'll meet you in the hangar at 1900 hours."
"Yeah, I know."
With that, Diana returned to her duties, hugging a clipboard and some sheets against her chest. Her golden hair flowed as she briskly walked down the hall. Qastor turned, shook his head, and went to check up on Xanthippius.
An abomination awaits in the night...
"Lucifer: The Dark Angel"
Laevaentteinn Rebel Base, Main Conference Hall
11:03 a.m., 03/19
"Garnet?"
"You heard right. She has the codekey for breaking through security in one of Sphere's labs."
"Sphere... Is that who you're fighting against?"
"We oppose all corporations except Union. They are our main benefactor." A long pause ensued. Lucifer spoke again. "We have reached the new world. And with it, there must be new resolutions. However, there hasn't been any. Sphere has fueled the corporate war as of late, and I... we believe that by taking them down, the war should at least subside long enough to make our main move."
Qastor glanced at Diana, who was staring at the sky through the table's reflection. Lucifer turned from the scenery and back at Qastor.
"The first mission begins tonight." Lucifer slowly paced back and forth.
"What are the objectives?" Qastor turned his head toward him again. Lucifer motioned to sitting woman, who reached for a cell-phone-sized controller. Lucifer walked to the middle of the hall. Qastor stood up and followed. Upon meeting Lucifer face-to-face, the room was pitch-black again. Qastor glimpsed wildly about. It was soon that he would discover that the glass panels actually formed an immense monitor. A 2-D map of a city glowed in the monitor. Intricate, translucent lines mapped the streets, while similarly colored circles and rectangles outlined the buildings. A cursor highlighted a specific area in the northeastern section of the city.
"This is Galistone County of Sphere. The highlighted area is the county's exportation energy plant, which provides energy for any outlying structures in the vicinity." The county map flashed, shriveled, and revealed more of the surrounding area. Another structure, located south of the county, was highlighted. "That building you see at the bottom is Garnet's current location. We are to put the exportation energy plant out of commission and raid the keep."
"The keep? Is that what it's called?"
"Correct. That structure is the Gardens Accord Keep. Its name betrays its true self. It is a massive defense structure heavily guarded and protected by an infallible security system. It also has a defensive dome shield protecting the entire keep."
"What is the purpose of the structure?"
"The keep stores Sphere's top-secret experimental results and raw data, as well as newly developed military weapons and shells. Garnet is locked in a certain area we haven't been able to map. Sphere must've thought we've completely withdrew from the area, so Garnet remains undetected. But... That mistake might not last for long. We have reason to believe it's deep underground. Once the power's out, the security system should deactivate for at least two minutes. That's where you and Diana come in. You two are to infiltrate the facility and rescue Garnet."
"With what? MTs?"
"No, with ACs. We've fully repaired your AC."
"Thanks, but... Aren't ACs too big for infiltration?"
"The entire facility has passageways which may accommodate an AC. MTs and such are required for the transportation of materials in and out, so large passageways are required."
"What about the dome? How can we get through it?" Qastor sounded unsure.
"The dome needs to open in order to let their security forces out. When that happens, we'll detonate the gates, disabling them and leaving them open. If the dome doesn't open, we'll have to blow a hole in it."
"Alright. But, what about Garnet? What does he... uh, she look like?" He faltered as he said this, trying to remember the details.
"She should still be in her AC." A new image appeared. A mellow red mid- weight bipedal AC was shown. "That's her AC. If she's not in it, I suggest you search on foot, for her own safety."
"Alright, I gotcha." Qastor was casual now that he's been standing in the same place for quite some time.
"Do you have any questions?"
"Yeah. Don't forget. I'm a Raven. So... What's my reward?" He expected some respect since he was a Raven.
"Besides letting you live and having provided you with food and shelter, I've prepared an AC part for you. I will also cover the maintenance and repair costs. Do you have any more questions?"
"No, I gotcha."
"Be ready by 1900 hours. Once you are, head for the hangar. Your AC and transport will be waiting."
Fluorescent lights switched on in the ceiling and everything revealed itself. Qastor didn't care, as he just wanted to get out of the room. When he turned around for the exit, Diana made her way out.
"Lucifer doesn't like it when those under him behave like that." Diana was waiting for him in the hall.
"What's up with him?"
"He's worried."
"About what?"
"Sphere of course. They've been acting up lately, and sending their forces all over the land. We figured they'd be searching for something, but Lucifer isn't sure. But, whatever they're looking for, it's big."
"Yeah, well, that's his problem. Not mine."
"I'm not so sure about that. If one corporation conquers all, it affects everyone. Even Ravens."
"Whatever... but I'll keep that in mind."
"I'll meet you in the hangar at 1900 hours."
"Yeah, I know."
With that, Diana returned to her duties, hugging a clipboard and some sheets against her chest. Her golden hair flowed as she briskly walked down the hall. Qastor turned, shook his head, and went to check up on Xanthippius.
An abomination awaits in the night...