7 August 2024
12:50 A.M JST
A Home in Yokohama's Suburbs
Chiseled sections of concrete held the building's interior walls. The feminine guy with short, spiky black hair, Kaiya, sits on the room's floor. Grasping a broad blade, and scrapes its sharp side against uneven sections. Releasing grains into an already unhygienic area.
Safe from the effects of dust, Élisée stares at his body in the mirror. Slapping his slicked pineapple hair in between his hands when he found it wasn't up to his standard.
"You like to play rough, huh, hair?" he slides his hands up its entire span.
His blue and green coloration spreads. All of the strands combined making the impression of thin leaves that were similar to conifer trees. Grinning like a clown meanwhile.
He gyrates his body and leans on the side, "Oh la la, who has that tree afro?"
Kaiya's ears ring, which garner's Élisée's attention. Tilting his head from the response to the glare.
"What are you doing Élisée?"
"What do you think I'm doing?" Élisée spreads his arms out partially while he walks towards Kaiya, "I'm giving attention to my hair."
"It ridiculous?"
"I'm aware of that? Right!? RIGHT!?"
"You're getting uncomfortably close to me…"
"Does it… Wait a minute…"
To a comedic extent, Élisée drifts close to Kaiya. His finger perked at the ceiling. Finishing what he had to say whilst his vocal resonance increased.
"DiD yOu fIx ThAt LuMp On ThE wAlL?!"
"What's going on with your lips?!" Kaiya replied, watching Élisée's lip pleat several times.
"ThE WaLl! dId YoU fIx ThE lUmP!?"
"I've spent the last two hours grinding the chunk of concrete."
Coughing with concrete powder pushed into the air, before settling again Some getting on Élisée's bare feet.
"I see. It's late at night. You look grimy, perspiring, and there's a lot of dust accumulated. We'll clean this mess tomorrow. The winds won't procure a mess anytime soon."
Kaiya gets up, bowing before making his way to the home's washroom.
"By the way, Kaiya. I might need you tomorrow."
"Need help for clearing the living room."
"Help with optimizing my new stereo system."
Kaiya's eyes went out of focus from the crazed guy he helped. Stumbling from Élisee's cushioned chair. But recovers from it before he fell firmly on the ground. Gaining a bubbled reply from the other man in the room.
"Watch your step!"
Élisée laughs before sitting in the chair. Grasping the controller to the television, changing to a local station with late-night shows. Conveying eccentricities no one except himself truly knew and fathom.
Several minutes pass unfruitful. Kaiya left his home, the mess on the floor remains the way it was before everything dies out to the night. Barely past one o'clock when his phone rang. Rested near the stand the TV was on, he got up to figure who might be calling him this late at night.
"Wazzup!?"
To his surprise, Arnold showed up on the other side of the wire, " The situation occurring in the United States is concerning. Respond as soon as possible, Élisée. "
"I'm all in ears. What's going on over there?"
"The armory my boss was working at suffered an attack by a group of four people."
"Do you know any names?"
"I heard Gabriel say about someone named Drahoslav…"
"Thanks for telling me," Élisée replies, tightening the grip on his cell phone.
"What's going on, your voice got ominous all of a sudden…"
"So my suspicions are verified. The staff sergeants have shown up."
"They're military kids?"
"I can't explain it well. However, you're imprecise in thinking they're apart of the military. I'm unsure about their current situation. What I know, however, is they're a collective third in command in a larger group of over fifty men. Possessing a unique culture only their two direct superiors manage to understand and respect completely."
"Fifty guys, or even just those four kids, won't hold enough strength to bring Glowgen down!"
"Five, you mean five kids. They're not kids actually, they're past fifteen years old."
"That doesn't change anything!"
"You don't have an idea of what they're capable of. Even I can't fully understand. But I know for certain, they're formidable. If their morals were lacking, and use the full extent of their FLIC-granted abilities, that armory is off the face of the Earth."
"What is... My assignment?"
"What you've told me has long term implications that require action. What are you going to do after this?"
"I'm staying as someone who works for Hans."
"Stay low. Record anything important that happens while at your job. How immediate the threat is them?"
"Unknown."
"Considering they're known for restraint, precautionary steps can be taken later. You may be working with someone who knows me in Japan."
"Roger."
Élisée makes his final word, jolting back to jokes, "If you hear! Anything! Con-cer-ning that needs action! Don't forget to call."
"Bye."
Shortly once Arnold said his word, the call comes to an end. Reverting Élisée to view TV without any interruptions.
6 August, 1:30 P.M EDT
Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Jaraslav and Dvinaslav trek across a sidewalk after performing another thing with Glowgen's armory in Charlotte. Executing a cyberdefense knockout instead of another risk-filled raid.
"And boom! Glowgen Amory Charlotte's cyber defences are no more!"
Camera in hand, Dvinaslav returns the look to Jaraslav, "All is recorded."
"Perfect, we'll be able to have a serious talk now with the guy."
"I hope Draho, Zeli, and Stanislav are already there!"
"Most likely they are."
The man requested doing more damage to Glowgen. Of which the comrades collectively agreed to cyberattack instead of an incursion. Incursions, especially into highly guarded military sites, had a degree of uncertainty. A comrade could die, put out of commission. Lack of intelligence dooming the attempt. Everything in operations had to be considered besides the immediate benefit.
An open-air restaurant oozed smoke from its reflective steel equipment. An aroma of pork, beef, and chicken wiped out suspicions of nefarious motives. Several people enjoying their barbeque. While the largest group anticipates a feast under arduous conditions. North Carolina's mid-late summer heatwave bashed everyone's bodies while they dine. Umbrellas in blue, yellow, and white patterns provided a patchwork for cooler temperatures. Water brought in every few minutes and checkups by the workers.
Dvinaslav and Jaraslav arrive from a turn on the sight of a recognized sign. Heading directly for the large group table. Where their other comrades, as well as Hamilton and Roosevelt, were. Alongside the man.
A middle-aged man, with slight wrinkles and forty-seven years old. A white ten-gallon hat over his head, hiding partial baldness. In a green and white polo alongside dark blue jeans with no belt over it alongside leather shoes.
He raised his voice, a southern inflection like with Roosevelt, but thicker, "Made hell?"
"Yes, we did, mister umm…"
"Lincoln."
"Yeah, Lincoln," Jaraslav replies, his Belarusian accent leaking more than usual when he said Lincoln.
Dvinaslav situates herself next to Stanislav. Jaraslav brings himself next to Zelislav. Beginning the display of their recorded footage.
Lincoln views their work via the footage, and nods, "Good work. Good work. I love it."
"So now, can we talk?"
"Until we get the food. We can chat. Where should we start?"
Drahoslav pats his cheeks a few times. Utilizing the straw to pick an ice cube to his throat. Replying whilst tackling a frigid chunk.
"Maybe how hot Charlotte is."
"It's the same across all of North Carolina. It's Hot, it's muggy. We're doin' our best to avoid burning up."
Drahoslav's tongue clicks when he swallows the cube, "It's true it's true."
"Speakin' about you Drahoslav?"
"You got it right."
"That spear, did they call it anything interesting?"
"They did."
"What did they call it?"
"Hans referred to it as Ignis. It's Latinate in origin if I remember."
"I and Gabriel were in many meetings with about his secret projects. Used a lot of Latin and Greek in what he said."
Stanislav's head elevates and sees the man, "It's interesting."
Lincoln looks at Stanislav. Compared to the rest of the comrades, Stanislav's disengagement with the raid lead many to disregard him as a comrade. "And who are you?"
"He's Stanislav, one of my comrades," Drahoslav replied.
"He's in several casts… Injured?"
"Stanislav sustained injuries from something we did several days ago."
"Y'all are crazy daredevils."
Dvinaslav intervenes, "You can call that."
Lincoln's fingers snap as he smiles, "But that supposed stupidity is what I like about ya little group. Bold to get on Gabriel's nerves. Ability to stand up to Glowgen, and get things done if that attack at the armory says about it. Your skills collectively speak for themselves. Maybe except the wheelchair guy for now."
Stanislav shuts his eyes while Drahoslav tenses a little.
"You know stuff about Gabriel?" Jaraslav asked.
"I do, but do you promise to keep what'll be said a secret?"
As a group, all five comrades ball an available fist over their heart. Replying in unison, "We do."
Lincoln nods in agreement. Rotating his head to the kitchen space. Barbeque's scent building closer to completion. Announcing to the group of seven in his confident sound.
"Barbeque is almost complete. Be ready to enjoy it while it's hot. Food first, then business."
With the sound, proper dining preparations began. As much as possible when it comes to barbeque. Forks set, napkins set, and drinks refilled when their waiter asked along the aisle. Fully apt for the rows of meat to heed the call of food.
Trays from barbeque smokers arrive at their table. Dominated by chopped pork with small traces of a watery sauce containing some level of thickness. Potato wedges a crisp brown and red slaw. Flimsy cups with sauce passed out. As well as the bottle containing the sauce, housing one of barbeque's many flavors. Other sides along the pork come along.
Lincoln smiles at the beautiful sight. Introducing some kids to great barbecue, who might never get to have again.
"I'm paying for this. Enjoy all of it while it lasts!"
With his words, the comrades, Roosevelt, Hamilton, and Lincoln himself overlapped their hands across several of the food objects. Planting pockets deprived of space covered in grub.
"T-This isn't h-half bad..."
"More! More!"
"Not like what they did in 'Bama but this hits the spot."
"Zeli! You should try this red slaw!"
"What is it like?"
"Do you know about colesław?"
"Yes."
"It's like that, but with ketchup instead of mayonnaise."
"I should then."
Jaraslav halts his trying of some chopped pork and substitutes for a bite of red slaw. Having the appearance of coleslaw but red and using tomato ketchup.
"Mmh, this is good with this stuff."
"I know, right! You better get some more as it's going away fairly quickly."
Untouched food recedes further once the group gained their tastes. Lincoln made his words again upon noticing most of the comrades, who interested him more than the other two, were finished with their food. Widening his arm span and some unwinding, he began.
"As the group of five, wherever it is."
"Comrades, call us comrades."
He nods, "Have agreed to secrecy, we will head somewhere more secretive, outside the proper limits of Charlotte. Once you're finished. Head to this address. Be sure to record it on your iPhones, Androids, Galaxies, whatever."
Lincoln passes a card slip. Waiting his time from them requiring to mark it down. Made to completion in a few short minutes. Guiding his body toward his home. Along the way, budding to Drahoslav.
"Once this is over, that spear will be vital when in your possession."
2:01 P.M EDT
Lincoln's Home, Suburbs of Charlotte, North Carolina
His wealth was that of a middle-class person by North Carolina's standard. His home reflected it with its modern, however minimalist approach to decoration. Meshed within several monochromatic grays in varying gradients. The living room, where he planned to hold the conversations with three spaced couches. Both angled to converge one of its arms to the other and centralized a white multi-level coffee table in the center.
All five of the comrades, headed with Dvinaslav and caboose by Stanislav.
"Nice building," Jaraslav said.
"Take a seat."
Listening to what he said, each of the comrades lowers into seating. Stanislav took longer but got through on his own.
"What was the purpose of the raid on Norfolk?"
"We didn't see it that much at first for the weapon. Instead, out of retaliation for Gabriel trying to kill us with a jeep's grenade launcher."
"Suspicious. Was it the jeep ya'll come to Charlotte in?"
"Long story short, the gunner and driver betrayed Glowgen. Didn't like the task ordered to them."
"They'll be quested later about it. Now, all four of you. Do you believe in wanting to destroy Glowgen because they treated you like dirt?"
"Destroy is the wrong word. If you want a specific, it's to have Gabriel pay the price!"
"I see, what did he do specifically, Dvinaslav?"
Dvinaslav cracked her fingers, facing down Lincoln with a fire in her eyes, "He's kidnapped me, he said shit to Draho concerning souls! He had the intent to capture and/or kill us! For our souls, maybe!"
"That is in line with Gabriel's line of thinking."
"He deserves every hit his arse will get. Every single punch, kick, dick strikes. No holds barred!"
"You're very passionate. But look at the situation objectively. From the times I've been working with him, Gabriel was known to be a formidable combatant. He occasionally battles in the Armored Combat League when he isn't at work. Alongside that experience with medieval warfare, he's a trained killer for modern war. If he can't kick anyone's asses personally, he'll very well use Glowgen's resources to do it for him." he explains, no southern in his voice.
Lincoln glances Drahoslav, "Is there anything you'd like to say."
He nods, "We might've already crossed the threshold for him to actively come after us."
"Considering you've been under his eye, most likely. The ruckus at Norfolk seals its fate."
Dvinaslav peeps again, "Even if he is more skilled, could something like Draho's flames neutralise his experience with an arsenal of abilities?"
"What are you talking about? It's absurd."
"In all fairness! Dvina has a point," Jaraslav got up and begins walking around, "We can do things like Draho shooting fire out of his hands. During the war."
"What war? I don't understand."
"It's a long story, but we were against a single man's adaptive robot army. Although, in actuality, we only fought the human causes of the war. At the same time, we had to fight the robots getting in our way."
"I won't get too much into it, seeing as it looks like a complicated piece of stuff."
"To get back on point, our squad's R&D and Scientific divisions, which I led, discovered the potential of Fluctlight integration."
"If you don't know, a Fluctlight is the composition of the soul." Drahoslav added, "Although, I gave it the name Fluctlight based off of an anime I saw."
"Either way, thank you Draho, once we discovered Fluctlights, we immediately got to work on further research. Leading to several discoveries, further expansion of how it works. Then eventually, using exascale supercomputer implants eight centimetres in diameter with modified optic fibers to integrate computer code. Which allows for someone, if they're able to, convert it into something physical and useful."
"I see. Why isn't it more popular."
"Lincoln."
He turns towards Drahoslav, "Yes?"
"There are many aspects of such implants. It requires surgery. Implants like that are expensive. The computer language needs to be learned. Not to mention, certain functions of the code can only really work with those with the same implant."
"The laws of reality cannot be overruled. If you want to have something like fictional powers, you need to make it work realistically. Also, an untrained Fluctlight can't take a FLIC operating at optimal levels for prolonged periods."
"The important one. Overuse can overload a Fluctlight, possibly leading to incineration."
"Thank you for putting that stuff in, Stanislav."
Lincoln scratches the stubble on his chin while he analyzes what he's heard.
"I didn't believe it. But I'm convinced of your collective resolve. What can I do to help?"
Drahoslav stood up, hunching his back and his arms spread above him, "We need a vehicle, Stanislav needs to head to California-"
"Draho, I've been accepted for my paid internship at RECT."
He nods, "We need money to sustain Stanislav and Jaraslav in an affordable city in California."
"Fresno. Got it."
"RECT's subsidiary is there, luckily."
"I'll have one of my trusted confidants to handle the loan for there for at least this month. I'll handle you two's flight. Car and handoff money as well."
"What conditions do we have to pay back this loan?"
Lincoln pops his neck, "My friend and I will pay back the loan monetarily. I accept the payback through repossessing Fulgur and Aura from Glowgen's hand."
"Fulgur, Aura?"
"That spear was Ignis, attuned with the soul of a person. One has the character closest to fire, the other two, electricity, and wind. One who aligns with that soul has the best chance."
"What's so important about it?"
"If all three are gone, he'll need to find another way to research the human soul. At all costs, he needs to be stopped. Almost close enough to discover the secret of the soul."
"If at all costs. We better make this formal."
Drahoslav looks to his comrades. Through mental exercise, knew what he implied. Even Stanislav, who used subtle gusts to get on his feet and sustain. Angling their feet to form a five-pointed star. Hands clenched at the center of their chests.
"Our collective mind and values," Drahoslav began.
"Each individual a variant," Zelislav said after him.
"Gabriel Miller, Chief Tactical Officer of Glowgen Defense Systems," Dvinaslav said.
"Has violated numerous times," Jaraslav seriously said, emphasizing the words.
"What we stand by," Stanislav said.
All five, in unison, chanted the last part. Firm and concise with its wording.
"As such, we swear Dissension upon Gabriel Miller!"
End of Section Two, Project S.A.O: Collision! -Lull
To be continued in Section Two, Project S.A.O: Collision! -Dissension
A/N: Due to working nonstop for three months with minimal breaks, I'm gonna take a break from writing Collision! for the rest of July and the entirety of August to give breathing room before the more narrative important second part begins.
Expect Chapter 15 to be double-length and arrive by mid-late September 2020.