Chapter 8: The Ultimate Weapon
"So have you figured anything out about the Supra-Force Metal yet?" Hope asked.
"Apparently this contains 10,000 times more energy than normal Force Metal!" Mari said.
"So that's why the Rebellion wanted to use this for a powerboost." Toma said.
"It would also take a ton of Force Metal to make something like this as well. Guess that's why the mines on Tianna Island were empty." Mari continued.
"But why would the Rebellion make so much of it?" Erica asked.
"Maybe they wanted to do more than just power up their commanders and soldiers." Hope said.
"No. That's way too simple. It has to be more than that." Spectra said.
"He's right. They wouldn't go through all this just to empower their soldiers." Najenda said.
"Yes. Luckily I managed to pinpoint the location of where they manufacture that much Force Metal." Anna said as she pulled up an image of a factory. "It's the Force Metal Refinement Plant. You should be able to find more clues there."
"Then we're off. Beam us out, Anna." Indigo said.
"Alright. Be careful, everyone." Anna said as she transferred the group to the plant.
"I think I can get used to this." David said.
"Out of the frying pan, and into the freezer, as they say." Mayumi said.
"Definitely, let's head inside and see what we can dig up." Spade said as the group entered the building.
As they entered the building, they explored the facility and saw the production of the force metal into Supra-Force metal was being used.
"Looks like they're mass producing Supra Force Metal by refining Force Metal."
"Hey guys, what do you make of this?" Ace asked as he looked through a small space and saw something on the other side.
"Hmm... N-no way." David said as he looked. "It looks like some kind of rocket."
"Rocket nothing. That's a missile!" Betty said.
"A Warhead to be exact. You think this is what all that Supra-Force Metal is for?" Mari asked.
"Most likely." Lloyd said.
"How would they make a warhead like this with Supra-Force Metal? Unless the metal is volatile or fuel related, I can't see this working for the Rebellion." Ciel said.
"It would, because if this thing is launched...the energy released will cause half of the Reploids across the globe to go Maverick." Mari said.
"What? How would that be possible?!" Leanne asked.
"I'm not sure. But it seems the controls for it, we need three keys, which are possibly held by the cadres." Mari said.
"Well, let's find them then. They're probably in this facility, right?" Nana asked.
"Actually...Botos dropped his after David knocked him out back in the desert." Ace said as he pulled out a circular shaped item. "Ferham and the third cadre must have the other two in their possession."
"So that means the third cadre likely has to be the one that was with Botos and Ferham in their rooms. The one called… Scarface. Yeesh, that name is creepy." Toma said.
"Creepy and ridiculous if you ask me." Kagura said.
"Creepy, ridiculous, but probably the strongest of the cadres. What do you think about this Scarface, David?" Connor said.
"Someone not to be taken lightly, Kagura. There's a reason that he's Epsilon's right hand. And yeah, you should feel like a total idiot for underestimating him." David said.
"All I said was that his name was ridiculous." Kagura said.
"Well excuse me for trying to keep your heads attached to your necks…" David muttered.
"Please excuse Kagura, she's more of a fight first questions later person." Saaya said.
"Trust me, you have no idea how many people here are like that." David said.
"Look, it's obvious we have to find Ferham and get her key, so let's search the facility for her." Hope said.
The group made their way through the facility and as they entered a room. They encountered Botos.
"Botos? We have your key, so what's the use for you to be here?" Axl asked.
"I have my own goals in mind for the Supra-Force Metal, so out of my way!" Botos said.
"No chance. We're stopping you, right now!" Hope said.
"Yeah...but question is...which Botos." Botos said before he somehow split in two and took off in two different directions.
"Argh, I hate it when they do that!" Hope said.
"Let's split up and hunt both of them down, it'll be much easier then going back and forth." Spade said.
"Great idea." Connor said. "Skyler, you, David and I will take the right corridor. Ace, Go with Jexi and Hope on the left."
"Right. Spectra, Volt. Can you two look for Ferham while we go deal with Botos?" Ace asked.
"Of course. It shouldn't be too hard to find her." Spectra said.
"I think I should go, too. Something tells me Botos isn't going to be much." Sectonia said.
"Once Botos is outta the way, we'll catch up." Connor said. "Good luck, guys."
"Same to you three." Ace said as the group split off.
As the six groups left to chase after Botos, Spectra and Volt and their groups were left to check things out but it wasn't long before they saw an injured Ferham on the ground.
"Oh...it's you three. Come to finish me off?" Ferham asked holding her chest in pain.
"These wounds...who did this?" Spectra asked.
"Botos...who else." Ferham said. "He ripped my key right from my body."
"Coward right to the very end. Where did he run off to?" Sectonia asked.
"He's...right over there." Ferham said pointing to Botos's body.
"Circuits are ripped out… He's dead." Sectonia said.
"Despair did that. Attacked him and claimed both keys. All he said was...I have no need for you in my ideal world." Ferham said.
"But that doesn't make any sense. Despair is working with Epsilon, right?" Volt asked.
"So he's one of those people… Only keeping his lackeys around when he has a use for them." Sectonia said.
"You'll find he's one of those people." Volt said. "I've seen them before. We better go tell the others." He said before dodging a whip from Ferham. "What are you doing? You are in no condition to fight."
"Even if I'm wounded… Epsilon wouldn't forgive me if he let you leave alive. So damaged or not… I'll see to it that you are not his problem anymore!" Ferham said taking flight.
"You two, get back to the others and tell them what happened. I'll handle this." Sectonia said.
"She's all yours." Lync said as they doubled back.
"Let's go." Sectonia said.
"Fine then… I'll knock you off your throne, for good!" Ferham said drawing her arc whip.
W-A-R-N-I-N-G
Warning! Warning! Warning!
"Don't be shy. Step right up!" Ferham said.
"We'll need to finish this fast." Spectra said entering burst. "Motor...I'll need your assistance too."
"Copy that." Motor said.
"No, in her state, there is no need." Sectonia said.
"She is someone loyal to Epsilon's ideals. We need to get rid of her." Spectra said.
"Don't worry. I've got this." Sectonia said. "I'll try to make it quick and painless for you." she said as she took out a rapier.
"You have five minutes. That's all you have." Spectra said.
"That's plenty of time." Sectonia said. "Lightning!" She casted as a lightning bolt hit Ferham.
"Aaaah!" Ferham shrieked.
"Please, surrender. I don't want you to be utterly destroyed in the state you're in." Sectionia said.
"I don't care!" Ferham said continuing to crack her whip at Sectonia.
"Fair warning, you asked for this." Sectonia said. "O righteous will, let fall thy sword of lightning upon those who bear fault... Thunder Blade!" Sectonia chanted as an electric sword fell on Ferham.
"Gaaaaaaah!" Ferham said being utterly shocked, falling to the floor. "You're… something else. How could I lose… and dishonor our ideals… gh…"
Ferham then tipped over the edge and fell downwards into the abyss of the factory.
"Damn it… If only you didn't try to push yourself." Sectonia said.
"She made her choice." Spectra said as Jellal approached.
"Sir, I just scouted ahead. The warhead is missing." Jellal said.
"Then we must regroup and figure out who took it." Spectra said. "Anna, we've finished the mission."
"Understood, I'll transfer the rest of you to the base now." Anna said as the rest of the group was warped back to base.
Chapter End