Chapter 2: Kaiserreich Safehouse
Sir, it is lamentable that mass agricultural development is not speeded by fuller use of your marvelous mechanisms. Would it not be easily possible to employ some of them in quick laboratory experiments to indicate the influence of various types of fertilizers on plant growth?
You are right. Countless uses of instruments will be made by future generations. The scientist seldom knows contemporaneous reward; it is enough to possess the joy of creative service.
The Placidium's underground wasn't exactly the nicest place to be in Ionia, actually it was probably the worst place to be in all of Runeterra. Jayce, blinded by his pride wanted to make Ionia his jewel, a harmony of technology and spiritual learning for everyone, what he didn't realise was that he was killing the country slowly. Yasuo grimaced as he walked around a pile of melted plastic and chemicals, while he did justice to the advance in efficiency, he never realised how much damage the Zaunite chemicals and harvesting did to his home.
"Another reason to take him down" he muttered, kicking something green and thick off his boot. The sun began to set behind him, painting the sewer pipe with orange brilliance, a stark contrast against the dark, damp tunnel network. Yasuo didn't have a single clue why the Herald wanted his base down here, but he was a smart man, and in the end it was probably the right choice.
The road ahead began to become dark and darker before his eyes. Yasuo quickly drew a flashlight, scanning the sewers before him, usually it was safe, but sometimes people or unpleasant creatures lurked below the city. He kept walking, about a good five minutes before he saw a faint candle glowing in the distance. Taking a few more long strides he stood in front of the small flame.
"Candles? Must be short on energy again" he said to himself. A small metal grate was in front of him, it was normal all right, but what was beneath it wasn't. He grabbed the grate, pushing it upward, below him was a ladder, which he quickly climbed down.
As he reached the bottom, he saw red flights flicker to life around him. Turret barrels protruded from the brick walls, ready to fire a salvo of hot death directly at him. He stood patiently, waiting for the identification order.
Organic life identified, step forward onto the platform slowly.
Yasuo took a step forward, burying his boots into the gel sensor on the ground, it absored his feet, tracking for signs of heat.
Identify yourself, civilian. Voice clip and cypher mandatory for enterance.
"Name: Yasuo, Voice clip: The Eternal Wanderer". He waited for the computer to answer his request. He knew all to well that somebody was watching him on the other side of the door, but he didn't blame them for making him go through identification, if they were found it would mean public executions for them all.
Voice clip identified, please enter registration description.
He smiled slightly. The registration description was something that the Herald invented, and was in his opinion one of the best ways to prevent agents intercepting them. Unlike most of the security topside, which more often than not required a single word or passcode, the RD required a poem or sentence. Firstly, this made sure that nobody had the same password, secondly it was one of the reasons Yasuo could write poetry and not be mocked by Riven.
Looking up at the small red camera above the door, he cleared his throat. "Tempest, a blossom caught in drift, fluid form. He speaks. Death is like the wind... he is a storm, blade howling... Always by my side...".
Registration identified. Agent: Yasuo, Generation I, Invictus Initiative. Welcome back to Kaiserreich safehouse, agent.
Steam filled the small room as the reinforced door began to slowly open. He covered his eyes, making sure to not breathe in the hot air. A figure stepped towards him, smaller than Yasuo was, covered in belts and makeshift clothing, his hair spiked up and a large tank on his hip.
"Took you're time, paintbrush".
He swatted away some mist, looking at his welcomer. Ekko was wearing dirty, grease-stained overalls, his goggles wrapped around his neck with an oil casket clipped to his belt. "Nice to see you too, Ekko".
The teenager dismissed him with a wave of his hand. "C'mon, specs wanted to chat with you".
The two walked back inside the metal corridor. Ekko slapped a button next to the entrance, pressurising the doorway once again. Originally this place served as a underground siphoning station, used to remove waste and water from the sky barges which landed in port. But, ever since the port was destroyed in the invasion they modified it, turning it slowly into their home. They passed through several bedrooms, the mess hall and weights room before they saw two yordles bickering near a door leading to the armoury.
"No, Ziggs! We are not putting an explosive failsafe into the XV-25! That makes half the suit functions redundant!" Heimerdinger said sternly. His pockets were filled with wrenches and parts of machines. The hexplosive expert was beside him, holding a small square device that looked as if it could potentially detonate at any given moment.
"But, doc! If anybody wants to take it, they go near and then boom! Blow the bastard into the atmostphere!". The small, deranged yordle began dancing around, pretending that explosions were happening all around him.
Heimerdinger sighed, unaware that the two humans were grinning at the professors situation. He turned to see them, perking up slightly. "Salutations, dear friends! Mister Yasuo, you have come at a very opportune time!" he called, walking up to them hastily.
"What's going on? I hope what I heard about explosives being packed into my suit isn't the case" Yasuo replied, a thin smile on his lips.
The yordle shook his head frantically. "Of course not, dear sir! Ziggs just seems to be more... optimistic about trying his new inventions". All three of them turned to look at Ziggs, who was in the process of shaking the bomb up and down violently, causing it to beep.
"Clearly," the Ionian responded. He looked throught the armoury window, seeing his suit dissasembled onto a table. "So, what did you do to it?".
"Come with me inside and I will show you". He turned, passing Ziggs and entering the room. Ekko and Yasuo followed, leaving the small demolitionist outside to his own devices. The armoury was quite small for a revolutionary organisation. Three pods were installed into the wall, used for storing combat suits and equipment, several sword racks and ammunition cases scattered the room and an operating table was in the centre. The room was usually only used by Yasuo, Teemo and Tristana, reason being that the further generations in the Invictus Initiative had their suits grafted to their bodies, the other members such as Ekko, Corki and the two scientists were non-combatants and didn't have combat suits to fight in.
The professor scampered to the work table, pushing aside several nuts and wrenches as he reached for Yasuo's helmet lying in the centre of the bench. "You see, I realised that as a generation I member of the Invictus protocol you required more personal defence compared to the others. So, to remedy this I made some modifications to your suit and equipment".
The Zaunite teen looked at Yasuo. "What's so different about generation I and II units? I thought all it did was show time distinction".
Yasuo chuckled for a moment before turning to Ekko. "Saying that me and them are the same is like saying the Herald and Jayce are twins. There nothing similar,". He tapped his chin for a moment, then continued. "I'm the last generation I operative to date, the others were killed off a while back. Generation I models are completely organic, we use combat suits to enhance our physical capabilities. Generation II units, such as Fiora and Lucian are permanently welded into their equipment, so they are like half-humans".
"Wait? So Leona, Fiora, Lucian, Yi and Zed are cyborgs?".
"Not the last two. You see, Zed and Yi are generation III units. They're basically synthetic at this point, almost no organic part of them left".
He blinked, attempting to take in the information. "Yi and Zed are machines?".
Heimerdinger walked between them both. "Technically yes, but do remember that they chose to become generation II and III units. Sadly, the more mechanical you become, the less of a living being you become".
Ekko turned to Yasuo again. "Wait, so if generation II and III units are so much better than you, why not modify yourself?".
He gave him a smile. "You think I'll give up my humanity? Unlike the others I've got a wife, and I had two daughters once".
The yordle between them coughed loudly, attracting both of them. "As much as I would love to converse right now, Yasuo must see his new modifications".
"Good point," Ekko said, turning to leave. "I think Herald needed my help with the lighting anyway. Catch you guys later". They both watched as the teenager closed the door behind him, leaving their sight.
Yasuo turned back to Heimerdinger. "So, professor. Care to tell me the upgrades".
"To make it short: I calibrated your MC-2 Firing Pistons for even easier drifting, you're drop blade has been recharged and I replaced your old shield capactor for a XX-250 Enviromental Barrier Unit, along with some other minor changes".
He blinked at him, only understanding the first few words. Heimerdinger sighed, clutching his forehead. "Just get into your body glove, the computor will tell you when you get suited up".
Ten minutes later he was in his body glove. It was pitch black, and resembled a second skin that coverered his whole body, with the exception of his face. It was comfortable and was designed to keep him cool while inside the mechanised suit that he relied on in combat. When the Conglomerate first arrived he was against it, but after he actually tested out his XV-25 "Wanderer" pattern suit he found it much more effective, so decided to keep it.
He was alone in the room now, Heimerdinger and Ziggs were watching him from outside, standing on large podiums to see him. The microphone creaked to life, making Yasuo cover his ears in discomfort. "apologies about that, Yasuo," the inventor replied. "Now, if you will kindly lie down at the table, we can start suiting you up".
Yasuo walked over to the operating table, lying down on the low gurney. He saw the two yourdles press a flurry of buttons and talk while drills and pistons began to appear from the roof. He always hated the process, mainly becuase it looked as if he was going to be tortured, even thought he was used to the suiting.
He closed his eyes, hearing the machines roar to life around him.
Whatever Heimerdinger put into my suit...
It better be worth it...
hi, to be honest there isn't much going on to report about. One thing is though, the details and stuff I put in are on purpose, and alot of them have or will be explored later on in the story. Secondly, I will try my best to link it to the trailer, PROJECT: Overdrive...
That's basically it for now...