Freestar Collective Navy Communication Record
Document Type: Inter-Ship Communications Log
Log No: FC-2332-05-0012
Date: 2332-11-24
Time: 08:36 Universal Time (UT)
Location: Volii Alpha Orbit, Customs Zone 7
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED / FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
From: FC Skybird, Destroyer Class, NSF No. 2 (ID/Transponder: 858 635)
To: RJI Vengeance, Battleship Class, Ryujin Industries (ID/Transponder: 975 002)
Subject: Std. Contraband Check
Encryption: FREESTAR COLLECTIVE ENC/TRNSP 5394
Recorded by: LT. Charlie Shore, Communications Officer, FC Skybird
Channel: General Security Communications
[FC Skybird] RJI Vengeance, you have entered Freestar Collective space. Maintain course while we perform a contraband check.
[RJI Vengeance] Understood Skybird. Maintaining course.
[RJI Vengeance] *Unintelligible*
[RJI Vengeance] Uh…
[FC Skybird] Is there something you need Vengeance?
[RJI Vengeance] Apologies Skybird, Captain Zeffre has a question she would like to ask while we wait.
[FC Skybird] That's okay. We've got a few minutes until the scan is complete, just make sure to maintain course.
[RJI Vengeance] Appreciate it Skybird. Here's the captain now.
[RJI Vengeance] *sounds of shuffling and muttered chatter*
[RJI Vengeance] Hey.
[FC Skybird] Hello.
[RJI Vengeance] So, I have a fun hypothetical question I wanted to ask ya'll.
[FC Skybird] Okay… shoot.
[RJI Vengeance] You know how the Vengeance is a battleship right?
[FC Skybird] Yeah?
[RJI Vengeance] My question is, if we had contraband onboard, what could you guys even do? Hypothetically speaking.
[FC Skybird] …Well Vengeance, in your case we would most likely log the incident and file a formal complaint to Ryujin Industries.
[RJI Vengeance] Huh… That's boring. Not even going to try boarding?
[FC Skybird] We prefer living.
[RJI Vengeance] *laughter* Well I appreciate the honesty at least.
[FC Skybird] Contraband scan complete. You're free to detach shuttle for landing when ready. Enjoy Neon Vengeance.
[RJI Vengeance] We will. Fly safe Skybird.
Stepping off the elevator Roman took another bite from his ice cream.
It was perfect. Creamy yet firm, with a texture that brought him nothing but joy. Sweet enough to be a decadent treat, but not too sweet to where it overpowered the natural flavor of the ingredients themselves. And the temperature! Oh, the temperature was just right. Cold enough to not be runny, but not too cold to where it dulled the taste.
The interplay between the sweet, creamy chocolate ice cream, and the crunchy, slightly savory nuts was divine.
Following the signs to the starboard docking bay Roman held up the glass itself to the light. Even the crystal glass they had gave him was a work of art fashioned from fine crystal, and the gold-plated spoon brought it all together.
Ice cream was truly nature's most nearly perfect food.
Humming a jaunty tune to himself, cane crooked over his arm as he ate, Roman Torchwick rounded the corner to the docking bay to find three people waiting for him.
Saffre and Neo were sitting together on a metal bench that was bolted to the ship's bulkhead. There was soft piano music playing from Saffre's slate.
Zeffre was spinning a dagger around her index finger. As her expression morphed from bored to annoyed upon spotting him Roman gave her a cheery wave, spoon in mouth.
"Where the hell have you…," she started as he approached before her eyes were drawn to the crystal glass in his hand, "Wait, where did you get ice cream?"
"From the restaurant and I must say, your ships restaurant is top notch," Roman said, and he meant that.
Zeffre gave him a flat look. "The Vengeance doesn't have a restaurant."
"If it doesn't have a restaurant, then where did I get the ice cream?" Roman said smirking. It felt nice to see someone else confused for once. Except Saffre. Saffre was incredibly easy to confuse.
She squinted at him. "Where."
"Second deck, aft. Somewhere over there at least," he said as he scraped up the remainder of his ice cream. The empty glass filling him with a mournful sorrow of what was now just a memory.
Watching him for a few seconds more Zeffre abruptly teleported away, collapsing into familiar starlight that Roman had to have seen at least a hundred times at this point.
Carefully placing the crystal glass on the ground, one of the minibots would pick it up, Roman saw Saffre and Neo approach him. Neo looked annoyed.
"Sorry Neo, I've only got two hands," Roman said, leaning against his cane. His trip had been pretty great.
At his comment Saffre looked at Neo. "Would you like something from the restaurant?"
Nodding vigorously, Neo created an index card using her Semblance and showed it to Saffre. It was an illustration of a chocolate milkshake.
"Okay. I'll be right back," Saffre said before she vanished in a flash of white light.
Alone with Neo in the hallway Roman reflected on the fact that he was standing aboard a massive spaceship in a different universe, and that two, essentially cosmic beings, had just teleported in front of him to investigate ice cream.
Laughing to himself Roman walked over to sit on the bench Saffre had just been on, Neo deciding to sit next to him. She was giving him a questioning look.
"I'm just reflecting on how absurd my life has become," he said.
Neo gave him a nod of agreement.
"So, how was your trip?" Roman asked, relaxing into his seat.
Neo gave him a smile and a thumbs up.
"Same." He said, closing his eyes as the two of them settled into a comfortable silence, Roman reflecting on his trip so far. He had elected to explore the Vengeance after boarding and had quickly discovered that the ship was a lot larger than he expected.
He also discovered that the Vengeance had an entire luxury hotel onboard.
It was almost tempting for them to simply stay here. No Cinder to worry about, no authorities after him… it was a once in a lifetime opportunity for a truly fresh start. Another chance at life.
However.
Reaching into his jacket pocket Roman pulled out his slate. The surface immediately responded to his touch, opening to what he had last been looking at. A spreadsheet. A Constellation spreadsheet.
Ever since his conversation with Saffre he had been spending most of his time in this new universe reading about the Artifacts. There wasn't much, but he had probably re-read it all at least ten times so far.
From control of gravity to manipulating time, the powers offered by these Artifacts were beyond anything he had seen. The closest thing he could compare each power to would be a Semblance. Twenty-four magical powers that were entirely under the user's control.
There was only one problem.
The spreadsheet marked which Artifacts had been located, which had been acquired, and which had been brought to a Temple. Almost all of them had already been collected. Meaning he wouldn't be able to get most of the powers in this universe.
Sighing, Roman slipped the slate back into his jacket pocket. He didn't know what to do. On one hand, he could take this opportunity to reinvent himself, to be somebody different. Live out a comfortable life here. A life where he was just another person in the crowd.
Roman scowled at the thought.
On the other hand, he could take the much more dangerous route. The one where he went back to Remnant, collected the Artifacts and powers in that universe, and made his mark on the world.
Gripping his cane tight Roman looked up at the ceiling. He would have to make a decision soon.
Neo tapped him on the shoulder.
Looking down at her he saw she was giving him a questioning look.
He gave her a dismissive wave. "Don't worry about me. Lost in thought is all."
She gave him a nod before going back to fiddling with the laser pistol Saffre had used to light his cigar before they left. She must've given it to Neo.
Two simultaneous flashes of white light appeared in front of them.
One was a baffled looking Zeffre, eating a vanilla ice cream cone.
The other was Saffre holding two milkshakes, one strawberry and the other chocolate. She quickly handed over the chocolate milkshake over to Neo, who gave her a brilliant smile.
"I told you there was a restaurant," Roman said, feeling petty.
Zeffre licked her ice cream in silence for a few moments. "You didn't mention the entire hotel."
She continued to stare ahead. "I have no idea where that hotel came from."
"Are you not the captain of this ship?" Saffre asked before she took another sip from her milkshake.
Zeffre silently gave her a nod.
Using his cane to help him up Roman gave her a smirk. "Well, that sounds like a 'you' problem," he said.
"Hey Saffre, want to pilot us down? I, uh, need to look into this." Zeffre asked, ignoring Roman's comment.
Saffre gave her a shrug.
Neo seemed to be incredibly pleased with her milkshake.
As the door to the ship's cargo bay descended Saffre handed Roman a pistol.
'These people really like labeling their weapons,' Roman thought as he inspected the name 'Urban Eagle' printed on the side.
"You know, I was just about to ask what kind of place Neon is," Roman said as he gestured at the pistol.
"It's the kind of place where it's better to have a gun than not." Saffre said.
"Saffre we really need to teach you about sarcasm." Roman stated, placing the pistol in the interior lining in his coat. It barely fit.
As the door finished opening Roman took a step off into the cool, humid landing pad to get his first view of Neon. He was finished with being impressed.
Walking over to the edge of the landing pad Roman carefully took a look. Far below them he could just make out the rippling of waves.
A heavy mist obscured everything in the far-off distance, but he could still see the near side of the city. Four massive pillars raised from the ocean below to support the city, a network of piping covering them. The platform itself was painted black with a red and white strip around the bottom.
"Guess the people here like the ocean huh," he quipped.
Saffre walked beside him. "Considering Volii Alpha is entirely ocean I don't think they have a choice."
Neo walked past them to stand at the very edge of the platform, looking down and around in curiosity.
Roman smirked as Saffre subtly tensed, watching Neo carefully in case she fell.
"Yo! Come on!" Zeffre said, waving the trio over to a covered catwalk. "I've got things to do!"
He decided he would admire the view for a few more minutes.
Making his way over to the now thoroughly annoyed Zeffre, Roman gave her a charming smile. "Sorry. We were just admiring the view."
Her left eye twitched. "Come on."
As they walked under the platform Roman still had a question he wanted to ask. "Beyond being dangerous, what else should I know about Neon?"
From the corner of his eye Roman caught a glimpse of a man rocketed past the walkway screaming. "Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!"
The screaming faded into the distance.
"He's definitely dead," Saffre stated, looking at a dagger she had borrowed from Zeffre.
Zeffre turned around, a wide grin on her face as she held out her arms. "Welcome to Neon!"
Roman now understood why Saffre gave him a pistol. "Ah."
Neon was loud.
From the moment they had stepped off the elevator from the spaceport Roman had been constantly hearing advertisements. From medical treatments and drugs to weapons and ammo, it was a constant background noise that filled the crowded streets.
Currently they weren't going anywhere in particular. He had told Zeffre that he would meet her at Ryujin Tower when he felt like it. This was his chance to get a feel for Neon as a city, and he was going to take it.
It was… strange not being recognized. Their group got the occasional curious glance, but beyond that people didn't bother to look at him.
He couldn't stand it.
"This is Neon's core. Here is where you will find most of the more legitimate businesses on Neon." Saffre said as they walked, gesturing over to one of the shops' holographic signs.
A man looking down at a slate bumped into him. "Watch where you're going." he said, as if Roman was just some nobody.
"Where could we find the less legitimate businesses?" Roman asked, voice taught. He had to restrain himself from teaching that man respect.
Saffre looked up at him. "That would be Ebbside."
Roman had a good idea how things worked on Neon now, but it's always nice to be sure. "Saffre, why haven't we seen any security in a while?"
As the trio walked along the exterior of Neon, the sun hanging low in the now clear sky, Saffre removed her headphones. "Neon security will only enter Ebbside if the superstructure of Neon is at risk of being damage, or if the activities out here negatively affect people in the Core."
Resting his cane against his shoulder Roman gave a single chuckle. Even in an entirely different universe that was a story he was familiar with. It also matched up with his experience so far.
Here people took one look at their group, what they were wearing, how they walked, and were smart enough to avert their eyes. They were wary of him.
"Hey! Fancy pants!" Someone from behind them shouted.
Roman smirked. It was nice to finally have a normal interaction.
Turning around he kept the smirk. "Yes?", he asked, leaning against his cane as he appraised the group that approached them.
They were four of them, all wearing different colored versions of the same outfit; black baggy pants, brightly colored hoodies, and matching full face masks. Except for one.
"You lost tourist?" the man without a mask asked as they approached, resting a katana over his shoulder. Roman doubted he actually knew how to use it.
"Hm… I don't think we're lost. Saffre, are we lost?" Roman said, looking over at the girl. She was flanking his left side while Neo was on his right.
"No." she said, hand in her coat pocket.
Roman turned to the men smiling. "See?"
The man held out his katana, pointing it at Roman. "Listen here smartass."
"My name is Ro—"
"I don't give a fuck what your name is," the man growled as he took a step forward.
Roman held out his cane. "That's close enough. I'm not interested in learning what your breath smells like."
"You walk into Disciples territory with your two girlfriends here, wearing an outfit like that, and you show us disrespect?" The man smirked, "And here I was thinking we'd go easy on you three… Tell you what? Hand over everything you've got on ya, and we'll let you take a dive over the edge. Who knows, maybe you'll live?"
The man knocked Roman's cane away with his sword. "Better chance of livin' than what'll happen elsewise."
Smirking, Roman leaned on his cane as he took another look at the group. The other three men had drawn their weapons at this point; black heavy looking machine guns.
Taking a casual look around he noticed that they had drawn somewhat of a crowd. People hiding in buildings or behind corners took cautious glances at their conversation.
This was a perfect opportunity for Roman to introduce himself to the people of Neon.
Taking a step forward Roman slammed his cane against the leader's hand, the blade clattering to the ground. Before he could react Roman twirled his cane and smashed it against the man's temple.
From beside him two blue beams of light pierced through two of the other gangsters, Neo's Solstice in her hand.
To his left Roman heard gurgling. Looking over he saw Saffre plunge her dagger deep into one man's neck before she ripped it out horizontally, blood splattering over her white blouse top and navy-blue coat. The other man was twitching on the ground, pool of blood seeping from his own neck.
Satisfied Roman looked down at the gangster who had started this. He was dazed, but conscious.
Walking over, Roman rested the tip of his cane against the man's hand. "Now, are you going to let me finish introducing myself?" he asked as he slowly began putting more and more of his body weight on his cane.
The gangster let out a howl of pain, reaching over and trying to free his hand by pulling on the cane.
It didn't budge.
"I'm waiting for an answer."
"Nobody gives a fuck what your name is," the man snarled.
Roman gave him a vicious smile. "Wrong answer."
Removing the weight from his cane Roman gave the man a strong kick to the stomach, knocking the air out of him.
The man wheezed on the floor, gasping for air as he tried to stand up.
"As I was saying before you rudely interrupted me," Roman said as he raised Melodic Cudgel above his head, aiming for the man's head.
Roman brought the cane down, delivering a solid WACK. "My name is Roman Torckwick," he said.
The man collapsed back onto the ground from the hit with a grunt.
"Now, let's see if you were paying attention," Roman asked, twirling his cane as he watched the man struggle to his hands and knees, "What's my name?"
"Go… to hell…"
Looking around again Roman saw that more people were watching them now.
Letting out a dramatic sigh, he raised his cane again. "That's not my name."
"My." WACK "Name." WACK "Is." WACK "Roman." WACK "Torchwick!" he shouted, the final hit shattering the man's skull with a sickening squelch.
He took a deep breath. 'Composure Roman.'
Standing up to his full height Roman wiped some blood off his face, scowling as he noticed that there were specks of blood on his once pristine white coat.
Flicking blood off his cane Roman looked at their audience. When he made eye contact with any of them their eyes went wide in fear before they tried to hide.
'Good,' he thought with a smirk. You only had one chance to make a first impression after all.
As his heart slowed, Roman leaned against his cane to appraise what the other two were doing.
Saffre had taken one of the men's rifles, slinging it over her shoulder. When she noticed him looking at her she gave a small wave.
Neo was…
"Neo what the hell."
Struggling for a moment, Neo's head popped out from the colorful hoodie she had taken from one of the corpses. There was a scorch mark over the heart. After adjusting the far too big hoodie Neo gave Roman a bright smile and wave.
Roman gave her a flat look. "You look ridiculous."
She gave him a shrug.
"Saffre, do you know someplace where we can get a drink?" he asked, rolling his eyes at Neo's antics.
Saffre gave him a nod.
Roman sat with his back against the bar, silently watching the other patrons.
He watched as a group of men wearing fishing coveralls drank together, their occasional collective laughter drowning out the ambient music that filled the building.
He watched as well-dressed man in a business suit talked quietly with a woman. How they discreetly exchanged something between the two of them. He especially noticed how the man jumped when he noticed Roman was staring directly at him. The way he almost ran out of the building.
Taking a sip from his whisky, Roman also noticed how people looked at him. How they quickly noticed the light splatter of blood on his white coat, and how they then noticed his cane hanging from the bar counter. He hadn't cleaned it off yet; the dim light of the bar reflecting off the surface showing the crimson still stained on its surface.
He had spent a few minutes positioning it to have the light reflect off it just right. To make sure people could notice it. To make sure that people noticed him.
It had only been a brief amount of time when he was just another person in the crowd. How people only gave him curious glances at most, but now? Now people saw him.
Making eye contact with a girl who had just been staring at his cane, Roman smiled as she quickly got up to leave.
After all, he was still Roman Torchwick, and he knew himself well enough to know that he would never be content with simply being just another face in a crowd.
"Neo, Saffre… I think we're ready to go have that meeting at Ryujin Tower," Roman said as he stood up from the bar stool.
Putting down her glass of luminescent pink liquid, Saffre stood on his left.
Downing the rest of her glass of luminescent blue liquid, Neo wiped her mouth with her hoodie's sleeve as she moved to stand on his right.
He had made his decision.