Wei Yenwu stood in his office, now transformed into a frenzied command center. Normally a bastion of meticulous order, it was overrun with activity as sectaries and personnel darted about, their voices a blend of urgency and panic. They scoured every available piece of intelligence, their eyes glued to the multitude of screens showing live feeds from the security cameras stationed around LGD headquarters.
On the screens, a horrifying scene unfolded. The creature that the Reunion leader had become staggered to its feet, each movement causing its coal-black skin to crack and fissure, leaking a tar-like ichor that dripped onto the ground below. This vile substance pooled and coalesced into grotesque mounds of dead flesh, rotting meat, and corroded bone, which seemed to pulsate with a life of their own. The beast itself was a nightmarish vision, covered in thousands of bone-white skulls that protruded from its form, their eyes and mouths snapping at the air with a ravenous hunger.
Suddenly, with a terrifying force, the creature lunged downward, shattering the road beneath it and descending into the sewers. Its maws tore into a nearby corpse, the sound of flesh being rended echoing grotesquely through the cameras' audio. With each corpse it consumed, the creature grew exponentially, its body spawning foul, meaty outgrowths that mirrored the main body's ravenous appetite.
Wei's tablet shattered in his trembling hands, an echo of his fading control over the situation. At that moment, his aide interrupted, "Sir, incoming call from Dr. Kal'tsit."
He accepted the call, his voice taut with stress. "Chief Executive, Operator Roland has provided vital information on the anomaly, designated: Mountain of Smiling Bodies. It's a mass of melded corpses that increases in size, strength, and endurance with every body it absorbs. Additional capabilities include debilitating sonic attacks and blasts of caustic vomit. If allowed to proliferate, it will pose a substantial threat to the entire city," Kal'tsit reported, her voice eerily calm amidst the chaos.
"The Yan Censors—" Wei started.
"I've already contacted them and... reached an understanding. They will not impose any restrictions on this operation. Amiya and the Doctor are currently negotiating a ceasefire with the Yeti Squad to ensure containment can—" Kal'tsit began to explain.
"Lungmen does NOT negotiate with terrorists—" Wei interjected sharply, his frustration peaking.
"No, it is Rhodes Island that is doing the negotiating, not Lungmen," Kal'tsit clarified coolly.
Wei paused, taking a deep breath to collect himself. "Very well. I will contact my underworld associate to coordinate evacuation procedures. Inform your personnel that if the threat cannot be suppressed, this district will be detached from the landship and the outer cannons activated." His decision was final, his tone resolute but strained by the gravity of the potential loss.
He ended the call, his mind racing through scenarios and contingencies. As he stared back at the screens, his resolve hardened. Wei Yenwu was prepared to do whatever necessary to save his city, to protect his people, no matter the dreadful cost. His city's safety was his paramount duty, and he would fulfill it at any cost.
...
After ending the call with Wei Yenwu, Dr. Kal'tsit stood motionless for a moment, her expression unreadable. She slowly turned away from the communication terminal, her gaze settling on the chaos of Rhodes Island's own command center. Operators moved rapidly, screens flickered with data, and her mind raced with the weight of the incoming crisis.
Kal'tsit's thoughts were interrupted as Ace approached, his expression serious, reflecting the gravity of the situation. "Dr. Kal'tsit, how did the call go? Is Lungmen taking steps?"
"Wei Yenwu is moving to secure the city, but it's on us to handle the immediate threat," Kal'tsit responded, her voice steady despite the swirling tension. "Roland's new capabilities could be pivotal. His transformation has not only magnified his strength but also his resilience. We've never seen him wield power like this."
Ace nodded, understanding the potential and the risks involved. "Roland's always had a knack for surprising us at the right times. If whatever he's got can hold off that abomination, it could give us the edge we need. Blaze and I wil also join the frontline defense. I also suggest deploying Operator Rosmontis as ranged support."
Kal'tsit paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she processed the suggestion. "Yes, Rosmontis's walls could help pin down the target while the others engage directly. It's a sound strategy, Ace. Prepare for deployment immediately."
"I'll make sure we're ready. Every second will count against that...thing."
As Ace hurried off to prepare, Kal'tsit's gaze drifted back to the screens, where Roland had leapt off the building with Ch'en on his back. Chi Xiao was fully unleashed, a crimson star falling to the earth, riding upon a haze of darkness. She murmured to herself, partly in awe, partly in concern, "Roland, what have you become? Let's hope this power is enough."