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Champions of Battle: The Very Best – Opportunity #027

Jaquan stared speechless as Catlin and Neely rush off at Catlin’s whim.  He, Liana, and Justice had nothing to say that would help the two or change Catlin’s mind.  Understandably, Catlin felt a great deal of responsibility about Brisa’s situation.  She was going and Neely was going too; just… because he was.

As they watched Catlin and Neely run into the distance, one of Catlin’s abandoned bags fell over.  Neely left his bag as well.  Distracted from the spectacle, Liana grabbed both of Catlin’s larger bags.  It only seemed right since her suit greatly increased her already considerable strength.  This left Justice and Jaquan each of the remaining bags.

“Well, that just happened,” Jaquan said as he watched half of the BigBad Crew run off in frenzy.

Watching them run through the street, Justice couldn’t help but comment, “expected.”  He learned a little about Jaquan’s companions but expected was the best fitting word.

“Ironic,” Liana chimed in.  She added a few mechanical modifications to Neely’s armor during the shuttle trip.  It should help them in their task.  She had also seen Catlin modify Brisa’s armor in a fraction of the time with her enchants.  Catlin’s used immense power and concentration to help Brisa become a “warrior” in a few hours.  She used Neely’s Holy Talent boosted Empowerment Aura through the work and still almost changed into a dreaded Unholy Beast with all her work.  Brisa must have meant a lot to her.

Jaquan paused again watching Catlin and Neely run.  They were almost out of sight still frantically looking for the reporter.  The two that usually got into side adventures were off on another one.  Each adventure made them stronger so it made since to let them be for now.  “They should be fine,” Jaquan added.  Still, he’ll give them a call in a few hours.

The three followed the attendant to their assigned resting area to sit and relax.

—–

Brisa followed the mysterious warrior through the city.  It seemed he knew where he was going.  She learned his name was Kiley Qu and that he’d lived and trained in this city for a few years.  That was good because she was completely lost.  At best, she could find her way back to the Sword Mastery School.

Kiley was from a clan called Sour Grapes.  His clan was powerful though not the strongest.  His clan’s symbol, a black diamond with a bright yellow-orange circle in the center, was displayed proudly on his cape.  He was aware of Brisa’s recent escapade into the city.  Though he knew all the shortcuts, he made sure to stay on the main paths so she felt most comfortable.

As they walked, Brisa noticed that he disappeared from view every now and then.  She’d get distracted by something on the street and he’d be fading back into sight as she looked forward again.  It was a little disturbing.  It happened a few times before she had to stop and ask what was going on.

Kiley looked at her as though she should already know.  “There’s a cloaked tracker droid following you,” he said slightly annoyed.

Brisa looked behind her and all around.  There was nothing.  No evidence of anything, only the wind and traffic.

Kiley’s eyes flashed open with a sudden revelation, “You’re a new Adventurer aren’t you?”

“Well…  Umm…” Brisa was speechless.

She tried to hide it but, it was the only fact that could possibly explain everything.  She had awesome gear including a large powerful weapon that told all would-be attackers to be afraid, very afraid.  If she learned to use the gear, they would have great reason to be very afraid.  However, no part of her gear had been marked or repaired.  Therefore, it was unused.

Sour Grapes usually helped others in need.  Besides, he had nothing better to do today.  “Don’t worry,” Kiley said, “Just don’t charge off around some building at an enemy,” he smiled at Brisa’s confused look, “We should be fine.”

#1 – Opportunity #26 – Opportunity #28

Sons of Sword: Tales of Glory – Lost and Found #23

Apple Mint Hills, Mole Hill Club:

In the mid-morning hours, a white robed figure walked boldly into the Mole Hill Night Club.  Almost everything on him was the purist white.  Shoes, bagged pants, and hood did not produce a hint of color.  Orange and blue skin peeked from under his hood.  A rust red tint clouded his gloves.  He hadn’t been there for a long while, still he knew his way around.  He walked straight to the backroom.

It was a syndicate club.  Everyone knew it, and everyone knew not to say it out loud.  The crowd was thin this time of day.  He ignored the live music and the ladies of entertainment.  He had a purpose.  It needed to be finished with it as soon as possible.  He walked through the kitchen and by the offices to his destination, the one room where a man of great importance sat.

Two large men in suits blocked the way.  They stood closer to each other as he approached, almost standing shoulder to shoulder as he reached them.  They were only doing their job.  But as Manna pulled back his hood and looked up to them, the cold stare told them he would finish them quickly if they delayed him much longer, “I’m expected.”

“No weapons,” one of the guards said.

“Hey!  Let him through,” yelled a voice from inside the office, “I don’t need any more hurt men.”

At Bluegill’s order, the two men slowly separated.  This wasn’t fast enough so Manna yanked them apart with his magnetism skills.  One on Manna’s right was pulled by his belt buckle, the other by his wrist watch.  With them out of the way and a little disoriented, Manna walked into the room without looking at them.

Bluegill was sitting on his chair, it was almost a throne.  He was an average height male with yellow green skin.  He wore the most expensive and pressed suit in the Thousand Flowers area, Manna knew that much.  His defining feature was the two large blue patches on the sides of his neck.

At entering the room, Manna bowed at the hip to Bluegill then proceeded to the center of the room.  For a matter like this, a phone call was not good enough.  He had to talk to Bluegill face to face though he didn’t like being there one bit.  “Greetings Bluegill,” he started, “Thank you for allowing me to pay back the money that I owed you in such a short time.  I do not speak for Guy, though we were caught in the same situation.”

“Manna, my man.  No worries, no bad blood.  You did a good number on those goons.”

“Yes, that is why I came to talk to you.  In the interest of safety I had to defend myself against a some men that wanted to speak to Guy.  I wanted you to know that this was in no way meant as an offense against you.”

Bluegill chuckled to himself, “Don’t even think about those idiots.  I told them to collect or give a message.  I know those guys a bit aggressive but good hard workin’ guys.  So I say, ‘talk, only talk but make sure he don’t forget,’ then, they try to scare someone.  Not what I told ‘em.  The new guys, they always want to impress me.  Your costume still works I see.”

Manna believed what he heard.  If Bluegill was one thing, he was honest.  Of course, the things he didn’t say were always open to interpretation.  “Yes,” Manna said with respect, “The way they spoke to me, I figured they didn’t know me.”

“They do now,” Bluegill said laughing.  “They came in here cryin’.  They never thought a ‘Green Child’ would smash in teeth.  That clown talked too much anyways.  I was trying to find a way to teach him to listen.  Now he don’t have a choice.”

“Thank you for your understanding,” Manna said as he prepared to leave the room.

“Hey stay a while, have some coffee,” Bluegill said, “We can talk a bit.”

Manna knew too well the dangers of accepting such an offer.  Not only was consuming highly caffeinated drinks illegal, doing so with the likes of Bluegill only invited trouble from Bluegill’s allies and enemies.  Besides, the conversation would probably be Bluegill’s attempt to hire him for a job.  “I’m sorry sir,” Manna spoke as he turned, “I have to get to work.  I’m late already.”  At that, Manna left the room.

#1 – Lost and Found #22 – Lost and Found #24

Champions of Battle: AD7 – Awakening #27

Rubin’s Trail Research Facility:

An intern rushed through the lab holding a silver metal sphere.  It was large enough for her cupped hands to barely grip its bottom quarter.  It was rather heavy for its size.  She had no idea what it was or what it could be used for, but she had an idea how to learn.

Deep groves formed strange linear patterns across what everyone considered its top.  The bottom was completely smooth except for a small circular grove.  This sphere had to be important.  It was found clutched and protected by another droid.

Tosca Shi was one of the dozens of select interns researching the Mech Fortress’ defeated droids.  The metal sphere was considered a droid though no one knew what it did.  It was impossible to unlock and never moved on its own.  The mystery baffled everyone.  And by now, everyone had moved on to other more profitable projects; except Tosca.

While the others quit, the puzzle of the “sphere droid” became an obsession for her.  She needed to know what it did.  It was important.  It had to be.  There were many replicas of the other droids, but there was only one sphere droid.

Her supervisors were a little concerned for her obsession but admired her zeal.  Many times breakthroughs came after years of stubborn focus.  It was a lesson only learned after going through such an experience personally.

Tosca desperately wanted that breakthrough and she had a crazy idea on how to get it.  After AD7 entered the facility, the other devices did more.  They moved a bit more, beeped a bit louder.  After working with intelligent robotics for so long, Tosca knew that things don’t just happen.

There had to be a connection.  It only made sense.  AD7 had made them and knew everything there was to know about them.  Something else in the Mech Fortress must have controlled them during the war.  She kept referring to a guide whose orders she followed.  Still, she was polite enough to tell them about their use.  Even with this distance, Doctor Yu felt it best to keep her away from the droids for now, just in case there was a reaction.

Usually, projects were tested by facility teams lead by a licensed researcher.  However, after working so long on the sphere droid project alone, Tosca claimed the whole project as hers.  The possibility of a breakthrough after her yearlong obsession drove her to speak directly with the head of the facility.

After the last of many security check points, she reached Dr. Yu as they were conducting another test with AD7.  They had taken her chain and spherical weight weapon from the museum and asked her to use it on a grouping of brick targets.  Once again, they were astonished.

AD7 was far stronger and faster than they ever thought.  She had perfect control of her swings.  She used the chain to swing the metal weights at the targets and hit them again and again shattering most targets on contact.  At times, the chain seemed to lengthen in her hands.  Even with all that was going on, AD7 looked as cool and calm as she did while explaining something to the researchers.

Doctor Yu saw the intern approaching and had a good idea what she wanted to say.  “Tosca,” she greeted with no surprise in her voice, “I was wondering when I’d see you.”  She looked at the strain in her face and then down at the sphere droid.  Confirmed of her suspicion, she turned back to AD7 as she obliterated another target, “Any breakthroughs?”

“No Ma’am,” she said bending over breathing heavily.  After the long jog she forgot how heavy the droid was becoming.  She sat the sphere on the ground and held it with her feet to make sure it didn’t roll off.  After catching her breath, she continued, “I think…, I think that AD7 is affecting the droids,” she stopped to catch her breath again, “Maybe this droid could be affected too.”

Doctor Yu bent down, grabbing the sphere from the floor.  She forgot how heavy the thing was.  Not as heavy as a solid metal sphere but it definitely was not hollow.  “I know what this means to you,” she said looking at Tosca, “But we have no idea what it does.  It’s even resistant to our scans.”  She saw Tosca’s disappointed face but was quite sure the risk was not worth the reward.  Handing the sphere back to Tosca, she said, “Get a hand cart and take it back to your station.  They have some in storage.  You’re not trying to increase your strength are you?”

Tosca giggled at the humor and walked off towards the storage rooms.  It was a long shot to ask permission from the Boss Lady.  Adrianne was always understanding and sympathetic.  She would not have denied the request unless she was sure there was a danger.  Besides, she did feel a little stronger after the trip.

As she walked neither of them noticed AD7 had turned an ear to them.  She was watching, even listening to them.

#1 – Awakening #26 – Awakening #28