Azure 0: Rebellion Sequence/A2E3: The Red Hunters/Transcript

Previously: Episode 2: Duality of Azure
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Arc 2: Children of Sin
Episode 3: The Red Hunters
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Area: The 3rd Hierarchical City of Iwasu 
NOS Branch, WOR Headquarters, Main office
A pair of large doors open on their own leading into the branch's main office where a taller yet lean figure of the General waits. In his usual attire of a SIA uniform streaked with emerald patterns with a unique lapel that is reminiscent of a cobra's hood. His serpent-like silver eyes gleam against his pitch corneas, seeming empty and missing something. The man leans sideways with a palm against the edge of the desk, coming to attention when the two arrive. Rythrean follows Lukain and quietly waits by the doorway.
Akuhei: So, how was it?
Rather then respond right away, Lukain walks by the General, finding his way to his chair while Akuhei cocks his head to him.
Lukain: Akuhei, get the other Destroyers out here.
Akuhei: (Raises his brow) Uh, like how many are we discussing here... all of them?
Lukain: No. The best of their ranks, the ones you have the most experience with.
He takes a seat in his chair, intertwining his fingers while Akuhei steps away from the edge of the desk to go to the front of it.
Akuhei: Ah... gotcha. (Looks back at Rythrean) You heard the Marshal. Go get the others if they’re available.
Rythrean nods in understanding and turns away, heading out of the office.
Akuhei: Didn’t quite work out then, huh? (Grins knowingly) And I remember telling you not to underestimate the Azure.
He says these words with some sort of mocking tone that slides off his forked tongue but this doesn't seem to bother Lukain.
Lukain: I admit I should have taken those words more to heart. But it was simply a test to determine how to proceed, and to see the potential of it for myself.
Akuhei: (Scoffs) Well it couldn’t have been that intense... I wasn’t notified at all compared to how they demanded me to go to that refuge during the initial contact.
Lukain: No...it didn’t appear this was caused by the Grimoire at all.
Looking to Lukain in disbelief, he shakes his head.
Akuhei: ...No? Then what was it? Another object contacting the Azure? Does he have two Grimoires or what?
Lukain: (Sighs, setting his hands on the desk) If I knew, Akuhei, I wouldn't be discussing it...
Akuhei: Well, aren't you the one who should know? I’m surprised something that important slipped by your notice... just sayin'.
Navy eyes squint at him, Lukain unamused by his comments.
Lukain: You didn't sense it either...so you're not one to talk.
He pulls up a projected display of the readings from earlier while Akuhei continues to speak, brushing off the comment with a shrug before walking away from the desk casually, pocketing his hands.
Akuhei: (Dissmisively) Yes, well I wasn't looking for it... I could figure it out if I really cared to.
Lukain: I don't require you to.
Akuhei: Okay, so tell me then... why get all the Destroyers involved? Are you really exiting the main stage so soon? That seems boring. He turns himself around to see Lukain focused on the data, but he still responds.
Lukain: The system will eventually deploy them regardless as this threat spreads. I’m not asking for the Destoyers because I require help, Akuhei. I want to test how the Azure responds, among other things. Besides, I noticed there’s some kind of complication with Azure 0.
Akuhei: Complication…? There shouldn’t be.
Lukain: It's as I said, that interference wasn't from the Grimoire. He maintained mental stability and protected the ones looking after him, even while compromised by the Boundary’s influences. With everything I'm aware of...in those conditions, it shouldn't have been possible.
Akuhei: (Chuckles in amusement) Defense mechanisms, eh? Well, what can I say? Azure is tenacious and alters itself... the fact it's still finding a way to protect its wielder doesn't surprise me a bit.
Lukain: Then we need to test the extent of that.
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Area: The 4th Hierarchical City of Naobi - Sub Levels 
Decaying District
The mercenaries all remain exhausted in the sub level of Naobi, grime and muck surrounding them. After awhile, everyone seems to recover from the recent conflict, getting up one by one.
Locke: (Slowly gets up) Everyone alive? Holler if you're dead.
Spence: Yeah yeah, I'll holler in your ear later.
Grumbling toward Locke's comment, Spence picks up his weapons from the ground and looks at their condition.
Spence: A bit scratched up, but still functional. Don't need to buy new ones.
Locke: Yeah, unlike our camping equipment. (Shrugs) Still cheaper than the rest.
Switch: We need new drones and turrets. We still have money for that, right?
Locke: Last time I checked, there was enough plats to play with.
Cerea gets up from the ground and dusts herself off. The smell of the area hits her, and she pulls out a handkerchief to cover her nose.
Cerea: Man... this doesn't exactly smell like roses.
Spence: Not many things in life do. You'll get used to it later on.
Imyo: Glad everyone is alright...
He looks at his surroundings, ears flicking a bit as he finally gets enough strength to stand up.
Imyo: Lukain didn’t care about the sub levels... but at least we won’t be found here. I’ll have to talk to Nicaiah about some new equipment...
Nex keeps looking around and frowns as he shakes off grime, but he takes one of the crystals from his pocket and looks at it.
Imyo: Nex, you helped us back there for sure. I’m not sure what went through your head, but it worked all the same. Just don’t get in a habit of it.
After approaching the skittish teenager, he pats him on the head with his sleeved paw.
Nex: (Frowns in chagrin as he pushes his paw back) Stop that… it just sort of happened when Cerea gave me those crystals. Even that navy-eyed man was confused.
Imyo: The Azure has a will of its own, kid. As much as Lukain thinks he may understand it, it’ll prove a person wrong every time.
Locke: So we're dealing with a living force here... never thought I'd see something like that in my life.
Cerea looks around, trying to find something that would be a way out.
Cerea: You been here before, Imyo?
Imyo: Not in this area, no. Get comfortable. I’m going to contact Nicaiah and figure out our best move. We don’t want to run into Lukain again, not if we can avoid it anyway.
Sighing, Nex tries to find somewhere relatively clean to sit down at, settling for a broken down machine of some kind. As he rests, he once again looks at the crystal in his hand.
Nex: (To himself) Why did the Azure respond like that? I actually protected them… I’ve never done that before…
He flashes through previous memories of how much damage it caused, killing and devouring the instant he found it. After getting lost in these thoughts for a brief moment, he glances over at Imyo and Cerea and the others.
Nex: (To himself) Is this also part of what you desire, Yura? Am I meant to be with these people? I don’t know enough yet...
Cerea takes the handkerchief from her nose and tries to breathe not as much as before, but the smell is still somewhat disgusting to her. She decides to bear with it and goes towards Nex, sitting down next to him.
Cerea: So, uh... that was your Grimoire that did that sort of thing?
The silver-haired young male looks at Cerea, still surprised at her insistence to be near him. Oddly, he cant feel any kind of aggression or annoyance that he usually felt around others, being strangely calm. It bothers him but he dismisses it.
Nex: What sort of thing? There was a lot happening. If you mean what happened right before we escaped, then my Grimoire had nothing to do with it.
Cerea: (Confused) Then... what was that about? How'd you summon that beast... thing?
He looks at her for a few seconds, trying to discern her question. Recalling the monstrous constructs that devour others, he grimaces.
Nex: Oh...those things. It's part of me, and my Drive too. I mean...that's what that navy-eyed man said. The Grimoire enhances it, alters the form of that power or something...
Cerea: Alright... (turns to Nex with a smile) so how does one get a Drive? I'd like to learn to do some cool shit.
There's excitement in the girl's entire being, as she's completely interested in these abilities. Unsure of how to respond, the male tilts his head back.
Nex: It just happens...not everyone gets a Drive either. They come from Azure and the soul. You cant really spawn it on command or anything...
Cerea: They don't really teach this sort of stuff in school. Only basics of what a Drive is, not how to get it.
She sighs with some disappointment in her tone.
Cerea: I thought maybe I could have some power in me... like shooting lightning or whatever.
Nex: You might have some kind of power, just not a Drive though. You touched the Seithr from my body, and it didn't harm you. Which is odd 'cause it hurts everyone I've met.
Cerea: (Raises her brow in surprise) Really? I didn't think it was such a big deal.
She then sighs and hugs her knees while reminiscing.
Cerea: My Mom told we have something in our bloodline that makes us... y'know, unique, but she didn't really say what it is. I didn't think it would be interesting, since it might've been just our eyes or whatever.
Nex: I don’t know what it is, but it’s not normal. People can’t usually touch it.
After saying this, he tries to see what she’s talking about, leaning his head over and noticing her eyes are a yellowish-gold.
Nex: I doubt it has anything to do with your eye color. But you might figure it out one day.
Cerea: Maybe... She shifts a bit, lowers her head and looks longingly in front of her.
Cerea: I miss them so much... I feel it's been years, but it's been only 4 months.
Seeing how despondent she is, the silver-haired teenager is unsure of how to respond to the girl, so he sits back straight and sighs in thought.
Nex: (To himself) None of my business...
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Area: SIA Headquarters, Unknown Area in WOR 
SIA Recreational Sector
An elevator ascends through the levels of a facility that are highly advanced and lavish, within is Rythrean who waits patiently to arrive to the top floor, her fingers tapping her arm. Finally, it stops. After this, she steps out into a dome-shaped room with glass wrapping around that allows for a view of the surrounding city, or rather, this was what was simulated currently, but none of the people inside seem to mind it. The officers and guards all greet Rythrean with respectful salutes as she enters, walking across the glassy floor. She looks over and immediately notices a male with lime colored hair sleeping on a couch in his uniform, content as can be. She approaches the couch and looks at him with disapproval.
Rythrean: (Sighs) Get up, Faulhier. Where is Arcius?
The male she speaks to lazily opens his amber-colored eyes and sighs, rubbing his head.
Faulhier: He's...watching his show... or something. Or maybe he's having some alone time... I don’t really care. I don’t keep track of the man...now let me sleep.
Before he can close his eyes, Rythrean sighs and touches Faulhier’s collar shaking him once, much to his annoyance.
Rythrean: Faulhier, you’re being summoned as well. So kindly get up.
Faulhier: (Sighs, unenthused) For what, might I ask?
The grip of Rythrean's fingers on his collar releases, and Faulhier sits up of his own volition this time, still disinterested.
Rythrean: ...The General is summoning the top of our division to meet with Marshal in Iwasu. So we need to find Arcius.
Faulhier: No kidding? General and Marshal? ...Alright, guess I shouldn't sleep through that.
Rythrean: Not unless you want to wake up with a blade in your gullet.
Faulhier: Tsk, no need for that. Is sleeping such a crime around here? The abuse I put up with...
Rythrean: (Squints at him) Oh, don't even.
Faulhier: Fine, fine, I'm moving…
In resignation, the male gets up and stretches. He is an unusually pale older teenager bordering on adulthood and wears his SIA uniform with a connected hood on it. Distinctive amber hemming contrasts against the black shade of his outfit, much like Rythrean's rose accents on her own. But unlike her, his upper uniform hangs loosely at his sides, left unbuttoned carelessly with a vest underneath. Sighing aloud, Faulhier approaches the wall, activating the machine with a card as an authorization code registers. He then touches a button with his finger.
Faulhier: Arcius... wherever you are, whatever you're doing, drop it. We have an urgent meeting.
He waits several moments for Arcius to respond, looking at Rythrean with a shrug after she sighs and sits down in one of the chairs.
In another room kept in impeccable order, a slender male with a fedora hat on his head hiding burgundy hair is clad in a SIA uniform and looking out the window. He doesn't seem to be much older than Nex, and he wears his uniform with far more care, with every button in place, his cuffs kept rolled and his lapels flat. His pants are also spotless, and held up by a intricate belt with a serpent's head on its buckle. The uniform overall has a unique intertwining crimson and green pattern on bits of it. From a reflection, his sharp jade eyes spots a younger cedar-haired male wandering through the outside hallway.
Serza: Hmm? (Turns around) What are you doing here, Agnos?
Startled by the voice of the other male, Agnos halts in his tracks, glancing to Serza in the other room. From the initial looks of it, he seems like a typical boy, his eyes are dull brown with slightly spiky brown hair and he is wearing a plain and loose-fitting white garb compared to the others here.
Agnos: Serza? I’m trying to find a place to stay around here...
Serza: Ah, you just came back from your usual routine huh? You still don’t have any idea of where you’re going, do you?
Agnos: Does it look like it?
Smiling at his grumble, Serza steps forward and looks at the younger teenager.
Serza: You can stay in here, but only if you tell me about what happened in those Operations they found you in, (pushes his finger against Agnos' head) and that crystal.
Serza seems to be amused with it, while Agnos gains a frown of subdued annoyance.
Agnos: (Pushes his hand away) Why is there always a catch with you…?
Serza: We're not taught to work from the good of our hearts, Agnos. Trying to teach you that... so, are you in a sharing mood?
Agnos: (Clicks his tongue, setting his hand on his side) Not interested, weirdo...
Serza: Ouch. You know I am the future right hand to our General... you could be a bit nicer.
Agnos: (Plainly) Don't care for him.
Serza: Well... I guess that's fair...
Agnos: I’ll just go look somewhere else.
He starts walking away through the hallway, only for Serza to reach out to his shoulder and keep him from moving away.
Serza: Uh-uh, if you get lost that’s a bad thing. I might lose my head or worse, how about we look for Arcius...byou know the one whose supposed to be looking after you?
Sighing, Agnos gives up on it and listens to the male.
Agnos: Fine...
After several moments, Arcius finally responds to Faulhier’s contact, the sounds of some kind of show can be heard in the background.
Arcius: (Transmission) How urgent? It's just gotten to the good part, where they're fighting in an arena. The fighting choreography is just something else.
Faulhier: Urgent as in “General and Marshal are requesting us” kind of urgent.
While saying this, he pushes one hand against the wall leaning against it and suddenly his other hand slips, touching another set of buttons. The transmission causes the HQ to fill with the loud noises of whatever Arcius was watching, making the officers look around in confusion. Faulhier notices he has the ‘speaker’ mode on max, and tries to fix it.
Rythrean: Faulhier--what did you do? Turn it off, it's obnoxiously loud in here...!
Faulhier: Ah, come on, stupid machine--what a pain… I hate these things...
As the two leave the hallway and join the main lobby, Serza cringes at the blaring speakers while Agnos covers his ears.
Serza: Who...who on earth is causing all this noise? More importantly why is it being broadcast through the whole HQ?
Faulhier: (Looks over while still fiddling with the machine) Serza... glad you could join us...we have a meeting and--
Serza shakes his head indicating he can't hear over the noise. Fed up with trying to fix the transmission, Faulhier finally draws a strange serrated dagger with odd markings on it and drives it into the machine, causing it to spark and break down entirely as something infests it and eats it into nothing, much to Rythrean's exasperation. The soldiers simply step away and return to what they're doing once it quiets down.
Faulhier: Ah, there we go. Much better...
Serza: ...Unhinged as usual when something bothers you, I see. Someone has to fix that, you know... that's not very considerate.
Faulhier: (Shrugs) It's also not considerate to wake someone up from their nap...
Rythrean: I swear... (rubs her head, frowning in confusion, looking at the two) ...Serza, why is Agnos with you? Isn’t he supposed to be with Arcius…? 
Faulhier': Arcius isn’t used to this yet...and I was asleep-- so he must have wandered off and found Serza.
Serza: That is essentially what happened.
Rythrean: (Sighs in disappointment) I leave for a few days and this place is in complete chaos…
A young male enters the room, not much older than Serza, wearing a long brown hooded coat over his uniform. The collar and the button below are undone, revealing his collarbone and a bit of chest, while the hood is pulled over his head, with long white strands of hair flowing from under it. He wears a metal eyepatch over his left eye, while the right one is colored crimson. Another addition to the uniform are stylish leather boots with silver decorations.
Arcius: So... the crew's here. Means it really is that urgent.
Agnos looks at the Destroyers in confusion before he moves over to the couch Faulhier was previously on and watches, leaning over it. Looking at each of the other officials, Serza pockets one of his hands.
Serza: Am I missing something? Is there a reason you’re all out right now?
Exhaling to calm herself, Rythrean stands up from the chair and addresses them.
Rythrean: As I've been trying to say... Marshal and General are asking for us to go to the branch in Iwasu. So bring Ophius with you, it’s not a casual discussion. It’s about a target.
Serza: Target?
Faulhier: Must be a major target to involve all of us…
Serza: Maybe he wants to test us. We’re still technically a fledgling division anyway, powerful, yes, but experimental at best.
Arcius: But we still have all those wonderful toys. Nex Exitium, the ultimate erasers... (Sarcasm) can erase even pen ink.
Faulhier: But they can’t erase my boredom...
Putting her fingers on her head and sighing at the male’s words, Rythrean’s rose-colored eyes close.
Rythrean: Arcius...the Exitium are not toys. (Shakes her head) Regardless, you’ll hear more from our superiors. We should depart as soon as possible.
Serza: I agree, General hates to be kept waiting. (Looks over at Agnos) Don’t get into trouble, Agnos.
Agnos frowns at the comment and squints his cedar eyes.
Agnos: Am I staying here? If they find me they'll take me back.
Rythrean: You’re not a Destroyer yet. You don’t even have all your adjustments finished with Terminus.
Agnos: (Sighs with a frown) I don’t want to go back to a lab though...
Watching the youngest male slump over the couch, Arcius sighs and pulls a key card out of his pocket.
Arcius: You can hang out in my room while I'm gone. It's got a nice TV, gaming consoles, all sorts of good stuff. (Hands the card over to Agnos) Take it.
Surprised by the gesture, Agnos takes the card key and looks at Arcius in a moment of gratitude, but he quickly moves down a hall without a word to go toward the male’s room. Serza’s jade eyes glance to Arcius from the side and he exhales.
Serza: And you've completely negated my lesson... ah well. He seems to like you a lot more than anyone else here.
Rythrean: As long as he doesn’t cause too many issues, it’ll be all our heads if he gets lost.
Arcius: Relax, he'll be safe here. Can't keep him in the lab all the time, or he'll go nuts. Let the kid have some down time.
Faulhier: He gets to sleep, which is a luxury I envy him for…
Rythrean: Alright, grab your Exitium and move out.
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Area: Iwasu 
NOS Branch, WOR Headquarters, Main office
The Destroyers warp into the branch’s main office where Lukain and Akuhei wait quietly. The General gestures to them and they salute. Quickly, the four find a place for themselves in the room, and present their weapons at rest.
Faulhier’s is a set of strangely shaped daggers with intricate engravings, one of which he twirls between his fingers in waiting. Standing in front and center is Serza who has a long blade of emerald and crimson colored scourge, the eight red constructs lining its body appear to be eyes, but are currently closed. After looking at each of them, Lukain addresses them.
Lukain: Welcome to the exalted City of Iwasu, Sequence Destroyers. I’ve asked you to come here as I have a task for you that would be an excellent test of your abilities. This would be a good opportunity to continue to display the success of the project that led to your division.
Faulhier: Rythrean mentioned that you have a target for us, sir. Is it true?
Lukain: Yes. A boy, one about Serza's age.
Faulhier: C-come again? (Baffled as he stops spinning his dagger) ...Our target is a teenager?
Arcius: So, we're the Child Protective Services now, huh? (Shrugs) This job has layers, huh.
Akuhei: That ‘child’ has the Azure, Arcius.
Faulhier: Hold on... you’re--you're joking... right, sir? The Azure is actually here again? After decades of supposed inactivity?
Serza: You’re referring to Nex, aren’t you? It’s been a little while since I saw him at the refuge and he obtained his Grimoire.
Rythrean: I can confirm it myself. A Power of Azure is with that boy, I sensed it, witnessed it, and it interfered with even the Marshal’s abilities.
Arcius: The Azure... it picked a hell of a time to resurface in our world. And it's also the real deal, not some diluted crap.
Serza: Unadulterated, that’s the power of the possibility he represents--Azure 0.
Akuhei: Well... you say that, Serza, but our Marshal isn’t quite convinced of Ophius’ assessment.
Serza: (Frowns) I assure you, Ophius doesn’t make a mistake when it comes to that power, or its desires.
Lukain: I’m not saying you’re lying. But something isn’t correct... and he needs to be brought in. Those are the System’s orders, and as agents of the system, he’s your target...so consider this your current mission until further notice.
Faulhier: I guess seeing the Azure in person could be interesting...
Arcius: Do you think five of us isn't going to be overkill for this sort of operation? Although, you're not the kind of a man to spare any expenses to get what you need, Marshal... with all due respect.
Lukain: Would you rather wait for the system to deploy you itself? Besides, he’s with a remnant of the Rogue Sector’s infamous ‘Forsaken Ten’ along with several capable hired hands with outside technology. So don’t expect it to be easy.
Serza: Nothing is overkill when it comes to dealing with the Azure.
Akuhei gains a grin of amusement and straightens out, looking at the Destroyers.
Akuhei: Where are you getting 'five' from Arcius? I'm not participating, and neither is Lukain...this is all on you four.
Arcius raises his brow after he hears these words from Akuhei.
Arcius: But Boss... you'd never miss a show like this. The Azure falling into our hands without you being present... it's basically a sin. So I said "five" because I have a strong feeling you'll be there.
All the Destroyers seem doubtful of Akuhei’s response.
Faulhier: (Tilts his head back with a scoff) What…? You can’t possibly expect us to believe that you’re not interested in this. Rythrean: I have difficulty accepting that as well. You were the one to initially discover that boy had it. It would feel...simply incorrect for you not to be there.
Serza: I’d have to agree with the others, General. Ophius knows it’s not your desire to be on the sidelines for a chance like this.
Lukain: It appears they’re quite accustomed to your presence, Serpent. You are their leader.
Akuhei: Yeah well, they gotta learn on their own somehow. I’ll be watching, obviously, just can’t do much direct intervention--not yet anyway.
Arcius: Ah, so you'll be with us in spirit. Alright, this sounds a bit more realistic.
As they all come to an understanding, Lukain addresses the Destroyers with a gesture.
Lukain: You have your orders then. Cerise Reaper, Crimson Ripper, Blood Reaver, and the Infernal Viper… Divide your force as you see fit, but do not let them escape Naobi.
Each of the four Destroyers respond, Serza relinquishes Ophius and nods in understanding.
Serza: I look forward to seeing Nex’s progress, so I have no complaints, sir.
Rythrean: Acknowledged, sir. We will not disappoint you.
Rythrean chimes in next with a respectful salute. Following her is Faulhier who gets up from a chair and stops fidgeting with his dagger, humming in acknowledgment.
Faulhier: Alright, Marshal, I’ll put in some effort for once...
A portal opens up to the city behind them, with Akuhei gesturing to it with an open hand and a smile.
Akuhei: Have fun out there, send reports. And remember, I’ll be watching… so try not to disappoint.
Arcius: Alright... I do notice that most of us have an association with the color red and the letter "R". Just... my observation.
Lukain: (Closes his eyes, clasping his hands together against the desk) Yes, you do. That’s an astute observation. (Opens his eyes) In the Third War, some of the Destroyers--the originals--also were identified by this color in the system when they were Phase Reds before some became the Phase Black who threatened the world. In particular, the Vermillion Overtaker, the Cerise Ender, the Crimson Devourer, and the Carmine Annihilator... were among the most dangerous. Your code names are inspired by some of them.
The explanation of the Marshal draws a chuckle from Akuhei who grins.
Akuhei: Yeah...so go make the city run red, eh?
Arcius: Sounds like a plan. (Deadpan) Go Team Red--yay. (Normal tone) Gotta catch the Azure kid.
Rythrean: (Sighs) You’re such a child, Arcius...
Rythrean goes through the portal, followed by Faulhier and Arcius. Serza starts to go after them but is stopped by Akuhei touching his shoulder.
Akuhei: Keep an eye on that possibility of Azure 0 and determine what’s complicating things, will you?
Serza: I would have done so already.
With these words, Serza walks through the portal last.
----
Area: Naobi - Sub Levels 
Decaying District
Imyo finally establishes a functioning connection with the Liberation Sector, and a screen pops up showing an annoyed Nicaiah who sits back in her chair. Her bluish green eyes squint with an accompanying grumpy expression on her face, and she has wild, medium-length slightly wavy peach-colored hair. Her hand is propped against her jaw and her elbow on the desk with her other hand tapping the top of the desk impatiently. She wears a commander's uniform of the Liberation Sector, but it isn't kept proper at all, and her shirt exposes part of her waistline.
Nicaiah: What?
Imyo: Hello to you as well, Nicaiah...
Nex, Cerea and the mercenaries all see the Commander and this leaves her blinking in bafflement with the situation.
Nicaiah: (Leans in) The hell? Are you on an official mission? You're traveling with quite a few others now, and I see you haven’t ditched the kid with the Grimoire either...
Nex restrains a glare at her, but this doesn’t seem to bother the woman any who scoffs at him.
Nicaiah: Save it, you don’t scare me. If I had my way though, I’d throw you into the Boundary. You bring nothing but problems to our world.
Disappointed with her attitude, Imyo's ears flatten and he rubs his head with a paw.
Imyo: (Sighs) Gods, Nicaiah, I’m trying to get him to be comfortable here. I’m committed to this and responsible for him now.
Nicaiah: Imyo. His feelings are not my damn problem. So, what have you gotten into this time?
She says it almost knowingly, leaning back in her chair and listening to the beastkin.
Imyo: We’re in the lowest part of Naobi, and Lukain just about wiped us out in an ambush.
Nicaiah: That bastard’s Cities, huh? Yeah, you’ll play hell getting out of them.
Locke: Nicaiah, mi corazón, we can talk about the price later. Right now we need a way out, by not attracting attention to our person. We can always... negotiate our terms of surrender.
Nicaiah: Give them the kid. Problem solved and it's simple.
Imyo: (Frowns with his ears down) Besides that.
Nicaiah: (Exhales, tapping her fingers against the table) Fine, but getting out of Naobi is going to be nearly impossible for you otherwise.
She presses a button and it displays a layout of the city for the beastkin.
Nicaiah: Naobi and Iwasu are intertwined by Lukain’s design. Both are powerhouses and heavily fortified to handle just about anything thrown at it--even a damn Seithr bomb wouldn’t get close before being evaporated. The only way out is through the main entry gate of Naobi, taking one of their Ars Magus vessels--which good luck stealing one of those--or through one of their own facilities, utilizing a transportation device to hop to a destination.
Imyo folds his arms and weighs their options.
Imyo: It won’t be easy and tricking Lukain with some kind of ruse doesn’t seem like it will work. He’ll figure it out before we can get any progress. (Ears flick, looking to his side at Locke) What do you think, Locke?
Locke: Hm... wouldn't be easy, but maybe we could somehow gain access to a teleporter if we snatched someone's pass. It's just a thought, but I don't exactly bank on it.
Imyo: (Closes his eyes, thinking) Then we’ll try to get in one of their facilities near the main gate, and get a pass from one of the soldiers or personnel. We’ll need some advanced cloaking Ars to hide ourselves temporarily. Nicaiah, think you can give us a route?
Nicaiah: (Squints) Of course I can, but what am I, your tour guide? This shit you’re requesting costs platinum dollars, Imyo.
Imyo: I brought you to that place, young lady, don’t get snippy with me. (Sighs rubbing his head) I’ll pay you back. I always do.
Nicaiah: (Leans back and rolls her eyes) Yeah, like the bill you left me in your initial stunt to save that pain in the ass of a brat. You know, one day he’s going to grow up, and then I’m going to have to deal with him because of you.
Nex: Can you stop bitching for two seconds? I get it, you don’t like me, that’s fine. I don’t care. But if you can do something, just do it, or shut the hell up.
Imyo: (Gives Nex a slight stare in alarm) Nex…
After a moment of silence from the Commander, she puts her hands on the desk and leans in with a squint.
Nicaiah: You’re a brazen little asshole, aren’t you? You forget I was part of why you even got out at all. (Shakes her head) But fine… I’ll help. I’m guessing you also need new equipment as well? Did Lukain leave you with anything?
Nex looks at the unrecognizable charred remains of tents and equipment that got caught in the warp, it has quickly blended in with the rest of the rubble down here.
Locke: Well, not with much. Tell you what, I'll wire you the money once we get out of here. For now, we'll have to loan it from you.
Nicaiah: Then you better bring it back in one piece.
She presses a button and enters in some coordinates. Within seconds, crates materialize. The storage units are full of new devices and Ars, easily replacing what they’ve lost on top of offering new options as well. Imyo’s eyes show surprise at it.
Imyo: That’s a lot. How did you get it here?
Nicaiah: What? (Smiles smugly) You think I don’t know how to get around Lukain’s interference fields? I had to send supplies somehow during operations in these Cities. Consider the additional items a part of the fee, I want to make sure you all make it out alive. You’re funding the future here after all. My mother didn’t work on charity, and I sure as hell don't.
Her posture straightens and her usual tone of annoyance shifts with a kind of pride and confidence as she watches the mercenaries take appreciation for her offerings.
Imyo: (Laughs slightly) True enough... I know the money is going to a good cause. Telia would be proud of you.
Spence quickly grabs everything he needs and packs a lot of it on himself. Switch takes a new tablet and notices a new drone pop of the crate on spider-like legs before transforming itself into a flying machine.
Switch: Well now, this sure is cutting edge. Been waiting to upgrade my stuff.
Nicaiah: Mutual efforts straight from some of my contact's best work. Not even the Sector themselves have access to some of this.
Cerea reaches into the crate and takes the medical supplies, putting them in a leather bag she carries. Locke stuffs his pouches with explosives and puts more into his briefcase before slinging it over his shoulder.
Locke: Switch, tag these crates. We'll send them by mail. They'll come to our storage units.
The tech puts tag marks on the crates and enters a command into the tablet that makes it possible to transport them to the post office.
Switch: This will be untraceable, lost among the millions of other operations. They won't see it coming.
A confused Nex looks at all of the objects and frowns as nothing seemed to be compatible for him in these crates. Suddenly, Imyo holds out a shell-shaped object with some kind of metallic fasteners on it.
Imyo: Hold out your hand, kid.
The young male is hesitant, but he puts his hand out for Imyo. After a few seconds, the strange device fastens on the top of his hand and it establishes an unseen connection with his body, regulating something. It's strange shape makes the male pick at the foreign object on his body.
Imyo: Its a Seithr Regulator. It's a limiter to keep all that substance from the Boundary entering your body from going out of control so you shouldn't have too many problems. But it's just a temporary fix until I can get you to Nicaiah.
Nicaiah: I'm not positive it'll hold up against something like him, so just be careful. Dont let him do anything stupid.
Locke: Don't pay any mind to it, you'll stop noticing it in no time. (Looks at the squad) Got everything you needed? The mercenaries all respond with a nod, showing they've taken what they've needed.
Locke: Good. Send it away, Switch.
Switch enters a code in his tablet, and the crates are transported away in a small teleportation circles that they fall into.
Switch: Gotta love how the post offices work in these cities.
Imyo: Alright. I have our route. (Nods in gratitude) Thanks, Nicaiah.
Flicking her hand at it, Nicaiah rolls her eyes.
Nicaiah: Yeah, yeah. Thank me by getting out of this mess...
She cuts the connection, causing Imyo to shake his head.
Nex: (Exasperated) Is she always like that?
Imyo: Sure is. She has her reasons... lost her mother in the War, among other things. But dont kid yourself, she knows what she's doing, and she hasn't let me down once.
Locke: She sure is reliable. May chew your ass out, but she won't leave you in trouble. Miss Jefa Gruñona is something you have to get used to.
Nex looks at Cerea, trying to understand Locke's nickname for her.
Cerea: It means "grumpy boss".
Nex: (Frowns) That seems accurate.
Imyo: It is... but she might be our only chance of getting out of Lukain's cities. I just hope I haven't extended our reach too far... I don't want her landin' in trouble for this...
Nex: She seems like she can take care of herself...
Imyo: True enough... let's get going out of this dreary place then. I've got the cloaking Ars we need.
The group begins to follow a passage revealed by Nicaiah's map to navigate to the higher levels of the city.
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Watching a display of the city, Lukain notices the signature for the group moves and then suddenly vanishes, puzzling him for a few seconds.
Lukain: They've dropped off the radar entirely... interesting. Although, them being in Naobi now... I might be able to see the reaction between those two objects.
Akuhei: What are you musing about now, Lukain?
Lukain: Nothing... Determining how to proceed, and it seems they've fallen off.
He closes the display and leaves his chair, walking away from his desk. Before he leaves, he stops in contemplation.
Lukain: Hmm... are you certain leaving them alone is the best course of action here?
Akuhei: May as well let them have some fun... things aren't quite ready for me to step in just yet.
Lukain: I see. I have something to check in the depths, so keep an eye on things. 
'The door closes behind him, leaving Akuhei in the office with a grin as he chuckles to himself.''
Akuhei: Hehehe... well then, let’s get this hunt started, Azure 0. Show me what makes you the true Destroyer of this god damn farce of a world chasing ‘Eternity’.
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End of The Red Hunters
Continues in: A Perilous Paradise
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Category:EvoBlaze
Category:Rebellion Sequence Transcript