MPD Mission Log 1 (TZA)

Logs of the missions the MPD and The Enforcers take.
==A Long Road Ahead==
A blonde man in a buisness suit, accompanied by a taller, older man with greying hair, what looks to be his father, walk down a hall with various officials milling about, guards at their posts, and a brown haired woman walking besides the younger man with a clipboard, towards a central office down the hall.
"Is everything ready for the broadcast, sir?" The brown haired woman asks, hurrying with writing down last minute notes.
"Yes, Jessica. We'll be ready on time. The Annual Western Agency Conference will be on schedule." The younger blonde responds, adjusting his tie.
"Let's hope America and the MCCP have good news this year." The grey haired man grumbles.
"Father, I'm sure the MCCP will handle themselves." The blonde replies.
"I'm not so sure, Issac." His father replies. "As head of the Kurk family, I worry about that information and what it means for the Myths."
"What it always has meant, Issac Senior, sir." Jessica responds. "Problems. That we get to solve."
Issac Senior grunts, as the three enter the main office, with Issac Kurk Jr.'s name on the marker on the door.
Issac Senior takes a seat at the computers, while Jessica stands beside the main desk, where Issac Junior sits down, and begins preparing to broadcast. After at least thirty minutes, he turns on the broadcast toward the other Agencies and the invited government heads.
"This is Issac Kurk of the Mythological Phenomena Department, hosting the annual Western Agency Conference. We will have the call completely set up, please stand by for rollcall. Please be silent while we calibrate the system..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"Alright, at this time, the Chairman of the UEI should be signing in. The MPD will open the conference with his approval to start."
As if on cue, they get a response - a clean audio channel speaks out to Issac. "This is Samuel Windsor of the United Earth Initiative, signing in. I believe we're waiting on the black sheep, correct?" The Chairman's voice is stern but clear, soon after there is a third channel, filled with static before cutting to silence.
"This is The Administrator of the Mythological Creature Containment Program, I am ready for the conference." The Administrator's voice is much like The Administrator himself: Shady and hard to distinguish.
"Thank you gentlemen, at this time, may the other agencies please sign in. Representatives in attendance, remember you are here for advisory purposes and not-"
"I heard word that the Liberty Front has been placed on oversight authority, what is the meaning of this?!" A gruff, angry voice radios in.
Issac's voice is more than dripping with annoyance. "-Tucker Lariece of the United States. Mr. President. If you would be so kind as to sign off? In our previous oversight hearing, it was decided that the UEI would assume advisory supervision of your Agency after repeated failures to secure US borders. Do not interrupt again, unless you'd prefer disciplinary action to be approved."
Issac clears his throat, and just as he's about to speak...
"Why you..."
*BEEP!* Issac presses a button, and force aborts the US President's connection to the call.
"I'm sorry Samuel, sir. That won't happen again."
"Noted." Once more there is a momentary silence before Samuel speaks up. "This Western Agency Conference is now in session, we have a considerable amount to talk about this time around. Issac, if you please - You can start with your pressing matters."
"With our funding increase from a few notable politicians and the previous grant from the UEI, we've finished the first phase of renovating our agency, and we now have a full standing series of platoons ready to aid in anti myth operations. We have also finished rounding up candidates for the special operations task force we have named the Enforcers. We'll be analyzing the final recruit's capabilities in a drill this afternoon.
Our plans are to secure the North-East borders of the Californian Republic, as that has been a long term issue since Yellowstone, and to reduce crimes from human and mythic sources over the next year, using our ground forces, while our special operations team will handle the most severe of threats. Our plan is to achieve a higher level of security in the West Coast so that the MCCP can focus on the abysmal state of America's security."
Issac beings typing. "Also..." A diagram of a robotic canine like entity is portrayed on every present faction's screens. "The Mythological Phenomena Department is beginning work on a specialized Anti Mythic Unit that we hope to fully announce at the annual Security Expo in Seattle, with the remainder of our funding. Giera, the robotics expert we hired, will oversee this project."
"I'm impressed that your Agency has managed to do so much with the money. And as for the Unit, I am looking forward to see what it is capable of. Now, Administrator."
"Very well. After a successful scavenging mission, we had enough for prototyping new protection options for our soldiers for skirmishes in the wastelands. A lot of it made by our top scientists, mainly spearheaded by Maxim Cale. He will be coming to the Expo to demonstrate the prototypes. Despite the good news, we did have an unfortunate occourance at our headquarters."
There is an inquisitive response from Samuel. "An attack? Mythological I presume." He asks.
"Two attacks. We're sure that one was a organised prison break from a group of Myths, most likely within the Mythic Wasteland. But the other one was reported to me as extraterrestrial."
"An organized group within the Wasteland? That's... unprecidented. We will definately need to do something about the weak security in America if that is the case. As for the other... are you sure? Very little has been verifyed in terms of extraterrestial beings." Issac comments.
"Is there any evidence left behind of the assailants on the facility? The MPD would be glad to look it over and see if we can't pin down information."
"I also doubt my soldiers reports, as Myths can be varied enough to appear alien. However." Soon, replacing the diagrams for the MPD's Anti Myth Unit - Security camera footage shows two people fighting back waves of MCCP troopers using flames. "From headsets that our men use, we tried hearing in on their conversation but the language they used isn't like anything Earth has ever learnt. To add onto that, one of my top generals, Jonas - Was the first to come into contact with them, he explained to me how they were apparently lost and weren't even aware of what planet they were on, among other things."
The security footage changes to one of the prison break, it focuses on one person in particular. An individual wearing a mask and on that mask is a unique symbol. "This seems to be their captain, judging by appearance alone, I will appreciate further looking into history, both human and Mythological about this symbol."
"I will say this, there are few to no known mythic organizations of the caliber of taking on your headquarters known to exist on Earth, and Fantasy is so large we can't rule out the possibility, but they are unknown to the MPD's records. Though, and this is just a theory, that symbol could hail from beyond the Earth-Fantasy plane. Think about it. You run across one of the only documented alien beings in our history, and not long later, you're raided by a unknown organization? I think the two could be linked, even if loosely." Issac speculates.
"Though, if you can provide highly detailed descriptions and images, we can run a security sweep across developed parts of the world. If we're lucky, we could nab their trail again. Would that suffice?"
"I will have my officers transmit all security footage of that day, your help is appreciated Issac. And yes, that possibility of them being connected in some way is valid, but right now we are working on too little and I have my priorities elsewhere." The Administrator states, soon Samuel takes the stage.
"Now for the elephant in the room, America..." Samuel sighs. "I'll be honest, hopes aren't high but we can't let it collapse on itself, I discussed about giving the Liberty Front extra funds with the rest of the UEI but they're calling it wasted change. I had hoped to get your opinions on the matter." The noise of pages shuffling about breaks to small silence.
Issac rubs his temples. "Nothing good. The issue is more agitated than merely incompetence. Maine is the economic center of the US, being its only port. However, the heartland is resentful of the government's inability to protect them, while profiting from their agriculture and selling it off to the rest of the world. I have a feeling the central government will lose control of the plains and potentially the southern half of the country, leaving only the government aligned states. When this might happen, is up in the air. But I don't believe the United States will last this century.
It is a grim prognosis, but even though they were allies with many of us during the second world war, and are one of the remaining original countries from our old way of life, I don't think the US as is sustainable in its current form. Spread too thin over too much territory, with no economic power left to sustain it. The merging of the landmasses into Neo Pangea has resulted in a slow death.
We may be able to give it a few more years if we make enough advancements, but there's no settling the dissonance between the heartlands and Maine."
"So it's an inevitability... At least for its size, maybe if we can arrange something - America can have something similar to the Shielded States if they agree to downsize mainly to protect Maine if that's their biggest export."
"We'll have to see I'm afraid." Issac comments. "Other attending agencies, please forward your issues at this time."
At this point, the other Agencies discuss their plans, which continues for at least an hour, before finally everyone is finished talking.
"Thank you all for your time." Issac says. "We will convene as always at the end of the year to discuss how our goals are coming along. At which point, the MCCP will host the next meeting. Good day."
"Oh, and Administrator - You'll be pleased to know that the two you sent to our MCCP branch will be coming back within the day, they were a treat to have."
"Thank you, Chairman. I do have something to ask of you, I will have someone forward you the details but for now I would like to know if you'll be available in the near future to discuss my idea."
"Of course, there will be a notice within the week letting you know. But for now, this Western Agency Conference is now finished, good day gentlemen." Samuel's broadcast cuts out, soon after the Administrator says his goodbyes and his broadcast cuts out as well.
The various attendees sign out, and Issac sighs once everyone has done so. "We've a lot of work to do."
Issac stands up from his desk, and slowly begins to walk out of his office, a clipboard in hand and his preferred walking stick accenting his footsteps as he walks down the hall.
It's time to get to business. 
== Extent of Worth ==
Jim's short experience with the Administrator of the Mythological Phenomena Department was enlightening to say the least. He hadn't thought many people to be as capable as Issac had. After all, being able to halt bullets is one thing, to send them back at the attacker is quite another. Still, he had no idea what such a man meant by 'Would you like an opportunity to use your talents for something greater than a meaningless death in the trenches?' Was he offering Jim a job, or was there more that he did not understand?
Such questions go through his head, right up until the door to his waiting room unceremoniously opens abruptly, with Issac Kurk himself strolling casually through the door.
The man has a deeply analytical gaze, narrowed brown eyes staring at everything and everyone like a cryptic puzzle to solve, and blonde hair with a faint hint of curls, seemingly on the cusp of being unkempt. His suit, common place amongst the MPD as Jim found out, is black with a white undershirt and a white, scruffy collar, while the suit itself is unblemished. The man works with his hands mostly, no human under reasonable circumstances would win a punchout with the man despite his lacking muscular stature.
"Mr. Jim Smith... ...such a conventional name, truly a waste..." He mutters, before fully bringing the strength of his gaze to Jim.
"Mr. Jim. Thank you for coming. I'd like to formally welcome you to the Mythological Phenomena Department. As you've no doubt suspected, you're here for a unique job offer, but there is no normal interview process. You may agree to the test, but not the position you will have. That will depend on your performance in this matter. I am assembling a group of fighters to bring peace to the streets of West Neo Pangea. These Enforcers will serve as the arm of the law, of the Mythological Phenomena Department.
There will be a number of aptitude tests we will put you through to see if you qualify for either the Enforcer program or a position on our ground forces divisions. They will be hard, and you will have to use considerable skill to achieve the results we desire. Knowing this, will you accept the challenge? There is no dishonor in backing out." Issac appears to write notes on his clipboard.
On the young soldier's Texan Republic uniform, the only article of clothing he had that looked somewhat decent that morning, is his last name. He had put in his resignation this morning, and was hoping for an easier job, though he seemed just as happy with this. Smith looked at Issac, studying him, then to the ground. Then he sighs. "Sir, I'm ready for anything you want to throw at me."
More notes are written. “So long as I provided legal warning. Come along.” Without waiting for a reply, Issac walks out the door.
Jim walks close enough behind that he doesn't get lost, and tries to memorize the places they walk by.
Currently they are walking by a series of office doors, but not much of interest. They arrive at a elevator and Issac walks in.
”Tell me, what would you say is a person you can get along with, personality wise?” Issac nonchalantly asks as they start to descend.
"Well, I try to get along with everyone, but it seems to be harder with people who are... how do I put this... Eccentric in their beliefs, meaning they force themselves on others without considering the consequences of their actions. Seems to be how conflict starts." He finished the long-winded verse and looks at Issac. "What made you care about my 'Talents', if I may ask?"
"I'm more interested in the mentality of the people I'm investigating. It doesn't matter if you have unbridled talent, only that you have the mindset we are looking for and the determination to see that fulfilled. Oh, and as long as you contribute towards our research in some way." Issac says nonchalantly. The elevator soon stops, and he doesn't look up from his notes as he walks out.
Jim nods and follows Issac out but a flash of apprehension crosses his eyes. "What sort of research do you do here?"
"We research weapons technology, but our prime directive is to understand various phenomena that exist outside humanity's present understanding. Be it magic, or some other forces, we wish to understand and perhaps improve, through those forces, humanity's potential. I choose to believe that working alongside, rather than against myths, will help secure that knowledge we seek." Issac replies, a brief gaze drawn to Jim, not taking more notes.
"Sounds fair. I don't have problems with myths. I have problems with individuals instead. Judge people on their deeds and all that."
"That's good, because that's what you will be tested on here." Issac indicates the door just ahead. "Your first test will be through here. One of our Enforcers will be testing you. And no, we will not tell you what each test is over. That's up to you to figure out." Issac says, gesturing with his hand toward the door.
Jim simply nods at Issac and goes through the door, preparing himself for whatever is on the other side.
He sees a shaggy blonde haired male with cat ears and lion's tail standing in the middle of a very large white room, dressed in roughed up casual clothes. They turn their head toward Jim and toss him a unwelcoming glance, turning to face him. The male is rather young, early teens it looks like, but his musclar structure is nothing to scoff at. His yellow eyes gleam with cat pupils. He hadn't seen many, but he's pretty sure he's looking at a Nekomata. Or a werecat.
"So, you're the latest chump Issac picked up huh? Hope you're better than some of the other numbskulls." The cat person says with a just as unfriendly tone as his expression.
"I hope to be more than a simple chump. Judging as you are my first test I'm guessing you must be pretty important around here." Jim cautiously steps further into the room and stands near the middle of one of the walls, facing the other person the entire time.
"I have a rank all to myself." The Nekomata says, eyes following Jim. The entrance door closes, and throughout the room, pillars start to rise up, and the cat person begins jumping from pillar to pillar at high speeds, moving very quickly towards Jim. He realizes in one or two jumps, the Nekomata will reach him, and it doesn't look like he wants to give Jim a hug.
Jim slinks behind one of the nearer pillars and goes to duck towards the next one over, but doubles back last second and goes back to his original pillar.
Leo's impact with the second pillar causes it to smash into pieces, and he just looks at Jim, and rips a pillar out of the ground and hurls it at Jim's pillar.
Jim rolls out of the way as the pillar impacts and moves to the next pillar. “Sorry about that. You seem a nice guy but I can‘t just let you win. Gotta make it interesting.” He then picks up a chunk of rubble from the collision and throws it towards Leo.
Leo grabs the rubble out of the air and returns fire twice as fast and hard.
Jim ducks behind the pillar as he throws another piece of rubble to knock the first one off course.
Leo takes this opportunity to close the distance between himself and Jim's cover, swiping at the pillar with his claws.
In retaliation, Jim grabs Leo by the wrist and attempts to throw him into the nearest pillar, managing to throw Leo, not before getting raked by his claws as Leo flies off and impacts, causing him to snarl, but seemingly had taken a surprising amount of damage as Leo seemingly has trouble shaking the hit off for a minute.
Jim rolls his shoulders and gives Leo a chance to breathe. "You look how I feel. You ok?"
Leo quivers as he straightens up, smiling with sharp teeth. "Ok, I'll admit, you're not completely terrible. In fact, that got my blood pumping, so I think...!"
Leo crouches on all fours, tail swiping, when all of a sudden, he is kicked away from Jim, the owner of the offending foot is a woman with long black hair in a MPD uniform, a sword sheathed at her waist. She gives Leo a scolding look before smiling at Jim.
"Greetings, I am Isa A. Lee, one of the officers of the Enforcers. Leo was testing your combat awareness and your ability to adapt to situations unfavorable to you. I have determined that you have passed this first examination, and I will be providing the second. Leo, be on your way and reset the floor."
Leo skulks off mumbling under his breath, a short while later the pillars retract, making a level field again. Isa extends a hand to Jim.
"I was told your name was Jim, right?"
Jim firmly shakes her hand once. "Yes, it is nice to meet you. May I inquire what this next portion of the test is about?"
"Two tests. Your ability in hand to hand combat, and your ability to adapt and react to mythological events. Then, a combination of the two for your overall combat score." Isa smiles.
"I see. Thank you for the heads up." Jim returns the smile.
Isa is about to place her hand on her hilt when the buzz goes off to her bewilderment followed closely by Issac’s voice:
”Attention all MPD staff! Samuel Windsor- -yes, THAT Windsor, is arriving shortly. Enforcers and staff are to meet in discussed lineup formation, Isa A. Lee, you are to accompany me to the front to greet our guest. Simon, please gag the cat so he does embarrass us.”
Isa offers Jim an apologetic smile and shows him how and where to stand as the agency staff begin to assemble before hurrying off.
Jim just follows his instructions silently and tries not to look out of place.
Isa in the meantime joins Issac as he waits at the front lobby, another one of the secretary staff filling in for Jessica.
”This will be your first time meet him, make sure you make a good impression today.” Issac reminds her.
”Understood, sir.” She nods.
== An Unexpected Visit ==
"Are you sure I have to go to this meeting, old timer," Ark grumbles as the older man finishes fastening a tie around his neck. Patrikolos only nods.
"You are the proper head of Riot and thus you have to make appearances at meetings from time to time. That I was allowed to go in your stead the last time was a fluke," the older man sighs, pulling a comb from his coat and beginning the arduous process of combing back Ark's hair. "Perhaps next time you go off on a trip to the the country you blacklisted yourself from you can inform the rest of us."
"Hey! That was to-"
"I know exactly why you went and why you went as you did, but leaving without warning then radioing in after a large mess has happened is unacceptable, Ark," Patrikolos firmly reprimands. "There's a reason we aren't taken seriously despite the good we do and half of our members acting like lone wolves or battle crazed fools is part of that. As leader you WILL need to assume a more authoritative role and not just in title. That means going to meetings and actually dealing with the people you leave me to deal with and more."
"Fine... but I'm not talking about my heritage past my mother's side. Last thing I want is to be on a wanted list for power I didn't want or ask for thanks to a certain good for nothing..."
"That's fine, but I trust you know that will have consequences eventually, especially if the Crimson Reaper is seen causing more damage..."
"Oi, oi! That last time was that asshole of an Insecta's fault not mine! How in the bloody hell was I supposed to know it had corrosive lightning breath before I saw it melt half a city!?"
"You left no traces of it and also used lightning... if people see red lightning flash, go investigate and see a thirty story tall armored figure standing in the middle of a ruined city with a corrosive aura, they're going to assume you caused the damage and not that you stopped the city from becoming part of a sinkhole that would eventually be several states large. Anyways, you're going to that meeting and you'll act like a decent person the entire time and positively contribute while I take care of business elsewhere, my sources tell me that somethings happening out in the Atlantic and I need to check it out." The older man pauses. "This is an example of letting people know before you-"
"Oh sod off... I'll do it, but you'd better give a detailed report when you get back, old man," Ark growls, running a hand back through his hair and undoing a good portion of the older man's work. "Selling myself as a Kaiju expert isn't gonna be tough at all."
"Good luck, Ark," Patrikolos sighs before giving the younger man directions to the MPD facility. "If I hear that you messed up, you're doing suicide drills till you drop from exhaustion."
"Right right, I'll try my best, Now get on your way before you hurt your back."
"Brat."
"Geezer."
"Do your best."
"Likewise."
When Ark has reached the location indicated by Patrikolos, he notes the building is rather like a small college campus, unlike some of the other Agencies run by the UEI, it seems actually non threatening in appearance. A gate manned by a guard in a security booth stands between him and entry. The guard eyes him as he approaches, at first in a semi casual way but more cautiously as he starts taking note of specific details of Ark. He can briefly see the guard radioing someone before drawing his full attention to Ark.
"Can I... help you?" He asks.
"I'm here for a meeting with your organization's leader," he states. "Heard you needed an expert on all things Kaiju from my second in command when he visited awhile back. Hope I'm not unannounced or anything."
The security guard eyes him for a moment. "...Name and Organization?" They ask.
"Arkyle Linen of Riot," he states.
The guard seems to look through some paperwork.
"Don't know the first one, but the second..." He reaches for his walkie and begins calling someone.
"Mr. Administrator, sir? An Arkyle Linen from Riot is here to see you. Says he is an expert on... all things Kaiju. ...Uh huh. Ok..."
He returns attention to Ark. "So, Mr. Kurk is currently overseeing a exam for the last current spot on the Enforcers, our Agency's newly approved special forces. He says he can't leave the examination, but if you don't mind having your talk with him while he observes, he can arrange that. He also inquires when he will see the rest of your team, as he'd like to get to know them and introduce them to the Enforcers, seeing as we are allegedly going to work together, he figures both sides should get acquainted." 
"The former is fine. As for the latter, they're currently out on assignments, but they should be available soon," Ark says.
The guard brings his attention to the radio again.
”He says he will send his secretary Jessica to fetch you. Please wait here until she comes out. He doesn’t want you unsupervised and mistaken as an intruder.”
After a few minutes pass the facility front doors open and a brown haired woman jogs out, clipboard in hand and glasses slightly askew. She skids to a stop and sighs.
”My apologies, I hope I didn’t make you wait too long...!”
Ark shrugs. "I'm in no exceptional hurry, with this being a rather last minute arrangement. I'm more apologetic that I came at a poor time." His eyes are noted to be brown and his ears pointed, but lacking scales. He dusts his suit off, a rather stiff one but he doesn't openly acknowledge that.
The woman, presumably Jessica, hurriedly straightens herself up. “Follow me sir!” She walks back towards the facility, trying to regain some composure and dignity.
"Just call me Ark, I'm neither old enough nor refined enough to be a 'sir'," he says, following. Hopefully they aren't all this high-strung...
She takes him to the inside, simple and clean white walls and marble floors greet him. Some rooms look like classrooms under construction.
Ark takes note of this quietly, memorizing the route they take in the event that he has to make a rather quick exit without potentially damaging the structure. He seems rather relaxed however.
He is lead to a lower level of the building, into a side door that leads to a balcony overlooking a combat training room, with what looks like a blonde nekomata engaged in battle with a human soldier. Observing the fight intently is a blonde haired man in well kept clothes, and simple glasses. Without speaking, Jessica walks past him and sits next to him, a number of seats including one next to the man is available.
The blonde haired man speaks without looking at him. "Mr. Arkyle. Please have a seat. Issac Kurk Junior, Administrator and head Director of the Mythological Phenomena Department. Currently Leo is testing the mettle of a potential candidate. Would you like anything to drink or eat? The tests may take some time, even with our meeting."
He speaks rather candidly, even in spite of the intensity of his gaze on the exam below.
"I'll be fine," he replies, taking a seat. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Isaac."
"And you as well. So surely, you must know of the predicament the UEI is in. We've grown in strength to be sure, and now once formidable threats to society are culled, if not procedural. Dragons remain a threat, but how do you fight what can only be explained as a force of nature? The Kaiju hinder us, so often when we are close to a major milestone. Take Seattle. We were close, so very close to modernizing our navy here, not only offering military security, but economic as well."
Issac takes out a picture of the site, and after Ark sees it for a moment, he shows Ark a very different picture. The entire coastal area of the city leveled in twisted steel and rubble.
"The area recovered, but we've never fully regained control of that area, and it remains infested with crime and dangerous myths. It is this area we seek to secure but... we have no idea if or when the next threat will strike." Issac looks at Ark for the first time.
"I don't want to see it happen, not again, and not on my watch." Issac speaks firmly, but also hinting at a faint fear of failure, of something completely out of his control.
"Kaiju, I can teach you to deal with. Dragons are a bit different," Ark says, studying the images. He draws forth an old notebook and sets it down. "These are the basics on them. Nothing too detailed because any more than that is asking for trouble. Kaiju are all unique, but while they share some aspects based on their categorization, the specifics are unique to the individual in question."
"...Interesting." Issac says after examining the notebook. "Do you mind if I copy the information presented? I would like to spend some time analyzing it more deeply. Comparing the information with our existing data may yield surprising new leads."
"Go for it. Take note on the specific Kaiju I listed as Roaming. They're the sort there's not much of a defense against if they choose to strike," Ark states. "Other than recovering that site, anything else you'd see needing help with off the bat?"
Issac runs his hand through his hair for a minute. "We need to prove to the North Californian Republic Governor that we're worth funding. We were given this chance not solely because of our research, but our offer to stabilize this region. Our mandate is to expand the security and prosperity of the region, so we need to perform regular patrols of the area, detain and process criminals both Myth and Man alike, and attempt to rehabilitate them to be working within rather than against society.
With our limited manpower, we can't cover both the area we control and the derelict Port District. Aiding us both in raids against the Port District and patrolling what we have would be key aid. Also, this isn't expected of you but if you know of any Hyperhumans- -the public likes 'Superhumans' but the official government term is Hyperhuman- -that would be willing to have tests and studies of their powers done, or any that are acting against the interests of the public, we would welcome if they were registered and brought in. Our Agency's mandate IS research and development, as well as containment, after all."
"There's one person I can think of, but last I checked they were busy keeping an artificial island out in the Pacific, Lumina I think it was, supplied and running until the water and electricity situation there was resolved," Ark says after a moment of contemplation. "The Port District raids would be something I could look into and see about setting up a small defensive unit, whereas patrolling areas is something I'd be able to focus on until my second-in-command returns from investigating something."
Issac nods his head in appreciation. "You won't be acting alone, I can supplement your efforts in the Port District with one or two teams while the remainder of the MPD's Enforcers operate with you. Assuming of course, we have a good conclusion from the new recruit."
He pauses as a snarl from Leo is heard, and he turns his head to observe Jim slamming Leo into a pillar, causing the Nekomata to stumble.
"Better than expected, actually. We'll have to have Isa confirm his hand to hand combat skills. In the meanwhile, Jessica, please take Arkyle to our records room to go over the information we have on the Ruined Port and current operations needing to be handled in the Residential Quarter.
Furthermore, if you would be interested Arkyle, please ask Jessica to loan one of the residential units on campus if you need a place to rest. No sense in renting a hotel room or being out in the streets when we have a place for you to stay if needed. There are also barracks we can assign you, but you wouldn't have as much privacy." Issac lightly smirks, eyes still on Jim.
"I imagine you're one who values that, so says my gut."
"Doesn't everyone," Ark replies, a faint smirk ghosting across his face. "We'll get accommodations sorted after I've a grasp on the situation."
Jessica gets up and gestures to the door for Ark to follow her. "This way, Mr Ark. I'll show you to the archives covering the mission details."
Ark follows, eyes focused.
As Issac is watching Isa and Jim discuss the next rounds, Issac feels his phone vibrate and glances at the phone. When he sees the caller id, he answers immediately.
"Issac Kurk speaking."
From the speaker, there is a faint humming of what sounds like aircraft. Shortly after, a voice breaks through the noise.
"Greetings Issac. It's nice to speak to you so soon but neither of us are fans of being on the phone for long so I'll be direct; the inspection that we discussed earlier in the year is due today. I apologise for the abruptness but I will be over shortly, unless you have some other matters to attend to?"
"No, your timing is spot on. I will inform the other staff here. We will be ready for you. The next phase of testing for our hopeful recruit Jim Smith as the last Enforcer for this recruitment phase is about to begin. You'll be delighted to attend it, I can promise." Issac replies, already sounding a buzzer in the training room to halt activity.
"That's perfect, I'll be glad to see what capabilities your promising agency can reach at such an early stage. We will meet shortly, farewell." The final moment is of Samuel's voice being drowned out by the ever present hum of the aircraft he's boarding before he hangs up.
Issac then presses the intercom button and begins to speak.
From outside, the faint humming from before begins to fill the air as a sleek aircraft unmarked by any brand or agency hovers. It lingers there for a moment then floats down to the floor. Once it lands, there's an audible hiss as the aircrafts door opens, a staircase hitting down.
From the aircraft, several men step out clothed in military fatigues and carrying rifles. For a few moments they survey the area before standing in formation besides the staircase awaiting for their director. As the turbines whir down to an utter silence, a man in a black suit, decorated in gold and purple and both the family crest and the United Earth Initiative badge steps down onto the floor.
He takes a looks at the building then walks up to the guard by the booth. "Hello, please open the gate - I need to see Issac Kurk." Samuel states plainly.
The guard's eyes bug when he sees Samuel, partially because the last time there was a visit from the head of state, it had been during the ousting of the former Administrator of the program.
"Yes sir, right away!" The gates swing open, and it doesn't take long for Samuel to see Issac standing at the entrance, along with a woman with black hair and the standard MPD uniform. A sword lies sheathed at her waist.
Samuel begins to walk and once he does, so does his men, all marching in union towards the two. It's only until the director is close enough to Issac that he raises his hand. The soldiers all stop and stand in a perfect line, Samuel looks at Issac in utter silence before reaching his hand out.
"Hello Issac, it's good to see you again."
"You as well, Samuel." Issac replies, taking the hand in a firm shake. "As you can see, the majority of facilities renovations was completed on schedule, the only thing that isn't ready to go is the class hallssituation in the abandoned Port district and the conditions of the streets of Seattle. I'll have you meet their leader Ark after we've had our introductions and observation of the Enforcers and the time comes for the facility inspection as a whole." Issac affirms, gesturing Isa and Samuel to follow him inside.
He lets go of Samuel's hand and gestures at the woman, stepping back. "Go on, introduce yourself."
She smiles nervously before standing where Issac was, offering her hand. "Isa A. Lee. I will be joining the Enforcers program as the first Secondary Officer. Mythological Phenomenon Department engineered Psionic Hyperhuman. I and my collegues are at your service today, Samuel, Sir." She bravely attempts to maintain her smile despite nerves.
"Ah yes, the Hyperhuman project. Issac has told me a lot regarding your progress during our conference calls." Samuel reaches out and shakes Isa's hand. "I will be looking forward to your performances today, it's a pleasure to finally meet you in person."
Samuel then looks back at Issac. "It's good to see the grant money going to use, the facilities are coming along nicely. The sooner they become operational, with all the political matters and tensions in this country, the better... But with that out of the way, shall we begin?"
"It is nice to meet you as well," Isa squeaks a bit.
"Yes, I imagine my staff are already antsy enough waiting as it is. Jessica would have been here, but she is debriefing our recent ally from Regulation and Investigative Operations Team, 'Riot' on the situation in the abandoned Port district and the conditions of the streets of Seattle. I'll have you meet their leader Ark after we've had our introductions and observation of the Enforcers and the time comes for the facility inspection as a whole." Issac affirms, gesturing Isa and Samuel to follow him inside.
Straight away, the old laboratory set up at the front has been revamped into a larger open entrance hall, straight ahead are flights of stairs going up and down to lower and higher floors, while a single elevator sits between them. Off to their left, rooms under renovation, likely the rehabilitation and education centers can be seen, styled very much like classrooms you would find anywhere else, the right seems to lead to smaller scale laboratories and personnel quarters.
Samuel notes that the outside and inside have unquestionably changed to promote a soothing, calm atmosphere, not unlike a university. Were it not for being the head of the UEI himself, he could almost see himself not even realizing this was an Agency central headquarters.
Samuel raises an eyebrow when looking at Issac. "Regulation and Investigative Operations Team... From the call we had, I suspected you didn't have other obligations at the moment." His attention is then drawn to the general decor and atmosphere. "Hmm, looks more like a college hangout than a UEI endorsed agency, must make morale an easy thing to uphold when everything feels at ease."
"Jessica is handling it, if not for her and Mira I'd be swamped with paperwork and planning, let alone meetings. They free me to focus on critical matters when the need arises. Less an obligation and more goings on. And indeed. I felt it important that our image be one that the public could identify with, Myth or Man. Who would willingly approach barbed wire fences and mounted machine guns?
If we're going to gain the trust of others, we need to be approachable." Issac takes the stairs down, a sign indicating that they are entering the Armament Division is seen overhead, with notable locations listed, including the training hall. After reaching the bottom of the flight of stairs, a checkpoint station is reached and Issac dismissively has the doors overrided, they pass through with no incident.
Reaching the doors where the hall is located behind, Issac pauses.
"We'll greet the staff and properly introduce the Enforcers, and then we'll take our seats in the observation room." Issac indicates the small stairway off to side of the doors.
"So this is where I'll be meeting your culmination of research and focus? I recall you saying that there is a recruit trying for the part of an Enforcer... Jim Smith, if I'm not mistaken." Samuel smiles, albeit for just a moment. "I have to say, I'm quite excited to see this."
"I am glad. Especially once you see who will be testing him next. Enough talking though, everyone must be anxious." With that he steps through the doors as they open, Isa walking swiftly to join the rest of the staff, all lined up in an orderly manner. Issac walks to the center of the white training hall, turning to address the staff while Samuel stands just outside the room.
"I know you all must be anxious, so without further adieu, Samuel Windsor, our benefactor who has given this Agency new life. Please give him your full attention and respect." Issac gestures for Samuel to come in and introduce himself.
With his hands behind his back, his posture straight, Samuel walks up and stands beside Issac. Quietly shifting his eyes at each of the Enforcers.
"First, I will apologise for showing up out of the blue like this, I probably would have attended to the MCCP's inspection first but I personally believed it was of more importance to see where exactly my money was going. And I have to say that so far I have been satisfied with what I've seen. I was right in replacing your old director with someone who has an unbridled passion and faith in this agency." Samuel's gaze seems to fixate on a point.
"And I hope that the same sense of determination and drive is within each one of you that stands here. The Enforcers - a project designed from the ground up to be the golden standard for task forces worldwide, each person here has a duty to uphold to its fullest, to do so otherwise isn't just a disservice to Issac or I. But to humanity, to the world that we have all taken responsibility to make the best of... However with that downtrodden remark. I am keeping a close eye on how this program evolves, good luck with your fight. The United Earth Initiative wishes you the best. And I personally will be cheering you on."
Issac looks at the staff members gathered as well. "You may not fight on the front lines, but your research, your studies, the paperwork and data processing, to facility maintenance, all of your work is vital to our success here as well. Do not be envious of the Enforcers, for your parts are just as important. You are all dismissed, return to your duties."
Once the staff have dispersed, he looks upon the Enforcers. "We will now introduce the Enforcers themselves. Isa has already introduced herself, so we will turn to Simon L. Johnson."
A tall grey haired man in his thirties, 6' 2, wearing a modified form of the MPD uniform in the form of a long coat with fur lining along the collar steps forward. Strapped to his back is a monstrously sized metal halberd.
"Senior Officer Simon L. Johnson. Age thirty four, former occupation was Maine Police Officer, Sergeant. I joined the Enforcers for a chance to follow a cause I could believe in. I will do my utmost to fulfil expectations."
"Pleased to meet you Officer, thank you for your previous previous duties."
A woman with long black hair and blue eyes, wearing a combat form of the MPD uniform and a rifle on her back steps forward, appearing to be in her late 20's. She has a somewhat serious air about her, not as open as some of the others.
"Elite Officer Aracelis Evans. I assume you remember Issac having requested clearing me for service. I wish that I could still call England my home, but my family and peers shunned me for my beliefs. For now, the Californian Republic is my home. I hope to exceed all expectations and prove the value of my beliefs." She says curtly.
She glances at the blonde nekomata with ragged blue tunic about to step up and interjects:
"Oh, and this is Leonardius Nevite. Otherwise known as Dishonorable Junior Officer Leo. Rank is aforementioned. He's gagged because you might have heard in his profile that he's a bit of a wild animal when it comes to manners and obeying the chain of command." She indicates his heavily gagged mouth, to which the aggravated nekomata can be heard angrily attempting to retort, thankfully completely muffled.
Leo can see Samuel smile at him. "A wildcard can make for a chaotic... And effective factor in your missions, yes I read the files before I arrived."He then looks at Aracelis. "I do remember the call, I apologize for your chain of luck but I can assure you're in better hands, do us proud."
A white-haired man in military fatigues nods his head sharply as Samuel's gaze lands on him. "Jim Smith, currently trying for the position of Junior Officer." He continues standing to attention after his brief introduction.
"Ah yes, the new recruit from the Russian military - I hope you're feeling welcomed here. I've been told that the change of services can be... Problematic for others who have transferred. I'll be looking forward to see if you can get the position"
Jim stiffens at the mention of the Russian military and makes sure to look Samuel in the eye before he moves on. "I served in the Texan Republic so I feel perfectly welcome."
Issac clasps his hands together. "Alright then, I believe it is time to resume the inspection of our new recruit. Isa, Jim, take to the floor. Everyone else, please move aside. Samuel, with me to the viewing area. Us delicate flowers have no business here." Issac walks toward the exit.
Samuel nods and follows beside Issac. "So, what do these tests consist of?"
He doesn’t answer right away, only once in the observation seats and he has instructed the two to begin does he answer the question.
“Hand to hand combat evaluation and supernatural circumstance adaptivity. We’ll then combine the two for overall combat rating. We’ll then test him on world events, mythic knowledge, then health examinations culminating in how viable a test subject for the mechanical or biological programs he is.”
Issac watches as Isa enters a combat stance and begins pressing Jim to evaluate his ability to fight back.
“She’s starting off with something easy. She’ll move to her sword soon. Given that Myths tend to use weapons of old, the longer he can avoid her blade the better his score.
Samuel look at Isa and Jim, moreso Jim. "The Texan Republic, hmm? Do you expect he will pass with flying colours?"
Jim deflects incoming attacks and refrains from hitting back, trying to probe Isa's attacks for weaknesses.
Isa proves to have if nothing else, solid form and spacing, she is clearly practiced at what she does but it’s very clear that she isn’t a master of fist to fist. Unlike some novices, she doesn’t appear to have openings that she isn’t already keeping track of.
”The goal isn’t to pass persay as opposed to teach us what we’re working with.” Issac replies. “We can improve flaws with time. That being said I do expect some positive results. I am most interested to see if he has the presence of mind to account for what is atypical and abnormal in his fighting.”
After intensifying her strikes and beginning a rapid series of assaults on his defenses, Jim sees her break out of her present fighting stance and place a hand on her sword hilt, eyes intensifying in their gaze.
”The real physical combat examination begins.” Issac says almost with a hint of excitement.
Jim smirks slightly at the change of tactics and pulls on a leather glove before changing his own stance to accommodate a slightly wider field of battle.
Samuel turns to someone and quietly asks for a drink before looking back through the glass. "The sword I can understand, but what is the significance regarding that glove?" He asks Issac.
"...He's going to try and catch Isa's sword..." Issac seems to groan. "I'll alert the hospital staff, this might get ugly."
Isa surges forth, drawing her blade, moving at deceptively fast speeds. Within the blink of an eye, she has closed the distance and opened with a thrust. Jim sidesteps and uses the back of his gloved hand to bat the blade away from his body, taking the moment to step in close and try to grab her wrist with his other hand, not realizing Isa had pulled her blade back in a feint and had now made her real stab, straight into the palm of his hand.
Isa gives him a small but sad smile as she pulls the blade back with a backwards step, now in a neutral guard position.
"I'm afraid that you'll not find me to have openings as obvious as that, Jim." His hand starts furiously itching as the skin begins to knit itself back together, and he feels drained slightly by the action.
"Since my body is weak, and I need more than my psychic powers to function, it was decided that I should train in the sword. I've been doing so with the help of the few experts in the craft humanity can offer up. As for this blade, if it occurred to you to grab it, you would have had a rude awakening. This blade was made in mind for the modern era, when plate and heavy armor have all but faded away from use. You'll find it far sharper than the ones you could safely grab with a glove or gauntlet, let alone barehanded."
Isa offers him another, warmer smile. "I'm well aware of my sword's weaknesses, as well as how to use them to my advantage. Now, is that all you have?"
Jim bows his head in respect. "I am used to knife fights, so I guess expecting a sword to be similar was a mistake. If I make it through this, you will have to teach me how to deal with swords effectively." Jim examines his palm before reentering a defensive stance. "It's good to learn one's shortcomings, no?"
"It was also my mistake to use my blade against you, in the manner that I have, expecting you to know more of them. In any case, we can consider that a conclusion of that part of the test..." Isa's eyes start faintly glowing as from the floor panels open up, large metal spheres being pushed up and into the room. She then smiles as several of them glow faintly and rise up, looking as though they're about to be launched at him.
"Come and do what you can to land a hit on me. That will conclude this second test." She says simply as a sphere rockets with an audible scream of sound straight at him.
Jim narrowly avoids the sphere by twisting out the way and begins to move towards Isa, keeping his focus on the spheres.
She doesn’t physically defend herself but sidesteps and moves in such a way that she keeps just out of range while the spheres adjust and continue to aim and fling themselves at Jim.
"This would have been much easier had I known weaponry was permitted." Jim takes off his jacket and wraps it around one of the spheres in an attempt to stop it.
The sphere catches on the jacket but instead of slowing down, it rockets him off his feet and tows him across the room, racing toward the wall uncomfortably fast. This happens to catch Isa so off guard she begins to double over, giggling hysterically.
Seeing an opportunity, Jim turns himself towards the wall, lets go of his jacket and uses his feet to lessen the impact, before springing off the wall and sliding across the floor towards Isa, taking off his hat and throwing it towards her.
The hat gets lightly batted aside from seemingly nothing and Isa gives him a questioning look as another sphere rockets towards him.
”Worth a shot” Jim shrugs and then breaks into a full sprint towards the sphere coming his way before jumping into the air and stepping off of it to launch further forward.
Another whips toward him, Isa preparing to move.
Jim grabs the sphere with both hands, using it to leapfrog forward and propel himself even closer to Isa, focussed entirely on the task at hand.
Isa makes a defensive movement as though going to move aside but a sphere rushes to intercept him, aiming at his stomach.
Jim responds by rolling to the floor, attempting to close the distance while also avoiding the sphere but changes his trajectory to be going slightly to the left of Isa.
Isa stands her ground.
Jim sprints towards Isa, but changes his direction several times, jumping off his feet each time to redirect the momentum, eventually nearing her but then veering off to the right instead of going straight for her.
Isa stands still as a sphere crashes into his back and sends him to the floor.
"I believe that will be sufficient. You have a ways to improve, but considering this is likely your first real experience with battling against supernatural abilities, you should be commended for what you were able to do. With proper mentoring, and development, I think you will find your place here." She evaluates Jim, offering a hand.
"Issac of course, has the final say on that, but I think he will agree with those remarks."
Jim takes the offered hand and as he stands he remarks, "it's nice to lose sometimes. Keeps you humble. Hopefully I can learn and improve while I am here."
== This Was Not Part of the Test ==
”Very good, now, we still have some written materials to work on-“ A loud boom shakes the building as alarms begin blaring.
"I assume that isn't supposed to happen?" Jim cocks and eyebrow and quickly gathers the items of clothing he has strewn about the place.
"I know my inspections are thorough but I wasn't planning to test emergencies." Samuel looks back to Isaac, seemingly nonplussed. "But nevertheless, I assume I'll be seeing your Enforcers in a... Live fire demonstration?" 
Soon after, a massive rumble shakes the whole of the building, followed by what could only be an earthquake. Accompanying both events, is a deep, shrill, violent scream the likes of which send a cold chill through their hearts, the sound of some immense, enraged beast. It soon becomes clear that the ground is not shaking from a tectonic event... ...but from the force of the roar itself, rippling through the very earth. 
And then, a sound Samuel had heard many times in footage, but never in person, began to blare, the Mythic State of Emergency Siren. 
"Those wishing to live are recommended to move away from storms and rumbling within the city. If you are near a large quantity of electronics you are advised to distance yourself from them and stay away from any windows or metal near said windows. This is not a drill. A safe route of escape will be marked and made visible, use it. Again, this is not a drill." 
A male's voice echoes over the communications network of the whole city. 
Not long after the city's emergency sirens blare, heavily armored MPD officers flood into the observation room, shouting, "Mr. Chairman, Administrator, move now! A Kaiju is rampaging! We must evacuate you to the Emergency Shelter!" 
They grab Issac and Samuel, hurrying them out of the room and deeper, lower into the Agency. 
Issac grabs a communicator and yells, "Ark, report! What is going on?!" When he hears no response, he curses, and speaks again, this time to the building at large. 
"This is Issac Kurk Jr, a Level Kaiju Calamity has been detected! Enforcers, assist our ground force personnel in evacuating the citizens! Aracelis, head to the area closest to the port and head the evacuation efforts! Simon, cover the range between the Port and the City Center! Civilian Staff, take shelter in the Bunker immediately! All Ground Force personnel are to secure the populace, and then proceed to the Ruined District and assist in the crisis! Quickly, this is not a drill!" 
Aracelis, hearing Issac's order, within a single frame of movement stands next to Jim. 
"Newbie, you're with me. Get your gear ready and put this headpiece on." She hands him a piece of equipment similar to headphones, but metallic and looking closer to safety equipment. She appears to be wearing a similar piece. 
"Quickly, and then get on my back, we're running and at top speed, your eardrums will burst." She says authoritatively. Simon has already run off, with great inhuman speed, and the other Enforcers are running after him. 
Jim quickly dons his jacket and the headpiece and then climbs onto Aracelis' back. "I haven't any weaponry on me, is that a problem?" 
"Our first priority is getting civilians out of danger. I have some you can use." She replies, before crouching, muscles tensing, before rocketing forward and suddenly the wind howls and everything blurs violently around them. 
Within moments, they suddenly begin to slow down and then stop, and they are at the Reclaimed District, where loud roaring and the feeling of intense electricity is in the air. 
"We will split the region up - you take the south side, guide them to the Bunker on Fairoak Drive. I will handle Northside and get them to Spring Avenue. If you need to orient yourself, synch your location information with your lightheld and it should display the appropriate information. Meet back here when you are done." Without another word, she takes off with a clap of thunder. 
== Charting A Sea of Steel ==
Jessica leads Ark to a small records room and begins assembling a collection of files.
"Thus far we have been able to accurately map about 65% of the Abandoned District, but only a marginal amount of mapping has been done inside structures and buildings. You'd ask, 'don't you have records of the old city layout?', but the issue is, nothing is the same there. Take a look."
Jessica lays out a printout of what appears to be Seattle's city layout, including the port side. She then however brings out a second printout which appears to be a scan of the same port region, but he notes something peculiar.
The coastline itself is completely different, extending further out than the original layout, while it looks like where the border of the port and commercial ward was has been elevated into a rift with both sides of it raised like mountains, before becoming a sheer drop off between the two slopes, twisted and snapped bridges and roads are strewn across the scanned image.
A second rift zone runs between the center of the district and its north and south edges, said edges are warped and appear to have been liquefied and pulled toward the coast and the border of the commercial ward. The buildings in these areas are twisted and warped in greatly unnatural ways, as though liquefied and blown to either side, then hardened into spiraling spires.
In the center, the most intact part of the region, the layout is vaguely similar but a massive spiraling structure of metal rises up as though a vortex erected as a monument to the power of the monster responsible for this attack. Ark notices that the scans are incomplete around the spiral structure, and the inside of the rift areas are completely unknown as well, while all of the buildings within the center of the region are unexplored, same for the beach lines. The layouts and roads are maze-like due to the extent of rubble that blocks many streets, only a few roads travel all the way through the nightmarish landscape.
Jessica smiles grimly. "You see why we have had so much issue accessing, let alone navigating that place, yes? Our drones get destroyed by unknown forces when we approach the anomalous areas."
Ark looks at the scenery for a moment then sighs. "It's like someone layered part of another realm there and warped the initial area to fit a mold. I've an idea or two who to send that way to investigate the area. I'll contact them shortly, but in the meantime show me how extensive the area needing to be patrolled is." He breathes. "Mr. Kurk mentioned raids from the port area. Could you detail those as well, unless I misinterpreted his words."
"There are video recordings, few and sparse, that show what appears to be a beam fired from the entity that attacked the port. This beam seemed to melt anything it touched, including the ground itself, within seconds of contact. Additionally, this being that defies conventional explanation, appeared to attract metal and earthen materials to it, as a means of supplying this beam.
As for the raids, we don't have a secure stronghold in the area, save for the reclaimed South Inner Port. That is the only land access point beyond the installed East to West Tunnel gate. While occasional Myth attacks occur in the South Inner Port from the North Outer Port, our intention with the raids is to launch sting operations into the North Port and secure holdings, while banishing hostile forces from the area and negotiating peace with reasonable ones.
The ultimate goal of the raids is to retake the whole district." Jessica then shows Ark a map of the controlled areas of the city.
"The areas we most aggressively must patrol are the South Inner Port and the Old Commercial Ward, which borders the North Port." She points them out and their most active areas of concern, while explaining trends in the rest of the city.
"Tell me more about the being that attacked the area initially, all that you know at least. Video footage would work as well."
"Well, we have little, save for video footage. It's the only reason we came to understand a Kaiju was responsible, but as you will see, we were at first baffled by what we witnessed. We for a time could not classify it under known monsters because the second film we came to access didn't arise til years later."
She inserts a disk into a TV monitor, which begins to display grainy, distorted footage, as though the original recording was damaged in some way. He is able to make out the original city scape prior to its destruction, and when he does see something out of the ordinary, it is indeed an abnormal sight.
What appears to be a large metallic disc with a prominent hole in the middle and spikes, almost like rotary blades, appears to glide effortlessly while spinning out of the water and towards the city scape, while Ark comes to realize the footage is being captured from a large fishing vessel. The abnormal flying object, almost alien in its behavior, begins to hover over the city, where a strange pulse is seen emitting from the object as all metal begins to tear away from its structural norms and towards the disk, all the while electronics begin to outright explode and arc violently.
The torn metal becomes trapped in the central hole of the strange object, which begins to glow intensely, as though being super heated, before launched at the city itself, cutting through skyscrapers with unbelievable velocity, the buildings collapsing left and right as the disk fires indiscriminately at the area. With countless already dead and now screaming, fleeing for their lives, one would imagine most being satisfied with this level of carnage, but the disk had yet to begin in earnest.
Depleted of its metal reserves, the disk instead begins to spin at speeds that make it a complete blur of movement, before an orb of light forms in its center and a truly immense beam of pure white light blasts from its center, melting buildings, people, and the ground itself in moments, massive explosions report throughout the city as the heat ignites gas-lines and super heats water supplies into colossal steam explosions.
As the disk continues, it begins to hover over the center of the district, pulsing once more as bands of molten material begin to rise from the disaster area into a grand central spiraling structure, then, as though seeing the ship, the disk fires a narrow beam of molten material at the ship, hitting just in front and capsizing it almost immediately, the footage ending in a explosion of steam.
Jessica smiles grimly. "We weren't even sure this was a living being when we saw this, so convinced we were that a foreign power or perish the thought, alien life had been behind it."
She inserts another disk, this time a street camera somehow not destroyed by the disaster, showing a few of the same events from the same perspective, only Ark gets a clear and unpleasant view of a mother and her young child perishing in flame. Soon after, the spiral is constructed, the disk fires the beam that destroyed the ship, but this time, a clear view of what it did next: it unravels into a long tubular form, and Ark can make out what appears to be long tentacles or eye stalks peering out of one end, while multiple holes exist on a flattened end on its other side.
The creature appears to slither down into the depths of the spiral, where loud explosions are heard in various cuts of the footage, each cut several days after the next. After several months though, the site goes completely quiet.
"Based on what Issac sent me regarding your notes, I would hazard a guess at it being an... ...Insecta, you called it?" She looks to Ark for his take.
"Electromagnetism, possibly ferromagnetism, projection at stage three- tied to acceleration and heat generation while in armored form. Basis seems to be a sea slug or snail. Intelligence within the low to medium range estimate and displays no outward sign of pairing..." Ark seems to take a great deal of interest in the disk form then its final appearance. He doesn't seem to hear the question. "Any recorded increase in radiation or confirmed disruptions of electronics in the area after touchdown? If so, I need graphs and charts for both to see if they correlate with one another."
Jessica ponders the question. “Irregular electromagnetism has been observed across the whole site, all at high levels but more intense around the spiral and random areas throughout that could be tunnel areas. No radiation save for thermal, and that has been increasing in the site faintly but-“
She seems to realize something judging by the sudden paleness that washes over her face. She begins typing on an interface which soon pulls up comparisons of thermal readings of the Port and main city, and she goes paler.
”If that’s what I think those are...” She trails off, frightened as on its own the thermal of the city wouldn’t catch attention but compared with thermal readings in the port, anomalies of intense heat seems to show a vast network of tunnel like structures that seem to snake into the west side of the inhabited part of the city.
”There has been seismic activity and steam explosions in those areas, and the electrical grid has been failing for a few months now... this is bad...” She seems to be hurriedly typing a message to Issac now.
Ark withdraws a device remarkably similar to a cellphone, only the interface pops outwards in a show of hardlight. He taps a few panels of light before two screens appear, the first showing a girl in her teens with black and violet hair and emerald colored eyes while the second shows a woman in her twenties with silver colored eyes and deep indigo hair that fades to black at the tips.
"Entegris, Viola. I need you here immediately," Ark states, voice clipped.
"You got it Ark, just finished up whipping Lumina back in shape after that Variante Outbreak and supply shortage. I'll be there in five," the teen chirps, voice full of energy and cheer.
"...While I can't say I'll arrive at the same time as the witchling, I'll be there shortly. I take it something has come up requiring our talents," the older woman replies, voice measured and cool.
"Yes. I understand that you're busy scouting the Rift, but Patrikolos is surveying an area out at sea and Leone is moving to rendezvous with Lucia in her family's territory."
"I understand, I'll be there as quickly as I can get there."
”If you would consider it. Issac can send some of the Enforcers given enough time.” Jessica looks up from her message.
"That would be grand, but have them hold off until I give the signal. That area will need to be evacuated immediately and I'll need a point with both high elevation and cover."
”The port is abandoned aside from reclaimed areas to the south, but I will tell Issac to issue an alert to the areas with the thermal anomalies to start clearing out. The creature could be anywhere in the tunnel system so we can’t be sure there’s a direct threat there. The south reclaimed areas will be given an immediate evacuation alert.” She begins forwarding the details to Issac, and after thirty minutes, sirens for high level mythic threats begin sounding near the port.
In the same span of time, a girl in her teens arrives outside the facility perimeter. Her eyes are emerald in color and her hair black with violet highlights. She is olive in complexion and tall, but with rounded features that make her look younger than she is. Her attire seems to be a mix of articles from different time periods, starting with a short sleeved black hoodie that cuts off at her midriff over a bright yellow shirt; a pair of dark shorts held up by a crossing pair of belts from which a set of leggings extend into a pair of old corsair jackboots; a dark grey glove clearly used for smithing adorns her right arm, while her left is wrapped from palm to forearm in pristine white bandages; and a pair of goggles rests at the top of her head. Strapped to her side is a silver rectangular device with a glowing blue core.
Shortly thereafter, a large lupine beast easily thrice the size of the largest polar bear, if not larger, arrives. It has silver eyes that display keen intellect and fur a mix of slate grey and deep blue, with starry patterned indigo highlights weaving between both fur tones. Its obsidian colored claws look like they are large and sharp enough to shred through steel like it was confetti and its pearly white teeth that flash on occasion look no less deadly. It eyes the girl as she approaches the checkpoint to the facility and pads up to her as they reach the guard outpost.
"We're here on behalf of Arkyle Linen of Riot," the lupine beast states, voice eloquent and calm as it watches the guards warily.
"Yup! I'm Viola, the Tech Specialists, Lich Slayer and Artisan of the group," the teen chirps, voice bubbly and full of energy. "This here is Entegris, the Reconnaissance Expert and Scout of the group!"
The guard looks absolutely terrified, the color draining from his face when he looks at Entegris, whose voice makes him somehow even paler. "I-I-I will see if he's available!!" The guard squeaks in a high pitched squeak of fright and begins dialing a number faster than he's ever dialed in his life.
When Ark hears of their arrival, he nods and tells Jessica to inform the soldier that they are indeed there via his call and that they should be allowed inside.
"Th-they say go right in!" The guard all but squeals and then ducks into the booth, cradling his firearm.
Entegris nods and walks past while Viola simply hums and skips ahead into the facility. "Let's find Ark and get the run down, yeah?"
"So long as your being here does not lead to an incident, witchling," Entegris replies.
The guard, rocking himself and looking more shameful a creature than any other, in the meantime whimpers to himself about 'the contract didn't mention monster bear-wolves'.
"Ark," Viola exclaims, running up to the man and hugging him once she and Entegris find him. "What's the sitch? Normally you don't just call and ask for us to show up places."
"The witchling is correct," the wolf adds. "I take it there's an emergency."
"Yeah. Gonna need you two to help take out an Insecta-class Kaiju... or something that looks like one," he begins explaining the situation as best he can while leaving room for Jessica to add her own input.
"We don't know the creature's whereabouts, but we've discovered thermal trails that seem to suggest large anomalies, likely tunnels, traveling all across the area and slipping into our side of the city. Whatever it is, it's been traveling, meaning it could appear in the port, in the middle of the city, or outside city limits. We'd like to ask that you observe if possible and avoid letting it know you're there.
We assumed it went away, but if it's true that the creature has remained underneath Seattle, there must be a reason that it has chosen to do so. If we assume that slaying the beast is all there will be to it, we could be blindsided later and pay a heavy toll. Finally, please be careful, as we don't know if what we saw all those years ago was everything it was capable of." Jessica looks at each of them.
"Thank you for your time. All of Seattle will owe you their deepest thanks for this." She turns toward Ark and hands him a communicator. "Please use this to tell Issac when to deploy Enforcers to the area."
Ark accepts the communicator, before heading out with the others. Entegris moves towards the reclaimed area, adopting a humanoid form with silver eyes, indigo hair that fades to black and a tanned complexion with a stern visage wearing what looks like a deep blue heavy fur coat glittering with star like specks, while Viola makes her way to the unclaimed area happily. Ark moves to the highest vantage point he can find before calling forth what appears to be an anti-materiel rifle, clearly meant for taking down or crippling colossal creatures as he observes the areas noted as possible tunnels for the creature.
Ark can't see any visible signs of tunnels on the surface, but the areas pointed out seem to have a lot of power flickers. Meanwhile, Viola notices if any electricity is present at all in the unclaimed areas, it is violently surging, making any electronic device with any sort of damage arc dangerously. The areas with intense electric activity seem to also correspond with immense heat spikes even on the surface, enough to cause sweat within a few moments.
Entegris notices an uncomfortable amount of heat in the areas where power flickering in the reclaimed area has been seen, enough to make the coat she is wearing intensely hot. In one particular area, the pavement is almost hot enough to cause burns on contact with unprotected skin, and standing on it is intensely uncomfortable for prolonged periods.
"The reclaimed area is having a large increase in heat," Entegris reports. "I'm going to start tracking that."
"Port district is powered, if overcharged. Gonna siphon it a bit and see if that reveals anything here. I take it you're gonna send a pulse through the area to read for low level seismic activity," Viola states, drawing what looks like a tiny steel cube from her side and tossing it upwards. It hardly gets twenty feet away from her before it starts draining the electricity in the area at a rapid pace. Ark, in the meantime, inhales deeply and clicks his teeth together, eyes flickering blue as he tunes in to the seismic waves and energy frequencies of the area. Pedestrian traffic is ignored compared the movement going on beneath the earth, while persons with extreme body heat or lack thereof and energy frequencies are noted and followed. Two energy and heat readings are immediately ignored, or rather set to low priority, easily recognizable by region and readings as his two allies.
It doesn't take Ark long to notice that not many human signatures are present in the abandoned port, but it doesn't seem as abandoned as thought, as a good number of heat signatures of Myths can be found throughout, and there seems to be a definite reaction to Viola's cube, some scattering or slinking into defensive positions unseen to Viola within the buildings. One however, much closer than the others, mere feet from Viola, appears to be poking around the corner of a doorway directly at her.
Meanwhile Viola gets the impression that someone is close or possibly watching her.
Viola hums, seemingly oblivious as she strides through the port district, cube following her.
A voice, incredibly quiet can be heard from behind Viola and originating from one of the nearby buildings, its message not heard but the tone seems apprehensive.
"You'll have to speak up if you want me to respond properly," Viola says, not turning around. "I wouldn't approach though, I'd rather you not get zapped to a crisp." Accenting her words is the cube ceasing to draw in electricity and instead pulsing with it.
There is heavy silence for a minute, and then the sounds of faint shuffling, before a bit louder...
"...You'll... ...tract... ...hem... Danger...ous... here. The ones... that slither below... they sense... distortions in... electric fields."
At that moment, Ark begins to see faint seismic rumbling as many heat sources begin to spontaneously flare underground, intense sources of disturbance in the ground seem to be racing toward Viola's location, too many to be merely one entity. He estimates only a minute before they emerge, yet all around Viola, as many as thirty large pools of intense heat that make the concrete first glow red and then begin to rapidly melt into boiling liquid stone flare to life, hissing violently as the electromagnetic field begins to spike violently and climb unrelentingly.
Meanwhile the heat sources in the buildings seem to realize what's going on and are scrambling away from the area, the heat source of the being behind Viola seems to be trapped with her as they had to step closer to be heard.
Viola, rather than being concerned for herself just smiles, a smile far wider and with far more teeth than an ordinary human should have.
"I guess I can have a bit of fun. I should move you out of the way though..." She gestures and the person feels lighter than air as they rise rapidly then fly in the direction of the other lifeforms. In the same moment, Ark trains his rifle in Viola's direction, taking a deep breath as he aims and turns on the comms device Jessica gave him. Meanwhile, Entegris seems to fly across the city, moving in such a nimble manner that she literally hops off walls and building sides without leaving an impact on them.
Just short of breaching the surface, the energy signatures stop and seem to freeze as an intensely loud reverberation begins to be felt in the surrounding areas of the Port. Ark can only get the vague suggestion of an outline of some manner of large shape resting underneath the central spire shape in the district as the source of the vibration. Based on the deep, low nature, it's likely some sort of communication with whatever had been rising to the surface.
Then, soon after, a dull electric hum seems to fill the air, not long after, a speaker on the building Ark is perched at crackles.
"Fiend," The speaker hisses a venomous, borderline inhuman growl of a voice, not helped by the low quality of the sound, filled with garbled static. "Away..."
Ark sends out a second pulse in reply. "Vacate this area, your presence is disturbing the inhabitants of the region, most of whom were here before your arrival. Do this and you will be aided in relocating, otherwise force will be used."
Ark hears a loud click of a firearm, presumably a shotgun, most likely pointed right at the back of his head from the sensation he feels, but he can't 'see' anyone behind him, let alone a weapon pointed at his head. As soon as he notices this, he also notices his vision is seemingly being countered or outright blocked by some external force.
"I leave for five minutes and another round of Agency blowhards are harassing the poor lady again." A spectral voice speaks from behind Ark, but he's almost positive there's no one there.
"For a wanna be police force, pretending to bring peace to Man and Myth, you're really just a bunch of thugs with no observational tact or discipline. Do tell me though, what you think would have happened if I didn't stop you? 
The lady is cranky and distrustful, the second you, an arguably far more powerful Kaiju thought to order her around, she would have issued a rebuttal of such proportions that aside from landing you in the infirmary, would have killed the thousands of people that inhabit Seattle. Or did you not think that thorough and cautious investigation was of higher priority than throwing your weight around?" The voice that speaks to him is male, clearly exasperated, and not at all amused.
"Put the rifle down, before you find yourself having a hole where you brain used to be." At this moment Viola and Entegris both sense someone manifest behind Ark as he himself can tell there is now someone physically standing there, but the fact his vision is blocked hasn't changed.
"I told her to keep her kids off of the girlie and to not vaporize this entire metropolitan area after what you said, but that won't remain the case if you keep pushing her buttons."
"You can try that," Ark replies calmly and without looking back, "Though in the same span of time your shot is fired, I will have relocated and fired on your position, likely creating a game of cat and mouse that would ultimately rile the mother up further than me continuing communication and explaining my position and what I could offer as an incentive for her peaceful migration.
I was perfectly willing to negotiate with her and find a location capable of housing her and her children, but if she struck I'd have been forced to retaliate in kind- my rifle being the most reasonable and humane choice considering it holds pacifying rounds rather than the more lethal armaments I've been made to use before.
"As for Viola... She knows better than doing more than stunning hostile forces, even if they are younger Kaiju. They would have been in minimal danger at worst, whereas I would have to readjust things if their mother were to commence hostilities." The air around Ark is rather serene, in such a way that speaks of familiarity rather than forced placidity.
The voice sighs. "Right, why don't you call your buddies back while she's still listening and keep the gun down, and I'll explain what her deal is, because negotiation isn't going to work as things stand and violence wasn't something I was wanting to allow.
Starting off, the Kaiju has a lot of brood and eggs that are rather vulnerable if not dependent on specific conditions, some of which can only be found at the bottom of the sea, or in this nest she constructed, and the ever famous 'don't get between a mother bear and her cubs' saying strongly applies here. Second thing you should be aware of is that while not a weak Kaiju or unintelligent, she's not as strong as some of the others living in the sea and some have taken a fancy to the taste of her eggs and brood. All of them strong enough to cause her substantial harm and force her out of her nest.
She's lost enough offspring and nests to them that she lost all of her territory and was in full retreat mode by the time she entered this area, and then she picked up the electromagnetic field of the city's electronics and well, your friend could probably confirm this, but she and her brood are strongly attracted to electromagnetic energy. It was like a beacon, and she was running away from other Kaiju. Finally, she's getting old and running out of her prime, she won't be able to spawn much longer. I think you can understand why this situation is a little bit more troublesome than 'ask the kaiju nicely'."
Ark sighs. "Of course it's that lot. If you know of the conditions proper, I can perhaps make something work out." The rifle seems to dissolve into red and black particles as Ark draws out the communication device he used earlier to contact Viola and Entegris. "Fall back for now. Situation's a Category III."
"Affirmative," Entegris nods.
"I figured as much," replies Viola before snapping her fingers. The communicator Jessica gave Ark goes dead as it sparks for a moment. "I'll fix it later. Pulsed the area to kill any bugs they may have set on you or in the area before hand."
"Right. Let's get down to business then," Ark says, eyes bleeding from brown to a frigid silver. "Depending on the conditions she needs I can create them in a simulated oceanic biome or underground biome, though that may require a trip to the ocean. That being said..." He closes his eyes. "What exactly is your stake in this as an offworlder?"
"You're hardly one to be asking questions like that, if my nose is correct on what you are. My stake in this is simple, I felt a twinge like someone stronger than someone else was about to give the lesser being a hard time. It's been my nature to politely punch people in the face for bullying. Granted, I'm a punch first, ask later sort of person but generally my senses aren't wrong.
I happened to be in the area already and kept my distance from the grumpy one, but I picked up on what was eating her and gathered information and then carefully approached her on the matter at a later point. Needless to say I felt bad for the paranoid and desperate Kaiju so while I've been... ...looking for something, I have kept an eye out."
The white haired, yellow eyed male with red glowing markings on his face playfully shrugs. "As to why I'm here on Earth in general, that's blatantly not your business. I'm sure you have stuff you don't want people prying in, even these friends of yours."
"Fair," Ark replies, "I would note, however, that I'd have asked the details of the situation regardless."
"In any case, she normally lays eggs in specific areas with extremely magnetic rock or areas where the electromagnetic field is at its strongest. She's a tunneler and that affects the eggs as well, so large open areas are a no. The heat generated from her tunneling and constant electromagnetic convection is both a defense and a means of incubation. The eggs require a specific high temperature in order to stay fertile and not die, and they're rather fragile at that, meaning it requires constant fussing to keep them at an optimal but small range of temperatures.
Oh, but don't try and personally handle the eggs, and I specifically mean you. It doesn't matter if you try and help her or not, I think she's got PTSD or something about as intense. She's not gonna let you near them, and I mean that in she WILL attack you if you get close, she's that high strung. I'd probably not trust any of my own kind if the majority of experiences revolved around the watching helplessly as my young were devoured by my own species.
...Hmm, either not here to begin with or they used the window created to evade me." The male seems to have been looking for something the whole time, as noted by large trails of shadows originating from him retracting into his singular one. He shrugs. "Maybe next time. In any event, I'll be watching to make sure you don't make the situation worse, once I'm sure that the Kaiju will be taken care of I have a trail to pick back up."
Ark breaths deeply before another pulse passes through the area, this one spanning further and traveling much farther as he begins mapping out the the naturally occurring underground paths across the region. He searches for an area that spans several miles and a fair amount of ferrous material but with little to no human life on or under the surface. As the pulse goes out, the skies darken as clouds begin to gather over the sea and gradually make their way over the city as rain falls.
The stranger eyes the clouds and the rain seems to bounce off something directly over him that is visible.
”You have quite the array of talents.” He comments.
"You don't repel the majority of the Wanderers by being a one trick pony," Ark replies as the storm overhead swells, passing over the city as it moves further inland. "It's the same reason why most Kaiju tend to avoid me and the Wanderers."
"Curious. A question, for no particular reason. You haven't met anyone wielding a pure white blade in the style of Japan's katana have you? Long cream colored hair, gives people smiles for no immediately discernible reason, a bit of dragon in her blood..." The stranger asks casually but the look in his eye tells a more important side to his question.
"Not to my knowledge, at least in recent memory. The description is noted and will be taken into consideration should they appear before me."
”Shame. I have to find her and drag her back to people that she owes an apology or a thousand or so.” He frowns.
”Did you intend to cause hail cores?” The stranger asks as an odd expression on his face forms as storm clouds seem to swell over the area again, sniffing as though he could more smell the change than by sight. He seems to be looking for something or someone among the cityscape.
"Not this close to a population center. One moment." His eyes spark with white lightning, the storm wrenching and roiling, the most intense clouds and storm formations pushed away from the city.
A previously concealed giant spike of ice immediately hurls to the ground, destroying buildings in a tremendous crash. Soon after, a huge blast of hot air explodes out from the impact site and loud shrill screaming sounds can be heard below. The stranger curses, and propels himself towards a specific building, where a black robed and hooded tall figure stands, a pale blue, frosty magic circle surrounding them.
A deep, earth shaking bellow resonates far beneath the ground, as though the mother Kaiju had just sensed the damage to its nest.
Ark growls in tandem with the rolling of thunder as deep blue, near indigo lighting roils and writhes in the in the rapidly darkening clouds above. He takes a deep breath and claps his hand together, indigo and crimson electricity arcing between his hands as his eyes glow a neon violet.
"Viola, help pacify the Kaiju," he states before he vanishes and reappears atop another building. "Entegris, get into position."
A small swarm of small worm shaped creatures come screaming out of the fissure the spike tore, flailing wildly in seemingly violent pain, but those that emerge soon collapse and twitch, ultimately falling still. The stranger swears as they close in, hissing something about the old lady's last clutch.The black robed figure jumps away from the stranger, moving rather slowly but more than sufficiently to evade him.
Meanwhile some distance away, multiple buildings quake and then collapse as electric storms begin arcing in the area, followed by the upheaval of the ground as something absolutely massive begins rumbling towards the direction of the robed figure, who seems to turn in the disturbance's direction even as they continue slowly jumping aside from the stranger. Based their movements, they seem slow in general or apathetic, but it doesn't explain how they can seemingly time their movements to keep out of the stranger's reach.
Ark grits his teeth before projecting his voice over the city, manipulating his vocal cords and sound waves via any standing communications towers to sound as if he is broadcasting his voice rather than speaking himself.
"Those wishing to live are recommended to move away from storms and rumbling within the city. If you are near a large quantity of electronics you are advised to distance yourself from them and stay away from any windows or metal near said windows. This is not a drill. A safe route of escape will be marked and made visible, use it. Again, this is not a drill."
As he says this, large crescent moon and constellation shaped icons seem to spread across specific paths within the city, accompanied by arrows along the ground and walls leading away from the brewing conflict.
As the stranger closes the distance and draws two kamas, slashing at the robed figure, they respond by idly drawing a pale blue, almost white katana with an incredibly cold air and blocking his strikes, merely reacting to his offense.
With their free hand however, he sees a pale grey hand extend slowly in the direction of the rising ground moving swiftly towards their direction, and a circle of icy spears form above her head and their tips point together as a small ball of ice magic begins to build at their collective tip.
"Fighting you is unnecessary. You are not my target." The figure speaks, a soft, airy female voice with hardly any energy or intensity to it. The stranger only bristles as black shrouds of energy dance about him, the markings on his face flare an intense red and his yellow eyes briefly turn the same color.
"Unnecessary?! UNNECESSARY?! YOU...! ...needtocalmdownKakeyouidiot..!" The stranger seems to force himself to not fly into a rage as he gives the assailant a glare.
"That weapon, tell me, who gave that to you? A woman with a snow white one, I'd hazard a guess?" The stranger pries, only for the robed woman to stiffen briefly. She quickly resumes moving but she seems to regard the stranger just the faintest bit more cautiously.
Ark glances at the sphere of ice as he shifts his rifle into two handguns and fires twinned shots of burning red light at the figure. In the same moment, lightning strikes where the rumbling is occurring, but rather than causing harm forms a magnetic barrier that ripples and begins gathering bits of metal and electrical wiring towards the mother kaiju.
'If you plan on raging at the loss of your brood, aim it towards the one that did so."
Meanwhile Viola follows along side the rumbling on an oddly designed motorcycle that seems to be made of stone rather than metal, with a burning wheel at the front and a wheel made of liquid in the rear. She draws her cube and presses something on its surface before hurling it forward and drawing it back as if it were on a yo-yo string. Large rings of kinetic energy become visible as she drives her vehicle, rapidly accelerating as she passes through each ring and draws them in before the bike grows a pair of wings made of lightning.
"Calm down big lady, you're in danger and we can't have you dying or rampaging," she calls as she causes the motorcycle to hop upwards towards the ice construct. "Water Bear, Containment Protocol J!"
“...” The robed figure notices the shots and jumps back, dismissing her weapon as she elects to free both hands to begin smooth, flowing movements with her body, her hands making signs as she does, her figure beginning to shimmer like liquid glass, before deforming and branching in all direction, five versions of the assailant are constructed, yet seem indistinguishable from the original, possessing the same energy and presence. The five leap from one another and encircle the general area, snowflake emblems flaring underneath them.
However, in the midst of this, the figure had abandoned their attack, but not long after they encircled the area, just outside of their formation, a massive form explodes from the ground. Covered in immense metal plates, what appears to be an armored worm with six mandibles erupts from the ground and lets out a deafening scream as it tears into the sky, a wave of heat following soon after. She is easily four times the size from the video recording Ark saw of her, easily on the larger end of Insecta sizes. Sparking wildly with immense electric currents, she begins to rapidly circle faster and faster around the scene, what could only be described as a cyclone of electromagnetic energy is rising in her wake. Blue particles of super heated plasma are rising from the ground, it’s more than clear that she is about to attack with immense force. The stranger takes note and dissipates his form. The assailant realizes what is going on and aborts, attempting to escape the imminent electromagnetic blast.
"Sorry. I understand your rage, but I can't let you fry the city in a rage," Ark says, black and white lightning crackling around him as he dismisses his guns. "For just a moment, I'll be borrowing your power."
The gathering electricity vanishes even as more gathers, being siphoned away into a singular tiny mote of light the size of a small marble. violet, black and white lightning begins to swirl around it as Ark almost lazily flicks the sphere towards the assailant, more power still gathering within it as it bobs along as if carried by an invisible current.
”It appears...” The mote impacts one of the duplicated assailants, causing an immense cloud of snow and ice to bellow from the impact.
”That the mission is compromised. Unable to achieve goal without exceeding visibility. I think it’s time to see this to a close...” The others finish, and with a breeze of cold air, begin to disappear.
Meanwhile the stranger reforms, black shadows stitching the ground shut as though in an attempt to save some of the brood.
Ark flicks his wrist, sending the sphere towards the disappearing figure now at the speed of a lightning bolt. At the same time he addresses the black cloaked figure. "You, calculate the speed at which one would need to move to save the brood in full. Do not dally or argue. Viola, use your device to control the storm and get it to the required location, ensure that it's clear. Entegris keep the evacuation ongoing until I say otherwise."
A flick of the wrist of the assailant causes a shimmering portal to appear in front of them, then closes when the sphere passes through. Ark hears something like a sharp crack from behind him soon after.
“I’d reckon acute exposure to unfavorable elements will be fatal after at most a minute in a half. You would have to be going at fighter jet speeds and not mess up at all.“ The stranger sighs. Meanwhile the unknown assailant has vanished.
"Noted. Beginning 'R-'." Ark closes his eyes and flickers/Light vanishes.
The ground at the surface level and far below/Shards of ice dissolve into mist.
Ark opens his eyes, somewhat pale. "-I believe that is correct, Viola?"
"Hey, big lady, get back to your brood," Viola says without missing a beat. "They'll need you asap."
She hisses and rumbles but with a burst of heat slams into the ground.
"It appears that is still rather draining when used on a small scale," Ark breathes, eyes faintly glowing. "I'll continue moving the storm to the proper location to set up the correct environmental conditions and then I believe I'll be sleeping for the rest of the day."
The stranger smirks. “Well, if this is wrapped up, I will be on my way.”
Ark hardly acknowledges the man as he brings his focus back to the storm and begins moving it once more.
“Oh, about what I asked before. I’m almost certain *she* has been here, I wouldn’t forget the scent. Considering that lady showed to to target the Kaiju, I am guessing that she wanted something but didn’t get it, which means she’s scheming something big. If you do meet her, the lady wielding the white blade, leave if you want to remain alive. Not everyone is as lucky as me to ‘survive’ getting their head cut off. Perhaps my hunt will see us crossing paths again.“ With that the black robed stranger walks off leisurely.
Ark gives a grunt in reply as he finally moves the storm to its intended location and focuses the storm to shift the environmental conditions to the specifications he was given.
A few minutes pass before Viola and Entegris hear soft footsteps walking in their direction, as they get louder they hear an old male voice speak,
”Ah, you three are well. Issac the boy was getting unhinged with anxiety over the situation. You’ve caused quite the panic.” When they turn, an older man heavily resembling Issac, with distinctly curled grey and blonde hair comes to a stop.
“I am Issac Kurk Senior. Besides the Chairman, I provide funding for Issac’s current venture. Tell me, would you like a ride back? The boy looks exhausted.” He smiles faintly.
"Ark will make his way back on his own," Entegris replies, "Knowing him, he needs to handle a few more things then cool off before he overheats."
"Yeah, he doesn't do well with cars- or rather, cars and most regular vehicles don't do well with him," Viola says. "I can get back on my own though, what with Water Bear and such."
”I’ve... not heard of that before. Is that one of those new... motor vehicle models?“ He seems confused but smiles at her nonetheless, though it tightens for a brief moment as he seems to look at her and dwell on something. The moment passes and he quietly shakes his head.
”Well, if you don’t intend to take me up on my hospitality I suppose it cannot be helped. Still, I must deliver a forewarning. Issac is going to be a bit... aggravated that things escalated to a full blown skirmish, especially that it directly endangered Samuel Windsor, who made a surprise visit. I would compose a clear and concise defense and explanation of your actions during this incident, as if I remember right, you were asked to scout, not confront.”
Issac Senior briefly becomes more serious, but relaxes afterward. “My son cares for his processes and procedures, he’ll even lecture me for my aloof handling of matters even though I am the one paying bills. I’m sure you did what you felt was right in the moment.”
"To my understanding, the situation went sour the moment the second figure popped so regardless of our appearance things were gonna get messy," Viola says. "Besides, I'm unsure if you've noticed it or not but the wind is giving off a bit of an ominous song, without regard for the literal storm moving about."
Entergis narrows her eyes. "I take it, you've had a vision then?"
"I've told you before, they aren't visions," the teen huffs, "Visions require you to see a glimpse of something and have a precognitive focus. I don't have either of those, so instead I just 'hear' things from whatever is feeling chatty. Anyone could do it if they applied themselves long enough."
The older woman scoffs before addressing Isaac. "While I can't ensure that the little one will be on her best behavior, I can assure you that when the meeting does come Ark will have valid reasons for his actions and will lay them out. Unlike the little one, he does not move simply according to whim and fancy. With that being said, I believe I will take you up on the offer for a ride back. I do not feel inclined to travel upon broken roads even as Ark me-"
"Hey, no spoiling that," Viola interrupts.
"Ah, right. Regardless, I believe I will accompany you for now."
Issac Senior smiles a bit. "I assume you have another form you can take that will be easier to ride in. Very well, two is less lonelier than one after all. It's a little bit of a walk to the... limo, but that should be fine, yes?"
He looks at Ark and then settles his gaze on Viola. "You're a delightful one. I love to hear stories from ones such as you and your talents." He looks at Ark again.
"Perhaps we will have a chance to enjoy each other's company outside of the parameters of work some day. Farewell for now," He waves before beginning to walk back up the incline he appeared from, taking measured steps with his walking stick.
"I imagine I'll be seeing you at some point in the near future," Viola says as Entegris returns to her human form. "Though under what terms that will be is up in the air."
"If things line up for an off duty meeting, perhaps," Ark says noncommittally before moving from his post and into the recently damaged areas. "I'll be back at the facility within the hour, give or take a few minutes."
Issac Senior walks through the ruins until a more stable part of the roadway is encountered, a limousine large enough to carry the group with room to spare can be seen. A man steps out of the vehicle and opens the door for the older man, and Issac Senior awkwardly clambers in, the man then gestures for Entegris to proceed.
Entegris bows slightly then enters the vehicle.
”I would offer to drive, but the family staff always frantically decline. Apparently I am anti technology regarding anything more complicated than a hand held calculator.” Issac Senior says in a seemingly joking manner but the statement causes the limo driver to shudder.
”In any case, Earl, please take us to headquarters. The lovely woman has no transportation of her own.”
Earl nods stiffly and begins to drive them through the ruins.
”Refreshments I am told are kept in a device in the floor.” Issac Senior offers.
”He means the refrigerator,” Earl sighs exasperatedly.
"I will be fine, but the offer is appreciated," Entegris politely declines, instead closing her eyes and resting for a spell.
Issac Senior only nods quietly and then looks out amongst the ruins.
”A center of innovation and human progress. Struck down in moments. These phantoms attest to the truth of metal’s fragility while the ancient stone endures yet. The ultimate price of false pride.” Issac Senior muses quietly to himself, and eventually they clear the ruins and after a drive through the city streets they begin to pull up on the main complex.
== A Sigh of Exasperation ==
As the limousine pulls up a fiery orange and blue blur zooms past, cackling audible through the windows over the sound of a loud engine's roar. Entegris sighs but doesn't open her eyes.
"That would be the witchling."
"These new models really are something," Issac Senior says in wonder and Earl facepalms.
"We've arrived," Earl intones.
"Indeed," Entegris says. "I imagine the witchling will be headed to speak to your organizational head while Ark is busy, not on his behalf but to talk about her own business that may pertain to this..." Entegris pauses and smells the air. "Death is in the air, not as in casualties but a lone Reaper is present. An ominous sign if there ever was one."
”How troubling, I am sure that Issac will find the information most helpful.” The old man doesn’t seem to be deeply troubled in spite of his words.
”Will you be waiting on your partner, or joining her?“ Issac Senior asks Entegris.
"The witchling is most capable, should she feel the need to demonstrate more than her trinkets and gadgetry. I believe I will wait for a spell then meet with the others at the appropriate moment."
"I would recommend the lounge in the building. I hear the seats are well cushioned. Unless you feel inclined to accompany me to the estate, Earl here is paid based on his drive times, so I imagine he wants to be on the move. Though I still need my walk..." Issac Senior muses.
"I will make my way elsewhere, though the thought is appreciated," Entegris says, exiting the vehicle. "The Reaper is a more pressing... concern. I suspect that, should the witchling not arrive and speak with your son before the Reaper reaches its own goal, things will get somewhat out of hand."
----
Further into the facility Viola parks her vehicle, the elements surrounding the 'motorcycle' of stone and metal die down, then presses a button on the odd cube she carries on her person. There is a soft click as what look like the shadows of chains and a padlock of sort wrap around the vehicle as she walks towards the main building before pausing.
"Oh joy, he's here. Surprising I guess, considering this place is eighty-five percent on the up and up, but that fifteen percent must stick out like a sore and sour thumb if Captain Surly Angst is here. Better go warn the scrub, even if he's in an important meeting." Viola shrugs then casually strolls past into the facility proper and heads towards the meeting room where Isaac resides, as if she knew where he was without question.
Viola's trek gets her to the hallway of the main offices, though standing in front of the door to Issac's office as though Issac was expecting someone to come, is a woman in her early 20's with short cropped black hair and dark eyes. Her build is overall slim and dressed in similar clothes as Jessica, suggesting she is one of the secretaries. She eyes Viola with a sharp gaze before shortly stating,
"If I have it right, you're from that group. Do you have any idea the amount of trouble you guys caused Issac for the past few hours? The city thrown into anarchy, barely maintaining a semblance of safe order, making sure the leader of the free world didn't die, both the Governor and Mayor tearing him apart on the phone over such a crisis that Issac is being forced to take the blame for..."
She crosses her arms, seemingly a bit angry, her visual appearance of being dull and crass off-put by a seemingly strong air of loyalty.
"How exactly do you plan on making it up to him? The MPD if not screwed, is gonna have to work harder than we already had to without taking the hit for you."
"Eh, there's a more important matter than that currently," Viola says, almost flippantly before her eyes sharpen and the air around her grows glacial. "Instead, I'd go and check to make sure he doesn't have a bullet in his brain because a certain... thing has decided to make its way here. Then again, I wonder if you could sense it? Perhaps not. The Oracle in you employ should be feeling the tension in the air at this point and I can only hope that your compatriot is doing well..."
A heavy, cold and and deathly breeze blasts through the area as a dark blur passes the two of them.
"Change of plans," Viola says, voice deadpan, stomping past the older woman, but not before grabbing her wrist and dragging her along.
"W-w-wait!" The woman protests angrily.
The second the dark presence enters the hall, it is thrown back against the far wall as a dense surge, along with an immense electrical sensation blasts out from the door of Issac's office. Viola can tell that the spiritual plane was just flooded with a wave of energy density potent enough to crush lesser spirits in its pressure while able to throw back stronger ones.
Unauthorized use of spiritual plane within a Class A Security Zone detected. Lethal Force will be administered in five seconds. Spirit Disruptor Systems, Layer 1, Activating. Spirit Suppressor Field, online.
A security message beeps from the hallway, as a loud hum begin to rapidly intensify in pitch and volume.
"Like this level of tech can stop me. Rend," a peeved, if human sounding voice says as the blur briefly takes on a more corporeal form and simply shreds through the material and spiritual plane as if they were less that tissue paper. The air reddens and black tears form across the once door, the stench of rot, brimstone and cold iron accompanying the jagged holes in the building. The lights begin to flicker, at first as if the power was going out, but it soon becomes apparent that the hallway is rapidly aging and falling into disrepair on a physical and spiritual level as the blur passes through. "Gloves are off for this particular talk then. Eh, better this way, no room for misinterpretation this way."
Viola hisses, her grip on the assistant briefly becoming vice-like as the older woman notices how unnaturally cold the teen's hand is. "He's gonna make a mess of things and it's not even your boss' fault. Hopefully I can talk some sense into him before he does something stupid that isn't on the behalf of his boss."
An annoyed, glaring Issac greets the sights of them as the door is destroyed, his mood is unmistakably furious.
”We humans don’t consider unauthorized intrusion and destruction of government property worth many hundreds of thousands of credits, let alone unwarranted aggression to amount to wanting to discuss anything. None of those behoove you to us either, certainly not at inopportune times.
You have shown me disrespect in intruding upon my campus, causing what could only be close to a million in property damage, and just undid many hours and one grueling overnight grind’s worth of work and research by destroying the power system of this floor.
Speak. Your. Mind.”
Viola gets the distinct impression that if Issac could, he could physically explode in his fury.
The blur takes on a much more corporeal form, revealing a pale youth with silvery white hair with the occasional blue streak and incredibly clear blue eyes that glint like blades. The youth looks at Isaac, dismissal clear in his eyes, before speaking.
"Simple, I thought it was polite to let you know two things," he says, voice acidic. "The first thing is to issue you a warning because you've prolonged the lives of several beings that should have died months ago and it's my job to go and rectify that. Unwittingly, as a form of punishment for them, which is why it's a warning being issued rather than issuing judgment. 
The second thing is to issue a different sort of warning. An omen, really. Poison's bitter fangs strike at a close heart drawn closed. Black blood runs thin, staining earth and rotting flesh as bright flames grow forth and ascend from the scion of a torn lineage... And someone important to you is going to be torn from you viciously." 
The youth looks at the damaged wall and structure then back at Isaac and shrugs. 
"It's part of my job to be direct and to the point. If you want to talk about damages and expenses, perhaps you and yours can pay off the debt your fellow leaders accrued with their less than noble actions? I don't think you can, at least at this juncture."
"Oi, Captain Surly Angst, leave the man alone," Viola deadpans, pushing through the remnants of the door and into the room with the secretary in tow. The youth immediately narrows his eyes and glares at the teen, the air quite literally beginning to crackle and freeze before Viola claps her hands and the air returns to normal, as if forced to do so. The youth then flickers and, after giving Isaac a look of... pity, vanishes. At that, Viola sighs in relief.
"Phew, that could have gone significantly worse," she says, the serious air around her evaporating and she goes to inspect the damages to the hallway and systems damaged. "Not the worst he could have done, all things considered." She looks over to Isaac, unaware that her head has disconnected from her body and now floats in place, upside down. "I can repair this level of damage pretty easily, given a few hours and some silence."
Issac sighs heavily as the secretary runs to his side.
"You're alright...!" She seems to look him over before looking at Viola and gets a more controlled expression.
"The walls I could understand, but the three Disruptors are government top secrets, several departments and manufacturers keep the information strictly classified even from each other, and only a handful of people can ass-"
Issac cuts her off with a gesture of his hand, his eyes on Viola, and the secretary looks between the two for a moment, then sighs.
"As much as I want to be angry, now isn't the time. If you can actually repair the building and the Disruptors, it would be one less burden I'll have to weigh in the coming weeks." He looks at Viola with a strange gaze for a moment, before turning to the secretary.
"This is Secretary Mira Thandil. She ensures quality control of assets and documentation and directly handles Personal Relations matters. She will be working on assigning places in the barracks for Riot's accommodations. Please consider making use of the available facilities after you are done." He looks directly at Mira.
"I trust that the job will be done and to the usual standards."
Mira looks away from Issac abashed. "Y-yes sir. I will not disappoint." She some what hurriedly shuffles out and past Viola.
Issac's attention returns to Viola as he takes out a laptop and cell phone like device. "She has her reasons for her standoffish behavior. It's up to her to explain her situation if she feels the need, but just know she is more caring than she'll admit. I apologize if she was abrasive. As for me, do I wish my scouting mission didn't blow up into a scandal? Yes, and as angry as I am, sulking and demonizing won't do any good, as much as I would have liked some time to think..."
He looks at the laptop and begins to type quickly. "Well, we'll have to have a discussion on things moving forward. That's then... now... there are pieces to pick up." He begins to concentrate on his work on the laptop.
"Like I said, this is a pretty simple fix for me," Viola replies, drawing forth her cube and removing what looks like measuring tape from it. "Not the hardest thing to fix, just time consuming because I have to go back over a great deal of infrastructure due to the facility being aged forward half a century and damaged across several layers. If not for that, this would be a ten minute DIY project... Ah." She finally seems to notice that her head is no longer connected to her body. "Surly bastard apparently decided being annoying wasn't enough today. I hate having to fix this in particular." Her body stops what it is doing to slowly and methodically reattach her head, a thin black line visible where the invisible, but incredibly clean cut once was. "That being said, getting upset and trying to build countermeasures against that particular guy isn't worth it, not with modern technology at least. If anything, the more advanced to make your countermeasures, the easier it is for him to break them and that's before you take into account his unreasonably brutish strength as a run of the mill human. The one good thing that came of that brief interaction is that it wasn't any of the others that could have come in his place. They'd have probably fully trashed the place just by being here or out of spite."
”Mmm, but that isn’t an acceptable answer. If I simply shrugged and ignored the beings that possess power and trample upon us without a thought of what they leave in their wake... then fear and hate will blossom and hope and peace will wither and die.
That is what I desire to prevent. But incidents like this will only make everything worse. In any event I am alerting the North American Agencies to be alert and assigning a case file with recommendations on situation management in case future similar incidents arise.
For now, that is all I can do. All the same you are quite the interesting character. Ignoring the obstinate one, things might just get more lively around here.”
"I won't advise against it, but I wouldn't advise it either all the same. Reapers, well Heralds or Yama like he was, don't really play by the same rules we do. In part because they work to make sure people, animals, entire civilizations, etcetera are dead or dying at a specific point in time and inconveniencing them, though often sensible from a more focused standpoint, tends to make them... unpleasant," Viola says, ignoring the comment. "Surly Angst there, sadly, was one of the more affable of them, though not the most affable by a longshot. Those two in particular would have destroyed this place on arrival due to their... presence. Not like an aura or any mass of power they would exude so much as them being here assigning the concept of death and finality to just about every structure and building in the area." She pauses. And no clue why I'm telling you this, it doesn't really matter to you in the grand scheme of things and you couldn't really do anything with that information yourself."
The teen draws out what looks suspiciously like a jar of sealant and starts to patch up the gashes in the hallway- specifically the ones in the air itself - sealing the cracks and tears across the planes before drawing forth a sanding tool and several sets of noise cancelling headphones. She tosses a pair to Isaac and each of the secretaries and waits for them to put them on before sanding down and smoothing out the now patched gashes, each one fading away gradually.
Issac continues working on the laptop with occasional mumbling about ‘theoretical dna design being hard enough without days of progress being erased’.
Isaac feels a faint rumbling far beneath him and a moment later. Viola hiccups. 
"Hm, the Surly Angst has left and your hallway is de-aging back to the present. Once that's all done it'll just take a moment to reactivate your security system." She hiccups a second time.
Issac sighs. "I felt as much - I wasn't going to be able to focus on work any further after everything. Before I leave, by the hells, what was he on about? I've hardly had enough time as an Administrator to have even done anything beyond project planning and personnel decisions. 
And in my time as the head of the Telepathic Theory project, sure, we considered the creation of humans with specific designed capabilities and parameters, but it never got beyond the earliest of conceptual tests. The embryos we turned to install Telepathy within were all obtained, cared for, and overseen the development of, were all with the greatest of humanitarian interests. Isa, the only success, and the unsuccessfully modified but still living children, were all treated with the greatest of decency and lived normal lives." 
Issac rubs his forehead. "Maybe he picked upon that degenerate Loua or the results of my previous supervisor's incompetence, but she is a monster under the greatest of supervision until we are far enough in Hyperhuman research that she is no longer needed, and my superior is simply not worth mentioning aside from having been uninspired and lazy. Other Department Heads at the time certainly weren't monitored though, but it was my impression none of us were doing anything so drastic as he claimed."
"Not necessarily you, but your organization and the other organizations on this side of the world, the ones with more hardline stances against Myths compared to us hyper humans," Viola says, tone sharpening. "One of them committed a grave crime and the powers that be, though sluggish and lumbering in movement, didn't take kindly to it, if a Herald brought it up... With that in mind, I'd be very wary for the next few days. Not because of anything directed at you necessarily, but at potential news from other sources."
"Hmm. Not that we'd be able to get involved. No lives were lost thankfully, as far as we know, but the Kaiju incident is going to limit our activities for a while. We're already a limited Agency in terms of our reach as it is, but with what's presently rumbling..." He shakes his head.
"Basically, the UEI Oversight Division is going to splinter my authority amongst several other Administers in the coming weeks, and while they will quickly learn of RIOT and its affiliations, I've already taken the care to rewrite data supporting the alibi that you were close by but not the inciting factor in the incident. As for why I would chose to do so..."
He stands up and begins to walk to the door, stopping as he passes by Viola.
"From an early age, I've found people to be an easy read, the more secretive ones stand out to me. Few things avoid my notice or my understanding, and that has come to include a sense of people's character. If I didn't find Riot to be trustworthy early on, I wouldn't have given you much thought or the trust to take responsibility for what has happened. As upsetting as all of this is, I trust that when Ark arrives, I'll get a better idea of the circumstances. In any event, I need to head home. Nothing will be getting done any time soon, regardless of any attempt to try. 
Plus... it's been a while since I've had someone's excellent cooking and I need to clear my head."
"Ark would appreciate that. He's prickly and irritable, but if he does something, there's generally a solid reason for it- even if it's hard to see at first," Viola says then smiles. "Expect a large report about tomorrow morning, assuming you're done for the day. Ark went to cool off and, for the safety of any delicate tools and tech you have, he can't come back until he finishes. Turns out being a shapeshifter capable of producing metal constructs and objects from your body had one or two downsides when near strong EM Fields. "
"Hm. Perhaps you can put in a word with Geira, our resident specialist of mechanics and the like towards aiding with that. She has worked on a number of theoretical power restraints and regulators. I'll be retiring for the night, thank you for your efforts." He begins to walk off toward the elevator at the end of the hall.
Several hours later, Viola has finished her hall repairs. She looks over her handiwork as a shadow passes over her.
"You should be dead, witchling," a surly voice states.
"And you should be long gone from the area, Reaper," she retorts. "You've no claim over when I should die and you know it."
"That doesn't change the fact that things like you should have long perished. "
"And you shouldn't be lingering about when your business is complete. Leave now, before you cause more damages."
"I paid them off."
"...You what?"
"I paid the idiot back. Exactly four million four hundred sixty-seven dollars and ninety-three cents."
"...You wanted to tell him that and run off enigmatically."
"N-no..."
"Alexian, I've known you since I was nine. I can read you like a book," Viola deadpans, only to find the Reaper has left. "...Coward."
Issac walks the cold quiet streets of Seattle, looking up at the stars quietly. His travels eventually take him to a modest area of the city, where he arrives at the doorstep of a ordinary house that to anyone else would just be another house on the block. He knocks in a particular fashion, and when noises are heard inside, he repeats the action, and almost begrudgingly, a similar response knocks back.
Issac smiles, as he opens the door to a woman with white hair with long bangs and soft blue eyes, her hair in a bun. She is dressed decently but not lavishly, and fidgets.
"Come to talk to me about a lavish career in the sciences again?" She asks with a faint smirk, to which Issac returns the gesture.
"No, for once I need to step away from science and seek the more humble things in life. Namely, to try and see how my aspiring chef has come along in her training."
She rolls her eyes playfully. "I'm not your chef, but you came at the right time. If you help get me prepped I'll make you something nice." She pauses.
"...I'm glad you're safe, Issac."
Issac wearily smiles. "I'm glad you're safe too, Clare."
----
By the early morning of the following day, a large detailed account of the Kaiju incident is on Isaac's desk... near a letter and a larger file.
Issac comes in later in the morning and pores through the materials at a deliberate pace.
The file in regard to the Kaiju incident details why contact was made on Ark's end, the encounter with the black cloaked figure and blue cloaked figure and the Kaiju's reasoning for settling in the city. It then notes the actions of said cloaked figures in regard to the Kaiju and the Kaiju's movement patterns. The storm that was called is attributed primarly to geographic location, rapid changes in temperature and ambient conductivity in the air, with some note to being directed away from the city by the combined efforts of Ark and Viola. The evacuation effort is noted to have been headed by Entegris due to her ability to create markers and actively direct people away from conflict points. 
The letter is a simple affair, used to house a check for several million dollars- $4,467,000.93 to be exact- signed "A3Sch". There is also a blank sheet of waxy paper.
The last folder is hard to describe, filled with incomplete or unlabeled blueprints, schematics and notes for modern structures and systems or notes on outlandish, hard to find materials. It takes time, but Isaac is eventually able to figure out that it's a puzzle and cipher of sorts.
”Mm... as if there was not enough on my mind.” He calls Mira and Jessica who soon arrive in his office.
”We got some puzzle or cipher. This isn’t my specialty so please do your best while I work with the other materials.”
He then begins examining the wax paper, and ponders the various other items while Mira and Jessica begin their work.
Jessica looks for common themes amongst the materials, looking for visual cues, while Mira checks the writing itself and looks for indications of irregularities. The two then repeatedly compare notes.
The wax paper seems to have uneven layers of wax across it, almost as if it forms words.
The file appears to be a jumble of nothing and random, disconnected materials for several more hours before finally it begins to make sense- only after each individual page is taken out and used to cross reference others, with useless pages able to be removed or tossed out. after that point, it's easy to put the file back together in a more compact form that seems to be a diagnostic report f=of the system used to protect the office, with accurate- perhaps even scathingly critical- assessments of the flaws in the system and where improvements are necessary to be even "somewhat viable" against mid tier Myths. The report also details feasible, if somewhat costly initially, systematic upgrades to get the system up to a viable level, the hardest part being creating circuits of pure silver, iron and steel able to connect to a star sapphire chip to be integrated into the mechanical parts of the system. The report is signed V.
Issac frowns. "By whose standard of 'mid tier' does she imply? Nevermind. Jessica, compile it into something that Geira won't fly off the handle at with indignance, Mira, process the report on the Kaiju incident. Our black cloaked friend stands out to me - a similar description fits the Shadow Reaver."
Mira blinks. "You meant that lone Myth that has been harassing containment efforts across Pangea?"
"It could be the Reaver. It's my hunch acting up, you know how I feel about ignoring those."
Mira nods before both begin working on their assigned projects, while Issac presents the wax paper to a device that appears to scan both sides of the wax paper while suspending it in the air. A screen on his desks says 'Surface Scan - Digitizing'
The scan makes it abundantly clear that there is a message: Crisis averted, your aerial surveillance systems are lacking. A moment later, there is a somewhat urgent knock at the door. 
Issac sighs, eyeing his secretaries who begin securing the documents and putting them into indistinct binders. He presses a button on his desk as they finish.
”Yes?” Please not another crisis...
Ark strides into the room, looking distinctly like he was caught in a severe rainstorm. His business suit clings to him and his hair is pushed against his head like a cap of sorts. Thankfully, the moisture does not leave his form. He also doesn't comment on it.
"One of the Wandering Kaiju was spotted on the outskirts of your territory, more specifically Heliothraxis. It... or She according to the data gathered... was cut down before any damage could be caused on a large scale and relief efforts just finished up. As it turns out, some townships still own tanks and artillery from before the war broke out and thought that was a good idea to try and face off against a mixed category Kaiju with them. Wasn't very effective and instead some kid in black cut the thing down."
”Interesting. At least the damage was kept to a minimum. Is there anything else?” Issac asks.
"There is more than likely going to be an upsurge in Kaiju activity along the routes that Heliothraxis moved along. There's also the surveillance footage of the encounter." Ark produces a disk. "It's not the best quality, but it was what could be salvaged from the multiple security devices in the area before they were destroyed or lost power. If you have a blu-ray reader, I'd use that. Was the only disk that could accept all of the salvaged footage without breaking it up over multiple devices or being unable to be read by most military grade devices... Or so Patrikolos says. Having watched over it myself and looked at the file sizes, I can see what he meant."
"Hmm." He places it onto a reading device. "Begin playback." The device opens and puts the disk inside.
"Blu-ray is an ancient format, but luckily the MPD specializes in data formats even as archaic as tape."
== Moving Onward ==
It had been some days since the dramatic Kaiju incident, and some semblance of normalcy had returned to the region, with some increased apprehension and paranoia as a result. However, the MPD would bounce back even with sanctions being hurled against them, and additional Administrators being scouted to oversee their actions. As the Enforcers began a campaign to clear the ruins of the Port, a terse exchange was had in Issac's office.
"And why, pray tell, should I not be concerned for the security of our family, Father?" Issac asks with steel in his eyes.
Issac Senior sighs, placing a palm on his forehead. "You worry about things- -that cannot change or you have no control over. Take matters as they come. Beyond cryptic words, you have no way of knowing their meaning or intent."
Issac's eyes narrow. "There's hardly anyone who could mistake what 'Someone important to you is going to be torn from you viciously' means. Is it not too much to ask for detail assigned to her?"
Issac Senior grunts. "I have sway in the Kurk family, but if you think your Aunt and Uncle will acquiesce to me on this, you are mistaken. Kurks are stubborn, son, fatally so. Besides, in spite of that, I have no doubt that Clare will be safe in their hands. And as for me..."
Issac scoffs. "You? You're distant, aloof, and barely put your all into anything regarding this family."
Issac Senior shakes his head. "Leave it be. You have important things to consider, like wrangling back control of your own Agency."
He silently leaves, ignoring the frustrated, angry look Issac shoots him. Something else is on his mind.
Black blood runs thin, staining earth and rotting flesh as bright flames grow forth and ascend from the scion of a torn lineage...
Issac Senior breathes quietly. "I'd love for my own council to grant me comfort... I can only take the next step forward and hope."
----Aracelis and Simon watch as officers drag away cuffed Myths, bringing the total of arrested to 20. The work to clear the Port District continues apace, thanks in part to optimism that with the Kaiju departed, the MPD can finally work to fully reclaim the Port. If only it would be so easy...
As Aracelis watches Simon process some Myths, she hears a fluttering of wings and a young male with white hair and wings descends.
"Release those unfortunate souls at once." They intone angrily.
Aracelis points her rifle at him. "I do not know who you are, but you are disturbing our operations. Back away now."
Simon shoots her a look and motions to one of the officers before stepping forward towards the winged boy. "We are reclaiming this section of the city. These individuals are unidentified and must be cataloged so we can work towar-"
"Yeah whatever, I don't care for your Agency excuses, you're all the same. Release them!" Bolts of light appear around the winged being.
Simon mouths 'Angel?' to Aracelis who shakes her head.
"I'm pretty sure they're more civilized and more dimensional in their thought than whoever this kid is." Aracelis arms her weapon.
"Back off before I shoot kid. This isn't a game. Put those away now."
"As you wish!" He suddenly launches a volley at Aracelis who disappears in a flicker of movement, causing the winged being to start in alarm, only for Aracelis to appear above him and slam her leg down into his spine where one of his wings meets his back, and he cries out in pain and tumbles to the ground. He manages to roll on his feet and run away.
Simon's eyes narrow and he looks at the officers. "Let us know if anything happens, we'll be right over." He then disappears in a burst of wind after the winged being, Aracelis firing after him while in pursuit. 
As Aracelis is about to aim a shot certainly to land a devastating hit, she abruptly gets shot in the shoulder by a bullet of green energy, yowling as she stumbles backward. She begins looking around to see what attacked her. Meanwhile Simon closes in, almost able to grab the winged being who is running out of stamina, when he too is shot at and he leaps back into the cover of a building.
Aracelis meanwhile attempts to move forward and is shot at again, and this time retreats into the cover of a ruined apartment building.
"This is Elite Officer Aracelis, requesting back up. Me and Simon were attempting to apprehend a myth resembling an Angel for obstructing a clean out of Sector 12 of the Port, when an unknown assailant started shooting at us. We've yet to identify their location and- -GAAAH!" While she was talking, a blur of motion and light appeared behind her and unleashes a volley of green energy bullets that blast her in the side and back, the wound steaming furiously.
"I'm hit, suspect appears capable of incredibly fast movement!" She hides within the apartment itself trying to find cover. Before she can get a visual of the assailant, another flash of green light and motion is seen heading toward Simon.
"Simon, it's coming!"
"...Why is it always when I'm trying to leave that things get stupid," a tired and irritable voice huffs as a wall of cold iron chains appears before Simon. The temperature plummets, fog clearly visible as a similarly white haired figure shows up. He glances at Simon before flickering, appearing beside Aracelis.
"You look like shit," he says bluntly. "Sadly, the witchling is busy, so you'll have to settle with me as back up until someone better suited for this shows."
Shortly after the wall of chains is erected, a series of large mint green blasts strike it as something akin to energy missiles burst from the assailant, who abruptly moves ninety degrees in an instant with hardly any deceleration as they move to rapidly get around the wall. They appear to be going close to the speed of sound.
Screams akin to missiles being launched meanwhile can be heard rapidly intensifying toward the apartment building. Aracelis looks at her injuries, which have a cauterized appearance, and while she's lost some blood the nature of the attack seems to be the only reason she's not bleeding out yet.
"...Blast, running is going to be hard without opening these up. Whoever this is knows their stuff to disrupt runners..." She makes a bid for the opposite end of the apartment while taking gauze to start covering the wounded areas.
"Were you able to get a look at whatever this is? I could tell it's hominoid from a quick glance but nothing concrete. Whatever you can offer will help." She addresses the white haired newcomer.
Simon readies his halberd watching for the enemy's move. I'm fast, but not nearly as fast as Aracelis. I'm not going to be able to out maneuver this thing. So. Where are you going to...?
"White hair, wings. Not an angel, you'd be blind otherwise. Weak to extreme traumatic force and convinced it's fast because the big guy is slow and you're neutralized at the moment." The white haired figure cocks his head to the side. "Die, if you would."
The figure's eyes glow blue as green orbs begin to decelerate and shrink, eventually petering out until they vanish. "Not you, obviously. Not exactly your time yet, though that'll change if you start hemorrhaging." 
"Anata o mitsuketa!" A inhuman voice speaks through Aracelis' communicator as shortly afterwards the figure and Aracelis' ears pop as a massive shift in air pressure is felt along with a rather intense feeling of energy building in the environment. The figure soon feels a massive energy surge building from the assailant.
"None of that," the white haired figure tuts in response. "I'd rather not handle this since I imagine you lot want them captive and I will absolutely kill them if I make proper contact. That being said... You'd best rethink this course of action, child." He shudders. "The joys of feeling much older than you are."
As he quips he rakes a hand through the air and the sky, for just a moment, is replaced by a rust red horizon with three rivers of slow moving tar-like substance that coil and twine around one another. The scent of death and decay fills the air before it vanishes in the same breath the scenery does, replaced by three jagged claw marks that linger in the air, drawing power and life into them. Aracelis notes, however, that the withering and decay of the building above the duo doesn't appear to be spreading to her. Likely a conscious effort by the figure.
"Kuso ̄ , shikataganai. Mitsukeru yo, Kuzuryū. Tsugi no jikan." They feel a powerful shockwave as the entity suddenly blasts off to the north at super sonic speeds.
A metal badge of some sort clangs to the ground next to the figure and Aracelis, who picks it up and winces when it is hot and drops it.
"...I can't read it. It's got Japanese on it. But it looks like an officer's badge." She mutters.
"That's beyond my purview. Only here helping because something happened as I was leaving. Probably a good idea to get that translated by someone else." The figure shrugs. "That being said, I'll be going. Tell your boss his defenses will be easier for me to get through if there's a next time and that there shouldn't be a next time. It won't be just a proclamation then and I don't like going full judge, jury and executioner."
Aracelis shoots him a glare. "You wouldn't reach his threshold next time."
"Oi, don't provoke. That said, I'd have to stop you as well." Simon leans against the doorway eyeing the being. "I refuse to let the reality that would result from such a senseless act take place."
He folds his arms. "We appreciate the assistance. Just mind that you don't inadvertently create an evil far worse than the one you set out to eradicate."
"So long as you lot rectify or distance yourself from perverting the cycle of life and death your organization is currently conducting, you won't have to deal with me in an official capacity. I don't like having to hurt good people and, from what I can tell, your group is trying to be on the up and up." The figure shrugs again.
"Like I told him, out of all the people who hold my position, I'm the only one who could show up without either a mass loss of life or pointless escalation by twisting his words and their purpose into weapons. I'd rather be blunt and to the point rather than evasive when I can help it and when my position allows it. Like now really. I'm technically off the clock now, so I'm free to be a fair bit more open and helpful. That being said, you're a bit out of your depth if you feel like fighting me as you are and I'd rather not deal with that particular scenario as things are now. Anyways, I gotta go. Don't blow a blood vessel and and bleed out, dealing with that isn't my job."
Aracelis grasps the badge and scoffs.
Simon sighs and hoists up Aracelis in a princess carry. "You're likely to hurt yourself as you are."
Simon eyes the stranger as he moves to leave the apartment. "If I cared what was or was not within my depth, I'd be wasting away my years fishing while lamenting my weakness before my niece's gravestone." 
He walks away to the awaiting officers and quickly begins taking control of the panicked scene, restoring order with concise and methodical orders. Officers load Aracelis into a medical vehicle that speeds off, while Simon turns his head toward a cloth covered figure watching the scene nervously while fidgeting, approaching with a smile and offering his hand, which they wearily accept, spurring a conversation that leads to Simon smiling warmly and nodding at her.
Once the scene is cleared, he makes his way back to headquarters and checks in with Aracelis, who is resting in the medical ward. She gives him a tense gaze.
"I saw it, briefly at least. Based on the notes Issac was given, I have an idea as to what we were up against." Simon speaks in a low voice.
"...It was insectoid in appearance but held the shape of a female person. Based on what I saw it doing, and what it could do... I wouldn't be surprised if it was some manner of Kaiju within the possible Partial or Incomplete transformations."
Aracelis' eyes narrow. "She spoke Japanese as well. It was harder to make out because of the voice..."
Simon nods. "Japan and the Kaiju don't get along well, which strikes me as odd that one would prefer their speech to communicate and not English. Do you still have that badge?"
Aracelis nods and holds it out, Simon gingerly taking it.
Aracelis looks out the window. "...We were completely outclassed."
Simon just nods. "Even with our modifications, it may not be enough to achieve our ideals. I know that it might meet some resistance, but I wonder if the past few crises don't demand some sort of push to incorporate Myth agents?"
"Or even Magic. We need something, anything to bridge this gap. Against upstarts, we might succeed. But whoever that was? She knew what she was doing. She went after me first. That higher level of thinking, of power... if we don't become stronger Simon... we'll be crushed when it's time to put our ideals on the line." Aracelis' teeth clench in frustration.
Simon sighs. "Geira's work will be vital I think in the meantime. But the results are clear... we need to find fresh blood that covers our weaknesses. We can't expect Riot to be here to save us from every catastrophe." He pockets the badge.
"I'm going to Issac's office. Perhaps he'll know the significance of this badge." He walks off toward the office wing. Leo and Isa stand outside the hospital room.
Leo bristles. "The Briton couldn't even keep up with that thing. That means none of us could."
Isa closes her eyes solemnly. "My reach is too small still to affect enemies that strong at a distance..." She clutches her chest. "...We have so much riding on our shoulders, and we can barely take the first step forward..." Isa walks off with purpose.
"Oi, where you going?" Leo barks.
"Training. That is all there is left to do."
"I missed a Kaiju attack while I was working on your security systems? Were there any casualties," Viola asks, popping up with her cube in tow.
Simon turns to look at her. “Ah, the girl from Riot… Viola, yes?”
He runs his hand through his hair. “For a mercy Aracelis was shot up a bunch but the wounds were shallow and cauterized on impact so she got off lucky. No one else got seriously hurt.”
He continues on as Viola continues on to the training hall, then knocks at Issac's door.
"Enter," Issac's voice says in rare form, brimming with unexpected pleasantness. Simon slowly opens the door and he sees a woman in her twenties with white hair and blue eyes in a white shirt and black pants.
She slowly waves.
"Clare, it's been a while since you've come up here." Simon blinks, surprised.
"Yeah yeah... I was checking on my big cousin who doesn't know how to take care of himself. I swear he eats the worst food or nothing at all if I don't make him fresh food." Clare laughs, but then shoots daggers into Issac when he tries to laugh it off.
"I'm serious, take better care of yourself, fool."
Issac sighs. "Fine fine, I'll try."
He looks over at Simon. "I heard there were issues in the operation."
Simon nods, and exchanges information with Issac, whose eyes slowly widen. He immediately goes to start checking information.
"Should I go?" Clare asks with concern.
"It's fine... ...Ah, there's the file." He pulls up some information and reads. "...The stuff you're telling me roughly matches with a suspected Kaiju that roams around Canada at random. It's not commonly seen and we've only seen the full form once, but we've designated it as the Phantom Artillery Kaiju, due to its high firerate and firepower, and tendency to be impossible to track or keep up with.
It's rarely attacked cities, but military operations or Agencies do not seem off of its cards." Issac ponders for a moment then looks at Simon again.
"I'll print out an official report on this matter. Is there anything else?"
Simon nods. "We have a volunteer, the one silver lining from that incident. I can bring her in if you'd like..." 
Issac's eyes glint. "A volunteer... considering our potential new adversary, we'll need all the additional aid we can muster. Bring her in for an interview as soon as you're able."
Simon smiles. "Understood." He walks out, leaving Issac alone with Clare. He looks at her and smiles.
"I have research work to do and I have to focus. Can you take this print out to the listed dorm? If he's not there, then leave it in his inbox there. The name is Arkyle. Prefers 'Ark'. He's our resident Kaiju expert and I want to know what he knows about the Phantom. I'd like to be able to id and understand just who decided to drop in."
Clare sighs, but nods her head. "I'll drop it off on my way out. I'll see if he wants any of the meatloaf too." She gently takes the documents and picks up a container full of warm food and places it in her backpack, then walks out the door and heads off to the dorms.
Later, Simon returns with a figure wrapped in brown cloth and a hood, who fidgets nervously as they enter.
Issac looks up with interest. "This our volunteer?"
Simon nods. "Introduce yourself." He says gently to the obscured female.
She fidgets, uncertain, before reaching her hand to her hood and pulling down her hood, revealing sandy brown hair and a dark brown eye, part of her face obscured by a mask.
"I... I am Akra. Akra Girtablilu. I am..." She pauses.
Issac notices her concealed arm. "...That's a pincer. By chance, are you...?"
Akra squirms with unease, running her hand along the wrapped up limb. "A scorpion based Arachne."
Issac puts his hands together in a thinking gesture, leaning forward. "A scorpion based Arachne... we've seen and heard little of your kin. A few sightings off the coasts of Africa but... You're a rare breed. What brings you all this way to the Californian Republic?"
== Shackles of the Mind, of the Body ==
Isa parries a beam with her saber, sweating heavily. She was used to pushing herself, but nothing like this. Before, she practiced individual actions, but seeing Aracelis pockmarked with burned out holes lit a fire under her. Aracelis' speed alone couldn't help her. I've got to expand my skills, push my limits...
As a beam launches at her, she swipes with her saber to deflect it away, with her free hand, she is attempting to lift heavy cubes and fling them at speed and at distance. The concentration of either action at the same time causes one to suffer, and double the toll on her mind and body. Too much on the saber, and she is unable to throw accurately, hard enough, or far enough. Too little on the saber, and she cannot defend against the laser shots from the flying drones she is attacking.
Finally, a final ill fated cube throw pushes her too far and she collapses, gasping heavily as her mind and body sear with being worked to their extreme limits, sweating profusely. She lays there alone for a while, aching horribly.
"You're gonna cause permanent damage to yourself if you go at every bit of training with that level of gusto," Viola chides, entering the training room. "Let me guess: you're trying to force yourself to improve because you aren't what you feel to be up to snuff? If so, you're better off giving up if this is the way you're gonna approach that feeling. You'll improve marginally. Then your body will fall apart from the stress and strain that accumulates and builds until your muscles tear badly or you overwork your heart and lungs."
She lays there, her breath slowly stabilizing. Finally she wipes the sweat from her face. “…It’s so frustrating… to be given power, to be born into it but when it comes down to it, you can’t protect anyone from the monsters… the real ones…” She grimaces in frustration.
” I don’t want to betray the hope that gave me life, and the people who put their faith in us.”
”Look like shit, Labby.” Leo trots in with a dismissive look, tossing a towel into Isa’s face with a smirk.
An annoyed muffled grumble can be heard in response.
His tail flicks as he looks at Viola. “Got some sage advice, Pinkie Brain?”
“Blarg!” He grunts as Isa’s towel flies into his face.
”That’s not how you ask, Housecat.” Isa scolds.
She gets the middle finger in response.
"First thing's first: don't push yourself so far past your limits that you collapse from exhaustion. It's fine to push yourself and it's fine to see what your limits are, but you shouldn't be pushing yourself to the point where you're in actual pain or otherwise incognizant. That has very rapidly diminishing returns. Secondly, look at your dietary needs in relation to the amount of calories you're going to be spending on a regular basis and adjust your caloric intake upwards or downwards based on that. If you're having too few calories, you risk crashing and burning because you don't have enough energy to keep going. If you have too many calories, you risk having too much excess and slowing any physical gains you may get. Most people can't just adjust their calorie expenditure to keep a certain figure or body shape with their mind and it's not something I recommend if you really want to improve yourself.
Thirdly, you need relevant and attainable goals. Focus on your strengths first, hone them as much as you can, then work on patching what weaknesses you may or may not have. This means starting small and working your way through things to see what works for you and what doesn't. If you try doing everything at once, you aren't going to get anything aside from frustration and body pain," Viola recites. "That goes for you and everyone else here. Were I like my sister or father I'd be putting you through the paces, but because I'm kinder and less of a hardass, I'll settle on giving you advice and repairing your stuff."
"Ooooh? I was looking forward to how a pint like you- -BLARRGGH!" Leo gets sent flying by a cube that slams into his stomach and he crashes into the wall.
Isa smiles at Viola as she stands up. "Ignore him. He has no filter."
"ALRIGHT THAT DOES IT, TEST TUBE!" Leo comes running with fire in his eyes. Isa closes her eyes as the air adjacent to her shimmers and Leo slams into an invisible wall. Isa gives him a pondering look.
"Needs more even distribution..." She looks back at Viola. "I'll keep what you said in mind. I just wish-" Leo swipes her head and she tumbles before rolling back to her feet giving him a look.
"Leo, it's not nice to interrupt a conversation."
"BITE ME!" Leo hisses. He folds his arms at looks at Viola. "So what, touring or somethin'?"
Isa smiles. "You should show her the features of the room."
Leo gets a certain overly enthusiastic look. "HEHHEHEHEH! Listen Pint, this training room isn't just a white box! You can modify every single part of this place to go higher, lower, fill it with water, laser guns, turrets..." He starts rambling with glee as he runs for the control room.
Isa just chuckles. "Give him the controls and he doesn't have a care in the world anymore."
"It's not a particularly bad structure and could likely be repurposed to a last minute security system against smaller scale adversaries," Viola says off handedly. "Leone would like this. Or he'd break it by accident with how much he gets excited by training rooms. Then again, he is a muscle head when he wants to be..."
Isa ponders this information while conspicuously she starts raising up in the air as a panel below her starts rising up as a cubic pillar, seemingly not noticing. "I feel like those two meeting would form Issac's single most overwhelming headache."
She looks around just noticing. "Leo..." She shakes her head and looks down at Viola wistfully. "It feels like the MPD has sunk into a bog before it could even run. One crisis and our critics have bound our hands more than they were and now even our mission to retake the Port is in jeopardy."
She sits cross-legged with a tired expression. "I wish there was more we could do..." A rubber ball whacks her on the head and off balance, she tumbles and just barely manages to grab the edge, straining terribly to avoid falling.
"Nnnngh! NOT NOW LEO!" She snaps and a brief haze of blue energy swirls around her and then pulses outward as the cubes she was hurling briefly rise and then slam violently onto the ground, the strain causes her to lose her grip...
A rush of wind blows into the room as Aracelis leaps up and grabs her, dropping her as she hits the floor on her injured leg and stumbles. She then glares in the direction of the control room with an almost murderous glare.
"Stop fooling around, cat!" She barks as she clutches her leg. "That could have killed her!"
Leo stalks out with a cold look on his face. "So what? Her fault for moping about like a dumbass. Ya'll the same to me no matter what flowery bullshit you vomit." 
Aracelis glares at him but turns her attention to Isa, who is clutching her head. "Overdid it, and then some... if the fall didn't do her in, that might..." She feels Isa's head.
"...Good, nothing damaged. She should get some rest..." There's a shudder of pain from Aracelis's leg but she ignores it. Her face softens as she looks at Isa. "This isn't only your burden you know..."
Viola's eyes narrow. "Leo, if you do such a thing again in my presence, you will be subject to disciplinary action. Please do not tempt me." She looks back to Isa and Aracelis. "I'm not the best at it, but I can heal you both. Not instantaneous since that's more of a temporary thing in my repertoire, but if you don't mind recovering over a short conversation and some mild discomfort I can handle that."
He just rolls his eyes and walks away, tail flicking as he leaves the training hall. Aracelis collapses as she sighs heavily. "I'd strangle him myself if I didn't hurt my leg going that fast." She rubs her forehead.
"I'll not complain since you're offering and the doctors will be annoyed at me. Isa... I don't think she will contribute much to the conversation." Isa has a far away glossy look in her eyes.
"She'll be ok, but her psychic power backfired on her. It's happened a few times when her mental state falters too hard too fast. She can hear us though, I just don't advise straining yourself." She hisses in warning to which Isa's mouth twitches as though attempting to smile in vain. She then quietly eyes Viola.
"Those are amenable terms," the young girl nods, drawing her cube forward. The device opens into a multitude of smaller whirling cubes and discs as she looks through them, finally settling on a pair of green cubes and a blue disc. She plays around with them for a short while before a green mist covers both Isa and Aracelis. "That should do it, thou it will take a few minutes for the recovery process to really start working. Until then, aside from the kerfuffle outside and your less that admirable compatriot, how have your days been? Isa, you don't need to attempt to speak or use anything like telepathy, while we are in close proximity I can 'borrow' a bit of your power and get a grasp on how you're feeling."
Aracelis closes her eyes. "Annoying, stressful. The UEI brought in some people to 'oversee' Issac, but it's a thinly covered excuse to try and nip any meaningfully progressive ideals from getting too much traction. Tried to give us Enforcers an earful, and are trying to pressure us to 'be better'. ...As if any of us could meaningfully subdue a godsdamned Kaiju..."
Isa seems to have similar, if not more self critical feelings, as being some what of the MPD's poster child has brought the majority of the pressure on her. Beyond the disproportionate levels of pressure on her shoulders, she at least gets quiet time after training and work to get away from it all, especially with the added help from Riot lessening their burdens the past week.
"Well, Leone probably could and Entegris by extension because she's about on par with him. Ark could probably provide your boss with the information and means of disabling a Kaiju, though actually taking one down is a bit harder with human weaponry. A lot harder really without resorting to highly unethical means and causing international incidents in the process," Viola remarks in regard to the kaiju statement. "Riot really is a bunch of outliers, to the point where Patrikolos and I are probably the only normal ones comparatively and even then, the old man could stare down death and make it blink while I'm just a tech wiz who's a little bad at dying."
She looks to Isa. "Yeah, the burden of being the special one is exhausting to say the least. At least your minders aren't locking you up, though they definitely need to lighten your load a bunch. You have to ease into stress testing, not run it out the gate, else you end up breaking from 'a simple task'. Said simple task being above what you can handle at that moment because you weren't given the chance to remotely prepare. That being said, go easy on yourself. You're only human and if you try putting out every fire all at once, you're gonna be among the people lost to one of them."
Aracelis snorts. "I'll have to clobber her upside the head to make sure she gets the point. She's the sort to internalize this sort of thing to the point of madness."
She stares at the exit to the training room. "I wouldn't put much stock into what Leo does, by the way. He's a child, in the literal sense, and he doesn't value us as compatriots. He's only here because Issac doesn't want to see a kid get killed on his watch over youthful desire to get revenge, even if pyrrhic in nature. Not an excuse for what he does, I won't hesitate to choke him on his own stuck up tail."
Isa mentally fidgets around the topic but there is murmurs of something to the effect of 'Leo is the end result of the current system of 'Myth Containment'', when humans would rather treat others living on the land as inconveniences to be gotten rid of, rather than cooperated with. She also reluctantly accepts the council, but clearly is still wrestling with the matter emotionally on the inside.
"Please see that you do, but don't forget to take care of yourself as well," Viola says to Aracelis. At the mention of while Leo acts as he does, her eyes narrow further, becoming almost icy. "That is no way to treat those who would take you in and keep you in good health rather than imprison you. Such reckless thirst for vengeance and a lack of understanding for other people is how you end up being stabbed in the back by those who grow to resent you. It's stupid and I believe if I am approached by him I will show him what for."
There is a rather personal bitterness in her words that just as soon vanishes. "Anyways Isa do you know what the current limit of your psychic abilities are and do they fluctuate day by day?"
Isa ponders this, starting to feel sleepy. She attempts to convey that she actually has a fair bit of power, but she has to constrain it or cause damage to her brain and nervous system. She attempts to explain it by thinking of the psychic power as a field, which over half is coiled within her or in her vicinity, while the remainder can be utilized as she wishes. She then explains what happens if she pushes herself too far by conveying the idea of leaning too far on only one foot and falling over. If she had to guess, she should actually be able to manipulate anything within the rather large training room with ease if she wasn't limited as she is. 
She also explains that her abilities started very small and negligible but with age she's increasingly grown more powerful, but the total power she knows how to wield safely has not increased proportionally. She explains her repertoire of abilities, albeit fumbling from fighting off the instinct to sleep, ranging from telekinesis, telepathy, and mental constructs such as her invisible saber and weak psionic shields. Of these, telepathy is foremost, telekinesis is second, and her saber is the most stable of her constructs.
"Once you've rested up and recovered for a few days, we'll work on that. For now get some shut eye." Viola says gently.
Isa's eyes slowly close afterwards and she falls asleep without much effort. 
Aracelis faintly smiles for a brief moment at Isa. "Dork."
She then looks at Viola. "If you absolutely must pursue the issue with Leo, just know that his family, clan, and the entire line of Lion Nekomata were driven to extinction in this part of the world over a mountain lion killing a farmer's cow. You'll just as easily escalate the problem as remedy it. The fact he even talks to people is a blessing considering the trauma he inflicted on the therapy councilors..." 
They hear footsteps approach, and they see one of the secretaries, Mira arrive with doctors in tow. She eyes Viola and the two Enforcers before her gaze lands on Viola.
"How is things? Leo told me about the incident. And, I wanted to apologize for my behavior the other day with the... Judge." Her face is tightened.
"In all but a single regard, fine. Isa will make a full recovery, but any tasks that are going to stimulate her psionic abilities need to be temporarily curtailed or she'll likely seize up and cause herself permanent damage," Viola says bluntly. "Frankly, based on what she told me, she should be catatonic because she's not properly trained in releasing her power so it's actively hurting her when she uses it rather than being fully under her control. What she's figured out is commendable, but if things continue as they are she's going to lobotomize herself or paralyze herself within the next three years. I'm going to have to rectify that."
She looks back to Mira. "Alexian's an ass, but he means well and is an ally of humanity. He's just prickly and has to follow a different set of rules, not his own those of the one governing death, but he's a pretty good kid. Doesn't mean you can't yell at him though. He's not so fragile as to attack over a tongue lashing, though if he's tasked with taking you to the realm of the dead, you're going there whether you want to or not."
She glances back to Aracelis. "He can join the boat. His behavior is self destructive and is going to isolate and alienate him from others, trauma be damned, if he isn't put in his place and told that just because something shitty and terrible happened to him it doesn't give him the right to be a churlish piece of work. You still have to function and get on with people unless they're the ones directly to blame for your tragedy. If they aren't, you're just gonna piss more people off and when push comes to have very few people are gonna give a damn enough to want to help you, even if they otherwise have the means to do so. It's the way you end up bleeding out under a gutter in the cold rain. It's an unhealthy coping mechanism and if he's allowed to continue treating people as he is someone is going to be pushed too far and I feel I'm going to have to deal with that as well before someone worse does. This is not a threat, this is a promise."
The bitterness in Viola's voice is deep, but just as quickly is replaced by spritely energy. "So, probably need to devise a training plan for Isa and conduit she can use for the time being until her power is fully under her control. I'll get right on that, you two be good."
With that Viola rises to her feet and hurries off.
Aracelis watches her go and sighs. 
Mira folds her arms. "You're telling me. I was going to give her the keys and details of her accommodations. Just as well, I sense chaos imminent so maybe I can avert two birds with one stone. Meanwhile... get them to their rooms." She instructs the medics who hoist Aracelis (who protests greatly) and Isa onto stretchers and carry them off.
With a haggard sigh she starts walking off in the direction of Viola, hoping that nothing too chaotic and distracting follows in Viola's wake.
Leo meanwhile is staring at the sunset while laying on a bench in the main hall through the glass windows.
Viola rushes past, pausing for a moment to speak before continuing on at full speed. "You. Pull a stunt like that and hurt your allies again because your feelings are in a tizzy and you'll regret it."
For a moment her pupils become serpentine and a piercing blue, but they just as quickly return to normal as she speeds off... somewhere, eventually returning to main lobby. "You lot have a fine day, headed to the docks for some R&R."
Leo raises his arm, holding a key card. "Surly Lady wanted to make sure you got your keycard for the dorm she prepped for you. Lord knows you're impossibly fast to keep up with so take it before you add to her distress."
He looks at Viola with ears pulled back and tail swishing, pupils wide. He looks like he wants to say something, but closes his eyes and looks away as he tosses the keys in her direction.
Viola catches the keys without looking back or saying another word as she continues on her way.
== The Past Unfading ==
While most of Riot fell out of scrutiny, it was apparently the intention of the new Supervisory Administrators to make Ark share in Issac’s grilling and their unsubtle attempts at manipulation. Still he had made it through the past couple days, and is finally enjoying somewhat of a respite.
Most of the day goes by without incident but towards the evening there is a knock on his dorm door.
”Is Arkyle present? I have a delivery from Issac…” An unfamiliar female’s voice is heard on the other side of the door.
"Enter," a rather tired voice calls from beyond. "If it's a request from the MCCP, I'm uninterested and not reading it." 
The door opens and a white haired woman whose hair is tied into a bun at the back, with pale blue eyes walks through. She's wearing a white shirt and black pants, with a large pack on her shoulders. She reminds him of Issac in a few ways, but also there's an air as though she was Yuki onna blooded. She smiles faintly. 
"I didn't understand most of what was said, but it seems there was an incident Issac was wanting your input on. I'm Clare, his cousin." She hands him a sealed envelope that's quite full. 
"I made extra meatloaf, if you're hungry or need something for later, you're more than welcome to have some." She offers.
"A pleasure to meet you Clare," Ark returns, glancing over the envelope. "The meatloaf offer is appreciated, but I'll have to pass. Takes a lot for me to get full, so I generally just subsist on bottled meals. Don't really have a normal sense of taste so that doesn't bother me."
Clare seems disappointed. "Well, I come around every other week to check up on Issac and make sure he's eating right (or at all...) and I almost always have extras. I'll be more than glad to offer any should you feel inclined. I've a long way to go to match my teacher's world class cooking, but I'll hope on that occasion you enjoy. Oh, since you work with him, please do me a favor and keep the Non Eating Grumpus from starving himself every Tuesday. It's a bad habit and it's too tiring to keep up with his self destructive tendencies every week." She sheepishly smiles. 
She gives him a faint curtsy and walks to the door. "Take care."
"You as well, be safe," Ark replies. Once she's left, he looks over the envelope a second time before gingerly opening it and looking over its contents.
It contains a incident report detailing a routine clearing of the Port ruins that went awry, first with a chase of a suspect, then the intercept itself is ambushed and Aracelis hurt by an unnamed assailant. With outside aid, the attacker was thwarted, and eventually left, dropping an item that may identify them. Simon later noted that he suspects the assailant was some form of Insecta Kaiju in a Incomplete or Partial Transformation, a description of which specifies some manner of dragonfly style entity.
The second item is a transcript according to Simon that roughly iterates what he believed was spoken by the assailant, while the third item is the dropped badge with a Japanese name. The name on the badge reads 'Kazue Yuriko'. The badge itself is gouged, marking up the emblem at the top, and heat damaged, warped by extreme temperatures. 
The final item is a message from Issac.
"Given what I've seen from the report, I'm inclined to believe this is a Kaiju as per your descriptions, but your analysis would be much appreciated. Simon feels like if they were a Kaiju, they were after something other than their lives, because its power certainly seemed minimalist compared to what we know and have seen Kaiju do. Any insight into the matter would alleviate worries, we don't want a repeat of the Port Incident. God knows you and I don't need another round of grilling from the 'Oversight Administrators.' I took the liberty of translating what the Kaiju spoke and put it below:
'I found you!'
'Damn you, no choice. I'll find you, Kuzuryu (Believed to be referring to a name, so untranslated). Next time.'
I have my own theories, but I know too little to act upon them. If there is aught of note or concern, let me know at your earliest convenience. 
- Issac
"Of course something like that would happen during all of the meetings. Looks like it's gonna be pouring for a bit then. Lovely," Ark says. "I'll have to speak with the two agents on the field when they showed up and get some more details. Tomorrow though. Today's spent all of its good fortune and that never bodes well."
After a night’s rest, Ark wakes up late in the morning to the sound of several metallic footsteps running up and down the hall at speed, a muffled female voice issuing orders with occasional robotic barking sounds being heard. Eventually…
”…you doing?! Can’t you tell… …people are trying to sleep!” The voice of Mira can be heard reprimanding someone.
"As the sun rises," he curses, looking over himself in a mirror and making minute adjustments to his appearance. His eyes shift back to brown and the slight ridges along his ears fade until he looks mostly human, keeping the pointed ears. Once he's satisfied he steps out of the room. "Is everything alright?"
He sees Mira and another woman with black hair and blue eyes, with a white labcoat over top mechanical armor engaged in a round of angrily poking and pinching each other. They slowly look at Ark.
"Geira does not seem to understand the concept of 'don't test your combat machines at the crack of dawn in the dorm hallway!" She growls lowly at the woman in a labcoat, pinching her cheeks.
"And I was denied the racetrack because apparently some stupid major 'derby' or whatever it is called is scheduled today. My A.M.Us must be rigorously tested to compete with the fastest Myths!" She seethes back at Mira, poking at her small chest.
The aforementioned A.M.Us, robotic frames with gleaming red dots for 'eyes' look back and forth at the two angry women, seemingly torn on what to do in this... bizarre situation. The prototypes seem clearly canine in their base structure.
"...Why not requisition funds to build such a facility," Ark asks. "Has you budget been slashed due to perceived frivolity or similar?"
Geira sighs and turns towards Ark. "The MPD was given an extremely generous budget to renovate the premises, start up its Enforcer program, AND to fund research and development for the Anti Myth Units. We already run on the tightest of margins at present, and the government is very keen on withholding any additional funding save for fundamentally vital funding for 'utilities, staffing, and basic operational costs'. 
Perhaps it would have been possible to plead my case before, but with the Oversight Administrators eager to foil any real progress the MPD might make in the name of 'protecting the interests of the people', we can forget anything outside of their interests."
Geira's face is akin to having tasted a raw lemon. "They'd only bite if the goal of the A.M.Us switched to more... lethal means... of suppression."
Ark gives a very tired look. "So they're fools who are going to eventually incense the wrong individual and either perish or start a war. Lovely to know that they're in the MCCP's pocket." He shakes his head. "I'll talk to Issac about it, but for now where are agents Simon and Aracelis?"
Mira looks at Ark. "Simon should be giving a rundown of operations to some new faces in the training hall, while Aracelis is resting in bed. Something about reopening wounds cause of a stunt from Leo. Her quarters are just down the hall. Also, I hope the accommodations are to your liking."
"They are acceptable and fair, though smaller than what I am used to," he says. "Regardless, if you must test your inventions at the present, please do so while less people are resting or present."
Geira sighs. "Fine."
Mira nods. "Let me know if you need anything. As personnel management is my primary charge, it is my duty to take care of anything you need within reason."
"If something comes up, I will let you know," he replies as he heads off towards Aracelis' room.
He finds it open, with a doctor overlooking her condition. She seems tired but alert, turning her head as he enters.
"What brings you here?"
"I'm here to get a first hand account of your encounter yesterday," Ark says simply. "Describe the figure you encountered and their abilities if you would."
She sits up to the protest of the doctor, who she simply hushes.
"I'm afraid I can offer very little in physical description. It was fast- impossibly fast. Maybe if it moved in more open areas and that light it emitted as it flew wasn't there... I know that Simon could see it much more clearly than I. What little I did see was a mint green colored light moving around at or above supersonic speeds, and the attacks it used on me shared the same energy color, so perhaps they're related in nature.
As for their abilities... I'd say first and foremost is it has fairly high intelligence and tactical planning. It could have attacked the second it arrived, but the fact it waited to ambush when I was out in the open, distracted by weaker quarry, and specifically targeted me, tells me it has a high degree of tactical thinking. I was about the only one who could have fought it at equal speeds, and it took me out first. 
It also seems to withhold its firepower unless it needs it, as the only time I sensed a powerful attack being charged was when the whited haired man entered the fray and blocked its attack to Simon. Accordingly, the second it realized the outcome turned against it, it withdrew rather than kept fighting. I thought perhaps this was because it was regrouping with our original quarry, but since then I questioned what working with him would gain, and I concluded none."
She catches her breath, holding her side. "From the strength of the energy it was intending on using against him, I know for a fact it could have killed the both of us with a single shot if it wanted, so clearly it wanted to keep me pinned down and unable to contest it. But not dead. As serious as my injuries are, it was clearly holding back on us. 
And of course, there is its speed. Before, it was flying around my capabilities to move, but when it retreated, it blasted off at incredible speed, which can only mean it was possibly able to move at Hypersonic speeds from the start. A 'mere' Hyperhuman would be dust in the wind in a serious fight with it, I'd gather."
"Your input is appreciated." Ark says after a while. "It is good that white haired man showed up then. I've hunch in regard to what you encountered and, you are correct in assuming such an encounter would have likely been fatal or crippling. Do focus on recovering and keep your chin up. You did your best and you made it out in one piece. Given time, training and some additional tools you'll be able to fare better against such an opponent."
With that he heads towards the door.
"I'll keep that in mind. Hopefully Simon will be able to paint the rest of the picture for you."
Ark finds his way to the training area, where Simon is examining some potential new recruits, including a woman with scorpion features on one side. He calls for a break from examination shortly before noticing Ark enter, giving him an acknowledging nod.
"I believe you are Simon," Ark states, returning the nod. "If you've a moment I'd like to get your first hand account of the incident from yesterday."
"Certainly. I might as well partake of a break myself." He instructs the candidates that the recess will be longer than anticipated, and help themselves to refreshments. He then seats himself at the edge of the training hall on a chair.
"We were in the midst of a routine search and detainment in the Port, identifying and bringing Myths back here for processing and placing them on the records. A winged being attempted to interfere but we were able to push him into retreat. As we were pursuing to arrest him, Aracelis was repeatedly shot in the side from a distant assailant. She took cover while I was out in the open, preparing for the worst when someone came to her aid. In their attempt to get at me, I was able to get a visual on them."
Simon begins to explain that the figure looked to be a cross between human and insectoid, with large eyes, segmented limbs and body, with an overall body plan of a dragonfly. He notes the two pairs of arms turned into weaponry: short rifle like protrusions that shot rapid fire bursts, while a single arm turned into a large cannon structure as it prepared a massive charged shot at Aracelis' location. It was definitely female, with human hair, which was white with purple and green tips, while the body's limbs were hardened and black, her torso was a pale white with tones of purple mixed in.
She had large dragonfly wings and tail, and spoke completely in Japanese, with facial features suggesting Asian descent, were it not for the fact Simon thought her form struck eerily similar to an Insecta Kaiju in a Partial or Incomplete form. 
He then has a moment of realization. "Right, I had an artist sketch an impression of it..." He brings a piece of canvas out of his pack and shows Ark a figure whose face catches his immediate attention.
"I did the best I could to get the details right. Anyways, after the intervention of the white haired man, she rocketed off to the North at Hypersonic speeds, and at that point I couldn't track her. I don't have any idea how far she went, but given no reports of sightings have been filed in our jurisdiction it's unlikely she is within the Californian Republic."
Ark sighs. "Your information is appreciated and it solidifies my hunch. It appears I'll need to step into the field sooner than expected." 
He bids Simon farewell and makes his way towards Issac's office.
Issac appears to be working on his computer, but stops as Ark enters the room. "Ah, Ark. I hope you've been able to recover after the most unpleasant week's events. Our mutual admirers are so cheery and uplifting to work with, don't you agree?" He tiredly sips a cup of coffee.
"If I answer that question in any way, I fear I may speak to such a scathing degree that it physically burns them alive," Ark replies. "Before I talk about our shared interest, I must inquire if you've had more than coffee this morning."
Issac blinks, and then blankly stares at his watch before breaking down into a chuckle. "Oh, I see. Clare put you up to that did she? No point in trying to hide it, guilty. Were it not for Jessica and Mira, I'm afraid I'd have so much more work that I'd be in a coma from lack of nutrition."
"I'll make sure to bring food to our future meetings. Your cousin likely wouldn't enjoy it if I got you hooked on meal drinks," Ark says. "This one will be short, but if I must I'll let one of your secretaries know."
He takes a deep breath. "I've an idea of who our mystery assailant was and, being frank, if they come back your people are not going to be able to deal with them without severe casualties. It's not a matter of training, so much as durability and speed."
Issac sits straight with a more focused look. "...Then we were on the right track then? Damn..."
A tv panel flickers on, showing feed from the Canadian Mythic Task Force. The label on it reads 'High Alert Incidents: Canada'. Several Canadian war planes are screaming after a green light. Moments later it seems to hover and face them, letting out four massive beams that blow them back, only for a Dragon Class Kaiju that was tailing them to tumble out of the sky, four giant holes in its form as it falls into the sea. The figure then blasts off in the direction of the Vancouver Island Chain, the planes tumbling to the ground, all but two right themselves before crashing in fiery explosions, the pilots narrowly escaping with parachutes.
Issac narrows his eyes. "Hmm. Seems our friend is certainly keeping busy. With a penchant for stirring up trouble I see."
"They're a renegade from Japan, one of their former elites before something sent them over the edge. If they weren't, they'd be stirring up an international conflict and I would be required to get involved with that before things got sour and the UEI made a severe misstep."
Issac pales when he hears this. "I was aware of the likelihood of Japan commanding great strength, and the Anti Kaiju Squad being able to slay Kaiju... gods, if someone like that was part of their military before, a 'severe misstep' would be an understatement. ...Ark, be honest with me. Do you have any idea why she came here? I need to know if we should expect a repeat visit or worse." Issac's fists curl until they go white.
"We need to be ready."
"More than likely for unfinished business with myself, though I can't fathom why," Ark says. "My trip to Japan was more or less an exercise in getting them to bugger off because having a Kaiju expert that isn't one of their elites is a rarity and a commodity."
Issac sighs. "Of course it'd be something like that. So, what is your next move?"
"I'm going to see what they want and, if need be, neutralize them. Better than having them come back a wreak havoc on UEI territory and incriminate Japan, especially with that damned badge they dropped."
Issac closes his eyes, thinking. "How about you do me a favor then. Give me a moment."
He activates his communicator, and a ringing is heard. A haggard, disgruntled man answers on the screen. "What is it, Issac Kurk? I'm busy with the aftermath of that Kaiju incident."
"I may have a lead on your little problem, but I need authorization for a passport for a non human." The man's dark eyes narrow.
"You know Canada's stance. Are you sure. That this won't become a problem later? Are. You. Sure?" Issac waves his hand dismissively.
"I have the highest confidence he will handle the matter in a way that will avoid Vancouver burning to the ground, Emulaen." Issac smiles wearily.
"...Fine. They're authorized to search and operate within the territory of British Colombia, but any further and we'll arrest them. Is that clear?" Emulaen says sternly.
"Clear as day, Administrator." Issac maintains his smile. The transmission cuts off. Soon after, a passport to Canada is printed, and Issac stamps it and hands it to Ark.
"You heard the man. Do whatever you have to avoid a lights show at Vancouver. And don't take a vacation there, they really won't like it. This'll keep the heat off both you and I from Oversight and the UEI as a whole. Keep your other papers on hand just in case. Best of luck, Ark. Hopefully your old acquaintance will be amicable to nonviolent means of communication."
"I'd hope so as well. In the meantime, if Patrikolos is present, ask of him anything you'd need me for and he should be able to handle it just fine. If a dire emergency comes up, please refer to this," he says, withdrawing two notebooks, one the worn and old notes on Kaiju while the other is labelled "Contingences" in neat looping script.
Issac gingerly takes both, smiling. "I'll remember to take a moment to visit the lounge for a quick bite. Take care, Ark."
== The Exile ==
As they approach Seattle, they near a stretch of forest. As they move into its confines, they see a shape hurtle far overhead at Hypersonic speed. Tyrant had gotten free and was barreling in the direction he last saw Aceda, they had narrowly avoided being seen.
Some time later once they arrive at the border of Seattle's city limits, a white Humvee with the MPD's logo on its sides is waiting with two people inside, Issac in the back on the passenger's side, while Simon heads the wheel. Simon motions for them to get in, and once they get close, he indicates for Aceda to get in the back.
”Right, you don’t agree with vehicles. Issac wants you to rendezvous at the Kurk manor. It’s safer and private. Issac wants to discuss options before the UEI comes to know of this. We’ll take her this way. It’s better that she isn’t seen in public. The windows are tinted so she won’t be visible to curious eyes. Don’t dally.” Simon hands him a map with instructions on where to go and then he drives off once Aceda reluctantly boards.
Ark takes a few breaths before vanishing in a swirl of wind, keeping pace with the vehicle, but with some distance.
Little occurs for the majority of the trip, but close to the Manor Ark feels a strange sensation that causes the hairs on his neck to stand up as a feeling of mystical energy surrounds him, as the chords of a Shamisen are heard being plucked, and fog briefly surrounds him. It's then he sees a 'flash' of a white haired woman with tall white horns, in Japanese clothing akin to a priestess with beads around her neck. The image sends chills through him as one of his pockets feels heavier than normal, before the sensation snaps and all returns to as it was. There's a lingering trace of mystic arts however, and sakura flower scent radiates off him faintly.
They soon arrive at the Manor and Simon ushers Aceda inside, and Issac and Ark enter together. Issac turns to Ark in the foyer as Aceda is guided deeper within.
"So, Ark. A brand new hornet's nest is about to be stirred up, would you not agree?" His expression is tense.
"You don't know the half of it," Ark says. "There is a fair chance that we're going to be attacked by a member of Japan's AKS and if that does happen I will have to do my best to not kill them on the spot. Aceda, that is the incomplete kaiju and former human, says that in at most a year Japan is going to have an army of not quite Kaiju slayers due to less than scrupulous genetic engineering and below the board practices. If her word can be fully believed. I do not think she would lie, not when it pertains to her daughter or her former husband at least. The leader of the Anti-Kaiju Squad is a slimy scrupulous bastard and the reason why if I'm forced to return to Japan for anything other than sanctioning his arrest and the dismantlement of the current Anti-Kaiju Squad program, there will be bloodshed and conflict. I do not want bloodshed and conflict. I would like to take down the Wanderers who actively antagonize humanity then go about my business."
He takes a breath, taking the time to check his pocket as he speaks.
"So stirring of a hornet's nest indeed."
He notes a strange talisman with the characters for 'Guardian of Soul' etched in white light. It seems to passively emit a mystic aura.
Issac sighs. "I'd like very much for a peaceful resolution to this, but I find this will easily become a matter of scandal on par with the Loua Trials. Nay, worse. It's one thing to treat others like playthings in pursuit of immortality, another to potentially threaten the whole world in a mad pursuit of power. That being said, before we get the details in full from her, there is something I need to discuss."
He rubs his forehead. "You understand that the game we're about to get entangled with is not one you can get out of without trust and confidence in one another, my dear 'Kaiju Expert' friend? I don't expect or want to know your life's story, but knowledge is power, and we'll need to understand each other without fears of exploitation and manipulation, yes? Perhaps in the course of our endeavor to stop the madman, you might divulge appropriate trust and information to your ally."
The doors to the inner chambers open and Aceda walks out in a simple black dress, her hair black and short, while her brown eyes wearily scan the room from the safety of the doorway. Almost exactly how Ark remembered her looking years ago.
Simon walks out and heads to the front door. "I'll be waiting for your word on the next steps, Issac." He exits the Manor and closes the door.
Issac motions with his head to the inner chambers where Aceda still watches from with a weary smile. "Think about it, that's all." 
He joins Aceda at the door and enters the living quarters within, which has large couches and a central table, a kitchen area and bedchambers off to one side. He takes a seat on a couch and after hesitating, Aceda joins him at a different couch. The room has no other entrances or windows, entirely confined in the heart of the building.
"I cannot provide you many answer, due to the fact that I myself don't have them all myself. I know my bloodline on my mother's side, freeform dragons that may as well be mythical shapeshifters rather than proper dragons, but my father's side is speculation at best. I would say he was a Kaiju or related to one, but I've actually studied 'my kind' and the details from his side of things do not add up," Ark breathes, taking a seat. "A Kaiju my age should still be coming into its larval, weakest form rather than being capable of facing most Wanderers with little issue. They also should not hold the full power of their true form in a 'lesser form'. More than that, their true form should not be the lesser form. That much is consistent across pureblood kaiju and hybrids as well—the blood of a Kaiju is domineering and takes a dominant position when determining lineage, which is a long way of saying a someone with Kaiju blood is effectively a full blooded one.
"With all of that out of the way, allow me to reintroduce myself. Arkyle Linen, known as Kuzuryu in Japan, Alf layla Wa-layla among Kaiju and much more well known as the Crimson Reaper to humanity. I hunt other Kaiju who are unruly in my 'human' form and face other Wanderers as a Wanderer myself. Storms and weapons all things related are my aspects. Take that as you will."
Aceda looks troubled. “…Would that not apply to myself and Miwa as well…? Perhaps it is because the Armaments are parts of former Kaiju and they merely reassert themselves, reanimating with a new ‘core’. Though that only applies if the old will doesn’t take over I suppose… But suppose I was right… then Daisuke…” Her face darkens.
"You aren't a full Kaiju and the process could be reversed on you, though not if you keep using the power," Ark says, tone serious. "I'm unsure in regard to your daughter, but she can likely live an ordinary life to a degree, Probably. The one you call Tyrant is a bit too far gone, more than that if he's gonna keep rampaging around like a moron on a power trip. He'll be eaten from within and it won't be pretty. Just to give you the run down of the symptoms, first there's physical integration into the self and the ability to use the abilities of the Kaiju in question to a degree. Then there's transformation, allowing you to take on incomplete and full replicas of that Kaiju's form. 
That's followed by an emotional imbalance and heightened responses to external stimuli. That's about the stage you're at for the reference. f you reach the next stage, you're stuck. That stage being hearing the voice of the Kaiju and gradually losing your grasp on humanity as a whole. We wouldn't be able to converse if you were at that stage, not with you feeling like you were hallucinating or imagining the thing in a hell of your own making. Then there would be proper metamorphosis. where you become a different Kaiju, more than likely of the type was integrated with you and likely without much sanity. I've seen a few such cases, unfortunately."
Aceda smiles faintly, but her eyes take on a darker, dull cast. <I'm very much no longer human. The Armament and I are completely fused, and I've tucked the 'old' Kaiju away in the deepest recesses of my mind. Once my attentions are no longer occupied, I'll silence the coward once and for all. To clarify, your analysis is not wrong in general... but the moment my Armament went critical, my fate was sealed. And even if you could reverse Armament Degradation... I'd flatly refuse. I'd rather be a Kaiju than to live as 'Kazue Yuriko' again. So on that note, I thank you for using the name I made for myself, and not the ones thrust upon me by others.
But I'll be clear on this point- -I'd sooner die than lose my wings. They're my sole comfort, my sole escape and freedom. No vestige of a Kaiju, or even my old ally, will be suffered to take that from me.>
The air becomes tense for a moment as she looks Ark square in the face, as though conveying her will.
She then sighs and the tension evaporates from her face. <You probably meant to spare me from further exertion by retaining human form, did you not? I thank you for the intention. I'll respect your request all the same to avoid attention, but please understand and accept my wishes.>
Issac looks at Ark and Aceda. "I have gathered that there probably wasn't much time for explanations in full as to what befell our guest that she might come to be here. Perhaps we'll get a better understanding through a full retelling."
Aceda slowly nods, recounting that Daisuke had been trying to advance his scheme for some time before she was part of the Squad, targeting Phantom, who did not open herself to his advances. When Daisuke saw her potential, he instead began focusing on her instead, Aceda bitterly acknowledging that Phantom tried to warn her about his shallow interest. Though, if she knew what he was really like, she couldn't guess.
She describes that Daisuke spent more time around Kuzuryu instead of her when he came around, only becoming intimate after the falling out between Ark and the Squad. She laments that she should have noticed his changes in behavior, but she was desperate to feel love and affection from others, and escape her bleak upbringing's influence. From there, Daisuke worked her harder and harder, secretly pushing her Armament into deeper extremes, its influence spreading with little visible signs. By the time she was pregnant, she was months away from the point of no return, and by the time she went into labor, she was already slipping. 
Daisuke then took his prize when Miwa was born, immediately dropping his façade personality and mercilessly injected her with a hormone he described as an 'Awakening Agent', the end result causing a normally months worth of change to unfold in moments: her body twisted and grew, while her mind was befouled and distorted as the dormant Kaiju sought to reclaim life. Daisuke told her his plan was simple: to transform her into a Kaiju and using their properties, create an army of half breed super soldiers, and harvest her body to equip them with more Aceda Armaments, redubbed Dragonfly Armaments. He proceeded to carve her body, succeeding in procuring one set of materials, with her resisting vehemently. He attempted to shatter her mind, but the pain turned to rage, the sight of her helpless baby and the dark future he envisioned for her gave her clarity to endure, even as her body acted on its own to rampage and destroy everything in its path.
With the Kaiju Squad working against her, the then split minded Aceda fled, wounded and pursued by Tyrant. Over the next year, she changed, embracing her darker past as the core of her strength, rather than something to be ashamed of. With purpose, clarity, and unity of self, she ousted the inner Kaiju and won free, becoming a new, reformed, but still 'her', Aceda. From there, she slowly attempted to master herself, eventually slipping Tyrant and hiding in Canada. Some time later, she learned of the MPD and its new Enforcer and their bold claims of unity and progress, and had to 'test out' the hopefuls that would 'bring about change'. While so doing, she caught went of a 'Kaiju Expert' and decided to try and lure them out, using said hopefuls as bait.
Issac sighs, rubbing his head. "So that's how we got roped into all this. This Daisuke... is foul beyond words."
"Relax, your wings are safe, so long as you are in control and otherwise not harming innocents and whatnot," Ark says, raising a hand tiredly. "Your armament corrosion is a bit different, but pretty close to the sort of corrosion I've seen, though that's more through direct contact rather than something made from a Kaiju. That being said, we have to figure out our plan of attack so to speak, preferably before this gets back to Viola and she decides to take matters into her own hands. I imagine all lips will be sealed on this matter regardless, but she has a way of figuring things out without any indication so be wary if she's suddenly more cheerful than usual then says she's going out camping or exploring for a week."
He sighs again and Issac realizes, perhaps for the first time, that Ark is always sighing or taking deep breaths when talking with others.
"Regardless of that, what's your take on the issue Issac? There will definitely be a great deal of diplomatic hoops to take care of and I'd rather not toss my name or moniker around in said dealings unless absolutely necessary. I'd probably be called back to Japan and that would be good for very few people."
Issac ponders for a bit. “The first, and worst approach has to be going to the UEI and having them use the Crimes Against Humanity Doctrine. It’d confront Japan, hold the country accountable, and start a process to have him tried. …But tell me, do either of you think Daisuke will just lay down like a good dog and let himself get inevitably executed?”
Aceda slowly shakes her head. <He’d hide, while doing something dangerous to distract people. He’s not above any means, the pursuit of power is his end game. He has the Awakening Agent and several dozen Agents major and minor he can sacrifice as shields. Such a open, public attack would…>
”Be the most straightforward and idiotic move. He has her daughter, and several others who work under him whose humanity is in his hands. The UEI would make sure to focus on making Japan a pariah as much as they will want justice. It’s too noisy and he won’t play by the rules. Speaking of…” Issac has a flicker in his eyes like a shock of thought streaked across.
”Aceda, how many of you are there?”
She frowns. <There’s four in my generation and at least four in Miwa’s. The three besides me were too far towards Hybridization so they were supposed to re-> A thought crosses her mind and Issac nods, before typing furiously. Finally he turns his laptop around and shows him the UEI’s list of known agents given to them by the Imperial Government.
Next to all four of the Old Guard’s statuses including Tyrant and Aceda show: ‘Retired’.
”Officially you aren’t a criminal. Officially, Tyrant isn’t supposed to be here. Which means that the government doesn’t know what is going on in the Squad. That’s our shield. If Tyrant attacks here, he’ll be in violation of his retirement and expose Daisuke. Meaning he won’t dare strike even if he knows that we are here. As for you Ark, you are listed as you would expect but you also weren’t given a trial for your innocence to be proven.”
Issac looks at the two. “We might be able to catch Daisuke if we can directly appeal to the Emperor and privately make our case. With the blessing of the Emperor on our side, it should be possible to do a investigation into him to determine the extent of his crimes and find a opening to catch him unawares. I know that you do not wish for yourself to be directly involved in the proceedings Ark, but I think going to the Emperor is safer than attempting to rely on the UEI being pragmatic.”
"As long as you know to expect at least three assassination attempts and one good poisoning that's fine. I don't believe the Emperor would be complicit in foul play, but it cannot be understated what reach a person without any moral fiber or compass can have," Ark replies. "Less of an issue for myself or Aceda, but for you or anyone else directly involved that's a pretty big deal."
”The Kurks and I have protections in place as is, and my role gives me… significant protections on top of that. I will have to be more cautious in Japan but that is small potatoes. The important thing is we prioritize Miwa’s safety in all of this. If I heard correctly Daisuke intends to subject her to the same treatment as Aceda. …Just thinking about it is making me…” Issac covers his mouth and turns a bit pale.
Aceda folds her arms. <She should still have time before Armament Degradation goes too far. But I agree that before judgment comes to Daisuke, we must get her back. As much as I want to see him burn I’d rather prioritize my daughter’s life. Even if she is half breed, she has the ability to live a free life. I won’t let him rob her future.
That leaves the question of how we contact the Emperor.>
Issac nods. “Speaker Li is present at the Embassy in London. If we have any hope of getting a private audience, we’ll have to go through him.”
Aceda’s face tightens. <Across the entire world, no less. By sea would be risky and slow. Doubtless you and I can make the journey by air, Kuzuryu, but Issac certainly can’t fly. Although if I were in complete form…>
She shakes her head. <No, attention gathering aside, Tyrant will notice and I can’t defend myself to the point I won’t take damage, and that’s before I have to limit myself to not hit or knock both of you off.>
”I could fly in a military jet but it’s not going to be enough for you two to fit, in that arrangement we’d still have a firefight and I am not a combatant as much as I wish I could stand with my men.” Issac furrows his brow in thought.
"As long as they're informed in advance I can get us there. I'll need a few hours to recover or more food than you can afford though," Ark says after a moment. "If I flew, I don't doubt there would be a firefight, but if I were to apparate us over there would be little fuss."
Issac considers the notion. "If you were to do it to somewhere out of sight, with a short trip... maybe. The UK is not the fondest of strange supernatural phenomena happening in their borders: when Speaker Li first appeared to the UEI, it was a major international incident when he had to defend himself from an onslaught of panicked civilians and RMTs. They tried to sanction Japan and if I recall correctly, Japan's prompt response was a withdrawal of their naval forces that normally secure the Atlantic from intrusion by Kaiju. ...There was never a law rescinded so quickly."
Aceda chuckles quietly. <Well, amusing spats aside, that is better than Tyrant being on our tail.>
Issac looks over at Ark. "Oh, and you'd be surprised what the Kurks can afford. Not that Mother or the Matriarch is going to allow it. On that note, we should go before Mother catches wind; if she meets Aceda-"
There's a knock at the door. "Oh Junior~ Did you not want me to meet a lady friend~"
Issac's face becomes crestfallen. "Heavens take me..."
"Just say the word." Outside a storm begins to brew.
"Please, I'd rather her not indulge in shipping or doting on a guest again."
<What do you mean, 'again?'> Aceda asks confused.
"Ark, please, as soon as possible."
"Then let us go," Ark breaths, exhaling a sea of fog as thunder claps outside. There is a weightless feeling, like falling through thick air as as the fog swirls and billows. The room seems to expand and expand until the walls and ceiling vanish and all that remains is a sea of knee deep fog that rolls slowly and patiently. Then the fog swirls again and gathers, forming a tight vortex of cool air and sleet as the trio appears elsewhere, far from the Kurk manor. Ark looks slightly paler as a result and his eyes leech from hazel to silvery as he catches his breath.
== The White Tiger ==
Issac sighs. "That would have been a disaster and embarrassment all in one... anyway give me a moment..." He begins typing into his communicator and starts.
"He's going to wh-"
They feel static electricity before a bolt of lightning strikes them and they find themselves in a fairly luxurious waiting room with hints of Japanese decor. Moments later, a white piece of paper with well written notes appears:
"Rest and speak with me when you are in the condition to do so. I shall not bother you until then. Do not be distracting however or I will rescend my hospitality. I don't have to be in the mood to humor the words of an outlaw, after all." -Speaker Li
Issac winces. "How did he know...?"
An extra bit of writing etches itself into being: "Oh please. I never forget a notable person's presence. Certainly not one who betrayed Imperial trust."
Issac grimaces. "Mmm... this will be rough."
"Dealing with Li can be trying, but he means well," Ark says, resting his eyes. "I will leave most all of the talking to you two."
The note updates again: "I have matters to attend to with the Russian President. Territorial dispute, as ever. Rest, and then I will discuss things with -the three of you-."
Time passes, until finally the door down the hall opens to the main office.
"Without delay. I have a feeling this is something that should not wait more than necessary." Li's voice is heard from the open door.
Issac and Aceda get up, and once Ark has recouped enough to stand, the three enter a well decorated oriental office. There is an intense pressure in the air, as though their chests were being squeezed tightly as they each behold the man at the desk, a white haired man in a well kept western style suit with piercing blue eyes, chin resting on his hands as he leans forward.
"We have not had the honor I think, Administrator Issac Kurk Junior," Speaker Li eyes Issac.
"I am more surprised you know of me."
Speaker Li closes his eyes. "I do, your work is a bold direction in a bog of repression and antiquated ideas in a world that demands forward thinking and innovation to evolve. Nihon has hopes that it will bear fruit, and not be strangulated by wicked weeds."
Issac dips his head. "I'm honored."
Speaker Li waves his hand dismissively. "I'm sure, but we are not here to discuss pleasantries. Rather, you have something of import to speak to me of, lest you would not bring a member of the Old Guard who should be in retirement, and an exile wanted for destroying Imperial property and sabotaging vital Armament research." His eyes open and a thin yellow ring of light flares around his pupils with intensity, a wave of pressure rushes over them.
His eyes land on Aceda. "I was told your Armament Degradation was critical, and you were confined to special care these past few years, and yet... you are unblemished?"
His eyes dart between Ark and Aceda. Finally after a moment of tension his eyes land on Ark, and the majority of the pressure falls on him.
"You... I don't know what you're playing at..." He gets up, and approaches, and Ark gets a prickly feeling akin to a danger sense. At that moment however, the sakura scent wafts once more. Speaker Li freezes as though he just saw a ghost.
"What is in your pocket. Out, now." His voice shifts from soft spoken to intense and on edge.
"Ah right, almost forgot about this token," Ark says, eyes a frigid silver rather than brown as he stands up as well. He palms the token as he continues. "A mutual acquaintance gave me this shortly before we arrived. As for her situation, listen to her story and mull it over. Once you've hashed out everything with them, we'll talk because I know our conversation will grow heated otherwise given our opposing natures, Li."
Speaker Li's pupils turn cat like and narrow like razors, while his blue eyes flash an ominous gold as he sees the token and his hair faintly bristles. He takes a deep, long breath and slowly exhales, hissing:
"Yurasaha..."
He clutches his face and makes another deep breath. "What has she been scheming now..."
He shakes his head. "If the Bringer of Death is involved, then I suppose I have no choice but to hear you out. Her involvement means things are about to get exceedingly complicated."
Speaker Li calms down and his eyes are normal again and he looks Ark in the eyes. "The fact Yurasaha gave you that means you hold favor with her. You have her Blessing as well... though I don't know what form it takes... for her to take such an action..." He looks at Aceda and walks back to his desk and sits in a much more relaxed posture.
"The Guardian of Soul's intentions are mysterious and nebulous, but never malevolent, so I have no choice but to reconsider the situation. Please, begin."
Aceda begins to recount her tale nervously, and as she describes Daisuke's betrayal, Ark sees something he'd never seen from the Speaker in person: pale blue and black flames sear from his eyes as they widen in horror and rage, eyes flashing blue and yellow intensely as tiger stripes begin forming on his face.
"Show me." He intones.
Aceda slowly turns into her Kaiju form and Speaker Li covers his face as a growl passes his lips.
"Ark, what was the truth behind the battle at the Anti Kaiju Squad's base?" He intones coldly.
Aceda goes to speak, but he raises his other hand sharply. "Please."
"To be short, during my time in Japan I encountered the Anti Kaiju Squad and offered my assistance. I eventually revealed my partial heritage when dealing with the Lost Wind, the Amphibian Kaiju that was nearing Wanderer status if you recall, and Daisuke wanted to see if my mixed blood could be used to enhance the squad members. I didn't well like the man at that point and I refused, after which he insisted and I refused once more. That continued for several days, the tension between myself and members of the Squad growing until I called out Daisuke on wanting to create weapons rather than defend people and he decided to try and take my blood with force via members of the group. 
I did not take kindly to that and tore through their ranks after warning the members that their course of action was unwise, after which I left the country and chose to never return—reputation be damned. No one will use me as a weapon, humanity has tried to before and the reason I didn't become their enemy is because I was taught to see the best in people. In Daisuke, there was nothing good behind the well meaning and charismatic façade he wore, his heart was long overrun with ambition and rotted of any morals long before I met him. The only reason he was left to live is because he fled into a population center and I'm not inclined to harm innocents, especially when dealing with multiple opponents, Li. He would be without a head had that not been the case." Ark's words are calm, but his tone is frigid.
Speaker Li puts his hands together quietly.
"...I've heard enough. This is beyond my authority to act upon. The Emperor must hear all. I may speak with their authority, but there are things I must defer to them for. Are you prepared to go as soon as possible, and present your full testimony to the Emperor themselves?" He intones quietly.
"Indeed."
Speaker Li slowly stands and looks at Ark. "It is clear that based on what I have heard so far, you should be assumed innocent. Such a thing should have been in place before, as there was never a formal trial held during your absence. This should set the record straight. However, that is not my judgement to make. While the Speaker carries the weight of the Emperor's words, he may not override decisions handed down by the Emperor and those appointed by their authority. 
But speaking for a moment as myself..."
Speaker Li straightens and bows at Ark. "I acted with poor judgement and without clarity. Were it not for Yurasaha's subtle intervention perhaps I would not have second guessed myself. I apologize for my conduct and the ignominy you have suffered at the hands of the Empire." 
He slowly straightens and makes a gesture, an electrical arc sparking around his hand as he moves it. He then nods, and it disappears.
"The Emperor has been made aware and we are due. Normally, I would commission a boat, but my duties tie me here. Ark, Aceda, meet me outside. There is another way I may travel, but not used in the eyes of the UEI."
He looks at Issac. "I thank you for your service in taking in and protecting these two, if I have read the situation correctly. However, Nihon will not suffer a man of the UEI's colors to travel within its lands."
He blinks. "What of the offer to Samuel?"
Speaker Li huffs. "It stands, he is an exception on the direct authority of the Emperor. And they were clear on that point. I have no authority to carry you to our lands."
He looks at Aceda and Ark. "Make your goodbyes, then come outside, we don't have much in the way of time." He then walks out the building.
"Be safe, Issac and, in the next five or so minutes when Viola calls you—she will call you, that's a given—tell her all is well, but make no mention of Japan or she'll panic, which tends to be bad because she panic invents and panic made inventions do not work out well." He sighs deeply. "That child worries far too much, even if I can't assume that form any longer."
He nods. "Wait.. how am I to get home?"
Without warning, a swarm of sakura petals envelops him and Issac disappears.
I was told to ask if Issac has ever been teleported with Mystic Arts- -she didn't wait for me to check, did she? Speaker Li's voice echoes.
"She did not. It's a fair bit different from Apparation."
Aceda composes herself. <I am ready.> 
He will have quite the experience then. Though this ride will also be quite different from what you experience. Speaker Li notes.
Aceda and Ark soon come outside and see a trail of what looks like glittering stars leading to the back. Following it, they find a large white tiger easy taller than either of them with flames of white, pale blue, and black rolling off its shoulders and composing its tail, the fire seems to glitter with the stars as it dances. It’s harsh blue and stark yellow eyes pierce them with the intensity of its gaze.
It regards them before lowering itself so they can get on.
Do not dally. Speaker Li’s voice rumbles.
"Very well." Ark gets on Li's back and offers Aceda a hand up.
She takes it and the moment she is on Li's back, they feel him crouch and tense, and in that moment it is as though the earth itself was dropping away from them as he leaps forward through a ring of stars, and their vision warps as Li appears to gallop through a sea of stars, innumerable constellations dancing among them. As they race through the celestial scenery, several constellations begin to race after Li, becoming celestial tigers composed of majestic stars, outlined in similar flames to his own, far paler and meager.
What can take over a day or more of travel can be reduced to a mere hour. If you wish to observe the surrounds, there is no issue, but do not dare to disembark my back or you will never find your way back. We travel far faster than you realize. Li cautions.
"I believe the three of use are all used to high speed travel enough to know not to disembark, Li." Ark replies, watching the color fade from his suit as it shifts to black, along with his hair.
Mmm, but most forms of high speed travel do not involve the piercing of dimensions into a plane of reality so lonely and seldom visited you would be lucky to be heard by even a high level deity or Kami. Of course the speed is an issue, but your more pressing issue would be being left behind in an ancient celestial plane on the higher rungs of creation. That is the only reason I caution you.
The Tiger's gaze briefly drifts to a few of the trailing companions. Memories... echoes that want, but that cannot grasp. Li muses to himself.
Time passes, and he eventually becomes more alert again. We'll be arriving soon, apologies, but I'm not used to ferrying others through here, so prepare for a VERY rough landing on your part.
"Already ahead of you. Besides, lonely planes are common for myself." Ark mutters as his attire takes on a smoky quality.
Electricity begins to arc around them, and the spectral tigers fade. A piercing white point in the distance forms, and rings of stars begin to race past them tighter and tighter. With a peal of thunder, they cross the final threshold...
== Turbulence ==
In the absence of Arkyle, the affairs of the MPD were hardly idle. With grace and nonchalance, Issac fielded Viola's inquiries breathlessly, maintaining that Ark was conducting a series of investigations into hot beds of Kaiju activity in the north seas, a vital link of commerce constantly under threat by their uncharted nesting grounds. After disarming (hopefully) the Viola Bomb of Anxiety, Issac then had to contend with all manner of issues, from Isa and Aracelis being out of commission, to a rather troubling rising hot bed situation in the Port.
As it turned out, their 'angel' friend was very much busy drumming up support for an uprising among the vagrant Myth populations there, a threat that after two Kaiju attacks, an interloper directly menacing an Administrator, and general Mythic unrest, began to prompt calls for more decisive measures- -an all out crackdown and ousting of their kind. And none more vocal than the M.C.C.P themselves.
"I have the situation handled, with all due respect, Oversight Chairman." Issac breathes steadily, holding back frustration. 
"Until the Reaper Tyrant shows up again, and puts a bullet in your skull. Matters demand decisive retaliation. Outsiders and Myths alike are interfering with us, with no regard for our lives and laws. This arrogance, this... irreverence for humankind cannot continue. Hence, the M.C.C.P Mechanical Suppression Battalion West Division will enhance security measures within Seattle. I have no doubt you hold noble aspirations, but these... beasts have pride. We must break it, and show them that putting themselves above the needs of Humanity will no longer be tolerated."
The older man's eyes narrow in hostility.
"The needs of Humanity must be put first. These invaders must learn their place."
Issac grits his teeth. Matters were already hard after the Kaiju went berserk. That damned 'Judge' has put us on the fast track to being completely undermined.
"Sir. I have no objections to protecting the populace. If the M.C.C.P will respect our directives, there will be no need for violence in the streets of the city. Garrison the troops in the Agency, fine by me. However, if you so boldly set boots into that territory in such a blatant manner, the M.P.D will no longer be able to control the unrest. So many cities have been lost to wanton violence. Let's not make rash decisions." Issac pleads.
The Chairman gives Issac an evil eye, but his retort is prevented by his colleague. "No one wants a repeat of St. Louis. If you have no objections to the ranks of the MPD being supplemented by the Battalion, I am willing to grant you leniency in the matter of the Port. HOWEVER."
The Secondary Chair lets the silence hang for a moment. "After so many crisis's in so short a time, I expect a positive outcome. Make use of the situation Issac, or we'll take control of the Port ourselves, with or without your consent in how we reclaim it." 
Issac makes a heavy sigh. "I understand." We have to make this count. The longer the Mechanical Battalion is here, the more likely things will explode out of control. Intentionally or otherwise, the M.C.C.P will take any excuse to destroy the M.P.D and our goals and cement themselves here. 
The Head Chair shoots daggers at his counterpart for a time, then grumpily returns his attention to Issac. "After discussions with other Agencies, we also felt it prudent to arm the Quartering Fields across the UEI. The whole situation with the Reaper Tyrant smells of another Phantasmal Crisis. The UEI has suffered enough at the hands of rogue spiritual entities. We expect you to make use of it, no matter the cost, should that thing be foolish enough to make a return. Humanity cannot suffer the boot of higher powers any longer."
Issac grimaces. "On that, I agree."
After the meeting, Issac lies down for a rare power nap, utterly exhausted. After time to rest, he gets up and summons the remaining Enforcers, some time later Leo, Simon, Geira, and Akra are assembled.
"W-what is the situation?" Akra asks, fidgeting with her uniform, unused to the sensation of higher grade clothing. Jessica had apparently taken great care to address the unique needs of the Arachind girl, from custom wrappings to a mask more durable and useful for battle, as well as some augmentations from Geira to grant her some special tricks. 
"Higher ups are increasing the pressure for us to deescalate the flames starting to burn in the Old Port. We don't start putting out fires, then we will likely be put completely under the M.C.C.P's thumb." Issac speaks sternly.
"To that end, we need to find and eliminate the uprising and its leaders that has been gaining traction. If we fail to cut off the head at the source, this situation will rapidly deteriorate." Issac points out several sectors of the Old Port.
"I recommend starting your search in these areas, then combing through any areas you find suspect. We know our old 'Angel' friend, who we have dubbed 'Evangelist', is heading things, but there may be more powerful individuals besides him in the group, so be cautious."
Leo looks at Geira. "So why is Labcoat here?"
She smirks. "Good question, Tabby. We're going to take this chance to field test the A.M.Us for a beta test. If we can consolidate our power with the A.M.Us even at this stage, we should be able to repel the M.C.C.P's manipulations. Between that and our new friend Akra's enhancements, this is a chance to redeem ourselves. Plus, I'm not incapable of fighting, so I won't just be standing by. Think of me as... an honorary Elite for the occasion!" 
Leo groans. "Not the damn dogs again..."
Issac furrows his brows. "No mistakes this time. Be careful, fight smart." 
Everyone nods, and departs, and Issac collapses in his chair. "Long day..."
Category:MPD