Race in Time S1 Vol. 4

Race in Time: Volume 4 - Mile High

Written by @WarpigTC

## 16th June, 11:48 AM, Will's Office, Troll Co. HQ, Toronto, Canada.

Will: "So, you figured it out?"

Dan: "Mhm, was some weird angel person with some kind of powers and some other girl, both had swords."

Will: "Are they a threat to us?"

Dan: "I wouldn't say so, and even if they were to be we can defeat them again."

Will: "Alright, Dan, you're dismissed."

Dan leaves the room.

Will: "Sam, I've got a job for you."

Sam: "How much?"

Will: "5k, give or take."

Sam: "Cool, what kinda job is it?"

Will: "Some arsonist has been running around town, same situation as the angel, it's making me somewhat nervous, but you could try getting him to work for us maybe?"

Sam: "Bet, any info on him?"

Will hands Sam a folder, Sam opens it and reads through it.

Sam: "Yeah, that should be easy enough."

Will: "Good luck."

Sam: "Thanks boss."

Sam leaves the room.

## 16th June, 11:48 AM, Road from Arkansas to Toronto.

John: "LOSE THOSE DAMN BASTARDS!"

Seb: "Gun em' down then."

Seb hands John a M67 frag grenade.

Seb: "Hope you know how a 'nade works."

John pulls the pin and throws it at the truck behind them, but miscalculates and the grenade explodes too late."

Seb: "Eejit."

The two groups shoot and evade each other for a few minutes before...

Seb: "Area ahead is in construction, pray we're going fast 'nough to jump that hole, lads."

John: "Fucking hell."

Seb steps on the gas, and somehow manages to leap over the hole in the road, losing the other truck.

Seb: "Aye, nice."

One last round from the truck nearly hits their side window.

John: "SUCK ON THAT!"

## 11:54, Will's Office, Troll Co. HQ, Toronto, Canada.

Will is sitting in his office, but then gets a phone call.

Will: "What is it?"

Max: "We lost Copper, bastard got over road construction, we fought them in a road in Arkansas, seems they're heading to Missouri or something."

Will: "Retreat, try to get back here."

Max: "Roger that."

Max hangs up, but Will makes another phone call.

Will: "Aedifex, find Al and Bravo and get over to the office."

"Aye."

A while later, three men walk into the office, one with a gas mask, one with a greatsword and one who looks like he just snorted 6kg of cocaine.

Will: "Sit down."

Al: "So, why am I here?"

Will: "I've got suspicions that Copper and his crew may be heading towards us."

Al: "And...?"

Will: "You will be on guard in case they approach the building, Aedifex will step up our security system and Bravo will take care of combat-ready personel."

Al: "Oh fucking hell, you couldn't have just called these two and gotten Bravo to get a guard or something? Useless-ass Head of Security, or Fex' could just install cameras, literally his job as a Head of Construction."

Will: "That's exactly what they're going to do, but you're going to be the front guard."

Al: "Oh lemme guess, just because I'm fuckin' fast?"

Will: "...Yeah, and?"

Al: "...fine."

Will: "Alright gentlemen, get to work, don't want to make our guests feel unwelcome here."

As the three men leave the room, Al mutters something under his breath.

Will: "What was that?"

Al: "Nothin'."

Aedifex: "He called you a ass-hat."

Al grits his teeth, but right as he does Bravo smacks him over the head."

Al: "FUCK! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!"

Bravo: "Watch yourself, rook."

Al: "Cunt."

Bravo raises his hand up, making Al cower.

Bravo: "Don't FUCKING talk back to me, you hear?!"

Al angrily storms off.

Will: "One more call."

Will picks up his phone and dials a number.

"Yes?"

"Marcy, you might be getting another guy."

Marcy: "Another researcher?"

Will: "Mhm. Depends on if he joins us or not."

Marcy: "Sure, call me if he accepts."

Will hangs up and gets back to work.

## 19:24 PM, Random hostel near a road in Illinois.

Nitro: "Keep one eye open, you can never know when the pricks send someone again."

Kaz: "Yeah, yeah I know."

John: "Eat, get rest then we go commit more crimes, damn my life went to shit."

Kaz: "You'll get through this man, trust."

John: "Alright, but if we don't it's on you."

Kaz: "Bet."

The group finishes their food and depart to their rooms.

Kaz: "Sleep well, and don't get assassinated."

## 23:53 PM, Outskirts of Toronto, a few Km away from Troll Co. HQ.

Sam: "Well, no turning back now."

Sam breaks into the shack and makes his way to the basement.

As he makes his way down, he hears someone downstairs.

Sam: "Urobonist, right?"

The person snaps around and stares at Sam.

"Who are you."

Sam: "Just your friendly neighborhood merc, and you?"

Urobonist: "Who sent you, mercenary?"

Sam: "Eh, just some geezer, don't worry about it."

Urobonist: "Did they send you to kill me..?"

Sam: "Maybe, some midget's been running around burning stuff, old guy's worried about his safety, blah blah blah."

Urobonist: "You're drunken on humor."

Sam: "Lighten up, Shadow the Edge-hog."

The Urobonist holds his handgun behind his back.

Urobonist: "Why are you here."

Sam: "To either kill you, or to hire you."

Urobonist: "...I do not wish to be involved with you, leave this private property."

Sam: "You're a criminal, why do you care about private property?"

Urobonist: "I? A criminal? For what?"

Sam: "Let's see...arson, arson, arson, assault, arson and some more arson."

Urobonist: "You must be mistaking me for another arsonist."

Sam: "Nah, pretty sure "Old model, Black coat, fedora" is you, I'll be taking you in one way or another."

Urobonist: "I do not wish to be affiliated with you."

Sam: "Well, I can't have you running around here, boss wants you dead or hired."

Urobonist: "What are your terms?"

Sam: "We're looking for more people, some prick started running from us and we want him dead, but he keeps jumping around places and it's getting annoying, the more people the faster he dies."

Urobonist: ...

Sam: "Well, you either join us or you die, your call."

Urobonist: "What is the payment for the death of the target?"

Sam: "I forgot, but around a hundred thousand dollars or two hundred and fifty thousand, I think."

Urobonist: ...

Sam: "You in?"

Urobonist: "Fair."

Urobonist offers Sam a handshake, Sam accepts it and shakes his hand.

Sam: "Glad to hear that."

## 17th June, 1:32 AM, Will's Office, Troll Co., Toronto, Canada.

Will: "I appreciate your willingness to work with us, Urobonist."

Urobonist: "The payment is all I'm here for."

Will: "Fair, you will be assigned to Marcy, a researcher of ours."

Urobonist: "And what are you researching exactly?"

Will: "A lot of things, you'll learn when you get there."

Sam: "Ahem, payment?"

Will: "Right, here's your cash, you're dismissed."

Sam: "Thanks."

Sam leaves the office.

Will: "Either way, I recommend you get some rest and meet your colleagues at the lab tomorrow."

Urobonist: "Fine."

Urobonist leaves the office.

Will makes a phone call.

Marcy: "Yes?"

Will: "Uro's with us, you'll meet him tomorrow."

Marcy: "Sure, any other news?"

Will: "Just that, I'll leave you to your own."

Marcy: "...Thank you, see you tomorrow."

## 18th June,  8:27 AM, Hostel, Illinois.

Carl: "Gooood morning Vietnam!"

Nitro: "Calm down Private Pyle, it's still early morning."

Carl: "Yeah sorry, force of habit."

Nitro: "So, when are we leaving?"

John: "After we have breakfast, most important meal of the day after all."

A while later, the group settles down around a table and eat.

Gre: "John, I've been recently drawing blueprints for a small experimental forcefield generator."

John: "Cool, what do you have so far?"

Gre: "The barebones concept and the generator's core, I tested some energy sources and found most common stuff works fine, I just have to develop the actual part that projects the forcefield and then smoothen out any kinks in it."

John: "You're a smart kid, keep on working."

Joey: "Yeah, cool but uhh... we get there today right?"

John: "Yeah, we go through Indiana, Ohio, Detroit and then Toronto."

Joey: "How long would that take?"

John: "10 hours or so."

Joey: "Okay, pretty long time but fine."

After the group exchanges some more dialogue they pack up and go back to their car.

## 18th June, 14:13 PM, A gas stop in Ohio.

A few hours later, the group are waiting for Seb to finish getting the gas for the rest of the ride.

John: "Six more hours, after we get to Toronto we should rest up and pull the raid the next day."

Kaz: "The hell is happening over there?"

Kaz pointed at a man in purple with a cane and a red hat walking down the street with a huge group of men walking behind him.

John: "The fuck...?"

Gre: "Guess they didn't lie when they said Ohio was weird."

Joey : "Only in Ohio guys am I right?"

Kaz: "Eugh, that's from like a decade ago."

John: "Seriously, get better material."

As the group exchanges some more dialogue, Seb returns from paying the gas and gestures the group to get in the car.

## 18th June, 14:20 PM, Troll Co. HQ, Toronto, Canada.

Dan is sitting in a office dialing a number.

...

"You've reached Anna of the CSIS, how may I help you?"

Dan: "Hey Anna, I need a favor."

Anna: "Ah, hii Dan! What do you need?"

Dan: "I'll need you to track a car and some guys for me, mostly Texans, mainly Beeville."

Anna: "M'kay, tell me about it."

Dan: "A guy called John Kenneth Copper, some Joey M. Tortoise and Carl W. Rogers, but we've got no info on the others other than nicknames."

Anna: "Wait... John Copper like the criminal from a few days ago?"

Dan: "Yeah, can you get me anything on him?"

Anna: "Can I have the nicknames?"

Dan: "Sure, there's a Kaz, Nitro, Gre, Jack and Sebastian."

Anna: "Give me a minute..."

...

Anna: "I've got some info on them."

"John Kenneth Copper is a inventor for Fitten Co., some of his stuff is remarkable honestly."

"Carl W. Rogers is a supply worker for Fitten Co., nothing much outside of his obsession with old military stuff."

"Joey M. Tortoise is the owner of the "Turtle and Friends" franchise which got discontinued a month or so ago for a break-in and destruction of every single animatronic and arson of their pizzeria building, Intel from their last security guard says the guy behind is a tall male with a sword and mechanical mask."

Dan: "Huh..."

""Kaz" is called Cassidy Wolf, he's no-one important, not employed currently, only ever had a few 9-5 jobs, probably just sits on a couch all day."

"Jack Fox is another regular person, just a resident with a not-so-good mental health record."

"Gre...Gregory Patterson seems to be a student at a local school in Beeville...?, Apparently he's really good with tech but...why do you want info on him?"

Dan: "Might be with Copper."

"Sebastian Wilson seems to be a friend of Carl's, they seem to have worked together in the past regarding ammunition and such, a freelance gear provider I suppose."

...

"Nitro is somewhat interesting, Arthur Ryder started his early life as a cop, then retired and went for mercenary work under Fitten Co., Looks like he was a good cop too, no idea why he retired so early."

Dan: "Thanks, that's everything?"

Anna: "Seems like it."

Dan: "Alright, one last request."

Anna: "Mhm?"

Dan: "Can you send me a file for Samuel Tachiarai?"

Anna: "Oh, sure! I think I can get it for you."

...

Anna: "Alright, sent."

Dan: "Thanks, I'll be going now, bye."

Anna: "Bye-bye!"

Dan hangs up and opens the file Anna sent him.

File

Combatant Dossier

Warpig

Last Updated: 2034-06-15

Name: Samuel Tachiarai

Designation: ##-##

DOB: 2005-03-02

Country: Japan/Brazil

Status: Active

2029-05-27

Dossier Opened

Samuel Tachiarai joined the JSDF in 2025, and worked as an Special Forces Operator until he retired in favor of mercenary work in around 2028-2029. Shortly after, he was recruited by many organizations but mainly Troll Co. He showed himself to be a highly skilled, ruthless operative. He gained a reputation for being swift and brutal with a katana that traces back multiple centuries.

This Dossier has been sealed

This Dossier has been reopened

2034-05-11

Based on information from a security guard, Samuel Tachiarai might have been the one to commit the destruction of all 4 'Turtle and Friends' animatronics and the arson of the pizzeria.

This is yet to be further investigated.

This Dossier has been sealed

Dan: "Huh, wonder why he went for a pizzeria."

## 18th June, 14:27 PM, McDonald's, Detroit.

Kaz: "Wild how that house just straight up didn't have a porch, Detroit people are crazy."

Carl: "Fuckers stole his front porch, can't have shit in Detroit."

Kaz: "Honestly this city sucks."

Carl: "People who live here and enjoy it definitely aren't human."

Kaz: "Yeah, true."

Sebastian: "Christ, this stuff's full-o' microplastics!"

John: "Welcome to the US bud."

## 14:32 PM, McDonald's Parking Lot, Detroit.

The group is in a parking lot walking to their car when a truck comes crashing in at 70 miles per hour towards Carl.

Carl runs to the side of the parking lot, barely getting out of the way of the truck.

Carl: "HEY! I'M WALKIN' 'ERE!"

The driver of the truck slams the brakes and stumbles out of his vehicle, a 300lbs obviously American guy makes his way over to Carl and starts screaming at him.

John: "Hey Joey, that's your autistic cousin or something?"

Kaz: "Pfft."

As Carl and the driver argue, Sebastian sighs and draws his baton.

Once Seb gets near the driver, he puts the baton to his neck and gestures him to leave.

The driver grits his teeth and waddles back to his truck and drives off.

Kaz: "Get in, nerd."

As the group get in the car, Carl sighs.

"This place is real weird."

Kaz nods.

"Yea, fat fucker just comes out yelling after going 200 in a mickey D's parking lot, these people are weirdos."

John interferes their dialogue.

"Well, get seated, after we arrive in Toronto we take a nap and go raiding after."

Joey: "Finally, took you long enough."

John: "Yeah, yeah. Seb, throw it in gear."

The car leaves the parking lot and goes towards Toronto.

## 14:27 PM, Troll Co. HQ, Toronto, Canada.

Will: "So, how's the situation there?"

Max: "Copper seems to be going towards here, they're pretty close to the border.

Will: "I'll give a call to the other mercenaries, hopefully Al isn't off at a hooker bar snorting crack."

Max: "What's with that guy anyways?"

Will: "He deserted from Fitten's, got a drug addiction, we hired him by fueling said addiction, win for both sides."

Max: "Oh, checks out, at first I thought he was a asshole just because he's been raised by his mom in NY while his Aussie dad was probably fighting the world serpent or something."

Will: "Think his dad's dead."

Max: "Fair enough."

Will: "Anyhow, you're dismissed, good luck with Copper."

Max: "Aye, thanks for the bagel by the way."

Max leaves the room.

## 14:31 PM, Outskirts near Toronto, Canada.

...

Cerval and Emma are sitting in a shack somewhere in a forest.

Emma: "Soo....what now?"

Cerval replies without looking away from her sword on the floor.

"We defeat Samuel Tachiarai."

Emma: "He beat you last time, how will we defeat him?"

Cerval: "I feel we will have...unusual allies in the very near future."

Emma: "And they will be able to defeat him?"

Cerval: "We shall see."

Cerval goes back to inspecting her sword, but is interrupted by Emma getting a phone call.

Emma: 'Ah, sorry."

Emma picks up the call.

"Hey, Emma, where are you?"

Emma: "On a walk, why?"

"I'm boooored...where exactly are you?"

Emma: "In the forest, the usual spot."

"Okaaaay! I'm coming over, by the way Vie might come over too."

Emma: "Alright, see you soon."

Emma hangs up and sighs.

Cerval: "Is something clouding your mind, Emma?"

Emma: "I'm not sure you two are going to get along is all."

Cerval: "Worry not."

## 15:12 PM, Highway from Michigan to Toronto.

John: "Around 3 and a half more hours and we're in Toronto."

Carl: "Where are we sleeping this night?"

John: "Same as always."

## 16:32 PM, Sam's apartment, Toronto, Canada.

Sam walks into his apartment, throws the Yōtō-Ichimonji on his couch, takes off his gear and goes to the bathroom.

After around 15 minutes, a shirtless Sam comes out of the shower and sits down on his couch while tying his hair together.

While still tying his hair, Sam reaches for one of his handguns and inspects the magazine before putting it back in.

Right as he finishes messing with the magazine a mercenary breaks in through the window and starts shooting at Sam, who immediately grabs the Yōtō-Ichimonji and jumps behind the couch.

As the mercenary keeps firing Sam returns fire from his handgun.

"He's a rookie, he's gonna run out of ammo just about..."

Sam hears a click coming from the mercenary's rifle, so he jumps over the couch and shoots him three times in the torso, leaving the merc on the ground.

Sam inspects his surroundings and checks himself for any wounds before walking over to the mercenary.

Right as Sam's about to get within melee range, the merc pulls his handgun on Sam.

Mercenary: "O-One more step and I'll kill you!"

Sam looks at the mercenary's handgun and chuckles.

Sam: "You haven't even taken the safety off, rookie."

The mercenary looks at the handgun's safety switch and sees it's on Safe.

Right as he's about to switch it into firing mode Sam cuts him open with the Yōtō and grabs his spine in a few small movements.

"Better luck next time."

Sam takes the rifle and handgun from the mercenary and throws them into his cabinet.

Then he heads over to the kitchen to grab a trash bag and puts the body in the bag, then throws it out of the window into the trash bin right below it.

Sam yawns and lies down on his couch.

"Well...hopefully the geezer doesn't want any jobs done today..."

Just as Sam is about to fall asleep he gets a call.

"FUCK!"

Sam picks up the phone.

Sam: "What do you want?"

Dan: "Oh, sorry did I interrupt anything?"

Sam: "A nap. Does William want anything?"

Dan: "No, just that Copper's nearing Toronto, he's in Michigan right now and closing in."

Sam: "How long until he's here?"

Dan: "Around 2 hours, but I doubt they'll attack after a whole day in a car, so we're expecting a assault tomorrow."

Sam: "Alright, anything else?"

Dan: "If Copper actually raids, we're gonna need you."

Sam: "Bet."

Dan: "I'll leave you to your own thing now, bye."

Sam hangs up and groans before going back to sleep.

## 16:56 PM, Forest near the outskirts of Toronto, Canada.

Emma and Cerval are wandering around the forest when they spot two figures walking towards them, a catgirl and a figure seemingly carrying a katana.

Emma: "Ah, they're here."

Emma waves back at the two figures approaching them, and gets a wave back from the catgirl.

Scarlet: "Hey babe~"

Emma: "Please don't."

Scarlet hugs Emma, likely against her will.

Cerval looks over from the two girls over to the third one, who noticeably has a katana on her hip.

...

Cerval: "You wield a Ichimonji blade?"

The girl is startled by Cerval's voice, and replies after getting herself back together.

"Yes, this is the Uchū no ken-Ichimonji, the 12th sword in the line, do you know of them?"

Cerval summons the Seiken-Ichimonji out of thin air.

"Yes."

Scarlet: "Uhh, this is Vienna, she's a friend of mine."

Vienna: "Nice to meet you."

Cerval: "The feeling is mutual."

Scarlet: "Sooo... What now?"

Emma: "It was your idea to come over, shouldn't you have anything prepared?"

Scarlet: "We could go get a snack if you're up for it, crepes down my street are amazing."

Emma: "If the rest of us are okay with it then sure..."

Cerval: "I do not have urges for food."

Emma: "Yeah... Cerval's an angel, I already told you about her."

Vienna: "I'll go, Cerval could just tag along I guess?"

Cerval: "Very well then."

## 18:02 PM, Sam's apartment, Toronto, Canada.

Sam yawns and stretches, then gets up.

Sam: "That dream again, huh."

"Damn place looks like a hellhole, wonder if it's trying to tell me something since it's been annoying me every nap since I got the Yōtō..."

He throws on his clothing and walks over to his exoskeleton suit.

After putting the exoskeleton on and having it tighten, it starts beeping.

Sam: "Eugh, not again."

Sam walks over to the kitchen and opens a cupboard with MCFC Electrolyte Fuel Cell Canisters, he grabs a canister and crushes it with his hand.

Sam finishes putting on the rest of his armor and heads out.

He makes his way outside of the building and heads into a dark alley.

Sam walks up to a motorcycle hidden away and pulls out the keys from his coat.

He starts up the bike and heads off.

## 18:16 PM, Café Labyrista, Toronto, Canada.

After taking a walk, the group arrives in downtown Toronto.

Emma: "Didn't know angels could just...shift into a normal human like that."

Cerval: "There is much you don't know."

As the group is talking, Cerval looks over at another customer, the white haired man looks back at Cerval and puts on a surprised expression.

"Hey, you're uhh..."

Cerval: "Cerval, I sense what you are."

"You're an angel?"

Cerval: "Yes, are you?"

"Yeah, I'm Azrael Klein by the way."

Cerval: "Very well, sit down."

Vie: "How did you know he was an angel?"

Cerval: 'We can sense each other's energies, and something also tells me he has a unique weapon not unlike us two."

Azrael: "I found a katana a while back when I was putting out my campfire, it has a aura of flame around it, hurt a bit at first but I think I'm no longer vulnerable to fire."

Cerval: "The Honōnoken-Ichimonji, the sword was dipped into the lava of a volcano thought to be one of the pieces of the body of the god of flames, Kagutsuchi after he was killed by his father."

Azrael: "You sure do know a lot."

Cerval: "My task is to wander the mortal realm after all, knowledge is power."

Azrael: "Speaking of... I'm...not exactly from here."

Cerval: "Elaborate."

Azrael: "I've never been in this...universe before, I'm only here because my sister wandered over here and I want her to come back with me to our world."

Cerval: "Interesting.."

As the two are talking, Copper n' Co. walk into the shop.

John: "Alright, order your food and get down."

A few minutes later, both groups sit opposite of each other, ignoring each other until Copper n' Co. overhear a conversation.

Scarlet: "So... We just find this "Tachiarai" guy, get a demon out of his sword, and kill it?"

Cerval: "Yes."

Scarlet: "What's the demon all about though?"

Cerval: "In the year 1208 I sealed a middle-tier demon into a Ichimonji katana, the demon calls himself "Haroumaru", but no demon deserves a name."

"Haroumaru wishes only to fight and kill, nothing else, he is nothing more but a bloodthirsty beast that needs to be put down."

John: "Excuse me, I overheard "Tachiarai", do you know about Samuel?"

Cerval: "Samuel Tachiarai, the current wielder of the Yōtō-Ichimonji."

John: "Yeah, the same bastard was hired to kill us, nearly died because of him a few times."

Cerval: "If you are suggesting we have the same goal, you are mistaken, leave."

John: "I know where he is and how to beat him."

Cerval looks directly at John.

"You are suggesting co-operation?"

John: "Yeah, I scratch your back you scratch mine type of deal."

Cerval looks over at the rest of her accomplices.

Emma: "We could use more help."

Azrael: "I will tag along."

John: "Deal?"

Scarlet nods at Cerval.

Cerval: "Very well."

Vienna: "Y'know, I find it kinda weird that four Ichimonji blade users just gather around so quickly."

Cerval: "We are drawn to each other by fate, I suppose."

John: "Either way uhh... I'm John."

Cerval: "I am Cerval, this is Emma, the cat woman is Scarlet and the girl with the glasses is Vienna."

John nods and starts pointing at his friends.

"That's Carl, nerd about wars from the 20th century and stuff."

Carl: "Hi."

"That's Kaz, game nerd and our only guy with a sword."

Kaz: "Sup."

"That big guy is Joey, he's the muscle of our operations."

Joey: "Hey."

"That's Jack, he's like mentally ill or something I don't know."

...

"Thaaaat's Gre..gory...? Smart tech kid nerd and stuff."

Gre: "Hi!"

"That's Sebastian, our supplies guy."

Seb: "Hi-ho!"

"And lastly, that's Nitro, there's not much to him other than his ungodly revolver skills."

Nitro: "Howdy."

Vienna: "You remind me of my mom, you all look like you carry 3 guns for every situation."

Copper n' Co. all look at Vienna.

"Because we do."

Vienna: "oh."

John: "Either way, you done with your food?"

Scarlet: "Are you?"

John: "We are, and you?"

Scarlet: "I'm not following up on the joke, I don't want to sit here for the next 8 hours."

John: "Right, we should get moving though, time is money to us."

Cerval: "He who desires but acts not-"

Vienna: "-breeds pestilence."

Cerval: "Hm."

Copper n' Co. walk out of the shop with a new group behind them.

## 18:23 PM, Troll Co. HQ Entrance, Toronto, Canada.

Sam walks through the front door into the HQ and looks around.

Receptionist: "Hey Sam."

Sam: "Sup, did boss want anything from me?"

Receptionist: "Not that I'd know, go on ahead."

Sam: "Thanks man."

As Sam makes his way to the elevators, a girl comes running at him.

"SAMUEL!"

Sam sighs and looks at the girl with white hair and a hat.

Sam: "Hey Pearl."

Sam steps aside to avoid being tackled by the girl.

Pearl: "Where're you going?"

Sam: "Checking if the boss wants anything, and the lab."

Pearl: "M'kay! I'm gonna come along!"

Sam: "Ight, fine.."

Sam and Pearl get in a elevator.

...

Pearl: "How's your day by the way?"

Sam: "It was fine I guess, you?"

Pearl: "It was okay, nothing much."

The elevator dings.

Pearl: "Oh, we're here!"

Sam: "I'm going to the boss real quick, follow along or do something if you wanna."

Pearl: "I'm coming with you!"

Sam: "Sure, come on."

Sam and Pearl make their way to Will's office, and once they do Sam knocks on the door.

Will: "Come in."

Sam: "Sup, anything new?"

Will: "Hey Sam, only news is that Copper and his gay boy band probably arrived in Toronto or will arrive soon."

Sam: "Heh, idiots are coming for us?"

Will: "They probably are, who knows."

Pearl: "Let them eat cake."

Will: "You're not Marie Antoinette."

Pearl: "Aww, lemme have fun!"

Sam chuckles.

Sam: "How's the Urobonist doing?"

Will: "He's in the lab with Marcy, working on the usual lab stuff."

Pearl: "What's "usual lab stuff" ?"

Will: "Can't tell you, confidential info."

Pearl: "Ooooookaaaaaayyyyyy..."

Sam: "Right, I'll go check with the others and then...I don't know."

Will: "Alright."

Pearl: "Bye Will!"

Will: "Goodbye Pearl."

Sam and Pearl leave the office.

"Why do you rely on these goons?"

William sighs.

Will: "I'm not going to just run into a house and take watches, you wanted this because it was ""fun""."

"Oh, I forgot."

Will: "Do demons forget?"

"Of course we do, If I were to kill a baby I'd forget about it the next day."

Will: "So you forget your victims if they're not notable?"

"Yes, I do recall this one time a man went insane from what I did to him, simply hilarious I say, I can't forget him."

Will: "Alright, scram."

"Why should I?"

Will: "I need to focus on my work, scram demon."

18:31 PM, Troll Co. HQ Cafeteria.

Sam: "Hey, Aedifex."

Aedifex: "Samuel."

Sam: "Any news?"

Aedifex: "Nah, boss just wanted more cams around the build, nothing special."

Sam: "Because of Copper?"

Aedifex: "Ye, Al's guarding at the front and Bravo's off in the training room."

Sam: "Right, might pay Bravo a visit."

Aedifex: "You sure you can take him?"

Sam: "He might have better gear and more nanos, and heavier exoskeleton...and bigger sword... BUT his skills have nothing on Tachiarai swordsmanship."

Aedifex: "Alright then, good luck."

Sam: "Might train Pearl for a bit too."

Aedifex: "The newbie merc?"

Sam: "Yeah, she's got a spear so that should be fun to spar."

Aedifex: "It's got a range advantage, doesn't it?"

Sam: "Yeah, doesn't matter if you can close the distance though."

Aedifex: "Alright, I'm almost done here so I'll get going."

Sam: "Alright, go build a bridge or something."

Aedifex: "Bye."

Pearl: "Who was that?"

Sam: "Head of Construction, nice guy but he gets a bit political sometimes."

Pearl: "Okay, we're going to the training room?"

Sam: "Yeah, gonna spar Bravo then teach you a thing or two."

Pearl: "Okay!"

The duo make their way to the training room.

Sam: "Hey, Bravo!"

Bravo: "Tachiarai!"

Sam: "Wanna spar?!"

Bravo: "Of course!"

Sam smiles, but quickly unsheathes at runs towards at Bravo who's running towards him.

Sam thrusts at Bravo, but he kicks Sam's sword away and slams his HF Greatsword down at Sam, but Sam shoots the greatsword with one of his pistols and kicks Bravo in the jaw.

Sam: "You're pretty good!"

Bravo screams and rushes at Sam again.

"First Strike: Reticence."

Sam sheathes and turns around, closing his eyes and waiting for Bravo's sword to get into range.

Sam feels Bravo getting into range, and right as he does he turns around and uses his modified scabbard to unleash a lightning quick strike.

The Yōtō gains a blood red trail, and then knocks the greatsword out of Bravo's hands, then the slash goes even further and cuts at Bravo, launching him away a few meters and leaving him on the ground.

Sam: "You good?"

Bravo: "Never better!"

Sam swings to clean any debris off of his sword and sheathes it, then bows down and walks to Bravo.

Sam: "Alright big guy, up you go."

Sam gives Bravo a helping hand up, and dusts him off.

Bravo: "You projected the slash and your sword cut me without even touching me, how did you do that?"

Sam: "Tachiarai swordsmanship techniques, that one is basically all about breathing and uhh it makes a sword cut...farther and better I guess, and it gives it a cool trail."

Bravo: "Strange."

Sam: "Well uhh... You ate yet?"

Bravo: "No, I've been training here for the past hour or two."

Sam: "Go get some food, fighting on a empty stomach doesn't usually give good results."

Bravo: "I will."

Bravo leaves the training room.

Sam turns to Pearl.

Sam: "So, ready to learn rook?"

Pearl: "I can fight, stop treating me like a newbie!"

Sam: "Let's just see."

Sam unsheathes the Yōtō-Ichimonji while Pearl summons her spear.

Sam: "Come at me."

Pearl thrusts at Sam, but he just steps on the spear and bonks Pearl on the head with the spine of the Yōtō.

Sam: "Tachiarai swordsmanship has a fun little trick against thrusts from most weapons, the trick is to just step on the weapon and boom, free kill."

Pearl: "Sounds pretty simple..."

Sam: "It is once you get the hang of the timing, try it for yourself."

Sam prepares a thrust and nods at Pearl.

Sam: "Catch!"

Sam thrusts at Pearl, who successfully stomps on the Yōtō-Ichimonji and counters Sam's thrust.

Pearl: "It worked?!"

Sam: "Yeah, it did."

Sam gets up and sheathes the Yōtō.

Sam: "Either way, block this one."

Sam prepares to use his scabbard's launching mechanism while Pearl prepares to block the next strike.

Sam pulls the trigger on the mechanism whilst holding the scabbard sideways, spinning around and cutting in a 360° area.

Pearl blocks the attack but gets thrown off balance by the sheer force of it and trips.

Sam: "That one was at the level of your legs, you could have either blocked it with a really strong stance and two years worth of leg days, get cut in two or jumped over it."

Pearl: "Jump over THAT?"

Sam: "ye."

...

Pearl: "No way I'm doing that, nuh-uh."

Sam: "I do it all the time when someone sweeps at me, it's pretty easy and looks really stylish."

Pearl: "You just jump over low attacks?"

Sam: "Yeah, usually weave a kick into it too, works fine most of the time."

Pearl: "You do yoga or something?"

Sam: "That's a good one but no, I don't."

Pearl: "Well...you wanted to spar right?"

Sam: "Yeah, you up for it?"

Pearl: "Of course."

Sam unsheathes again while Pearl gets into her stance.

Pearl runs at Sam and swings at him, but Sam blocks it and kicks her spear, knocking her backwards.

Pearl thrusts at Sam's torso but he steps to the side and throws a barrage of swings at Pearl who blocks all of them then counters with a swing that Sam backflips away from.

Sam sheathes his sword and dashes at Pearl who anticipates a strike, but Sam kicks her instead, breaking her block.

He then dashes forward again and uses his modified scabbard's launching mechanism to finish the fight, but right as the blade is about to cut Pearl he stops it's momentum.

Sam: "You did well."

Pearl: "Thanks."

Sam: "If you're tired go sleep, if you're hungry go get something, I'm probably going home or something."

Pearl: "Imma go grab some food, see you!"

Sam: "Bye Pearl."

As Pearl exits the training room Sam gets a call from Will.

Sam: "Hey boss, whatchu need?"

Will: "Come over to my office real quick, I have a job for you."

One short walk around the Troll Co. HQ later...

Sam: "You could have told me over the codec y'know?"

Will: "I like doing these in person, the job is simple... Just roam the building at night incase Copper raids, I don't trust Al to not fall asleep."

Sam: "How much for the job?"

Will: "I'll give you a hundred bucks for it."

Sam: "Aigh bet."

## 19:12 PM, Scarlet's apartment, Toronto, Canada.

Scarlet: "It's a bit messy in here but it'll suffice for the night, no?"

John: "More than enough, thanks for offering by the way."

Scarlet: "No big deal."

The group settles down around the living room.

John: "I overheard y'all talking about a demon in the sword Sam uses, what's up with that?"

Cerval: "I sealed a demon into the Yōtō-Ichimonji a long time ago, and now that a wielder of the sword has awakened me and fought me must be a sign that I must kill the demon inside it."

John: "Any info on how you plan on doing that?"

Cerval: "We find Samuel Tachiarai with your help and I will perform a 'exorcism' that will pull Haroumaru out of the sword, since the demon should be weakened after awakening it should be simple to kill him."

John: "By the way, Sam works for a company called Troll Co. that's housed in Toronto, if we raid their HQ in here he should come over."

Emma: "I'm not sure corporate raidings are entirely...legal."

John: "They're not, but I'm pretty sure if you want to kill a demon you gotta take some drastic measures."

Cerval: "We shall participate, but once we kill Haroumaru we are leaving."

John: "Right..."

Nitro: "Either way, hang out with each other for a while then go sleep, we have a company to raid."

...

Next day.

## 19th June, 10:42 AM, Infront of Scarlet's Apartment.

Nitro: "Y'all ready?"

John: "Yeah we are."

Seb: "Let's get movin' lads, corporate raiding awaits!"

Azrael: "Hey, what's this?"

Seb: "Oh, that's a medium weight exoskeleton from Foxtrot, was supposed to be delivered but I'm on a job so I don't have to right now."

Azrael: "What does it even do?"

Seb: "Enhances combat performance to superhuman levels n' stuff, you can take it for now if you wanna."

Azrael: "Okay, how do you put these on?"

Seb: "You just kinda get into it like this..."

Sebastian puts Azrael into the exoskeleton and activates it.

Azrael: "It's somewhat tight, but it's comfortable."

Seb: "Exoskeletons tighten around the user so they don't mess anything up, guess Foxtrot doesn't trust it's customers."

Azrael: "Interesting, I feel way stronger already."

Seb: "You got a HF Blade?"

Azrael: "Why?"

Seb: "HF Blades can connect to Exos n' stuff, I've seen Blade Mode in action before and it ain't pretty."

Azrael: "I do have this...looks like it is HF enhanced...?"

Azrael summons the Hononoken-Ichimonji.

Seb: "Ye, It's HF."

Seb connects the sword to the exoskeleton.

Seb: "This lil thingy right here enables Blade Mode, it pumps electrolytes into you, making it seem like everything is in slow motion, and since it's pumping into your muscles and overclocking your exoskeleton you can also cut better in Blade Mode, but use it sparingly as it eats fuel cells like crazy."

Azrael: "Thank you, but how do you recharge fuel cells?"

Seb: "Exoskeletons and cyborgs have spines or spine-like structures on them that house the fuel cells, you can rip those out by cutting the victim open, grabbing the fuel cells and crushing them."

Azrael: "And cutting them open should be easier in Blade Mode, so it's like a infinite loop?"

Seb: "Ye, basic'ly."

Azrael: "Thank you, I will keep it in mind if I see a cyborg."

Seb: "Aye, now get in lads!"

Cerval: "Azrael, why is the sword... enhanced?"

Azrael: "I found it like this, guess someone else enhanced it and then gave it up or something."

Cerval: "Interesting..."

One drive later...

## 11:01 AM, Troll Co. HQ Front Entrance, Toronto, Canada.

The group is walking towards the Troll Co. HQ.

Vienna: "Rainy today huh..."

Seb: "Security on our 12."

Gre: "Are those... cyborgs?"

Seb: "Ye, military models, but they're seemingly only partial cyborgs."

Vienna: "I'll take them out."

Azrael: "I'm coming with you."

Seb: "Good luck, they don't seem too strong."

Vie and Az rush at the guards and take them out, extracting their spines for fuel cells.

Kaz: "They gottem."

Nitro: "Hold, there's a guy guarding the front, doesn't seem like he's a cyborg or a exo user either."

John: "Overconfident moron, get rid of him."

Nitro: "Bet."

Vienna: "Wait, I can take him."

Azrael: "WE can take him, I want to test this sword."

Carl: "commie"

Azrael: "Wha?"

Carl: "Nothing!...nothing..."

John clears his throat and approaches the guard.

John: "HEY JACKASS!"

The guard doesn't react.

John: "Is this fucking guy high or something? HEY ASSHOLE I'M TALKIN' TO YOU!"

Al: "Hey, ain'tcha Johnathan...Josh..Joe...John..?"

John: "yeahthisguyisfuckinghighintheclouds"

Al: "Wait FUCK I gotta kill you!"

Al runs towards John at superhuman speeds but is pulled towards Vienna using her sword's abilities to erase the space between her and Al.

Azrael: "I'll take him from here."

Azrael grabs Al by the mouth and starts burning him.

Al: "OWOWOW FUCK FUCK OW AAAAAH"

Al passes out from the smoke.

Azrael: "He'll get treatment for it."

Copper n' Co. walk into the HQ.

Right as the group walks into the building they start getting shot at by Troll Co. troops.

John: "Warm welcome much?!"

## 11:05 AM, Will's Office, Troll Co. HQ

William picks up the phone call.

Will: "William Ross-"

Bravo: "COPPER'S IN THE FUCKING BUILDING!!!"

Will: "JESUS CHRIST!"

Will immediately hangs up and starts ringing a number.

"You have reached the CSIS, how can I help yo-"

Will: "THE TROLL CO. HQ IS GETTING RAIDED BY ARMED SHOOTERS!"

"We will send agents and contractors right away, thank you for calling."

## 11:05 AM, CSIS (Canadian Security and Intelligence Service) HQ, Toronto, Canada.

Anna: "Lucy, Rose, Wendi!"

"What?"

Anna: "Corporate raid at the Troll Co. HQ!"

A woman with cybernetic legs stands up.

Lucy: "I'll call BL, you and Rose go to the HQ, Wendi you go take Trevor!"

The woman in a blue uniform nods and closes her visor.

Wendi: "As you wish, I'll need a minute to get him."

The Chinese assassin heads out of the room.

Lucy starts dialing a number.

"What do you want?"

Lucy: "Hey Legionnaire, we might need BL, panicked call from Troll Co. came in about a corporate raiding."

Legionnaire: "Got it."

## 11:07 AM, Bohemian Legion PMC Barracks, Toronto, Canada.

Legionnaire runs over to a catgirl with white hair who's seemingly taking a nap.

Legionnaire: "Inari, get the squad, we're going in hot."

Inari: "Finally, some action..."

Inari grabs her SCAR-H and loads a mag into it then pulls the charging handle.

Legionnaire runs to the armory and opens a duffel bag.

Legionnaire: "Medkits, C4, Shaped Charges, Breaching Charges, Blowtorch, Claymores, Frags, Flashes and a drill, I've got everything in."

Legionnaire grabs the bag and walks over to the weapons.

He grabs a modified F57 rifle and 7 5.56 mags, a 480 MCS Shotgun and 80 12 Gauge shells, a UP9 pistol and a lot of 9mm mags and lastly grabs a .50 AE mag and loads it into his Raven, them grabs the rest of the mags and heads out.

Legionnaire calls Inari.

Legionnaire: "You got a truck?"

Inari: "Yep."

Legionnaire: "Troops?"

Inari: "A good bunch."

Legionnaire: "And Aaron?"

Inari: "Annoying as ever."

Legionnaire: "Right, I'm coming over there."

One leisurely walk into the garage later...

## 11:10 AM, Bohemian Legion PMC Barracks Garage.

Legionnaire: "Everybody geared up?"

Inari: "Yeah, we all are."

Legionnaire: "Good, load your mags right now, but if you get a negligent discharge I'll kill you personally."

Inari: "ok grandpa."

Legionnaire: "I'm only in my 40s, I'm not that old."

Aaron: "Comms check, comms check, Legion you literally dyed your hair grey because it started slightly greying."

Legionnaire grabs his mic and grips it.

"shutthefuckupaaron"

...

Inari: "Are we even moving yet?"

Driver: "Yes we are, ETA 7 minutes."

Legionnaire: "Second truck is behind us... Inari, do you remember the target?"

Inari: "John K. Copper and his friends, I got the file."

Legionnaire: "Good, try to take him alive, if it doesn't work then kill him."

Legionnaire unholsters his Raven and cycles a round.

As he does this, a engraving on the pistol with the word "Leech" on it shines.

"We're going in, hard, deadly and fast."

END OF VOLUME 4.

## Notes:

This took like 3 months or smth lol, not as bad as Vol3 being 8 months. (+ This one's longer)

uhh lotta new chars and lore drops!!!

Vol5 will hopefully be more action-ey

Fun fact: Sam has Sub-Relativistic to Relativistic Combat and Reflex Speed. (Lol)