▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓『ＣＨＡＰＴＥＲ 6』▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓▓
W A R N I N G
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-8 years later-
Dodging bullets was a breeze. I felt the wind rush between the metal on my body and the air as the bullets zoomed past me. "Gotta do better then that!" I yelled as I started to use my magic. A holographic, magical horn formed on my head as symbols and rings surrounded my body. I watched as each ring slammed itself on the ground, surrounding one or several sentries with the symbols doing the same. I roared and the rings did their glorious work, blowing each sentry up.
Sounds of metal pieces rattling on the floor was music to my ears. Dozens and dozens of sentries...destroyed! Broken to pieces! All at once. By yours truly,
Makoce Asidian.
The by-passers and audience clapped and cheered as I dusted off the scrap metal on my body. My job was easy. Kill anything and anyone that goes against our species. I have never failed a mission, and failing isn't a word in my book.
For weeks, I've been going on missions almost daily. Sometimes even twice a day. The Aliens has once thrived against us but now their numbers have dropped drastically. Of course, that's all my doing.
I bowed down a little and stood up. The loud sound of the bell meant that my training had ended but I had barely broken a sweat. Just as I was about to head out the door and to my room to rest, I spotted Lysander leaning against the frame of the entrance, smiling.
"Great work out there, Mako. You truly are a prize." He purred, swishing his tail back and forth in pleasure. "Thanks. That was nothing, though. Give me a real challenge and I might just impress everyone enough for them to vote me as chief." I teased, opening my jaw and sending a soft shock to Lysander. He hissed in pain and growled.
"Remember who you're talking to." He snarled in aggression, putting on his serious face and tone again. I huffed and lifted my head, rolling my eyes. "Yeah yeah, old man. I bet you can't even dodge two bullets." I mocked. I could feel Lysander feeling tense and angry. "You want a challenge? I'll give you one, boy." He yelled as he used his thick, powerful tail to slam me back into the arena. I was a little dazed from that hit but I got back on my feet rather quickly. The crowd watched in surprise to see Lysander on the field. Many started to gather and I felt a little pressurized.
"Wouldn't want to lose right now, Makoce. Your reputation might get soiled." Lysander spat as he paced in front of me. I gulped as I watched more people pour into the stands to watch this battle. I shook my head and stretched my claws out. "I accept your challenge, Lysander." I spat back in response, following in his moves. "You're cute." Lysander replied in a sarcastic tone as he lunged at me. I expected it, honestly, and dodged it, but what I didn't expect a tail slam straight in my face as I turned to attack him. I groaned as I stood up. My visor glitched for a little but even so, I successfully lunged myself at Lysander and made pretty nasty cuts on his arm. Now I've really awakened the beast.
We went back and forth lunging at, dodging and ramming into each other. Both Lysander and I had our different advantages and disadvantages. I was the more quiet, ninja that was quick on his feet but I wasn't the strongest person out there. Lysander focused more on strength, brutality, force and defense but in return, he's very slow-moving and non-agile. Our differences contrasted well in the battlefield and both of us were strong in our own sense and fields.
"Better catch up to me, old man! Oh wait, don't. You might break your back!" I laughed as I circled and dodged all his attacks. The more I mocked and joked, the angrier he got. This was one of his downfalls. Lysander tends to lose his temper easily and as a result, he loses focus on dodging, enabling me to go in for the kill. Just as I thought I had him, I activated my magic and the rings and symbols appeared. The rings repeatedly tried to get a hold of Lysander but he kept dodging. I got pretty upset at this and kept my focus on him and him alone, no longer trying to impress the crowd. I didn't want to embarrass myself in front of practically my whole species, but that saying was short lived as Lysander jumped over my head. Without thinking, I slammed the ring down while he jumped. Somehow, I missed and...the ring surrounded me and symbols appeared shortly after. Lysander panted as he looked back at the horror on my face. "Not so cocky now, huh?" Lysander stuttered in a tired tone. I felt the rings activate automatically as they did their job.
Oh god.
I sat in the infirmary, my body burnt to a crisp. I grumbled and groaned as I heard mumbles and whispers of the battle and how I lost miserably. I was laying on a metal table as the scientists worked on getting me new plated armor for the next mission. They were gonna update me anyway so they didn’t mind my old armor literally in pieces.
Lysander was at the seating area, surrounded by fans. My fans. I growled loudly at them to get their attention. That sure did it as they shuffled away in fear. Lysander looked over at me and made the most mocking smirk I've ever seen anyone make. "What? Jealous of me, Mako?" He snickered and walked over to me. I wish I could move to punch his face but the scientists had strapped me down onto this stupid table.
"I still can't believe that you used my own magic against me." I muttered out angrily. "Who asked you to not think ahead of time?" Lysander asked, sitting down in front of me. "Don't pour salt in the wound." I groaned out in pain as I felt the new parts being drilled onto me. "You're the one that started it." Lysander huffed. I shook my head and rolled my eyes, looking away from the man. He scoffed and told something to a scientist and then walked out.
Hours pass and I'm finally let out of the lab. I was sent straight into my room to rest and I was told that I'd have to wait till’ tomorrow to test out my sweet new armor and weapons. Resting myself against the soft fabric, I felt at ease as my body relaxed in the cold atmosphere of the room. I laid motionless there for a bit, appreciating the calming feeling, until I got up when I heard a noise. My room was decked out and sound proofed to the maximum. Hearing a sound, especially if it sounded like it was from outside, was highly concerning. I looked around and scanned the room with my visor. Nothing seemed off. The noises just kept going and now it sounded more like distorted speech than just things being toppled over.
“Whose there? Show yourself...” I snarled, clawing the floor and activating my shoulder turrets. Suddenly, the wicked and husky-toned voice went static and soon enough, was gone...
I waited for a little longer in the silence, looking around and turning my head at the slightest breeze. I deactivated my turrets when I concluded the coast was clear. “Tch...must’ve scared them off.” I scoffed and made my way back to my bed to rest.
____
For the next weeks or so, this went on, and boy was I annoyed. The noise just kept coming back and I came to the point where I called security for help. They too heard the static and noises but couldn’t find who was the source. Lysander, of course, knew about this too and was concerned for me. Who knows, it might be an Alien somehow hacking into the system. Others in the area were equally as scared with this news, but Lysander told them to stand tall and brave so that the enemy wouldn’t get to their heads. Even with the scary mystery at hand, I continued my duties as usual...though...something felt off. Not only I was thinking more in battle, I kept seeing a shadowy, ghostly figure in the corner of my eye as I dodged attacks or did the attacking. This lead to some mishaps in the fights and people made clear notice of that. Some questioned while others talked behind my back. ‘Was I getting worse?’ I thought, running a paw through my tail as I sat in the training facility, resting. ‘No.’ I replied to myself, shaking my head. “I should probably get my head checked out. The hit from Lysander’s tail probably distorted it.” I said out loud. Of course, I meant to say it to just myself but it so happened that Holstein came up to check on me.
“Heard about the issue. You mentioned that you wanted your head checked out? Well that’s exactly why I came here.” He said. I stared at him and looked around and back at him. “How long have you been in here?” I asked, confused on how he could sneak up on me like that. Usually I’d be able to sense people that are nearby. Holstein only shrugged. “I’m always here...I take care of the lab...all of the time. I thought you knew but then again, you’re always so cooped up on training you barely realize that there’s a crowd.” He laughed and smiled sweetly. “Come alone now, Mako. They’re waiting for you.” Holstein said as he walked off ahead of me. I only followed after I had finished cleaning myself off.
Each test was a fail. They couldn’t find what was wrong with me. I kept insisting that it was a mechanical failure but everything seemed to be fine. “There’s nothing else we can do, Makoce.” Rochelle sighed in frustration as she crossed out the last test option. I sat up and huffed. “Then I have to live and battle with this ghost distorting my visor?!” I snapped, snarling at the sleek, stern scientist. She didn’t even flinch or move a muscle. “What else do you recommend then, Makoce?” Rochelle replied, breathing out a hint of sarcasm. I rolled my eyes at her and shook my head. “Calm down kid. We’re trying whatever we can do.” Skylar scoffed as she walked past both Rochelle and I with a bunch of devices and gadgets on her back. “I have a meeting soon and I’m going on a mission first thing tomorrow. I can’t battle like this.” I growled as I stood up and started to pace the room in an impatient manner.
“Perhaps the issue isn’t your visor but in the area?” Holstein asked. Rochelle, Skylar and I all paused and looked at each other in confusion. “That’s ridiculous.” I replied hastily. “For once, I agree with the boy.” Rochelle continued. “Aren’t ghosts an Alien legend?” Skylar asked, tilting her head to the side. “...Moving on...” Holstein mumbled and looked away with his ears folded back and head lowered. The three scientists were all probably tired of me for different reasons but I had good reason to be worried. This small issue could snowball into a bigger one.
—
The meeting went on as usual but my problem still remained. I was disturbed the whole duration of the discussion until Lysander turned to me and coughed. “Huh?” I muttered, snapping out of my short daze. “As I was saying...” Lysander looked away and to the others. I stretched my body as I perked my head up to listen to Lysander. “The drones found out where the Aliens hid all sorts of drafts and sketches of their weaponry. Once we get a hold of that information, our understanding of their attack plans will pillar to greater heights, enabling us to easily avoid whatever they throw at us.” Lysander finished. “Makoce will be joining all of you today. He will lead the team and ensure everyone makes it out alive. I expect full respect and trust on Makoce.” Lysander snarled before stepping aside for me to take control of the meeting. I stood up and looked around. There I saw familiar faces. Kareen, Shay, Bryce, Thresh....I was glad to know that some trustworthy friends of mine will be joining me in this mission.
“Thank you, Lysander. The mission should be simple and easy. There aren’t any security cameras or heavily guarded doors in that area. Even so, I have studied the base from top to bottom with great precision and I have made many strategies and plans on how to get in and get out without any sort of complications.” I spoke up. The people in the room clapped and talked for a little until I heard one voice stand out from the others.
“Don’t speak so formally, Mak. Might hurt yourself by using your whole vocabulary in one passage.” A man mocked in a snarky tone. turned my head to look at the person and it turns out that the words came out from none other than Xavier Syullivan. Lysander’s son.
“Be respectful, Xavier.” Lysander hissed in an annoyed tone. Xavier rolled his eyes and leaned against the table with his head resting on the sole of his front paw. Xavier was my friend, yeah, but he loved to embarrass and mock me in front of several people at once. He had a sleek body type with sharp features, rather tall too. His fur was darkish-grey with orange and blue as the contrasting colors. Xavier is considered handsome but he was the type of guy that didn’t take things very seriously. He’s a fun guy to hang around but not so much to fight with. I sighed and continued with my speech.
—
The mission was a go at the crack of dawn. My team and I rode in an aircraft for most of the journey and went on foot for the remaining.
A large tree-like structure stood tall and proud in the middle of the forest. Said tree was the base and we crawled nearer to it, keeping our cover by crouching behind or inside bushes nearby. Our mission was to retrieve data without being noticed so attacking the guards wouldn’t be ideal. Speak of the devil, Xavier leaped out to the guards guarding the front door, giving himself away. I shook my head and changed the plans. We were going to have to eliminate them instead.
More guards came rushing in when they heard shrieking and yelling. Everyone in the team was decently trained and could hold themselves off. I gestured them to cover for me as I ran inside to get the data. Oddly, none came after me.
The hallway was quite dimly lit. I wandered the hallways in a fast pace so I could return to help my team. I turned a sharp corner but I instantly stopped in my tracks and stood still like a stone.
There, at the end of the dark hallway was the same ghostly figure that has been around me for months. It was distorted and kept fading in and out. Not only did I sense it, but probably hundreds of others just like it as well in the area. I wanted to move, but I couldn’t when I stared right into its lifeless eyes. It had me locked onto it and I tried to break free when I realized that my energy belt was being unbuckled and slipped off. Without my belt, my Cyborg parts didn’t have energy to move and soon enough, I fell to the floor with my mechanical parts shutting down. My mind wasn’t connected to it though, so I could think, sense and hear still. What I couldn’t do was see, move, use most of my body and contact headquarters to send a distress call. I heard my team’s voices going down one by one and I flinched at every cry and yell of pain that came out from them.
—
Makoce felt a strange aura surround his body and he was knocked out in the blink of an eye.
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