Chapter 26: The Rescue Mission
Emerson's Point of View
Standing amidst his room, Emerson was still reeling from the visual oracle map and the symbol Leghorn had shown him. The weight of Terrchel's capture at Cygnus Industries pressed heavily on his mind. His voice took on a persuasive tone, his words weaving a convincing argument to Leghorn. "We can't risk taking the jetpacks or Heelys. We'd be spotted in an instant, and once arriving at the destination to rescue Terrchel, who says we won't be walking into an ambush? The streets of Arcadia are abandoned at night, which is perfect for us to get by with a vehicle."
Leghorn, ever the pragmatic celestial, frowned. "Yes, but nobody uses vehicles anymore, and we need to keep a low profile, stay on land, and avoid tracking."
Emerson shook his head. "We'll take the vehicle, drive to the coordinates, and scope out the area on foot. It's the safest way to get to Terrchel without announcing our presence to whoever might be waiting, but with jetpacks, we'll be seen from far and wide."
Emerson strode out of the room and led Leghorn to the lair where the pillagers kept all their collectibles. Leghorn's eyes widened in amazement at the crisp state of the vehicles they had captured and maintained on base. He instantly ran to touch a sleek, black Velox vehicle. "Not a speck of dust was in sight!" he stated, impressed. "I could eat off the roof of it." Emerson laughed at Leghorn's uncharacteristic enthusiasm.
Leghorn's eyes gleamed with a mixture of longing and hesitation as he gazed at the Velox, his voice barely above a whisper. "However, there remains one issue – gaining access. I still believe it may not be prudent, but I would be eager to try it out. How did your team of pillagers manage to acquire this?".
Emerson's expression turned thoughtful, his mind racing with possibilities to gain access. "They have their ways," he said. "I have an idea," he continued, a slow smile spreading across his face. "How about we take a few others with us and head out to the teleport station? From there, we can drop in first without expectancy thereof, and the rest can journey out with the Velox." Leghorn's eyes grew wide with excitement. "Excellent thinking! If we teleport straight into the building, we won't have to worry about access. They won't see us coming at all."
Emerson nodded. "That way, we won't all arrive at once, and we can avoid leaving the vehicle in The New Arcadia streets." His tone turned serious, his eyes locking onto Leghorn's. "It's not optional, Leghorn. If the Arcadian Patrol Robots or Arcadian Patrol spots the Velox, they'll stop at nothing to make it disappear – even if that means those in it disappear with it." With a deep breath, Leghorn nodded in agreement.
Just as they planned to set out, they were interrupted. Meraki stood nearby and overheard their conversation. In her mind, she thought, 'I really need to hop on this Terrchel rescue mission, especially since Meriella is off playing superhero alone!' She chose to emerge from behind a curtain, exclaiming, "I CAN HELP!" with a bright and enthusiastic expression. Leghorn and Emerson tilted their heads towards Meraki, both perplexed about her sudden appearance, yet hesitantly in agreement, knowing they had agreed prior to allow others to tag along.
"One rule, you need to bring a friend," Emerson stated.
"A useful being, not baggage," Leghorn added, a hint of his usual sharp wit.
Meraki nodded with enthusiasm, ran towards the Velox and hopped in the passenger seat. Emerson took a cigarette out, placed it behind his ear, and got in the driver's seat, while Leghorn took the backseat.
"I will certainly not be sitting backseat next trip. You ought to treat your elders with more respect," Leghorn grumbled, adjusting himself.
"Sure, Leggie, you can sit passenger next ride," Meraki chirped.
"Asking an elderly to drive would be even more disrespectful, so sit back and enjoy the ride," Emerson joked, already starting the engine.
Emerson revved up the engine and reversed out of the collectible area through a makeshift garage doorway that led straight out into the darkness of The Undergrid. "Leggie," Emerson said mockingly, catching Leghorn's eye in the rearview mirror, sheer annoyance visible on the celestial's face. "Could you kindly do us the honor and connect the coordinates you've received to the Velox?". Leghorn hurried to do as instructed, uploading the coordinates that General Leghorn had sent.
The desolate landscape loomed before them, a ghost town shrouded in shadows, its empty streets and crumbling buildings a haunting reminder of the dangers that lay ahead.
"So where are we heading?" Meraki asked.
"I assumed you eavesdropped at the details prior to volunteering to come along," Leghorn replied dryly.
"Ahahah, you guys know me, always ready to take on missions," Meraki laughed, undeterred.
"It is certain that this is unrelated to Terrchel," Leghorn stated, sarcasm dripping from his voice.
"Meraki and Terrchel? I'm afraid to inform you this, but I believe he may not find you to be his type," Emerson interjected, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.
"And you would know what Terrchel's type is?" Meraki challenged. Emerson took his eyes off the road for a few seconds, giving her a smoldering, all-knowing glance before returning his focus to the path ahead.
"What exactly will you be contributing to the mission ahead?" Emerson asked, redirecting her.
"Well, where are we going?" Meraki replied.
"Search Cygnus Industries and Echo Enterprises. Read up on them. We're heading to a factory far out in Arcadian City; it's an isolated area said to be very dangerous," Emerson instructed.
Meraki pulled up her tech, and after some flicking of buttons, a mini holographic version of Meraki appeared in the palm of her hand. The mini-hologram informed Meraki about the latest news regarding her questions:
In the shadows of Arcadia's gleaming skyscrapers, Cygnus Industries, a private artificial intelligence factory, had long been a hub of innovation and secrecy, since Founded by the enigmatic and reclusive billionaire, Cassius Blackwood inspired by the Arcadian star scientist late Arnold Maximus. Cygnus had been pushing the boundaries of AI research since. Their latest announcement, sent the city abuzz with speculation. Cygnus is collaborating with Echo Enterprises, with support of President Lawrence, who had just introduced a revolutionary new app to all Arcadian's, "Echo". This virtual dating platform allows Arcadians to engage in intimate, immersive relationships with AI partners, complete with virtual gifts, travel, and even children. The possibilities were endless, and the people of Arcadia are fascinated by the prospect. Now, with the two powerhouses joining forces, the city waited with bated breath for the unveiling of their mysterious new project, rumored to be just days away. What could these two giants of innovation be cooking up in their labs? Only time would tell, but one thing was certain - the future of Arcadia was about to change forever.
"Is that a new personalized feature in your tech gear, a mini version of yourself?" Leghorn asked, his eyebrow raised in curiosity.
"Yaa, it's like only the BEST. I prefer keeping updated," Meraki replied happily.
"Sometimes I wonder why you're in the Undergrid, instead of just living in the New City," Emerson commented, a nonchalant shrug.
"Just because I like the tech doesn't mean I stand by the way those people behave and all the rules. They take things too far," Meraki defended, a hint of frustration in her voice.
"You guys' focus is misplaced; don't get distracted! The nerve of this Cygnus claiming to be inspired by my father's work," Emerson scoffed, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. "My father was an asshole; he never took care of me, but he cared about making innovations that helped improve things and people's lives in an inclusive way. This Echo campaign is doing the opposite. If anything, it's encouraging division. If this continues, the population will die out as nobody would want human partners."
"It appears that their objective is to bring this fantasy to fruition, and Cygnus Industries will assist them in achieving that," Leghorn observed, his gaze fixed on the road ahead.
"But what does any of this have to do with Terrchel, why is he being held there? How do you even know he's being held there?" Meraki asked, her voice laced with confusion.
"I sent Terrchel to check out what's happening in Arcadia before his training starts, but it looks like he wandered off too far," Emerson admitted.
"I know he's being held because his Swatch location hasn't moved for almost 24 hours, and a man with his speed doesn't stay put," Leghorn explained.
"Meraki, now that you know what we're up against, do you have any friends that can be of assistance?" Emerson asked.
"Hmmmm, well, I do know one guy; his name is Bucky. He usually stays at the Arcadian one-stay hotel, which is en route to our location. Just take a right up ahead, but beware, he usually reeks of stale pizza," Meraki said, grimacing slightly.
"Oh, great," Emerson mumbled, a hint of distaste in his voice.
Meraki leaned over and pushed play on the radio. The vehicle was immediately filled with the raw, untamed energy of a rock song, the heavy guitar riffs and pounding drums a stark contrast to the quiet streets. "3:18 ━━━━⊚──── 4:00 ⇌ ♡ ≡ ◁ Ⅱ ▷ ⟲."
"What is this? Rock or pop? I'm confused," Leghorn asked, his head cocked.
"It's something that should be turned up louder," Emerson replied, his foot tapping to the beat. They played the music loudly while driving beneath the night sky, their hair flowing in the breeze as they made their way to the back entrance of the Arcadia One Stay Hotel.
As they pulled into the hotel's back alley, the music's volume dwindled, and Meraki sprang out of the Velox, disappearing into the hotel's rear entrance. Leghorn raised an eyebrow, his voice low and curious. "What do you suppose this kid we're stopping to get will be of use to us?"
Emerson's shoulders rose in a nonchalant shrug. "Who knows? Rather be prepared than not. If Meraki says he's of assistance, then I believe her." He continued, "She might be self-inclusive, but she's one of the best at the hideout. She knows what she's doing." Just then, Meraki reemerged through the back door, accompanied by a laid-back figure clad in a faded tie-dye shirt, ripped jeans, and scuffed-up sneakers. His movements were deliberate and slow, as if he was navigating a reality that was constantly shifting and morphing around him. Leghorn's gaze followed the newcomer's approach, his tone laced with amusement. "Great, it's the slowest ninja turtle alive." The newcomer's unruly mane of curly brown hair cascaded down his forehead in a tangled, wispy mess, framing a face adorned with a scruffy beard and mustache. Flecks of copper and blonde danced through his whiskers, lending him a rugged, outdoorsy air.
Emerson's voice cut through the air, his words laced with a sense of urgency. "Remember, the goal is to enter, get Terrchel, and leave. If you can gather any intel that will aid in deciphering the scrolls, do so discreetly."
Bucky's eyes sparkled with amusement, his chuckle low and rumbling. "Hahah, what's so important about this Terrchel dude, anyway?" Emerson's gaze flicked to Leghorn, his expression deadpan. "Apparently, he's the key to saving Arcadia."
Leghorn's eyes narrowed, his voice a warning. "Bucky, right? Don't screw this up with your slow-mo movements. We only have one chance to ace this thing."