Agitation drowned Lucaen as his access was denied by the security. A large translucent door covered the entrance of the building, blocking his pathway. It's a sight to behold, the respected descendant of the Anubis lineage-- locked out of his own workplace. A building where those with devoted loyalty to Elysium be of service.
Lucaen glanced at his HUD.
[0758]
The time glows bright gold, seemingly unaware of his own restlessness against it.
Another two minutes.. before my name is listed as late
His feet clicked on the marbled floor in a rhythm, an agitated rhythm. He is fully aware that the other Generals are in, already preparing their gear before the Optic issues them a task for the day.
Elysium ceased to know harmony as long as that gremlin still breathes. Lucaen grumbled. His white exosuit is the embodiment of clarity, yet he is void of it. Not often, but today.
As the clock in each HUD of synced Elysians hit [0800]. The door parted in the opposite direction smoothly with a hint of a polished click. It revealed an inspection drone, its carbon body glinted from the lighting inside of the building. It dimmed ever so slightly before the rays of the sun highlighted it.
The model, carved onto it, was 'IOD' in bright yellow. The IOD smoothly exited the door and turned to hover by it. A clear sign that the day had started.
His eyes darted from the drone to the door; he could have just stormed through the door. He is more than capable enough to do so, but before he could entertain the idea, his conscience won over with a stern remark.
How...undignified.
The idea of his breaking in was, in itself, distasteful. No doubt, such behavior is fit only for a mindless fool. His attention diverted back to the drone, waving his hand a little to get its attention.
"Pardon, I am Lucaen Theron. The Third Generation of the Theron-Anubis lineage."
"Request entry." The words immediately registered in the drone, clear and assertive. The interface of the IOD reflected what was said and concluded with a.. refusal.
[Access Denied]
Was seen in its interface. Lucaen was taken aback, obstructed by the situation he's in.
To be rejected..by an IOD no less..is dehumanizing.
He glanced at the interface with a shift of his eyes before looking to the side, as if it would change its mind. Such mechanics have no chain of thought to begin with. The time still glowing ever so brightly in his HUD, is slowly increasing his irritation.
[0805]
The more he notes it, the more he finds the time mocking him. Lucaen fixed his robe by his shoulder, prepared to ask for assistance from Caius. The only General in mind that would take this as seriously as he is.
He brought his wrist up, his metallic claws caressing a port by his left arm. The syncing port, or what shall be said the second most important system in an exosuit after the core. Responsible for syncing the rhythm of their own core to the very planet they operated on. Synchronization works like the branches of the tree, connecting them to the very roots of the planet. The sync also works in linking all of Elysians together. Makes it possible for Lucaen to send a message to anyone who had accepted his request.
While rejected sync would result in rhythm disruption. A brief moment of rhythmlessness will allow for the infectious virality of the enemy of the whole galaxy, the Helminths, to corrupt their system.
He let out a soft sigh, the air condensed around the muzzle of his jaw, testifying to the heat in him around the cool, sterile Elysium.
Anything but a late admittance..
As if the world could not be better, the IOD rammed its tiny carbon body right onto Lucaen's armored leg. Like that'd somehow fix anything. Yeah. Very helpful. Really. The impact did not budge Lucaen, only making him scowl as his head dropped low. His eyes slowly settled onto the now dented carbon,
"Listen, there is this glossy.., deafening General."
[Referring..]
The sudden change of the IOD in its interface made Lucaen cocked his head in curiosity. Perhaps if this drone could guess correctly, he would forgive this little machinery after all of its treachery towards him.
Surprisingly, it concluded with a soft ping.
[General Aurelius Everhart] continued with a hologram of the smug-looking guy in front of him. Any Elysians would have shrieked to have a hologram of Aurelius. Unfortunately, the sight of him only made Lucaen fisted harder. Small pieces of EXA metal echoed through the marbled floor as it fell.
"Correct, that obnoxious-" A low sigh mingled with the wind. A part of him wished that sigh reached Aurelius's ears. Let him know how a burden he is to him, no- to the whole institution.
[General Aurelius. Do Refer To Him With The Utmost Respect] The drone scolded. Oh, how Lucaen wished to make the drone the new material for the floor he is stepping on.
"Good riddance."
"Yes, General Aurelius holds my insignia. Contact him for me, will you?" Lucaen did not bother to shift his head as he looked down on the IOD, clearly getting late by this useless system. The time settled to a begrudging [0820], a constant, cruel reminder.
[Access-]
With a sudden shift, Lucaen felt an ominous presence moving at a rapid speed from above. His body instinctively tensed before dashing three feet apart from where he was looming over the IOD. Before it could finish its security process, the floor cracked under the sudden weight of this 6'2ft General with his grandeur introduction.
[Access Granted]
Finally, a sight that had Lucaen waiting for so long. The door slid open for him as it registered the insignia the presence brought. Revealing the interior of the HQ, bustling with many types of exos. Some were lounging in the resting area, while others were seen rushing to their destination within the HQ. Many departments laid on sight right behind the spacious reception desk that was located at the center of the HQ.
[Welcome, General Lucaen Theron]
[REPORT: A PRIORITIZED Mission Has Been Archived This Morning]
The report paradoxically went through Lucaen's head as the star of today's day finally decided to show up. In front of him, the so-called,
General Aurelius with a face of no remorse. Lucaen glanced at his kneeling form, the urge to grab and tear his wings was present. What a show off.
Before he could indulge in his fantasies, Aurelius' voice snapped him out of it.
"Morning, Luc."
"Up and early as usual, huh?" Aurelius stood from his landing, retracting his right hand that held Lucaen's insignia from the IOD. He patted his left knee, shoving some debris away to fall to where it originated.
His voice feels like it's grating my system.
The greetings were left unanswered as Lucaen rested his arm on Aurelius' shoulder from behind, "Are you not aware of the time right this instance?" His words were dripping with venom. If it were visible to the naked eye, perhaps Elysium would have been flooded with its toxicity. Aurelius, on the other hand, met his deadly gaze and boldly covered Lucaen's claw with a gleeful chuckle.
"Oh? Look at that. always the busy guy."
"Relax." He chimed.
"Give me back my insignia." Lucaen called out, tightening his hold.
Aurelius tilted his head at Lucaen's question. As if he were awestruck by the audacity. "Why would I?"
"It is mine, Aurelius."
"Because of you I am late. Look at the time, for once."
Aurelius redeemed himself, pushing Lucaen's hand away and mockingly raising his hands up. "Is it not your fault as well that you were careless with it?"
With that, Aurelius went into the building, towards the center hub followed closely by the ideal General Lucaen.
"The audacity of you to assume I was inattentive with it. You stole it from my desk, were you not?" Lucaen groaned, as their path was immediately met with General Nefertari's unapproving gaze as she was on her way to the Arsenal.
Lucaen bowed slightly as they passed her, her gaze alone was enough to make any synced cores to be self-aware. Would you look at that? Another half an hour and it would be the delightful 9 o'clock. If it were not for him being a General, today would have been the last time he saw the sun.
Aurelius shrugged at General Nefertari as their gaze met. "Well, it was in the second from the top drawer of your desk, to be exact."
"I regret inviting you into my sanctuary."
"Too late for that, Luc. You were so eager to show your new collection. Couldn't avoid that." Aurelius fisted Lucaen's chest slightly, the sound of Tungsten metal meeting EXA echoed through the place in the briefest moment. A mocking camaraderie.
They stopped two feet away from the Hub, an enormous piece of quartz with a live info board splayed out. Aurelius quickly wandered to his section. The general section, made for all four protectors of Elysium. To his surprise, his name was not listed as active, and neither was Lucaen. Their name lay in a discriminative grey.
[G. Aurelius Everhart//INACTIVE]
[G. Lucaen Theron//INACTIVE]
"This is weird." Aurelius pointed out while glancing at Lucaen. "Are you seeing this?" His name and Lucaen are almost unseeable.
Lucaen took a step back, analyzing it while he crossed his arms. "IOD acknowledged us. This should not have occurred."
[G. Nefertari//ASSIGNED//STATUS: ACTIVE]
[G. Aurelius Everhart//INACTIVE]
[G. Lucaen Theron//INACTIVE]
[G. Caius//INACTIVE]
"If I'm not mistaken, the IOD also mentioned something like a prioritized mission?" Aurelius glanced at Lucaen. Subtly demanding answers.
Lucaen averted his gaze to the right. Sensing the sudden shift, Aurelius followed his gaze. Everyone's names were listed, so this is very abnormal. Lucaen unknowingly held his breath, and Aurelius shut up as if they both had a silent agreement.
"Don't tell me-" Aurelius broke the silence with a gnawing look to Lucaen.
"A prioritized mission, what do you expect?" Lucaen hesitantly set his eyes on the jarring violet colored text to the farthest right. The usual golden text was immediately missed.
[EMERGENCE]
It was written by the far left section. A section where no one, even the Generals wanted their names there. Either a very hard mission to the point of no return, or a mission where the civilians of Elysium could not sleep at night restfully again. No in between.
Lo and behold, the day finally went to what Lucaen expected.
[EMERGENCE]
[G. Aurelius Everhart//ASSIGNED//STATUS: PENDING//PENDING]
[G. Lucaen Theron//ASSIGNED//STATUS: PENDING//PENDING]
[G. Caius//ASSIGNED//STATUS: IN PROGRESS// LIVE UPDATE>60% Completion]
A long, low whistle was blown by Aurelius, "Would you look at that? A partnered mission. Guess the Optic knew we were meant for each other." A rumbling laugh was heard right beside Lucaen as he tried to ease the tension.
Who in the Elysium sane mind nominated this guy worthy of admission as a General?
"It is an emergence mission, not a child's play."
"More so with you as a partner." Lucaen glared at Aurelius. A silent order to know when to joke and not to.
Aurelius waved a dismissive hand, "I knew it, something was prickling at my back."
"I thought it was your never-ending jealousy of my prowess, but guess I was wrong."
"Not funny." He had a deadpan look as he stared at Aurelius.
"Alright, party pooper. I'll be heading for the lab for a little bit, yeah?" As much as he was trying to hide his excitement, part of his core was warming up in a surge of adrenaline.
The HQ remained occupied as usual, its bustle drowned behind Lucaen, enhanced by Aurelius' departure. Gradually, his enormous wings with the glitter of gold merged amongst the crowd in front of him.
This day has been a tiring one, despite just starting the day. Something gnawed on the back of Lucaen's mind. Something, does not align, as if something is happening under the radar and his.
What could the emergence possibly be? The helminths?
That does not make absolute sense. Lucaen dismissed the thought, not breaking his gaze with the Hub. He strode amongst the crowd as they parted to the opulent staircase that destined his intention, his office. The pace of his legs quickened with no pressure valve to release his unease. Each step echoed behind him, declaring its metallic presence.
General Nefertari purged them just two days ago.
Another breach? Nonsense. Even if, that would explain why Caius is in emergence with his agile exo suited for breaking in.
The HQ was a rather comforting yet a strict place, its bitterly cold temperature a soothing balm to every exos. But that element failed to be implemented on Lucaen's weary self. Was he overthinking things? scared? There is a first time for everything after all.
A droplet of his restlessness fell a step behind him as he ended his movement. His office lay in front of him, everything as it is-- untouched, boring. He went in. A sensor logged as another IOD starts to operate the moment Lucaen went in.
[Good Morning, General Lucaen]
[An Unread Inbox Had Been Archived]
"Emergence was it?" He groaned, not bothering to look at the IOD as he went for the board in his office. The board displayed the active case of missions. Lucaen slowly followed his eyes from the farthest right then to the left.
A breach handled by Caius.. A passed Annihilation.
The IOD chimed,
[General Aurelius Status Updated]
The notification caused Lucaen to change his attention to the IOD, before hovering his index and middle finger over the board. "Give me a moment." The tech reflected golden on his exo.
He closed all of the cases that was presented. Hovering over an interface that recorded the Emergence cases. The file flickers slightly under Lucaen's presence, unlocking it with a touch.
The board instantly filled with a graph of the case reported. Yet with the emergence, the room reflected violet throughout the room. The office was loud with the hums of machinery meeting the silence of Lucaen's thought.
The case rate had increased 10.5-fold week-over-week, from 1 case per 7 days to a projected 10.5 cases per week based on the recent 2-day surge of 3 cases.
[Current Week Case of Emergence]
[//ASSASINATION//G. Aurelius/G. Lucaen//PENDING]
[//BREACH//G. Caius//COMPLETED]
[//ANNIHILATION//G. Nefertari//COMPLETED]
[//ANNIHILATION//G. Nefertari//COMPLETED]
[//EXTRACTION//G. Aurelius//COMPLETED]
[//BREACH//G. Caius//COMPLETED]
[End of Report---]
[Last Week's Case of Emergence]
[//SABOTAGE//G. Aurelius//COMPLETED]
[End of Report---]
These are the emergence cases we are dealing with, not basic missions.
Lucaen hesitantly took a step back, the revelation in front of him did nothing to ease his restlessness. Only feeding it. He searched for the IOD, looking for the drone amidst the furniture of his office. When his sight landed on it, Lucaen confirmed with a flick of his wrist, closing his board.
"Accept it."
The IOD turned to face Lucaen as it proceeded with the permission.
[Updating Status]
[G. Lucaen Theron//ASSIGNED//STATUS: IN PROGRESS//IN PROGRESS]
[Details of the Mission Will Be Transferred Shortly]