LOTM: Chaos Simmers: Lost Challengers Arc - Angel's Spear

 LOTM: Chaos Simmers

 Lost Challenger Arc 

 Episode 2 - Angel's Spear 

 NOTE: Under Construction/Unfinished 

Part 0
 Great Britain, New Earth 

 Angel's Spear Detainment Facility 

 Sector 6 



''Hitoma regained consciousness in a small, grey room some seven hours later. He was restrained along the length of an examination board, his arms and legs were fixed into place by metallic cuffs. Six metallic pincers bore down on his chest from either size, restricting his ability to breath. The sedatives began to die down, allowing the pain to settle in. Hitoma's eyes anxiously darted around the room. Taking it all in. ''

- Hitoma: Where...oh no. 

''He thrashed himself forward in an attempt to break through the straps' copper binding. The leashes only tightened around his wrists and ankles. An automated arm lowered from the ceiling, flaring a weak red light into his eyes. ''

- Hitoma: Please, god, no, no, no...

''The room's intercome speakers crackled to life. A monotoned voice spoke from the other side of the line. ''

- Intercome: '[Hello! Our staff welcomes you to the Angel's Spear Manchester Correctional Facility, the first step to your new life under the rule of our generous benefactors.}'

- Hitoma: GO TO HELL!

- Intercome: '[Whoa there! That is no way to speak to our treatment staff. Please remember to maintain a respectful tone at all times.]'

''The arm sank further down, now barely touching Hitoma's forehead as the cylinder forefront heated. The intensity of the burning began to melt a ring through his flesh. Blood, thick blood, seeped down his neck. ''

- Intercome: ['According to an anonymous report left by a good-natured citizen, we have reason to believe that you have engaged in acts of high treason against the Angel's Spear Organization. Such offenses include conspiracy, assault of state officials, compliance with the KnightWalker Family, harboring of a fugitive, defacement of federal property, and the intent to incite violence. You are here under the orders of the chancellor of the Angel's Spear legislation. Do you know who the chancellor is, Mr. Mujitsu?]'

- Hitoma: Yusha...B-bureau...

''The copper disk inflamed. Hitoma's hand began to tremble violently. As if flames were tearing into his skin. ''

- Hitoma: ...Hikari.

The unit retracted, leaving a burning halo stretched out across Hitoma's temple.

- Intercome: '[Very well, Hitoma! We are almost ready to proceed to the rehabilitation process. Now, which year was London liberated from the Minister's Party?]'

- Hitoma: Shit...

- Intercome: '[I'm sorry. You have failed to identify significant events in our nation's past and have therefore labeled an insurgent. Security measures will be taken immediately.]'

''A hole in the mechanism gave off an intense light. His eyes stared into the luminosity, vacantly. His thoughts began to wither away. Trapped inside the light.''

- Intercome: '[Do not threat. Our reconditioning staff assures you the procedure will b-b-be quick and paaaiiiiinleeeessss...] '(intercom cuts out)

''He came to his senses some four hours later. Dried blood was scattered across the examination desk. His neck was poorly stitched, with strands of flesh stretched out in every direction. His whole body felt numb.''

- Intercome: '[Good morning Mr. Mujitsu. Security provisions have been completed. Questioning will continue as planned.] '

It was at that moment that the facility doors shot open. A familiar face strode through. Wearing a smile that could conquer worlds.

- Hitoma: KARMA, YOU CUNT!

''- Karma: Don't fight it, Hitoma. And I mean it as a precaution. Any sudden movement could trigger the circuity in your neck. ''

- Hitoma: YOU PUT A BOMB IN ME?!

''- Karma: Jesus, stop yelling. You have to understand, security measures had to be taken. I can promise you my patrons mean nothing but the best.''

- Hitoma: Yeah, that's why I'm cuffed with A FUCKING HOLE IN MY HEAD!

''Karma encircled the examination bench, bringing his hands down onto the cold metal with force. Karma's eyes widened, looking for any signs of anticipation on Hitoma's face. Any at all. ''

''- Karma: As the director of the Angel's Spear Civil Protection Branch, I have been assigned to look over you and your...what do you call yourselves? "Truthbearers"? ''

''The straps loosened, giving Hitoma just barely enough space to move his hands. He felt the brass plate against his back begin to increase in temperature, as to keep him in constant discomfort. ''

- Karma'': Your actions against the state disappoint me. Deeply. But that's not why your here...''

A spotlight ignited, centered on an iron chair in the rooms far corner. Ko was strapped to it with four iron bars digging into his face.

- Karma: This is.

- Hitoma: Ko...

- Ko: D-daddy...

''Ko's eyes flashed to life. He saw his father, the burning mark on his forehead, and began to cry. Everything flooded out. Karma retrieved a packet of cigarettes from his pockets and lit one, offering Hitoma the other.''

''- Hitoma: HE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING! PLEASE!''

''The bars clasped to his face began to shake. Then, in a sudden jolt of motion, separated, tearing parts of Ko's face with them. All that remained was a husk of a corpse. ''

- Hitoma: I...I'M GONNA FUCKING KILL YOU FOR THIS!!

''To Karma's amusement, he attempted to rip through the canvas medical restraints. ''

''- Karma: Uh uh uh. ''

''He brought himself into the light, revealing a jet black remote in his left hand. His finger hovered over a single red trigger, temptingly. ''

''- Karma: Our proudest policy at the Civil Protection Branch is our ethical treatment of compliant citizens. ''

''His fingers inched closer. Hitoma could feel a blistering spasm erupt in his neck. Karma held back, allowing the apprehension sink in. It was more gratifying that way. For him, of course. ''

- Karma: You...Hitoma Mujitsu...are not a compliant citizen.

''Hitoma's head burst apart, occuring with a blinding flare and gore. Smoke surrounded his corpse. The scent of burning flesh was unbearable. Nearly unbearable. Karma dropped the remote and crushed the device with his foot, leaving the cross-examination chamber.''

- AS Guard: What the hell happened to you?

''Karma wiped the smeared blood off of his face with the back of his hand. ''

''- Karma: Our friend Mr. Mujitsu broke through his restraints and went for my neck. Of course, my handgun was still in my office drawer...''

- AS Guard: I understand, Mr. Akabane.

- ''Karma: Yes, yes...oh, and one more thing. There's something in the stockpile I would like to surv'''ey. '

-  Great Britain, New Earth 

 Angel's Spear Detainment Facility 

 Requisition Arcade 

''The aged, brass doors leading into the argosy swung open. Karma made his way down the decayed walkway, past the arsenal, past the "abortion" rooms. He fiddled with documents in his life hand. It was close - the second drawer down in the storehouse. He went into the storage shed mostly unnoticed apart from two guards making their routine patrol. Still, there were never enough insurances. ''

- Karma: Now...where could you be.

''Karma pushed through the brown drapes and hanging cloths until reaching the first ail. He opened the second sideboard down. A small, metal object fell into his palm. Hitoma's necklace.''

- ''Karma: We're not so different, you and I. Both hiding in our little coffins. Waiting. Hoping. ''

''He crushed the cold metal in his hands until he heard the iron exterior split open. Something else dropped to the floor.''

- Karma: Until the day we break free.

''Karma slipped the automatic piece into his black parka. The day could wait. As long as he had the Second Key in his possession, all was possible. ''

Part 1
 Senegal, New Earth  Dakar City

 Operation Phantasm

''Captain Kory stepped over the corpses of slaughtered civilians, keeping his eyes set on the impressive gathering of confiscated weapons and valuables, stockpiled just in front of the main camp. Much to his expectations, warfare had proven to be a profitable career. Not that he had any doubts, of course. Kory crushed his cigar in an ash tray, ''

- Kory: So this is today's line up, huh?

''- Officer: Yes, sir. As you can see, we faced some opposition on our march south. There was no other way to...''

Kory held up his free hand, silencing the officer.

''- Kory: No worries from me, officer. I think you handled it all rather nicely. ''

''The man nodded and handed Kory the payoffs of the week. Seventy thousand euros worth of personal effects had been annexed within the last five days. Kory inclined in approval, handing the documents back.''

- Kory: And what about our progression?

''- Officer: We've taken minimal casualties and reserves are scheduled to dock tomorrow. Stil, two villages remain free from outside control. I'd suggest we act before rebel activity spreads any further. ''

''- Kory: Relax. We have time Mr.... ''

He eyed the young man's cracked dog tag, barely holding on by a single chain.

''- Kory: ...Spencer Wisler. Primitives don't age any quicker than we do.''

''He reclined against the main gun of an A7V tank and lit a second tobacco roll. Another tree caught fire in the distances, besides a mountain of ignited corses. Kory didn't notice. Over time, things had began to blend in his mind, as it did with the other leading voices behind Operation Phantasm. Kory blew a ring of smoke, taking a painful exhale. Blood had begun to drip from his mouth. The officer took no notice, instead retrieving another fistful of papers.''

''- Officer: These are commission statements from London, sir. The ruling powers want a fifth of Senegalian oil rigs dismantled by the following month. ''

''- Kory: We won't disappoint. ''

''- Officer: There's more. The chancellor's advisory is appointing Koshikara to your position. ''

''- Kory: Koshikara my ass. ''

- Officer: I'm afraid it's not your decision, sir. 

''The officer handed Kory the letter, which he threw into the roaring grave fire, before fastening his arm around his collar. ''

''- Kory: You never received a commission statement. Is that clear?''

- Officer: Y-yes, sir.

''Kory loosened his hold of the man, dropping him onto the camp's dirt pavements. ''

''- Kory: Good boy. Now, regarding your suggestion...''

''The surrounding camp barracks erupted, followed by the sound of propellers. Kory took cover behind a ravaged tactical jeep and returned fire from his handgun. The shells barely dented the machines' heavy brass wings. Frantic shouting, screaming, followed after, with hammering gunfire in between. ''

- Kory: HOW DID THOSE FUCKING CHIMPS LEARN TO FLY?!

''- Officer: HOLD YOUR SHIT TOGETHER!! This isn't the end for us. They're targeting armed men. If we keep our heads down we could h-''

''Another rush of gunfire began to tear their cover apart. Officer Spencer, in a moment of desperation, crawled underneath the burning vehicle for shelter as the final line of dense collapsed. The strong gasoline aroma cut through his nostrils. Everything became overpowering. Spencer closed his eyes. He pulled a photo of his daughter close to his chest just as a bullet pierced through the machines fuel tank.''

- Officer: I love you Sarah.

''Kory, still on his hands and knees, pushed himself away from the wreckage. Gunfire continued between soldiers of the Angel's Spear and the aggressing Kebellie tribes. In the distance, he saw the remaining footsoldiers, packing together before taking their lives. ''

- Kapitan: ''Hou aan broers van die opstand. I see a live one.''

''A Kobellie of higher rank, speaking through a thick tactical helmet and visor, approached Kory's shelter with two mutinousts following after. Kory's hands lowered to his revolver. Somehow, he could feel three barrels trained in his direction and lost his grip of the pistol.''

''- Kobellie Grunt: Ay, domkop. You look at us when we're fucking talking to you! ''

''The grunt dragged Kory towards him by his vest, laughing and pressing his burning cigar into the man's perspiring forehead. ''

- Kobellie Officer: Do we waste him, kapitan?

''- Kapitan: Save your energy, beampte. I'll take care of it.''

''He flipped open a green switch-blade and lanced it across the soldier's neck before turning and rendering the second unconscious with the tail of his revolver. He removed his mask, revealing Musuoko's scarred, expressionless face underneath.''

''- Kory: Oh, thank god it's you. You know, for a second I thought I was really fu-...''

''Musuko plunged the blade into Kory's stomach, twisting it while blood streamed out of the latter's mouth and nostrils. He took a good look, studying all of the little emotions built into captain Kory's face, before pulling the blade out.''

- Musuko: Who else would it be?

- Kory: W-what...what...

''- Musuko: The world's changing. You should know that better than anyone else, captain. The way he hit you...it could've happened to anybody.''

- Kory: FUCK OFF!! The remnants of the grainery collapsed a few yards behind them, sending a new seethe of embers in their direction and allowing the African morning light to set in.

- ''Musuko: I saw you do it, too. Your old man's corpse was still propped up on the sofa when I arrived. And all I could think of at the moment was 'what kind of a little savage would do this?'. Then I met you. I saved you.''

''- Kory: Stop. Your cheap shit is boring me to death. Why are you really here?''

''- Musuko: Ah, yes. I almost forgot. ''

''With a single, powerful hand, Musuko tore off Kory's dog tag and held it high above the surrounding flames, allowing the heat to burn off the copper. A single, silicone logic circuit dropped into his hands. He held the fourth key tight, retrieving his rifle from the ground. ''

- Musuko: All those years of searching gone to waste.

''- Kory: Just take it! Take it all if you have to!''

- Musuko: Believe me Kory, just for once in your miserable life, when I say this:

''Kory closed his eyes and heard the weapon cock into place. ''

- Musuko: That is exactly what I intend to do...

''He pressed down on the trigger. A gunshot resounded across the African wasteland. Musuko slipped the key into his breast pocket and sat beside the captain's remains, watching the burning massacre below from the safety of the cliffside. His lips began to stretch into a smile. His men had just uncovered a shed filled with panicked civilians and had begun to line them up for slaughter. Perfect. More tallies to add to the count.''