That was a neat file, too neat if you ask me. I had to fight the urge to burst out laughing, because seeing Teluna standing at attention was so comical my urge to tease him was almost unbearable. But the look in his eyes spoke volumes of what he had planned; should I decide to break our temporary truce. So I rather not open that can of worms, I was a leader right now, and I had to show the proper etiquette in front of my soldiers.
The specialized squad including me, and the surprising inclusion of Xaseah, amounted to sixteen vampires. We were in a secure room in the precinct, and I was about to brief them on the mission, that and also the fact that Malek was about to hold an exhibition. Kodak looked completely out of place, I've never seen him in a crowd, but I felt this was something he needed to get used too.
Of all the original vampires I unsealed and that have fought by my side, Kodak was the most suited for leadership. He had a heart that was at home taking care of people, and he was loyal to a fault.
That was why I had plans for him to take over this squad once I'm done with it. He's compassion makes him the kind of person who wouldn't be ruthless on the battlefield, because this was not an extermination, but rather a subjugation. It was easy to trust Kodak, he just had that sort of aura.
Gus was not here, that much was understandable, since I found out the kid was undergoing training to become a super spy. I hoped he was okay, even though super spy training sounded exciting, I couldn't even begin to imagine the price he has to pay for it. From the look of things, it seems everyone was here and present. It was time to get this show on the road.
"I'm sure most if not all of you, have an idea why you've been chosen, and are here with me today. So due to that I wouldn't beat around the bush and get straight to the point. We're taking the blue district...….completely. For thousands of years, leadership of the blue district has been shared between the grand elder, and the various coven leaders and gang lords that have called this veritable slum a home. But there's a new lion in the jungle and he doesn't share.
Our first target goes by the name of Quoranis Orates. He's one of the bad ones, and seemed to have a history with trafficking vampire kids. He's had dealings with the guards and currently runs an underground fight club right here in the blue district, and his fighters are children...vampire children."
There was a horrified silence almost immediately. I could see the looks on their faces, and it was exactly just like mine when Farina brought this to me. But even then, Quoranis was one of the lesser twisted bastards in the pit. But amongst the numerous gang lords, and coven leaders, the fact that he was a vampire made his sin a million times more heavy. Looks of outrage and anger suffused their faces, so much so that I could feel the energy born from their rage, it was a bloodlust so thick I could actually see it if I strained my eyes a bit.
"Our mission is to capture him alive for a trial and completely cripple his operation. He has valuable information on other high value targets, and when he's done serving his purpose he would be put on trial and sentenced. But even then, we're going in with extreme prejudice and attacking with the intention to do great harm if not kill. Break arms and legs, and if you have no choice take heads too.
But be warned, Quoranis and his rabble of vampires which number at about three dozen vampires have all been unsealed. They where one of the first people in the blue district to purchase the array that partially removes their seals, which means they've had time to get used to their abilities. This won't be a sweep, it's going to be a rather tough fight considering they have an elder within their ranks. So bring you're A game."
"Lord Kael the children being used as fighters, where are they from? Even if they're vampires, the absence of children would have been noted, if not by anyone, but by their parents."
A vampire asked from behind.
I nodded my head to show that I welcomed the questions, before answering.
"From what I've found out, 90% of the children in his fight club are orphans. And in a place like the pit, vampire children are orphaned everyday. And since those kids are orphans, it becomes really hard for anyone to pay attention to them in the absence of their parents, seeing as life is rather hard for many, and it's rare for other vampires to take in the extra mouth to feed." I explained. But someone else asked a question almost immediately.
"If we do save the children, then what happens to them.?"
After that question was asked there was a wave of murmurings and whispers going through the vampires standing in formation in front of me. This question seems to be something they all wanted to have answered.
What exactly would I be doing with the children once they're saved, because even though I've proved myself and given quite a few of them a better life, I also did it in return for their loyalty.
Would I help without wanting anything in return? Even if they're just kids. After all taking them in and nurturing them, means I have access to soldiers, and there would be nobody to stand up for them, not against someone with power like mine.
"I understand your fears, and your worries. But I have a plan set aside for them. Once the children are saved, they would be brought back here and placed in an orphanage run by the school. They would be fed, clothed, and I'll personally unseal each and everyone of them, the moment they get here, no strings attached.
These kids have had a rather hard life, they deserve to be free, in every sense of the world, and I'm not going to free them from one cage only to put them in another. If they do choose to serve, it would be their choice. Right now what they need the most is a home, not an army camp. Any more questions."
There were none. I knew or at the very least had a perception of what everyone thought of me. Even though the vampires still had their instinctual characteristics of responding to power, they've had thousands of years to change and become more humane.
And with everything they've gone through, that humanity has made them very distrustful of anything new, or someone who's not had the chance to properly prove himself. They were prepared to serve, and follow me, because this was a part to their freedom.
But what I really want is for them to love me, and all of their own volition. That was why I was going after the bad eggs of the blue district first, so that when I start annexing the good eggs, no one would think I was a crafty fox.
Malek came up to the stage immediately, and hobbling behind him was Nisi in a bright green dress and a bright smile on her face. I've not seen the gnome in a while, but it seems she's now the assistant to the minister of development and research. Good for her.
And from the look of things, she was really happy about her job. Right behind, a small troop of garden gnomes followed, with each of them holding a transparent cylinder about seven inches long and five wide. There was a silvery white liquid in it, that sparkled whenever light was reflected off it. Malek gave me a deep bow, looking really elegant in the process.
He even combed his hair, trimmed his beard, and wore clean clothes other than a lab coat. Then he went into the crowd and pulled Teluna and Kodak out by their hands, placing them on the stage facing the others. And then he began.
"BEHOLD! A magnificent breakthrough in the world of science and magic. Right here in the gloomy atmosphere of terror, pain and suffering, we! The vampires have made a comeback to the world! And we have made an innovation in the world or armor forging, and have created the ultimate armor. The ultimate piece of equipment, one that with time will have the capabilities to withstand the power of a dying star. I give you the [Vampiric Assimilation Power Origin Reactor] also known as the V.A.P.O.R armor."
Then he proceeded to carry two of the cylinders, and unceremoniously smashed it over the head of Teluna and Kodak, spilling the entire contents of the cylinders on their heads.
Everyone of us watched in abject fascination as the liquid sank into their bodies, in the same manner water would sink back into the earth. Teluna and Kodak suddenly bent backwards facing the roof as they screamed themselves hoarse. And then Malek continued speaking.
"the V.A.P.O.R armor is made from an amalgamation of trillions of nanites, and each of these nanites are adaptive to weather, atmosphere, magic, blood and even power.
And most importantly they respond to the thoughts of the wearer, and are capable of taking a form unique to the personality of the user. In theory it's also possible for the armor to develop new forms the stronger the user becomes, or if he or she is under great emotional duress.
Like I said it's adaptive to it's environment, able to help it's user survive in places of extreme heat and cold, though I urge you not to jump into a volcano, or a cold star. They also help a person breath underwater, fly at high altitudes and not worry about lack of oxygen.
Once the armor is deployed it's capable of increasing physical attributes like speed, strength and agility by a factor of 2, and as armor and host get more familiar with each other, it could theoretically increase it to a factor of 10. Spells, skills, and abilities are also enhanced to varying degrees. I can't give an estimate since we're still testing it, but I assure you all it's safe. Finally like I said the armor grows stronger with you, but I made it possible that with the help of me and the team responsible for it's creation, you can program future updates into the armor, which means you can add rockets, weapons, wings, etc. But it's going to cost you a pretty penny.
With mythril and orichalum, along with gold and iron ores being minted into money, our economy is beginning to take shape and we've been able to make contact with the white district for trade. So make money, bring it to me 'Kuku kuku', and I'll make your armor stronger!"
BOOM!
There was a loud explosion as an invisible ripple of energy pushed everyone off the stage. Then we all watched as the armor began to take shape over the body of Kodak and Teluna, starting from the sole of the feet's, and crawling up to the crown of their heads.
And during the entire process, invisible ripples of energy kept getting released as if to protect them during their transformation. But their transformation wasn't long, it took five seconds, and immediately after the whole room went silent.
"I don't know about you, but please get me one of those!"
someone screamed from the crowd before they completely disregarded military protocol and crowded around Teluna and Kodak. Then Malek continued speaking.
"The transformation time is a little long now, but after achieving greater heights of symbiosis between armor and host, it would become instant!" but no one was listening to him anymore, their attention were completely on Teluna and Kodak.
Teluna's armor was pitch black and gothic. Spikes came out of his armored shoulders, the back of his elbows, on his forearms like the fins of a shark, and on his heels.
His armor was close to his body, and clung to him like a cloth. His helmet or lack of one there off made him look like a bandit as his mouth and nose were the only thing covered, with his eyes to the top of his head exposed.
Kodak on the other hand was like a beacon, his armor was a sharp silver, and bulky. He was like a tank, and right on his chest was golden lion head. I didn't notice but there was silver lion head on Teluna's armor too.
Kodak's armor was built for strength, but there were parts where it looked really sleek, and his helmet was the stuff of legends. It fully covered his face, but the visor was a pitch black screen that changed color according to Kodak's emotion.
Which is to say should he 'vamp' out, it would change to match the color of his eyes. I watched as they both made parts of the armor disappear, specifically the helmet, showing they had full control over it.
This was amazing, it was an achievement for the entire vampire race as a whole, something I'm proud to say I facilitated.
"Attention!" I shouted at them, bringing their attention back to me, as I said to them.
"I want to officially welcome you to the military force of the Cor family. Welcome to the Pride and I christen you..... The Blood Moon Envoys of the Blood Lion's army. Bear that name with pride!."