Chapter 22:
Present day times daylight hours 0730. Off the coastal areas of Yang Zhou Fort City, Portside district, loading bay.
"Alright time for shift change, good work fellas!" a voice boomed through the projected coms feed. Announcing the shift change along with a rhythm chime of an alarm. "Ha~ finally my arms are getting so sore from all this heavy lifting." A man's voice exclaimed through the cacophony of noise packed so tightly in such confined space. The roar of machinery, the multitude of mortal chatter, the booming roar of crashing waves of the coast. A melding pot of sensation filled the hearts and minds of every soul there.
One soul in particular was bathing in it all. Walking slower than the rest of his compatriots he took slow methodical breath. Taking in the salty moisture air, feeling the gentle yet strong breeze flowing upon his sweat drench uniform and his exposed skin. Following the same routine that this particular soul has done for the past three years. The man though exhausted after a day of egregious work. His muscles were chafing from hours of lifting heavy objects and manning equipment. His muscles twitched and ached with the slightest hint of motion, but it didn't matter. The man enjoyed the sensation, being one of the few pleasures he gets to enjoy at the job. As he was submersing himself, something caught his attention off his peripheral vision towards the open shore.
Something just shot through the water, he was sure of it. The water shifted something is there inside the waves. The man squinted his eyes, intending to make more details within the water.
"Hm~." His eyes darted around. He had been scanning the waters for almost a full minute. Yet nothing seemed to occur out of the ordinary. Was it all just his imaginary?
"Hey Danny stop lingering around we're leaving, but you want to stay longer be my guess." Hearing the voice of a colleague called out to him, the man turned his head towards that direction and spoke. "Hang on, hang on I'm coming, I'm coming."
The man turned back to look at the water again the stillness of it seemed unchanged. Was it truly all a fabric of his own imagination? The thought quickly left his mind as soon as it had appeared. As he turned away from the water, his mind paid no need to it any longer, as he rushed after his associates.
It was at that moment did the waters shifted. As the gleaming figure head of silver smoothly rose beneath the water. Yin Chen had been aware of the mortal's attention to the disturbance he had caused. So, he waited, his eyes fixated on the mortal, waiting under the surface. Though the mortal couldn't see him, Yin Chen could, and thus he waited. at then, the man had finally left at the behest of his friend. Only when Yin Chen had calculated the distance to which he wouldn't be detected did he rise. Smoothly without any hinderance he slides out of the water. The water vaporing steaming off his naked form.
Steeping onto the rough concrete floor softly, as he surveyed the surroundings while summoning up vision screen within his eyes. All the while his sense scanned his surrounds, processing it all together.
'The signal is around here how did or rather why is father's bio signature coming from this location?' Yin Chen thought to himself, slowly and cautiously stepped through the bay. Through his training his movement triggered no alarms if there were any to begin with at all. Yet still out of habit and with his strict training discipline, he kept to his ways. As it has been for the last sixteen years of his life, despite four of those being in the home world. It would never change for that was what Yin Chen was.
Yin Chen's form began to morph and change as he progressed silently down the walkway, moving as lightly as a shadow, nothing gave away his presence. He didn't need to overlook his form to notice the change. It all began with a familiar itching sensation, not the terrible mortal feeling of discomfort. But rather soothing, almost as though he was feeling rejuvenated. A part of him that is coming back. It quickly spread across his skin, an adrenaline rush of forbidden illegitimate love child product, of the worst case of poison ivy. Which had been taken away and was now back within one's grasp. One that returned and will never be released again. So, he tells himself again and again, for the last four years since the order had returned home. Now he's experiencing it once more here, it felt like torture, but more primal more than just the tearing sensation of ripping one's own heart off. Like the essence of the very soul that makes him, who or what he is, torn out of him. It was maddening, soul wrenching but no longer. As power once again surged through his blood and soul.
The pitching of reknitted synthetic fiber muscles and skin itched over his naked muscles. As more fluid resembling liquid metal emerged from his flesh and formed interlocking threads, with countless thin but hard wick woven together. Then becoming scales across his body with terrifying speed. Such as it was with the AngeFibril or otherwise known as the Geostigma, a fairly recent innovation Prana Ichor, if one would count near the end of the twelve-year long crusade. Scientifically speaking was a muscle enhancement injection, that effectively merges with the original human muscles. Resulting in greater muscularity density, enabling great strength and reaction times, adding on to what the older enhancements had already done so already. The AngeFibril is what allows for the Metalfication or Metallization skin layer the side-effect of turning the affected areas black overlaying the top layer of the Blade's Skin and make it invulnerable becoming highly resistant to physical damage, and combined with their increased healing speeds, rendering them virtually indestructible to nearly any form of blunt force.
All the while as he continued his walk in the shadows, like always he tested his outer skin. Reverencing his renewed self, he hadn't had the opportunity to release himself often. The mission just before being one of the few times he ever had. Flexing his fingers and muscles. Performing a set of motions that didn't impede his strides. Feeling his synthetic false muscles contract and expand with every gesture. Yet that wasn't the last of the changes, another stream of pure metallic liquid oozed out of his pores. Covering over certain areas of Yin Chen's body, before it started to wriggle. The metallic fluid automatically adjusted itself as it hardened and taken form. Becoming an external metallic skeletal frame, despite its supposed sturdiness. As Yin Chen continued his movements, the soft yet elastic exterior metallic bones bent and deformed as if they were made of gum, barely hindering him.
Though that was the limit he would allow himself, despite his inner desire to fully release himself. There was just simply no need to for current environment. Taming the inner desire within his soul, reminding himself of the greater task at hand as he stalked towards his yet unclarified destination. He came upon a bar ventilation opening, immediately calculating his paths of infiltration. Without a second's delay he had made his decision, prying open the sturdy bars apart with his hands. The gap widened with ease, as a normal man would pop open a bottle. Then with a single motion slide through the small gap he had opened.
Not leaving until he had reformed the bars back into place, as it would be foolish of him to leave traces of his presence here. Crawling through the narrow tunnel manipulating his body to his needs to ease his passage, as he continued. Unawares of the shadowy form who lingered where he had just been. Eyeing him the whole process.
Present day, unknown time, within a different compound in a hidden cell.
It was dark, it has been dark since forever as far as the soul within had felt. It was hard to tell the time and day confined in such a compact space in pitch darkness. Chained like a beast left to rot. Nothing could be made from the space within the blanket of darkness in the area. Even after such a long time has passed the figure within shuffled with chains rattle due to the movement, still couldn't tell where they were. Nor could they tell if they were truly blind or was the prison truly locked within, not that the soul inside truly cared to consider.
Sudden light speared through the darkness, like a lance casting away the darkness. Being imprisoned in such an environment their eyes stung at the sudden change. Yet they didn't flinch or turn their eyes away. Blinding themselves as their eyes sting as if staring at the very sun itself. Yet this fact didn't hinder the soul unveiled into the light as they embraced it all. Though blinded their ears can still pick up the soft, pitter padder foot falls upon the metal floor. Carried along the air was the not-so-subtle chuckling voice of a man. Tap-tap-tap the footfalls continued till they stopped roughly in front of the being held within the darkness.
"Well-well-well old man you surely look better for ware. Oh, how the high and mighty have fallen. How does it feel I wonder to be basking in such comfort, only for it all to be ripped right out of your grasp, caught unawares. Everything you have worked so hard for in your life gone." The man spoke condescending towards the hunched over form of what appeared to be to a old man. Held behind bars, suspended by chains, the figure was ghastly pale and thin, through the rips and tears through the clothes of what seemed to be the remnants of clothing thick patches of black and red littered the figure's thin frame. The man's hair was disheveled unkept and greasy indicating the days or weeks of uncleanliness that was denied to it. It hung over the man face, obscuring any facial features to be seen. Yet this covering didn't hinder the first burst of light that shone through when the doors were opened.
"You truly are one heck of a tough cookie old man. I hate to say it, but I truly respected that about you. Infuriating as it was, you proved to be a lot more enjoyable than a hindrance to my plans, but even that has expired long enough." The words went on like a dam that had been broken. If the prisoner even heard the words, there was no indication. As the figure barely reacted. Yet despite the tirade of words, nothing came from the bonded old man before him. This brought a smile to the man's lips as he continued.
"You sure do enjoy the sound of your voice." The soft voice of another interrupted the man's monologue. "Oh~, it still remembers how to talk. The man spoke hidden the hidden fury within his tone. I see you haven't lost that fiery spirit. You never did seem to understand when to acknowledge your better."
"I have no intentions of associating myself with someone who is inferior to me." The hunched form spoke so softly but the strength behind the conviction could still be felt from those words. This drew an ire from the opposite man, he didn't like this attitude. He didn't like it at all. "Tsk, Still acting so tough." The man spat between his teeth, clearly becoming frustrated. "There's no need for such bravado my old fool you've lost. Everything you had done was wasted, your goals and design destined to fall. But fret not, though I will tear down the works you've accomplished, but from the ashes of your miss guide attempts. I shall bear better fruits upon its remains. Works far superior and more elegant suitable of my genius. Not that that wasteful, barbaric filth you have created."
The words came rushing out like a waterfall filled with disgust and disdain. One could almost feel the contempt radiating off the man. "Though I must admit, it was quite humorous and impressive. To think that you could have produced such impressive pieces. Once the cleaning is done, I will thoroughly examine them. Such works being improved upon by my hands is blessing for such rough gems, ones that were brought forth by inferior hands. It's only natural after all, it was preposterous to ever consider the thought of besting me old man."
"Because I am better than you." The hunched figure spoke, more power was put into his voice as defiance rose in that frail form, as if to banish the weakness within. Till now the old figure spoke with his head down. Now his head was raised high, his hair parted to reveal the still embers of life within the hidden eyes. Looking up at the figure yet devoid of any emotion. As if what they were looking at didn't exist. "I know what you are. Despite all your gifts, despite all that you are that should make you the pinnacle of man, you failed even in what destiny has given to you on a silver platter, while I defiled mine and overcame it." At those words, all sounds ceased. No words had been spoken, even the air felt heavier as the next words that came out of the illuminated form in the light spoke out with great force.
"I am your superior, I've always been the better. You were just an ant, trying to reach heights that wasn't ever meant for your ilk." Afterall awhile the man illuminated in the light spoke through gritted teeth. Hate oozed from his tone of voice now, all mockery and playfulness ceased.
"Ah~, there it is. There's that arrogance you try to hide. There's the true motive of all your goals in life. To show the world that you are the best as if you're the only one. You just couldn't accept the fact of a mere 'ant' ever surpassing you." The old man sneered, as the aura around the illuminated one seemed to darken. "You wanted to be god." The words spat forth, but it didn't stop there and with more zeal. "I created gods." Unknown power coursed through those words, so much the darkness around them seemed to shrink back. It even seemed to affect the man basking in the light. As he unconsciously took a slight step back, as if trying to retreat into the light.
"You did the unethical to improve only yourself and you failed, you're still failing even now, while I monopolized on atrocities for the greater good and brewed a great seed that will grow and blossom for humanity. You wanted low lives, slaves, worthless subjects, to satisfy your ego. While I evolved our race to greater heights, you think they are truly the best we humans can be ha! How short sighted you are, they are not the end, they are the future of us all. The seeds have already been sown and bloomed, from that more will come, it cannot be stopped."
"You are the greatest of mankind ha~! Please, I see you for what you truly are, you are no messiah. You are no saint, no demigod. You are but an ignoramus, incased within a god like mind and body. If you are what's supposed to be the best of us all, then that is all the justification I need to know that I've made the right choice."
The figure basking in the light seemed to want to ret but before then the hunched man continued his words. "Look at you, what have you truly accomplished that defines you?! I will be remembered for ages to come as the Madman Yang, what was it on the news…...a child slaver? A Dictator who created monsters? All very terrible titles, but I accept them. Why? Because what I did was a necessity. You? You will be blasphemy. A forbidden tale never to be remembered, never to be told of again. While my legacy will be told for eons to come for judgement, for the generations to come after us." All the while the hunched figure despite being held down rose against his bindings staring up towards his jailer.
"So, tell me again which one of us is the superior one?"
'One who is the best needs not the opinions of lessors to define what they are. That is where you and I differ. Maybe you need another lesson to be taught your place again."."
"Oh, how I quiver in fear." The wither old man let out a toothy predatory grin in response.
Present day nightfall.
This place was spacious. Yin Chen had thought to himself, not voicing it out. As his voice would have traveled through the metal tunnels which he was crawling through. His hands and feet propelled himself forward as smoothly as cat. He had been crawling like a rat for over an hour now. He truly miscalculated about this location. He had estimated it was structure was deceiving but not to the level he was experiencing. The thought rang more than once as he made his way deeper. What could this faciality be hiding for such a massive interior?
More theories and possibilities continued to spring forth in his minds. Each part running pumping forth all it capabilities.
Theoretical: Being a major food production facility, within the Fort City Yang Zhou. It contains a large amount of space for storage.
Practical: Due to the size of such facility was used as a cover up for other projects. Just as the general had used similar tactics, during the Blade's inception.
Or
Theoretical: The facility is but a normal production facility with abundance of space to spare.
Practical: An abundance of space therefore not well surveillance providing safe zone for illegal operations.
Or.
His thought was cut short through the many sensations that shot through his body. vibrating through all his senses. The multitude of scents, the change in vibration, the aura in the air. Yin Chen was very familiar with this feeling. He felt this many times during the crusade days, though he had long since overcame this mortal sensation. The itching sensation never truly ceased to exist. In fact, he welcomed it, as it was a good indication marker for him. Such as the situation he now finds himself within.
The possibility had occurred to him. However, he clearly underestimated the probability of it happening. He was being hunted! Was there a safety precaution he had failed to take note of? It didn't matter now, whoever his adversary was, they knew he is here. Even having his exact location, he could sense from the couple of moving auras heading towards his location. Even the vibrations reaffirmed this fact. A dozen awaits him at the forward ventilation duct just ahead of him ten meters out.
He had already committed to this course of action. The time for stealth was now over. As much as he enjoyed the element of surprise, he sometimes preferred the simpler method of breaking down his adversaries. Thus, he need not hold back any longer. Calling forth his inner strength. Feeling the adrenaline rush and inner power course through his body. The change began instantly as he willed it. The metallic ooze surges from his metal skin forming his secondary skin. The metal sheets of the ventilation shifted and moaned with each movement. Signifying the change in his mass.
The souls below reeled back, holding back their expectation and fear of the unknown threat. Hands tightening around their weapons, fingers squeezing triggers ever slightly. The thirty-inch layer of Del-steel bulging and warped with each passing second. Before then all movement ceased. Even the sounds have been silenced. After several seconds had passed nothing occurred. No one had moved, all sights still focused on one singular area.
Before then within a heartbeat it all changed. A loud bang and the light fixture dimming, due to some impact. Along with the sound of metal wrenching apart. The noise was sickening, sending shivers down the guard's spine. The scenery around them had changed. Gone was the bright illuminance they once had. Now the light beamed just barely, allowing them to see just barely ahead a few meters ahead. An armored figure stood before the group; its body covered in gleaming metal as smooth as chrome. A wave of distortion shifted over it, causing its outline to fuzz and portions of the body to fade in and out, like the world's fanciest chameleon. Suffused with filigree, resplendent in jewelry, and bearing elaborate weaponry. One being a sword, the other a noticeable profile of a firearm, yet so fine it almost seems a shame to use it in combat, in some grandiloquent style. Its helmet was a stylized chrome featureless mask, but with what looked to resemble glowing red eyes.
Before anyone could even think of thought, the armored figure was upon them. Limbs and gore spilled out recoloring the corridor in a fresh crimson red. The lead guard only being aware of this fact after finding himself on the floor. He didn't know when he had collapsed onto the floor but found he couldn't move, he could even feel his limbs. That ceased to matter however, as an armored boot ceased all thought all together.