Reality- Orion Industrial Tower
The Alarms were blaring as a red strobe was going off as Charles checked the feeds and got into the computer as everyone was setting up their chairs and the A.N.N Neural Links as Charles brought up the feeds.
Charles: I've got the proximity about fifteen miles out, and closing, they're marching!
Winston: This is it!
Ian: You sure about going in there?
Winston takes his seat as he hooks the neural link to himself.
Winston: I won't let him take it out of some shell, if he wants it he's going to have to take it from me.
Ian: Yes, sir.
Winston turns the link on and enters the dream as Charles turns and goes and looks at Ash.
Charles: Not wanting to step on any toes but…
Ash: I know you're the better host. It should be you.
Charles smirks as he nods.
Charles: Thank you.
Ash nods and moves a different seat as Charles enters the dream as everyone who wasn't a dreamer was preparing. Esmeray got into her chair as she and Vade touched hands as he was sitting next to her.
Esmeray: Let's do this.
Vade: See you on the other side. Tobias…
Tobias looks at him as Vade smiles.
Vade: I'm glad we met.
Tobias: Same.
Vade nods and enters the dream as Hazel rubs her arms nervously as Alex comes to her.
Alex: You okay?
Hazel: Yeah...just...nervous. I've never been a part of something like this before...it seems...big.
Alex: I know. But I believe in you. And so do the others. We can do this. You can do this.
Hazel smirks as she nods and turns her link on, entering the dream as Mario comes over to Courtney as she was watching the others.
Mario: I suppose I shall do this before I may not have the chance again. I am sorry.
Courtney: What?
Mario: I was a creepy insecure man who simply thought I could talk and act a certain way to impress you. I see the folly of that. And I apologize.
Courtney doesn't know what to say as Mario goes and takes his seat, setting himself up as he and Ash enter the dream as Chris was already hooked up as he hadn't been taken out. Esmeray looks at the other as she takes a deep breath.
Esmeray: Ready for anything and everything?
Tobias: Are you?
Esmeray nods as Tobias smirks.
Tobias: Take care of yourself.
Esmeray: You too.
She winks at him and they smile as she goes under as Kami, Tobias and Kelsey look at Ian, Courtney, Braxton and Wesley.
Kami: Me and Tobias have to go and get our Echo's.
Ian: You have the access code to get inside so don't worry about teleporting in if you need to.
Kami nods as the seven loom about and go and stand in the middle of the room as the others are out cold as they seven do their techniques and one by one begin to astral projection themselves into the dream share.
DreamWorld-Inferno Bar
Tobias opens his eyes as he looks to see Valencia smiling at him as she hugs him as Kami and Blayde kiss.
Blayde: Well?
Kami: It's time.
Valencia looks at Tobias who nods as the four watch as Lucifer sighs and grabs himself a bottle.
Lucifer: And now alone I must sit and wait to see what happens.
Tobias: Sure you don't want to help, Lucy?
Lucifer: Would if I could.
Tobias: Wish us luck?
Lucifer gives him a look before flipping him off as Kami takes Blayde's and Valencia's Hand as Tobias takes Valencia's and Blayde's as Kami closes her eyes.
Kami: Clear your mind and let me direct us.
The three do as she asked before they shift and glitch out of sight.
Elsewhere-O.I Tower
Mario and Vade are directing some Agents about as Charles is checking the Ion Canon's as Hazel was getting some practice in, hitting nothing but bullseyes as Ian watched as he Bubble Shield surrounded the tower was glowing yellow and blue as Alex checked a datapad.
Alex: This output is insane.
Ian: Best money could buy.
Thousands of Agents were setting up trenches as Kelsey points out some structure points to guard as the Agents nod and jetpack up as thousands of ships big and small, Mech Suit wearing Agents and forms of Tanks and other fantasy and sci-fi vehicles are lining up along the barrier edge as Kami and the others appear suddenly in the top floor balcony. The four looked about as they had startled some agents but Braxton quickly got them to stand down.
Braxton : You sure know how to make an entrance. Tobias you're with me.
Valencia: I'm coming with you.
Tobias looks at Braxton who shrugs as he heads inside as Tobias and Kami shame hands.
Tobias: Don't die on me.
Kami: Same.
Tobias heads in as Kami and Blayde head to Courtney who was helping some Agents load up large Missiles into some strange launchers.
Courtney: Mini nukes.
Kami: Lovely.
Courtney smirks as Blayde looks about.
Blayde: Ray?
Courtney: She's on the ground floor with some of the others.
Elsewhere
Esmeray, Wesley and Ash are standing about watching the horizon where the zealots would be arriving from as Ash checks his phone.
Ash: Three miles out. We should be seeing them here soon.
Esmeray: This shield gonna hold?
Ash: In theory. Even if it doesn't. We'll be ready.
Esmeray: Yeah.
The three go back to not saying anything as they continue to observe as not far from them Chris and Vade are standing on some Hovercrafts as Vade directs them to various spots as Chris doesn't say anything.
Vade: Are you okay?
Chris turns his head and looks at Vade as Vade can see his eyes are reptilian and non human as Vade just pushed his glasses up and looks away as Chris turns his head and just stares forward.
Elsewhere
Winston checks the shield that was keeping him safe as Braxton leads Tobias and Valencia inside as Ian and Alex come to them.
Ian: Thank you, Braxton. We've got it from here.
Braxton nods and Alex holds his hand out to Tobias
Tobias: You got this Crowe Daddy.
Alex: Same, Toby. Good luck.
Alex and Braxton head off to their perimeter as ad Winston touches the shield.
Winston: Damn thing burned me!
Ian: It's running at maximum power. Should the main shield field all the auxillary power will come here, so it would be best not to touch it again.
Winston nods as Ian turns and looks at Valencia.
Ian: You must be Tobias's Echo.
Valencia: I am. Valencia.
Ian and her shake and as they did a flash of red sparks through Ian who jumps back
Valencia: Oh my God I'm so sorry I don't…
Ian: I...I know what that was...the sensation... Allison…
Valencia: You know her?
Ian looks at Valencia.
Ian: You're...you're the Paragon? Who she chose to bestow the ethereal light?
Valencia nods unsure. of what to say. Ian looking at Tobias as he had a serious look.
Ian: Who are you…?
Tobias: I'm…
There is loud commotion as Ian and Tobias go to the monitor and check as they can see looming Figures approaching from afar as Winston takes a seat.
Winston: They're here.
Valencia grips Tobias's hand as Ian takes a deep breath as he looks at the two and then back at the monitor as we zoom in until we see the vastness if the large horde of Fallen Agents the Zealots have as Xander leads the group as he had a devious grin affixed to his face as they begin closer and closer towards the Orion Industrial Tower.
End of chapter.