The battle royale was a contest where each squad would be placed randomly in the arena and would have to gather resources to arm themselves and escape to the dropship in the center. The whole arena is surrounded by drones that will slowly move in at random intervals. Anyone who is touched by a drone is considered to be captured and will be out of the competition. This is supposed to be a scenario that represents a prison break but it is more about putting on a good show to be broadcast to the masses.
Chris was excited for this round, using Infy abilities they should be able to locate the best resources nearby and get equipped quickly. He had made plans with the others that they would gear up and stay near the edge of the arena to avoid being surrounded. He was confident in his prediction that the other teams would make an alliance and try to take them out first before starting the real competition.
Chris planned to try to obtain reconnaissance equipment and reconnoitre the area. Once he has identified the best locations they would stay hidden for as long as possible making it so the other teams will have to fight it out with each other. He knew this all relied on the rules staying the same but he suspected that it wouldn't be that easy.
He had spoken to his mum and they were all the rage on the info-net. It might have taken some time for the news to spread around the solar systems but video's of their performances were being shown everywhere. This had of course causes a myriad of conspiracy theories to develop. The primary one that was getting the most traction was that they were androids being controlled by AIs and that this event was just a powerplay by Mars to show off their latest technology.
Chris had to laugh at some of the more far-fetched theories but realised that the reality sounded like a crazy theory as well. He knew today was an important day, if they could return to the golden Chariot without incident then they could forget about this whole thing and move on to discovering if the arkships were at Ollhelian.
The three of them headed over the loading area for the Battle Royale. The arena was custom made to represent an abandoned urban center so had plenty of defensible areas. There were 45 random starting locations and the group would be assigned a number randomly and they would be dropped off at that starting location. None of the team members were naïve enough to believe that it was truly random.
Once all teams were in position the countdown started. 10,9,8…1 Start, as soon the Battle Royale started 3 bright blue lights shined on the 3 of them letting all the teams know where they were.
"Looks like it's plan B, get the gear and go out in a blaze of glory" Chris had been expecting something like this. They quickly scouted the area and found some basic equipment. Light armour and some knives. They had also been able to find some rebar, wire and miscellaneous items. Infy had the idea of improvising a version of their own weapons.
It took him only a couple of minutes to create a low-level version of Jania Kusarigame and Null partisan. There were 28 enemies all with better equipment on the way, and their position was being broadcasted by the spotlights. Null and Jania were absolutely gleeful this was going to be an enjoyable time. Chris on the other hand had already turned on his accelerated cognitive ability and was trying to work out the best locations for their final stand and what they could use.
He directed both Jania and Null to help build some rushed fortification which was quickly blown up.
"They have live artillery?" Chris was beyond angry, they had a deal. He didn't mind the spotlight as that was just making it more of a challenge but live ammunition was taking it too far. More and more shots started raining in from various types of weaponry from rails guns to lasers.
Null had grabbed Chris and was using all his strength and agility to avoid all the incoming fire while carrying him. Jania was also struggling to avoid all the incoming fire. They had decided it was time to get home. Life came before any competition.
Chris wasn't the only one shocked at the new development. General Alexander was trying to the event called off but his communication had been locked down and he was locked in a room.
"ah, now this is what I call entertainment! Your competition was too safe and boring" Phosphoros was now standing in the room with the general watching the scene below.
"oh don't worry they won't stop, I told them all the three are alien spies and traitors. What was that phrase again… Non sec, no no what was it? Ahh that right Nulla misericordia, non secundi casus. no mercy and no second chances. Don't worry General we will see this to the end."
The three of them were about to teleport back to the golden chariot when a familiar voice appeared.
"good luck. We have set up a barrier around the planet you won't be able to go anywhere"
When they did try to recall nothing happened.
"hahaha, now what young one's? can you beat all these humans? I made sure they are armed well"
"We don't need to, goodbye" Infy had discovered a way for them to leave so he, Null, Chris and Jania all teleported back to the chariot. The barrier was good against Prime magic but seems it didn't stop true magic which was lucky for all involved.
"I think it safe to say the Phosphoros wants us dead, we need to see littleman to see If the council can stop him.
Unit2317 was currently communicating with the collective. He knew it would be discovered that he had deviated far from the norm and would be forced to return to the collective to be recycled but this was important. It made no sense the barrier deployed around mars was a tier2 strategic weapon it should have been setting off alarms and he should have been allowed to intervene.
Except when he contacted the council they ignored his request for assistance and said the scanner showed nothing. Unit2317 knew that this was too convenient and that some other high tier race was pulling the strings to have Null and Infy assassinated. He didn't think this incident was over you don't organise all this to go back empty-handed.