A packed stadium awaited the pairs at the end of their red carpet, and the outside of the arena was already drowning in a sea of clicks and clanks. A cacophony of metallic sounds, heard from kilometers away, from the hundreds of cybernetics and prosthetics, shoving and pushing into one another to get a first-row view of the participants.
Glares reflecting from the surfaces of parts were all the rage as well, making it appear like the biggest outdoor rave party in the County's history;
-" This reminds me of the parties we threw back at home", mentioned Angie in passing, at which her little robot companion quickly sent her a message. "Subject Angelina, more information is required for the report. How many people attended those parties? Where are they kept? Were you using appropriate amounts of recreationals?"
Angie -" Ingress, as I told you before, stop asking questions like you're some security droid. Or a grandpa. And I don't want to tell you, now that you have slightly upset me", she answered, raising her head to mimic an uppity damsel.
Savan -" Hey Angie, do you want to, sometimes, trade partners? I feel you and Vivar could get along, with the whole not wanting to answer questions and stuff", chimed Savan, trying to lighten up the mood with some jokes.
Savan -" Sure, I wouldn't mind. But since you and Ingress would just ask each other questions, who will be left to answer them?". That made the clopy sulk a bit when they realized the conundrum.
The little interaction broke a bit of the 3 weeks of ice that formed between them. Marcos was still a bit shy with the two, but his discomfort was discarded the moment Angie started to joke about how Azin was hauling him in her hand.
Marcos -" I don't really want to be carried around so much, but she insists on it and, to be honest, she has some good points about it."
Angie -" Oh yeah, like what exactly?", asked the miner.
Marcos -" I don't get tired from walking, while you guys do. Makes sense to me".
Azin -" That is correct. I've been monitoring your vitals since we left- Savan's heartbeats have increased over the normal, and is almost out of breath." mentioned, as if prompted, Azin in a caring feminine voice; ''and while Angie is...error...in top-shape, her breathalyzer necessity will become a hindrance in the future, though."
After that report, Savan raised her hands towards Vivar, mimicking a toddler who demanded to be raised and carried. Angie followed their example but towards Azin, and not her partner. In response, it quickly messaged that he could carry her on top of him.
Angie -" I know Ingress, it's just…I would look downright silly entering the arena like that. Sorry."
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At the entrance of the arena, signs of impending mayhem could be seen all over the place, which meant that the interior was even more tumultuous than expected. More than a few hundred thousand were waiting, eager for the show to finally start.
In the middle of the arena were 24 pillars, three for each Brand, and half of them had a person or something similar on top of them. The first four numbers stayed in facilities that were closer to the arena than the last ones, so it didn't take them as much time to be first on stage, and to take reins of the show atmosphere. Each was given some type of jumpsuit, modified with the main colors of the Brand, logo, and any special modifications the users wanted. Extra pouches, and decorations, also depended on what the benefactor thought of it.
Right as the representatives for 8, 7, 6, and 5 entered, the number one CEO profile took up all the screens in the arena. His rubbery face hogged all the space it could, rumors saying it's a side effect from overusing the physique-changing drugs. His cheeks had carved deep lines in them, which made him look very thin, while his body was blown out of proportion. Whatever particles of hair he once had, were long gone, and the best he could do were implanted eyebrows. But, in the end, his appearance or his demeanor didn't matter, everyone had only one option: praise him, for his Brand had number 1 in the title.
-" Salu'. I am Samuel, but many of you know me simply as Boss. Finally, finally, our last-minute guests make their appearances. Traffic, am I right?", he asked with an elderly chuckle. "Let's give them a round of applause for their efforts, ok?", to which the entire stadium did as demanded. The rest of the CEOs also gave him a few stink eyes, especially the owners of the mocked Brands, but of the three of them, only Priya barked back.
Priya -" Sorry to remind you, number 1, I guess that happens with age, but this isn't one of your long-lasting Gallas. Thank you for greeting them, but please move on."
Samuel -" Ah, sure, sure, sorry for that. But before that, I have a surprise for you all, a last-minute change in the rankings. Perfect timing, by the way, because our beloved Priya, just an hour ago, gained enough points to pass the current numbers 5 and 4, so her brand was raised on the leaderboard by two ranks. This means, Patient 6- Angie, is now Patient 4. And since she is in the top four, Priya also has gained the ability to choose her spawn point as well. For the last ones, it will still be random. "
Surprises are always a given in their games, but no one expected something like this to occur right before the start. Samuel moved away from the camera and motioned for a technical error pause to be broadcast instead.
Either because of his age or just that's how he was, the CEO could no longer keep a straight face and burst into laughter at the sight of his colleagues. Rage, stupefaction, indifference, a boiling pot of feelings was brewing among them, but only one was enraged enough to react to the mischievous nature of the announcement. A truly furious and bewildered Robert glitched his holographic body, teleporting it right next to Samuel, and unleashed his verbal barrage.
Robert -" I know that you enjoy your little pranks and tricks and such, but what the hell is this? Right before the race even begins, you just…fucking hell! Goddammit you geezer, do you always ruin everything?!".
His tantrum managed to surpass the previous curveball in intensity, shifting the attention and suspicion onto himself, especially since his Brand wasn't affected and suffered any from change in the leaderboard. So what did enrage Robert in such a manner? Everyone quickly assumed that he was either upset for the former 4, or that a wrench was thrown in his plans.
Alvara wanted to try to calm him down, but before she could say anything, number 2 quickly intervened. An epitome of the typical senior, she was the type that wanted her age to be shown and didn't use any mods of youthful reinvigoration for herself. This always made her stand apart from the rest, as the perceived "wisest" of the group. A short-haired, short-stature, hunched-back old woman, who inherited her brand and remained its CEO for centuries.
Milla -"Always so impatient, aren't you little Robert? Did someone do something to make you sad, little boy? Are your little plans not working out? Don't worry, your little bootlickers will heal those wounds in no time, right? You can return to play the role of a big man shortly after. Until then, return to your seat… dress back in your daddy's suit…and stuff your mouth shut with some candy or something." She scuffed him, but in a very sweet tone, usually with the patience of a saint, but it was clear that she harbored no such feeling for him and his outburst.
-" Thank you Milla, but it's not an issue", mentioned Samuel. "As you pointed out, the boy is just a bit antsy and needs to let his feelings run wild. Oh, and a small piece of advice Robert, if you want your plans not to be thwarted, how about you don't make it so obvious? I mean, the unemployed siblings are selected by two, maybe former lovers, CEOs from the top four spots?"
Priya -" So you left the scoring open until the last moment, so you can use my rising to spite Robert or Alvara? Impressed, what can I say, but beware that I will take full advantage of this opportunity." Priya had a devilish smile on her, but her gaze was set on the competitors and no longer on her peers.
Samuel -" Why wouldn't I? This turned out even funnier than expected, especially after his tantrum. Sure, do whatever plots you have cooked, since Alvara and Robert blew theirs."
The "technical intermission" ended, and Samuel went back to address the public. He continued to talk about the tradition and importance of the games for their way of life, rambling on for another few minutes. After that, he invited every single CEO to make a brief presentation of their teams. First off was Elina, who tried to sell off the duo as the "duet of experiences", but not many were convinced by her attempt. Not even Savan, who just slowly clapped, for some small support. "Ugh, poor thing, reminds me of a newbie who just got picked on. At least she's giving her best".
Zude, a multi-colored mechanized man, with a suit made from metallic fibers, didn't even try to hype his team at all and came off even more defeated than Robert:
- "Allan Dumeris, representative of the Coupling Society, and his C.T.D Medusa will try their best. Thank you."
The rest were more rejuvenating for the spectators, and some even got excited when they heard the sale pitches for the competitors, at least until it came time for number two.
Instead of the firm old lady, another face addressed the audience, that of her candidate. She stared at her CEO for a few seconds, as if asking for approval, which she received, then turned to Robert and Alvara with a deadly gaze. Her red-colored iris made the implied threat even scarier, but the two were mostly confused by the attempt at a threat.
??? -" Sorry for my sudden intrusion, I hacked the broadcast to make a few statements. I am Syna Ru'Dev, and to start, I am an estranged daughter of those two", she said while pointing towards the holographic avatars of Robert and Alvara. The CEOs were shocked and bewildered by the confession, same with the public. Before the wave of rumors could travel, though, Syna's voice reverberated once more:
Syna -" To keep this short, I plan on taking one, or both of them down, taking their place as a CEO. You know how they behave, what deals they do behind everyone's backs, how they cheat and manipulate everyone...how they tarnish that title! I plan on cleaning it up, proving that only the worthy deserve it!". With each word, her white-gloved hands fluttered and waved around, as if she tried to act as a public speaker. The people were first surprised, then interested, and finally intrigued:
Syna -"...And, just so you know that I am of good faith and always trustworthy, I simply ask you, where are the champions of the previous games? Have any of you seen them around, anymore?", she asked, turning her head around, swinging her red, waist-long hair with each move. "I know you have thought about it, and you understand what I mean by it"- afterward she switched the broadcast back to Milla and simply enjoyed the rattler she caused in the arena.
A few of the CEOs were starting to sweat a little bit, unsure how the hacker got her hands on the info she implied. Except for three of them. Priya, Milla, and Samuel, with the latter two discussing among themselves ever since Syna took center stage, while the first was following the hacker with interest. "This definitely must be part of their plans, which then probably means that they wanted to show a bit of mystery. And they used that young girl for that? Tsz, the old crooks are still a pain to deal with.", thought Priya.
Nobody knew how to react until Samuel slowly clapped and congratulated her on her initiative and bold, risk-taking move. He then agreed with the question, that it was peculiar that all the previous participants dropped out of the public eye and that he, with the help of Joni and Alvara's security forces, will investigate the matter. Samuel then moved on as swiftly as he could to introduce the final competitor.
Samuel - "A fine young lad, I met during one of my many tours of my factories. His name is Billy, a hard-working boy, who just wants to help out his family. Why, when I saw the dedication and discipline he entailed, how couldn't I ask him to become my representative? In turn, I offered him the best partner someone like him could ask for- Serviceman, one of the classics, on which we improved bit by bit. " The crowd exploded now into massive roars at the sight of the titan, the all-time favorite C.T.D of the County.
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With the presentations out of the way, and fireworks and other effects prepared to be launched, Samuel took a deep bow and congratulated the teams, whose pillars descended to the ground.
Samuel -" Brave representatives, do us proud, go and get your reward, and return to us more than humans. Return as champions of steel and iron!"