Chapter 182: Gamers, Soldiers, Drug Dealers, and a Man from the Province

"We… jump? We're like over 150,000 feet from the ground? We're almost reaching the damned mesosphere and we're supposed to just jump?!" Dara shouted in freight.

"Yes. We have rubber protection so don't worry." Cliff eased her worry.

"What's a damned condom going to do to save us from falling?!"

"Condom? It's a special rubberized suit that can aid in keeping us shrouded. It would also puff up before impact to reduce the stress we will be receiving."

"So it won't hurt?"

"Of course it would hurt. It would still kill normal humans. But we're not normal are we?" Cliff countered.

Other than the soldiers who knew the procedure everyone was gapping with their mouth wide open.

"What about our weapons? I read that there were Exoskeletons and weapons that we can access when we attack?"

"Right. How are we going to deploy those weapons if we're freefalling from the sky?"

"Tyler. You explain." Cliff sat down and ignored their questions as he looked longingly at the 'get well' videos that Charm sent.

"Yes. During the last skirmish between New Great Britain and Australia, you know that Australia was able to launch a counter-attack which led to the destruction of one vessel."

"I don't read the news. Something like that actually happened?"

"Yes. As part of the WGP law with regards to post-engagement between two countries, the WGP will join in and make several investigations to ensure that no illegal weapons or war crimes would be done during that battle. After salvaging the parts of the ship, the WGP was able to procure an unregistered set of Exoskeletons with strange techs currently not registered in their systems."

"Our Exoskeletons!" Danny realized it.

"Correct. Those Exoskeletons matched the details that you requested. Although the Exoskeleton does not defy the laws imposed by the WGP, it did break several laws because it was an Exoskeleton which has a design that was not registered on their system. Anyway, the WGP has refused to return these Exoskeletons until New Great Britain offers an explanation as to these designs as well as registering it to their database."

"And those exoskeletons are being held up on the inside of the ship?"

"Yes. Those Exoskeletons are designed to have a one-time protective mechanism that blocks it from an EMP attack. So it will still run after the bomb explodes."

"Do we know where it is?" Roselyn asked.

"No. But we do have a unique compass that can detect its magnetism."

"No way! That suit has Chinese Magnetic technology?"

"Yes. But only on its composition. Its only ability is to be detectable to our compasses, so the WGP won't find out about that even if they experiment. And if they do figure it out, it may seem just like a coincidence." Tyler explained.

"Ingenious." Stanley couldn't help but be impressed at the details of the plan.

"So basically… we set up the WGP to have the weapons we need?"

"Yes. The weapons you requested cannot be developed in Pangea as it utilizes several techs from New Great Britain, with metal constitutions made in China. Since shipping was a problem, Arthur devised this plan. I watched the reports. It all looked like New Great Britain made a bad call and failed to respond with the right counter technology when the Dawn Soldiers started appearing. But in truth, General Harker said that everything that happened on that battlefield went according to Arthur's plan. And that is how the entire set of Exoskeletons were left virtually unharmed although the ship carrying it sank. And it was also because of Arthurs preparations that the WGP managed to easily detect it."

Danny gave a confident laugh.

"Sounds like the boss!" Danny continued to admire.

"See, Warfreakz… that's how you make a plan!" Dara insulted.

"Oh shut up. I heard that the score is Arthur- zero, Lowengren- One. Arthur lost to Lowengren during one mock battle remember?" Roselyn mocked.

Stanley was holding on to Roselyn begging her no to make any bolder statements.

Dara was enraged while Titan and the gamer called Asterisxx had a change in expression. Only Danny continued to have a nonchalant reaction.

"Anyway… Our mission begins there. We've waited and waited for a powerful rain to envelop their area and now that there is, this mission is a go. The storm should reach that fortress in two hours. The sound should mask our arrival considering we will be making quite a splash nearby. But with poor visibility and the fact that we are landing 2 nautical miles from the Fortress, we are confident that we won't get detected."

"Two nautical miles?" One of Cliff's troupe exclaimed.

"Right." Tyler nodded.

"It makes sense. We are Unlocked. What is swimming a few miles for us?" Scribs supported.

"Yeah! But in a storm?!"

"Hence the rubber suits. That's also going to help us keep afloat as we swim."

"What the hell? What kind of crazy, torturous, masochistic mission is this?" Counter exclaimed.

Tyler laughed as he looked at the young delinquent.

"Come on, kiddos. It makes sense! We are Unlocked. The reason why we are confident that we can infiltrate that fortress is because of the crazy things we can do! And I emphasize the word can! No normal human being could dare do what we do. And because of that, they won't suspect it! What humans could fall from the sky with some suit that can only give them a buffer landing when they fall? What human can swim two nautical miles in a storm after that? No matter how they deduce it, no one could figure out that the reason their fortress was infiltrated is that Pangea launched a Sky Satellite!"

The gamers looked pleased at the answer but the Small Time Drug Dealers had frustrated expression.

"Come on gang. It's not that bad! Training with Cliff should be worse!" Counter laughed as he tapped on their shoulders.

"Right. And training with Arthur was just as… easy. Ugh. I can't believe he did that." Dara gave a sarcastic reply.

"Oh really? Training with Lowengren's the worst! Those deceptions scared me to death. I thought he would really kill us!" Roselyn argued not to be undone with Dara.

"I think… Lynd gives terrible lessons. That guy… with all those skills he uses… he almost killed me for real." Earl recalled their sessions together with Tyler and Scribs and the three unconsciously shivered.

"I'm sure that Arthur is using his Path in trying to make us Overcomers. So I'm confident that we are first in this list of who gets the worst and most brutal training." Dara laughed confidently.

Cliff gave an unconscious laugh.

"You actually think it's that easy? I think Arthur has abandoned his plans to make you even a Ranked Hero! Much more an Overcomer!"

"What makes you so confident in that claim? You underestimate Arthur so much!"

"Ok kiddo… Let me explain the last part of this trip… As you know, Meryl and Lynd are only who they are because of their faith in Seeker. Many of you don't have that luxury. Especially you, Dara. I heard you laughed back when Feltrick bitch-slapped Seeker and Meryl. I'm sure that right now, you definitely don't have faith in him. But whatever that may imply on the future, let me just lay it down like this. Meryl and Lynd are strong because their Path is strong."

"Their Path?"

"Erm… It's like they had attacks like Hydro Pump or Hyper Beam or something. They are strong because they had strong attacks."

"What's with the Pokemon reference?" Danny asked.

"Seeker made me memorize the game. He says it's for a future mission. Perhaps that was the only good mission he gave me. It's very relaxing playing that game."

"Can you… um… move on?" Danny urged.

"Right… anyway… they have strong Paths but as Ranked Heroes, they are weak. I mean… Covenant, you do realize that your terrifying boss, Arthur… would you believe that he was only barely a Ranked Hero in Seeker's future? How do you compare to the composure, confidence and force of will that Arthur has?"

"So you're saying a real Ranked Hero is better?"

"Yes! Typical was a real Ranked Hero. He was tough. It took three of us, and Meryl who was basically an over-leveled Unlocked to defeat him. And with that, we escaped defeat. But we were lucky… And this Typical who didn't have the New Game+ advantage still managed to nearly wipe us all out. Had he aimed for Meryl's head we would have been all killed. Luck. That's how we won. Do you think I desire the powers of an Overcomer? That's too far out… A Ranked Hero. That's my current goal. And that's why this mission is terrifying for me."

"Terrifying? Why?" Roselyn asked.

"Call it a phobia… Right now, we are tasked to attack Grant Hermes, a future Overcomer. But many of us may even die from not from him but from his beloved adopted daughter… a freakin Ranked Hero. And a real deal this time. Not those cheat codes like Lynd and Meryl. Real ones. A woman who was even better than Future Seeker. She who treads like a Thief in the Night! Irvana Hermes."

The soldiers could not help but gulp. They constantly watched Seeker's battles. The three on one between Seeker, Meryl, Lynd, and Cliff was a stunning battle that they have reviewed detail by detail. Yet there is someone who is stronger than the future Seeker.

"And that's just the daughter. You guys really underestimate an Overcomer. Do you really think it's about strength? Facing an Overcomer isn't just about strength. You see apart from their disgusting abilities; the reason these Overcomers are a step up to Ranked Heroes is that they just have this form of tenacity, endurance and force of will that allows them to overcome. It's like the land, the sea the sky and all the elements are aligning up to their wills so that they can win. They have no useless movements, no missed opportunity… put it simply, they have that skill of Miss Alean! It comes naturally to them. You guys are all pro-gamers. You know what it feels to have momentum and all that… well, guess what? That's how they live and breathe." Cliff spoke swiftly and decisively.

Everyone gave a startled look.

"Why are we going to fight a Ranked Hero and an Overcomer?" Tyler asked.

"Originally, we were just supposed to find the information about all the Atlantis in the world. The chaos would have driven Grant Hermes to go into that floating fortress to investigate unprepared and we would have fought them… You see, Arthur could have easily made other ways to send those weapons us. But you see… Seeker prepared something in that which will call Hermes. A small strange cryptic device with highly encrypted data. The WGP revealed all the techs they found and made a list… Tyler?"

"Right. They even encrypted the message and asked New Great Britain about it. Project Progenitor's Wind."

"What's that mean?" Roselyn asked Cliff.

"I don't know. Seeker must have found something interesting in China. Whatever it is… the information they told me is to prepare for a possible encounter with that Ranked Hero. Arthur said he's confident that she'll appear. I think we would end up facing the full force of Hermes."

"What?! Boss! You didn't tell us that?" One of Cliff's minions cried out.

"Oh right. Sorry. I was busy contemplating my life choices. Sorry, Zidane… Hank… Counter… I did tell you to enjoy what's left with your life." Cliff ignored them and started looking at their phone.

"That's crazy! This is… this is a suicide mission!" Danny finally erupted. He had no confidence anymore.

"What the hell is Arthur thinking?!" Dara followed cursing.

"And Lowengren…" Roselyn clenched her fist in regret.

Only the three soldiers kept their calm.

"You guys really are gamers. You should have more faith in your commanding officer."

"They're playing with our lives!" Dara complained.

"They're saving the world. They trust us to complete it. Isn't it just like when you play a game and you get ordered?" Tyler laughed.

Suddenly, a strange light blinked.

"Oh. Just in time. General?" Scribs called Cliff.

"Right… At least we have him…" Cliff walked over towards a small room at the other end of the shuttle.

"Who?"

"Well… they figured that this too much for us. So they gave us a little help. We have… someone who has the shot at becoming a Ranked Hero." Cliff lazily walked over the room and opened it up.

"Has the drugs worn off? Are you alright?"

"What the hell was that?" A wearied voice answered.

"It was the drug that was mentioned of course. Look, dude, I'm not very good at convincing people and telling you to believe all this… but come on… you've seen the proof… we even gave you that file… I hoped you read it?"

"I wasn't able to finish it! Those doctors of yours injected the drug already!"

"Well… you would have resisted otherwise. So that's why they uh… ambushed you…"

"Ambushed me? What jerks you guys are. For someone wanting to save the world you guys are really insensitive!"

"Who is he?" Danny asked Tyler.

"I don't know. Only Cliff was granted clearance for that. Until we were out of the atmosphere I couldn't say anything."

"Why? Aren't you like the second hand of General Harker? You should even know Seeker's conversation with him."

"Yeah. It's usually a very… scary conversation. Like you said earlier, their just planning how to change the world. The more I listen the more terrified I get. But I don't know why I wasn't granted clearance for this."

"It's because… my family might have the technology to force an answer out of you." The young man smiled.

"What? You have techs that can force out an answer from us? You did read the files, right? What we have? Our technology? And you think that it could-"

"Yes. We have a similar technology like General Harker's. Programmed Slave? We even call it the same thing. It uses a different blend of techs that you guys use. Although ours is slightly more temporary. Yours focus on one aspect of Eradication tech, ours focus on another branch of Eradication tech."

"Another branch? There's another branch for it?" Tyler asked in a surprised tone.

"Eradication technology is a very very broad technology. What the government uses is one part. What Harker has, surprisingly is another… what we have is another piece. Truth be told, I am inclined to believe your crazy tale. Because it made sense. Progenitor warned us about it…" The young man laughed.

"Anyways, with our tech, we could easily capture one of your guys and make them slaves. Your superiors were being cautious. Although it would be almost impossible for them to find you granted that your escape was perfect… but… perhaps there was something they felt about my family that intrigued them… If what you say is true, this Seeker Carlean must have known something about me from the future…" The young man laughed.

"Who exactly are you?" Tyler asked.

"I guess I'm a potential Ranked Hero… Man, these drugs are amazing! I can even make time move faster and slower!" The man laughed.

"No, you're not. You're not used to it yet. We've been adapting to your speed." Dara frowned.

"Wrong. He's just testing it. It looks like, we do have a shot. You're stronger now." Cliff noticed the young man's free reign and control over time.

"Wanna have another go, Cliff?" The man laughed.

"Nah. I owe you one. What you did got me a girlfriend… I don't want to crush your pride now. I'll need that confidence down there…" Cliff laughed.

The young man also chuckled.

"Guys… This person is probably stronger than most of you. I'll need better techs if I were to fight him again. He managed to shoot me even prior to his Unlocking. Of course, I didn't have any techs with me… but still… he shot me." Cliff explained.

"Who are you?" Dara asked warily. 

"Me? I'm just some random dude living in a province of Phil-Pangea." The young man laughed.

"Gamers, soldiers and drug dealers. Meet the Protector of the Provinces… Gardo Dalisay."