Chapter 67: Call to War (1/2)
The top streamers had once again been called to the V.I.R.A.L HQ. With the insight acquired by Alton and Iris, there was a ray of hope over the horizon. But this was also met with a fog of doubt as circumstances had worsened with new knowledge on what they were honestly dealing with.
”The target's name is Gemini Fujisaki; most of you here will know her as P4R4D0X. She, alongside her sister Aoi, was in the starting factor of becoming streamers eight years ago. Thanks to the knowledge given to us by Alton and Iris respectively, we discovered not only the identity of our culprit but also the location of their hideout.”
”So, what's the problem? Why are we sitting here when we could be getting the drop on these fuckers?” Monty barked with his feet up on the meeting table.
”It's a call to arms; they want us to storm the fort. Of course, you wouldn't think of that; it just shoots first ask questions never for you isn't it Montague?” Iris snapped, staring him down with hate.
Monty decided not to take on her taunt leaning back with a smirk. ”I'm not going to pick fights with stuck up brats who aren't even on my level.”
”The Alice digresses. You Monty Montague are nothing more than a mere goon compared to Alice's sister. It would be in your best interest to hold your tongue. Or don't. It might be fun to see what happens, I guess.” Alice says with a dull tone as she was far too occupied playing with a stress ball.
”Big words from a freak like yourself.”
”That is quite enough.” One of the CEOs shouts, making everyone silent. He steps forward showing himself fully. He was a tall man with short ginger hair and two different coloured eyes. One Brown the other white. He firmly placed his arms on the table, staring each one down. ”There are now more problems than we first thought as stated P4R4D0X was a known streamer before the death of her sister. Although a tiny streamer, we were well aware of her powers as we are of every streamer. The abilities she is converging isn't the ones listed on her bio.”
”Excuse me, Mr CEO. How is that possible? I find it very unlikely she can just gain new powers. That sort of trick hasn't been done.” Harmony added.
”While true, it isn't uncommon for people to awaken to their hidden power. One combined from both parents. This is already a known case with our very own friend with Team Rhapsody.”
Alton looked around seeing people looking at him. He began tapping his fingers on the table, raising an eyebrow. ”But I take it that's not the reason otherwise you wouldn't be bringing it up.”
”Correct, Gemini's abilities registered on the system is electrical disturbance. She can manipulate electricity in any known device, both input and output. Although a simple ability to the naked eye, the turnabout caused a lot of changes in V.I.R.A.L back then for no sort of attack on V.I.R.A.L.”
”Well that didn't exactly go to plan, did it? Gemini is out there with all her fancy toys playing mummies and daddies.” Jinx argued, flipping a knife around. ”We've all been compromised.”
”That is the least of your worries. The power to judge streamers as worthy or not and cast a fog of war over a nation is devasting. I'm sure many of you in the room have already faced such problems. This fog is different from her powers. In fact, it has been seen before. In Aoi Fujisaki.”
”Hold on, take a step back. You mean to tell us that Gemini has somehow possessed the powers of her dead sister? Next, your going to tell us she's a demon and the real Gemini possess her is in another world.” Gale muttered. ”What?”
The CEO stepped back shaking his head. ”That is not the issue here. Get a hold of yourself, Lampard. Sources from our third eyes have confirmed something else. We have evidence to believe the wanted criminal Rodger Bones is behind this turn of events.”
”Rodger Bones? The bozo behind the mental overloads? Give me a break. As if we didn't have enough to worry about. If Rhapsody just did their job properly, we wouldn't be in this situation.”
”I'd liked to see you do any better,” Emil spoke not making eye contact with Monty. ”We did our best.”
”And that's all I expect from low scum like you all.” He laughed off.
”The mental overload cases three months back were a heavy blow to many of us, but our worse fears are coming true. We believe Rodger has perfected his serum allowing the user to gain superhuman powers or an enhanced version of their own. This is what we believe has happened to Gemini, through use of this overload serum she has somehow gained the powers of her dead sister.”
”Has she made it clear what she wants?” Harmony asked.
”Isn't that clear enough? All of us dead.” Iris replied, looking conflicted. ”I don't see how this changes much. We might just have our hands full more than usual.”
”It changes because Rodger is involved.” Alton sighed. ”I'd feared this would happen. He probably hasn't taken the downfall of his idol well. If anything, he will be targeting the rest of Team Rhapsody and me more than ever.”
”That we agree on.” The CEO said. ”Therefore, this raid shall be split into different teams. For their own Safety Team Rhapsody will not be allowed to team up together in turn, we shall split the group up with the other streamers. Our targets for this raid include the leader of the Cult of Vanguard Agartha Pennyworth. She is the ring leader behind the operation calling the shots on the serval attacks on Streamers and V.I.R.A.L alike.” Alton gave a look of shock at the picture of the girl. He remembered her vaguely from the press conference he had with Vanguard. She was apart of the diehard fan club who got to interview him. ”Our second target is Gemini Fujisaki. Taking her down will lift the fog of doubt over the nation and free our streamers from possible attacks. And lastly is Rodger Bones, bringing him in will bring an end to the reign of Vanguard and stop production of this overload serum anymore. Any objections?”
Jinx raised her hand, stabbing a knife into the table. ”While I'm not opposed to the idea of blowing a cult to kingdom come, I also know where the lines are drawn. Don't you think this is all a little much for a few streamers? This sort of operation hasn't been done before.”
”Yes, while we cannot guarantee anyone's safety, we are more than certain streamers of your calibre as we have stated before anyone with cold feet should pull out now. To the streamers worthy we will grant you wealth and fame with a joint stream like this going down in history. Anyone who wants out says now.”
”I've decided to change my mind.”
The CEOs turned seeing Revert storming back in placing his foot on the table leaning forward. ”As we suspected. We knew the likes of you couldn't keep away for long Revert.”