Chapter 647: Hostages (1/2)
Concurrently, inside a darkened room, surrounded by darkened screens, with the muffled darkened tone, spoke a council of unjust figures. None knew their name, none knew their face, the only link; the rich and powerful.
”How goes the trouble in the stadium?”
”People have been killed. My team says the heroes will not be able to catch the missile.”
”Was it wise to plot such a genocide?”
”It is necessary, the council must decide the fate of the stray conglomerate. Any who dares to ally and join forces with outsiders must be punished. Alphia isn't a place to join hands and skip down pleasant playgrounds.”
”Depending on the outcome, we might have to pull our weight and buy out Lum.”
”Time will tell, followers, time will tell.”
The darkness of the room swapped for the dimness of the night. Three shooting-staresque figures fluttered to the unknown projectile. Gunfire kept the crowd in check, reporting officers raided the hotel one by one. The attack was well planned, traffic at such a time would prevent movement, the terrorists could escape with relative ease. Three heads of dragons spiraled to a bright flash; the blinding light forced the eyes shut. *Vanquish,* nothing remained, the night sky continued as was due.
”My lord,” the winged angels fluttered to the edge, ”-we've disposed of the nuisance.”
”Very well,” he said, ”-I'll handle the aftermath. I do hope my companions haven't given thee a hard time…”
”No,” added Kaleem, ”-they're very welcoming. We get to fight all the time, color me impressed, the Shadow Realm is far better than our previous worlds.” A unanimous nod cleared any doubt of forcefulness.
'Time to head to the Revirea,' he leaped from the opposing ledge. Panic followed to the roads, cars were briskly parked, ambulances, firefighters, and law enforcement rushed to the scene. The walk till the hotel was around fifteen minutes, heroes of great stature leaped from building to building. Bystanders paused to peer towards the area, billboards swapped for the news flash. *Reporting live from the concert,* helicopters circled, ”-a wild shooters have…” and so she went on to describe the events.
Fear nestled the neighboring businesses, many closed in fear of a large-scale attack. The newly reinstated AHA held their weight. Soon, yellow tap barred the hotel, the shooters took the building hostage. Countless police vehicles, including a surveillance truck, were parked at strategic locations. The negotiations from the head officers pulled in crowds of curious onlookers. 'Situation's taken a turn for the worse,' he stood at the edge of the crowd, ”Éclair, what's the status of the evacuation?”
”Hello, master, most of the singers and artists have fled the area. Kul and Asmodeus are providing escorts. What shall I do in the meantime?”
”Where's Draconis and the others?”
”I've sent them to the Shadow Realm.”
”What about Aceline?”
”She's in the company of Kul, they'll make for the manor after reaching the drop-off point.” Behind him rose an audible cacophony of distress. The fatally injured were left without help, shorter statured were pushed and shoved, none cared. ”I must say,” he faced the area, ”-the heroes are doing good work. The shield's keeping the bullets astray. Rescue operations are underway.”
”I know, I know,” replied Igna, ”-the attackers have shifted to survival. The hotel's held hostage. Quite the dramatic scene.”
”Are we to get involved?” inquired Éclair.
”No idea at the moment,” he said so nonchalantly, ”-regroup with Julius, have the jet make for Hidros immediately. Apexi's top players are in danger, use the AFR to kill anyone bearing a sliver of murderous intent. I'll take care of the rest.”
”As is wished, master,” the lens toggled to infiltration mode, ”-I'll assist thee remotely,” without delay, ”-I'll infiltrate the coms first.” Transcripts of private and broadcasted conversations displayed for him to pick and choose. The outline of a group hued in a bright green. A few chained side-steps led to the middle of the road, whereby, the crowd lessened, and held a clearer view of the surveillance truck.
”Hey,” he waved, ”-Odgar.”
”Master?” he paused and stared.
”Sorry detective, you know that man?” inquired a younger officer.
”Yes,” he said, ”-he's the owner of our agency,” without much ado, an officer gave entry into the forbidden area.
”What's the status?” the team gathered next to the white and blue vehicle.
”Detective, I'll be inside, do make the parle quick,” he scowled and left, the negotiations to the right grew dire, words of comfort turned wreck.
”Master, what are you doing here?” he inquired rather silently. Ulia and Kion made closer to the hotel, the moment it went loud, they were tasked to exterminate the assailants, of course, an easier said than done task. Aki and Tensy were at the concert, combat experience was very much needed. Thus, Odgar and Camila regrouped per the call for help.
”I was performing,” he said, ”-forget it, I've handled the matter of stray projectile. You need but worry about the building.”
”Odgar,” a gloomy voice turned the corner, ”-come inside darling, we have people to save,” greyish hair swayed to Igna, ”-come along, Kinless,” her chair rolled away.
Hardworking intelligence officers fixed the multiple screens, ”-inspector Jula, we can't access the enemies coms. The infrastructure speaks of elder tongue.”
”Magic's involved?” she bit her nails, ”-do a search using the magical library. If magic, I suspect Iqeavea or Hidros,” to which her accusing stare befell Igna, ”-speaking of magic, aren't you a noble from Hidros?”
”Yes, Viscount of Glenda, also dubbed the Devil of Glenda,” he returned confidently.
”Uh-huh,” her face seemed unimpressed, ”-whatever,” back to the screens, ”-try to infiltrate the hotel's surveillance.”
”Snowflake reported,” flickered a flat-screen, ”-the roof's been closed. Signals are being delayed.”
”Tech guy here,” added another, ”-my AI' s detected a jamming device, we can't make a move unless it's removed.”
”Tech guy?” chuckled Igna, ”-is that your hero name?”