Holmcross Project (Year 1)

Chapter 4: Breakout!

About a century ago, as history tells it, strange creatures arrived from the skies in a ship. They came with malice and before they'd even landed they began their assault on the people of the world of Filgaia. Though the people fought back, these aliens were formidable creatures. They were impossibly strong with durable bodies made entirely of a strange Living Metal. The people of Filgaia began to call them [Demons].

After some time and many struggles and deaths, the people of Filgaia created technology strong enough to push back against the demons: the ARM. These were powerful weapons that were strong enough to take down a large animal in one shot and dealt significant damage to a demon. To use them, the user synced their mind with the weapon and let it draw in part from their own strength. But not everyone had the mental fortitude to use these and compatibility with individual weapons was finicky, so further advancements were made. Fifty years after the invasion began, the people developed giant robots to defend them called [Golems] that could be piloted from the inside or, if needed, could defend a city under its own power if directed. For a few short years, the people thought these silent titans could be enough. But it became apparent that they were too large and too few to stop the spreading Demon army alone.

One day, after over half a century of researching their enemy, the people of Filgaia unlocked the alchemic secrets behind their Living Metal bodies. Using a combination of magic and technology they were able to recreate it themselves and certain researchers set out to create a smaller, faster, and more independent alternative to the Golems. The super-soldiers they created were given the appearance of humans and the overwhelming strength of the demons their Living Metal bodies were derived from. On top of that, they were given a natural affinity to sync with nearly any ARM without trouble, making them the most terrifying soldiers the demons or anyone had ever seen. These simulacrums, not quite like either man or demon, are what the humans called [Holmcross].

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Springfield sat quietly reading as Colt paced their room. "Colt, you're going to exhaust yourself. And the pacing is very distracting, so please stop."

"Why? Not like I can do much—" Colt froze and ran to the window, listening. "I hear screams...and there's smoke. Is Adlehyde under attack?"

Springfield looked up and then sighed, shaking his head. "I understand how you feel, but we've been disarmed and taken off active duty. We can't go help, Colt."

"I'm gonna try anyway!" Colt went to the door and banged on it. "Hey, let us out! We can help!" His calls were met with only silence, and he sighed and flopped back onto his bed. "I HATE this! The biggest crisis; and I'm not in the thick of it!"

"Colt, you need to accept the fact that you can't go and—" The sound of the door clicking cut him off and they both looked over to see it opening. "Huh. Perhaps they heard you."

Wesson peeked into the room. "I just unlocked your door from the security room down the hall. Let's go, hurry! We need long range!"

"I need my rifle." Colt said, running out.

Springfield followed, looking at Wesson with a puzzled expression. "Wesson, how did you get to the security panel past the guards?"

"Oh...uhm...I...stole a few of Nils' bombs earlier, and among them was one full of knock-out gas." He admitted. "Anyways, let's quickly head to the armory!"

"Wesson, you're getting smarter and smarter!" Colt grinned. "Let's get our gear then chase those demons out!"

They dashed through the hall and ducked around corners waiting for guards to pass by before they approached the armory. Colt looked at Wesson. "Any more of that gas?" Wesson shook his head. "Alright, then it's time to do this Jaivan-style."