Evolved: Aether Rising

Chapter 2: Unlikely Allies

We arrive, with a jolt, at a similarly row of abandoned warehouses. Vlad lets go of my neck and walks forward to the rusted chain-link fence with a large "Under Construction" sign on it. He walks to a break in the fence and pulls the broken piece back, gesturing for me to squeeze through.

The wet breeze from the ocean feels great against my skin. It reminds me of being in the clouds. A feeling of security and safety overcomes me in the moment of musing. The feeling passes when as Colonel Stone's presence returns to my mind. His appearance can only herald chaos.

I squeeze through the opening, careful not to scrap my cape or skin on the metal. Vlad disappears from the opposite side of the fence and reappears next to me. A gust of wind accompanies him, moving my cape modestly.

His gift is clearly super-speed. Another good guess would be teleportation, but there is no accompanying sounds or aftereffects. The wind is a dead giveaway.

"Show off." I say.

Vlad smirks at me as he heads forward. My eyes fall on the warehouse, which has seen better days. The area is radiating heat even when the night's air is cold. The broken windows present a darkness that alludes to abandonment, the complete absence of life, and yet, there is something just beyond the surface.

As I approach, a shimmering affect is apparent. It looks as if a mirror is being liquefied. I reach forward and my hand disappears into the illusion. Vlad is watching with a cocky smirk.

"It's a—"

"Holographic overlay. Yeah, I'm not new to this, sparky. I know the guy who created most of the tech DISA uses." I say. "Exactly how long have you been set up here?"

"Me? A day." Vlad says.

"What about him?" I ask.

"You should ask him yourself." Vlad says.

Vlad passes me and disappears into the holographic overlay. A quick glance back reminds me I am saying goodbye to my quaint vacation when I pass through the overlay. The quiet peace I have found has already been disrupted but I hesitate at the thought.

The first step through the overlay is like being intimately greeted by the sun. The light is overbearing. Ahead of us, DISA employees move about freely. An aircraft can barely be seen on the roof the building, obscured by the darkness. Two individuals wearing paramilitary gear guard the craft while to remain in front of the building.

Two black SUVs are parked in front of the warehouse. The logo for DISA has been removed but is still slightly visible on the side of the SUVs. It strikes me as strange. Questions have begun to formulate in my head.

"What is all of this?" I ask.

"See for yourself." Vlad says.

I follow Vlad forward. The guards at the door become alert but relax at the sight of Vlad. I know the guards. Gerald introduced us years ago, and they haven't changed in the slightest.

The guards are twin brother, Cain and Abel. Their names are the product of an overly religious mother and a father who didn't give a damn. The two share blonde hair and green eyes, despite being fairly different. Abel is more of a jester whereas Cain is more of the serious type.

The two men greet me as I pass. DISA employees work around freely, each tending to different situations. It feels as though I am back in the Command Center of the Agency. No one seems put off as they are working with generators and portable devices. The atmosphere is vibrant and loud from the roar of the generators. The commotions stops when they catch sight of two men dressed in costumes.

A sense of Deja vu hits me immediately. It remains a stark reminder that no one has forgotten me. Whether it is a good thing or a bad thing remains to be seen. Vlad nudges my shoulder and nods towards the far end of the room, where two men are arguing. The two men bicker fiercely as I approach but straighten up as we arrive in front of them.