Relic

Chapter 1: R

A small army swarm around R the moment he gets close to the Peacekeepers headquarters. At least two squads with rifles march out of the glass doors, getting in formation behind deployable barriers. Each one train their guns on him. Snipers on the rooftops line up their lasers on him. Two military convoys drive up behind him, cutting off his escape. Another squad or two take cover behind the vehicles. The loud chopping of helicopter blades loom overhead, shining a massive spotlight on him. He can't help but smile, looking up at the shield icon of the building, meant to represent the organizations commitment to protecting the peace.

A lone guard approaches him. R puts down his case and spreads his arms out as per protocol. The guard pats him down as quickly as he could, not wanting to be close to R for any more than necessary. Once he's finished, he almost runs back, waiting for R to follow him inside.

Inside, he finds more guards, using the checkpoint as cover to aim their guns at him. The things they do to pantomime a sense of security. He places his briefcase on the conveyor belt at the scanner, before walking through the metal detector. The guard who escorted him inside checks the monitor for any contraband in his case. Satisfied that there's nothing inside, he takes out a pair of handcuffs. "We will have to put you in cuffs, it's-"

R shoots his hands out. "Yes, yes, I'm familiar. Neither of us want to be here so lets hurry it up." The guard says nothing further, clicking the cuffs on from a safe distance. A small escort of four guards flank R, one of which reaches for his briefcase. R snatches the mans wrist. Every guard in the facility jumps into action, pointing their guns at him. R looks at each of the guards individually, before turning to the guard touching his case. "Careful with the case. If you were to break it, your friends wouldn't be able to stop me." He lets go. The guard stares back at him for a moment, before gently picking up the case. Even with the helmet covering up his face, R can see the sweat pour down his brow.

R walks the usual route through the sterile, white lobby. Looking around, it seems all the legendary enforcers were in. Roy must be giving them a hard time.

"We need to double patrols around the Ring district. Nobody goes in or out without going through our checkpoints. We'll also be mobilizing a task force to hit their base." Elliore lectures to a group of officers. Known as the steel dancer, infamous for the unique use of her sword leg prosthetics. She wears a tight, mobility model combat suit. As strong as Kevlar while enhancing flexibility and reaction speed. Elliore glances at him with a grimace. "We can't give these Rels anymore affordances."

Lazing around to his left, ignoring his very angry partner, is Sam, the Brazilian samurai. He wears the prototype ronin combat suit, with an augmented right arm and a trigger on his katanas sheathe. He gives off an air of apathy, but R catches Sam's eye tracking him as he walks past. It's been a while since the last time R sparred with Sam. He wonders how it would go this time around.

Approaching him is Adam the bastion, a large bald man renowned for the way he ruthlessly slaughters his foes. He wears the bastion combat suit, a hulking exo-suit with six arms on his back. Each arm has a shield panel on it. At his hips are two, square, industrial knives. His suit shakes with each heavy thud of his foot. When he spots R, he grins ear to ear.

"Well, if it ain't that famous walking war crime!" He leans in close, breathing directly into his face. "What brings you 'round these parts?"

"Taking in the sights. I like seeing other... how did you put it? 'Walking war crimes?'"

"It's not a crime to do the right thing. The real tragedy is that your kind get to live. Especially after all you've done against perfectly innocent humans."

"Well, is there anything stopping you from doing the right thing?"

Adam grabs the collar on R's neck. "Nothing's stopping me from loosening a finger or two." He taps one of his swords. "But I'm in a good mood today. I'm on my way to wage a little war." He bumps shoulders with R, pushing past his escort with a laugh.