Acquisition

Chapter Four - DCPD

Lybas

Year 1

The captain shouted to get my attention. I snapped up and saw Nasaa looking at me with the condescension that she was famous for. Draakan sat nearby on a crate. The warehouse was where we picked it up. An energy reading fought for attention on our scanners back at the station. It brawled with a weak signal back at The Baron's mansion, but this was magnitudes stronger. Much more worth the time of us. Normally we would be on patrol about now, but Dalion was a quiet place. Not much crime around here. The Baron was much too busy to lay us off with the start of his new corporation, so instead we just use some of the police equipment and see what's going on around the city. Captain Nasaa didn't always approve, but the two of us didn't have to be very clever to argue against her on the matter. Me and Sergeant Draakan snapped upward and looked her in the eye as she walked angrily among the two of us. She commanded us to follow her into the next area of the base.

The base was likely used for scientific purposes as robotic arms twisted in and out of a circle of glowing energy in the center. It sent sparks to its transparent circular capsule, branding it with a black mark that dispersed a few moments later. We followed Nasaa further into the base and a red curtain cut us from the wonders inside. A quick look at my visor scanners indicated that the source of the energy was right behind this shroud of red. A heartbeat sensor to the bottom left revealed several hostiles behind us. We all flipped back and saw some scientists hiding for cover behind tables, fearful of our quick reaction. One slowly stood after a few seconds with some paperwork clutched tightly in his left hand. His voice squeaked as he first talked, stuttering slightly.

"B-by order of the Baron, and the entire Viperius organization, we are required to stop you."

We raised our guns and Captain Nasaa gestured for us to lower them. She raised her badge and spoke

"We come here on behalf of Dalion City Police Department. We are here to ensure the safety of this facility, as we are required to do with any worksite with energy this powerful."

They weren't buying it.

"I read the entire police manual and it said nothing along the lines of worksite investigations."

"It was just implemented a few months ago. I was ordered to keep it unknown in fear of angered civilians that disprove of occasional workplace inspections."

I spoke up, trying to avoid a feud with these geniuses.

"Everything seems to be in order, we'll--"

"What's behind the curtain?" Draakan grunted.

"We aren't authorised to reveal that information."

Draakan raised his gun and Nasaa urged him to lower it. He shook off her protests angrily. The scientist ducked under a nearby table. "Perhaps now you'll be more willing."

"Just a project we've been working on. A religious icon, of sorts."

I spoke up. "Why's it so powerful?"

"It reacts to the orb of energy in the center of the room. It is known as the Crystal of Thysera. Once we found the Crystal, the icons lit up, started spewing energy. The more we get, the stronger the Crystal is?"

"How many are there?" Nasaa asked.

"Based on our observations, the potential energy of the Crystal is double what we have it at, with three suits."

"Suits? What are these icons?" Nasaa replied.

"I really can't tell you that, he'll kill me!"

"Who will!?!" Draakan put another hand on his weapon, pointing it at the scientist.

"The Baron!"

We looked away to the curtain.

"What is the Baron planning?" whispered Nasaa.

The heartbeat scanners revealed the scientists running away to the recesses of the base. I watched as Nasaa ripped down the curtain, revealing the artifacts behind.

They glowed with intense power and rage. I looked to Draakan, who walked hypnotically to the armor. Nasaa yelled for his attention, but also fell under the spell attracting her to the armor. I was the last. The armor bent my will and I marched towards it. We made contact simultaneously.

We are Nature, Light, and Dark.

We are the main defense against the Viperius Organization.