At the desk of the gaudy hotel with cream and gold painted walls and crown molding.Bailey
and Shelly approached a young man wearing a shiny brown jacket and gold tie his black
hair slicked back making him look all the more ridiculous but they could tell the boy thought
he was something. Holding back a laugh Bailey said.
“Excuse me uh-sport,, where is uh-Mr. Klein Rousseau’s room?”
“Yes sir and who might you all be?” said the young boy puffing his chest.
“Were Seust secret service,” Shelly said irritatedly holding up her badge.
The boy, surprised, quickly typed something into the computer.”He’s on the 7th floor suite
704.
“Thanks,” said Bailey. They both started to rush to the elevator when the TV’s
became static before they came back into programming. The screens cut out a moment
before seeing a broadcast of Oldin Industries, with President Davenport standing next to a
man with a pointed nose, thin eyebrows, small piercing eyes and long slick black hair that
had a magnificent shine to it. He wore a black suit with black tie and white shirt.
“That's our guy there,” said Ki.
“He looks like a vampire,” said Shelly with an unpleasant look on her face.
“Yeah well we know where a million dollar smile is let's go,” said Bailey.
They turned to leave, rushing to the entrance where a woman who had been lounging
reading a book turned to look at the screen looking puzzled. Another woman joined her then
saying “ What now?! Seems like every month there's some new product.”
“....We have been working in concert with Mr. Rousseau to develop a possible
breakthrough in medical science and controlling and treating dementia related
ailments.Essentially a jewel cultivated right here in Seust a healing diamond !Now i'll turn it
over to the man who's worked on this project for many many years.”
“Thanks Jack as he said we've achieved a medical breakthrough by cultivating a
jewel that when used with medical chakra control arts can alleviate and heal elementia
related diseases.” he said point to a screen with a diamond on a table lasers projected on it
showing its molecular structure, and a scientific formula at the bottom. Jump cutting to the
miners in Grover mining and using elementia to unearth and cultivate these diamonds and
the Oldin industries lab examining the diamonds under microscopes.
“ I have spent the last twenty years studying and researching the mines and lost
history to uncover techniques that have helped us achieve this historical moment in medical
science.”
The guests of the hotel glued themselves to the TV. Shelly and the others raced back
to the car ...
sir you said that you’ve cultivated the diamond to healing elementia properties could you
explain how that works? a reporter said over the radio.
“Yes we have found a way to directly infuse our chakra into the diamond to enhance
and accelerate the healing process involving elementia related illness by researching lost
history and finding skills and practices in healing medicines from that time.”
There were some murmurs from the crowd before another reporter asked “ Where was this
information found and when will it be released to the public?”
“”We found records of lost history right here in Sesut,” he said slyly. “ In fact we’d like to do 76
“This man here suffers from overexertion of his elementia and chakra. As well as the
infamous miners lung disease that plagues many that live out by the ring. His health
deteriorating all be from the back breaking work he’s done over the last 20 years to support
his family. With no known cure, until now the best any Dr. could offer was to treat individual
symptoms to make the patients more comfortable. But that all changes today. Sit here
Frank… very good now then Dr.Handler will begin the treatment. By using small particles of
this newly cultivated diamond diamond dust, if you will into a breathing machine. The crowd
murmurs. Not to worry Frank will not inhale the diamond instead Dr.Handler infuses his
healing chakra into the diamonds beforehand as well as other medications mixed to make a
breathing treatment that helps to treat and destroy the virus in his lungs. Now the good Dr.
here will place his hands on his heart and head to complete the treatment.
ARGH!AHH!!AHH!
Burt nearly ran off the road while both Shelly and Bailey’s faces were overtaken with shock.
No! Stop! AHH! SMOKE! the radio said then silence.
Ki hurry! Shelly exclaimed. Bailey gripped the door handle tightly.
“We've got another five miles to go!” he said, leaning forward as he put the car in second
gear, making a wide left turn while other cars honked as he moved in and out of the lanes.
-This is the Seust National alert system. The City of Castoria and the surrounding
cities in a fifty mile radius are in a state of emergency. Please clear the area and evacuate.
This is the Seust National alert system. The City of Castoria and the surrounding cities in a
fifty mile radius are in a state of emergency. Please clear the area and evacuate. This is the
Seust National alert system the City of Castoria and the surrounding cities in a fifty miles
radius are in a state of-
“Attention all citizens of Castoria my name is Charlie, a grand wizard in our
organization, we the smoke have come to you to enlighten you and this Nation of your sins
and deliver your punishment. We have seen.. how the people of Suest have thrown away
your God given gift of elementia and thrown it aside.. Take it upon yourselves to depend on
your man made toys- desecrating the precious metals of the earth for your own selfish gain.
To what end have your leaders learned nothing from the past and withhold the truth from
you of your own history? Keep you ignorant of the truth and distract you with the
convenience of technology. Suest was once a green fertile land like the rest of the world but
a plague caused by those unwilling to use their elementia blessing to till the earth and help
it heal. That plague being miasma pionising it spread so rapidly the strife between those
who wanted to stay and fight to heal the land embrace the blessing.
He paused.
Were unfortunately met with foolish heathens determined to hold on to the old world
the error of technology and convince.” he spat out with gravitas.
“Thus a Seust civil war ensued, pushing those who wanted to heal the land out to
what we now know as the ring. But the issue of the miasama remained. They dug up
precious jewels and diamonds, forced those they kicked to the outskirts to pour salt over
the ground and suppressed the miasama deep into the earth so that nothing would grow
creating a dead zone. Over the top of it buildings of lead stone and jewels. A false nation
daring to claim purity of white walls. This is just one of many truths of lost history, a history
your forefathers chose to hide. But it was your choice to elect these officials to hide your
insidious nature claiming to be a utopia- So with a heavy heart we must set an example for
the rest of the world. May justice be done swiftly by the smoke's hand, for this blasphemy
against God.” 77
“Damn it! We're too late!” Shelly shouted, lowering her head hitting her phone
against the dashboard .
“It's not too late to reduce casualties, let's focus on taking this bastard down,and
regaining telecommunications,” said Bailey.
Shelly took a sharp inhale dialing on her phone ....”Hello chief this special agent
Gomez, we need some tech guys to go to the nearest broadcasting tower before the
terrorist shuts down all communications. You're already good at it.”
Ki stopped the car to a screeching halt. They tore the doors open. As policemen were
already at the scene in green camo gear and brown helmets,ordering people back and to
the nearest safety zone with spears and clubs in hand. Shelly and the others flashed their
badges and made their way up to the entrance of Oldin industries building, a group of
officers blocked the entrance guns in hand.
“Agent Gomez and Bailey here, what's going on inside?” Shelly asked.
“ The broadcast took place inside the Oldin industries eleventh floor.We’ve sent three
S.W.A.T in they’ve cleared up to floor six the civilians inside have been asked to stay on the
first floor here,” the officer pointed inside. “Until we get some medics in here to check them
out eta ten minutes,” he explained. “ Here” he said, handing over three small vials. “ Root
tonics it’ll help you use your elementia in this dead zone.”
“Thanks” Shelly said, the three showing gratitude gulping them down.
“Alright we're going in, the terrorists are broadcasting from here. so they’ve gotta be
somewhere near the top. You’ve gotta have a schematic of the building? How many floors?”
“Twelve ma'am” the officer stated.
“Okay someone get us some gear” Shelly said. Another officer handed her and the
other two a green camouflage vest stuffing extra wood blocks, sand and dirt. in the pockets.
“I have no use for that kid,” Bailey said aloof, taking only the radio from him.
They headed in and Ki quickly scanned over the civilians, the veins around his eyes faintly
glowing green. Some asked if they could leave.
“Just stay calm, we're a part of a specially trained terrorist task force. A medical
team will be here shortly to examine you all and direct you to the nearest safe zone.
The frightened civilians began to talk amongst themselves. A rather snide man in a blue and
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silver suit stood up and said.
“Examine us what for! We haven't done anything and we aren't injured in any way,
and what are you talking about terrorists?”
Shelly looked at the TV screens, projectors and monitors; none of them were playing
the news or airing the radio broadcast through the speakers.
“A threat has been made against the city coming from this building until the matter
has been resolved. No one's going anywhere. I'm sure the officers outside have explained
this. Please be calm and patient.” Shelly said.
“The stairs are this way,” Ki said. They quickly moved up the steps glancing through
the door windows of each floor as they went.
“What's your location- over- this is Bailey from the National Seustain Anti-Terrorist
task force-over”
“ Swat team 2 over-Were clearing the eighth floor as we speak we're only finding
civilians over-”
“Were on on floor six and we'll meet up with shortly stay alert-over”
“We're dealing with some real clever ones this time.” Bailey said.
“Mm Mmmm probably been here since the place opened this morning pretending to
work here so no suspicion was raised then waited until the press conference was over to 78
start the radio broadcast . The employee’s none the wiser. Seeing as the event was
supposed to be here anyway.” Shelly said.
“But it's strange though it's all over the news you’d think that a family member
would’ve called or those damn holo-tablets would've said something or altered at least one
person here.” Ki said, pondering.
“We’ll find out soon enough,”Bailey said, opening the door to the eighth floor.
Members of the swat team turned around quickly getting ready to sharp dagger like rocks
and javelins.
“It's us from the terrorist task force!” Bailey shouted holding up his badge.”Hold your
fire.”
The men relaxed a little as the leader looked hard into Bailey’s eyes and signaled to his
team that they were alright.Bailey and the others gave a sharp exhale.
“Bailey right?” the captain said firmly.
“Yeah,” Bailey said.
“I’ve sent team one and three ahead to scout and wait to see if there are any more
civilians that need to come down yet before heading back down to the first floor. I'm leaving
two men at each floor once we’ve cleared out any possible threats.” the captain said.
“Captain, have you looked at any personal electronics from any of the civilians yet?”
Shelly asked.
"When we came in, all the electronics weren’t working, just our radios, probably
because they're on a different wavelength than most of the electronics used in the city.”
“Hmm..” Shelly said.”Mind if we go on ahead?”
“Go on the other teams no you're here Will remain here until we hear word from you
guys.,” the captain said.
“Alright, the police and EMTs should be on the first floor now getting people to safe
zones.” Ki said.
They made their way up to the eleventh floor where they ran into an ensuing battle between
the smoke and swat teams. The smoke used the drywall of the large computer room to
throw like knives at the officers who dodged and ducked for cover. Firing back by using the
wood blocks from their gear to make clubs and spears hurling and clubbing the enemy.
Shelly and the others joined the fray. Bailey uses brute force and martial arts to break some
of the terrorist limbs. Ki bo staff in hand was engaged in a stick fight between three smoke
members tripping, and kicking them on to their backs stabbing their hearts. With so many
of them in one space the room was growing dark with the swirling black mist all around.
Shelly dropped down and sent chakra into her hands. The cement and tiled flooring came up
like spikes impaling four smoke tied up with some of the officers killing them instantly. The
fight over they quickly up the stairs moved to the eleventh floor, the door outside reading
broadcasting/av room. They quietly and stealthily entered the hallway couching down from
rooms with blood splattered windows Ki peered inside the open door carefully to see a
room full of people dead most with slit throats and contusions on their head slumped over at
their desks or lying on the floor in their own blood. Ki grimaced and looked back shaking his
head. The swat team took the lead now quickly and quietly checking the rooms. Shelly,
Bailey, and Ki headed down the hallway turning to the right reaching the studio room.
Peering through the glass at the side of the door Bailey could see Jack Davenport hog tied
with a shocked deadpan expression on his face under a desk with monitors on it.. The burst
in the room. Ki checking Davenport's pulse shook his head. “He’s gone, they tried to turn
him.”Shelly gritted her teeth. 79
They saw Charlie the smoke doing the radio broadcast in the studio across the small
walkway. “Ki you get him. Me and Bailey will find Rosseau.” she said, running down the hall
to a large open space Bailey followed after.
Ki prepared himself with a spear and rock shaped like a dagger in hand, he kicked
the door open. Charlie, a man with red hair and boyish face, jumped up, switching off the
broadcast, his body emitting the black mist. Hurling his chair at Ki he ducked rolling to his
left hitting his shoulder against the wall. Oopf! Ahh! Ki dropped his rock knife looking at a
severely burned old man, blood coming from his eyes and ears and a large gaping hole in
his chest.
Charlie quickly ripped the mic from the air breaking into pieces sending them flying
like shuriken at Ki who turned his right shoulder to avoid being hit with a narrow escape. He
twirled his spear, deflecting the rest of his attack; and charged forward hitting Charlie in
the stomach with his spear. Sending him backwards he regained his balance and with his
arm snapped Ki's spear in two. Ki throwing the broken spear to the ground picked up a knife
shaped rock and assaulted him with a barrage of punches to his face and ribs and finally slit
his neck and with their hands together used all their might to hit him over the head sending
Charlie down into his knee killing him.
“Where could that bastard be?” Shelly said, looking around the small studio.
“There he is!” Bailey pointed behind the green screen. Shelly threw three wooden
blocks into the air creating spears hurling them at the green curtain.
“Argh! Rosseau!” cried out. Bailey running forward caught him as he tried to run
away holding his bleeding shoulder.
“Alright, start talking!” Bailey said angrily.
“I don’t know anything?!” Rousseau said indignantly. Bailey punched him in the
stomach.
“OH!” he yelped.Ok I discovered a document during the time of lost history detailing
events about a sickness miners disease and how some religious peoples cured it by fusing
the chakra into diamonds.” I approached Davenport with my research and we began to
secretly cultivate diamonds produced by man's elementia gene alone and it worked through
many trial and error. “
“Get to the good part.” Bailey growled, eyes flashing white beginning to control the
air around Rousseau. Slowly causing asphyxiation.
”We could mass produce any mineral, any jewel without waiting hundreds of
thousands of years for mother nature to take course. There would be no need to
send people down into mines in caves once the technique was perfected… My liaison
Cynthia Swartz would come out periodically to do quality checks. She approved at
first but as we got closer to producing a diamond that could handle large amounts of
chakra and be manipulated by it the more she protested against using the diamonds
year's thought of years of research going to waste was ridiculous.” He coughed.”
She said that they weren’t true diamonds that they would kill someone
because they wouldn't withstand the heat of being cut and processed. And until
today she was wrong.”
“How do these terrorists fit into all of this?” Shelly said.
“Ms. Swartz must have contacted them in some way and then approached me. I
never met their boss, just a couple of suits who offered to fund the project and offer me
protection.”
“Protection from what?” Shelly said.
“Hehe..from people like you.Didn't work out so well though hehe..” he said. 80
“You know more than what you're telling us,” Bailey said, his eyes flashed white for a
moment.
“Perhaps I do but I ain't sayin’ nothing else to you government dogs.” he said
starting to wheeze his breathing getting harder.
“Then go to sleep,” Bailey said, catching him as Rousseau started to fall to the
ground passing out from a lack of air.
“Did you find out anything?” Ki called out to them.
“Not much,” Bailey said, hoisting Rousseau over his shoulder.
“This is Shelly with the N.A.T.T. you read me over -”
“Yeah”
“ We’ve got Rousseau, has the rest of the building been cleared?”
“Yes all clear Agent Gomez”
“Alright we're coming down,” Shelly said as she scratched her long wavy hair and
gave a sigh; walking toward the exit. Back down the stairs Civilians were being taken
outside hurriedly they screamed and yelled.
BOOM! CRASH!
The sirens made there ears ring.
“What the hell's going on?!” Shelly yelled looking bewildered.
“Look outside.All hell's broke loose!” Bailey exclaimed.
“Oh my God!’ Shelly said.
“Agent Bailey Agent Gomez!” the swat captain shouted. “ The cities under attack
from the smoke organization.”
“Son of a Bitch!” Bailey said, exhaling.
“This was their plan along..huh-” Shelly said in disbelief putting her hand on head.
“Let’s just get back to headquarters with Rousseau,” Ki said irritatedly.
“Headquarters has been moved to the historical district sir,” the Captain said.
“Alright let's do it,” Bailey said walking outside. Into the screams and wailing sirens
and stomping of running feet.
Just coming off the bus walking down a cracked and pothole ridden road to the
barracks, the air was heavy and a burnt smell filled the air and it made Andy's chest hurt.
Now over a small hill she could see Further into the town Andy could A young boy walking
who keeps getting red human flashing turning left and right slapping his tablet he finally
notices the sea bodies and entrails and takes a step and blood splashes upon his cheek he
looks around bewildered and finally up to the screens which were all blank looking for them
to tell him something anything In his face you could see his gradual descent into terror and
confusion. Then the lights of the large screen came on to which both Andy and the boy
jumped it showed the people of Castoria hustling about just outside the government district
for for them
to tell him something anything In his face you could see his gradual descent into terror and
confusion. Then the lights of the large screen came on to which both Andy and the boy
jumped it showed the people of Castoria hustling about just outside the government district
for few moments and then a woman falls to the ground then one after another and blood
spills into the streets the once unadulterated white walls and fine crystals of moissanite now
stained and painted red. Then the screen shows a different part of Castoria, the downtown
area people going every which way for about thirty seconds then the direction of traffic
changes within the waves of people crossing the streets for those with tablets the humanoid
red figure flashes, routing them around spilling people into the streets miraculously.
Avoiding oncoming traffic then within the crowd of folks detouring in the streets a man
gets hit by the car as it screeches to a halt. As the driver gets out of the car everyone keeps
moving along. The man slumps to the ground and the driver kneels next to him and takes
out a phone seemingly shouting for help no one pays any mind. Adjacent to the accident,
everywhere people start to turn left and right no longer looking down into their screens they
come to a realization that something was wrong you could see the frustration on some of
the faces cursing their holotablets. A few people scream, noticing the splattered bodies on
the ground as if the people were in slow motion coming to the realization of what was
happening. Something was wrong though the bodies started to emanate a black swirl.The
screen cuts to where Andy and the boy stood the just within the city the before coming into
downtown the projects people were talking and laughing amongst themselves some
barbecuing others on their balconies and porches from the top right of the screen there
seemed to be a commotion as children began to run from the jungle gym in the back just
barely seen at the top of the screen, people turned their heads and got out off their chairs.
A black silhouette made its way through the apartments as people looked on the
figure stops in the middle of the street now just close enough to see that it was a person
there was a flash of light around the person and some kind of circle appeared beneath him
for only a moment they raised their hands into the air and lightning came down from the
heavens striking the housing catching them on fire. The figure's body started to glow and
emanate black smoke and at the lofty raise of a hand and pointed finger lightning came out
killing a child and the smoke continued on a rampage as people ran for cover only to be
electrocuted others jumped from the burning building to their deaths. Andy turned away
from the screen and set her sights back on the boy still staring at the screen. Andy's heart
stopped a moment and I felt as though the coldest ice water went down her throat sending
shivers throughout her body. Approaching the young boy from the side was a smoke his
smoldering body became more menacing as the black smoke he was radiating became more
intense she reached for the boy.
Watch out! A Seust officer screamed.
Running toward the smoke their right fist glowing green punching the smoke in the jaw but
did nothing to faze him. The boy in shock stared at them.
GO! The officer shouted.
Andy could suddenly see more officers were fighting smoke members fighting in the
distance. The city now ablaze with smoke rapidly filling the air and the temperature
rising.The boy came running toward Andy and she turned to run as well her hands and arms
shaking and breathing hard and uneven. I gotta calm down, she told herself. Running out of
the town one of the apartment buildings crumbled blocking a clear way out of the
town,sending her back toward the fighting the boy now nowhere in sight . She stayed out in
the open, her eyes tearing left and right looking for shelter away out. Drowning out the
screams, car alarms, and now screens saying please do not panic find your nearest officer
and they will direct you to a safe location please do not panic….
OK where am I ….. the closest district is the historical one …. it wasn't on screen either
although that doesn't mean anything…. Andy thought to herself.
Passing people running in every which way she went from running to a brisk walk out of
energy coming up to the historical district to her luck and surprise it was the safe zone for
Castoria. Now early evening the street lights came on to give off a pale green light and a
woman officer of Seust came up to her.
“Hey are you alright, you need any medical attention?” she said.
“No, I'm fine,” said Andy.
“Ok, give me your name, “ the woman said, holding a clipboard.
“Here” Andy said, showing her military ID.
Ok see that building with the black trim on the roof that's a debriefing room go there.
“Ok thank you” Andy said.Making her way through the civilians shaken and scared, one
asking with a large group of people around a few officers.
What's going on!? Why aren't the screens telling us anything! a boisterous man with
a cut above his eye.
“I won't mince words with anyone. Our city is under attack by the smoke
organization and its members,”- the officer began. Interrupted by murmurs of the gathering
of people.
He raised his hand and the crowd fell silent, and continued.
“We are establishing communications with our main branch is Hollister to gain some
ground in the city and start evacuating you all.So please remain calm and patient until
then.The crowd murmured on and a few raised their hands.
“Yes you ma'am,“the officer said.
“When will the screens come on? Why aren't they on?!” she said desperately.
“We are working on that as well ma'am next question.”
At this Andy reluctantly went into the debrief building where a number of officers were
gathered and seated inside what turned out to be a rather stuffing empty space. A colonel
stood at the front of the room.
“Ok settle down everyone, As we all know Castoria is in a state of emergency our
intel and special forces team has scouted and brought back the following information.This is
indeed a terrorist attack made by the smoke they have made no demands and our city is
the only one to come under attack. They have attacked the north and west side of the city
and into the downtown area, in that order.”
As the Colonel finished speaking a soldier finished setting up a holographic projector
showing a map of Castoria with red arrows and circles around the areas of attack. He
pointed to the northern area.
“A few moments ago we received word that a special team from Hollister has
infiltrated the northern area base of all the telecommunications here in Castoria and stopped
the broadcasts streaming nationwide.”
At this the soldiers started whispering among themselves and a few hands went up.To
which the colonel raised his hand signaling them to cease and the room fell quiet.
“Now a more pressing matter is the fact that there are still men out there fighting
and we need to get out there and take our city back! Here in the eastern historical ward
there have been no sightings of the smoke but the southern slums and military base is
being advanced upon. Will split into three groups each one heading out to the three areas
under attack and another group here fortifying our stronghold and assisting civilians as they
are brought in.” See Colonel Marrs for further instruction outside and you'll be assigned
your positions. A few people started to ask questions but Andy left the room stepping across
the threshold only to be approached by a Captain named Oliver, his green eyes and light
brown hair. Bumping into his chest.
“Sorry,” Andy said.
“No problem- oh hey! you got a second” said Oliver.
“Yeah I guess” said Andy thinking no not really .
“I was just coming in to see what's going on but there this old lady over there
needing some help could go see what she needs?” said the young captain.
“Uh, where exactly?” said Andy.
“Near the museum she's got long gray hair.” Oliver said.
“OK” said Andy as he turned away from her she saw a black scar on the back of neck
crusted and cracked; making her stick out her tongue quietly in disgust.
Upon solemnly the museum people walked solemnly in some with bandages on their wounds
all wearing haggard faces. A soldier bellowed to the ant trail of people please don't rush
there is plenty of room inside.
“As if! this slow ass line we are barely moving!” a large woman said with some rather
skimpy leopard print outfit on. Her friend was slapping her phone and mashing the screen
with her fingers.
Giving a gasp saying to the large woman “ look girl I got one bar.”
Turning to her left quicking shouting at a little boy running around the street. “Come on
here lil boy!” sending him running back to his mother.
A small old woman sitting up against a column of the museum looked wide eyed into the
sky making Andy feel reluctant about approaching the woman looking around to see if there
were any other old people around.
Sighing and saying dammit under her breath approaching her.
“Hello I’m Andy captain Oliver sent me over to help you” said Andy.
“Yes dear..I just need someone to keep me company with all this craziness going on”
the old woman said. Andy gave a small chuckle and sat down next to her.Preparing to slit
her throat.
“Well I’d much rather sit here with you than go out and fight,” Andy said.
“You're a soldier? You're such a sweet girl I would never have guessed,” the old
woman said.
“I’m a researcher really,” Andy said.”Never would've thought I’d end you in the
middle of this.” Andy felt drowsy, blinking and squeezing her eyes. Hiding an icicle behind
her back. She knew upon locking eyes with her she was a smoke and threat to her
uncovering lost history were suddenly at stake.
“None of us did sweetheart,”
“Are you from Castoria?” Andy said wanting answers her mind becoming fuzzy at this
point she knew that somehow she was being targeted but why, wheezing, breathing hard.
“I’ve lived here for a good 30 years and where are you from?” The old woman said
she wore a miners uniform and a badge hung from her neck. Andy could only see that her
first name started with the letter C.
“I came from Auewnzori but I-whew! “She yawned. “I must be more tired than I
thou-” Andy blacked out. Oliver behind her his eyes flashing white he had caused her slight
hypoxemia.
