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    <04/11/1965 - 08:45 | Blue Port Forest, Gulop Region, Sprawn Valley>


    Despite the silence in the soft wind, tension higher than molten soot stalled every breath. All noisy wildlife already vacated from the area, as if they somehow had a sense for what was to come... Or, perhaps Lance found himself nervous for the first time since joining these freaks. Having Nadiezer as a new member sure didn''t put many at ease, but the man was knowledgeable. Sure enough, it only took days for a big decision to be made, evident for having most of the higher elite teams meeting up in the open like this.


    The deeper parts of Blue Port Forest were unmonitored by the Leray agents, but showing up in person like this was still a risk, one the masters were willing to take. In fact, it was so important that the leader of the Scarlet Syndicate showed up in person, bewildering Lance with a heart-pounding anxiety that this was too important to hide from, as if the world would shift and move on his command, no matter what.


    "Two others are supposed to show up soon, but they will be briefed anyway... Lance."


    Lance tightened every muscle in his presence, uncertain why master seemed so untrustworthy of Lance''s presence. Perhaps it had something to do with Lance putting no faith in Nadiezer; the grunts sure do like to talk. Still, Lance knew he had done no wrong. "Master." He bowed carefully, daring not to speak of his real identity. It was one of the many important rules on this team. Even if people know of his actual name, none shall speak it aloud in any setting, not until the day of reckoning arrives. There are actually two masters though, a second rank paired with the first, who is absent for this specific meeting today under the rising sun.


    "Allow me to introduce the fourth ranked, Kronos." As master introduced Kronos, the soldier didn''t move or shift for any handshakes. All he did was cock his railgun rifle, showing off an impressive innovation to Leray-related technology. Eventually, those guns will be able to do more damage than the veil would allow, in due time.


    "I am full of questions," Lance openly admitted without shame, "but I don''t believe they will all be answered today."


    "Then you have good instinct," Master praised. "We are too short on time for sharing too much at once. We have amended our build-up plan, and require a much stronger level of execution before we can strike out against the core of the veil."


    This really is important; no doubt about it. Still, Lance wondered where the others were. He assumed the ranks entrusted with this mission would be higher in number, but there were only sixty-two individuals present, most of them wearing leather masks or tactical helmets. Day by day, these members are looking more like soldiers and less like mages. "Awaiting intelligence, sir."


    He glanced around once more, raising his voice and ensuring everyone was huddled closely without breaking their tactical formation. "Before we begin, I dare ask for promise that nobody has been followed out this way."


    "Sir! No Sir!" Everyone replied at once, cautious enough not to raise their voices too high, at the risk anyone might overhear. At the same time, Kronos turned and adjusted a setting on some strange headgear set he wore, as if to patrol the surroundings without leaving the general zone too far. After it was confirmed, the Scarlet leader got to work with the briefing.


    "As of this moment, Outpost Delta will no longer be a valid rendezvous for any Scarlet member, with exception to our moving team. We will use Outpost Epsilon to develop and transfer the raw materials and equipment needed for our upcoming construction project. I won''t disclose the location of this future structure until later."


    "Construction project?" Lance couldn''t make heads or tails of it. The fact that they were abandoning site Delta must mean an enemy is onto the location of its whereabouts; or it means that the plan is moving into a new stage. Outpost Epsilon is nearly, on a smaller delta the locals have not yet explored. Based on the practicality of location, the only means of transferring these materials easily would be dark magic teleportation glyphs.


    "That is correct. I weighed our options with my second in command, and have come to this decision. Authorization for project U-QCR-001 has been approved. As such, we will take on the long-term goal to construct this facility for the sake of experimental magical research."


    "Project U-QCR?" Lance felt a familiarity with the term, though not with enough depth to explain it to himself.


    Luckily, master was here to explain it all, to everybody here. "We will be building, and later migrating our entire force into this facility. In short, the acronym stands for ''Underground Quantum Catalyst Reactor.'' Even I don''t know exactly what energy we will be producing at the very beginning, but the overall goal is quite simple. If it is too impossible to break into Eldora Tower secretly to discover the secrets of pure magical conversion, then we will work to reverse engineer the process ourselves, until we finally unlock the secrets of magic. Basically, the facility will allow us to test countless varying possible vectors of magic and non-magic energy conversion. Eventually, we shall learn just where Leray magic really comes from, down to the building blocks of light."


    "That''s some plan! Won''t that take several years?"


    "It will only take months to excavate a mining site, and one total year to expand operational levels throughout the quarry. After the construction is complete and the system is setup, we will spend years if necessary conducting rapid-pace experiments and testing. Make no mistake; this plan will work. I will find out what makes our magic tick, but I''m also going to be hiring scientists to launch several side-projects as well, to help us develop additional technology that will put us ahead of those government lapdogs."


    It''s like someone lit a fire under the boss''s ass! He makes it sound so simple, but each day they spend out in the open constructing something so massive is another day they risk being caught by authorities. "Not that I''m against the idea or anything, but how do you intend to hide our operations mid-construction?"


    "We have our ways Lance. Let the pros deal with those details." Even if Site Epsilon is sieged, Outpost Sigma will serve the same purpose without issue, being that it is located deep under the ocean and all. One contingency plan backed by ten more; that is the only way to stay ahead of Brash Danton.


    "As I was saying," he continued, "We''re going to make proper use of this underground base. Our location will ensure that authorities never find us. I''ll unlock it all! Illegal symbols, lost spells, dark magic signets, genetic mutation of exotic animals, nothing will be off limits to us. As for our conversion matrix, it will be simple enough to start off small. We need to begin with using the veil to power a basic electrical system and sub-generator, so that we may use that power to conduct the real tests."


    "Tch! I thought the plan was to destroy the crystal core and smash the veil to pieces. That''s what most of us joined the syndicate for in the first place."


    "And we will achieve that goal, but only after we understand how such a core functions. I will have that power in the palm of my hands. There is something in this world even stronger than dark magic, and I''m going to find out what it is, even if I must produce it on my own. After we learn how to generate this energy and project it out into our own artificial veil, then I will unleash my master plan to remove Leray magic from the equation, and bring about purity to this rotten world. If that doesn''t align with your interests, Lance, then face me no longer." Lance has a choice to make right now. Everybody is either all in on this plan, or all out. None are allowed to leave the Scarlets and live to tell about it.


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    "Very well sir. It wasn''t my intention to doubt the work you have set out."


    "Ironic as it may seem, nobody here seems to understand loyalty better than Nadiezer and Kronos. You would do well to absorb all you can from them, but back to the purpose of our shared mission..."


    "Our future reactor will be more than capable of creating miracles of science, because I''m going to make sure I use every ounce of energy produced to exceed all limitations imposed by the veil. No longer will I allow for a single spell or condition to dictate what our energy system can do. As for recruiting additional members into the team, we will have to change our tactics on what will be promised. Understand me Lance; I will need you to hunt down and seek out human beings willing to become living test subjects. I don''t intend to have these test-subjects killed, but their survival with what I have in mind may not be guaranteed."


    "If these experiments are what I think they are, the end result could make them far more powerful than any sitting champion. Something tells me you won''t stop at existing symbols."


    "No. I will make my own magical signets. I will lead the charge to enter new technology that will merge other research products together. I can already feel it now; spell bombs that embew magical symbols for us, electronic jammers capable of negating specific protocols within the safety system of the veil, and crystals capable of turning Leray magic inside out with the flick of a switch. With all the electrical energy we could ever harness with such a reactor, t''would not be a challenge of time."


    It sure is one quick way to explain a master plan in the making, but Lance was still speechless and shocked, for the grand epic level of such a lofty idea was impressive, as was master''s confidence in pulling it off. "Recruiting people is what I shall do, as you have asked it. However, I''m not the best people person, as you already know."


    "I am well aware. Do not fret. In time, I will use the newest recruits you find to inherit the same job I give you now. Before long, you will personally be capable of looking into the crystal shard research project we have prepared."


    "So you were paying attention to the thesis papers I wrote."


    Lance does in fact have a fascination with magic crystals, and it''s important to make full use of such ambition in return. "The core of Leray magic must be powered by a series of magical crystals. Though we do not have these devices to study personally, it won''t be that hard to conduct tests and reconfigurations to determine what will and won''t work."


    "In that case, I will be of even greater assistance than before."


    "Motivation always brings out the best in people. Never forget that."


    Indeed. If Lance can learn the secret of the true source of all magic, and condense it down into a crystal, charging such energy to be released anywhere in the world, it puts him towards any status he wants. He could rule over an entire country this way.


    "One day, I intend to conduct mass theft of the crystal shards they have lying around in the schools'' vaults, but that won''t happen until we are desperate enough to amass a heavy amount of material to work with, and until we can step out of our own shadows often enough to do as we need to. When our new base is complete, even if we destroyed an entire town, Danton would never be able to find us."


    "So then, guerrilla warfare tactics are the way to go?"


    "It is only but one single tactic out of many. I''m not playing a simple game of chess with these scum. I plan to take it all the way to ascendancy."


    Wonder if Kite wishes to be a god as well. "Is there any method of attaining these crystal shards besides breaking and entering?"


    "But of course. The idiots of Eldora have let their guard down, and revealed the significance of the Eupharus Region. Unlike the Skar Mountains, which has thoroughly been mined into a husk of its former self, Eupharus Island is packed and loaded with magic-compatible crystals embedded in ore fragments. Since the region is monitored regularly, we will have to mine these crystals with caution, and that means it will take a while to amass anything useful. That being the case, I have plenty who are up for the task. So, my dear Lance, you will have your chance to play with our toys the moment our facility ignites its first breath."


    He couldn''t ask for a better outcome then. This ambition, this long-term plan... It''s all inspiring! It''s too tempting to resist! No wonder this man is the leader of such a deadly organization. He might look like a freak, but the guy has some spunk. "If that is all in the disclosure of the plan, then I ask to be put through the training of recruitment... I don''t know if I can pull it off without better guidance."


    "On the contrary. You seem to have already made a better member of Monarch. Granted, he was already part of the team to begin with, but until now, I had that man pegged as some pathetic doormat waiting for the next paycheck. Loyalty and ambition are equally significant, even though they often directly oppose each other. You must learn how to balance yourself. You do exceptionally well with combat, but you must now master the skill of speech and persuasion. Since you already have some idea already, I will pair you with the proper team to make it happen."


    "Please don''t tell me it''s that guy!" Lance''s teeth raged with a hiss to the soulless human he despised most.


    "Ah, so you will have the luxury of learning two lessons at one, mastering the ability to work with people you cannot stand."


    Does he find this amusing?!


    "Nadiezer is already the best for the task. His manipulation skills are highly ranked. He''s an expert at lying, and a lot of that comes from his confidence. While his background of treating animals like garbage is a truth I checked into, he already has most of us sold on another grand lie."


    "Y—you mean, you knew? You knew about Nadiezer''s fib with the prison story he told?"


    "Insult my intellect one more time, and I will strip you of your rightful role in crystal research."


    "My apologies, master." So it really is true. Lance knew it so, but it''s most peculiar that master knew he was lying as well, and let Nadiezer into the syndicate regardless.


    "The best liars embed truth in their deceptions. The man wasn''t lying to claim that most who are currently in Verlith Prison would be useless to us, and so, attempting to break in or out would only paint too big a target against us, and at a time far too soon. Though, anyone with half a brain knows that those strict bot brains never release prisoners for good behavior, nor do they allow any of their prey to escape their walls. The most logical explanation is that Nadiezer somehow has a mole inside the facility. I don''t care about this one bit. I would know if any member of mine was ever planning to betray our cause, even someone as well-versed as that lunatic."


    Still, if what master says is true, it begs the question for why Nadiezer would lie about something this important, all the way from the beginning. Does Nadiezer know that master knows of this grand tale?


    "Screw loose or no, Nadiezer is telling the truth about wanting to free all summons from the veil controlling their binding protocols. Thus, he has plenty of motivation to see that we achieve every single goal. If you spend enough time with him, I''m sure you will become far more of an expert in the recruiting process. Therefore, you will be working together with him, even if the thought turns your stomach into a whirlpool of hatred."


    Lance couldn''t protest, for if he tried to now, his insides would be liquefied right here, by the boss''s own hand. There is no choice in the matter. "Fine. Let''s just start this already. The sooner we start, the faster I can do it on my own."


    "We will soon run out of likely candidates in the local area. Thus, some external travel to other neighboring countries will be required. As you and Nadiezer both are not from around here, that shouldn''t be a challenge. However, I''m afraid your sacred task is still going to have to wait a few more days. There is still the matter of material transperation to be undertaken."


    "You mean you don''t already have enough people for that? The mover team getting lax on you?"


    "The moving team is only responsible for switching between Outpost Delta and Outpost Epsilon. I need more people to handle the raw material transfer between Epsilon and the designated facility location, which is still unknown until my land-surveyors finish their task."


    He really is managing a lot... Lance let a hefty sigh escape him, one that relaxed his whole body, since this would be such a chore. "Fine. I know all these puzzle pieces are important to you. I''ll get straight to work then."


    The boss nodded, then turned to face the rest of his team. "The rest of you will have similar duties of material transperation, and installation. I will personally designate all of you on which materials you will need to procure, how much of each, and when it must be made."


    "May I inquire about a possible flaw in the early stages of material transportation?"


    "No Kronos, you may not inquire. I already know what you are thinking. If we keep transporting tons and tons of material day in and day out, eventually, some idiot walking the outside zone will notice our presence. However, we only need to construct the very first underground floor, and install warp-stabilizers to handle and auto-correct incoming and outgoing teleportation glyphs. Once we have done this, we can make much larger shipments from Epsilon to Sigma using a submarine I have purchased. This way, we can teleport the rest from Sigma to the interior first floor of the room, the one with the stabilizers, but we still have to build structural supports underneath it, to ensure we don''t have a collapse or cave-in. It will take a lot of time... Do your job right, and you won''t have anything to deal with later."


    "Yes Sir." It was a more well-thought out plan than Kronos expected, and he had no further reason to question it. Basically, Kronos will have guard duty, ensuring that plenty of alarm is silently reached to all Scarlets conducting operations should any suspicious person come too close to the survey site, wherever it may end up.


    With all things decided and understood, the boss enhanced his own promise. "One way or another, we will learn of the primary fuel source for all magical conversion. If these fools mocking us wish to hide the one and only missing link between magic and reality from our eyes, then we will simply construct our own missing link, or perhaps something even stronger. When our promised day of reckoning arrives, it will be us who stands in the light of truth, holding the true power of nature in the palm of our hands. As for Brash Danton and that idiot Mainne, they will be finished before they even realize the mistake they made all those years ago! Mark my words. This is far from over."