#sephirotreforged

[ruichu01]

#Sephiroth from #Final_Fantasy_7 (comm)

I really liked drawing him)

[tetsuwan-atom]

"Be advised, Vigilance is to be put into ALERT status, code 2705-E, high-risk inter-dimensional activity, investigation warranted."

"Received, Vigilance is officially on ALERT." From the bridge to the combat decks, the ambient lights for about ten seconds turn red, as an alarm blares throughout the entire ship. The readout had been well picked up by the MOS.. and the Vigilance just so happened to receive such data in real time.

"We'll be picking up Rosalia Blanchimont before identifying coordinates of new activity. Proceed slow, information to be ascertained before identifying full course of action."

"Open up Comms to Fraxinus, care of attention to Himeko Fujimaru as First Point of Contact. We need to know what's just transpired."

Since Bowen himself was part of SEPHIRA, he was going to be briefed anyway. @sephirotreforged

[cainv-dark]

[akumanoken]

@sephirotreforged

Oh my, Shido is feeling something rising...

Oh no!! It isn't anything Souji can help with, can he??"

[marykaxmuses]

"Shi', what do you think about this place?" The blonde asked her boyfriend the new café who opened recently. They weren't busy, so she thought it'll be nice a little cozy fate.

@sephirotreforged ;3

[tetsuwan-atom]

Academy City Investigation : Commencement

@sephirotreforged

2 hours after the original deployment time, everything was go. It had been confirmed the NSRB were out of proximity.. that they would be out of the way for what was to come next.

By now, darkness had well and truly settled in. White flashing lights, from no less than twenty four grey Mercedes Benz buses, lit the landscape. The plan of attack was to tackle entry from a gate in the southeast, what should be, if paralleling the original, District 11, Goods Incoming.

Coming down the main straight, the sirens begin to blare. At the side of each bus were large devices, similar to old CRT televisions, smaller ones mounted on the fronts. Right as they did so, Bowen, in the bus second from the front, receives a confirmation. Aboard was also Bettner, along with a series of SEPHIRA Operatives who had also boarded earlier, one of them being Shido.

"We have satellite knockout. Confirming breach."

One had to anticipate the same game as before. If the Academy City of 777 had satellites in space, assume the same for 616. Even if this place might not be entirely operational yet, as one would hope, one could not be too careful.

HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONK HONK HONK HOOOOONK

The lead bus sounded the horn, the loud one fitted for emergency purposes, blinding lights incapacitating any organic soul that might be protecting the gate.

If those robots were there, the mass EMP bursts should take care of them. Regardless, someone must have had a brain to open the gate and allow the first bus, second, third and so on to pass through, until all 24 were through. The benefits of charging ahead. You don't want this kind of accident on your hands!

The blonde turns back, to face everyone else on the bus.

"Right, all the main buildings we need to hit should be located in District 7, one of the central districts in Academy City. The closest and first building to hit will be the Boys Dormitory. Now... the big four we have on our radar are on the proviso that these even exist at all. The boys dorm might, I suspect the 'high school' will. No idea about Tokiwadai... and I pray the last one isn't here.."

If the Windowless Building did exist... they have a problem.

"Gotta hope we can shoot down these robot bastards before they mob us..."

[tetsuwan-atom]

Scheduled Evaluation - New Transfer

@sephirotreforged

Location: Site 209, Tokyo Metropolis.

Timezone: 11:04 AM, JST.

Bowen stood down outside Site 209, looking over at his watch. He wasn't surprised this interview was going to be held here, given the nature as the main ground base for SEPHIRA.

He was here in an official capacity to oversee and support a new, prosperous candidate being interviewed for SEPHIRA, as part of his induction into his duties in this world.

Such a candidate was a man he knew well. Operator 1143, Johann Bettner. Both being from Class 11, the two already knew eachother very, very well. The pair had also worked together in the dying days of Academy City, a time neither of them will ever forget, not even in a hurry. In some ways it was fitting that he was the one chosen over Dotski and Abrams.

The interview process, Bowen suspected like his own before, was more just a formal thing. Bettner had been inducted into the ISC only a few days ago, now he had to be brought on to SEPHIRA, so that both of them could be properly working together. His mech piloting experience might hold quite a bit of weight here. Soon he could see a familiar shade of grey approaching. So he followed the blonde's advice! Johann was wearing the standard Operator's uniform, grey shirt, jumper, pants. Perfect for this process. Considering Bowen was in the more formal version, tunic, added belt, a white shirt, black tie.

Both of them waved at eachother, before giving one another a bro hug.

"Good to see you, Red Arrow."

"You too, Mighty Atom." They pulled away, Johann sizing up the other's appearance. "Wow, Mr. Fancypants. How does it feel being an actual Attending for once?"

"Ehhh, more paperwork, more bullshit, don't follow after me." Bowen laughed.

"Man, do I have to wear this crap?" Johann pulled on his jumper a bit. "Kinda makes me look like a painted target here."

"Standard interview procedure. When we're done here you can change out." Bowen turned to face him formally. "Now, are we forgetting something?"

"Ohhhh… right, right." Johann rolled his eyes, before proceeding to snap to a salute. "Attending Operator 1108, Operator 1143 Johann Bettner reporting for duty."

The blonde would salute back. "Good to have you aboard, 1143."

Johann laughed as his hand dropped back to his side.

"Well, I'm ready whenever y'all are."

"Of course, let's head on up."

[tetsuwan-atom]

When Fate Intervenes

@sephirotreforged

It had been two hours, the Vigilance had not moved from it's designated holding position in the Pacific Ocean. Nothing had changed, nothing had been heard, there was no go signal to move. Bowen kind of expected he'd hear an 'All Clear' signal more than anything. But then the communication light lit up again. Peter Merlin was calling once more. The blonde suspected it was either going to be return to duty or prepare for action. Like before, it was audio only.

"I take it there's been an update." A long pause, before an answer was heard. "There has… but not what either of us had expected." An eyebrow raised.

"What do you mean.. sir?" "We have a situational update first… on our end we detected multiple instances of inter-dimensional activity going out. Countless instances, by the looks of it, with nothing of the same sort going in. After that things seem to be a lot quieter, none of the previous constant in and out we've been receiving. I suspect, the Edel have decided to completely pack up and abandon their operations here. Hard to say whether it's due to the current circumstances or for reasons we are unaware of." A blink, two. The Edel… left? That wasn't like them, at all. They're not normally spooked by anything. Unless it might have been due to an argument with the US Government, but, Bowen just couldn't understand it.

"Well… that might make things… a lot easier on our end… but what's the other thing?" "Ah, yes… about that.." Another pause. "I'm afraid we are also going to be withdrawing, completely."

Bowen's eyes widened. He froze in place. For a number of seconds he didn't say anything. The United Government, was actually going to abandon this universe too. "We're… leaving?" "We have an urgent request from the Home Office. Local reports have come in of what was first advised to be some sort of 'sinkhole' in Skineland, but we've since discovered it's actually a cave, possibly ancient, there have been notes made of peculiar markings matching that of the stone monuments. What is more peculiar is that the cave is blocked by some sort of 'magic barrier'. Not even AntiMag can shift it. You were asked personally to investigate." Brows furrow. So he's going to be reassigned on what seemed to be a pressing assignment from the upper echelons of Government itself. However, that didn't address the entire situation.

"But then, why not put another Operator in my place, why are we pulling out altogether?" "Higher authorities within the Ministry have been reviewing some of our recent reports and tied my hands. Apparently continuing our work in 9463-RF poses a significant safety risk to not just Authrum but beyond our own borders, according to the Executive. The Minister himself has signed off on our withdrawal, effective immediately."

Immediately?

His heart was churning, his stomach was twisting.

"But… what about… can't I talk with Rosalia one last time before I have to leave?"

Another pause. Merlin knew what Bowen was thinking. Such developments had only made this harder. "Unfortunately I cannot authorise you to return to Tenguu City. Even then I believe the Fraxinus has already set out according to local information. I've also been advised that further communication to parties within 9463-RF is now prohibited."

A few more seconds of silence.

"I'm going to give you… another four hours, just in line with previous protocol. Regardless of what happens you are to exit 9463-RF with Vigilance and return to 0001-TV. You may… issue a written communication to Rosalia Blanchimont, if you wish, though, I would advise to steel yourself. If I know what you're going to be sending, expect her to remain here, being her home and, with that, her duty. I rarely find people going against their own beliefs and ideals during such dark hours. I know fate has become incredibly unkind to you over the years, I fear it might not get any better just yet, Bowen."

Bowen himself now paused, looking down. He was right. He knew what Bowen was going to write to Rose. He also knew not to expect her to come with him. There wasn't much more he could say, not at the moment. Anxiety and sadness had hit him.. and time wasn't up yet.

"Understood, thank you sir. I'll… speak to you when I return to TV." "If there are any updates on your end advise me as soon as possible. You may also leave ahead of schedule if you so need to. See you when you return, Operator."

"Thanks, Merlin." And so the call ended. … . . . After about fifteen minutes, he was in the office retrofitted aboard. Of course he wasn't going to genuinely write something, moreso type it, so it could be sent as soon as possible. He knew it would be the last thing he would ever send here. His heart hurt even just staring at the screen. But he knew he had to begin. Rose, I wish I could actually speak to you but at the moment this is all I'm allowed to do. I've been reassigned, a crisis has popped up in Authrum and they need my help. What's worse is that apparently the United Government has decided to terminate all operations in this universe. From what I've been told, it's too dangerous to remain. I've been given four hours and then I have to leave, along with all other MOS equipment. I know this is a big ask, but I want to offer you to come with me back home. I know this means leaving the world you grew up in, but we could work together in a greater purpose. I'm sure the MOS would fast track you into becoming an Operator. You could see multiple dimensions, universes, hell we'd be doing it together. If you want to come with me I'll be waiting, I'm sure Himeko can work some sort of transport. Coordinates for the Vigilance will be sent to you with this communique. We are currently holding in the Pacific Ocean. I understand if you want to stay here, however. I know you have a strong sense of duty to your country and your planet, though if that is the case this might be my last message to you. I'm sorry if I'm not good with this, I never expected things to change so fast, so soon. I really, really thought I'd be here for a long, long time. With you, for a long, long time. I love you. I wish it didn't have to be this way. I'm sorry. I'll be here for another four hours at most. If you're coming with me, I'll be seeing you soon. If not, maybe one day fate might bring us back together again, however long it may take. With all my heart, B.C. … . . .

Pressing send, he leant his head onto the desk. Such sadness, on a precipice of tears and numbness. Nobody should ever be put in this position. But here he was now. And now, he had to play what could be a long, arduous waiting game….