After what couldn't have been any longer than an hour, the scientists on the floor above started to stand and put away their papers. The female scientist near the glass cleared her throat in a manner that suggested she was trying to get everyone's attention. "That will be enough," she said, reaching back to touch William by the arm. She nodded to him and he began to walk away. She watched him go before turning back to the group. "It's time for you to come with us and hear our explanation."
Cullen shrugged in Ali's direction. "So much for all that, huh?"
The glass wall in front of the scientists began to recede into the floor. Once they were exposed, one within the group made her move. Floating off the ground, Andriod 18 charged through the air at an incredible speed, her arm raised to deliver a powerful punch to one of the scientists.
However, before she could reach the scientists, 18 dropped out of the air as if she'd lost all momentum. She slammed into the ground in a heap, clutching at her head as if it was in great pain. The scientists looked utterly calm, having seemingly expected no danger at any time.
"My name is Annette Birkin," said the female scientist. "The man who left was William Birkin, my husband. Our colleague here is Albert Wesker. We work for the Umbrella Corporation, as do all of you now. You have no choice in the matter, for it is now in our hands what you can and can't do."
As the pain subsided, 18 stood to her feet. Her body tensed with anger, but it seemed she had expected her attack would have been a failure. On some level, everyone probably felt the same.
"Whether you possess a biological body, a mechanical one, or something in-between, we have inserted technology into each and every one of you that allows us to control your bodies and abilities. We can turn them off as we like, as well as paralyze you if need be. We have been testing your motor functions, and you have given us some valuable data."
"... And what exactly is it you want us to do?" Cullen asked.
It was the man named Albert Wesker who responded. "Follow us."
Annette and Wesker started in the direction William had gone off to, heading toward a wide set of heavy doors. Men and women with guns began to pour into the chamber as an incentive for the group to follow orders. It was only a short walk through the building's sterile gray halls until the group was brought to an area that appeared to be a sitting room with a large screen set into the wall. William was here, as was a mysterious male.
"What the shit is going on here?!" said the male, who wasn't wearing a lab coat or gear like the other Umbrella staff members. He grew visibly incensed at the sight of the crowd, and he took a few angry steps toward Annette before he froze in place mid-stride.
"This one's been a real nuisance," William said. "Not even half as useful as any of the others. Should have killed him off, Annette."
"This one didn't take to the transition as well as the rest of you," Annette said, ignoring William's remarks. "I figured he would have still been in medical, but just as well that he joins us for the briefing."
The man jerked and shook himself when he was able to move again. He took a few gulping breaths and looked to be wavering on his feet. "F-Fuck!" he stammered. "I have things to do, you assholes!"
The scientists ignored his outburst and walked toward the video screen. Annette tapped on the screen, which brought up a visual display that she was able to tap at until the screen turned on to show a video feed. The video showed off a room, where rows upon rows of monitors and computers surrounded a device at the center. It drew every eye, for it glowed a bright and brilliant blue.
"Welcome to Umbrella's greatest achievement," said Annette, sound pleased with herself. "This device has pushed Umbrella's technology development hundreds of years into the future. It allowed us to develop the technology inside your heads, as well as bring you here in the first place." She looked away from the screen and looked upon the group. "Your suspicions were correct. You are beings from other worlds, brought here for our use. Your unique worlds provide assets we could only dream of. In addition, no one that is any threat to us will miss you or be looking for you."
This would have caused dissent and murmurs, but the armed escort seemed primed to use their weaponry.
"As for what we wish you to do," Annette continued, "Is for you to act as weapons for us. An army. A sword. Our technology is wanted by a rival company, and we require you to fight for us. There is no choice in this matter if you value your lives. Even those of you who do not seem to display any sort of combat abilities will be going out in the field. If desired, we can provide some light combat training, but time is of the essence. We know the technology inside of you all works, and that is all we need to be sure of before we go ahead."
"So we're fucking expendable?!" said the male, plainly stating the obvious. "I am no one's puppet, you hear me?"
Annette peered at him impassively. "...Your lives are in your hands."
Wesker tapped at the screen, changing the feed to display a map. "The highlighted areas of this map are where you are permitted to go. Walking outside these areas will shut down your body. Do not cross us. We have a waiting area next to the armory where your weapons will be returned to you. In addition, any of you without weapons will be able to take what they want from the armory. Aside from this waiting area is a training facility where you can actually learn to hold a firearm. Is that clear?"
The dhampir sheathed the blade that had been returned to him, the sword that he considered to be his family heirloom - his mother's sword. Away the potions went tucked into his clothing where they could be used later, and bottles of Holy Water that burned the flesh of demons. He only stopped equipping his weapon to look at Road, who had approached him.
"'Aly...'?" he rose one eyebrow. No one had called him that before, it was a strange way to address him, but who was he to stop this stranger from another world? "Yes. I will have to do some investigating or follow the others who have a similar mindset. I have no intention of staying here."
"..."
He stared at her.
"Very well. Let us work together when the time comes."
Hakuei didn't know who these 'scientists' were, or what the 'Umbrella Corporation' was, but the princess felt a mix of horror and anger burn through her being at their actions. Who were they to take other beings from different worlds and force them to do things for their own whims? Most of the things they mentioned were far beyond her knowledge, words such as devices being inserted inside their bodies a disturbing but puzzling revelation. She narrowed her eyes coldly, her hands tightening into fists.
How can the people back in my world not notice? The disappearance of Kou royalty would cause a stir, much less the disappearance of a general like Hakuei. Kouen would scour the world just to find her, and she didn't even want to know what Hakuryuu would do.
But the idea of such people like this having the ability to still get any person they want, pluck them out of other worlds... She didn't want it for her brothers.
For now, she had no choice but to go along with these vile people's whims.
The princess was at least relieved that Paimon would be returned to her, as well as her sword.
Going to the armory proved to be an interesting trip when the princess saw all sorts of weaponry being used by the other captives. She drew up beside the silent man who she had learned was some sort of creature, a vampire, was it?
Held in her hands were her own weapons. Her white feather fan, or flabellum, Paimon was securely in her hand once more. Hakuei looked more at ease having her companion with her again. Her sword was strapped to her side.
View attachment 10487
Flashing a smile towards Road and Alucard, she nodded towards their acquisitions. "Interesting collection, Alucard." The princess noted, eyes skimming over the strange bottles that he tucked into his clothes. Then finally to the sword that he had with him. Her eyes sparkled with interest, the sword looked like it had some special sort of significance to its owner. It was an eyecatching sword.
"You are a swordsman, as well?"
"A man named Nick Fury," Annette said, looking down at her small electronic device. "Can't say much about the man. We're not native to this world if you were wondering."
"... Bloodstone," Cullen said. He wasn't too fond of repeating his name over and over again. "And weren't you listening? Buncha dandy nutters want to use us in their fight. Kind of weird they got a wee little kid like yourself here... Though, you're really taking this in stride, aren't you?" Cullen shrugged casually. Kids like this didn't deserve what was happening, even if she was used to this. It wasn't right to force kids to grow up so fast.
"Guess I am as well. Seems I'm just a natural at getting myself into these sorts of situations. If you need any help, kid, just... look my way, I guess."
"Indeed. I prefer the sword above other weapons." The pale man pulled the sword out from the sheath, to show her the design before returning it to its rightful position. He had been taught how to use a variety of weapons, even a spear, but he liked the lightweight feeling of a sword and combined with his powers it made short work of monsters and demons that roamed the castle and outside in the night. He had it buried beside him when he fell into a deep slumber, it was always by him after his mother died.
It used to be hers, after all. And now it was his.
"It is a family heirloom from my mother's side. So 'tis precious to me."
"What are you holding? Surely you cannot defend yourself with a feather fan, my lady."
The dhampir sheathed the blade that had been returned to him, the sword that he considered to be his family heirloom - his mother's sword. Away the potions went tucked into his clothing where they could be used later, and bottles of Holy Water that burned the flesh of demons. He only stopped equipping his weapon to look at Road, who had approached him.
"'Aly...'?" he rose one eyebrow. No one had called him that before, it was a strange way to address him, but who was he to stop this stranger from another world? "Yes. I will have to do some investigating or follow the others who have a similar mindset. I have no intention of staying here."
"..."
He stared at her.
"Very well. Let us work together when the time comes."
Hakuei didn't know who these 'scientists' were, or what the 'Umbrella Corporation' was, but the princess felt a mix of horror and anger burn through her being at their actions. Who were they to take other beings from different worlds and force them to do things for their own whims? Most of the things they mentioned were far beyond her knowledge, words such as devices being inserted inside their bodies a disturbing but puzzling revelation. She narrowed her eyes coldly, her hands tightening into fists.
How can the people back in my world not notice? The disappearance of Kou royalty would cause a stir, much less the disappearance of a general like Hakuei. Kouen would scour the world just to find her, and she didn't even want to know what Hakuryuu would do.
But the idea of such people like this having the ability to still get any person they want, pluck them out of other worlds... She didn't want it for her brothers.
For now, she had no choice but to go along with these vile people's whims.
The princess was at least relieved that Paimon would be returned to her, as well as her sword.
Going to the armory proved to be an interesting trip when the princess saw all sorts of weaponry being used by the other captives. She drew up beside the silent man who she had learned was some sort of creature, a vampire, was it?
Held in her hands were her own weapons. Her white feather fan, or flabellum, Paimon was securely in her hand once more. Hakuei looked more at ease having her companion with her again. Her sword was strapped to her side.
View attachment 10487
Flashing a smile towards Road and Alucard, she nodded towards their acquisitions. "Interesting collection, Alucard." The princess noted, eyes skimming over the strange bottles that he tucked into his clothes. Then finally to the sword that he had with him. Her eyes sparkled with interest, the sword looked like it had some special sort of significance to its owner. It was an eyecatching sword.
"You are a swordsman, as well?"
"Just curious... and by that, I mean I might have something that can work as a back-up... I made something for my PWM cube that's sorta like a rechargeable battery, which is that sphere-shaped power core I put into it. That power core actually recharges itself using the oxygen around, and since it's a given that oxygen is a needed thing and has to be around, this little thing doesn't run out of power... thanks to yours truly, ehehe!"
Blake briefly explained that the power core that he made to power up and charge the PWM might be able to act as a way to keep Miku powered up as well. It was only a guess on Blake's part since he wasn't sure if it would even be compatible for her, but it was worth bringing it up regardless. Taking in Alice's question, the assassin only grinned in response.
"Oh yeah, I totally have the past training. I just gotta turn this sweetheart on, and slip these glasses on~"
Blake practically squealed in glee, putting on some modified glasses that came along with the cube. All it took was a single tap on the cube, and a blade framed out of hardlight energy appeared in front of him to take into his hands.
"My only piece of tech that actually works besides the recharging power core... I call it the PWM, which stands for Projected Weapon Material. I have yet to put more weapon data into it, but it pretty much acts as all sorts of weapons without the hassle of carrying around the physical ones. Pretty cool, huh? Until I upgrade it though, it sorta loses power fast, which is why I made that power core to charge it back up. The glasses only help me with seeing what weapons I can change to and how much power I have left until it force shuts down... so..."
Blinking a bit, he noticed that he had been talking a bit too much, stopping himself in embarrassment.
"Oh... whoops, I forgot that we were trying to help Miku out... sorry about that. Maybe that's what sis always told me about being a huge nerd. I-If you need me, I'll be practicing sword stuff over there... yeah!"
Miku seemed rather mesmerized, by both Blake's tech and the various weaponry at her disposal. Some small, some big and intimidating. All of them looked rather... dangerous.
"Something like you have Blake would be totally cool to use. But I don't wanna take away your weapon... or your means of powering it." She shook her head slightly at the thought, offering him a somewhat consoling grin. "We'll wait and see what happens? Maybe these scientist people will lighten up a little..." Or perhaps she was being too optimistic? "Good luck, Blake. Don't hurt yourself."
Turning her attention back over to Alice and her choice of weaponry, Miku thought for a moment what the most logical and safest decision would be. "... I'm not built for physical combat, or... Anything like that, really. It might be best if I stay at a distance? So uh, guns and stuff?"
"It is a beautiful sword, Alucard." Hakuei studied the design before the dhampir sheathed it once again before she blinked at his following words. A surprised laugh escaped the princess, genuine amusement lacing her following words. She arched a brow at him, a grin on her lips.
"Oh? This is no mere fan, it's my metal vessel. I mentioned before that I can manipulate the wind." Waving her fan gently, she showed the metal vessel to Alucard. "Meet Paimon. She is my djinn that lives inside this fan and she has formed a pact to lend her power to me." It was a shame that she couldn't materialize Paimon as a magi could, but she felt a resulting happy little thrum in her hand coming from her fan.
It was nearly a complete paradigm shift in character. The small, darker-skinned girl suddenly took the Vampire's left arm into her grasp with both of her own arms and grinned - beamed, really - up at him with near childish happiness. She really played the role of a young, spoiled, bubbly teenager well.
"Then it's settled, bloodsucker! Road and Aly!" she cut off, almost suddenly and her cheek could be seen slightly con-caving as she bite the inside, a habit that Tyki had told her to try and break, to no avail. "Alley! Road and Alley. A dynamic duo of dark magic!"
On this note, while keeping the arm she'd latched onto firmly into her grasp, one of her hands rose, all of her fingers pointed upwards and connected at the tip for a moment. In the next instant, her fingers spread and bloom, and in the open space of her palm appeared a blue candle. The wick was lite, and it must've been for a while, as a trail of liquid wax had descended down the side of it. More curiously, the bottom was fashioned to a sharp point that was unmistakably covered in dried blood. She grasped her hand again, and the candle vanished into nothing before she looked up at him.
While she'd been creating the candle, it had seemed the parasol that she'd had on her shoulders had fallen, but however, never hit the ground. It now hovered right below the hips of the girl and she had taken a seat upon it, suspending her in the air beside the vampire, Alley.
Road acknowledged the girl with her amber, autumn-like eyes as she flashed a smile at her and Alley. The seemingly honest look of joy on Road's face melted a bit into that arrogant, nearly possessive grin. It was then that she dropped her gaze to what she called her 'vessel' or 'Paimon' and something devious took her expression. There were more candidates for the Akuma virus in this place than she could throw her parasol at, and that made Road, very excited.
That said, Road could feel the djinn.
"Are you able to manifest it?"
The look on Road's face screamed that she didn't think the girl could, which would be disappointing, but oh well.
"..." Her usage of past-tense gave off the impression that the friend she spoke of met an... untimely undoing. Quickly trying to shake off any anxieties of the fact the same could happen to her, she continued.
"I'm sure I would've." Back to the matter at hand. "I'd like to be a safe distance away." She sheepishly rubbed her neck. "Honestly, I'd like to use whatever takes me as far away from the action as possible... Preferably without hurting anyone." The last part was quiet, as she knew the likelihood of that happening was pretty low at this point.
