Chapter 14:

“This is the future of warfare I present to you all -”

A voice boomed in the closed off space of the room echoing off the walls withing a circular dome room whose seats surrounds a center stage within the room. Within the only dimly lit space of the room stood a man, an elderly man in a well-kept military uniform military honor and awards decorated across his chest.

“- For too long we have sent our brave young men and women alike to fight such horrifying battle throughout the centuries, and now with the arise of these new weapons these new B.O.Ws appearing out of seemingly nowhere in recent years the death have only increased - ”

General Yang let out a small yawn he held in long enough bored out of his mind as he listened to his colleague speak, five figures shrouded in darkness stood behind him with one standing by his side the rest of the four divided into two groups standing to either side of him. The dimly lit room already only allowed limited visibly now due to their outfits being colored in darkness it was near impossible to see these figures. The man who spoke, the elderly man whose name was Quan Chenglei wasn’t just any officer he was The Director General of the armed forces of the entire nation. Even if one didn’t like him, you couldn’t deny his accomplishment though how got them was anyone’s guess, he didn’t have very noteworthy achievements for him to obtain that rank in General Yang’s opinion.

However, opinions were in this case irrelevant as Quan Chenglei has the ears of the council members around him, General Yang doubted even his voice would sway heads nowadays. Such was the depth of his growing influence within the government body.

The Director General Quan Chenglei continued on with his speech for another long minute in all honestly General Yang couldn’t even begin to care for what he had to say, he didn’t even register what was even said before he noticed Quan Chenglei paused in his speech. His expressions tightened as he said those words, even the atmosphere of the rooms wavered and swayed according to his whims as if affected solely upon his words. No one interrupted his words no one reputed him nor challenged him

“- Thus, my collogues and I have work hard on a solution to this predicament to our problem…… I would presume that everyone here in this body is aware of the UNAC program?” the elderly man paused in his words as his eyes sweep over his

“How can anyone here not know about those toy soldier of Global America?”

Voices rang out among the gathered crowd most were of disinterested, few were outbursts, few were dismissive to the question.

General Yang sat in the upper levels of the seats among the crowd, hidden partially in the shadow where the light didn’t reach. Throughout the whole presentation he has said nothing but, in this instant, snorted in contempt at the question, Quan Chenglei only but spared a glance at him, but it wasn’t just General Yang but several other personal within the room as well gave various different forms of expression to the question. There were those that snort as the general did other gave a sign, other gave a dismal shrug but all in all the expression shown by most if not all were the same contempt.

The UNAC Program was started by their rival power Global America, one of the now three major dominated world powers of the world, encompassing of what in the past used to be known as the US along with Canada, Southern America and the west parts of Africa. Taking the other half of it along with the whole of European nations and much of the middle eastern territories is the United Kingdoms, then taking the rest of Asia territories is the motherland of their great nation of Shenzhou.

The main might of Global America unlike Shenzhou doesn’t utilize human manpower instead advanced unmanned A.I war machines, the latest edition to their armada their newest latest weapons the UNACs. UNACs an acromion for UNmanned Armored Cores or as many would like to refer to the drones as Cores, a massive robotic drone swarm army developed and deployed in mass. They were created to combat the rising tide of unrelenting B.O.Ws appearing on the battlefield, as small as these skirmishes are the on growing increasing appearances of these bioweapon is of great concern. Thus was the reason why he deployed his boys to deal with such growing problems in the last four years though frustratingly with little success, whoever were producing and providing these dangerous weapons were careful to erase their tracks.

Though not exactly as his boys have able to find small bread crumbs trails leading them closer to their true target. Though it has only been a small lead so nothing significant yet but it was a slow progress much too slow in all honestly. Not that he was complaining of course his boys worked harder than any living being ever could for the last twelve years, he couldn’t ask any more of them. That wasn’t the reason for his displeasure at the moment

“Thus, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the solution to this problem……. the War-Mech Series~!” at his voice

The hololite screens projected around him changed new images were being projected along with an array of data streams and diagrams. The data screen of the audience around him also shifted and changed General Yang’s was no different, A hololite projection of some humanoid figure now hovered above Director General Quan Chenglei. With the flag of Shenzhou a bronze eight-sided star figure in the center, with a corresponding smaller outlined version in its center, on a burgundy red background fluttering behind it for a brief moment before it disappeared. What remained was just the hologram frame of the same humanoid figure still hovering above Quan Chenglei from the level of detail projected form the hologram it was machine not a living organism

“The War-Mech Series these unmanned machines can be controlled remotely using the latest advanced Resonance Interface System via the machine’s Quantum Data Core. This Quantum Data Core allows a single user to control the drone without the need of the pilot’s presence within the machine to even function.”

As he was explaining more data streams was projected to the audience and another hololite projection appeared revealing another humanoid figure enclosed within some form of pod machinery seated tightly within with several connections to their body.

“All pilots can ride these drones from any remote-control center of which the pilot uses this special interface to control it, which can theoretically cancel any direct or life-threatening danger as they aren’t physically near the danger zone and due to this Interface system, they can be controlled anywhere in the world the range of these machines is limitless.”

At these words the crowd subconsciously let out sighs of wonder and astonishment every soul within the room was hooked upon the details of this new weapon, almost everyone.

“The true scientific explanation of the Resonance Interface System is a bit complex to fully explain at the moment so I’ll just shot you all the short version. The basic principle of the system is a simple thought synchronization process control system the pilot once situated within the control pod though immobilized controls the War-Mech with their minds. This allows the operator to control it without the use of traditional input/output hardware such as keyboards and control sticks, instead "feel" what the drone is doing easily and intuitively as well as moved with organic fluidity of a normal human body with direct 1:1 ratio intent-to-action translation.” Director General Quan Chenglei continued on.

“Allowing these drones to be easily controlled with minimal training almost zero control-learning in fact, the only difficulty being the matter of getting used to what can be called a double body. Thus, this allows for finer control of the machine and better response time to any threat and cancels the possibility of any life-threatening situations, by removing the pilot from the war-zone but, however we all know nothing is perfected. Due to high-level connection between pilot and machine, if the machine sustains damage, the pilot also suffers adverse effects, which requires the other handlers to disconnect the pilot from the system to prevent severe injury and possibly death but this hasn’t been fully confirmed as of yet -.”

The room was silent all were listening to his every word absorbing in the influx of information like sponges General Yang was no different, as he listened, he was strolling through the holoscreen in front of him sinking through whatever data was presented. He honestly found himself impressed by what he was seeing, this weapon requires almost zero control-learning the pilot does not even need to learn about the controls machine.

This would significantly reduce the training time needed for a common soldier nor the grueling task of having to find Potential pilots, any soldier can be given one of these WarMechs as they do not need to learn about the control system and can just straight away focus on learning to fight. Compare this to other weapons platform such as tanks where the pilot needed to spend a significant amount of time learning and memorizing the control systems before being able to train on combat.

Oh, this interface even enables telepathic communication between participants of the system without the need for E-Wave communicators…that’s very impress. General Yang reading all this in all honestly found himself fantasied with what he was reading so much so that he didn’t even realize that the Director General Quan Chenglei have concluded his presentation.

“Now does anyone have a question that they would like to request of me as of this time?” all at once numerous voices began to ring out from the audience question ranging far and wide was blurted out rapidly before one voice spoke out loudly among the crowd.

“So, what you’re trying to tell us is that these toy soldiers of yours are better than our boys after years of service you would honor them by tossing them aside for these replacements?” One of the officers in the seats somewhat below General Yang spoke up in accusing tone.

“I never said that did I General Po, you are looking at this from the wrong angle my friend these are simply tools for our soldiers to utilize in combat no different from the common firearm that they commonly wield just in a different form.” Director General Quan Chenglei replied with what one could make out as hint of mockery toward General Po. However, among the crowd it was not just General Po who held such thoughts much of those who’ve fought at the battlefield put forth their own thoughts. All who heard this were split many questions were put forward, and many arguments made against this the opinion of the room was spilt with a majority being the present politicians being favor with the military personal being in oppose.

All argued loudly, and the clamor increased by the second growing louder in volume, until General Yang stood up which at this point of the shadow figures behind him shifted their posture. A pulse of psychic power flared behind the facemask which failed to conceal as an arc of energy of light and electric current rushed down underneath the figures cloak, traveling down their body down to their feet which was raised once the energy was condensed on their feet their boots slammed down onto the floor.

That thunderous boom rang out in the room echoing in the room immediately quieting every voice as all eyes went to General Yang.

“I will not deny the effective use of these weapons Director General but however you are forgetting a crucial fact as too why we never fully embraced a robotic army.” Amidst of the General Yang spoke his voice carried through the air despite the softness of his tone but still carried the authority that he carries. None raised their voice against as all listened at the sound of his voice.

“Despite the specifications and advantages that you have mentioned the answer is simple, a drone army would leave us too vulnerable we would become too reliant on them and if we lose control of them what happens then? It is not the nature of the tech or weapon presented that I fail to trust but it’s simply unreliable in the long run compare to having live boots on the ground as painfully as that fact is we need warriors not fancier toys.”

Murmurs of assent among his fellow generals went up at this.

General Yang bluntly stated his voice devoid of any noticeable expressional tone and his facial features hidden behind the shadow shroud covering his face of all have heard his voice, though none voiced it all most souls within the room agreed with his words.

“At the very least I try to look out for the well being of the men who serve this country not like a certain warlord who sends young souls to fight foreign horrors of God knows what, these War-Mechs will allow a soldier to still serve effectively without the need to put themselves in harms surly General Yang you can see the logic behind this project?”

These words caused a tick to rise within General Yang but he fought back against the feeling despite the accusation tone in his voice he knew Director General made a valid point, and in all honestly a more morally corrected choice that even he supported.

“Desperate times calls for desperate measures we were at war and we needed better weapons I will not argue on the matter any longer it’s simply a matter of principle, I will not claim to be justly nor will I claim that I am

The two figures eyed one another the air becoming tense around them everyone felt it.

“As you say so, I will not dwell any further are there any other questions that needs answering?” Director General Quan Chenglei broke off eye contact with General Yang before resuming his speech.

At this point General Yang ceased to listen to what the man had to say his mood soured, this was supposed to be some substandard yearly military conference not some weapon arms presentation, it happened so fast General Yang had no idea how the discussions even traversed the direction it did that led to this current state. What nonsense was this, what was the goal of this particular conference he didn’t understand, less of all by that man what was his goal what game is that man playing at all sorts of questions was building within General Yang’s mind. However, he couldn’t come up with an answer to his question and seeing as the questioning was going to continue for a while so he stood up from his seat and began to head to the door, he need not stay here any longer he figured as he lost interested in the matter.

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Thus, General Yang walked out of the room with the five shadow figures following him in tow. This action didn’t escape the eyes of Director General Quan Chenglei who eyed his excited even as the questions came rolling over him within the room. General Yang walked through the ornated military halls of The Vermillion Forbidden City along with his guards, his footsteps echoing beneath him upon the smooth pavement floor of the corridor. The occasion patrol squad of soldiers he encountered saluted to him and stopped to give way to his party, this was the same for the numerous civil servant that roamed the city state.

To his side General Yang gazed through the open balcony first revealing the lush multiple layer colored garden below him then the tall wall in the near distance and then the massive mountain range beyond the wall. He then stopped to breathe in the clean smoothing air around him he found it very pleasant calming his nerves reliving some of the stress that was building up within him. Looking around him at his surroundings filled with him a sense of peace and pride after all this was the seat of government body of Shenzhou — a large palace situated in the capital city of Luoyang. It is off-limits to the general public and, aside from guard detail and other military personnel, but official guests may be permitted entry only by the highest offices of government.

“So peaceful and majestic its is moments like these that one truly can feel like they’re alive despite all the dangers of the world and beyond.”

“Such peace is only temporary unfortunately it is all purely symbolic of the dangers to come.” The lead dark cloaked figure of his bodyguards spoke. “It almost sickens me in all honestly so weak and feeble, so many points of weakness.”

“That is life Kwan Tai not everything in life is as sturdy and indomitable like yourself it’s just nature.”

“Such is the truth unfortunately.” Kwan Tai FengXian the WarMaster of the Blades responded with a disinterest tone.

“Do you hate my boy?” General Yang turned to face his greatest champion Kwan Tai FengXian the WarMaster though his face was concealed beneath his facemask the eye lens bored into General Yang’s eyes. Possibly even through him, General Yang felt at times that his boys becoming what they’re now can see things beyond what he could possibly hope to comprehend.

“Do you not hate me for what I have done to you and all of your brothers turning you all into the state you are now? You all were just tiny babes when I found most of you not even living life yet that was stripped from you, in its place was forced a great responsibility upon your shoulders.” General shifted his hand to caress Kwan Tai FengXian’s facemask his eyes filled with all the love and emotion that a father could give to a son, not just to the WarMaster but to every other dark cloaked figure around him.

“What’s there to hate, my previous life wasn’t bad per say but I wasn’t really living then either its of no consequence to me in all honestly, I have a purpose I know what I am and I know what I have to do along with a truer family at my back now. Something I didn’t have in the past what more do I need?”

Kwan Tai FengXian placed his hand on General Yang’s shoulder reassuring the old man in front of him. This put a simile on the old man’s face before his features hardened one again.

“Though this meeting its bothers me greatly, I thought that this was supposed to be an annual budget not some weapon expo presentation……forget it I’m not even going to get an answer to that anyway however………what is that man up to?”

“General Yang, the WarMaster.”

“As yes Mi Liu is there something you wish to say.” One of the four other Blades moved in closer to the duo the eye lenses of the face mask glowing with a slight brightness barely noticeably in the sunlight.

“I took at closer look at the blueprints design of these War-Mech machines and I found something particularly interesting.”

“Elaborate.” The WarMaster turned to address his brother.

He lifted his hand from underneath his cloak with a swift motion of his fingers a holoscreen was projected from his finger tips showing the detailed blueprints and data logs of the WarMech that they had just see back in the conference room.

“The WarMech machines in principle and designs follows much after the UNAC Program of Global America however, I’ve found several elements that can only explain why it has such advanced features these features incorporates elements of our old Slave Armors.”

This piece of new stroke the group hard General Yang’s expression tightened at this the other Blades were unreadable as stoic as they appear but the aura around indicated otherwise.

“Are you insinuating that someone managed to hack into our systems and stole our designs?” Kwan Tai FengXian coldly said at this revelation the temperature and pressure around him seemed to have shifted and become heavier.

“It is a high possibly despite or most likely could be just one of the engineers that left during the early stages of the project.” Mi Liu responded unaffected by the possible accusing tone in his WarMaster voice.

“This does raise another concern to the problem we will need more information about this Mi Liu try to get into - ”

“General Yang sir.” A voice came behind them cutting him off General Yang he turned almost furious at this interruption his Blade shifted in their postures though not battle ready but not too relaxed either. He came face to face with a civil servant dressed in the servant attire of The Vermillion Forbidden City.

“General Yang sir pardon the interruption but the Chancellor wishes to speak to you sir.”

The Chancellor, this caused General Yang to raise an eye brow at this news, the overall figure head of Shenzhou the Supreme Chancellor the ruler of the nation in all but name. General Yang and the Chancellor were no means strangers in fact the two souls were quite close in fact being blood brothers holding absolute trust in one another however he felt that bond between them seems have waned as of late.

Curious, why would he call me now of all times just out of the blue like this General Yang thought to himself.

“Alright lead the way.” Despite the uncomfortable feeling in his gut that he was feeling within, General Yang pushed the thought aside and he and his Blades bodyguard team followed the civil servant to meet with the Supreme Chancellor.

Not too far from their location;

“Is everything ready?” a figure spoke into a device in their hand hidden in the shadows where the sunlight failed to illuminate.

“Yes dear, everything on this side has gone smoothly how about you love?” a female voice came from the other line of the device.

“I’ve just finished here too everything falling right into place time to get the game rolling, oh call up the other one and have her get ready its about to get a little hot around the world soon.”

“Yes, dear I’ll make the call right now.” The connection from the other side was cut off at this the figure began to chuckle softly to themself.

“Alright~, it’s party time.”

Hours later……...back within Quan Zhou.

Pain…...Everything in our life is based on pain. We feel pain when we are born. We feel pain when we die. And pain knows about it……

Father! Yin Chen woke a sudden awareness as the pain kicked in a different kind of pain this pain was his own, not the one he was feeling before. He felt wet fluid came rushing into his mouth Yin Chen came around coughing up amniotic fluid, spraying the inside of the revivification casket that he found himself within. Despite being fully submerged Yin Chen was still breathing normally his third lung was functioning normally distorted at first but his senses were rapidly returning to him. He then roared, thundering his fist against the glass, his muscles and nerves suddenly aware aflame. “Release me!” he spat out from within the tank, the fluids parted ways for the brief’s moment and the glass shoke from his voice alone however, despite his strength he wasn’t able to break out of the tank a testament to the durable of the device that was critical in saving many of his Blade Battle Brothers in the past.

Yin Chen then noticed the familiar figure of Ou-Yang Jinhai now standing before his casket his hand tapping away at the control panel. Soon Yin Chen could hear the locking clamps around the casket disengaged, admitting him back to the world of the living. He rose up from his prone position hard breathing hard, he then felt the kickback of his third lung expelling the remaining breathing fluid within him. Yin Chen didn’t fight it as he barfed out the fluid from his being dripping back into fluid beneath him, he found himself now sitting in a half-capsule of briny, viscous liquid and unintentionally murderously staring at his brother before him.

One swift look from his peripheral vision already told him what he needed to know where he was, if not that the scent can the air reeked of counterseptic and a fine mist clouded the floor. It was clean, cold; a desolate place. The walls were scrubbed

clean and unadorned. Medicare drones clicked and whirred, running burbling fluids through their boxy innards, busying themselves in the background, measuring samples and preparing solutions. How many had come through these halls bloody and broken? How many had arrived and never left? Always too many.

“Easy there take it slowly brother, breathe, relax your senses don’t push yourself too much you underwent the Tribulation remember?” Yin Chen heard Ou-Yang Jinhai speak.

Then the excruciating sensation of his bodily senses kicked in touch, taste, hearing, sight an overflow of the senses that was enough to even distorted him for a split second. Even if that had pasted the sensation of endless pain remained, the agony of it all flaring down every nerve and making his flesh hot like boiling magma. He nearly fell backward back into the capsule if not for Ou-Yang Jinhai though his skin was slick with Amino fluids his brother held his grip.

After breathing slowly for a couple of seconds He managed to control by clearing his mind that using the techniques taught by the Order, and his surroundings settled into a

blurred mask of just-tolerable pain.

“I-I am fine now……I have found my equilibrium.” Yin Chen then shifted in his tank to lifted himself from his muscles disobeyed him. He grasped the sides of the capsule. His fingers were numb and would not grip. His hands still slick slipped free, splashing at the Amino fluids some of which spattered against Ou-Yang Jinhai armor’s robes staining them but he showed no sign of caring about that fact. Yin Chen’s hand continued its path slapping against his chest and bringing forth a spike of pain.

“Easy.” Yin Chen could feel Ou-Yang Jinhai armored hands reach into the capsule reaching for his sides in an attempted to lifted him up. “Enough.” Yin Chen croaked. He raised his arms one after the other, forcing his brother to release him. He gripped the capsule sides again and pulled himself upright until he stood on unsteady legs. He wavered, but he did not fall he shifted his weight, recovered his balance and stood slowly. He trembled, for though the room was warm he felt intolerably cold.

It took all that he had keeping his foot from failing him and causing his legs to fold under him. He shamed himself with his weakness, regretfully with Ou-Yang Jinhai’s help Yin Chen removed himself from the capsule and was seated on a nearby chair the menial drones hovering close to the duo using towels to wipe the still clinging fluids upon Yin Chen’s nude body. Before he was seated a towel was laid upon the surface of the seat to absorbed the dripping fluids. “Here drink this.” Ou-Yang Jinhai handed Yin Chen a goblet filled with water spiced medication he could smell it, suddenly racked with thirst Yin Chen took the drink and downed the cup in just a couple of gulps his weakness became a lesser concern.

After he had finished the last drop, he let out a sigh sucking in the air that he denied to his lungs a normal human reflex that was not longer necessary for someone like himself. Neither less he enjoyed such normal mortal reflexes it helps remind himself despite his ascension the core roots of what he was before, elevated but not truly apart from the rest of humanity. He felt hot his bodily systems already at work boosted by the concoctions he ingested to remedy the last imperfection within him to restore his body to peck form.

“Slow down you’re not going to be fully functional for at least an hour or two.” A scanning beam was projected over him from his armored finger tips, before he extracted a miniature device from his vambrace resembling a scanning rod. Ou-Yang Jinhai then began waving the rod over Yin Chen recognized it as a common Medical Scanadu, like any Scanadu it was equipped with sensors and analysis software tailored for medical diagnostic purposes. Which is linked to the hololite feedback monitor that was being projected over his vambrace.

Yin Chen handed his off his goblet to a menial drone who took it at this time Pod came hovering to Yin Chen beeping a chorus of happy codes, however Yin Chen didn’t return the same sentiment. “Pod contact my father.” Pod must have felt the urgency in his voice as it bleeped its compliance. After a few seconds Pod beeped out a sad note signaling it apologizes for failing its task, this caused Yin Chen to be visibly distress. “How long have I been out?” Yin Chen asked as he rose to his feet, he felt stronger already in fact better than before.

“Sit back down you’ve been out for a day that’s relatively quick even for you, what’s the hurry for?” Ou-Yang Jinhai moved to sit Yin Chen back down to his seat but his brother managed to force him off. “I’m fine brother never mind about me Pod contact my father again -” a tingling sensation then came at the back of his head Yin Chen knew this sensation, he reached for that signal within his mind and what was relayed to him within the dark navy-blue space of swimming aurora lighting.

[Meet me within Weda]

(What’s does he want at this time has something happened?) “Its Liang Lì.” Yin Chen stood up as a surge of metal particle dust emerged from within and quickly circling him latching itself onto him forming his armor then his cloak which overlapped it.

“Brother Liang Lì is calling for you has something happened?” now it was Ou-Yang Jinhai’s turn to be visibly distress by the news anything that comes from Liang Lì cannot be good.

“I’m about to find out do not speak of this to anyone acknowledge.” Without facing his brother Yin Chen gave his command as he walked towards the doorway with Pod hovering after him.

“By your will Captain-General.” Ou-Yang Jinhai compiled as he gave a courteous salute his arms crossed across his chest fingers touching his shoulder while slightly bowing to the disappearing back of Yin Chen beyond the doorway. Onwards Yin Chen walked through the familiar corridors and pathways he has long since memorized his pace was increasing as he strolled through. With his DNI he has repeatedly tried contacting his father’s home phone contact SAT but still no response, the uncomfortable sensation was building in his guts, the walk felt longer than what it used to feel every micro second felt like an eternity has passed.

Soon he reached the final doorway to his destination walking through them he came upon a massive room of multiple levels the first level where he’s at a single Ops Halo Station that took up much of the space. A large holographic projection table also known as holotables, also referred to as a holo-projectors being a device used to project a hologram. This one like any other similar device in the world provides 3D imaging of topography and battlefield operations. These are generally linked to satellites to provide tracking of units in real time, and are frequently used to stage large scale training exercises and tactical war simulations. Around the table were several of his brother all dressed in their full panoply of war halted from their holoscreens to salute Captain-General. Yin Chen responded with a slight nod taking note of the holographic topographical map being projected over the holotable of the surround area of Quan Zhou. While continuing on with his stride passed them as he walked down the stair to the second level. There he was greeted with the sight of a couple dozen Ops Halo Station consoles each have large displays with various data projected on them, each manned by one soul however each of them resembles the one next to each other. Ignoring them he continued on to the farthest side of the second level pasted all the Ops Halo Stations as he approached a section, he was heading to Yin Chen’s eyes glowed in the dim lighting.

A section of the floor panel shifted out of place revealing another set of stairs leading deeper beneath the floor of the Command Direction Center or CDC an abbreviation of Command Direction Center, Commands and communication during battle operations are transmitted from here being the tactical center of Quan Zhou; it’s a large command room. Consisting of multiple floors and is also extremely big more than it should be considering Quan Zhou is a large ship, by all means and technicalities, the CDC is its bridge.

At the base of the stairs was another set of seal doors the door systems already requesting the clearance codes and verifications, his armor system already sending the request codes. The sealed door opened revealing underneath the floor a closed massive circular room lit with a continuance circular screen covering the room in a complete 360-degree angle encompassing the entire space.

A lone figure stood at the center of the room with their back towards Yin Chen, the figure didn’t move or shifted in posture even as he moved closer. As he moved closer the larger the figure became till the figure stood over his head by at least two heads taller than him. Only when he was right behind did the figure finally shifted their posture to face Yin Chen

“Captain General.” The figure gave the formal honorary military salute crumpling his right armored gauntlet banging it against his chest over his hearts his left arm and placing the other hand behind his back as he stood at attention his armored boots clanking loudly against the floor as he stamped his boots together.

“Brother Praetorian Liang Lì.” Yin Chen addressed his kinsmen.

Liang Lì (Excellent Strength) as his title/rank he was the main guardian of Quan Zhou due to his gifts nothing happens within Quan Zhou without his notice. There he stood tall and proud like any Blade Battle Brother he too dressed in his full regalia like any active soul in Quan Zhou. Liang Lì was different compared to Yin Chen he was massive his bulk only intensified by his armor plate. He stands over almost eight and a half feet tall the largest among all of his brothers, his face was unconcealed showing long dark hair that draped over his shoulder towards his back he had a youthful face, giving him an almost innocent appearance. This is offset by his exaggerated upper and lower canines, giving him an animalistic 'fanged' like appearance when he opened his mouth to speak, his story was well known among the Ten-Thousand his circumstances before being indoctrinated into the order was special. He was older than Yin Chen the oldest by far, far older than one could hope even to imagine it was a miracle for him due to his special background to have even become a brother.

“Hello brother I believe a congratulations is in order for your successful Tribulation no?”

“You didn’t call me to the Strategium just for that did you Brother? Shoot has something occurred?” The Strategium the formal way of calling the command center that he was just in. Yin Chen replied in a more aggressive tone than he had wanted as he tried to sort out the uncomfortable sensations rapidly building within him. If Liang Lì took any offense he didn’t show any sign of it as he simply said.

“No.” as he waved his hand around and made gestures with his fingers as he pulled up several data screens for Yin Chen. “Approximately around twenty hundred three days ago while you were undergoing your Heavenly Tribulation, we lost contact with General Yang along with his sons and we haven’t been able to reestablish contact with any of the team who was with General Yang.”

“What do you mean lost contact there is no system in the world that can hide from us and especially not with our own brothers, even if we cannot reach them via EM-Wave communications we still have the Domain.” Yin Chen snorted at the possibility of such a scenario. “What happened to the War-Master? With him by the old man’s side the possibility of any assassination or any attempted on his life is guaranteed to fail and he isn’t alone what force that exists in this world that could possibly even hope to contend with us?”

Suddenly a rupture pulse of energy surged through within the back of Yin Chen’s inner mind along with the thurm of energy within coils within the walls around him he knew this sensation. Yin Chen didn’t need to accesses the computer systems around him to know what has happened.

“The Soul Fire Chamber is active……...how?” Yin Chen was visibly shocked at this revelation the Soul Fire Chamber was active after four years…...four long years and in their own homeworld that wasn’t supposed to be possible.

“It’s Chen Shu, Alex, Matthew and Johnathan I have confirmation of their life signs and their armor suit’s signal within the House of Arms they’re undergoing Saṃsāra within the Soul Fire Chamber……...how is that possible?” now it was Liang Lì’s turn to become visibly disturbed by this revelation as he brought forward more data screens along with other rapidly appearing, for a Blade to reappear within the Soul Fire Chamber to under Saṃsāra means only one fact…. Death.

This indicated only one thing their originally missing Blade Battle Brothers had been killed.