CHAPTER 1

TRACK 1 –

            “All students head to the dormitories in an orderly…”  Ichigo Miyamoto’s voice was drowned out as the NRE fleet chose that moment to fire their batteries. 

            Cannon fire ripped through the dawn air, overshadowing the din of the alarm’s klaxon cries.  Tuki and I watched in growing horror since my enhanced vision and senses let me see the dozens of fiery explosions blossomed before my eyes.  I saw the shots before I heard them moments later, luckily for us, the ships were all bow facing, so that limited the number of shots coming our way.  That would change when the shark like ships turned broadside to fire. 

            “Hiro!”  Bron’s voice broke me from my thoughts.  “We have to go!” 

            His words were punctuated by the now landing cannon shots.  Which were bouncing off the school’s force shield, each bang sounding like a giant gong, banging in a staccato rhythm? 

            “He’s right boss, we have to go.  It’s not safe here.”  Tuki chimed in, echoing Bron’s sentiment.

            Just then Headmaster Miyamoto’s voice amplified and sounded out over the racket of the cannonballs smashing into the shield.  Each hit causing the invisible dome to flare translucent blue with every successive strike, looking like a giant strobing disco light, accentuating the teacher’s words.

            “Faculty and students, Defense Plan Lock Down Alpha 1 is in effect!  Initiate immediately, details are being sent to your AR2’s.  This is not a drill, I repeat, this is not a drill!”  The Headmaster called in a loud but calm voice.  

            My AR2 dinged and I spared a moment flicking my attention to the message.

DEFENSE PLAN LOCK DOWN ALPHA 1

INITIATED… 

ATTENTION ALL SCHOOLS FACULTY AND STUDENT BODY

ALL FACULTY MEMBERS FORM DEFENSIVE AND OFFENSIVE BATTERIES

ALL STUDENTS IN GRADE SOPHOMORE CLASS S FORM GUARD SQUADS AND FALLBACK TO POSITIONS A THROUGH D

ALL STUDENTS IN GRADE SOPHOMORE CLASS A AND BELOW, AND FRESHMAN CLASS S AND BELOW, FALL BACK TO PREDETERMINED SHELTER SECTIONS 1 THROUGH 3, FOLLOW THE ROUTES ON YOUR AR2’S

            I closed the message just in time to watch as every member of the faculty burst out in different color lights and streaked towards their positions and the incoming enemies.  Ms. Parker’s aura shined a crisscross of light blue air and dark red fire, Mr. Samson was the dark brown of the earth, while Mr. Joker’s was a fluctuating rainbow of colors that never settled on just one.  My gaze trailed over the rest of the faculty, Mr. Austin the pure white of snow and ice, Ms. Smith was bright pink like glowing cotton candy, and Mr. Strange was an almost clear color that was just a haze in the air.      

            My fellow classmates and I cheered as the Faculty got into position.  Ms. Smith, Mr. Strange, and Mr. Joker reinforced the barrier lending their magic, while the rest passed through the barrier and streaked towards the enemy brining the attack to them.  In just a few seconds the three teachers were streaking through the sky, dodging the incoming cannonballs and closing in on the ships and ABBA’s.  When the teachers were almost in range of the enemy things took a rapid turn for the worst.

            Ninja Commandos, I don’t know what else you’d call someone wearing ninja garb that was patterned off green camouflage, appeared behind each faculty member.  There were three for each teacher, nine in total, each wielding glowing weapons, which they held pointed at the teachers who seemed oblivious to their assailant’s presence, they were so focused on the shield and enemy in front of them.  I looked closely at the weapons and my AR2 dinged, I glanced at the information in the corner of my eye.

AFFINITY NEGATION STUNNING ASP

Weapon Type – Retractable Stun Baton

Name – ASP

Class – Unique

Durability – 100/100

Upgrades – Affinity Negation, Reverse Affinity Stun

Known Characteristics – This weapon was created to nullify a person’s Affinity Power and render them incapacitated.  Made of the same material as Affinity Ball this weapon reverses the polarity of the material and instead of taking on the properties of the Affinity wielder, it instead sucks the Affinity Power from those targeted. 

Affinities – Null, Zero Affinity

            I went to call out to the teachers, but the enemy Ninjas acted before I could.  Fear gripped me as the Ninjas attacked the teachers in unison.  Nine Asps flashed out, almost faster than the eye could see, each hitting a different vulnerable spot on a teacher.  All three dropped without any sounds but grunts and thuds of hitting the ground. 

            Closing the information bubble, I looked at my friends standing by my side and all around us.  All of Class S, even Justin and his crew had come within speaking distance, while the other members of the Freshman and Sophomore classes streamed towards the shelters.  The exception was the Sophomore’s Class S, who were separated into the A-Ball trio’s and were racing towards the Ninja Commando Attackers. 

            The Mirror Triplets reached the first trio of enemies, the ones that disabled Ms. Smith, all three struck simultaneously in a perfectly time ballet of badassery.  Meryl, Beryl, and Sheryl each targeted a different attacker, their silvery auras shining like armor around them, then as one they yelled their attacks.

            “Mirror Triple Strike!”  The triplets cried.

            Suddenly, the triplets tripled.  Three versions of each girl appeared separating from the original in a split-second, and turning from opaque to fully corporeal, then all nine flared their silver auras as they hit.  The three shining silver kicks blasted into each Ninja Commando.  My AR2 dinged as I watched. 

MIRROR TRIPLE STRIKE (LEVEL 3) – This attack is a triple threat that can only be completed by members of the Mirror clan.  By completed syncing the wavelength of their Affinity Powers, the triplets make mirror images of themselves that are three times the power output of the single member, then their power is tripled again by fusing each members own Affinity Power creating an AP pool that is exponentially stronger.  This ability lasts till the triplets AP is expended.       

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            By the time I flicked the information closed the other Sophomore groups had reached the other Ninjas and had engaged them, already getting the upper hand with their surprise attack and A-Ball tactics.  My group cheered as the Ninjas Commandos fell under the Sophomore onslaught one by one, until they were all down and incapacitated.  Anna caught my eye and I gave her a thumbs up, which she returned with a fierce and triumphant grin.

            I motioned to my group and gestured towards the Sophomores, then we all ran over to help our sprites leading the way. 

            Skidding to a stop a few feet before I reached Anna, followed along by the rest of my class.  The gorgeous girl was directing her fellow classmates then turned as we reached her, while the rest of the Sophomores picked up the Asp’s and unconscious teachers, ignoring the downed enemies.               

            “What’s the plan sis.”  Justin called, walking up to stand next to her and their brother Blake. 

            “We need to get the teachers to the infirmary first, Bron, Dwayne, and Blake, each of you grab a teacher then…”  Anna began saying, as she finished directing hers and our teams, the rest of her words lost on me though, as another barrage from the NRE ships hit the barrier.  The lead ships information flashed up on my AR2

NRE FAST ATTACK AIR GUNSHIP

SHORT RANGE ASSAULT CRAFT – 150 FT LENGTH – 50 FT WIDTH

ARMAMENT – FIVE PORT AND FIVE STARBOARD BROADSIDE CANNONS, DUAL FORWARD AND STERN MOUNTED AFFINITY CANNONS

ARMOR – N/A

CREW MAX – 50

The Neo Rus Empire’s military is based on the concept that the best defense is a good offense.  NRE-FAAG’s are the epitome of this philosophy.  Highly armed, extremely maneuverable, and very fast, all at the expense of shielding and armor.  Designed to resembled sharks made of iron and wood, they are propelled by an Affinity powered steam engine that can use crew members as fuel to extend its capabilities.  These ships are usually used in fast attack squadrons that operate in short range from a base of operations with a longer tactical range.  There large armament and ability to hold a large crew make them a very effective at surprise assaults.         

            I closed the window as I caught my balance.  The world shook visibly around us all, as the cannonballs struck the shield.  This was the largest and strongest attack yet.  The ships had turned to their broadsides and were now firing five more shots per ship.  I watched in morbid fascination as what looked like a rain of cannon fire exploded against the shield, causing it to flicker and shake in rapid spasms and bursts.  If this kept up, I wouldn’t bet on the shield lasting that much longer.  As if echoing my thoughts, Maggie grabbed my shoulder and gestured towards the rest of the group, who were already headed off full speed, unconscious teachers over broad shoulders.    

            The whole group moved quickly but safely.  Anna had us in a formation with the teachers in the center surrounded by the rest of us with Maggie and me pulling up the rear.  No one spoke, nothing needed to be said, we knew where we needed to go, besides the world around us was speaking plenty. 

            I glanced back and saw Ms. Parker, Mr. Samson, and Mr. Austin were still shining and flying around the group of ships and ABBA’s.  From this distance they looked like glowing florescent ping pong balls bouncing back and forth wildly through the sky.  Even though they were way outnumbered every time they struck another NRE combatant fell from the sky.  I grinned and was about to cheer out loud when another ship broke through the cloudbank and my cheer caught in my throat.  All that came out was a strangled croak.  The largest ship I had ever seen appeared from behind the attacking NRE-FAAG’s and ABBAs.  This ship was huge, easily as large as all the attacking ships combined.  It was a steam belching, fire breathing dragon of a vessel, replete with cannon protruding from every side and a runway with a massive air control tower on top.  I was reminded of the movies my Sensei like about World War II with their aircraft carriers.  This was a flying version of that mixed with a steam powered destroyer.     

NEO RUS EMPIRE BATTLE AFFINITY DREADNAUGHT

NAME – NRE VLADIMIRPUTIN

CLASS – LEGENDARY

LONG RANGE FORWARD ASSAULT CARRIER – 770 FT LENGTH – 83 FT WIDTH

ARMAMENT – FIFTY PORT AND FIFTY STARBOARD BROADSIDE AFFINITY COMBO CANNONS, THIRTEEN FORWARD AND STERN MOUNTED AFFINITY COMBO CANNONS, HANGAR FIFTY ASSAULT ABBA

ARMOR – AFFINITY REINFORCED STEEL PLATING

CREW MAX – 350

The Neo Rus Empire’s military flagship.  The Putin is a fully functional flying fortress and operating forward base.  The Putin has all the necessary equipment and supplies to keep their army and ships supplied for six months.  The vessel also has the armament equivalent of an entire fleet of ships.  With their fast attack ABAB’s and FAAG’s, they have a blitzkrieg ability that is second to none. 

            I took in all of this in a moment, then closed the screen and kept moving, catching back up with my classmates who had also seen the monster ship, and were now moving even faster.  Then thunder struck, louder than I had ever heard in my life, so loud that I involuntarily put my hands over my ears, along with the rest of my classmates.  Maggie’s eyes were wide as she stared over my shoulder, looking almost comical with her hands covering her ears, I turned following her gaze.

            “You gotta be trumping kidding me…”  I whispered.

            Clouds of smoke blossomed from the side of the giant warship, in all the different Affinity colors, that were so large they obscured the huge ship from view.  Then I saw the cannonballs streaking in, but these were Affinity powered shots, radiating Affinity Magic.  There was ice, fire, earth, wind, and all the other Affinities, I watched them all as they traveled almost in slow motion, with a terrible feeling growing in the pit of my stomach the whole while.  Luckily or not, I didn’t have to wait long.  The combined barrage of FAAG’s and the Putin, almost a hundred cannonballs and Affinity cannonballs struck the schools shield. 

            Time slowed to a crawl and I watched each individual shot hit the shield, causing the light blue Affinity power to flash while all the different Affinities colors exploded like fireworks on a perfectly placed tableau, it was beautiful.  Then the shield overloaded and exploded shooting a backlash of Affinity Power that was so bright and loud the world disappeared around me, and everything went black.

            I slowly blinked my eyes open and smacked my mouth open and closed, tasting blood and dirt.  A loud ringing was the only thing I could hear.  My vision and hearing began to return, albeit at a snail’s pace, thankfully my wits came back quicker.  I was lying on the ground I realized, as I pushed myself up to feet and looked around.

            All my classmates were in a similar state as me, to varying degrees.  The last thing I remembered was the shield exploding.  I shook my head, clearing it, and got back in the game.  Once on my feet, I helped Maggie up and then headed to the rest of my friends and classmates.  No one was hurt, just shaken up, Anna caught my eye and nodded, then we all began moving again.  Our goal, the Infirmary was just in sight and we moved even faster, everyone glancing behind them in fear as we ran.  A look back and I saw the teachers and now all three headmasters holding off the NRE invaders, already they were forced back to the parade ground.                         

            I turned and refocused on our destination and quickly ran inside along with everyone else, bringing up the rear and shutting the door behind me.  The Infirmary was large enough that all of us fit in comfortably.  The teachers had already been placed in Healing Pods and Anna had a Holo-Screen up in the center of room, which everyone had gathered around and watched intently.  The Holo-Screen was amazing, showing an aerial birds eye view of the entire battle, along with zooming in everywhere that the action happened and showing popups with information on combatants and different attacks and moves. 

            I stepped up next to Maggie and she grabbed my hand not taking her eyes off the screen, which I stared at as well, taking in the view of the battle raging just outside our room.  The action on screen was riveting.  The Headmasters and Teachers fought like devils, and even though they were outnumbered over a hundred to one they held off the attackers, a testament to their strength and battle prowess. 

            “Wow…”  I whispered, returning my full attention back to the unfolding battle.