Quest Mrk 2

QUEST: THE SAVIOURS

Chapter 1: Enter Phase

Phase and Sofia walk hand in hand down a half built trail into the cityscape of Stransberg, soaked head to toe by the heavy rain and bedraggled by the wind, their clothes muddied by the harsh trek through the Aryania flats. When they began their trek from city of Lechtstein the weather was pleasant with only a mild breeze caressing through the air. Sofia had suggested they hire a car for the journey, but Phase believed walking along the picturesque trails through the gently rolling hills would invigorate the senses. The subsequent downpour proved him wrong. As they got closer to their destination the night started to draw in, clouds of choking smog carried by the wind abused their airways as they approached a ne'er used back road into the city. Stransberg is an oppressive industrial machine, churning out suffocating amounts of pollution and waste, the surrounding countryside long since dead, overwhelmed by the toxic poisons flowing through the so called rivers. Large purification facilities were constructed a mile further down where the two main rivers converge to protect the more valuable agricultural lands and the more affluent citizens of cities like Lechtstein, Sittard and the great lake of Instar Wasser which was the main source of water for Orion itself. As they enter the city true the industrial smog of Stransbergs factory laden landscape produced during the days labours, begins to dissipate into the spoilt night air. The steel, textile and military production facilities have finally shut down for the night and the nucleur power stations have lowered their output, the majority of the populace have cleared the streets to take restpite for the coming day. Here stands a city that has suffered at the hands of imperial Orion monarchs, its peoples backs broken by the labour entailed in supplying the Orion all they need to fuel their greed and decadence with minimum in return. Stransberg is even worse for those unnable or unfit to find work, the dark sodden underpasses their only shelter. Stories of the homeless snatched in the night by cut throat slave traders to work in Kambett mines or harvested for their organs are common place. Our couple are in no such danger, merely being affluent visitors. As they venture further towards the city center they walk beneath the gaze of cracked and weathered gargoyles, their faces almost wasted away by the caustic fluid that passes for rain. They stand remnants of an earlier dynasty when Stransberg was a bastion of culture and wondrous architecture, sitting on pedestals on top of a poorly cared for Gothic mausoleum, a faint hint of its formar splendour shines through the greyed rotting brick work. The duo take shelter from the smoggy storm in one of the mausoleums chasm like alcoves. “Phew! Man, I wish we'd rented a car now.” Phase frees his head from his large hooded jacket. “Told you so you foolish man.” Sofia shakes the rain out of her hair.
“Hey, a little rain never hurt anyone.” Sofia stands dwarfed by her heavily soaked designer jacket adorned on her slight frame, the poor piece of clothing was not made to endure such hardships “Are you kidding? It was a damn monsoon out there!” Phase waves away her overplaying with a smile. “Stop exaggerating, you’re such a drama queen.” Sofia stands hands on hips in a display of contentiousness. Phase covers his face with a thick scarf to prevent his lungs from being assaulted by the various noxious gasses lingering in the air. “You should cover your nose and mouth, the smog here is toxic.” Sofia complies with Phases advise, rooting in her bag for a specialized mask that cleanses the air of harmful elements. As a child she developed a severe case of pneumonia causing damage to her lungs and leaving her respiratory system

“Bye shminky. I Love you.”
“Love you too.” Phase swaggers down Stransbergs main street as the svelte but assured figure of Sofia strides into the distance. Phase scopes the inns and the gangs that have congregated outside, sizing up any potential threats. Not even the most slack jawed steel worker or ruffian crippled by his over indulgence of alcohol dare speak an ill phrase towards Phase. His reputation carries great weight, all in town know that under the clothing is a perfectly trained body capable of great feats of strength and agility. Usually Phase would wind down in nice bar or billiard hall but this time his mind is focused on one thing only, instead he heads directly to the meeting point at an inn named the Redbrick Hotel. When he enters he is confronted with an ill cared for establishment, rusted chandeliers hanging perilously from the cracked ceiling, faded wallpaper barely clinging to the walls due to the damp and to cap it all off, mice scampering from one hole to another feasting on any scrap of food careslessly discarded by ill mannered and equaly unkempt staff. Phase steels himself and approaches the desk, carefuly watching his step. “Hello……….” The bucktoothed receptionist ignores Phase. “Yo, someone at reception here.” The receptionist glares at Phase from behind the desk. The woman's substandard face poorly disguised by the over application of cheap make up contorts into annoyed frown. “Wait a moment please.” She continues to gossip away on the phone, a conversation consisting of trivial gossip and random shrieking. Phase in his tense state of mind becomes indigent and bangs on the table with his fist. With a fit of brattish annoyance the receptionist ends her conversation. “Look I gotta go, I got some jerk at the desk.” Used to simple minded oiks Phase takes little notice of her insult. “Hey, I heard that, I ain’t no jerk, I just want you to do your job miss.” The receptionist smiles patronisingly at Phase. “How may I be of assistance?” Phase returns the fake politeness. “I got an appointment with a Mr. Leo Guerrero.” The receptionist checks her book “Oh yes, Mr. Guerrero has been expecting you.” She gives Phase an almost lifeless stare, creeping him out slightly. “Can you tell which room he’s in?” The receptionists demeanour transforms from uncaring and rude, to attentive and polite. The penny had finally dropped as to who it is she was actually dealing with. “Mr. Guerrero is in room 16. It's on the second floor.” The receptionist smiles moronically in a desperate attempt to make up for her previous ungracious treatment of Phase. “Thanks.” Phase takes in the locale, the kind of run-down establishment that is frequented by working girls and their inebriated clientell. The kind of pro that would use this place would need clients sufficiantly drunk so that they would overlook the fact they were paying for sex with what looked like a pig lathered with make up and wearing a dress. “I thought we’d meet up in a classier place than this. I am not feeling it.” This seemed an odd place to conduct important matters but he couldn't turn back now, he'd just have to put his doubts to the back of his mind and rely on his cunning and instinct to see him through, it'd yet to fail him yet after all. Phase looks disdainfully towards the receptionist before cautiously climbing the stairs, he approaches room sixteen, but leaves it for now. He edges towards room fourteen next door, the only other room adjoined to his destination. He quickly and expertly picks the lock, betraying his rather questionable speciality. He draws a seven inch dagger before cautiously edging into the apartment, shifting his weight perfectly through his feet causing no more disturbance than the cockroaches ambling through the carpet fibres feeding on some rather suspect and distasteful stains. He checks the living room but finds no signs of life, he makes sure to check every electrical device making sure the room is free of any suspect equipment, he isn't in the mood to become debris. He continues on into the kitchen only to find a saucepan that has just been used to cook soup and a few

“Not exactly, that’s one of my many aliases. But let's just stick to Leo for now.”
“Okay Leo, what do you the big guys behind you want with me?”
“I've noticed you've been quite busy lately.” Phase ponders what he means by busy.
“I've been doing a lot of country trekking if that's what you mean?”
“I'll be forthright with you, I'm very knowledgeable on who you are and what you've done.” Phase senses he's not dealing with some arms dealer, or another plutocrat seeking some industrial espionage. “And how did you become so knowledgeable?” Leo stands up and begins to pace. “You see I was told to be open with you, with a few exceptions, please understand that it is against my nature to be open. So forgive my discomfort. I know all about the heist you pulled of in Assyria, the one where you stole their orbital network control core.” It proves incomprehensible to Phase that Leo could know of any evidence or anything that would connect him to the heist. “You're mistaken, and I feel bad for you that you wasted yours and my time with this.” Leo casually picks up a report sheet from his file. “The subject known as Phase along with his associates Antonio Perez, Anne Lu Yiung, Sofia Clescenco and a Duk named Canthinquoci raided the Aram al Ittihad mountain base along with a brigade of Darkist militia and stole the control computer to all of Assyria's orbital weapons and reconnaissance satellites. Sultan Abdul Asari tried to track the computer but found to his frustration that its transponder had been dampened or disabled. Currently he has resorted to recruiting a legion of the best Krygz assassins from the extremities of his kingdom to seek retribution in his name. Makes for good reading.” Phase outward appearance seems unperturbed. “If you like fiction. I remember reading somethin' about this in a tabloid in Lechtstein, apparently the raiders left no traceable evidence that could identify them.”
“True, but to anyone in the know, it's quite obvious who did it. I am Charis Tsartas, I'm an agent for Senate intelligence. We unlike the Sultan were able to track the computer, it's currently being stored at a house of yours in Norselandde, Hagen to be exact.” A great sense of insecurity begins to descend upon Phase, feeling as though he's been stripped naked, realizing Phase's discomfort, Charis clarifies. “We do not intend to take this matter to the judiciary commision, we are not stupid enough to make enemies of the Darkists, we would much rather be allies. But that is for another day. Today is about recruiting you.”
“Recruiting me for what?”
“After the escalation of Orion's Imperialistic desires, certain powerful figures within the Senate council believe it is necessary to assemble a crack squad of elite mercenaries to serve as a mobile covert unit, performing off the record tasks, to avoid any diplomatic misunderstandings, I think you know the story.”
“Pretty much. I’m very flattered by all this but I wanna know why exactly I would gain from associating myself with you. Charis fumbles under the desk before producing a briefcase. “I can assure being a member of this group will in the long term prove very profitable for you. In this case are twenty thousand credits a token of our goodwill.” Phase is underwhelmed by the paltry offer.
“All you have to offer is money? I don’t need money, hell I’m richer than you.” Charis gives a knowing smile. “Please we aren’t that naïve.”
“Like I said, why would I want to be associated with you.” Charis detects the annoyance in Phase's tone, but he does not worry himself, he knows he has an ace up his sleeve. Cocksure, he gets to his feet. “What I'm about to show you has no meaning to me beyond its monetary value, but I've been assured you will find it quite mesmerizing.” Charis walks over to a formidable looking security safe. He takes the key from his pocket and carefully opens it up. Inside a glimmering and translucent

can expect from us.” The powers that be involved in the forming this organisation knew that Phase would not respond well to a long term commitment, they knew however that once Phase witnessed with his own eyes the power and danger of the forces coming he would commit to the fight, right to the bitter end. “That is a big liberty, you really want me don't you?”
“Don't let it go to your head” Charis puts on a more official and aggressive demeanour. “The biggest truth you can expect from us is that if you disclose any confidential information to anyone outside of our organisation with the risk or intention of it falling into enemy hands, we will order for the termination of you or anyone connected with you at our discretion. Do not discuss anything said in this room to anyone, if you do you risk their life as well as your own.” A biting reality hits home for Phase, if he undertakes this mission, he and Sofia will have be apart for sometime. “I know you are a good man who cares deeply for your friends and especially for your fiancé but for yours and hers safety once you have committed to this you cannot have any contact with her.” Phase hunches forward sensing a headache brewing. “Sigh…I know. “You're a b*st*rd for manipulating me like this, you know I have no choice.” This is a situation Charis knows all too well. “I know how you feel, I’m cursed by the love bug as well, I’ve been at this for 12 years, my wife and my kids think I’m an international ambassador. At least you don’t have to lie to her, just be frugal with the info. Okay?” Phase appreciates Charis's words. “Who said I was signing up?” He says in jokey tone. “You won’t let yourself walk away from this. This is a long time assignment but not a lifetime commitment, your salary will be performance based. If you want to find out about Megido than I strongly suggest you accept our offer. If you do except it I’ll be your handler and if you need one your friend.”
“I’ll give it serious thought.” Phase stands up. “I've thought about it, I accept.” Charis gives a gleeful wide eyed smile. “You will not regret this Mr. Magnusen.” The duo exchange a firm handshake. “It's been delightful talking with you Mr. Magnusen, don’t call us we’ll call you.” Phase is slightly caught of guard by the abrupt end to the meeting. “Just like that?”
“Just like that. In my line of work haste is a necessity. Oh wait one more thing.” He throws Phase a credit card. “For your friends in Phema, the ones that run the junk shop, I know you don’t like leaving people in the lurch, especially with the pirates from Boom City moving in.” Phase is duly impressed by the generosity shown. “It’ll be a pleasure working with you.” Phase gets up to leave. “Likewise. I’m going to be heading straight to my superiors to inform them of your acceptance and formulate a plan of action.” Charis instructs his guards to start packing up the equipment, the Omega statuette is delicately placed back in its safe. “Any idea who I'm gonna be working with yet?”
“We are looking at a few promising subjects. You will be joined by the best, I can promise you that. Well good day to you.” Phase begins to exit through the door, but is halted by Charis. “Oh one more, one more thing. What’s with the blue hair?”
“It’s an image thing.” Charis smirks. “Not very good camouflage, that hairstyle’ll glow in the dark.” Phase responds, not particularly appreciating Charis's fashion critique. “I found an amazing new invention that you wear on your head, its called a hat.” An amused Charis bids farewell once more. “Good bye, good health.”
“See ya.” Phase saunters off to be reunited with he sweet heart, his mind plaqued with the dilemma of telling Sofia. How would she react? Would she understand? Or, the scenario he dreaded the most, would he have to choose between her and his ever consuming quest.