[IC Board] All the World's a Game - Season II

[Cucoo5]

Sector 4 - Prometheus Labs

Alvis simply smiled wryly and looked at Cole out of the corner of his eyes. "It's not wise to take such an...aggressive stance...here of all places considering your affiliations."

---

ACO PALADIN - Research Lab

"No No NO! THIS goes HERE! THAT goes THERE!" A man with short messy blonde hair wearing a lab coat and blue dress shirt and tie was frustrated, trying to coordinate a group of scientists to fix a strange piece of technology. "Can you people do NOTHING right?!"
"But...Klaus...It's...working..."
"Of course it is...." Kalus stopped and rolled his eyes. "But if you looked, you would notice... It's NOT WORKING CORRECTLY!"

[S121]

Yuuka's Mansion - Garden of The Sun - Gensokyo | Dusk

John gave a very light sigh at Jason's condition. Sure, he was upright and seemed pretty still, despite the fact he was drunk, but how would it affect his combat effectiveness? John was not willing to take the chance that Jason would die because of impaired judgement. John was still going to bring Jason along to the fight, but first he needed to be cured.

"Before we go anywhere, we'll need to find a way to sober you up.", John calmly said to Jason.






Sector 4 - Prometheus Labs - London | Dawn

Alice looked over to Alvis and lightly tilted her head to the side.

"Hang on Cole. He doesn't seem to be an intruder.", Alice calmly said to Cole as she took a step closer to Alvis, to get a better look at him.

"Excuse me, who are you?", Alice asked Alvis in a slightly curious tone.

[Cucoo5]

Sector 4 - Prometheus Labs - London | Dawn

The man stepped back one step before taking a formal bow. "Ah yes, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Alvis. And I believe I can answer some of your questions."

[Luna Pixu]

Sector 4 - Prometheus Labs - London | Dawn

---

Cole took Alice's words and discharged his hands. If he truly wasn't an intruder, then who was he? Surely a person like him would be too busy in other areas of the laboratories than to be down in Sector 4 talking to the trio. And judging by what he was saying, the man seemed to know of the ACO and what Cole got himself into. But only the SPARTANS in the Mess Hall, Flandre, and potentially Organisation XIII knew about that. How did he know of them? Was he spying on Cole and Flandre? This brought about more concern and curiosity regarding the man. As if there was more to him than what met the eye. The man then introduced himself as Alvis. An unusual name at that. Upon introducing himself, he then gave the charming words of 'I might have some answers to your questions.' In a time and world like this, Cole needed answers more than anything. So far, Cole had next to nothing in terms of what was going on. The only things he knew were of Organisation XIII, what little the ACO told Cole about themselves, and some little things about the SPARTANS. Cole didn't even know anything about Flandre except for the basics. Vampire, 500 years old, has a sister, is a character.
"I'm listening..." Cole said with a voice of indifference. His voice still oozed of hostility and judgement. One wrong move from this Alvis person and an electrical storm would start in this sector.

[Cucoo5]

Sector 4 - Prometheus Labs - London

"You were saved by an organization known as the ACO from another known as Organization XIII, correct?" Alvis asked simply as he stood upright again.

[wonderweiss]

London

---

Not far from the labs, there was a big commotion... No, it was much more than that.

A silouhette of a rather built man was walking down the middle of a street. He sent out electric streams to lamp posts, causing them to break. His whole body was covered with electric jolts dancing across his body. He had a malicious smirk on his shadowed face.

[Luna Pixu]

Sector 4 - Prometheus Labs - London

---

What kind of a question was that? Of course, what Alvis said was a genuine question but it was a question that Alvis should already know the answer to. After all, he appeared to already know of the ACO and Cole didn't believe that Organisation XIII was as secretive as the ACO was. But who was Cole to say as who was secretive and who wasn't? It was only the fact that Cole had encountered more people aware of Organisation XIII than of the ACO.
"Yes..." Cole replied in a frustrated tone.

As the events occurred, Flandre moved closer to Cole's side. She didn't know what on earth was going on or who this man was. But she got the impression that the man, Alvis, knew something. Something about those ACO people and of Organisation XIII, the ones who had contained Cole and Flandre. It both made Flandre interested in what was happening but also a bit afraid. Afraid of what Alvis might say.
"Cole...? What is going on?" Flandre asked. Cole turned his head and looked down towards Flandre.
"This man appears to know something, Flandre. I want to hear what he has to say." Cole replied. With that out of the way, Cole looked back towards Alvis and continued from where the two had left off. "So, what were you going to say... Alvis?"

[S121]

Sector 4 - Prometheus Labs - London | Dawn

As Alice listened in on the exchange between Alvis and Cole, she began to slowly become suspicious of this "Alvis". Just who was he? Why did he act like he knew more than he let on? Alice had enough, and this man was going to give her answers.

"Where are you getting your information? Who are you affiliated with?", Alice asked Alvis in a serious tone as she took another step forward.


Meanwhile, Jack had finally made his way to Sector 4 with Eve in his arms. All he had to do was get her to Dr. Neuman, and from there, he could help repair Eve. Just as Jack approached the Reactor Research and Development Lab, he noticed an unusual exchange happening between Alice-258, Flandre Scarlet, and two unidentified people. From what Jack could see from Alice's face, she seemed to be somewhat tense, maybe suspicious of the lone man they were all facing. What made the situation even more strange was the fact that Flandre Scarlet was present. Jack was confused about how she managed to arrive in London, which only served to fuel his next course of action. Without a single word to Chung, Jack walked towards the group.

Just then, Cole, Flandre, and Alvis could see that a much larger SPARTAN approached the group. Jack was the tallest of the SPARTANs and stood at 7 feet, 2 inches (2.18 meters), and had some of the most unusual, most intimidating armor out of all the SPARTANs in Prometheus Labs. Jack was covered from head to toe in ammunition, had black katanas on the back of his waist and back, had a grenade launcher and large gun magnetically attached next to the katana, and a large, red, right arm. Jack's black visor had the paint scratched off, making what looked to be a sinister skull. In Jack's hands was an unconscious girl with unusual clothing and two drones floating beside her. Behind Jack was a boy clad in white and blue armor with an enormous gun by his side.

Spoiler:

http://www.graphistes-world.com/wp-c..._by_StTheo.jpg

"Is there a problem?", Jack asked the group in an emotionless tone as he approached.





Entrance to Garage - Prometheus Labs - London | Dawn

As Raven sat down on the ground, Lily walked over to him and spoke.

"Don't worry, they'll be fine. Before the morning is gone, they'll be feeling as good as new.", Lily said, trying to comfort Raven.

Meanwhile, Daniel was a little curious about what had happened to Jack. No SPARTAN was ever able to achieve the kind of speeds Jack was running at. Chung did something, but just what exactly did he do? Daniel would have to ask Chung about it, but first, he would need to write a report about what had happened earlier.

"I'll go take care of the paperwork, you guys get some rest.", Daniel said as he walked into the garage and into The Labs.

[Luna Pixu]

Sector 4 - Prometheus Labs - London | Dawn

---

As Cole awaited a response from Alvis, Cole could easily tell that Alice had enough. Much like Cole, Alice appeared to not trust Alvis one bit. And for good reason, how could someone that was obviously not present in the Mess Hall or someone who did not know Cole know about the ACO and what had happened? There was little logical explanations other than that Alvis was spying on them or that there was something not right to Alvis. But just as Alice asked her own questions to Alvis, another SPARTAN approached the group. This one had menacing black armour with a skull scratched onto it. His... choice of weapon made him seem less like a typical SPARTAN and more of a madman. If Cole didn't know any better, he could argue that this SPARTAN could have been what a Reaper would have looked like as a SPARTAN. Except for the lack of a red robe or any red on the armour. In the SPARTAN's arms was a white haired girl that had a very bizarre choice of clothing. A mix of regality and authority combined with futuristic technology. A friend of the SPARTAN? Another girl similar to Flandre? Cole couldn't tell. The SPARTAN then asked about the situation and what was going on, like any curious person would. In both fear of what this new SPARTAN could do to Cole and what more trouble Cole could land himself into, Cole decided to tell him the truth about what was going on.
"Alice-258 here was escorting Flandre and myself to the Training Room before this guy showed up. He claims to know some things about me and what I've been through." Cole explained as best as he could without revealing too much.

[S121]

Sector 4 - Prometheus Labs - London | Dawn

After being spoken to and being filled in by the new guest, Jack looked over to Alvis and looked him over with his gaze. The man standing in front of Jack had a truly unusual presence about him, and an even more unusual choice of clothing. Jack didn't know who Cole was, but it appeared that he was on Alice-258's side, meaning he could be trusted for now. As for the strangely dressed man, if Alice-258 was tense around him, then the man must have either been pestering her, or was a threat. jack didn't know all the details, but if what the man was saying was true, then this white haired person would need to answer Jack's questions.

"Who are you affiliated with? What is your business in Prometheus Labs?", Jack asked Alvis in an emotionless, yet authoritative tone.

[Cucoo5]

Sector 4 - Prometheus Labs - London | Dawn

Alvis simply put one hand on his hip as he turned his head in the opposite direction. What no one would know was that he was looking in the direction that the mysterious man that was quite some distance away still from the labs. "I'm affiliated with no one in particular. I'm merely here to provide information to those that need it." He then looked back to the group. "Do you know what 'Anti' means?"

[S121]

Sector 4 - Prometheus Labs - London | Dawn

Jack continued to stare at the man, calmly watching his every move. This man was obviously lying that he was not affiliated with anyone. Everyone was affiliated with someone, and if he had intelligence Prometheus Labs didn't have, then he was a part of some kind of secret intelligence network. If that was the case, then he was either here for his own interests, or to relay a message from someone higher in command. Either way, his secrecy was dangerous. If this man wanted to cause harm, then there would be little way of tracing it all back to him. If he truly had an official message to The Labs, then he would have relayed the message from either the security office, or would have emailed the message to the Head of Security. As for his somewhat cryptic question, Jack decided to humor the man, but one wrong move or answer and the man's neck would spurt like a garden hose.

"Anti: opposed to or against an idea, policy, or activity.", Jack said in the same emotionless tone he had used before.

After answering Alvis, he took on a somewhat darker ton e, one that showed that he was not going to be fooled by Alivis giving him indirect answers.

"You're lying to me about your affiliations. I don't like it when I'm lied to.", Jack said in an emotionless, dark tone, one that would have unnerved a normal person.

[Koishi]

Emberlight

---

"If they step out of line whatsoever." HP explained. "Strictest rule you'd ever see."

---

Catacombs

---

"So just in case you feel like sealing off our only path and possibly dooming us." The Huntress retorted. "Smart move."

[Cucoo5]

Catacombs - Depths

"Or seal of the path on our way out so physical entities can't follow us on our way out. Or burry something. Or an improvised distraction. Or a way to open a way out should things collapse on us." Eleos responded.
"Preparing for the worst."

---

Prometheus Labs

Alvis echoed what Jack had said last about Anti. "To be opposed to or against an idea, policy, or activity. To be opposed to certain aspects that are true. For Example, one could be opposed to or against having characters using their abilities to meddle with the natural bounds of reality and the laws of society....but that's what SCAE is for, is it not?" Alvis paused slightly after that last phrase. His tone emphasized the example and 'that's what SCAE is for.'

"As for my affiliation, you could say that I'm affiliated with characters," Alvis glanced over to Cole and Flandre, "...much like yourselves."

[Luna Pixu]

Sector 4 - Prometheus Labs - London | Dawn

---

Cole listened to the whole debate with as much focus as he could. His focus and curiosity around Alvis was so great that he did not notice Flandre was once again grabbing onto him. The way Alvis spoke, the words he said. It gave an air of knowledge and mystery. Like an illusion or an unthinkably complicated concept. But the last few words that Alvis said before looking towards the duo... They carried some major weight. '...but that's what SCAE is for, is it not?' Such a phrase made Cole both curious and concerned. The SCAE? Another organisation with a set of ideals and motives? As Cole pondered over the name, Cole recalled that the man from before, DiZ, belonged to the SCAE. But his job was to watch over Organisation XIII on behalf of the SCAE. It made Cole wonder. What kind of people were the SCAE? Who are they? And why would they be brought up in a discussion pertaining to Cole and Flandre? As Cole's number of questions began to grow more and more, Alvis spoke out one last sentence. One that struck Cole in an unusual way.
'As for my affiliation, you could say that I'm affiliated with characters... much like yourselves.' What did that even mean? Was Alvis letting on something or was he referring to Cole's temporary role of taking care of Flandre? Cole could not tell. And he didn't like it. Alvis' tone and phrasing rubbed Cole the wrong way. A very bad way. It reminded Cole too much of Kessler. Both Kessler and Alvis used the same method of speech and phrasing. Both of them seeming to know a lot about Cole and used more cryptic and mysterious methods to get their word across. Kessler... That one person... The one man that Cole despised more than anyone else.
"Just what are you trying to get at?!" Cole asked Alvis in a very harsh and frustrated tone. The level of anger coming from Cole may have seemed highly unexpected but deep down, old wounds and grudges were resurfacing. Ones that Cole hoped would not resurface.