Unicorn's Shadows

[Windguaerd]

PART ONE

Old Athen, Backyard 1, Apartment 3.

Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!

"Damn. Alarm off!"

::yawn::

"Alarm is off. Your coffee is being made Commander, you have seventeen messages in your grid email, one listed urgent, of which two are from a member of your staff."

The man gets up and stretches, he walks to the kitchen to get his coffee.

"Time?"

"Current or related to grid emails?"

"Current."

"6:08 AM"

"Display grid messages on urgency and MD level, on-screen."

He begins to drink his coffee, walking back to his livingroom and begins to check his messages.

"Hmm...wait, check grid message 6 and identify."

"Checking grid message 6...."

::Sips his coffee::

"Unable to comply."

"What the...why?"

"Grid message was routed through several different relays over the planet, it has a currupted ID code, possibly hacked."

"Tell me something I don't know."

"Temperature outside is..."

"Stop! I meant...nevermind. Display message 6."

<<The Unicorn's Shadows are over Rubi-Ka>>

"Unicorns? Cross-reference the word Unicorns with any known military group."

::Sips his coffee::

"Reference Found."

"Display."

"Hmm..Omni-Tek, of course. Let's see...Unicorn Company, elite forces, genetically manipulated super-fighters? with...all the latest weapons technology at their disposal. Where did this information come from?"

"War Academy, Athen Shire. Public Files of Andrea Machioni."

"Open a COMM to Andrea Machioni."

::Sips his coffee::

"Andrea Machioni is not accepting private messages."

"Alright, upgrade COMM contact to military level, and try again."

"Upgrading, opening COMM to Andrea Machioni."

"Dammit it's 6 in the morning, this better be important, who the hell is this?"

"Commander Windguaerd, Mercury Dragons Elite Clan."

"Hmm...sorry for the outburst Commander, but did you look at the time?"

"I think there is something you should see."

He forwards the message.

"Got it?"

"Yes. Unicorns? Unicorns! my god."

"I would appreciate if you could give me more information on the Unicorn Company."

"These people make Omni-AF look like school-boys compared to them. They're only committed when OT needs a little 'extra force' if you know what I mean."

"Anything else Miss Machioni?"

"Yes. The Unicorns provide more than a little extra, a friend of mine came up against them in his home planet. They killed anything that was in their way, including children, unarmed people who had surrendered, and even OT personnel who were in their path. I was hoping they would not arrive, but I fear the message may be legit. I wouldn't be surprised if someone in OT itself sent that message, some employees have a conscience. Anyways, OT only needs an excuse, something to say to the ICC, and they'll be here. They're even worse than the Dust Brigade."

"Do you know how many are in that Company? perhaps your friend can tell us more."

"No I don't know their numbers, but I can try and find my friend, I have no spoken to him in a year, he went north to join the Knights of Avalon, haven't heard from him since."

"Please do try, this information could be crucial to the clans, if this Unicorn Company is as you described, they could be a serious danger to us all."

"I know this well Commander."

"Please, call me Kyle."

"In that case, call me Andrea."

"I have a question, not related to this Unicorn problem. Are you in need of teachers or tutors at the War Academy?"

"Actually now that you mention it, yes. Most have either retired due to old age, died in these Notum Wars or dissapeared, like in previous wars."

"I see, would you consider taking some volunteers to help you?"

"I need all the help I can get over here. Let me consult with the current staff and see what they say, we're on a tight budget as it is."

"I think my clan can provide some funding, does 200 Million sound good?"

"200! yes yes! sure!"

"Alright, give me a few days to arrange the transfer of funds, I need to get clearance from my Command Staff, but I don't think they'll object to a worthy cause. Many good people I knew trained at the War Academy, at least in their memory something should be done to keep it going strong."

"Thanks Kyle, I appreciate this. Are you always up this early?"

"If I wasn't, someone would be waking me up anyways, there is always trouble brewing somewhere, and there is always someone assuming I can stop it or fix it. I'm not able to do that every time, but I try, when duty calls, I answer."

"I understand, been there. I'll give you a call later today, with more information I hope."

"Sure Andrea, and thanks for taking my call."

"I should be the one thanking you, have a good day Kyle."

"You too Andrea, be well."

::Sips his coffee::

"I need another coffee."

"It's being made now Commander."

"I want any COMM messages with the word Unicorn and any messages from Andrea Machioni to get priority level one."

"New settings are now in effect."

"Good, forward all MD Applications to R&T Department, remove all request for buffs if they are not in the clan, same with item requests. How many messages remain?"

"3"

"Move message 6 into new directory, name directory "Unicorn Company" and show remaining messages."

He begins to reply to messages and contact members of his clan, daily routine.

Another day, another problem added to his list.

[Simplehead]

Theres Unicorns... Unicorns in the grid, the fixers know the grid the unicorns that live there on the floor. They stay there waiting. I remembered unicorns, I read about them somewhere long ago in a book I lost. They are the on the floor in that grid, I know.

[Windguaerd]

PART TWO

Somewhere below Rome Blue, two men whisper to eachother in the darkness of a tunnel.

"Do you think the message went through?"

"Don't know, we used a load of backdoors and grid relays, plus we had to erase the ID from our side. My guess, he got it."

"God, I hope we did the right thing, if they find out..."

"Well, we'd be looking at about...20 different charges, including misuse of corporate property, treason, breach of contract and a crapload of other charges. But we did the right thing, I joined the corporation to live a good life, to have a career, a future. I didn't join so that I could be accessory to cold blooded murder."

"Tom, we could be wrong, what if UC doesn't come? what if Omni-Admin find out about our warning?"

"If we're wrong Nick, then the clanner got a false warning, no harm done. And our superiors won't find out. If they had received the message themselves, and tracked it, all they would get is that it was transmitted from Rome without a clear location. I don't think I could track it down myself if I tried to tell you the truth buddy."

"I'm just worried, I'm too young to be executed for corporate treason man. I'm a Bureaucrat, not an adventurer for god's sake!"

"Calm down, we did the right thing. How long we've been friends?"

"I don't know...6 years?"

"Yeah buddy, 6 years. And we've always trusted eachother, right?"

"Yes. But, this is different, we've never broken the rules or company policy like this before!"

"Listen, you overheard your boss talk about the coming of UC, and you could've kept your mouth shut and ignore it. But you told me, knowing what I would probably do. We both know what UC does, and how they do it. We both have friends and some acquaintances on clan and neutral ground, we don't want to see innocent people die at their hands. We agreed on this course of action my friend, we've done it, and covered our tracks. We will not send any more warnings, this is as far as we're going. Now will you relax?"

"You're a fixer, you can pretty much hack your way out of the corporation if you wanted, you could join the clans if things went sour. Me, I'm just another 'crat, useless to those people."

"Come on Nick, if things did go sour, I wouldn't leave without you buddy. I'd take you with me, and 'crats are good at negotiating with traders, did you ever think of that?"

"Alright, now can we get out of the subway? these night vision goggles are itching my face, I think I'm getting a rash."

The bureaucrat look around as the fixer removes the last connections between his NCU and a terminal in the tunnel they're hiding.

"Not yet, we'll need to wait until the area is clear. Remember they keep sending the new arrivals down here to do pest control and clean up the underground from the criminal element. And don't worry about the goggles, you're not used to them, once we're out I'll give you something for the rash."

"God Tom, I'm starving, we've been down here for hours!"

"Yes, but who would suspect anyone using the condemned subways old COMM system to patch into the grid? I'm hungry too bro, but we need to be careful so we're not seen by anyone. It's getting late, so the place should be clear soon. I put everything as I found it, nobody should be able to even figure we used this old terminal."

"Tom?"

"Yes?"

"I think I saw something move in the tunnel back there..."

"Don't worry, we can handle anything that is down here, and none of the noobs have goggles like ours, they won't be able to see us in the dark."

"T-t-tom, I think we have a problem..."

He points down the tunnel they're hiding in.

As the fixer turns around, he sees six armored and heavily armed Omni-Pol officers walking into a lighted area, wearing night vision goggles.

"Nick..."

"Yes?"

"Did you insured recently?"

[Windguaerd]

PART THREE

Rome Red, Omni-Pol quarters. 1:25 AM

A squad is preparing to patrol the streets of Rome.

"Hey Charlie, pass me 2 boxes. No, not bullets, energy ammo."

"Here ya go Tod, whatcha think of me shiny new Division 9 weapon?"

"Man, why you even bother? You need a Manex, not that piece of crap those niners put out."

"I'd like to see ya with one of them in the arena, them smart guys."

The Opifex turns to his comrade.

"You're a freaking atrox Charlie, a leet is smarter than you."

The atrox points his weapon at Tod as their Captain enters the room.

"What the hell is this? You're not ready yet? You have 60 seconds to BE ready! move it!"

The atrox puts his weapon aside an continues to put his gear on. For a moment, he ponders something, and turns to his commanding officer and asks.

"Captain, why we always picked to patrol this early?"

"I requested this shift for our squad, do you have a damn problem with it? or would you like to patrol the sewers with the rest of the lazy bastards who don't deserve to call themselves Omni-Pol?"

"No sir!"

"WE ARE OMNI-POL GOD DAMMIT, THERE IS NO REST FOR US, THE ENEMY IS EVERYWHERE! WE ARE THE GUARDIANS OF THE COMPANY, WITHOUT US, OMNI-1 AND EVERY SINGLE OF OUR OUTPOSTS WOULD BE AN EASY TARGET FOR THE REBEL SCUM, NOW I WANT YOU READY IN 30 SECONDS, AND OUTSIDE IN LESS THAN A MINUTE! MOVE IT!"

The Captain walks out of the room.

"Whats up his crack?"

"Dunno Tod, but when we're off duty, me and you in the arena, me not forget what you said."

"Sure Charlie, my Manex against your niner, will be fun to send you to reclaim."

"Would you guys stop the crap and get ready? the Captain is pissed as it is, lets get going!"

"Alright Mike, don't get your panties in a bunch. We're ready, lets go."

"Charlie, if you don't kill him, I will."

Charlie smiles at Mike.

Streets of Rome. 1:35AM

12 men, in full suits of Omni-Pol armor walk in a two line formation.

"Zembower, take three men and check the west side, recent reports of illegal stim sales suggest some of that scum do their business on that side of Rome. Arrest any su****ious individuals, we can interrogate them later today. If anyone resists, do a level 1 scan, and terminate. They'll be looking at one of our reclaims in a jail cell."

"Yes sir! Kashu, Cornelius and Denk, with me!"

The four men begin to walk west.

"O'connor."

"Yes Sir!"

"Begin a standard type 6 local scan, if there is any illegal transmissions I want to know it before HQ does."

"Yes sir, initiating scan now."

"Every damn week clanners sneaks into our cities to broadcast their lies. Catching one today would be a nice bonus, I need to test a new baton."

1:50AM

As the squad continues their patrol...

"Spencer and Orbin, get to the whompas and check on the guards there. See if anything out of the ordinary took place overnight, their shift change is in 10 minutes, so get moving."

"Yes Sir!" the men spoke in unison, moving down the street at once.

The Captain and his five remaining men walk the street looking at every passing person with suspecting eyes. Employees avoid their gaze in fear to attract unwanted attention.

"Sir, I detect an unautorized transmission."

"Where is it coming from O'connor?"

"I can't pinpoint the exact location sir, the transmission ceased, it lasted only a few seconds."

"Well then get me a location dammit!"

'Yes Sir!"

"As soon as we get a fix, we're moving. Let's bag us some criminals men!"

The officers nod, eager for some action.

1:55AM

"What's taking so damn long O'connor? and you call yourself a top notch fixer?"

"Sir, this transmission was brief, and looks like whomever sent it switched frequencies and techniques to give out fake sources of transmission. So far it looks like it came from Rome Blue, not sure where however."

"You heard him, let's move to Blue. O'connor you better get me a more precise location by the time we get there!"

"I'm trying sir!"

"I don't want to hear that! there is no try, do or do not! Now move out!"

As they're running down the street the Captain taps this wrist and opens a COMM to the rest of his squad.

"Zembower, Kashu, Cornelius, Denk, Spencer, Orbin, get a lock on me and regroup with us in Rome Blue, we have a security breach!"

He hears six "Yes Sir!" from his wrist.

2:10AM

The entire squad gathers in Rome Blue, ready for action. Employees notice the movement and hostility of the Omni-Pol officers, and begin to walk out of the area.

"O'connor, give me a specific location, now!"

"Sir, I've eliminated several 'ghost' locations, I'm down to 4, all appear to have come from underground places. I'm running a type 9 local scan and checking all security logs from each building located here to see if anyone used any terminal or hacked into any of our systems. I need a few minutes sir."

The Captain steps in front of the fixer, face to face.

"You have 3 minutes to get me a place to go, or I'll have you cleaning the Public toilets in Omni-Trade!"

The squad chuckles as their fixer is desperatly trying to get a location.

2:13AM

"O'connor!"

"I got it sir. It's came from the abandoned subway, can't get a precise fix on it, but once we're down there I can tap into the main terminal and do a more thorough search."

"Good enough for me. Lets move men!"

2:18AM

The squad arrives at the Subway entrance.

"Alright, once inside, we'll split in two teams. Zembower, you will lead the second team. Kashu, Cornelius, Riker, Spencer and Wagner, you're with Zembower. I want you to stay by the entrance and arrest anyone trying to leave, grid them straight to the interrogating room. If they resist arrest, you know the procedure. Got that?"

"Yes Sir!" replied the officers.

"Good. O'connor, how fast can you get us to the main terminal to do your search?"

"I've already downloaded the blueprints sir, I can get us there within 10 minutes, the place is running on minimum power, I suggest night vision goggles."

"Alright, you heard him, everyone get your goggles out, we're going in 15 seconds."

2:25AM

"Listen, I just got here two days ago, I got a COMM from Omni-Admin telling me I was to come down here to help clean up the place, I didn't do anything wrong! I've just graduated from Boot Camp in Omni Prime for god's sake! I'm a loyal soldier!"

"Now you listen, we Omni-Pol, you under arrest. You not like? too bad! put hands on wall or me shoot you with new weapon!"

"Nice going Charlie, why don't you just use hand gestures? he'll understand you better."

"You want some of this Tod?"

"Bring it on son of a leet!"

"Shut up you two! the Captain put me in charge, so you two blockheads wouldn't mess up! Now Charlie, shoot him."

The atrox points his weapon at another officer.

"Not Tod! the soldier! I already scanned him, he'll wake up in a cell."

"WHAT? I didn't do anything!" protests the young employee.

The atrox shrugs and shoots the man point blank, turning him into ashes.

"Niner weapon, works good."

"Yeah Charlie, works perfect. Tod, keep your trap shut, or I'll tell the Captain you opened your big mouth, and then you'll be cleaning his bathroom with a toothbrush again. I don't want to hear one more word from you except 'you're under arrest', got me?"

"Yeah Zembower, I got you." replies Tod, with a tone which gives a hint of hatred.

2:30AM

Somewhere in a room, deep in the subway.

"It's right here sir. I'll hook my NCU to it to get started."

"Alright O'connor, be quick about it. We can't let this slip through our fingers."

"Yes sir."

The Captain's wrist beeps and a red light begins to blink from it.

"Damn, HQ."

He taps his wrist.

<<Captain Harrison, this is Colonel Leisner, I see on my screen there is a situation in your area, report.>>

"Yes sir! we detected an unauthorized transmission from Rome Blue at aproximately 1:50AM, tracked the source to be in the condemmed subway. We currently got the only exit covered while I have a fixer from my squad doing a thorough search of the system to get a precise fix on the location of the source sir!"

<<So, in 40 minutes since the detection of this illegal transmission you have NOBODY in custody?>>

"Sir, a moment please. I will check on my men covering the exit to see if there have been any arrests."

<<Granted, you have 1 minute. Leisner out.>>

The Captain taps his wrist again.

"Zembower, do we have anyone in custody?"

"Yes sir, 8 people so far, all claiming innocence of course."

"Good, keep me informed."

"Yes sir!"

The Captain's wrist beeps and a red light begins to blink from it again.

"Great, he waited a whole 10 seconds, dammit!"

He taps his wrist.

<<Well Captain?>>

"Sir, we have 8 suspects in custody."

The fixer waves his hand to the Captain.

"What is it O'connor?"

"Sir, I got something. One of the terminals went online at aproximately the same time the transmission was sent. No other terminals were active at that time, I think this is it."

"Excuse me Colonel, but as you heard, we got a lead."

<<Understood Captain, I'll leave you to your work. Leisner out.>>

"O'connor, tell me you know where this terminal is exactly."

"Not exactly sir. The system here is mostly deteriorated and not working properly, but I've got it narrowed down to 4 adjacent tunnels, not far from here."

"Alright, lets move."

The six men walk out of the room and begin to follow the fixer down a few corridors, leading them to a long tunnel.

"This way sir, at the end of the tunnel, where the light is, another 3 tunnels meet. I've already scanned the one we're in, and it's clear, so it must be in one of the other 3."

"Alright, we may have one or more hostiles here. Set weapons to stun, we need to scan anyone before we go for the kill, or we lose them. O'connor you stay behind me and continue your scan. Denk and Orbin, you got the rear."

The officers nod, and behind to walk slowly toward the light.