Bab 94: Chapter 10: A Captain's Choice
The plan of attack was quickly formulated and understood by both Zel and RG very quickly. It was incredibly simple, and yet both of them, who are masters of making and executing plans from many years of taking things away from people without asking, knew that it would be really hard to make it work in reality.
The very first step of the plan would be to find out Sir Deva's location, though he quickly made it clear to every single person on the station.
'Attention, everyone on the Spotlight Station.'
His voice came through the speakers scattered all throughout the Spotlight after he has finally taken full control of the Station Control, plowing through dozens and dozens of riot control droids and combat droids. Once he entered the actual control room, resistance was non-existent. The captain that was once so confident in his droids kept his head down and didn't say a word as Sir Deva marches past him without a word. The entire room was silent, and all eyes are on Sir Deva.
'I appreciate your lack of resistance.' He sat down in the captain's chair as its former owner humbly moved to the side and positioned himself near the corner of the room without a word, 'it saves me trouble, and also your lives. If you simply follow my instructions as you would a normal captain, then we can all go home today happy.'
Sir Deva looked around the room, and saw looks of acknowledgement, shock, fear and a mixture of all of the above. But everyone seems to be holding their own so far, apart from the previous captain. Sir Deva met his gaze and he looked away immediately.
'Do you have any questions, CAPTAIN?' Sir Deva asked, his tone flat and void of any emotion.
'Are you not going to kill me?' The captain asked straight away, 'that's what terrorists like you always do to set an example, isn't it?'
'There is no need.' Sir Deva replied with a shrug of his shoulder, 'all of you know what I am capable of, so there is no need to set examples.'
'Plus, you seemed somewhat capable when dealing with me, and I like capable beings. I also like those that are sensible.' Sir Deva said while looking at the captain, the words fair yet threatening, and the weight crushes all air out of the captain's lungs as he struggled to breath normally, 'you didn't waste the lives of your officers, and I acknowledge that.'
The captain didn't say a word, and simply sat on the ground, covering his face with his arms.
'The station is yours. Make your demands.'
'Thank you, CAPTAIN.' Sir Deva said, as he gestured towards the communications officer, who's a nervous looking human that's been sweating excessively ever since he has entered the room, 'patch me through to station-wide broadcast.'
'Attention, everyone on the Spotlight station.' Sir Deva spoke into the microphone positioned right near his seat, 'there had been a minor case of emergency occuring on the station, but everything is under control. I repeat, everything is under control.'
For those that knew, this is undoubtedly Sir Deva's voice, but for those that have no idea what the actual captain of the space station sounded like, it would have been nothing but a regular announcement. Perhaps his calming voice and tone will have everyone that was panicking relax a little bit and breath normally for the first time in a while.
'That is, everything is under my control. I am Sir Deva, and I will be taking over the Spotlight station until my demands are met.' And just like that, the delicate peace that seemed so real was snatched away, 'there have been an auction that occurred in the so-called Arena of Gods that was once a property that belonged to my organization, and I have gotten it back. However, the thieves that took that piece of technology away from me is still hiding somewhere on this station. Find the thief, and return it to me, and I shall release my hold on this station and it's surrounding space.'
'In case you are wondering why you cannot just hop on your spaceship and leave, I suggest you go find out for it yourself in the space port. Those that returned with the thieves will be awarded. I await your good news in the Station Control.'
As he finished speaking, the echos of his voice lingered on in the empty halls of the space port, then the hologram projectors of shuttle departure schedules are turned off and a blurry image of RG showed up on it.
'Oh, by the way, this is what the thief looks like.' Sir Deva said, 'thank you very much, security officer.'
The broadcast was turned off, and the hologram was kept on. The crowds exploded into chaos as some ran straight towards the space port and tried to get off the station, some hurried to the communications center while the others simply stood in place in shock. Nobody knew what's best to do.
In space, no one can hear you.
'Alright, it's time to go.' RG threw on her hoodie, and took Zel's offering of mask, as he knew that she would need it more than he would, 'I did not foresee the capture of such a high quality image.'
Zel looked over at the pixelated mess that is the reconstructed hologram which was probably extracted from one of the security cameras that are place so far from her that she didn't take it into consideration when planning a route of escape. Anyone who haven't seen what she really looks like will have a hard time trying to associate her figure with what was presented. With something as simple as a wardrobe change, and a gait change with settings in her augmentations, there would be no way that she could be found.
'By the way, by the way. I have heard that she is a cyborg~'
'Now it's really time to go.' RG said, now her voice low and quiet as she slipped on the face mask. Then she coiled her arms back and hid in within her sleeves, 'He said station control, so let's meet him there.'
The two blended in with the fast moving crowd without any trouble, though some of the more organized gang leaders and forces have already started to set up key junctions and check points and checking everyone's that's passing by. Lots of finger pointing and angry shouting filled the street as those that aren't willing to take off their masks or reveal their skins are challenged or even beaten up. Seeing all the chaos that resulted from herself, RG simply kept her head down and walked as quickly as she can.
The Station Control is located in the highest point of the Spotlight station vertically, it's windows directly looking down at all of the establishments. However, to get to station control, there is an entire level with a lift near the end of it that's restricted. It would be hard to get in, but that's not their primary objective.
Their first objective would be to scout the environment that Sir Deva has placed himself in, in this case, the Station Control room. Before they spring their attack, it would be stupid not to know the geography they would be fighting on, and perhaps they can find some allies if they were not all killed when he first took over.
According to RG, the best places that communication relays and electronics are placed right by the restricted areas, so the easiest way to tap into the system would be through a junction or any device that shares a similar network pathway around the area. They eventually settled in a fancy looking species-neutral toilet, which have entertainment options while one performs their biological necessities.
As they shut the door behind them and hogged the generous space, RG has immediately started connecting into the network. By screwing a metal cap off her left middle finger, multiple wires and connections are seen positioned in the empty chamber of her prosthetic hand. With a few run of the algorithm, RG was able to confirm that the toilet do indeed share the same network pathway with the Station Control. The security and encryption is tricky, but really nothing compared to hacking into the acceleration gates and stealing the energy core unnoticed.
'They say a magician never reveal her secrets, and I imagine you won't tell me how you pull the theft off?' Zel watches her every move and started analyzing them in his head. Seeing a first class thief in her natural habitat is an exhilarating experience for him, and the curiosity for how she could possibly pull that off only grew more as he watches her more.
'Watch and learn, Z.' RG replied instinctively, and something moved from within Zel. Her inviting voice sounded familiar and so kind despite the robotic tone, 'I meant, Zel.'
RG navigates through the river of information like a seasoned sailor and quickly located the patch that lead them directly to the internal monitoring systems of the Station Control. The access to the cameras are really easily obtained, and RG was shocked by what she was seeing. Perhaps she was expecting a room filled with blood and corpses, but instead it seemed perfectly functional with a few modifications.
First, there is an Aquarian in uniform cowering in the corner of the room, and a human sat in the captain's chair. From this camera, the images are exceptionally blurry, so RG waved a hand at Zel and ushered him over.
'That is Sir Deva.' Zel confirmed RG's suspicions, 'but who the hell is the Aquarian in the corner?'
'I don't know.' RG said, 'but from the look of it, no one has been killed yet in the room, so...that's the previous captain?'
Zel raised his eyebrows at the deduction, but it sounded reasonable enough. Perhaps that's someone they can use on the inside.
'I will try to get his attention.' RG said, then, she pulled up a map of all the connection points and hologram projectors from within the room. They need to draw attention to the captain without drawing the attention of Sir Deva, who's sat still in his seat.
'There!' Zel pointed towards a turned off spare hologram projector that's thrown in the corner of the room, and it's not included in the map that RG pulled up. It sat lifelessly next to the captain, 'can you turn that on?'
'Let's hope it is plugged in then.' RG said, and turned the supply of the plug, overriding its previous settings. The hologram projector flickered to light for an instant before turning off again.
Nobody in the room seemed to have notice. Neither did the former captain.
RG tried again, and this time, the captain turned his head slowly to the side and caught it in action before it was turned off right away. Nobody else seemed to know what's going on as Sir Deva have assigned them new tasks of people flow control and examining through monitoring data to find any traces of RG. Despite how 'nice' Sir Deva seemed at that point, all of them knew not to fail him.
The hologram flickered for another instant and the former captain moved his body closer to read the lines of message that RG left on it.
CAN YOU.....PATCH YOUR.....PI THROUGH AND...TALK SAFELY....
The messaged flickered off again as as the captain took in a sharp breath. Sir Deva spun around on his chair and looked towards the captain as the hologram flickered off once again, 'is everything alright, CAPTAIN?' he asked.
'Sir Deva, I am afraid I have to go excrete myself.....' The former captain isn't exactly incompetent. He knew that someone out there is trying to help him, or at least get in contact and do something about the current situation. He faked a sickly voice crunched over, 'I don't do well with.....too much stress.'
'Go crazy.' Sir Deva pointed towards the door and spun around as the communications officer alerted Sir Deva and some other groups of cyborgs have been spotted by one of the 'voluntary' check points, which are just a group of impatient gangsters wanting to get off the station as quickly as possible.
The captain waited until Sir Deva has completely turned around before establishing a connection between the channel and his own personal interface. He looked up at the room once again, and met the gaze of the young security officer, who's looking directly at him in the act of connection.
He can see the fear and desire to talk in the young man's eyes. After all, he was the one that dispatched his pride and joy combat droids to take down Sir Deva, so he was the one that knew his true power the most. Now, among his most intense fear, he saw the former captain attempting to do something to take down Sir Deva.
He wished he never looked that way, but now is too late.
Their eyes locked onto each other for what felt like an eternity, and the former captain simply shook his head gently and assured the young man that everything will be fine. He can see the visible struggle and hesitation on his face through the mask. He took in a few breaths rapidly and looked down at the work desk in front of him before finally making a decision. He spared a arm and gestured an all is fine signal towards his former captain before returning to his tasks.
That would be the right thing to do. And the captain made it sure in his mind not to forget to commend the young man when all of this is over.
He excused himself from the room and headed into the nearest toilet, then he shut the doors and turned on the taps to its fullest so the noise of flowing water would be the most prominent thing anyway can hear in the room. He then turned on to his personal interface and replied, 'Who are you and what do you want?'
'Nice!' RG said as the connection was finally established. The captain surely took his time with everything, but at least something might be happening. Then she adjusted her audio settings and said with a distorted robotic voice, 'We both want the same thing. Sir Deva out.'
'Are you the one? Are you the thief?' The captain replied calmly, though a hint of sharpness is present in his tone. So he is actually a rather perceptive being, drawing the lines extremely quickly.
'I am your best chance of taking down Sir Deva.' RG neither confirmed nor denied it, 'plus, if you want to maintain the integrity of the station's reputation, I am your only hope.'
'And how are you going to take down Sir Deva? He took out all of our riot control droids!'
'We have our ways.' RG said, 'what we need you to do is to create a distraction and clear the room out. Then I will fight him head on. I will take care of him, you just get your people out of the way.'
Is that so...the captain had no other options. He can choose not to believe RG and let the station be turned into an absolute chaos, or he can believe her and let some crazy fights break out. The choice is seemingly his, and yet everybody knew what he is going to choose.
He exited the toilet and triggered the fire alarm. Then he spit into the personal interface before shutting off the transmission and started running towards the exit of the building, 'I have done what you asked. Now, do you said you would do.'
When the fire alarm sounded, everyone in the room looked over at Sir Deva as they waited for instructions. Someone even shot up from their seats out of instincts but held themselves in place as the looming figure of Sir Deva casts a shadow over them. He knew something might be up with the old captain, but these kind of cheap tricks are merely a tactic of procrastination.
Or may it be something else? Could it be an ambush coming from those that are going to try to take him out? Is it some of the gang members? The remaining riot droids? An unknown security force?
Or could it be the thief coming to get rid of him? Somehow, Sir Deva felt like the last option is the single most likely.
Sir Deva longed for a true fight, and perhaps this is what he will be getting now. He waved to the officers in the room and allowed them to follow the evacuation procedure. If it's just him waiting in this room, then perhaps the attack would occur.
He sat in the captain's chair and spun it around to face the entrance to the room as he patiently awaits for the upcoming attack. The room is quiet and the only sound he care hear is the sound of his long deep breaths. Will it come from the corridor? The airways right above? Would it be a bomb?
Would it be fire?
Sir Deva chuckled at the ridiculous thought. Perhaps the captain chose to set an actual fire rather than manually triggering an alarm.
Just at this very instance, the glasses to the Station control is shattered into a thousand pieces by an explosion and a barrage of mini explosives were shot into the control room before they exploded in a brilliant storm of fire and shock! Smoke envelops the entire room shortly after and then the floor made a thud sound as someone landed in the completely decimated room from the outside.
'Very impressive.' Sir Deva's rumbling voice penetrated through the smoke and fire, 'I applaud this effort, thief.'
The smoke cleared, and RG and Sir Deva stood five meters apart, the room completely cleared out by the explosion.
The plan has sprung into action, and with that the climax at the Spotlight arrives!
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone