Letter Bee

Noble Arms - The ASEAN War, Second Thread

Mission Four - Knives in Phnom Penh

Diamond Island Convention and Exhibition Center, The City of Phnom Penh - 11/11/2022 06:24 UTC+8

Lieutenant Channery Chea kept talking to Noel, trying to drill into the young man that he should not cause trouble, personal threats aside. Nevertheless, after several minutes, the female officer relented, saying, "A boy thrust with the role of 'father to his men'; many of my subordinates have been thrust into the role of family head and can relate to your circumstances - Do as you wish but do not cause trouble; I and my men will be watching."

Dara Chea, on the other hand, observed the group scattering; the Nun (Maria, right?) and the Belgian (Henri?) were with the young commander of Task Force Obsidian, Nico Makri, and Cristina Bernardino (the mercs) had walked off towards separate windows, and Myron and that 'handyman' (Roberto?) were planning something, with Roberto going off somewhere to insult Huo Ren for being, well, being a war criminal whose methods of satisfying his desires shamed his nation.

Aoi had eluded his notice as she successfully got her hands on Huo Ren's phone while Roberto made him seethe, then used the teleport beacon to 'upload' herself into Myron's Noble Arm. Nevertheless, Dara felt that he was fulfilling his job well as he turned his gaze back to Noel's group; was it just him, or was the young First Lieutenant suddenly nervous as he checked his military-issued encrypted PDA?

Diamond Island Convention and Exhibition Center, The City of Phnom Penh - 11/11/2022 06:29 UTC+8

A few minutes later, Noel was walking towards where the Philippine delegation's office was, gesturing for Maria, Henri, and Nil to follow him with all haste. As for Callie, he texted her saying, prepare for evacuation. Talks are going FUBAR soon.

The young man had learned these past few weeks that things cannot be expected to go well with Huo Ren around. But if that man thought everything was going to go his way, well, Myron had that simp's phone now, and was ready to broadcast its contents to the meeting; that ought to cause enough chaos to cover for ASEAN's evacuation from these talks - He wasn't blind; Callie was lured to where her father had killed one of the few remaining members of the Cambodian Opposition in Parliament, and the Opposition was less thrilled by China's promises than the ruling party were.

This was a frame-up and Task Force Obsidian was being set up to take the fall for the collapse of the negotiations. Well, so be it, but that will be on his team's terms. He sent a message to Nico, saying, Meet up with us right now; Myron and half of the group are going to try and expose Huo Ren, but Callie's father is trying to frame her, us, and ASEAN for murder - We need to evacuate!

---

At the same time, Myron was walking towards the window where Cristina was, but not before sending a message to Roberto to, Specialist Williams! Meet me and Volunteer Bernardino at the second-floor balcony, eight meters away from the front entrance - We need to prepare for evac now!

Reaching Cristina's position, he pulled out his Noble Arm, but not before uploading Aoi and Huo Ren's phone to the Philippine delegation's office, where she could use the equipment to broadcast Huo Ren's intentions and atrocities to the world...

Diamond Island Convention and Exhibition Center, The City of Phnom Penh - 11/11/2022 06:32 UTC+8

The moment Aoi and what she carried - Huo Ren's Phone - re-appeared in the Philippine delegation's office, the latter lit up on its own, and the entire tone of the meeting changed as messages and pictures of Huo Ren's secrets -

Light Content Warning

His abuse of both men and women, his obsession with one Nico Makri and TFO leader Noel Alonso, and the fact that he ran a prison in Gansu, a gold mine where the heat and humidity were kept high in order to make sure the prisoners of war forced into mining ores wore only the minimum of clothing...

These were broadcast to the public, upending hours and days of plans and intrigues and rendering various preparations redundant.

Shen Tu couldn't help but grin; revenge was a dish best-served cold.

After all, just because he and Xing Xiao hated granting sapience to inanimate objects didn't mean that they couldn't do so...

@Gerlando@Nimbus@QJT@Amidatelion@Digmata@Chiro@Creative Chaos@DammitVictor

A thousand years later…

@Letter Bee

Thank you for the welcome! And yes, I would love to hear more about your RP. It sounds right up my alley, lol.

@KilluaRollz

Well, you've read the lore in the OOC Opening Post, right?

32/M/IL

Welcome!

Greetings

Welcome!

Once bitten, twice sparkling!

@SparklingZombie, I love your avatar!

Heya! PPix Here!

Welcome!

A thousand years later…

I run a Modern Fantasy RP, just in case that's something you'd like...

In other news, welcome, @KilluaRollz!

Fate/Dark Heritage

Lorenzo Calungsod Emiya

Lorenzo got down from his motorbike, nodded, and said, "Forgive us for the interruption indeed, but alas, the Grail War calls us to a fight to the death; sad that such a ritual, developed from an even older rite meant to safeguard the Grand Order, has devolved into this."

As he looked around for more spiders and other potential familiars, the youth spoke to Gajah Mada through their servant bond, A Kris would give away part of your identity; while statues of St. Michael in my homeland have a Kris, it would be a stretch to claim that you are an Archanagel... Either way, I heard something one of these Servants being 'Rogue'; that might be something we need elaborated on. Before you engage, pump them for information -

Constantine XI Shielder Lily

Boy on a Motorbike

Constantine XI Shielder Lily interrupted, "Milady, you came just in time to hear my theorizing, theorizing so important that even if you were a Turk, I'd be giving you the needed information because, well, let's just say that the people who repurposed the Fuyuki Grail Ritual without full knowledge of its contents, the oh-so-illustrious Fujiwara Clan, screwed up the ritual while in one of the most mystically-significant areas of Japan. Now there are an unknown number of Rogue Servants roaming around; Masterless Servants who subsist on Leylines and other Mana-rich areas to survive. The problem is, not only does this affect our mobility, as we mostly cannot sustain ourselves outside of Leylines, but some of us have taken to killing animals and humans - Or just seducing people for 'Mana Transfer', in order to get around that restriction."

He looked at Jan, then Lorenzo and Saber, before saying, "I'm no Ruler, but the Dead cannot lead the living. Not just that, but if the threat to innocent lives does not move any of you, there's the fact that Rogue Servants like me can form temporary contracts with a Master and thus aid them in battle in exchange for Mana after a strong-enough bond has been made."

A smile that widened, seemingly lighting up the night, such was the enthusiasm and joy in it, before he continued, "So here's the deal; the one who defeats me will have a bond strong enough to gain my allegiance. What do you say?"

@GubGar @randomguy

Oleg-Marie Animusphere

Oleg-Marie Animusphere bowed a little in deference as he faced Kayneth's familiar, saying, "Lord El-Melloi, my father, Marisbury, seeks the Grail in order to amass enough resources to create a system that will generate a simulation of Earth, which will then bleach itself and then use Displacement Magecraft to substitute the Real World's surface with its own bleached one, thus allowing this system, CHALDEAS, to send agents to plant 'Lostbelt Trees' that allow timelines pruned by Gaea to reconstruct themselves on the bleached world. This in turn are preparations for my father to make CHALDEAS the new foundation of the Human Order which will then be strengthened to the point where Humanity will be the dominant species of existence... But at the cost of being lower than cockroaches."

He then gives several documents to Kayneth's familiar, saying, "Here; documents that prove my case - I risked my life trying to get them from Father's files. I also know one of the Masters in this Grail War; Lorenzo Calungsod Emiya, a Half-Asian grandson of Sealing Designate Noritaka Emiya - He's fighting for the Holy Church separately from its Overseer for some reason..."

Through their telepathic bond, Oleg whispered to Puss, And... Done. Father should be sending assassins after me right now that I've betrayed him. And if Lord El-Melloi sides with them, well, it's going to be a fight for survival, not victory. You all right with that?

@GOATPlumber@ManyThings

Phi Mu Lambda: Friendly Wizarding Fraternity

Talking with DB about whether I have time to join, but interested.

Just Another Hero [Invite-Only]

Kazuki and Hikari

Collab between @Letter Bee and @Gerlando with some NPCs ran by @Vergil.

---

Hikari made sure to look slightly less disheveled than usual, albeit she had no prior experience with going on dates, at least you have to look sorta decent, don’t you? Sneaking out of campus a realization came up.

”So, where are we going to?”

Kazuki’s reply as he double-checked his silken tuxedo for any signs of lint was, “A French Restaurant. The City has a few very good ones, and the one I’m thinking of accepts very late reservations.”

And with that, he began checking his phone, hoping to arrange a very late reservation at Le'Nombril Restau.

Hikari made sure to check every corner just for the small chance they could catch a villain while going on their business, they’re still Heroes after all. ”Hmm.” she nodded along, hopefully it wasn’t going to be a too fancy restaurant with a strict dress code, a concern that grew on her the more she looked at Kazuki’s elegant suit.

---

Le'Nombril Restau, owned by tycoons of Japanese-French descent, the Aoyama Family, Le'Nombril Restau bustles and hustles with 4 Storeys.

An independent French Quarter not so far from Eirei, spanning an 800-meter radius of the city block, Le'Nombril Restau has many walls; some very thin, hence it's known as the place that brews with gossip.

Kazuki disregarded that reputation as he managed to get himself and Hikari seated on a table on a terrace whose edges were enveloped by thorny rose hedges with bright red flowers. Which seemed to distract the girl as soon as they got seated, as she was carefully observing how the tables, chairs and hedges complemented each other in a way that’s aesthetically pleasing, if a little pompous.

He then ordered a Goat’s Cheese Salad and a Margret de Canard (Duck Breast), before asking Hikari, “What would you like to order? I don’t spend much anyway beyond living expenses, so I can pay…”

”Oh…” taken back to reality Hikari looked at her menu, quickly going through the illustrations of the dishes as she did not know anything about french cuisine. Eventually settling for what looks like some kind of fish soup with mussels. ”I will take Bouillabaisse, we can ask for desserts later, if you want to that is.”

Kazuki nodded in acknowledgment and responded, “I do, yes.”

Suddenly a raspy voice echoed the orders of their orders.

“Table for 2. Make all their orders in the house for a week, for these lovebirds.” He made it clear that it was the Hawks Avian Code.

Across the room, there'd be those that's wearing the standard feathery attire, fitting for Heroes that are part of the Hawks Agency.

The man looked like a man but he was a metamorphic man with the head of an eagle, he's also got a deep and raspy voice.

“Carry on.” He moved to his business serving people in the restaurant.

Looking over Hikari didn’t quite realize what was going on, at least not at this distance. Besides she will take any reason to do something when her quirk was in full effect. ”Let’s check what is going on, we were waiting for the orders anyway.”

Kazuki replied, “No need. It seems one of our nest-mates have decided to get us a free meal.”

He then muttered, “I’d reject such a misuse of power but that might offend them; let’s bide our time…”

His tone was sullen, his eyes lowered, and his mood was down.

”Well, that’s nice I guess.” Hikari tilted her head on her chair, a little bothered by having to wait around after 10-or-so hours of sitting in class.

Noticing Kazuki’s mood worsened she decided to drop it, since it may lower it still.

Over the Restaurant’s Holographic TV, news about the new Top 10 Heroes confirmed and that the coronation no matter the postponement will be taking place next week.

University Levels of Heroics are called to participate in the auspicious day, in light of the event, the Big Three Hero Agencies of Japan has announced a conference.

A new curriculum that will reshape the course of the Japanese Government and their agencies amidst the increasing villain threats and the rumored Nomu dangers lately. A clip of the interview was shown on the scene, Best Jeanist quitted Hero Work but passed his legacy to Spiderman, the #1 candidate, reassured that once he's #1, there would be less murder cases to be solved. Zealous, Todoroki Toya, Endeavor's firstborn and also the candidate for becoming Japan's #1 Hero has voiced that he will not say much instead watch what he does. Tsukuyomi, Tokoyami Fumikage, the successor of Hawks & also a candidate for the #1 Hero said that the Hawks Agency will continue to serve and protect its people and not mind about the ranks.

Endeavor in the scene mentioned that he's inviting the school he created, Eirei Polytechnic to the event. Together with Jeanist and Hawks, the three announced that they have granted benefactor funds of scholarship programs to all first year students and guaranteed them a long and stable heroic career paths to choose from wisely. The scholarship was set until they finished their third and final years at Eirei.

Fluff of the matter, the soon to be former top threes read their fanclub notes aloud.

Endeavor resonated with grown men wanting to copy his hairstyle and facial hair, the same applied to those with fire Quirks, especially geared to Flashfire.

”I don't do fan service but this is wholesome, I am grateful to the fans that supported me and what's this…My biggest fan? You're one of a kind since Tameda Hiroshi aka Can't You See, Kid. I'm flattered you've bought a lot of my endorsed products and it's sold out, you may want me to mention your name live on TV but you're an Eirei Student and you know who you are, I will not mention your hero name either.” Deep inside Endeavor knew who he was referring to.

”Don't try to become me, when you can be better, kid, just remember to set your heart ablaze, don't be sad that my career has ended, be thankful that it happened because no matter the battles that may rise up ahead, just so you know that I am here and always will be, through you, who have earnestly lit my legacy beyond blood ties.”

Clip ended.

Kazuki’s mood lifted up as he smiled at the TV Screen, saying, “Well, that was a mood-riser.”

He then turned to Hikari and tried to find a conversation topic, blurting out, “So, umm… What can we talk about? To be honest, the only conversation topic that occurs to me is how beautiful you are; you honestly interest me more than my previous crushes - Yusuke and Soragami, if you must know. And Tsukiyomi, although I have no chance with him. I also used to like Mia, but I think she likes Hebi or Jun…”

There was a vague feeling he was getting things wrong somehow. So he added, “But yeah, you’re honestly more beautiful than any of them in my eyes now. Thank you for gracing my life tonight…”

Hikari was taken aback by the sudden ex talk, of which she had no prior experience. ”I see…”

”Perhaps there is more news that can take our attention?” Hikari looked away, embarrassed more by the sudden awkward conversation than the comments of whatever apparent beauty that she does not agree with, not to those standards anyway..

“The Tree is my home. Worms and berries are my food. The rain is my shower. My sweet song is my thank you.” A girl with pale skin, dark hair and eyes approached the couple.

“What's a bird that sets forest fire?” She asked them.

Kazuki answered, “Australian Firebird. Hello, Spectra; you work here part-time?”

He looked at Hikari, then leaned in close to whisper, “Nightowl, we may be called to official business.”

The youth had his gun and bullets concealed in a violin case to avoid scandalizing people. With the scholarship, he may be able to afford an actual violin, although he was no more than a hobbyist.

Hikari sighed, at least the sudden appearance of Spectra freed them from the awkward conversation they were having. ”Hope you’re doing well, Spectra. Do you have something to tell us?

She made sure to put her hands under the tablecloth, just in case Spectra had to relay a message more covertly.

Spectra’s eyes were devoid of life, she's a seasoned killer and emotions are only tools to her. She pointed ominously, she sat beside Hikari and told Kazuki to watch closely for what's about to happen.

Looking closely, a businessman was talking about setting up a business in Australia but couldn't care less about the destruction of natural habitats, he's also stated to have plundered money from the Japanese Bank.

The man suddenly fell asleep, in reality, he had died from the liquor that Spectra served him, minutes ago.

Kazuki raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. He then sighed before saying, “If we are not sparing with the ultimate punishment, we will lose the ability to intimidate those who would escape justice; fear will give way to anger and hatred and the sweet bait we can offer - The chance they’ll escape death by refraining from further corruption - will be less reliable.”

The tone was evenly phrased, honest, and without venom before the young man continued, “[i]But[/i’], as that person is a Nomu-Maker, I approve. Make sure to cover only those directly involved; the ones that are not can be used to carry fear to those who might be tempted in the future.”

One of the things Kazuki/Arsenal/Horned Owl was famous for was his hatred of those who made Nomu and the Nomu themselves, due to circumstances Hikari knew. Nomu were beings to be pitied and mercy-killed, travesties of the people they once were; minds and bodies mutilated and reshaped to fit someone else’s agenda.

Kazuki despised the possibility that he could have been turned into one, his dreams, hopes, and potential destroyed for some mad scientist’s whims.

Hikari had been looking attently, before turning to Spectra with a dead stare. ”I suppose that’s standard procedure for dealing with anyone related to Nomu-making, hopefully, you got enough out of him in advance.”

Spectra downloaded footage of multiple businessmen killed relative to the Nomu Sciences into their Hawkspads, overridden interface.

“Watch as you will in your free time, the Eight Bullets have made their move, Kites has given me the discretion to make, you two will report directly to Harpy in order to secure Illusion’s assassination of an important worm.” Spectra paused and drank from a vial of what it seemed to be cranberry juice, quenching her thirst.

“Harpy has failed to pursue becoming a Prefect to take over the Student Council, how disappointing, I've seen how it all went, I had eyes…that Mia Mathers feels like a potential hurdle to your covers, kill her, if she digs any deeper.”

Kazuki’s eyes flashed as he turned towards her, almost glaring, and he tried to be tactful as he said, “Harpy is without tact and the social skills needed to pursue that specific objective. As it is, either of us could have held the class’... loyalty better. And considering how bad I am at actually talking to people, that is not a high compliment for either of us.”

He then sighed and said, “As for Ms. Mathers… With all due honesty, I believe she has won Ravens’ respect. Unless her brother wishes to divide the Hawks Agency in these trying times, I do not think this order is smart, wise, or prudent to give.”

With a hardening of his gaze, followed by a softening of his face, Kazuki continued, “Nevertheless, if Mia endangers our covers, that problem will be dealt with, one way or another. I’m sure one can grasp how many implications there are in that statement.”

The acid bite of fear. The bitter edge of anger and hate. The utter certainty that he was doing the right thing, that reason, logic, empathy, and philosophy came together this time to guide him to the proper course. That was what Kazuki felt when he said those words.

He didn’t want to kill Mia. Dealing with her by force was still an option. Dealing with her as a partner was also an option if Spectra pushed.

His bodysuit was more than just thinner power armor; it also had biometric scanners and recorders. Considering how the Hawks Agency’s work required information, it was not a stretch that what could record his heartbeat and pulse could also record someone else’s words.

All it took was an agitated series of breaths to begin the process of doing so…

”That’s a bad idea. Hikari was sharp with her words, she had thought of it already after all.

”There really isn’t as much to gain from going against a Hero as you would think. Especially if that’s the attitude for anyone who’s even a minor hurdle, not everyone thinks highly of our nest, and I wouldn’t want to make that reputation even worse.”

Still laying back on her chair she glanced at the other tables momentarily. ”I see this place has a lot of red wine…”

Spectra smiled, unfazed by the current notions of how soft Kazuki has gotten and that display was evident with Hikari on the same boat.

“Do as you please.” Spectra dismissed their seemingly emotive response, she can tell that something was off, has Eirei made them soft? She wondered.

“Le Nombril Restau has been purchased by Harpy, that is why the birds are flocking & that is why we're here. To say that she lacked tact and social skill is an insult to any of the Blackhawks, what would you have done better then?” Spectra took offense and left open-ended questions.

No. It wasn't Spectra, it was Kites who spoke through Spectra, the verbal patterns changed.

“Nonetheless, I didn't come here to chitchat, I have ordered non-negotiable tasks, moving forward. The both of you will spy on Ravens, she has betrayed the Blackhawks and furthermore, you two are to work with Harpy to kill the Crater. You two also have to deal with the Black Nomu on the loose tonight.” Spectra’s nose was bleeding from the sheer mental grip that Kites had.

Connection ended.

Spectra wiped her blood off of her nose.

“That must be Thunderbird’s Quirk coursing through me. Enjoy the night.” She walked away.

Kazuki’s eyes flashed with anger as he grit his teeth and said, “If not for the fact that there’s a Nomu in need of mercy-killing…”

He got up and said, “Well, guess we’re going without dinner; on the house or not. That Black Nomu needs to be given the peace of death, after all.”

A side glance at Hikari, as the young man spoke, his bodysuit still recording, “Well, this is our first hunt as boyfriend and girlfriend - Assuming you want to go steady, of course.”

Those words left Hikari like a deer in the headlights, they were a couple now? She wasn’t going to deny it, but does it really take that little? Is it because they share a room, oh no it must be because they went on a date, surely that’s because any two people who go on a date are together, right?

Safe to say, Hikari got lost in the sauce and didn’t pay as much attention to the ongoing conversation.

Kazuki needed to alert Mia and Ms. Ravens of Kites’ intentions. He needed to last long enough to get himself and Hikari out of enemy territory and alert the rest of Eriei about this new threat from within Hero Society. And to do that, he must moderate his seething, his rage, and his elevated heartbeat.

The young man began to walk out of the restaurant, drawing his Hawkpad in order to activate the GPS and private channels, hoping to get news of the Black Nomu’s location.

He hoped Hikari was with him, he hoped he managed to get out of this building now filled with foes he had once called allies. Because if he did, because if he and Hikari managed to reach the safety of the shadows, and make a show of patrolling the alleyways looking for the Black Nomu…

Kazuki would make his choice and try to find Ravens’ contact number; surely Erei had a way to contact the teachers for emergencies? Or failing that, isn’t there a public chatroom or group voice call for Erei Academy itself?

His suit had recorded something relevant; not the parts about getting Mia killed, but the parts about Ravens betraying ‘The Blackhawks’ and the Blackhawks themselves existing.

So he’d try and alert his Professor - He’d chosen his side.

Hikari followed right after, somewhat glad she didn’t have to continue standing out in a luxurious restaurant. ”Uh… so all those Blackhawks back there are just watching TV instead of helping out? Lazy bunch.”

END