266 253: A Plague of Phantoms: Privileges of a Demon II

"Are you ready?" Jane asked as we stood in front of the gates to Arosaka center for the commencement ceremony.

We being Jane, Angie, and I. Jane was with me as my Chief of Operations and also to keep me from doing or saying anything stupid. Angie was here as my executive scheduling assistant to help field the inevitable requests for enchanted items since that wasn't my main focus for today. Also she wanted a break from managing her hyperactive toddler and decided it was a daddy and son day for KC and Louie. Fours and Empress were here for security. After the incident yesterday with King Peter I decided it was a good idea to have my protection front and center.

I chose Fours and Empress for two reasons. They were both human sized or near enough so would fit easily inside the building and they were both rare. Gravegyles were a relic of a bygone war and nobody knew how to make them anymore while Divine Gold Qolitz were something only seen in China and own by royal guards of the divine emperor. Something a bumpkin from America should not have. Simply having Fours and Empress as my evos was a power symbol, displaying them like this was another.

"About as ready as I'll ever be." I said then looked to Angie.

"Oh, I'm fine. Just don't expect me to be polite if I see Chase's father or brother in there." Angie replied.

"They're not important today. Today is about attracting attention and cultivating mystique. We need to make all the leaders and military officials want for flock to our displays after this ceremony." I said. Jane nodded in agreement.

"Attracting attention won't be a problem after last night." Jane said.

"And we're supposed to keep all away from my Lord, correct?" Empress asked.

"No, you're just my guards. Though you're really supposed to guard Angie and Jane. If anything goes down the both of you are to get them out of there." I corrected.

"Understood, my lord." Empress said bowing her head slightly. Four made a low chirping sound that meant affirmation while speaking to me through our mental connection.

[Of course Pretender.] Fours replied.

"Okay…let's do this…" I said glancing at everyone.

I stepped forward and pushed the gates open. The Arosaka center was a traditional Japanese mansion that was converted into a center. The gates opened up to a large courtyard which surrounded a cluster of buildings in the center of the mansion. The courtyard way filled with exotic flowers, Koi ponds, and soldiers patrolling the space. There were at least hundred of them from various countries and every one of them went on edge the moment I walked through three gates followed by my entourage.

Every solider in the courtyard was a splicer from what I could tell and not a single one of them had a gun on them. Apart from a quick glance which I noticed all that I paid them no mind and headed towards the largest of the buildings inside the mansion's courtyard. That building had a small collection of soldiers lined up in front of it and set up what looked like a checkpoint.

As I approached the soldier all stood at attention and eyed me while a Japanese woman dressed in a Kimono walked up to me with a clipboard. She smiled sweetly at me, though eyed Fours and Empress cautiously.

"Hello, welcome to Tsushima Island for this year's Evo-cution, Master Kingston." The woman said. I arched a brow.

"You already know who I am?" I asked.

"Let's just say your reputation proceeds you…and who are these with you?" The woman asked looking at the others.

"Princess Jane Solomon, eldest daughter of Pharaoh Turak'Kahn Solomon IV, Chief of Operations at Sho'lajah Artifact Company." Jane announced herself, that woman's eyes widened at that introduction.

"Angie Gents, executive scheduling assistant and manager of Sho'lajah Artifact Company storefront." Angie said. The woman nodded and looked less enthusiastic about Angie's titles.

"And the…evos behind you? Are they your security?" She asked looking at Empress and Fours.

"Empress, Fifth named of Sho'lajah. This is Commander Fours, Fourth named of Sho'lajah." Empress said, motioning to Fours and then bowing slightly. The woman's eyes widened on hearing Empress voice.

"It can talk?!" She exclaimed. The soldiers nearby all looked shocked as well.

"Of course she can talk, all my evos can talk…well except for Fours here's but that's for personal reasons." I said and waved to Fours behind me.

"I'm assuming Chase is on the list. Can we head inside?" Jane asked. The woman quickly got over her shock and nodded.

"Yes! Right, Chase Kingston and guests with…security…" She paused and looked at my evos and then at the soldier closest to her. He shot her a look and she returned ger attention back to me. "…I'm sorry but after what happened at the garden party yesterday I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to either recall your evos or leave them here."

"Really? Are there any dignitaries or CEO's that have security with them?" I asked.

"Well naturally, all of these soldiers are from various countries." The woman said.

"So I'm not allowed protection?" I asked. The woman's smile faded slightly.

"Your protection yesterday killed one of King Peter of Scotland's royal guards." The woman said.

"And cut the hand off another…" one of the nearby soldiers muttered.

"In my defense that brainless blowhard just ordered his men to attack me. My evo was simply defending me." I said.

"Chase!" Jane griped and slapped my arm. I rolled my eyes at her.

"I'm not going in without my security, unfortunately I have a long history of people trying to kill me." I declared.

"I wonder why…" Jane said snidely. I shot her a look over my shoulder while she looked off innocently into the distance.

"I'm sorry sir but we've had several people in attendance voice concerns about you not having any control over your evos." The woman said.

"My lord's word is law, I swear on the name of Sho'lajah that I will not raise a claw or feather against anyone inside unless they do so first." Empress said, her voice laced with strong conviction. The woman seemed shocked once again by Empress speaking. Seeing she was shocked I pressed on.

"Is my evo's personal assurance that she won't randomly attack people enough or do I need to find the rest of my people and leave Tsushima Island. I'm sure you can inform the organizers of Evo-cution that I left because of your…inflexibility. I'm sure all the nobles and royals that wanted to speak to me would love that." I said, letting a little bit of steel enter my voice.

"Ummm…well there is no need to go that far Master Kingston…." The woman replied nervously.

"Enough of this Farce! Let Master Kingston through!" A familiar voice called out from somewhere inside the courtyard. I turned towards the familiar voice and saw Hideyoshi Ascred storming towards us, he was dressed in a Japanese navel uniform that looked like a second skin on the man.

"Captain Ascred!" The woman exclaimed and bowed slightly. The soldier's baring Japanese uniforms all stood at attention and saluted. Hideyoshi returned the salute and looked at the woman.

"Did you not hear me Saki? Let Master Kingston through." Hideyoshi said sternly. Saki looked away nervously.

"I'm sorry captain but I have orders from the organizers at Tech-9 to not allow Maater Kingston in with his evos on display." Saki said looking at Empress and Fours. Hideyoshi pulled a envelope from hos pocket and waved it in front of Saki's face.

"And I have a order from the Shogun, granting Master Kingston immunity from such concerns. Are you going to disregard a order from the Shogun?" Hideyoshi replied. Saki's eyes widened as she looked at the envelope then she looked at me with fear.

"No I will not. Apologies Master Kingston, I did not realize you had the patronage of the Shogonate. Please head inside." She said bowing deeply.

"Thank you." I drawled then stepped past her. The girls and my evos followed one behind while Hideyoshi walked in step with me.

"Pleasure to see you again Master Kingston." Hideyoshi said once we were a few steps away from Saki and the other soldiers.

"Same Hideyoshi, though I wasn't expecting to see you here of all places and in a naval uniform too." I replied.

"This is a new appointment, I am as the Shogun needs me to be. Which currently is leading you to him uninterrupted." Hideyoshi said as we approached the door to the larger building.

"Bring Chase to the Shogun? It's my understanding that the hosts of Evo-cution don't directly interact with companies here to present evos. So they don't show favoritism." Jane said.

"Normally that is the rule but…the Shogun us willing to break that rule for Chase…you'll see why in a little bit…" Hideyoshi said as he opened the door to allow everyone inside. "Welcome Master Kingston and Sho'lajah Artifact Company delegation to Evo-cution."

Sin

"HEEEEY! GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM THAT OR I'M TEARING YOUR HEART OUT FROM YOUR ASSHOLE!" I bellowed as I chased some American scientists away from one of the crates that one of Nate's Orkands left just a little too far from the edge of our presentation area.

I groaned and shook my head as I walked over and pushed the crate back into our area, the thing was heavier than I thought and I actually had to put my back into it to move the thing. Once the crate was squarely back in our area I took a look at the writing on the side and winced.

"Ogarai weaponry….shit. Boss would've chewed my ass out if something happened to these." I said to myself. I didn't exactly know what the Ogarai weaponry was but since it was crated up that meant they were enchanted items and worth more than my yearly salary, though just barely.

I was currently in the Sadamas Center, where the presentations for evos was supposed to take place. I was there as a guard but because nothing goes as planned when Chase is involved I ended up having to help with setting things up. The Sadamas Center was basically a giant warehouse that had been split into sections, each company that was presenting received their own section. When we arrived earlier this morning I made sure to take note of where Justice Technologies section was and it pissed me off a little. Their spot was right next to the fucking main door into the center while ours was all the way in the back corner. From the main doors you'd have to walk for fifteen minutes just to get there. The only plus was it was next to the loading dock doors.

"Sin! A little hand here!" I heard Haws call out. I looked around and Saw Haws, Louie, Nate, and technically KC; little kid was strapped to Louie's back with a harness and fast asleep; all struggling to carry one of the cage gateways that Chase created to transport evos, through the loading dock door. The three of them holding onto a corner while they tried to shimmy over to where they wanted to drop it.

"Shit!" I yelled and rushes over, grabbing the last open counter I lifted and nearly had my knees buckled under the weight. "Fuck! Why is this so heavy!"

"It has the collective weight of each evo in it!" Louie exclaimed.

"Why!?" I demanded.

"Magic bullshit!" Haws growled.

"Less talking more moving!" Nate snapped as he started to shimmy over in the direction he wanted. Everyone piped up and obeyed as we moved with Nate, eventually getting over to the spot they wanted.

"One, two, three!" Haws counted and everyone let go at once. The cage gateway landed with a loud thud that cracked the concrete under it.

"Gods above…" I groaned as I took a step back and then frowned at the three men. "Why the hell were you three carrying that? What happened to the Orkands?"

"They're carrying the other one." Nate said and then pointed towards the door into this facility. I turned and saw all of the orkands in Nate's squad, plus Pogs, and one of Jiggles Orgarai; I think that one was exotic or something; all struggling to carry that cage gateway into the building.

"The Fuck…?" I muttered. Haws pointed to the name plate on the container we carried and it read Lunar Liger Sharks.

"Chase only made ten of those bad boys. He made almost twenty of the Mer-as-folk." Haws said.

"Ten? How the fuck were we able to lift that? It had to weigh every bit of four tons?" I asked. Everyone shrugged except for Nate.

"It wasn't that heavy." Nate said casually. His attention suddenly turned towards the crate I moved and hos face scrunched into a frown. "Who moved that there?"

Nate walked over and picked up the crate that I struggled with like it was a simple delivery box and carried it back over to the spot I pushed it from. I frowned and crossed my arms.

"I nearly died pushing that crate…" I muttered. Haws chuckled and shook his head.

"Since when is Nate so strong?" Louie asked. Haws and I shrugged.

"Now that you mention it he has seemed stronger lately…you don't think Chase did some bod mod magic on him like he did with the old man here, do ya?" I asked and motioned to Haws. Haws scowled at me and crossed his arms menacingly.

"Who you calling old?" He griped.

"BOSS!" A Orkand cried out. I turned towards the sound and saw a techno-splicing scientist scurrying around the Orkands while they were trying to carry the cage gateway. He started to stayed a little too close to Pogs and before I could say anything my Ogrest kicked backwards and nailed the scientist in the chest. He flew back several feet and skidded a couple more once he landed.

"OOOOOH! OUCH!" Haws and Louie exclaimed.

"FOR THE LOVE OF HEL!" I growled and stomped over to the scientist but by the time I reached him a bunch of his colleges had made it and were treating him like he was about to die.

"You fucking savages!" One of them yelled. I rolled my eyes at that.

"Better a savage then an idiot! Who just walks up to a random evo they don't know that is carrying something and gets in his way! Your friend is lucky Pogs didn't drop the cage and use him as a jump rope." I replied. That earned a scowl form the other scientists as well as some of the onlookers that were setting up their own displays.

"Where you want Boss?" I heard one of the Orkands call out to Nate. I glanced over my shoulder and saw Nate motioning to the evos to come over to him and then pointed next to the Lunar Liger Shark gateway that we placed down earlier.

"HEY!" I heard someone yell.

I felt a little itch in the back of my neck that just told me to duck. I listened to that itch as I turned and was grateful I did, as I turned I saw a fist fly towards where the back of my head was. It missed but only by a hair and my attackers was already following up his attack with another punch. I took that hit across my jaw and spun with the hit on my heel using my momentum to hit my attacker with a elbow to the his own jaw that sent him crumbling to the ground. I took several steps back and held my hand up.

"Do not engage!" I ordered Pogs, knowing the over protective Ogrest would already be moving to tear my attacker into meat chunks. Thankfully he listened as did the Ogarai, and Orkands, I confirmed with a brief glance over my shoulder.

My attacker turned out to be an American soldier and his squad mates were at his side either trying to wake him up or guard him from me. Haws and Louie stood beside me and eyed the soldiers cautiously.

"You fucking bastard! How dare you attack an American soldier!" One of the Squad mates exclaimed.

"He attacked me first!" I replied.

"Only cause that evo attacked a scientist!" Another soldier cried out and then Pointed at Exotic or Rubis, or whatever the hell the Orgarai's name was.

"One: that evo didn't kick the scientific idiot, that one did." Haws said and pointed to Pogs. "And two: What fucking idiot walks up to a strange evo! Nobody! It's techno-splicing evo handling basics!"

At this point the soldier I knocked out was finally coming to. He jolted awake and started swinging at anything that moved. He quickly regained his sense, what little he had, and glared at me before jumping to his feet. His mates had to catch him when he nearly fell flat on his ass again from being dizzy.

"You crystal-shit living bastard! We'll kick your ass!" Another soldier snapped and pointed at Haws.

"Really? You cannot be that stupid to try?" Louie said and placed a hand on the handle of the mana-revolver he had holsters in his hip. As Chase ordered everyone had one if they left the King's glaive, that included Nate, Louie, Jade, and Angie, though the women's were better concealed.

The soldier's all saw the gesture and tensed. When I saw soldier's patrolling earlier they all were carrying rifles, Skazzas to be exact, however the ones in front of us were empty handed. As bad as they wanted to appear they weren't bad enough to survive a barrage of bullets. Especially not the magic bullets that the mana-revolvers shot. Still there are always idiots.

"You think I'm scared of your little gun, crystal-shit lover! I'll kick your ass before ypu even draw it!" The least intelligent of the squad yelled. That declaration sent a wave of resolve coursing through his squad mates as well as nearby scientists. They all looked like they would attack at any moment.

"ENOUGH!" A voice boomed. Everyone turned towards the sound and saw a man dressed in an American soldier's uniform flanked by two men. This man was different than the others, he had a air about him. Authority, experience, loss, all flowed off him like water. Unlike the whelp I had seen all morning this man had seen combat, true combat.

"Lieutenant Cross!" One of the soldiers exclaimed. They all stood to attention and saluted the man. The Lieutenant Cross stepped between the soldiers and us, glaring at the soldiers. The two men that stood at his flanks kept an eye on us, well our evos that were glaring menacingly at the soldiers.

"Someone better tell me what the fuck is going on! NOW!"