Michael and Nora

Stepping inside of the Excelsior building was like stepping into an entirely new world. It was spotless, there were no signs of the apocalypse outside in the building at all. Cassius didn't focus too much on that though. As if he had designed the building he quickly arrived outside of the lab door. He placed his hand on the door. It shifted from its previous silver color to an extreme black color that devoured the light that approached it. Cassius walked through the black door, revealing it to be an immaterial membrane.

"Who are you and how did you get in here?"

Cassius' face sunk, once again he was surprised by an event. The sudden appearance of people on the other side of the door was not a threat to him. However, the fact that he didn't know they were there was a problem for him. Cassius ignored the woman who spoke to him along with the other dozen people who were in the lab and walked to the only person who hadn't paid any attention to his arrival. He looked over the man's shoulder to see what he was working on and quickly snatched the notebook away from him.

"How dare you? Do you have any idea what would have been lost if those pages ripped you damn brutes," the man went through what seemed like a well-rehearsed series of berating before he got a good look at who snatched his notebook away, "Wait who are you I've never seen you, though you seem like any of those other brutish securities that woman sends down here when she wants something, stupid brat.

Either unknown to him or expected the woman he mentioned was in the room and she did not take kindly to his words.

Cassius who was intensely reading the notebook finally looked up and focused that intensity on the man.

"Michael Rath," Cassius took the time to look at the name tag on the man's coat, "I am Cassius the work in this book is extraordinary and exactly what I need. I will provide you with the necessary resources and knowledge if you'll help me build something similar."

"Not only do you ignore me, but you also try to poach my workers right in front of my face. I have never seen such blatant disrespect!" The woman reacted like a cat whose tail was stepped on.

Cassius and Michael gave a quick side glance at the woman then turned back to each other to continue their conversation.

"What knowledge can you possibly have that I don't? I've been researching and learning everything in my field and the related fields since I was a child. That is thirty years of knowledge."

"You only know what is humanly possible. What I am offering you is alien and exotic knowledge, programming beyond your binary systems, elemental combinations you simply cannot produce. With the knowledge I have and your experience with the materials here I could solve my problems and in the event, you succeed in what I will be tasking you, I will even give you the chance to further your studies."

While the two continued their exchange and ignored the woman. She was growing exceedingly annoyed. She was Michael's boss and he openly ignored and even insulted her. As for her feelings for Cassius, the human language didn't have the right words to express how he made her feel the usual words seemed too insignificant to express the extent of the anger she felt toward him.

"Listen I am fully aware that with the current state of the world I am not really anyone's boss but you have still invaded my shelter. I ask that the stranger leave and that you Michael get back to work. We may not have everything from Unitech but it should still be enough to finish the K.H.A.O.S Suit my brother was working on."

"I see so this is only half of the work. Where is the other half and what is it?"

"I can't tell you that, while your offer seems generous it's all talk right now there is no proof you can do what you said."

Cassius stopped and thought for a little bit before he walked to the other side of the lab to a few unused computers. He place his hands on the computers and like the beast and the door before he transformed the material into something else. In a few dozen seconds an entirely new computer rested in place of the former three, he removed a panel from the side of it and beckoned Michael over. Michael approached the computer and inspected it, though he couldn't understand anything about it.

"What is this? I know it's a computer but how does it work there are none of the usual parts."

"I noticed you already have nanotechnology here and while it is rather simple it is still considered advanced for this world. This computer is an even more advanced version of nanotechnology and hosts some of my knowledge. Simulate your work here."

Michael did as he was told and ran simulations of his work. Although it still failed the data was several times more accurate and the computer even highlighted problems and 3D printed models of his work. Even the woman was surprised by the developments in the last fifteen minutes.

She couldn't help but ask, "Michael with that computer how long until we can create our K.H.A.O.S prototype?"

"Even with this I can't recreate the suit perfectly there is something we're lacking as a necessary component but, with this, I could create an even better one. I am sorry but despite our friendship Nora, if I can only use this if I work for him I will leave to do so."

"Your name was Cassius correct? I am Nora Bell the owner and head of Excelsior Techlabs and I know with the current state of the world I do not have nearly as much influence as I used to. However, I would like to ask you to allow me and the entire team here to join you in this venture."

"As long as everyone can contribute and so long as I succeed in creating what I need for myself I will also aid you in your endeavor."

"You've mentioned many times there is something you need but what is it you haven't said a name or indicated what you are trying to create."

"I won't share the particulars just yet but what I need are nano-machines capable of converting anything around it into a biological silicon-based entity. As it stands I think my body cannot adapt to the vastness of my mind or stand the connection."

"The Mechacyte Virus," Michael whispered a look of horror and extreme happiness mixed on his face making for a strange expression. Michael then seemed to come to a realization, "Wait! Is that why my work has failed all this time. I have the mechanical component but I've been missing the biological component. How do you plan to solve that?"

"My version will not be the same as what you're working on. But those are particulars even if I did explain it to you would not understand them as that involves concepts and knowledge far from attainable for any of you."

"Then as before this whole team is at your disposal. I suppose to complete the first phase we'll need to get the organic component from Unitech. We aren't fighters here so we haven't been able to get there since the war between our companies last year."

"You are surrounded by fighters, they only lack the means of survivability in the field. Give them that and you'll have an entire force ready and capable of fighting for you."

Nora thought for a little bit. It was indeed possible to arm a large fighting force, even though they suffered many losses in the war their fighting force had never reached the intended size. It would be easy to build up another fighting force and if she relied on Cassius' powers for a while she would be able to keep them in check.

"Ma'am, I believe we still have around several dozen Secondlight suits and a dozen or so Warsoul Units." One of the others in the room said.

"The Secondlight suits, with the Athena Systems," A look of disgust washed over her face, "Which generation Warsoul units do we have here?"

"We have a half a dozen V2 units with the Ares V2G1 Systems, and a dozen V1 Units with the Ares V1G1 System." (AN; V=Version G=Generation)

Cassius stood to the side and silently observed the conversation. He had heard many things during his time in the lab and for now, everything pointed to an optimistic future for himself. This break allowed him to dive back into his thoughts to plan and assess future tasks. His attention was drawn back when the room went silent.

"Cassius, we can arm the people out there. But there is a problem we only have early versions of the Warsoul units here. They are strong and reliable but it will take time for them to get used to the suits systems especially the Adrenal Conductors. If we let them use the suits freely, a lot of them could die."

"I was asked that if I were capable of opening the lab doors and found something that could increase their survivability that I share it. I'll take you to see their leader and you can discuss the problems with her, those who take the risk have only themselves to blame if it proves to be too much. I've done my part."

Cassius spoke with the lab workers for an extended period and upgraded the entire lab before Nora and he left to find Katelyn.