Chapter 48

"You're a clever kid, Victor. I'm not going to hide, and you should know by now that we have high hopes for the three of you.

All of us above the rank of Vice-Admiral unanimously agree to groom the three of you to become Marine Admirals in the future." Kong came to a halt while delivering what he thought was a surprise for Victor.

However, Victor had long known this because he literally saw it from ink on pages.

Still, he acted shocked, and exuded eagerness. He immediately rose from the couch and offered Kong a lean marine salute before reassuring Kong, "Sir, we won't let you down."

"Haha… Sit, there's no need to get so worked up yet. This is only the beginning. There is a very long journey ahead of you."

Victor followed the words and sat, up straight, his face filled with the same eagerness.

And Kong was overjoyed, because, based on what he just saw, Victor was a very proud marine, someone with the muscles and intellect, which he could carefully develop to his liking, into a definite pillar, for the marine's future.

Victor suddenly thought of something and said, "Ah… Sir, what about... You still haven't mentioned Leonel's arrangement… Who would he be working under?"

"You…" Kong gave the answer.

"You mean…?"

"Yes. The commodore I have assigned for you is Leonel. And by now, I hope you have really understood why I couldn't assign the other of your friends to your unit…" Kong said.

"I... I understand, sir. And I'm sure the others would too…" Victor said playing an uncertain expression.

"Good... Now, on to the next... Here's a list of the marines that would be under your command." Said Kong while pushing a sheet of paper across the table towards Victor.

And his words continued without a pause. "Your ship would be ready in two months, so within this period, I want you to get familiar with them, see if there's any people you would like to replace, then update me, or your uncle regarding it."

Victor instead of asking cocked his head in confusion.

"Well, the people who would be under your command have to be to your liking. I don't want any unnecessary accidents to happen due to some stupid reasons like jealousy, greed, or whatnot. So, you can evaluate them by yourself, whichever way you want, but within these two months period.

By the end, I want you, and the squad you selected to be ready for the sea!" Kong said in a commanding tone.

"Yes, sir."

"…"

Inwardly, Victor was overjoyed. Things may have gone off script from what he had assumed, however, it wasn't bad. In fact, it turned out even better.

No Sengoku, a better ship, more subordinates, — and that too he could pick and choose. Moreover, he gets to have Leonel, one of his actual friends, someone whom he could gradually, brainw- *Cough*, trust his plots with.

Victor was so excited that after his exuberant salute, he forgot to sit down and briefly spaced out.

"Well, Victor, you can go now..."

Fortunately, Kong's words snapped him out of his reverie.

"Ah... Sorry, Fleet Admiral... I got lost in some thoughts..."

"I noticed... Mind telling?"

"That... I was just thinking, how to break the news to my friends... I mean, we were quite hyped to sail on one boat you see..."

"The decision had been made, son. It's all for the better. Also, some of your friends must already be aware of it by now..."

"Ah... I'm not trying to change your mind sir. Actually, now that I know the reason, I too think that would be the best arrangement for them..." Victor remarked before heaving a sigh.

He then stood up and rendered a last salute. "Thank you very much, sir. Thank you for informing me. I appreciate the sincerity." Victor then proceeded toward the exit, but not before turning his head one final time and exclaiming, "for justice! Sir!"

Kong simply raised a corner of his mouth and motioned Victor to leave.

o - o -O - o - o

"Victor…?"

"VICTOR!"

"Ah… Sorry…" Coming out of his trance, Victor said, "I was thinking about our friends, and I'm sure they're not as bored as we are... nehaha..." At the end, Victor burst out laughing.

He kept walking until he reached the door. "Ah, yes, Leo," Victor turned his head and called out while holding the doorknob.

"Hmm?"

"Inform the team... I'd prefer not to be disturbed until we arrive on Lanza Island."

"I'll take care of it..." Leo gave a slight nod and said.

What Victor appreciated the most about Leo was that no matter how insignificant the instruction was, the latter would follow by the book.

And the moment Victor entered the deckhouse, Leonel proceeded to follow the instructions.

-Inside the captain's cabin.

'Hey Jaya...'

[I'm here, sir...]

'Initiate Project, Avatar!'

[Acknowledge, sir.]

Subsequently, a bulge of black substance, — billions of micro machines, — began to emerge from Victor's metallic-looking bracelet. The bulge of black matter gradually morphed into a humanoid figure, culminating in Victor's appearance in the same attire, and now, no normal person would be able to tell the difference between the fake from real.

"Hmm... Seeing it again, it's still pretty amazing." Victor murmured, his hand on his chin.

'Simulate, A1'

[Initializing...]

[A1 Selected.]

[Begin simulation]

The eyes of the entity that had taken on the look of Victor opened.

"Speak to me, Jaya, through A1. Replicate my voice, and let me know how well you can imitate my speech pattern and facial expressions!" Victor spoke looking at the humanoid.

"I can almost perfectly reproduce your voice, speaking pattern, facial expression, and even your aura, sir. However, it may not be a perfect 100 percent, as this is only a simulation, processed from your behavioral data accumulated over the last 10 years." Victor's duplicate, or A1, spoke in Victor's voice.

"That's fine. But how can you replicate my aura?"

"I can emit pure energy housed inside the nano particles, analogous to the sensation of an individual's aura. However, sir, only for a limited amount of time."

"How limited?"

"For a week, if this shell isn't required to do anything energy-intensive."

"In terms of combat, what's its potential?"

"Project A1 can consistently output 5000 combat power for an hour. Any more would progressively slow it down, and eventually disable it, unless you or another suitable energy source is available to charge its nano battery-cells."

"Should be enough. However, keep the connection link available at all times so that I may take control remotely at any moment. Moreover, if any question from anyone arises for which you cannot find an answer within your data base, immediately link to my mind."

"Acknowledged, sir."

"Now, initiate project, The Boogeyman."

Once again, billions of micro particles, emerged from Victor's bracelet, and together with his coat, shirt, pants, and even the boots, they all collectively rippled, then blended, before coating every portion of Victor's body.

At this point, Victor seemed to be wearing the Blackpanther costume, with the addition of a cloak that reached from his shoulders to just below his knees, making him look extremely intimidating.

The dark figure, or rather Victor, opened his eyelids, revealing two blood crimson orbs. Even the pupil was the same color as the sclera and iris, making it impossible to tell them apart.

Victor hmmed and lifted his right hand in front of his face, clenching his fist.

"Will the suit's capabilities suffer in any way now that some of the nanoparticles have been separated?" Victor asked, fixing his eyes on A1.

"Yes, in terms of both offensive and defensive prowess. However, the other capabilities, such as voice modification and camouflage can still be performed."

"Good... Activate camouflage mode... It's time for the Boogeyman to make his grand debut." Victor, or rather The Boogeyman, exclaimed excitedly as his figure gradually began to turn invisible.

=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=

AN:

Sorry it took a while.

This week has been a little bit hectic, with the Eid holidays and everything.

Also, I'm not happy with the dialog that took place with Kong in the previous chapter. I know that I did not perform at my best.

I'll improve, I promise. :)

Aside from that, the auxiliary chapter has been updated. I can only hope that things have become clearer. Fingers crossed 😅✌

Any way,

This is my PatrêOn.

https: // www.patrê0n.com / RyanFic

There will be no new chapters there because I'm uploading everything here, but if you do decide to support me, please know that I am extremely grateful.

Thank you for your support.