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Post by Elyk on Jan 31, 2019 17:54:34 GMT
President Beryl Shinra was waiting for his next appointment. Sitting inside his office at his desk he could look out over the vast Mega City of Midgar with buildings as far as the eye could see. He rarely had appointments any more, guiding the company with a gentle nudge here and there to get what he wanted but for the last few decades he had stepped back into a more passive role until needed to give that gentle nudge again. However it had been brought to his attention that the once tight iron grip he has might be loosened. So now, with a new gentle nudge he has called in one of the top Generals of SOLDIER to his office to give him a very specific mandate.
Ahriman had an impeccable record and top success rate of all incursions and primal killing on new planets. A meticulous man who didn't stop until the job was done and that is exactly who he needed to finally end the mosquito nipping at them named NOVA. The group had become more and more bothersome as of late, trying to destabilize governments they had set up, disrupt supply lines, and then the nasty rumor of them hijacking the SRI portal/Sector network to jump in and out of any offworld sector and back to the main city whenever they pleased.
The idea to put the most established military man he had going after a small group of pests was offputting to him, but he needed the distraction gone and it was time. He sipped on some Wutai Green wine in a small glass as he waited for his guest to join him, the bottle sitting out and an extra glass waiting for him. The President had remembered that his guest had some ties to the area and wanted to greet him with a taste of the past.
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Hero
Banned User
"“It's okay to be angry—or are you scared?”"
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Posts: 0
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Post by Hero on Feb 4, 2019 13:02:15 GMT
[ I. Something or Another]
Ahriman wheezed with gristle and mucus, lifting his coffee cup from his translucent table to deposit his mouth’s waste into. The latest injections had left their mark physically— darkened half-centimeter incisions localized around his joints and back: but his immune system and general disposition suffered the worst. Placing the cup back on his relatively clean table, he leaned back in his sable rocking chair and continued reading the binder of information much more valuable than an ordinary book. Even with his mind slipping down the rabbit hole of what he’d call enlightenment, he never shirked his duty to information analysis, and preferred still to do it the old fashion way than through effortless data upload.
“Genesis Andross Co, Hanka Precision Instruments, and Kenbishi Heavy Industries all have incorrect financial records for the twenty-third fiscal year cycle.”
“Concurrent?” Ahriman spoke aloud into his empty office.
“Yes. Hanka Precision Instruments has sold its assets and largely dissolved however.”
“I didn’t catch that…” Ahriman grunted in frustration. “I’m getting too old for this desk work…”
“Isn’t it supposed to work the other way around?”
The A.I feedback of his left eye, virtually autonomous, was far more personal than the old man figured was possible. Technology had rapidly evolved, complicated weapons systems, new ambitious science experimentations, Ahriman was an old man who had somehow implemented it all into himself. Grunting, he shifted in his varnished black leather seat for comfort to focus— that is until his concentration was broken by a visitor.
“You’re doing your job for once, Ahriman of Light,” a peer of Ahriman’s quipped. She was much younger, appearing to be in her lower thirties, with phosphorescent emerald hair and voluptuous curves hidden behind her SOLDIER gear, as were her hips. From where anyone was standing she looked like a shapeless woman confined by her armament, but it was within the heavy neo-titanium armor like that of a vanguard, that she felt most comfortable. Which was unfortunate, since Ahriman had a long-standing desire to strip her down to her soul as he had done many others in his time with the company.
“By existing my job is already done,” Ahriman mused comedically, dropping the binder on his translucent desk. “I’m glad you’re here...something interesting happened to me.”
Her attention cut from the photograph of Ahriman’s graduation squad to his own mako colored eyes. “Everything okay?”
“I’ve just returned from vacation…” Ahriman started, his lips curling into a smile after the thought of continuing. He didn’t make contact, rather instead he stared at the luminous screensaver on his one-dimensional light-vector screen hovering over his desk before him. “I once commanded a squad with a young protege. His name was Enki…”
“What?”
“Indeed.”
“Are you okay? You didn’t spend your vacation thinking about the old days did you?”
“Did you know he was born in Edgetown?”
There was silence when Reliyan, SOLDIER First Class was asked about the origins of an already enigmatic man. One of her secret objectives was to report her discussions to Dr. Kamisachi, but was he wrong for being curious about the man who potentially ruined his life and streak of glory?
“I...I did not…” Reliyan began, “My mother was from there as well. I don’t remember much about her though.” Her eyes glazed back over to the photo of his graduation with a squad of twelve others. They all wore helmets so it was impossible to tell who was who. “Did you find out anything else?”
“Don’t tell her anything, she’s probing for information. Neo waves have begun to fluctuate abornally. Pores are opening with s—“
“So what brings a soldier of another unit by today?” the old man suddenly changed topics, leaning back in his chair. His lacquered booted heels found themselves on the translucent table, using it to prop his feet up in relaxation. “Have you come to confess your love to me?”
“Never in a million years you old coot,” she barked back, scoffing the next second. “It’s the president. He wants to see you personally.”
“Oh yeah…” Ahriman muttered, remembering that an appointment had been set for the day. “That’s what I was preparing for. It seems I already have a lead on our infamous terrorists.”
“Terrorists?”
“Or heroes, depending on what side of the battlefield you’re standing on.”
The man of light himself rose from his seat, six feet and four inches in height, a giant among most others. He lifted his ungloved digits to rub his unkempt facial hair for a moment before stepping around his desk and towards Reliyan who remained still. Many were frozen before he who was The One-Eyed King, and she was no exception. When he stood just in front of her, his left hand lowered to adjust the strap of her pauldron along her left shoulder. “You need a man to help you wake up in the mornings, your uniform has been a mess lately.”
“That’s quite inappropriate, sir Ahriman.”
“Thank you for noticing…” he smirked comedically before disappearing from his own business suite, no longer intent on keeping the man who oversaw the star system and beyond busy.
[ II. The Ahriman of Light ]
Ahriman was a beacon of hope. For better or worse the company grew more powerful under Beryl Shin-Ra when allowed to take over. He felt nothing for those whom he asked to submit to his empire’s will, and when they didn’t listen to reason, Ahriman was the answer. Throughout the years he had become the face of the growing organization that represent Beryl’s will, further segmenting the classes of power that had always exist. It didn’t bother him even a little. What separates him from any other was the will to perfect the methods of execution that were his job— there were few who had seen the face of a primal and lived: and even fewer whom had slain one themselves. Of the handful of less who could say they had, Light Ahriman was among them.
The silver-haired old man always looked tired but excited for the day. Black bags made themselves comfortable under his squinted mako eyes and his unkempt facial hair continued to grow into further maturation without even a shave to guide it. Still, everyone saw the rugged field general and his fluttering white overcoat with a keep teal trim, and they usually stopped him with idle conversation of his exploits.
Today was different. He wore his signature overcoat and gel-padded marine uniform underneath with matching sable boots, but there were none to stop him from reaching Beryl’s office with a fresh cup of black coffee from one of the many worlds they had taken over and received imports from. Perhaps they were oppressors. The old man could see it, but even so, was this not the way of the world even beyond?
“Didn’t expect to be late! Seemed my subordinate held me up…” Ahriman began explaining himself, taking another glaze over of Beryl’s office.
“...” he remained silent for a few seconds before approaching the desk made for giants within the colossal office of his. Marching up the steps just before his massive desk, he took a seat just opposite of the strongest man in the galaxy, and sipped his coffee like a schoolgirl on a bus of sexual ruffians.
“Is it that time already?”
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Post by Elyk on Feb 11, 2019 18:23:24 GMT
The office was massive, taking up the entire floor it was on. It had no walls, only windows on all four sides that overlooked the city, littered through the office are small shelves that hold various knick-knacks and pictures. Most look incredibly old and worn out small pieces of the worlds history and even a few old designs of equipment. Pictures of his father and his fathers father and so on are also displayed around them. All of it is very interesting but the focal point of the room is the massive oversized desk in the middle that the President sits at, that...and the distinct lack of any "plants".
Beryl sips his drink as he watches his guest enter into the room and make his apologies. The president waves his hand in a dismissive gesture. "No excuses necessary, I try to limit my days activities to only a few meetings, so we still have ample time. I assume you already read up on a few things that was sent to you?"
The old man stands up and cracks his back as he turns to look out the window, still with drink in hand he begins to talk again. "The Terrorist are a nuisance, one that we have swatted away like the bugs they are. Unfortunately it's come a time when there needs to not be any distraction moving forward and that is why I am requesting you. You will have whatever you need, full accommodation already cleared by me. I want them all dealt with how you see fit...Kill them all if you need to...Except for Sapphire. We need her to be put on public trial for her treason and it's always nice to give the boys in the research lab a live test subject over a dead one."
Spinning around the old man looks into the eyes of Ahriman...Something unsettling glares from the corner of Beryl's eye for just a brief moment. A slight...twinge of something, a twinkle of nothing, for only the merest fraction of a second and then it was gone. "I don't need to stress the importance of this to you I assume? Our world and way of life are being threatened and this NOVA needs to be gone so we can deal with the threats that face our great company."
He sits back down and presses a button on his desk that makes Ahriman's Shindroid light up with a blue message received light. On his phone is a forced download that gives him full access to the entirety of the Research and Development and Presidential Authority over the Military forces. In one fell swoop and press of a button Ahriman has become the most powerful general in all of the Shinra forces.
"I Doubt you will need anything else. So how does it feel Ahriman? Besides myself...no one in the company can overturn you." He grins to the one eyed king. He watches him as he wants to gauge the biggest promotion anyone could get. However, the President will also be watching him now, to see if with such power Ahriman can deliver what he needs.
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Hero
Banned User
"“It's okay to be angry—or are you scared?”"
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Posts: 0
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Post by Hero on Jun 1, 2019 23:36:43 GMT
[ III. The One-eyed King ]
Ahriman took a seat and crossed his legs, sipping coffee silently as if drawing inspiration from whatever caffeine he could find to get his fix. The truth was that the old man was immune to caffeine, not because of his old age, but simply because he was different. Before the death of Kazuma, before the blinding light of testing laboratories, even before the guns and swords, he always imagined he was born of a different sea than the others that seemed attracted to his charisma. It was nothing personal, but he knew the advantages he had over the average person. Most would have certainly abused their authority and influence, but to Ahriman the true goal was peace and perseverance. With every primal he came to slay he always reminded himself that his life was no different than those to his left and right, and this righteous lie was enough to keep him in check where others would have long since become wicked.
As Beryl spoke he listened in silence. The file he had given him was one he had researched and studied for more man hours than the department tasked with putting together the information: his obsession with details were no different than his obsession with that boy. His back was turned to him most of the time, until he spun around in his sable chair and a glint of something strange could be seen out of the corner of his eye.
Light Ahriman had always suspected that something was strange about Beryl. Not in the way that something was different about himself, although he was no masterpiece, there was something far more enigmatic about Shin-Ra's CEO. His instincts had confirmed it more times than he could remember, but he was always driven to the conclusion that most in his position would concur with: so what? It simply wasn't his place to deal with such affairs. Ahriman much preferred the simple life of doing as he was told and the relaxing vacations that came with his cooperation. Was it selfish? Sure. But in his heart he knew he had sacrificed enough— he simply wasn't obligated to deal with whatever chicanery could be happening behind the scenes.
“I think bringing Sapphire back alive will be the only matter of complication...NOVA on the other hand is of no consequence. Consider it done boss.”
Ahriman's ShinDroid suddenly illuminated. Placing his cup of coffee beside his office chair he shuffled through his overcoat's pocket and snapped the touch phone to his face. Several attachments, a new application, and a fancy update that suddenly robbed him of access to his phone as it upgraded the operating system among other software renovations.
The old man froze solid.
“I Doubt you will need anything else. So how does it feel Ahriman? Besides myself...no one in the company can overturn you.”
Ahriman's response was immediate guffawing. Loud enough that the lobby secretary turned in her seat in jealousy and concern. Removing his glasses from his face he laughed so hard that his lungs began to shrivel in his abdomen.
“To think that old man from years ago could still get a raise! I don't think I can complain boss,” he huffed, recovering from his obnoxious laughter. “General of Shin-Ra...not a bad ring to it. I'll take it. I guess I'll start with those NOVA twerps...”
If the question was of Ahriman's capabilities, Beryl already knew the answer. The only true question was whether he could be trusted with the information and resources given. Whether or not he was promoted, it wouldn't impact the mission's success, but Beryl's plans seemed to extend beyond the eradication of NOVA. Rising from his seat he finished his cup of coffee and tapped his ShinDroid a few times while its software booted.
“I'll go sync everything into my King's Eye and get started. Save me some wine for my return,” Ahriman chirped, his overcoat rising behind him when he decided to pivot and head for the office door. The mantle of general was one that everyone expected would befall him eventually, most would be surprised it had taken this long, but no one would doubt the sweeping changes to SOLDIER's training regime and the power that would dissolve into Shin-Ra's core.
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Post by Elyk on Jul 5, 2019 12:58:41 GMT
Beryl grins as Ahriman leaves with his head held high. The sense of scope and power just handed over to him was more than vast. Literally the entire resources of a hundred planets were at his disposal not to mention the massive military and all the experimental toys in the Research and Development section. It was pleasing to Beryl to see Ahrimans reaction but not because of any happiness or empathy to see someone feel like their hard work has paid off. No...it was that his plans where going smoothly, the fact he had planned to have to pressure Ahriman a bit more to take the job, but instead he seemed almost eager and that was good for him.
One less thing he had to worry about, out of all the things Beryl was, ruthless, enigmatic, powerful,...Military strategist was not one of them. He knew to through more money at things and eliminate people when needed, but it was clear that NOVA had begun to act more like a military threat and acting in open warfare. He needed to not worry about them so he could focus on what he wanted out of all this.
Standing up Beryl would grab his drink and softly sniff it again as he sipped it and walked over to his vintage record player. He would take out a special unmarked black circle and would put it onto the rotating table and slide the needle over and right when you would expect to soothing sounds of violins and flutes...or even the bombastic percussion with trumpets and tubas filling the room with its pleasing sounds instead something else would begin to play. The strangely timed tones of people screaming played in intricate patterns. The screams are blood curdling as if it was a last tortured scream of the most painful death one could experience. The layers of the screams interlaced with the timing would indicate that a true master of music had composed such a horrific piece.
All the while Beryl sits down at his chair and gently moves his head to the movements of "music". enjoying every single note as he sips the last of his drink and his eyes start to glow a black and an otherworldly outline of darkness surrounds him as he loses himself into the movements. Whatever deal Ahriman just made, it was surely with the devil himself....
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