- Restlessness (Persona 5)

A young man bearing a short, ebony undercut is walking down a narrow hallway, allowing his discipline to take the lead with every step forward. He dons a unique long sleeve whitish-silver uniform with his left arm partly covered by a silver plate.

At the hallway's end, is a door leading into another room. The young man approaches the door and delivers two taps against the slick, silver material. In response to the knock, a gravelly voice on the other side makes its presence known. "Come in."

He opens the door and walks into a fairly sized office. The walls and ceiling are a smooth bright silver, with black lines running across them. Before you walk into the main part of the office, you'd have to walk down a very compact hallway. On the walls of the hallway, are many awards and plaques rewarding one for capturing a dangerous Abnormal.

He walks past the hallway and into the main part of the office. There are no windows, only unique shields, firearms, and traps hanging on all sides of the walls. In front of him, is a wide black desk with the AAF symbol embedded into its front. There's also a chair behind the desk, but the person sitting on it has it turned around towards the screen on the wall in front of them. "Sir," he greets his unseen superior.

"What is it, Lieutenant?" The voice asks, its power returning to the room's center like metal clips to a giant magnet.

"Your prediction was correct. These Ethereals, or whatever they call themselves, are gathering a mass number of units. It's most likely that they intend to capture the base."

"Hmph. Of course they do. These terrorists are full of themselves. They take my cities, and now believe they can take my base. I won't underestimate what those things are capable of. Prepare the base for an attack. They will not terrorize Alimoor any longer."

"Yes, sir. I'll inform our defenses right away."

"Thank you, Evan."

Evan nods then walks away to leave the office, closing the door behind him. The person who Evan was speaking to reaches to their right, and picks up a small framed picture. It's a picture of two young men wearing Federation uniforms, saluting side by side.

"Marcus. I know the Abnormal who killed you is among these Ethereals. I won't let your death go unanswered. ...Wherever you are, I know you're watching me, little brother." The person locks into the screen with their bright silver eyes. On display is an image of prisoner 122124, Lux Halycon.

                                                             ~

Many hours of preparation pass. It's the start of shaded steel afternoon, with
lowering clouds shaping the skies. The Ethereals have fought past many elite forces of AAF soldiers. They are now a fair distance away from the main base. The group, along with Dawson are standing on a highly elevated roadway. As they look into the distance, although there are a few tall buildings nearly blocking the view, they see an enormous silver colored, diamond shaped base.

"We're prepared to attack the front gate head on, sir," Dawson reports to his leader.

"Excellent. When you start, keep up the attack until we've opened the gate for you. It may take some time. I would advise you to retreat if need be."

"We're not going anywhere if you're still there."

"You guys gonna kiss now? Let's move. I'm tired of standing around," Lux asserts.

"Your impatience is understood this time around, my friend. Good luck, Commander."

"You as well, sir."

"Come." Vern steps forward then turns his head to look back at the group. "It is time we accomplish our mission."

"All I needed to hear," Lux responds, his smile showing off his elevated excitement.

Dawson watches as the group all jump off the highway. One by one, starting with Vern, they all land on the ground below and set their sights forward. "Hello? Can you guys hear me?"

"Why the hell does she ask that every time?"

"We can hear you, Miss Zelterra. If you'll please direct us to our destination."

"Righto! The nearest sewer entrance is east of here. Be careful on your way there though, there's still AAF soldiers around the base, and if they're anything like the ones we just fought, it ain't gonna be easy."

"Tch, that's what you say. They'll get fucked up like the rest of 'em."

Before Jade can think about what's given to her, she's instantly distracted by the large, crocodile head over Klaus'. The only part that is exposed is his face. "What are you wearing, Klaus?"

"A crocodile hat. You thought I was joking?"

"No. I just didn't think you'd look this ridiculous."

"Ooo, that stings. Keep talking. Then, when all the Blightshades are chopping on your booty, I'm not going to help you because I'm in camouflage."

"Whatever you say."

"That's what I thought. Nothing is hurting me with this on."

"I think you'll blend right in, mate."

"See? Jo-El gets it."

"Jo-El? Huh. I guess that makes sense."

"I think you look like an idiot," Sakuro declares, sending Klaus' headwear a disgusted look. "Though, that is no different from what you usually look like."

"I'm very curious to see if it works. Don't worry, Istaqa. Should you fall, I will eat your corpse in honor of you," Wa-Ya exclaims with a warm smile.

"Holy shit. That's the nicest thing anybody has ever said to me!"

"Oh my god, can we go?" Jade asks after rolling her eyes.

"Yes," Vern answers. "This way."

With that, the hires advance through the small city leading towards the base. In search of the sewer entrance, they encounter waves of elite Federation soldiers with set roadblocks, and collect a few uncommon materials. After some time, the group finally stopped in front of a sizable gated site. "Where to now, Tora?" Jade questions.

"Erm...the entrance should be right in front of y'all."

"This base is most likely right on top of it," Wa-Ya surmises due to their location.

"Out of my way," Lux comments, smirking as a bright orange aura surrounds his body. "I'll knock on the door." He suddenly rushes forward and leaps into the air to punch down the gate in one swift strike. An alarm blares throughout the area, and multiple elite soldiers run into the small courtyard clearing in response.

"Abnormals! To your stations!" A superior from above shouts.

Lux lands, rolls onto the ground then stands himself up in the same motion. He assumes his fighting stance with a grin on his face, his body now fueled with excitement. "Sup, fuckers. Who first?" As he charges toward the largest crowd he can see, the others dash past the gate and enter the courtyard, only to hear the roars and shouts of enjoyment from him further ahead.

"Sometimes I worry about that boy," Jade mentions, placing her left hand on her hip.

"Me too..." Klaus raises his head, sending his mind to a shirtless fantasy before he returns. "Wait, are we talking about the same thing?"

"I'm not speaking to you with that thing on your head, KK."

"Bitch, don't hate me 'cause I'm beautiful."

"Come," Vern commands in his serene voice. "We must clear this courtyard of any resistance."

The others follow in Lux's destruction and begin to engage with soldiers in different sections of the courtyard. While Lux is having his fun with the heavily armored soldiers towards the back, Vern and Wa-Ya begin fighting the frontline infantry. Separating from everyone else, Klaus and Sakuro decide to pick off any weakened soldiers and those with lighter armor.

Jade and Joel fully support the group from a mid to long range distance. Using thick beams of violet energy, she eliminates any ranged or airborne soldiers, while he uses his tools and throwables to distract, trap, or debuff the ones combating the others.

Recognizing the turrets attached to the far walls are becoming a problem, Joel extends his left hand forward, his irises changing it's round shape as he activates his Abnormal ability to take control of them. With the turrets now on their side, the group made quick work of the soldiers defending the courtyard. Joel takes out the remaining soldiers. He switches Ace to a different mode of attack, which changes its appearance and begins firing multiple shrapnel grenades into the air. "Bombs away! You best move your arses!"

The grenades drop onto the ground, instantly exploding on impact. With the clearing now disposed of any AAF soldiers, Joel switches Ace back to its original form, and after two swings, slides it into its sheath.

"Heh. And Jack said I move like a mule."

"Excellent job, everyone. Now, to find this entrance. Miss Zelterra?"

"I gotcha! It should be...right under y'all."

The group glance down, and see a black tarp covering the ground below them. Wa-Ya enlarges her arm into a claw, then swipes and cuts the tarp open. She reverts her arm to its original size and the group look down at the exposed space, revealing a fairly sized sewer system entrance.

"Outta the way," Lux curtly directs. He lifts the sewer cap with ease, then tosses it away towards his right.

"So...do you guys think this'll lead us to a wonderland?"

Both Lux and Jade chuckle at Klaus's comment as the group all hop down the sewer hole one by one. They land onto a small, narrow sidewalk. There's another one parallel to theirs, with odd greenish blue water in between them flowing downward. Joel sighs as he looks around, feeling uncomfortable and overall disgusted by his new surroundings. "I'm not going to enjoy this."

"Afraid of getting a little shitty? I've always wanted to say that!"

"You know what, you almost had me laughing there, four eyes," Lux remarks.

"Really? So you think I'm funny, then?!"

"I said almost."

"We will need your guidance if we are to make our way through swiftly, Miss Zelterra."

"Right! I'm here to help y'all!"

"Merci. Come, my friends. I feel it is best if we do not waste time."

"As long as we get out of here faster, mate."

"I can't wait to see how much the Blightshades bleed," Sakuro flung from under her breath.

The group advanced through the sewer system. It's much more narrow than they previously assumed. Accounting the horrid smell, the walls are raided by dark moss and similar colored blotches. While there are no ups and downs, nor elevated areas leading into a pit of doom, the system has plenty of dead ends, tight walkways, and extensive paths that essentially would lead the group way off course. While they continue forward, Klaus suddenly roars as loud as he can and startles Joel. "GRRRRRAAAAH...!"

"Fucking hell!" Joel shouts. Klaus only laughs, the sound echoing throughout the tunnels.

"Ah...That was hilarious."

"Keep laughing. I've got something for you when we get home."

"Oooo, is it a picnic basket? I love those."

"Oh, it'll be a picnic alright. Plenty of nade sandwiches to choose from."

After some time of walking, the group eventually enter a concrete clearing with numerous tunnels leading in different directions, a large shadow on the wall behind crawls up to the ceiling without anyone noticing except Vern and Sakuro. He turns his head, and Lux glances at him, noticing that obvious look on his face.

"Yo. You spacing out, fearless leader?"

"I believe we have been followed ever since we've made our descent. Hm, I suppose this clearing will be enough space to deal with them."

"Hell are you talkin' about?" Lux asks. On cue, everyone hears a loud, raspy roar from one of the tunnels directly in front of them.

"Shit," Joel exclaims, placing his hand on Ace's grip.

"They have been waiting to corner us. They are very hungry...But so are we," Sakuro affirms, also taking an offensive stance.

Pacts of lizard-like Blightshades of dark green scaling slowly emerge from the shadows of all the tunnels. The Blightshades are wearing odd, rusty pipe armor, with sharped pipes shaped like spears. Once all of the Blightshades emerge from the tunnels, the group assume their fighting stances. Vern extends his hand forward, and all of the tunnel exits are suddenly closed off by crystal ice walls.

"Now, none of you will escape your imminent deaths. Let's take care of them with haste."

A wave of Blightshades leap from the edge of the tunnel exits. When they land on the ground, they draw the pipe spears from their back and roar as they point them forward. Lux doesn't hesitate to meet them where they're at. Although he takes the blow of a few piercing stabs from the Blightshades, he pushes through, and targets the largest one he can see.

With two downward jabs while in the air, ending with a descending strike from his right leg, Lux forces the largest Blightshade to the ground. He then grabs onto its tail, and begins to wildly slam and swing its body with one hand as if it were a weapon, starting a bloody onslaught of crushed scales and bones.

Vern and Joel fight off the Blightshades with thicker armor, while Wa-Ya, Sakuro and Klaus eliminate the smaller ones on the far edges. After Lux rushes past, killing anything in his way, Joel grapples onto a dangling pipe above, and begins swinging himself back and forth, firing a multitude of penetrating bullets at the enemies below.

Before landing on the ground, Joel tosses a wide net trap that binds the ones remaining. Vern provides a continuation, conjuring a small army of frozen warriors to his side, and they all rush forward, swinging their crystal blades.

Many Blightshades begin throwing spears at the group from the background, and Jade creates a dark purple dome of protection to guard the others from harm in response. After she lowers it, she then conjures a swarm of violet chains. Each of the chains wrap themselves around the creatures. When Jade is sure they can't escape, she snaps her fingers in command, and the chains tighten their grip, snapping their bodies completely in half.

With a few Blighshades remaining, Lux hastily runs around a group of them, punching the ground as he goes. From the downward attacks, he created a wide and isolated space that confines the group of Blightshades. "Yo! Are you gonna do somethin' or what?" He shoots as his leader.

"Ah, my apologies."

Vern's eyes brighten as he floats into the air, he motions his hands upward, and creates a large ice dome that freezes all of the Blightshades inside. He then creates a large ice pillar in the air above the dome, and Lux quickly reacts. He jumps above the pillar, and lands on it, putting all of his weight onto it.

Both Lux and the pillar come crashing down onto the dome, creating a wide, icy explosion that annihilates the Blightshades. Leaping away and landing at the nick of time, he casually walks away from the destruction as Vern descends to the ground. Stepping past Vern, he wipes ice shards off his shoulder with an unimpressed look on his face.

"They won't shit."

"Indeed. The way forward is now clear," Vern states, commanding the ice walls he created to melt away as the group walk up to each other.

"Is everybody okay?" Tora asks with concern in her voice.

"Yeah, we're good," Lux responds.

"NOOOOO!" Everyone looks towards Klaus in a panic, only to see that he's holding a green crocodile hat that has been completely ripped into pieces.

"My hat...He's gone. Why did they have to kill you, Croco?! WHY?!"

"Idiot," Sakuro mutters, shaking her head. Wa-Ya kneels down next to Klaus, and lowers her head in sadness to give Croco a proper farewell.

"Donadagohvi. He will be missed."

"That's a stupid ass name for a hat by the way," Lux bluntly remarks from behind them.

"His mom named him that. I ain't have nothin' to do with it. I bet she did this on purpose! Always talking shit about me...I pay the bills too!"

"You...alright over there, mate?"

"Yeah, I'm good," Klaus replies, suddenly tossing the hat away without a care and walks forward to leave.

"Wha- but he just..."

"Asking questions concerning him will get you nowhere, babe," Jade shrugs, half-expecting for this to happen. Everyone walks away, yet Joel stills stands at the clearing, completely confused.

"But he- Why-" Joel sighs, leisurely trailing behind the others to catch up with them. "What just happened...?"

The group leave the clearing area, and continue forward through the tunnel leading them to their destination. As the group advances through the sewer, they can hear muffled explosions and gunfire from above, and feel shockwaves pulse throughout the area. After some time, they finally stopped at a ladder leading up to an unknown area. "Here you are. This should lead y'all straight into the base."

"Thank you, Miss Zelterra. We could not have gotten here without you."

"Daww, you're welcome! That's what I'm here for!"

"Is everyone ready to go?" Vern turns around to face everyone, confirming whether or not they're ready to continue.

"Yeah. We're all good to go, baby."

"I'm just glad we aren't going to be in the sewer anymore," Joel admits, covering his nose with the fabric of his trenchcoat.

"Right, right. Must not be high end for an astronaut," Lux expresses in his usual surly attitude.

"If you like spending time in sewers then we need to talk, mate."

"A friend told me turtles like bein' down here," Klaus mentions. Lux immediately steps in, confused as to where this information came from.

"Turtles in sewers? Who the hell told you that?"

"Vern did while we were picking up food last night."

"It was a very brief conversation," Vern interjects, changing the subject. "This will not be easy. But I believe in our ability to achieve our goal. Let us go forward."

With Vern's declaration, the group travels up the ladder one by one. Lux lifts open what seems to a wooden hatch door. He pokes his head out to see if it's clear then hops out. The others follow behind in succession, climbing out of the hatch before scanning their surroundings. The room they're in is completely dark, no one can see their hands in front of them. "Where are we?" Jade asks, staring into the void.

"Dunno," Lux answers. "Can't see."

"I can see just fine. It's very dusty," Wa-Ya remarks calmly.

"Wow. That gives us so much information."

"Which one of you is touching my ass?" Jade's voice rows into the background.

"Sorry about that, love. Truly. I'm trying to find my...Where in the world is it?"

"I am currently in between two buttocks," Sakuro mumbles, squirming in place. "It is not comfortable if anyone is wondering..."

"Nobody touching mine? What's up with that?"

"Nobody wants to grab your ass, Klaus," Lux retorts.

"Says you."

"Who has a light?" Jade questions, focused on what she feels is the number one priority.

"I've got you," Joel assures. Already searching his tool belt, he pulls out a flashlight. He turns on the flashlight and shines it forward, revealing a dusty old room with many boxes and rusted metal shelves. "Ah. There we are. Seems like an old storage room."

"That's great. Find the door, please. It's hot in here," Jade states, almost coldly. Knowing she's not particularly excited to be in a dark and damp place, Lux decides to take advantage with an insult.

"Then close your mouth."

"You are such a child sometimes."

The group walked throughout the old storage room, making sure they stayed close to one another. Joel extends his hand forward, touching an exit door that's on the far right side. "Oh. Found the exit, everyone. This way."

Once he swings open the door, he allows everyone else to step out first before leaving himself. When they leave the room, they look around and see a space with nothing in it. A light can be seen dimming from the only hallway in the area as they continue forward, taking strides of caution. When they emerge from the hallway, they see that they've made it to their destination.

In front of the group is the base in its entirety. It's an enormous, fortified area nearly the size of a city. The base itself has no roof, just extensive, thick silver painted walls on each side of its diamond-like shape. The base is filled with soldiers wearing unique armor, turrets on the walls, structures of different shapes and sizes, machines and tanks used for combat, and elongated or elevated walkways. Almost everywhere the group looks, they see a gray colored AAF symbol. Faint explosions and gunfire can be heard from far ahead as the group walk forward.

"Well, shit," Joel remarks, taking in the overall structure around him. Agreeing with his attitude, Jade follows up with words of her own.

"Shit is right."

"It seems our commander is doing a fine job with the attack on the front gate," Vern compliments, setting his sights on the battle a far distance away. "Now is our chance to complete our mission. Our first priority is the Anti amplifier. Miss Zelterra?"

"Mhm! I'll tell y'all where everything is before you continue forward. In the far east section of the base, is the entrance to the underground area we talked about before, so you'll probably want to go there first. The main control room is in the far west. You'll be able to open the front gate from there. The section that's closest to y'all which is the south, is the manufacturing and armory area, so be careful with those automated tanks and mech suits roamin' about. Last but not least, is the north section, where the barracks are. It's also um...where the Baron's office is located."

"The front gate is in the north as well, correct? At a guess, I would say the Baron must be the reason why nothing fatal has happened to the base yet."

"Should we split up?" Jade asks with a left handed gesture.

"Non. We will get things done faster together. If we are split, we will be easier to get rid of."

"Fair enough."

"Is there anything else to note, Miss Zelterra?"

"Um...yeah! The soldiers here are completely different from the ones outside, so don't go doing anything crazy. These guys were personally trained by the Baron."

"We will keep that in mind. Come, everyone. We have work to do."

Following their employer's initiative, the hires advance through the south section of Argent. The interior of the base is of immeasurable width. Most of the structures and one story buildings are all placed adjacent to the broad sliver walkways that create an organized network of construction. In all the architecture, deadly encounters containing automated sentries and solid mech suits await to attack any intruders.

In addition to finding scraps of items, the group finds rare materials, and valuable schematics for weapons in the small armories. Although they hastily pass through the areas, the multitude of defenses unexpectedly stall for some time. Finding relief amidst the chaos, the group finally stop their advance at a humongous metal door leading into the eastern section. Lux gestures his head toward the blockade, uncharacteristically holding himself back from taking an aggressive approach. "Well, this is great. Now what?"

"There must be a way to open this nearby," Joel comments, scanning his environment. "Tora? Got anything, love?"

"Uh, let's see here...there are some electric panels not far from here, but they're small and out of reach."

"Shutting down the power temporarily ought to do it."

"That won't exactly matter if we can't get to it," Jade notes. Heeding her words, Lux turns his head toward his right to speak to his solution to the problem.

"We gotta guy for that. Klaus."

"Wait, is that my name? Who came up with that?"

"You did. Now go."

"Alright, alright. So aggressive."

Klaus looks around for wires, soon spotting a batch coursing upwards and to the right of the door. He jumps up and down, then suddenly, his entire body turns into small streaks of electricity that flows into the wires. After a moment, he comes back with his body fully solid. A green light shines from the door and it begins opening.

"Good shit, Klaus," Lux compliments with a pat on his friend's arm.

"I can do a buncha other things too. Like hopscotch and jump roping. Can't nobody beat me in jump rope."

"Just those things specifically?" Joel questions, nearly with a chuckle.

"Yup."

"Those are valuable skills to have, Mr. Fulgur. I'm somewhat of a hopscotch enthusiast myself. Let's keep going."

The group continues past the door and enters the eastern section of the base. They advance through the east side of the base. It's not long until they engage in combat with the elite soldiers who occupy the base. These soldiers, who call themselves Slivermen, aren't wearing the traditional Federation armor. Rather, they have fully fitted grayish-silver uniforms, with a suit jacket along with a tie as its upper half and the finalization of odd-looking arm plates on their left arms.

They attack with refined beam swords with bright gray blades, and use the firing mechanism in their plate arms to fire traps and stun grenades. Though the group comes out on top in most of the encounters, these elite Slivermen prove to be a great challenge. While continuing forward, the group also fulfilled the unique requirements to complete special missions. Eventually, they approach a large, double door made out of Somerite metal. Yet another undesired obstacle in their path.

"This should be the entrance to the underground," Vern states as he reaches into his left breast pocket. He pulls out the keycard Tora made, and turns to his right towards a keycard scanner blinking a red light. With a quick swipe, he puts the keycard to use, but nothing happens.

"Uh. Your shit ain't work, Tora," Lux comments from Vern's left.

"Wha?! There's no way!! I worked so hard on that!"

"Ah." Vern flips the keycard, then attempts to swipe it again. The keycard scanner blinks green, and the doors open in response. "Apologies. I swiped it backwards."

Affected by second-hand embarrassment, Joel places his right hand over his face while Lux, Klaus and Wa-Ya chuckle to themselves. Having a different reaction from the others, Jade and Sakuro simply shake their heads, their minds questioning as to how one could swipe their keycard on the wrong side. "Damm it, Matthias," Jade mutters, with Sakuro commenting not long after.

"This is the Ethereal leader? We're doomed."

"Shall we?" Vern asks with a half baked smile.

With him taking the lead, the group walk past the double doors, and stride down a sloped road into the underground area. They enter a somewhat narrow hallway. The entire hallway is a bright gray color with a metal grated floor. Below the grated floor, it's an odd, sliver ooze flowing in a thick stream. There are multiple doors leading to different rooms, and a pathway leading into another area further ahead. "Why did I all of a sudden get a bad feeling?" Joel expresses. With an answer already in mind, Lux is quick to respond with an off handed comment.

"Might have to shit."

"Huh. Yeah. I don't think that's it."

"Where do all these doors lead?" Wa-Ya inquires.

"That is not a question we can answer at the moment. Come."

Continuing forward, the group eventually approaches a railing. When they glance down, it's a wide area with a similar bright gray color as the hallways, filled with Slivermen, and presumably Federation scientists with lab coats. In the area's center, is a huge machine that looks similar to a satellite. The scientists are either working on the control panels in front of the machine, talking amongst each other, writing things down on their clipboards, and moving carts of odd looking fluid. "That must be the amplifier," Jade observes, motioning her head toward the target. Emulating Wa-Ya's curiosity, Lux decides to ask a question while he glances at all the commotion.

"The fuck is all this? A lab?"

"I am unsure," Vern replies.

"Look. Over there," Wa-Ya says in a blanketed whisper, keeping her pointer finger out of sight of any prying eyes. "They seem to be moving some strange fluid into another room."

"As much as I wanna know what the hell's going on, this other shit ain't our problem right now."

"Lux is correct. Our priority is the amplifier."

"Let's clear out those soldiers while we still have the drop on them," Jade suggests.

"Whenever you all are ready."

"I'm ready now," Lux barks. Jumping over the railing, he comes crashing down onto the gray floor below.

"What the hell? Abnormals!" A Silvermen shouts, alerting his comrades.

"How'd they get in here?!" Another questions, startled.

"Doesn't matter, evacuate the area! We'll take care of them," A third commands before drawing his weapon.

"You go ahead and tell yourselves that," Lux replies with a smirk.

The group all jump down behind him, and assume their fighting stances after they land. Jade immediately starts the fight by activating her heightened form. Her eyes suddenly turn a solid galaxy purple, her hair flows into the air like tentacles, and her body becomes completely surrounded by chains and sickles of different sizes.

The entire area is covered by a violet storm, with clouds of darkened smoke and mist creeping its way inside. Jade flies into the air and motions her arms outward. When she speaks, her voice is abyssal, reverberating around the room. "I call upon the Void..."

She unleashes her army of violet chains onto the Silvermen. Most of them are completely wrapped in a chained tomb, screaming in agony as their bodies are being crushed by the violent squeeze. Others are forced into the air by relentless, poisonous geysers that blast upward.

Jade conjures a lengthy sickle in her hand, then begins flying back and forth at rapid speeds slicing and cutting the aired Silverman as she goes. When she's done, she turns to face them and clenches her fist. "Sublatus sit ab vacui!"

Suddenly, a huge blackish-purple hole appears and implodes into itself, taking the remaining Silvermen with it. Now that the way is clear, the group approaches the main control panel to the amplifier. Jade reverts to her original form as she descends to the ground, and wraps her hair back in a bun. "Don't like doing that, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it."

"Uh, not to be that guy, but how do we turn this off?" Klaus asks, scratching his scalp.

Without warning, Lux suddenly begins to violently punch and kick every panel he sees. When he gets to the main panel, he jumps on top of it, then stomps on it with both his legs until he completely crushes it. The amplifier suddenly starts shaking oddly, overheating to the point that the satellite top pops off and lands behind him. Calmly, he walks back to the group with his arms crossed. "Like that," he says, answering Klaus' previous inquiry.

"That would be a way to do it," Joel attests with a chuckle.

"Now for the real test."

Lux steps toward a faceless wall, then clenches his fist. Bright orange aura surrounds his fist, then he swiftly punches the wall. The force of the strike creates a wide and tremendously deep hole in the wall, which only causes him to smile and laugh. "Feels good."

"These Slivermen were very well trained," Vern comments. "Had we been Abnormals with little to no combat experience, we most likely would have been killed."

"You mean weak ass Abnormals who don't know what they're doing," Lux counters with his own translation.

"There were some close calls, I won't lie," Jade mentions.

"You alright by the way? It must've took a lot out of you using your powers like that while the Anti was active."

"I'll be fine, babe. That was the best time to do something like that anyway. That amplifier had to go."

"I agree," Vern chimes in. "In any case, we have accomplished our mission here." Once he's finished speaking, Wa-Ya walks over to one of the carts containing the odd silver fluid. The fluid seems to be in a small mobile capsule made out of a strong glass. As soon as she picks one up, it starts to burn her hand and she groans in pain, immediately dropping it. When the glass breaks, fluid spills onto the floor, melting through it with ease.

"Are you alright, Wa-Ya?" Jade asks, her face plastered with concern.

"Yes." Wa-Ya winces, shaking her recently burnt hand. "Dohiku."

"What is that shit?" Lux questions.

"I do not know. I only touched the capsule and it burnt my hand."

"Whatever that is, it probably isn't good." Joel's words are calm and concise, striding into the conversation with confidence. "The Federation was keeping that down here specifically. There has to be a reason for it."

"Hm." Vern approaches the cart and picks up another capsule. Though it starts to burn his hand, he stares at it, unfazed by the pain.

"Matthias! Your hand!" Tora yells in a panic.

"Hm? Ah." Vern covers the capsule in an ice shell to prevent further burning. He then faces Joel and hands him the capsule. "I'd like you to carry this, Mr. Caineman."

"Sure thing." Joel takes the capsule, carefully placing it in an empty slot in his tool belt.

"Merci. We still have work to do. We'll discuss the contents of the capsule when we return to Atlacall." Vern places his hands behind his back and walks away towards where they came from before. With their mission complete, the hires leave the underground area and walk back into the east side of the base.