Chapter 5: The Sky, The Ocean, The Island and The Beginning

The basement's floor was split in half. It was a tunnel connecting the sea to their facility.

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!"

"Looks like, it's already here", said Mr. Miser.

"Everyone, on your positions!"

"Wait, Wait! What's already here?"

"Whose everyone? "

Things were going so fast that Chase was confused. When suddenly a large mechanical monster started to emerge out of water. Tentacles were sprouting out of every direction. Metal walls and floors were being crushed, and water was splashing as if there was a storm raging down a shore. It was a monster like figure that is about 300 meters wide.

"So it's it's finally here", said Lawrence.


"A squid?", said Chase.


"A squid, that's a bit of an understatement.", said Mr. Miser.
"This is my priceless possession!"
"The Calamari!"

"Pshht! Hahaha!"
"Haha can i have a plate of sauce with that"

Everyone was in silence and was looking at Chase with their scrutinizing eyes.

"Hmm. That's a big Calamari."

"Now that Mr. Chase's serious can we continue Mr. Miser.", said Cire.

"This is the best in the business."
"The best in reconnaissance world. This beauty is able to resist radar, sonar and almost everything that will detect our movement. It is able to carry a hundred tons, able to fire five missiles per second,and is able to move past the sound barrier. It can stand its ground against any submarine in every navy. Its tentacles have grips that can exert pressure that can crush even the hardest reinforced wall. It can escape  We can penetrate anything with  my Calamari. Don't get me going about its tracking system. Nothing can escape its eyes. "
"With this we can get as close as possible to your island."

"Then why did you hire the rest of us?" Chaser asked Cire.
"Why don't you just attack the place or better yet bomb them!"

"Do you know what it's called Mr. Chase?"

"The island?"

"Yes the island! Mr. Chase!"

"No."

"It's called the Impenetrable Island."
"No missile can ever get close enough to even put a dent on it, Nothing can get in or out of it without it's permission. We tried everything! Robots, submarines and jets all were failures."
"We could just fire missiles at it, nukes like you said, but that's not why your here Mr. Chase."
"What we want! What we want is what's inside."
"Do you understand now John?"


Chase just nodded and did not say anything. Cargoes were loaded on Calamari. One crate fell and to their surprise it was full of nothing but sand. 


"Don't touch it.", said Miser.


Preparations were ready. Everyone went in. Mr. Cire told them to do their best and if they ever come home alive all of their dreams are gonna be fulfilled. Miser's crew were busy manipulating the mechanical beast. There were about twenty of his men piloting Calamari.  From the power chamber to the control room everyone were inside their own zones that they barely even talked.

Everyone saw how beautiful the ocean was through calamari's eyes and us they submerge further down they were able to see such magnificent beasts that were only possible through calamari's resistance to pressure.
Then Miser began to start a friendly obligation.

"You know why I'm here?", asked Miser.

"Nobody asked", replied One.

"Oh come on! Don't be a sour puss mister swordsman."
"With all the jobs that I've done for the past 20 years I was able to build up my reputations. I even accumulated wealth large enough to build my own company of infiltrators."
"So why did I come here?  If it's not for money, not for the reputation then why am I here?"
"I'm here for vengeance!" "I'm here to take revenge on all infiltrators that died for this job."

Miser's speech started to awaken something inside everybody's heart."


"Now that I'm done who's next?", said Miser.


"Well I'm here for a mission and one mission only" said Lawrence."Ever wondered how I got this good with computers?"
"My master his name was Yabut, he taught me everything.Then he went missing when i was fifteen"


"So?",said Miser
"What has that go to do with our situation?"

"Let me finish Mr. Infiltrator. Yabut developed all of that island's system. That's why it's unbeatable form the outside. If this is the only lead that I have to find him then I'm willing to risk my life to find him. It's already been eight years."

"An avenger and a son searching for his father huh?", said One.

"What about you Master One?", curiously asked by Chase.
"Why are you here?"

"I've beaten every known martial warriors of this era. Whether masters or military, no one stood a chance."

"So you run out of punching bags and now you want to beat up robots?" said Miser.

One stopped talking. Then they're ship started to rattle. Calamari started to be unstable. Everyone crew on their ship started to panic. Miser quickly ran to the control room and asked about their situation.

"Sir look!" said one of the crew member.

Miser's face trembled in fear. They saw something that was physically impossible. The whole island was covered with motion triggered bombs swirling around it. It was like an underwater tornado. The ship was still rocking. Miser took command.

"Guys you may want to have a look!" said the panicking Miser.

Chase, One, and Lawrence immediately went to the control room. Radars, and other devices were on chaos and sirens and other beeping sounds were heard.

"What is happening here?" said Chase.

"Look!" Miser replied while pointing towards the island.

"Attention every crew member on weapon's deck load the cargo. Hurry up or were gonna be dead!"
"Everyone in this room buckle up! If you don't wanna die!"
"Initiate, air calamari!"

"Aye sir" the crew replied.

The ship's tentacles started to straighten up and  tilted towards the surfaces. It was gaining speed as it was about to emerge out of the water. Then as it went above the water part of the tentacles started to spew out smoke and fire as rockets. 


"Fire all missiles up to 300 mile radius from our position!" 

"What are you up to Miser!?", said the frightened Lawrence.

"It's going to rain!" Miser replied.

"Won't they get shot down?"

"No Lawrence, look."

The missile started to split in numbers then hatched into grains of sands.

"So they weren't sand they were gun powder?" asked the confused Lawrence.

"No, look again."


They were astonished. What they thought were grains of sands were actually nano tech. They started moving in all direction covering up the the entire island.

"They're our cover. They'll stop any motion sensors so we're bomb free."

"We only got one problem. I didn't know that they would have so many bombs. I don't know how they'll react since I don't have any data. We should probably head out now." said the excited infiltrator.


Miser lead them to a tiny vehicle. The little squid. It was a smaller version of Calamari. Miser explained that Calamari was to big to not be detected. They were gonna ride this one to ensure that they will reach the Island in one piece.

"Let's start the engine."
"Power core ignite"
"Calamari release!"

Splashed! They hit water surface.

"The original plan was to go underwater but as you all saw it's not an option."
"Little squid passing mac 1" 
"Were approaching the island".
"I'm gonna make all the infiltrators proud"

"Tsug Tsug Tsug ching!!" Bombs started to stick on the little squid.

Boom!
"Intruder eliminated"

To be continued.

Chapter 4 :The Mission

Everyone who saw what happened turned pale. They saw an image of Chase cut in half for a second then he was alright. Mr. One was a master of warriors and an elite assassin. What happened is actually an understatement of what he could do.

"Mr. One! Sheathe your sword! No one wants any trouble", said Cire.

Blood was dripping on the floor. Mr. One's blade had barely cut open Chase's forehead.

"Do you not fear death?", said Mr. One

"Someone who doesn't even sense me nor has even a slight of war energy, how can someone like you not fear your own demise.”

Chase was just standing in front of the master assassin and was careful not to show any signs of fear. He knew that once he let his agitation take over, One's blood lust will surely swallow him up. His head was aching. He could feel that, for a moment, his life was put in danger. His body was building up. Muscles were beginning to tighten. He could feel an energy burning inside of him. The same reaction that happened three years ago was about to reoccur. His consciousness was starting to sway. He stood as near as he could get in front of Mr. One and as his bloody forehead began to clash on Mr. One's he began to speak.

"Do that again and I'll tear you limb by limb."

Chase couldn't believe what he said. He was not in control of himself anymore. His mind is starting to work on its own. He could see everybody, but he was only an audience of his own body. He can feel the eagerness to punch his attacker right on its face. He could feel the excitement of watching his new found enemy's face be beaten into a plum. He could only watch as his body was grabbing One. Mr. One tried to remove his hand but it wouldn't even budge. His grip was so strong that everyone could hear the crushing sound of his grip. Mr. One was force to use his blade once more. Chase, able to sense danger jumped back as far as he could, leaping over ten meters away from his enemy. Images were flowing inside his head. He is able to foresee his enemy’s movements like he was reading a book. He felt like he was familiar of Mr. One's fighting style. He was on par with him when it came to speed. He had more power. He could dodge every move that Mr. One was doing. He was able to snatch his opponent's sword. Then, as he was preparing to unleash a terrifying blow on Mr. One's head, his strength suddenly left him. Miser saw this as an opportunity to stop them. He entangled both with a cable made from a special alloy. Lawrence grabbed onto the wire and attached a device that electrocuted both. They were stunned. Chase lost his consciousness. Everyone inside the room was speechless. They could not comprehend what happened.

"What is he?", said Miser.

"Is he a monster? I never thought I'd see the day where One was rendered useless."

"Is he a fighting expert? Is he the same as One?" said Lawrence.

"No he isn't a warrior. I sensed it right at the beginning" said an exhausted master.

"Thirty-two exotics in three years" said their employer.

"So? I had at least a couple of hundred jobs on the old days", Mister Miser said.

"Mister Miser believe me, compared to exotics, your jobs were kid's play."

"What is his success rate?" Miser asked arrogantly.

"Probably a hundred" One replied.

"I only had three, and then I never bothered to do them anymore."

"Why?" another question by Miser.

"It's not work, It's suicide. It's madness even in the underground world. They give you hopeless jobs and expect you to die." a reply from Mr. One."

The conversation continued later that night. Chase found himself waking up in the infirmary. His body was sore and his head was aching like it was smashed by a giant mallet. It was strange that he was able to remember everything. He stared at his right arm and tried to remember how it felt but he could not gather the same energy.

He noticed that the room's walls were made form metal. There were no windows and other compartments. It looked like a giant reinforced box.

"Whoa! Whoa!" it sounded like a siren.

"Announcement, please proceed to the simulation room."

The door automatically slid and opened up. Miser was at the other side.

"Oh! Come on man where going to be late."

"Where, where are we going?” Chase replied.

"Stop asking question miracle man. Just follow me"

They went inside the simulation room. Then beams of light were being shot down from every direction until an image of an island took its form. The island  was surrounded by giant walls and every corner were patrolled by robotic eagle like mechanisms,. Its waters was flooded by hyper sensitive bombs that the only way to enter is through the sky.

"It's no easy task, there is no way to enter their perimeters without being detected.", discussed by Cire.

"Leave it to me. Do you have my package?"

"Yes Mr. Miser, What will you do with all of those gizmos?"

"I'm gonna make it rain. You want to help miracle man?" Miser was talking as if he was goofing around.

"Ok. We will let you handle this. Mr. Lawrence, make sure you're ready. Once inside it's all yours."

"Mr. One you know what you need to do."

"What about our miracle man here?"

"Won't you even make him do some simulation?"

Everyone was in silence and was looking at each other's eyes.

"Alright I understand Mr. Cire. Miracle Man! You better bring me out of there alive."

"Everyone prepare yourselves. Mr. Chase go with Lawrence he'll give you all the info in this project."

"Guys I don't think I have to remind you how important this mission is. We only have one chance. "

What will happen to the mission? What can John chase do?

To be continued.

Chapter 3: The Exotic and The decision

That was the last time Chase saw the woman. He never intended to go and meet up with her. Chase was stubborn and never  wanted help. " I am perfectly fine on my own". He continued living his life like before, working like hell, and sweating blood just for little amount of money. He was not living extravagantly but at least he was not risking his life.

Deep inside his heart was a void that he does not know how to fill. A strange appetite that was looking for something more. It's a sensation that tells him he had a better life than this. He could not hide the excitement. He was craving for something else. He was searching for the thrill he had three years ago. His life was dull. He was again without a purpose.  His soul is drying up and dying every minute of his life. 

Chase was sitting idly near the shores of Legco. He was staring on cargo ships, wondering how they work. It was his unsolved mystery how he could disassemble that glider but ended up forgetting what he did.
"Bzzzzzzzzz! Bzzzzzzz!"

Chase knows that sound it was another glider.
"Bzzzzzzzzz! BZZZZZZ!"
The sound was getting stronger like it was heading towards his direction. He stood up and  he turned around trying to find the sound's source. He was right it was another glider but there was something different about it. It was covered with gold plates, it was smaller, and it was emitting  much less noise.  Chase noticed an imprint on the car door. It was a coat of arms of a bird struggling to get out of a cage. The door opened. A small man came out. He looked like an elf with his pointy ears and small constitution.

"Are you John Chase?", he said

"Yes and who are you?", Chase replied

"I'm here to offer you work"

"Look here little man, let me tell you straight, I'm not interested."

Chase was about to walk away when the little man started to talk.

"What if i give you an offer that you can't refuse?"
 "Money? Woman? We can give you anything that you want."

"I'm not interested", said Chase.

"Wait mister what if i can give you information?"
"Anything that you want to know. Don't you want to know who you are?"

"Do you know who I was?"

"No but we can give you all the information that you want to know."
"We have our resources."

"What can I do for you? You probably heard of my reputation, I'm useless"
"Are you sure I can help?"

"Believe me you are exactly what we need"
"We need your luck"

The little man told him he knew about Chase's work. How he survived even his suicide missions. How he was able to come out alive even when he was given the job to die.

"I know every little thing about you. I wonder how such a useless man like you is able to finish such high class exotics."

"I.. I don't know what you're talking about. It was all luck."

"Exactly! That's why  we need you."
"We've hired the best infiltrator, security expert, and master assassin for the job but we've simulated every possible outcome and we will still fail this job. We need you and whatever it is that you do to turn the impossible into reality"
"This would probably be the hardest thing that you'll do you're entire life."
"Are you willing to accept this Mr. Chase?"


"If you can tell me who I am I would even die for you", said Chase.

"Let's go Mr. Chase, step inside the car"

"Wait! Tell me your name."

"Cire. Stanli Cire"


They went inside the glider. It was like going inside a portal that will lead you inside a fancy hotel. There was a portable bar, a giant viTv, a luxurious sofa and an FGB or food generator box, a special device that could stock at least a ton of food inside an alter dimension,  but what caught Chase's attention was that unfamiliar robot that keeps on emitting laser.It looked like a fat bird with it's wings and ball like odd shape. It seemed like it was curious about him. He was startled when it started to scan his body like light trying to crawl all over his body.


"Hey! Hey! What is this thing doing to me? I'm not a grocery item."

"Easy Mr.Chase it's only trying to rate your Ability"

Cire showed Chase a piece of glass that was like a tablet computer. It showed data and graph of his performance. Of course Chase could not understand what it says. Little man Cire could read his expression and started to explain what it was.

"See here Mr. Chase this shows every aspect of your every capabilities. Everything seems quite poor"
 Cire was talking like an old man trying to read newspaper.
"Hehe. Makes me wonder? Are you really able to perform miracles can?"
"Can you give me the next lottery numbers?"

The glider suddenly stopped. Cire dropped his tablet causing it to break.

"Darn!"
"Oh. It seems that we have arrived Mr. Chase"

"Where are we?"

"Come out and see for your self"

Chase stepped out of the vehicle. He was surprised of what he saw. Men working at a very large compound, thousands of computers, and heavily armed droids. It was like he was on a military base.

" Do you like what you see Mr. Chase?"
"We have here the most advanced facilities that are committed in making state of the art artillery."

"What are you part of the government or something?"
"Are you gonna start a war. Man, let me tell you I'm no mercinary."

"It's best if you don't know Mr. Chase "
"This is not why I came for you. Now. If you don't mind please follow me."

"Where?"

Part of the floor started to sink. Transparent walls began to assemble themselves like legos. It was an instant elevator.  Cire didn't say a word but Chase knew he had to follow him inside the elevator. It started to float and was headed upward. Chase was no longer surprised of such contraptions he figured that if they could build flying cars then this is an easy feat. He noticed holes in the building it was like a beehive were elevators were bees trying to enter the compartments. The elevator opened. They entered the room.

"Oh you're finally here!" said the huge black guy.
"So he's the infamous man from Exotics, Mr. Stanli?"

"Yes Mr. Lawrence", said Cire
"Mr. Chase come here"
"This is Mr. Lawrence, Lawrence Right. He is our security expert. He can crack any codes in any system in the world, he can open vaults like they were card board. He can reprogram any security protocols. He is the main man for this job."

Lawrence had this gadget that looked like a phone. It was built to give instant information about anyone's identity. Such an incredible device. It can hack any database in the world and filter every data to give it's user full information background.

"Oh let's see.. You.. are John Chase right?"

Machine started beeping like it was about to break.
"error! error!"
"Tsk! This thing's busted?"
Lawrence was puzzled about Chase

Little Cire started to call everyone. He looked at his wrist watch then tapped a lump on the wall. The room started to be converted into a large viTv. The room projected a large hologram of a building, then it turned into a room, lastly it turned into a vault.
" For months! We had tried every simulation possible to ensure a hundred percent success rate."
" We didn't even have a standing chance to beat their system"
"Its time to stop planning and start doing our job"

John Chase was confused he didn't even know what they were discussing.
"What jo.."

He didn't even finish what he was saying when a tall thin man caught their attention.

"Are you mad!"
"Do you even have an idea what you are saying?"
"Do you think we could do this because you added this guy to the team?"
"When you asked me to infiltrate their base, I saw it, I saw how men died trying to infiltrate the system."
"Heck I almost died just to give you a replica of their schematics"
"Trying to imitate their security system and recording blue prints was hard enough, but its a totally different story if we are going to infiltrate their main hardware. 
"Are you asking us to commit suicide?!"

"Come down Mr. Miser! Have some Respect!"
"Does anyone no where Mr. One is?"
"We need to have the team ready by tomorrow. We don't have much time."
"Mr. One I know your here. Show yourself"

Suddenly a shadow appeared in front of Mr.Chase. A blade was swung and Mr. Chases blood came dripping on the floor.

To be continued

Chapter 2 The awakening

Chase woke up in a hospital bed. Nurses with their state of the art equipment were attending to him. Laser scanners were used to evaluate his body but not a scratch was found.

"

 It's a miracle you don't even have a single injured bone", said the doctor while laughing.

" Everyone was amazed of what you did son. How did you manage that mechanical abomination?"

He was still grasping for thought while trying to understand his situation. He was holding his head. It hurts, like every other time he passes out. He doesn't even know what to say. He looked pale and his body feels sore, yet there were no bruises in his body. The last thing he remembers were fragments of  events.

"An airplane! I was gonna be hit by an airplane."

"Hahaha good one son", said the doctor. 

"After being the only one how knew how to stop that metal of a monster you tell us that it's an airplane?"

The nurses were giggling like little girls.

"Haha! I only wanted the ladies to laugh." 

Later that day when he was alone while thinking of how he could pay the bills. His heart started to beat like it was about to burst. He recalled how he knew how fast the air glider was flying. He even knew what it was called. He knew the parts like it was his toy. His head was filled with images like he could see the glider's blue prints. How he was able to dodge it like it was just a ball. It was all running in slow motion. He knew that if he hit the energy source with the right amount of pressure it would cause the machine to stop. He's physical strenght had a monumental increase that allowed him to break through the thick armor of the vehicle.

The next day he was able to walk on the hospital hall. His still worried about his bills. When suddenly he thought that maybe the driver of that air glider would cover the expenses. He was asking the nurses about the mysterious driver but no one could give him the answer.

" Darn! You see I don't have that kind of money to even afford a ward. Why did you all have to put me on this expensive hospital. I don't even have a scratch. They say hospitals here in Legco are expensive."

The nurse just grinned and told him that he won't pay a single dime.

"How come?"

When suddenly a woman came and joined their conversation. 

" Are you John Chase?"

 "Why do you care?" John asked rudely.

 "We're here to hire you"

"Can a man get some rest here?"

" I'm in a hospital damn it!"

"Mr. Chase we are here to help you"

" I can do just fine! thank you"

"Please sir hear me first, I beg you to reconsider"

" I said No!"

The woman lost her temper with such disrespect. 

 " You good for nothing loser! I am no longer asking you so shut you pee hole and listen!" said the woman while grabbing Chases clothes.

Chase suddenly sensed that she was not normal. Her hands were as cold as steel and as heavy as a bolder.  He knew he sensed this feeling before but he could not remember. He started having chill on his spine. He was scared but he didn't lose his composure.

"Ok! Just let me go!"

"Jeez, are you even a woman?"

"Now that I got your attention, allow me to introduce my self."

 "I am Kirsten Kyle"

"Can we take a sit"
Kirsten got her bag and took a viTv. ViTv is short for virtual television. It looks like a convertible ball that turns into a fine sheet of glass and emits holograms. 

"Sir we saw what you did"

"Are you an employer? Is this about an exotic?", Chase replied.

"Look here. I have no talent"
"I can't do anything to help you"

" They only hire me because I'm too darn lucky"

"Mr. Chase, luck has nothing to do on what you did there."
" I am here to tell you who you are"

" No, I think it's more appropriate to say we know what you are."

"You are going to be discharged tomorrow morning"

"Don't worry about the bills we already took care of it."

"Go to the highest building in Legco if you wanna find answers"

The Amplifier: Chapter 1 The The Vagabond

Every day I am gonna post stories on this blog. I hope you like it.
The Amplifier

What if someone could steal everything that you have? Your knowledge, talents, and memories, would it not change the world? Would it not cause chaos? What if I tell you they exist? He was a victim, now trying to hunt them one by one to restore what they took. Hoping. That one day he could finally remember who he was.

 Exotics are codes for jobs that no one else would do.They are jobs that often risk lives like being a human decoy, a lab rat, etc.  Employers are corrupted men who would use desperate people and pay them at a minimum rate. These jobs are bounded by contracts. They end at their employers whim. Breaking this contract will bring death to those who accepted it.  To be paid, one must simply come back alive.


John Chase is a simple guy and is often in workers clothes.  He's useless. He doesn't have any talent. He'll do anything for money. As Chase would often say,
 " Hard work is my key out of this dump.".
He works as an errand boy in the morning. He is also a pizza delivery guy.He often gets into trouble. Once he was fired from his job for burning an entire factory by mistake.

It was summer of the year 2020 while John was working for Llander's pizza. He was riding his bike under the busy street of Legco. It was raining but he couldn't come home. He has errands to do, stuff he needs to deliver. It was dark, the rain won't stop. Pretty soon he knows that the city will be submerge under water. Legco City has not progressed for years. It's unruly. The place is on poverty. Congested traffic, damaged road, polluted waters and informal settlers, these are the things that describes this city.

Chase needs to work fast. His boss told him that he will not get paid if any of the packages were not delivered.
"You dumb goat, I only hired you because you are cheap."
"Now I am starting to think that the it's costing me more. Deliver this or your fired.

 Suddenly, on the busy streets of Legco, a car suddenly went AWOL.The car was was nothing like ordinary. It looked like it just came out of the movies. It was gliding through air, fire came out of its rear and pressure came from underneath. Cars were overturned and roads were dented. It seemed like a raging monster that eats everything on its path. It was headed right through Chase but suddenly it stopped. No one knew how but the car was not even scratched.Somehow It stopped right before it could hit Chase. While john chase was found unconscious.

Three years ago he was at the same state. He was unconscious after finishing his first job. No one knew how. It was at the middle of an exotic. His job was simple. He needed to lure the enemies disguised as the spy they needed to retrieve. He was at enemies line of fire. His life didn't matter. He figured if his life was to end, he'll end it with a purpose. Gun shots were fired and noises were heard, but no one knew how the soldiers were wiped out. The only explanation they had is that Chase had something to do with it.

to be continued.