Chapter 67: Elias’s diagram planning
The guard straightened his posture, his armor catching the sunlight—a sleek, semi-futuristic design that hinted at advanced technology without being ostentatious. Small, streamlined plates overlapped along his chest and shoulders, reinforced but flexible enough for ease of movement. "Good afternoon," he began, his voice formal yet approachable. "I assume you’re with the Federation Force. What brings you and your team to Tuiyaki today?"
Elara paused, her finger lightly tapping her chin in thought. Behind her, the faint glimmers of Ikonas swirled lazily in the air, their quiet giggles just barely audible to the group. "We’re here to locate two individuals," she said evenly. "They’ve got trackers on them, so locating them shouldn’t take long. But we need to be discreet. We can’t have anyone here—tourists or civilians—catching wind of what’s going on."
The guard nodded, his hand resting casually on a small console attached to his forearm. "I see. Fugitive types, then? Will you need assistance from the local police force?"
Elara shook her head slightly, her eyes sharp with determination. "No, not fugitives, but there’s a higher-than-normal risk of kidnapping. Some of the recent rebel groups have been targeting military personnel and vessels. Just to be safe, I’d recommend doubling all patrols in the area for the next few days."
The guard raised an eyebrow at her request, but after a moment of consideration, he nodded. "Understood." He struck a crisp salute, the sound of his glove meeting the metallic plating on his chest punctuating the conversation. "We’ve had some upgrades recently, thanks to Federation funding. That’ll help us keep things secure."
As he spoke, he pressed a button on the console. The large metal doors groaned softly before sliding open, revealing a sleek interior of polished steel and reinforced corridors. "Inside, you’ll find all the accommodations you need—clothing, supplies, whatever is required for your team. If your stay exceeds a few days, I ask that you maintain constant communication with us."
"Of course," Elara replied with a curt nod. She stepped forward, leading the group inside. The Ikonas trailed behind her, their glowing forms casting faint streaks of light along the walls.
Elias lingered for a moment, turning his head over his shoulder. His eyes landed on the guards, now chatting quietly among themselves. Just before the doors sealed shut, one of the guards called out, his voice carrying a hint of gratitude. "And thanks for the funding! It’s helped us immensely!"
Elias quirked a brow at the comment but didn’t say anything, turning back to catch up with the group as they disappeared further into the facility.
As the group walked down the catwalk it quickly changed from metal to a wooden platform with a single line of blue at the bottom -> Resort entrance this way VIP Guest.
Elias stated "Didn’t expect to be in a tropical paradise today; I wonder how Kikaru’s doing assisting with the operation."
Kimi walked ahead of the group, her hands clasped casually behind her back. Her tone was light, almost dismissive, as she remarked, "I’m sure they’re fine. They’ve got Jiece with them, after all. I don’t think there’s anyone better in his rank class for one-on-one combat."