[『ちびまる子ちゃん』正人]

Town hall is the center of New Hera's business.


Teech Ordarium walked all the way from the [Energy Plant]. He walked up the steps and met several people. The Chairman of Social Affairs, Director of Education in New Hera, and the agent of the previous Mayor.

"Let's make it official. Today, you're the Mayor of New Hera." the Agent said.

There was a small crowd behind the men and several photographers and news crew. They clapped, snapped photos, and Teech shook hands with the three big men. He waved at the camera, hoping that things were going well in the rest of New Hera. He didn't know that somebody was looking for him... somebody meant to make him hurt.

[『ちびまる子ちゃん』正人]

In a raging storm from [Federation Base: New Hera], Liaf ran towards the Town Hall. He was blocked by several police and body guards.

"I am Colonel Liaf and by needs of the Federation Government and Military, I hereby relieve you all of duty." Liaf said.

The body guards stared but nodded. "Yes sir."

However... Another person appeared. Teech and the other men were oblivious but Teech's personal bodyguard wasn't... he walked passed the group gaining a few stares and Teech stopped focusing on the meeting entirely. Teech spotted Liaf and immediately got worried. He knew the colonel was corrupt, but surely he wouldn't murder him in front of a crowd... he was needed until the moment of truth.

Liaf's bodyguard absolutely towered over Liaf himself... however, he only looked intimidating. His bodyguard was built for humans. Liaf was a Federation Colonel trained in Reploid combat.

"I have an issue I need to speak to Mr. Ordarium alone with." Liaf said in a stern voice.

On the steps, the bodyguard only looked taller. He resembled Sigma but not enough for anybody except those who know Sigma and the bodyguard to realize. Liaf however, was oblivious to the bodyguard's upgrades in combat... Now, they were an equal fight.

"State your issue." Tau said.

"It is a personal issue. As a colonel of the Military and Gover-" "State your issue."

Liaf winced. A common bodyguard was giving him a hard time. "Move, bouncer, or I will be forced to arrest and/or terminate you."

The crowds grew dead silent. Teech and the men around him stared on, worried at conflict.

"State your issue." Tau repeated.

Liaf instantly drew a saber at the bodyguard's unwillingness to stand down and everybody else gasped and retreated from the immediate area. Tau grabbed a large energy hammer on his back and swung it down. Liaf jumped backwards, further than he intended. His legs and suspension system was much more improved. He jumped forward as the hammer slammed into the steps, decimating the titanium-enforced stone and he landed directly on the pole of the hammer. Tau let go of the hammers handle with one hand and he jumped, pushing on the tip of the hammers handle. The hammer tilted back and Liaf fell backwards. He spun himself around in the air and landed on the ground as Tau did a sommersault, yanking the hammer out of the ground and... damn, Liaf was too close for a deadly swing. He brought the hammer down and slammed the tip of the handle into Liaf's head. Liaf felt pain and felt a shatter as his skull was damaged but he didn't let it phase him much. He stepped to the side as the recoil from the hammer hit caused an opening to appear on Tau. He swung his saber from the left at Tau's stomach. Tau stepped back but realized Liaf was going to do a fatal blow... but Liaf pulled back. Instead, he aimed his saber higher and grazed Tau's shoulder, removing his ability to swing the hammer. The immediate damage allowed Liaf to finish... he jumped up as Tau bent forward from the pain and Liaf wrapped his arm around Tau's head, yanking him to the ground and slammed his face into the ground.

Liaf hopped up, and walked up. "Stay." Liaf stated.

The men and Teech flinched as he approached them.

"... I would like to have a word with Mr. Ordarium." Liaf said.

Teech eased up, relaxing to try and remain calm. He sighed. "Yes, what is it?"

Liaf put the saber back in his sheathe and stretched his arms, rubbed the dent on his head, and then folded his arms.

"First, tame your bodyguard. Next time, it's termination." he said coldly.

Liaf looked at his bodyguard, Tau. He nodded. "Got it." he looked back at Liaf.

"Second, I would like to speak with you... privately." he walked towards the building. He nodded at the men around Teech. "Gentlemen..." he said, saluting them as he walked to the doors.

Teech shook himself of some dust that got on him. He looked at the men. "We'll talk later."

He looked over at the crowd and waved, smiling. He then followed Liaf as he opened the doors and entered the Town Hall. They walked through the large hall and Liaf stopped.

"... How far has Ordarium distribution gone?" Liaf said.

Teech grimaced. He really didn't wanna answer, but... "It has taken 100% of New Hera's systems, excluding private systems in the Universities. 96% of the Reploids in New Hera. 20% of the Security Drones in the GTA which is patrolled by Cyclonic Cerberus..." he paused. "... 100% of Algonquin Park... 5% of all military systems of the Federation however very limited in Federation." Liaf smirked. His men weren't counted since the Federation base in New Hera was completely corrupt. His men ruled and in New Hera, nobody knows of Liaf's betrayal. Liaf still retains his command and in actuality, with Rykov gone from the scene and to the citizens of New Hera none the wiser, Liaf has total control. However, things were out of control as well. Elzareth and Kazuma ran amok and could do several things to compromise the plans but Elzareth did have a point earlier... but so did Liaf. The situations DID require intervention from Elzareth, causing him to be revealed to the enemy... but he was doing something at the Phoenix Tower which caused it all... "... and the extent of Maverick Hunter's in Abel City?" Liaf asked. Teech dreaded his answer. The ones who saved the world for years...

"100%... excluding two systems which are brand new."

[White-Jet]

[From Federation HQ Ruins]

Ryuta didn't think he'd find himself wandering back to this part of the city. Not a whole lot of visitors pass through here, making any chance of inviting them to the University near impossible.

He attempts to dismiss the area and continue his trek around the city for more willing citizens only to notice the aftermath of a commotion near the entrance of the building. A bodyguard appears to be wounded with several other officials tending his dilemma. To worsen the matter, he can sense the Ordarium owner's distress within the building, seeming reluctant to talk to someone he mentally swears to be responsible for the fiasco before him.

Sensing no distressing yearn for help, he decides to wait on checking up on the inside and heads over to the bodyguard for a better look. While he was no healer like Hajime or other members of Vermillion, he could at least figure out some way of getting him to the hospital, provided he isn't suffering more than the graze on his shoulder.

[『ちびまる子ちゃん』正人]

The bodyguard, Tau, had insane rage growing inside. He looked up to the crowd, who mostly were in shock at the fight. Some took notice of Tau's inexplicable resemblance to Sigma. He attempted to move but his arm was in pain...

---

"The enemy is taken over entirely? Splendid." Liaf said, giggling with glee.

Teech stood there. "I need to leave..." he thought.

"I recognize from the O-Network that Mudslide and Cyclonic are moving." Liaf said, prancing proudly.

"Yes..." Teech said, full of guilt.

"Perfect..."

[White-Jet]

Noticing the bodyguard is a reploid, Ryuta reaches into his robe and pulls out a red, rolled up tube, spreading it out to reveal the average line of mechanic tools used to repair machines as complicated as reploids. He picked up a welder and begins repairing the wound on the bodyguard's arm, being careful not to cause too much discomfort from the amount of brushing and pushing of nerve wires that were still intact.

While he was repairing, he could sense Teech becoming more distressed about the threatened presence that seemingly chased him into the building. He wanted to hurry and get to him and at least see what was going on, but knows that rushing a repair job would only make the aftermath more miserable than before he interfered.

[『ちびまる子ちゃん』正人]

Tau noticed Ryuta healing his arm and regarded him an ally.

"You look odd. Messenger of Lord Sigma send you?" Tau asked as he twisted his body around so he was sitting.

---

"Well, in a few hours, we'll be ready for rebirth." Liaf said.

Teech hung his head.

"... I need to return to work now, Colonel." Teech said.

Liaf looked over. "Why of course, Mr. Ordarium... just make sure Ordarium spreads justly." Liaf said before exiting the building to see Tau being fixed by Ryuta.

"Where have I seen him before...?" Liaf thought, referring to earlier.

[White-Jet]

Ryuta opens the beak of his mask to answer but then notices Liaf sauntering out of the building, suggesting his business with Teech had ended some time ago. He trusts that as long as he keeps the Phoenix mask on, the corrupt Colonel wouldn't recognize him and be on his way, and continues to repair Tau, waiting for that moment so he can at least get most of the people crowding around him to join the "celebration" at the University.

[『ちびまる子ちゃん』正人]

Liaf shoved the thought and walked past Tau and Ryuta, earning s glare from Tau. "Next time, termination."

Liaf to [Amusement Park]. Teech stepped out of Town Hall and looked at the crowd. "Everything is fine." he said, feeling relief that Liaf left.

Tau still glared at the direction Liaf walked in.

[White-Jet]

Ryuta meagerly watches Liaf saunter off before looking back towards Tau and finishing the repairs on his shoulders.

"This should do for now," he said, "You may need to have the arm recharged fully before you continue using it for combat."

He then observes the rest of the people around Town Hall. This would be an opportune time to share invitations for the University, but at the moment he was starting to become suspicious of what happened to Liaf following his momentary capture by the mysterious beings earlier, and whether it would have any worse effect on the city than what was looming overhead. He could ask Teech what had been going on during his visit here, but with the crowd still weary of what's been happening he didn't want to risk stressing the soon to be mayor more than needed.

Liaf appeared to be heading towards the direction of Central Park; while Ryuta had already been there and suffered the trolling antics of Elzareth, he still feels there were other places he hasn't been to that could be swarming with Sigma-obsessed extremists wanting more out of life than becoming grotesque paint decorating what buildings and statues remain following the rapture.

"You should take your friends and employees somewhere away from the city," he suggests, "I have a feeling they aren't fully ready to accept the 'spectacle' that's about to happen."

He then gets up and follows after Liaf, keeping as far a distance as possible to avoid grabbing his attention and provoking a fight he would rather reserve for a more dire situation.

[『ちびまる子ちゃん』正人]

Teech wondered who Ryuta was but... he ran up to Ryuta as he was leaving.

"Do you know Dr. S?" he asked quickly.

[White-Jet]

Ryuta stops a moment and turns his head slightly towards Teech, "In a way."

[『ちびまる子ちゃん』正人]

Teech turned his head slightly, staring off into space. He slowly nodded.

"Tell him 'TO says goodbye' if you ever see him again." Teech said in a sadder tone before turning and walking back to [Energy Plant].

Tau shook his head and walked after, following Teech.

[White-Jet]

Ryuta watches them leave before doing the same himself.

[Leaves Town Hall]