《There Is A Monster Among Us》Chapter 16: Contact
Advertisement
The transceiver, huh.
I like Pink's suggestion. Is it because she almost always has the brightest ideas, or is it only because it's Pink suggesting it?
I stare at Pink's open palm.
However, only I have been permitted to use this novel device, and she knows it. The Colonel will be furious when he hears someone else's voice on the other side--assuming that he is monitoring everything.
Be that as it may, I agree that those two miscreants do not deserve a swift death.
The risks are not enough to damp the fire inside me.
Is it terrible that I cannot control my emotions as a leader? What is the right thing to do? Those thoughts touch and leave me like the wind.
"I cannot possibly hand over this magic item. The Colonel will linch me!" As I said so, I open the upper part of my gambeson, flashing the small orb tucked inside safely. I do not grab it myself.
Catching my drift, Pink quickly swipes the orb. "Do not worry, Lieutenant. I will report that I picked it up after it fell while you're chasing the intruder."
"Oh, no!" I yelp. "Anyways..."
"What?" Pink asks as she rolls the orb on her fingers.
"I didn't ask earlier because you cut me off, but how could that... group even be able to hear you there?"
Pink laughs darkly at the question. "These things are a marvel. A long-distance communication during a war, and in real-time? I dare say it's one of the best inventions of our era. Do you really think that those wrinkly and egotistic court mages have any way of developing this device with their old-fashioned techniques and shallow minds?"
I quickly admit there's no way. "But there are other branches of the government that could have conceived this. Like the military, perhaps?"
Advertisement
I can only guess the source. The secretive Colonel obviously will not announce where it came from, even if I ask.
But, as I ponder about this, a thought hit me. Is Pink telling me it came from outside the kingdom? No, it can also be an independent, private company-
"The Syndicate sell these?!"
"Bingo!" I do not know if Pink's clapping indicates that she is amazed or simply flattering me. Either way, if it's her, I'll take it anytime.
Although, the confusion that follows swiftly overshadows the brief praise. "Wait. What, when, where, how? Why?!" And how does she know?! Wait, she's a Maverick.
Pink giggle at the sight of me and brings a finger to her lips. "We do not fully understand why but it seems the King is starting to forge a productive alliance with the Underground Queen."
That baffles me even further.
Since this is giving me a headache, I stop thinking about it. I need to focus on the subject at hand. "So you are claiming that The Syndicate is also listening to our highly confidential military communications."
I am not dumb enough to ask, "Isn't that illegal?" when The Syndicate has done things much, much worse (allegedly).
"Only one way to find out," Pink says as she pours in her mana to the transceiver. When the transceiver lights up as an indication that it has successfully activated, Pink inhales deep.
Advertisement
Braza the Architect - Magical Crafter, Builder, and Adventurer!
This is the story of an older man who lived a hard but full life, being reincarnated into a fantasy world as a human-lizard hybrid. The new world is violent, magic is real, a game-like development system crushes physics and natural law under its ambivalent thumb, and myth and legend don't just meet, they chase you down to eat you.Follow Braza as he tries to make a very different life for himself in a familiar but ultimately alien world. In this story the protaginist will not just be a muscle bound monster. He is not a proper hero, willing to sacrifice himself for the good of a stranger, but neither is he a maniacal villain. He is trying to survive, and he is trying to give himself and those he deems himself responsible for a seat at the table of the"goodly", the "civilized" races. He is trying to create a secure home for his people, to arrange beneficial trade agreements, explore ancient ruins, decipher ancient runes, push the boundaries of magic to create a better life for everyone around him, to learn about the history of the world and the multiverse, and ultimately attempt to become powerful enough to take on a being that even the gods themselves fear. This is my first story and it blends many different elements and styles. It's a bit darker than most of what I have read on Royal Road, but even with that, I hope you give it a try, and I hope you like it!
8 228White Clover Guild
The world of Twinwirl, divided among four continents protected by the twin deities of Light and Shadow, is a world where humans and monsters live together. After the great war one thousand years ago, the Light Deity went into hiding and the balance of power is divided unevenly among gods seeking to retain relevance and power. Even in this modern world, people still rely on bravers--individuals who adventure to keep the world order--to protect towns and cities. One day, the Light Deity decided it was time to give up the life of a hermit and regain her power through gathering faith. How? By starting a guild for bravers!
8 111Demonizing Matters
A high fantasy drama about a young woman who finds out a demon secret. This secret sparks a growing conflict between demons and humans. While trying to save her own life and dealing with the unexpected consequences of her actions, she falls in love with a hated demon. We follow the drama of Lita, alongside a cast of several other POV characters, as she discovers secrets (both open and purposefully hidden), makes well intentioned but sometimes disastrous decisions, and encounters prejudices and truths. Demons may be evil… or not. Humans may be good… or not. God is aloof… or not. Publishing every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This is my first real work! Super excited to be publishing! I don’t spend a lot of time describing gore, sex, trauma or any other type of scene that would be labeled as mature. I've labeled the story as mature in every way more because I don't quite understand the standard and don't know if I've crossed the line at all (and I'd rather be safe than get my story rejected for under labeling ;)). Mostly I hint, start the scene then interrupt/fade out, and in general let the reader know it happens but without making it too explicit. (I’d love to hear how I did on this! And if it was still entertaining/informative without being traumatizing.) This is what I prefer to read myself so that’s what I write. I’m not apologizing. ;) If I mislabeled my mature content it was by accident. And, yes, the pacing was also on purpose. Beyond that, I welcome any feedback you want to give! Enjoy the story!
8 199Iridescent ↳ Peter Maximoff
❝You are all my children, and you're lost because you follow blind leaders. These false gods, systems of the weak, they've ruined my world. No more.❞ - Apocalypse| iridescent | : adj. Showing luminous colors that seem to change when seen from different angles.[set during X-Men: Apocalypse]DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THE XMEN CHARACTERS, I ONLY OWN MY ORIGINAL CHARACTER, BRIANNA XAVIER, AND THE STORY SURROUNDING HER.
8 194Let's Just Be Human (Finished)
It's been thirty years since the collapse of the Soviet Union. They'd both moved on, or so they thought. If it wasn't already clear, this is a Sovame fic.
8 98The Gift: A Miraculous Fanfiction
A simple gift between friends changes everything for Adrien and Marinette. This fanfiction takes place after season three. Lots of MariChat.It started out as a gift, how did it end up like this?#1 Adrienette#1 Marichat#1 Miraculousladybug#1 Ladybug#1 Gift#1 Ladynoir#1 MiraculousWord Count: 17,328
8 248