THE NEXT DAY
07:00 AM…
The early morning sun, a familiar golden glow over Zuma Rock, cast long shadows across The Vault's main hangar. The stealth dropship hummed softly, prepped for launch. Ahmad, Umar, Nasir, and Sadiq, clad in their sleek, adaptive combat suits, stood before Reed, a new determination etched on their faces.
"Ayah has triangulated the most probable locations for Chike Obi and Amara Eze," Reed announced as he tapped a holographic map floating in the air.
"They were last detected in the vicinity of Jos, and Kaduna State, respectively. Our intel suggests they were both part of smaller, localized Nucron communities, trying to live off-grid."
Ahmad looked at his friends, then nodded. "G will be on the comms, right?"
Reed nodded. "Of course. He'll be coordinating from here, with Ayah providing real-time intelligence and tactical oversight."
"Ayah has loaded your mission parameters and potential threat assessments directly into your suit comms," Reed added, stepping forward. "She'll provide real-time updates and tactical suggestions. Think of her as your overwatch."
"No wahala. Jos first, then Kaduna. Let's go." Umar grunted, flexing his armored fist.
They boarded the dropship, the ramp hissing shut behind them. Ayah's calm, synthesized voice announced their ascent, the engines whirring to life, lifting them silently into the clear morning sky. The journey to Jos would take a few hours.
JOS, PLATEAU STATE
9:30 AM…
The dropship descended slowly, cloaked by Ayah's stealth technology, hovering above the rugged, rocky terrain of Jos. Below, nestled within a valley, lay a small, secluded settlement of mud-brick homes. It looked peaceful, but their intel suggested otherwise.
"Nucron signature detected: Chike Obi. Power level: C-level 200," Ayah reported through their comms.
"Multiple other low-level Nucron signatures detected within the settlement. No immediate hostile activity observed."
"Oya now, lets move," Ahmad instructed, his hand on the ramp control. "Remember, non-lethal unless absolutely necessary."
The ramp lowered silently. They stepped out onto the dusty ground. The small community seemed quiet, almost too quiet. No children playing, no adults milling about.
As they moved closer, weaving through sparse shrubs and boulders, a sudden, piercing sonic wave ripped through the air. It wasn't directed at them, but it vibrated through the very ground, making their teeth ache and their comms crackle. The air shimmered.
"What was that?" Umar grunted, shaking his head.
"Sound manipulation," Sadiq replied, his analytical ability instantly kicking in. "That should be Obi. That was a warning, or maybe... a territorial marker."
Suddenly, figures emerged from between the mud-brick houses. Not villagers, but Nucrons. Some wore tattered, makeshift armor, others just simple clothes, but their eyes glowed with raw energy. They were wary, defensive, and their powers, though untrained, rippled around them. One had glowing eyes that seemed to emit faint heat, another's hands sparked with weak electricity, and a third seemed to phase in and out of view slightly.
And then, stepping forward from the group, a young man, lean and intense, his eyes flaring with contained energy. It was Chike Obi.
"Who are you?" Chike's voice was amplified, resonating with controlled power, making the ground beneath their feet tremble slightly. "Wetin you come find for here. You de with government abi?"
Ahmad stepped forward, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "No! We're here to help… and to ask for help."
Chike scoffed, a ripple of distrust passing through the Nucrons behind him. "Help? The only help we've seen comes with chains and mind-chips. We no de follow anybody play again."
Just then, a distant thrumming sound grew louder, shaking the very air. Umar's enhanced senses picked it up first – the unmistakable thud of heavy footsteps, coordinated and rapid.
"Ayah, whats going on?" Ahmad snapped into his comms.
"Multiple Enforcer signatures detected," Ayah's voice was urgent. "Approaching from the east. Estimated time to contact: 45 seconds. Power signatures: B-level, similar to those encountered at the marketplace. And… a single, higher-level signature. B-level 100. Potential Task Force commander."
Chike's eyes widened, a flicker of panic. He knew that sound. "Kronos!" he roared, turning to his community.
"Defensive positions! Them don come!"
"Looks like we're fighting together whether you like it or not!" Umar yelled, slamming his foot down. A jagged, makeshift earth wall erupted from the ground, just as the first wave of Enforcers crested the ridge.
These weren't the disorganized bandits from the marketplace. These were disciplined, mind-chipped Nucrons in their distinctive black tactical gear, their eyes glowing with an eerie, controlled malevolence. Leading them was a towering figure in heavier armor, crackling with dark energy – a true B-level threat.
"Sadiq, defensive perimeter! Nasir, disruption! Umar, protect the villagers! Ahmad, enter them!" G's voice, calm and authoritative, boomed through their comms. "Remember, they are victims first. Assume they might be compromised, but they are still people."
The battle erupted. Enforcers surged forward, firing energy blasts. Chike Obi, maintained his distrust of the boys, but kept a watchful eye on them as he unleashed concentrated sonic blasts that disoriented the incoming Enforcers, making some drop their weapons. The other local Nucrons, though less powerful, also contributed, firing weak heat rays or small electric shocks.
Sadiq conjured a wide, swirling shield of water, deflecting a volley of plasma bolts. He directed streams of water with precise movements, short-circuiting Enforcer weapons and making them sputter uselessly. Nasir became a whirlwind, his enhanced agility allowing him to dart through the chaotic skirmish, disarming Enforcers with precise air bursts, creating openings for Umar.
Umar, a formidable force, slammed his fists into the ground repeatedly, creating tremors that sent Enforcers stumbling, or raising temporary earth shields to protect the vulnerable villagers. He moved with brutal efficiency, his raw strength making short work of any Enforcer who came too close.
Ahmad, his fists blazing, confronted the commander. The Enforcer commander was fast, his dark energy attacks powerful and precise. He launched a concentrated beam of dark energy. Ahmad met it with his own inferno, the two forces clashing in a searing display of light and heat, pushing against each other with immense pressure.
"He's strong!" Ahmad grunted, straining. "Much stronger than the Enforcers from the news!"
"Ayah, tactical analysis!" Ahmad ordered.
"Commander's energy signature indicates direct Nuragen integration, far more refined than standard Enforcers. Vulnerability to high-frequency kinetic disruption. Suggested tactic: focused multi-elemental assault." Ayah's calm voice cut through the comms.
"You heard her! All of us!" Ahmad yelled.
Umar stomped, sending a wave of jagged earth spikes towards the commander, forcing him to momentarily break his attack on Ahmad to evade. Sadiq then whipped a high-pressure stream of water at the commander's head, aiming for his visor, obscuring his vision. As the commander reeled, Nasir delivered a powerful, focused air punch that sent him staggering backward.
Ahmad seized the moment, unleashing a concentrated blast of white-hot fire directly at the commander's chest. The impact sent the Enforcer sprawling, his armor smoking, but he was far from defeated. He roared, shaking off the damage, his dark energy flaring even brighter.
Obi observed this, surprised at the boys' coordination.
"They're coming back!" Chike Obi yelled, pointing to another wave of Enforcers and even a small, armored vehicle cresting the distant hill.
"There's too many!" Umar roared, struggling to hold off a group of Enforcers now converging on them.
"Ayah, extraction!" Ahmad commanded.
"Negative. Dropship under targeted electromagnetic interference. Unable to launch. Seeking alternative routes." Ayah replied.
"Reed, can you try to disrupt their comms from your end?!" G's voice, strained but urgent, cut in.
"Already on it, Commander! Their jamming is highly sophisticated. I can only create intermittent pockets of interference." Reed replied, his voice tinny through the comms.
"We need a distraction! Something big!" Nasir yelled.
Obi nodded, his face hardened by desperation, unleashed a deafening sonic scream. The raw force of it buckled the air, sending a wave of concussive energy rippling outwards. Enforcers staggered, some clutching their heads, their controlled minds momentarily fractured by the pure, untamed sound. The armored vehicle shuddered, its electronics sparking.
"Follow me!" Obi yelled, pointing towards a narrow, hidden fissure in the rocky cliff face behind the settlement.
"Sadiq, provide cover! Umar, clear the path! Nasir, keep that sound coming!"
The boys, along with Obi fell back, moving towards the fissure as Sadiq conjured a wall of churning water, holding back the advancing Enforcers. Umar slammed his fists into the ground, opening up large cracks that swallowed some of the pursuers. Nasir continued to unleash bursts of air, disorienting and pushing back their foes.
The commander, recovering from Ahmad's attack, roared in frustration. He fired a massive, sweeping dark energy blast. Ahmad met it with a desperate wall of fire, the sheer force of it pushing him back, searing his skin through his suit, but holding for precious seconds.
They dived into the narrow fissure, the dust and smoke providing a momentary cloak. The local Nucrons, familiar with the terrain, led the way through the winding, dark tunnels.
"Ayah, update on interference?" Ahmad gasped, his voice raspy.
"Interference levels fluctuating. Dropship systems partially restored. I am initiating stealth extraction maneuver. ETA to your current location: 7 minutes." Ayah reported.
"Seven minutes? that's tight." Sadiq said, his voice echoing in the tunnel.
"Kane's forces will have this entire area locked down!" Obi added. "These tunnels eventually lead out, but they'll be waiting."
"Then we make them wait," Ahmad said, a new resolve in his eyes. He looked at Obi. "You said mining tunnels Any old equipment down here? Explosives?"
"There's an old storage room. Unstable Nucranium residue from when they tried to mine the asteroid fragments that landed here years ago. E no de stable ooo" Obi answered.
"Perfect," Ahmad grinned. "Umar, when we get there, you're going to seal it. Sadiq, you're going to create a water pressure bomb, like the one you made in Js1. Nasir, you're going to make sure that explosion is directed at them. Obi, na you go make noise." he instructed.
"Oga wait, wait, wait. I resemble your househelp?" Obi asked incredulous.
"What?" Ahmad asked.
"You just came to our side and your trying to tell me what to do. We no de play like that bros." Obi stated.
"Listen mumu, we're are fighting the same battle. What the hell makes you think we'll just come here to attack you." Umar interjected as he got into Obi's face. Obi's comrades stepped behind him, ready to attack.
"See this ape, you de talk like say una no be faction like the others." Obi retorted.
He then pushed Umar aggressively. "Abeg comot for here."
Umar was about to attack when Nasir stepped infront him, putting his hand on Umar's shoulder.
"What do you mean like others?" he asked, his eyebrow raised.
Obi looked confused, "What kind of question is that? So una no know wetin de happen for this Naija?" he asked as he looked back at his team.
"Obi wait… explain to us abeg. What're these factions?" Ahmad asked.
"All the Nucrons who came together and formed factions to fight against the government… and each other." Obi stated.
"Mostly each other but recently these Enforcers attacks were getting too much." he continued. The boys looked at each other surprised.
"How long has this been happening?" Sadiq asked.
"E don tey small, but it really started when the Enforcers attacked one school that some Nucrons started fighting in some months ago, people said it was a BIG fight." Obi answered. Ahmad's eyes widened, realization hitting him like a wall.
"It was a fire and lightning Nucron, they clashed heavily, and a few more Nucrons were captured with them. It was said in the news that they were all part of a faction and they attacked the leader of another faction to takeover. I no know say factions de start from secondary school sef." he explained. The boys were in shock, they couldn't believe what Obi had said. G could heard what was said and was equally shocked, his head went down in anger and sorrow. The whole situation had been turned against them long before they could even try to fight back, Kane was a thousand steps ahead.
The silence that fell on the group was deafening, Obi and his crew were still confused by the boys' reaction. Then it finally dawned on him, Obi remembered the news in the past few months, the pictures and footage, then the way the boys fought, coordinated and aggressive. Then in particular, Ahmad's fire manipulation.
"Na you!" he shouted, his voice boomed with his power.
"You were the ones that the Enforcers attacked… Omo!" he continued almost joyful. The boys remained silent.
"Ahhhh! Senior men I de hail ooo. Your boys are here and we de loyal bosses." he hailed, surprising the boys even more.
"Wait, stop… how…" Sadiq started but was cut off by Ahmad.
"... its fine Obi. Lets… lets just do get past this then we'll move forward." he interjected. Obi nodded in agreement and they all continued on the mission.
They continued through the labyrinthine tunnels, the revelation heavy on their minds. They located the old storage room, a space filled with decaying mining equipment and glowing, unstable Nucranium fragments.
Umar quickly sealed the entrance with thick layers of rock and earth, trapping themselves in, but ensuring their pursuers would hit a solid wall. Sadiq began to gather water from condensation on the damp tunnel walls, compressing it into a spherical mass, humming with contained pressure. Nasir positioned himself, his hands ready to direct the impending blast. Obi, his eyes glowing with renewed determination, began to hum a low, resonant frequency, a prelude to a devastating sonic assault.
"Ayah, prepare for immediate extraction once the explosion clears the area," Ahmad ordered, his voice grim.
"Understood," Ayah confirmed, her voice unwavering.
The combined force of the boys' powers, amplified by Obi's sonic energy and directed with precision, would create a localized, but devastating, explosion. It was risky, but it was their only way out.
KADUNA STATE
1:02 PM…
After a successful, albeit chaotic, escape from Jos, the dropship landed silently in a secluded, overgrown area on the outskirts of Kaduna. Obi, had joined them. Eager to learn about the so-called faction the boys were, and fight with them. The skirmish in Jos had been a brutal reminder of Kane's pervasive reach, and the information from Reed and Ayah during their flight had only intensified the urgency. Coupled with the revelation, the boys were on edge and were ready let out some aggression.
"Ayah, status report on Amara Eze," Ahmad requested, his voice tired.
"Nucron signature detected: Amara Eze. Power level: B-level 200. Location: Abandoned market district, central Kaduna. Multiple low-level Nucron signatures detected in the vicinity. Increased police and military presence in the city, suggesting heightened Nucron activity and potential Enforcer deployment." Ayah reported.
"She might be trying to lay low, same as Obi," Nasir suggested. "Or maybe she's caught in the middle of a fight with a faction."
"Or she has one of her own." Sadiq added.
"Either way, we need to move fast," Ahmad stated. "The news feeds were full of protests and conflicts all across the country. Kaduna is clearly a flashpoint now."
THE VAULT…
G was furious at the revelation made by Obi, he sat in his chair with eyes close when Dr Reed walked into the control room. The atmosphere was tense and Reed knew it, he prepared himself for the confrontation.
"You knew about this… and actively kept it from us. You somehow blocked out that particular piece of news from every device and media outlet inside this cave." G said quietly, almost to himself.
Reed trembled as he clutched a tablet in his hands, "I… I only wanted them to begin fixing things…"
"Fixing things that who broke?!!" G yelled as he got up from his chair to face Reed.
"... I need there help, we need there help… including yours. Too much damage has been done already, it couldn't wait…" Reed began to explain.
"Have given any thought to what this will do to them… they have parents who at this very moment believe that they're cultists or criminals for God sake!!" G argued loudly.
"I have a plan to… to help with all that." Reed answered quietly.
"And how exactly do you reverse something like that?!" G asked.
"I can… I can communicate with them and clear up the situa…" Reed started by was halted by a hot slap from G that sent staggering backwards.
"You gambled with the lives of my boys, so now we have a problem Dr Reed, and I'm going to deal with it." G stated firmly.
"Please don't remove yourselves from this. I did it out of guilt, all the things Kane has done, he did it with me at his side, and I just watched him do it. I cannot live with myself if I just sit back and do nothing." Reed pleaded, his hand placed on his cheek.
"You've been promoting that same rhetoric since you escaped with the boys, I was skeptical but when I saw you doing all this I started believing you, and I let go of my own investigation, partly because of your affiliation with Reno. But after this I can't trust anything that comes out of your dirty mouth." G retorted.
"Alert… the boys have arrived at the location of Amara Eze." Ayah announced.
"Ayah, connect my comms to my personal phone and ear piece, and ready another dropship for me." G commanded.
"Yes Commander." Ayah answered.
"Where are you going?" Reed asked. G ignored him and walked out of the room to the hangar. Reed followed him frantically.
"Commander PLEASE! I beg you not to withdraw the boys from this mission." he pleaded.
"I won't withdraw them from this mission, but once I have all the facts… I'll comeback here so I deal with you properly." G answered coldly as he draped his bag on his shoulder. G walked away from the ashamed Dr Reed, he got into the dropship and took off from the hangar in stealth, flying away from the Zuma rock and disappearing into the cloudy Abuja sky.
BACK IN KADUNA…
The boys disembarked from the dropship, the dusty, hot air of Kaduna a stark contrast to the cooler air of Jos. The dropship remained cloaked overhead, ready for an immediate extraction. As they moved into the city, the signs of unrest were undeniable. Burnt-out vehicles littered some streets, makeshift barricades were thrown up in others, and the distant wail of sirens was a constant backdrop.
They located the abandoned market district. It was a maze of rusted metal stalls and crumbling concrete structures. The air was heavy with a different kind of tension, a quiet hum of contained energy.
"Nucron signatures increasing in density," Ayah warned. "Suggesting a concentration point. Be advised: police and military units detected converging on your location. Potential Enforcer units within their ranks."
"Enforcers with the army?" Sadiq muttered. "Kane is really pushing his influence."
As they navigated the narrow alleys between the stalls, a brilliant flash of light erupted from deeper within the market. A blinding light construct, shaped like a shimmering shield, flickered and then solidified, deflecting a volley of what looked like tranquilizer darts.
"Amara," Nasir breathed. "She's fighting."
They broke into a wider, open area within the market. Before them, a scene of desperate resistance unfolded. A young woman, her form radiating a soft, steady light, was deflecting attacks from a group of uniformed soldiers and police officers. Some of the officers' eyes glowed faintly – Enforcers, their presence unsettling among the regular forces.
Amara Eze was slender but moved with surprising agility, her light constructs forming shields, blades, and even dazzling flashes that temporarily blinded her attackers. She was clearly overwhelmed, her breaths coming in ragged gasps.
She glanced at them, a flicker of disbelief and wariness in her glowing eyes. The soldiers and Enforcers immediately turned their attention to the new arrivals.
"More Nucrons!" one Enforcer shouted, aiming his weapon. "They have to be part of the other factions, Neutralize them!"
"No introduction again," Umar grumbled, already stomping his foot.
The ground around the approaching soldiers buckled and cracked, sending them sprawling. Sadiq unleashed a wide sheet of water, sweeping away a group of Enforcers attempting to flank them. Nasir sent a powerful gust of wind, disarming several riflemen. Obi, without hesitation, unleashed a piercing sonic wave that vibrated through the air, causing the Enforcers' neural chips to flicker violently with feedback, making them clutch their heads in pain.
Ahmad walked swiftly, his flames flaring as he engaged the lead Enforcer, a hulking brute whose fists pulsed with raw physical power. Their fists met in a shockwave of impact, sending dust spiraling around them.
"Ayah, what's the status of local Nucrons here?" Ahmad asked.
"Multiple low-level Nucrons observed amongst the civilians, attempting to flee or hide. Their powers are unrefined and mostly defensive. They are non-combatants." Ayah reported.
"Good… Umar cover the civilians." Ahmad commanded.
The battle became a coordinated chaos. Amara, seeing their combined power, instinctively began to augment their efforts, generating brilliant light shields to block incoming fire, or creating dazzling light bursts to disorient their foes. Her movements were graceful, almost artistic, she was a natural.
The Enforcers, caught between the boys' synchronized attacks and Amara's dazzling distractions, began to fall back, confused and overwhelmed. The un-chipped soldiers and police, caught in the crossfire and seeing the sheer power on display, hesitated, some even fleeing.
"They're retreating!" Sadiq yelled, a grin on his face.
"Not exactly." Nasir countered, pointing to the sky. "Reinforcements. Dropships."
Indeed, two black Kronos Labs dropships, sleeker and more heavily armed than theirs, descended from the sky, their heavy weapons already spinning up.
"I'm not in the mood for this. Ayah, analyse those ships for any non-Nucrons" Ahmad commanded.
"Analysis complete, the ships are running on auto pilot and they carry two Enforcers each. No non-Nucrons detected." Ayah's voice was urgent.
"Perfect." Ahmad said as his eyes blazed a crimpson glow with his flames crackling around him. He charged up a powerful blast, and with a forceful gesture of his fists, he fired the beam and destroyed both shifts in a fiery explosion.
The area went silent, the wind blew and spread the debrea as it fell all over the place. Amara stood calm, her hair blowing with wind as she looked around the market district that had been closely reduced to a battle field. The boys stood firm along with Obi, they were anxious and tired but they knew there was a mission at hand. Ahmad approached Amara, his flames slowly fading away as he walked. Amara stood firm, ready for fight, thinking they were just another faction.
"Amara, we need your help." Ahmad said.
"Which faction are you guys? And why should I help you?" Amara asked.
"We're not a faction… well we are but… that one no de important for now." Ahmad answered. Amara looked at them one by one until her eyes fell on Obi.
"You don't even know what you are, and you definitely don't know what you're doing if you're with that fool." Amara sneered. Obi walked towards her, smiling slowly.
"Amara beauty! I tell you say make you follow me you no gree, now you de fight on your own, no backup." Obi said.
"Shut up joh! Do I look I need you or your smelling factions help." Amara retorted. Ahmad and the others were getting visibly annoyed.
"My faction de run things for Jos ooo, no de play. But to be serious, these senior men na them be our bosses ooo." Obi stated. Amara stood straight, a face of confusion and intrigue.
"If Obi is the one praising you like that you must really be a serious matter." she said, lowering her guard.
"Something like that… Look Amara, we don't have much time, there's something big coming and we need your help to do it." Ahmad said, not wasting any time
"What's the thing then?" Amara asked increjulous.
"No time to explain, Obi will give you the scope but I need to know whether you're in or out." Ahmad said.
"Like I said, if Obi will talk about you like that then that means your serious and I'm tired of doing this. So yes, I'm in." Amara said firmly.
"Ok, Good. We're going now, give your contact info to Obi and he'll relay it to us. But for now, find somewhere secure and lay low." Ahmad instructed as the dropship landing behind them. Amara nodded in agreement and the boys subsequently got into the dropship and flew back to the Vault, where they would their questions answered.