FTA: Curse of the Devil | Part 23
Happy birthday, Sara! Also, due to a complete coincidence, Happy birthday, Brandon Smith. XD
FTA: Curse of the Devil - Crinale 2210-12
>log23: 22100712
Thursday, July 12th, 2210
07:44:28
"Wh... What the?!"
A few people were standing by an ordinary sofa in the lounge.
"何?1 Ugh.... Why is it that everyone gets so surprised whenever they see me here?!" Kyoko asked, annoyed. She was casually sitting lengthways on the sofa, with one knee up and her arm on the same side resting on it.
"It's because you almost never come here. This is the second time in two months!" Gareth replied. Everyone had left to get on with the day's preparations, but Gareth had remained.
"So what if I'm not here every day?! If I don't have to be here, then I won't come. What's there to be surprised about?"
"Uh..."
"Exactly. Unnecessary thoughts and feelings are not good for anyone. Don't get me wrong, though, I'm not saying 'Be a robot', or 'Get rid of your emotions', I'm just saying 'Think rationally'."
"Okay, noted. So, what are you doing here?"
"Nothing at all."
"Huh? Wait, so why did you come here?"
"I'm sure you know why. You know the significance of today's date."
"Yeah, but how do you know about that? No-one told you as far as I'm aware."
Kyoko shrugged, "I just know."
Gareth suddenly became aware that no-one else was speaking. 'Wait, why is no-one spea-' He thought, spinning around and realizing why. Everyone else had left, the only two people in the lounge were him and Kyoko.
"The hell? Where did everyone go?"
"They left." Kyoko replied simply, "Most probably to help with the preparations."
"Yeah, I know that, I ju... ugh, why? D-do they know?" He mumbled to himself.
"Know what?" Kyoko asked, hearing him.
"Huh? Oh, nothing. Anyway, since everyone left us, shall we go for a drive together?"
"Let me think about that." She said, sitting for several seconds, before, "Uhhh.... no."
"What?! Why not?"
"I have no need for leisure. Besides, he will be here soon."
"I know, I meant after... ugh, never mind."
"I agree, let's go make our preparations." She said, getting up and walking off without waiting for Gareth.
"Okay... H-hey, wait!" He stuttered, running after her, trying to keep up.
------------
08:00:00
As usual, Brandon arrived at Angelus HQ at 8am. He parked in his usual space, the garage that only he had the authority to use. He entered the fairly large lounge, and turned on the lights.
BANG
"AAAGH! What the-?!"
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRANDON!" Came the voices of several people after popping several party poppers.
"Wh-? I-" Brandon stuttered. "Thanks, guys!"
"Ehh, it's nothing. Just showing our admiration for one of the saviours of AG racing! Also, it's your 50th, we had to do something!"
"Well, I appreciate it!" He said, looking around the room, then seeing a somewhat unusual, but familiar sight.
"K-Kyoko? You're here! Who told you when my birthday was?"
"I... I just knew." She muttered.
"Ah, it's not important, I'm glad you're here, though!"
"Thanks..." She fidgeted, as if she was hesitating about something. Then she stuck her arm out and flashed a peace sign, before loudly saying "Happy Birthday!". She dropped her hand immediately afterwards and muttered "I feel foolish."
"Anyway, Brandon," The lead technician said, "For your present, we thought we had to do something special, and we have planned something really special. Look out there." He pointed to the window showing the underground R&D sector. There Brandon spotted something.
"Wait, that's my Razer.X! How'd you get in it when I have the key?!"
"You underestimate your own technicians. We have a master key that can unlock and start any Razer.X, including your special model. But that's not important. What is important is your present. We made a 2nd generation of the AGS:X engine, which will be swapped into your car. This particular engine has been modified to suit a completely new drivetrain which eliminates the need for a transmission. It's going to be much lighter, so it'll be much faster."
"Wow, thanks!"
"That's not all. We have 4 Electric-Sport motors that will also be installed, so you can get up to 983hp. However, for now, you will only be able to access 750, due to complicated reasons. But hey, at least you get 30 more for now."
"This will take some time to complete everything, please tell me I have a temporary car I can use."
"Of course!"
------------
Location Unknown.
Time Unknown.
>>EREBUS OS V3.7.564
>>LOADING DATA FILES...
>COMPLETE
>>INITIATING "PROJECT SHINIGAMI"
>>PROJECT: SHINIGAMI ONLINE.
>>DOWNLOADING EXISTING AVAILABLE TEAM DATA...
>COMPLETE
>>INITIATING DEVELOPMENT ON "SG_R-000", "SG_X-043"...
>ERROR: DATA INSUFFICIENT TO COMPLETE "SG_X-043". ADDITIONAL DATA REQUIRED.
>DEVELOPMENT STARTED ON "SG_R-000".
>EXPECTED DEVELOPMENT COMPLETION DATE: 2212.
1 Nani, tr:"What?"