Rimokon Protocol

“Tragic scenes occurred last night in the city centre of Malti, Brackmere.” An exhausted feminine voice cuts through the darkness.

Her voice is calm, almost too calm for the horror it describes. Her tone offers a seriousness to the situation. The darkness fractures as a television screen flickers to life. Headlines blazing across the screen. The feminine reporter appears a moment later. Her face does not match the tone of her voice. Her hair, grey coloured in a medium length layered cut style, and her attire is formal, like she is attending a funeral. The monochrome colours on this person stand as a canvas for her sapphire blue eyes that pierce the camera lens then into the screen. Something awful has happened at Malti. Spotlighting the current disaster, they introduce themselves and further develop the story; her voice remains steady.

“Good morning, Gordva, I am Jalin Wolf. And this just in: further evidence has come in about the anomaly attack that has happened in the city centre of Brackmere’s capital, Malti.”

The broadcast cuts to aerial footage of the scene. The graphics around the screen explain the tragedy further, a lot of uses of yellow and black surround the graphics, emphasizing the danger even more. Bold words reading ‘ANOMALY ATTACK AT ELITE HQ’ cover the screen before transitioning into the scene at hand. The camera captures the moment from a helicopter's point of view. A rainy, dull night in a corporate-looking city. LED lights illuminating from the boxes of rooms, moving vehicles and street lamps illuminate the scenery, like fireflies on an empty canvas. The helicopter camera trembles in the wind. Raindrops roll onto the lens, reflecting all the colours of the nightlife of Malti. The camera’s focus sharpens on the side of a building with a logo of a highly respected corporation. ELITE. The corporation that is contracted to contain the uncontainable. The Inhuman. But the action took place within their walls. The top of the building is fully exposed to the outside world. Papers, wires and cabinets that used to rest there are now spread out. An explosion has occurred here, a mechanical or chemical based one? No, the destruction has left a spherical shape in the room, the room that is one floor below is revealed to the open and a portion of the roof is open to the dark skies above. The street is now covered with debris from the building. Four black censor bars stain the pavement. Four lives reduced to rectangles. The sounds take over the air. Sirens wail in the distance as harsh rain makes impact and the conversations of the moment are currently drowned out by the rotating helicopter blades slicing the skies above. And finally, There was a one glaring piece of evidence to the public, supporting that this was an anomaly attack. Scattered around the office room, the outside of the room and on the streets below. There sits small flickers of flames. Fighting for their illuimnating presence against the heavy downpour. The colour of the flames are abnormal. A dark, mysterious purple with a sprinkle of red in the mix of the fading brushes of these flames. Jalin further explains the situation at hand.

“At approximately 11:32pm last night, an anomaly attack erupted in the commanding office of the ELITE headquarters. The ELITE commander himself, Gareth Bates, who was visiting from Liberty State, has stated that the anomaly wanted him dead.” Visuals of Gareth Bates show on the screen. A man of clear status exits the building with paramedics and his ELITE corporation team surrounding him, protecting him from any other potential harm. His light grey hair that used to be combed back and neatly tidied is now in a state of shock. His black-framed glasses were lightly scuffed, however, the damage left his glasses shattered in the left lens, with various other visible scratches and chips. His piercing emerald eyes were enveloped by a bloodshot wave and dark ringed bruises where his glasses lay on his face. Hair thin cuts which became agonising to the touch. “The damage has unfortunately taken four lives. Both ELITE and The Global Order of Verification [G.O.V] are currently trying to identify the bodies.” Jalin adds on. “The situation is under control.” The camera shows the current moment where smoke is prominent in the air and flames take the sky, making contact with the ELITE logo, barely hanging onto what is left of the commander’s office.

“As for Mr Bates himself, he is now in care under the Global Order of Verification, and it has just been confirmed that he has obtained no life-threatening injuries from this tragedy. ” Jalin adds on before the scene of what happened in Malti cuts back to them in the studio.

“Mr Bates and the ELITE team can now confirm who the identity of the anomaly was, that caused this assassination attempt. It was ANOMALY 27. The G.O.V database has confirmed their name to be ’The Rift Walker.” A picture of the anomaly appears on screen with a piece of text under him saying ‘Highly wanted.’ This anomaly has been described as a tall man with dull grey skin, bright red eyes with a deep scar running through his left eye; liquorice black hair with blood red roots and small fangs peering from his mouth. The news person explains more.

“According to the G.O.V. provided ‘Tri-Tag System’, the anomaly’s species is a Humanoid and a Demi-God. This multitype anomaly is capable of highly dangerous activity, including inhuman speed and strength. Their power typing is classified as a Cognic, Chemical, and Multiversal. Three labels. One verdict: critical. Meaning it is highly advised that anyone in the public who witnesses this anomaly stay as far away as possible and contact the G.O.V. or ELITE as soon as possible. This anomaly in question is ANOMALY 27, or his real name, Error Sater, a 22-year-old male who serves under the infamous ANOMALY 02. Authorities can confirm that the whereabouts for both of these creatures are yet to be found.” The news reporter reappears with the image of an error on the top left of the screen.

As Jalin Wolf explains the situation further about ANOMALY 27. “While we are on the topic of the Tri-Tag system, here is a small recap on the G.O.V. written dossier to help expand your knowledge of the subject.” The news transitions to what seems to be an instructional video on the topic of these anomalies, a blue background with a list that goes down the screen with the title ’Tri-Tag System: Species Designation.′ A list of different types of species of anomaly. The photo of ANOMALY 27 is still seen on the top left of the screen to show examples of what anomalies can be classed as. The species listed are::

Humanoid – Baseline biology; anomalous abilities emerged post-development.

Mutant – Genetic deviation; born with or naturally developed anomalies.

Beast – Animalistic looking and/acting creature.

Extraterrestrial – Not from our planet.

Revenant – Reanimated or post-life entities with retained cognition or aggression.

Demi-God – Semi-multiversal powered being with a humanoid background or build.

God – Fully multiversal or higher power presented.

Object – Inanimate item exhibiting autonomous or supernatural properties.

Unknown – Insufficient biological data; pending deeper analysis.

However, the species humanoid and demi-god are highlighted. Showing the audience watching what this threat is and how to potentially prejudge this anomaly. Another list fades into the scene, now listed as ’Tri-Tag System: Power Type Index.′ Indicating different typings of inhuman-like powers show up including their definitions.

Physical – Enhanced strength, speed, regeneration, etc.

Enchanted – Magic-bound, rune-infused, or mystically derived power.

Chemical – Chemical, body dysmorphia, infection, hive-mind like abilities.

Technopathic – Integration or control of digital/mechanical systems.

Cognic – Psychic, empathic, telepathic, or memory manipulation faculties.

Elemental – Fire, Water, Earth, Lightning and other elemental abilities.

Shifter – Shapeshifting and appearance morphing powers.

Regenerative – Ability to self or heal others.

Multiversal – Temporal, dimensional, or reality-altering abilities.

Physical, Chemical, Cognic and Multiversal are highlighted. Confirming that ANOMALY 27 and anomalies can be flexible. To be able to be three different power typings could mean that The Global Order is working against a true force to be reckoned with. Then finally, one more list pops up named “Tri-Tag System: Threat Level Code." Listing how catastrophic an anomaly can be to the public. The final list reads:

Safe – Compliant and non-aggressive; may be integrated for observation.

Docile – Passive but unpredictable; avoid provocation.

Hostile – Aggressive intent confirmed; authorised engagement recommended.

Critical – Do not approach unprepared! Kill the subject on sight.

Multiversal – The G.O.V, ELITE and other sister companies can not physically contain this anomaly.

Confined - Captured, logged and secured in our territory.

Red-lined – The anomaly is deceased.

Unknown – The anomalies nature is undiscovered.

The scene transitions once more, back to Jalin in the studio.

“The Global Order of Verification is still on the search for a critical-level threat, ANOMALY 02. There are no updates at the moment. But remember, citizens of Gordva, anomalous entities and objects are a threat and shall be approached by professionals. Anomalous entities and objects are threats, as our history continues to prove by the day. Remember, Do not approach these anomalies. If you do see a potential threat, contact our officials and let our government, the professionals handle them.” The screen’s light slowly dims, transforming into static as Jalin Wolf concludes this news segment.

“I am Jalin Wolf, and that’s the headline for this morning, and now the weather.” The screen dissolves into static. Darkness reclaims the room once more. The silence is deafening. However, in the black mirror of the screen, Eren Malory studies their own reflection. Digesting the information that was provided. And, for the first time, they wonder if the story felt rehearsed.