"Caine, It's Tanner. You still up to go to that convention?"
My buddy Tanner is a great guy, if you don't piss him off that is. Met him long ago in middle school, not under the best of conditions either. Fortunately, seeing me, Tanner noticed I was a new kid in class and felt it was necessary to take me under his wing at the school. We soon became close like brothers always had each other's backs. This even included video games and fights in school. We did a lot of things together such as, hunting, watching movies, shooting guns at the local firing range, martial arts classes, and even going to this convention. We always stayed friends, even when I had to move halfway across the states.
This year though, Tanner had gotten three of the best passes to the convention. Tanner was bringing his girl, Ellie. Him and Ellie were nigh-inseparable. He had started dating her shortly after I had moved, it was a bit strange when I first met her, but she is a great friend. They had been dating for 10 years now, and Tanner was planning to propose. Ironically, so was she.
That was all last week.
They had driven here in their car that I had lent them. Being the son of a wealthy business man had its perks and its downsides. All of our costumes had been built by Blacksmiths, Gunsmiths, and Tailors.
I had decided to go as Tank Dempsey, from the Origins Timeline. My chosen gear was an MG08 (built specifically to be able to be taken apart easily for cleaning), a Remington New Model Army (was never an attainable weapon in Origins but in the opening sequence), a STG-44 (I had this made because it was like an M16 in Origins), and finally a K-Bar from my time in the Marine Corps, and the suit I wear is woven with a Carbon-Fiber/Kevlar armor.
Tanner decided stereo-typically like a Halo player would, Master Chief. His outfit was the MAC5 assault Rifle, DMR battle rifle, the SRS99C-S5 Sniper Rifle, Two M7 Sub-machine Guns, attached to each of his gauntlets are supposed to be energy swords that can be turned on and off (impossible with current technology), and a jet pack ability. You'd think this weigh him down but in all reality it's very light since the metal that is the suit is a complex alloy that can withstand high temperatures, brutal damage, and overall light-weight. That's on top of his Carbon-Fiber/Kevlar body suit. A little much in my opinion but it floats his boat. Also the whole suit weighs only 200 pounds but that's around $10K to make just the alloy. Overall he looks like a bad-ass.
Ellie wanted to be an Evie Frye from Assassin's Creed Syndicate. Her gear consisted of dual-twin hidden blades (they launch when you make a punching move and hold back as they extend next to the pinky and Thumb), on the bottom of the arm is a grappling hook (this all forms into a gauntlet that restricts on movement), a cane sword, and the suit looks like the one from the game but under it is the Carbon-Fiber/Kevlar armor.
I really should come up with a name for the Alloy and the Armor. Maybe Titansteel-Molyosium and Nano-Fiber. Sounds good to me should bring up the idea to them.
<-=-=-~Two hours Before the Convention~-=-=->
"Hey Caine, can you help me put on my armor I can't get the plates to attach properly." Tanner irritably said as he fiddled with his back-plate and lower armor pieces. I had repeatedly told him that he should have added the mag plates for his armor so it be easy to take them on and off.
"Have Ellie do it. I am done with that armor for now since you decided to not heed what I suggested to do with adding mag plates. Also putting mag plates would have made your Dredge Armor lighter. Also why the strange name?" I knew what the name stood for and his armor had some designs from the Dead-eye, Infiltrator, and Vanguard armor, but he still says he is going as chief. Eh, I can't blame him. I said it can be whatever he liked so he splurged.
"I guess I can Ellie do it, but you have to rub that in my face now? Of all times, this is the worst. We still have a few hours drive to the convention and I want to check out some upcoming games. I think they said that Mass Effect is coming back, too!" He left the room to go find Ellie and have her help him put on his armor. At least mine is simple but durable.
"Alright, well now that I am outfitted I should go checkup on them then check-in with my Dad." The house I live in is massive and was designed by myself since I was the only one who even thought about the design. It even follows all the codes. It is three stories tall which includes a finished basement. Below the basement is a 30 car garage for parties which happen quite often. The house is a Ranch, Victorian, and Modern style combination that sits on a large hill near the front of the property. It is mostly used for parties, living, relaxing, and for guests. The other buildings on the property are apartments and offices. The apartments are for family or workers who just moved here to join the business. The offices are for my Dad's Company and some of them are for private use.
I was headed to the west wing of the house to check up on Ellie and Tanner then off to see my Dad. I found them in one of the guest bedrooms that had been temporarily into a space for their stuff. They were ready to go I just had one last stop before we headed out to Dallas. Upon arriving at my Dad's office, I ran into my Uncle who was the first person to be hired full time. Great guy, would have loved to go the the convention but this week was a big week for the company. Entering, I spotted my Dad at his desk working on something that I didn't know about.
"Hey Dad. We are leaving here in a few minutes can we take the Hilux?"
"Sure, just make sure to check-in every couple of hours. If you don't I will send my security guards to find you. Also take your guitar and amplifier with you. You should practice Fuzz Universe. I guess I will be seeing you in a week. Good Luck! Also stop by Jessica's room She wanted to give you something before you go."
"Alright, Sayoonara! Also, if I don't return or call, just know this. I will return someday or at least try to find a way to get in contact."
Walking back to the house felt like it took 10 minutes, in reality it was about 30 seconds. I had a lot on my mind, especially since my Dad and I knew that I might not return since I told him of the Displaced. He was skeptical at first, but after some strange disappearances at conventions he believed me. Walking over to the West Wing I had to go up the the top floor and to the room we jokingly called "The Penthouse." It was supposed to emulate the feel of a 5 star Hotel Penthouse. Although not as extravagant as one.
*Knock Knock*
"Come in!" I entered the room and found Jessica watching TV on the bed with my favorite Dog in the whole wide world, Lucy. Lucy was my first dog. If I had to describe her in three words they'd be: Playful, Cuddly, and Fluffy.
"Hello Jess, you wanted to see me before I left?"
"Yes, I wanted to give you these bracelets. I had them special made for you, Tanner, and Ellie." I took them from Jess and examined them. The first bracelet had " 四 つの要素があなたの方法であなたを導き、あなたが危険にさらされている場合は、覚えているかもしれ。光の中で強い立って、暗闇の中で見事に隠れます。" on the inside. In English it means "May the four elements guide you on your way and if you are in danger, remember. Stand strong in the light, and hide masterfully in the dark." On the outside it said "Semper Fi ~ Devil Dog ~ First to Fight ~ Esprit de corps." It was gunmetal black with Lapis Lazuli as the engraved words. Must have been expensive. The second bracelet said "Spartans never die, they are only MIA. They regroup in Hell to return again one day to finish this forsaken war." It was also Gunmetal Black but with Emerald engraving instead. The third bracelet said "Nothing is true, Everything is permitted." It was a dark blue with crimson lettering. Probably made from a fire ruby.
"Give these to your friends. I think that they'd go well with your guys' outfits. Also Tanner's can fit on his 'AI chip.' I love you I will see you in a week."
"I love you too, Sayoonara! Sayoonara Lucy!"
<-=-=-~Minutes later at the garage~-=-=->
"Hey, what took you so long Caine?" Tanner asked from the bed of the Hilux. In his suit, Tanner is too big to ride in the back seat comfortably. So for this occasion we would have to strap him in a standing position. He will be able to move his head and talk. I had a communications system installed in all of our suits so we could talk to each other at great distances and quietly as well.
"Had to go see my stepmom. She gave us these Bracelets. Here is yours Tanner and here is yours Ellie. Now tanner would you get in the back of the truck and stand in the designated spot so I can strap you in." As Tanner got into the back of the truck I told Ellie to start the Hilux and check to see if we have everything. As I strapped Tanner in, Ellie came back to tell me that everything was set. Done with strapping Tanner in. I went to the drivers side and pull out of the garage.
<-=-=-~At the convention one hour later~-=-=->
We had arrived at the convention and had parked in our reserved spot. I unhooked Tanner from his spot. He stretched a bit before jumping off the truck. We collected our stuff and headed into the convention, ready to show off our costumes. The first thing we see when we enter is the massive amounts of people waiting in line to get in. Fortunately, we didn't have to wait in this line since our passes were the best. They had said they'd keep an eye on us since we had working weapons. We started walking around till we came across a booth we all saw that had something we liked.
Tanner had picked out an 'AI chip' and the infamous cloak. The merchant said that he'd sell it all to him for 50 dollars if he also bought what he called "Magic Transfuser" it looked like an amethyst crystal. So he bought the items and waited on us. I had bought the fire staff. Even though the wind staff is Dempsey's favorite, I went with what I liked. I got a deal of 30 dollars for the Fire Staff if I bought White and Blue Dog Tags and a "Magical Shield." It looked like straps for my suit. So I equipped it and thought nothing of it. The Dog tags had a sun on the white tag and a moon on the blue tag. I was clueless to the meaning of them. Ellie bought a cane sword exactly like the one from Assassin's Creed: Syndicate and the Mauser '98. She bought the Mauser '98 for its impressive range, reliability, and authenticity. I was a bit envious as my character could have used it in Origins. Her deal was 100 dollars if she bought a necklace. The necklace was a little peculiar, it had a unicorn with wings on it and had a red ruby for it's eye.
With our stuff purchased, we heard the Merchant say "Good luck you will need it."
And with that we fell into the the ground. Fading into Darkness.
