I’ll be the Red Ranger

- Oliver -

Unfortunately, they wouldn't have the same leisure time tomorrow. With preparations needed for the upcoming exercise, tonight had been a brief respite; a momentary breath of freedom; before the next days passed, and the time came for them to depart for Cygnus.

With everything ready for the start of the exercise, Oliver was awakened earlier than usual. At 5 AM sharp, his alarm jolted him into consciousness.

All that remained was to wait until his gauntlet issued the summons. Eventually, the device chimed with a soft yet insistent tone, calling him to the first floor. By then, Darius had already been dispatched some time prior.

Fortunately for Oliver, the stairway's gravity enhancement was deactivated that morning, allowing him to ascend swiftly to the fortress's main level. As he reached the top, Dante awaited him alongside several other officers.

"Before you depart, we need to prepare you for this exercise," Dante instructed, gesturing toward a side chamber. Oliver followed him into what resembled a makeup studio. He settled into one of the reclining chairs, where technicians began applying what looked like thin sheets of metallic film to his face.

He couldn't quite grasp what they were doing or how it worked, but ten minutes later, they stepped back, their work complete.

"By the time you leave, your new identity will be fully activated," Dante explained. "Anyone scanning the NEA databases will find everything they need about Mr. Cassius Blackstone."

Oliver nodded in acknowledgment.

"Put on these clothes," Dante said, handing him some clothes and a suit. Oliver quickly changed, using the room's solitary mirror to adjust the fit.

"Excellent," Dante remarked, scrutinizing him closely. "Now, let's activate the Fake Face."

The instructor entered a series of commands into his gauntlet. Almost immediately, Oliver sensed a faint chemical odor and a subtle current of electricity coursing across his skin. To his relief, there was no pain, and the transformation happened quickly.

"Take a look," Dante said, pointing toward the mirror.

When Oliver turned to face the mirror, he barely recognized who was staring back at him. His own features had vanished, replaced by the face of Cassius Blackstone. He was astonished; even the beard was there, tactile and authentic, not merely a hologram. As he ran his fingers over the coarse hairs, he marveled, ‘How the hell does this work?’

"Are you ready?" Dante's voice pulled him from his thoughts.

"Yes, sir," Oliver replied, snapping back to attention.

"Good. Take him," Dante instructed, gesturing to a pair of officers.

The two officers flanked Oliver, escorting him down a series of corridors to a secluded chamber. Inside stood a compact teleportation unit, so small it could accommodate only one person at a time.

Stepping onto the platform, Oliver braced himself. The disorienting sensation of teleportation engulfed him with a dizzying blur of light and motion. When his feet found solid ground again, he was momentarily stunned.

A brilliant explosion erupted before him, followed by another and dozens more. Vibrant fireworks burst across the sky in rapid succession, each more dazzling than the last. He stood there, momentarily bewildered, until he realized it was part of the festival.

As Oliver took in his surroundings, the sun dipped toward the horizon, casting a golden glow over everything. Yet the city's festivities showed no sign of waning. Music and laughter echoed through the air, mingling with the crackle of fireworks.

Oliver found himself standing atop a walkway, granting him an expansive view of the cityscape. Cygnus was encapsulated beneath a vast, translucent dome, much like other colonies he'd seen. But from this vantage point, a stark difference became evident. Unlike any city he'd visited before, the dome wasn't anchored to solid ground.

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Instead, it floated amid a sea of amber clouds, suspended in the sky. Hundreds of massive engines and thrusters surrounded the city, their fiery plumes working tirelessly to keep the entire metropolis aloft and on course. Cygnus was a floating sanctuary drifting through the planet's atmosphere.

Oliver lingered for a few moments, captivated by the breathtaking panorama of the city. However, duty pulled him back to focus. He glanced down at his gauntlet, tapping it to bring up the holographic display. A map materialized, highlighting the route to his hotel and a countdown timer.

‘Six hours until the auction begins,’ he noted.

Satisfied, he initiated the navigation app. A soft glow pulsed on his gauntlet, projecting a faint trail on the ground ahead to guide him.

As he stepped onto the grand avenue, he was enveloped by the festival's exuberance. Everywhere he looked, people were celebrating. Setting off bursts of micro-fireworks that shimmered like captured stardust, laughing, dancing without a care. Above, holographic lanterns floated like vibrant constellations, swaying gently in the synthetic breeze. They shifted in shape and intensity, responding to the ebbs and flows of the crowd below, painting the sky with ever-changing patterns.

Towering skyscrapers soared on either side, their digital facades alive with holographic advertisements and fluid works of art. It was like walking through a living dreamscape, where reality and illusion intertwined seamlessly.

The air was rich with an intoxicating blend of exotic aromas, scents of spices mingling with sweet fragrances from distant worlds. Aromas Oliver had never even imagined teased his senses, each breath a new discovery.

Every building, stall, and shop pulsed with its own music, a symphony of different genres and rhythms all merging into a harmonious celebration. It seemed as if the entire city was alive, each element eager to partake in the festivities.

He wandered for nearly ten minutes, allowing himself to absorb the city's vibrant energy. Finally, he arrived at the Cygnus Magna Hotel. Like its neighboring buildings, the hotel's facade was adorned with cascading holograms honoring the celebration.

As he approached the entrance, a soft crackle sounded in his right ear—the discreet communicator linking him to his handlers.

"Cassius, are you at the mission location?" a voice inquired.

He raised a hand to his ear, lightly pressing the transmitter. "Approaching now," he replied smoothly.

Stepping through the hotel's grand archway, Oliver found that the revelry continued inside.

The sound of laughter and clinking glasses filled the air. Automated service drones weaved through the crowd, carrying trays of exotic drinks and delicacies. Ornate fountains sprayed iridescent mist that sparkled as it caught the light.

As the celebration continued, Oliver made his way toward the hotel's reception desk. The distant sounds of music and fireworks provided a festive backdrop.

"How may I assist you?" a woman asked as he approached. Oliver quickly realized she was an android—not only because of her flawless, almost ethereal beauty but also because of the alphanumeric codes subtly illuminated near the base of her neck.

"Cassius Blackstone. I'm here for the Mecha Fair Presentation," Oliver stated confidently, slipping into the persona of the affluent entrepreneur he was impersonating.

"Certainly. One moment, Mr. Blackstone," the android replied, her eyes flickering subtly as she scanned his credentials.

He waited for a few seconds as she processed the information. Finally, she nodded. "Your identity has been confirmed; your access is granted. You'll find the Mecha Presentation between the seventieth and eightieth floors."

"Thank you," Oliver said with a polite nod before heading toward the bank of elevators.

Around him, others who appeared to be industry magnates. Impeccably dressed individuals exuding an air of importance, their attention fixed on data streams projected from their personal devices or engaged in hushed conversations with subordinates. They stood patiently, waiting for the elevator to arrive, their reflections mirrored in the gleaming surfaces of the lobby.

Oliver joined them, maintaining the composed demeanor expected of someone of his assumed status. The elevator doors slid open with a whisper, and they stepped inside. The ascent was swift and smooth, a silent testament to the building's advanced engineering.

After a brief journey, the elevator reached the seventieth floor. The doors parted to reveal a breathtaking view.

Oliver stepped into a vast atrium that served as the entrance to the Mecha Presentation. Towering above him were two colossal mechs, each standing over five meters tall. They flanked the entryway like sentinels, their armored frames gleaming under strategically placed lights.

The atrium buzzed with activity. Holographic displays showcased rotating 3D models of the latest mechs, their specifications scrolling alongside in luminous script. Potential buyers and representatives from various factions moved about, their conversations a low hum of negotiation and thinly veiled competition.

Oliver took a moment to absorb the scene, fully aware of the magnitude of the event and the role he was about to play.

"I'm here," he whispered, touching the discreet communicator embedded behind his ear.

A moment's pause, and then a voice crackled softly in response. "Acknowledged. Proceed according to plan."

He straightened his suit, taking a deep breath to steady himself. "Time to buy some mechs."