Right now, they stood on the neon green floor before the elevator.
A low hum vibrated the floor, as a warping energy pulsed inside.
Cubie-chan's core pulsed erratically.
Her gaze fixed at three figures in black jumpsuits and masks covering their faces.
They huddled in the corner of the teleport centre, and whispering to each other.
"Hey, Garret," She whispered, moving closer to his ears.
" those guys look... strange?"
"Really? But, you know, perhaps, we shouldn't judge others,"
Garret smiled, his finger scrolled on his phone.
Not even looking up.
So we shouldn't judge others?
The tallest stranger drew a machine gun from his duffel bag.
The barrel gleamed under the neon light as he swung it toward the crowd.
"Nobody move!" Hand over what I need, and you'll be safe!"
Upon hearing that threat,
the teleport station erupted into chaos.
some people bolted in panic, stumbling over each other,
while others collided mindlessly—one man even bumped into Garret's shoulder.
"S-Sorry about that," the man muttered
"Ah.. that's alright," Garret's breath hitched, forced his smile, though his hand trembled badly.
Almost dropped his phone.
He had to do something now.
――✧ Chamber of the Authority ✧――
"We apologize for the inconvenience but as this moment, insurgents are causing a riot.
Please evacuate the area immediately."
A loud, automatic announcement blared through the teleport centre.
What a fitting sound for this chaos.
Three figures in jumpsuits were now targeting the fare counter.
"Hold it. Don't move"
The tallest of three barked
"Tell me, have you seen a tall boy with blue hair around here?"
"Yeah, the one with that floating, cuddly cube thing.
The shortest one snapped, pressing a gun against the head of an obese, white-mustached station-worker.
"Where is he? if you don't know, just hand over the cash—now!"
"S-Sorry sir I haven't seen anyone like that,"
The employee stammered in response.
"No? you haven't seen him? Oh I got it! Maybe because you were so busy peeking at girls dancing on your phone during work hours, huh? haha"
A laughter, feeding off the chubby man's gritted teeth glare.
"Haha! what's an old geezer."
Their mockery, an ignition of the old employee.
"What's the heck so funny? you scumbag?!"
Eyes burned with hatred, finger accusingly pointing at them.
Slowly, the apparent leader stepped forward.
The sound of his boots echoed ominously.
A sinister smirk played on his lips.
"Ohh, man. Look like I've got a little surprise for you."
The worker flinched.
His earlier fury turned into ice in his veins.
A second later, the gang leader held out a teddy bear—his daughter's favorite toy.
In other hand, he held up a lighter.
"Miss her? Well, she's real comfortable now.
Or... should I send Mr.bear here to keep her company in the afterlife?"
"No, please don't do this! That's the last thing I have left of my daughter!"
The stout man's face was ashen, his fists trembling, his teeth grinding together.
But his plea? Nothing more than dust in the wind.
The gang leader held the lighter to the teddy bear.
Its fluffy fur began to singe.
The smoke wafted into the stout man's nostrils, visibly amplifying his despair.
"Want me to stop? If you do, turn on the CCTV and tell me where that blue-haired kid is."
The gang leader smirked, chuckling dryly in his throat.
"Yeah, yeah! Turn on the security camera, you old man!"
His underlings repeated.
Having no other choice, the employee was forced to play along with their game.
He quickly pressed a button on the computer to show them what they wanted.
Suddenly, everything froze for a moment.
The three figures, once intently watching the activating CCTV camera.
Now abruptly turned towards their left.
"Stay right there!"
The gang leader's firm shout sent everyone's hearts plummeting to their ankles.
"Boss, look! It's the blue-haired kid we've been looking for!"
The shortest one in the group pointed at the boy.
Who was standing next to a floating blue cube in front of the fare counter.
"Oh, is that so?"
The leader nodded before turning to Garret and saying, "Looks like you're coming with me."
"I'm not going anywhere!"
Garret yelled back, his sharp gaze firmly fixed on the three thugs.
"Alright... if you won't come willingly, things are going to get a little painful,"
Two of the goons sneered, making taunting gestures before throwing scraps of tools at Garret.
Luckily for him, their throwing skills were about as good as kindergarteners playing catch, and most of the debris sailed harmlessly through the air.
"Garret, can I take care of this trash?"
Cubie-chan looked at Garret with a questioning gaze.
"Is everyone else gone?"
"Mm, they're all out," Cubie-chan's surface vibrated slightly.
"In that case,"
Garret smirked, turning to face the three terrorists.
"I don't think I'm the one with the problem here."
His voice was hoarse as he clenched his fists tightly.
The shortest jumpsuit-clad man noticed the Cosmic Ranger Academy pin on Garret's uniform. He whistled, making a mocking gesture.
"Ooh la la! A Cosmic Ranger's scholar, everyone!"
A brief silence hung in the air before the tall man continued, emphasizing his words,
"Doesn't matter how tough you think you are, kid. Your power is going to be mine."
The laughter of their underlings echoed through the teleport station.
But Garret seemed unfazed by their taunts.
He lowered himself slightly on the neon green floor.
His fingers subtly activated a button on his uniform, initiating 'Bulletproof Mode.'
Shortly after, Cubie-chan glanced at Garret, her expression a slight pout.
"But, you know, nothing seems to have changed... ◕︵◕"
"It's too early to say for sure,"
Garret replied, offering Cubie-chan a soft grin while she glared daggers at the terrorists, and gritting her teeth.
"And what are you waiting for? Hurry up and save yourself!"
Garret called out to the stout employee who was trembling behind the counter.
"But... my daughter will see me as a coward..."
"Think about what's more important, sir. Pride or life? You can regain one, but the other, once lost, is gone forever."
The employee considered his words carefully. Just as the three thugs began loading their weapons, preparing for a fight, he nodded decisively and fled as fast as his legs could carry him.