Part 02: Beginning

ACT 1: Beginning

Ilyas' perspective:

Ilyas, Jun Cheng and Edelyn boarded the train towards their location. It was a long ride, but they eventually made it to Hougang.

Along the way, they spoke to one another about their reasons for joining the DEA.

But the three of them held back their true reasons for being there.

"I was born different." Ilyas said. "I only joined the DEA because Keaton said I had potential but my confidence is all pretense."

"Does death make a difference in you joining?" Jun Cheng asked. "And I've heard that when I first arrived, you could have picked this camera as your weapon. It is pretty busted…"

"But… you decided to go for that sword."

Ilyas kept silent, not wanting to speak further about his choices.

Edelyn was in her own world, just staring into space without a word.

"And you said you were born different. But other than your spine being slightly curved, I don't really see anything wrong with you." Jun Cheng said but his words did not resonate with Ilyas as he thought. To Ilyas, that same statement has been said to him many times before.

"It's complicated." Ilyas said. "When you are given a diagnosis but do not fit its criteria. It's like God gave up on me in making a decision for my defects."

"Well, look at me. Half of my face is infected." Jun Cheng laughed it off. "But who cares? Life is more than just looks."

"You are scary looking." Edelyn said, hugging her purse tightly.

"That's what they all say. HAHA." Jun Cheng was tough in Ilyas' eyes. There was something about him that contradicted their difference in their outward confidence. He was definitely someone Ilyas wished he could be.

"I never had a good relationship with my family." Jun Cheng shared his past. "I joined to become a property photographer and was already here before you guys came. This is the first I've seen you two."

"Were there people who came before us?" Ilyas asked.

"Hmm, I think so." Jun Cheng stopped in his train of thoughts. "It's all part of the job… I mean, we just have to complete our missions."

His sudden change in topic made Ilyas skeptical about what they were about to get themselves into.

As the train finally reached their destination, they hopped off and boarded another line. The whole way there, there was not a single person in sight. This all happened after Dozers became apparent in the lives of the citizens.

The streets that used to be bustling, were now left empty and barren. Most of the citizens were home, as the Dozers were roaming more frequently. Only by strict protection from team members of their proprietor group were the public allowed to roam freely. As they stepped out of the station, a group of policemen were on patrol duty and eyed them in displeasure.

“Which department are you guys from?” One of the policemen yelled, as a large Dozer the size of a lion toppled behind him. “Tch, they just don’t stop showing up, huh?”

“Get out of here if you don’t want to end up squashed. We have enough matters on our hands-”

“Sir, we are from the DEA.” Ilyas switched to his “bright side”, as his eyes lit up from being closed at all times. “We are here to support the proprietor at Hougang Hibiscus.”

“The DEA? All the way from the Promenade?” The police man fired his bullets, as an army of guards with riot shields came marching in. “Look, we don’t need help from you guys. You probably should ask the Hougang Town Council for permission to act-”

“Pardon me. We are on a mission.” Jun Cheng said, getting rather annoyed at his distrust towards them. “We are here to eliminate and support the Wolf Dozers that are increasing in that area.”

The police barely looked back at him in response, calling in for more backup. “I’m sorry, I can’t let you guys pass…”

“Huh? Hey! What is your issu-” Ilyas held Jun Cheng back, before he acted rashly against a government official.

“We have to meet our client in Hougang Hibiscus a few blocks down from here.” Ilyas said calmly, drawing his weapon.

“The DEA. You guys are troublemakers on the ground. Killing these Dozers, acting recklessly, and are only taking this responsibility because you can’t afford to pay rent.” The police man retorted. “Please may I ask you kindly to leave.”

Just then, a huge Dozer the size of a bear tore through the front defense as several soldiers collapsed on the ground.

“Tch, you see. This is what I get from being distracted!” The police man fired a few shots into the Dozer, as a surge of electricity stunned it. Another group of men pierced it with a charged spike, a new kind of weapon that dealt effectively against Dozers. The Dozer toppled over, as the soldiers tied it up with thick metal wires. “We collect these Dozers for data, and send them to the Town Council.”

“This is our job, and we don’t allow them to be destroyed.” The policeman said, as another line of soldiers pushed them back with their shields. “DEA shall not trample and ruin my soil.”

“If you think that Dozer will go down that easily, you are wrong.” Edelyn finally spoke, as Ilyas and Jun Cheng stared at her in awe. “I’ve read from my research papers that there are many types of Dozers.”

“I know that, girl. I am not stupid. I’ve served in the military for Dozers for many years.” The policeman said, walking towards the Dozer. “I know how to handle myself. Hey, Squadron 20, send this Dozer to the Town Council. Make sure to transport it via truck-”

A large rattle was heard as the Bear Dozer got up, as it absorbed the ropes that tied it down into its skin.

“It can manifest and adapt to its surroundings.” Edelyn continued her argument. “Look. That is a Regendozer, capable of regenerating its wounds. It is a Type 4 Dozer.”

“What? A type 4? I’ve never seen one before.” The police man thought, as he commanded the soldiers to fire their bullets. However, their shots were reflected as the Dozer had adapted the ropes by swinging it furiously. Several policemen were hit from its attack, as the Dozer roared in anger.

“All Dozers have adaptive properties, but can only adapt to one thing.” Edelyn said. “Ilyas, Jun Cheng, we have to hit it with physical attacks.”

“It has adapted the ropes.” Ilyas said, clenching his sword. “Sir, we can eliminate it-”

“BACK OFF!” The policeman cried, holding onto his gun for dear life. “You guys better not move an inch from your positions.”

“This guy…” Ilyas thought as Jun Cheng steadied his camera.

“Ilyas, I only have one ability in my camera.” Jun Cheng said. “But I can’t control it fully.”

“Huh? Right… we should have explained our abilities to one another sooner.” Ilyas said, as the Dozer continued to flung the policemen to the ground. “My sword requires data, if not it is basically just a normal sword.”

“And that’s a bad thing?” Jun Cheng cried, as a surge of debris flew past them.

“Yeah, my sword is useless against that thing without an ability.” Ilyas admitted without a sense of confidence. “How about you two?”

“My camera can perform magic, but it requires me to take a picture of any HDB or condo.” Jun Cheng said. “But… I only have one.”

“And you can’t use it?” Ilyas asked.

“I…” Jun Cheng was silent for once, as Edelyn ran towards the commotion.

“What is she doing?” Jun Cheng yelled, as Ilyas gave chase.

“I just need a Dozer to absorb into my suit.” Edelyn thought, finding an injured Dozer at the side of the battlefield. However, the big Dozer took notice of her and attacked her with metal wires. Ilyas swung his sword but it could not activate its blade.

“That was just an empty blade handle?” Jun Cheng thought in frustration, and was prepared to unleash his magic. “I can only hope this works-”

A large ripple collapsed the ground, as many soldiers fell and lost their balance.

“Shoot! I still can’t control this-”

The ground began to give way, as a large ripple tore the wires apart. Debris flew in all directions, destroying walls and toppling trees left and right.

“That is…” The police man cried, as a cut was seen across his left arm. “Someone stop that guy!”

The Dozer was ripped apart, as Ilyas and Edelyn were sent flying back a few meters. The group of soldiers suffered major injuries, as Jun Cheng stood there stunned.

About 50% of the soldiers were down, as the policeman grabbed him by the collar at the destruction.

“What the hell are you doing? Where did you get this ability?” The policeman cried, as the smoke rose from the dust that came from the devastation.

“I…”

“What was I doing again?” Jun Cheng thought to himself. “The beast is down, right?”

“He got it.” Ilyas said, as he laid his eyes on the chaos that just happened. “But what the hell is this power?”

“Oi! Answer me. You did this to me. To MY MEN!” The policeman cried, as a sudden roar was heard behind them.

“It’s not yet dead!” Edelyn called out to them, as the smoke cleared from Ilyas’ sight. It was too late, they were not able to act in time.

“You… you DEA… have doomed us all.” The policeman shoved Jun Cheng towards the beast in cowardice. “Rot in all hell, you monster!”

“Jun Cheng!” Ilyas ran forward, but another figure came passing by him. It was quick, almost as fast as the wind that carried him.

In a single swift of his sword, the figure drew it back to his side. But on closer inspection, it was a long thin needle that was barely visible in Jun Cheng’s eyes.

“You guys are late. Is this how the DEA runs the company?” A man with a muscular build was revealed, and a long ponytail signified his greatness and leadership. It was to no surprise, Ilyas had seen him in the WhosApp message. It was the proprietor of Hougang Hibiscus himself, Lee Chen Kwang.

As the blade was drawn back, the monster collapsed to the ground in pieces.

“Oi… you. You have made a grave mistake! The Town Council won’t be pleased!” The policeman pointed at him in fear.

“Huh? What are you talking about?” Chen Kwang stared at him in disbelief. “That beast is dangerous and I killed it. Is that a problem?”

“Aren’t you part of the Proprietor Protection Unit?” The policeman cried. “You are supporting the DEA in eliminating Dozers? We… we are not obligated to arrest you…”

“Go ahead and try.” Chen Kwang gave him a scary grin. “I want to see who will be the one arrested.” He turned to Jun Cheng who was kneeling on the ground in disdain. “Oi you. What kind of power do you have? If I’m not wrong, this belongs to the proprietor of Ripple Bay. How the hell did you copy it?”

"I…" Jun Cheng held his camera tightly, as his words were caught in his throat.

"No matter." Chen Kwang said, walking towards Ilyas and Edelyn. He ordered the guards to report to the Town Council about the mess and to clean it up.

"Yes… Sir!" The guards responded, as they scurried to perform their tasks.

"And you… what is your name?" Chen Kwang asked the policeman that berated Ilyas and his team.

"Joseph Brooks." The policeman said. "And what authority do you have against me?"

"I have you know, Joseph. That I am the proprietor of Hougang Hibiscus, a way higher rank than you." Chen Kwang said firmly, staring down at him. "I can easily rip you off your position."

"Y-yes Sir." The policeman cried, as Chen Kwang asked Ilyas and the team to follow him to his area.

"Alright, you three." Chen Kwang bellowed loudly. "Where were we?"