Carefully walking up to the grou, Kassius fits around them, close enough to see the old man and his radio.
Boy: "I can't wait. This is going to be amazing. I wonder if he'll show up this time."
Conversation picks up more and more, Kassius feeling the anticipation rising.
Radio: "They've finally arrived. Tune in as fast as you can, it will be beginning soon!"
All the way in the capital city of Thari, Mal Faqar, a meeting of great magnitude takes a start. Mal Faqar is an Oasis paradise, a city mostly surrounded by desert close to the inner coast of the continent, more central to the coastline. Here in this city, a special group of the ACO are expected to gather. The event takes place in the largest plaza in the city, space enough that the thousands in attendance squished in through connecting streets and paths. On the stage in the centre, a wide table placed on the stage. Cameras flash blindingly on the stage as a woman walks up to the front of it.
Presenter: "Welcome all to this event! Without further ado, give a warm welcome to our guests, the G8!"
The crowd goes wild and roars at the top of their lungs. Walking through the only cleared street, a group of people head to the side of the stage and stop before the steps.
Presenter: "First, Mr. Iliam Quest!"
Iliam walks up on stage. He is a young boy, about fifteen years old, white smooth hair and blue eyes, standing at 5"11. He wears a tuxedo with a bow tie and is carrying a book with him. As he walks to the third seat, he sits down, eyes glued to the book.
Presenter: "Second i-"
The footsteps stop her mid-sentence. She turns to see a man walks onto the stage, not stopping until the eighth seat. Ignoring the crowd, he lies down on the table, hands as a pillow, and falls asleep. This man was also of the G8. He is a 6"1, 40 year old man, with lazy brown eyes and gray messy hair. He is wearing trousers, baggy for the most part but closes halfway down his shin. He also wears a white shirt along with a head scarf around his neck and dark sandals.
Presenter: "Mr. Aergia... Okay. Third and fourth, Mr. Alfonso and Mr. Otto Zelus!"
Alfonso and Otto are twin men, both of similar height, standing at 5"11 and are both 32 years old. While Alfonso wears a white tuxedo, Otto wears a black tuxedo. Alfonso has black smooth mullet while Otto has a buzz cut. Just as their attires differ, so do their opinions, as they get onto the stage bickering, continuing to do so as they head to the first and second seat.
Presenter: "Fifth, Ms. Louisa Dubois!"
Louisa is a 37 year old woman standing at 6"3. She has blonde long hair, streaming down from her white hat. Her eyes, hinting to a darker red. One of them has a scar across it. She wears white slacks and shirt, her official ACO attire. Walking towards the table sternly, she takes a seat at the seventh seat, her serious demeanor subduing the crowd, hushing the cheers.
Presenter: "Sixth, Mr. Alken Richards!"
Alken Richards rushes onto the stage. His appearance shocks the crowd. Henry is a large man, 47 years of age, standing at 7"5. He is abnormally big, in both height and weight. He has a very noticeable belly but is properly covered up in his ACO uniform from head to toe. He has a bald head and hazel eyes.
Alken: "Who am I?!"
"Alken The invincible!"
As he raises his hands, all proud, the crowd could not help but cheer once again. Alken walks up to the table and sits in the fourth chair.
Presenter: "Seventh, some may know her for her other talents. Ms. Anastasia Surkov!"
Anastasia walks up on stage and the crowd roars like never before. As she waves to the people, it gets louder and lounder. Some even pass out. Blowing kisses and waving excitedly, she scurries to the sixth seat. Anastasia is a 5"9, 28 year old woman. She has dark blue eyes and short black hair, short to her neck. She wears a black dress, covering down to her feet, hiding her red shoes.
Presenter: "Unfortunately, our eighth, Mr. Mo'muk Farqad is not here, so we will proceed without him!"
The cheers suddenly turn into whispers. Whispers of confusion. All the other seven have shown up, so where was Mo'muk?
Iliam: "Who was supposed to bring him?"
Anastasia: "Sorry, he said he'd find his way on his own."
Louisa: "He's always so stubborn."
The presenter woman walks over to the press as the front of the crowd.
Press: "What are you thoughts on the rumours of the escape of the Red Notice 'Wolf brothers'?"
Louisa: "If amateurs like them could escape us, then we'd be pointless, wouldn't we?"
The man in the press wished to prod further, but noticing the look on Louisa's face, withheld any response he thought of.
Press: "A question here. Could you update us on Quest advancements?"
Iliam: "Everything is improving smoothly for now. A fair number of new technology has been tested. Hopefully the public will be pleased with the latest product being displayed later this year."
Just as he finishes speaking, a person runs onto the stage. They get immediately tackled. This did not go unacknowledged. On high alert, almost instinctive, they all rise from their seats. All except Aergia, who continues to sleep.
Fan: "Anastasia! Can I have a hug?!"
Anastasia, although uncomfortable, tries to hold a smile as all watch. All of them sit back down in their seats.
Presenter: "Reminder to all to not do such a thing or you will be arrested! Apologies, let us continue."
Questions continue to rain down on the G8. Dozing off, Aergia does not respond to questions. Louisa discusses on security matters, scaring off many follow ups, perhaps not to provoke her further. Anastasia, being asked about non-ACO related matters, avoids answering most questions. Iliam remains discussing on the technological advancements of his company. Alfonso and Otto discuss their criminal captures, although bickering who is most responsible. Alken does the same, bragging of his invincible stomach, which riles up the crowd.
Press: "One more question. What approach will the organisation take going forward with the implemented policies? Will you propose new ones soon?"
Louisa: "I can speak for myself and say that the policies have not limited my efforts. I am still able to do my job and maintain ethical standards expected of me."
Iliam: "I disagree here."
Louisa: "Pardon?"
Iliam: "These policies just limit us from progressing."
Louisa: "You say this because of the technology restrictions, correct? You're young. The ACO before you and even I were capable of stopping criminals without these technologies. Not because of devices, but because we were strong. We fought head on."
Iliam: "Perhaps you enjoy your brute ways, but a lot of others are not able to do the same."
Louisa: "Which is why we should train better."
Iliam: "Or maybe the ACO does not require primitive methods any longer."
Louisa: "Excuse me?!"
Anastasia: "I think what he meant to say was-"
Flustered, Louisa stands on her feet, followed by Iliam. Anastasia and Alken get between them. Suddenly, the air becomes tense, not just by feeling. All of them watching were aware, this was Louisa's doing. The crowd begins to worry, along with Iliam who tries to keep his composure. Aergia, unfazed, remains sleeping. Before Louisa forces herself through, she stops in place. The air suddenly lightens. Louisa notices someone walking towards the stage through the empty road. The others turn and notice it too, slowly followed by the crowd. Aergia's eyes finally open, turning his head to the side.
Louisa: "He's finally here."
The man wears an ACO officer uniform but his differs from the others. He does not wear his hat but holds it in his left hand, leaving his brown messy fringe uncovered. He is a 6"0 man of 52 years of age, with a light skin tone. Covering his eyes, a dark bandana. In his right hand, he holds a filled bag.
Iliam: "He found it after all."
Anastasia: "We're up here!."
Alken: "Gahaha!"
The crowd saw the man. As sights landed on him, there was no confusion on who he was. The last member of the G8, Mo'muk Farqad had appeared. A loud cheer erupts as he tries to carefully climb the stage.
Mo'muk: "Sorry I'm late guys. A lot of turning, you know how it is. I hope I made it on time."
Louisa: "No worries, Farqad. We waited this whole time for you."
Mo'muk: "Ok, I'm blind, not deaf. What's gotten you so grumpy, Louisa?"
Reaching into his bag, Mo'muk pulls something out.
Mo'muk: "Oi, Ma'id. Catch."
He throws a container with a cold dessert at Aergia (Ma'id Aergia) and he catches it.
Mo'muk: "Don't eat it too fast this time... This is for you, Alken."
He tosses him some beer and Alken catches it.
Anastasia: "Ohh! I want one."
Mo'muk: "Don't worry. I got one for you this time."
He walks up to her and hands her a beverage. Her face lights up and she grabs the bottle. He walks up to Iliam and places a bottle of water on his table.
Mo'muk: "Lacrimae River water."
Iliam: "Thank you."
He walks up to Alfonso and Otto. He hands Alfonso a bottle of gin and Otto a bottle of rum.
Mo'muk: "Enjoy... And finally, for you, Louisa."
He walks up to Louisa and reaches into his bag. Pulling out a bottle of white wine in front of her, he also smiles at her.
Mo'muk: "No need to be so upset, yeah?"
Louisa: "...Fine. Only because of the gift."
Mo'muk: "Great."
Presenter: "Mr. Farqad. If you have time, the press may have some lingering questions for you."
Mo'muk: "Oh? Go ahead then. Ask away."
Press: "Have you given up on the search for Remus?"
Mo'muk: "I... Wow. Out the gate. Um... I'm afraid... yes, I'm afraid so. I mean, I haven't seen him in a while. And I can't search forever for one person, you know? So I guess I had to stop at some point..."
Louisa (in head): "No need to be upset, huh?"
The press continue asking questions, which make him more and more upset.
Press: "Tell us of your current focus."
Mo'muk: "Uh... Well... I guess it would be to find a replacement."
Press: "A replacement?"
Mo'muk: "I mean... it's gotten kind of boring since... he disappeared. I don't know... I've just lost interest."
Press: "What of shifting focus to others? Mekai Ventra, Kailo Voce, or even others on the rise?"
Mo'muk: "I think the next generation should be responsible for these ones, not me."
Press: "So is this confirmation of retirement?"
Momoku: "Kehehe, perhaps it is. However, not immediately. I'll be around for a while so until then, the public has nothing to worry about."
Presenter: "Great! I think we will wrap up here! Any closing remarks?"
Anastasia stands up from her seat.
Anastasia: "To all listening, this is a reminder. The G8 is here to serve and protect the nations, leading the charge against criminals. As long as we keep going, they cannot get their way. And the longer we keep going, the stronger we as a people become. Your future is in good hands. I hope you can put your trust in us as we do in you."
All the other officers stand up and begin to leave the stage as the crowd cheers one last time.
Presenter: "Thank you for your time. Everyone, once more, a round of applause for the ACO's greatest force, the G8!"
Walking off the stage, cameras flash, capturing them in their essence. Some would call them the face of the ACO. These eight, separate from the rest, were chosen for a specific purpose— to handle the Seven Wonders. As they march away, chants are yelled behind them. G8! G8! G8!