Operation X: Challenge

"Soul Opera is by far the greatest game ever made."

"Even critics from around the globe have attested to the glory of such a technological wonder."

'...Using a combination of the best pseudo-electromagnetic software and compression systems, Soul Opera is the most vivid simulated program created, accomplishing itself as a full-scale real-time strategy game that allows the users to control the ingame AI with utmost precision, along with massive multiplayer capabilities. In fact, several tournaments are held annually between assembled teams in the full Soul Opera, skilled individuals in one-on-one mech contests named Concerto, and a down-graded version of SO for beginners named Sonata. It is by far the largest and most popular worldwide online game ever made."

Sector Seven Live Updates Channel

"Those tournaments in the full SO just happen to be the largest attractions in the entertainment district of Sector Seven. The spectators for even a low-level match fill entire stadiums just to watch the event on a MegaScreen. Banners, commercials, signs, trinkets, and more, the popularity for the sport spread like wildfire after its debut. The craziest of fanatics have dedicated their lives solely to support their favorite teams.

"When I was forced; no, invited to join the ranks of the Conductors behind the scenes, I thought there was no way I could make it. The power and glory, I couldn't grasp such a concept physically or mentally. I was only Mot, the silent, insignificant guy in the back of the classroom. I had my place, not by my choice but because it was given to me. My appearance, my grades, my act, my lack of social interaction, and several other factors made it impossible for me to go to any other spot.

"But now, I am a new person. Outside the classroom, I am no longer silent, nor am I irrelevant anymore. I have a new name and a new face. I am Rave, the commander. The revolutionary leader and the matchless soldier. Reputation is my armor, and my Operaboard is my sword and shield. With these tools, I have climbed to the top of the hill, and I am king. I am invincible-"

"Ahem," interrupted the attendant.

"This was just... a... it was... How long have you been here?" Rave sputtered.

"Quite some time. I had no intention of ruining your little speech there, but I have some news."

"And that is?"

"You have received a request. A challenger has appeared."

"Who?"

"No idea, sir, but whoever it is has a video for you. It should be in your inbox right about now."

Rave rushed to his Operaboard and checked his messages. Indeed there was a new string, but a sender was not specified. He knew who it was already. Rave opened the attached feed.

.

..

...Connected...

"Ah, it's good to see you again, Mot. Though, I should call you Rave, now, shouldn't I. Congratulations on first place in the league! I hope it hasn't gotten to your head. If it has, I'll be more than happy to fix that.

As your mentor and accomplice, I challenge you. A full match, a full fleet, everything. You may bring as many friends as you like. You will need them. If you don't want them, then I'll be more than happy to put them on standby. You have a week to decide the time and place, and the match will start the day after. Don't run away, now. (End Transmission.)

The Alliances

Throughout the story, a variety of different alliances will appear. These are their acronyms and a little overview. PS these are English titles, other names for them will appear later.

ZION (Zirech International Organization of Nations)
-Most of former Europe and other scattered countries rallied under the Zirech, a political party

LAA (Land-based Asian Alliance)
-Like the title, except for small coastal countries

SAA (Sea-based Asian Alliance)
-Like the title, including small coastal countries

WUN (Western Union of Nations)
-Most of the former states of the dissolved US, some were absorbed by neighbors and others didn't join

NSC (North-South Coalition)
-The Republic of Antarctica, Greenland, the islands north of Russia, and Australia

SEC (Southern Entity of Continents)
-The continents of South America and Africa together

Disk
-An alliance consisting of several nations, territories, and political bodies around the equator
Note: does NOT include all countries along the equator

PEPR (Peace and Prosperity)
-The acronym for the macro-sectors as a country

Oops, Forgot Some

More Random Info
-Sector 6 lies on large beds of compressed oxygen. Combined with the slightly hostile nature of its people and their weapon caches, this sector poses a serious combustibility problem and houses enough firepower to completely eliminate Peace and Prosperity.
-Sector 7 is the home to Highwire HQ. Highwire is the leading producer of pseudo-electromagnetic goods and other electronic devices. This makes Sector 7 the most prosperous sector ever.
-Pseudo-electromagnetism is created through the use of two new elements: aerium and noraon. This new form of energy produces effects like electromagnetism, but it has a completely different spectrum and form, requiring different measurements and standards. In equal amounts, electromagnetism always wins against pseudo-electromagnetism.
-The refugees in Sector 5 refuse to be evacuated for unknown reasons.
-The inhabitants of Sector 0 are very proud to know that they are or are descended from the first settlers in Peace or Prosperity.
-Sectors 2 and 3 have united in several aspects too hard to explain, and have created a bridge connecting the two at all time in addition to the other transportation available.
-Originally, Peace was the title of Sector 0, and Prosperity was the title for Sector 9. The sectors were not numbered until 2585.
-Sector 9 is the only sector known to have active reserves of aerium and noraon.
-These two elements received their names based on the places they were discovered: aerium from Aeolis, and noraon from Norae.
-ZION has yet to publish an official statement concerning the motives for establishing Peace and Prosperity.

Hope you enjoy the excerpts!

Peace and Prosperity

There'll be a lot of problems for readers if I don't say this: all my work is completely made-up and there is no information on it on the web. Just clearing that up, followup below.

The story is set in the future, the far future. Although the continents look generally the same, several man-made islands and other structures have been made to compensate for the growing global population. One of these places is Peace and Prosperity, an exceedingly large set of territories set off by ZION, one of many international alliances established to prevent the absorption of smaller, weaker nations, and settle intercontinental disputes.

Peace and Prosperity is divided up into ten sectors, numbered 0 through 9, and into two macro-sectors. 0 to 4 make up the first macro-sector Peace, and 5 to 9 make the second, Prosperity.
Each have their own respective characteristics, people, and circumstances. Here is a short overview of all ten. BTW all of Prosperity is underground, directly under Peace.

Peace
Sector 0- The first sector established and the head of all international affairs.
Sector 1- The former nation of Soraton, now fallen into a civil war with no known motives.
Sector 2- The school compound, a sector devoted to the education and protection of the pupils.
Sector 3- The aboveground residential extension of Sector 7, now called Renham.
Sector 4- The "Dynasty" Sector, a general sector now feeling the tug of war from Sector 1.

Prosperity
Sector 5- The refugee camp made of escapees from its respective other above.
Sector 6- The "Rebel's" Sector filled with miscellaneous fugitives from other sectors.
Sector 7- The most technologically advanced sector, once a branch of Sector 9.
Sector 8- The medical sector lovingly dubbed "The Ward".
Sector 9- The second sector established and the head of all domestic affairs.

Other Information
-Being an official, recognized sector gives the area and its citizens considerable rights and power.
-Sector 6 contains "Gateway", the fastest transportational system available. Nevertheless, conventional transportation is available to and from all sectors.
-Sector 7 is one of the few producers of pseudo-electromagnetic products.
-Despite its close proximity to Sector 1, Sector 2 remains scot-free of damage.
-The war in Sector 1 is rarely reported because no information ever makes it out.