Of things to come...(open)

[Pu-244]

((This is an enteirly new idea im trying out for Pluto, I thought it would be neat to see her about 18-19 years from now in the future (where the sci store contact for level 30 mentions hes a time travaler that came back from 20 years in an apocolyptic future). This story however rediculess it seems is however going to affect Pluto between SL 30-40. It goes way beyond this school, if your going to particapate....

I want you to think a moment and imagen Your heros future....Ok?

Now once thats taken care of take about 5 years of that and put him/her though military basic tranning and send him agesnt the Ritiki.......Or not dosent matter.

Now this is where we keep it intresting You cannot use your powers...

Yep thats right to buld intrest imagen if your heros had to supress his powers. it dosent matter your origon, your ability, your whatever....

The ritiki where smart and built these things called Hunter Seeker Drones...they specalise in Swarming and Eliminating heros. SO for a hero to survive he or she cannot use there powers....

Still intreseted? thought so! but if you are thoes are the rules use your powers and die? or dont use your powers and hope to live?


The Story Thus Far!:


The Ritiki re-launch a massive invasiotn of the earth. This time it was diffrent there where more of them and they had plans. Although the hero population was great in numbers they couldent handdle the staggaring ammount of deaths they by the hands of the meconised drones called "Hunter Seekers" these drones have special sencer ewuiptment to seek out and destroy heros. once one drone finds a hero or group of heros it asses there strength and they port in an armada of identical killing mecheains. There numbers are no short of endless. Heros began relising that despite there numbers or powers this fight was futile. The fight had to be won in a "Conventional mannor" relising that the drones only detect powers when used. The armed forces allied with Mercenary groups of villian and hero alike joind forces in a uneasy alliance. Despite this the Ritiki forces still marched there way across the globe on all fronts ruthlessly slaughtering the human race in its wake. but there are plans of a Device being built by the humans that could end the war within a matter of seconds. fearing this device the ritiki staged a more murdious onslaught on all fronts. Though fUtile as it seemed the human race fought and battled agenst the alian foe.....

for awile the defences held and a counter atacks where sucsessfull as quickly as the tieds of war started to turn they fell back. Walls started to break and people started to die. Though for a few indaviduals there lives will play out and without knowing it will have saved the human race from extinction. Now Paragon City the once lush Rode Island metropoles, the once "City of Heros" becomes the epicenter of salvation......


Now the Pirk of playing this Story is how it ends....witch will prove to be an intresting twist on everyones story life "if" you particapte you will have the ability to send a message back to yourself. weather or not that seems relavent to anyone it is for pluto and could be usefull kinda like a get out of jail free card and i know some of you totaly want in on that XD or a master this power instead of another (an excuse to rp respec your char) X) but whatever =P Have fun!

))

[Pu-244]

Low thumping could be herd, raging above the soldier’s head. Muffled cracks and almost a scream of orders could be herd, one moment in one language and then in another not of this world something different. Moments passed and then the thuds made by boots armies running above then after a moment nothing. Darkness numbness, this was it peace serenity she could lay here for ever.

In the distance a zip and scream of an incoming object falling from the sky, ripping into the earth and scaring its surface with war. Bricks form the ceiling fell braking over the top of the soldiers protective Kevlar. The sudden thuds woke her from her bed of dust and cement. Her eyes pears open into a troubled dim reality ripping her from utopia. A groan escaped her as she drug herself to her knees barely making it to her feet dizziness and fatigue fallowed quickly. Unaware of how long she had been out she took a moment to gaze at her surroundings. This Government Issue soldier was at first sight scrawnier than the rest blanketed in dirt faded Urban Digital Camouflage. She blended in well with the apocalyptic looking city that was above her. A small shard of light beamed down into the cavern of sorts that she stood in her eyes gazing though her goggles up at the evening sun shrouded in smoke and war.

Gaining a foothold on the uneven cement that lined her cradle of debris, her nibbled Kevlar covered fingers searched her matching LBV in search of a light source. Finding her LED light her finger fumbled under her daze to activate it, she scanned the room around her the cavern was a peace of the subway system that was below the city in question. To her front the dismay of a long tunnel that disappeared into an abyss of darkness. To the rear was a twisted wreck of what used to be an Osprey. The fuel from the tanks burned into the aircraft leaving nothing of interest to her and no way out of her situation but into the tunnel system.

Above her again she looked hoping to see a possible way out of the situation. Even her capabilities to jump wouldn’t reach the, what looked like 12 foot vaulted ceiling, and her ALICE pack and its contents did not help either. The thuds and visible specks of munitions could be seen from inside the hole as a battle raged outside on the surface. A few more artillery rounds screamed by landing somewhere near her position the thuds displacing the tunnel shards of cement and debris fell form the roof and the soldier almost landing on her but again. The southern advance didn’t seem to go to well and she was stuck in it this wasn’t good for her and she needed to get out of these tunnels hoping there was a station or a sewer exit somewhere.

Not knowing her exact position she fiddled with a flap on her jackets arm flipping it free from its Velcro grasp. Below was a plastic screen and a touch pad, the screen fragmented and displaced, the unit must have been damaged from the debris but she didn’t have the time it took to remove her ALICE pack and find out what the problem was. Her fingers lingered over the screen long enough to make since of what it was saying to her before navigating the menus to the GPS link up.

“GPS Systems Loading …….
Link Systems Initializing…….
Booting………
Connecting to GPS Consolation…….
Error………”It read as the screen lit up red

It was obvious that the Ritiki had there jamming equipment near…that meant trouble was advancing on her position.

She took the light and placed it into a clip holder on her helmet, the light would guide her though the tunnels as her hand reached down releasing a modified Beretta clicking on the weapons laser sights she brought it to bare and started to trot down the opposite way into the dark extent.

Behind her miles down the tunnel she heard the echoes of boots. The Ritiki where notoriously loud in there advances and soldiers where trained to be less careless. But a 9mm weapon verses there battle armor wasn’t going to cut it. The tunnel stretched deeper than she had thought as she advanced passed a derailed train and then an obstruction of a caved in ceiling that the train was no match for. Her eyes gazed around looking for an alternate root hearing increased fighting over her head and the impending one behind her. Closer they came she could hear there footsteps behind her the darkness was the only thing between them and her.

Franticly her head turned and twisted thrashing around her footsteps scuffling and at a loss to where to go but her brain sent the messages “GO! GO! Just GO!” her breathing increased. She knew that she survived that crash for a reason it could not end like this! There was no where to go, and no where to hide the battle armor had the ability to see in the dark the soldier however did not there was no way to win this. Her breath carried hard behind the gray white and black turban that sat under her helmet and covered her face and neck looking back down at the end of the tunnel she could see the lights from there armor the tall shadows and there masters that fallowed would be on her as soon as they came around the bend of the tunnels turn.

Her hand pulled back the bolt loading a lethal bullet into the chamber of her small weapon, she locked her feet one in front of the other and she could remember back into her basic training her drill sergeant barking orders into her ear on how to fire a pistol the right way. Gun level, eyes down the iron, one hand on the grip one below. She was set her last stand, they came.

A crack, a boom the fighting became worse over the top and the tunnel started to destabilize. A burst of energy flung past her face feeling its ionized gas burn the atmosphere around it though her clothing. The pulse rifles launched there volley scorching the world around her. Her small side arm struck back out the bullets exploding out of the chamber; her face scrunched up seen shards of concrete burst and hit her goggles. A conscript charging her the twisted bloody blade called for her life seeing the alien face near, her weapon struck it in the arm, he still came, and the next in the leg and the next after next bullet tore into his hide with no effect on his charge. “Oh god this was it” as her clip ran dry “Please no!”

From the ceiling came an incredible force, knocking all of the Ritiki infantry and conscripted soldiers to the floor the tremors where incredible. The soldier crouched and jumped out of the way rolling under the damaged car of the train as the roof collapsed and the final grave of the soldiers came. It was not the young woman’s time yet….

A clunk of a cement peace falling next to her and then another as she herd femilure sounds of human voices. Perking her eyes open. Somehow she remained unharmed and the light of day was shining though. She holstered her weapon and dug her way out to the sight of a large opening and a stairway of rock to the top and her ticket out.

“Holy SHIT!!” a soldier said. “They took out Rodriquez! WITH A MISSLE!?”

“I saw that that’s messed up man! Now what are we going to do with out a radio!?” another hysterically said.

“Simmons, Parks! Shut the hell up and see if that hole is clear!!” said a deep booming voice, “Johnson, Cady! Get your asses over to that building and see if Washington’s black ass is still alive!” it kind of reminded her of her drill instructor “Martin, Sullivan, Corporal Dallas I want you three to move up and give squad 3 fire support and if you run across there radio man tell them we need medical evacuations at the forward command post.”

All of the orders where fallowed by quick decisive “Sir!” and the patter off boots disappearing off into the distance. As the soldier pulled herself up half way though the dust she herd “Sergeant! We got a live one!” Private Parks yelled pointing his Assault rifle down into the pit barely seeing the outline of the woman soldier.

“Wait, wait, I am American” she said in distress “Don’t Shoot!”

:”You sound pretty German to me!” Said PFC Simmons yelled holding his weapon up.

As she climbed higher there rank and the OD Green and black bars of the 3rd Infantry could be seen. On there coat as well as the battle patch for the American forces made it clear hostilities where not needed. The Sergeant cleared his way across the street to where his men where hoisting the battered warrior out of the hole where there radio man once stood.

“Great our radio man and LT get fried and we get another Sergeant in there place” Said this lanky dirt covered boy his weapon slung up and then as fast as it was, it was back down again turned the other way aimed high weary of targets. His jacket showed the name “Parker” on it.

“Danka” she said out of breath as the adrenaline started to subside. She sat down on a large chunk of cement from a rubbed building 3 of its 4 sides barely holding up.

Simmons was the one still holding her hand and helping her onto the stone debris. Leaning down next to her she realized he was the unit’s field medic. A rugged looking man still in his young ages much like she looked. “Don’t know where you popped up from but its good to see a human face.” He said simply put smirking a little as he looked her over, handing her a canteen of water.

The sergeant was a real tough guy the kind of man you see standing up in the middle of a fire fight to order his men in advance. A real character like him was what won wars something for the men tend to fear and idolize. “Where the hell did you come from little lady?” he barked still half way across the street all around them in the distance machine gun fire and energy weapons rang out into the darkening sky.

The soldier said in her German accent. “I was part of Special Operations unit out of zeh southern line. We had just got back un-zeh aria and we where shot down by battle drones. Mien unit was killed I survived zeh crash.” She took a moment to composes herself after a drink of water from the medic’s canteen

“Hey take it easy alright, hold onto that” he said as he stood up and trotted off towards some of the other members of the squad helping another soldier out of some rubble.

“Our unit was a covert recovery mission, we succeeded un-we where returning to zeh forward command post at Hide Park” She took another drink wiping her lips off with her dirty glove. Realizing her mistake she started to take it off her glove to get the dust from her mouth.

“Well you’re just all sorts of miss informed sergeant” he said roughly “About 2200 last night the Ritiki made an advance on the skyway aria, the command post was surrounded and under heavy incoming my battalion was sent out to counter the advance. So far we have been pushing our way there...”

“Where am I now?” she broke in.

He went silent for a moment “We have just started our push it’s not looking to good we are currently in the Kings Row aria. The assault has ceased the Ritiki advance on the city but we can’t seem to push though there lines. The command post you want is currently still under siege I have orders from command to find all stragglers and survivors to pass on the message that we need to break the siege on the command base and reinforce.”

There was a moment of silence between the two the woman was the better trained of the two in command though she didn’t think to well of leadership it wasn’t her style. She pulled the Kevlar helm from her head reveling lush strings of green hair tied up in a tail. That hid behind her scarf. Her goggles came next and her eyes where that of the deepest green an outline of dirt on her face as she looked out down one of the apocalyptic streets, a hand reaching down into her LBV pulling out a cigarette lighting it and inserting it into her mouth.

“V’ell sergeant….” A moment of pause as she dragged the cancer stick down. “Looks like you have me for this trip, Mien commander is at that command post.” She stood up and placed her hand on her hip her helm and goggles attached to her hand “lets just hope he stays alive long enough to get this.” She said almost pissed off at the inconvenience of the situation.

The sergeant however was more distraught seeing a barcode tattooed below her right eye. That only meant one thing….she was a super. Everyone knows that supers where out of hand hot shots who attracted trouble, they are supposed to keep there powers under warps to keep hunter killer drones away, and soldiers safe. Why the army recruited suppers he would never know.

Under his breath he cursed every word he could think of aggression and rage directed toward her.

The young looking female soldier took another drag form her cigarette and approached a chard corps prying an assault rifle from his crispy hands, pulling the bolt back and checking the sights before removing the ammunition he carried “Pity” she thought as the gun showed signs of never being shot. Reloading herself she plopped the Kevlar helm on her head adjusting her goggles accordingly. There was a certain stile about her that made her look like she knew what she was doing.

“Sergeant Plutonium.” She said flicking the cig to the asphalt and squishing it out.

“What?” the other sergeant replied.

“Sergeant Plutonium, I was a super now I am a soldier, can your concerns and hurry up I don’t have time to waste.” She said confidently.

“Jesus have mercy…” the sergeant said under his breath. “…we are all fucked.”

Sgt. Plutonium turned and started to advance down the street towards the fray unaware of things to come…

[palilla]

The Rikti made their way through the rubble of Four Seasons. Of all of the places, this was the funnest for dealing with the invaders. True. It wasn't like when Grendel's Gulch was a prominant feature in the Hollows, now called Eastgate Hollows, but the hidden soldiers and volunteers did have a surprise in store for the aliens. The oscilating hum of their guns could be heard as they passed by the bombed out husk of a Major Flander's Fried Chicken. Within, was a rag tag group of volunteers who refused to follow the rules. But, this time, they were fighting on the same side as the authorities.

Julius looked over at his former enemy, Flux and nodded. Suddenly, the eight Trolls and Outcasts jumped out, powers flaring, and debris flying as they pelted the Rikti in a deadly hail of elemental strikes and crushing boulders. Just as suddenly, the Rikti returned fire, and portals opened, flooding out their psychotic little monkies to whittle the defenders down, and let the larger Rikti opt for more cumbersome, but deadly attacks.

A sword swipe sent Flux flying, and the Rikti ponced atop the Outcast, and prepared to deal a final blow to the aging mutant. But, a suden explosion of electricity from flux sent the Swordsman flying, only to be grandslammed through a window about six stories up, by a hispanic woman sporting a weathered bauxite war mace, and wearing a school uniform jacket with no sleeves, showing of her athletic arms, as she seemed to glow and sparkle. Quickly, the tide turned, and the patrol of invaders were quelled.

Turning to review the eight, the latin smirked and shook her head. It had been too long since she had been back to this part of town. Especially with the chaos over in Skyway City. Tossing a silvery wrapped item to Julius, the woman looked to Flux , as she spoke, and the troll greedily tore into the candybar.

"So, what joo losers doin' hangin' out by Lake Grendel, anyway? Din't joo hear," she teased. "Da real fightin's in Skyway, ese!"

"Skyway, huh? That's explain the Power Armor and artillery buildup in Cherry Hills," Flux smirked. "What you doin' hanging with the lowlifes, Palilla? I thought we got rid of you a long time ago!"

"Jeah, well. No market for lawyers, ahora. Joo know? Come on! I hear dey gots army boys in trouble over dere!"

"Mayme vey got gunf and fruff," Julius asked as he perked up.

"I hear dey gots enough ta arm da Trolls and Outcasts for a bit. Dey say da Sky Raiders and Longbow are comin' in wit new stuff, too."

"Alright, latin songbird," Flux grinned. "I'll send word to Keystone. You can rest assured the Outcasts are in. Jules?"

"Me not know," Julius shrugged. "Gragnor and Igneous still fight. Maybe no. Me come, and so do those guys."

The Ogre, Gardvord, and two Trollkin Gunners looked up from their Rikti spoils, a few guns, and nodded agreement. Paula grinned. This was going to be fun! Whipping out her Red bandana, she tied it over her hair, and slid her shades on. The cavalry had arrived, as promised to Positron.

[Eshva]

Eshva looked out the window of her home.. Or what was her home now. Nothing homely about this white room. It was plainly arranged Everything being white. But they still had a window. Thick with bullet proof glass she at least see the war walls and knew of the fighting that was going on behind them. She felt the tears water up in her eyes. She wasn't allowed to help.. Seeing the reflection in the window she spoted the evil tattoo under her eye.. the barcode that labled her a super. She wasn't so super anymore. They couldn't risk her being there. She was too much of a danger. Her regenerative powers were repressed by hourly shots. They even locked her up in special housing so she would be protected from the new Rikti drones.

" I want to help!" she cried and punched the wall. It still never hurt. What normally would have healed instantly, Cuts bleed from her fist. The nurses came reguarly and often had to set broken bones for Eshva as she tried to escape from the houseing. She knew her friends from school were out there. Pu-244, Faster pussycat, and many others. Damn My regentive powers!

Siting on her bed she pulled up her shirt to look at her only two scars. Massive in size they were as well. It looked like she tried to commited sucided.. she almost did after that night. They Had to remove her claws... The Bonematerial that made up her claws were surgerlyt removed to prevent her from escaping. Again they were "protecting her". Tears welled up in her eyes ans she ran her index finger traced the 6 inch scar.

:: Bang Bang Bang ::

pause

:: Bang Bang Bang ::

" I wish they would at least give me something to do... " Eshva looked to the side and continued to bang her head against the wall.

:: click click :: The door opens slowly. Eshva shuffled her eyes to the side to see who was coming in. She did just have her shots. A full suited male entered the room. Eshva would never forget that blue mug anywere. A Particalar chill should have entered when he came in but the speicaly full body suit that was builded for the Solider that it didn't matter. Still they had a use for him and could restrain his powers so he could fight. The Bar and his shoulder told of a promotion since the last he had visited Eshva.

"Glacial!" A smile widen and her face as she leaped to greet him with a hug.

" Heya Eshy" he grined back. He took a seat and the smile was gone instantly.

"Whats up, you don't look your self" Her eyes widen and she sat upright crossing her legs.

"We need you.. I've been ordered to give you these" He tosses a set of gloves with metal claws on them. They clanged on the metal talbe the file slid arcoss the talbe shortly after. "They're close as they could get with your biological ones. In the File is the mission they need to you to complete." His fist clenched He knew what this ment. They were getting desprate.. he thought with a tight jaw and closed fist this is a freakin sucided mission for her! if she goes she'll only have an hour! He watched as her eyes went wide and started to tear...

"Rin?" She paused "He's been captured.. I'm to recover him.."

A long pause of slince extended between them.

"Damn it!" Glacials arms went up in the air "Please don't take this Eshy..I don't want..." She looked up at him. He stoped. Glacial knew she wanted to help badly. With her past and Rin.. He shut his eyes and fists clenched as she put on the gloves and started swinging them in the air. Controll yourself, don't get so worked up I might break the suit.

"You know I have to do this." She looked over at him. She knew is was a death mission just as much as he did. It didn't stop the emotional pain they both were going threw. "I guess you weren't told that its madantory That I finish this mission" Glacial's jaw fell open in disbelieve. Sure enough at the start of the mission briefing letter it stated that she was in fact drafted. "Give me an hour for my next shot. Then I'll be ready."

Glacial stood up, and turned to walk out the door. Fists on both sides he paused at the door to look back at the girl with demon horns and tail. Furylessly clawing the air with her new claws.

"Eshy?"

"Ya"

"Get one extra good for me, k?"

A smile widen across her face.

"no worries. You know I will"

exactly an hour later they came for her just as she was getting her shot.

"its time" Two men with milartary uniforms stood at ease by the door.

"one sec" the nurse called out and the 4 inch needle went into the lower bit of her neck. Eshva Flinched.. she always did.

" there we go. Now rember you only have an hour.." the nurse warned.

" I know, I don't have a moment to lose." She stood up and walked towards the men

"lets do it" one of the men put his hand on her shoulder and suddenly. Buzzzupt! She found her self on what was left of Striga Island. its mostly a smothering pile of rock now the Rikit ships fly above over head. Observing her location she spots a box of supplies to her left. it was night. the stars and moon were out. Good I'll be able to see atleast She walked her way to the box.

"We'll be back in a hour to pick you up. Good luck" The man spoke. Buzzzupt, the two men teleported out.

Thats if I make it Thoght Eshva as she lfumbled about the box of goodies she was given. Few med packs and andrine shots was the only things she found useful. Better Get going... I only have 55 mins left.. She took in a deep sigh. and started runing. She still could run and amazing speeds. that wasn't part of what set off the drones. She was told that atleast before she was put away and deemed useable for fighting the Rikti. She was grateful that many of her friends from school fighting or put way like her still came to visit. Espically Rin.. The mere though of Rin just sent her back to the frist days of School at the SJS. Some of her happiest moments were there. A smile creeped across her face. Here I am trying to help him again.

Thump!

Dazzed and a little shooken eshva had gotten a little to far into her thoughts. The growl, soon followed by a victous roar she realized she made a mistake. wide eyed she had just ran into A Werewolf.. a creation of the concil. She had gone up against these before. With Glacial by her side they would spend hours hunting "puppies". Might be a good time to see if I still can fight Eshva inhaled a long breather of the chilled night air and lunged herself at the monster. Her false claws flew threw the mighty beast tearing up its flesh, with in moments the werewolf was lying sprawled on the ground. hmmm they did a pretty good job on these, Glacial must have given them a good discription of my fighting ablities. She grined and started off again. towards the given location of were Rin was supposedly located.

The Mission it's self was very vague on why Rin was traped in the first place. It stated she would be up against Ritki thats for sure. She had fought them before but not alot. This was going to be an instering mission.

Breaking into the place was easy as always. Eshva shook her head. Do they never learn? I mean really you would think they would figure to LOCK the door for once Useling the shadows and the gaps in the Ritki base Eshva navigated with fair amount of ease. heh trying to get out of the home has paid off She always found great amussed in discovering things that helped her that really got her in to alot of trouble. It was just the irony of it. 15 more minutes and she found him.

Eshva entered the room. It was huge with generators and wireing all about. Numberous Chambers lie on the floor attached to the massive machines were foggy. She approched one of the large chambers and whiped the condisation off. She just about screamed. She brought her hands up to mouth being mindful of the claws to keep the sound in. It was a super alright... all she could see was tattoo. The rest of it.. unreconizable. the pile of flesh Was distored and gaping holes let you see insides of the being..They were turning captured supers! They look like The lost... She remebered the stories Ink would share about how the Rikti were losing there numbers and would take homeless people to convert. Now they were doing it to supers. This isn't good. Frankly she check the other Chambers. One after another she looked. Please God, don't let me be too late! She whiped the champer down. There lay a hero with black hair, unalterd body and a special markin on the left side of his face. She'd found him. Examaining the Chamber she tired to figure out how to bust him out of it. Not seeing any buttons or latches. She got annoyed. ahhh F*** it She slamed her fist against the glass. It spidered webed. One more outta do it The Glass shattered and she heard the sicking crack as her Fingers broke. Oh my god! For F**** sake! Thats gonna get in the way. Clecthing her teeth heaved Rin out of the chamber. She searched the med kits for somthing to revive him. A smile came across her face Ah ha! there you are She pulled out the needle. Not sure what exaclty was in it she just knew it would work. She riped it out of the packaging and stabed him with the needle. It took a moment before he opened his eyes and looked over and smiled.

"Eshva?"

"Its me, Your okay." The words bring back the memories related to the bright green markings on his face. She reaches out and hugs him.

"Lets get you out of here." Taking his hand, She looked at him. Her eyes told him that she Still felt strongly for him. Time was runing out. she only had less then 15 mins to get out of there. She had wasted to much time locating him. He started to speak she put a finger to his lips.

"not now. I don't have time... " She didn't know how true those words were.. The two reunited Ran off down the hallway. Eshva racked her mind for the fastest way out.

:: Clang clang Clang clang::

The ryhymic sound of metal on metal caused her to stop. A partol! Crap! She singlaned to Rin in the hand guestures they used when doing missions back in school.

:: Company :: the fingers signed.

His eyes widen. :: Hide?:: he signed back.

::Yes Now!:: They jumped in a gap just big enough for the two of them.

::Clang clang Clang clang::

The volume increased they were getting closer Eshva could here her heart beating in her head. Please keep going Please God don't let them find us The Shadows of the Rikti passed by. Eshva and Rin both held their breaths. With out using his powers Eshva was sure he thinking on how he's gonna get by this too. The Rikti had just passed by Eshva was about to peek her head out of the gap when she heard a Vocal Cry in their alien lanuage. F***..... She steped out, readied both claws at her sides and Charged the Alien scumbagg.....

<< Okay so I kinda feel like I went a little overboard.. So I'm gonna stop this for now and pick it up later ^^ I hope you guys like my first Story idea based Theard post! >>

[Krazy Katana]

Major Rob Clark smoked the cigarrette, it was going to be his last for a while and he wanted to enjoy it. His outpost was currently being attacked by the Rikti, and if he was going to die he wanted to at least make sure as many of them as possible died with him. The radio unit warbled. "What the hell do you want?" Rob said into the headset. The replied was muted to those nearby but seemed to cause Rob, formely Krazy Katana, some distress. "What do you want me to do about it, sir? Ok, but how in the world will that stop a friggin' Rikti platoon advancing on our position? Ahh, I see, ok sir." The eggheads up in Terra Volta seemed to have devoloped some new weaponry for use against the Rikti, and it was up to his troops to test it out. "Ok men, listen up. We have some new toys for you to shoot at the Rikti with. Considering a bunch are heading our way there should be PLENTY of targets. The weapons are in those crates we got a few hours ago. Give 'em hell." As they came out with the weaponry, Rob could see a glimmer of hope in thier eyes.

Rob watched the battle unfold from the safety of an underground cave, good thing the Council was on there side, at least for now. Rob watched as the new weapons, human in structure but seemingly powered with a Rikti energy source, cut down the Rikti troops. Rob fingered the sword at his side, wishing he could leap into the fray like the good ol' days back at Saint Joe's. It was then that the Rikti got smart and called in their heavy artillery. Rob had feared that this would happen but there was nothing he could do about it. The men under his command were bombarded to the very last. None of them made it back into base, so thorough was the Rikti artillery. Rob new that he would just have to wait for reinforcments from HQ to be dispatched to his location, the com officer had already sent the message. Now all they could do was wait in this forsaken hell hole of a base.

[Rin]

Rin steps forward, followed by two other EX's that had survived the latest wave.
--
"You know this is never going to end... dont you?" The female of the two said through her fitted Crey battle armor. The helmets air filter made the voice cold and mechanized.
"YeAh... BuT aT LeaSt iTs GooD Fun WaTcHin em All DiE..." Rin laughed, his voice harsh, as battle torn as his skin... he didnt like to wear the armor. Watching the Rikti die with his own 2 eyes was worth the risk for him. And he wanted to see the pain in the face of her killers. He threw the destoyed hunter seeker a few feet away, and took a seat on a wall, a few buildings had fallen, which made for many comfortable places to sit and take a breather.
--
The three EX's eyed the battle field, checking for signs of survivors, human or other, and looking for the tell-tale whirr of more hunter-seekers. After a couple minutes, the three relaxed, Rin lowered the force fields around the group and himself, and began the stripping of the battlefield. They took anything they could carry... rifles, swords and such, along with any personal effects the fallen soldiers held with them... letters, bibles, dog tags, pictures.
--
Back at the ARC (the alien resistence commandpost) Rin gave his report of the battle...
"sIX tHoUsNnd ThrEe HunDred anD FiFty hUMan caSuAltiEs, 200 of tHoSe HuMans EX hEROes... nONe wOUNded... nOnE mIssiNG."
The Rikti rarely took prisoners, they already knew anything that they needed to, they'd rrather just kill you.
--
Rin never stayed in the ARC for too long, there were always more Rikti to kill, there was no end to the invasion... On his way out the hidden passage way, one thru an old abonded Cirle of Thorn lair, Rin stopped plopped down on the floor and took out a picture... of the kids at the old school... The first dance he went too... a looong time ago. Half of them were dead... the other half in various commander positions around Paragon, fightin the good fight. He liked the battlefield on the front lines...
he tossed the picture over his shoulder as he got up and headed fot the hatch.
--
As he approaches the exit door Rin's eyes start to glow... He unsheathes his sword and raises a personal force field and whisltes, the earth shifts and a rick comes to life behind him. As soon as he exits, 2 hunter-seekers whirr past. He cricks his neck a couple times and gets a little stretch in before the first rifle blast ricochets off the membrane of the shield, followed by another, and another. Two dozen Rikti hit the floor in one isntant, half their limbs missing. Another 3 or 4 take 3-ton boulders to the face, and a massive earthquake breaks the ground open to swallow a couple of hundred more. But the sea of Rikti continue to increase, he takes a deep breath... Rin steps forward.

[palilla]

Paula and her newly acquired "reinforcements made their way into Skyway city via a service door, at the old Eastgate Security Checkpoint. In the initial stages of the new war, the gate here had been sealed, and the interior space was then filled with scrap metal and concrete debris to deter any penetration at that location. Palilla, however had been shown by the Army Recon Team that had escorted her here that the service doors were still intact, and too small for the Rikti to use, aside from their little monkies.

The buildings here were intact, but quiet. the sounds of combat echoed from their walls. Spotting the old Hum-V, modified with Crey Armor plating, that Pally had used to come to the gate, the group of nine decided this would suffice for now. That is, until the Trolls found the delivery truck about a block away. Shaking her head at the insanity of these men, Pally decided to stick to the military vehicle. Besides, she had something in there of use. Just as she started to put the Hum-V in gear, Julius and Flux hopped in, too.

"Them got situation in hand!"

"Yeah," Flux laughed giving Julius "five." "Time for a beat down and show the Rikti who's turf they're messin' with! Frostfire would have SO been up for this!"

"Frostfire big pansy muncher! Atta show what Trolls made of!"

"I got your Atta, right here, greenie!"

"Yeah, yeah, hombres," Pally raised her voice. "We got space invaders ta go get, den we can start wit da trash talkin'. Okiedokie?"

The two former criminals looked at each other with raised eyebrows at Palilla's "okiedokie" then burst out laughing. Reaching forward, she flipped a switch, and several systems powered up their monitors inside. The two men looked in marvel at the equipment, and got their hands smacked as they reached to touch and push buttons.

"Hey! What dat?"

"U.S. Army Shield Generator and Communications array," Paula replied. "And, no. I don't know how ta make it do stuff."

[Eshva]

F***..... She steped out, readied both claws at her sides and Charged the Alien scumbagg.

Bringing Her claws to either side of her head and with an swift X movement she decapates the Ritiki Solider. The Unatural movement within Eshva's hand quickly reminder her that her fingers were broken.

:: pweb pweb::

Ritiki Blasters went off and the two other soliders spotted her. Falling into a complete Back arch she just avoided getting hit only to spot Rin Green glow coming off his head. He's not.... Eshva eyes widen. It was clear that the effects of the Awaken had wore off. As she was sure on how he got captured in the first place as she truned the backarch into a backflip to land on her feet. Imediatly she felt the rumble of the earth blow, he was using his powers..... the Ritiki soliders Fell flat on there backs. I better finish this fast we'll have even less time now! Runing back between the two soliders jabing the solider to her left the claws went threw Its head, Pulling back she went into a spin spending a shock wave finishing off the one solider and hurting the other. Since our cover is blown already I guess it really doesn't matter Eshva was not happy about that. She had wanted to keep it covert as possible Soon they would have the New Ritiki Hunters after them. She had no exerpance with them. She flung her other claw at Remaining Ritkiti Solider with a follow up.

:: Clang Snap!::

The shards of metal fell to the ground and she stared for a moment at the remains of the claws. I guess they didn't account for that. The Ritiki solider pointed the blaster at her head. It even began to speak to her as Eshva closed her eyes point blank its not missing

:: Crack Floosh thud Crunch::

She reopened her eyes to a large chunk of metal lay in front of her. The Ritiki crushed below she looked back to see Rocko standing there with Rin beside him with a grin on his face. Pissed Eshva's eyes flared with anger and fear.

" Why the heck did you do that! Now we have Hunters on our case" She fumed.

Rin shruged his shoulders.

"Why not?" Rin questoned coldly. Rin never seem to understand her annoyance when they fought together, But since that day he never really did. Once out of battle he always seemed less cold.

"It was a covert operation Rin! Not take out the base operation. I was suppose to get in, get you and get out. I don't have time to fight! Not only that I only have 10 minutes left before I become a continous homoning device for the Hunters. I can't turn off my powers..Thats why I'm not suppose to be fighting." Eshva stoped in her tracks. It hurt her that she couldn't fight. They tried all sorts of medications, implants to slow her Regen power. All of them didn't even make it past an hour. So they put her away. She struggled not to make a fist, she didn't need to damage her fingers more then they already were. Rin move his hand and Rocko was sent back to were he was somoned from.

"Sorry.. But you know" Rin started up but was cut off by Eshva again. She knew what was coming. She could tell by the lack of emotion in his words.

"I don't want to die yet.. So lets just drop it and get out of here" She started walkin again. She didn't want to let it all pour out and ask him why he didn't visit, she would have to wait for that. Right now, they needed to move.

With the partols out on alert it was very diffcult to work their way out of the Ritiki base. Eshva and Rin both move quickly as they could, stopping occasionally to sneak up on a guarding Ritiki and break its neck. Still taking far to long to get out.. Moments later they just before at the Door out. Crouched and ducked behind some crates, Eshva looked at the rather large group of Ritiki blocking their way out. Sitting back down she looked over at Rin.

:: 15 :: she signed. Rin flashed her a smile.

:: no problem, ready?::

Eshva nodded, glancing down at what remaind of the artifical Claws she frowned. You better last me til the end of this Reaching for the medical kit she looked for an andrinlein that should do it. She stabed her self with it. Tossing the needle aside she readied her self blancing her self on her toes and spread her arms out. 1...2...3... NOW! Thrusting with her legs she flew into a backwards flip and landed in the middle of the suripsed group of Ritiki. From there she instantly went into a spin again sending a shockwave Threw out the group. Followed using a pole like a sword he started knockin in heads. Eshva sent Flists flying Aiming mostly for their unproctected head when suddenly she felt this odd yet fimilar sentation in her hands... Pausing for one sec she looked at her hands.. and wiggled her fingers...oh no!.

"Rin! we need to get out of here now!" She shouted. " Times UP!!"

She swore she just saw Rin get an even bigger smile. Eyes started to glow green and the earth shook. Busting open the door. Rocko soon was at his side throwing bits of the floor crushing the remaining Ritiki.

"lets go" he smirked

"K, Follow me to the rally point"

The Dash was on.

Runing fasts as they could threw the remains of Striga island Eshva heard this odd hummm. Looking to the side she saw this 2 foot metailic orb floating following her at pace Hunter seeker? it looked like a floating glowing redeye, with little atentie sticking out. The red scanner already had scaned eshva's outline infroming it of her albities. As it whired louder Rin had thrown a small rock destroying the red lens.

"The Idea is to not let them scan you... If you don't want to fight." Scolded Rin.

Sounds of Ritiki teleporting in filled the air. The sound chilled Eshva to the bone. She fell like every one that teleported in stole a year of her life right there. She sunk to her knee's. What was I thinking taking this on..I should have rejected it.. Now I'll get us both killed. Oh right.. I HAD to go.. Anger started to creep in. She clenched her fist and swung it at a tree

::Shing kacrunch::

Eshva's eyes went wide.. I haven't felt that... In a very long time.. She braced her self and against the tree to push off. As her fist came off it reveiled the Bone/metalic alloy that were her biological claws. A smile came across her. She Displayed them to Rin and a smile crossed his face too. I love being a regen! Eshva beamed as her self confidance came back in full charge.

"Shall we fight our way out?" She grined shooting out the other set. Rin grined and nodded. They were on their way back again it didn't take long for the Ritiki to close on their location. Eshva eyed one Ritiki to her left and to her right, Flinging her arm she porjects a small yet deadly energy force knocking the Ritiki down Two more appeared on her right hand side. Throwing her self into a wild spin she blew them out of melee range.

::Bzzzzit::

Eshva felt the protective bubble arround her. Ritiki start blasting at the pair of heros. Very few blasts got threw and skimed Eshva's arms and legs just burning he skin. She looked at the burn marks they weren't healing..... what the! This isn't good. Just keep runing She repeated in her head...

Meters From the distination She could see the Two men with the teleporters on there backs waiting. She could hear one of them scream As the blaster shots few by. Eshva didn't know how many Ritiki were chasing them, She didn't want to know.

:: pweb pweb ::

my breath!

:: thumpy thump ::

Eshva crashed in to the ground, rolling on the dirt into a tree. Dizzy so very dizzy... Eshva opened her eyes to see Rin dash by and make it to the Teleporting men... Good... Eshva let her eyes close takin in deep breaths.. Misson alcomplished

--------
Rin zoomed up to the two men. Thats them... He stoped and looked behind him. The Ritiki were falling back... Thats odd... The green glow from his eyes dispeared when he looked to his side Eshva! She wasn't there. His head spun arround to see her lying on the ground.

"Sir we have to go now" The one man said.

"Wait! Jussst a seconded!" Rin blasted at the man. Rin was fighting back tears

He ran to her side, knelt down and looked her over. Eshy... He touched her face. He Discovered the wound. It a blast hole threw the lower Right side clean threw. It was about the size of a dinner plate. Bits of flesh clung to the inside burnt. Rin removed his shirt and wraped it arround her slim body to cover the hole. He scooped her up and ran back to the men waiting.

::Buzzzupt::

Rin was greeted by a Group of military men and one he did not reconize one that was in a full body suit. As Rin approched the men holding the Limp woman. He couldn't say anything. The Man in the full suit came runing up. Rin looked at him. Threw the view visor he reconized Glacial Mass.

"MEDIC! Quick NOW!!" Glacial shouted. The men were startled, Some gathered closer to see what had happen, others ran off to get help.

"Oh Eshy....." Glacial looked at her. Clinched his fists tight..

"DAMN IT!" He Roared Slaming his fist into the cement blockade destorying it. The Medical team rushed up with a strecher. Rin lowered her onto it. The Doctor came up to take a quick look at the wounds. When he removed the blood drenched shirt Rin had placed over the gaping wound Glacial and a few men caught glimpse of the wound.. One man puked.

"Lets hurry she's a Regen we might bealbe to save her yet!" The doctor frankily waved the Medics to move her in to the ambulance that showed up. Glacial Approched Rin who still seemed to be lost in thought. They stood beside each other and watched and the lights of the ambulance lit up the streets and the sound of the siren fading into the distance.

<< Edit: All done ^^ For now... I might pick it up if I feel creative ^^>>

[Winged Siren]

Talos Island is almost as flat as the sea that surrounds it. Having nowhere to turn too but the wide blue ocean, the Rikti swept across the city, demolishing everything to the edge of the sand.

On the surface of the silent sea, a stream of bubbles denotes life, somewhere under the surface. The bubbles grow in intensity and frequecy until a crown of shimmering green crests the surface of the water, and Winged Siren hovers gentley to the surface. She looks just as she did the almost twenty years back, it's as if time forgot her completely. She seems unaware of the destruction that lies at the shore, her hair, grown now to her knees, blows limply in the breeze. Her heart aches, and her eyes clench shut as she sees images of destruction, the faces of her friends and classmates- of people she doesn't know, and of the Rikti that caused it all. Her fist shakes with rage, and a sword of crystiline ice forms in her hand, a single tear streaks from her clenched eye.

Her naked form slips back into the water, and she opens her eyes, as she begins to fly to where her heart is telling her to go.

[Pu-244]

((Dropping the hammer))


With a flash of light the two soldiers and the two heroes where gone. All of the hunters seemed to stop for a moment there red eyes streaking side to side the cool chrome paint reflecting the devastation of stranga all around them. Contemplating, Remembering several times in the past documented within the master computer where the teleportation techniques of all of the heroes that they had eliminated in the past. There intelligence kicked in and they all started thinking the collective consciousness of the billions of drones started winding the gears and charging the circuits looking back on a particular case a hero used teleportation to launch a confusing assault on the drones giving them the run around. A drone in particular noticed that there where never two attacks at the same time, though all of the spots where random and never reoccurred. Like that instance the drones taped into the Ritiki defense mainframe. Up to date scanners of the planet where recorded ever few seconds to ensure that they had the most recent Intel on the fighting.

“Accessing…………”
“Reviewing Intel database case number #D-2373840000384D837242”
“Reviewing cordencene # 238329-5632-843975”
“Dimensional Rift Detected…”
“Reviewing Intel database case number #D-2373840000384D837242 #D-2373840000384D837256 #D-2373840000384D837268 #D-2373840000384D837243 #D-2373840000384D837245 #D-2373840000384D837247 #D-2373840000384D837299 #D-2373840000384D837246 #D-2373840000384D837278 #D-2373840000384D837298 #D-2373840000384D837301 #D-2373840000384D837274 #D-2373840000384D837257 #D-2373840000384D837258 #D-2373840000384D837259 #D-2373840000384D837289 #D-2373840000384D837283 #D-2373840000384D837270 #D-2373840000384D837276 #D-2373840000384D837284 #D-2373840000384D837287 #D-2373840000384D837277 #D-2373840000384D837265 #D-2373840000384D837266……….”
“Case #D-2373840000384D837266, Dimensional rifts detected……..credence 77642-23425-75232……….-83674-86369-78932………..938423-93028-02938.”

“Accessing portal mainframe…”
“Access granted…….”
“Input cordenece: 938423-93028-02938”

Before them a tear in the fabric of space and time opened a black void that lead to a medium sized room and a building, the wall where white and run down, activity ceased but around the ported drones….there was activity…..trace singes of heroic signatures.

“Initiating combat sweep…”
“Protocols: Search and Destroy”
“Initiate”

A soldier entered the room only to become face to face with the lead drone his red eye swiped and scanned the soldier before the drones body slip in half and like a buzz saw blades sprung out and cut the soldier in half from the chest up sweeping through him like a hot knife through butter, from there on the “tats” and pulses from weapons filled the facility. Drone after drone ported into the facility the safe house that it once was became a slaughter house. The chemically suppressed heroes didn’t stand a chance agent the deadly hunter seekers. The soldiers guarding the facility where tougher than there unarmed counterparts but proved to be a major inconvenience. Though in the end the drones still swarmed through the portal, an endless flood thirsty for slaughter and blood, it only took 6 min but the facility was silenced. The safe house was safe no more. All prudent data was scanned and forwarded to Ritiki intelligence, as fast as they came they left…..no one from that point herd anything from the hero safe house or saw anyone.

((This was in light of the misunderstanding of the use of hunter seekers, as stated they are made to track and hunt supers. DO NOT take them lightly. Eshva is the ONLY one here who stands any chance in hell of surviving this encounter for the simple reason she is already dead with her regeneration powers still in mind. Rin Glacial sorry you both are done.))



Squad 3 meet up with a column that was headed to a rally point north of skyway, there the 3d was to push though with back up from the freedom corps and the 340th Counsel Mechanized Unit. The column of troops made up of several different warring factions within the city. They all grouped and huddled together under army supervision in accordance to the 1st Armistice treaty of Paragon City. They didn’t normally speak to one another because of the tension that aroused between the soldiers and the villainous groups, There commanders did not want any of there soldiers sharing secrets or battle plans. This made it hard for the coalition of troops to operate on the battlefield, the communication and Intel systems where modeled after Ritiki systems and where far beyond the best the world had on its side. Though the anti-Semitism between the factions made it useless because no one but the Armed forces used it to its fullest advantage, but without the factions and the united coalition of troops the war would have been over sooner.

“Patterson!” shouted Colonel Briggs “Get your men in gear I got a job for ya'”

“Sir!” Patterson replied, hastily making his way over to a small spot where the Colonel was, around him where some of the brilliant minds of the operation, they all looked the same in there gold and silver leafs, bars and stars, men from different divisions and companies. The Colonel nodded to some chatter between the officers and turned to Patterson.

“Son I got’ a mission that’s going to require you to do some recon and retrieval for us. About 20 minutes ago first squad picked up a hitchhiker that was on her way back from a mission, they are currently headed for the front to participate in the spear head into skyway sector. Now this little lady has something on her that’s of importance and I need you to point her in the right direction back into my hands.” He instructed

All the wile Lt Patterson was nodding and his eyes stared at the ground as his ear perked to the side. The Kevlar made it difficult to hear jack with the War Cry’s stopping on by in formation.

“What she scarring is classified and needs to make it back to the portal corp. building. I need her first because she needs a debriefing and reassignment.”

Patterson shook his head “Sir my men and I where looking forward to the assault to get the command post…” He was cut off by the Colonel “Son I don’t give a shit, just do what your told there will be plenty of action for everyone!”

“We clear!?” he said obviously angered

“Yes sir”

“Now get my god damn special ops back to me!”

“Yes sir” He hung his head and trotted back off to where his unit was


Eight men where sat on the steps to one of the project buildings in kings, they where obviously lazy tired and didn’t feel the excitement that was around them about the big push. On of the men sprawled out on the top step his helmet over his head the others where blatantly taking it easy.

“Ok ok look look” Pvt. Waters said. “I was reading about this guy who was working on a time traveling device that could take us back and probably stop all this bullshit.”

“Don’t fuck with me Waters, your full of shit” said Dixon

“I am not I read about it!” exclaimed Waters

“You can read Waters!?” said Dixon “Holy shit!” he turned to face the private “We may have a chance after all holy hell it’s a merical!”

All eight of the men shared a momentary laugh at the private before silencing waters sharing his discontent.

Cpl Dallas the heavy weapons operator starting to reassemble his SAW spoke next “Suns ‘a bitches’ took down a Hero safe house today is what I herd” he wiped his nose and slide the barrel of the gun back into place “Them hero types never saw it comin’ and every one of them slaughtered”

The men shared a moment of silence before one of them spoke up a Cpl “Burn” as they call him was a former super with the ability to control fire, he joined the army and they thought him to suppress it in order to combat the hunters.

“Oh well not our problem” he took a long drag from this thick cigar that he acquired for trade with a Malta operative.

Waters spoke up “Hey Burn put that damn thing out! you know what the Lt said about you and fire!”

Burn leaned his head back and looked at waters pointing with his thick Cuban in his fingers “Waters if you don’t shut the fuck up I will shove this cigar up your ass and make you pay for it!” waters rolled his eyes and backed off, Dallas reloading his weapon smirked and shook his head as Burn turned and leaned back agents the steps “brown nosing pussy…” escaped his lips before putting the cigar back into his mouth.

“Oh Jesus here we go…” Putting his hand over his face PFC Washington leaned agents the railing of the steps just about to cover his ears before Sgt. O’Malley stepped in.

“God damn-et!!” he raised being the soldier sleeping on the top steps “Can’t a man get some sleep, with out yea boys actin’ up, your All in fuck’en kindergarten Jesus marry merciful lord!” He swiftly smacks waters being the close soldier there in the back of the helmet

“Ouch what the fucking hell!?” he said in defense before being smacked again

“Watch your tong lad!” he said furiously “and Yu’!” Referring to Burn “ill come down there and shove all ya’ cigars up ya’ arse if ya’ don’t shut ya’ arse!”

The soldiers that where not involved between the disciplinary action where holding back the laughs. This was almost daily activity in third squad. Burn and waters would go off O’Malley would drop the hammer and everyone gets busted for laughing.

“Hey I think I got a rock in my gun” Pvt. Jenkins said staring down into the barrel of his gun poking his pinky finger into the end of the gun.

“Let me see” said PFC Campbell grabbing the barrel and looking down into it his eye not even an inch away.

The whole squad just stared in amazement at there stupidity

“I think I see something.” Said Campbell again lifting the gun up trying to get a better look.

Lt Patterson at just reached out and clicked the safety of the gun off, the two soldiers leaned over looked at the shaft then each other then up to the finger that touched it and there was the Lt.

“Hey Lieutenant!” said Jenkins witch perked the rest of the squad to there feet.

The Lt waved everyone to sit and adjusted the strap on his weapon before speaking.

“Alright ladies we got ourselves a recovery mission” his words where broken by the discontent of the squad. “Look I know I know, but orders are orders so lets get going, we have a young lady in red to rescue from the big bad wolf. So let’s get going”

With that said the men rose to there feet again and they started walking with the column of mechanized troops and troop transports, all headed in the same direction the city lights kicking on by the fall of the afternoon sun. In the background the thuds and explosions could be herd overhead the skis filled with aircraft of both sides. The war on the ground was just as bad as in the air, both sides knowing that air held just as much value as the ground.

((had this part going for some time just finished the last paragraph or so and hurray =| ))

[Mimi]

((I am LOVING this thread. However, I have a favor to ask... I am starting a new thread in "Roleplaying Chat" for this thread. Please help other writers out a bit by doing the following:

Talk a little bit, OOC, about your own post. What organization(s) have you created for this alternate future? What technology have you invented for the heroes' use? What Paragon City "zones" have you established, and in what condition are they?

The reason I ask this is because people will have slightly different visions of this future, but already, a few minor contradictions have come up. This is okay for an alternate future, but I'd like to make sure that one person does not accidentally totally contradict someone else.

Thanks!))

[Glacial Mass]

((With the conclusion of Eshva's post, Rin and I were on the field. Nobody actually said we went to the safehouse. That's what I'm using as an out for Rin and I, if everyone is copasetic with it.))

Glacial's face had gotten hard in the years since the war. It wasn't that he had age lines, stubble, even a haggard look -- to be honest, he didn't look like he'd aged a day since his second transformation. In the pursed mouth, in the sharply protruding cheekbones, in the sunken but alert eyes, Glacial's interior softness had fled. He'd sent too many boys and girls to their deaths to stay innocent forever.

"All you boys get home with the 'porters except you, Johnson. They're going to need an escort, and I'm going to need a gunner. Rin, you're with me." He grabbed him roughly by the shirt, hauling him off the ground and making a full-out run for the nearby armored personnel carrier. He still ran like a linebacker.

"In. Now." He opened the rear door for Rin, and leaped into the driver's seat. No time for this emotional bull. If a patrol caught Eshva in that tin can unguarded, they'd be ripped apart in seconds.

Torn.

Shredded.

Like so many good soldiers.

Don't think about it. Push it out of your head. You have a job to do, Frosty. Move it.

Private Johnson climbed up to the roof to man the turret. Glacial had the start-up sequence put through in seconds. Starting up an APC was as natural to him as waking up from a nightmare.

"Listen up, Rin. I don't have time to keep saving your selfish ass like this. You try using your powers again, the Ritiki will be the last of your concerns. I'll rip through your force fields and tear your head off your scrawny little neck. You clear, superstar?"

Tough times. Tough choices.

[Pu-244]

((That works welcome to thw future glacial))

[Glacial Mass]

((W3wtzorz.))

[Pu-244]

It didn’t take to long to reach the Skyway wall. The effigy of power, peace, and protection, in moderate portions lay crumbled before the squad. The two sergeants and the rest of the squad stood there in awe at the huge mound that lay where a wall portion stood. At the base they looked up over the ridge and in a haze of war flashes bright flashes blinked in and out of existence. Sounds and echoes of war lay on the other side. It was almost like they had to reach out and touch it the sounds of war where so close. The eerie feeling overcame the soldiers.

“Maybe there is a way around…” Said Pvt. Parker he gulped, obviously shaky about the situation.

The squad looked left and as far as the eye could see was wall, and to the right disappearing into a haze of the setting sun were more walls.

“No dice Parker looks like where going to have to go strait though.” Said the rugged Sgt. Thompson. “If that’s ok with the Sergeant” he said harshly.

Sgt. Plutonium gave a harsh look back at Thompson. She put her foot up on a peace of cement rubble and adjusting the sling on her weapon and looked up over the cement hill a large horn that used to support the shield wall flickered and sparked sending the orange embers down onto the pile of debris.

Footsteps where herd behind her one then the rest of the squad moved up all of them not even a gaze at her. The Sgt passed her feeling a cold strand of emotion from him. Something about the Sgt. Bugged Thompson, but you didn’t need to be a psychic to know it was blatant prejudice. One of the soldiers from the squad bumped into Sgt. Pluto sharing there sergeants feelings at that moment he turned and gave Sgt. Pluto a cold gaze and with his finger though the weapon hole of his rifle it only reinforced the hate that was being placed on her. He turned and walked up the hill after the rest of the squad.

Sgt Pluto gritted her teeth not happy with the situation. Then a friendly hand placed on the under side of her right arm, looking over there was a hand attached to an arm with a band decorated in a red cross.

“Hey” he said easy going “you alright?”

There was a moment of silence as she looked at Cpl. Simmons the empathetic medic. Her eyes almost detected the bridge that gaped the squad and herself.

“Ja” she replied, looking forward taking her arm back from his grasp agitated at the immaturity of the squad that she ran across.

Simmons shook his head and being the last man to fallow up the hill the squad made there way to the top. Over the massive support column one of the squad mates pointed with his finger making an arch and said “Abandon all hope ye who enter here” needless to say he was right, but it got him a more than his share of dirty looks.

The squad lined up shoulder by shoulder. Before them was a glow of crimson and orange. The battle of Skyway raged before them. From there vantage point they could see the extent of the sector was on fire. The smoke belched blocking out the evening sun making it night time. The noticed a near by fire base under attack the soldiers inside the bunker fought back furiously holding there position agents incoming artillery and small weapons fire. Drones (not hunter seekers) Ritiki Air units fought with a wing of Comanche attack helicopters some wear in the distance. The two fought a furious battle for the skies there almost weightless dance in the sky was a waltz of death and destruction.

Before the soldiers an orchestra of war and death, soldiers of both sides clashed in the streets, from the east an army M1A3 battle tank was covered by 3 council War Cry Mk.III’s. From there vantage point they couldn’t see the armored column of infantry and Ritiki armor that where about to come down on the, the sick part was they chaos and confusion among the spearhead forces they couldn’t do anything, it was pure mayhem.

“There…” Sgt Thompson pointed out to the western front. “The firebase that’s where our rally point is” Pluto looked over watching the Sgt studding his arm band computer display. She looked down at her own and noticed a Priority order made it though to her GPS system and gave the coordinates to the Allied rally point for the push into the skyway war zone.

She looked out though the glow of smoke and saw an American flag that waved freely over a bunker surrounded by heavily fortified fences and gun emplacements. From the looks of it the trench system that lay around the bunker teamed with life from soldiers entering and leaving the zone. The Zoom lenses on her weapon that feed into her goggles gave her a good look at the base.

Another innovation by the US army was the advent of the Gun Cams that fed though the computer system. The good thing was soldiers in training could review videos of the soldiers in the field. Provided accurate kill counts as well as the live feed to the soldiers helm witch made blind firing around corners a thing of the past. Most where only available for use by special forces, but due to extra push it was standard equipment on all M-8 Assault Rifles, Soldiers just needed the hook ups and the goggles….it was easy to pick off dead bodies now days most where just recovered repaired and reused. Sgt. Pluto thought it eerie to know how many eyes gassed though these goggles before her own.

“Let’s move out ...” Sgt Thompson said before waving his hand forward and with that the whole squad including Sgt. Plutonium ducked and made there way down the crumbled hill onto the fray of combat…..