Maybe a two or three part, something short. Just something to tide you over while I keep working on Wanderer. This is probably how things will go short one shots to hold you all over sorry day late but just got my IPad back to work didn't want to turn on for some darn reason.
Babylon, a planet discovered in the year 2556, a barren land with nothing but dirt, mountains and a few oceans and rivers. A perfect candidate for Tera Forming. Tera Forming began on the planet not a year later and after around 57 years the planet had started showing signs of life with shrubbery here and there, but it didn't matter to higher ups, the planet was used for R&D, anything from agricultural to weapons, the planet did it all.
Currently in a section of the large Colony were two women were hard at work.
"Miss Hyūga, have you collected all the data for today on the Bio-Dome plant growth?" A Woman roughly about five foot eight inches wearing a simple black dress skirt, heels and a dark red blouse which the color rivaled her hair's own color, her hair reached the small of her back. asked another woman said question as she herself looked over a monitor while jotting down notes on something else.
"Almost Ma'am, I just have to mark the oxygen level for today and I will be done" responded Miss Hyūga. This Woman, wore the same outfit, except with a purple blouse and an added lab coat. Her Hair was roughly shoulder length and black. Her eyes were a nice almond color.
"Good, I'll be done here to pretty soon, want to grab a cup of coffee after this?"
"Sure Ma'am"
The two finished up before heading towards the door while the red headed woman got the lights. As the two stepped out they could see Doctor Haruno along with a handful of Nurses currently pushing a stretcher at break neck speeds.
"CLEAR THE WAY WE HAVE INJURED HERE!" Yelled the Doctor as they pushed the stretcher towards the infirmary.
"That was interesting" spoke Miss Hyūga as she and the red head, headed towards the canteen for their cup of coffee.
Aboard the Konoha a month later
The Konoha was currently orbiting the planet Jericho. A planet dominated by Jungle terrain, nothing but jungle and the few odd colonies spread out around the planet either on the jungle floor or on pillars keep it above the tree line.
But that didn't matter, what did matter was the mission Konoha and her crew were sent on.
A Terrorist cell of about a hundred strong had decided to set up shop on Jericho, however they were not prepared for the planet wildlife and were easily decimated not even a few months after setting up, Konoha had arrived just in time to clean up the what was left of the mess.
However, Konoha had spent the time there helping out the colonies with odd jobs before reporting back to USCM HIGH-COM. The Marines on board were currently enjoying there first time off since arriving on the planet. Alpha company excluding its Sergeant and Lieutenant were currently in the reck room enjoying there R&R with a game of Poker and a mix of Pool.
"Three of a kind ladies give it up" A marine with brown hair, with it being cut short on the sides and keeping it slightly long on top showed his hand as those at the table folded, all but one. Their Female Heavy Weapons Specialist.
"I've got you beat Kiba, Royal Flush, now hand it over" the pot was a mix of Cigars, cigarettes, matches, lighters and money, with the main prize being a gold plated Zippo lighter with multiple scratches and a few dents.
"Damn Tenten I really wanted the zippo" Tenten as it was revealed only smiled before pocketing the Zippo before taking a few cigars and giving the rest of the pot back.
On the other side of the room was a pool table currently occupied by a Blonde Marine and another Marine with black hair and another with a simple buzz cut that had gone a few weeks without being cut again.
"So Neji hows your Sister?" Asked the Blonde as he lined up his shot before taking it and making space for the man he spoke to.
"She's good Naruto, last time I talked to her was a month ago, she's still stationed on Babylon and said she was working on a Bio dome or something" spoke Neji as he to lined up his shot as well, but before he could take his shot the sound system had gone off.
"ALPHA COMPANY REPORT TO THE BRIEFING ROOM THIS IS NOT A DRILL"
"YOU KNOW THE DRILL LADIES LETS MOVE" yelled Naruto as they rest of the Marines filed out out of the reck room before heading to the briefing room.
A few minutes later Alpha company was seated and awaiting orders. The Captain of the Konoha, Jirayai stood before them before speaking.
"A minutes ago I received a transmission from HIGH-COM. They have lost Contact with the R&D department and Colony on Babylon over a month ago. They waited the standard month to see if it wasn't a communications equipments error. There sending us in. Were about six hours from Babylon, I want Alpha Company preped and ready to move by then, prepare for the worst people, Sergeant Kakashi, I want you and three others to help the pilots arm the bird, Private Tenten I need you to give all weapons a once over and when your done do it again. Corporal Lee, I need you to do the same for everyone's armor" Jirayai paused before looking at each individual from Alpha Company. Each one of them had a mix of anger and worry on their faces but aside from that looked ready for war.
"Alright, Alpha Company your dismissed"
"Alright you know the drill assholes and elbows let get moving!" Yelled their Lieutenant, Asuma.
"SIR YES SIR!" Alpha Company responded before leaving the briefing room.
For the next six hours Alpha Company prepared in their own ways with most checking weapons and armor along side Tenten. But an hour before drop two marines, clad in only the bottom half of their BDU's were attempting to enjoy a bowl of ramen, a sort of pre op ritual for one of them, for the other, something to settle the nerves and the bubble guts he was experiencing at the moment.
The two sat in the mess hall with their Ramen freshly made by Naruto with the steam currently basking in the mess hall. Naruto had gently picked up his chopsticks before looking over to Neji.
"Don't Worry man Hinata and Hanabi are okay" seemed to shake as he responded.
"How am I supposed to not worry man, you know there the only family I have left. If something happened to them I don't know what I'll do" Naruto only reached over the table and put his hand on Neji's shoulder.
"Look Neji, were gonna get to Babylon and me and you are going to go to her work station or sector alright, but right now I need you and they need you to relax, being worried, tired and stressed makes the margin for error larger, and you can't help them if your dead. got it?" Neji nodded in response before looking back at Naruto.
"What do you think happened at Babylon?" Asked Neji as Naruto put down his chopsticks.
"Look man I got a bad feeling about this one, my guts telling me somethings wrong and you know my guts rarely wrong, but I hope to god it's wrong right now" Naruto responded to Neji. Over the course of Alpha Company taking missions together they had always took Naruto and his gut feeling into account, seeing as there were times were his gut would get them out of ambushes or lead them in the right direction, and how Naruto said, was rarely wrong.
"I hope so to, but what if its right? What do you think happened down there?" Asked Neji once more as he started to eat his ramen.
"Best case Scenario. Power has been out and Communications are down, will show up secure the area, probably have a few beers and repair their Comms array. A week at most will spend down there"
"And worse case?"
"Worse case someone in R&D cooked something up and it got spread, some kind of infection or sickness. That or raiders decide to invade it, but they would have hailed for reinforcements, but that wouldn't make sense since they have regular security that was provided by Wayland Yutani corporation . It just doesn't make sense and my gut agrees" both men grew silent as they speculated what could have happen to Babylon while eating their ramen.
The pair finished there meal before depositing their plates in the sink and making their way towards the armory.
The rest of Alpha Company was already in the armory gearing up for the mission ahead.
Kiba was already suited up and was sliding on his gloves and attaching his tool kit to the two straps on the back bottom of his armor. The tool kit was used for disarming and arming bombs along with other light work he would help Shino the combat engineer with.
Choji, one of their heavy weapons specialist was also suited and was currently checking over his Smart Gun that was personally customized by him. The Smart Gun was all black with multiple scuff marks that had chipped away the final paint coat on the Smart Gun, but what truly made the Smart Gun special to Choji was the fact that the tip of the barrel was stained in dried blood that was never washed off. This blood had come from an enemy. It was back when he first joined the USCM. He had been rushed from his dug in position from within a trench. Choji thinking quickly rammed his Smart Gun barrel into the enemy's chest before pulling the trigger and turning the man into Swiss cheese.
Naruto and Neji head towards their respective lockers.
First Naruto. Naruto lockers was barren off all except his his top layer of armor and his helmet along with his mossberg Shockwave and his gas mask. It was a relic in today time but to Naruto it was a great find. He had stolen it from Drug Kingpin that had taken over a large portion of a planet. After killing the the Kingpin and most of his men Naruto and a few others were sent to clear out the Kingpin's home. After clearing the house room by room they reached the office. The office was surprisingly clear of drugs and weapons, all except for a scatter gun mounted above the fireplace. Naruto took this and has used this ever since. Naruto slid his Scatter gun into its large leather holster that was attached to the right side of the back of his armor. Naruto slid his armor on before tightening the straps and buckling up his buckles. Naruto then checked his small bandolier on his armors right side seeing it was full Naruto was content before checking his left bandolier to see his six pulse rifle grenades were still there as well. Naruto checked himself in the mirror as he looked over the black faded kanji for war on his left peck, were his heart was. Naruto then put his helmet on before reaching for his gas mask. A simple design a olive green mixed with other camo greens and visor was completely black meant to stop the effect of flash bangs and concussion grenades. The paint was faded and worn as well. The design came from a design by Yanko design before it was bought by Weyland Yutani. The civilian version of the mask was completely white but the military version was well military in fashion. Naruto grabbed the mask with his left hand before closing his locker door with his right before speaking out.
"I advise you bring your gas mask, Babylon's R&D department tend to cook up chemical weapons, things along the line of tear gas and anti riot gas as well" Naruto then walked over to the gun rack as he looked for his pulse rifle.
His pulse rifle was his for a very specific reason. It had been with him since basic. That and the custom engraving he got on the safety mechanism. Instead of being the standard Fire and safe it was, Pew and No Pew. When he had done it with his knife it made him laugh and had always made him laugh ever since.
One by one the filed out all armed to the teeth. The APC was already waiting for them with doors opened ready to move at a moments notice.
"Alright Marines up and and at em, we got a base to secure and eggheads to save, Corporal Uzumaki get your ass in that driver seat!" Spoke Sergeant Hatake as the Marines boarded the APC. With the APC packed to the brim and the men and woman in place, Naruto drove the APC below the drop ship and felt the clamping mechanism activate as it pulled the APC up to the under belly of the drop ship.
"Baby Bird you are clear for lift off I repeat you are clear for lift off" spoke the captain of the ship as he released the locks off the bay doors.
"Copy that Captain Baby Bird is away" the ship quickly shot out from the bay before aiming towards Babylon and letting gravity take it down towards the planet surface.
The drop was quick and vicious with gravity doing most of the work with the pilot only kicking into action as soon as they had broke through the atmosphere.
Before long Baby Bird had touched down and Alpha had rolled out heading towards Babylon's main command post.
"Baby Bird this Alpha Nine, take off. Will radio in for evac if needed" spoke Naruto as he stopped the APC in front of the doors to the bottom of the command post.
"Wilco Alpha Nine, stay frosty down there" Responded Izuma as he pulled the drop ship off the ground and head back to the USS Konoha.
Naruto slid the head set off before sliding on his gas mask and putting his helmet back on. Naruto was the first to have his hand on the latch ready to move as the rest got ready.
"Alright boys and girls, standard sweeping procedures. Mark rooms you've checked and move on, check in every five minutes. Kakashi take your team and search the recreational zone, I'll take my team and check residential zone" Asuma looked to his men as he to slid his gas mask on which everyone immediately followed his actions as they moved towards the door that Naruto had quickly opened before stepping outside. Asuma quickly gripped Naruto's shoulder before speaking.
"Corporal, I need you to go straight to communications, see if you can get thinks squawking again" Naruto nodded as he took a motion tracker from the APC before closing the door and heading into the interior of Babylon after Shino had hacked the door open. Naruto quickly looked for a map before taking a peak at the motion tracker that was currently hanging off his shoulder and dangling at his hip. Ten signatures popped up, both in groups of Five heading in opposite directions.
Naruto headed down the many halls looking for a flight of stairs he needed to go in order to get to communications. As Naruto lightly jogged through the halls glancing at the motion so often, he noticed the amount of internal damage Babylon had. Multiple bullet holes from small arms fire and what seemed to be acid burns after closer inspection.
Naruto had found his flight of stares but before he could bound up them Naruto immediately got a signature, two. One was in a room roughly twenty meters to his right and another was moving away from him.
"This is Uzumaki I got movements. Got one moving towards residential and I got another one with me twenty meters and pacing" Naruto quickly relaid as he let the motion tracker dangle as he shouldered his Pulse Rifle.
"Corporal this is Asuma, we'll intercept the first target proceeded with caution on the second or wait for Corporal Lee to arrive at your position"
"Negative Sir proceeded with your objective I got this one Sir" responded Naruto before moving forward. Naruto quickly reached the door before slowly opening it. Naruto cut through the darkness with his shoulder lamp beam. A flash of red zoom to the other side of the room with instinct kicking in and thinking it was a grenade caused Naruto to launch himself back out the door before rolling away from the door way. But after three seconds and nothing exploding Naruto stood back up slowly as he leveled his pulse rifle to the room door that was now shut.
"I got contact on the other side of the door moving in to engage" spoke Naruto slowly and quietly as he slammed the doors button before entering, scanning the room slowly as he went over every single detail.
The room was small, probably some for of break room for the janitors seeing as it had cleaning supplies pushed against the wall with a few buckets holding up a piece plywood that had carpet was acting as a table with a few buckets on each side acting as chairs.
Naruto scanned the interior of the room once more before slowly stepping back into the entrance.
CLANG!
A pile metal bucket had fallen over and rolled into one of the buckets acting as a chair. Naruto instinctively leveled his pulse rifle barrel toward the bucket as his motion tracker went off. Naruto slowly reached for the light switch. Loud click was heard as it flicked it on. Turning off his flash light he checked the room once more to see a small orange fox pup the size of his palm sitting on the make shift table starring back at him. The fox seemed to be studying him as he was studying it.
"Hey there little guy" Naruto stepped closer as he let his pulse rifle fall to his side as he slowly reached over to pet it. The fox's tail seemed to split into nine tails.
"Wow... thats... kinda cool" spoke Naruto as he gently scratched the back of the small fox's ear. The fox seemed to long for the touch as it pushed its body against Naruto's hand.
"Your all alone here little guy, when's the last time you ate?" The fox seemed to perk up at this, Naruto seemed to think it understood him some what so he slowly reached into his pocket before pulling out a small piece of jerky before attempting to feed it to the fox which quickly tore the piece from his hand before scarfing it down and giving a small burp. Naruto stood straight up before digging into another pocket before pulling out a small pouch, just big enough to fit the fox in.
"You wanna come with me buddy?" The fox jumped into Naruto's open hand before being gently deposited into the small pouch before strapping the pouch to the center of his chest in some half assed way Naruto was known for doing.
"Corporal Report!" Barked the LT over radio which caused Naruto to recoil from the sudden noise before answering.
"Heading towards COMMS now Sir" Responded Naruto as he exited the room and once more patted his new buddy on the head.
But as Naruto left the room something else left right behind him. The two new friends may have not noticed what was watching them, but that was the point.
The 'Something' materialized from a crackling and a few sparks of lighting. There stood a being at least seven feet tall, skin the look of a lizard, its body covered in mesh and a mix match of armor. Its calf's covered in a metal armor along with its heart and shoulder. The being wore gauntlets that had blades. The being also seemed to have small skulls from small animals all tied onto a small piece of string that wore tied to his mesh armor. The being also wore a mask and had dreads that seemed to be just like its skin. This being seemed to huff before once more turning invisible and stepping out off the room.
Naruto arrived at Communications and took notice of the amount of bullet holes in the room along with the same burns he had seen multiple times. Naruto quickly fished through one of his pouches before pulling out three flares. Naruto lit one and dropped it at his feet before lighting the next two and throwing them at opposite sides of the room before walking towards the main console.
Naruto gently set his pulse rifle down on the table next to him along with the motion tracker but with the screen facing him. He then put down his nw friend next to his pulse rifle before he began to take a look at the over all integrality of the main console. From what he could see there was no heavy damage to it and it seemed that it was just covered in grime and some dirt, it also had a hand print that had been printed in blood that was now dry directly in the center.
"This is Alpha Nine, I got a dry blood hand print, expect hostiles" spoke Naruto smoothly as he attempted to power up the console to no luck.
"Oh god..." spoke the LT, things grew quieter then what they were and Naruto had his hair on end as he quickly checked the door before going back to the console.
"This is Alpha One, I read you Alpha Nine. I got skinned bodies over here, fresh. I have Alpha 11 emptying his stomach. Keep an eye out Corporal this place feels off" Asuma spoke referring everyone by there numbers within the Company. This was only done to keep names out over conversations just Incase the enemy were listening in.
Naruto nodded even though no one was around him before responding. "Ass clenched and head on a swivel Sir" and with that the silence resumed as Naruto opened up the console panels to notice the power had been turned off for the entire Facility and was directed hear, the motor pool and the armory. The Motor pool seemed to be cut off along with the armory so Naruto decide to direct power toward the Facility's main functions, such as water and air purification and heating and cooling. The Facility seemed to hum as the room he was in became more lively with the lights on a dim setting and the blast windows shutting.
Naruto looked around now with room brighter making it easier to see. The first thing he noticed was the the amount of dried blood sitting in one corner and the door that had been welded shut on the other side of the room along with a few welded vents. Naruto gently petted his friend before his motion tracker gave a faint beep. Twenty meters and moving away from him slowly.
"This is Alpha Nine, I have Communications up and running and I need a team here to secure"
"Negative Alpha Nine, stay put and secure Communications" responded Asuma as Naruto grunted in mild frustration.
"Sir I've got contact thirty meters and moving away, I also have a friendly with me Sir" Responded Naruto as he kept looking at his motion tracker as what ever it was made more distance between him and it.
"Alright Alpha Nine, I'm sending Alpha two and his team to secure the civilian and Communications. Wait for their arrival and move to engage"
"Copy that Sir" a few minutes later and Kakashi had showed up accompanied by Private Uchiha along with Private First Class Nara, Neji and Private Tenten one of their Heavies.
Naruto swiftly picked up his little friend before walking over to Neji as he spoke to his friend.
"Hey there little buddy I need to go so I'm leaving you with my good friend Neji, no worries he's as cool as me and he'll keep you safe I'll be back before you know it" spoke Naruto gently as he handed his friend to Neji.
"What's this!" Asked Neji bewilder by the fox in his hands.
"That's the Friendly, he's cool. Take care of him Neji" and with that Naruto ran off attempting to catch up with his something as it had gotten roughly fifty meters between him and it while he was waiting for team two. Naruto quickly darted out of room with motion tracker in hand as he chased down his lead.
Naruto went down multiple halls before running into a dead end with his lead moving further away. Naruto quickly took note of the vent on the wall andt quickly pulled it off before entering the metal labyrinth. Naruto let his pulse rifle fall to his side as he grabbed his scatter gun before continuing through.
Naruto seemed to catch up to his lead but it seemed to just disappear his motion tracker had stopped its steady beep. Naruto took a second to look at it before scratching his jaw.
"Were the hell you go?" He whispered as he continued to move around slowly intent on finding his lead.
Naruto seemed to come close to something yet he couldn't see anything yet he could sense it. And then it hit him the smell.
But before Naruto could continue his little investigation his radio barked to life as a voice to go through.
"Corporal I need you back here in Communications!" The frustrated tone of Naruto's LT could be heard from his headset as he quickly responded.
"Copy that sir I'm moving" was Naruto's simple reply had he gave the vent hall one last look before making his way back towards communications.
Unknown to Naruto his senses had caught onto something but it was the interruption of his LT that had kept him alive, the air around the vent tunnel seemed to crackle as a mix of greens and browns skinned figure clad in metal an leather materialized from thin air.
A faint sound of a rather primitive throat speech could be heard as the Figure stared at the spot were the yooman had just been.
The yooman was rather interesting to her seeing as it had somehow tracked her all the way into the labyrinth of metal and was within feet of its demise and an as addition to her trophy wall. But the voices from the yoomans talk box pulled it away from her grasp and back towards from were he first started tracking her.
It made her snort at the thought as she made her way back to camp.
"The prey hunting a hunter..." claws could be heard scrapping against the walls of the metal labyrinth causing the hunter to quicken her pace. "I must hurry these tunnels belong to the serpents not us... not long before the yoomans run into the Serpents" the hunter made her way through the tunnels with out problems and arrived back to the clans camp.
Back at Communications
"Corporal... what is the meaning of this?" Asuma had asked Naruto who was currently standing next to a console with his helmet off and the Nine tail fox he had found sitting in it.
"Its the friendly" Naruto responded with a smile before looking back to the console that currently had his attention.
Asuma shook his head as he himself looked through another console. All of Alpha company was there currently either making stock of what was in Communications or in the rooms around it such as the infirmary or the storage rooms that were packed to the brim with repair tools or spare parts.
The main halls seemed to be barricaded with scrap metal and large sheets of metal before having spare crates and chairs pilled on to stop someone from breaking through. The side doors leading to the area also seemed to be welded shut and the the blast shutters also down.
Naruto meanwhile was pulling up maps of the Armory and Motor pool before bringing them up to Asuma.
"What am I looking at Corporal?" Asked Asuma as he grabbed the maps from Naruto.
"Right before I turned the power back it was being directed to the Motor pool and the armory Sir" responded Naruto as he made his way back towards the console and reached for his helmet.
"Let me guess you want to check it out" Naruto only nodded as he scooped up the Fox and placed him in his chest pouch that was now more securely strapped to him.
"Alright then, Private Hūyuga! Corporal Lee your with Uzumaki" Neji and Rock Lee had grouped up with Naruto and the Fox before leaving Communications.
The trio left Communications lead by Naruto with a map in one hand and a motion tracker in the other as they made their way towards the armory first to see if anything was left.
Naruto had kept glancing at his motion tracker but seemed to be getting nothing, but before Naruto could say anything they had arrived at the armory.
The armory was closed off the sign above it flickering as Naruto looked around for a keypad.
"Cover me gonna see if I can get this open" both took opposite sides of the door as Naruto pulled the keypad off and started to attach his data pad.
"Annnnnddddd there" the door slowly slid open as the motion tracker sprang to life. Naruto quickly glanced at it noticing a single signature roughly thirty meters from them pacing back and forth again.
"Let's clear the armory before checking the signature out" spoke Neji as he moved into the armory looking for a way to get the lights on Naruto nodded towards Lee to enter before closing the door behind them as Neji turned the lights and Naruto got on the radio.
"Alpha one this is Alpha nine we've arrived at the armory and got movement forty meters from us, permissions to investigate"
"Negative Alpha nine, clear the armory and head to Motor pool and get back here"
"Copy that Sir, Over and out" Naruto had looked around to see Neji and Lee pilling a few thing on the center table.
"What do we got so far?" Questioned Naruto as the fox yipped and bounced around in its pouch.
"So far we got a few pistols and two revolvers along with a few spare mags and some loose rounds in this here pouch" responded Lee as Neji found a large pouch to put everything into before attaching it to his belt loop on his back. The trio spent a few more minutes scrounging around before coming out empty handed and deciding to move on towards the motor pool. Naruto glanced towards his motion tracker to notice the signature still there.
Naruto against his gut screaming at him to check it ignored it and lead the rest towards the Motor pool.
The trio arrived at the motor pool only for the door to be welded shut.
"Lee get it open" Lee quickly whipped out his torch and started cutting as Neji posed a question for Naruto.
"Captain tell you off for the fox?"
"Not at all told him the truth, not the whole truth but the truth" responded Naruto as he glanced over at Lee to notice he was halfway down.
"Wonder were the civies could be?"
"Your asking me about them or your sisters?"
"My sisters" responded Neji meekly as Naruto shook his head.
"Hinata she's smart, she'll know what to do in a time like this we did give her lessons"
"Your right I'm just worried man, LT found those bodies... I'm just hoping there not among them" Naruto patted Neji on the shoulder.
"There alive Neji... lets get this done so we can-" the doors to the Motor pool parted to reveal what was inside.
"Mother of god"
"Lee What's... Jesus" Naruto could only stutter as Neji spoke aloud what most would come to think.
"My the Lord have mercy on their souls"
Sorry iPad on the fritz