Timesplitters: Reborn
Chapter 1: Preparation
The year is 2401. Mankind is in a bitter conflict with the sinister race known as the Timesplitters, determined to defeat humankind in their goal of conquest. Recently, the Timesplitters managed to develop a Time Machine on a distant Space Station. Its only power sources were Time Crystals, a valuable material linked to the origins of the Timesplitters. Knowing that the use of Time Travel by the Timesplitters would cause disaster in Humanity's past, and hence, its future, the humans would strike back at the Timesplitters. They would steal the Time Crystals, not only depriving the Timesplitters of the objects required to use their time machine, but allowing mankind to use the crystals to power up a time machine of its own. The leader of the platoon assigned to fulfil this task, known only as The General, knew that for the best chances of success, he would need to prepare his troops.
"Fellow troops, we have been assigned a task that may very well change the tide of this war. So far, we have been fighting a losing battle, and I will not stand by and allow this to happen!" The General addressed to his troops. An overwhelming applause filled the room.
"If we accomplish this mission, Humanity will be saved. Therefore, before we embark on this crusade, we must be fully prepared. Everyone head to the training facility!" The General continued. After his speech, everyone headed to the training area.
Amongst those troops was Captain Duncan Cortez, a bald, but brave commando. He had eye implants that rescued him from blindness when he was ten, and was devoted to taking advantage of the sense of sight ever since. Cortez could easily adapt to any combat situation.
There was also Lieutenant Clara Hart, a Femme Fatale that was specialized in Engineering. With her talents, she had built a powerful mechanical arm that would enhance the potential of her right. Due to a traumatizing event involving toxic gases, she always wore a gas mask on her face.
Another individual under the General's command was Sergeant Roger Locke, a brilliant soldier. He was a genius at navigations and problem solving, as well as using communications equipment, such as radios. Many of his ancestors were devoted radiomen, all the way to the First World War (since he was British, WW1 was more significant to him). Because of this, he fought hard to earn respect to his family name.
The General and his platoon walked into the training room. The room had many objects that looked like outhouses.
"These 'outhouses,'" The General said, "are some of our time machines. Unlike our more powerful time machine in development, since they do not utilize the Time Crystals, you will not remain as yourself when you go back in time. Instead, you will occupy the consciousness of another individual. While in the bodies of these individuals, you will be required to retrieve a certain object and return back from wherever you started from. This will be your training exercise before you head to the Timesplitter Space Station.
"Be warned, the Timesplitters know that we will be time-travelling, so they'll likely use their time device in order to ambush you in your missions. Don't be afraid to kill them with whatever you have."
The General's soldiers followed his instructions and began their training exercises. Cortez and Hart in particular went through many dangerous adventures, taking the form of Archaeologists, Policemen, and even as robot Mercenaries!
In a short matter of time, the General's troops had finished up all of their training exercises. As some engineers prepared the spacecraft for launch, the General spoke to his troops once more.
"Now that you've completed your training, I'm afraid to tell you that only six of you will be able to embark on this mission. Cortez, Hart, Locke, Greenwood, Johnson, and Bailey, you are those six people.
"A few of our men have recently sent the coordinates of the Space Station's location." The General handed a slip of paper with the coordinates on it to Cortez. "Don't bother trying to search for them though. Judging by the way those barbaric aliens fight, those men are likely already dead.
"While you're attacking the station, I'll be able to keep in contact with you via radio." The General gave the six soldiers what looked like mechanical wristbands. "These are Temporal Uplinks. With it, I can contact you through the built-in radio. You can also talk with each other through the radio in case you get separated. If you must time travel, it will also remain with you while you're in the body of another being in the era you're travelling."
One of the engineers came up to the General and said, "Sir, the spacecraft is ready."
"Good," the General replied, "Cortez, get your men on board."
"Yes general," answered Cortez. He and the other troopers approached the spaceship. Its rear opened by lowering the ramp protecting the back. The troopers then entered the shuttle.
"God speed!" the General said loudly as the shuttle flew out of the hangar and into the sky. The General then headed towards the communications centre.
Very soon, the space shuttle had reached the void of space. Inside, the six people on board were getting to know each other.
"Enter the space station, take the crystals, start the self-destruction sequence, and escape. This shouldn't take long," boasted Private Bailey.
"Don't be so sure, Private," said Hart in her Brooklyn accent, "The way the 'Splitters fight, they could easily catch us off guard if we aren't careful."
"If they do manage to do that, they won't be an even match against my sniper rifle!" said Locke with a smug grin. Meanwhile, Private Greenwood was poking a drowsy Private Johnson.
"Hey Johnson, you sleeping over there? You want me to fluff your pillow for ya?" asked Greenwood sarcastically.
"Step off Greenwood," mumbled Johnson, "I'm trying to get some rest before it's showtime."
"Alright everyone! Listen up!" said Cortez, "Since this is a very important mission, we'll need to go over the types of 'Splitters we'll likely encounter. Hart, put the ship into autopilot." Cortez then projected an image of a Timesplitter that had an open mouth, a spiky backbone, and hands resembling scythes. In its mouth was a long tongue. Surrounding the inside edges of the mouth were tentacles sticking out
"This 'Splitter is the Reaper Splitter, the main combat unit of the Timesplitters. They often attack with lightning bolts. They are also capable of teleporting by turning invisible and reappearing somewhere else," explained Cortez.
The next Timesplitter on display had large teeth, horns, and metal kneecaps. "That must be a Berserker Splitter," said Greenwood, "They also have electric attacks and can turn translucent. Good thing they can't teleport, but boy, do they ever pack a punch!"
The final 'Splitter projected was the most human-like, if wearing two-legged pants and a buckle was considered human-like. It had a purple head with two yellow eyes that didn't have a neck to connect to its body. In its skeletal chest was a purple fire.
"Ah, the Scourge 'Splitters," commented Hart, "The meanest of the bunch. They often give orders to the lesser 'Splitters, and they know how to use any weapon from any era."
"I've heard rumours that the Timesplitters have enslaved another alien race for their war machine. Is that true?" asked Bailey.
"Yes," answered Locke, "and they will try to stop you with their fists. Consider all drones hostile."
"The fallen squad at the space station not only managed to send us its location, but the interior blueprints as well," said Cortez. A hologram of the space station appeared in the middle of the ship.
"We'll park the ship here, at the main hangar," explained Cortez, pointing at the bottom end of the station. "Once the hangar is clear, we'll take the elevator up to the second level. From there, we fight our way to another elevator leading to the top of the station. Then we storm the Time Machine, steal the Time Crystals, activate the station's self-destruct sequence, and return to the ship for extraction before the station blows."
As Cortez turned off the projector, Johnson woke up from his sleep. The first thing he noticed was that the space station was in sight.
"We're closing in on the station!" exclaimed Johnson.
"Alright, everyone into positions!" said Cortez. Hart shut down the autopilot and control of the ship was back in her hands. The rest of the squad grabbed their weapons.
"Gonna be like training," Hart spoke to Cortez, "Go in, grab an object, and return back to where we started."
"You two were actually paired up in training?" asked Johnson. He did not get a response.