Sect of the Reaper
A.N: Another story completed, so I'm starting a new one. If you've read the epilogue of Serene Relations, then you would recognise part of this chapter here. This is just a prologue, so bear with me people- this will take a bit of time to build up. On another hand, this is my first attempt in the suspense genre, and generally first time attempt at a plot-driven story, as opposed to a character interaction driven one, or an action driven one, so please leave plenty of reviews about it, where I can improve, and yadda yadda. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers.
"C-Squad, check in," blared the voice from their communicators.
"Jones here. No unusual activity on this end of the city, Commander."
"Johnson, reporting in. Nothing, the place is as quite as a grave."
"Fincher, I've got nothing on this end."
"Du'Vat, nothing here as well."
"Jameson, no activity."
"Acknowledged. Continue your patrol for five minutes, then report back to Delta Base for debriefing."
"Roger that."
Simultaneously, five communicators were snapped shut, and slipped back into pockets.
The five members of C-Squad, Nathan Jones, Aaron Johnson, James Fincher, Du'Vat and Lily Jameson had been scouting out a warehouse that was suspected of housing Troobian weaponry, or illegal off-world made weapons. Normally it would have been B-Squad who would be checking out places like these, but they were still busy, and even though C-Squad had been armed appropriately for the mission, they knew they weren't ready for such high risk operations, so it was a great deal of luck that nothing happened.
Nathan Jones, a tall, dark haired person occupied the position of C-Squad leader, and as a result, was most likely to gain the position of Red Ranger when they would be pushed up to active Ranger status.
Aaron Johnson, a tall man of African American descent, was the team's technology expert. He had an eye for anything technological, and originally wanted to work alongside Kat Manx in the scientific division, but changed his path, and opted for a more adventurous course as an S.P.D. cadet. Second in command, reliable and with a knack for humour, Aaron was set to be the C-Squad Blue.
James Fincher was a hulking figure of a person with a morbid sense of humour, and a taste for anything that fired any sort of ammunition. He was the weapons expert of the Squad, and could tell the sort of cartridge fired if it was a human designed weapon. C-Squad Green was looking to be his status.
Lily Jameson was the residential medic in the team. Medicines were her specialty, and she knew most of the off-world medicines as well. Bright, cheerful, she was a welcome addition to C-Squad, and looked for the status of Pink.
Du'Vat was the most interesting character in C-Squad. The only non-human, Du'Vat was a female Fernovian, and specialised in working in heavily forested areas, not that there were too many. In addition, she had an innate knowledge of herbs and plants, leading to her being good friends with Lily, and looking for the status of Yellow Ranger.
"Anything new, guys?" asked Nathan as he checked another corner for the fifth time. They had now come in a full circle, and all of them were gathered in the central portion of the warehouse.
"I told you and the Commander a few minutes ago: nothing. I told you the same when you asked that ten minutes ago. So the next time you ask me if I have found anything, the answer will still be nothing, and the next time, and the next time, and the last time you'll ask that!" exclaimed Aaron.
"Nothing. Too bad. I really was hoping for a little action," rumbled James.
"Is that all you think of?" asked Lily. "Action this, action that. When can I shoot this, when can I shoot that. We got our asses kicked in the simulator, remember?"
"That was just you- I did okay."
"So says you," shot back Du'Vat. "Your ego was big enough so that it was all they could hit."
"Ooh," cooed the other members who heard it.
"Shut it," snapped James. "You just wait till we get back into the simulator- we'll see who gets hit more."
"Last time I heard, either B-Squad or Dr. Manx was taking us for the session," remarked Nathan.
"Dr. Manx? Is she supervising?"
"Not sure. She might don a simulation suit. Maybe," added Aaron.
Their communicators suddenly started to beep.
"C-Squad here," said Nathan as they crowded around.
"C-Squad, change in plans. Johnson, Fincher and Du'Vat, you three stay behind and continue to monitor the warehouse. Call for backup if it is required. Jones and Jameson are required back at the Base. Cruger out."
"Well, see you guys at the Base," sighed Nathan as he and Lily walked back to the outside, where two Delta Cruisers awaited them.
As one of the Delta Cruisers roared off in a cloud of dust that was invisible in the rapidly fading and dimming daylight, a trio of cloaked figures slipped into the warehouse, unnoticed by the occupants of the Cruiser.
The pop of the can of drink was followed by the holder of the can emptying its sweet, bubbling contents into his mouth, swallowing half the contents of it before taking a breath.
"You do know that that's bad for you, right?" asked Z as Bridge placed the can down.
"Thirsty…" was his breathy reply.
Once again, having come out of the training room from a thoroughly exhausting training session to keep them on their toes, Sky was the only one who looked anything remotely presentable. Z and Syd were sprawled over the couches, while Bridge was helping himself at the replicator.
"Where's Jack?" asked Syd.
"He just left after the session. Had to do something, or at least, that's what he's telling me," Z said.
Sky frowned. "He's not supposed to go out. As Squad Leader, he has-…"
"Responsibilities, duties, whatever Sky. We've heard it all before," Z said, rolling her eyes.
"We'll be learning the rule book off by heart because of you," Syd giggled, as she and Z collapsed into small fits of laughter.
Sky's frown only broadened.
"Anybody as tired as I am?" Bridge said, flopping down after throwing away the can.
"Did you seriously drink all that in one go?" Z demanded.
"That's just gross Bridge," Syd complained.
"I did," Bridge nodded.
"All that caffeine in your system; poor Sky, the guy won't sleep for the night," Syd giggled.
"Don't talk as if I'm not here," snapped Sky.
"Oh, sorry!" sarcastically said Syd.
"Where is Jack going specifically?" asked Bridge.
"He didn't say. Knowing Jack, probably to a shelter or something."
"But he is supposed to be here. We've got a conference with C-Squad's leader in a few minutes," Sky said.
"We all know that Sky. What do you think Cruger said?" Z asked dryly.
"Man, why are we stuck here in a stinkin' warehouse, doing grunt work while Nathan gets all comfy with B-Squad?" James said in a half-snarl as he viciously kicked away a can.
It flew and banged around a corner, the noise resounding throughout the entire warehouse.
"Because he's the leader, and he knows what's best for us?" retorted Du'Vat while she scanned a corner with Aaron.
"Don't we know our own strengths and weaknesses?" demanded James, slamming open an office door and checking inside.
"Knowing you, you only have strengths," Aaron joked.
"He knows what we all want. He'll tell B-Squad, and maybe have a nice, welcome present when we get back," said Aaron.
"And Lily? Why does she get to go back as well?"
"She's with the other medical people; a medical seminar or something."
"Why now? Why not later, during the afternoon when it's more sensible?"
"Because maybe they don't have time during the afternoon? Have you ever considered that?" asked Du'Vat.
"Maybe," grunted James, pulling ahead of Aaron and Du'Vat, who exchanged a few jokes behind his back.
He walked faster, clear on not wanting to hear what they were saying.
Nearly a metre ahead of them, and not hearing their footsteps, he stopped, and was about to snap at them to hurry up when Du'Vat's choking scream met his ears.
"Du'Vat!" he shouted, and whipped around, grabbing his sidearm from its holster as he did so.
Behind him, a trio of cloaked figures stood behind Aaron and Du'Vat. She had both hands clutching at a stab wound in her side. Bright green blood flowed freely from the wound, even as the dagger was brought down a second and a third time. Blood flowed from the wounds, as she collapsed, dead, her expression one of shock and terror.
Aaron stood with both hands clutching at his neck. One of the masked and cloaked figures had a length of wire twisted around Aaron's throat, and was pulling. He pulled at the wire in an attempt to dislodge it, as it bit deeper and deeper into the skin of his neck, cutting off his airways. Slowly, he succumbed to the lack of air, and slowly sunk to the ground with one last choking cry.
"No!" shouted James, his blaster out.
A single bolt flew above the attackers, and threw sparks across as it missed. He ran towards them, but another one of the cloaked men appeared, a fresh dagger in his hand.
There was the flash of stainless steel across his vision as the dagger bit deep into him. Blood poured from the wound, as the dagger was dragged out, tainted with his blood. He staggered, as his hulking figure stopped, and fell back. The tainted dagger fell next to him with a clang as it bounced once, and then tumbled to a halt.
As he lay on the floor, gasping as the blood poured from him, he stared at his attacker.
Shock greeted him as he realised he was staring up at the smiling face of Jack Landors.
A.N: So, what do you think?
Good, bad, what? Leave it in your review; it makes my day to hear your opinion. The next chapter will come shortly, a week, give or take a few days.
For the curious, I stumbled across this fic one day while lying in bed. Anybody play or heard of Command and Conquer? If so, heard of the new expansion pack for Tiberium Wars? One of the sub factions is named 'Reaper-17', which I thought was a fairly cool name.
Then I imagined the beginnings of this fic. Don't worry, it's not a crossover. Just pure SPD. And no, there won't be any horror-ish aliens with claws and long teeth that stalk the Rangers and kill them one at a time. Why do you think this is just under mystery/suspense? It isn't a horror fic. And after this prologue, B-Squad, Cruger and Kat will be the main characters.
Leave a review, and see ya next time!