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It really gives me motivation to go onward.
Chapter 4
After those weeks a letter came to the palace.
One that would change all of their lives forever.
It read as such.
Dear occupants of the valley of peace,
This letter is your last chance for survival. I ask that you surrender in the next week or else my armies will destroy the entire valley. If you wish to surrender you will place a flag of purest black on top of the highest building in the valley. We will arrive in exactly seven days. If you do not surrender immediately you will not receive a second chance.
Signed, Lord Shen.
"That arrogant bastard!" said Tigress.
Kota said nothing when he read the letter.
"Wait." He said softly.
"Get me a candle." Said the Spartan. "Quickly."
They did as he asked.
He held the letter in front of the candle light to reveal a pattern in the paper.
The pattern was a series of vertical lines and ovals.
"Yes." He said.
"What it's just a pattern" Said Viper.
"No. It's a message. These are ones and zeros." Said Kota.
The Spartan went to the window and shouted.
"Jim! Get in here." Jim came as soon as he was called.
"Jim, it's binary. Translate it. Please." Said Kota.
Jim looked it for a moment and began writing on a scrap of paper.
He stopped writing and then walked slowly to Tigress and offered her the translated message.
Tigress's eyes fell on the writing and gasped.
She began to cry and sat down.
"Tigress what is it? What's wrong?" asked Shifu, worried.
Jim walked to Kota.
"I'll get the pelican prepped." He said before walking out.
"Tigress, please talk to me." Said Viper.
Tigress simply placed the note on the table.
It read.
I am injured badly and near death. Might not survive much longer. Avoiding detection at the moment. In the village of the pandas just downstream of Gongmen city. If this letter arrives and I am already dead. Tell the five it was an honor. Tell Kota he was the best friend anyone could hope for. Tell Master Shifu he was a greater master of kung fu than me or anyone else I know. Tell Tigress I love her. I'm so sorry Tigress. Stay alive. For me. Do not reply. Spartan Black 005, the dragon warrior, Master sergeant Po Ping.
Tigress cried into her Master and father's shoulder.
Shifu patted her on the back of the head with a stunned look on his face.
Mal came in the kitchen in full armor carrying her helmet under her arm.
"We're moving out. You coming?" she asked.
"Do we get guns?" asked Mantis.
"Can you shoot?" she asked sarcastically.
"No." said Mantis.
"Then no." said Mal.
"Do we get armor?" asked Monkey.
"We'll talk about it." She said smirking.
"Yes!" they said sprinting outside.
"Tigress, come on. Let's go." Said Shifu coaxingly.
"I….I can't do it…I just can't do it….it's too much." She said sobbing.
"Wrong!" said a voice behind them.
Lee cam in the room and forcefully pulled Tigress to her feet.
"Po told me much of you. He told me you were strong. He told me there was nothing you couldn't do. Don't let him down." He said pushing something into her hands.
"Gear up, be ready in ten." He set a large case on the table that was full of Spartan armor.
Tigress looked down and in her hands was a helmet.
The helmet was forest camouflage and it seemed to fit her perfectly.
Tigress smiled through the tears.
Eight minutes later they went outside dressed in full body armor and all carrying standard sheath knives, except for mantis.
The real Spartans were heavily armed with light machine guns, assault rifles, pistols, shotguns, sniper rifles and grenades.
"Man this is heavy. I definitely cannot walk to Gongmen city in this." Said Crane.
"Then we'll fly." Said Mal.
"I can't carry all of you!" said Crane exasperated.
"You're not flying hot stuff." She said.
Crane's cheeks reddened.
Before anybody could ask any other questions a pelican came up over the ridge.
The bay door opened and the Spartans jumped in.
"Come on!" yelled Lee from a seat.
They were all hoisted in and strapped.
"We're good!" yelled Mal.
"Roger. Proceeding to Gongmen city." Said Jim on the comm link.
They were underway.
"Ok, were doing this one silently. Also try not to dent the armor, it's not cheap. Except you Tigress. That armor is yours to keep." Said Lee.
"Why me?" asked Tigress curiously.
"Po made that specifically for you. I remember when he scratched the dermal skin and insisted on upgrading the whole thing to accommodate it." Said Mal.
Tigress suddenly felt very warm in the suit.
It felt good to know that Po had worked on the suit with his own hands.
Like he was in the suit with her.
"The suits are programmed with active camo. That means that if you press this button then the suit will change color to your environment if there is enough light. If there isn't it just goes black." Said Lee.
Kota gave the pilot seat to Jim while he stepped in to talk.
"Let me make one thing abundantly clear. I don't care who you are. I don't care what you've done. Until this operation is complete I am your master. You will take orders without question. Is that understood?" asked the Spartan.
Viper saluted him with her tail.
"Yes sir, colonel sir." She said formally.
"Good. This will be done per my instruction. My orders are not suggestions. If I tell you to run, you run. If I tell you to hide, you hide. If I tell you to drop your pants and dance the hula, you're gonna feel the breeze because you will do so. Am I clear?" he shouted the last part.
"Yes sir, colonel sir!" they all saluted.
"At ease soldiers." Said Kota with a smile. "We'll drop off a ways outside the perimeter of Gongmen to avoid detection. It's a straight shot. We go in. We get Po. We get out. Do not engage hostiles unless necessary."
They all nodded their heads in agreement.
"Let's get this done." Said Lee.
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