Chapter 7

A silent signal in the Accelerator Lab's computer room was all that was needed to spark

enragement among the people monitoring the performance of the guardians.

General Baker: "What happened?"

Scientist: "They stopped moving sir! I can't detect any motion among the guardians"

Baker: "Send out a predator drone and find out what the hell is going on! Kaizuka, this

first test is already looking like a failure"

Kaizuka: "That's why this is a test. Any malfunctions will be ironed out"

A predator drone is sent to the area above the city where the signals stopped. Upon

reaching the site it displays feedback of broken parts, craters, shattered windows, and

smoke rising from where the guardians used to stand.

Baker: "They're destroyed? HOW? You said they were invincible!"

Kaizuka: "I don't understand. There's not a single human being out there that can take

on a guardian, let alone 20 of them"

Baker: "What happens next?"

Kaizuka: "I'll send out another wave. Those were just a basic model of guardian. The real

test has yet to start, General"

Baker: "Kaizuka, I cannot afford any more delays like this. I need to know very soon if these

guardians are the future. If not then this world peace plan will be terminated"

Kaizuka: "Shouldn't we search for the person or persons responsible for decimating 20

guardians? This is a major hazard for our operation!"

Baker: "I'll send out predator drones and helicopters to scan the city but let this be the last

time we encounter failure. I'm allotting you one final chance"

Kaizuka: "I'll get started then"

Baker: "This is General Baker. I need the Viper Team to scan the city, particularly the area

where the guardians mysteriously 'malfunctioned'. I'm sending 2 predator drones equipped

with rockets to assist you. If you find anything alert me immediately"

Viper Team Leader: "Yes sir! Let's move squadron!"

Baker: "I don't know what we're up against but if they handled your weapons as if they were

infant toys then this whole operation could go belly up. I certainly hope you can handle what's

being thrown at us"

Kaizuka: "It's only a minor setback. The solution is simple. Send out brawnier weapons that

are also more numerous than the previous group. Shall I give the word?"

Baker: "Proceed"

Kaizuka: "Open the portals!"


Morien gazed out the 70th floor window of the Willis Tower looking down at the city below.

The evening lights from the surrounding buildings were enough to illuminate the inside of the

office building they stayed in. Behind him were several office cubicles lined with papers, pens,

and other office supplies. Kanta had set up a small satellite on one of the desks. It served as

radar system covering a 5 mile radius around their location. Kanta sat in a chair with his feet

on a desk as he cleaned and reloaded his weapon.

Morien: "No sleep for the weary tonight?"

Kanta: "How can you think about sleep? Some old bastard is hauling in weapons from a

generation a few thousand years ahead of yours. Tell your comatose to take a vacation"

Morien: "What if they find us up here?"

Kanta: "If my memory serves me right this was your idea so what are we going to do if we

are spotted up here?"

Morien: "To be honest I'm not too worried. I need the gun oil when you're done with it"

Kanta: "I came back to your time to relax and make some money on the side but I never

expected the future to come back to the past. You do realize that if we fail here Kaizuka will

conquer the planet"

Morien: "What is it with world domination? Why can't people just settle for a small territory

or even a gift certificate? It would be virtually impossible to rule the planet by yourself and a

stockpile of weapons that need an honest-to-God update"

Kanta: "We can't all think like you can. At least you make decent sense when it comes to issues

like this. But seriously a teacher? You should have been a politician"

Morien: "I cannot stand politics. It's two or more parties with people in suits grabbing each other

by the throats because they can't resolve anything. I think that as long as there are political parties

nothing useful gets done. In addition multiple parties allow for more corruption like what we are

dealing with right now"

Kanta: "At least if you were a corrupt politician you could tilt many things in your favor"

Morien: "I like my life to be simple. Of course given the circumstances what I once called normality

will never be the same again"

Kanta: "What about the abilities you have? And captivating Washu's heart? That's got to count

for something"

Morien: "True. I'm not saying it doesn't have its perks. I'm quite pleased with everything I've been

given but I don't like having to hide it"

Kanta: "Hiding it is your choice. What are you afraid of revealing?"

Morien: "Almost every superpower in the world will want to place me in captivity and try to figure

out what I am. The same goes for Washu, Tenchi, and the rest of the girls. This world wants to

make breakthrough discoveries but there are certain things that need to remain hidden. At least

for now"

Kanta: "Would I fall under that breakthrough category?"

Morien: "Yes. Although you're as human as most people on Earth the fact that you come from a

different time would make you a target for experimenters. But since no one will believe that you

are from the future I wouldn't worry"

Kanta: "The people back in the Kanto Desert would not believe this. You know, when I first left

your time for mine I noticed that the portal stayed open for a while. Then it would appear in

random places. I would walk through it to test it and it always led me back to your time"

Morien: "Why didn't you tell me or anyone else this?"

Kanta: "I didn't think it was that important. I just don't know why I didn't think of that sooner. Of

course it now explains how the guardians along with Kaizuka were brought to this time"

Morien: "And you're being calm about this?"

Kanta: "Well yeah. I guess I made a slight mistake and you and I are the remedy"

Morien: "I don't think this is your fault in any way. Washu did say that the most common mistake

she made was when working with portals. Now put 2 and 2 together. I'll pass this along to her soon"

Kanta: "We need to find the portals"

Morien: "Washu, are you there?"

A few seconds go by and Washu appears on the screen wearing a pink nightcap.

Washu: "I'm here. How are you two holding up?"

Morien: "We're fine. I think your portals are the reason why this is happening"

Washu: "You think so?"

Kanta: "Like I was telling your man here when I got back to my time the portals stayed open for

a while. They even shifted from location to location"

Washu: "I guess I'm going to have read up on my portal science. That should not have happened"

Morien: "How do we close them?"

Washu: "You're going to have to find where the portals are first that are leading these weapons

to our time. Once you do that I can begin to disable them. It's a lot easier than opening them"

Morien: "Where would I begin to look for portals in a city this size?"

Washu: "I'm afraid that you are going to be on your own for that"

Kanta: "C'mon Fingerpaintings! You grew up here! Where is the most likely place for a portal to

appear here?"

Morien: "My initial guess would be a laboratory. The only one I can think of was one that I learned

about in high school. It's a particle accelerator lab somewhere west outside the city. I've never

been out there so I don't know how to get there"

Washu: "Well I would start walking or running and try to find it. It's the difference between

victory and defeat"

The radar starts to beep.

Kanta: "Hold the phone. Sounds like we have company"

Kanta runs to the radar screen and sees a series of dots slowly approaching their location.

Kanta: "Looks like they want to play some more"

Morien: "How many are they?"

Kanta: "Their numbers are much fewer now. It's as if they didn't learn from the first experience"

Morien looks out the window.

Morien: "I don't think they're guardians. I see lights in the air"

Kanta: "My next guess would be helicopters"

Morien: "Okay get back from the windows towards the elevators. I'm going to head to the

roof and scout from there. Washu, looks like round 2 is coming quicker than anticipated" he

said running up the stairwell.

Washu: "So what?"

Morien: "You don't want to go back to sleep?"

Washu: "And miss this? Not for anything! It's a nice deviation from my lab work"

Morien: "I thought your lab work was your life"

Washu: "Not just my lab work. Not anymore"

Morien: "Hey, you're a genius right? What are we up against now?"

Washu: "Hold on a few seconds…okay they look airborne like Kanta pointed out. 3 of them

about the same altitude as you. However there are two other devices somewhere around 6000

feet above you"

Morien: "Nothing on the ground?"

Washu: "For now no. I think you're up against a search party. Whoever is behind this is probably

curious as to who put their plot into a setback. Go gentle on them"

Morien: "I'll try my best. Ok I see the roof access door"

Morien opens the unlocked roof access door and is greeted by high speed winds.

Morien: "Damn. Where did this wind come from?"

He scales one of the antennae and looks around. He starts to shake not from the cold but from

his fear of heights.

Washu: "Are you afraid of heights?"

Morien: "Afraid? I'm TERRIFIED of heights! I just remembered that now"

Washu: "You do know that if you fall from there you will just stand back up once you hit the bottom"

Morien: "I'm aware of that but still. I don't think I will overcome this phobia. Oh wait. I think I see them"

The lights approached slowly as the sound of whirring blades whipped through the air. Even with the

wind blowing the sound of the helicopter engines were beginning to drown all other sounds. Morien

jumped down and hid behind a generator. Looking around he noticed that the sound of the helicopters

were coming from below him. Making his way over he slowly looked over the edge down at the streets

below. His fear of heights made him slightly sick to his stomach but he kept his composure. One of the

helicopters stopped and hovered under him.

Morien: "Great it stopped right around the 70th floor. I hope Kanta is hiding"

Washu: "Knowing him he is about to compromise your positions"

No sooner did she finish that sentence did Morien hear glass breaking followed by gunshots. Sparks

could be seen coming off the side of the helicopter below as Kanta opened fire with his shotgun.

Morien: "Kanta! What the hell have you done?"

Desert Punk: "He spotted me and began to fix his turret on me so I had no choice! I could use some

assistance right now!"

Washu: "The quickest way down would be to jump"

Morien: "Hell no! I'm just going to take the stairs…wait. The elevator shaft. I'll scale down from there"

Pulling off the top of the elevator shaft he jumped down and grabbed a cable sliding down until he reached

what he felt was the 70th floor. Feeling around he found the elevator doors and opened them. Walking

out the sign read 59th floor. Rather than jumping back in and climbing up he jumped with his strength and

broke through 5 floors. He continued this until he reached floor 70 where he encountered heavy turret

fire from 2 helicopters.

Desert Punk: "About time! These things have me pinned down and I'm running low on smoke grenades!"

Morien: "If I give you the gunner you can take care of him right?"

Desert Punk: "Yeah, whatever! Just do something!"

Morien runs then jumps out the window landing in the Blackhawk helicopter. The surprised gunner dismounts

but is quickly thrown out of the chopper landing on the 70th floor where Desert Punk ties him down. Morien

then pulls out the cockpit door and draws his guns.

Morien: "Who are you working for?"

No words were said nor did they move.

Morien: "Well? If you're going to remain silent I can make you speak. Last chance"

Still nothing.

Morien: "Don't say I didn't warn you!"

He pulls both triggers unloading his clips into the cockpit controls. The Blackhawk leans violently to the

right just as Morien leaps back out into the Willis Tower. Watching it spiral out of control it crash lands on

the street below sending propeller parts in all directions breaking multiple windows. Surprisingly there

was no fire. The other two helicopters retreat. Morien watches for a few minutes then sees the doors open

from the downed chopper as both pilots stumble out with several injuries but alive. Desert Punk pulls out

his Dragonov and sets his site on both pilots.

Morien: "Kanta, I prefer to keep human casualties to a minimum. I wouldn't do that"

Desert Punk remained locked on the pilots for a few moments but then withdraws.

Desert Punk: "They just tried to kill us!"

Morien: "That hasn't created in me a sense of obligation"

Desert Punk: "You know they're going to explain this to whoever it is they are answering to"

Morien: "This is not supposed to be a cakewalk. The difficulty was going to increase sooner or later. Where

is the gunner?"

Desert Punk points to a custodial closet. Morien opens it and finds the gunner inside tied up.

Morien: "Let's try this again. Who are you working for?"

Gunner: "I'm not saying a word"

Morien: "Does it really have to be like that? You are working for someone who is using weapons that will

bring world self-destruction. Are you sure you want to be on their side"

Gunner: "It won't be that way. This is a peace operation!"

Desert Punk: "Was there anything peaceful about what you just did? I suggest you reveal who is behind

this before I…"

Morien: "Kanta. I can handle this. Don't mind him" he said turning to the gunner.

Gunner: "How were you able to leap like that? And throw me that far? No human can do that"

Morien: "I'm not as human as you think. We're just here to prevent a disaster. We are not invading, we're

not spies, and we are not terrorists. Is there anything you can tell me?"

Gunner: "It's General Baker. However there is a much older man who is more of the brains in this operation"

Desert Punk: "Kaizuka, right?"

Gunner: "You know him?"

Desert Punk: "We're from the same time. I also came from the portal. Kaizuka is not who he says he is. He

will use these guardians to create the world anew to his liking and disregard human needs. If I were you I

would switch sides now"

Gunner: "I will face court martial if I do. Hell I'll be a traitor! I could face the death penalty!"

Morien: "You are more likely to face those options if you side with Baker"

Gunner: "And if I don't join you?"

Morien: "We won't kill you. But I will leave you in that custodial closet. How long do you think you will last in

there?"

Gunner: "Will you at least untie me if I join you"

Desert Punk: "For a small price maybe"

Morien: "Cram it, Kanta. Yes I will"

Gunner: "Fine. I hope you are correct in all your assumptions"

Desert Punk: "They aren't assumptions. I've dealt with Kaizuka before and I know his intentions have not

changed"

Back at the laboratory…

Colonial: "Sir, one of our helicopters is down!"

Baker: "Do we have a visual on anyone?"

Colonial: "Yes. Two men have barricaded themselves midway up the Willis Tower"

Baker: "Fire on their positions. Those two have breathed their last!"

Morien untied the gunner and gave him one of his pistols

Gunner: "Do you have anything better?"

Morien: "I can just take it back and leave you without anything to defend yourself with"

Gunner: "A Makerov? I would be the laughing stock of the Marines if they saw me with this Russian made

handgun"

Morien: "Being how our main base of operations is located there we didn't really have a say in what we

could bring here"

Gunner: "Russia? You're Russian agents?"

Morien: "Not exactly. We work for Spetsnaz but it's more of a special division as if they weren't special

enough already. You got a name, son?"

Gunner: "Sergeant Chris Mohr"

Desert Punk: "Where are the portals?"

Chris: "I don't know exactly where but there are a lot of defenses around the particle accelerator laboratory.

Why else would we be asked to keep the place heavily guarded?"

Morien: "Can you take us there?"

Chris: "I've only arrived there by air. It's in the rural area of Batavia"

Morien: "Ok. I know a route that goes into Batavia. Let's move"

Desert Punk: "I just need to pack my radar system"

A rocket strikes a few floors above shaking the 70th floor causing most of the ceiling tiles to fall and

several windows to break out.

Desert Punk: "They're hitting us with missiles!"

Morien: "Tell me something I don't know! Head to the stairwell!"

Another rocket strikes just below their floor causing Desert Punk's radar system to be blown out the

broken window.

Desert Punk: "I paid good money for that!"

Morien: "Chris, what's going on here?"

Chris: "General Baker sent two predator drones to assist us in. They must have made a visual on

you two"

A third missile hits the 70th floor causing it to collapse down 4 more floors. Desert Punk flies out safely

through the smoke while Morien and Sgt. Mohr fall to the 66th floor. Picking himself up Morien sifts through

the falling debris and sees that Chris has survived the slight fall.

Morien: "You alright?"

Chris: "I'm fine but we can't get to the stairwell from here"

Morien: "Well then that leaves one option left"

Chris: "I hope you don't mean out the…"

Morien: "…window? Yes. See you in a bit"

With a push Sgt. Mohr is sent out the gaping hole in the side of the building and is hurling down towards

the street below.

Chris: "DIIIICKHHEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!" he yelled as the street grew larger below him. Morien jumps

out after him and caught up placing Sgt. Mohr over his head in a fireman's carry and lands on his feet creating

a small crater in the street.

Chris: "Please don't ever do that again! How the hell did you do that?"

Morien: "I'll explain at some point. Kanta, come in"

Desert Punk: "I'm alive. Where are you?"

Morien: "We're next to the downed helicopter. We need to gather supplies and leave quickly before the

predator drones spot us again"

Desert Punk: "On my way"

Morien and Sgt. Mohr hid in the bank that the helicopter impacted during the crash until Desert Punk

arrived.

Desert Punk: "Are you actually hiding, Fingerpaintings?"

Morien: "For his sake yes" he said pointing at Chris "I'll scavenge through the helicopter. If they do blow

it sky high at least I'll be fine"

Chris: "If the turret survived the crash take it. I can be somewhat useful with that"

Morien: "Wouldn't a weapon like that eat through ammunition at a fast rate?"

Chris: "That's why you fire in small bursts. I don't know anything about these guardians but if you

two could take on 20 of them then I don't see why I can't"

Morien: "Like I said we're not ordinary human beings"

Chris: "Neither is a U.S. Marine!"

Morien: "We'll find out then won't we?"

Morien grabs the turret from the helicopter along with a lengthy chain of bullets.

Morien: "Make this last"

Chris: "I'll do my best"

Desert Punk: "Both of you had better perform at your apex because my motion sensor is going off

and there are detections everywhere!"

Morien: "Chris! Get on the second floor of this bank and provide supporting fire. I'm going to take

them on right here. Kanta, do your Superman thing!"

Desert Punk: "Who the hell is Superman?"

Morien: "Oh for crying out loud just fly dammit!"

Just like before the ground starts to shake causing the street lamps to flicker and the broken concrete

starts to vibrate and move. Seconds later it stops and the city falls silent. The only thing Morien could

hear was the slight rattling of Chris's bullet chain for his weapon. Looking though his binoculars Chris

focuses down the street until he spots a pair of yellow eyes.

Chris: "Contact! 200 yards south!"

Morien: "South? I could have sworn they were coming from the West"

Chris then focuses his sights on the street running to the west but spots nothing.

Chris: "Negative! South is the only contact thus far! Incoming!"

Morien's stance was like that of a boxer waiting for the first move. He saw the eyes but they didn't

move. He wondered why it was delaying. Then a second pair of eyes appeared followed by another

and then another and then another.

Morien: "This one brought some friends with him. Other than the eye color I don't see any other

differences"

Chris: "Don't underestimate them! From what I heard they were planning on sending out stronger

units right before we got deployed here"

Morien: "Kanta, heads up. These guardians may be more formidable than the last ones"

Desert Punk: "Unless Kaizuka did something supernatural I doubt these guys will be that much tougher"

Morien uses his randomizer and a bowling ball hovers over his left wrist.

Morien: "Great, now if I just had some pins" he said sarcastically

Chris: *A bowling ball? What is he going to do with that?* he thought

In groups of two the guardians make a mad dash towards Morien and Chris.

Morien: "Get ready up there because here they come!"

Morien puts his fingers into the holes of the bowling ball and throws it with all his might towards the

guardians. The ball sails right between them as they dodge it and continue to press forward.

Morien: "No way. Chris open fire!"

From the second floor of the bank Chris opens fire at the charging cyborgs. Each bullet finds their

mark but does minimal damage leaving small barely noticeable dents.

Morien: "Aim for their legs!"

Chris lowers the angle of his turret and continues to hold the trigger down. This time each of the guardians

start to fall but are not destroyed. Morien notices it take them several seconds to stand back up.

Morien: "Keep hitting their legs! I have an idea!"

Morien runs out towards the guardians like he did the first time. Just before he reaches them Chris fires

at their legs and knocks the majority of the group to the ground which was more than enough time for

Morien to make his move. Coming to the first guardian he brings his fist down like a hammer to its head

crushing it with the blow.

Morien: "I'll admit these are tougher but not by much. Kanta where are you?"

Desert Punk: "I never left. I've been watching the entire time waiting for an opening"

Morien: "Don't worry about an opening. Open fire"

Desert Punk: "With you down there?"

Two guardians rush towards Morien with their fists but he dodges them. With a swift roundhouse kick

he sends both of them back a few meters but they remain on their feet.

Morien: "If there is one thing I've learned is that these guardians have a desperation move where they

try to weigh down their opponent by piling on him all at once and I have a feeling they are going to do

this again. When they do unload your entire clip, Kanta!"

Desert Punk: "Are you sure about that?"

Morien: "If I can survive a long fall I can take a few explosions here and there"

Sure enough a few minutes pass and the guardians jump on top of Morien attempting to hold him in

place. This was the visual confirmation Desert Punk was waiting for. Pulling the trigger a stream of fire lit

up the night sky for an instance as missile after missile found their way to the guardians and Morien who

was trying to hold them in place as they were him. The explosion grew more massive as each missile hit

the concrete around the guardians. Chris began to panic.

Chris: "You've killed your own team mate!"

Desert Punk let go of the trigger after he was completely out of ammunition. Plumes of heavy smoke

rose from the crater. He hovered over the site of destruction anxiously waiting for the verdict of his

actions. When the smoke cleared he was pleased with the results. Every guardian in that attack was in

pieces scattered around the new crater. Morien walked out from the crater with holes in his clothes. He

was holding his shoulder which was slightly injured. His hair was smoking and his guns were destroyed.

The devices Washu made for him were still in one piece and operational.

Morien: "Nice shooting, Kanta"

Desert Punk: "We're not out of the woods yet" he said pointing out in the distance

As Morien looked the yellow eyes of more guardians appeared between the buildings.

Chris: "Look up!"

In the taller buildings above many yellow eyes could be seen in several windows looking down at Desert

Punk, Morien, and Chris.

Morien: "Well…this was rather unexpected"

Desert Punk: "Not only are we surrounded…we're so screwed right now!"

Morien: "You're the battle hardened mercenary! What are we going to do now?"

A shot rang out in the distance. A bullet found its way into Chris's clavicle putting him out of commission.

Morien: "CHRIS!"

Morien turned around to assist his fallen comrade but an explosion appeared in front of him stopping

him in his tracks.

Desert Punk: "We can't escape!"

A new sound was coming towards the two. With an angry expression Morien looked around for the

source of the sound until an M-1 Abrams tank appeared. Its barrel was aimed at Morien driving closer

to the duo before stopping about 40 feet from them. The hatch opened up from the top revealing the

individual behind the operation.

Baker: "When it was brought to my attention that the guardians were being torn to pieces I never

would have guessed that it was just two men"

Morien: "And we are the only two men here. You're just an idiot believing that you can absolve the

world of its problems with weapons!"

Baker: "I never expected most people to understand. You will all thank me later"

Desert Punk: "Kaizuka is just using you because you're the only one foolish enough to fund his

operation. You may think you are in control but that old shit has you by the balls!"

Baker: "Stop this offense now and I will let you off as prisoners. Continue and you will end up just like

the guardians"

Morien: "I hate to break it to you but it's going to take more than a tank to stop me"

Baker: "What exactly did you inhale today?"

Morien: "Not today but 4 years ago actually"

Morien begins to walk towards the tank.

Baker: "Stop!"

Morien just keeps walking

Baker: "I will shoot you!"

Morien: "I have no doubt you will"

Morien walks to the barrel of the tank and bends it backwards with ease.

Morien: "But a tank does seem to work better when the barrel is straight and not a V"

General Baker was in shock.

Baker: "You. You're one of those augmented men aren't you? You're an INSF terrorist!"

Morien: "It's true that I am augmented but I'm no terrorist. Unlike you. I chose to use my ability

to keep the peace, not make war. The simple life I once knew is no more. It's my job now to protect

people from people like you. Maybe even protect you from yourself"

Baker: "Sorry but a man like you is a serious threat not just to us but every nation. Once you

think you are above the law there may be no stopping you. I'm sorry but I have no choice but to

stop you here and now. As for the traitor in the bank, if he doesn't bleed to death, he is a disgrace

to the military and I will make sure his wife and 2 sons know that. His court martial will come swiftly"

He disappears back into the tank and it drives away.

The windows above start to shatter as each guardian jumps down to combat Desert Punk and

Morien who scatter swiftly.

Morien: "We have to reach Sgt. Mohr before he bleeds out"

Desert Punk: "You're placing a huge priority over someone who tried to kill us!"

Morien: "I don't care! Even if he wasn't on our side now it's not right to allow him to die like that!"

Desert Punk: "How do you even plan on getting to him? We don't even have medical supplies!"

Morien stopped down the street not far from where he started. In all directions guardians appeared

surrounding him and tightening the gap. One jumped out at him but he grab its arm and launched

him into another guardian knocking them back several hundred feet. 4 more ran to him and took hold

of his legs. It was him who was now thrown into the wall of a small coffee shop bursting through it

landing in the kitchen. The burglar alarm went off inside.

Morien: "That actually hurt" he said holding the back of his head

Several guardians spilled into the coffee shop looking for their target. Morien ripped a large piece

of the counter top and waited for them to enter the kitchen. As each one did he swung at them sending

them flying out at hundreds of miles per hour. But the damage was minimal to each guardian. Desert

Punk was having slightly better luck being able to pick off a few guardians with his rockets but many

of them were swift and able to avoid his attacks. Although not able to fly each guardian did have the

ability to jump great distances and use it to try to match Desert Punk's height as they attempted to

swat him out of the air. With a mighty boot to the face Desert Punk kicked one that came too close

sending it back down the street below. As Desert Punk flew upwards towards the top of the sky scrappers

one of the guardians jumped through a window and grabbed a hold of his cape.

Desert Punk: "Oh shit! Up! Up! Up!"

He commanded his flight pack to continue the ascent into the night sky with the guardian grabbing hold

with one hand. Like the previous guardian he kicked as hard as he could but it wouldn't release its grip.

Before Desert Punk knew it he was at an altitude of 10,000 feet above the Chicago skyline. Loading two

explosive shells into his signature shotgun he swung around sharply and placed the barrel right between

the guardian's eyes then pulled the trigger. Though it was hardly damaged the guardian released its grip

on Kanta and fell down towards the city streets. A minute and a half later it hit the concrete shattering into

thousands of pieces. Desert Punk found a weakness.

Desert Punk: "Fingerpaintings! They seem to be allergic to gravity if you catch what I'm trying to say!"

Morien: "Copied! I'll see what I can do!"

Running out of the coffee shop Morien ran to the nearest guardian grabbing hold firmly by its legs and

heaved it skyward. It reached about the height of the Willis Tower before coming down to his level landing

on its back but standing back up moments later.

Morien: "Kanta, how high did you reach before dropping one of them?"

Desert Punk: "My altimeter read just over 10,000 feet"

Morien: "10, 000 FEET? How am I supposed to throw it that high? Unless…"

He looked back at the Willis Tower and had an idea. Before he carried out his plan he sprinted back to

the bank to check on Chris. When he arrived he wasn't there but rather a small blood trail led through

an open door. With a concerned look he followed the blood trail down the stairs until he found Chris sitting

up leaning on the wooden teller counter. The area around his left clavicle was bandaged up but he was

conscience.

Morien: "I guess the Marines really can take care of themselves"

Chris: "It wasn't me. Some man in a red trench coat brought me down here and gave me these bandages"

Morien's eyes widened.

Morien: "Vash…?" he whispered "Was his hair tall, spiky, and blonde? Oh and his sunglasses orange?"

Chris nodded in confirmation.

Morien: "Will you be fine here by yourself?"

Chris: "I'm a Marine. It will take more than a bullet to the clavicle to bring me down permanently. Now

go kick some ass!"

Morien ran through a window back outside where he was greeted by a hard hit to the face from

one of the guardians. His face contorted to the right as the guardian's fist kept pushing forward. Morien's

eyes became almost completely white. In slow motion he could see broken glass falling and guardians

advancing. The only sound he could hear was a slight breeze as he fell backwards. His vision was a blur

as he looked up. Slowly the guardian walks over to Morien's head. Looking up at its yellow eyes it appeared

there were more than two eyes due to the blur. The guardian lifts its foot up and tries to crush Morien's head

but he catches the foot and struggles to hold it in place. He felt his back starting to crack the concrete underneath

him. The sound of a gunshot rings out from nearby. Morien sees a spark come off the guardian's neck and it

backs up a few feet then stops. Its yellow eyes fade to black. Electrical sparks begin to emit from the open neck

wound of the guardian and it explodes seconds later. Morien stands up holding the side of his head as the

blurriness starts to ebb. His vision comes back into focus and he spots the man Chris described.

Morien: "Your timing couldn't have been any more perfect. Of course preventing this headache would

have made your timing even more perfect"

Vash the Stampede adjusts his orange glasses and reloads his revolver. His serious face turns into a

smile.

Vash: "I find it funny that the last time we met you were in a tight spot as well. I take it Desert Punk

is here"

Morien: "He's up in the air somewhere"

Vash: "Almost exactly like last time. Since when does Desert Punk fly?"

Morien: "Washu intervention"

Vash: "Say no more"

The brief reunion is halted by the sound of approaching guardians. Morien turns around and spots

10 more standing in pairs.

Vash: "If you look closely at the neck you'll see a small chip protruding out just slightly. I'm not sure

what it's for but if you hit the chip they will malfunction and self destruct"

Morien: "Kanta, aim for the neck! Look for a small chip!"

Desert Punk: "Copied! Over and out!"

Morien: "Ok. Now what?"

Vash: "We finish what they started" he said taking aim

Wasting no time, Morien pulls off the black spherical device on his right wrist and pitches it upwards.

Upon hearing a metal grinding on metal sound he raises his hand and catches the 15 foot long, 3 foot

diameter black chaingun causing the ground to vibrate around him.

Vash: "I highly doubt you'll need to aim at the neck with that"

Morien: "One way to find out"

Morien pulls the trigger. The multiple barrels begin to rotate making a sound resembling a jet engine

turning on. Seconds later a mixture of blue and white flames erupt from the barrels of the chaingun

as thousands of rounds of ammunition from an unknown location burst into the crowd of guardians

reducing them to scrap metal and parts. The guardians begin to retreat as their numbers began to

reduce greatly. All around the sound of glass breaking, gunfire, and small explosions could heard in

downtown Chicago as Vash the Stampede and Morien decimate the rapidly declining number of

guardians. Desert Punk contributed greatly to the heavy losses of the guardians as he provided air

support for his two teammates on the ground.

Desert Punk: "Is that who I think it is standing next to you, Fingerpaintings?"

Morien: "If you're thinking Vash the Stampede you would be correct"

Vash grinned as he heard the conversation between Desert Punk and Morien.

Morien: "At the rate we're going we should reach the lab in a few hours. Keep pushing forward"

As they ran heads, arms, legs, and internal parts were being dismembered from the fleeing guardians

well aware their efforts were in vain against the three skilled gunmen. Several guardians in the

buildings above attempted to flank them from the top but Vash's quick eyes caught their act and

before they hit the ground each one exploded in mid-air from the shots fired by his signature revolver.

From above Desert Punk could see the guardians backing from the windows in the surrounding

skyscrapers and running towards the direction of the particle accelerator lab.

Desert Punk: "They're high tailing it! It's either about to get easier or much harder!"

Morien: "How could it get harder?"

Desert Punk: "Where I'm from, as well as our targets here, retreat often results in higher caliber

reinforcements. Keep that in mind. I'm coming down to join you two"

The gunfire ceases and Desert Punk lands next to Morien and Vash.

Desert Punk: "Vash the Stampede. What a site for sore eyes. What made you come back?"

Vash: "I've actually been here on Earth for a year as a nomad wandering from place to place"

Desert Punk: "Nomad? You should have just come and crashed at Fingerpaintings place"

Morien: "Shouldn't I be in charge of the invitations to my home?"

Vash: "It's quite alright. I like wandering like a leaf in the wind. I've seen so much already"

Morien: "I'm going to leave the gunner behind until this is over. Then we'll come back for him"

Desert Punk: "Are you sure he won't rot?"

Morien: "He's a Marine. He'll do fine"

The three begin to walk west out of downtown into a smaller suburb.

Morien: "Why then did you come to Chicago? Not that I mind your assistance"

Vash: "I heard about the events taking place here in this city when the protests started. I thought

I could lend a hand in keeping the peace but when I got here I heard the gunfire and came ever

closer. I actually encountered a few of those cyborgs several blocks back. Since they were anything

but friendly, and not human beings or anything biological, I had no choice but to take them out. Then

I ran into you two. The story is still writing itself from this point"

Morien: "Hopefully the story has the outcome I'm seeking"

After an hour on foot they reach the interstate highway that runs just south of the laboratory. As

the night sky slowly turns into dawn they reach the outer limits of the Fermi Particle Accelerator

Laboratory. A military truck comes into view ahead with two occupants making a morning run for

security measures. The three gunmen hide behind a small section of a concrete wall that was

broken off to allow large military vehicles to enter. Once it passes they continue to press inwards

until they come to a large light gray ring that covered at least 10 acres of land. Within the ring

was nothing but a cut field.

Morien: "This must be the accelerator"

Desert Punk: "And I have a feeling this is how Kaizuka is creating the portals"

Morien: "I don't know how little or how much security this place has but I can imagine it will be

very tight and also hell bent on making sure no one enters that isn't authorized which we have

the distinct honor of being. Stay on your toes at all times and try not to get shot."

Vash: "With our luck they are probably aware of our presence as we speak"

Morien: "Don't be so sure. I once heard from somewhere that sometimes the closer you are

to danger the further you are from harm"

Desert Punk: "If you're lucky that will be the case. What's the plan then?"

Morien: "Each one of use needs to find a different way in. When you do make it in find some

place that looks like a lobby and hold that position. Notify us when you do and we will come

to you"

Without confirming Desert Punk runs straight for the lab leaving Morien and Vash behind.

Vash: "So what do you think his life expectancy is at this point?"

Morien: "Whatever it is it's decreasing rapidly. We better move fast"

Morien and Vash split up to find separate ways into the main part of the lab. With weapons

on hand the final fight was imminent.

Vash the Stampede is a character off of Trigun. He belongs to his creator.

End of Chapter 7