Mission 19: Part 3

The doors to the Atlantis Base R&D lab swished open as Erik Dobermann Jr. made his way inside and looked around. He had made a quick stop back to headquarters and didn't want to waste any time. Every hour he was away, his teammates grew sicker and the city of Frankfurt became more vulnerable to attack by enemy forces. He strode inside the sterile lab and came to the workstation of Dr. Beckett and her assistant Julian Wilson. Both of them greeted him with subdued smiles and nods since they knew the situation had taken a dire turn.

"Thanks for stopping in Erik. I know you want to get back to the frontline so I won't keep you long," Lucy said.

Erik gave a grim nod, "It's okay Dr. Beckett. If you've got something that can help us right now, then it's important I be here too."

Julian tapped his shoulder and led the Blue Ranger over to a table where a large object lay covered under a protective cover. "This way Captain. Right over here."

Lucy walked over and removed the cover to proudly display her newest custom weapon. Erik looked down on the table to see an object that on first glance looked like some kind of huge mace. There was a long heavy pipe-like body that led to a thick somewhat oblong shaped head at the top. "Captain Dobermann, I present to you your new weapon. This is the Panzerfaust-Mark 3."

Erik carefully picked up the weapon and examined it, "Thanks... what is it exactly? It looks like a big mace, or is it some kind of club?"

Lucy smiled and took the weapon with both hands carefully hefting it. For a big burly soldier like Erik, he could handle the weapon easily, but to a regular scientist who hadn't done as much strength training, it was a bit more difficult to carry. "This is a dual purpose weapon Captain. You can use this Pazerfaust as a heavy two handed mace right now, but it can also double as a powerful anti-armor grenade launcher as well."

The Blue Ranger studied the weapon some more, "Panzerfaust... that means 'armor fist.' You said this was a German inspired weapon?"

Lucy nodded, "Yes. It was originally created as a tank killing weapon during the early 1900's. I decided to give it a little bit of a modern twist."

"At first we were considering some kind of weapon based on the Schwerer Gustav," Julian added excitedly, "It was a giant artillery cannon mounted to a humongous armored railway train… but then we decided that would be way too impractical."

Lucy chuckled and turned to Erik, "If you don't mind me saying, it's been a couple hundred years since our two countries have gone to war against each other but the weapons you Germans come up with sometimes… I can't help but be impressed and terrified all at the same time."

Erik grinned and hefted his new weapon, "Thanks again Dr. Beckett. Julian. I'll put this thing to good use. Now I should probably…"

He was cut off as General Caldwell interrupted on his Nova Morpher, "Captain Dobermann? Dr. Beckett? We're receiving an encrypted transmission from the moon and it's directed to you. You both might want to turn on a video screen."

The three friends in the lab exchanged a look before Lucy walked over and turned on a computer monitor to take the call. To everyone's surprise, they saw the face of the clone soldier Taldyr on the other end. He looked to be in a secret passageway of the Xeno moon base and he quickly looked over his shoulder to make sure no one else was listening. "Greetings friends."

"Taldyr? I… this is a surprise," Erik exclaimed in shock, "What's going on?"

The allied Xeno glanced about quickly and spoke in a hushed voice, "I'm afraid I don't have much time. I only have a few minutes to broadcast on this signal. It's about the Necrosis virus that's being dropped on Earth."

"Your friend Typhon has already dropped a bomb on one of our cities," Lucy said, "People are getting sick and starting to die. Is there any way you can help us?"

Taldyr nodded, "I believe so. Tell me, may I speak to Erin Reilly? Or Captain Sterling?"

"Both of them have been put in quarantine along with the other Rangers," Erik said grimly, "They've been infected with the plague."

Taldyr's expression fell and he gave an almost apologetic look, "I see… I'm sorry to hear that. I only pray that what I have here might be able to help."

He picked up a small data-stick and showed it to the screen, "Warmaster Hellspont was helping to oversee the creation of the Necrosis virus, but I also found out that he was having some of my clone brothers and sisters used as test subjects."

"That's awful," Julian said sympathetically.

Taldyr nodded and continued, "The virus is intended to weaken and kill the majority of your population centers in hopes that it will force your Earth government to capitulate. What I have here in this data-stick is information for creating a vaccine. Our scientists developed it in order to inoculate our clone troops if necessary. I believe this data I stole from the lab may be of use to you because we clones are genetically very close to you humans. If the vaccine works for us, then it should work for you as well."

"Taldyr… you're taking a big risk for us by doing this… thank you," Erik said in gratitude.

The clone gave a ghost of a smile, "We are allies in this war Erik Dobermann. If we clones here want to take back our freedom and dignity from the Overlord, then we're going to need to make new friends in order to do it. You and the Rangers have shown me that both of our kinds can find common ground that way. You are a healer who wants to protect the lives of his comrades. I suppose I am doing the same now, but in my own way. Standby to receive my transmission."

Lucy watched as a large digital file downloaded into her system before the signal faded. As the transmission ended, Taldyr gave a quiet nod, "I wish you luck Ranger. Until the time is right, I will be here working for your team."

The transmission cut off and Lucy saved the data in a safe backup folder, "I've got it Erik. Let's take this to Caldwell and…"

"You and Julian go ahead Doc," Erik said while heading for the doors, "Your job will be to help create a vaccine and save our friends. My job is to track down a Xeno in Germany, but I'm going to need to call in a little help while I'm here."


"You know, I had some reservations about walking into a bio-hazard zone but I've gotta say… I'm glad I finally got a chance to visit Germany. It seems like a nice place." Trooper Diego Madrigal of Mexico said as he rode in a small airborne UNAF transport craft.

The troop carrier cruised low over the green woodlands just outside the eastern hinterlands of Frankfurt while Erik Doberman looked out the windows idly. He had already morphed into his battle suit and took a moment to inspect the assault team he had assembled to aid him in this operation. "I promise once we stop the plague here, you'll see just how nice the country really is Trooper."

The Blue Ranger glanced over to the American leader of the infantry squad who had volunteered to come along to help him, "Thanks again for coming to help Lt. Lewis. I really appreciate you guys watching my back out here."

Clarissa Lewis adjusted the filter of her gasmask that she and her team wore and gave a thumbs up, "Our pleasure Captain. Nova Squad has done a lot of the heavy lifting in past battles. This is the least we can do to help."

Trooper Marina LeFevre of France gave a sigh and fiddled with her laser rifle, "Still, you do realize we've never gone head to head against a Xeno field commander, right?"

"You just leave that guy to me Trooper," Erik said with a reassuring nod, "Your squad knows what to do otherwise."

Clarissa's second in command, a Canadian corporal by the name of James Campbell readied a rucksack of C-4 explosives, "Captain Dobermann is right Marina. Just think… of all the squads stationed at Atlantis Base, he chose us to help out our A-team."

Erik smiled and walked over to the front of the aircraft. His in-law Wilhelm was sitting near the cockpit and supervising while the pilot was busy flying everyone to their destination. Wilhelm turned and gave Erik a nod before speaking to him in German, "We're getting close Captain. ETA is about five minutes."

The Blue Ranger put a hand on Lt. Brandt's shoulder, "Good. How are you holding up Wil?"

Wilhelm grimaced and glanced out the window, "Honestly? I'm afraid Erik. I'm afraid of what the Xeno is capable of, and I'm afraid of that virus spreading in the city… especially to Heidi and my baby."

"We won't let that happen," Erik said with resolve, "As we speak, my friends back at Atlantis Base are working on a cure and they should be close. They're going to do their job right now so all we can do is focus on doing ours."

"Yes sir," Wilhelm answered, feeling a little more encouraged now.


When they finally reached the drop zone, Erik and the rest of Clarissa's squad rappelled down into a wooded clearing. Once they reached the ground, the transport took off and moved to circle the area, waiting for their cue to return and pick up the team. Clarissa took one look at her hand scanner and pointed the way, "Come on everyone, the Xeno pod should be about half a click south from here."

Erik led the troops through the dense woodlands until they reached another clearing where Typhon's large drop pod lay. Just as they had expected, a large missile launcher type contraption had been rigged to the craft and a handful of clone troopers milled about, helping to guard the area. The humans spread out in the brush and considered their plan of attack, even as the Omega Trooper Typhon made its way outside, fresh from regeneration.

"Sir, should we just go all out at try to blow that pod up from range?" Clarissa asked in a hushed whisper.

Erik shook his head, "No. There are barrels of Necrosis toxin loaded on that device. If that pod blows up and goes sky high, there's no telling just how big the resulting virus cloud is going to be. For all we know, it could blanket the whole region."

"Are you suggesting a surgical type of a strike then?" Diego asked.

The Blue Ranger chewed his lip and weighed his options. He was falling back to his own special forces training and then considered for a moment what his own commander on the Ranger team would do. He finally replied, "We'll go with a diversion plan and keep it simple. We'll use textbook flanking maneuvers to assault that fixed position. Once I draw the attention of the Xeno leader, you guys flank the clones and disable the firing systems on the pod."

Clarissa and her team disappeared into the brush and Erik waited until he heard her hushed voice on the comms, "We're in position."

The Blue Ranger nodded and rose from cover to advance out into the open. He pulled his plasma pistol out and fired a few shots to draw the enemy's eyes on him. He directed his last shot to the feet of Typhon, "Hey bonehead! Yeah, I'm talking to you! I heard you're the one responsible for the plague!"

Typhon snorted and stepped forward to confront the Ranger, "I don't remember seeing you before Blue Ranger. I'll infect you just like I did the rest of your worthless team."

Erik angrily tightened the grip on his weapon, "Why don't you come over here and try? You put my friends in danger and I'm going to make sure you pay for it!"

Typhon brandished its maul and waded forward, "Leave the Ranger to me. Stand watch over the pod."

Erik stood his ground and let the Xeno close with him, making sure they were both a fair distance off from the drop pod. As Typhon took his first swing, a hail of las bolts erupted from the treeline in the other direction. While the Eidolons standing guard were busy watching the start of a duel with their commander and the human Ranger, they were caught off guard by the sudden vicious attack of Lt. Clarissa Lewis and her team. Several of the guards dropped from the fire and the remaining ones tumbled to the ground firing back from a prone position. Clarissa, James, and Marina scrambled into the entry hatch of the large drop pod and secured the door while Diego hurried inside. While the three returned fire and kept the clone soldiers pinned down, Diego went to work trying to disable the firing controls within the pod.

From outside, Typhon gave a furious growl as it saw what was going on and took several big swings at Erik which the Ranger easily evaded. As the Xeno forced its way into closer quarters, Erik surprised it by reaching for his morpher and quickly calling forth a large mace-like weapon. Erik swung his new Panzerfaust weapon back in a crushing counter blow which smashed into the chest plates of Typhon to drive him back in a shower of sparks. The Omega Trooper raised its guard and exchanged blows with Erik as both heavy club weapons battered against each other.

"Your new little toy will not be enough to stop me," Typhon said while it forcefully shoved Erik back a few yards.

"He might be right," Erik muttered quietly into his own radio link back to Atlantis Base. By now, Lucy was monitoring the battle from Ops and taking notes on the performance of her new weapon. "Dr. Beckett, I could use some help here. Where does the anti-armor grenade part come in?"

Lucy typed in a quick schematic to Erik's visor so he could see the instructions, "There should be a firing mechanism on the handle of your weapon. Point the warhead at the target and fire away."

Erik quickly scanned the readout in his helmet and reached for the firing controls built into the handle of his weapon. He turned his Panzerfaust sideways to threaten the Xeno and halt it in its tracks.

"Is that supposed to scare me human?"

Erik smirked and put his finger on the firing button, "No. It's supposed to ruin your day!"

He punched the trigger and felt a burst of recoil as the rocket propelled warhead fired out toward the armored alien. Because Erik had not accounted for the surprisingly powerful recoil of the weapon and its slightly inaccurate targeting systems, the warhead curved downward and exploded near the legs of Typhon. A loud cracking sound with an explosion was heard and Erik stumbled from the raw concussive force of the resulting blast. Typhon was violently hurled backwards and thrown to the ground. The complete front of the heavily defended Xeno's armor was scorched and cracked in several places as Typhon staggered back to its feet and tried to regain its senses.

"Damn… that thing packs a hell of a punch," Erik commented looking at the discharged top of the weapon. He looked up and radioed back to base, "I don't suppose you've got a few more of those warheads in reserve, do you?"

His question was answered as Julian teleported a new heavy warhead directly to the Ranger's waiting hand, "We've only got a couple of these right now Captain. Pick your shots wisely."

"Understood," Erik answered as he locked the weapon head on and turned back to confront his damaged foe. "Who's up for seconds?"

Typhon snarled and pulled its firing control from its side, "Enough of this Ranger. I'm going to finish the job and kill the rest of the people in the city with another virus bomb."

The alien pushed the button and stopped in surprise as it realized nothing had happened. It looked over toward its plague launching pod and saw the other human soldiers had secured it themselves. They had likely disabled the firing systems within.

"Not so tough without your little plague bombs now, are you?" Erik taunted as he leveled his weapon for another shot. "This is your last chance."

Typhon clenched its fists and punched in a new set of codes. "You haven't won yet Ranger. If I can't bomb the rest of the city, I will just go about infecting it the hard way… street by street and house by house."

Erik stopped as he heard Diego suddenly radio him, "Uh sir? We have a little bit of a problem. I disabled the firing mechanism in the pod, but it looks like a self destruct sequence was just initiated. We have just under 4 minutes before this thing blows."

As part of the Xeno's remote control commands, a small land speeder craft that had been attached to the pod disengaged and raced to Typhon's side. Erik dove clear just in time to avoid getting run over and looked in shock at the Omega Trooper. The Xeno wheeled the speeder around and turned to escape, "It's your choice Ranger. You can try to stop me, or you can try disarm those barrels of the virus. Either way, I win."

As the Xeno took off on the speeder and escaped toward Frankfurt, Erik growled and turned to sprint back toward the self destructing pod. He could deal with finishing Typhon later. If that pod blew with all the virus canisters, then all the people of the region along with Clarissa's team would be in danger. When he neared, he found his four allies in a bit of a frantic scramble to disarm the countdown sequence.

"Captain! It's not looking good!" Clarissa exclaimed as she and her teammates desperately fumbled about with the enemy computer consoles to try and avert danger. "We're running out of time."

Erik breathed heavily and looked around trying to come up with a plan, "Diego, you're a tech expert. Is there anything you can do to disable the countdown?"

"Negative sir. I tried. If I were to try and hack in and manually stop the device, it would take too long."

The Blue Ranger looked around and saw the reserve barrel bombs filled with the Necrosis virus. That's when an idea struck him. If they couldn't take the explosion away from the barrels, they would take the barrels away instead.

He turned to Lt. Lewis, "Clarissa, give me your wrist beacon!"

She pulled off the wrist bracelet which allowed Atlantis Base to keep an accurate transporter lock on the soldiers it deployed, "Sir? What are you doing?"

Erik took the bracelet and affixed them to the barrel bombs, "Dr. Beckett, change of plans. I need you to lock on to this beacon and transport these barrels to a secure location on the base. Hurry!"

"On it!" Lucy answered as she furiously keyed in commands from her end for an emergency transport sequence.

The assault team watched as the clutch of toxic barrel bombs dematerialized and were whisked away to safety. From the control console, Corporal Campbell cleared his throat, "Less than one minute people. I think now's a good time to clear out!"

"Let's go!" Erik shouted as he pushed the four troopers out of the hatch before him. The five took off at a full sprint and made it about a hundred yards before the Xeno drop pod exploded in a violent cloud of flames and shrapnel. Erik and his allies dove to the ground and felt the heat and force of the blast pass over them while causing the nearby trees to sway. Fortunately, no virus bombs had been present and the only thing that had been destroyed was the pod itself.

The Blue Ranger shook his head out as he looked around and saw Clarissa making sure her team was safe. Before he could speak, he head a call come in over the comms from Lt. Brandt, "Captain? What happened? We just saw a huge cloud of fire erupt from the treeline."

"It's okay Wil," Erik gasped in relief, "The virus bombs are secure and the drop pod was destroyed. Everyone here is fine."

"Is it over then?"

Erik took a breath and looked west to where the city of Frankfurt lay, "Not yet Lieutenant. We've got one more objective left. It's time to stop that Xeno once and for all."