Chapter 10

Chesapeake, Virginia

Scott had already commed ahead, informing the others of what had happened. When they returned the mood was morose. No one said anything, as the group walked in. Tracy and Gina brought the data stick to Vapor, in the Console Room, and began to decrypt it's contents. The three were shocked at the situation they found in front of them. There was no winning against a force of this magnitude. "Holy shit." Tracy muttered, "What the hell are we even fighting for?" She added.

"We don't fight ta win, lass." Glitch said, walking in, "We fight ta keep the people inspired. So they don't give up, so Wily doesn't fully crush them. As long as they have us, they have hope." He took a drag from his cigarette, "But from the look'a things, we made need a few upgrades. You up f'that?"

Tracy nodded, "I think I can manage some things."

"I'm gonna work on getting this to the rest of the underground, why don't you grab some rest." Vapor said to the girls, who nodded and departed. When they walked out, he turned to Glitch. "That was inspired and all, Reg, but what the hell are we gonna do? This is some really bad shit. I've had two bad run-ins with this Shroud guy, and he's just one android, with no special abilities, or anything." He pointed to the holo, "These guys are the real deal, and the list still hasn't finished loading."

Glitch rubbed his temples, "God, I had hoped that the slimy prick was lyin'. Comm Gerard, tell 'im ta get back 'ere. We gotta have a serious house meetin'."

Danica sat in the Med Bay, checking Maglia's ankle, "The swelling has subsided, a little. I'll fit it for a cast and hopefully you'll be walking again, in a couple weeks." She told him, sniffling, quietly.

He glared at her, with his hands cuffed in his lap, "Overheard one of your freinds bought it, out there, last night." He said, smirking, "Don't be too upset, little lady. You'll all be joining him soon. Curtis will make sure of it." He started to laugh to himself, "And my only wish, is that I get to see the look on your pretty face, when your piece of shit boyfriend loses his head."

She looked him back in the eyes, "If you like, I can call him in here, undo your restraints, and you can try to make that wish a dream come true."

His smile faded, "Do what you want to me, bitch. When Wily finds this place, you'll all be executed, while I recover, from the comfort of my own private mansion."

She leaned in closer, speaking calmly, "Mr. Maglia, Curtis Wily slaughtered his entire, personal engineer team, in cold blood. What do you think he'll do with an old stool pigeon, who can't walk, and he feels he owes something to?" She watched his eyes grow wide, "Yeah," She said, slowly, "still want him to find us?"

It was seconds later, with impeccable timing, the alarms blared, and the garage entrance blew open. Wily's assault team flooded into the living room, followed by security droids. Vapor jumped up, from the console, grabbing his blades. He and Glitch dashed out, in their everyday clothes, to combat their intruders head-on.

The blades flew, severing body parts and machinery alike, as Glitch avoided fusion bolts, making his way to the Emergency Weapons Kit. He started laying down widespread fire, but the attackers just kept coming.

Danica commed the Main Facility, "Guys, what's going on there?" She asked, getting no response. Hearing the gunfire, she rushed over to the cabinet, pulling out the shotgun and vest.

Maglia laughed, "I'll take my chances with Wily. It'll be worth it just to see y..." His sentence was cut short, due to his chest being blown open, as Danica walked by.

"Yeah yeah yeah." She muttered, cocking the shotgun, walking out the door. When she made it to the Main Building, there was a small unit, with their backs to her. Raising the barrel, she blasted holes through each of them, dropping what was left to the floor. A guard tried to rush her, receiving the butt of the weapon into his mouth, relieving him of his teeth. She turned the barrel to him, removing the rest of the skull, to join the teeth. She laid down four more humans, before the jolt of electricity brought her to the floor, near the kitchen.

Tracy and Scott were in the Engineering Loft when the alarms hit. Tracy grabbed her pistol, when Scott stopped her, "Nuh uh, you need to get outta here." He said, putting on his coat.

"Like shit I am!" She yelled, pushing by him.

He grabbed her arm, "Listen! If shit goes south, someone needs to get this information to the others. Now go, I'll comm you when things clear up."

She clenched her jaw, "Fine. But be careful, I mean it." She ordered.

Scott and Rush stepped out, slapping the hydraulic lock key, sealing the doors.

She stopped, realizing he had forgotten his yellow scarf, "Scott, wait!" But it was too late, she packed it into her bag and climbed the Emergency Escape Hatch.

There were bodies and debris everywhere, as Scott stepped into the fray. A guard fired for his head, as he twisted back, shooting the man down. He jumped on a security droid's back, twisting it's head free, while driving his feet into the chest of another, sending it into the wall, before shooting it in the cranium.

Vapor kicked a droid over the couch, as Gina joined the fight, intercepting a flanking guard. She kicked his rifle up, driving a fist into his exposed gut, doubling him over, before delivering a fusion bolt to the back of his helmet. They nodded to each other, before moving along.

With all of the droids down, they could focus on the human forces. Vapor had been cornered, as Gina made her way to the front door. He eviscerated the two men closest to him, while the bolts chipped at the walls around him. One hit him in the gut, slowing his momentum, then two more to his shoulder and thigh, bringing him to his knees. The closest foe capitalized, picking up the dropped sword and driving it through Vapor's heart.

Laying fire on the crowd, Glitch saw this happen, out of the corner of his eye. He screamed, putting a bolt through his killer's brain. His rage grew hotter, when he felt the heavy impact on his temple, plunging him into darkness, as he hit the floor.

Being overwhelmed, Gina dodged every bolt and physical blow, with ease. She maneuvered through the mob, ending as many lives as possible. The grasp was sudden, when an arm wrapped her neck from behind. The sharp pain in her spine was short lived and quick, as her world was engulfed with nothingness.

Three men circled Scott, waiting to jump. He lashed out, grabbing the baton of one man, and bashing the face of another, masking it in crimson. Turning back to the first guard, he parried his advances and broke the man's shin, collar bone and sternum, in the process. A rifle butt collided with his head, blurring his vision, as Rush dove on his attacker, mauling his face. Scott collapsed, dizzy, hearing a shot and the sharp yelp of his dog, as Shroud approached, crouching down to him.

"Zip-tie the leader!" He pointed to the guards, by Gina, "You three, clean up the bodies, then destroy this place!" He looked back to Scott, "I just want to thank you, Mr. Bonne. For inviting me to your lovely home." He said, holding up the data stick containing his console's contents. "You thought you escaped, in Tennessee, because you're clever?" He laughed, "Like I said before, 'inferior'." Shroud stood back up, smile fading. "But you've insulted my integrity, on many occasions, Mr. Bonne. And I do not take that lightly." He aimed his weapon at Danica's unconscious body, and fired six times. Scott screamed, cursing the android, before a swift boot sent him into a deep sleep.

On the border of the beach line, Tracy emerged from a hatch, from beneath the sand. She crawled out, brushing herself off, when a quick, bright flash caught her eye. In the instant after it was gone, she knew what it was, and walked quietly in it's direction. Just as she had suspected, a sniper laid, intently focused on the compound's exit. She eyed the small motorcycle with the Wily insignia, and approached him.

The gunman looked at the base, through his scope, when he heard a whistle behind him. He rolled over to see a blue-eyed, nineteen year-old girl, in a black tank top, with bright pink hair. She was a gorgeous sight to see, before having his brains blown out.

Throwing the bag over her shoulder, Robbie peaked his head out. "Back in, little buddy. It's gonna get bumpy." She said, climbing onto the bike, and accelerating up the coast.

Over the next few days, she spent her time hiding out in abandoned gas stations and under piers. She decided to give Scott, or anyone, one more day before leaving the state. A gut feeling told her something wasn't right, as she walked into an old hotel. She was hoping to find some canned goods, or a stiff drink, either would suffice at this point. An old holo came to life in the lobby, bearing the circled "W", her heart began to race.

When the picture came up, Wily stood with his General and Shroud. There were two men, with bags over their heads, on their knees, restrained. "People of Megatropolis," Wily started, "We've been watching, as you have secretly been betraying your leader. Idolizing false saviors, spitting in the face of this new nation. All in hopes that these heroes will, one day, rescue you. They, will, not." He pulled the sacks back to reveal her brother and Glitch, beaten and groggy.

Tracy put a hand over her mouth, holding back the scream, as she cried.

"Reginald Tybalt and Scott Bonne. The leader and right hand of the organization known as The Black Wraiths. The others have been put down in combat, but I ask you to look on, now, as I end your false expectations." He stepped back, allowing Shroud to step forward.

"Any famous last words for us, now Mr. Bonne?" He asked, smiling.

Scott looked out, at the flying holocams and stated, "Hope rides alone."

And with that, Shroud put a bolt through the back of each man's head.

Tracy closed her eyes, and opened her mouth, screaming silently. She began panicking, throwing chairs, smashing glasses. Then fell into a full-on meltdown.

Washington D.C.

In the Oval Office, Wily sat across from Shroud, smiling this time. "Well, son, it appears that it's time for you to move on to bigger and better things." He said, pulling the paper from his pocket. "I must admit, I was expecting to have to put you down, and turn this over to someone else. But you came through, just as you promised. So here's the location of your permanent operations, your gear and network are already there, waiting for you."

Shroud took the paper, opening it. "Sir, not that I'm disappointed, but what about the girl? We never found her."

Wily shrugged, "One nineteen year-old girl won't make a difference. She's scared and alone now, she'll probably save us the trouble, given a few days."

Shroud nodded, "Very well, Sir. And thank you. It's been an honor."