Love & War: Splintered Timelines
Chapter 10: The New Arrivals
Special Forces Base
"I'm losin' it," said O. Johnny. "Can someone please tell me what the hell is going on?"
"I know, right?" Y. Johnny asked. O for old and Y for young for future reference. "I've been here for two hours and I ain't seen one jet pack. Not one!"
Raiden and Cassie walked into the command center.
"So it is true," Raiden said. "I walked down a dark path."
"After Shinnok was defeated, you became a completely different person. Red lightning, black outfit..."
"Authoritarian attitude adjustment..." Melody finished. Jade stands beside her.
"You must be Melody Jones. Kotal told me of you."
"She whupped Shinnok's bony ass two years ago," Cassie added.
"How is it you emerged victorious against an immortal Elder God? He is impossible to kill."
"It's the Jones in me." ;)
"You have done Earthrealm a service."
"Yeah, about that," Johnny began. "What happened to 'dark' you? How come you're the only child and I got a evil twin?"
"As an immortal, I exist outside the normal laws of time. That could explain why I am affected differently."
On the other side of the command center, Jax offered Sonya a cup of coffee.
"Weird, not being in charge?" Jax asked.
"That's what's weird?"
"And having daughters our age."
Sonya looks at Cassie.
"How is it I have a kid... with him?"
"At least she's not a actress. Who's that woman next to her?"
Sonya looks at Melody. "I've never seen her before."
"C'mon. You and I can share the gross. Johnny Cage and Johnny Cage in "Timequake." O. Johnny is clearly annoyed as they walked past Sonya and Jax. A small vertical portal opened in the hallway and Chris emerged.
"Finally, I'm home."
He entered the command center and... "What the..."
"Who are you, man?" Jax demanded.
"Jax, Sonya? What's going on?"
"Dad!" Melody ran to him with Jade following her. "I tried to contact you..."
"Hold up," Jax said. "You're this woman's father. You are younger than her it looks like."
"I spent the last 20 years in cryosleep. And yes, this is my daughter, General Melody Jones. I'm Chris, we are the Homefront Warriors. We worked with the Special Forces for decades."
"I'm so glad you're safe," Jade said, kissing him. She was unaware that Chris was still hurting.
"Are you alright?"
"Dad, what happened?"
"Melody... Shao Kahn has returned..."
"You mean..."
"I blindly fought him..."
"Dad..."
"Please, Melody. I'm in no mood for lectures."
"You could have been killed!"
"What happened to the Disciples?" Jade asked.
"As far as I know, Azril is reporting to Sub-Zero about said events. The others are preparing for shelter at our base. Jade, have you heard from Tanya?"
"She is at the base with Sheva, Urenna and Momiji. The kids are safe for now."
"Dad?"
Chris looked at Melody.
"I know you tried to stop Shao Kahn, but this is not your fight."
"I know."
"Melody, even a soldier makes mistakes regardless of rank," Jade said. "If Shao Kahn had, in fact, returned, Kitana would surely handle him."
"No doubt."
"I'm sorry, Melody," Chris said softly.
"You're still my proud dad. Nothing will change that. Remember that."
At the holographic table... "Any thoughts of what to do next?" Cassie asked Raiden. Just then, Jacqui showed up with Liu Kang and Kung Lao.
"For months, I have received premonitions of the future, but none of them foretold this. I must confer with the Elder Gods."
Raiden turns to the Shaolin Monks.
"Liu Kang, Kung Lao, please assist the Special Forces while I am gone."
"Yes, Lord Raiden," Liu Kang said.
"Follow me." Jacqui led the monks for a briefing. Sonya and Melody joined Cassie. "Commander?"
"General... I mean... Mom..."
"It's weird for me, too."
"You have no idea." Cassie's tone put Sonya on edge.
"What?"
"How do I say this? This morning we were on a mission in the Netherrealm, and you gave (voice breaking) your life to save it."
"Son of a bitch. Seriously?"
"I was there," Melody vouches for Cassie. "She was a excellent soldier, hardened from decades of service. Her and my dad teamed up long ago to bring Kano to justice."
"And here you are, young enough to be my sister."
"Cass, Mel, you guys need to see this." Jacqui led the trio to the computer room.
"What's going on?" Melody asked.
"Sat feeds show Netherrealm incursion at the Wu Shi Academy," Jacqui replied.
"Netherrealm? My C4s leveled the whole place."
"It must be the time anomaly."
"We must protect our Shaolin master," Liu Kang said. Kung Lao agreed.
"Why would they want to bust up your alma-mater, Liu Kang?" Jax asked.
"The Dragon Grotto. It's located underneath the Academy. Earthrealm's Jinsei bubbles up in the springs."
"That's no good," Cassie argued. "We saw firsthand what happens when the Netherrealm screws with Earthrealm's life force."
"They will not reach the Grotto," Kung Lao assured. "It is protected by powerful magic. The deadiest traps. I'm sure they are dealing with them."
Jacqui cringed at those words.
"Kung Lao, Liu Kang, you might want to sit down."