"Thank you for accompanying me on this trip." She looks over to her companion as they continued their ascent.

"It's no problem, really." She offered a hand as they scaled over another rock. FrostNova, one of Rhodes Island's newest member, took the offer as she heaved the Cautus up.

"Besides, the Doctor asked me to help make sure you kept out of trouble while on this trip. Specially since you used to be one of Reunion's more notable members." She continued before taking a breath.

She had to admit, she missed this. Going over mountain passes, breathing in the cool crisp air. It reminded of her home in Kjerag.

"Have to ask though," The two of them continued. She made sure to take note of loose footholds to avoid. "why are we going all the way to Laterano of all places? And why to one of its most out of the way districts?"

They stopped their progress for a few moments to sit and regain their strength. FrostNova took a swig from a canteen before popping a small red candy in her mouth. She couldn't help but inwardly grimace, she heard tales of FrostNova's infamous sweets and their spice levels.

"We're going to meet an old contact of mine. He was a former member of Reunion." FrostNova answered.

"A former member, huh?" she hummed.

FrostNova nodded at her. "Yes, I met him back when the movement was starting it's momentum. With how things stand, his addition to the ranks of Rhodes Island will give us a needed boost to our manpower and logistics."

Taking a few more minutes, they both stood up to continue their trek. "Well then, we best get to it." With a smile, she and FrostNova continued forward.

Eventually, the sun had started to set when they finally came upon their destination.

"This is the place." Her companion said as they observed the dingy but well-lit establishment.

JOEYRAYS

With big, neon lights, and an arrow pointing towards the establishment's entrance, she wondered who it was they were meeting here.

Without another word they went inside. The moment the doors opened they were greeted by the stench of alcohol, the strumming of a guitar, the clinking of glass, and the murmurs of the patrons inside.

Already she was making sure to keep an eye on the many patrons inside. Though what caught her attention was the trophy hung up near the bar counter. A rather large skull of what appeared to be a reptile like creature.

She noticed FrostNova looking over the crowd before settling her gaze at a darkened corner. Despite the shadows, she could see the dim glow of a Sankta halo above a man slumped over a table, bottle in hand. She also noticed the rather large revolver on the table as well.

Now standing before, FrostNova greeted their target. "James."

He didn't stir, at least, not to the untrained eye. She could see his fingers had twitched. His breathing pattern had hitched. And his hand ever so slightly moved towards his firearm.

FrostNova huffed. "I know you're awake, James. There's no need for you to play possum."

"Could never pull the wool over your eyes, Nova." A gruff, smoky voice filtered through the noise of the bar. Sitting up, she couldn't help but blush. Slick backed hair, with two notable fringes framing his face, a goatee, and some lines indicating faded scars, the man had the roguish look down pat.

"So what can I do for ya?" He asked. "And while you're at it, care to introduce me to your new friend?" He then looked over to her.

"James, this is Cliffheart. Cliffheart, this is my old associate, James." FrostNova introduced them both.

"Nice to meet you." With a smile and wave, she greeted James.

James returned her smile, "Pleasures all mine." before waving over to the bartender. "So what brings you two all the way here?" Catching a bottle of booze haphazardly tossed his way, he took a swig. "Don't tell me you came all this way for little ole me?"

FrostNova nodded. "Actually, we did. We - - I, want you to join Rhodes Island, James."

Taking another swig, James' demeanor changed. While the smile didn't leave his lips, the friendliness he first showed stared to fade. "Yeah, heard bout that. Honestly not surprised you left Reunion."

His brows scrunched up as they focused on the Cautus. "Though, last I heard you were on your last legs."

"I got better." FrostNova countered with a small, conspiratorial smile.

"Yeah, I bet." Setting the bottle down, James produced and lit a cigar. She couldn't help but step back as he puffed smoke their way. "But I don't see why I should bother with Rhodes Island or why you came here at all."

"We need your help, James. She needs your help." She? Who was the "she" FrostNova was referring to?

"She stopped needing my help a long time ago, Nova." A frown started to mar James' face. And with his scars, they made him look older, defeated.

He closed his eyes, and sighed. "I don't want no part in this, Nova."

"But - - " FrostNova tried to argue but stopped when the barrel of revolver was now in front of her face.

Her body tensed, and even though the both herself and FrostNova were capable in their own rights, the intent was clear.

"I ain't asking you again, Nova. Leave." James said slowly. His halo dimed and the shadows grew longer in her eyes. They framed the man in a cloak of a menace that wasn't there before.

FrostNova sighed, stepped back, "Let's go, Cliffheart." and left the bar. She followed soon after her colleague.

He placed down his revolver and took another swig from the bottle once Nova and her new friend left the bar.

He was done.

It didn't matter who fought for what or what the state of the world was. His fight was over.

The moment she began her descent into madness, he stopped caring.

"We now are bringing you coverage of the aftermath of the Chernabog uprising…"

His eyes wandered over to the television as it displayed the destruction caused by the Reunion movement. A Reunion spokesperson was giving an interview and they spewed their calls of oppression and uprising with a fervor.

Reaching into his vest he pulled out a picture. It was a picture of her, smiling at the camera. It was one of the few moments he had ever caught her relaxed and happy at what they were slowly accomplishing.

He couldn't understand. Why? What happened to her? What changed the strong, young woman who fought for the oppressed and marginalized into a war mongering psychopath?

"What happened to ya, darlin'?" He whispered to the picture.

Another swig of the bottle, another puff of the cigar, another spewed drivel from the television.

He looked again at the picture before coming to a decision. He reached into his vest for a communicator. "Adjutant, prep my ship and alert the troops."

Maybe it was time to kick this thing, whatever it was, into overdrive.

It was a warzone.

There was nothing more to say about their encounter with the forces of Reunion. Under Patriot, this elite fighting force was stalwart and relentless, a reflection of their leader's imposing nature.

"Sister, get behind me!" They both followed the orders directed to them by the Doctor as her brother sent wave after wave of his power at the advancing enemy line. Yet, for all of his overwhelming might, her brother barely slowed the tide encroaching on them.

And if that wasn't all -explosions started to pepper the area around them- Reunion had managed to get their hands on some heavy ordinance outside of their Arts users.

She couldn't help but scream as the ground in front of her and her brother exploded. Her body felt weightless as it soared backwards due to the force propelling her. The earth caught her and bit down hard on her back as her body dug into the soil. Some shrapnel mirrored this as they dug into her sides.

"Cliffheart!"

She recognized the voice of their assigned medic, Myrrh, as her eyes started to regain their focus.

"My," She grit her teeth in pain as Myrrh applied her tonics to the wounds she had just received. "brother." She looked around, trying to find signs of her brother, Enciodas -SilverAsh to most of Rhodes Island-.

"He's alright, Shinning is already helping him as we speak." She could feel some pressure on her wounds, Myrrh had begun bandaging them.

"Get down!" A familiar voice reached her ears as the earth around them shattered once again.

"Matterhorn, are you alright?" She could see Myrrh had peered over her shoulder to see the broad back of a familiar Forte.

"I'm fine," Matterhorn raised his shield in time to intercept another explosion. "we need to get you both out of here, now!" The urgency of his voice couldn't be denied.

What Matterhorn said next became drowned. The sound of turbines swallowed the battlefield with their constant humming. A long shadow engulfed them.

She looked up and couldn't help but gape. A large aircraft, hovered above them.

"Looks like we made it in the nick of time." They turned to see an armored figure walk up to them. A skull decorated the front of what she assumed was the armor's faceplate.

However, she recognized the voice.

The faceplate lifted to show a familiar face and smile. "Sorry we're late," James said as he hefted a rather large assault rifle. "we got a little lost along the way." He joked.

"On the contrary," Matterhorn returned the smile. "your timing couldn't be better."

"We have many wounded in the area." Myrrh pointed out as the medic helped her up.

James looked towards her and Myrrh and nodded. "I gotcha. Leave the search and rescue to me an' my boys. We'll be sure to get everyone home."

He held up a hand to the side and spoke to what she assumed was a built-in transceiver. "You heard the lady, gents. Fan out, search for survivors, bring them back A.S.A.P. Raiders Roll!"

Notes:

Crossover with Starcraft. Character in question, James Raynor.

Operator POV: Cliffheart