~Chapter 11:
We Are VR, Part Two~
Grimlord observed the latest activity coming from the lab's surveillance cameras. Shocked and awe to notice Decimator lying out cold, he came to the realization that the Troopers are just moments away from an inevitable confrontation.
"Grimlord, what seems to be the matter?" Strickland wondered.
"This is not good. Apparently, we had some uninvited guests annihilate one of our finest lieutenants. Check on Decimator's condition. Make sure you two leave the facility before I set off the detonation sequence," Grimlord advised to his comrade.
"Will do," Strickland said taking a glance at the police chief strapped to the machine. "How is she so far? Has the cleansing process been completed yet?"
"It appears we are getting close to one-hundred percent completion," Grimlord replied taking a glance at the green meter bar displayed on the screen. "As of this moment, we are only at the ninety-five percent mark. When the meter bar is filled, the Rebecca Steele that everyone has known and beloved by everyone will be nonexistent. Crossworld City will no longer have a hero to depend upon. This will be the first of many signs to come when mutant supremacy reigns over the Real World."
"What will you do when you confront the Metal Fighters?" Strickland spoke out of curiosity.
"Let's just say I have a special game plan in mind, one that doesn't involve me in action," Grimlord told him.
"Grimlord sire how is the chief doing?" Colonel Icebot communicated with Grimlord through his earpiece.
"The good news is that the brainwashing is coming along great for Rebecca Steele. But where there is good news also comes with a price," Grimlord responded.
"I don't understand," Icebot wondered much to a lack of clarification.
"The Metal Fighters have somehow managed to undermine Decimator and laid him out in their battle," he told him. "The trio may have come this far into the lab. But I reassure you that the worst is yet to come for what I plan on demonstrating."
"What did you suppose that is?" the Colonel wondered.
"Let me say for the record, it's one that requires undergoing yet another VR simulation. Those Metal Fighters are going to enjoy what's coming to them," Grimlord addressed on behalf of the ruler's intentions.
"Wait what about Decimator?" Strickland made mention in regards to the swordsman's condition.
"Colonel Icebot, see if you can detect Decimator by the archives room. Make sure to key in the code to transport us into the Virtual Dungeon. I'll be sure to communicate with the Metal Fighters even if it means being the coward that I am to not meet them in person," Grimlord commanded.
"Locking in right now," Icebot said abiding his orders.
"There is one other thing. Contact Zelton for me. I have a special favor for him to do," the Wizard of Darkness added.
"As you wish," the Colonel abided once again.
"The fun is just getting started Fighters. By the time this place blows up, you won't be the ones standing tall in glory." With a confident expression, the mutant ruler raised his fist in assuring a landslide victory over his arch enemies.
Outside the VR Troopers continued to make progress through the passageway in which their arch enemy Grimlord awaits. By navigating deep into the basement floor, they observed the lab's interior map as displayed from their visors.
"According to our map, the door up ahead indicates that this room will lead us right to where we need to be," Kaitlin said.
"We've already taken care of his goons. Right now Grimlord won't have any excuse to be running from us," J.B added.
I'd suggest have your weapons equipped at all times. You never know what kind of tactics he will resort to when he confronts with you three," Professor Hart advised.
"Thanks Professor. After that beat down, Decimator could have had us for dinner right there," J.B complimented. By the time they arrived at the end of the corridor, they stumbled across a set of double doors ahead of them.
"Well, here we are. The moment of truth," Kaitlin said.
"I can't wait to get my hands filthy on Grimlord," Ryan spoke with anticipation. Before they could proceed, J.B provided his teammates with caution.
"Guys let's be careful. The instant we barge right through those doors, there is no turning back. This isn't like a video game where you have infinite continues. If we screw up and Grimlord has us numbered, we're done for," he warned them.
"J.B is right. We knew what we were getting ourselves into. Either we get your mother out alive or he leaves us lying like skeletons. It's now or never," Kaitlin concurred.
"If it weren't for you guys, we wouldn't even be standing here right now," said Ryan. "Grimlord may be one tough son of a gun. That's not going to stop us from getting her out of there."
The Troopers gave each other a nod. Every single action they make will determine their fate when they enter through the double doors.
"We should utilize the thermostat feature to detect any more unusual activity. After that surprise attack Decimator gave us, we better be on our guard," J.B encouraged. Ryan and Kaitlin responded with a nod before proceeding with their mission.
"No matter what happens, we're all in this together," Kaitlin provided with an uplifting remark.
"Let's give it everything we got," Ryan said finishing up with their prayers. Equipped with their Laser Blasters, the trio prepared to infiltrate the waiting room in which trouble awaits them.
Channeling all of their might, they plowed through the double doors that brought them inside the lab's testing site. Inside contained nothing but console boards along with high tech equipment that made up the confines of the layer. Much to their surprise, they began to notice electricity running from inside the VR Room.
"Guys is it me but since when was there power here in the laboratory?" Kaitlin wondered circling around the area while continuing to position her weapon.
"They must have had someone with tech knowledge to help refuel the generator," J.B took an educated guess. The Troopers went out their way to switch off the lights from their visors. While surveying the room, they soon discovered her being restrained to a VR machine.
"Mom," Ryan shouted approaching the police chief in attempt to release her from the cuffs.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you." From the footage displayed on the monitor, a projected image of Grimlord appeared on screen.
"It's just as we suspected. How about you get your ass out here and face us like the mutant you are?" J.B demanded.
"You would actually think I even dare to confront you three in person? As far as I'm concerned, you imbeciles are no match against the power that I possess," Grimlord told them.
"What are you planning to do with the chief?" Ryan questioned.
"I'm afraid I have something else in mind. As far as I'm concerned, Rebecca Steele is undergoing an experiment that will alter the course of her behavior," said Grimlord.
"This is serious Grimlord. Think about how her son must be feeling to lose the important people he loved taken away like that?" Kaitlin tried to reason.
"That's the kind of feeling I've witnessed from you pesky humans. It's a sign of weakness to feel nothing but sympathy for folks that have lost their loved ones," the creature responded.
"The fact that a creature took away a well regarded scientist who devoted his time working alongside his coworkers is sickening," Ryan said prolonging the conflict. "Not only that but you're talking about a man who cherished his wife and son like the loving father they remembered. I won't let goons like you take away more people just like what happened to Tyler."
Grimlord cackled. "I had my reasons for doing what I did. It's the ultimate sin for those who tend to keep secrets from me. But that will change. I plan to resolve that issue to eliminate the one aspect that makes humans human, even if it means extracting the essence of his courageous wife. You're talking about a species of highly advanced robots that will soon inhabit your world. This will be the first step to lure all humans into established empire."
"You've crossed the line this time. If you were a true ruler of two worlds, you would be standing here facing us head on," Ryan declared.
"I have my reasons for my seclusion," Grimlord told him vaguely. "I'll tell you what. There are some areas inside the cortex of her brain that contain memories of her life that have not been fully erased. If you can get inside and free her from her coma, Rebecca will regain her consciousness and the brainwashing procedure will be suspended. There is an extra seat next to her that you can lie on in order to undergo with the procedure."
"How would I know if this is some kind of parlor trick?" Ryan insinuated continuing to get under the creature's skin.
"It's just the response I expected from you. But I can assure you that if this were a sham, I wouldn't have provided you with the option to save Ryan Steele's mother," Grimlord tries to reason. "I'm giving you this once in a lifetime opportunity to fall into the world of virtual reality by releasing the chief from her imprisonment. Would you do anything in your power to ensure the safety of your friends and family members?"
Ryan clenched his fist with anger.
"We'll do everything in our power to make sure your plan doesn't succeed," J.B retorted to the vile creature.
"If only I was in full health, I would more than gladly accept your challenge. For the time being, I'm given you this one chance to save her," said Grimlord reiterating his offer.
"As much as we're willing to save her, a mind battle is the last thing I expected," Kaitlin mumbled.
"Though I would love to see all of you participate, there is a catch. Due to a mechanic error in the machine, the hardware can only be compatible for two people only, the chief currently being one of them," Grimlord went on for the record.
For a moment, the VR Troopers congregated to decide on a volunteer.
"Are you sure you're willing to do this?" J.B asked Ryan.
"I came here to rescue my mother and I don't want to afford losing another family member," he said. "I hate to say this but as much as he's made it personal, Grimlord has a point. As long as he and his crew are around, the world is going to need the both of you to help fend them off. There is too much at stake going on."
Kaitlin spoke up with concern over the potential peril of not only her teammate but as a lifelong friend.
"Ryan, I'd hate for you to take that risk. At the same time I can't force you to. If I were in your shoes and had to rescue the people I care about, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Promise me you're going to come back from this alive," she pledged.
Upon making a decision, Grimlord chimed in for an update.
"What is it going to be? Who will be our volunteer this evening?" He wondered.
"Count me in Grimlord. When it's all said and done, I'm going to get the police chief out of her coma and ensure you don't mess with another family's life," Ryan declared.
"Once you've entered virtual reality, there is no turning back. If you fail to rescue Rebecca, your mind will remain trapped in eternal damnation rendering your body useless," Grimlord warned him.
"Be careful Ryan. We'll be here for you every step of the way," J.B concluded having come down to a clear verdict.
"I promise to make it back here in one peace. Wish me the best guys," said Ryan. In securing an empty seat, he slid his body inside the yellow lit background of the VR machine with the helmet strapped to his head. J.B and Kaitlin wrapped each others' hands showcasing strength of unity in hopes that their friend makes it out of this simulation alive.
Ryan closed his eyes undergoing a brief period of relaxation in which his conscious is transferred inside his mother's mind. Soon after he awakens to finds himself shrouded by a gulf of flames burning up inside his father's laboratory. The instant he overheard the sound of her voice, it became clear he was experiencing through the headset lenses in her point of view. He witnessed her running past the rubble with the chief's handgun intact. Taken each step, she coughed out the smokes that plagued the building. She continued to shout Tyler's name in a desperate cry of concern over his well being. By navigating towards the lab's headquarters, they would encounter an evil force lurking behind the firewall. Rebecca realized that the anonymous figure turn out to be a familiar mutant that has haunted her since.
"Grimlord," Ryan murmured. With the intention of using physicality, the scene would cutaway to another photographic memory of hers sometime following the incident.
No longer projected in a first person perspective, Ryan finds himself inside of his parents' bedroom. Standing by the background, he observed her watching a recorded footage of the wedding ceremony with her and Tyler standing on the altar. An instant wave of nostalgia uplifted her spirit to a degree. To hear the innocence of her husband's voice felt surreal and empowering.
I take thee, 'Rebecca,' to be my lawfully wedded wife. You are the sunshine in my life and the beat that pumps my heart. I promise to stay by your side, in sickness and in health, in joy and sorrow, for the good times and bad. I will grow in mind and spirit, laugh and cry, and to bring an uplifting sense of optimism that will preserve our unity. I promise to be the husband you cherish until death does us apart. On this day, I give you my heart.
Rebecca placed her hand over her mouth as her eyes dampened. Ryan drew closer towards her only to realize his presence in the room was the officiant addressed his final words, Tyler and Rebecca gazed into each others' eyes while continuing to hold hands.
From this point forward, I pronounce Tyler and Rebecca husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride.
While the audience cheered on with joy, the wedded couple followed up on the celebration with a genuine yet passionate kiss. This monumental event signified the vows they committed ever since. Rebecca closed the case from her laptop as footage of their ceremony faded to black. She grabbed a portrait of her recently deceased husband taking a glimpse at the man she vowed to spend her life with. She began to melt down on the floor. Teardrops streamed like a river that would go on endlessly. It pained Ryan to witness her in the mental state she had been in. All he liked to do is to comfort her in some way or form. But this was just a glimpse regarding the kind of ordeal she had to endure.
"I wish there was something I can do," Ryan mumbled clearly frustrated.
All of a sudden, the lights began to flicker. Rebecca got up from the floor seemingly haunted from the superstition that transpired. While approaching the mirror, she came across a reflection of Grimlord standing directly behind her. The moment she turned around, he grabbed the chief around the throat choking her out of misery. Rebecca extended her arm trying to reach hold of her handgun on the makeup table.
"Leave her alone," Ryan attempted to lay his fist on Grimlord. However, his arm drove straight through his body nullifying the attack that had been executed. The Blue Hawk Trooper wondered why the mutant didn't take notice. He began to remind himself that all of these events were a figment from her psyche.
Eventually, with the use of her fingertips, Rebecca managed to reach her gun firing a shot at Grimlord's forehead. The mutant released the police chief from his grasp. Upon exiting, Rebecca grabbed her mobile phone from the drawer. This allowed for an opportunity to make her escape.
Ryan proceeded to follow her out of the house and towards the car parked along the driveway. Just when he could make his approach, Grimlord magically appeared in front of her vehicle.
There is no way of escaping me Chief. Now it's time to end this.
Rebecca prepared to fire her gun but he swiped it away from her hands. Utilizing her Martial Arts skills, she fought him off with every technique from her playbook. Despite her fortitude, it would not be enough.
"Nice try but you got to do better than that." With his kinetic powers, Grimlord sent Rebecca flying against the garage door. "I admire your guts. But just like Tyler Steele, you're about as weak as that measly scientist!"
Ryan could barely watch. To witness his mother at her most vulnerable was disparaging enough. Deep inside, he felt the need to take matters into his own hands.
"That's it," As he attempted to tackle Grimlord, a flash of light illuminated from the visor of his helmet. Ryan would land inside of an office operated by the CCPD. With no acknowledgment of his presence, Rebecca was in the midst of processing information containing a list of criminal profiles displayed on her computer. The amount of pressure as a result of excessive workload had taken toll over her body; traces of sweat dripped from her forehead. Bloodshot eyes indicated some signs of her uncharacteristic mannerism. By the doorway Ryan stood, he turned around to spot Lieutenant Combs providing some coffee for the chief. A pep talk ensues between the two. While taking appreciation of advice, the chief would be left with a number of options: Take a leave of absence to cool off her mind or to continue conducting police work.
While Rebecca remained on the fence, a police officer interrupted to inform them about the press's interest in interviewing the chief. Rebecca did not take this news lightly. It further incensed her. The lieutenant escorted her from her office looking to navigate their way out of the building. Ryan followed suit thereafter. A crowd of photographers and reporters surrounded the area much to her chagrin. Rebecca closed her eyes resisting the endless amount of flashing beams coming from their cameras.
Before Ryan could catch up with her, he came across an anonymous figure in a black cloak standing within the audience. As their eyes gazed across from Ryan's, the figure walked off from the gathering. Despite a lack of reasoning, Ryan followed along with their command.
Taking notice of this, Ryan purged through the crowd tracking down the figure's whereabouts. As he spotted the person entering the amphitheater, Ryan went through the entrance to find himself inside the foyer of his parents' home.
"Not again," he said. Suddenly, he overheard the sound of a door creak open from the location he stood from. Rebecca and Tyler arrived through the main door engaging in a lip lock that displayed their affection towards one another. For him to witness his father up close since his untimely death felt surreal. Part of Ryan wanted to break down and weep from the joy that sparkled from his parents' face.
"They're quite a couple wouldn't you say?" Sneaking up behind Ryan's back, the same figure in a cloak made their presence known.
"Who are you and what do you want from me?" He asked.
I don't want anything in particular. I detected some disturbance wired throughout Rebecca's brain when I discovered someone may be tapping into her subconscious.
Ryan took a glance at Rebecca and Tyler before turning his focus back on the figment figure. "If you must know, my mother is on the brink of being brainwashed by a fickle creature. I can't let any of that happen to her."
"I understand which is why I am here to call you." The figure removed the hood from their robe to unveil a familiar blonde haired woman.
"Mom," Ryan muttered nearly exposing his identity. Rebecca did not take notice of his verbal reaction.
"I am the monitor that operates the cerebral cortex that emphasizes on her psychological thought process. I have traveled across all the lobes in her brain yet I am unable to maintain control of her motor functioning for much longer," she explained.
"Rebecca, you must know that Grimlord has been utilizing a machine that has a detrimental effect on your memory bank. My friends and I are at your husband's lab to save you and stop a mutant named Grimlord from exploiting his agenda," Ryan told her.
"As Police Chief, there is so much need to be done. I'm afraid that won't happen," said Rebecca.
"Grimlord is using you as a test subject to determine if he could phase out a being's cognitive emotions," Ryan argued. "He's using this VR machine as a demonstration to see if he can brainwash humans and converting them into his mutants. Who knows how much impact it will have on society if he ends up spreading his influence throughout the world?"
Rebecca sighed. "The police chief has devoted her time of duty to ensure that the people of Crossworld City remain safe from any harm that's thrown in their way. To spend over a decade and a half working in the police force, she has suffered through broken bones in life threatening situations that nearly cost her life. But all of those traumatic events occurred in her physical state. This is different. I'm afraid she won't make this one out alive."
Ryan couldn't put up with his mother's figment counterpart. It was there in which he began to understand the emotional pain aching his mother's heart.
"Please reconsider. You've already lost an important family member in your husband Tyler. But it's not just you who's lost a loved one. How will Ryan feel knowing the current state you're in, and how devastated he will be when he finds out that his adoring mother is no longer with him in spirit? Think about how he would feel," he convinced her.
"Ryan is a strong independent gentleman. My husband and I raised him with all the love a parent could give. No one can take that away. I believe he can pull out of this rut no matter the situation that lurks on the horizon," said Rebecca.
"He still needs you Chief. There are other creatures in Grimlord's army that will do everything in their power to inflict chaos throughout not only Virtual Reality, but the real world as well. Could you imagine people having to lose their love ones not by murder but as a means of brainwashing them into forgetting about who they were?" Ryan continued to persuade the police chef to remember her purpose in life. "As a VR Trooper, I can't allow Grimlord to fulfill his long term goal and take away more innocent lives. I have faith in you Chief."
Rebecca took this moment to let this sink in. She glossed over at her past self along with Tyler making out on the furniture. She couldn't help but shed a tear of joy at the smile that enlightened her. It was that strong odor of nostalgia that reminded her of a non stressful time in her life; a time she wished she could relive and savor each moment not knowing the fate that lied ahead.
"Tyler was a man I could count on even during the hard times. I would give anything to have him here with me," Rebecca confessed maintaining control of her sanity. She pulled out an object from her robe to unveil a high tech remote device. By configuring the buttons, the remote triggered of a portal in place of the house's main door.
"Follow me. If you like to save Rebecca Steele, her fate lies behind this very wormhole," she offered to him. Eager to finish what he set out to accomplish, Ryan went through the portal that led him inside a cavern. Across from his sightings, he discovered Rebecca being handcuffed to a chain link rope. Scorches of burn marks scattered across her face. The strands from her blonde hair were all puffy from the excessive bruises she sustained.
"Chief," He shouted. While making his approach, Ryan extended out his hand channeling an aura of blue energy engulfed around his suit. "Stand back this may be devastating. Lightning Hand Command now!"
With a gleam of energy, Ryan utilized his special technique to successfully destroy the cuffs restraining her.
"There you go. Now we just need to get ourselves out of here," he stated.
"Easy for you to say, sweetie," With an evil smirk lurking from her face, Rebecca's eyes began to flare red. This intensity allowed for her to utilize heat vision, firing a set of laser beams that sent Ryan flying to a wall. Collapsing to the ground, he moaned in pain from the enduring blow.
"I should have told you this beforehand the instant you arrived. But I'm afraid you've crossed the line," she spoke with evil intentions. Ryan was left perplexed by what had transpired. It turns out that an impersonator had been disguised as his mother all along.
By revealing his true tendencies, Zelton proceeded to revert back into his mutant form.
"Grimlord notified me knowing you'd do whatever it took to save your mother and avenge the death of your father. I must admit you really did well handling some of our allies. You're going to have to go through me before you can set your mother free."
"What do you mean?" Ryan wondered.
"Feast your eyes," Zelton directed the Trooper over to an unconscious Rebecca wrapped in a spider cocoon. "It's a rather shame but she had it coming. As long as she is in this state, there would be no chance she can regain control once the brainwashing is complete."
Ryan crawled up from the ground while clutching onto the wound from the torso of his metal coated suit.
"The chief hasn't done jack squat to you tin head. Let her out of that cocoon!" He demanded.
"Not a chance," Zelton declined selfishly. "However, there is a catch. If only you can defeat me in battle, I will gladly relieve your mother out of this forsaken cave. If you fail to do so, Grimlord and I will be glad to have the two of you in the latest recruitment to our Mutant Empire."
In times where desperate measures must be taken, Ryan stuck up for himself. "There's no chance I'm going to sell my soul to you. You may talk tough, but it'll take a lot more than verbal abuse to wear me down."
Zelton cackled aiming his machine gun towards the intended foe. "Show me what you're made of."
The immiscible creature sent shots firing as Ryan dodged each blast that loomed him. Sparks ignited throughout the area in which both combatants squared off. The Blue Hawk Trooper remained on the defensive end holding his own as opposed to Zelton's offensive firing mechanisms. Despite evading each blast, Ryan was caught off guard when the mutant fired his signature handgun at the ceiling, causing piles of rocks to land on top of the Trooper.
"What's wrong? I figured you had the guts facing off against us mutants," Zelton belittled his opponent.
Slowly, Ryan crawled out underneath from the rocks layered on him.
"This bastard just lived up to his hype," he muttered beneath his helmet in frustration.
"You just don't seem to quit, do you?" said Zelton.
The battle raged on. Ryan switched his alignment to offense utilizing his Karate techniques to weaken his opponent. He resorted to a variety of kicks and thrust chops to his advantage. Unfortunately for him, this method proved ineffective. Zelton counteracted by blocking out all of his opponent's moves. Zelton flipped him over landing his body flat on the ground. Before Ryan could return to his feet, the mutant continued to pound away using stiff rights on the torso of his suit. He would then finish off the combination with an excessive throw sending Ryan back first onto the wall cavern.
"You've made a fool of yourself challenging me. By the time your mind is trapped inside this machine, your friends will be devastated when I'm through with you," Zelton said pointing the gun at his opponent.
"Ugh this isn't good," Ryan winced in pain. His eyes withered as a result of the damage he had sustained from the fight. As the stakes remain high, every tactic he made could determine his outcome. Not only is his mother's life hanging in the balance; the presence of Grimlord in the real world would leave a significant effect on the landscape as a whole.
Just when he was about to pass out, images of his peers and parents began to flash in an instant. He was reminded of the people that have looked out for him even through some rough patches in his life. No matter how difficult it felt to lose someone close to him, deep within he realized the impact they had on Ryan contains a bond that can't be destroyed. This would turn out to be a wakeup call he needed to turn the tide in his favor.
"I can't let Grimlord or his goons get the better of me. There's no way," he cried out. Slowly, Ryan pulled himself up from the ground looking to resume combat against the shape shifting mutant. A disperse of blue energy enveloped around him.
"This is insane. How on Earth are you still fighting?" The robot wondered much to his disbelief. Zelton proceeded to fire shots at the blue armored fighter doing everything he could to annihilate him. Every attack he pulled off, Ryan resisted. A display of fighting spirit unraveled in front of the creature's eyes.
"You may be one-hundred percent now but I refuse to be intimidated," Zelton bantered. Despite his confidence, part of him felt queasy by the aura surging throughout Ryan's suit.
The Trooper grunted. Both combatants fought to the bitter end each giving every amount of effort in their body. Zelton went in on for a stiff right but Ryan blocked the swing before retaliating with a series of lefts and rights to the mutant's chest. Zelton staggered but he managed to maintain his balance. He counteracted with the reliance of his machine gun. However, with each blast would be deflected by the torso of Ryan's armor.
"What is the meaning of this?" Zelton wondered.
"You may have fooled me trying to disguise yourself as the chief. But let this be a reminder that there is no one who will replace my mother, not even a doppelganger," Ryan stated. While charging towards Zelton, he leaps on top of the mutant stomping away on his chest that resembles a Liu Kang style technique. Descending to the ground, the Blue Hawk Trooper followed it up with more jabs to his opponent's face. The numerous amounts of enduring blows further intensified the pain Zelton had to undergo.
"Imbecile, how dare you try and undermine me like that!" He exclaimed fuming with frustration.
As the battle began to wind down, Ryan summoned his trademark specialty with the intention of sealing the mutant's fate.
Lightning Saber Command now!
With the saber in his grasp, Ryan swung his weapon at Zelton slashing every strike limb to limb. The black armored mutant screamed in anguish from the repeated blows to his body. As Ryan turned away, the creature collapsed to his knees witnessing his body digitize before his eyes.
"This is why you don't want to mess with the Steele Family," he said. With Zelton out of sight, he hurried over towards the cocoon in which his mother remained in suspended animation. He shredded off the cobwebs around her setting her aside by the corner.
"Chief wake up," he insisted for her to awaken. Rebecca opened her eyes to notice the Trooper in front of her. "You're going to be alright."
"Where am I?" She asked.
"It's a long story. You're safe now," Ryan reassured proceeding to provide a lending hand for his mother.
"Grimlord has done enough damage to me and my family. The police will be ready when we're finished with him," Rebecca grimaced.
"You should better head back. Your son is likely worried about you," the Trooper ordered.
"Ryan, that's right," she said clutching onto her forehead. "Whoever you are, thanks for your help."
"My pleasure Maim. That's what we Troopers do best after all," he took her compliment to heart.
Upon completing the objective, Ryan and Rebecca would wound up returning to reality. Their eyes were wide open to find themselves back inside Steele Labs.
"Oh thank goodness," Kaitlin spoke with sheer joy of relief. She and J.B approached the two as they slowly rose from the machine.
"You guys must be a bit dazed undergoing that mind adaptation," J.B said providing them with assistance.
"Chief, are you feeling alright?" Ryan asked.
"It felt like a part of me was ready to be extracted from this world," Rebecca offered him with a compliment. "I should be doing fine. Thank you guys for everything."
Kaitlin took notice of an abandoned cell phone left on the console board.
"Somebody must have left their phone behind," she remarked retrieving the device of a white cased smart phone.
"That's my husband's," Rebecca said as she obtained the phone from the Red Sheriff Trooper. "I didn't think Grimlord was dumb enough to leave without it."
Suddenly, some static ensues from the viewing screen before projecting a clear visual of the aforementioned creature.
"Rebecca Steele, welcome back. It's a damn shame my brainwashing process didn't go as I planned. But I tell you what. I've got a much better gift to make it up, and that so happens to be sort of a goodbye present of sorts. I wanted to share it with you but when it became clear my plans weren't working out, I had to retreat," Grimlord said.
"You have some nerve doing what you did to me back there!" Rebecca exclaimed.
"It's just like how I expected for you to react," he replied much to her disdain towards the vile creature.
"It's over for you Grimlord. After all the crap you've put us through, the VR Troopers are here and ready to take you on," Ryan said.
"Severing ties from Strickland's creation I see. I've grown accustomed to coining you three as Metal Fighters. But based on your actions, I realized you are so much more than what he envisions you so-called Troopers," Grimlord replied. "Needless to say, it's about time Tyler's work is fully laid to rest. Colonel Icebot, do the honors."
"As you command," the Colonel said initiating the detonator with the countdown timer set to 90 seconds. The entire building began to tremble whereas evidence can be traced by the cracks on the floor. Piers that bolstered the ceiling managed to collapse on top of one another.
"This isn't good," Kaitlin remarked.
"Let's head out and back track our steps from there," J.B advised to his teammates. Attempting to escape, the double doors would be blocked off by debris leaving no open gaps. As the building started to crumble, it was a matter of life or death for everyone inside.
"Damn it, that was our ticket out of here," Ryan cursed. As tensions ran high, a sudden transmission was received by Professor Hart.
Troopers, do you read me?
"Professor, we've managed to have the Chief with us. But we're about to get caved in if we don't get ourselves out of here," J.B said.
I have locked in the coordinates from your current location inside of the lab. Teleportation sequence should be activated momentarily.
The gang remained at their positions while waiting for him to trigger the process.
"Let's cross our fingers," Ryan muttered with his heart pounding in anticipation. Before they knew it, the Troopers along with Rebecca were engulfed in a neon light as they transported out of the laboratory. The four would find themselves just outside of the building. When the timer reached zero, the entire laboratory crumbled in front of their very eyes. The gang couldn't believe what they had witnessed.
"Everything that my husband worked so hard for, it's gone just like that," Rebecca said traumatized by the destruction of the workplace that Tyler had founded has now become nothing more than a memory.
"The most important thing is we're safe," Ryan assured. Suddenly, they would soon encounter some officers approaching them on site.
"We should probably get moving. I don't think we're ready to make our presence known to the public," Kaitlin advised.
"Thank you guys for the assist. I don't know how I can repay you all," Rebecca complimented the trio for pulling off a heroic deed.
"When it comes to being a Trooper, let's say we do what we can to make a difference," said Ryan. "You should let your son know about what's happened. He could use you at a time like this."
Rebecca responded with sincere gratitude. "I'll be sure to get in touch with him. Take care of yourselves while you're at it."
"Will do Chief," Kaitlin remarked. After concluding their conversation, the trio managed to teleport out of the area. Police officials approached the chief to provide an update on her condition.