FORWARD

This is a work of fiction (blah-blah-blah) it is not real, do not try this at home kids. Lara Croft™ and Tomb Raider™ are the property of EDIOS and CORE. Guys, I'm using the names, but I ain't makin' squat offa' it - so there! However, Max Reynolds originated in the twisted confines of my little noggin, so I guess he's © 2001 Mike Riegel.

A side note: The events of this work take place in mid 1998, a few months after the events of Tomb Raider 3. "Who cares?" You ask...just read on and everything will make sense...

Some remember this work fondly, and it is now presented in a revised version. Nothing has changed very drastically, but the experiences and learning (and a few appreciated reader comments) from my long break from fanfic writing have led to a large number of very small improvements throughout the work.

It was two years after first posting my story that I found out that there were people out there who were actually reading it, and many agreed that it was good - I am glad for that, but had no idea that there were those waiting for more. Please, after reading this piece, let me know what you thought (good, bad and bizarre) of it by dropping me an e-line at mikeriegel@mac.com.

WARNING - This story is pretty much PG-13 the whole way through. There is some (mildly) strong language, nudity (woo-hoo!) and a whole crap-load of violence. If you have even been offended by anything in your life, you'd better play it safe and not read this thing. Or, better yet, why not try to show a little responsibility for your actions so that I don't have to ever write another disclaimer again...

Sorry about that, I can get a little carried away at times. Anyway...

On to the show...

ZOOM RAIDER

Prologue

A deserted jungle road sat under a moonless summer night - not that seasons mattered much so near to the equator. Heavy rains eroded more and more of the asphalt, threatening to carry off the entire passage. However, the pavement was not going away on that particular evening, and held fast.

As this silent battle raged, so did another; one that was not-so-silent and getting closer by the moment. The sound of a turbo diesel truck engine being pushed into the red could be felt long before it rounded the corner, headlights and auxiliaries playing all about the area.

The ten wheeled behemoth, its dark green coloring betraying its military origins, was followed momentarily by two HUMVEEs. These vehicles were not the leather appointed status symbols of the overtly wealthy, they were nuts-and-bolts transports that meant business.

Where a moon roof might have been in the civilian version, these trucks bore a hatch and a light machine gun - both of which were manned and trained in the direction from which the small caravan had just come.

The trio of vehicles passed through the area and disappeared around the next curve in the road. Peace and darkness began to settle back into the area as the rain and the road once again took up their timeless battle - a battle the road was destined to lose.

As soon as this solitude had returned, it was suddenly shattered again. Once more, there was the sound of an over-revved engine, but this one was not as loud. Drowning out the symphony of pistons was a thump-thump-thump whose frequency increased until more light was thrown into the area...

This time, the light came from a smaller source - a single headlight of a third HUMVEE. This last truck was not nearly in the condition of its earlier siblings. much of the passenger side area was riddled with bullets, and a large area of the roof was missing. The distinctive noise that preceded the vehicle was caused by the remnants of the front tire being tossed in circles by a wheel that refused to let go...

This sole light washed back and forth as the truck tried to remain stable after coming out of the curve. Finally straightening out, the vehicle lurched forward in an attempt to gain ground on the pursued.

At last, the vehicle passed on into the night, and a small section of plants and dirt retreated from the road, back into the jungle. Under the camouflage crawled a man in possession of, among other things, a night vision scope and a powerful transmitter...

...the attack was on...