A/N: Don't worry about the start, you are reading the right fic here….
A young boy of 8 years of age awakened in his Mum's rented 1 room house. If you could it a house, it was a real dump, multiple holes in the roof and the walls and ants, termites and cockroaches were everywhere, the previous tenants made a mess of it after an argument with the landlord. Rubbing his eyes he stood up and immediately ran to his Mum's room, she was very sick and neither was sure how much time she had left, they couldn't afford treatment, they didn't even know what was wrong with her, they were barely paying the rent and eating.
"Hi Junior" His mother said she was lying on a very old lounge chair. Junior was always called this name for as long as he could remember but he knew it wasn't his real name his mother told him so, but she never told him his actual name.
"Hey" Junior replied, he tried not to be too upset around his Mum, getting as much out of everyday as he could.
"Listen, you know there isn't much time left" His mother told him in a quiet voice
Junior didn't reply
"I have one last chance for survival" His mother said, Junior's eyes lighted up
"Your father can help us, it is risky but I see no other option. I know I told you that your father has no interest in us, but if he knew I was dying there may be a chance. This is a lot to put on you, but I am far too weak to walk there myself, will you do this?" His mother said still weak
"Anything, anything to save you" Junior replied, his mother gave a weak smile.
His Mum gave him a map of the city and circled the large building where his father supposedly lived. He had never met his father, he had no idea who he was, what he did, what he looked like. He had a cold shower and the shower itself was full of dirt but it didn't matter to him, he was more than used to it, he got changed into a T-shirt and tracksuit pants that were both were a bit worn out and were a size too small.
"Good luck" His mother smiled using a bit of energy
"Thanks" Junior replied
He walked out into the city that was full of gangs, all who talked amongst themselves. A few police sirens went off but Junior knew that the police had almost given up trying to restore this place from all the drug dealing, weapon exchanging and many other numerous criminal activities that took place. He knew he was leaving his city when the buildings turned from dull brown and black to more commercial surroundings. The amount of air traffic was a lot greater, but despite this the air smelled a lot cleaner, it didn't smell of all kinds of smoke and rubbish amongst other things Junior didn't want to think about. Trying not to get distracted he moved on looking at the map, soon enough he had found the building. Two guards were standing in front of the entrance. Thoughts crossed his mind, what should he do? How was he going to get past? Who would he ask for to get in? Even then would they let him in?
Junior fiddled with the map in trying to think, but then a name appeared on the other side. Casion? Was this his father, it was tough to read the writing but it was his only shot. He approached the door.
"I am looking for a Mr. Casion, I am his son" Junior said to the guards, in his mind he knew this would never work but surprisingly one drew their radio.
Through the radio the guard said "Err, sir your son is here in a puzzled voice" On the other end there was silence…
"You can't be serious" The voice on the other end replied
"Yes sir, well its what he says" The guard replied
"Let him in, bring him to me" The voice replied
Junior couldn't believe his luck, whoever this guy was, he was letting in a complete stranger. The guard let Junior in and took him to another guard who took him across a large area, with towers. There were guards everywhere. He went inside one of the many entrances as the guard swiped a card through the door, an elevator came and went up one level, yet again there were many guards, it was very much like a military base of some sort. Why have something like this in the middle of the city? Junior thought. After the guard took him to a further lift after getting another guard to swipe his card for him he went to the very top of the building and Junior walked into the office. A man in a red suit sat behind a desk.
"So you are the practical joker huh? I could do with some laughs so let's get this over with" The man said
"Are you Mr. Caison?" Junior asked ignoring this man, he was too desperate to argue, he just wanted to find out who his father was so he could ask him to help his mother.
The man just stared
"No my name is Easton, Trent Easton" Trent replied after a slight silence
Junior stared at the paper and read the name again, now it made sense it was Easton, his mother couldn't write very well because of her condition.
"I am sorry, I couldn't read this name very well" Junior said
"So you claim to be my son? Yeah right…" Trent said with a bit of a laugh
"But I am, my mother is dying, we need your help" Junior replied desperation in his voice
"I never had a son, I never had a wife, and I never did anything like that. Now your time is up, get lost" Trent clicked his fingers and two guards came to Junior's side to take him, but he ran to Trent tears in his eyes.
"Please I beg of you, help us, I know you are my father, my mother doesn't care whatever happened, we just need your help" Junior said trying to get to Trent and beg but the guards grabbed him.
"Take him outside and make sure he doesn't come back" Trent said as the guards did what he told him. Junior tried to fight but the guards were far stronger then he was as they took him back to the lift.
Trent meanwhile stood up and stared outside the window overlooking the surroundings. Unlike most of the base his office was quite a luxurious place, it had a view of the city surroundings, on the outside nobody would ever guess Trent had a base hiding inside.
"Impossible, it couldn't be" Trent thought out loud "What if? Maybe?" Trent said to himself
Even if this kid was his son, he couldn't get involved he had the Carrington Institute, the US Government and the Skedar all after his head, he couldn't take the chance. He couldn't afford just popping out from his hiding location all because of some stupid kid, and even if all those forces weren't after him he couldn't go helping somebody who he had left behind years ago, and this all existed on the theory that what this person said, who claimed to be his son was telling him was true.
Junior was taken to the front of Trent's office still in tears and pushed out the front door, he knew that man was his father but knew he was never going to get any help from him now. He was so disappointed he let his mother down, he walked through the streets again and back to where he lived. His mother looked a lot worse then before, Junior knew her time would come very soon.
"I'm sorry" Junior said tears still flowing, his mother looked up to Junior.
"Do… not… worry… I expected… this" His mother was really struggling on every word
Junior said nothing.
"You found out who your father was? Did you see him?" His mother tried to get strength
Junior only nodded
"I call you Junior for a reason. I know you have been wondering this for a long time, your real name is…. Trent. Trent named you this before I had you, then we had an argument, I thought I had done something wrong and when you were born I named you after him as a way of reminding me of the man I once loved. I later learned it was him who betrayed me, I can't explain the details to you, but ever since I called you Junior purely to erase Trent from my mind" His mother told him
"Does that mean my last name is Easton?" Junior asked
"Yes. Trent and I married after I was pregnant, but after our argument we got split up and later divorced without even meeting. I hated him so deeply, but like I told you I can't explain it, it is too difficult to understand and it will take me too long to explain it to you" His mother was closing her eyes, and she struggled to keep them open.
Junior still remained silent it was a lot to take in. He could only say four words.
"I love you Mum" Junior said, it was the only thing that could come out without wanting to know why, or ask a question he knew his Mum couldn't answer. His mother smiled weakly, before slowly falling, closing her eyes and putting her head back. Junior knew she was dead, she wasn't breathing at all.
He then put his hands in eyes and cried loudly. After about 5 minutes he knew it would be no good just to sit here, nobody would care about him anymore, only one thing mattered. He didn't know what that man had done to her, but he was an evil man even by the way he ignored him even though he knew that he was his son, it must have been far worse to whatever he did to his mother.
******
Jonathan was heading into the Institute as always and on arrival to Carrington's office, Joanna, Velvet and Sean were already present.
"Ah Jonathan do come in" Carrington spotted him at the door
"Is there anything wrong?" Jonathan asked as Carrington had gathered the group around the desk which usually meant a briefing.
"Nothing is wrong, but a development has happened. We have evidence of a suspicious build up of troops in this location. Right in the middle of the city, even more unusual, all the weapons are supplied by our favourite used to be company, the DataDyne Corporation" Carrington said
"With respect Sir, I do not see how this is really important" Joanna said "Several groups use the dataDyne weapons, because of their price and effectiveness" Joanna finished
"It is important because the weapons order that I intercepted through transmission had several weapons that were never actually released. Of course if dataDyne is still running we have no problem with that, until they start doing things that would require action on our part. The difference is the order came from a branch that doesn't even exist" Carrington said
"So you mean dataDyne is back in business?" Jonathan asked
"dataDyne went out of business?" Sean asked
"Yes, about a month and 2 weeks ago, the Skedar known as Mr. Blonde entered the building and blew up Lucerne Tower as well as taking Cassandra de Vries. Joanna met her on the assault ship when she was captured and Cassandra gave her life to allow a diversion for Joanna" Carrington explained
"So do you think dataDyne are supplying newer and/or more powerful weapons to this strange location?" Velvet asked
"That's exactly what I think, since this mysterious branch only made this transmission and nothing else. None of the other branches have released this mysterious newer stock" Carrington said
"Trying to keep it hidden I guess" Joanna said
"That's likely… although there are other possibilities" Carrington replied
"What exactly is our assignment?" Sean asked
"Simple, I want you to find what on Earth is going on there" Carrington said
"All of us?" Velvet asked
"Why not?" Carrington replied
With that the 4 of them headed to the jumpship. It took about 20 minutes to arrive at their location, just outside the radar range so they wouldn't know they were coming. They walked around the city.
"Try to blend in Sean" Jonathan joked
"Hey just because I've been away from Earth for 8 years doesn't mean I've forgotten to be human" Sean replied
"Hmm, two guards, how to get past?" Joanna asked the group
"There is a high fence over there" Velvet said
"Bet it's electrified" Jonathan commented
"No problem" Velvet took out some kind of rope device.
"Hey you, the four of you stop that" The 2 guards came running, Sean and Joanna were ready and knocked them out easily.
"Vel, be more careful when using that thing" Joanna said brushing her knuckles
"Sorry. It's safe. Just…" Velvet started but her sentence was interfered by gun fire. It was coming from those darkened alley ways. Jo and Jon both used their pistols to deter them.
"Let's split, Vel and I will go down there, and tackle those guys" Jonathan suggested
"Alright Jonathan, anything not to be partnered with you" Joanna commented sarcastically
"I'm not that unbearable am I?" Jonathan asked and gave Jo a wink as he and Velvet ran down the alley ways.
"Alright, Lomberson, let's move" Joanna said. Sean was on the other side of the fence waiting for her "Well that was fast" Joanna commented as she jumped down from the fence.
"Thanks" Sean said
Joanna and Sean crept around the base, Falcon 2 (scope) in hand for each of them. Eventually they came to a large open section.
"So much space… so many guards" Joanna looked around
"I doubt that. This is the oldest trick in the book" Sean said as he went out from his cover and shot one of the guards who dropped dead.
"What are you doing!" Joanna shouted as multiple guards came their direction
"Get out and shoot the ones in green" Sean said
Joanna didn't understand it, but trusted Sean's judgement as she and Sean jumped out and shot down the guards in green. They all fell, the ones in blue seemed to stop and then vanish.
"What?" Joanna said out of surprise "How did you know that?"
"That's Skedar technology, it was famous in the war with the Maians to make it seem their numbers were much greater. The guards in blue had the same facial features and stuff, when there are no allies left around them, they vanish" Sean explained
"Hmm. Very interesting" Joanna commented as she checked again to make sure she wasn't seeing things, the large area was now empty except for the two of them. Looking around they approached a door, however there was a ladder as well.
"I'll take the ladder" Joanna said
"Alright, let's see how this door opens" Sean looked at the door and it was unlocked
"Like most people you have found it opens in the usual manner" Joanna laughed
"Ah go climb the ladder" Sean said jokingly annoyed.
Jonathan and Velvet went into the back alleyways, it was dark, trashed and the place seemed awful and hadn't been taken care of in a long time. The people they were chasing seemed to have disappeared.
"Where did they get to?" Jonathan asked Velvet as she looked around cautiously
"No idea. This place gives me the creeps. Probably just a bunch of gangs around here" Velvet replied
"Firing Dragons? I doubt that, those things are expensive" Jonathan countered
"True point" Velvet replied
They had to watch their step as both of them were well aware of the Dragon's ability to be thrown and used as a proximity mine. Suddenly they heard gun shots but they were a lousy shot as the garbage bin about 10 metres away now had a bullet hole in it. Jonathan fired a few shots off and nailed the target, then both Jon and Velvet ran for cover as about 10 further men came in. Velvet fired a few shots, but they were moving into a retreat.
"Jon they are retreating" Velvet said puzzled
"Let's follow but pick up the Dragon" Jon suggested
They walked carefully over to the Dragon and Velvet picked it up. They seemed to head for the next block. On approaching they attempted and ambush but as there was no real leader it was done in a rushed manner and Jonathan was able to exploit it as Velvet ran for cover behind one of the buildings and after Jonathan killed another one of the men he joined her gun shots coming behind him.
"Rough neighbourhood" Jonathan commented
"That's a slight understatement, but let's finish this" Velvet came out and threw her Dragon after removing the switch to activate the Proximity mine.
"Vel what are you doing, that will never…" Jonathan started but he was interrupted by a sudden explosion. Several screams followed. A few weapons were blown past their hiding spot.
"You were saying" Velvet smiled at Jonathan
"You are becoming just as annoying as your sister you know that?" Jonathan said
"Yes, I know" Velvet smiled yet again
Jonathan and Velvet got a closer look at their victims, Jonathan guarded Velvet while she checked them out.
"They just seem to be from a gang, why they attacked us though, and also why were they carrying Dragons, it all doesn't seem right" Velvet said
"So we basically have nothing of who they are besides they attacked us and they were carrying Dragons" Jonathan said
"Seems that way" Velvet replied "Still suspicious near this base and all"
"True, but let's go back to the base. We should help Jo and Sean" Jonathan said
"Agreed" Velvet nodded
However on checking the fence it was electrified once more, and Velvet's device was destroyed by the gun shots fired at them.
"Damn. Wendy isn't going to like this" Velvet shook her head
"I think we should try the most obvious of entries, the front door" Jonathan said
Velvet and Jonathan walked to the front door, although there were no guards the front door seemed to be made of steel. They tried to fire at it, hit it with their weapons but nothing seemed to work.
"I guess they are on their own, let's report to Carrington" Jonathan said
"Okay, hang in their Jo" Velvet said
Joanna was climbing the ladder and she came to the top. Yet another door confronted her. Again it was unlocked. Then 3 guards who were inside looked towards Jo and went for their weapons but Jo took care of them easily. She followed a path down to an area marked laboratories. She was encountered with yet another door. It had a strange yellow coloured slot next to it, and unfortunately didn't open. Back tracking her steps she looked around the first room she was in for a key card of some kind, and on one of the guards was indeed a yellow key card.
"Ah, I bet this opens the yellow slotted door" Joanna said out loud
"Well duh!? Geez, you are even stupider then the last guy who almost killed me, I think about 8 years ago now" The guard on the floor said
"And yet I killed you? Oh yeah not yet" Joanna fired her weapon and the guy dropped dead.
Moving down to the labs and using the key card on the door it opened. Nobody was inside, not a single scientist or somebody that Jo wasn't allowed to kill. She really did hate it when people she couldn't kill could cause her to fail the mission. She read on the computer screen.
With the designs the Skedar gave us about 2 months ago we have created electronically generated guards. They give the illusion of real people, but in reality it is just an illusion making it seem our numbers are a lot greater then they are. Mr. Easton was very pleased with my efforts, a promotion is assured. Although I do miss the way Cassandra ran things this new more undercover network between us and the other dataDyne branch involved is far better then ways of what some certain fool who should remain nameless wanted.
"So Trent is behind this?" Joanna said to herself. She wondered what had happened to Trent and just as she was thinking the ground below raised. The very man she was talking about stood in front of her. He was no longer in a red suit, he wore a dark blue dataDyne uniform, the ones the officers wore, it looked highly strange on Trent. A red glow surrounded him, he had a shield. If Jo knew any better this was probably the shield that would somehow never wear off regardless of how often she shot it.
"Joanna Dark we met again" Trent raised a Magnum to Joanna, it was not his custom DY357-LX it was the standard one
"Lost a Magnum have we Trent?" Joanna asked raising her Falcon to Trent. She stole his DY357-LX golden magnum in a surprise attack while Trent was holding the president at gun point.
"Yeah, I would like it back, this one just doesn't cut it" Trent said
"Oh well, I don't know where it is" Joanna said as the two began to circle each other still with their guns facing each other
"It doesn't matter anymore. Soon I will be able to come out from hiding… I will" Trent was going to continue but Joanna interrupted
"Die? Honestly the US Government alone, has a few agents searching for you. If what ever is left of the Skedar come again, I'm sure you will be target number one on their list" Joanna said
"Shut it Jo. This is the part where the author lets me talk about my evil plan to conquer the world" Trent said
"Oh we both know it's all talk and is just there for storyline purposes, and isn't it a little soon for revealing your plan. In the last fic that didn't happen until chapter 14" Joanna replied
"Fine, if you want me to spare the details, fire the first shot" Trent said
Joanna and Trent stared at each other just like an old western except with an office setting, Jo had no shield, but she knew that Trent was not very good compared to her, the simulant in the training room way over rated on Trent's true abilities. It would only be a matter of time before Trent made a mistake but the question was could she exploit it before Trent put a bullet in her.
A young boy of 8 years of age awakened in his Mum's rented 1 room house. If you could it a house, it was a real dump, multiple holes in the roof and the walls and ants, termites and cockroaches were everywhere, the previous tenants made a mess of it after an argument with the landlord. Rubbing his eyes he stood up and immediately ran to his Mum's room, she was very sick and neither was sure how much time she had left, they couldn't afford treatment, they didn't even know what was wrong with her, they were barely paying the rent and eating.
"Hi Junior" His mother said she was lying on a very old lounge chair. Junior was always called this name for as long as he could remember but he knew it wasn't his real name his mother told him so, but she never told him his actual name.
"Hey" Junior replied, he tried not to be too upset around his Mum, getting as much out of everyday as he could.
"Listen, you know there isn't much time left" His mother told him in a quiet voice
Junior didn't reply
"I have one last chance for survival" His mother said, Junior's eyes lighted up
"Your father can help us, it is risky but I see no other option. I know I told you that your father has no interest in us, but if he knew I was dying there may be a chance. This is a lot to put on you, but I am far too weak to walk there myself, will you do this?" His mother said still weak
"Anything, anything to save you" Junior replied, his mother gave a weak smile.
His Mum gave him a map of the city and circled the large building where his father supposedly lived. He had never met his father, he had no idea who he was, what he did, what he looked like. He had a cold shower and the shower itself was full of dirt but it didn't matter to him, he was more than used to it, he got changed into a T-shirt and tracksuit pants that were both were a bit worn out and were a size too small.
"Good luck" His mother smiled using a bit of energy
"Thanks" Junior replied
He walked out into the city that was full of gangs, all who talked amongst themselves. A few police sirens went off but Junior knew that the police had almost given up trying to restore this place from all the drug dealing, weapon exchanging and many other numerous criminal activities that took place. He knew he was leaving his city when the buildings turned from dull brown and black to more commercial surroundings. The amount of air traffic was a lot greater, but despite this the air smelled a lot cleaner, it didn't smell of all kinds of smoke and rubbish amongst other things Junior didn't want to think about. Trying not to get distracted he moved on looking at the map, soon enough he had found the building. Two guards were standing in front of the entrance. Thoughts crossed his mind, what should he do? How was he going to get past? Who would he ask for to get in? Even then would they let him in?
Junior fiddled with the map in trying to think, but then a name appeared on the other side. Casion? Was this his father, it was tough to read the writing but it was his only shot. He approached the door.
"I am looking for a Mr. Casion, I am his son" Junior said to the guards, in his mind he knew this would never work but surprisingly one drew their radio.
Through the radio the guard said "Err, sir your son is here in a puzzled voice" On the other end there was silence…
"You can't be serious" The voice on the other end replied
"Yes sir, well its what he says" The guard replied
"Let him in, bring him to me" The voice replied
Junior couldn't believe his luck, whoever this guy was, he was letting in a complete stranger. The guard let Junior in and took him to another guard who took him across a large area, with towers. There were guards everywhere. He went inside one of the many entrances as the guard swiped a card through the door, an elevator came and went up one level, yet again there were many guards, it was very much like a military base of some sort. Why have something like this in the middle of the city? Junior thought. After the guard took him to a further lift after getting another guard to swipe his card for him he went to the very top of the building and Junior walked into the office. A man in a red suit sat behind a desk.
"So you are the practical joker huh? I could do with some laughs so let's get this over with" The man said
"Are you Mr. Caison?" Junior asked ignoring this man, he was too desperate to argue, he just wanted to find out who his father was so he could ask him to help his mother.
The man just stared
"No my name is Easton, Trent Easton" Trent replied after a slight silence
Junior stared at the paper and read the name again, now it made sense it was Easton, his mother couldn't write very well because of her condition.
"I am sorry, I couldn't read this name very well" Junior said
"So you claim to be my son? Yeah right…" Trent said with a bit of a laugh
"But I am, my mother is dying, we need your help" Junior replied desperation in his voice
"I never had a son, I never had a wife, and I never did anything like that. Now your time is up, get lost" Trent clicked his fingers and two guards came to Junior's side to take him, but he ran to Trent tears in his eyes.
"Please I beg of you, help us, I know you are my father, my mother doesn't care whatever happened, we just need your help" Junior said trying to get to Trent and beg but the guards grabbed him.
"Take him outside and make sure he doesn't come back" Trent said as the guards did what he told him. Junior tried to fight but the guards were far stronger then he was as they took him back to the lift.
Trent meanwhile stood up and stared outside the window overlooking the surroundings. Unlike most of the base his office was quite a luxurious place, it had a view of the city surroundings, on the outside nobody would ever guess Trent had a base hiding inside.
"Impossible, it couldn't be" Trent thought out loud "What if? Maybe?" Trent said to himself
Even if this kid was his son, he couldn't get involved he had the Carrington Institute, the US Government and the Skedar all after his head, he couldn't take the chance. He couldn't afford just popping out from his hiding location all because of some stupid kid, and even if all those forces weren't after him he couldn't go helping somebody who he had left behind years ago, and this all existed on the theory that what this person said, who claimed to be his son was telling him was true.
Junior was taken to the front of Trent's office still in tears and pushed out the front door, he knew that man was his father but knew he was never going to get any help from him now. He was so disappointed he let his mother down, he walked through the streets again and back to where he lived. His mother looked a lot worse then before, Junior knew her time would come very soon.
"I'm sorry" Junior said tears still flowing, his mother looked up to Junior.
"Do… not… worry… I expected… this" His mother was really struggling on every word
Junior said nothing.
"You found out who your father was? Did you see him?" His mother tried to get strength
Junior only nodded
"I call you Junior for a reason. I know you have been wondering this for a long time, your real name is…. Trent. Trent named you this before I had you, then we had an argument, I thought I had done something wrong and when you were born I named you after him as a way of reminding me of the man I once loved. I later learned it was him who betrayed me, I can't explain the details to you, but ever since I called you Junior purely to erase Trent from my mind" His mother told him
"Does that mean my last name is Easton?" Junior asked
"Yes. Trent and I married after I was pregnant, but after our argument we got split up and later divorced without even meeting. I hated him so deeply, but like I told you I can't explain it, it is too difficult to understand and it will take me too long to explain it to you" His mother was closing her eyes, and she struggled to keep them open.
Junior still remained silent it was a lot to take in. He could only say four words.
"I love you Mum" Junior said, it was the only thing that could come out without wanting to know why, or ask a question he knew his Mum couldn't answer. His mother smiled weakly, before slowly falling, closing her eyes and putting her head back. Junior knew she was dead, she wasn't breathing at all.
He then put his hands in eyes and cried loudly. After about 5 minutes he knew it would be no good just to sit here, nobody would care about him anymore, only one thing mattered. He didn't know what that man had done to her, but he was an evil man even by the way he ignored him even though he knew that he was his son, it must have been far worse to whatever he did to his mother.
******
Jonathan was heading into the Institute as always and on arrival to Carrington's office, Joanna, Velvet and Sean were already present.
"Ah Jonathan do come in" Carrington spotted him at the door
"Is there anything wrong?" Jonathan asked as Carrington had gathered the group around the desk which usually meant a briefing.
"Nothing is wrong, but a development has happened. We have evidence of a suspicious build up of troops in this location. Right in the middle of the city, even more unusual, all the weapons are supplied by our favourite used to be company, the DataDyne Corporation" Carrington said
"With respect Sir, I do not see how this is really important" Joanna said "Several groups use the dataDyne weapons, because of their price and effectiveness" Joanna finished
"It is important because the weapons order that I intercepted through transmission had several weapons that were never actually released. Of course if dataDyne is still running we have no problem with that, until they start doing things that would require action on our part. The difference is the order came from a branch that doesn't even exist" Carrington said
"So you mean dataDyne is back in business?" Jonathan asked
"dataDyne went out of business?" Sean asked
"Yes, about a month and 2 weeks ago, the Skedar known as Mr. Blonde entered the building and blew up Lucerne Tower as well as taking Cassandra de Vries. Joanna met her on the assault ship when she was captured and Cassandra gave her life to allow a diversion for Joanna" Carrington explained
"So do you think dataDyne are supplying newer and/or more powerful weapons to this strange location?" Velvet asked
"That's exactly what I think, since this mysterious branch only made this transmission and nothing else. None of the other branches have released this mysterious newer stock" Carrington said
"Trying to keep it hidden I guess" Joanna said
"That's likely… although there are other possibilities" Carrington replied
"What exactly is our assignment?" Sean asked
"Simple, I want you to find what on Earth is going on there" Carrington said
"All of us?" Velvet asked
"Why not?" Carrington replied
With that the 4 of them headed to the jumpship. It took about 20 minutes to arrive at their location, just outside the radar range so they wouldn't know they were coming. They walked around the city.
"Try to blend in Sean" Jonathan joked
"Hey just because I've been away from Earth for 8 years doesn't mean I've forgotten to be human" Sean replied
"Hmm, two guards, how to get past?" Joanna asked the group
"There is a high fence over there" Velvet said
"Bet it's electrified" Jonathan commented
"No problem" Velvet took out some kind of rope device.
"Hey you, the four of you stop that" The 2 guards came running, Sean and Joanna were ready and knocked them out easily.
"Vel, be more careful when using that thing" Joanna said brushing her knuckles
"Sorry. It's safe. Just…" Velvet started but her sentence was interfered by gun fire. It was coming from those darkened alley ways. Jo and Jon both used their pistols to deter them.
"Let's split, Vel and I will go down there, and tackle those guys" Jonathan suggested
"Alright Jonathan, anything not to be partnered with you" Joanna commented sarcastically
"I'm not that unbearable am I?" Jonathan asked and gave Jo a wink as he and Velvet ran down the alley ways.
"Alright, Lomberson, let's move" Joanna said. Sean was on the other side of the fence waiting for her "Well that was fast" Joanna commented as she jumped down from the fence.
"Thanks" Sean said
Joanna and Sean crept around the base, Falcon 2 (scope) in hand for each of them. Eventually they came to a large open section.
"So much space… so many guards" Joanna looked around
"I doubt that. This is the oldest trick in the book" Sean said as he went out from his cover and shot one of the guards who dropped dead.
"What are you doing!" Joanna shouted as multiple guards came their direction
"Get out and shoot the ones in green" Sean said
Joanna didn't understand it, but trusted Sean's judgement as she and Sean jumped out and shot down the guards in green. They all fell, the ones in blue seemed to stop and then vanish.
"What?" Joanna said out of surprise "How did you know that?"
"That's Skedar technology, it was famous in the war with the Maians to make it seem their numbers were much greater. The guards in blue had the same facial features and stuff, when there are no allies left around them, they vanish" Sean explained
"Hmm. Very interesting" Joanna commented as she checked again to make sure she wasn't seeing things, the large area was now empty except for the two of them. Looking around they approached a door, however there was a ladder as well.
"I'll take the ladder" Joanna said
"Alright, let's see how this door opens" Sean looked at the door and it was unlocked
"Like most people you have found it opens in the usual manner" Joanna laughed
"Ah go climb the ladder" Sean said jokingly annoyed.
Jonathan and Velvet went into the back alleyways, it was dark, trashed and the place seemed awful and hadn't been taken care of in a long time. The people they were chasing seemed to have disappeared.
"Where did they get to?" Jonathan asked Velvet as she looked around cautiously
"No idea. This place gives me the creeps. Probably just a bunch of gangs around here" Velvet replied
"Firing Dragons? I doubt that, those things are expensive" Jonathan countered
"True point" Velvet replied
They had to watch their step as both of them were well aware of the Dragon's ability to be thrown and used as a proximity mine. Suddenly they heard gun shots but they were a lousy shot as the garbage bin about 10 metres away now had a bullet hole in it. Jonathan fired a few shots off and nailed the target, then both Jon and Velvet ran for cover as about 10 further men came in. Velvet fired a few shots, but they were moving into a retreat.
"Jon they are retreating" Velvet said puzzled
"Let's follow but pick up the Dragon" Jon suggested
They walked carefully over to the Dragon and Velvet picked it up. They seemed to head for the next block. On approaching they attempted and ambush but as there was no real leader it was done in a rushed manner and Jonathan was able to exploit it as Velvet ran for cover behind one of the buildings and after Jonathan killed another one of the men he joined her gun shots coming behind him.
"Rough neighbourhood" Jonathan commented
"That's a slight understatement, but let's finish this" Velvet came out and threw her Dragon after removing the switch to activate the Proximity mine.
"Vel what are you doing, that will never…" Jonathan started but he was interrupted by a sudden explosion. Several screams followed. A few weapons were blown past their hiding spot.
"You were saying" Velvet smiled at Jonathan
"You are becoming just as annoying as your sister you know that?" Jonathan said
"Yes, I know" Velvet smiled yet again
Jonathan and Velvet got a closer look at their victims, Jonathan guarded Velvet while she checked them out.
"They just seem to be from a gang, why they attacked us though, and also why were they carrying Dragons, it all doesn't seem right" Velvet said
"So we basically have nothing of who they are besides they attacked us and they were carrying Dragons" Jonathan said
"Seems that way" Velvet replied "Still suspicious near this base and all"
"True, but let's go back to the base. We should help Jo and Sean" Jonathan said
"Agreed" Velvet nodded
However on checking the fence it was electrified once more, and Velvet's device was destroyed by the gun shots fired at them.
"Damn. Wendy isn't going to like this" Velvet shook her head
"I think we should try the most obvious of entries, the front door" Jonathan said
Velvet and Jonathan walked to the front door, although there were no guards the front door seemed to be made of steel. They tried to fire at it, hit it with their weapons but nothing seemed to work.
"I guess they are on their own, let's report to Carrington" Jonathan said
"Okay, hang in their Jo" Velvet said
Joanna was climbing the ladder and she came to the top. Yet another door confronted her. Again it was unlocked. Then 3 guards who were inside looked towards Jo and went for their weapons but Jo took care of them easily. She followed a path down to an area marked laboratories. She was encountered with yet another door. It had a strange yellow coloured slot next to it, and unfortunately didn't open. Back tracking her steps she looked around the first room she was in for a key card of some kind, and on one of the guards was indeed a yellow key card.
"Ah, I bet this opens the yellow slotted door" Joanna said out loud
"Well duh!? Geez, you are even stupider then the last guy who almost killed me, I think about 8 years ago now" The guard on the floor said
"And yet I killed you? Oh yeah not yet" Joanna fired her weapon and the guy dropped dead.
Moving down to the labs and using the key card on the door it opened. Nobody was inside, not a single scientist or somebody that Jo wasn't allowed to kill. She really did hate it when people she couldn't kill could cause her to fail the mission. She read on the computer screen.
With the designs the Skedar gave us about 2 months ago we have created electronically generated guards. They give the illusion of real people, but in reality it is just an illusion making it seem our numbers are a lot greater then they are. Mr. Easton was very pleased with my efforts, a promotion is assured. Although I do miss the way Cassandra ran things this new more undercover network between us and the other dataDyne branch involved is far better then ways of what some certain fool who should remain nameless wanted.
"So Trent is behind this?" Joanna said to herself. She wondered what had happened to Trent and just as she was thinking the ground below raised. The very man she was talking about stood in front of her. He was no longer in a red suit, he wore a dark blue dataDyne uniform, the ones the officers wore, it looked highly strange on Trent. A red glow surrounded him, he had a shield. If Jo knew any better this was probably the shield that would somehow never wear off regardless of how often she shot it.
"Joanna Dark we met again" Trent raised a Magnum to Joanna, it was not his custom DY357-LX it was the standard one
"Lost a Magnum have we Trent?" Joanna asked raising her Falcon to Trent. She stole his DY357-LX golden magnum in a surprise attack while Trent was holding the president at gun point.
"Yeah, I would like it back, this one just doesn't cut it" Trent said
"Oh well, I don't know where it is" Joanna said as the two began to circle each other still with their guns facing each other
"It doesn't matter anymore. Soon I will be able to come out from hiding… I will" Trent was going to continue but Joanna interrupted
"Die? Honestly the US Government alone, has a few agents searching for you. If what ever is left of the Skedar come again, I'm sure you will be target number one on their list" Joanna said
"Shut it Jo. This is the part where the author lets me talk about my evil plan to conquer the world" Trent said
"Oh we both know it's all talk and is just there for storyline purposes, and isn't it a little soon for revealing your plan. In the last fic that didn't happen until chapter 14" Joanna replied
"Fine, if you want me to spare the details, fire the first shot" Trent said
Joanna and Trent stared at each other just like an old western except with an office setting, Jo had no shield, but she knew that Trent was not very good compared to her, the simulant in the training room way over rated on Trent's true abilities. It would only be a matter of time before Trent made a mistake but the question was could she exploit it before Trent put a bullet in her.