Chapter nine: and the light of the world becomes dim.

Date: June 19, 2055 13:34 MST

Location: United States Space Force Main Base, Formerly known as Area 51

Jedi was still a little woozy from the trip down. The other cyborgs didn't look any worse for wear, so they must have done this before. "If only I had a little more time to get to know them, that way I wouldn't have to just trust that I am who I am." Jedi thought to himself as he picked up his bag and stepped out the door into the blazing summer sun.

"Good afternoon sirs, Maim. I am Major Katrina Klitznova, I will be your liaison officer during your operations here on Earth." A woman in her mid- twenties with blond hair down to her shoulders. She stood at a towering 6' 6" just over three inches taller than Jedi. Speaking of whom, Jedi was at this moment not able to believe his eyes. He had never seen a girl that had been over six foot, let alone taller than him!

"Hate to interrupt your thinking, but we have only so much time to get you briefed, and to the frontlines. Just a few hours ago, the message was released to the world. The immediate response was simple : Go to Hell you alien sons-a-bitches!. The United Nations declared a global emergency, and asked that all nations pitch together to help defend our home. Almost every nation that can has sent a sizable portion of it's armed forces to the United States. The President asked that the arriving forces move into defensive positions around the landing sites of the forward shock troops. We don't have much information on them, except what we can guess. Intelligence analysts tell us that the landings sites each produced three pods. Each pod could conceivably hold a company, that's one hundred people, in it. We are going to find this out soon, and ask that you would all help us in this reconnaissance mission. After we have found out the strength of these landing parties, we can alter our defenses to allow safe passage of the President to the new Strategic Command in Avocado, Kansas."

"Wait! Did you just say....Avocado Kansas?" Jedi couldn't believe his ears, when he had been last awake there, Avocado had been only about 3400 in population, but for it to be considered at all for any kind of strategic value meant that it had grown.

"Yes, the Dortde landed near the major cities on the coasts, but left the entire mid-section of the Continental United States untouched. Now if you would come with me, I am afraid that you won't get a chance to rest, that is unless you can sleep on a transport." Major Klitznova turned around and walked away as the cyborgs gathered their material and moved from the shuttle to a small plane.

"I have a bad feeling about this. We aren't going to have a fun time with this. But it is still good to be back in the good ole USA!" Jet announced to the group as they moved along.

"Jet, you aren't the only one that has that bad feeling. I am hearing some weird stuff about a hundred and twenty miles away. I don't recognize it as any kind of military vehicle." Françoise commented as she slapped Joe upside the head for staring off into space.

"Oh, what? I was just thinking about how long it's been since we have all been down here together. How long has it been? Ten years?"

"Yeah, at least that long. After we helped defeat the last remnants of Black Ghost, there really much use for us as a team anymore, so I guess we just drifted apart. As much as I hate saying it, getting out of the restaurant really is nice." Chang said as he tested his fire breath on GB's shoe.

"OUCH!! Hey you twit! Watch where you are pointing that thing! I just had these boots shined. Bad enough that I already had to get a new uniform due to my bad eating habits." GB groaned as he patted his stomach.

"When are we gong to leave, I just want to get home!" Jedi asked as the transport lifted off.

"Okay folks we are on our way to Las Vegas, that's the nearest landing site. If you will excuse me, I am going to go change into something more appropriate for our encounter." Major Klitznova yelled over the roar of the engines as she went forward and pulled the curtain.

------------------------------------------- Herald of light: Sorry folks about two things. One, not getting the chapters up any quicker, I have had a pretty bad last couple of weeks, and haven't had too much chance with the computer. Two, I am sorry that I haven't gotten to any kind of a battle, I felt that a little bit more story line needed to be introduced.