The Logos slowly floated out of Gate 2. Several APUs stood at attention in case whatever attacked came back. "It's unlikely," Roland had said earlier in the day. "But we need to be prepared."
The gate slowly closed. The people in the dock let out a heavy sigh all together as the lone ship flew to broadcast depth to contact the Oracle.
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It was quiet in the City. The only noise at three in the morning was the small whispering of a newscaster on a recording.
"It seems that the President has ordered the National Library to be shut down indefinitely after the Terrorist attack on the Library."
Deathstroke smirked behind his mask. "So, Purgatory is just beginning. I assumed that this would happen. I am right?"
A figure in the shadows sighed angrily. "Unfortunately, Deathstroke, you are right. I only hope it can prevent a holocaust."
"Purging machines won't end anything, even if every human in the Matrix dies. It would just take away some of Zion's greatest allies. Like the Oracle and Seraph."
"Do you not remember the plan? Zion must, regrettably, be destroyed as well."
"By your army of fantasy creatures? Wake up, dipshit. One Beast attacked Zion and couldn't even get through a door. How do you expect an army could get into the city?"
The other was silent for a moment. "We have…ways."
Deathstroke got up and stepped towards the door, turning off the TV. "Well, that's nice. I'm going to go greet your little friends."
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Niobe revved the car's engine and they sped out into the silent city streets. "Why didn't Control come into the Matrix?" asked Bane as Ghost loaded his guns.
"He's new. Besides, we needed something to preoccupy Sparky." Bane looked out the window, noticing a dark shape flitting from rooftop to rooftop.
"Ghost…"
The Asian man turned. "What is it?" Bane pointed out the window, towards a black and orange figure leaping to the street. "TURN!" he yelled, and Niobe distractedly veered into the front window of a shop.
The alarm went off. Bane yelled as Raven and Ghost kicked their doors open and tumbled onto the street. Niobe rolled out of her door and whipped out a single S9000, but the costumed figure simply ducked behind a parked vehicle on the opposite side.
Lights flicked on as Niobe fired angrily, but the shots merely ricocheted off of the truck. She took a second to reload as Ghost, Raven and Bane rushed down the street. The attacker quickly pumped his shotgun and looked over the hood of the car.
Sirens blared from far off. "Son of a bitch!" Niobe whispered before dodging several shots from the Frinesi. Deathstroke hid behind the truck again as Niobe fired twice, and fled.
He holstered his shotgun and gave chase.
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"Repeat, all units head for the Northwestern District," squawked the dispatcher. The two cops groaned. Another goose chase. "We're calling in the Titans." The senior cop exhaled at that.
"At least it'll be less dangerous with the Titans there," he said. The other cop turned before a sword slid through his head and nearly touched the first.
"Jesus Almighty," he said, before his door was opened and he was thrown onto the curb. He looked up and saw an Asian man aim a pistol at his forehead while two others got into the police car.
He winced as the man fired, but found himself still alive moments later. The man fired again and again, as a woman in a crocodile skin coat ran down the sidewalk. She was pursued by a man that he recognized from the most wanted posters: Deathstroke.
The woman pulled herself into the car as Deathstroke leapt into the air and fired a single shot from his shotgun. The Asian man jumped back and the bullets sank through the cop's chest.
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Niobe turned the car on and drove as soon as Ghost rolled over the top of the car. He fired at Deathstroke, who Matrix-dodged the shots and stepped over the dead cop. Ghost pulled out the younger cop and hopped in the car.
Niobe drove away as fast as she could. Deathstroke smirked and ran down the alley, heading directly for the Oracle's apartment building.
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The car pulled up to the building a few minutes later. Ghost was the first to get out, pulling out a sniper rifle with night vision and looked around.
"No sign of Deathstroke or the Agents… it's almost too easy," he said to Niobe. She got out, followed by Bane and Raven. "Sometimes easy is good," she reminded him.
They walked into the lobby, which was as usual devoid of all human life. Seraph stood in the center, hands behind his back. Ghost and Seraph bowed and the Logos walked to the elevator.
Raven started as Deathstroke kicked down the door and fired at the elevator on Seraph's side, but the doors closed as the shot reached them.
They slowly coasted upwards, away from the looming fight, and towards the Oracle's.
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Seraph clenched his fist as the assassin program slowly stepped into the room, twirling a single blade. "Didn't I kill you?" Deathstroke asked.
"You cannot stop a fallen angel," he replied simply.
Deathstroke laughed. "That's a good line." He threw the silver blade at Seraph, who easily caught it with two fingers. It dropped to the ground as Seraph leapt into the air and threw a kick at Deathstroke, who spun to the side and punched Seraph.
Seraph caught his fist and threw Deathstroke to the wall, but the assassin crouched and leapt to the ceiling.
Seraph cracked his neck and jump-kicked Deathstroke, who rolled back onto the floor and kicked Seraph in the face.
The Asian program spun his legs, keeping the assassin at bay while he regained the upper hand. Deathstroke stumbled backwards as Seraph pushed back and kicked him in the chest. He formed a large dent in the wall, but quickly ran forward and threw a punch at Seraph.
Seraph blocked and returned the punch, but Deathstroke blocked his punch as well. The Exile spun his leg, sweeping the assassin's feet out from under him. Deathstroke kicked upwards, striking Seraph in the chin, and leapt to his feet. The two programs quickly assumed ready poses, neither tired a bit.
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The Logos crew walked down the hallway and directly to the Oracle's apartment. Raven was the first to see the Oracle sitting next to Brown and Sati. "What's going on?"
The Oracle took a deep breath of smoke. "Where's your friend?" she asked Bane, ignoring Raven's question. Bane gulped. "He's… still in the Real World."
"Hmm…" the Oracle thought for a moment then continued. "That's too bad. Anyways, I know why you came to see me."
Ghost walked in after Niobe. "Do you know what it was?"
The Oracle took another puff. "I do. But it is not your time to know. All I can say is that sometimes someone can accidentally take the wrong path.
"And that mistake may cost you and your friends very much," she said, now turned to Raven. The blue haired girl stepped back a few feet, finding the Oracle's gaze piercing.
"Are these creatures evolutions of what were before the Renaissance?" Niobe asked. The Oracle frowned.
"These beasts are unnatural. They will be a great danger to you. Whatever you do, do not try to engage one, no matter what."
Niobe smirked as Ghost replied, "Roland will LOVE to do that."
The four began towards the door, but Brown stopped them. "Deathstroke is blocking your exit. Take the rooftop. You can run through the buildings to a hard line."
Ghost nodded and led the Logos to the stairs, and they dashed onto the rooftops.
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A cluster of dark figures spotted the Logos emerging from the rooftop door. All tensed as the first leapt an inhuman height into the air, landing on an office building. The three others followed suit.
A small, short program flipped up a communicator. "Agent Johnson, they're above the Megacortex building."
"Excellent, Robin. We're already inside."