Disclaimer: See chapter one

Chap. 8

-Combat mode engaged.-

The door to the elevator opened and Havoc walked out. After receiving a mission from Kisaragi, Elijah readily accepted and took off in Havoc. The mission was fairly simple. He just had to reactivate the fire suppression systems within the facility. Apparently a fire broke out there and they were unable to reach the systems themselves, so they had to call in for a Raven. However, it was noted that the fire itself might have been the result of sabotage. But still, Elijah wasn't worried. Corporations tend to be a bit panicky about things. 'I'll just turn on the systems, collect my money and go home.'

But first thing's first. He had to unlock the gates which held the fire in containment. According to the map, that should be at the other end of the corridor. Igniting his booster, Havoc slid across the floor toward his first objective. On the way there, he spotted two defense guns that had been left on. The machines swiveled toward him and opened fire. A few of the bullets hit, but did very little to damage the AC. Wasting no time, Havoc fired and the cannons blew apart after a few rounds. Still moving, Havoc found the gate and opened it. On his left was the lock control. Moving the machine to it, Elijah punched in the key and the light turned blue, indicating that the locks were unlocked. A sudden shift of movement caught his attention and Havoc turned to find two guard MTs. They were both cylinder-shaped and rolling on wheels.

"You've got to be kidding me."

Six bullets (total) put an end to them and Havoc moved on. Checking the map again, he located the fire suppression systems. There were a total of three systems he had to reach in order for his mission to be complete. But the problem was that the systems were all in areas of extreme fire. 'All of them? That is strange. I may have to reconsider the fact that it might be sabotage.' Shrugging it off, Havoc moved to the first area. The first gate wasn't too far from the locking area and Havoc opened the gate. No sooner as he did was he then greeted with a thick cloud of smoke. 'Oh great. Just what I need.' Continuing on, Havoc walked in, his FCS alerting him of the few security cannons that were still active. After disposing of them, he opened the gate and a massive fire raged before him. Looking around, he saw no way to avoid the fire. The fire suppressant system was right on the other side of it.

"Damn. This is going to get hot."

Activating his boosters to full, Havoc flew right into the flames. As he did, the armor began to heat up, causing the AP to drop rapidly. He didn't stop until he had reached the system and readily activated it. As soon as he did, the massive sprinklers above came to life and rained down water on the fire. The raging inferno soon quieted as Havoc moved to leave the room. Elijah checked his AP. '7004. Well it could have been worse.' he mused. He moved to the next gateway and opened it. Again there was huge smoke, security cannons, raging fires, and cooling waters. Elijah grimaced inside while he removed his shirt due to the extreme heat. 'I didn't think it would be this easy.'

He then reached the third and final area. Again, things were the same. Thick smoke, security cannons, etc. However, when he opened the gate, he was faced with a fire that was vastly bigger than the others. And once again, the system was on the other side. 'This is getting ridiculous.' he fumed as he moved to fly in again. But his FCS suddenly blinked and Havoc moved out of the way of a gun shot. Looking over to the side, he saw a single battle MT. 'I got surprised by that?' The MT stalked toward him and fired again. Havoc quickly dodged the fire and shot the MT down. However, Havoc found himself diving right into the flames. Moving over, he narrowly avoided them and landed on one of the damaged tanks. It was there that he saw the system.

'Alright. I can just fly over and...hm?'

Elijah slowly looked upward to see the smoke was leaving the area from above him. Looking up, he saw that the MT's fire had blasted a grating open over his head. 'Hmm. Aw what the hell.' Havoc boosted upward and found himself in a long corridor. He flew down and found another grating. Shooting it down, Havoc dove in and encountered to patrol MT's. 'Oh, this again.' The machines were finished in no time and Havoc looked around. 'Nothing of interest. This was a waste of...maybe not.' In the corner of the room was what appeared to be an optional part. Havoc picked it up and examined it. 'MWG-TQ/ ESE.'  He then placed the part into a spare compartment. 'This may be very useful. Now to finish this mission.' Retracing his steps, Havoc landed back on the tank and flew over to the system. He activated it and the final system of water came to life, reducing the fire to nothing. Elijah grinning inside his machine. 'This was a good day. Completed the mission without a problem and even got an extra part in the process.' As he moved to leave, he was contacted by his informant.

"An unknown enemy has arrived in the facility. Check it out."

'An unknown enemy? Well this just gets better.' Havoc rushed to the elevator to check it out. As the elevator moved, Elijah began thinking. 'If it's an AC, I shouldn't have too much of a problem. The area is sealed, but not too closed in to prevent maneuverability.' The elevator stopped and Havoc exited. When he did, he found the entire area was lit on fire. 'I guess it was sabotage. But who?'

His question was soon answered as a bulky-looking machine moved out from behind one of the generator and focused on him. 'What the heck is that? It that an MT?' The machine was colored white, with heavy looking armor and a massive cannon weapon on its right arm. The machine stood still as it further examined him. Suddenly, the bulky machine jumped up and fired two missiles out of its shoulders. Havoc quickly dove to the side and opened fire, but the machine showed zero signs of slowly down. Havoc decided to use his second machine gun, but the white machine suddenly fired a grenade launcher. Havoc quickly avoided the flare, but it exploded behind him and knocked him forward. The white machine fired another grenade and pretty soon, Havoc was on the run.

"This is crazy." he muttered as he fired his machine guns, which still didn't seem to affect the machine. 'This guy is a powerhouse and he's more maneuverable than I am?' Havoc continued to slide around the generator until the white machine suddenly stopped. Havoc stopped as well, confused by the strange action.

'What is he...?'

Skkkkk, skkkkkk, skkkkkk!!!

The cannon arm of the MT unfolded and it now fired bolts of white energy blasts at Havoc. Havoc took flight again, but one of the energy blasts hit him and he was blasted off his feet. Elijah worked furiously to get his machine mobile again as the bolt continued to fly at him. Elijah checked the AP.

'3291? No way! How strong is this guy?'

The cannon arm folded back up and the MT repeated its previous fire with the grenades and missile barrage. Elijah continued to fire, but the machine wasn't going down. 'I have to stop this guy, but how? He's more armored than I am and more powerful. Wait...'

He suddenly remembered his previous battle with the Animalz clan. They were big and bulky, but were defeated when they were attacked from above. 'But I can't even do that. He moves around too much. The only time he did was...' Elijah eyes widened with enlightenment and he grinned.

"That's it. Give me everything you've got!"

The MT didn't answer back, but continued its barrage. Avoiding the grenades was simple enough, but the missiles were another story. Elijah kept get picked off by the missiles and he had to stop firing back for awhile. Finally, the MT stopped again and the cannon arm began to unfold.

'That's it!'

Havoc suddenly shot forward and took to the sky. The MT wasn't swayed and began firing, but Havoc continued on and flew right over the MT and landed behind it. Turning around, Elijah activated his EOs and unloaded all his ammo on the MT. The MT struggled to turn around and face him, but Havoc kept moving to stay behind and the weapons fire at that range was too much. By the time it did, The MT exploded into flames. Elijah backed Havoc away from the explosion and sighed. Checking his AP...

'0882? Talk about your close calls.'

Mission complete.

***************

Trene City...

A hunk of machinery collapsed onto the ground as the dark AC, Bloodhand stood over his victim. Looking down, Koemai grinned, seeing the damage he had caused his opponent, particularly the crushed head. 'Heh, you didn't have a chance' he smirked as the right hand held some scrap metal of the AC's head.

"Very impressive finish, Bloodhand."

Koemai looked up at one of the skyscrapers to see a group of ACs standing on top of it, all in front of the bright moon. In front was a black AC, totally void of any color, save for the fiery yellow eyes. It was this AC that was speaking.

"Who are you guys?" Koemai asked, although it didn't take a genius to realize that this was a clan.

The dark AC answered, "We are the Death Dealers. I am Reaper, the seeker of death."

Koemai blinked slightly. He knew about the Death Dealers clan. These guys were off the wall insane. They were well known for totally annihilating their opposition, both in single combat, group combat, and even on their missions. Even though they intrigued him, he had to be careful. They were one of the most dangerous clans around. Even more so about their leader. No one knew who he really was, not even his own clan.

"What do you want?"

The machine folded its arms, "We have been watching your previous battles and you show promise." His head swiveled to the destroyed opponent. "Your fighting style is most unique, even among us. We've come to ask if you will join us as a Death Dealer."

Koemai blinked again. 'A Death Dealer?' This thought fascinated him even more. These guys were just up his alley. Cold, ruthless, and merciless. But still...

"I have a clan."

Reaper nodded to this, "We know. But aren't you more interested with us? I can promise that your skills will complement us well. You have that look, that instinct. And you know how to deliver death as fate. You will not be able to perfect those skills with Nightwatch."

Koemai was silent. He knew that this clan probably suited him better than Nightwatch, but he couldn't leave his comrades behind. But before he could answer, Reaper continued, "Take your time, but remember. Death waits for no one."

With that, the dark clan took to the night sky and flew off, disappearing into the darkness. Koemai didn't know whether to be interested or afraid. He would like to be among them, but it was too late now. 'I guess they'll have to do without me.' But then again, how would they respond to rejection?

'Death waits for no one.'

************

When Koemai returned, he saw both Elijah and Cain just below. They were currently discussing something as he parked his AC into the hanger.

"Hey guys. What's up?" he called from above.

Elijah gave a slight wave and answered, "Nothing. I was just telling him of my mission. I was attacked by a new type of MT. Very powerful."

Koemai slid down the railing next to the two, "Oh that was nothing compared to my day." he said with a grin.  "I finished off my opponent in the arena and that's when the Death Dealers appeared to me."

This evoked a surprised look from both Ravens, especially Cain. "What?" Elijah asked. "What did they want?"

"They wanted me to join them." he answered. Shrugging casually, "It's too bad I'm going to have to say no." He suddenly grasped his stomach, "Ugghhhh. Man I'm hungry. Let's go get some chow.

Elijah nodded and the two walked off, missing the fact that Cain was still in the same spot, his face in heavy thought.

'Koemai. You're in bigger trouble than you think.'