This story is gradually reaching its climax. In the meantime, you all will be happy to know that I've begun work on the first chapter of the next story to feature Artorus. I decided to postpone a story with Artorus and the Predators in place of a story that is entirely different.

But don't worry; the third story in the series will bring the predators into the scene. "The Visitation" will be something entirely different.

On a side note, I was informed by former writer Zinic that people get author alerts for everything that the writer does. So, I can imaged that anyone who care about this story might be a bit put off when they get some alert about an unrelated anime story that I've updated. . . Like say "Hiei and Kuwabara: Saga of the Dark World" or "If You'd Just Say You Love Me". Sorry if this seems like a plug of some sort, because it might very well be- heh.

Bojack727

THE WOLF SOLDIER

Phase 2: "The Betrayal"

Chapter 25

.o.o.o.

"Jackson, do you read me?"

The other marine picked up the communicator. "Yes, is that you, Artorus?"

"Yes, I'm on my way to meet up with you guys, something has happened to the data- Abel doesn't have it anymore."

Jackson furrowed his brow. "Do you know where it is?" He asked.

"No, that the weird thing- it just disappeared." Artorus explained over the communicator. "The place was crawling with soldiers and these new monsters."

"What?" Jackson asked in disbelief.

"Yes, I took care of the soldiers, with a bit of help from these bid silver monsters- but it's no alliance, mind you." He paused.

"Where are you now?" Jackson asked.

"I'm on my way as we speak." Artorus answered. "But keep an eye out for danger."

"Right." Jackson replied.

Einrich stopped held up her hand. "Wait, there's something ahead of us!" She shouted.

The others stopped as Einrich drew her weapon. Rita and McKenzie joined her and aimed at the door that the approaching noise emanated from.

The door slid open.

"Well, I'd imagine that you'd be a bit more happy to see me."

Rita gasped. "Artorus, its you!"

Einrich and McKenzie sighed. "You scared the shit out of us!" The other female marine exclaimed.

Artorus turned to Jackson. "We should be almost there, but I suspect that they'll be aware of the fact that we plan to destroy this whole place." Artorus remarked. "The good thing is, is that I doubt that they still have the manpower to stop us from getting there."

"I hope you're right."

.o.o.o.

Mr. Yutani sat behind the desk in his large office. He watched as a large door slid open in and a man in drag gray suit entered.

"Sir, we have received no additional reports from the agents on the Chiris-157"

Yutani leaned forward. "What do you mean 'no additional reports'?"

"Abel has failed to follow up with any more information within the last 72 hours. Others within the firm believe that he his attempting some kind of coup."

Yutani frowned. "No, it's not a coup." He replied. "But he's no less dangerous- he is a glory hog and loves to perpetuate his own reputation." He explained. "and I am afraid that his kind have no place in the new order of this company."

"sir?"

Yutani shook his head. "I am afraid that Abel has assumed some kind of elegal unilateral control of the forces- he has undoubtedly severed connections deliberately from corporate office and- I fear- caused a bloodbath as a result of his needlessly brutal tactics."

"What measure do you wish to take against him then?" The man asked.

Yutani looked him in the eyes. "Have this message sent to the supplemental forces on a 'priority red' coded channel." He began. "Abel is to be relieved of command and detained for further investigation." He paused. "And containment and cooperation measures are to take president over termination."

"Yes sir." The other man replied and left the room.

Yutani leaned back in his seat and turned to face the other end of the large office. "Those asses from the public relations are clamoring for overhauls of the entire sytem- the old ways are soon going to be gone, and you- Abel!" He paused. "Are a danger loose cannon that can no longer be tolerated."

.o.o.o.

Red light flooded the massive chamber that they were in. Artorus and the other's shielded their eyes from the mechanical glow of the power core.

Artorus turned to the others. "Jackson, Rita and I will remain here and finish the process." He began. "Einrich, you and McKenzie will take Doctor Clement and secure an escape rout."

"Are you sure about this?" Einrich asked.

"Never more certain in my entire life." Artorus replied.

"Right, come along Doctor." McKenzie remarked and he put a hand on the older man's should and nodded for him to follow him.

The three of them left, while the other three marines prepared to advance into the inner chamber of the core.

.o.o.o.

Artorus, Jackson, and Rita looked around as they entered the large spherical chamber. Before them was a steal catwalk that lead to a circular platform around a massive column that glowed a bright red color in places.

An eerie red glow pervaded the atmosphere around them as they reached the column.

Jackson kneeled down and looked at it. "Now, this core is regulated by a series of cooling systems, which I will disengage to cause it to overheat." Jackson explained over the load hum of the core. "I'm going to disengage the safety protocols so that we can manually deactivate the cooling rods."

"How long will we have?" Rita asked.

"Less than an hour, maybe forty-five minutes at most." Jackson replied.

"Well than, the soon we leave, the better." Artorus added.

Jackson began rapidly accessing the data port and hacked into its system. After a few moments, he turned around and looked at his two comrades. "Okay, now we'll need to do the manual part." He began.

He stood up and walked around the massive column that housed the power core. "There are four locking clamps for the cooling injection valves." He then turned back and removed a panel from a metallic pipe that seemed to feed into the main column. He reached into and began rotating a series of rings. As he turned them, he revealed that there were red sections on them. He soon lined up all the red sections in descending order and pulled the rings out. He then reached in ands detached the cooling valve.

Warning, safety margins for optimal function of core have been compromised. Cooling systems now functioning at 80.

"That would be the computer." Jackson replied. "Just ignore it and get on to the others."

.o.o.o.

Einrich waited for the door to open. "It'll take it a secant for the code to clear.

She then heard a sound behind them and the three of them turned to see another doorway slide open.

"You!" Einrich exclaimed.

Abel stepped into the compartment with them. He had his rifle trained on them. "I see you've managed to stay alive despite my best efforts, and the efforts of some unseen force- but it is about to end." He explained.

"That door that you're waiting for will not open any time soon, I've see to that." He added. "I am very impressed by your seemingly relentless persistence, but it ends here!" He exclaimed and fired on them.

"You killed him!" McKenzie exclaimed.

"That doddering old fool should have died a long time ago." Abel replied. "And you both will be joining him very soon." He added. He then turned to the other to that lead into the core chamber- while keeping his weapon trained on them. "But I must deal with those other three first, but take heart in the knowledge that I will not keep either of you two waiting long."

The two marines watched helplessly as the door closed before them.

.o.o.o.

Artorus finished the 2nd valve, while Rita completed the 3rd.

"Almost there!" Jackson yelled as he made his way back around and began to work on the final valve. Something struck him across the back.

Rita looked up and turned to see Abel looked down at her.

"Now, now, Miss Hammond, don't do anything rash!" He remarked. "Now step back!"

She backed off and held her hands up. Abel smiled. "Now, tell me, where is the Hybrid?"

"Right here!" Artorus yelled as he jumped Abel.

The two crashed into the railing and Abel's gun fell away.

Artorus put his hands around Abel's neck, but the human slipped his hands between Artorus' arms and knocked them away. He then propped himself up on the railing and kicked the Hybrid away.

"I'm afraid you'll find that I'm a bit more then just some common human." Abel remarked.

Artorus got onto his feet and punched him in the face. He then rammed himself into Abel and pushed him back against the railing, trying to flip him over it.

But Abel reversed their position with inhuman speed and flipped him over the railing and into the gaping darkness below.

"NO!" Rita screamed in rage.

Able turned around in time to catch Rita's wrist and force the pistol out of her hand. He then twisted her arm behind her back and shoved her away.

Abel began to advance towards the core. "And now to finish off the rest of you."

End of Chapter 25-

.o.o.o.

I think that chapter did a pretty good job of tying things together. Anyway, I hope to see you guys next time.

This is silver chapter of the series, but I don't think this will get very close to a gold chapter. . . Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy the rest of the story. It will probably wrap up around chapter 30 or so.

Bojack727