***NAO***
"Are you sure what you just passed wasn't an alarm trip?" One of the rebel soldiers asked Raven as they snuck into the building. "I could have sworn I saw something flashing back there…"
"Oh don't get your circuits fried." Raven replied, peeking around the corner to check and see how many guards they would have to go against. Surprisingly enough, the building was dead quiet.
Zero narrowed his eyes at the fact. When it was this quiet, it usually meant one of two things. One, changing of the guard...or two….the enemy was already aware of their presence…
He pursed his lips, before looking back towards the others in the group. "I don't like how quiet it is. I suggest splitting up in two groups."
"Perfect." Raven glanced towards Zero. "Me in one group, you and the others in the other."
Zero made a slight scowl. "That's not how it works, Raven."
"Oh please. Do you honestly expect me to try and cloak everyone in this group?" She pointed towards herself. "Reflection only works in my favor, thank you very much."
A low rumbling groan left Zero's throat, and he rubbed his forehead slightly. This girl was going to be the death of him, he was calling it right now. "Fine. You think you can do the sabotage on your own, then be my guest. Groups one and two will scout the perimeter and report as soon as you see the sentries."
"Yes sir." came the collective response of the rest of the rebellion. Zero then looked pointedly towards Raven. "And Raven, you can sabotage solo; but you'd better be back here in 10 minutes."
Raven waved a hand in the air dismissively.
"Yeah yeah, I'll be there."
"I MEAN it, Raven!" Zero barked. "I don't want to have to come save your sorry butt!"
Raven scoffed and snapped her vizor down over her eyes. A smirk came to her face as she glanced over towards him. "Tch. In your dreams, blondy."
With that much said, Raven quickly ran out into the open and activated her armor. Almost in an instant, she vanished from sight.
There was a moment of silence from the other side, before Zero made a hand motion to the others to get moving. As they did so, they didn't see the three figures on the catwalks.
Shadow narrowed his eyes, watching the two groups separate. The rebels had brought the sabotager...and now it appeared they were already using their cloaking technique. The ninja mech frowned. If he could study the movements, he'd be able to get some information to Foxfire…
For a brief moment, Shadow remained perfectly still, before he glanced to his right, where Phantom and another ninja soldier were watching like hawks. The three waited for a tense moment, before Phantom narrowed his eyes.
"...Phantom to Harpuia. Targets are in prime position."
"Copy that."
On the ground, the rebels scouted the floor, checking every crack, turn, and space. However, there was nothing to be seen.
Zero kept his saber out, scanning the area. There was NO. WAY. it could be THIS easy. It was WAY too quiet…
On the other side of the room, Raven put down her cloaking tech and plugged in a wire to the main computer.
She watched the screen flash on, with the words 'Virus planting 2%' flash on the screen.
Raven smirked. Take that, You X wannabe.
...creak…
The faintest sound suddenly alerted Zero. He looked around the area quickly...he KNEW he heard something. He paused for a moment... and suddenly looked upwards…
...seeing three pairs of eyes glaring down at them.
Zero's pupils shrunk and he quickly turned. "ABORT MISSION! ABORT!"
"The heck?!" Raven called, annoyed at the sudden tone. "I'm still planting this-"
Raven suddenly paused when a figure landed in front of her, holding a single katana. "-Virus."
Shadow narrowed his eyes at Raven and swiftly KICKED her across the back. The blow sent her back a ways, before she back flipped and landed on her feet. Wasting no time, Shadow ran at her, swinging his katana at Raven; though she was already dodging his attacks and taking out her own weapon, a twin bladed naginata.
"Raven-!" Zero moved to try and assist the girl under attack; only to have a monkey-like Reploid land right in front of him.
"Greetings Rebels." Hanumachine greeted, powering up a fire attack. "Prepare for termination."
As Hanumachine spoke, Phantom landed behind the other rebels and swiftly CHUCKED his Shuriken at the group. A loud cry came from the group, causing Zero to look back. Two of his rebels had been critically injured in JUST that one Shuriken attack!
Zero attempted to turn and help his rebel allies, by Hanumachine started chucking fire blasts at him, forcing him to protect himself with his saber.
"RAVEN!"
"I'm a little BUSY!" Raven called out, striking Shadow with her Naginata. Shadow was fast to block the weapon with his own, quickly sliding his leg under Raven's feet, causing her to fall. Raven landed with a THUD and looked up towards Shadow, a slight smirk on her face. "Oh please, is that all you got?"
Shadow rose an eyeridge at her. "Sorry to disappoint. Let me make things more SHARP!" He attempted to slash at her, but Raven quickly rolled out of the way and SMACKED Shadow across the face with the end of her weapon.
The ninja recoiled and took a few steps back, holding his face, where a slight cut had pierced his helmet. Shadow held his helmet for a moment before he scowled and ran towards Raven once again.
As the ninja reploid came charging for her, Raven quickly pressed something at her left shoulder. Almost instantly, the girl disappeared from sight, causing Shadow to suddenly skid to a stop, quickly looking around himself.
She had completely vanished...and with the fighting going on on the other side of the room, there was no way he could LISTEN for her-
"GAH!" Shadow suddenly found himself SLAMMED against the wall, sliding down to the ground, groaning.
"Oh sorry. Didn't see ya there." Raven's voice mocked, causing Shadow to scowl. His eyes narrowed as he heard footsteps running for him, and he quickly CHUCKED a smoke ball in front of him.
The action caught Raven off guard, and she went charging into a plume of smoke, causing her to start coughing.
"See me now?"
Raven quickly turned, only for Shadow to SLAM his feet into her back, knocking her forwards and deactivating her cloaking tech. Raven stumbled and tried to get her bearings, but she quickly dodged to the side as a Shuriken nearly took her arm off.
"Shuriken throw." she muttered. "Three guesses who that belongs to." Raven quickly looked to her left side, where Phantom had landed, while Shadow was still to her right.
"Well Crap."
On the other side of the room, Zero was holding his own against Harumachine, gritting his teeth in frustration and trying to look towards Raven. She was being out numbered not too far away, and not ONLY did he had two casualties, there was another soldier wounded, and the others were TRYING to fire at Harumachine.
It can't POSSIBLY get any-
CRASH!
Zero's eye twitched and he glanced behind himself, seeing a mech with green armor who had crashed in through the roof, with a group of drone soldiers.
Right. Don't bother asking yourself if it can get any worse, Zero, because it OBVIOUSLY will!
Scowling, Zero quickly looked back. "RETREAT! NOW!" he barked at the remaining rebels. At the command, the rebel soldiers quickly helped their wounded and began fleeing. Zero took the opportunity to SLASH at Harumachine and knock him clean off the ledge, before turning to attempt to help Raven-
Only for the green armored guy to quickly get in front of him.
"So glad to finally meet you. I am Sage Harpuia, leader of the four Guardians of Master X." Harpuia crooned, taking out his two sabers and pointing them towards Zero; who rose his own saber up, looking more than a little pissed off.
"For such a legend as you to join the Mavericks...is true a sad thing."
Zero sneered and got himself into a ready stance, glaring towards Harpuia guardedly. "I think the SAD thing is how you blindly follow your new 'Master' without question."
Harpuia scowled and made a motion with his blades. "You WILL atone for your sins, Zero!" He snarled, charging at Zero at a high speed and slashing at the rebel.
Zero quickly dodged Harpuia's attacks, missing a few, and getting hit by a couple. This guy was FAST! What, did he DRINK Jet fuel or something?!
Quickly dashing to the right, Zero attempted to slash at Harpuia with his own saber, though it got blocked by his opponent's sabers.
Zero attempted to take a blast towards Harpuia, however, the flying Gaurdian quickly dodged it and powered up an attack of lightning and quickly SHOT it towards Zero.
Acting fast, Zero ducked and rolled to the side, the attack going straight for Raven.
"RAVEN! LOOK OUT!"
The girl quickly looked over, spotting the attack coming her way. Swiftly she crossed her arms across her face and ALLOWED the lightning to hit her. However, instead of being thrown back or electrocute, Raven quickly extended her arms and dissipated the lightning towards Shadow and Phantom, who quickly dodged the attack.
Harpuia gawked for the slightest moment at the action, but forced himself back into the present, quickly trying to dive for Zero once again.
Gritting his teeth, Zero quickly glanced towards his comrade, who was being outnumbered by Shadow and Phantom. "Raven! What part of 'Retreat' did you not understand?!"
"Oh I don't know," Raven responded, quickly ducking from Shadow's attack, and then jumping from Phantom's. "Maybe the part where I'm currently FIGHTING TWO FLIPPING NINJAS, thank you very much!"
A gruff, yet squeaky voice suddenly came over the comlines of the Rebels. "A little less FIGHTING, and more RETREATING, would be GREAT right about now!"
"Sure thing, Grandpa." Raven muttered.
"My NAME is JAKEN!"
Zero growled lowly, looking back towards Harpuia and quickly SLAMMING his knee into the air commander's gut. Harpuia lurched, allowing Zero to quickly CHUCK Harpuia to the ground. In an instant, Zero was charging for the opening where the other rebels were scrambling to their transport ship.
"RAVEN!"
The girl took a few steps away from Shadow and Phantom and scowled at the fact that it looked like they were about to activate their special cloaking abilities…
Raven narrowed her eyes behind her visor.
"Welp! It's been fun, boys, but I gotta jet!" She mock saluted, before quickly turning and DASHING for Zero and the other rebels.
Phantom and Shadow did not waste time in giving chase. Phantom quickly threw a handful of kunai in the fleeing rebel's direction, in hopes to slow them down in order to capture them. However, Zero saw the oncoming blades and quickly stopped running, allowing Raven to pass him, before he quickly SLASHED his blade towards Phantom and Shadow.
The blow sent the two ninja backwards, allowing Zero to board the plane.
"GO! GO!" He yelled. The pilot quickly slammed on the throttle, and the jet soared into the sky, fleeing the scene.
On the ground, Phantom and Shadow watched the ship leave; being joined by Harpuia, who was scowling at the fact that the rebels got away…
He narrowed his eyes and glanced behind himself, seeing the two casualties the rebels had lost…
...one of them was still moving…
Sage narrowed his eyes.
"Shadow."
The ninja looked towards his Commander, a serious look on his face.
"Get this rebel minor medical treatment…and tell Foxfire and Sobek to get ready for an interrogation." Harpuia sheathed his weapons, and Shadow nodded. "Yes Commander Harpuia…"
***NA***
Foxfire sat in her seat, hands folded on the table that she was sitting at. Standing behind her was Shadow, while Sandstorm and Sobek were across from them, standing behind the captured rebel...who was lightly wheezing from the loss of oil from his systems.
Literally the ONLY thing keeping him alive was a minor patch job on his circuitry….and it hurt like FIRE.
The rebel trembled lightly, but scowled at Foxfire. "You're getting nothing from me...I'm not talking."
"I'm pretty sure I hear words coming out of your mouth." Sobek smirked from behind the rebel. "Got any MORE words that want to come out?"
The rebel glanced towards Sobek and panted.
"Well...so far we've already confiscated your tech." Foxfire replied calmly, keeping a straight face towards the rebel. "It would be much better for you to try and comply with Commander Harpuia."
The rebel pursed his lips and gritted his teeth. "...wouldn't it be better for your 'precious' Commander to be in here, instead of his lap dogs- GAH!"
The rebel recoiled when Sandstorm SLAMMED his weapon against the rebel's head. Groaning, the rebel panted and glanced towards Sandstorm. The Lieutenant had a stone cold look on his face.
"Strike one, rebel." Sandstorm grumbled.
"Again...it would be much better for you to cooperate." Foxfire mumbled. "Now...I'll be lenient...either you tell me who this 'The Raven' character is...or you share where your rebel friends plan to strike next."
The girl narrowed her eyes very lightly. "Your reward is your life."
The rebel glared towards Foxfire, still panting and groaning from his injuries. After a moment, the rebel looked towards Foxfire and scowled. When he didn't say anything, Sobek took the guy by the head and SLAMMED him against the table. "ANSWER HER, Rebel scum! That's strike two!"
The rebel cried out in pain and kept his head down on the table, wincing sharply. He panted and groaned, his eyes opening slightly, seeing his four enemies still surrounding him.
Foxfire brought her folded hands up and rested her chin on her fingers. "...Contrary to popular belief, I don't particularly enjoy watching death…" She mumbled lightly. "...Don't you rebels know that the armies of Neo Arcadia are protecting its citizens? Why are you against that?"
"We're not against your citizens." The rebel mumbled weakly, coughing up some fluid. "We don't want to hurt anyone."
"Then….why are you going against Master X?" Foxfire rose an eyeridge. "He's protecting Neo Arcadia...he's looking after the human race...he's-"
"Your MASTER is a genocidal maniac who has ended the lives of THOUSANDS of innocent Reploids!" the rebel snapped at her. "He cares NOTHING for peace, and cares only for control of his power! Mark me, Guardian lap dog! You can crawl back to your precious Master X with your tails between your legs, because YOU'RE GETTING NOTHING FROM ME!"
Foxfire was silent for a short moment...before she slowly stood from her chair and took something from the table. She let off a sigh and turned towards the door, a straight look on her face.
As she headed for the door, the rebel noticed Shadow, Sobek and Sandstorm all drawing out their weapons…
Foxfire opened the door and exited the room, softly closing the door behind her.
A swift sound was heard from inside, followed by the bloodcurdling scream of the rebel inside.
Foxfire pursed her lips, a small shudder escaping her...before she slowly walked away from the room. She walked down the hall for a brief moment, before she noticed someone walking towards her.
Slowing to a halt, she looked towards her left, where Sage Harpuia was approaching her.
"Commander Harpuia."
"I take it the rebel was less than cooperative?" Harpuia asked, his hands loosely behind his back. Foxfire nodded lightly, glancing behind herself. "I still have the technology he left behind to look over...and Shadow told me he managed to recover some security footage for me to review, despite the area being damaged." She replied. Foxfire seemed to ponder for a moment, before she looked back towards Harpuia.
"Sir, I may require Shadow's hacking expertise while I recover this data...Request permission to have Shadow at my call, if he is not occupied with your own orders?"
"Permission granted, Foxfire." Harpuia nodded. "I know you. You never stop until a task is finished." A small smirk came to his face. "Especially when it's under the order of my brother…"
Foxfire suddenly had a bright blush on her face and quickly waved her hands in the air. "N-No, Commander H-Harpuia! Th-th-this has nothing to do with my cr-UH, my bias towards Commander Phantom!"
Harpuia smirked slightly, before deciding to have a little fun with her. "Bias? Lieutenant I'm heartbroken! After all, you trained under me, did you not? Did moving from the Strong Air Battalion to the Cutting Shadow Squad wipe out everything I've worked for with you?"
Foxfire's mouth dropped and she waved her hands quicker. "C-Commander! No! I-I-I simply meant- What I mean- The fact that I'm C-Commander Phantom's personal Lieutenant m-makes me more focused on his Squadron is all!"
Harpuia chuckled lightly and put a hand on her shoulder. "Relax, Foxfire. I knew exactly what you meant." He looked down towards the end of the hall, and his grin faded into a serious look. "I have to meet with Master X and report to him my findings about the rebel we faced today."
Foxfire tilted her head at him slightly, before he looked towards her and smiled.
"Please get started on decoding those files for us, Lieutenant Foxfire. It will help us continue to protect the humans of Neo Arcadia." That much said, Harpuia started walking down the hall. Though he did glance behind himself. "Besides. It'll make Phantom happy."
Foxfire blushed darkly, a groan escaping her. "Commander Harpuia, not you too…" she muttered, turning and heading down the other side of the hall.
Harpuia only chuckled under his breath, but as he got closer to his destination, his features slowly got colder, and more professional.
He wasn't sure how Master X was going to react to this bit of news…
As he entered the room, he softly closed the door behind him and made his way towards a special area...only to find Master X at a window, gazing outside.
Pausing for a moment, Harpuia approached the figure and stopped a few yards away. The Guardian knelt down and breathed out lightly.
"...Master X…"
There was no reply from the figure, aside from him glancing over his shoulder towards Harpuia.
The Guardian frowned lightly, and stayed on his knee. "I have reason to believe I may have found the being who harbors the sky auroure fire, as you have been searching for."
Copy X turned to face Harpuia, his ruby optics glowing in interest. "And what makes you so certain that you have located the correct being who harbors it, Commander? This power has not been heard of since the beginning of the war, and has been hidden since the destruction of the treacherous medical clinics."
The commander bowed his head. "Yes Master….but this rebel...she was able to absorb my own technique...and then use it as her own." Harpuia narrowed his eyes slightly, before looking back up towards his master. "It mimicked the energy that had been reported during the medical treachery...light fire being scattered in all directions…"
Copy X narrowed his eyes towards Harpuia, before pointing towards him. "Then have sections of each armed force to hunt down this particular rebel and bring her to me." He scowled. "I will not have such power being wasted to harbor against Neo Arcadia."