(A/N: Just to let everyone know, it's November 20th and you know what that means. Arceus and the Jewel of Life, PREMIERING TONIGHT, depending where you are.)

Chapter 7: A New Energy Crisis

"Wait a minute, they expect us to take out the entire city's energy supply?" Rick asked, almost an hour later. "How in the world are we going to accomplish that?"

"The solar panels practically cover the entire city," Emily said. "This could take awhile."

"I think maybe this is the last thing SIP wants us to do for the time-being," Chris said. "We sure could use a good rest afterwards."

They were moving along northeast, to the destination Peterson pointed out. The area around them was calm, for the moment. All of a sudden, he then heard a voice on his radio. "So Chris, how you holding up?"

"Sadie?" Chris said, causing both Rick and Emily to glance at him, but then realized who was talking to him. "What the-!? Where's Pikette?"

"She's taking a well-deserved nap," Sadie said, smiling as she was in the same spot as before. "I can't believe they would make her do this... She's a Pokemon for crying out loud!"

"Well, she did accept it," Chris said. "Anyway, what are you doing in Jubilife? I thought you were somewhere in Hoenn?"

"Pikette asked me the same thing," Sadie said. "I was sent here to help with the war effort. Anyway, like I asked before, how you holding up?"

"I've been better," Chris said. He'd rather not talk about what happened to Dex. "It just never gets old, does it?"

"Guess not," Sadie said. "Listen Chris, I know what you're going against out there, and I just want you to be careful, alright?"

"Always am," Chris said, a bit of a smile on his face. "I suggest you try to do the same."

"Sir yes sir," Sadie said, smiling a bit as well. "Don't worry, I'm keeping a watch on you for the time being before Pikette gets back, so I'll be like your guardian angel."

"Gee, isn't that sweet?" Chris said, a bit of sarcasm in his voice. "Anyway, need to go. This call might be monitored."

Sadie giggled. "Could be. Alright, I'll let you be then, and don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Chris then ended the call. "Who was that?" Rick asked.

"Just an old friend from childhood," Chris said with a smirk.

They had finally reached their first destination, which was one of the power plants. "Man, the place is just covered with panels," Rick said, looking through a pair of electronic binoculars. They were about two hundred meters from the power plant. "Not to mention plenty of bogies."

"Never said it was gonna be easy," Emily said. "So, is that squad going to meet us here?"

"Hope so," Chris replied. In response to the question, a Humvee then came towards them and stopped right in front of them.

"Sergeant Johnson," a soldier said, coming out of the vehicle. "Corporal Robinson. Captain Peterson says you need some demolitions?"

"That's right," Chris said. "Are you going to be accompanying us?"

"Sure we could," Robinson said. "Whatever Peterson says, goes."

(A/N: Okay, here's the first song of the chapter. This song is called "Virmire Ride" from Mass Effect, and it's a good song because it goes well with shooting baddies.)

"Sir!" another soldier than cried out. "We got bogies heading this direction."

"Must've heard us coming," Robinson said. *"Okay men, spread out and find yourself a good defensive position. And I'm also gonna need someone on that turret!"

"Sounds like we're gonna have ourselves a little fun," Chris said.

"Say Emily," Rick said. "Since now's the best time, would you like to do the honors?"

"Don't mind if I do," Emily said, taking the sniper rifle she had off her shoulder. There was another thing special about Emily. She had a keen eye and was seen as one of the best shots SIP had ever seen, especially with bolt-action. Well, there's always that saying, "I got the eyes and ears of a fox." Or something like that.

With Emily, Chris, Rick, and the others in position, they waited until the enemy soldiers were in position. "Steady now..." Robinson said. After a couple more moments, he then said, "Alright, let them have it!"

Chris then went around the corner he was in and opened fire on the closest soldiers he could find. He quickly took out about three of them and quickly got back into cover as return fire came towards him. The other soldiers weren't having too much difficulty, especially the one on the turret, who was punching bullets into any enemy soldier in his sight.

With Rick providing some aid, Emily punched bullet after bullet into any soldier in her cross-hairs. "This is just too much fun," she said calmly.

After about a couple of more minutes, the entire force was wiped out. "Well, that wasn't too bad," Chris said.

"Obviously that wasn't everything they could throw at us," Rick said. "More of them are probably still inside, guarding the main control room."

"Johnson, we have your explosives," Robinson said, giving each of them a good amount of C4. "Once we get to the power plant, we'll provide cover outside."

"Got it," Chris said. "Alright everyone, let's move out!"

They moved out carefully and stealthily towards the power plant. It was big, at least three or four stories high, meaning they had a lot of ground to cover.

(A/N: Okay, here's the second song for the chapter. Yes, it's another Resident Evil 5 song, but you'd be amazed how similar the music is to MGS. Anyway, the name of the song is "Majini VII.")

Soon, they got to the entrance of the power plant. "Alright Johnson," Robinson said. "We'll make sure to let you know if any reinforcements show up."

"Alright," Chris said. "But if too many show up, I want you guys to get the hell out of here. That's an order."

"Sir yes sir," Robinson said, giving a small salute. He then ordered the other soldiers to form positions around the entrance while the other three headed inside.

*"Hmm, surprised no one's down here," Rick said.

"Most likely they're upstairs, guarding the main control room," Chris said, keeping a hold on his rifle. "Keep your guard up everyone."

They ascended the first flight of steps and soon encountered a patrol of soldiers who had taken defensive positions. "Shit!" Emily cried out as they had to take cover quickly or else be punctured with bullets. "Looks like this won't be so easy after all."

While they may have been outnumbered, they still had better combat skills, which gave them an advantage. After a couple of minutes, they were able to dispose of the guards in the room. They quickly then continued on through the second floor. "If we're meeting resistance, we must be getting warmer," Rick said. They finally then finished through the second floor. "As I figured. It has to be on the third floor."

They then ascended up the second flight of stairs. Before turning around the corner, Chris took a quick peek. They had reached the control room but it completely surrounded and cover by enemy soldiers. "There's too many of them, even for us to handle," Chris then whispered.

"What we need is a distraction of some sort," Rick said.

Chris then had an idea. "Hey Rick, you still have that flashbang?"

"Yeah, why?" Rick asked.

"You did say we needed a distraction," Chris reminded him. "And I have just the perfect idea." Rick and Emily quickly caught on. Chris then went back around to the corner of the hallway. "Alright, the second this baby goes off, we make our move, got it? On my mark. One... two... three!" He then went around the corner and threw the flashbang as far as he could. The second it hit the ground, it exploded, blinding all those next to it.

About twenty gunshots later, the area was littered with bodies. Bodies of enemy soldiers, that is. The three of them then headed towards the control room. Rick then went up to the main console, typed in a few keys and was then into the system's mainframe. "Damn," he then said. "This isn't quite so good. This power plant only makes up about a third to half of the city's energy supply, meaning there must be another somewhere else in the city."

"But unfortunately, this is as far as you go," a voice then said.

They then turned around to see a man standing there, dressed similarly to what they were wearing. "Who are you?" Chris demanded.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" the man said a bit of a smirk. "The name's Kirk, and as you can probably tell, I'm just like you, except my job is to eliminate you."

Chris then remembered being told Zena would send agents after them. "But of course," he said. "I'm sure Zena managed to brainwash you into tracking us down, despite what they did to you."

"You can blabber all you want, it won't change anything," Kirk said.

"Chris, Emily," Rick said. "There's one other thing I didn't mention. While the main system is here, there are two other control rooms on opposite ends of this floor. You both need to take them out to ultimately destroy the power supply."

"But what about you?" Emily asked.

"I'll take care of this guy," Rick said. "Don't you worry about me."

(A/N: Okay, and this may be the final song of the chapter. It is another Mass Effect song and it is called "Virmire Battle.")

"Alright then," Chris said.

*"Be careful Rick," Emily said. They then headed opposite directions towards their targets.

"Leaving you alone I see?" Kirk asked. "That will prove to be a big mistake."

"We'll see about that," Rick said. "After I'm done kicking your ass, this place is gonna blow sky high, and then we'll repeat the same process."

"Well, let's just see if you're right or not," Kirk then said. He then charged at Rick with great speed and tried to aim with a punch, but Rick, who was just as quick as him, grabbed it, as tried to twist Kirk's arm, trying to throw him to the ground.

Unfortunately, in doing so, he allowed Kirk to elbow him right in the face, causing him to let go and then being sent to the ground. However, he managed to jump back onto his feet. "Damn he's tough," Rick thought. Granted, he wasn't quite the fighter Chris was, but he could still hold his own. "Emily, Chris. I'm not one to be impatient, but please hurry the hell up."

Chris was running down the hallway, trying to reach the other control room. "Emily, let me know as soon as you get that C4 planted," he said quickly.

"Understood," Emily said on the other line.

Soon, he finally made to the end of the floor, and luckily there was no one there to meet him. He looked around and then found the control system for the other solar panels. Chris molded the entire block of C4 and stuck it right on the monitor. "Alright Chris, I'm here and I've planted the C4," Emily said.

"Good," Chris said. "Now let's head back. Rick might need our help." He then headed back the opposite direction, to where they had left Rick. Once he finally made it back, he saw that the two men were still there.

Apparently he had missed a lot since Rick took Kirk by the face and smashed his head to the ground, knocking Kirk out. After that, Rick pulled out his pistol and shot him in the head. "And stay down," he said, holstering his gun once again.

"You alright?" Chris asked as Emily finally caught up to him.

"Yeah, I guess so," Rick said, wincing slightly in pain. "I'm guessing you got that C4 planted?"

"Affirmative," Chris said. "Guess it's time for us to get out of here, isn't it?"

"Sure is," Rick said. "I'll be kind of glad once I see this place aflame."

They started heading back when all of a sudden, there was a gunshot which filled the room. Chris turned around quickly to see Rick with a shocked expression and blood leaking of his uniform, and Kirk, who had apparently survived the shot to the head, sitting up slightly with a pistol in his hand.

Before Chris could react, Kirk then fell to the ground dead. Shooting Rick had been his last effort. Rick looked from his wound to both Chris and Emily, and then said softly, "Oh no..." before collapsing to the ground.

"No Rick!" Emily cried as Chris caught him before he hit the ground.

"Rick!" Chris said, hoping to God that Rick would recover.

Rick then opened his eyes and looked to Chris with a smile on his face. "You know, I was never really quick with reflexes," he said.

"Hang on Rick, you'll be just fine," Chris said.

Rick then shook his head. "Chris, I know with this much blood loss the bullet hit a major artery. Even with the nanomachines, it's too late for me."

"Rick, I'm so sorry," Chris said. "I should've never put any of guys up to this."

"No!" Rick said quickly. "We asked to do this, to get payback for what happened to us, and I have no regrets." He then handed Chris the detonator. "Send me out with a bang. Just... do me one favor."

"What's that?" Chris asked.

Rick took a quick glance at Emily before looking back to him. "Whatever happens," he said quietly. "Please look after Emily. For both me and Dex. She's the closest thing I have and I know we both want her to see the end of this for good. So please Chris, take care of her."

"I will," Chris said, taking his hand and squeezing it tightly.

"Emily," Rick said, looking to her, who was crying slightly. "I'll make sure that Dex and I look over you from above. Just remember what Dex said. We'll see each other... on the other side."

Rick's hand fell from Chris' and Chris knew that Rick was now gone. Emily, tears now streaming down her face, went down on her knees and hugged Rick, sobbing into his shoulder.

Chris couldn't believe it. He had now lost Rick as well, and now all of a sudden he was very worried about Emily, because she was the only left other than him. After a minute or two, he then bent down next to her. "Emily," he then said. "We have to get out of here and finish this mission."

Emily looked to him, her face and eyes red from crying, and nodded. After giving her a brief hug, they then made their way out of the power plant. Once they were outside, they saw that the other men were still there and told them to back off. Once he and Emily were a good distance away, they turned around, facing the building. With he and Emily holding hands, Chris then looked at the detonator. "Rest in Peace, Rick," he said before pushing the button.

(A/N: Oh no, not Rick too! You know, it's really not fun killing off people you like a lot and it just makes the story more depressing, because you get the idea of what might happen next. And the worst part is, we're not even halfway through this story. Oh no, this is only the beginning. Anyway, I'm sorry that this is happening but like I've said, I'm just going along with the plot, no matter how horrible it may be. Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter and the next one.... well, it'll be filled with all sorts of interesting things. You'll see soon enough.)

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