"Today is supposed to be sunny." Grant replied quietly.

"It's not an aircraft. We don't live close enough to an airport or private landing strip." Alex added.

The rumbling got louder until the floor and walls began to shake. "Earthquake!" Penny screamed and got up. She ran over to Rick clutching his torso in a frightened hug.

Lab equipment fell off the shelves shattering into a million shards or clattering to the floor. The fluorescent lights hanging from the ceiling swayed back and forth. Grant backed away from the wall. "I don't think it's an earthquake."

Rick looked at the east wall and activated his radar adjusting it for geological scans first. Nothing about seismic activity came up so he switched it to basic mode. The dialogue box came to his vision and showed him a chart. The radar system analyzed the data from around them:

WARNING!

INCOMING ATTACK.

SEISMIC SYNTHESIS IN PLACE.

EXPLOSIVES WITHIN 30 YARD PERIMETER.

EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!

"Everyone out now!" Rick yelled hoisting Penny into his arms and charging for the door. Alex and Grant took off after him trying to keep up. Rick waited at the lab door. When the two caught up he pushed them into the hall and followed. Alex and Grant hurried towards the front door. Rick kept pace with them one hand holding up Penny the other ready to help his friends or catch himself if he fell.

As the door grew larger at the end of the hall a massive explosion sent them all to the ground. The windows of the north east wall imploded showering them with bits of glass. Rick caught himself with his hand and hurried up to help Alex stand. He half pushed her to Grant who was already back up and running for the door.

A second smaller explosion rocked the floor. The wooden boards creaked and the lights went dark. Rick looked out the demolished windows to see a group of armed men rushing towards them. They carried guns of varying size and power and behind them on the ground was a large machine with a drill bit boring into the ground.

"That must be causing the shaking." Rick pointed at the device as they continued. Alex nodded but said nothing, she was too scared to open her mouth.

They reached the door and plowed through it into a heap. The attackers noticed and started for them.

Alex climbed to her feet and grabbed Penny, she made a bolt for the SUV parked in the drive. Penny was crying by this point. She'd never seen such horror before her. The Lawrence estate was on fire, black smoke rose into the blue skies and was pulled by the wind. Several black unregistered cars were parked on the lawn.

There was a gaping hole in the mansion revealing the once pristine lab now a chaotic hazard. Chemicals had pooled together causing smaller explosions projecting foul gasses into the air.

Grant and Rick stood ready to fight. The detective handed the scientist a gun and pulled another from his trench coat. "Try not to kill anyone, I've already called for backup." Rick whispered. Not only could he receive radio messages he could also send out his own.

Surrounded by untrained men wielding semi-automatic hand guns and a few assault rifles they were going to need some help. But they had to hold off the horde of men that had descended on the manor.

The machine causing the vibrations in the ground stopped and someone in a black long coat climbed out of it. He strode to within ten yards of the two men. His hair was pale blond and slicked back, he wore sunglasses obscuring his eyes, and he had a band of orange fabric around his upper left arm.

"I finally get to meet the fools who believed they could change the future of humanity." He spoke with a clear smooth voice. "We are here to put an end to your futile attempts at destroying the human race."

"Who are you?" Grant snapped. He was angry, his home was destroyed, his wife and best friend were in danger, the girl he loved as his niece was crying, and about a year's worth of work was going up in smoke.

"We are simply called The Purist Reich." The obvious leader answered.

"White supremacists?" Rick asked. He wasn't liking the way things were going. He had to keep these men talking until the police arrived. And today had been his day off. One wrong move and the situation could become fatal, for either or both sides. Rick had people to protect and now some terrorists to arrest.

The man smiled, "Yes and no." He replied. "We not only believe that those of the fairest skin are supreme in regard to other races, but we also believe in the untainted white human."

"You mean you're against medical tampering." Grant stated. He knew there were too many men without more police. As long as the guy was willing to talk he would pull as much information as he could.

"No vaccines, no prosthetics, no radiation treatment, and no abominations like that girl in the car or You." He pointed at Rick, "You're the mechanical monster they created right?"

Rick winced inwardly at the designation. He wasn't a monster, he was just a souped-up man. As Alex had promised the fedora was still on his head, the metal band magnetically attracted to the metal plating grafted to his skull. "I'm the one, but I ain't no monster." Rick replied.

The terrorist laughed. Some of the other men did too. But the guns remained trained on Rick and Grant's head. There were also a few muzzles aimed at the big Land Rover in the drive.

Rick had a display in the right corner of his vision measuring the time since he'd called for backup. It had only been two minutes. He estimated it would be another five before a helicopter could arrive, and then there was a chance it would get shot down.

He had one option at hand, and that was to attract as much fire as he could. The coat was bulletproof and from what he could tell about the hat it was too. A shot to the face would probably only cause cosmetic damage.

He took a step forward. "What do you want?"

"To destroy you." The man replied.

Rick gave him a crooked smile, "I dare you to give it your best shot." He challenged.

"Rick no." Grant called.

"Grant, keep watch over Alex and Penny, I'll take care of this." Rick assured glancing back at the scientist. "You know me, I always pull through."

Grant nodded and backed to the car. Alex was in the back on the floor holding Penny. The girl was sobbing into her shoulder scared stiff. Alex held her soothingly and looked up to meet her husband's eyes. "I love you." She mouthed. He returned the silent affection and then turned back to face what was soon to be a battlefield.

Rick was standing in the midst of at least a dozen men. They were all waiting for the right moment to attack him, no one was quite sure what the cyborg was capable of.

"Men, show this useless pile of scrap metal that we are his betters. Prove to the world that our pure white blood is flawless in comparison to him!" The leader gave his order.

Guns blasted away in a deafening cacophony.

Rick covered his face with an arm, ducked low, and waited for the first barrage to end. Bullets thumped against the heavy trench coat and fell to the ground harmlessly. One bullet snuck it's way in through a tiny opening and lodged itself into Rick's shoulder. He winced at the sudden sharp pain and remained focused. He felt warm blood ooze down his chest. It felt like he'd taken a bullet in some of his remaining flesh and muscle. If that was the case then pain would be the only thing to worry about.

Grant watched from in front of the SUV, he hoped that Rick would come out alright, they were firing at him like crazy.

As soon as a few of the guns clicked emptily Rick made a move. He straightened up and activated the submachine gun in his arm. The targeting array locked onto several different guns at once allowing him to turn in a circle and effectively shoot the guns out of his enemies' hands.

Cries of shock and pain rewarded his effort, but there were still more men with guns. The others waited for clear shots, this gave Rick a chance to calculate attacks made with a series of throwing stars that shot out of his wrists. The metal blades lodged in the guns themselves or into the arms of those holding them.

Rick looked at the display in his vision, two more minutes to go. Everything had to be ready for the police when they arrived. He looked back at the drill machine.

His foot opened up and a large rocket shot for the drill. It collided with the device and another explosion sent men running or flying away from it. More smoke choked the sky darkening the battle field. The machine was a twisted scrap metal sculpture of destruction.

The leader who had dropped to the grass and covered his head rose and looked at the wreckage. "It would seem you are more skilled than I expected."

"Don't underestimate me again." Rick warned. There were still a few operational guns aiming for him. He didn't even duck as he was once again fired upon.

In the SUV Alex tried to shield Penny from the carnage, but the girl watched in horrified wonder. Despite the unfavorable numbers her father was unharmed from what she could tell. He returned fire never once purposely taking a life. The destruction of the drill was a bit forceful to the girl. Alex told her that Rick was buying some time.

Once the police arrived everything would be just fine. Alarms in the distance managed to reach their ears. "See, help is on the way." Alex assured. She was so shocked by the entire situation that she shivered every now and again.

Her mansion was in ruins, flames eating away whatever they could, and she was locked in a car hiding with a little girl. Most people would have criticized her for her outward cowardice. She was rightfully in the car with the child. Though she had fought to protect Penny when she was born, this was a much different battle.

These men had made an entrance in creating a psychological attack. Her mind was distracted by the ruin of her home and she had no clue what else to do. She also knew that Rick was very able to handle the job, she'd seen to it that he could withstand a full on fire fight if the occasion ever arose.

She watched hoping that everything would end soon.

Grant stood near the SUV the gun ahead of him ready for action if someone should get too close.

Rick grabbed a machine gun and snapped the muzzle in his hand. He dropped the shattered metal on the ground. The police and rescue sirens were coming closer. He had only a few more weapons to take out. The familiar chop chop chop of a helicopter overhead alerted him to the arrival of backup. He wondered how bad the situation looked from up there.

Someone struck him in the face with a gun. Rick's head swung to the side. He struck back with his fist and straightened back up. He glanced at the man who had attacked him and used his own jacket to tie his hands up. Rick glanced for the remaining gunmen.

He managed to shoot a gun out of a hand as it pointed towards the police transport. A sharp yelp and the gun was on the ground. He felt something burrow into his neck and was thrown to the side. He spun his head to see the leader holding a smoking pistol. Pain erupted along the right side of his jaw and head and forked down his spine.

He went to his knees and blinked back the pain. He could hear Penny screaming his name from inside the car. He turned to her and gave her a smile. She looked at him worried and he stood back up. There was no time to stop now. The helicopter was landing with a couple swat team men firing at those still armed.

Rick watched as the leader turned to make a run for it. The coward had started a battle and now he wanted nothing to do with it. Rick started after him. At first his legs felt heavy and slow. As he fought the pain in his neck he picked up speed. When the terrorist looked back he paled. Rick was almost on top of him.

"Stop running!" Rick yelled. When he didn't respond Rick activated the lasso. A rope looped rope snaked out of his arm and he circled his arm as he locked onto his target. With a thrust of his arm he snagged the man around the torso. He snapped his arm back yanking the captured enemy back.

Rick released him only when he had his other hand gripping the leader's arm. Rick fished for a pair of cuffs, and to his great surprise the fedora opened up and one of the hands Alex had mentioned retrieved them.

Sirens blared as fire trucks, ambulances, and squad cars pulled up. Rick noticed a few civilians who had gathered to watch. Reporters appeared out of nowhere with camera men and microphones.

The whole scene was utter chaos as Grant rushed up to check on Rick's injuries. Apparently sparks were flying out of the entry wound. Cops cuffed terrorists left and right, firefighters began hosing down the mansion, and the paramedics took care of the injured suspects.

As people worked or asked questions Rick felt himself losing hold of his thoughts. He slumped against Grant. Alex and Penny came out of the car and rushed forward. "Rick are you ok?" Alex called out.

"Dad!" Penny screamed as she launched herself towards him. Rick managed to give her a brave smile and hug her.

"Everything's ok." Grant assured. "The wound's not serious." He told the child. Grant and Alex half carried Rick to an empty stretcher, Alex procured some medical instruments and the two began to take care of the injury.

Penny watched quietly holding Rick's hand. He winced through his wavering smile as Alex fished the bullet out. Blood coated her fingers. The bullet was smashed, and in one piece. Alex placed it in a Ziploc baggy.

Penny stared at it in horror. When Alex stuck her fingers back in to make sure nothing was damaged Penny turned away.

"Doesn't that hurt?" Penny asked. Rick nodded and was duly scolded.

"Don't move your head Rick." Alex warned.

"It hurts, but it has to be done." Rick explained to the girl. She was slowly becoming more curious. She watched as Alex sewed the skin up. In a matter of minutes the scientist had everything fixed.

"Ok Rick, I need you to test out your right arm for me. Let me make sure your finger installments and the extension are undamaged."

Rick grimaced. There were people around. Lots of people around. "But the people," Penny murmured, obviously she knew what he was thinking.

"There's nothing we can do about that." Alex replied. "Now please."

Rick sighed and did as he was asked. As the nearest people caught glimpses of unusual activity they began to watch in amazement as each one of Rick's fingers either opened up revealing a different household tool or suddenly let out a laser or beam of light. When Rick grudgingly forced his arm to extend the crowd gasped. Camera flashes blinded the three of them as Grant tried to push the reporters back.

People began to whisper and talk amongst themselves, even the rescue workers were distracted by the spectacle if only briefly. Rick felt trapped. Now the whole world would know, and it wasn't that he was ashamed of it, he just didn't want the publicity that was bound to come.

Penny noticed the second bullet wound and Alex set to work on it. Rick had almost forgotten about his shoulder. This ended the demonstration and Grant managed to get the crowd to back away.

Rick tried to relax, but he had a feeling things were about to get a lot more complicated.