Chapter 6: Another Ally and a Mission
Sub-Zero and Smoke stand side by side before a stone table, and many of their new allies stand beside or opposite to them. They are inside an empty shady temple. The use of the building is unknown, but the malicious designs with their pitiless black stone and the clammy atmosphere that lacks any warmth would strongly suit a darker soul. But it suits the group of Earthrealm defending warriors sufficiently enough. Away from the chaotic city under the sickening rampage of Outworld creatures, they find some serenity and time to gather their thoughts to make a plan within the black walls.
Smoke rubs his shoulder, testing it. Raiden had generously healed his wounds as soon as they teleported to Earthrealm. To have a wound so hastily healed doesn't feel right, but he is very grateful though still slightly sore. He notes Sub-zero watching him out of the corner of his eye with revealed hints of concern.
Suddenly the sound of one of the temple's great doors being forced open awakens is the air. An eerie strapping noise dances off the cold walls echoing distantly down the empty corridors as stone scraps against stone. Nightwolf comes into view, and in his company is a SWAT officer. The man is introduced as Stryker, apparently found in the subways. Raiden happily accepts him among their ranks, and he proves to be easy to acquaintance with thanks to his friendly personality.
Still, they are a small force, and prove no as significant opponent against Shao Kahn's massive raging Outworld army. To defeat them they will need to defeat the emperor himself.
-0-
"Now how do I get outta here?" Kabal demands, contemplating his disturbing surroundings. "Not so keen on being dead now are ya?" Kano retorts, slowly getting up. He rubs his head, obviously sore from his defeat in kombat.
Kabal picks up his hookswords from the metal surgical table. He holds them up checking their balance and remembering how sinfully dangerous he had been with them once. "How do I get outta here?" His words follow a threat, as he holds his swords with the look of a man who has spilled blood for answers and is not afraid to do so again. "Heh, good luck. No one gets outta Outworld without Shao Kahn's say-so." Comes the remarkably still casual reply.
"Outworld? Shao Kahn?" Kabal looks at him with confusion.
"Shao Kahn's the big boss around here, and soon, Earth's new master." The thought of his home looking as shitty as this place and recalling what a shithole it is already being turned into is most discouraging. Pressing his hookswords against Kano's throat he questions, "Where is he?"
"Don't bother. You can't get near him. Too many minions running around this place." Kano chuckle, his accent dripping of his voice thickly. "Kind of like crab's ass. Hard to get in hard to get out."
"Perhaps, but I'm guessing you can."
-0-
Smoke, Sub-zero, and Johnny Cage approach the scene of the bridge where Kabal had once lay. After much discussion, it was agreed a small group should move there to see if Mileena or Kintaro were still unconscious. A risky endeavor with slim chances of success, but with much to be gained should they be successful it was worth trying.
However, as the trio approach they see no signs of either. Stryker gave the exact directions; they are at the correct location. But, alas, they are too late. "Damn… that really sucks," Johnny mutters "Bet if we hadn't spent so much time chit-chatting they'd still be here." Both Lin Kuei warriors ignore him, despite the irony of his words. Looking around they see nothing, but the ever present destruction of New York around them and an Outworld portal. They make to approach it but the crackle of the radio attached to Smoke's wrist stops them short: "Do you guys copy?" Stryker is calling them in. Detaching the device, Smoke examines it for a few moments. Radios are… not his specialty. Johnny immediately notices the ninja's lack of technical advancement. "He doesn't know how to use it!" He exclaims bursting into laughter. Smoke ignores him and focuses on figuring out how to respond.
It certainly was kind of Sonya to lend him her extra wrist radio, but she assumed he knew how to use it. He certainly was going to ask for a run-threw, but they were being rushed into leaving. "I repeat, do you guys copy?" Stryker asks again.
Sub-zero is more cooperative and willing to help. Approaching his friend, he examines the device as well. "Oh, this is too good!" Johnny blurts out, "Two well trained ninjas don't even know how to use a radio!" The sight of them both examining the radio is extremely humorous for Cage.
Not wanting to press any buttons, as he is afraid that he may disconnect Stryker, he glances at Johnny. The movie star seems too distracted by their humorous showing to offer any help, and is . "Smoke, Sub-zero, Cage? Do you guys copy!" Stryker demands. If they wait too long the others may try to find them. "Yes?" Smoke asks into the radio. Apparently one only needed to press and hold the big upper left button. It is much like a normal radio, but smaller. "What's going on?" Stryker questions.
"Technical difficulties…" Smoke replies slowly. "They're not here."
"Damn… " Stryker mutters.
Cage's laughter dies, when the movie star sees the fun is over. "What the—?" He exclaims as a surprised look imprints onto his face. Both ninjas are already aware and are heedless to Cage. A man dressed in strange tan clothing rolls out of the Outworld portal. For the nonce, he does not notice them. "This speed's incredible! Guess it's a side effect of Outworld magic," the man says to himself.
As the portal disappears, he turns around. The scarred arms and mask on his face give one the initial thought he may be an Outworld experiment. His unexpectedness upon see the trio is quite obvious. "It was a go-for-broke shot anyways," Stryker calls in. "Delta 1, a small squad of soldiers, radioed us in. They've been taken captive, or so we think. Reports of a guy called Quan Chi in their position. Raiden wants you to check it out. How copy, over?" Stryker adds. The man looks at the radio with surprise. "Stryker?" he asks suddenly. He makes to move forward, but stops. Johnny Cage steps up beside Sub-zero. "Hey, we're part of the Defenders wanna join up? Kicking Outworld ass, what's better than that?" he asks. Analyzing the movie star for a moment the man replies, "Stryker is with you? Is he okay?"
"Back at the temple. He's fine. You got a name?"
"Kabal," looking around he adds, "I suppose if you're against Outworld and with Stryker… I'll help."
"What is their position?" Smoke questions into the radio.
"South bound, in the old clock-tower," Stryker replies. Kabal looks as though he wishes to use the radio, but thinks better of it. "I know where that is. Follow me," he says instead.
-0-
The clicking and whirring of gears fill the air cloaking the unpreventable creaking of the old staircase. Ascending the stairs they hear deep laughter, following mockery. The group remains quiet as they continue up the few steps before them. It is oddly quiet without Cage chattering. It feels as though someone had taken the batteries out of an especially annoying toy—it's quite pleasant.
Hushed nervous voices are heard, but quickly silence when a deep loud voice speaks out. Somehow at the front of the group, Cage flexes his hands with excited anticipation. Sub-zero follows close behind him followed by Smoke; Kabal takes up the back. Stepping in front of the door, Cage turns around to face his allies. "Watch this," he says. "True movie star action here." Turning to the door he kicks its thick wood.
Goro and Kintaro look up in surprise upon hearing a loud thud from behind the door. The captive soldiers sitting before them glance towards the door with the hopes of reinforcements. Kintaro steps forward to investigate, but Goro signals for him to stop. The sound of talking is heard in the staircase.
"Damn it! Shitty door!" Johnny curses, flexing his now sore leg. "I… uh… didn't see that coming, " he adds glancing behind him. Sub-zero moves next to him, ignorant to the movie star's failure, though unbeknownst his lips are quirked upward in a lopsided smirk of amusement. Freezing the door hard, he smacks it with both palms. The hinges snap clean and the door the flies headlong revealing their target: Delta 1.