Love & War 6: Replicants
Chapter 33: Apocalypse in Columbus
Columbus, Ohio
7: 47 PM
Six hours before Melody contacted Chris
Meanwhile in Columbus, Ohio, Chris and his boys of the Homefront Warriors were called upon to eliminate the Replicant vermin that dominated the entire city. Along with him are Ryu, Ken, Hwoarang, Marshall Law, Steve Fox, Paul Phoenix, Rashid, and Johnny Cage. 6 hours have passed and the city from Downtown to the Eastside were cleared. Now they are at the Westside.
"Chris," Raven contacted him. "There's a hostage situation at the hospital near you. Where are you?"
"We are heading towards a bridge on Broad. We should be there soon."
"Aw, shit! We got more on the bridge," said Johnny Cage.
"I'll get the Javelin," said Chris. "You guys take them out on both sides. I'm gonna try to take out that tank up there."
As Paul was using an Browning M2 HMG, Chris took three Javelins and fired one of them at the tank. He discarded one and tried another shot and it destroyed the tank.
"Clear!"
They rolled on to the hospital where Raven was inside the lobby. Chris entered the lobby.
"Where are they?"
"Second and third floor."
They went to the second floor. Chris equipped his Glock 19 with a suppressor. They serached the room and found one with Karin being held at gunpoint. Apparently she was defeated.
"Drop your weapon!"
The Replicant refused. However, Chris got a good look at the Replicant. Just like the others, he has a sickly green skin and aura.
"What the hell?"
"Chris Jones. Finally we meet."
"You look just like me."
"I am you..."
"A more violent one."
Replicant Chris tossed the unconscious Karin on the ground.
"Time to go. We will meet again. After I kill you, your family is next." He disappeared, leaving Chris shaken.
"You ok?" Raven asked.
"I just met my clone."
"I heard everything. I already informed Tatyana. She'll meet with Jade of this information."
He collected Karin, who woke up."
"Karin, are you ok?"
"Where am I?"
"You're in a hospital. How did you get...'
"GET AWAY FROM ME!"
"Karin, this is the real Chris. The one who captured you was his clone," said Raven.
"Oh no. That would mean Melody is cloned too!"
With that epiphany, they rescued the hostages on the third floor and escorted them outside to their BTR. As they left, Chris couldn't shake the feeling of his clone. What would Jade think, or his children, or even Melody? His thought was interrupted by a incoming message.
"Aye, mate." Kano!
"You..."
"I recently met your clone. Obviously he's much more jolly than you ever were. I believe you met him as well? The kidnapping of that brat Karin was only a setup. The real purpose was to nuke this bloody city to bits. I doubt you'll be able to survive the nuke, chum. (Laughs)"
*Where are you?"
"You'll know soon enough." End of transmission.
"Chris, that nuke is heading towards the Downtown area. Your clone has the bomb," said Paul.
"Then we must stop him," said Steve.
"Let's go."
They found a BTR similar to their speeding down Broad Street. A gunfight occurred between them and Replicant Chris's own version of the Homefront Warriors. It lasted for ten minutes. Hwoarang was Manning the machine gun as they were being chased throughout. Coming close to the Downtown area, the BTR was blocked by several Jeeps. Replicant Chris escaped via teleportation. Chris and his men got out to locate the bomb. A young Mexican woman found the bomb and began diffusing it as Chris was providing covering fire. After the diffusion was completed...
"Thanks."
"You look familiar," she said.
"Wait... Gudelia?"
"Chris? How long has it been?"
"Too long. Who are they?"
"We are the Mexican Guerrilla Forces. You basically saved Columbus."
"We both did."
Chris's armband activates. "Dad..."
"Melody, what's going on?"
Homefront Warriors HQ
"We are under attack!'
The same Homefront Warriors clones have invaded the base. Their leader was none other than Melody's clone!
"My equal is here. Leave her to me!"