Spirits had certainly risen at the Lin Kuei hideout following Jacqui's recovery and the beginning of Cassie and Frost's relationship. After cleanup from the Tekunin attack had finished, Sub-Zero had decided to allow his clan and guests some respite for the time being, before concerning themselves with threats like the Tekunin and Raiden's conflict with Outworld.
Little did they realize however that their respite would be even more short lived than they imagined.
Luckily, what was now upon them was not an enemy.
With the aid of the restored Smoke, the Special Forces had discerned the location of the Lin Kuei's hideout. They were making their approach now in the hopes of recovering the AWOL squad. With the majority of the Special Forces focused on fortifying defenses in the event of possible Outworld attack, Sonya was only able to bring herself, Johnny, Jax, Kenshi, Smoke, and their pilot on the mission.
Their helicopter touching down very soon alerted the residents of the Lin Kuei hideout to their presence. Being that such a mode of transport seemed rather unlike the Tekunin, it didn't take long to decipher who had just arrived.
Takeda sensed his father's presence, feeling Kenshi telepathically searching for him.
He gave an uneasy look at Jacqui, who was with Sektor working on the new weapons systems she and Cyrax had designed to integrate with her cybernetic exoskeleton, which Sektor had made a few additional suggestions regarding.
Jacqui figured that he must be in contact with his father, and gave him a firm nod.
Takeda sent Kenshi a brief telepathic message.
"We're here. Go to where you're sensing me from. We're ok… mostly."
Kenshi relayed that information back to his friends and they quickly began following him.
"What does 'mostly' mean?" Jax asked with a mix of concern and frustration. Sonya and Johnny shared looks of worry for the young warriors and their friends. Smoke silently tried to steel himself for whatever state things might be in, hoping that Kuai Liang was alright.
"We shall find out." Kenshi told Jax, not sure what else there was to say.
The small group followed Kenshi to the hidden entrance of the Lin Kuei hideout. Sub-Zero had taken a small group of Lin Kuei to welcome the arrivals.
While he had expected the others, Sub-Zero was completely taken aback to see Smoke alive and well once more.
"T-Tomas…?" He stammered. "Is.. Is it really you?"
Smoke smiled broadly. "It's me, Kuai. I'm… I'm back."
Smoke was taken aback when Sub-Zero suddenly grabbed him into a tight hug. Smoke patted his good friend on the back and let Kuai get out his tears of joy at seeing his dear friend returned to the land of the living.
After a few more moments, Sub-Zero pulled back.
"But… how?" He asked.
"That's… kind of an interesting story," Smoke began to explain. "Kuai, Bi-Han, he's…"
"Alive, I know," Sub-Zero revealed. "I learned of this from a mutual friend. It's good to have confirmation… I take it he helped you, then?"
"Right on the money as always my friend," Smoke complimented. "Unfortunately, the Elder Gods have work for him. He's pursuing some demons in Outworld."
"Just as Raiden starts a war…" Sub-Zero noticed. "I don't know much of the Elder Gods, but I have a feeling they do not act on coincidence."
"Something we'll have to worry about later," Sonya interjected. "Sub-Zero, it's good to see you again… and good to see you both reunite. But I'm afraid we have a mission here."
"Where are our kids?" Jax asked bluntly.
"They are inside," Sub-Zero answered. "Please my friends, follow me."
Sub-Zero led the group into the Lin Kuei hideout and to a main room where their family and friends were waiting. With a few exceptions…
Cassie had been sitting next to Frost and quickly stood up when she saw her parents. Mokap, Takeda, Eyota, and Vera followed suit. Cyrax, Sareena, Ashrah, and Stryker were standing nearby and joined in the gathering.
Sonya and Cassie stared at one another as those around them exchanged pleasantries. Frost was visibly nervous.
Jax quickly embraced his wife, telling Vera how worried he was about her as Kenshi reunited with his son.
"I'm glad you're alright, son." Kenshi said with a smile.
"You too, dad," Takeda replied. "I was worried about you."
"And I, you," Kenshi admitted. "But we have both persevered."
Takeda smiled and quickly embraced his father, who was all too happy to hug him in return.
"I love you, son." Kenshi said.
"I love you too, dad." Takeda replied.
"Smoke?!" Stryker asked in surprise. "You're back!?"
"Indeed my friend," Smoke confirmed, before a small smirk crossed his face. "Did you miss me?"
"Well, yeah!" Stryker admitted.
He went up and hugged Smoke. After that, he had a question to ask:
"How are the others?"
Smoke sighed. "Kang and Lao are still under that dark magic's sway, I assume the same to be true for those that went with Raiden."
"Yeah… some of our friends here ran into them in Outworld." Stryker recalled.
"That can't mean anything good…" Smoke concluded. "Well regardless, it's good to see you again."
Stryker nodded in agreement and smiled. Smoke gave him a wink, which Stryker wasn't sure now to respond to. A light blush crossed his face as Smoke went over to Sareena and Ashrah.
"I just wanted to apologize for our previous encounters," Smoke said. "I was far from myself."
"It's alright," Sareena assured him, offering Smoke her hand. "At least you're yourself now."
Smoke shook her hand. "Thank you."
"Indeed," agreed Ashrah. "It is good to see another soul free of the Netherrealm's curse."
Smoke sighed. "I am not completely free yet, but thank you."
Smoke felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Is something wrong, Tomas?" Sub-Zero asked.
Smoke looked back. "Did the others tell you of the demon that resides within me? I know that Kurtis and Ashrah saw it."
Sub-Zero nodded. "They did. The power the Elder Gods gave to Bi-Han was not enough to exorcise it, then?"
"I'm afraid not," Smoke confirmed. "But it does seem to be dormant. For now."
"I understand," Sub-Zero replied. "It's good to have you back in any state."
"Thank you, Kuai," Smoke said gratefully. "And Sareena, I couldn't help but notice the wardrobe change. Welcome to the Lin Kuei."
Sareena smiled. "Thank you."
"Sareena?" Kenshi asked in surprise, finally registering her presence.
"You got out of the Netherrealm!" Jax exclaimed in celebration.
"I have!" Sareena confirmed excitedly. "Your friends Kurtis and Jade helped me, as well as Ashrah here."
"I apologize for not introducing myself before now," Ashrah said. "Sareena told me of your apprehension of Quan Chi. A commendable act. That monster got what he deserved."
"Yeah…" Jax semi-agreed, knowing what Quan Chi's death had cost them.
"And you got the freedom you deserved." Kenshi complimented them both.
"Thank you very much, Kenshi." Sareena replied kindly.
Sensing a break in the conversation, Frost stood up quickly to introduce herself to Smoke. She avoided eye contact with Sonya, worried how the General might react to the fact that she was now dating her daughter.
Then there was Smoke. Frost had heard about Smoke. He was her mentor's best friend after all. Kuai had told stories of their time as partners many times, stories often tinged with sadness at his ultimate fate. Frost had always assured Kuai that he would save Smoke one day. Now Smoke was here at last, his restoration brought about by the big brother Kuai had told her of no less. She hoped to meet Bi-Han, but she figured an agent of the Elder Gods had a busy schedule.
Frost approached Smoke and tried to muster a professional appearance now that she was met with a veteran Lin Kuei.
"It's umm… an honor to meet you, sir." She said somewhat awkwardly.
Smoke turned to the younger Lin Kuei and examined her for a moment.
"Another Cryomancer..?" He asked in surprise.
"Yes," Sub-Zero confirmed. "I was as surprised as you are when she first came to me."
"I'm Frost," she introduced herself. "Sifu has told me a lot about you. It's good to finally meet you."
"And I am happy to meet you as well, Frost," Smoke said with a smile. "Knowing Kuai, I'm sure he's trained you well."
Smoke heard mechanical footsteps and turned to see another familiar face.
"Cyrax?" He asked. "You were freed?"
Cyrax nodded. "Kuai saved me. I guess now we've both found our way back to humanity."
"I'll say," Smoke agreed. "Good to see you again, old comrade."
"Same to you." Cyrax replied.
As the reunions took place, Johnny approached his daughter. He paused first at Stryker.
"Smoke wasn't kidding, you really are back." He acknowledged.
Sonya wasn't sure what to say but let out a sigh of relief. A bit of weight had been lifted from her conscience.
Stryker smiled. "Good to see you too. Both of you."
Stryker and Johnny shared a brief embrace before Johnny moved over to Cassie.
"Hey kiddo, you alright?" He asked.
"Yeah…" Cassie replied. "Look, dad, despite… what happened back there… it's good to see you again after what we've been through."
"Looks like you guys made it," Johnny observed. "And I think that's deserving of a celebratory hug from your old man."
Cassie allowed herself a small laugh and hugged her father.
As Johnny hugged Cassie, he saw Mokap from over her shoulder. His friend looked pretty shaky. He almost reminded Johnny of himself after Shao Kahn's invasion of Earthrealm, when the reality of all that had happened hit him like a truck.
Cassie could sense her father's concern for her surrogate uncle and released Johnny to go over to him.
"Hey man, you ok?" Johnny asked.
"M-Maybe…" Mokap answered, his anxiety clearly having returned after he had managed to briefly suppress it while conversing with some Lin Kuei students.
"You wanna talk about it?" Johnny offered.
"Well…" Mokap started.
He explained the events of the Tekunin attack as best he could, omitting Jacqui's injury due to being unsure of how to break it to Jax. He also made no mention of Cassie and Frost getting together. Sub-Zero chimed in to explain Oniro's return, along with the Tekunin's allegiance to Raiden, which Stryker, Sareena, and Ashrah corroborated.
The senior members of the Special Forces were needless to say, shocked to hear of all that had transpired, even more shocked that Raiden would align himself with such forces and that he would massacre the Brotherhood of Shadow as he had, with the Shirai Ryu's help no less, keeping these operations from all of them.
Most skaken of all by this was Sonya, who had grown to consider Raiden a necessity in defending Earthrealm. Now not even he could be trusted, though as Sonya thought to herself, she realized she should've known that the moment Bo' Rai Cho died. Now she was at a loss of what to do, what she even could do.
Jax sensed and shared Sonya's uncertainty. He knew what was right and what his orders were. Both options would put a lot at stake. A decision would have to be made, and carefully.
Kenshi's anger towards Raiden was only further solidified, but he was at least grateful that those he cared about were safe. An anger towards Hanzo was now stirring in him as well. The Shirai Ryu grandmaster had been a close friend, Kenshi had trusted Hanzo with his son. He had even defended Hanzo from the resentment of his friends and allies in the Special Forces after Hanzo had killed Quan Chi and cost them what seemed like their only chance to restore their friends. But now, Hanzo had kept secrets from the very same son Kenshi had trusted him with. From all of them. He had placed the flag of the Shirai Ryu behind Raiden's madness, and participated in a massacre much like that which he had sought to avenge for decades. Kenshi was unsure how he could reconcile between who he knew his friend was and the actions he had taken. But he knew he would have to find out soon.
And then there was Johnny, who's main concern at the moment was his best friend and surrogate brother, especially after he cut ties with his real brother.
Johnny knew better than anyone else how much Mokap's world must've been turned upside down by all of this.
Mokap himself seemed to have had his anxiety further exacerbated by going back through everything that had happened. He sat down and buried his head in his hands, fighting back tears and unsure of what to do.
Johnny removed the replacement pair of sunglasses he had on and tucked them into his pocket. He walked over to his friend and placed a reaffirming hand on his shoulder, kneeling down in front of him to meet eye to eye.
"Hey buddy, listen," Johnny said softly. "It's gonna be alright, ok? Just trust me."
"Johnny…" Mokap started as he slowly lifted his head. "I've been all over the globe, I learned seven different kinds of martial arts. I did a lot of training, a lot of sparring… but this. What happened here was the most fighting I've ever done in my life. Even with these powers I felt almost helpless. There were so many of them… and… and they were relentless. They just kept coming. They never flinched, never blinked, didn't stop until they were down. It wasn't like fighting those Black Dragon guys. They just wanted to kill us and they never let up for a moment. I… I thought I could do this. I thought I could do what you guys do. Fight bad guys and keep people safe. But… I don't know anymore. I'm just a guy from Chicago. What am I supposed to do about killer robots and crazy gods?"
"Mo… Carlos," Johnny started, speaking softly in a manner unusual for the actor's reputation. "I know that you're scared man, I get it. Look, I know I make myself sound like a badass in the stories, but the truth is… when I first came into all this, I was terrified. I tried to hide it with the Cage ego and my bad jokes, but… there were so many times where I thought that I was gonna die. But you know what? I kept going, because for the first time I was part of something bigger than me. And I had friends that I didn't wanna disappoint. Now I can't tell you what'll help you keep going, but if I know you ol' buddy, I know you can find it."
"Ok… thank you, Johnny." Mokap responded.
"Anytime, bud." Johnny said with a smile.
Mokap got himself to smile back, as he considered what motivated him to fight.
"Sounds like you guys went through hell," Jax said knowingly, looking at his wife. "You alright?"
Vera nodded. "I'm a little bruised, but I'm alright, Jax."
"And where's Jacqui?" Jax finally asked, the question having been bugging him from the moment he walked in.
The group who had stayed with the Lin Kuei all gave one another looks.
Vera was about to start explaining, when the door to the next room opened.
"Hey dad…" Jacqui said uneasily as she stepped out, her new cybernetic augments now visible to her father, who looked on with both a joy at seeing her and a horror at the fact that she was now in a state very much like his own when he had received his cybernetic arms.
Jax rushed over to her, still a face of shock. He held her arms and examined the complex cybernetic work.
"What… What happened?!" Jax asked.
Sektor then walked out, preparing to explain the situation when-
"YOU!" Jax shouted, remembering the crimson cyborg from the invasion of Earthrealm over two decades prior. Jax didn't care to know how Sektor was alive again, believing that Sub-Zero had only rebuilt Cyrax after Shinnok's defeat. He saw the man who spearheaded the attempted conversion of two of his friends and battlefield comrades into mindless machines and what his daughter had been subjected to, and he came to his own conclusion rather quickly.
Jax charged forward and punched Sektor across the face with a steely silver fist. He grabbed the cyborg and threw him onto the ground, slamming his metal fists down on him. Sektor didn't even fight back. Not only did a part of him still feel that he deserved any and all punishment for his prior crimes, but he decided to take this as an opportunity for his first attempt at a diplomatic solution.
"[Reasoning] You are mischaracterizing the situation, please allow me to submit proper explanation of the events before coming to conclu-"
Jax grabbed Sektor by the collarbone and punched him in the face. He pulled his fist back and began charging it with purple energy.
"Don't try to fool me, chromedome!" Jax shouted. "I remember you!"
"Jax, wait!" Sub-Zero pleaded. "Sektor is not our enemy!"
"His dad and his cyborgs tried to kill you," Jax pointed out. "And you're gonna believe that? How do you know this Oniro guy didn't send him to you as a spy! He's probably been trying to brainwash Cyrax and my little girl! And I'm putting a stop to it, now!"
Everyone around them began mentally preparing to intervene, in case the situation became more drastic.
Before that could happen, Jax's own daughter decided to act.
"Dad, stop!" Jacqui pleaded, grabbing her father's arm.
Her new gauntlets, bright silver with purple highlights and now streamlined in design compared to her originals, formed out of the cybernetic exoskeleton and secured Jacqui's grasp on holding her father back.
In seeing his daughter protest his actions, Jax stopped himself and allowed the purple energy to dissipate.
"Jacqui, I just…" Jax started.
"I know, you were trying to protect me," Jacqui finished for him. "Like you've been trying to do ever since I enlisted. And I get it. I wouldn't wanna see you get hurt either, dad. But we both knew the risks when we signed up for this job. I was hurt badly fighting the Tekunin, just like you were hurt bad fighting Shao Kahn. But we both kept going. Because a Briggs doesn't give up. That's what you taught me, dad. So let me live it."
Jax took a few seconds to process Jacqui's words. He looked down at Sektor.
"[Regret] I admit, you have fair reason to consider me your enemy…" Sektor said. "[Assurance] I wish to reinforce that I am trying to make amends. [Commitment] No matter how long it takes. And besides… [Hate] I despise my father more than you do. I would never aid him."
"He's telling the truth, dad." Jacqui added.
Jax released Sektor as Jacqui in turn released his arm, and Jax even offered him a hand up, which Sektor obliged.
"I'm sorry." Jax said genuinely.
"[Assurance] It was a fair misconception, based on the factors of what sides we once fought for." Sektor pointed out.
Eyota stepped up to Jax, wishing to detail the events herself, due to her feeling of partial responsibility.
"Jacqui was hurt saving my life," Eyota explained. "I know more than a little about legacies, and if it helps, Mr. Briggs, I think she has left a proud mark on yours. I am honored to call her a friend."
Jax nodded, and looked at his daughter again.
"I know what happens in the line of duty," he acknowledged. "I guess… I guess I've always had trouble accepting that those things could happen to you. Always too afraid of losing you."
"If it helps, I get it," Takeda chimed in. "After Jacqui was hurt, I… I almost lost it."
"Well, I hope you put a few good dents in those cyborgs for me, kid." Jax said with a small smile, allowing himself some happiness now that he was certain that his daughter was stronger than he could've imagined.
"I did my best, Mr. Briggs," Takeda assured him. "Hit em' like those Red Dragons we took down a few months back."
Jax chuckled. Vera came between him and Jacqui, pulling them both into a group hug.
"I'm just glad that we're all together again," She said, before looking at Jacqui. "And that we could get you walking again. I was worried too, honey."
"You helped with this?" Jax asked.
"She worked with me," Cyrax explained, walking over to the Briggs family. "Between her surgical skills and my knowledge of cybernetics, we were able to pull it off."
"Not bad," Jax admitted. "I don't know how to thank you."
"All in a day's work." Cyrax replied humbly.
Sektor chuckled. "[Nostalgia] You always did understate your abilities."
The reunions between friends and family, as well as knowing that Cassie and the others were safe, brought a small smile to Sonya's face. To hear that Sektor was now apparently an ally surprised her almost as much as what had happened to Jacqui, but she decided not to press the issue.
There were bigger things to be concerned with.
"Thank you for looking after the kids, Grandmaster Liang," Sonya said gratefully. "We'll take them back with us. And Kurt, you're welcome to come with us to."
"I have some friends who could use help settling into life in Earthrealm," Sareena revealed. "Would you perhaps be able to take them as well?"
"I don't see why not," Sonya replied. "But we'll need to start heading out soon. Come on Cassie, let's go."
"No." Cassie said firmly.
Sonya sighed. "This again… look, I'll make sure that none of you are court martialed. But we need to get back to the States. Kotal Kahn could launch a preemptive strike against Earthrealm, and-"
"I thought shoving you through that portal might have been enough for you to get it," Cassie said frustratedly. "I am done with just 'following orders'!"
"Cassie, we do not have time for this!" Sonya said adamantly.
"When do you ever have time!?" Cassie shot back.
Sonya was taken aback by her daughter's words, feeling more than a little guilty and being completely at a loss with regards to what to say.
Cassie, on the other hand, had plenty to say.
"Really mom, did you think this would be as simple as picking me up from daycare?!" Cassie asked. "Oh wait, you never did pick me up from daycare!"
"Cass, I was worried as all hell about you!" Sonya confessed. "Of course we were going to come find you! Things like what happened to Jacqui are exactly why. Imagine if Cyrax and Vera hadn't been here. Would you really want that on your conscience?"
"I have enough on my conscience already," Cassie reminded her. "Guess you still haven't noticed."
"Cass, what happened back in Outworld, it-" Sonya started.
"Wasn't my fault," Cassie finished for her. "A lot of people have been telling me that, but I still can't quite believe it. Nice to know it took 'running away from home' for you to even bring it up."
"I'm sorry, Cass," Sonya apologized. "Really, I am. I just had more important things to worry about."
"You always do," Cassie pointed out. "You didn't even try to help me. It was just 'alright, let's go'. As if a person didn't just die in front of you, because he was trying to protect me, as if I hadn't almost killed someone who was completely innocent!"
"Believe me Cass, I understand feeling guilty like that," Sonya related. "We can't control every situation, as much as we might try. As much as we might want to. The best thing we can do is move forward."
"And not even think about what just happened to us?!" Cassie asked. "Not think about the people who get hurt?!"
"No! Cassie, I would never say that," Sonya assured her. "Of course it's important to think about the people we lose, but… I… I don't know how to say it. I was never good at this. When we get back to base, maybe you can talk to a counsellor, and-"
"I've needed therapy for a while, you've got me there," Cassie admitted. "But what I've needed for even longer is my mother."
Sonya sighed deeply. She knew this was coming.
"I know I haven't been there for you," Sonya admitted. "I know I've missed a lot of birthdays and a lot of firsts, boyfriends and girlfriends I never met. Believe me Cassie, I'm trying, it's just, the work I have to do, the work we have to do… I put it at the forefront because I want to keep our world, our family safe. It's my responsibility and my duty."
"It's mine too," Cassie reminded her. "The difference is that the rest of us know when to take time off, when to slow down. Mom, no offense, but you're making the same mistake as Raiden: you both think it all hinges on you."
"She's right Sonya," Johnny chimed in. "The weight of the world doesn't have to sit on just your shoulders. There are people who support you, care about you. Our daughter most of all, of course."
He looked at his daughter and smiled. "You always did have the biggest heart."
"If I may interject," Kenshi said politely. "Your family is right, Sonya. I also once believed that the path to the justice I seeked was one I had to follow alone. But I allowed my friends, and especially my family, to show me another way. I struggled to accept it at first, much as you have, but eventually I learned to ask for help when I needed it, and to choose my family above all else. I know it is not easy to redeem yourself as a parent, especially in your own eyes. I urge you Sonya, simply be the best mother you can be."
Takeda smiled, silently proud of his father and how far he'd come after their estrangement all those years ago. Both Takahashis could almost feel the presence of Suchin, no doubt equally happy to see them united.
Sonya was silent as she thought about what Kenshi and her daughter had said. All this time, she had thought her actions had served to protect her daughter. In truth however, she had known that she would ultimately alienate her. The mission would never end, that was a reality she had accepted long before becoming a mother. Raising Cassie had been her responsibility all the same and she'd never truly accepted it. Her hope had always been that the care of Johnny plus the occasional babysitting of Vera and Mokap and the friendship of Jacqui would ensure that Cassie would live a happy life. Sonya had never wanted her daughter to be bitter, but had failed to prevent it all the same.
Sonya knew the unalienable truth: Things needed to change.
"You're right," she said aloud. "I know I haven't been there for you, Cass. I've let you down. I want to do better, do right by you. I wish we had more time, but we both know there's a lot going on right now. I promise you, when this is all over, I want to just sit down and talk."
Cassie was almost brought to tears to finally hear such words from her mother, and they both quickly embraced one another.
"I'd like that, mom." Cassie agreed.
"And if I may add one more thing," Kenshi requested. "I have known Shujinko in the past as a friend. I assure you Cassandra, you will have my aid in making amends for whatever Raiden has plotted against him."
"Thanks." Cassie said with a smile.
"We miss the reunion party?" Kai joked as he and Kung Jin entered the room, followed by Kia and Jataaka, who they had been sparring with, Sub-Zero's senior pupils who had been spectating, and of course holding hands.
"Seems more like group therapy than a party." Jin observed.
"That's what people need sometimes." Kai pointed out.
"So Cass, did you tell your parents about…" Jin asked.
Cassie's face went red.
"About what?" Sonya asked as Johnny raised a curious eyebrow.
Cassie silently motioned for Frost to come join her. Frost was nervous as well, but stood with her girlfriend all the same.
"Mom, dad, you remember Frost." Cassie told them.
"H-Hi…" Frost said awkwardly.
"Yeah, Sub Junior!" Johnny recalled.
"Well, she's…." Cassie started.
"We're…" Frost tried to cut in.
"She's my girlfriend." Cassie finally said.
Johnny couldn't help but smile.
"Welcome to the family, kid." He said kindly.
Jax chuckled and put a hand on Sub-Zero's shoulder. "They grow up fast, don't they?"
Sub-Zero smiled and nodded. "And I become more proud every moment."
Sonya examined Frost, making the young Cryomancer even more nervous.
"Alright," Sonya finally said. "Do you love her?"
"Yes." Frost answered.
"Will you be good to her?" Sonya asked.
"Yes."
"Will you protect her?"
"With my life." Frost said with a determination that reminded Sonya of herself.
And finally, the General smiled.
"Interrogation over," she said. "I'm happy for you both."
"Thanks mom." Cassie responded.
Unfortunately, the unity of happiness that brought these people together would face an interruption.
Jax and Sonya's comms beeped. Both quickly opened the communications channel to respond.
"Gemini, what is it?" Sonya asked.
"Sonya, I think we've got a problem," Gemini explained. "Our sensors here at HQ are picking up a huge spike of portal energy. There's a burst at the Sky Temple, but a much bigger one over at the Shirai Ryu temple. I think Raiden-"
"He's making his move." Sonya finished for her.
"Should we do something?" Gemini asked. "We have orders…."
Everyone in the room looked at one another. One by one, they all made their decision. They put aside fear, worry, or constraints.
Sonya knew this would cost her her career. She didn't care.
"Fuck our orders." she said aloud to the shock of Cassie, her squad, and Gemini.
Jax looked at Sub-Zero. He stood by Sonya as he had all these years. Orders or no orders, he was going to fight. "You have a way of getting to Outworld, yeah?"
Sub-Zero nodded. "We do."
"Then let's get moving." Sonya decided.
Sonya and Jax proceeded to speak in unison:
"We've got a job to do."