Casshern the Viper Hunter
ESKK: Hey guys a new chapter means new stuff to do so please enjoy the update.
(Start on the road)
The group of fugitives were on the road in the stolen Cobra truck while Snake Eyes was in the stolen Military jeep. Casshern was laying on one of the benches while Luna was tinkering with her gadgets. She always came prepared with varying tools and gadgets for whatever situation might arrive. It was one of the lessons she learned when trying to survive in the plague driven apocalypse. Scarlet were doing a bit of recon as they could never be too sure about traffic jams being wanted fugitives now. Friender was laying on the floor lightly snoring as they kept moving. Though the truck was stuck in traffic as Roadblock and Tunnel Rat were at the front seat.
Friender raised his head a bit ears perking up but thankfully there was nothing to note going on for the time being. He went back to sleep and allowed dream land to take him again. Luna was putting the last of her gadgets back together as she was clearly packing heavy for whatever she might come across. Casshern then sighed as he got up and began to make his way to the front of the truck.
Once Casshern got to the front he asked the big question on the scene. "Any news on the traffic?" Casshern asked as he was bored like Tunnel Rat was.
"Nope just us wasting away here." Casshern said as he laid his head on the dashboard.
"Let's see what's on the radio." Casshern said as he then pressed a button on the radio. It started with country, then hip-hop, followed up by pop, and then paused at Metal.
When the shriek metal started Roadblock was very much enjoying it. "This is my jam!" Roadblock cheered only for Casshern to raise a brow and switched it over to Smooth Jazz. "Hey!" He called out but just before a genre argument could start the door to the truck opened and from the door Duke and Scarlet walked in.
"There's a state police checkpoint ahead." Scarlet said as she looked to the group.
Guess who their looking for." Duke added and thus that was a suckers bet.
"Shit." Casshern said as now he wished they kept the Cobra armor.
"We're boxed in, trapped like rats; cops about to swarm." Tunnel Rat said but then Casshern stepped in.
"Not today, Tunnel Rat, we're going to need a distraction and I think our resident Ninja might have something." Casshern said and thus Tunnel Rat gave a skeptical look.
"Oh yeah like what?" Tunnel Rat asked only for tires to be heard screeching behind them. Looking to the side the group saw Snake Eyes driving off the road breaking through a fence which the cops noticed.
"Well ask and ye shall receive." Casshern said with a smug look toward Tunnel Rat.
"Hey um we should start moving before Snake Eyes hits the river." Luna said as she had come in to watch the entire thing play out.
"Yeah, so start driving casually." Casshern said and thus Roadblock didn't need to be told twice. He began to drive just as Snake Eyes had hit the river driving the jeep over the edge. As the Jeep sunk the Joes continued on their way with the intent to meet up with Snake Eyes to pick him up.
"That was way too close for comfort." Luna said as she looked to the group.
"Future girl's right we need to learn how to blend in." Tunnel Rat said and in turn Luna raised a brow.
"With what Money?" Casshern asked and thus Luna had an idea.
"I might be able to do something." Luna said and in turn she stepped up. "Find me an ATM." Luna said and in turn they got moving.
(Later at the ATM)
They find an ATM not too far away from a thrift store though it was currently snowing in the area suggesting they were a few miles up north from Springfield. There Luna plugged in her gadget and was able to break past the ATM's firewalls with ease. Once that was done, she began to type in several commands and the like as the group kept watch over her. Of course, when Luna finished the ATM began to spit out several bill folds of cash as she took it much to Scarlet's shock.
"What did you do?" Duke asked with a tone of skepticism.
"I hacked over 1,000 Bank Accounts that does business with this bank, I then took a 1.35 and 2.18 from those account at random intervals which is now in our hands." Luna said holding the cash out to the group to take. "As far as the account owners know they bought a soda with their credit cards and forgot about it." Luna said as there were several ethical things wrong with what she just did.
"So, we're adding Bank jobs to our resume now?" Tunnel Rat asked before Casshern spoke up.
"We're doing what we can to survive chances are they may have frozen your bank accounts to deny you financial assets while you're on the run." Casshern explained making it clear that they were doing what they had to do to survive.
"If we use this wisely, we should be able to get enough for clothing, food, and room." Luna said as she spread the cash between them.
"And speaking of clothing, wanna try a thrift store?" Roadblock asked pointing to the Thrift Store in question.
(Later inside the Thrift Store)
The group were seen shopping for whatever outfits they can find. Casshern for his part came in without his helmet on and a trench coat he borrowed from Snake Eyes. Entering the store, the group were seen picking out clothing left and right. Soon enough they each found what they would wear as Luna and Casshern had vanished into the back to change outfits.
Roadblock was holding a Hawaiian shirt as he admired the article of clothing. Tunnel Rat of course had objections to it when he saw what Roadblock had. "Hello, we're trying to blend." Tunnel Rat said holding a hoodie on a hanger.
"Look around." Roadblock said as he then gestured to the other shoppers. "Here people wear whatever they can afford." Roadblock said as he knew to be humble here just before he put the shirt on. "Now how about you go check on the tweens?" Roadblock asked but just then Casshern and Luna walked out from the back. Casshern was dressed in a black and white zipped up jacket with a pair of worn jeans and a pair of white and red sneakers. Luna was dressed in a yellow shirt a plague skirt, and had her hair done up in twin tails.
"Not needed." Tunnel Rat said as now Casshern, and Luna no longer stuck out sore thumbs.
"There is some decent stuff here," Duke said as he came up wearing a dark coat that still give him a military look as Scarlet walk up to him wearing a decent winter coat as she look at Duke and said, "Once a grunt, always a grunt. The goal is not to look military."
Before she went any further, there was a lot of scream being heard outside as the group look to see a man holding a trashcan over his head as he throws it through the window of the thrift store, and judging to the dog tags the man was a military Vet, but something was wrong as his eyes were pure white and his action showing extreme violent and paranoia as he turn to a group of people looking at him as he said, "You wanna fight? I'll fight!"
Everyone ran away expect a guy who looks like a priest as the man walk over to him as it seem he was about to give the man a beat down until a man step up who could be the man's friend or an innocent bystander who just wanted to help as he grab the man by his arms and said, "Come on man, you got to calm down!"
The vet just throw off the guy and grab the priest until Duke call out, "Halt soldier!" that grabbed his attention as he turn to face the joes as he release the priest, with Duke held up his hand and said, "We're not on a battlefield."
"Oh, this is a battlefield," The man said as he pull out a Grenade out from his jacket pocket somehow as Duke saw this and back away slowly with the priest guy took the chance to run away with Casshern about to step in until Luna said, "Wait, there's something wrong with him. try to subdue him."
"Fine," Casshern said as he took a moment to look around before he did a high leap in the air, as the guy with the grenade didn't notice him until he landed behind the man, as he put one arm around the man's beck and reach out with the other to hold back the guy from pulling the pin on the Grenade, as the military vet was struggling, the sleeper hold took effect as the guy slowly slump down with Duke quickly grabbing the grenade before it hit the ground as the Casshern let off the guy a bit, he collapse down trying to catch his breath with Luna step up as Scarlet said, "Wait, don't get too close."
The vet guy slowly look up to his vision everything was dark, cover in shadows and smog almost like being on a ruin battle field, but a light pierce through the darkness as the man look and saw the light coming closer to him, as he saw Luna before him almost in the form of a goddess as she knee down before the man and gently put a hand on his face while she said, "It's alright, you don't have to fight anymore, you are safe."
At that moment a tear came out from the man's eyes as he said to her, "Thank you." then soon enough pass out no doubt a mix from Casshern choke hold before and the adrenaline pumping in his veins made him to crash as Casshern held the guy so he didn't hit his head when passing out as Duke unscrew the grenade and dumping the powder inside of it into the snow and kick it in deeply sand widely so the powder wouldn't be ignited as he throw the pieces away in a nearby trash that wasn't thrown or beaten up as he said, "That's take care of that."
"You done your good deed for the day gentlemen, I'm sure Chicago's finest are on their way," Scarlet said as Duke said, "We can't just leave him here."
Scarlet sigh to this as she knew this was going to be trouble as Casshern was already carrying the vet on his back as Luna said, "Let drop him off at the nearest hospital, I'm afraid there nothing I can do for him."
"What can't you just whip up some kind of futuristic potion or build something gadget and cure the guy?" Tunnel rat said as Luna said to him, "There's no such thing as potions, and I'm limited on technology to do any sort of mind meld to know what cause this."
"Wait, you guy have a mind reading machine in the future?" Roadblock said as he wonder what else the future has, as Casshern said to him, "It's not ideal, as that kind of technology aren't made for the purposes to help people mentally, in theory it could, but it's mostly used for interrogation in case the person doesn't talk, and a chance it could wipe a person mind away for good or destroy it, if used for so long and much on medium setting and if the device is in good condition, On humans and Cyborgs alike"
"Is that even allowed to do that?" Scarlet said as hearing such a thing, it could be terrible if Cobra has such a thing, they could learn all the military secrets and take over the world with nothing stop them as Luna said, "Laws and rules doesn't apply to anyone in the future anymore, when things fell the Ruins, all matter of such things were gone before the robots turn against their creators."
"Let get moving," Casshern said as to him the faster they get this guy some help, the better as the group walk through the city acting normal, as with their new duds no one took notice of them.
(Later at a hospital)
"He's sedated." The Doctor said as the soldier they found was placed in a bed with monitors on him.
"Is it Post Traumatic Stress doc?" Duke asked with concern for the Veteran.
"No nor addiction nor any other disease I can diagnose." The Doctor said as he tried to figure out what was going on with the man. "And he's not alone." The doctor said before opening the curtain to show three more beds. "I'm treating three other vets found in the same condition." He said as Luna held back a gasp of shock over what she saw.
"After all that they've done for their country." The doctor said as he looked to the men with sadness. "The Police will want to talk to you all." He said turning to the Joes only to find that they were gone.
(Later at the Truck)
The group got into the truck as Friender was waiting inside for them resting as any dog would yet still on alert. "I'm not leaving Chicago until we find out what happening to those men." Duke said but there were those who had objections here and there were those who were all for it.
"I agree." Scarlet said surprising the group.
"I get the distinct feeling there's a but in this." Casshern said as Luna was on her PDA working on something.
"I was double checking my old files and noticed Cobra has been shipping high tech weapon parts into this area for some time." Scarlet said as she had her own PDA out. "Guess what? There are no weapon manufacturers around here." She added and in turn Casshern was on point. "If we can find out what Cobra." Scarlet began but before she could continue Duke growled to this cutting the spy off.
"Cobra is looking for us, are you trying to get arrested?" Duke asked until Scarlet cut in.
"I'm trying to clear our names." Scarlet said in defense of her reasons.
"We're fugitives lady and I got nothing against those vets, but our own skins come first." Tunnel Rat said as he looked to the pair. "We need to get out of dodge now." Tunnel Rat said while Roadblock was listening to his MP3 player.
"You got my back, right?" Tunnel Rat asked looking to Roadblock.
"We can go, or we can stay I'm good either way." The Mississippi native said as he was fine on whatever they choose to do.
This of course served to get Tunnel Rat angry. "You know what, Roadblock is the perfect name for you, all you do is." He began but was cut off by Roadblock turning on the music in head headphones and started jamming to it. Tunnel Rat growled knowing he wasn't going to get anywhere with this. "I'm out of here." Tunnel Rat said as he then stepped out of the truck and began to walk off.
"Tunnel Rat it's freezing!" Scarlet called out but Casshern then stopped her.
"Let him go, he needs time is all." Casshern said as he had been there and done that in his era.
"Well while we have time, I've been doing my own digging." Luna said and in turn showed images of the vets' brains. "I did a scan and there seems to be a problem here." She said pointing to one part of the brain. "It seems that the part of their brains that centers on their fight or flight instincts is overclocked putting them in constant combat mode." Luna said as she showed them the images.
"So, what does that mean?" Duke asked and in turn Casshern had a theory.
"I got one idea but if it is what I think it is... then we might be in trouble." Casshern said as he knew of one such machine that had a similar concept.
"How do we help these guys then?" Duke asked as he wanted to help them anyway, he could.
"I'm still working on it, if I had data on the thing that did this to them, I might be able to figure out a countermeasure for it." Luna said as they all knew that whatever did that to them could not be naturally occurring.
(Meanwhile with Tunnel Rat)
Tunnel Rat was seen walking through the snow-covered streets of Chicago. Casshern was right on one thing he did need time to clear his head after everything that happened. After all, just last week he was doing training for the Military crawling through pipes going about his days as normal now he was a wanted fugitive for a crime Cobra framed them for. Like had a nasty way of reminding them that they can never have things go their way.
So many things are just happening all at once, Cobra, those Bio Vipers, two teens from the future that trying to save it, and on top of that scarlet wanted to go on another dangerous mission, to him it's like she likes to poking the cobra with a stick, but he didn't want any part of it.
"Cold out tonight, hu?" a priest said hanging by a van, the same priest from before with the Vet went crazy, as he call out to tunnel Rat, he turn to the guy and said, "Hey you win a genius grant?"
"Just trying to help. My mission does a lot of work for Veterans, you are a vet, aren't you?" the priest said after closing the back doors to his van, as he looked at Tunnel Rat seeing how he carries himself as Tunnel Rat said, "I don't need any help."
Tunnel rat soon walks off after he just vented his frustration on the priest guy who just trying to help him, but it seem the guy didn't mind as he went up to the side of his van and said, "How about some Hot Coffee?"
That what gotten Tunnel Rat attention, Hot coffee for a cold day like that day as he turn back around with the priest open up his van side door to get the coffee inside as he grab a container with a taped X on it as he pours it into a paper cut with Tunnel Rat coming up to the guy and said, "Coffee I can do. Just don't try to convert me."
"Ha-ha, I can't change who you are my friend," The priest said as he handed the coffee to Tunnel Rat, as he took it and gave it a good drink from it, as he feel it warming up his body... then suddenly he felt dizzy and tired all of the sudden as Tunnel Rat realize what is happening, he couldn't do a thing as he drop his cup, spilling the coffee that was drugged, with Tunnel rat held his head as if a headache suddenly kicks in for him before collapsing as the priest guy, who clearly not a priest in the slightest, caught him before he could hit the ground, then he looking side to side in hope that no one sees him before then drag tunnel rat into his Van.
Shutting the door behind him, as he soon got into the driver's seat and drove off as the van vanish around the corner.
(Later)
Tunnel rat started to come around as he open his eyes and groin a bit, no doubt having a hangover from the drug he took, as he tries to focus on where he was at, but all he notice is he couldn't move his body as he said, "Where Am I? Let me out! You hear me?! HEY!"
To the site, Tunnel Rat was strap into a mech of some sort as a light was shining down on him as he call out, "Alright, this ain't funny anymore, let me out!"
Instead of someone answering, the machine started to sit up right, or in this case stand up right, as he saw another mech in front of him as it rise up the same way with steam coming off of it and in it another Vet of sort, the one from before as Tunnel Rat said, "Hey your Turman's friend."
"Ralph Pulaski," the guy introduce himself as he looks around and said, "Where are we?"
"Last thing I remember was ah-ah... cup of coffee and a preacher," Tunnel Rat said as he was now ticked off, he was tricked like that, with some shutter windows open up to show the man from before behind the glass.
(Observer room)
The fake Priest was type thing up and turn on a few things before a door open, showing another man who seem to be in charge of things as he walk in and said, "Evening scrap iron. How does today's catch look?"
"Physically Adequate, Mr. McCullen, as for their mental state, only time will tell," Scrap Iron said as Mr. McCullen said, "Time is a luxury we do not have. Cobra demanding a formal demonstration. We need a subject that will prove that our technology works, as well review something I don't have to time to look over at the moment."
"We might find a better candidate among your staff soldiers," Scrap Iron suggestive but his Boss think otherwise as he said, "I won't risk Valuable grenadiers when these veterans cost nothing and are easily disposed of. Now let's hope we find a treasure among your street trash... begin."
(Arena)
Back in the arena as all the lights around started to turn on as Tunnel rat call out, "Hey, who turned on the lights?" Before he could get an answer, the mech cockpit's hatch closed on him as and the other vet as whatever test was being performed was now in motion
(Observer room)
AS everything is set up, McCullan said to Scrap Iron, "Initiate the sonic tone." Soon enough Scrap Iron turn a dial as a high pitch sound came forth that was very painful to hear.
(Arena)
with Tunnel Rat hears the sound clearly, as he cry out in pain, like he was feeling hundreds of needles stabbing into his brain as he cry out and said, "What is with that noise?"
"My brain is gonna explode!" Ralph said as he was feeling it too as both men are just in pain and to their expression, getting angry.
(Observer room)
"Brain waves are irregular, they are entering the combat mindset," Scrap iron said as he look to his Boss, with McCullan said to the guy, "Release them."
With that, scrap iron push a button that release the locks on the mechs to make them free to move around now.
(Arena)
the two Mechs turn to the window as it seem they set their target on the two guys watching them as a display pop up with a targeting system looking towards Scrap Iron with Tunnel Rat said, "Let's go get acquainted with the Preacher. Yo you creeps better get us out of these things."
(Observer room)
"The rage effect is coming on strong," Scrap Iron said as he flip a few switches to increase the signal.
(Arena)
Tunnel rat was struggling with the sound, as it was driving him crazy, as his eyes turns white before giving out a yell, as he accidently hit into the other guy, as with the rage effect affecting both of them, as the other guy said, "Watch what you are doing!"
He try to punch Tunnel rat with the mech, but he dodge it as Tunnel rat soon said, "It wasn't me; it was this thing!" Then sent a punch himself, and got a direct punch, knocking back the other guy, as he back away, with the Rage effect going at him full force, as he look very angry at Tunnel rat as he open his eyes and yell out showing his eyes turn white as well.
The red mech charged at the white, clashing with one another and soon turn into a struggle match to see who can overcome the other as the red mech knee the white mech and punch it away with the white one back away to protect itself.
(Observer room)
McCullan sip his coffee as he was watching the Mech fight each other while recording the data, with the image of the two mech got interrupted by Baroness who was calling as she said, "James."
"Anastasia," McCullan said as he greeted baroness while putting his coffee down and went on saying, "Your timing is impeccable, it almost you have a spy here at Mars industries."
"What would I need a spy? We have no secrets, do we?" Baroness said as if she was trying to sound honest as Mccullan said to her," I know you were expecting a status report, but I have something even better."
On Baroness end as McCullan show the two mech fighting each other as it seem the white mech that Tunnel rat is in is coming out on top as she said, "Oh, when can we share them with Mr. Dicobre?"
"Soon, we're in the final test phase. Cobra industries will reap a very satisfying return on its investment, I promise you," McCullan said as he turn his attention to the two mech as he went on saying, "When perfected, my new Exo Armor will be the most powerful weapon on any battlefield."
"You toys always impress me, James. Perhaps cobra should simply buy you out?" Baroness suggested as it seem she was trying to flirt with James McCullan as he looked a bit annoyed with that, but keep a calm look as he said, "As much as I enjoy, working with you Anastasia, Mars industries will remain in the McCullen Family as Long as I walk this earth."
"Oh, James I simply mean..." Before Baroness could finish, McCullen turn off the monitor, ending the call before Baroness could say another word.
(Arena)
The two mech were still fighting one another as the red one jump up with the white mech catching it before it could fall on him, and slam it down hard, while inside with Tunnel Rat still trying to resist the rage effect, but it was too much on his mind as it seem he was about to pass out.
(Observer Room)
"Your Guinea pigs are failing me," McCullan said as he was getting tired of the test subject breaking down as Iron Scrap soon said, "They're not the problem, it's the sonic tone. It's designed to stimulate fight or flight for maximum combat performance. None of the subjects can withstand the resulting rage effect."
"I know there's a soldier out there strong enough... Find him," McCullan said as he wanted results now or else, and it doesn't matter how many innocent people they find, as long he get what he is after.
(Scene break)
In the middle of the night, as the Joes were diving around town as they were looking for their missing comrade as Duke spoken up saying, "I'm nearly finish my sweep. Any sigh of tunnel rat on the east side?"
(Scarlet)
"No, he's been gone for 8 hours. You think he went AWOL?" Scarlet question as Luna came up on the coms and said, "I don't think that he just ran away. Something must have happened to him."
(Roadblock)
"I hope you're happy T-rat, Got me hoofing all over downtown," Roadblock said as he turn on a flashlight to look down an alleyway and soon came upon tow people lying in the freezing snow, as he quickly ran to them and turn one over who had a hoodie over his head, showing it was Tunnel rat and he was in a bad shape.
(Later at the hospital)
Tunnel rat was strap down to the medical bed, as he was going crazy as he as twitching and shivering, but not from the cold, but a fear pledging his mind with everyone was there with Luna looked shock by this with Casshern looked upset by this as he knew what this was but wasn't going to voice it out loud with the rest of the joes looked worry, Roadblock said, "I didn't know where else to bring him. I never should have..."
"It's not your fault roadblock," Duke said as Casshern soon said while tightening his fist, "If anyone is to blame, its whoever is doing this."
Luna was getting a scan of their brainwaves to see if she can figure out what the cause for this was. But like the other vets it was the same, Tunnel Rats fight of flight responses is overclocked. Just then the doctor walked in and saw the group there. "You, again." The Doctor said as he walked into the room.
"Our friend." Roadblock began as the doctor took the clipboard from Tunnel Rat's bed and looked it over.
"Your friend huh?" The doctor began after reading the clipboard. "It says here your friend does not have a name." He said while looking at the group causing Casshern to get on the defensive.
The Joes took a moment to look at each other trying to come up with an explanation for this. "Look doc." Duke began but was cut off by the doctor.
"I'm calling security." The doctor began as he walked to the phone. Casshern was ready to charge in and stop him when Snake Eyes suddenly showed up just as the doctor got to the phone. Putting two fingers on the doctor's hand Snake Eyes stopped him before going over to the now struggling Tunnel Rat. Once he got to the soldier the Ninja places his index and middle fingers on the temples of Tunnel Rats head. The act caused him to calm down and drift off into sleep much to the Doctors surprise.
"Acupressure." The Doctor began impressed with what Snake Eyes did. "But it's no cure." He added before Duke spoke up.
"There won't be a cure until we find the cause." Duke said making it clear that whoever did this crossed a line.
"How?" Scarlet asked as she looked to Duke. "Forget it, Duke." She added making it clear they had other things to worry about.
"And we're supposed to forget Tunnel Rat? No way." Duke said and in turn Luna agreed.
"Whoever is doing this needs to be stopped and we have the best resource at our disposal... back up." Luna said to which Casshern nodded to this. The Neo-Human was not used to working in a group bad experience with it but despite Tunnel Rats stink he was still an ally.
"Let's go." Duke said and thus the group began to leave the room to start the hunt for whoever did this to their friend.
Meanwhile Roadblock stayed behind as he looked to the sad scene of Tunnel Rat. He then began to dig through his pockets to something he thinks might help him out. Taking out his MP3 player Roadblock put the earbuds into Tunnel Rat's ears before he turned it on and left it on his chest. The song was of course one of Roadblock's heavy metal music that blared into Tunnel Rat's ears.
"Um Roadblock last I checked Tunnel Rat hates your music." Casshern said as the group stood at the door waiting on him.
"But he loves to complain about it." Roadblock said with a smile on his face before he followed after the others leaving Snake Eyes to stand sentinel on the soldier.
(Scene Break Later in the city)
The Joes drove the truck to the alley where Roadblock had originally found Tunnel Rat in the state, he was in. "This is where I found him." Roadblock said from the backseat next to Casshern. "No clue how he got here." He added as the group tried to figure out where to go from here when Casshern noticed something.
"Hey look." Casshern said as he pointed to someone across the alleyway who was serving Coffee to people.
"Wait Tunnel Rat had coffee stains on him when we found him." Luna said and in turn they all began to put the pieces together.
"And wasn't that other vet, Trueman, harassing that same preacher?" Scarlet asked as she recognized the Preacher in question.
"I'm starting to see a pattern here." Casshern voiced and thus they had a plan forming. "So, if we want to find out what happened to Tunnel Rat that man is our best bet." Casshern said as he looked to the group. "Want me to bring him here for interrogation?" Casshern asked knowing he can make him sing like a cannery.
"No, I have a more subtle idea in mind." Scarlet said as she then looked to Roadblock with the others joining her.
"What?" Roadblock asked before it suddenly dawned to him. "Oh." Roadblock said and thus this meant he was going to be bait.
(Later)
The pastor was preparing to close up shop as he screwed a thermos of coffee shut. But then Roadblock began to approach him as he looked to the man. "Woo sure can use a hot cup of joe." Roadblock said as he approached the Preacher. "What do I owe you?" Roadblock asked as he had his hands in his pockets to keep warm.
"It's free sir." The man asked hiding a somewhat evil smirk. "You a veteran?" Scrap Iron asked and in turn Roadblock shrugged.
"I've seen my fair share of action." Roadblock responded and thus the man smiled.
"Hold on I got tome fresh brew." The preacher said as he then went to his van giving Roadblock a moment to look to his friends in the truck. In turn the preacher poured a cup for Roadblock before passing it over to him to drink.
Once Roadblock took the cup, he drank some of it and smiled a bit. "That is strong." Roadblock said praising good cup of joe. But not long after the cup fell because it was laced with a drug to knock Roadblock out cold. Once he was out the preacher grabbed him and proceeded to drag him into his van.
(With the Joes)
"I'm not one for coffee but... I'm pretty sure it's not supposed to do that." Casshern said as he saw what just happened to Roadblock.
"Follow them." Luna added and thus Duke was on the case. The Van drove off and in turn the Joes drove the truck to follow the van making off with their ally. Now that they had a lead on to what happened to the Vets and Tunnel Rat the Joes were not about to lose said lead. At first it seemed everything was well and good until they hit an intersection with a traffic light. The Light was green but not for long as it then went from yellow to red not long after.
A case of poor luck as the Van ran the red light while the Joes were forced to stop less, they hit a truck crossing the intersection by accident. By the time the truck left so to was, the Van as the Joes all sat in the truck wondering what to do now as their only lead just made off with Roadblock.
(Scene Break Later with Roadblock)
Roadblock began to come to as he found himself in some kind of machine or suit. "Where..." He slurred as consciousness began to return to him. When he saw where he was, he knew one thing was certain, he was in trouble. "This can't be good." He said before the suit was lifted to a standing position with the cockpit closing around him.
Right after the lights came on and in turn Roadblock saw the preacher in the monitoring station with a man he never met before. "If you're wondering why you're here, don't bother." He began as the lights came on and the suit was unblocked from its latch. "This isn't about thought it's about instinct." James said before Roadblock began to charge at him. "That instinct in particular." James said before he turned on the sonics causing Roadblock to cry out in pain from it. "But I prefer it not to be directed towards me." James said and in turn James pressed a button and the test began.
From behind Roadblock a turret sentry came out as the suit began to speak to him. "You have been targeted take evasive action." The AI ordered and thus the tank opened fire with Roadblock running out of the way avoiding the attack before tearing off the floor and using it as a shield. He then threw it at the turret once it served its purpose destroying the weapon in response.
(Observer Room)
"Mr. McCullan, he's in a full-blown combat rage, but his brainwaves are holding steady," Scrap Iron said as he just reported on the brainwave reading as James said, "Promising."
He put a hand at his chin as it seem they found their test subject as he said to Scrap Iron, "Begin recording. Let's see what he can do."
(Arena)
A missiles launcher raised up from the ground and took aim at Roadblock, as he stood ready for it as it soon fired at him, with a missile came flying at him as he dodge it in time as the missile impacted on the wall behind him.
(The joes)
With the Joes drive around an old abandon area where no one was at as Duke suddenly spoken up saying, "This part of town is Abandon. You really think we'll find our preacher down here?"
"I'm not looking for the preacher. If this is Gelson Street, we're close," Scarlet said as Duke question her saying, "Close to what?"
"Is it about that shipment from Cobra you talked about a day or so ago?" Luna question as Scarlet nodded and said, "Yes, I was tracking them as they were delivered to that building."
Pointing out an Abandon looking building as Duke spoken up sounding very upset as he said, "Again with the Cobra. You know one Corporation isn't behind every evil in the world."
"That doesn't mean they aren't working alone either," Casshern said as he seem to know a thing or two of evil Alliance before one betray the other because they were a means to an end mostly as Scarlet said, "Speaking from Experience?"
"More than you know," Casshern said as Duke turn the truck down an Alleyway, driving along a fence with Scarlet using a flashlight to check the area, and soon came upon a familiar white Van as Duke hit the break as he saw it too, as it seem scarlet was onto something with scarlet said to Duke, "I'll spare you the big fat I told you so if you find us a way in there."
(arena)
The entire battle arena turn into a war zone as many turrets were firing at Roadblock as he was fighting to survive, with a hover tank of sort with energy weapons on it came forth and fire many energy blasts.
Roadblock completely crash it under his Mech's fist, with more shots came from the turrets before roadblock thrown a part of the broken tank at it destroy it completely.
(Observer Room)
"Incredible, he's immune to the rage effect," Scrap Iron said as out of all the military vets they had kidnap and experimented on, Roadblock show great results for them as James said, "Now that we know what we're looking for, we can recruit Soldiers with Similar brain patterns in the future."
Scrap Iron had recorded the last bit of data they needed for their test as he said, "His brainwave recording are complete."
(Arena)
From a metal door suddenly exploded with the Joes suddenly driving in as Scarlet said to Duke, "subtle."
"We're in, aren't we?" Duke said with Luna suddenly gasp as Casshern look and saw what she saw as he had a look on his face as he said, "I knew it."
(Observer Room)
"Looks like this one has friends," Scrap Iron said as the alert came while seeing the truck crash into the building with James said, "They won't be his friends for long."
James suddenly turn up the sonic tone to max level, no doubt that could drive anyone insane and mad no matter how resistant they are to it.
(Arena)
Roadblock roar out in pain with his eyes turn pure white, no doubt it was too much, as the mech suddenly torn off the cover on it reviling Roadblock within it as Duke call out, "Roadblock!"
"Drive and avoid him! He not going to be himself!" Luna said as she told, but Duke didn't as he said, "Hold on, we'll get you out!"
Roadblock was upon them as he was about to smash the truck, until Casshern came out of the truck in his white Hero outfit and kick the Meck away from the truck, making roadblock to step back as Casshern said, "Drive now!"
Duke got the message now as he put the truck in reverse as Casshern turn around to suddenly get back handed away as he hit the wall making an imprint in it as he fell down soon after, with Roadblock chases after the truck.
"Take the wheel!" Duke said to scarlet, as he knew he had to do something as this could be too much for Casshern to do alone, with scarlet saying to him, "Where are you going?"
With that Duke jump out of the truck as Roadblock ran by him without realizing it while Duke went out to help Casshern up.
(Hospital)
While the other Joes were off facing the mad Roadblock Tunnel Rat laid in his hospital bed with Snake Eyes nowhere to be seen. He still had the earbuds in as the music was blaring out into his ears. Just then his eyes snapped open when the music was getting to him. "Roadblock what are you trying to do to me!?" Tunnel Rat demanded as he tore off the earbuds and noticed a few things. He looked at himself and saw he was in a hospital gown. The minute he tried to toss the MP3 he then noticed he was in the hospital with the other Vets who were affected by what hit him.
Looking around he went for hit overalls on the chair next to his bed and took out his communicator. "Duke, do you come in, over." Tunnel Rat called but only got static for his troubles. "Duke what's your twenty?!" HE asked again with more urgency but again only got static. "Come on you, stupid radio work." He said trying to get the device to work.
With no other option he got out of bed, changed into his clothing, and once changed grabbed the MP3 player and began to leave. But as he got to the door he cried out in shock as Snake Eyes was suddenly standing there. "Would you stop trying to scare me to death!?" Tunnel Rat demanded as he glared at Snake Eyes. When he got on response the Jersey native continued to speak. "Hey, your lady is in trouble, I'm, guessing you know how to find her, right?" Tunnel Rat asked and in turn was met with silence.
(Back at the Arena)
The chaos continued with Scarlet driving around the arena avoiding the berserker Roadblock who gave chase. As she drove Casshern growled to this as he looked to Friender. "Ok I've had enough." Casshern said before he walked to the back.
"Where are you." She began just as Casshern began to give off an energy. Soon enough she saw his suit forming around his body spreading out in a pattern suggesting nanomachines forming together interlocking in place to where they were needed. Soon enough Casshern stood in his suit with the faceplate closing around his mouth. "So that's where he hid it." Scarlet said before Casshern opened the door.
He charged out of the back and tackled into Roadblock pushing the mech suit back giving the truck time to escape. He went for the mech and began to send punch towards its mid-section forcing the weapon back. Roadblock roared and was once more about to attack but Casshern tried to jump back away from the attack, but Roadblock grabbed him and slammed him into the ground and began to crush him. Casshern cried out in pain and while he had a high tolerance for it and could survive things most people would not, he was still not invincible.
Luckily Casshern was not trying to beat Roadblock only distract as Duke came from behind and began to shoot the spot on the mech suits back with his gun. The result came after several shots with the spot shorting out and Roadblock seemingly coming back to himself from it. Letting go of Casshern Roadblock directed his attention over to the observation room and from there saw the two who were responsible for his current dilemma.
When the biggest Joe started going after the two James and Scrap iron were smart and started closing the window. Of course, the machine was not fast enough as Roadblock got to them and tore his way into the observation room. James was pressing the button to open the door violently trying to get it to open for them. Once it opened the pair charged in with Roadblock close on their tails and tearing the door apart. At the same time Duke and Scarlet helped Casshern up to his feet and headed back to the Truck to make their own getaway.
Roadblock was then met with a hail of bullets that came at him from a chopper ready to depart the facility. Roadblock managed to tank them all but one of the bullets hit the tone device of the suit causing him to enter the combat rage state once more. With the distraction made the chopper began to make its escape once more only to be stopped by Roadblock who grabbed it by the tail after charging at it while it tried to fly away. The Chopper ended up dragging the suit across the ground with said suit holding on tight preventing it from flying off.
(Back with the Joes)
"So, you guys' act like you know what that suit is, care to explain?" Duke asked as he focused on driving.
"Back where we're from there are these enemy mechs called Berserkers the machines cut out a brain, hook it up to one of those shells, and let it loose on humans." Luna said while they drove. "They were normally used as shock troops or to generally clear out an area and even if you take it down it has a short burst of activation time before it goes boom." Luna explained and in turn Casshern cut in.
"It looks similar and from the looks of things uses a similar system must be a precursor to what we've faced." Casshern said and thus this meant they may have a way to defeat it.
"So does it have weaknesses in your era or." Duke began but then Luna went wide eyed as did Scarlet.
"LOOK OUT!" Luna cried out only for the Joes to bash into Roadblocks mech allowing for James and Scrap Iron to be freed.
The Chopper turn around and aim towards both the Mech and the truck with James smile at this as he said, "This test is complete." Soon enough he fired a rocket at them as it seem it was about to hit until Roadblock took notice of it quickly with his scenes in overdrive, he caught the rocket and return it to sender, with Scrap Iron and James shock by this as they sees the rocket coming towards them with hardly any time to react as James tries to turn away but the rocket exploded upon impact at the side of the helicopter shattering one of the windows with a rust of flames came forth after hitting only Scrap Iron as he cry out.
Somehow still able to fly, the Chopper flew out of site quickly as Roadblock soon turn his attention back onto the Joes as he grab their track and about to flip it until a loud sound of his favorite heavy metal music was playing snapping Roadblock back out of his rage as he look and caught site of Tunnel Rat and he was okay as he was running towards the Mech and said, "Whoa-whoa big guy, you know all this anger ain't you. Bang your head buddy."
"How is he doing that?" Casshern question as Luna soon realize what it could be as she said, "The music, it somehow reverse the effect within the mind, resetting it to a calmer state! Casshern stop the signal before the music finish!"
"Got it!" Casshern said as he came out of the truck once more as he leap towards the Mech as Roadblock was in a calmer state he quickly scan the Mech of where the sonic sound is coming from, quickly finding it, as he saw the sonic thing was busted so he can shut it down manually so he tries to go for the next best thing, and try to disconnect Roadblock from the mech, as he was about to do that Snake Eyes show up and pull out his sword as Casshern said to him, "Cut the wires and help me get him out of this thing."
Snake eyes nodded as he cut the cords that was behind Roadblock's head stopping the sonic sound for good as the mech, with Casshern tears off parts of the Mech suit to free Roadblock as the suit was about to move again, Snake eyes stab the power box causing the whole thing to shut down as they quickly out off with Casshern carrying Roadblock in his arms as Scarlet said, "Bring him slowly."
(helicopter)
With James still able to fly the chopper, he saw his partner in crime hurt and burn by the flames from the explosion as Scrap Iron held his own face with James said, "You will be avenged."
He pulled out a remote of sort as he activated a timer, no doubt he rig an explosive to the Mech itself.
(The Joes)
Duke and Tunnel Rat held Roadblock up, trying to get him into the truck until a beeping sound was heard as Duke state, "That beeping can't be good."
"Everyone get back!" Casshern said as everyone ran back into the truck with Casshern quickly grab the mech suit and with all his might throw the mech suit high into the air as the timer reach Zero, it exploded leaving no trace of the Mech suit.
After that with the smoke clear up a bit Casshern soon leaps back the truck and said, "Make tracks and get out of here before anyone comes to investigate the explosion."
"Don't have to tell me twice," Duke said as he reverse out of there fast while breaking a fence down as Casshern sat down to relax as Friender came up to him as Casshern rub the robot's dog's head and said, "ITs alright boy, it's going to be fine."
"You can say that again," Luna said as she hooks up Roadblock's MP3 and put the headphones in his ears as she records the data of how they can reverse the rage effect as she scan the soldier's brainwaves.
(Later at the hospital)
On the way to the hospital, Luna had put together something that could hook up to some speakers that emits a soft sonic tone with a song that everyone could enjoy that could bring back every soldier that was effect by the experiments they went through as the doctor was impressed by this as he said, "The sonic technology they were exposed to over stimulated the brain's survival reflex, eventually causing a mental crash, but this new sound seem to have... reboot their minds."
"And it can do more than just that, as I figure this could also treat soldiers with PTSD, calming their nerves and relax their minds, the proper way to treat it. I just never would had figured it was music that is the key," Luna said as she play some of roadblock metal music, as who would have known music would save the day, and help in a life changing way, as the doctor said, "No doubt with this breakthrough, we can also treat many others as well. I just don't know how to thank you."
"Just make sure any veterans is given the proper treatment and we can call it even," Casshern said as no doubt he wants what's best for everyone, as one of the soldiers soon came up to the group and wanting to shake their hands while he said, "Yo, what you guys did, well if it was up to us, you get medals. Hey what do we call you?"
"We're just ordinary Joe's, like you," Tunnel Rat said as he shake the man's hand as the guy said, "Alright joe's if I can ever be of service, look me up. They used to call me Steeler."
"We'll keep that in mind," Casshern said as suddenly a nurse call out to the doctor over the intercom and said, "Doctor Greer you have a call on line 1."
The doc went up to the phone and answer it as he heard what was said as he ask the joe's, "Does any of you know a Lieutenant Fairborn?"
With that the Joe's were already gone, no doubt they were expecting him, as the doc went out in the halls to see where they went only to be call out by Flint Fairborn as he said, "Doctor!"
As He and Lady Jay came up to Doctor Greer as the lieutenant said, "Where are they?"
"They? Oh right, you are looking for some soldiers," The doctor said without saying anything else as Flint said, "You know exactly who I'm talking about."
Before any else could be said, the sound of a truck could be heard driving away from the hospitals as flint and Jay look out the window just to miss them.
(out on the road)
With everything calm and relaxing, Scarlet could not help but look worry and said, "I suspect we made a new enemy today."
"Oh, that's great cause we needed more people shooting at us," Tunnel Rat said before Roadblock then responded by saying, "Nothing we can't handle."
Soon enough Roadblock play his music very loud that got on Tunnel Rat's nerves as Roadblock said, "Sing it if you know it."
with that as tunnel rat over his ears with Roadblock started singing to the sound, with his terrible singing cause Friender to lower his head and try to cover his ears with Casshern sighed in annoyance as Luna said, "Nothing to cure that unfortunately."
The joes drives off out of the City and head towards their next destination, wherever Cobra is at, they will be there, unknown to them not only they will face the enemy of the present, but from the future as well.
(Year 2590)
With the information from the doctor has been extracted, Breakingboss quickly order his builder to construct a Chrono machine that could sent anyone and anything through time most likely being a one-way trip as BreakingBoss said, "At last, we can go back in time to not only Calm the goddess but conquer a new time."
"I'm sure this is all well and good Boss, but it's unknown if it will work, and if it does most of our forces has been infected with the virus, we cannot send troops into the past unless we risk the Ruin to ravage the past early," Leda said as Breakingboss turn to her and said, "And what you do suggest then?"
"We'll send Dio into the past first with a Chrono bracer, if the machine works he'll send us a message back telling us we can cross over as well," Leda said as Breakingboss smile to this plan, and what she said is true as they cannot just send soldiers who could be infected with the ruin into the past, they need time to prepare and sort out those who could travel back in time as he said, "Fine then, sent Dio in first and after that gather and find those who aren't infected with the virus, after that we shall take over the past."
(TBC)
ESKK: Another day another chapter done. I hope you all enjoyed it and will seek to join us for the next one. Anyway, please leave a review for this story, revies make me want to do it more as long as they aren't the ones asking for updates. So, until we next meet, I will once more say here, ja-ne.
