Tremor was not having a good day. First some blind swordsman working for the Special Forces relentlessly chases him when he was just trying to enjoy a sandwich, then some freaky shapeshifting assassin nearly kills him, and now he's being interrogated by just about everyone he hates. Just splendid.

Tremor was dragged into a small, gray interrogation room, before being shoved into a chair in front of small table, at the other end of which stood Commander Blade and Major Briggs. "I s'pose you two've been waiting a long time for this." grumbled Tremor, cuffed to the table. "Let's cut the bullshit and get to the point. As of right now, you've got 2 options. Tell us everything you know about the whereabouts of the Black Dragon, or we spend the next few hours beating that information out of you." declared Sonya, glaring daggers at Tremor. "...Okay." with that, Tremor began listing all the places he knew the Black Dragon were still operating last he'd heard. "Wow...that was weirdly easy..." remarked Sonya, a surprised look on her face. "Is this part of some plan of yours?" she asked, eyeing Tremor suspiciously. "What? No, screw the Black Dragon! Those guys left me to die when Rock-Em Sock-Em Robots over here destroyed our old headquarters!" answered Tremor, pointing to Jax, who couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at the remark. "So, I told you everything I know. Can I go now? This whole base has too much olive green for my liking." asked Tremor, clearly wanting this to just be over with. "Don't think just because you spilled a whole silo of beans you're gettin' off scot-free. You think we just forgot all the vile crap you did while you were with the Black Dragon?" barked Jax, slamming his steel fist onto the table.

Tremor was taken aback briefly, before recomposing himself. "And what're you gonna do about it?" asked Tremor, smugly. "Last I checked, I have earth powers, you don't." Tremor rose from his chair, preparing to use his powers to escape, only for Sonya to throw a high-tech power-nullifying collar onto him. "G'ACK!" shouted Tremor as he suddenly felt his power leave him, falling to the floor. "And you didn't think we were prepared for something like this?" replied Sonya. "Now, all your charges, murder, illegal sale of unauthorized ballistic weapons, smuggling weapons and narcotics..." Sonya listed and added up Tremor's crimes. "...Normally, that's equivalent to a 75-year prison sentence, but since you were willing to tell us what you could about current Black Dragon operations, 25 years have been taken off, meaning you're luckily just getting 50. Major Briggs, take him down to the prison block." "Ma'am, yes ma'am." Jax grabbed Tremor off the ground and dragged him off to the Special Forces prison block, designed to hold powerful beings such as the earth ninja, where he was tossed into a small holding cell, which contained merely a cot and a lavatory stall. "Look on the bright side, perform well enough in your community service n' you'll probably get a couple more years knocked off your sentence." Jax sealed the cell door and walked off to continue trying to find the optimal way to approach assisting Kitana in the Outworld civil war.

Sat on the concrete floor of his cell, Tremor attempted to rip his power-nulling collar off, to little avail. Whatever the thing was made out of, it'd certainly take more than brute force to get it off. "Grrrgh...just gotta...hrrrgh..." grunted Tremor as he futilely tugged at the collar, when a voice, along with heavy breathing from the cell across from his piped up. "Pulling at its not gonna do shit, y'know. Only way that thing's coming off is with a specialized remote only Blade n' the rest of the top brass here have access to." Tremor looked to see who was talking: Kabal. Another ex-Black Dragon who'd last been seen deployed by Kano to act as a Special Forces mole, but seemingly disappeared during the Outworld invasion. Yet there he was, sitting right there in the cell opposite of Tremor's. "Kabal!? What're you doing here?" Tremor then noticed that unlike him, Kabal wasn't wearing any sort of power-nullifying collar. "And how come they didn't slap a collar on you like they did me?" Kabal shrugged. "I'unno. Probably because I'm here of my own volition." "Huh-what!?" shouted Tremor, bewildered at the thought of someone like Kabal willingly turning himself into the authorities. "You LET them throw you in here!? Last I saw you, you were spying on these guys!" Tremor squinted and saw that Kabal's life-support rebreather had been upgraded, now bearing the SF logo. "Well yeah, I was, but then the whole Outworld invasion happened..." explained Kabal, briefly venting his life-support device, causing it to emit a large amount of co2 with a loud hiss. "...and honestly, it's one thing to sell weapons and drugs to rebellions and governments, and to spy on international intelligence agencies, but Christ, sellin' out your whole world for a payday? You gotta draw the line somewhere. So I dropped outta the Black Dragon, joined the fight for Earth, then afterwards turned myself in to the Special Forces. Once these last few years of my sentence are up, I'm planning on heading back up to New York, become a cop or something." explained Kabal, leaving Tremor still dumbfounded. "I...er...what?" stuttered Tremor. "What? Is turnin' a new leaf that incomprehensible to ya?" asked Kabal with an air of sarcasm. "Well, no. I can get leaving the Black Dragon, they were a bunch of assholes, but why work with the Special Forces? The guys who've chased us around the world, and shot at us on sight?" Kabal leaned back on his cot. "Little thing called consequences of your actions', Tremor. Can't just overhaul your life without facing 'em."

Back on the upper floor of the Special Forces Command Center, Commander Blade and Major Briggs received an unexpected visit in the form of Kitana and General Kotal. "...As pleased as we are to see you, Princess Kitana, why are you here?" asked Sonya. "Yeah, with all due respect, shouldn't you be in Outworld fighting Mileena's forces?" questioned Jax. "I apologize for my sudden appearance, Commander Blade, but my general wanted to propose an idea he had that could turn the war in our favor." Kitana motioned to General Kotal, a large imposing man covered in teal body paint, and wearing gold and turquoise armor adorned with feathers and bones, similar to the Mesoamerican cultures of old. "Commander Blade..." greeted Kotal, his booming voice echoing through the base as he nodded towards Sonya. "Recently I have heard word from some of your men stationed in our realm that Major Briggs and Agent Takahashi have apprehended numerous figures of considerable power, yes?" "Hold up, I can already guess where this is going..." interrupted Jax, holding up a metal finger. "You want us to loan some of our prisoners to your army to try n' get the edge over Mileena." "Precisely, Major Briggs." nodded Kotal, smiling confidently. "If what I've heard from your men is true, these prisoners you hold possess power on par with some of Outworld's mightiest sorcerers and mages. Such power could be invaluable to winning this war!"

Jax and Sonya looked at each other, unsure of what to do. "Are you entirely sure about this plan of yours, General?" asked Sonya. "Even if we did lend you a penal unit, what'd be preventing them from just making a run for it and wreaking havoc once they arrive in Outworld?" "Seeing as you were able to detain them, you certainly have means of rendering them incapable of using their powers." reassured Kotal. "And if any of them dare attempt to betray me or Princess Kitana..." Kotal pulled out and brandished his massive macuahuitl, small blades running along the war-club's edges. "...I will ensure they will not live to regret it." "I see..." remarked Sonya, lightly taken aback. She then turned to Jax, wanting his thoughts on the matter. "Well, if you can keep 'em in line and make sure they don't run off, then I don't why not. Though they'll probably need a little incentive..."

Down in the prison block, Tremor had been passing the time by scratching crude doodles into the wall with a loose screw, mostly consisting of Sonya and Jax dying in various horrific ways. "Rrrrgh...I swear, the second I figure out how to get this collar off, I'm gonna-" suddenly, Tremor was interrupted by Special Forces personnel flooding into the prison, opening various cells and dragging the inmates out, including him. "Hey, what the hell!?" exclaimed Tremor as a large group of soldiers grabbed him by the arms and dragged him out. Eventually, Tremor found himself on the upper floor, lined up next to Kabal and various other odd-looking prisoners, including a man in a leather trench coat with a missing sleeve and another wearing a Red Army officer cap and a strange cybernetic chest attachment that was glowing red. "Kabal? Why're they lining us up like this!?" whispered Tremor to Kabal. "Hell if I know. Firing squad, probably." muttered Kabal nonchalantly. "W-what!?" Tremor couldn't help but mildly panic at the prospect of death by firing squad, especially seeing as neither Blade nor Briggs mentioned anything about an execution. Before he could panic any further, the soldiers surrounding them parted to make way for Commander Blade, flanked by Kitana and Kotal. "Mavado, Hsu Hao, Kabal, and of course...Tremor." announced Blade, acknowledging each prisoner by name. "The 4 of you were most likely aware that you were initially given extensive prison sentences along with community service. Well, that's changed a bit." Sonya motioned over to Kotal and Kitana. "Princess Kitana and General Kotal here have been leading an army in a civil war tearing their realm apart. Now, me and Major Briggs have been attempting to offer whatever support we could, but the General has a plan that if you 4 comply with, you might just be rewarded handsomely, on top of a reduced sentence." Mavado scoffed. "Hmmph, and just what would this 'reward' of yours be?" Kitana stepped forward. "If we win this war with your help, you will be granted residency in Outworld. A chance to live freely in peace. But should you mistake our generosity and trust for weakness..." Kitana drew one of her bladed fans, delivering the mother of all death glares to the 4 convicts. "You'll leave for Outworld tomorrow." informed Sonya, before motioning for her men to escort the prisoners back to their cells. "Hmmm...living in Outworld...no Black Dragon...no Special Forces..." contemplated Tremor as his cell door was closed behind him.

THE FOLLOWING MORNING:

Tremor, Kabal, Hsu Hao, and Mavado were marched into a Special Forces cargo plane, which was also carrying a large number of supplies and soldiers. As the convicts were marched onboard, in the hangar Sonya noticed Jax packing a duffel bag with equipment, including his grenade launcher, which had his wife's name 'Vera' affectionately engraved on the side of the barrel. "Jax? What are you doing?" asked Sonya legging it over to him. "Look, Commander, I have faith in Kotal n' all, but even with that collar, I still don't trust Tremor enough to let him outta my sight." Jax slung the bag over his shoulder as Kenshi walked over to report to Sonya. "Commander Blade, the penal unit's onboard and the supplies are secured. Just need approval for takeoff and the portal to be opened." "Permission for takeoff granted, Agent Takahashi." Sonya saluted to Kenshi before turning back to Jax. "Just watch yourself out there, Jax. I don't want to have to send you back to Vera and Jacqui in a coffin." "I can handle myself just fine, Sonya." chuckled Jax. "Well, then see you later, Major Briggs." said Sonya, saluting. "See ya then, Commander Blade." Jax reciprocated the salute, before walking with Kenshi to board the cargo plane.

Sonya walked over to a high-tech console where several technicians were already at work. "How's the portal coming along?" asked Sonya, putting on a radio headset. "Everything's in working order, ma'am. Just gotta get the generators online and we'll be good to go." answered one of the portal technicians, flipping various switches. Inside the plane, Tremor and Kabal struck up some conversation: "So, what's your beef with that Mavado guy? You've been glaring at him almost all day." asked Tremor. "Hmmph, him n' that Hsu Hao guy're part of some weird cult-gang called the Red Dragon. Used to cause tons of trouble for me back when I was with the Black Dragon. One time the guy ambushed me, left me for dead, and stole my hookswords as a trophy. Paid him back a few months later by beating the tar outta him, taking my swords back, then leaving him for the Special Forces. Heh, look at his face, he definitely remembers." Kabal pointed to Mavado, who looked just as pissed to have to be working with Kabal. Suddenly, Sonya's voice came in over a radio. "Agent Takahashi, this is Commander Blade, do you copy?" Kenshi grabbed the radio's communicator. "This is Agent Takahashi, we're geared for takeoff, over." "Copy that, prepping portal now, over."

Sonya hung up the radio and turned to the portal technicians. "Alright, fire it up!" With that, a technician turned a key to open the case to a large orange button, then slammed his fist on it. As the button was pressed, a pair of large metal pillars on the runway began arcing with unearthly energy, eventually forming a large spiraling portal between them. Back inside the plane, the portal's formation was enough to cause the plane to begin lightly shaking. "Huh!? The hell's going on!?" shouted Hsu Hao looking around in a panic. Tremor looked out one of the plane's windows to see the portal forming. "What in the...?" uttered Tremor in disbelief. "Agent Takahashi, all lights on the portal system read green, you are cleared for takeoff, over." "Copy that, Commander." Kenshi leaned into the cockpit to let the pilots know that it was time to get going. The plane began moving forward toward the portal, picking up speed. "Uhhh...you sure this is entirely safe?" asked Tremor, clearly nervous. "Eh, ain't seen any ill side effects yet!" replied Jax, smirking. This did nothing to ease Tremor as he looked out the window nearest to him to see some of the portal's energy arcing off the plane's exterior as it tumbled closer. "Ohgodohgodohgod..." muttered Tremor, opting to close his eyes as the plane eventually disappeared through the portal.

SEVERAL HOURS LATER- OUTWORLD:

"...Tremor...TREMOR!" Tremor opened his eyes to see Kabal elbowing him. "Open your eyes, ya big baby!" Tremor looked outside to see that the portal did in fact, not kill them. But what he saw only confused him. The sky was now a light shade of violet, and they were now flying over a vast desert littered with odd-looking ruins. "What in the-!?" exclaimed Tremor as he saw what could only assume was a dragon fly past. "Welcome to Outworld, gentlemen." said Jax, smirking as he lit a cigar. Kenshi meanwhile pressed the radio. "Agent Takahashi to Midway, requesting permission for landing. Do you copy Midway?" "This is Midway. The runway's prepared, you are cleared for landing, over." Kenshi switched channels to the pilots. "Alright, we're cleared for landing! Bring her down." As the plane began its descent, Kenshi turned to everyone else. "Alright people! We're going in to land. Better hold on to something, it's gonna be rough..."

Kenshi's advice proved reasonable as the "runway" at the Special Forces Outworld outpost wasn't so much a runway as it was a field of sand lined with flares. The plane shook violently as the landing gear touched the desert. "WOAH! WHAT THE-!?" shouted Kabal as he fell out of his seat, only for Tremor to follow, landing on top of him. "TREMOR, GET OFFA ME!" yelled Kabal. "YOU GET OUT FROM UNDER ME!" retorted the hulking earth-bender. Eventually, the plane came to a stop, dust settling around it. "Alright, everyone move! Go!" ordered Jax, getting up and grabbing his duffel bag. Soldiers grabbed Tremor and the rest of the penal unit, escorting them out of the plane.

Tremor, Kabal, Hsu Hao, and Mavado were handcuffed and escorted through the makeshift Special Forces outpost, mostly comprised of improvised armories, labs and bunkers set up in abandoned ruins. "Wow, real impressive place you got here." snarked Mavado. "What're they gonna hold us in? A mud-hut?" As the group moved forward, Tremor couldn't help but notice a considerable amount of corpses on the ground, both of SF operatives and Outworld warriors. "The hell do you think happened here?" whispered Tremor over to Kabal. "Well, they did mention there's a whole civil war happening here, probably wouldn't take a genius to guess how those bodies got there." As if to serve as an answer, Jax halted the escort, and ahead they saw Kitana, Kotal, and various Outworld and Special Forces soldiers clearing the last of an ambush. "Ah! Welcome, Major Briggs." greeted Kotal, pulling his macuahuitl out of a Tarkatan's back. "I apologize that you weren't able to arrive to meet us in less violent conditions." said Kitana. "Well at least you two are ok. You able to tell us the casualties?" asked Jax, looking to see the aftermath of the earlier attack. "At least over a dozen were killed, and twice as many injured. Though fortunately their wounds didn't seem too grave." explained Kitana. She was then approached by a Tarkatan in a horned helmet, cleaning his arm-blade. "Baraka, how are the wounded doing?" asked Kitana, worried. "They recover swiftly, and should be fit to resume service by tomorrow." snarled Baraka through his massive, toothy mouth. "But we cannot stay here for much longer, Your Highness. If Mileena's forces know where we are, they are more than likely preparing another assault as we speak!"

Jax solemnly nodded. "Well damn... We'd better get workin' on a plan to get our operations someplace safer." "Me and Kotal have already decided on a new location to host our operations. We simply need support to get us there with minimal casualties." said Kitana, then turning to Baraka, pointing towards Tremor, Kabal, Hsu Hao, and Mavado. "Baraka, bring them to the holding area. Me and Kotal shall discuss with Major Briggs and Agent Takahashi about our evacuation to the Kathedral. "Consider it already done, Your Highness." Baraka shouted orders at some other Tarkatan soldiers in their native tongue, who then promptly grabbed Tremor and company and began dragging them to an old dungeon area in the improvised base. As they were moved, Kabal seemed to recognize Baraka. "Wait a sec... weren't you one of the leaders of the Outworld invasion a few years back?" asked Kabal to the Tarkatan general. "Hrrrgh...yes, I helped lead Shao Kahn's armies in the attack on your realm..." answered Baraka, with an air of regret in his voice in regards to the matter. "Then why're you helping the guys who rebelled against him in the first place?" Baraka grimaced. "Me and my people had little choice in the matter. Almost all we had known up to then had was service to the Kahn... but following Shao's defeat, Kitana opened our eyes! For too long have the Tarkatans been treated like disposable dogs! We will shatter the last of the shackles Shao Kahn had placed unto us, even if we must die doing so!" As Baraka finished yelling, the group walked down a stairwell leading to an old hallway lined with worn steel prison cells. "...and if Princess Kitana can open even my eyes..." growled Baraka as he had his men throw Tremor and Kabal into one cell, Hsu Hao and Mavado into the one next to it. "...then perhaps she could even open the eyes of ones as misbegotten as you lot." sneered Baraka, slamming the door to Tremor and Kabal's cell.

As Baraka and his Tarkatans stormed upstairs from the dungeon, Tremor and Kabal looked at each other. "'Open our eyes'? What's that supposed to mean?" asked Tremor. "Eh, probably something about doing hero-y stuff for the sake of it." shrugged Kabal. "Hm. Y'know, my mind keeps going back to that reward Blade promised us for helping win this war for the princess..." said Tremor, remembering what Sonya had briefed them on earlier. "I mean, free housing in a completely different realm, free from the Special Forces' surveillance! Sounds too good to be true, really..." Tremor leaned against the stone wall, his rocky arms crossed. "That's 'cause it's probably not." muttered Kabal. "If anything, they're probably expecting us to die out here." "Hey! Were we considered some of the most dangerous men on earth back when we ran with the Black Dragon for no reason?" asked Tremor. "I mean, of course not." replied Kabal, lifting his face up to meet Tremor's. "Then let's show these Outworld guys why the Special Forces bent over backwards to capture us! Let's show them that we're not just fodder meat! Unlike those guys next door..." declared Tremor, motioning over to the cell containing Hsu Hao and Mavado. "Yeah! You're right! If we're gonna be stuck in Outworld, then let's put boots to asses while we're here!" exclaimed Kabal, him and Tremor tightly wrapping their hands around each other's, akin to Schwarzenegger and Weathers. "Though then there's the question about when we'll get to put boots to asses..." noted Tremor. "Eh, we're here to help in a civil war. We'll probably see some action soon enough." said Kabal, grabbing a sharp rock and scratching some lines into the cell wall. "In the meantime, tic-tac-toe?" asked the speedster on life support, offering Tremor another sharpened rock. "Hmm, why not?" said Tremor, opting to take up Kabal's offer to kill some time, grabbing the rock and etching an X into one of the squares.