"Stryker?! Please Curtis, pick up!"

Smoke whispered into the walkie talkie. His anxiety growing by the minute. It was 20 minutes since he last talked the Curtis, he said everything was all clear but he did not meet at the rendevous point.

A buzz came from the walkie talkie, stiffening Smoke slightly.

"Sorry for the late response, I had a horde of tarkatans after me, I'm lying low at the bowling alley, but let's regroup at Maxwell park, uhh I mean the park with the giant oak tree in the middle. I'll should be there l in approximately 20 minutes."

"I'll see you then." Smoke quickly jams the walkie talkie into his side pocket and begins a steady run.

-

By the time Smoke entered the park, shutting the gate behind him, it had become dusk. Stryker had gone quiet again. Tomas slowly worked his way through the park towards the tree at the park's center. But no matter how much he verified he was alone he could not shake a dark feeling about this park.

Smoke approached the big tree. He shakily called out, "Curtis, where are you?" He turned to his right and began to walk around the tree. A quiet thud from the rear alerted Smoke, causing him to rapidly pivot to face its direction.

Stryker's pale body falls out of tree, jolting slightly up before his head could hit the ground.

Smoke gasped and jumped back, he approached the body slowly, analyzing the his mangled, caved in face.

What... or who could have done this to you? He pondered to himself.

Smoke took the radio from his fallen comrade's pocket and contacted Jax, Johnny and Sonya first, like Curtis requested.

Static.

He tried Kabal, Jade and Kitana.

Kabal spoke over the two and responded eagerly, "Curtis, are you ok?? It's not like you to be late."

"I-it's me Smoke, Curtis... i-

The sound of a stampede came through the walkie talkies microphone.

"We've encountered more of Outworld's hordes, we've got to go." Kabal yelled hurriedly.

Damnit, Smoke grumbled to himself, completely unaware someone else had entered the park.

Smoke went back to radio and tried Sub Zero.

"Kuai Liang, come in! Stryker is down!" His words flew out in a loud whisper.

"Are you hurt??" Kuai Liang responded nervously.

"No, I went to the rendevous point he set, and someone must have ambushed him when he got there. If they know that, they might find the base!"

"I'll contact someone, I'm in no condition to come after my encounter with Sektor."

"You'll have to contact Raiden and Nightwolf, Jax's team returned static and the others are preoccupied with Outworld hordes.

"They are busy too, I am sorry I cannot come help Tomas.."

"I understand.. I'm coming back to base."

"See you soon, br-

An ear piercing scream ruptured the transceiver, stunning Smoke in the process.

Smoke scrambled to his feet; turning to meet a tall, white haired woman with milky white eyes.

Smoke charged the woman, cutting her stomach deeply with two slashes from his blade. The woman fell onto one knee. Smoke transformed into vapor and charged towards the woman head on. Once he was close, she stumbled to her feet, channeling her pain and anger into a much stronger scream that knocked Smoke back into his human form and his senses blur to together.

Smoke desperately threw two punches, much slower and weaker than usual. The oddly garbed woman laughed at him and ducked both, countering with a knee that spun Smoke around. She put her left hand around his jaw, and spun it with her might.

"Pathetic Earthrealmer", says the woman bluntly.