"Stryker?! Please Curtis, pick up!"

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

A buzz came from the walkie talkie, the abrupt stiffensSmoke 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 enters the park, shutting the gate behind him, it was dusk. Stryker was quiet again. Tomas slowly works his way through the park towards the tree at the park's center. As he veries the park is clear, Tomas could not shake a dark feeling about this park.

Smoke approaches the big tree. He shakily calls out, "Curtis, where are you?" He pivots to his right and walks around the tree. A quiet thud from the rear alerts Smoke, he rapidly pivots to face its direction.

Stryker's pale body falls out of tree, it jolts slightly up as his head nears the ground.

Smoke gasps and leaps back, approaching the body slowly, Smoke analyzes Stryker's mangled, caved in face.

What... or who could have done this to you? Smoke ponders to himself.

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

Static.

He tries 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, they somehow flanked us on three sides, we've got to go!" Kabal yells hurriedly.

Damnit, Smoke grumbles to himself, oblivious someone else is now in the park.

Smoke adjusts the radio, Sub Zero picks up.

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

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

"No, I went to the rendevous point set by Stryker, someone must have ambushed him when he got here. 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 who flanked them.

"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 ruptures the transceiver, stunning Smoke in the process.

Smoke scrambles to his feet; he spins to meet a tall, white haired woman with milky white eyes.

Smoke rushed towards the woman, cutting her stomach deeply with 4 slashes from his blade, knocking the woman down with a powerful hook to her temple. The woman tries to return to her to feet, only making it onto one knee. Smoke transforms into vapor, he charges towards the woman head on. As he nears, she gets a second wind, rising to her feet, she channels her pain and anger into a more powerful scream, forcing Smoke back into his human form as his senses blur to together.

Smoke desperately throws two punches, both slow and weak. The oddly garbed woman laughs at him as she ducks both, countering with a knee to the jaw, spinning Smoke around. She places her left hand around his jaw, cranking it with her might as Smoke attempts in vain to break her grip.

"Pathetic Earthrealmer", mocks the woman bluntly.