Wasteland

[Moneytalks]

Satra

ooc: Sorry guys... didn't have much chance to log on this weekend! Forgive me! [hugs all round]

IC: SATRA

Satra followed Lunden up after getting over the surprise at the strange guys peculiar ability.

Once above ground she saw...

Complete devastation. In a perfectly circular radius around them. The devastation went on for a good kilometer or more.

It was like the area around the sewer entrance had been flattened by some explosion of sorts. An eerie glow was all that remained. Curiously however, a large block of ore had been obviously placed over the sewer entrance to stop anything exiting. It was too convenient to imagine that it was just randomly fallen debri.

It was what stood just beyond the sewer entrance that was really worrying though. A small machine of sorts. Perhaps half Satra's own height but three times as wide. It was almost circular. It seemed dormant at the moment but the fact that it was obviously unscathed was not a good sign.

Satra frowned.

"Come on rubber boy..." she said Denoitnem, "bring that light of yours closer to this thing. Let's look and see if we can't figure out what the hell it is... Lunden, keep an eye out, I don't want to get caught by surprise out here."

Denoitnem and Satra moved towards the machine. As Denoitnem's light source approached, something happened. A low hum started to emit from the machine. Satra held up her hand to stop them both in their tracks. Nothing else happened.

They moved cautiously closer. When they were within a meter of it some lights appeared to switch on around it's perimeter. Satra frowned and looked at the glowing orb and then back to the machine.

"What the...? Rubber boy... you... move back again would you?" Denoitnem moved away from the machine and the lights disappeared.

"Okay..." she looked at Denoitnem, "where the hell did you get that thing?" Pointing at the glowing orb.

 

[Moneytalks]

Sage

Sage followed behind Thallon. She felt. Ill at ease. She felt with Thallon ahead and the two other humans behind she was trapped should anything try and pounce on them. Still she didn't question Thallon's directions. She wondered about that briefly. Having had to rely on herself for so long, it had been almost a relief to rely on someone else for a change.

The larger human was injured. She'd wanted to offer him some help but there didn't seem enough time so she just stuck as close to Thallon as possible. She too lent a thought to Valerios. She would have liked for him to have been with them right now.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Thallon

The Martians were advancing from behind. now and again, as we moved through the darkened rooms of the fourth floor, their fire would nearly graze one of us as they found our position. We'd not return fire though, and creeping around in the dark, we'd manage to slip them again.
We were in a bad way, trapped by the enemy. Martian soldiers behind us and the Cruisers outside attacking the bridgecolumn.
An explosion caught our attention, finally letting us know where the bridgecolumn was. We ran to it, the Martians having covered most of he floor by then, setting posts here and there to inform the others should we try to sneak past.
The entrance was already covered, two Martians on either side of the sliding metal doorway.
No sense in thinking it out, I thought, It'll just waste time getting to the point.
I fired quickly at one, hitting it three times in the chest. Madge took quick aim and killed the other, and amid enemy fire, we were sprinting through the doorway, which opened automaticall as we reached it. We fired back as we ran, not aiming but letting our weapons discharge at random, trying to set them more to the defensive in order to get through safely. It almost worked too, but not so well as we would have hoped.I got through, then slid behind the wall to one side and fired from behind it, trying to offer good cover fire as Sage and Madge came through as well.
Sten was injured, however, and therefore not as fast as the rest of us.
The first shot that hit him struck his left shoulder, the blood immediately spilling down his side. He continued, his body turned slightly to the right so he could fire backward, the weapon vibrating like crazy as it let out pellet after pellet in rapid succession.
He's a warrior to the end, I thought. And that's what this just might be.
He was struck in the thigh next, causing him to lose his balance and stagger forward, falling just a few feet away from the door, getting hit a third and fourth time on the way to the floor, once in the center of the back and once through the neck. He was still alive though, letting go of his weapon and trying to pull himself forward with his hands.
"Sten," Madge, shouted, her voice angry and straining against tears both at once.
"Shit," I spat, crouching down to get a little closer to him, "C'mon man."
He was clawing at the floor, trying to dig his fingernails into the old carpeting, managing only a half-fot or so with each attempt.
Well, I thought, here goes nothing.
I stood again, this time turning back and forth as I fired into the room and stepped quickly toward the man, then dropped down and grabbing him by his right wrist. Madge and SAge fired wildily into the building, managing to throw off most of the enemy's concentration long enough for me to start to pull, half-standing again for better leverage and firing the weapon into the room as well. I had him in the entranceway in only a few seconds, then Sage grabbed his other arm and the four of us were all through.
Madge struck the control panel hard, and the doors closed shut, THen she struck it again, this time with the butt of her weapon, causing sparks to fly from it and the lights above it to go dim.
"They're not coming in now..." SHe said.
Yeah, I thoguth, but where are we going...

 

[Moneytalks]

Sage

Sage looked down at the large injured human.

She had seen the blood. Knew his wounds were critical.

"Not good..." she said to no one in particular. Without ceremony she turned him onto his back then quickly rolled him to his side so he wouldn't choke on his own blood.

He grunted but seemed unable to respond much more than that. Sage pulled out a sharp bone she used as an alternative blade. Since her knife had been disposed of by the Lucian princess. She cut open Sten's shirt and only turned to Thallon when she had trouble with the buckles holding his ammo to his body. Thallon quickly undid the clasps and the material fell away to reveal blood.

Sage used the blood scraps of his shirt to blot away the blood trying to seen the extent of his injuries. She pulled out her herbal water and splashed it across the wounds. Sten shivered but his breathing seemed to ease as the water penetrated the wounds numbing them.

Sage shoved the bottle towards his mouth.

"Drink... is good..." she commanded. He gulped down the water, coughing on the third mouthful. Sage removed the bottle and secured the cap. She pulled out her herbal kit. A canvas bag that opened and rolled out to reveal several dozen of her herbal remedies neatly packed into smaller packets of leather. She quickly opened two of them and poured a liberal amount of them both into the palm of her hand. The smell was intense. She rubbed the two herbs together with her thumb making a paste of sorts with some more water.

She applied this to his major wounds and it stemmed the bleeding considerably. She tore open the material around his leg wound and did the same again. Then she wrapped his leg with the bloody mess that was his shirt.

"He must rest..." she frowned clearly showing her belief that he would probably not survive. She stood up and stretched looking around their cage as she effectively considered it.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Thallon

We're trapped, i thought. No question.
THe bridgecolumn was severe in half by Martian fire, the Cruisers having destroyed almost ten feet of the column right in the center, severing the two buildings, but not entirely.
THe three of us could make the jump, but Sten would never make it, if he could even walk on his own.
Sage was wrapping his wounds, mixing some tonic in her hands and caring for him. I helped her when she needed help, but mostly stayed out of her way. She knew what she was doing, I was sure.
I surveyed the situation. THe bridge column was about fifty feet long, six feet wide and eight feet tall, minus the section that was missing.
Opposite us, leaning against the other doorway, were two men, one holding a weapon up, in the ready position, then other slumped down, motionless. Standing nearby were two more men, one holding a piece of cloth tightly to his upper arm, the other appearing uninjured.
"I think we've found our men," I said to Madge, as Sage stood and stretched, having finished nursing Sten.
Madge, looked over and said, "Yeah, that's them."
SHe was crying, tears streaking down her cheeks. I couldn't help but stare. I didn't want to, but I couldn't turn away.
"You both must think I'm pretty weak." SHe broke down then. I doubted she was scared, but I got the feeling she and Sten were close. "I've heard what you're like, that you can be callous when its least necessary. But save it for someone else."
I knew she meant me, had heard the war stories from others in which Iwas someone else altogether. Rumors, I thought, harmful rumors only vaguely based on reality...
Enemy fire was hitting the opposite side of the column, but not doing much damage. Just the Martians reminding the men trapped over there that they hadn't left.
"I don't think you're weak," I said, "But I do think we're in trouble. We all have to be together on this...that includes them."
I pointed to the team across the Bridgecolumn.
"We can't go back inside, so how do we get him over there?"

 

[Darklord]

Valerios

All the while the little group was fighting it's way to relative safety, Valerios had to been busy. Creeping up behind the lone sentry on duty near the rear of the ship Valerios seized his head in his hands, and turned them...

Letting the now limp body slide to the ground, he motioned Yournal to the back of the ship. Dragging the body he joined her as she began prying at a access plate on the rear of the crusier. Finally getting it open they stripped the martian of his explosives and packing them in there set a small timer equipped gernade in there too to act as the primer. They did this by running the leads of the main left rear attitude jet controller to the timer itself. This was done so that 10 seconds after the attitude jet was first fired, it would set off the load of explosives effectively crippling the ship from flying.

That done, they set there suits onto stealth mode and running went into the building to see if they could help the trapped humans.

 

[Lady_Siren]

Lucia was quietly standing in the water ignoring her cold achy muscles when she heard "you like her don't you" then a curse. She frowned not because of the idea disgusted more on the lines that is didn't disgust her. Burying her face in her hands she was surprised when Terrin approached her. She blushed as he led her out. Suddenly gaurds appeared out of nowhere. The ship took off leaving Terrin and her alone. He cut her down when a Lucian approached. "Terrin? I presume." she stared at the Lucian not quite able to see his face. "State your name" she ordered hautily in a very bad mood.

 

[Moneytalks]

Lucian Priestess Charnai

"Holiness, it has been done."

The Priestess sat on her throne of impressive white ore called 'Glint' which was mined exclusively on the planet moon Glamour.

She was old. How old no one quite knew and no one dared ask. She had been in existence for what seemed like generations. Many turned to her for advice and though she had no official position on the council, her word held much weight and power.

She sat back and absorbed this information. She was feeling her age more so now than she ever had. Still so much to be done. She felt a passing sympathy for the young princess Lucia. She had a fondness for the feisty girl but all was necessary for the greater good. The old Priestess had been around too long to let mere fondness get in the way of the greater good.

"Has Lord Larince made his move?" She asked with her raspy voice.

"We have had no word as yet Holiness."

The Priestess lifted a hand indicating she was to be left alone. The servant bowed out silently. The great doors to her meeting rooms closed quietly behind him. Alone at last she let herself relax slightly. She pushed herself off the throne and walked towards the great windows which had one of the best views of the gardens below.

She peered down at them and absorbed their beauty.

"It is an intricate dance we dance now..." she murmered to herself.

 

[Moneytalks]

Sage

Sage was curious about the tears she saw on Madge's face. The last time she recalled tears was when her father had passed on and her mother had fallen into senseless weeping. Even then Sage was aware that her mother was in pain but she couldn't fully understand it. As far as Sage knew, she'd never cried herself. She never felt the need.

Perhaps she wasn't really human? Maybe human's were meant to cry? She shrugged and looked around at the other humans. Some were obviously injured.

"Thallon... many hurt... what do now?" She asked with a look of absolute faith in him.

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Thallon

"Thallon...many hurt...what do now?"
Sage, inquiring on the next step. I looked to her, seeing an expression on her face that was undeniably one of faith.
What do now, indeed, I thought. I smiled, trying to give the impression that I had a plan, but I didn't...not even a clue as to what we COULD do that WOULDN'T work, nonetheless a plan that would.
We could make the jump, leaving Sten behind. He would probably die anyway, but I just couldn't leave him, not while he was still breathing.
So what now?
"Madge," I began, "Do you think you could take Sage and get those men out of here?"
"Me? What are you going to do?"
"Stay with him," I said, pointing to Sten.
Sage was already protesting, with her mannerisms and expression.
"I know," I said, "But we're running out of options."
SHe looked over at Sten, her eyes still wet, but her crying under control. SHe shook her head.
"I don't leave men behind."
"I told you, I'll stay with him."
"I meant you!" SHe snapped, then mouthed the words "He's not going to make it."
I nodded, letting her know I understood that.
I glanced to him as well. He lay still, eyes closed, as though he were sleeping, his chest rising and falling heavily.
"Okay," I agreed, "We stay together for now. But what then?"
"We can..." SHe trailed off, looking across at the men gathered on the other end of the bridgecolumn.
I glanced over. One of them came closer, waving for us to come nearer. Enemy fire currently pelted against the outside of the column, but was poorly aimed. I held up one hand to Madge, telling her to stay put, then hurried over toward him, stopping as close as I could get to the edge without drawing the Cruisers' attention.
"My nameis Geoffrey," he said. "Is that Madge, are you from the Republic?"
I nodded.
"We can still get out through this doorway, but there's nowhere to go but up."
"WHo's hurt?" I asked.
"Two of us," he replied. "One in the arm, minor wound, the other in the thigh and the side, also minor, but he can't walk. He's losing blood pretty fast too. I'm the only one uninjured."
"What about the other one?"
He shook his head, "Dead, sir."
I nodded. "I'll be back in a few moments. Stay where its safe."
He nodded and we both headed back to our own sides. WHen i got there, Madge was on her knees next to Sten, seemingly whispering something in his ear.
"What's she doing?" I asked Sage. Sage shrugged.
Madge looked up then, her eyes wet with fresh tears. "I think we can go now," she said, fresh tears spilling down her face. I looked to Sage, wondering if she would cry as well. SHe just looked at the girl, seeming amazed at her crying.
"He's...?"
SHe nodded, really starting to break down. I stood watching, wondering if she'd done something to speed the process. No time to ask now...best to get moving.
"Are you gonna--"
"Yes," she snapped, standing up and taking hold of her weapon again. "Let's just go."
She started toward the break in the bridgecolumn.
"Okay, Sage," I said. "We'll follow her lead, we're just running up and jumping across as fast as we can. GOt it?"
SHe nodded.

 

[Moneytalks]

Sage

Sage knew that the man wasn't dead but it seemed that the woman meant to tell Thallon otherwise. She agreed with that. She didn't want him staying behind with a man that might well die anyway. She wouldn't have let him. Of this she was incredibly determined.

She also didn't like the idea of going up, there after jumping into the unknown. She wasn't afraid of the unknown but she knew there were other options. For some reason though... every one seemed determined to save the other humans. She wondered at having a pack so large that it still required to spend it's own to save it's own. They'd never have survived in the desert. It's no wonder so many of them were already wounded she reasoned.

She followed Thallon and decided that if he wanted to do this then she would follow. For now that was all that mattered. She hadn't really fired her weapon much but she already knew it was inferior to the one that Valerios had let her use. It was inacurate and slow. Still she'd managed to off a few of the strange creatures. These were new. One's she'd never seen before. Strange shaped and sized. Thin with large heads all identical in suits. They moved with amazing precision. She couldn't help but admire really.

They moved onwards. Two men helping one that couldn't walk on his own. Another strange concept. This saving one that might end up being permanently lame. No good for hunting. Weak. She was finding already in this short association that human packs had very very strange ideas. She wasn't sure she liked it but for now Thallon had agreed to join them so she was resigned to learn their ways.

"Valerios will come..." she said. She just knew he would. He was a friend. He was out there somewhere and she knew he was stronger and quicker than humans. Again... she just had faith.

 

[Darklord]

Valerios

He and Yournal were sweeping their way through the pitiful Martian resistence. Their suits on Stealth Mode and bearing now captured Martian Assault Rifles in each of their four hands they made their silent but deadly way up the stairs. Like a pair of wolves searching for food in winter they struck and were never seen.

Reaching the fourth floor they saw evidence of fighting move off the stairwell into the rooms beyond. Placing himself at the door, Valerios nodded and kicking knocked the door in. Yournal dove past him guns blazing into the now packed room full of Martians. Valerios came right behind and rolled behind a large desk and promptly set up shop for the ensuing fire-fight.

A few minutes later all was quiet on the fourth floor as He and Yournal made their way to the far side where the door to the bridge was. Looking at the dead Martians in front of it, Valerios fingered the cutting equipment they had been carrying. Looking at Yournal he asked "The others on the far side of this door?"

 

[poohlive]

"Actually, it's quite conveniant it turned out like this," he walked over to the head console, beginning to press in key sequences. At once power returned to the entire room.

"Forgive me, Princess. I am Security Matron for this ship. Your quarters are being worked on as we speak, I believe they will be ready as soon in a few moments."
The other Lucian ran over to her, covering her up with a dazzling robe.
"Princess, I hope you find this to your liking."

The Matron continued his speech, "You see. The council has told us of your little plan for quite some time now. They've wanted just the right moment for you to pull it off. I have to admit, it would have worked too if we hadn't been ready."
Terrin's ship just entered the earth's atmosphere again. It left their sight in a long red slant. Terrin could do nothing but watch and groan, seeing all he had worked for go to pieces.
"The council has wanted to get on our good side for quite some time now, and this seemed just like the perfect chance for them. We agreed, but unfortunately had plans of our own. Plans to wipe out the humans from earth forever."
More key sequences were being punched in. Terrin didn't like where this was going.
"The council thought it would be a good idea to turn you over, seeing as now you are a intergalaxian terrorist. It's a shame thousands of Lucians died from your horrible acts."
If he hadn't been unable to move he would have socked that son of a bitch right in the gut, whever it was. He knew there wasn't a single death from his actions. Not a one.
"Of course, a Terrorist action does require quick and precise justice," a red glow began to appear in the room.
"You see, the Lucians have tried to destory Zion for years, but under the Earth Protection Act, no one has been able to get rid of it. The land is too harsh for any ground troops to go in, and since it was rumored you have ground to air missiles we haven't had any ships get close enough to attack.
"We needed something that would bypass the EPA and justify blowing up the entire city."
A small tremble went through the ship as a small yellow device headed straight for earth. With that, he was let loose from his mental prison. Quickly, he ran to the window, looking outside.
"Oh no..." He looked on helplessly as the missle slowly but surely made it towards it's mark.
"But.. it's only one missle. That won't destory Zion entirely?"
"On the contrary. Zion is directly under a huge mineral deposit. Mostly explosive compounds if acted together. A carefully directed laserbeam could explode half of the country. Which is why it was illegal to blow it up from space."
"No, but all those innocent people, don't they at least get a chance to escape? This is mass murder?"
The Lucian simply shook his head, watching from the window with much fascination.
He turned around, looking at the princess. His only hope.
"Please," he ran to her, sliding half of the way on in knees looking at her.
"I know I've been a horrible example of humankind, but it was just a bluff. My species needed that transformer, and we needed you to help us."
He looked in her eyes, such strange eyes, honestly he didn't know if she was believing him or not. It didn't stop him though.
"Princess, please. There are innocent children down there that are going to die without my help. All I'm asking is to open a comm link, just one link. Thirty seconds to tell them to evacuate. Please, just let me warn them."
The Matron waved his hand, "Take Terrin to his cell. He will be executed in the morning."
"Princess!" two Lucians grabbed him, he was still looking at her as he was being dragged out of the room.
"Don't act like you can ignore this. They need to be warned! You Can't do this to innocent people. YOU CAN'T!!!"

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Lunden

OOC: I'm holding off on Lunden. Bobo hasn't replied in a while. If we have to, we can leave his character here and continue on, then let him write himself back in later...

Can anyone tell me if the devastation above the sewer entrance was caused by the Lucian missile...or by something else, with the missile still on its way?

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Thallon

When we reached the other side, managing to slip through the opening without getting hit (although the enemy fire was fierce) we quickly went to the others that waited there. I slowed my pace when I saw the figure sitting there, against the closed doors.
"Shit," I spat, unsure of whether I wanted to help him, or if I should shoot him then and there. The urge was almost overpowering, but I held my temper. The others wouldn't understand. Anger was a strong opponent, but I wouldn't yeild to it. Not now anyway.
"Thallon," he said, looking up at me, his lips seeming to want to smile, "You're--"
"Cut the chit-chat," Madge broke in, catching her breath, managing to control her tears now, though I guessed she was only postponing another crying session for a time not much more than minutes away. "I'm pulling rank here."
"Madge," the voice was in the headset. I raised my weapon in reflex, then lowered it again. Behind us, on the other side of the door we'd just sealed, was heavy gunfire.
"Yeah, Walter."
"Have you got to them yet? Is everyone okay?"
"We lost Sten," she replied, a fresh tear rolling down her cheek. She kept her composure though. "One of the men we're after is dead."
SHe pointed to the corpse sitting agains the wall. "Who's he?"
"Benning." One replied.
"A man named Benning. Other than that, we have two injuries, one seeming to be minor, the other looking to be hurt worse, but probably not mortally. He seems pretty aware, but he can't walk."
"There were only four who were reported missing. The rest are back at camp by now. You're in the hotseat, but you're not alone. We've gotten word that two of the 'Andros' are nearby. I don't know where exactly, but they're very close to you."
"Gotcha," she replied. "And Walter, we're pretty much trapped here. Any chance you can get us back-up, at least enough to help us disappear into the city. If we can get out of their sight, even for a moment, I think we'll be fine."
"I'll see what we can do. But I can't promise anything. Oh, and tell Thallon and Sage that their friend is one of the Andros, that might make them feel better."
"It does," I said.
He was quiet, as if my voice had surprised him, then said, "Alright, I'll get back to you when i can."
"Now what?" I asked Madge.
SHe shrugged.
"Can we get inside here?" I asked.
THe man standing shook his head. We sealed it.
I looked to Madge.
She looked back, frowning, then said, "I guess we wait for your friend."

 

[Lady_Siren]

"Please," he ran to her, sliding half of the way on in knees looking at her. "I know I've been a horrible example of humankind, but it was just a bluff. My species needed that transformer, and we needed you to help us." He looked in her eyes, such strange eyes, honestly he didn't know if she was believing him or not. It didn't stop him though. "Princess, please. There are innocent children down there that are going to die without my help. All I'm asking is to open a comm link, just one link. Thirty seconds to tell them to evacuate. Please, just let me warn them." The Matron waved his hand, "Take Terrin to his cell. He will be executed in the morning." "Princess!" two Lucians grabbed him, he was still looking at her as he was being dragged out of the room. "Don't act like you can ignore this. They need to be warned! You Can't do this to innocent people. YOU CAN'T!!!" Lucia looked at the man and felt a strange emotion fill her. " STOP!" her voice rang out clear. Both soldiers stopped looking quite uncomfortable being stuck between two authorities. The Matron's eyes flashed but he stayed in his place "Princess this man is a convict, he kidnapped you and killed thousands of our kind. He should pay for what he did" Lucia glared "Do you dare question my judgment!" she felt her temper rising "Whether this man killed our kind or not you don't have the right to kill innocent people!" The Matron sputtered at her anger "P-princess this man is evil to the core along with his race. They should be eliminated" Lucia looked at the gaurds "Release him this instant, and as for you Matron I suggest you take your sorry massacring self to your room. Your relieved of your duty" The Matron's eyes grew wide "You can't do that. Under what grounds!" Lucia's eyes narrowed "Under the grounds of attempted murder and breaking our peace contract and questioning my autority! You are lucky I don't have you arrested!" he glared "We'll see what your father says" her eyebrows raised "I'm sure he will agree when he has the testimony of his daughter and the gaurds that you disobeyed me" The Matron huffed and stomped out of the room. Looking to the gaurds "Leave" they turned and left. She walked over to Terrin "I don't know why I'm helping you but quickly send a message to your people"

 

[Darklord]

Valerios

After Yournal had spoken with Walter she told him that his friends were just on the other side of the door. Nodding his thanks, Valerios proceeded to work his hands onto the sides of the door. Grunting and servos winding he slowly forced the door upwards. Soon enough the door was open and they could see across the now rapidly failing bridge the others.

Looking down he saw the now dead body of the warrior Sten, who carried a small picture of the one called Madge, looking across the bridge and turning up his optics he saw the same woman there too. Making his mind up he told Yournal his plan. "I will carry the body of this deceased one across the bridge, you go across first to help provide me cover fire." Nodding her acceptance of this action Yournal sprinted across the bridge guns blazing at the aircraft firing at the bridge.

Slinging one of the guns across his back, Valerios picked up the deadman's body, careful to keep the picture, and the remaining guns trained at where the enemy should be he began running across the bridge...

 

[poohlive]

Ooc: Missile is still on it's way, I assure you. This post is to let anyone within the city know exactly what's going on. So, you can leave ASAP.

YES!
He got up, running to her, without thought he hugged her tightly, and put his hands on both sides of her cheeck. Within an instant he kissed her, something that wasn't quite like a lovers embrace, but far from a usual peck.
Terrin let go, looking at her oddly.
"I... uhhh, thank you princess. If I can, I will repay you."
He went over to the console, at first he thought he could simply change the direction of the missile, but then saw the control panel and knew there wasn't much to do. He had studied the thing for months, and still was only sure about a few buttons.
One of them being a comm system, he opened it up to any and every channel that could be heard on Zion. Loud static made him cover his ears, but it ended, and there was a huge brief pause.

"People of Zion, this is Commander Terrin. There is a huge missile on it's way to Zion as we speak. There is no time for packing, in less than a half hour it will be there. Leave Zion... no, don't just leave Zion. If you can leave the country. It's going to be big. Bigger than any attack that has ever been counted for the human race. We will survive though, and take on all the enemies who dare to try and kill us. And Satra, if you're listening, please know that I only..."

Just then the entire console went blank. Terrin looked back, seeing the door open, and that Motron ass walk back in, this time with more guards.
"I told you, she has been brainswashed by those foul humans. Take him, as well as her to the security prison cells. Let them share one."
He looked behind them, as ten or so guards poured out into the room. What was going on here?
"Princess," he looked at her as if she had the answers, "What's going on?"
"I'm sorry your highness," the Matron bowed, "Orders are orders though. And they must be filled out."

 

[poohlive]

Spike!



Spike piloted the ship back into a docking station, where he had a more than hostile welcoming. Armed soldiers were about to pounce on their ass.
Then, the message came over the announcer. A missile? Everyone knew about the ore under Zion... hell, he wouldn't be surprised if half of the continent would explode.
There wasn't much more incentive. Quickly, he piloted the ship out of there, hopefully to get as far away from Zion as possible.
"Shit," he muttered to himself, as the last of the message came in.
"Satra, she's still in here somewhere."
He stopped, turning the ship around another time. How could he know where she was though?
He didn't have time to check the entire city.
Only one chance.
He clicked open a publich channel, boosting the frequency as high as he could.
"Satra, this is Spike, come in please.... Satra, this is Spike, tell me you're out there."
Somewhere, far above them, something entered the earth's atmosphere.

 

[Moneytalks]

Satra

"Spike?" Satra answered the call on her comlink.

"Shit Spike... I just heard Terrin babbling about a fuckin' missile what the hell is going on? I shouldn't even be responding to you... this communication could be traced."

She was still looking around at the devastation and the alien Lucien vessel that lay apparantly dormant before them now that Denoitnem had moved the orb away from it.

"Spike... I've been trying to contact my team for the last 6 hours... I keep coming up blank. If you can reach me then there is something wrong, I'm going to check our last point of contact... if Terrin is right Zion is going to be flattened by this."

She looked around and suddenly recognised where they were.

"Spike... gimme a sec... I think..." she walked briskly over towards a pile of rubble. She kicked at it and it crumbled to the floor. A human leg appeared. She blinked at it. Taking a breath she kicked the at the rubble again and revealed the rest of the body... minus the head. Clean decapitation. She grabbed the arm and pulled the sleeve up. The tell-tale tattoo was still in tact.

She stood up apparantly calm.

"Spike... I've found my team... I'm evacuating... how much time do we have? Where are you?"

 

[poohlive]

"Currently I'm half a mile above Terrier district. There seems to be a lot of chaos down there. Listen, tell me where you are, I'll come get you. There's more than enough room..."
He was afraid to add to it. Honestly, he didn't like being in command. It was scary, Terrin always made decisions, and he always followed them.
He didn't want to screw everything over.
Satra could take over the entire thing. At least, until Terrin came back...
He knew that was so slim of a possibility, but he couldn't completely leave it out. Terrin was still alive, so there was a chance anyway.
There had to be a chance.
"Satra hurry, calculations aren't good. The missile is homing in right now. Current speculation is around 34 minutes, and I'm rounding up...."

 

[Lady_Siren]

When Terrin kissed her Lucia's eyes grew wide and her body grew warm. She touched her mouth softly when Terrin turned his back on her to begin contacting his home. Before she could say anything The Matron returned with more gaurds who promptly grabbed her arms. "What are you doing! Let me got his instant!" The Matron's eyes sparked and he stepped forward. "See brainwashed just as I said" Lucia spit at the mans feet. "I demand to let go by royal order of the court" The Matron laughed "Silly girl you are no longer of the Royal court. I hereby arrest you under charges of treason and for the murder of the King, your father" Lucia's eyes widened "My father is dead?" tears filled her eyes "Don't give us that act bitch! You are a murderer" she brought her leg up catching the Matron in the groin. He grunted but withstood her blow and slapped her viciously. Her eyes blurred and the world dimmed as she struggled to stay concious. She tasted blood on her lip but ignored it. "Take them away!" and slowly they were both led away to the dungeoun.

 

[Moneytalks]

Satra

Satra was of two minds. She still had no desire to make her position known to all and sundry... but if the missile really was coming then no one would care a rats ass in hell where they were anyway.

"Ok Spike... our co-ordinates are Sector 12, D5-6-C10... what's your ETA?"


Meanwhile... at Zion Base...

"Commander Zed... we have confirmation of Satra's location Sir!"

Zed smiled.

Suddenly code red.

Flashing lights.

"What's going on?" He barked.

"We have an unidentified vessel headed towards us Sir... also there is a message from Terrin Sir... he said something about a missile headed towards us..."

Zed paused.

"Do we have confirmation?"
"Sir... we're working on it Sir."
"Well work faster... if we're about to be hit by a missile I think we should damn well know about it!"
"Sir... what should I do about Satra Sir?"
"Send out a patrol to her... she's not to return to base... an... unfortunate accident will occur in which the valiant Satra was unfortunately killed."
"Yes Sir!"
"Sir... we have cofirmation! Approximate time until impact... 27 minutes 12 seconds and counting Sir!"
"We're going to have to deflect it somehow... heat up the generators... we'll throw something at it and see if we can't minimise the damage..."
"Yes SIR!"

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Lunden

Just like that, everything changed. Satra was standing there one minute, beginning what looked it would become a deep interrogation of the strange shape-shifting man before her, then the message came, Terrin talking about a missile headed straight for Zion. Satra spoke briefly with Spike, and then it was decided that Satra would be picked up by Spike in Terrin's craft. Terrin and Spike...two names I knew, but only by reputation. My short stay here had afforded me few connections with those above me in the hierarchy of Zion. Although I wasn't certain that either man was that much farther up. All I heard of Terrin was complaints: He'd disobeyed an order...he'd taken something further than was necessary. It was rumored he was one of the best pilots, but I'd never seen him fly. Spike had a less talked about profile, but still good. Though, I guessed it was hard to keep a good profile with a loose-cannon type like Terrin.
I was getting nervous...Too much had happened in too short a time. Zed had begun his attack on those who opposed him just hours ago, and now Zion may be on its way to total destruction. I wondered if they would trust me, having never met me, or if they'd just leave me here...

 

[Quiet_Cool]

Thallon

It looked dire, us trapped on the bridgecolumn, the enemy firing ceaselessly at us from outside. We needed a ship, that's what we needed, something to draw their fire away. I guessed the New Republic wouldn't be in possession of such equipment, but it never hurt to check.
"Walter," I spoke into the headset.
"Yeah?"
"Is there any way you can give us coverfire? Get these Cruisers to back off a little, buy us some time?"
"Maybe some from the ground...but I don't think we can even try that...I've got worse news," he paused, leaving only silence on the other end. I looked to Madge, who looked back to me. Her eyes, bloodshot from crying, were wide, concerned. "We've picked up a communication from space, we're not sure what the source is, but it was intended as a warning to Zion..."
"Zion?" I asked.
"A missile is headed for the city, intended to wipe out everyone inside."
"Shit," I spat, "Everyone? That's not far from here. We'll probably be able to see the explosion from here..."
"It's worse than that. When Zion was built, it was done for temporary purposes, not intended to last in the long-run, especially not as long as it has."
I'd heard about that. The Earth Movement, as it was called, had built the city in order to mine the area for minerals that were stored there. The minerals were of little value, but of much use as exposives when properly mixed and ignited. What Walter was saying was quickly sinking in. I looked at Madge, seeing her face slack and pale, and wondered if mine looked the same.
"You mean...we'll be concumed by the blast?" I asked.
He was silent for a few moments, then said, "Estimated Time of Arrival...twenty-six minutes."
"Well--"
Just then, before I could finish, I was started by the sudden movement from the opposite side of the bridgecolumn. Valerios...finally, accompanied by another Andromedian.
"Help's just arrived," Madge told Walter. "We're gettin' the Hell out of here."
"We'll see you underground. The tunnels go pretty deep, and they stretch quite a distance to the EAst. We're thinking we may get far enough beneath the surface to survive the blast and, hopefully, be able to travel EAst underground."
I glanced back to Valerios to see him hoising STen's corpse and the other moving closer to where the Bridgecolumn was missing a section.
"Shit," I said, "They're coming across. C'mon Madge, SAge, we need to offer some support fire."
We had twenty-five minutes until the missile hit...