Part 4: Action       Taqueza shuffled through the ventilation system of his base ship. There must be a better way to do this he thought. There wasn't of course. The corridors and elevators of the ship were narrow and open. In short, the only way to go unseen was to avoid them. After what seemed like hours, Taqueza finally reached his destination. he cautiously peered through the ventilation grating into his section's hanger. It would be easy to get out he thought as he watched them prep for launch, all I would need to do is grab one of them and switch places with them, then slip away at the appropriate point during their mission. Unfortunately I can't do that . The advance has halted at Mars for a reason. The council has decided to use the sphere again, probably on Earth. A weapon like that can only be used once within a certain time period, they're waiting for it to recharge. I've got to disable it and release the planet they have already taken. The strategy behind the Sphere was simple, teleport an enemy planet into another hostile dimension. There, natural disasters (usually meteor showers) do the work for the High Council and after a length of time they release the planet and conquer what's left. Chaos had not been there all that long, so most of it should be intact. Taqueza thought. He watched his section take off under Shanita's direction. She controls them well, she will make a good section commander. I won't miss much of this life but I will miss her, Jerico, and Kamilia. After the section's departure Taqueza carefully opened the grate of the ventilation shaft and made his way into the hanger. He found his battle armor right where he left it, it was fully charged, he put down his case and placed his armor inside it. He then resealed the case and began to leave. Suddenly he felt as if something was wrong, there was a single red battle armor left in the charging units. There shouldn't be any left here , unless... WHACK! Taqueza reeled back from the kick he received. He dropped his case but was still on his feet. From the shadows came a single Guardsman, the one who had disobeyed him on Mars. '(I knew you would eventually come here)' he said. '(Shouldn't you be with your section?)' asked Taqueza. '(I pretended to be ill so I could have this opportunity, I am going to enjoy this!)' with that he drew two long slender blades from behind his back. Without another word he charged, slashing at Taqueza, who avoided the first volley with ease. Taqueza moved behind him and the guardsman brought his left arm around in an attempt to slash him. Taqueza blocked it and delivered a solid punch to the face. The guardsman went down, blood streaming from his nose, he had dropped a knife as well. Taqueza came forward to pick up the blade and the guardsman brought his foot up with the intent of kicking Taqueza in the head. However, Taqueza saw it coming and caught his ankle mid swing. He then swung the guardsman out by the ankle in an ark, while he was in mid-air Taqueza released him, sending him into the far wall. He hit with considerable force but managed to stagger to his feet and back over to Taqueza. Once in range, Taqueza delivered a round house that caught the guardsman in the side of the head, putting him down. Taqueza turned around and retrieved his case. He opened it to make sure its contents were still intact and then closed it again. He turned around to head back to the ventilation shaft only to be greeted by the guardsman again, who used the opportunity to slash Taqueza's chest. Taqueza fell forward onto his knees, again dropping the case. The cut was deep, but not bad, not for him. The guardsman circled him, settling behind him, '(Time to die hybrid! You should never underestimate an adversary!)' He raised his knife, intent on making the killing blow. Taqueza shot his right leg out in a sweeping motion, causing the guardsman to fall backwards onto him. He landed back side down on Taqueza's left shoulder. Taqueza swiftly brought his arms around his neck and pulled down. An audible crack filled the hanger and the guardsman was still. Taqueza rolled him onto the floor, '(That's good advice, you should have followed it.)' * * *       The jungle was hot and moist, just like Nara remembered it. She used her Reconnaissance E-frame to get here, now all she had to do was wait. She set camp and started a fire. She watched the wood burn with fascination for a while then stared beyond the fire and into the jungle. The jungle had its eyes and ears, both of which would eventually report to Ketzer. All she had to do was wait. * * *       J.T. looked at the time, 30 minutes till the drop zone. He hated the waiting, it gave him time to reflect on past mistakes. Something unwise to do right before a battle. Able Squad was in the hanger, getting ready for the coming battle. Torres sat fiddling with a knife and watching the clock. Bronski was writing a letter, probably to Eve. Maggie and Alec were checking out some of the systems of DeLeon's frame. Kaz was saying his goodbyes to Ellen Wright. He looked at them talking. Each pretending not to care too much about the other, while secretly worried sick over them. They reminded him so much of him and Colleen. Colleen, I never told her how I felt. I hope Kaz doesn't make the same mistake I did. Then there was Thrax, most of the crew gave him a wide birth. Whether it be hard feelings from the war or intimidation due to his size, everyone seemed to make sure they weren't in his way. Able Squad had mixed feelings for him. Kaz seemed to like him. Their encounter at Mercury and then again on Venus seems to have sparked a friendly rivalry. They already have a bet going on who shoots down the most aliens this mission. Alec and Maggie seem indifferent about his presence in the squad. Rita respects him as a pilot, though she doesn't seem to trust him completely, not yet anyway. Bronski didn't seem to like him, but then again he doesn't like anyone when he first meets them. As for J.T., he trusted Thrax and Thrax trusted J.T., especially after that little adventure in the Amazon. The Amazon. thought J.T. I hope you know what your doing Nara. * * *       Nara woke up as the sun rose in the Amazon. Her fire had gone out but everything was right where she left it the night before. If Ketzer was coming, he was sure taking his time. Nara got out of her sleeping bag and rummaged through her backpack for some ration bars and water. Finding both she sat down to eat. Halfway through her second ration bar she noticed something odd. A weird smell, she couldn't quite place it. Musty and wet, Nara mused, but different from the rest of the jungle and closer too- CLOSER!! Nara sprang to her feet and spun around to be confronted by one of Ketzer's experiments. It was a man once, but now it was something else entirely, it had branches sticking out of his back and shoulders, and was covered with a moss-like sheath that smelled badly. It reached for her, grabbing both of her shoulders. Nara quickly raised her hands batting its arms away. In the same motion she grabbed its neck and pulled it down while simultaneously bringing up her knee. The creature staggered back after the blow was delivered. Nara spun on her heal and brought her leg up to deliver a round house to the side of its head. It went down but another was approaching from behind. She drew her sidearm and spun again to bury the but of her weapon into what was once the creature's temple. It too, fell to the ground. A third creature made a try for her but Nara simply shot it in the shoulder. It stopped in its tracks, clutching its wound. Nara looked around her, "Is this all you've got Ketzer!?!" As in response, creature after creature spilled out of the jungle, surrounding Nara. Finally Ketzer himself appeared, with something that used to be a Neo at his side. "Hello my dear, so nice to see you again" he said. "What? Are you so afraid to face me that you have to send these creatures to get me!?" she taunted. "Not at all my dear, I just wanted to see how you've progressed. And I must say I am sadly disappointed. I had such high hopes for you. Medusa, subdue her." With that, the Neo creature stepped forward and looked at Nara. Nara readied for her attack, but it did not come, at least not as she expected. All of a sudden, it became hard to see clearly, the ground seemed to shift and shake, and Nara's head pounded. She fell to one knee trying to get her bearings but it was no good. She had to try something else and fast. Well he wants to see how I've changed I might as well show him. Nara tried with all her will to focus her mind, she had never used her power like this before, but she had to try. Focus, I've got to focus. Nara's eyes began to glow, as did both hands, which she placed against the ground. The ground then erupted on all sides of her as roots that were underground sprouted violently to the surface and ensnared all those around her. Medusa, shocked by their appearance, lost her concentration and released Nara from her attack. She was then completely trapped within a cocoon of roots. Only Ketzer was left untouched. With Ketzer's forces temporarily immobilized, Nara sprang to her feet, scooping up her weapon in the process. She closed the gap between them and tackled him to the ground putting the barrel of her gun under his chin. "That won't hold them for long, tell them to back off and leave us." she said. "Why Lieutenant, how forward of you." Ketzer said mockingly. Just then his troops broke free of their jungle prison. "I mean it, do it now" Nara said, jamming the barrel a little deeper under his chin. "Whatever you say Nara, though I'd appreciate it if you would holster your weapon and allow me to stand." "Agreed, now call them off!" replied Nara. Ketzer waved his hand in a dismissive gesture and his minions disappeared into the jungle. Nara then put her gun away and got to her feet. Ketzer stood as well. He looked at the torn up ground and mass of roots with pride, "Magnificent! You've come a long way my dear." He put his hands on her shoulders, his eyes beaming with pride over his experiment. "Don't touch me" Nara yelped and brushed him aside. "Look, I..." Ketzer put his finger gently over her mouth for a moment and spoke, "I know why you are here." "Y-You do?" questioned Nara. "Of course my child, though my answer is still the same, there is no antiserum." he said. "I know that, and I have excepted that fact." Nara replied. "Really?" said Ketzer, genuinely surprised. "I just want this to end, that's all." she said. Ketzer eyed her a moment, "I assume you refer to the pain that accompanies the process. I could give you booster shots of the virus to speed up the process. It would only take a week or so to complete, if your condition is as far along as I suspect." Nara was silent for a moment, "Lets say I agree, how do I know you won't screw around some more with my genes?" Ketzer smiled, "You don't. But then again, the serum I injected you with was unique. I haven't used it on anyone else and after today's little display, I am very curious to see what other effects it will have on you once the alteration is complete." "So basically you want to let the experiment run its course because it will provide more useful results as is, than if you mucked around with it?" ventured Nara. "A crude assessment, but accurate none the less." replied Ketzer. "But I thought the serum you used on me was just like the one used on yourself?" asked Nara suspiciously. "A lie, produced to ensure your commanding officer's cooperation, nothing more." answered Ketzer. "It's time to choose Lieutenant." he said. Nara turned from him and crossed her arms, shuddering at what she was about to do. "I have no choice." she said. "I know" said Ketzer. Nara felt something penetrate her neck and then things got fuzzy. Ketzer, he used one of those darts again! She tried to draw a bead on him with her weapon, but the gun was so heavy. She fell to her knees, still trying to lift it. Ketzer loomed over her, an injection unit in his left hand. He cradled her in his right arm, she managed to bring her weapon to bear on his abdomin. "Now, now, Nara, this is what you wanted. Don't fight me, it will hurt more if you do." he said. He was right, this is what she wanted. Nara dropped her weapon and closed her eyes. She felt the injection in her left arm. A single tear rolled down her cheek, and she collapsed in his arms. * * *       Shanita looked out into the vast plains of Mars. The enemy was coming, she could feel it. They would come to rescue their friends, who were already dead. Section 42 had found the settlement from the Olympus Mons area and terminated them. Now she and her section waited, concealed in ditches and caves, for the rescue force to arrive. Her mission was simple, wait until the enemy baseship revealed itself. Their ships would detect it and transmit its coordinates to her. Section 25 would then destroy it, cutting off the enemy's escape. The ground forces would take care of any troops that landed and sections 24, 27, and 32 would deal with any air support they had. She knew the plan, and knew it would work, but she still hated the waiting. * * *       Taqueza peered through the grating of the air shaft he was in. On the other side he saw the corridor lights flashing red. Full security alert, they must have found the body in the hanger. Taqueza gently pushed open the grate and lowered himself into the corridor. He then replaced the grate, picked up his case, and headed for the portal at the end of the corridor. He stopped just before it and walked up to an odd-looking terminal. He punched in a sequence of buttons and a door opened leading into a cramped area with a view port to the outside, an escape pod. Taqueza threw his case inside it and resealed it. He then went up to the portal and gently tapped it.       Five guardsmen sat inside the sphere's control room restless for battle. They knew a fight was coming and that they were left out of it. All because one rogue section commander broke out of prison. Suddenly one of the guardsmen stopped, he had noticed a small thumping sound coming from the door. '(I hear something.)' he said and opened the door to reveal an empty hallway. '(Your ears deceive you.)' snapped one of the others. '(I know I heard something, stay here while have a look around.)' He stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him. The remaining four guardsman looked at each other and shrugged shoulders. The silence was broken by a sudden scream from the hallway. The four jumped to attention and activated their armor. Standing ready they opened the portal. Their companion lay on the floor, his face badly scared, almost as if it were burned. One of his legs was amputated and both of his arms had been torn off. The arms were placed right in front of the portal, the forearm cannons had been removed from them. Other than the body, the corridor was empty. '(Someone sound the alarm!)' one of them said. '(I would prefer if you didn't.)' said a voice. With that, Taqueza appeared in the upper half of the doorway, he was hanging upside down and apparently clinging to the ceiling somehow. He brought his stolen forearm cannons to bear and opened fire. Not one of the four even got a shot off. Taqueza unhooked his legs from the ventilation shaft he was hanging out of and dropped to the ground. He removed the forearm cannons and went inside dragging the mutilated corpses with him. Once inside he began to work at the controls. * * *       Alarm claxons sounded in the hanger of the Victorious. Jumptroopers scrambled and began to put on their Exo-armor. J.T. looked at his squad, "Alright people, this is it. Let's frame up!" The pilots hurried to the frames and strapped themselves in. The sound of engines coming online filled the hanger. The E-frames gently rose from the deckplates and arranged themselves in standard formation within the hanger. The Jumptroopers finished putting on their gear and lined up in front of the descent pods. Ellen looked around her, to her left was Mathison. He wore the standard jet boots and pack, though he also carried a sophisticated communications package on his back. It had an extendible antenna for communications with either the air support or ships in orbit. His helmet was similar to those worn by rapid reconn troops, with its visor-like single lens. He carried a standard repeater rife in his right hand and a hand held grenade launcher in his left. On his thighs were strapped extra clips for each. On Ellen's right was Poedowski, he wore blue heavy gravity armor. The three of them, along with two officers, would be the point group. Meaning they were to be the first of the squad to enter enemy territory. Butler walked the line in his command armor. Satisfied he turned to face them. "Any heroes here!" he said. The squad was silent a moment, unsure what to say. Finally Wright took a step forward and yelled, "No sir!" Butler looked at her, "Good! Cause the only heroes I know are dead. Now lets jump!" The squad yelled in unison, "Woo-ha!" and got into their pods. As Ellen got into hers she stopped to look at Kaz's fighter. She would have to thank him later for the tip on how to answer Butler, if there was a later. The pods sealed themselves and the dropship moved into position and secured the pods in place. "Dropship to Commander Marsh, we're ready." "Understood" replied Marsh. He took a last look at his squad, he noted Thrax's red neo-fighter in position next to Kaz. Good thing he's on our side this time. he thought. "Marsh to bridge, open the hanger doors." * * *       Taqueza worked feverishly at the controls. No wonder the sphere takes so long to use, its so blasted complicated. he thought. He had figured out it was at full power and it was set to activate within the next restin (8 minutes). So he had begun reprogramming the target coordinates. With that done, he changed the program setting from 'capture' to 'deploy'. After finally completing that task, he added a little something to its mission parameters, now all he had to do was feed the new instructions to the sphere's CPU. He was about to do just that, when he caught some movement out of the corner of his eye. Instinctively he rolled to the floor, a kick narrowly missed him in the process. The assailant's foot buried itself in the floor. A moment later he pulled it out and turned to face Taqueza, it was Rodar. '(I knew you were here, that is the only reason the squad would not report back.)' he said. '(Speaking of squads perhaps you should call for one, you'll need the backup.)' Taqueza retorted. '(Not for you little one, this is between you and me only. No one but me knows you are here. I f you defeat me, you could save these puny humans.)' he motioned towards the sphere controls. '(Their fate is in your hands, and all that stands between you and their freedom, is me!)' Taqueza went into a defensive posture and eyed him cautiously, '(If you want me so badly then come get me!)' * * *       Shanita activated her comlink, '(This is Section Commander Shanita, I have just received the coordinates of the terran ship. Do I have permission to deploy?)' A voice answered her over the comlink, '(Negative Section Commander, wait until ground forces have landed, then deploy.)' '(Understood)' she replied. '(Jerico, scan the region, I want to know the moment their forces touch down.)' '(Understood, Commander)' he replied. Shanita looked at Kamilia, '(Second, what is our status?)' '(All guardsman prepped and ready, Section Commander.)' she replied. '(Good)' answered Shanita, Now all we have to do is wait some blasted more!!! * * *       "Brace yourselves people, we're entering the atmosphere!" J.T. announced. Over the comline Torres added, "Here's where the fun begins." The drop shuttle below them steadied itself for Mars atmospheric entry. Once inside the atmosphere of the planet it released the decent pods. The pilot radioed J.T., "Pods are away! Repeat, pods are away! We're heading back to port, good hunting." J.T. took note of the transmission and responded, "Thanks dropship ,we'll needed it. Able Squad spread out into patrol zones. Takagi, Thrax, take the North quadrant. Torres, Weston, take the Southern. Bronski and DeLeon are with me in the Eastern quadrant." They separated as ordered. As J.T.'s group settled into their patrol, he opened his com line again, "Alec give me a wide range scan of the area, if there's anything out there I want to see it coming way in advance." "You got it, J.T." was the response. * * *       Ellen had once heard that an low orbit drop was like riding the express train to hell. She found the description accurate. Her pod was heating up from entry to the Martian atmosphere, the cooling systems had finally kicked in, but it was still hot as..well...hell. The pod also kicked and bucked violently. She tried to push it out all out of her mind and focus on the drop clock, 40 seconds to ground fall. * * *       Alec's voice rang out loud and clear on the comlink, "We have contacts, repeat, we have contacts! 20, 30, over 40 enemy frames! This does not look good." "Save the commentary DeLeon, all flight groups, vector on us, the enemy is sighted." responded J.T. "No can do J.T., we've got company of our own" rang back Kaz. The other groups reported the same. It is a trap, and with the Jumptroops already down we can't retreat. J.T. thought, "All flight groups you are authorized to engage, good luck!" * * *       Shanita watched the enemy pods begin to touch down...the wait was over. '(Move out!)' Section 25 took to the air and headed for the last known position of the terran battleship. It was momentarily joined by Sections 24, 27, and 32 which broke from them to engage the enemy fighters. Mars orbit was achieved in a matter of minutes. Shanita saw the terran vessel de-cloak before her, it was getting ready to dock with a smaller ship. '(Second, take half the section and eliminate that smaller ship, the rest of you will begin strafing runs with me on the larger vessel.)' '(As ordered Section Commander!)' Kamilia replied. The first wave lead by Kamilia descended on the drop shuttle. It attempted to fire back using all of its batteries, but the Eltorian frames were just too maneuverable. Kamilia easily glided through its defenses and destroyed most of the gun emplacements with plasma missiles. The second wave crippled the the craft's engines. The third destroyed the ship's bridge. The dropship hung dead in space awaiting the killing blow. It did not have to wait long. Like a nest of angry hornets the guardsmen hovered over it. '(All guardsman, target the underbelly of the ship, use plasma missiles.)' Kamilia ordered. They struck in unison. The ship delisted and begun to buckle from the onslaught, and second later it exploded. '(The craft has been destroyed, Section Commander.)' Kamilia reported. '(Good, commence attack on the larger vessel with us then.)' Shanita ordered. The Victorious , in the meantime, had not fared much better. Though it had sustained damage it could still fight and maneuver. Another wave of guardsman made a run against the bridge, the crafts guns tried valiantly to stop them. Of the ten that approached, five were destroyed before they got in range. The remaining five opened fire, but their shots went wide causing surface damage and nothing more. Two more of the group were killed while trying to get out of range of the bridge guns. Seeing the problem Shanita took action, '(Focus all attacks on the engines and fuel lines)' she ordered and then took off for the bridge alone. '(Commander, what are you doing?)' asked Kamilia. '(I will take care of the bridge, alone, just take out those engines!)' she responded. Shanita wormed her way threw the net of lazer fire leading to the bridge. Some of the shots were close, some a little too much so. But her flying skill served her true as she brought her plasma missiles to bear and destroyed one of the bridge guns. Utilizing the hole she created, she flew through the remaining lazer fire and landed on the hull. Her flight boots held her in place through magnetism as she walked up to the bridge view port and looked inside. The crew was startled to see her, and tried to flee the bridge, but too late. Shanita pointed her forearm cannons at the view port and fired. The decompression killed the crew in seconds. Shanita retracted her wings and crawled inside the ship. She found what looked like a computer interface and extended a uplink line into the computer. In her eye pieces the ships systems unfolded before her. She activated her com link and contacted Kamilia, '(Second, have the section cease fire and move a safe distance from the craft.)' '(Are you certain? We have almost...)' started Kamilia. '(Do it now Kamilia.)' she responded. '(As ordered, Section Commander.)' was the response. Shanita broke through the ship's security and found the system of interest in a matter of minutes. She then set an appropriate time limit and exited the craft the way she had entered. As she rejoined the section, the craft exploded violently. '(Section Commander, what did you do?)' asked Kamilia. '(I activated the ship's self destruct program. What is our status?)' asked Shanita '(We lost 15 guardsman)' Kamilia replied. '(Alright then, lets get down to the surface and see if we can even the score.)' On to Part 5