Put into Practice (Part 1): Written by Exodus, Original Story by Exodus Another attack at the town of Fawra did not go according to plan, for the empire. The previous two cities in the kingdom of Scion had been easy to conquer because the Resistors hadn’t formed together to stop the empire, Fawra was the next target, but as long as plans took place in the great hall, the Resistance’s bug would receive the information and the Resistors would always turn up. Currently, there were no empire troopers in this fight, as most were recovering from the last failed attacks, only Brutor and Angus were here today, facing the Resistors Naga, Ruwin, Turok and Lucia. “Take that!” shouted Brutor, hurling a knife at the Resistor Naga. Before she could even try to avoid it on her own, Ruwin leaped past and tackled her to the floor. “Ruwin!” shouted Naga, “I was about to dodge that, I don’t need you watching over me!” “Ah’m sorry Naga, its just-” “I’m not a baby, don’t treat me like one.” shouted Naga. “Whut?! Its not mah fault yer tribe didn’t teach ya how ta read.” growled Ruwin. “Take that back!” Though they had feelings for each other, Naga and Ruwin got into fights at the drop of a hat, they were two very different people. “Um, guys, try and concentrate on what’s really important here.” moaned Lucia. Angus was with his brother, and stared at the Resistors’ compassion for each other, and wondered about them, perhaps Kirie was with them because they were different... but it still didn’t excuse them from what they were doing. Turok and Lucia beat back a group of troopers before approaching the two elite soldiers. “Give it up Brutor, you’ll not hurt anyone while we’re around, did Krytus tell you of how I beat him?” stated Turok. “Angus, ye idiot! Haven’t ye got that pulse rifle ready yet?!” shouted Brutor. “O’, o’ course!” Morn had been experimenting with robotic weapons again, except this weapon didn’t have negative feedback, it was better constructed. Angus held onto the large weapon and fired a wide beam of red rings that surrounded Turok and flung him into the air, to crash down through the roof of a house. “That’s the weapon I faced weeks ago.” noted Lucia, “They fixed it...” “Ah’m afraid its yir turn Lucia, we would nae be here if ye hadn’t abused Morn’s trust.” said Angus sadly. “Angus! What in goodness’ name are you talking about, surely you can see that he forced us into becoming machines.” shouted Turok. “Ah don’t understan’ Ah’m afraid.” he replied. “Why do we have to fight, we’re on the same side...” pleaded Lucia. “Doesn’t look like it from here.” snarled Brutor, he didn’t particularly care for Angus, but he wouldn’t see any family of his fight for the Resistors’ cause. “Just months ago we were all friends, why does it have to be this way?...” questioned Lucia. “...” “Fire the gun!” shouted Brutor to his brother. “Ah’m sorry.” apologised Angus, activating the weapon. Lucia leaped up as the beam dragged along the floor and across the area she was in, but Angus handled the gun faster than the last guy, and brought it upwards to match Lucia’s height. She became surrounded by a red light, and red rings continued to pummel her. “Keep it up Angus, just a wee bit more, an’ we’ll be minus one robot!” cheered Brutor. Angus stared at Lucia and gave a sad expression. “I’ll take that!” said Naga, wrapping up the device with her whip and trying to pull it away. Angus held on tight, and so the two weren’t getting anywhere fast, Naga instead drew her knife and hurled it. Angus raised his foot quickly as the blade cut into the ground, losing concentration and losing the weapon. Ruwin swung his leg around and kicked the machine back at him, but Angus caught it and kept his balance. “Ruwin!” shouted Naga. “Mah bad!” he apologised. “Well?! Blast those Resistors!” shouted Brutor. “Ah cannae dae it, the switch is jammed, let’s leave quickly!” said Angus nervously. Brutor grunted in annoyance and went along. As the two departed, Naga thought, “He mysteriously quit the battle like last time, by lying to his comrades.” Back at the Resistance Base, Gear was concerned, he leaned on a short fence on a hallway that overlooked a huge rectangular arena. Soldiers from the Resistance Army and people that the Resistors had rescued, were training hard against Gear’s test battlebots. They were shorter than people and had two flat blunt wings at the sides, and a small energy rifle in their chests. Their heads were silver and dome-shaped, with two cheap yellow evil eyes, and underneath the main body was an attachment that resembled a top, to float the robots and spin them if need be. The robots weren’t exactly dangerous, but the warriors took them seriously, the wings were to be considered as a warrior’s weapon or fists, and the energy rifles only gave people a little shock if it hit them. Gear sighed, the empire were growing bigger and bigger, and becoming harder and harder to beat, as leader of the Resistors, the key fighters that led the armies, he should be giving his friends the training they needed, in order to be prepared for the dangers that awaited them. The robots were okay, but not really convincing, and this training room was used a lot by people who wanted to join the Resistance Army. Nine people in particular were showing real potential, but they had flaws. Ryan Stella and Mary Hein, both half-Gaian in nature, Ryan had crystal magic and had taken up training with spears, Mary was a healer, and not much of a fighter, but she was showing promise as a great hand-to-hand combatant. Linda Libra, a black leather wearing, blue curtain haired lady, with a dangerous interest in rifles, she was a brilliant shot, but someone so interested in weapons above others could always be turned. Bruce Camden, a swordsman from Vialon Town that wore gold armour and had a large quiff of brown hair, he was skilled, but was vengeful towards the empire for destroying his home. Stacey Dash, a young and childish girl with purple hair in large pig tails and a revealing red dress with black tights, she was also a Calian/ Gaian hybrid who specialised in flaming powers whenever she performed physical attacks, but she was way too confident and believed that no one could stop her. Ruth Bassett, a shoulder length green haired girl with a pink fighting outfit, she was a physical fighter that specialized in throwing attacks, but she was stubborn at the best of times and hard to get on with. Lucy Godfrey, a spiky blonde, and an extreme case for the doctors, she’d lost an arm, a hand and a leg in one of the empire’s assaults, Gear had shared his data of Ross’ metal upgrades and the scientists managed to save her, and replace her limbs with a blaster, a laser sabre and a metal leg, as she had wished for, with these powers, she was desperate to make the empire pay, and her powers sometimes harmed others. Nigel Pitch, a trained knight that hid his face behind a silver helm, he used a huge metal hammer and flail-like weapons, not a lot was known about him, as he kept himself withdrawn from others. And finally Bert Warner, a black skinned and clothed man, with lots of muscle and weaponry, particularly a vulcan cannon, people just feared his firepower, but so far he’d managed not to hurt anyone who didn’t deserve it. Gear thought that he should find a place for these nine in the Resistance, and not just as common soldiers, perhaps as squad leaders or a back-up force. “What’s eating you Gear?” asked Kirie kindly. “Yeah, those guys are really giving it their all. Are you sad because you’ll have to rebuild those robots?” laughed Ross. “No, that’s not it at all. The empire is getting better, because their elite soldiers have plenty of facilities, but with all these new fighters on our side, there isn’t any space for us Resistors to train.” explained Gear. “I guess you’re right, I’ve got the equipment to be at my best, but a lot more training wouldn’t be a bad idea. If only we could go somewhere else to train, without the risk of getting found by the empire.” stated Ross. “That’s it! I have a great idea, but I’m going to need your help so that it can be completed within a couple of days.” said Gear suddenly. “Um... Sure.” said Ross and Kirie a little unsure of what Gear was up to. In the Evalon Empire, Emperor Iyaxxl had called another meeting for his trusted soldiers, but in the courtyard for a change. “It appears that your recent efforts have been for nothing, you have all allowed yourselves to be beaten by mere children.” stated Iyaxxl. “Sir, Ah’m sorry.” apologised Brutor, “But wit’ their robotic allies an’ magical powers, we cannae seem tae beat them.” “But you used to be able to do your jobs even when those Resistors were small in number, I suppose it was when you were motivated because of the promotions I had been planning, so in order to raise morale, it shall happen now.” explained Iyaxxl, “Brutor, you shall now be known as Commander Brutor, and Krytus, despite your actions with the Helena incident, your loyalty and skills are almost unmatched, you shall now be a general.” Promotions continued with some of the soldiers that had performed well, making them squad leaders of specific groups of soldiers, but Angus was totally left out. By now of course, he’d been told of some truths, but not others, he now believed that the empire was just trying to take control of a troubled kingdom, and once they did that, things would change, and Iyaxxl would allow a little more freedom. But he was troubled by the lies, he’d constantly been told that the Resistors were terrorists who didn’t care about anyone, but time after time, he’d seen them perform acts of compassion for each other, risking their lives for that of others, but the empire was his home, he was a knight, and knights had to serve the ruler on the throne. “Sir, what is mah new role?” he asked eagerly, he’d worked hard recently to be a fine warrior. “I’m sorry Angus, but I cannot give you an answer right now, you have disobeyed orders and not completed your missions effectively, until you learn to rid yourself of the constant urges of being totally honourable, you’ll never be great like your brother.” explained Iyaxxl firmly. Brutor grinned snidely and Angus frowned. “We shall regroup all available warriors and continue attacking the remaining landmarks in Scion, but Fawra is the number one priority, with the third main city of this island in our control, our reign of this island shall be secure, and unauthorised entry to Kylandia shall be impossible, given the proper strategies and all three towns in our grip. As for you Angus, since you want to be promoted so much, it shall be done after this mission, do a good job, and you’ll go far. Remember that we are involved in a war, there is no time for honour.” ordered Iyaxxl. “Thank ye Sir.” he replied. “Will you be needing any robot troopers for this mission?” asked Morn eagerly. “Have you completed the Overrun Chip, the one that’ll ensure total obedience? The only thing that I require of your robots is a lack of fear, the ability to fight until the very end.” stated Iyaxxl firmly. “Then that would be a ‘No.” sighed Morn. “Until you complete the chip, no robots are to be sent out! Do you understand?” questioned the emperor. “Yes Sir...” growled Morn, but then he had an interesting thought, and smiled. “We shall attack Fawra at dawn in full force.” finished Emperor Iyaxxl. That evening, Morn grumbled as he worked to complete the chip, the chip that would force human robots to obey a specific program, with no space for their own decisions. Morn turned away from the experiment, and onto a different one, a very dangerous chemical mix that would soon be deadly to all that inhaled its gas, the chemicals were delicate and the slightest mistake could change its properties and nature. “A little more work on this and those accursed robots and kids shall meet their end.” There was a knock at the door, Morn hated being disturbed, and quietly spoke a lot of profanities as he was pulled away from the only thing that he was used for by Iyaxxl. “You? What do you want?” Morn asked angrily, and turned away from Angus rudely to work on the chip. “I suppose you’re Iyaxxl’s messenger now?” Morn asked with some sarcasm. “Nae Professor, Ah’m here fer a favour, one that’ll probably benefit ye.” said Angus. “I’m listening.” said Morn, not turning his gaze as he worked on an experiment that was producing sparks. “Tomorrow is oor big attack on Fawra, an’ Ah don’t want tae fail Iyaxxl, Ah need tae use yir Mecha Morpher.” “Yes yes, well I’m afraid- What?!” spluttered Morn. “If Ah kin be like Turok, Lucia... an’ Helena...” sighed Angus, “Then surely Ah kin perform as well as Brutor, ye’ve seen me wit’ that pulse rifle, Ah am bah far the best at wieldin’ it.” “But my Mecha Morpher has been branded as unsafe, why do you want to become a machine when you’re capable of wielding the rifle as it is?” questioned Morn, usually he wouldn’t care but it would be his neck on the line if something went wrong. “Ah don’t care aboot the risks, Brutor does nae respect me at all because o’ mah honour, an’ Iyaxxl will never give me a chance because o’ it, Ah heard that ye kin alter minds wit’ the process, Ah need tae be changed sae that Ah have the attitude that the empire wants.” “Interesting...” smiled Morn. “An’ if Ah’m successful, Iyaxxl will promote me well, an’ probably ye too.” Morn smiled, and wrapped his arm around Angus’s neck in a buddy way, and walked him towards the robotics lab, “Then there doesn’t seem to be any further problems... Angus, my friend, you shall be the most powerful robot ever...” At the Resistance Base, late into the night, Gear was working hard, in what had once been a storage room, the contents had been moved into the smaller ones, and a huge white curtain prevented anyone from seeing the project. Gear rolled out, back laid down on his brother’s skateboard, “Red wires and screwdriver, please.” he said. Kirie was nearby, and handed them over, aside from being Gear’s assistant, Kirie had been talking with Gear the whole time, he could manage both things at once. Ross returned to the hallway with Gear’s prized possession, the P.A.D.D, one of the smartest, most powerful and compact computers to date. “Gear, I’m back, but I have to ask, why the survey?” “Soon you’ll see...” he replied, voice muffled by the curtain and the room. “Gear, it doesn’t take a genius to see you’re trying to solve the training space problem, but how’s the storage area any different to the training hall, you’ve still got to build lots of test robots.” “Like I said, ‘soon you’ll see’.” Gear assured Ross. “Gear, its an emergency.” said Ruwin as he arrived, panting and out of breath. “What is it Ruwin?” “The empire is attackin’ Fawra in full force!” shouted Ruwin. “Why didn’t Spybase pick this up sooner?!” spat Gear in disbelief. “They didn’t talk about it in the throne room where the bug is, every warrior the empire has is headed ta mah home.” “Just like Alcath... No...” groaned Gear, “And we’re missing a few members, Samia, Dagger and Edwina are in Keseray on business, and so are half of the soldiers.” “Then please Gear, bring the other half an’ help out, Fawra’s mah home, we mus’ protect it as best as we can...” By the time the Resistors arrived, the battle was already underway. The town’s protector, Carlos Ruwin was involved in a battle against Brutor. “The last town protector Ah faced was slow an’ pathetic, Ah must say ye’re farin’ much better, but the result shall be the same.” he commented. Carlos panted, he and Brutor had been at this for a while now, and he was growing tired, the fights against the many troopers and elite warriors had weakened him. “So you were the one who killed James. Ah’ll avenge his death bah causin’ yours!” shouted Carlos. He swung his large sword at Brutor, who ducked it, rolled past Carlos and stuck a dagger in his leg. “Unnngghh!!!” he yelled, pulling it out, “Is that all ya got? You’re good but Ah have years of experience, Ah can beat anyone in a duel.” “But that’s the thing. This isn’t a duel, this is war.” added Brutor. With that, he signalled with his hand, and ten troopers appeared on the rooftops and dived down, shooting wildly with their guns and holding knives in their other hands. Carlos felt extreme pain before the troopers came down on him and started stabbing away, he swung his sword desperately and killed four of the troopers, before he finally ran out of strength, he was bleeding excessively from all the wounds, and finally, he fell. “Ah always knew Ah’d go down fightin’, Ah’m sorry Roberto, and Nicholas... Mariah... Ah’m comin’ ta see you, at last...” He died, with a peaceful smile on his face. This time, the empire were ready, and all available soldiers invaded the village and destroyed its citizens, they didn’t hold back, the people were to be killed, and the buildings could be replaced, all that mattered was the victory. Turok and Lucia, being strong and defensive, were to help evacuate the people, they could fight off most of the simple bullets since the troopers were so intent on killing the people. Kirie went up against Krytus and Brutor, her magic would help greatly. And Ross, Naga and Ruwin were trying to thin out the enemy before they reached their friends, while Gear was at the Resistance Base, trying to get in contact with the other members, but a demonic event was keeping them from coming. Ruwin was battling when he saw a sight that shocked him, his father’s body. “No...” He looked up and saw a surprising smile on his face, and one hand locked in a specific way. “That hand signal, that wus ours...” With that in mind, Ruwin dragged a large cloth over, and covered his father with it. “Ah’ll continue the fight, until the very end if Ah have ta. Farewell Dad...” Ruwin walked away slowly, and a huge explosion filled the area, killing four villagers and decimating Carlos’ corpse. Ruwin looked up shocked, and saw an armoured black robot flying in, fire burning from its boot jets. It was black in most places, with silver armour in others, and a couple of red strips here and there. It had a screen like Turok’s, and the glowing red eyes, one bulky arm had a hand with a sword hilt attachment but no blade, the other was a long black gun attachment with a specific end to it: The Pulse Rifle. It landed on the ground soon enough, the head was silver but it was wearing a thick black helmet. “The mission must be completed.” it said calmly, and shot towards Ruwin with help from its boot jets, and seized him. “A new ‘bot...” said Ruwin angrily, and started to punch at it, but he seriously hurt his hands while doing so. “Aw man...” Ross was busy fighting with Naga, when the nine warriors Gear had been observing earlier, arrived, “Ross, what do we do?” they asked, as Ross was second in command when empire missions were concerned. “Split up, Mary, Bruce, Ruth, you three go to the port, Stacey, Nigel, Linda, help Kirie against the elite warriors, and the rest of you stay here and help out.” he briefed. “Hang on, where did Ruwin go?! He shouldn’t have left us like he did.” complained Naga. “UGH!!!” screamed Ruwin as he fell down quite hard. “Ruwin!” gasped Naga, “Where were you?!” she shouted, changing her tone completely to that of an annoyed one. “Mah dad... He’s dead.” he spoke sadly. “I... I’m sorry, I don’t know what to say...” she apologised. “And there’s a ‘bot... Its too tough fer any person ta fight...” added Ruwin. A long wave of rings shot past Ross and hit Lucy, the cyborg, but luckily, her metal attachments saved her from injury. The black robot stepped out of the flames, and stared at the group. “The mission must be completed.” “Another robot... And without Turok and Lucia, I guess I’ll have to fight it, cover me!” With that, Ross charged forward, and the robot raised its gun. Bert intervened and started shooting many rounds from his vulcan cannon, the robot chose not to fire at Ross, and quickly activated a large transparent shield with a red glow, deflecting all of the rounds. “Man, its strong, An’ defensive...” whispered Ruwin. “The mission-” “... Must be completed, I know, well forget it!” shouted Ross, pulling his arm back and hitting the robot with all his might, it fell down, but picked itself up immediately, ready for more... “Yes, yes, yes!” screamed Morn in his lab, “Angus has become the perfect warrior, in body, and thanks to the test model of the Overrun Chip, his mind as well. He will rise to greatness like I promised him, but the only way to do that, is to erase all traces of Angus’ character, he wanted his mind to be what the empire wanted, only I’ve Ensured It! No robot will ever escape from my control again, and everything will soon belong to the empire!!!” To be continued... Back to “Resistance Forged” Part 2 Back to “The Complete Set” Back to the Library