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Friends and Enemies Vince and the others sat in the hovercraft, which flew high above Gehenna. A monitor on the hovercraft's control panel displayed a view of the city. "This is hovercraft Falcon 1055, requesting permission to land," Robert reported through the radio set. A voice replied, "That hovercraft is not authorized to land at HQ. Please land outside the city and come through the security checkpoint." "Understood," Robert said. He looked at the monitor. "Interesting. It looks like they built a wall around the city or something. We'll have to sneak through somehow." Robert landed the hovercraft, and the four of them walked to the security checkpoint. It was basically a walkway through the wall. A room off to the side had a window and a computer. A soldier sat at the computer while two others stood guard. Vince entered alone. The others waited just around the corner, hiding from the soldiers. "I'm Vincent Zeng," Vince shouted at the soldier through the window. "Major, Third Division, reporting for duty," Vince improvised some details. "All right, let's verify that," the soldier said sleepily. A moment later, he spoke again. "That's strange. According to this, you've been marked 'Traitor'." When the soldier looked up again, Vince was no longer there. In his place was the Dark Fiend of the Inferno. Before the soldier could react, Vince threw a fireball through the window, and the small room exploded. "What the heck?" one of the other soldiers shouted as they drew their guns. Suddenly, Alice, Robert, and Stephanie burst from behind the corner, guns blazing. Within seconds, the two soldiers had fallen. Vince returned to his human form, whispering, "Forgive me." "The hard part's over," Robert said. "From here on, we should be able to sneak in through the city without running into any more soldiers." "Good," Vince said. "It's better not to fight. We don't want to attract any more attention. The damage we did here is more than enough to let them know we're here." Vince had another reason for avoiding fights. All he did was throw one fireball, and already, the venom of guilt was flooding his system. When the small room exploded, he saw in it the same explosion that killed Tina, an explosion he, too, had created. "How much time before the deadline?" Vince asked. "Well, they put it on the news three hours after QS made the threat, and we flew on the hovercraft for about six hours," Robert explained, "so we have about fifteen hours left. Vince, you've been here before. How long will it take to get to the QS headquarters?" "We'll have to avoid all the major roads if we don't want to be seen," Vince said. "So, if we stick to the small roads and stuff, it'll take us about two or three hours." "Then, let's hurry," Robert said. The four of them rushed along, following Vince's lead. They had come to a very run-down part of Gehenna. All the buildings were packed so close together that there were no alleys. The streets were barely two lanes wide, and there was a horrid smell. Fortunately, they didn't see any soldiers. Of course, just because they didn't see any didn't mean they weren't there. An energy shot hit the ground right next to Vince. Quickly, Vince turned around and saw a rifleman on the roof of a building. Suddenly, the doors to many of the buildings opened, and soldiers came marching out. These soldiers wore black masks and blue uniforms, marked with the QS logo that Vince remembered from the days of Omicron. Some of these soldiers dropped small devices on the floor. Alice and Robert pulled out their guns and fired, but these soldiers seemed to be protected by transparent shields. "Run!" Vince shouted, and the four of them ran. As they ran along the narrow streets, soldiers, hiding and shooting from behind transparent barriers, ambushed them at every turn. Alice and Robert fired back as they ran, and Stephanie cast Holy shields to protect them. "Vince, why don't you go Dark Fiend and help?" Stephanie asked. "The point is to avoid fighting," Vince answered. "Well, it's kind of too late for that now," Stephanie replied. An armored jeep came driving down the road in front of them. A soldier sitting on the passenger side leaned out the window and fired rockets at them. Vince and the others made a quick turn onto an empty street. "Wait a minute," Robert said once the coast was clear. "The tactics they used, I've seen them before, but... no, they can't be. Omicron?" "The Quantum Saviors control the Mercenary Camps," Vince explained. "It's sad, but it's true. We might have to fight some of our old friends." Slowly, Robert nodded. Suddenly, from in front of them, two soldiers ran down the street toward them. Robert and Alice lifted their guns. "No, wait!" Vince shouted. One of the soldiers was carrying a sword. "Leon?" The two soldiers took off their masks, revealing Leon and Lorina. "Vince, I heard you were a traitor," Lorina said. "Not really," Vince said. "The Quantum Saviors, your client, is the real bad guy." "I know," Leon replied. "The nukes. We'll help you. There's a hole in their formation. We can use that to escape. Follow us." Lorina and Leon quickly ran down the streets, making several turns. Vince and his friends followed him. Leon slowed down so he could guard the rear while Lorina and Vince led at the front. They came to a T-junction. Lorina turned left. Vince followed. However, before Alice and the others could follow, a rocket hit the building next to them, throwing down tons of debris onto the street, blocking their path. "This way!" Leon shouted, running down the other road. There was a rocket coming at them, and Leon saw it clearly. They'd never make it in time. Quickly, he threw Robert, Stephanie, and Alice across the street, away from the Omicron mercenaries. The rocket hit the building, spilling more debris, cutting Leon off from the others. Robert and the two girls were safe, but Leon was trapped. "I never expected you of all people to betray me," said Colonel Strikov. "I didn't betray you," Leon shouted. "You betrayed me. We both know that QS is a terrorist organization, and you still accepted their job." Strikov laughed. "You don't get it, do you?" he said. "Kill him!" The other soldiers fired on Leon. He tried to block with his sword, but there were just too many shots. Within seconds, he had taken several fatal wounds, and he fell. "QS called in all the Mercenary Camps to come defend Gehenna," Lorina explained. "That's where they get most of their troops, the Mercenary Camps. Each Camp is assigned a different part of the city to protect, and you just happened to show up in our part. Omega, the best Camp, is patrolling the headquarters. They don't wear the blue QS uniforms. Instead, they got black armor, but it still got the same logo. Be careful." Vince nodded. "I will," he said. After a moment's pause, he asked, "Why did you turn your back on your friends in Omicron? Why did you decide to help me?" Lorina sighed. "I knew since we got called here that QS was doing something awful," she said, "but at the time, I just couldn't leave Omicron. Omicron was the only thing that supported me. It gave me life. It gave me stability. I thought, even though Omicron was forcing me to fight for the bad guys, it was better than starving to death. "But when you showed up today, I realized that I should fight for what's right, even if it's unpopular, even if it's harder. You were a good leader in Omicron back then. Even now, you're still giving me the courage to fight for what's right. Thank you, Vince." Vince simply nodded. "I'll help you, even if it means I die," Lorina said. "Now, let's go find the others." A few minutes later, as they turned onto another street, an armored truck sped around the corner. Lorina dropped a Transparent Forcefield. Hiding behind it, she first shot the gunman atop the truck. Then, she fired through the window and killed the driver. The truck swerved out of control and smashed into the building. "Come on," Lorina said to Vince. "That truck will be good for transportation." Lorina ran for the truck, but Vince simply stood there, watching her. Suddenly, the back of the truck opened. Strikov leapt out and fired two shots. The first shot hit Lorina in the right arm, knocking out her gun. The second hit her in the chest. "There's nothing I hate more than a traitor," Strikov said. "Good riddance." "Lorina!" Vince shouted, running to the girl. As Lorina collapsed to the floor, Vince saw Tina falling onto the street. The two images then became superimposed upon each other and combined into one. "Lorina!" Vince shouted again, catching the girl. "Don't worry about me," Lorina said weakly. "I knew the risks of fighting when I joined Omicron. All my friends died long ago, even Molly, who I knew since I was a child. It's a dangerous world. I didn't think I'd last this long, but don't cry for me. I don't regret fighting. I'm dying now, but at least I'll die fighting for something right." Another image of death was etched into Vince's memory forever. "Vince, you were always one of my favorite soldiers," Strikov said. "I really don't want to kill you. Come back to us. Swear your allegiance to Omicron, and I'll spare your life and your friends' lives." "No," Vince replied simply. "Don't you know what the Quantum Saviors are doing? They're threatening the country with nukes. They're trying to incite a war between America and Canada. I can't believe you'd work for terrorists like that!" "Vince, we are mercenaries, warriors who work for the highest bidder," Strikov said. "What is right and what is wrong is not ours to decide. We merely do what they pay us to do, no more, no less. Vince, you've been a good friend to Omicron, but we were paid to defend Gehenna, and we will. I'm sorry." Colonel Peter Strikov then raised his gun and fired shot after shot. One by one, Vince dodged the shots, but he didn't move in to attack nor away to retreat. "I won't fight you," Vince insisted. "But I won't surrender, either." Strikov fired a few more shots, all of which Vince dodged. Then, chuckling, he went back to the truck and pulled out what appeared to be a suit covered with small devices. As Vince stood and watched, Strikov quietly put it on. "Come on, Vince," Strikov said. "Show me the Dark Fiend stuff that impressed me so many months ago." Suddenly, Strikov dashed at an incredible speed toward him. Vince barely had time to get out of the way. The suit left a blur behind as Strikov shot by. Then, the mercenary leader turned around and fired his two miniature Vulcan cannons, mounted on each wrist. Vince barely dodged the bullets. One of them skimmed his arm, drawing blood. Strikov dashed again, and this time, he collided with Vince. The force knocked Vince across the street, slamming him against the truck. Strikov fired his Vulcans again. Vince was in no position to get up and run. There was a sudden burst of magma, and the Dark Fiend of the Inferno appeared, blocking the bullets with his shield of flame. "Much better," Strikov said. "Now, fight me!" "No!" Vince refused again. Strikov then sped around Vince and rammed the truck from behind. The truck fell on Vince, crushing him. However, the Inferno Fiend let loose a mighty shockwave of flame and shattered the truck into debris. Strikov dashed around again and fired his Vulcans at Vince's side, but the Inferno Fiend turned and blocked with a flaming shield. "I won't fight you," Vince repeated. "Then, die!" Strikov yelled. He dashed again at Vince, but suddenly, he stopped in his tracks. "Hmm... out of energy," he said, reading a gauge. A Holy shot flew right by Vince. It sped toward Strikov, but at the last second, his suit absorbed it. Strikov laughed as Stephanie, Robert, and Alice ran onto the street. They stood several yards behind Vince. Strikov stood in front. "This is Zeromega!" Strikov explained. "Thanks for the energy boost." He looked toward Vince. "If you won't fight me, I'll have to force your hand." Strikov dashed toward Stephanie. "Stop it!" the Inferno Fiend yelled. Vince had caught Strikov as he tried to dash by. Now, the Zeromega was draining at his Dark Fiend energies, trying to absorb the magic of his Inferno Fiend form. Alice and Robert fired at Strikov, but the magic-imbued energy shots were only absorbed. Fortunately, Vince could feel that his energy was being absorbed into two precise little machines, located on the shoulder blades of Strikov's suit. Giving a loud warcry, he tore them off and, as he fell to the ground, crushed them in his hands. Laughing, Strikov turned to face Vince. Then, suddenly, he stopped. Slowly, he fell over and landed on his face. There was a bloody hole in the back of his head. Alice was holding her gun up. Vince went to Strikov's fallen body, letting the magma take his Inferno Armor away. Kneeling next to Strikov, he whispered, "Forgive me." "Vince," Stephanie said as she approached him. "Strikov wasn't a bad guy," Vince said, his voice full of melancholy. "He was just trying to survive, like me. But fate made us fight, and fate killed him. It just isn't right." "Vince..." Steph said as she wrapped her arm around him. "Come on, let's go," Vince said. "The headquarters isn't very far from here." Slowly, Vince left Strikov's body, and he and his friends walked down the street toward the Quantum Saviors Headquarters. "We've lost contact with Security Gate 43," William Mandragon reported to his brother Brian. "I tried calling them a moment ago, and there was no response. I checked the records. About two hours ago, Gate 43 accessed the file for Vincent Zeng. I think our traitor has come back. Also, observation reported seeing a single Alliatus Mystic dropping into the city, close to HQ, just a few minutes ago, so it seems we have two intruders. Shall I launch a nuke as punishment?" "Don't bother," Brian replied. "As long as it's not a full-scale military invasion, we can let them come. That way, I'll get to try out my new Zeromega Battle Armor." "All right, little brother," William said as he left the room. "How much time do we have left?" Vince asked as they approached a side door of a huge metal tower. "It took us about four hours to get here," Robert said, looking at his watch, "so we got eleven hours left." "All right, I still remember the code," Vince said as he punched a few numbers on the keypad. "We can get in without setting off any alarms." The door opened, and the four of them entered. "Follow me. The control room is at the top. That's where the Mandragons hang out. The elevator is just off the main hall." A few minutes later, when they made their way into the main hall, they were met with a gruesome sight. The walls and floor were covered with bloodstains. Dead soldiers in black armor littered the floor. "By the heavens, what happened here?" Stephanie asked, shocked at the sight. "Someone else got here before us," Vince gave the obvious answer. Further down the hall, there were two more bodies on the floor. One of them was the alchemist Vypith. The other was the time mage Tempo. "He must have been skilled," Robert observed. "He beat the time mage." "Come on, let's go," Vince beckoned to the others. He led them down the halls. However, at one intersection, someone yelled out. "Intruders!" came the partially muffled voice. There were about a dozen or two black-armored soldiers along the cross-hall. One of them pointed at Vince and the others, and the group came running at them. "Run!" Vince cried for the second time that day. |