|
Community Links |
Members List |
Search Forums |
Advanced Search |
Go to Page... |
|
Thread Tools |
01-15-2014, 02:41 PM | #11 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 404
|
Good so far
|
01-15-2014, 05:53 PM | #12 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 327
|
|
01-22-2014, 08:08 AM | #13 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 327
|
Incursion Eight: Bad Day, Good Day. Robert slid the current order onto the hot plate and called, “Service.” A waiter rushed over to whisk the food away into the depths of the busy dining hall.He grabbed the next order as if on autopilot, read it and clipped it onto a ‘current’ peg. Even though he’d not been working at the restaurant for long, he knew the menu back to front, front to back. He guessed he could probably cook it in his sleep. So as he prepared the meal, he thought to himself. He was honestly pretty bummed out. His friends took him for an idiot, for someone who couldn’t understand a damn thing. I’m not insensitive… I’ve lived through plenty of attacks since the meteor shower. He flipped the two burgers and chuckled. You don’t have to be parentless, or homeless, or frickin’ shirtless to get the magnitude of the situation… But maybe they had a point. Robert had never asked for it, but they looked to him for leadership, he knew that. He didn’t want to accept it, but he saw it. Ken didn’t trust himself to break free of his sister’s shadow, but Allison? When Robert did something stupid, sure, she knew when to rein him in, but that wasn’t the same as leading. He assembled the two plates—burgers and fries—directly in the service area and called for someone to deliver it to the customers. He paused. The time had come to try something different. They didn’t need a red ranger who wanted to lighten the mood. The world was at war with a sentient plague. They needed a man who was plain, simple and to the point. They needed a military man. Robert felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He tapped another chef on the shoulder, apologised and made a break for it out back before the manager noticed. “Hello?” “Rob. It’s Allison.” An explosion sounded in the background. “We’ve got trouble on the UFL campus.” “I’ll be right there.” He hung up and glanced back through the door into the kitchen. He sighed, tore off his apron and threw it over the lid of the trade recycling bin, and ran. It’s only a job... o0o When he arrived at the university, Robert noticed the panic first. Though he had nothing to go on, he felt certain that following the loudest noises would lead him to the others. Sure enough, he found them on the football field already morphed and engaged in battle with No-one; the mutated, bandaged and blindfolded almost copy of General Bryant with an obsession for oblivion. Finding a secluded spot, he morphed and dashed into the fray. He distracted the mutant with the hottest stream of flame he could muster “Next time,” he yelled. “Go on a rampage after my shift ends. I’m so getting fired for this.” He hesitated, imagining White Cross’ derision of his quip. No-one took the opening and slammed his bulging, oversized arm into Red Cross’ stomach. He crumpled to the floor. It felt like being hit by a falling tree. The rangers regrouped, and helped him to his feet. “Point taken, Allison.” He readied himself for the next attack. “I’m not going to be that guy anymore. No more messing around.” “That’s really not what I meant…” “No. My mind’s made up. I’m all guts now.” He stepped forward and swung his arms out to the side. “Iron advent!” His arms hardened, taking on the appearance of metal, and seemed to glint with unseen edge. “Hit me with a wind, White.” She was about to protest when realised what Red Cross was up to. She launched a whirlwind straight for him, hoping he knew what he was doing. The wind picked him up and spun him until he was nothing more than blur of shining metal grey and red, a vortex of death. The tornado advent tore toward No-one. The mutant jumped from its path, but White Cross used her power to curl it back. Robert’s blade arms sliced into No-one, rending flesh and bandage alike. The gauze fell from his regular sized arm to reveal bad scarring across the entirety of the back of his hand. His usual air of nonchalance broke and he frantically attempted to hide it. This gave Blue Cross a chance to launch his own. “Flood Advent!” he roared, and a torrent of water gushed forth from his hands washing No-one off his legs. He hit the grass with a dull whump and melted instantly into a pool of Black Water that seeped down into the soil. The grass seemed to double in size in his wake. Red Cross moved to demorph, but they’d drawn somewhat of a crowd. He didn’t know what he thought would happen, but there were no cheers, no clapping or whooping at their victory, only whispers and uncertainty. “What crawled up their-“ “Let’s get out of here,” said White Cross. o0o Almost as soon as mobile phone footage of the battle on University grounds had leaked to the media via social media, General Bryant had called Lieutenant Moses in, and he didn’t sound happy. Then again, he never did these days. She skulked down the corridor in the Agency’s mountain HQ, saw his office door open and knocked as she entered. General Bryant shot up, and pulled on his gloves. Catherine thought she’d just seen a glowing symbol on the back of his hand, but quickly shrugged it off. His skin was a lot paler than last she’d seen him. “Lieutenant. You have some explaining to do.” “If this is about the university…” “It’s about your ranger’s tearing around a billion dollar campus and failing to put down the enemy. We can’t afford to look like fools.” “But no one outside HQ can link the Cross Rangers to the Agency.” “Someone soon will, Moses. The public aren’t stupid.” He slapped a crisp newspaper down on the desk. No doubt he’d had it pulled it fresh from the press before the story ran to the entirety of Steele City. “The media are already slating them for the damage they did to the football field.” “What do you expect me to do? Tell them they can’t do their job?” The General’s voice rose to a roar, ricocheting out into the corridor. “Keep them occupied and out of the way! Understand?” He choked on his anger for a second, before pushing onward regardless. “We have trained professionals on hand to deal with situations like these in a safe, and more importantly cost effective, manner.” “But-“ “I hate the Black Water as much as the next,” he interrupted. “but if you don’t keep the rangers on a short leash, I’m going to be forced to cut the project loose.” Catherine’s mind flashed back to the magi symbols she’d glimpsed—had he noticed? She wondered—and the continued appearance of the Black Cross in the city since they’d relocated. He’d been more than forthcoming with his hatred for the ‘untrained menace’ as he called them. Did he want them out of the way so he, his fellow darkness clan member the Black Cross, and the Agency could claim all the glory? And what, if anything, did this have to do with his decreasing health after being engulfed by the Black Water? In a way, she didn’t want to know—the longer the Cross Rangers could do their thing without interference, the better—but she suspected, in the end, she mightn’t have a choice. A torrent of threats later, many painted in colourful language, he dismissed her and she headed straight for R&D. Now more than ever, she wanted to find the next magi. o0o The Rangers had gone straight back to the flat. Robert cooked diner out of sheer habit, and they ate in silence, before turning in for the night. Had he surprised them with his decisiveness? In all honestly, he hadn’t felt any difference. Joking around, no joking around… as long as he got the job done, what was all the fuss about? He could tell however that Allison was still miffed with him. What good would his knowing suffering do? Did it help her get through the day? Robert would much rather attack from the high ground. Stay in high spirits that is. What helped him get through it all was a dogged, stubborn belief that they had the power to make a difference, no matter what. Why else would they have been given such a chance? There was a knock at the door but before anyone could answer a key slid in to the lock and there stood their new landlady. She marched straight over to Robert who was still in the kitchen washing up and slapped a contract down in front of him. “Shape up, Lam. I can’t negotiate every time you get yourself fired.” Almost as quick as she’d appeared, she disappeared back out the door. A quiet, groggy voice came from the bedroom corridor. Allison followed. “Robert? Who was that?” “Our landlady.” “Landlady?” “Yeah.” Allison rolled her eyes and spun on her heels. She trudged straight back to her room. Honestly, that summed it all up for Robert. It was difficult keeping track of everything they were supposed to be, so difficult in fact it encroached on the crux of the matter. They, as Rangers, existed to save people from evil. That was all, it, the one and the only. He saw that now, and if General Bryant wanted to keep them on their toes with personnel changes then so be it. o0o Lt. Moses burst into the flat at eight in the morning the next day. A groggy Robert stopped shuffling around the kitchen island, and set the milk down on the side. It took him a moment to realise who he was looking at. He rubbed his eyes and sighed. “Good morning, Catherine…” “Robert, are the other’s awake?” she asked. “I have some great news.” Ken and Allison stepped out of their bedrooms as if on cue. “We are now.” “I stayed up late last night scouring through DNA records. It took a while but after matching it all against the electoral roll, I found him.” She grinned and held up a manila folder. “I actually found him, and you won’t believe who it is.” “Really?” They gathered in the kitchen and Catherine pulled a picture from the folder. She slapped it down with a flourish. Robert’s mouth hung open. “And there’s no way you’re wrong?” She folded her arms. “Not unless my father’s theories are wrong—did I mention he devoted his life to this?” “Still…” “Brad Reiter.” Ken blinked, rubbed his eyes and took a second look. “Brad is the next magi?!” |
01-25-2014, 07:34 AM | #14 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 327
|
So, before a do is in any way furthered, here's something a little special I've been keeping under wraps.
Every so often I'm going to be releasing a character-focused short story, and as a bonus, you guys get some nifty art work to go with it. Just for being Tokunation. Enjoy. Magi Short #1: Robert's Story Shoulders hunched, Robert slid in to the restaurant kitchen through the back door. Of course the Agency had bargained for his job back. Of course. He dreaded to think what their newest lie was. If he kept his head down and did the job he was supposed to, he hoped it wouldn’t come up. It would have been nice to know what the plan was though. How did they expect him to keep being a Ranger secret when he didn’t know the part they intended for him to play? Ah well, he thought, hanging his jacket on a peg on his way to wash his hands, Par for the course really. He dried off and slammed the paper towel into the bin. His boss heard the commotion and poked his head around the door. “How are you doing, Robert?” “Oh, I’m fine, chef,” he lied. “Did you get that family emergency sorted out?” Robert couldn’t tell if he believed the story or not, but either way it seemed to have passed inspection… this time. “Yeah, thanks. Sorry about the other day.” “Don’t mention it.” He too crossed over to the skin to wash his hands. As he lathered up, he spoke once more. “Things these days are tough. My family’s all right up here, but I can’t imagine what it’s like down in Steele City. You’re a good man for dealing with shit like that and coming out the other side.” “Thanks, man.” Robert raised an eyebrow and smiled. “You know, you’re the first person I’ve met who really gets it.” “I’m always willing to give second chances, but…” The chef chuckled. “I’ve got to admit, your aunt makes a persuasive case.” He winked on the way past Robert. “No more cutting out on a shift without telling me though.” o0o Once the lunch time rush died down, Robert took his break. If he had one good thing to say about working here, it had to be that getting one free grill of your choice. A definite perk. He supposed working wasn’t all that bad. The menu had never been difficult to cook to deadline considering half of it was pre-prepared. To give the situation its due--being a ranger, playing into the Agency’s hand--it had forced him to think about his life. Back in Steele City he’d done little more than drift. You could only play so much football you before realised you weren’t doing anything truly productive with your time. The kind of good that came from dodgy situations always surprised him. Life moved in mysterious ways. The front door chimed. Robert looked up from his burger expecting to see a customer, and locked eyes with the landlady, his supposed aunt. “What are you doing here?” “Now, now, is that anyway to treat family?” she grinned and slid into the booth next to him. “I just thought I’d come and check in on you. Call it protecting my assets. If you don’t work, you can’t pay rent.” “Is that why you came, huh…” Robert dropped the burger back onto his plate. His appetite deserted him. “Look. I understand why you don’t trust me, so let me get one thing straight,” she whispered. “My only concern is your cover. Give me a reason to talk to you about it and I will. Otherwise I’ll keep well out of your business. You’re Moses’ concern, not mine.” “That’s great. Just fine.” He stood, taking his lunch with him. “Answer me this though. Why are you here and not Mr Sanders?” “Sanders was… a misjudgement on our behalf.” Robert sighed. “That’s all you’re going to tell me, isn’t it.” Her silence said it all. “Okay, whatever. I’ve got work to do, you’ve got work to do. We done here?” “Of course.” As Robert neared the door to the kitchen, his ‘aunt’ spoke again. “Mr Sanders wasn’t working out, that’s all. So we got rid of him. Let that be a warning to you and your friends. Nothing you do in life makes you immune to getting fired.” o0o Toward the end of Robert’s shift Allison, Ken and Catherine came into to see how he was doing. “How’s getting rehired working out for you?” Ken said, slipping into a booth with the others. “Oh, you know, same old,” Robert said with a shrug. “Besides, it beats sitting around back home in Steele City doing nothing.” “Nothing?” Allison raised an eyebrow and folded her arms. “Us hanging out was doing nothing?” “You know that’s not what I meant...” Ken shook his head and glared at his sister. “Knock it off, Al.” He turned back to Robert. “She’s just messing with you, dude.” “Oh… I knew that.” Catherine smiled. Even without formal training the three of them acted as a team, no doubt about that. She supposed she could have ended up lumped with a bunch of bitter enemies. Better not look a gift horse in the mouth. “So what would you three like to do tonight?” She said. Robert thought for a moment. When he spoke, he did so slowly but surely. “Try to take over the world, perhaps?” |
01-29-2014, 07:18 AM | #15 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 327
|
And now back to our regular programming...
Incursion Nine: Stardom. Ken, Robert and Allison stood outside Brad’s flat. Robert scratched the back of his head, and suppressed the urge to whistle. “Have you ever…?” “No Rob,” said Allison with a sigh. “I’ve never had to tell someone they may have mystic powers coursing through their veins, that they might be the next Cross Ranger, sworn to do battle with a vile evil.” “Then how should we do this?” Allison glared at Robert. “I thought you said you weren’t going to joke around anymore?” “It’s who I am.” Robert shrugged. “Deal with it.” Ken shook his head at their antics. “Just let me do it. He’s my friend, I’m sure I’ll figure something out.” He knocked once on the door and Brad answered in his pyjamas, bowl of cereal in hand. “What’s up, uh, guys? It’s still pretty early, you know?” Ken chuckled. “Sorry about that. Look, my friends and I need to talk to you about something.” “Can’t it wait until I finish my breakfast?” He took a bite and spoke with his mouthful, “And maybe get dressed properly.” o0o Half an hour later, they sat together in the ranger’s flat. “Brad,” said Ken. “Allow me to introduce Lt. Catherine Moses of the, uh, Agency.” “Pleasure.” He fiddled with his glasses and looked from the Powel siblings, to Robert, and the lieutenant. He couldn’t begin to imagine what the military would want with him. He’d always kept his head down. Even on the internet. “Hey, so what’s this about? I’ve got a couple of other things to do today…” Lt. Moses took a second to compose herself. “This is going to sound somewhat… crazy, I know, but the Agency has a few questions to ask you.” Brad frowned. “I’m not in trouble am I?” “No,” she chuckled. “You’re not.” He didn’t think he was being paranoid. Everyone assumed they were in trouble when the phrase ‘a few questions’ reared its ugly head, right? “Hear her out, yeah?” Ken said. Catherine nodded. “Now, what do you know of your family’s heritage?” “Not a lot,” he shrugged. She produced the manila wallet she’d compiled and spread a few documents across the coffee table. Brad’s face lit up at the DNA result print out. “Oh hey. That’s cool. I’m studying the genome project in class at the moment…” Realisation dawned on him when he spotted the subject’s name at the top of the sheet. “This is of me isn’t it…” He studied it closer and tapped a sequence Catherine had circled in red pen. “What’s this?” “That’s what I want to talk to you about. Allison, Ken and Robert all have similar such sequences in their own DNA.” She shuffled a three new pages to the top of the pile. As promised, the same code repeated itself, circled by the same red pen. “It marks you four as part of an ancient bloodline that...” She too began to wonder. How did you tell someone a truth you knew to be real, but one that sounded utterly ridiculous. “Alright.” Robert stood suddenly. “This is going nowhere.” He held out his hands and summoned his magi symbols. Brad gasped. “Oh… wow, that’s…” Catherine shook her head and pushed passed her trepidation. “That fact is, we believe you are descended from one or more of the nine ancient clans—though I can’t say for sure which ones—and may be in possession of a… power.” “I’m not sure I follow.” He tilted his head. Robert shook his head. “For goodness sake.” He stood back and crossed his arms at his waist. “Cross form.” He swung his arms, manifesting his morpher and gem. Brad shielded his eyes against the red light, and when he opened them again he saw a Red-suited superhero in Robert’s place. “You’re Red Cross, one the rangers from on the news! You three battled a … guy down on the UFL football field.” “Bingo!” Thank God he finally gets it… “And we think you’re one of us.” “How would I know? I certainly can’t do anything like that.” Before anyone could answer him or he had time to process what was happening, an alarm sounded from within the lieutenant’s bag. She retrieved her military-issue communicator and pressed the button on the side. She considered asking Brad to leave, but, since she was pretty sure he was the one, she ignored her gut for a change. “This is Moses. Go ahead.” “A Black Water infested beast is on its way towards Fort Lowsdale,” a voice said. “The rangers are cleared to intercept and stop it before it reaches the town border.” “Understood.” “Brad.” Robert demorphed. “Come with us. Maybe if you’re part of the action, we’ll figure this whole thing out quicker.” “I don’t know… I’ll just get in the way, won’t I?” “You’ll have to decide later,” Allison said on her way to the door with the others. “We gotta go. Now.” o0o The beast, a hair bigger than a two story house lifted its huge foot from the wreckage of a building. It shook its leg to rid itself of the masonry, and howled in pain when it found it couldn’t. The masonry clung to it, grafted right into the flesh. The creature had once looked like a cross between a red howler monkey and a six-banded armadillo. Before that… who knows. Since crossing the quarantine it had grown larger and larger still, as more material fused with it; huge tree trunks for legs, parts of destroyed buildings for makeshift armour. Vines snaked their way across it’s skin, and sticking out of its flank was a half-submerged car, a Nissan. It’s eyes were hollowed out black pits of nothingness that would forever haunt the people of the towns it left in its wake. Lt Moses’ Agency car skidded to a halt in the beast’s lumbering path of destruction. The rangers leaped out, but hesitated seeing the size and extent of what they were up against. “Kind of makes that Elk look like a mouse, huh.” said Robert. “And we almost didn’t bring that down…” Her voice monotone. Ken popped his knuckles and stretched his arms above his head. “No time like the present?” They ranked up and crossed their arms in a x by their waists. “Cross form!” they called in unison, and swung their arms in opposing arcs. The power overtook them and their armour formed in less than a fraction of second. “Any bright ideas?” Red Cross asked, painfully aware the beast, which he decided to call the Howlerdillo, was getting closer, far quicker than he imagined a creature it’s size could. Brad jumped out of the car followed by Lt. Moses and stared in a horrified kind of awe at the mutant monstrosity. “That shouldn’t be possible.” The lieutenant sighed, “You have seen the news recently, haven’t you?” “Yeah, but nothing like that. Men with huge arms, rabid animal attacks, rangers… just not… Damn!” He now knew first-hand what the military and the Cross rangers fought against day in day out along the quarantine wall. He had only an inkling of what it meant to stand up to such heinousness, to be a hero for the people. It was one thing to want to help teach kids affected by the disaster, but that was akin to treating the symptoms, not the cause, of a disease. It was another thing entirely to do something practical about it. “I didn’t have time to explain earlier.” Lt Moses hung her head. “What we’re asking of you is a lot. Evidently.” She looked on as the rangers did their best to grab the lumbering beast’s attention. “It’ll consume your life if you let it. My boss, General Bryant is a controlling man and… well I still haven’t got the rangers out from under him… that’s not- my point is this. If you are a magi, I want you to know what you’re getting yourself into, before you agree to anything.” “I understand.” Brad nodded. He looked Catherine in the eye and winked, “and hey, we both know that genes never lie.” He took a step forward, as though instinct told him to follow the rangers lead, but he stopped himself and looked down at his hands. Nothing. “What if I’m not magi?” He called back over the din of elemental attacks. “Then everything goes back to normal,” she replied. “... As long as you sign a nondisclosure agreement.” “Oh.” Brad stared at his hands again. “But that life is boring.” In that instant, pain lanced through his brain unlocking the centuries’ worth of genetic memory within him. Now he really understood. “Here it goes.” Brad thrust his hands into a x formation at his waist. One hand lit up with a shining blue droplet symbol, the other with three blades of grass and the earth beneath all in green. Catherine smiled. One point to the science of tracking down magi. Have Bryant’s men even figured this out yet? She hadn’t told the rangers she’d kept the search to herself. She hadn’t even told them what she suspected about Bryant. Most of all she dreaded the morning, when the General found out about this, but she’d cross that bridge when she came to it. Consequences be damned. I might have just saved the world by finding Brad. Brad swung his arms out to the side in opposing arcs like he’d seen the others do, then crossed them again in a plus across his chest. “Cross form!” His morpher shimmered into existence, as did a green gem baring his mixed clan power symbol. “Green Cross.” Green energy, a force from across the generations, crackled outward and overtook him. Lt. Moses took a step back. When the light died down, he once more looked at his hands now clad in green armour with blue accents here and there. Without a second thought otherwise, the new Green Cross leaped forward into battle, to join his team mates and grab destiny by the neck. To actually do something for a change. Not in the future… now. |
02-05-2014, 07:40 AM | #16 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 327
|
I'm not one to bump my own stuff or pimp unnecessarily, but here's the top secret behind the scenes low down on my posting schedual for Magi Tribe: Cross Ranger. For transparencies sake, you know?
Every tuesday I post the next installment over on FanFiction.net. It goes live about 30 minutes after that. Due to guidelines over there, it's stripped of special formating and generally a more streamlined read. Every Wednesday: And of course, every Wednesday. I post here for you lovely lot (and anywhere else I need to). But for being such an awesome forum there's a trade off. You may not get the exclusive in terms of words, but to make up for it you get exclusive artwork (and many things in future that I have yet to dream up!) Selected Weekends I post my little side stories (eg, things like Robert's Story a few weeks ago), one-shots (top secret. do not talk about), and things tangentially related to the current plot (artwork, etc) that enhances your viewing pleasure. And yes, like I said above, some of these will be exclusives. All for tokunation. For example, no one else has seen the Police Ranger pixels. Don't let anyone say I'm not good to you guys Now, it's Wednesday so on with our regular programming! |
02-05-2014, 07:47 AM | #17 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 327
|
Shorter one this week... but only because the story was too big to fit in one chapter
Incursion Ten: Cast out. Brad Reiter, the Green Cross ranger, dove into battle. The Power coursed through him into his hands and feet, and it felt like he was part of the Earth itself. Stronger, unmoveable. “Landslide Advent!” he shouted, slamming both his fists against the ground. The shock waves kicked up the ground in front of the Howlerdillo. It’s front legs sunk into the fissure. It stumbled forward onto its knees, but managed to stay upright more or less. It let out the unholiest of roars. The Rangers regrouped. “Nice move!” Red Cross patted him on the back. “Cheers but-” The Howlerdillo swung a thick vine at them, but Green Cross shoved them to the ground just in time. “… But I… we haven’t beat him yet.” The four rangers helped each other to their feet. The titanic beast lashed it’s vines to boulders nearby and attempted to haul itself out of Green Cross’ fissure. Heavy gunfire splashed across the vines, severing them from the Howlerdillo. It roared out in pain, and redoubled its struggle to work itself free. A second volley of precise gunfire pinned it in place. Two APVs ground to a halt, flanking Lt. Moses’ Agency car. Squads of men and women in full military-grade armour poured from the vehicles and ranked up between the lieutenant and the Rangers, their guns trained on the Black Water mutant. The superior officer, a captain by her uniform, approached Lt. Moses. “Austin,” hissed Catherine. She was quite surprised to see the troops mobilised against the Howlerdillo considering the General’s attitude towards the Rangers. Nevertheless Maria Austin had always been willing to lend a hand. “Lieutenant.” Seeing the front line was secured by her team and the defensive perimeter in place, she lowered her own gun, letting it hang on the strap that secured it to her armoured jacket. “I thought you and your team might like some back up.” “Uh, yeah sure, but-“ What about Bryant? As it so happened she didn’t actually need to voice her worries, Maria got there first. “He’s lost it this time, Moses. And I mean that seriously. He’s disbanded R&D, bumped off your project status…” She leaned in, lowering her voice so her troops couldn’t overhear them. “I shouldn’t be out here. Even though we’re down to a skeleton crew, we’ve be ordered to attack your rangers on sight. Threat level beta, just behind the Black Water.” Catherine sighed into her hand and squeezed her eyes shut. “At least he had the foresight to leave the Black Water as the alpha target…” “That’s the thing though, he’s basically spinning his wheels on that front,” said Maria. “I’ve been pleading for more men, heightened patrols along the border, reinforcement of quarantine wall… all he cares about is keeping you off the radar.” “I don’t understand... Why are you risking your career for this?” “I joined the Agency to fight bad guys. Not your team. As far as I’m concerned the Rangers are the only people doing anything productive.” She turned to face her troops, who every once in a while would lay down fire to keep the Howlerdillo pinned. Though four Cross Rangers approached them, Maria ignored them and continued. “If doing the right thing means facing court martial or worse then… like hell am I gonna play lap dog to Bryant and his ego!” Catherine smiled. “Great to have you on board and all but...” Red Cross jerked his thumb at the Howlerdillo. “We need to do something about that.” Maria regarded the Red Ranger. “Agreed.” Lt. Moses remembered then that Captain Austin had been the one ordered to bring the Robert, Allison and Ken in after the Elk incursion. Not the best reunion. Captain Austin raised her hand and called for her troops to cease fire. The soldiers parted for the Rangers, letting them through to the front of the formation. The Howlerdillo paid no mind to the Rangers and continued its struggle against the fissure. “All advents?” suggested the white ranger. “Ready?” They raised their hands and found the very core of their magi power. Green Cross and White Cross let their attacks fly first. Green Cross’ slammed his hands into the ground a second time, the Landslide Advent’s shockwaves sundering the ground further. Now there was no escape. White Cross followed with her Tornado Advent. The winds tore across the beast’s body, kicked material up off the ground, and bit into its flesh, weakening it. “Torrent Advent.” Blue Cross let out a powerful stream of water that knocked the Howlerdillo off it legs, and turned the ground into a boggy quicksand. Recognition of its plight seemed to dawn on the beast and it stopped struggling. In that moment the mutant looked tormented, as though it remembered now what it used to be before the infection. Red Cross built up the intensity of his flames until the air itself rippled in haze. He could just about feel the heat on his face through the protection of his helmet. He hated putting down an animal like this—it was tormented, angry, not evil—but he knew what had to be done. He’d known back when he and Allison faced off against the Elk downtown. “Flame Advent!” He dashed toward to mutant and leaped high, angled his descent and drove his burning fists into it’s back. The vines and vegetation across its body caught alight first, followed by the fuel tank of the car imbedded in its flank. Just as the Rangers and Soldiers had retreated to a safe distance, the Howlerdillo exploded in a huge ball of flame. Green and Blue rangers looked at each other. “That was lucky,” they said in unison. Organic and inorganic material alike rained down around them. The growl of engines and squealing tires sounded as two more jeeps emblazoned with the Agency insignia swerved to avoid falling masonry and engine parts. The vehicles came to a sudden halt, kicking dust into the air. A few of Maria’s men coughed and choked, but altogether kept their cool. They knew who had arrived, but it took the rangers longer to catch on. Soldiers wearing pitch black armour with full protective faceplates filed out, followed by General Bryant. The General called them to a stop and replaced his beret on his head. With a calm only a veteran could muster, he glanced at the remains of the Howlerdillo, appraised the state of the fire raging around them and frowned. “Captain Austin,” he called. He voice didn’t falter, nor did it rise above a conversation tone. “I hope you’re pleased with yourself…” Lieutenant Moses stepped forward. “It was my idea, sir, I called her in to-“ “You did shit all, Moses,” Bryant snapped. “Stop being such a martyr.” He walked forward with measured steps, disgust etched across his face. He knew these men and women had only been following their chain of command, but they sickened him all the same. The rot had spread far throughout his organisation, it seemed. “I’m not sure who to start with first.” He began to remove his gloves a finger at a time. Lt. Moses’ eyes widened. General Bryant continued: “I know you deserve a court martial for your insubordination, Captain Austin, though I might punish your troops instead…” He hummed in mock consideration, and turned to Catherine. “And you Moses. I suppose in the end you were only doing a job I told you to do…” He about faced, and walked down the line of soldiers, straight past the Cross Rangers and ignoring them altogether. Now facing away from them all, he dropped his gloves to the floor. It didn’t take long for the Rangers to spot the symbols glowing on his clenched fists. “At the end of the day, none of you are worthy of being associated with my Agency.” His voice remained level, quiet even. The morpher and gem appeared on the back of his hand, and set in the centre was his combined magi symbol. Red Cross recognised it instantly as the mixed Dark and Air clan. General Bryant was the Black Cross Ranger. He turned and crossed his arms in an x-shape. “Cross Form.” He thrust them out to the side and slammed left palm against right fist. His armour materialised in a dark-purple surged of magi power. “You. Utter…” Maria said through gritted teeth. The man was mad. He’d attacked the rangers. He’d stood in their way while they tried to make the world a better place, more than once. A guttural scream tore from her throat, and by the time she had her hands around his neck, a morpher had formed on the back of her own hands. “The magi are really swarming today…” muttered Green Cross. Though he couldn’t place the first half-symbol emblazoned on her morpher gem, Red Cross knew the second intimately. Fire clan. |
02-07-2014, 06:34 AM | #18 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 327
|
Magi Tribe Short #2: Brad’s Story So. Where to begin... My name is Brad Reiter. I was born and raised in the great wild north, proper small town country, and, long story short, I’m now an education major at the University of Fort Lowsdale. I’m writing these unmailed letters for the sake of historical accuracy. I think... That’s not enough, is it? Honestly, not a lot happened in my life until recently. I suppose I’ve become known for a sort of independent streak though. Everyone seemed to assume I’d stay in town for the rest of my life, like people always did. So like hell I was going to do that. Then people thought I should get a job instead of going to university. No point bucking the trend of the quintessential uneducated family right? Well, you can guess what happened there. I must say, applying to UFL was probably the best thing I could have done with myself. I’m not trying to be a cliche; I don’t mind my home town, I suppose. It’s just… I know that’s not all there is to the world. I’ve often thought it would have been simpler to remain blissfully ignorant on that front... Realising there are forces in the world looking to kill you, or worse, without reason or rhyme, kind of puts a dampener on the whole thing. And that, dear friend, is where the Cross Rangers come in. I shouldn’t really be telling you about them. Dangerous secrets and all that. Heh, yeah, and maybe one day I’ll actually get around to doing something with these letters. I’d seen them on the news, read a few blogs on them. I didn’t think much of it at first, since the government were all too happy to neither confirm nor deny their involvement in bringing the rangers together. I certainly didn’t think them a menace like loads of people did at the time. I didn’t know what I thought, really. I couldn’t understand them. Heroism seems a bit too much like hard work to me. You always think you know how you’ll react in any given situation. People are so sure of themselves. I was always so sure of myself. The rangers moved in across the landing, one thing lead to another and they turned up at my door telling me I was some sort of mage - sorry Magi - like it was some how my duty to join them, become a cross ranger and do battle with evil. Yeah ... but it sounded all a bit too much, know what I mean? I think it was probably morbid curiosity more than anything that lead me to follow them out into the field to confront the Howlerdillo. I told myself I’d keep a cool head and observe. That thing was fucking huge (pardon the language). Seriously though. I guess confronted with hardship the brain does funny things. I soon found I was talking myself round to their cause. And that, as they say, was one step too far out onto the slippery slopes of destiny. I always thought I’d buck the trend. When someone told me to do something, I’d do the opposite. That thought never crossed my mind when confronted by the prospect that I could be a hero. As soon as my brain cleared and instinct kicked in… I was a Cross Ranger. The military doesn’t suit me. Then again, I don’t think I ever knew what suited me. Whatever happened next, being the Green Cross Ranger definitely suited me. No doubt about it. Good thing I had no clue what the future held for us then or I might have chosen differently otherwise. Regards, Brad. o0o Been a ranger for a few weeks now, and damn is it tiring. The other day we were battling this mutant who… okay it doesn’t really matter. Here’s the problem: this mission of ours is pretty damn important, even I can see that, but I haven’t seen my friends in days. They ask me if I want to hang out this evening, automatically I say I can’t. I’m just so worn out on it all. I wish it was easier to balance friendship outside of being cross ranger, but it’s not. Maybe when all this is done I can have a life again. Regards, Brad. P.S. Ken, Rob and the others are great, nice people, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes I wonder if we’re just too different, you know? Do they like music, animation, video games? I literally have no idea aside from a little common ground with Ken. If I said RWBY what would he say? But I guess it doesn’t make much of a difference at the end of the day. We’re here to fight injustice, not chin wag. o0o It keeps me awake at night. It keeps me distracted in lectures. Can we defeat the Black Water? Surely they’ll just keep coming back until every last drop of the stuff is eradicated. Definitely sound’s like my whole life’s work is planned out for me… We’ll have to see about that. Regards, Brad ------- All templates used to make this and following artwork are used by the permission of their creator Taiko554. The rest of the work is mine, and all IP is mine. Thank you. |
02-12-2014, 06:20 AM | #19 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 327
|
Incursion Eleven: Betrayal. Weeks ago, Agency HQ After Black Water’s attack in the hangar, General Bryant was rushed to the med bay. “Let me go. That’s an order,” he yelled. He’d just seen his own people turn against one another, corpses infected by the infection. Now was not a time to be sitting around on hospital bed while quacks wasted effort. When they eventually got him onto a bed, the base’s chief medical officer approached wearily. “Sir, I’m sorry. I’m only doing my job,” she said. “I have the final verdict on whether or not you can return to duty.” “I know that you blithering idiot. I’m a General damn it!” he roared. She backed away at this, “Yes, sir, of course, sir.” She gestured for a subordinate to fetch her instruments. “Only… you just had a run in with pure Black Water. You and I both know what that means.” He narrowed his eyes at the CMO. “Make it quick.” Though the nurse had only been gone a few seconds, the doctor decided it was best she chase up on the matter and left the General alone. By the time she got back with the diagnostic tools she need, Bryant had gone. o0o The General stumbled into his office and collapsed in his chair. He yanked a rag from the desk draw and coughed into it, doubling over almost. He pulled back gasping for stolen breath. Black gunk stained the rag. “Dammit!” He threw it clean across the room and stood suddenly, toppling his chair. The clattering would soon attract the attention of his secretary but frankly he didn’t care. The rangers… they talked big, they had the power, but did they lift a finger to stop the Black Water from infecting him? “Too bloody right they didn’t!” His secretary poked his head around the door, speaking meekly, “Are you alright, General? Should I call for Doctor-“ “You’ll do no such thing!” “As you wish, sir.” He left as quickly as he arrived, knowing not to trifle with the General when he was mood. o0o Days later. General Bryant stood alone in the hangar. He’d just had a meeting with Lieutenant Moses to discuss the Ranger situation and felt the need to let off some steam. Though the CMO had attempt to recall him for the check-up he’d walked out on, he assured her he had never felt better. And it was only half a lie. The coughing had gotten worse. His chest felt… waterlogged and no matter how he tried, he couldn’t clear it. But now he felt different. Every time the thought of the Rangers crossed his mind, anger surged through him, and that anger made him stronger. He gazed wide eyed at the back of his hands. The sight of the two glowing symbols on made it all the more worse. Darkness descended across his vision and he yelled obscenities into the empty hangar. o0o Black Cross prised Maria’s hands from around his throat, flipped her over his shoulder and forced her mass to the ground. A textbook example of judo technique. He stood on her stomach and gleefully pushed the air from her lungs. “I considered you one of my best accomplishments.” “Well, I’m sorry… sir… you’ll have to … rethink that,” she gasped. Though Green Cross knew next to nothing about the General-turned-Ranger, he couldn’t stand idly by a watch him pick on a woman—soldier or not. He dashed forward and threw a punch at Black Cross’ head. The ranger stumbled backwards. Meanwhile, Red Cross helped Maria to her feet. She clutched her chest and studied the morpher on her hand. Though she’d hardly admit it to anyone present, Maria had wanted the Ranger power for herself. At first, she’d wanted to take it from Robert and the gang. Surely it could be put to better use by the military. Then it dawned on her… she didn’t want that, not really. She wanted to join them in their fight. Only so much I can do as a conventional solider. And so she did what she’d seen every Ranger do thus far, she ranked up with the other four and crossed her arms in a x-like fashion at her waist. “Cross Form,” instinct compelled her to shout. She swung her arms in wide, opposing arcs of glowing yellow magi power and recrossed them in a plus at her chest. The light overtook her and the Yellow Cross armour materialised around her, first the suit and then the helmet showing the combined symbols of fire and a stylised sound wave; what she now knew to be the symbol of the sonic clan. White Cross took the centre of their formation and called out to Black Cross. “I don’t want to fight you anymore... In fact I’d rather us magi worked together, against our common enemy.” Black Cross ignored her entirely and leapt forward, drawing his gun. He fired shadow bullets amongst them, intending to miss. The Rangers scattered, but soon wished they hadn’t. Black Cross lashed out with his magi power. “Shadow Advent!” A wave of darkness burst from him and spread in all directions, sparking against the five rangers armour. o0o With magical energies whipping up the ground, Lt. Moses ordered Maria’s troops to cover behind their APVs. Many wanted to join the fight. Some with the Rangers and some with General Bryant. “Stop it!” She bellowed. Her sudden outburst surprised them enough they did as they were told. They knew Catherine Moses as a meek, quiet officer. A lackey and nothing more. To see her stepping out of her shell and taking charge was … unthinkable. “In-fighting will do us no good.” She stood to attention where they could all see her, ignoring the battle raging beyond. “You heard White Cross. We all have a common enemy. The infection devastating our country, destroying lives, creating monsters like the one you fought today, from innocent wildlife no less! Is this really the time to squabble amongst ourselves?” The soldiers merely murmured to themselves. None seemed completely happy, but no one put a toe out of line. A hail of bullets cut a line between Lt Moses and the soldiers. The General’s elite lowered their guns, their squad leader stepped forward. “It really doesn’t matter what any of you think. You’ve betrayed General Bryant.” Maria’s troops jumped to their feet and raised their weapons again. It quickly became a stand-off. The Elite leader continued, “And what do we do with deserters in times of war?” o0o Yellow Cross rolled into a crouched position. “Resonance Advent.” She flung her arms out and a humming pure tone wave of sound burst from her. The concussive effect of the wave knocked Black Cross back a few metres, but didn’t stop there. The perfect tone resonated against his helmet. A crack snaked and webbed across his visor. “You’ll pay for that, Austin,” he shouted, evidently the attack had blown his ear drums. Red Cross grabbed her by the shoulder before she could take out any more of her fury on the man. “Stop.” He didn’t raise his voice, he didn’t shout, he didn’t even command her—after all, she was the captain, not him—but he couldn’t let her go all out against Black Cross. “Let me go, Red,” she warned. “No.” Blue Cross stepped forward mimicking the red ranger. The others followed him and formed a circle around Yellow Cross. “There are more important things to accomplish than beat up some…” White Cross turned her head to look at Black Cross, to make sure he got the full impact of what she was about to say. “… Some twisted mad man.” Black Cross burst out laughing. “See?! This is why I wanted to keep you fools out of the picture. You’re pitiful moral code is stopping you from doing... anything!” He advanced toward them. “You don’t know war like I do. You don’t understand the real impact of this invasion. But what do I know…” He shrugged and held up his hands, palms to the sky. “I’m just some twisted mad man.” He pulled his gun from its holster and fired it wildly into the air. “Cyclone Blitz!” As the shadow bullets rained down they spun and corkscrewed, whipping up a violent wind that picked the rangers up and tossed them around like rag dolls. The fires smouldering in the ruined carcass of the Howlerdillo were blown clean out like birthday candles, and a thick screen of dust obscured their view of just about everything. When the wind settled down, the Rangers lay broken and battered on the ground; their suits torn, shredded, and their helmets shattered. To top it all off, Black Cross, his elite guard and Maria’s troops were nowhere to be seen. o0o “General Bryant.” Maria Austin snapped a salute at her new commanding officer. “First Lieutenant Maria Austin reporting, sir.”Three years ago “I’ve heard a lot about you, Lieutenant,” Bryant said, standing from behind his desk and offering the young officer a hand to shake. Here was a man whose influence preceded him. A man who’d taken it upon himself to form the nation’s first and so far only defence initiative against the growing Black Water threat. Maria had positively jump at the chance to serve under him. “I look forward to working for you, sir.” |
02-19-2014, 09:17 AM | #20 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 327
|
Incursion Twelve: Darkest. Robert seriously thought about going to the hospital, but it was pointed out to him that questions might be asked. Five people; three young adults and two military officers, all in various states of hurt. Instead they retired to the apartment. “What the hell?” Brad cradled his arm, bruised and sprain from the fight. “Seriously. What the hell?!” Ken had so far kept emotionally distant. “If we weren’t cut off before then…” If you could see anger and betrayal Maria and Catherine would have drowned out the entire room. Robert thought they must have faced the brunt of General Bryant’s deceit. They’d known him the longest. They’d looked to him for guidance. “General Bryant is Black Cross. He has total Agency control, a massive grudge against us and the Earth still faces the apocalypse.” Robert counted off on his fingers. “Is that about the most of it?” Allison glared daggers at him as she limped back from the bathroom with the first aid kit. “Are you still being an arse, Rob?” “I’m just making sure we’re, you know, on the same page.” Catherine took the kit from Allison and started bandaging her team’s wounds. “The way I see it, we have only one choice. We need to concentrate on defeating the Black Water. Everything else is a distraction…” Brad winced as she rubbed an antiseptic wipe over his cuts. “Even, what’s his name again? General Bryant?” “Especially him.” Maria stood all of a sudden and shoved her stool back under the breakfast bar. They all turned to her. “I’m sorry.” Robert frowned. “Wait… why?” “After I brought you in after that thing with the elk, I met with the General and the special committee to discuss… well, you rangers… the quarantine…” She squeezed her eyes closed and set her jaw, fighting for the courage to confess her guilt. “We decided it was best for everyone if you were kept quiet and out of the picture. We thought we had enough to deal with, and at the time I agreed.” Allison took a stride towards her and enveloped her in a hug. “Whatever you think you did, you’re one of us now. It’s in the past.” Maria shrugged out of the wholly unwanted hold. “It’s not about thinking I did you wrong. Bryant gave me the deciding vote. I got you and rangers sent out here to Fort Lowsdale.” “And?” said Ken. “We’d be doing our thing wherever we were based.” “If I’d said no back then, if I suggested ‘keeping them on a short leash’ you’d still have project status, you’d have all kinds of equipment.” Robert remembered the weapon blueprints Catherine had shown them. No doubt they were complete considering Black Cross had his blaster. He finished tying off a bandage and stood. “We don’t need Bryant’s approval. We just have to bust in and take back our stuff.” Allison rolled her eyes. “I’m new to this, but…” Brad shrugged. “I’m guessing you don’t just waltz into a military base. Especially if you’re on their most wanted list.” “He’s got a point, Rob,” Ken agreed. “Actually,” said Catherine. “We should raid the place.” Maria raised an eyebrow. “Oh, now I know you’ve lost your mind.” “Think about it. Us taking the fight to him is the last thing Bryant would expect.” She passed across to laptop and opened an encrypted blank document. “The General had a major god complex before he went power crazy. He thinks that base is bloody impenetrable.” Catherine began to type up a plan off the cuff. Maria looked over her shoulder and smiled. “You may be onto something...” Brad took a moment get things straight in his mind. “Am I hearing you right? We’re going to break into a military stronghold, headed by a power-mad general with magi powers and an entire army at his disposal, for a few new weapons?” Ken clapped him on the back with a chuckle. “That’s about the most of it.” “Oh. Okay… just wanted to make sure.” o0o At Lowsdale Holden Junior School, the day was coming to a close. The bell rang and the kids filed out to find their parents and legal guardians. A shockwave blew the heavy iron gates into the playground and totally shredded the fence. No-one walked through the wreckage, his feet leaving pools of black ichor across the concrete. The black water coalesced into a horde of grunts. The children fled back to the school building, the teachers urging them on. “If anyone wishes to be a hero, be my guest, but as of this moment this establishment is belongs to me.” No-one stopped by the front steps and turned to face the road. His voice seemed to carry on the wind for miles. “On the hour, every hour, a child will cease to exist unless…” o0o By chance, Brad had been leafing through his phone when he stumbled upon a breaking local news report. “Guys… we have trouble,” he said. “The Black Water has taken the junior school hostage. He’s asking for us.” In that moment the rangers forgot their injuries and headed out. There was no time to waste. o0o When they arrived at the junior school the place was deserted, aside from No-one and his offshoot grunts standing sentry dead centre of the playground. The rangers stepped over the iron work rubble of the gate and railings, and stood in a line just metres from No-one. Two lines of combatants. An old fashioned standoff. No-one opened his eyes. “Good of you to join us… shame the hour isn’t up, but no matter.” He slammed his bloated, oversized arm on the ground. He studied Brad and Maria. “More rangers. Joy…” “Go!” The grunts, dripping with blackness, leapt forward on No-one’s command. The rangers dodged and weaved, back and forth, avoiding the infectious touch of the Black Water. They regrouped back at the ruined railings and summoned their morphers. “Cross Form!” They swung her arms in wide, opposing arcs of glowing magi power and recrossed them in a plus across their chests. Their armour materialised around them; first the suit and then the helmet showing their combined magi symbols. “Red Cross.” “Blue Cross.” “White Cross.” “Green Cross.” “Yellow Cross.” “Magi Tribe…” They called in unison. “Cross Ranger!” No-one commanded the idling grunts forward once more, then turned to the school’s front entrance. Red Cross slammed his fist down like a hammer on the head of a grunt, and spotted No-one heading inside. “Maria, come with me. We have to stop No-one from getting to the kids.” Yellow Cross dispatched her own opponent and faltered. “What about this lot? We can’t ignore them,” she argued. “Damn it,” shouted White Cross. “There’s no time for this!” She tapped Red Cross on the shoulder. The pair pushed through the grunts and into the school building despite Yellow’s insistence. o0o The red and white rangers rounded a corner and found the teachers and students holed up in the sports hall. They noticed they’d gotten there before No-one. It seemed their luck had won out. One of the teachers, a portly older woman, called out to them. “Rangers, help us.” The pair scanned the cavernous hall for escape routes. Apart from the one they’d just used, there was one other heavy door; a dual fire escape and through-way to the sports field beyond. o0o Outside, Yellow Cross quietly seethed to herself. She was used to accepting orders, but not from enthusiastic amateurs. Annoyingly, he wasn’t wrong about the need to stop No-one from reaching the children, but to split the group two-to-three could give the Black Water the upper hand. Yellow Cross mentally kicked herself for arguing in the field. She should have known better, but they needed to sort out who made the better leader. Red Cross’ heart was in the right place, he was closer to the team; but she had the training, the experience, the military knowledge… I may be the new comer… but I’ve been fighting this battle longer than any of them. o0o White Cross had just knocked open the rear door and gestured for the students and teachers to escape on to the sports field, when No-one arrived at the other end of the hall. She hurried them outside then joined Red Cross. No-one eschewed talk and swung his large arm. Red Cross got caught in the side, but braced himself to stop from stumbling. He twisted inside the villain’s reach and punched him in the gut. No-one grabbed him round the shoulders and threw him aside. He pushed on towards the rear door. White Cross blocked his way once more, with arms outstretched. “You’re going nowhere.” “Nowhere indeed,” No-one echoed. “Flame Advent!” Red Cross roared. Flames splashed across No-one’s broad shoulders. The white ranger summoned a wall of air to protect herself. Some of the villain’s bandages fell away, revealing a large gash across his stomach, bleeding black. The fire spread to his blindfold. It smouldered, singed and weakened. White Cross recoiled. No-one’s face was a mess with a gaping void where his eyes should have been. A third mass of Black Water formed a third eye of sorts on his forehead, barely hiding the jagged bone of his shattered brow ridge. She was extremely glad the children weren’t there to see it. You couldn’t ignore it. Despite the damage to his mutilated body, he really did look like General Bryant, no doubt about it. She shook the image from her mind, and thrust her hands forward. “Tornado Advent.” The protective air shield whipped up into a whirlwind and threw No-one into the air. He landed well past Red Cross with a thud and a crunch of laminated floor board. The yellow, green and blue rangers arrived and they all surrounded the downed No-one. “What did you hope to achieve here?” said Red Cross. “Whatever. You’ve failed.” “You’re troubles have only just started, rangers. You will cease to be, as will your entire race.” He picked himself up. “Mark my words.” No-one melted into a ball of Black Water and oozed through the floor, making good his escape. The five rangers shrugged it off and rushed out the back door. Saving a small group of kids at any cost was more important than defeating the bad guys and saving the town, Yellow Cross saw that now. It still wasn’t the way she would have done it, and she certainly wouldn’t have let No-one get away if she had a choice, but it was what it was. “At least nothing happened to the children,” said Green Cross. Red Cross agreed. “That’s a victory in my book.” Remembering the stares and jeers they got back when Black Water attack the university, they turned to leave, not wanting the limelight. However, a teacher, the portly woman who had called out to them earlier, blocked their passage. “I don’t care whether the media says you’re a menace, you’ve proven yourself heroes today.” She shook their hands in turn. “I owe you all a debt of gratitude for saving my students.” White Cross looked at her team mates, then back to the teacher. “Just doing our job, ma’am.” And with that, they left. A crowd of parents and guardians, passers-by and curious onlookers had gathered outside the school grounds. Cheers followed the Cross Rangers for miles down the street. o0o Robert punched the air. “Doesn’t it feel good, guys?” “Our enemy escaped when we had him on the ropes. We could have finished him.” “Do you always have to bring me down Allison?” He shrugged and flopped down on the couch with a frown. “No, you know what? I’m going to celebrate anyway. Let’s go out for a drink.” He sprung to his feet. “Come on.” Brad was the first to agree. He managed get to Ken on board with little fuss, and Allison shortly followed. The four of them looked to ‘Lieutenant Moses’ and ‘Captain Austin’ expectantly. Catherine declined, pointing at her laptop. “I’ve got some things to work on, here.” “I’m going to stay too,” said Maria. Robert shook his head. In all honesty, he expected nothing less from those two. Why so serious all the time? Then again, he was flying far too high on that afternoon’s victory to care. o0o Once she was sure they weren’t going to return, Maria turned to Catherine and came straight out with it. “I don’t like Robert leading.” Catherine closed her laptop and sighed. “I was wondering when you’d come to me with that…” “I lead people for a living. He’s a well-meaning amateur.” “I get what you’re saying but-” “Do you? Their tactics are sloppy. We’ve got to make the tough decisions if we wanna come out on top!” “You need to understand something, Maria,” said Catherine, walking away from the breakfast bar. She crossed to the window and looked out on Fort Lowsdale. “Robert, Allison and Ken have been in this together since the first meteor fragment hit, since that very first attack.” She turned back to Maria. “They’re best friends who’ve been through the hell of refugee camps, death and infection to be here today. They aren’t going to forget all that trust they’ve built in each other and fall in line under you.” She shook her head. “If you want to lead, earn their trust, be their friend, take a back seat and see where it gets you.” “I can’t believe you’re siding with Robert.” “I’m siding with neither of you! There’s no time to mess around with petty arguments,” said Catherine.“You need to be one cohesive unit to defeat Black Water. No leaders, no followers. Just one team, one entity and one mission.” Maria had heard that before. She shook her head and picked up her things. “Call me when you’re ready for the raid. I’ll be there.” She slammed the apartment’s door on the way out. |
|
TokuNation News & Rumors |
Figuarts/Seihou GRIDMAN |
SH Figuarts BoonBoomger Red |
Hasbro Licenses Power Rangers Toys to Playmates Toys |
Discotek Media Licenses Mobile Cop Jiban |
What's going on with CSM? |
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:22 AM.
|