Captain Agares Narkel's Story

Appearing in a windowsill cyprus held a SKT0-Rail Rifle and looked for a target. He didn't have to worry about being seen because of the shadows, his dark powers, and a perception filter added to the armor. He panned the thermal plasma scope across a area to get a good look a the Chaos ragging below he quickly tapped the hair trigger on the fully automatic gun and dropped an Alpha Trooper. He congratulated himself, a perfect headshot. Then he panned the area again searching for Erib, who was nowhere to be seen. Cyprus scowled, his target gone he decided to help the others below by picking off the Alpha troopers.


Later:

Cyprus noted the casualties then packed up and left the building. He will complete his mission, no matter the cost.

"These things just won't give up will they?!" one of the clones shouted, although the sounds of gunfire and panicked cries made it difficult for his contemporaries to hear him. Before he could even ready another grenade for fire, he found himself overtaken by some invisible force that violently slammed him into the ground--light's out. The remaining clones found themselves fighting an up-hill battle, one that they would undoubtedly lose. One by one the clones let their weapons hit the ground and placed their hands behind their heads. There was no sense in continuing the assault for their message had been delivered. Albeit they had failed in the assassination of Gabriel Ereb, their attempt would likely be the first of many conflicts to come.

The clones hit by the paralyzing beams of electricity hit the ground like bricks before breaking out into a fit of convulsions; the sudden and traumatic shock caused them to revert to their original forms, revealing that the very attackers were Asterian citizens who had fallen into the clutches of the original 1(a). 3(b)'s eyes widened in fear when he peaked from behind the marble fountain. A hulking soldier clad in robotic armor barreling toward him was the last thing he wanted to see. The Chain clone dove to his left, narrowly avoiding a head-on collision with soldier and stone.

As he exits the building cyprus was welcomed to the Chaos in the street. He walked toward the other side of the street then he saw an injured civilian laying in the street. Cyprus was overwhelmed with guilt when that vary sight brought him to the memory of when a very, very close friend lay dieing, and he did nothing to help her. He was so overwhelmed that he barely noticeed when a cop cuffed him and dragged him off. And he did nothing.

As the crowd continued to scatter like roaches and the terrorist clones dropped like flies, the Ereb Alpha Troopers cautiously approached the surrendering terrorist and restrained them.

"Not so fast..." Shadow-Sabre growled through his external speaker as 3(b) attempted to flee from the cyborg. He stretched out his hand and attempted to pull the clone into his grip with a yank of telekinetic force. The Alpha Trooper would catch him by the collar and lift him to eye level with the supersoldier. "I have some questions for you..." His voice was heavily modulated and intimidating. "Who do you work for?! Who ordered this hit?! And don't lie to me, because I'll kn-"

BOOM!

Shadow-Sabre glanced upward. Time slowed to a crawl as one of his fellow Alpha Troopers collapsed to the ground. Black shrapnel and sparks from the soldier's helmet flew across the concrete. A baseball-sized void gaped from his head.

The collapsed Alpha Trooper convulsed on the ground. His synthetic muscles twitched and spasmed. A low hum resonated from the suit as several cracks creaked along the torso and limbs. Finally, the fallen Alpha Trooper disintegrated into black smoke and ash that scattered into the wind.

"MAN DOWN! MAN DOWN!" Shadow-Sabre shouted across their comm' as he dove behind the fountain with 3(b) still in his grip. "Paia! Logistics!"

<< Acknowledged. Accessing Crow's Nest. Up-link established. Evaluating ballistics and sensors. >>

The remained Alpha Troopers activated their stealth units and dove for cover as, high above the atmosphere, a satelite focused its lens on the city block. A complex array of sensors traced the path of the bullet from where the deceased Alpha Trooper once stood and scanned the approximate location of where it was fired from.

<< Sniper's roost identified. South-west building, third floor, second window from the left. Heavy caliber round - caution is advised. >>

Then, just as suddenly as the sniper appeared, he retreated down into the open where he was apprehended.

Once the smoke began to clear, Verhasst escorted Ereb away from the stage. The old man's face was pale. His eyes had lost part of their usual sheen, and blood stained his suit jacket. Verhasst draped the man's arm over his shoulder for support as they shuffled passed the news crew.

The crowd was beginning to thin out from the immediate area as the handful of police officers already on scene pushed their way through. One stooped to check on a fallen woman who hadn't risen from where an Alpha Trooper's stun weapon had left her crumpled on the ground. She was bleeding profusely from a deep gash in her brow inflicted by the trampling feet that she had been caught beneath. Not three feet away a man lay motionless as well, a pool of blood spreading across the pavement where a clone's bullet had torn through his abdomen.

Other officers moved in on the the clones and the Alpha Troopers while voices were shouting from all directions.

"Drop your weapons! Down on the ground!"

"We've got another down over he-"

"What just happened to him?"

"I don't know, the body just went up in smoke."

"Shit. Get these people out of here so the ambulances can get in."

"Secure those buildings!"

Cyprus was dragged away from the point of chaos to be shoved into the back of the nearest police vehicle parked out near the street while the other officers on scene moved to restrain the clones, and to order the Alpha Troopers down. They had their weapons trained on the Alpha Troopers as readily as on the clones and orders were being barked to drop their weapons and get down.

Backup had been called in and other vehicles and police would be arriving shortly, but until then the officers on scene seemed intent on neutralizing anyone with a weapon, regardless of who started what. The Alpha Troopers had no visible identification as law enforcement officers, or as TNG military, and thus were subject to the precautionary measure until the clones could be restrained and the situation secured.

Sitting in a cop car Cyprus was in complete emotional shock, following that ordeal, things didn't go as planned, but it could of gone a lot worse. Cyprus leaned agenst the door, stareing out the window. He sighed, his friend was right, he has changed. Maybe staying in the shadows wouldn't work anymore. He thought needed new allies, though the thought of completely I the side of the law wouldn't work. Maybe a vigilantly, he cerianly had the equipment. And then his mind whent blank, and he slipped into unconsciousness...

3(b) had nearly made it out of the plaza before he was seized by the Alpha Trooper's telekinetic grasp and yanked toward him. Once Shadow-Sabre had him by the collar the interrogation began, as he expected. The clone heaved a hefty glob of mucus from the back of his throat and spat, producing the trademark 'ptui' before the loogie landed right on the center of the soldier's mask. "There's your answer, pig." This was likely to get him a good ass kicking but he wasn't worried about it.

A sudden ear-splitting boom caused his head to snap in the direction of the sound. It was the sound of a high caliber rifle, but as he scanned the rooftops he wasn't able to locate another shooter. The only thing he saw was the body of the targeted Alpha Trooper hit the ground with an audible thud before dissipating into a sable gas. His body lurched to one side when his captor leapt behind the nearest fountain for cover. By now the city's police had arrived on the scene, spreading out to assist injured citizens or to subdue his fellow attackers. It seemed that even the super-soldiers hired to protect Mr. Ereb were the targets of the officers' commands. 3(b) saw the commotion as a chance to escape, and thrust his elbow backward as hard as he could in an attempt to smash Shadow-Sabre's head against the stone fountain. He didn't expect it to do much damage against the man's high tech armor, but it should serve as a decent distraction so he could high-tail it out of there.

Shadow-Sabre growled in annoyance as the lugie smeared across his visor. The cyborg squeezed the man's shoulder, possibly fracturing and bruising a few bones. He was unfazed by 3(b)'s pathetic attempt to bash his head into the fountain - the attempt more likely breaking the man's elbow.

The Alpha Trooper gripped the clone by the sleeve and threw him across the pavement to the feet of the police officers.

"Captain, what are our orders?" one of the supersoldiers called out on their network. Shadow-Sabre scanned the area. He saw the police barking commands and Ereb being taken to an ambulance. Though he knew there would be no way the police could take them by force, he looked to Ereb - he nodded solemnly - and he nodded in turn.

"Stand down." he ordered. "Activate the signature locks on your weapons and lay them on the ground."

The Alpha Troopers proceeded to unholster their weapons and placed them on the ground. Each carried a wide assortment of weapons from a rifle to a combat knife to various forms of grenades. shadow-Sabre placed his katana, locked within its sheath, on the ground beside his other equipment. After they placed their weapons in a neat pile in front of them, they stood at attention with a soldierly discipline.

3(b) attempt to injure the masked soldier failed horribly, and earned him nothing but a series of scrapes and bruises when he was thrown across the asphalt. He glanced up to the officer looming above him before calmly placing his hands behind his head. It was obvious that defeat was imminent and attempting to flee would likely only get him in more trouble. Although the assassination was a failure, they still managed to get a message across. That's all that was needed.

"One more thing, Marek..." Gabriel leaned back in his chair with a grin. "I am going to show you one more thing. This is likely the crowned jewels of Ereb Industries and my favorite project. Shadow Sabre, reveal yourself if you would."

The air beside Gabriel's desk shimmered as the light flowing through the window distorted and warped. It peeled back like a film, revealing a tall and imposing figure. His body was encased in a black mesh that was chiseled with defined and compact muscles. A metallic helmet clung to his head, complete with a breathing mask. Several compartments, along with a sheathed combat knife and holstered pistol, were attached to his waist. A large rifle and sheathed katana was strapped to his back. He looked down at Marek through a pitch-black visor that revealed no emotion besides the cold discipline of a soldier.

"Marek, this is Captain Shadow Sabre. Shadow Sabre, why don't you tell Mr. Sen about yourself and your unit?"

"Shadow Sabre is my codename." the figure said in a heavily modulated voice. "Though my full name, Agares Narkel, is known in some circles, my past before enrolling in the Alpha Trooper program is classified. It is the same for every Alpha Trooper. The Alpha Troopers are an elite squad of cybernetic super soldiers trained and equipped for special operations ranging from stealth and sabotage to brute force raids. A single soldier can take on a small army of conventional troops. Alpha Troopers are encased in an advanced nanosuit composed of a patented nanoweave technology that can protect us from kinetic projectiles, energy weapons, and external pathogens. If the suit is damaged and we are injured, the suit will repair itself and grow into our wounds. We are armed with Legion Tech military hardware, including anti-matter rifles and monomolecular blades. In addition, we are overseen by Paia - who acts as our handler and coordinator."

"I see and hear everything that Shadow Sabre and his comrades do." replied Paia from her spot on the desk. "However, I notice things that they do not and can collaborate information between them into an interfaceable format, provide strategic insight, and otherwise assist them in whatever way I am able."

Eyebrows raised as Gabriel spoke. Intrigued, Marek sat back in the chair, placing his back against the support. As the air began to shimmer, light scattering in rays of color across his legs, a smile creased Marek's face. As the soldier revealed himself, Marek began to listen attentively to the description afforded by the soldier while running a quick analysis of the man with his cybernetic eye. Energy emissions marked the rifle and pistol as anti-matter weaponry while the katana and knife did not identify as any known material. Presumably some invention of Ereb Industries. The figure could certainly appear intimidating to a figure given the synthetic-muscle formula and faceless visor.

As Agares began his description, Marek chuckled softly at the feats offered by the soldier. So it seems that this 'AI'- PAIA- linked itself to the entirety of the Ereb paramilitary force. Almost like the psychic network in one sense. Though without intricate knowledge of the workings of the AI he had no way to determine its efficiency. With the end of the regaling, Marek's smile widened and he began to clap slowly, maintaining the noise at a low level.

"A fine show, Gabriel, a fine show indeed. Consider any deal we make sealed. Are there any particulars you desire to make known before we proceed?"

Gabriel smiled as Marek expressed his enthusiasm. He gestured to Agares, who sidled into the background, before returning his attention to his guest.

"I believe it would be wise to begin our business relationship on a small scale." he said. "Perhaps our subsidiary, Ereb Medical, would be a good start. Your people can contact my people and they can work out the specifics, but I propose sending a complimentary package of diagnostic and operational equipment with you upon your return to your home. It will be enough to outfit a single hospital wing. Think of it as a trial run. If your physicians find our products to their liking, we can speak of a more large scale deal."

Observing as Agares slipped away from the desk and towards the position he had previously occupied, Marek began to nod in agreement to the words which Gabriel was saying. A 'trial run' certainly would be useful in evaluating the effectiveness of the technology provided by Ereb, and allow them a chance to consider C'ran's technology.

"I accept your offer for this trial period, Gabriel Ereb. A smaller initial trial is certainly more cost efficient, requiring less resources and providing an initial base to study from rather than overloading the other side with new technology. Perhaps we in C'ran could do the same, if you so desire. Affiliates of mine will be arranging the specifics, but for the moment is there any technology in specific you would like to evaluate from C'ran?"

"There are a couple of things that have caught my immediate attention." Gabriel replied as he stapled his fingers with his elbows planted on his desk. "The first is your research into molecular recombination. I see astounding potential in the fields of engineering with this kind of technology. There is also potential in implementing aspects of your neural network with that of my Alpha Troopers' Quantum-Comm. It would make collecting data and collaborating information much more efficient."

"Currently, the molecular structuring technology is but in its earliest stages of development. I have the honor of field testing a prototype of such devices, but with your input, I am certain that more advances could be made into this field. I am glad that you see it's benefits as well," Marek spoke, extracting the data pad he carried towards the end of his speech. Slightly gnarled fingers swiped across the air, a light shimmering into existence between thin metal rods. Mental signals brought the desired images and information forth, data that would be safe to reveal for the moment. Lifting the device, he lay it on the table and projected it upwards.

Portrayed was a device not much larger than a printer in size, yet visually it was distinct, resembling a lattice of crystal more than anything else, a small strobing multi-colored light taking respite in the center. "This, Gabriel, is the device that has been given to me. Smallest of the prototypes, most advanced currently, it is the only recombinator that can create objects around itself rather than only inside the production carriage. If you desire a demonstration, I can have it brought in. However, I do not understand its workings well enough to describe them to you in detail."

A hand snaked out and slowly pocketed the data pad once again, light and images fading together at the touch of his command; the folds of his coat consumed the last of the small metal device and with that Marek returned his attention to Gabriel and Paia. "As to the neural network, I would have to learn more about this 'Quantum-Comm' of yours. Compatibility is an issue that might need to be addressed, in addition to the need for unique augmentative procedures to enable the use of the neural network. Which area would you desire to interact with more at the moment?"

"I believe that the molecular recombination technology would be most beneficial for us at this time." Gabriel said after Marek placed the projector in his pocket. The device was fascinating, alien, and had fanned his scientific curiosity. "If you have time, I would love to take a look at the prototype and take notes."

"Now unless there is anything else you feel we need to discuss I believe we can conclude this meeting." Gabriel rose from his seat. "If you send me the paperwork sometime today I can organize a shipment of our medical technology to arrive before you leave. I dearly hope that we can continue this friendship of ours, Marek."

Dr. Amanda Ereb's plane touched down approximately five hours before the conference. She emerged from her plane wearing a thick jacket and dark sunglasses. Two heavily armored figures followed two steps behind and one step to her side. They made their way from the shuttle to the baggage claim, drawing all manner of eyes as they passed. Several pedestrians snapped photos of the group from their mobile devices - recognizing their identities.

Within minutes of their arrival, Amanda slid into the leather seat of a limousine and pulled out her tablet. Several pages of stock data, news reels, and other information scrolled passed the screen. Intelligent eyes focused on minute details that a layman would simply gloss over without a thought. A few phrases kept appearing every few lines, however.

Victims from Elysium keep rising...

...LogicRoad stocks plummet due to harmful drug scandal...

International terrorist Elijah Kenton vanished.

"Well then..." Amanda said to herself as she flipped through a few more documents. "Let's see what we can salvage from this..."

The slick black shuttle passed silently over the frozen valley. Six armored figures sat in virtual silence in the hold. Their bodies were encased in a black mesh that was chiseled with defined and compact muscles. Metallic helmets clung to their heads - complete with breathing masks. Several compartments, along with sheathed combat knives and holstered pistols, were attached to their waists. Large rifles were strapped to their backs. Pitch-black visors revealed no emotion besides the cold discipline of soldiers.

At least, that's what it seemed out the outside...

"Thirty-seven bottles of vodka on zee vall, thirty-seven bottles of vodka!" one of the Alpha Troopers, Nikolai called out on their communicators. "Take one down, pass it around. Thirty-six bottles of vodka on zee vall!"

The three rookies - Simeon, Eli, and Jhon - laughed hysterically at the senior officer's antics. Agares merely groaned internally as he fiddled with his katana's sheath.

"Hey, I think we're getting close..." Eli said over the channel. "Cap', do you know why we're here again? I mean, isn't LogicRoad just a pharmaceutical company?"

"So are we, in a sense." Agares replied. "Space, medical, science, military... Ereb Industries has slices of a lot of pies. LogicRoad might be the same. However, my guess is that we need to retrieve, contain, or eliminate something or someone. It could be a hostage situation or a rogue virus."

"Hey Agares..." Nikolai spoke up. "Y'think there'll be zombies. Blowing off de heads of those cybernetic zombies vas quite enjoyable..."

"Hey, umm..." Jhon spoke. "What about her? Why's she here?"

The woman in question sat silently in a corner of the hold with her legs and arms crossed. She was dressed in a similar nanosuit as the rest of the troopers, except it was far sleeker and seemed to shimmer in the dim light of the craft. Her "helmet" only reached her cheekbones, while cybernetically enhanced eyes watched the other troopers with an offputting coldness.

"Special operative assigned by Mr. Ereb." was Agares's only answer. That's all he was told at any rate.

"But what ab--"

"Cut the chatter." the woman suddenly said. "The mission briefing is about to start."

The hologram of a woman suddenly materialized in the center of the hold. She was colored in a bluish hue. Straight blackish-blue hair stopped midway down her back, and a warm motherly smile greeted the Alpha Troopers.

"Hello, everyone." Paia addressed the group. "I hope you've had a pleasant flight. This is the situation... The town of New Canton - population fifty thousand - ceased communications at approximately zero-one-hundred hours on the fourth of November last year. The last reports we received said they were fighting some form of horrible disease or contamination. This lead to LogicRoad's involvement. In addition, strange anomaly was discovered earlier that year. It appeared to be a vessel of unknown planetary origin. Mr. Ereb was in the negotiations with LogicRoad's officials to receive any salvageable alien technology. However, now the facility has gone dark. The only thing I have been able to salvage from their systems is white noise and this..."

Static suddenly filled their earpieces, but it was quickly filtered out to a dull background roar. A few seconds passed until a voice drifted through the static like a phantom.

"NnnnnoooOOOoooOOOtthhhhiiiiinnngg..." it hissed.

A chill ran through the troopers. Even Agares and Nikolai, veterans of many strange encounters, felt their hearts skip a beat from the voice. It was like ice water being poured into their soul - awakening a primal fear within them.

"What the fuck was that?!" Simeon shouted over the channel.

"Bloody hell, are we going into a haunted bunker?!"

"After that," Paia continued as the playback cut off, "I was shut out. Likely a hardware malfunction. Your mission, Alpha Troopers, is to investigate New Canton, rescue any survivors, and sanitize the site using the anti-matter device provided to you. I currently have a satellite in orbit, so I will be able to monitor your progress until you go into the facility. After that, I will only be able to sense what you see and hear through your helmet. Good luck, Alpha Troopers."

Paia's hologram vanished, leaving the hold in darkness.

"Well..." Nikolai stretched out his legs and folded his arms behind his head. "Zis will certainly be interesting..."

Even with her lack of emotion when the voice had issued from the recording, she gave involuntary shiver, there was something unreal and cold about that, it almost sounded human, but surely it could not be. Of course aldrenaline was injected into her system and the response was immediately halted. After that she stood up her endo-exo-skeleton providing quicker responses than a mere human was capable of, taking up her customized rifle from the rack, she gathered some explosive thermite charges as well as anti-matter ordinances, a small handgun and finally nightvision goggle. When they stared at her, she gave a roll of her eyes, "The facility gone dark, in other words nightvision goggles will be required." after that she sat back down armed and ready for her mission, of course she knew the details, but she had other missions for one, they had been promised the research from the craft, the Proto-DNA Configuration Lab had certain informative data that Mr Ereb was very interested in as was his Head Scientist, finally retrieving any useful research. If the Lab was to be Decommisioned then best save anything possible, she also had one e-mail the others had not been sent, it was incoherent except it spoke of something worse than the Vampirism Virus.

Professor Hagon actually was in contact with them directly regarding progress, she was there as his eyes and ears. Professor Hagon needed someone who would not flinch from doing what needed to be done. Verhasst and Agares were reliable, but they still had more humanity in them. If any of this research could be saved, perhaps it could be weaponized. That and she was under strict order if it was in danger of spreading to kill all of them and blow up the facility.

This is what they did not know, this is why Daiyu Luo was chosen. Former Chinese Special Forces, before her change she was a happy-go-lucky person, who loved to joke and make remarks with other soldiers, now she was solidly dedicated to the cause. Well there was somethings enhancements could never remove, for one her feeling for her former lover, her family and her squad. All of those when emerged made her act more human. So instead of being deleted, they were forcibly repressed and locked behind datalocks.

As the ship landed finally the door slid open as the harsh coldness hit, "First job, explore New Canton, followed by Crash Site, then Facility keep in radio contact always and be warned we are going in blind." when she spoke it was with noticible Chinese inflection, and though those words seemed emotional, she spoke them very much in mono-tone way.

A man of decent stature stepped out of a taxi onto the street in front of the courthouse. Blond haired and fair, with Piercing blue eyes, it would be easy to mistake this man for some celebrity or similiar high status individual. At least it would be, if not for the military combat boots he wore, the duffle bag he slung over his shoulder, and the sidearm holstered at his hip. It was also difficult to reconcile the mans attractiveness with the more obvious Cybernetic augmentations revealed on his person. And that was only what could be seen, something in his step, in the way he moved, with a reckless confidence that showed either a lack of fear, and perhaps worse.

This man would walk towards Eros Fletcher, his eyes casually roaming around, picking out potential sniper nests, hideaways, escape routes, kill boxes, things a Mercenary tends to look for in their environment. Along his way he picks out the man he's here to meet, and takes a minute to observe him. The man detetcs the stress and anxiety of someone backed into a corner, and smirks to himself. Well I suppose they wouldn't hire me if they weren't backed into a corner.

Aloud the man calls out to Eros as he approaches. "Eros Fletcher? My name is Matthew Tametson, I was told to meet you here in regards to employment of my services?" He offers Eros his right hand, fully cybernetic to the shoulder, in greeting.