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Cyber Reaper Echoes Of Darkness
Chapter Five- Homecoming

Chapter Five- Homecoming

  As the sunlight seeps through three large institutional windows on the right side of the room. Thin grey carpet covers the floor and stops at a metal door. Two brown wooden nightstands sits on either side of the large bed. The grey pillows were slightly covered by thin brown sheets. A holographic clock illuminates blue light sits on a nightstand with a rectangular bases, turns to 6am and begins blaring loudly.

  A hand reaches out and slaps down on the clock. A woman with long brown hair with some grey spots, sits up and opens her eyes. Her soft diamond face was slightly wrinkled with some crow feet along her eyes. Her brown eyes where slightly blood shot and her red lips were cracked. A small scar runs from chin to her right ear lobe. Tossing off the sheets, she reveals her scarred body. Her large C-cup breasts hang slightly on her slim hourglass body. Swinging her legs over the bed, she stands up and yawns. Her black underwear clings to her lower region as she stands up and starts to walk. Moving around the bed, she comes to a stop and looks out the window and sees the city below her.

  The metallic buildings were huddled together with walkways in between them with large openings separating the walkways. The neon lights begin to fade as the suns light hits the walkway. Standing at 170.6 she looks at her reflection and ponders if she made the right choices. Beeps rings throughout in the room. Put the message through, she said with a groggy voice. General Lisa, this is Brandon, he said. What can I do for you Brandon? Lisa asked. I wanted to remind you that you have a council meeting in a few hours, second retrofits to the Hades are complete, Brandon said. Send word for all on shore leave to report back at 16:30, we ship off at first light tomorrow, General Lisa said. Copy that General, also I have your marines ready to go when you give the signal, Brandon said. Good, I want that data, I will have justice for my boy, Lisa said. Ma’am, its been three years, I think its best to let go of this anger, Brandon said. When you have a son that was murdered, you can tell me to let it go, Lisa said with anger in her voice.

  Ok, but please keep a clear head, we don’t know if General Anderson was involved with his assassination, Brandon said. We will find out, I want Intel if he is showing up at the meeting today! Lisa asked. The line goes quiet for a few minutes. He is showing up and presenting his cyber soldier, from the public records, Sapphire Anderson, Brandon said. Her eyes twist with anger and she clenches her hands tightly. She raises her right hand and pounds on the glass of the windows and hears a thump. How did he get that level rat? Lisa asked. From the records, she was delivered a few hours after she was declared dead, Brandon said. What about my boy? Lisa asked. Sorry, no information, he is declared K.I.A and missing, Brandon said. You cannot have both in the file, that’s why I must find the truth, Lisa said. I understand, I will make sure the teams are prepared, Brandon said.

  The line goes quite as Brandon signs off. After such a long time, I finally had a child with the man I love, she pauses as tears start to roll down her face leaving a black streak. Only to have him ripped away, Lisa said as her voice trembles. If I were not sterile I would try again, Lisa said to herself. She turns away from the window and walks to the door. It opens as she approaches, as she passes through the door closes behind her. She looks around the apartment and sees a sofa on her right in front of a large rectangular screen. A small dining table to her left with small rectangular plates and glasses still on the table. A door leading out of the apartment was to the right of the table. She looks over to the table and feels the urge to clean the dishes. Turning her head away, she walks forward to another door. the door opens as lights flicker on. She steps through the door and sees a small room with a sink on the right side with a small toilet to the left and a shower just beyond the toilet.

  Turning and heading for the shower, she slips off her underwear and throws it into the sink. She steps into the shower as warm water envelopes her. The water hitting her face, the makeup washes away revealing a much younger face. Why did I volunteer for that program? She thought to herself. I know it was not for him, out of the centuries, you would think my feelings would change? Lisa thought to herself. After a few minutes, she steps out as a towel emerges from the right wall. Reaching up and taking the towel, she dries herself off and puts the towel back. Another panel flips open and reveals her underwear, bra, and uniform. General Lisa takes the bra and slips it on and follows up with her underwear. Slipping on her uniform, she steps out of the bathroom and walks to the table. She moves past the table and to a machine in the wall. The rectangular machine has an opening near the bottom with a screen up top. The screen flickers to life with a light blue glow with white lines and writing. She taps the screen and scrolls through the food option. Picking and option, the machine extends out breakfast with a cup of coffee.

  She reaches down and takes the bar and bites into it. Lisa’s face relaxes as she tastes the blueberry’s and bacon on her tongue. Quickly eating the bar, she drinks her coffee and tosses the cup onto the table and walks to the door leading out. The door opens as the lights on the other side come on. She steps through and stops as she look at a vehicle. The vehicle smooth rounded front with side spoilers arches back to a small rectangular back. Four leather seats sit in the vehicle with cross straps on each one. The light blue color was dulled by the lights in the room.

  The vehicle runs three meters in length, 1.5 meters in width and 1.8 meters in height. The smooth rounded front lifts as the screens and buttons light up. Lisa stands there with a smile on her that too shifts into a deep sadness. She remembers this car was a gift from her boy. Lisa bites into her lower lip and draws some blood and tastes the iron. I need to get to the Citadel, council meeting will be starting in a few hours, Lisa thought to herself. Stepping forward, she gets into the vehicle and sits in the left front seat. Pulling the straps across herself as the top lowers down and seals the cockpit. The vehicle hums as the engine in back comes to life as it rises slowly up. the door on the front opens horizontally as the suns light seeps through. She covers her eyes as the sun hits. After a few seconds, enter destination, a computer voice said. E’gaia Union Citadel, Lisa said. Confirmed, estimated time to arrival, one hour and thirty minutes, the computer said. Reaching forward, she takes the controls and pulls backwards and feels the vehicle shoot forward and out the door. Turning left, she feels the force of the turn and her blood rushes.

  Pulling into traffic, she feels the rush of the past come over her as she moves quickly through the other vehicles with grace and elegance. Memories of her old team rush back into her mind. The old controls of the Crusader in her hands as energy beams shooting by her. The weight of her old armor hangs tightly on her body. A loud beeping erupts. She sees a transport coming into view. The sleek narrow transport had narrow windows running along the sides. People sit near the window with horror in their eyes. Spotting an opening, she pulls hard and turns the wheel hard to the left. Feeling the force on her body as the vehicle turns and shoots through the opening and steadies out. Adrenaline surges through her veins as she smile from the rush. I need to do that more often, Lisa said out loud.

  Beeps ring out, she looks to the console and sees a scrambled signal. Reaching to the console, she taps the screen and switches to auto pilot. Answer, Lisa said with a firm voice. The line opens with a high screech and goes quiet. Lisa, this is High General Alex, he said. Alex, what can I do for you? Lisa asked. Are we clear to proceed? Alex asked. Yes sir, I have five teams of my best marines ready to go, Lisa said. Good, I sent my codes to your ship, use it to access the archives and find the list, Alex said. You still believe someone hijacked the cadavers for the cyber soldier program? Lisa asked. Yes, I do, Alex said. I also do believe they were responsible in the death of your son, Alex said. Why do you believe that? Lisa asked as she grinds her teeth. I found you were investigating the accident, the vehicle he was in took a shot from an anti-material round, he pauses. The back engine was destroyed and happen to crash in combat zone, Alex said. I found his name on the list, Alex said. She slams her controls, why did you not tell me, Lisa said with a painful voice.

  I am also sending you a report from the Damocles, Sapphire Anderson has been resurrected, General Alex said. General Lisa tightens her hands as she grinds her teeth. How the hell did that level rat get resurrected? Lisa said with venom in her voice. She was shipped to the Damocles, I don’t know if he is behind this, Alex said. How dare you accuse Adam, I have known him longer than you have been alive, Lisa screamed. He would never do something like this, Lisa said as her heart begins to ache. Tears rolls down her eyes as her lips tremble. Sorry, but I must let you know, I need you to find out if he is still loyal to the union, Alex said. I also must let you know general Nathan was assassinated over a year ago, Alex said. What, how could did it happen? Lisa asked. I will send you the data, but what I have seen he was decapitated with most of his suit destroyed, Alex said.

  I will find out, Lisa said. The line goes quiet, signal lost, the computer said. Adam, why? Pausing as she feels a lump forms in her throat. I love you, not a day goes by when I don’t think about you, Lisa said. Arriving at destination in ten minutes, the computer said. She looks up and sees the Citadel. Three long outer circular towers rise into the sky, sky lines connect to a larger middle tower with a triangular top and square extensions running along each level.

  Getting closer the vehicle pulls closer to the building and lands just in front of it. The hatch opens as Lisa unbuckles her seatbelt. A small clear rectangular device with a clear center and black edging extends from the console. Standing up, she reaches over and takes the device and exits the vehicle. Looking around, she see a great park with trees lining the area. Several have white blossoms with some petals on the ground. Spotting the curved rectangular entrance with several rotating doors. She starts to walk, focusing her thoughts. I must stop hiding my age, Lisa thought to herself. Heading for the entrance, she reaches up and presses down on her earpiece. Contact General Anderson, Lisa said.

  The line opens, this is General Anderson. He said with a firm voice. Adam, it been a long time, Lisa said. Lisa, what do I owe the pleasure? Anderson asked. What can I not talk with an old friend after the last five years? General Lisa asked. I don’t think this is a social call? Anderson said with a skeptical tone. I found out you somehow got the Level rat Sapphire, Lisa said! How did you figure that out? Anderson asked with an aggressive tone. Lisa reaches the entrance and slips through the door and into a grand room. Two curved staircases were on either side. A reception desk sat in-between the stairs with three people behind it. Fountains line the outer walls with large basins beneath them. Several native plant species grow out of the water. Heading for the right staircase, she is still a danger, Lisa said. She attacked several of you troops, Lisa said. Sapphire is the only family I have left, don’t accuse me of being a traitor, Anderson snapped at her. We will talk after the meeting, General Lisa said. The line goes quiet as she reaches the stairs and begins to climb with a rapid pace.

  Spotting an elevator on her left, General Lisa towards the elevator as the door opens. She grinds her teeth as she feels her anger spiking. Entering the elevator, the door closes as she feels it begin to rise. Her eyes snap open as she clenches her fists and strikes the wall denting the metal. Breathing heavy as she looks and sees the damage and looks back to her hand and sees some blood seeping from her skin. After a few seconds, the wounds close as the blood slips off her hand. She cracks a slight smile, its good my healing factor is still working right, Lisa thought to herself. The elevator comes to a stop as the doors open behind her. Turning around, she exits through the door and into the hallway. Looking around she sees freshly painted wooded panels in front of her just under rows of windows. Turning left, Lisa walks down the hall and sees paints along the left wall of Generals. Lisa remembers her long forgotten comrades that fell long ago.

  Exhaling, she comes to a grand dual wooden door with bronze edging and doorknobs. Reaching and taking the left knob in her hand, she pushes the door open and sees a three half circles grey desks rise along the back wall with 51 seats. Small screens protrude from the desks with white edges. Small grey stairs run along the right and left side as generals take their seats. Lisa looks around and sees eight seats empty, looks like the up starts are gone for this meeting, Lisa thought to herself. General Lisa moves to the left and climbs to the center desk and moves ten spaces down. Taking her seat, she looks up and sees General Alex sitting in the center of the upper desk. His dark skin was fading as his grey beard hands to his rounded face. his eyes were slightly shot. He looks to her and nods, she nods in return.

  The doors fling open as General Anderson, Sapphire in her full armor, and Dr. Benjamin enters the room. They move to the center of the room, Sapphire and Dr. Benjamin stop behind Anderson. Let us get this meeting underway, Alex said. He looks down and looks over Sapphire with a critical eye. General Adam Anderson, is this your cyber soldier? Alex asked. Of course, High General Alex, Anderson said. Stepping aside, Anderson walks forward. Council members, I present my cyber-Reaper, Anderson said. Lisa moves her eyes and sees the council murmuring. Her eyes slightly widen as she sees several seats empty. Up starts are not here, this is going to end well, Lisa thought to herself. She turns her head back to Sapphire with hatred in her heart.

  Alex, I have a few questions, Lisa said. Permission granted, Alex said. Sapphire moves her eyes and sees Lisa. Adam Anderson, how come, only you and no other general was able to complete this assignment? Lisa asked with a strained voice. Anderson reaches up and lowers his hat. I trusted my friend Dr. Benjamin, Anderson said. That does not explain how you received your daughter-in-law? Lisa asked. Lisa, this question is out of line, all recipients were randomly assigned a cadaver, Alex said. Lisa feels her back tighten.

  Sorry, sir, Lisa said with a frustrated tone. Proceed General Anderson, Alex said. As you see, I have completed my project for the cyber initiative, Reaper step forward, Anderson said with a firm tone. Reaper steps forward and comes to a complete stop. By your reports, you have not wiped the memories of this person? A general asked. Lisa feeling disgusted by the question. Anderson looks down and exhales with a frustrated tone and looks back up. Dr. Benjamin and I knew it was wrong to wipe her memories and her humanity, she is the last family I have left, Anderson said with a firm tone. Some of you believe the ends justify the means, but if we sacrifice a persons humanity to win our fights we are no better than monsters, Anderson said.

  From the Damocles security logs, Reaper here injured a few dozen of your soldiers and Dr. Benjamin, another general asked? Reaper did, I had a feeling she would turn to violence when she awoke, Anderson said. You brought back a soldier with a history of violence against civilians and prisoners, Lisa said with a calm tone. Anderson looks to Lisa with a suspicious look and looks back to Alex. She does have a history of violence, but she came out of the coma early, Anderson said. Lisa sees Reaper turn her head and looks at Anderson.

  The door to the chambers swings open and crashes into the wall with a loud boom. The room turns to look at the person entering the room. A younger general walk into the room with a heavy stomp. Her Uniforms was stained as it hangs open. Another man walks in behind her with heavy sunglasses on his face. So, who did not inform me of this meeting? The General said with a cocky voice! General Emilia, do I have to remind you, that your suspension is still in effect, Alex said with a harsh tone. Lisa looks over and feels her hands tighten. Her brown hair with pink tips was short with piercings in her ears. Her heart shaped head was stained with some dirt as her makeup started to run. Her skinny body was covered by her baggy uniform.

  Oh, who cares about that, Emelia said. You lost a sky fortress and ninety percent of the crew, Alex said. You also fled as the battle began, your behavior is appalling, Alex said. Pipe it, I must report on my cyber soldier, Emelia said.

  Brian, explain to theses tottering fossils, Emelia said. Brian’s light brown skin was worn in spots. His black eyes had computer lenses over them. His grey lab coat clung tightly to his body. His round head had a slight goatee. He walks forward and bumps Dr. Benjamin out of the way. The council looks frustrated as they see Anderson step up and clenches his fists. Adam, stand down and back away, Alex said with a firm tone. Brian looks over and sneers slightly at Anderson and looks to the council. Our cyber soldiers mind could not handle the implants and failed, Dr. Brian said. So, another failure on your record, Alex said. So what? Emelia said with a mocking voice. That cadaver was useless anyways. Silence, Emilia, Alex said with venom in his voice.

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  Alex calms down as he blinks a few times. Everyone on this council has fought and earned their position, you only got a battlefield promotion, Alex said with a harsh tone. Anderson, let us see if Reaper is good at taking out the trash, Alex said with a calm tone. Anderson looks to Reaper and nods in approval as Reaper nods in return. Reaper turns around and faces Emelia with and extends her blades out as she moves her arms and bends her legs. Emelia, you have five seconds to clear the room, Reaper said with hatred in in her voice. Emelia’s face breaks with anger and flips Reaper the bird. Emelia retacks her hand and snap her fingers, she turns and walks out of the room, Brian close behind her, slamming the doors as they leave.

  Retracting the blades, Reaper turns to face the council. I am impressed, Alex said with a happy tone. That problem is rarely intimidated by anything, Alex said. I have the feeling, Reaper here wanted to crack her skull, Anderson said. Permission granted on that, the council said in unison. Council, let us vote on if, Reaper and the cyber initiative will remain active under General Anderson, Alex said. Lisa looks down to her screen and sees a green, square, and red square. She moves her hand and presses the green square. A few minutes pass as the Generals look down at them and presses a button. General Anderson by decision of the council, you are to keep the cyber initiative running aboard your sky fortress, Alex said. You are dismissed, Alex said. we will reconvene in a few hours to discuss ideas on how to establish contact with Earth, Alex said.

  The Generals get up and walk down and pass them, Anderson locks eyes with Lisa as she makes her way over to him and comes to a stop in front of him. So, Adam we need to talk in my office, Lisa said with a harsh tone. If you disrespect the memory of my son or his wife, I will end you, Anderson said with a harsh tone. Sapphire and Dr. Benjamin turn away and head for the door and pass out into the hallway. I would like to see you try, Lisa said! Both turn and walk to the door, a loud crash rings out as they see Generals moving to the right. Exiting out into the halls, they look right and see Dr. Benjamin on the ground trying to get his chair working.

  Anderson takes off running and gently pushes the others out of the way. Lisa steps back and sees Anderson helping get the chair working. Her eyes slightly widen as she sees him touch his communicator. General Lisa looks beyond and sees Reaper slipping off down the hallway. Damn, I can not go after her now, I will just have to hope the boys can capture her, Lisa thought to herself. Seeing the crowd disperse, Anderson stands up and walks back to her. Stopping in front of her with a stern look on his face. I see you will still not leave anyone behind, Lisa said. Why? its not a bad trait, I still remember pulling you from a crashed dropship, Anderson said. She rolls her shoulders, I still have the scar, Lisa said. Given our augments my scar would have healed, Lisa said. Then you remember I would never betray my comrades, General Anderson said with a soft tone.

  Both turn away from the crowd and walk down the hall with a steady pace. I am not accusing you of treason, but it is true, I did not receive my cadaver for the project, General Lisa said. He turns his head and looks down to her. I got that feeling, this only gives me more suspicions about what happened, General Anderson said. Coming to a junction, they turn right and head towards one of the outer towers. They start to pick up the pace, I heard your own son was killed a few years ago? Anderson asked. Lisa’s eyes start to water, he was, sha said. Strange I never met him before, Anderson said with a concerned voice. He went to Bride Rock academy, Lisa said. Anderson shrugs his shoulders as they reach another junction and turn left.

  Lisa looks down and sees doors along the left wall, a 182 cm man with a balding blond head was leaning against a door. His blond beard was trimmed with black glasses on his face. His uniform was freshly pressed as he looks down on a data pad. He looks up and walks towards them and quickly salutes. Brandon, General Lisa said. Ma’am, Brandon said. Anderson and Lisa quickly salute him. Adam, this is my second in command, Commander Brandon Moberg, Lisa said. It’s an honor to meet you sir, Brandon said. The honor is mine commander, Anderson said as he extends out his right hand. Brandon reaches out and shakes Anderson’s hand and quickly let’s go. Ma’am I have the reports for you, Brandon said. She tilts her head and nods backwards, please take a few minutes to stretch your legs, Lisa said. Brandon nods and salutes them and walks forward and bumps into Lisa, Sorry ma'am, he said as he walks away. Brandon disappears down the hall as they start to walk forward and reach the door. She reaches out and takes the doors handle and pushes it inwards.

  Lisa enters a small rectangular room with a large window overlooking a large green field with trees lining the sides and a lake in the center. A small square desk sits in the center of the room with a cupboard behind it. General Anderson stops as he sees the glasses and bottles of booze on the cupboard. Lisa struts forward, she walks around her desk and stops in front of the cupboard and reaches down. Taking a glass in one hand, she reaches over and pulls a bottle and shakes it and offers him a drink. Sorry Lisa, but you know I don’t drink, Anderson said. The memories of the war still have you crawling into a bottle, Lisa said with a worried tone. It does, Anderson said. She pours herself a drink and turns around and sees Anderson looking towards a decoration on the wall with his eyes fixated on something.

  Do you remember our old battle cry? Lisa asked. “Come and take our lives, we will take everything from you.” Anderson said with a firm tone. The last time we cried out together was during the final battle, Anderson said. I do miss our old comrades, since we are the last two of our kind, Lisa said with a sad voice. She raises her glass up, “To our lost comrades”, Lisa said. What happened to Nathan? Anderson asked. He was assassinated over a year ago, the bastard tore him apart, Lisa said. Impossible, he had the same augments we had, Anderson said. His head was removed, his predator suit was broken beyond repair, Lisa said. Anderson tenses up his arms and clenches his fists tightly and looks to her and back to the skull.

  A large blue and purple crystal skull hangs on the wall. Its rounded top has rounded ridges running along to the meter long skull. Three eyes holes were in the center of the skull just above four mandibles that made up its mouth. Qel, the phase beast, I did not think you would keep a trophy? Anderson asked. She lifts her glass and gulps down the alcohol and shakes her head. Its him, I took it after we took him down for good, Lisa said. Anderson reaches up and rubs the skull, his eyes narrow and looks to Lisa. So, why are you accusing me of treason? General Anderson asked with a stern tone. Lisa exhales as she tenses up her shoulders. You’re the only one that received your cadaver, mine was never delivered, logs states it was received, Lisa said. He clenches his hands tightly as he turns and faces her. So, you are accusing me because you did not receive one? General Anderson asked. Lisa’s face twists with anger. No, I am asking since I was not the only one, 21 cadavers were assigned, only one I was able to finds yours, Lisa said.

  That level rat will never be worthy, Lisa said. Anderson snaps and bares his fangs, don’t call Sapphire that, he said with fire in his eyes. She is my son’s wife, the last of my family, do not insult her again, Anderson said with a harsh firm voice. She is not worthy of my boy, Lisa said. Adam snaps and grabs her by the throat and lifts. What did you say? Anderson asked. She is not worthy of James, I may be his godmother, but I still despise that level rat, Lisa said with a struggle in her voice. Releasing his grip, she drops down and lands on the ground. She gasps for breath as she stands up and feels her throat. Anderson turns and walks to the door and opens it. He turns his head back to her as she leans against her desk. Watch what you say, or I will end you, Anderson said with a firm tone. Stepping out, the door remains open as Brandon slips in. Seeing, Lisa leaning against her desk. Ma’am are you alright? Brandon asked. I am fine, been through worse, Lisa responded. Are the marines in position? Lisa asked. Two squads are in the central archives, three are on the roof in an ambush position, Brandon said. I palmed the data stick from your pocket, sorry ma'am, Brandon said.

  She looks down and sees his sidearm strapped to his leg. I will need to borrow your sidearm, Lisa said. Sure, thing ma’am, Brandon said. He reaches down and pulls his sidearm and hands it to her. She reaches and takes the pistol by the grip and makes sure the safety was on. Good, head back to the Hades, get her ready in case we have injured, Lisa said. You expect injuries? Brandon asked. Yeah, but I have a few words I must tell that bitch, Lisa said with venom in her voice. He looks back to the door and hears nothing in the halls, I know there is an elevator to the roof just a few feet from the junction that leads to the bridge on the main tower.

  Lisa nods in thanks. He steps back and dusts off his uniform. Lisa stands up and bends her legs and takes off running. Passing through the door, she shoots down the hall and reaches the bridge in a few seconds. Shooting across the bridge, she turns right and sees the elevator and comes to a complete stop in front of it. Putting the pistol in her pants, she reaches forward and pulls the door open and sees the deep shaft with a cable in the center. Seeing the cable start to move, she steps into the shaft and closes the door behind her. The elevator coming up fast, she steps off and lands on the elevator with a shock through her knees. The air rushes by as she looks up and sees her stop coming up and leaps from the elevator and lands on a beam and sees the service door leading to the roof. The door opens as the light shines through, a soldier in medium armor with a blue strip on the arms and chest as he reaches out. She takes his hand and feels him pull her through and onto the roof. He releases her hand and steps back as he pulls his weapon from his back.

  Lisa looks around and sees pipes and ductwork scattered around the roof with three other rectangular elevator doors. She sees fifteen soldiers checking their weapons. The soldier in front of her quickly salutes. Lisa salutes back. The soldiers were armed with Vega and Odin rifles. Glade your here ma’am, the squads in the central archives reported a small engagement, the soldier said. We also got reports she managed to download a file, the file they recovered was a skin, the soldier said. So, she got what we need, Lisa said. She reaches up to her communicator and presses down, all units on the roof we must capture Sapphire Anderson alive, no lethal rounds, she said with a commanding tone. Copy that the soldiers sounded off. Ma’am we have reports she is heading up the elevator shaft three, A soldier said. General Lisa looks around and finds the elevator shaft across from her and takes off towards the door as pulls her pistol. Leaping over some pipes she lands and reaches the door. A blade breaches through the slip, General Lisa steps back and aims.

  The doors slide open as Lisa watches the wind push Sapphire off balance. Sapphire regains her balance and steps forward and stops as Sapphire sees a gun pointed at her head. Lisa smirks with some hatred in her eyes. So, Reaper, or should I say Sapphire, Lisa said as she presses the gun to Sapphire’s head. I knew Adam would send you to retrieve the data, Lisa said. Sapphire looks around with a careful eye, she sees 21 soldiers surrounding them. Sapphire slowly raises her hands above her head and clenches her fists tightly. That’s a good girl, make it nice and easy for us to remove the data, General Lisa said with a smirk. Sapphire extends out her blades and swiftly swings them in downward arch motion. Lisa jumps back as the blades graze her uniform. Landing on her feet, Lisa smells a burning fiber and looks down and sees some smoke coming from her uniform.

  Take this bitch alive, Lisa said with firm tone. Stepping back, Lisa raises her pistol and fires. Sparks erupt off Sapphires left shoulder and forces her to stumble back. Squads A-C advance, Lisa said. The squads charge forward and begin to split up. Sapphire regains her balance and fires her thruster and shoots to the right as the soldier fire their weapons. Sapphire cuts her thrusters and lands, she leans forward and swiftly rolls behind a large pipe as she slashes the pipes top. Steam erupts from the out as Sapphire retracts her blades and hears the rounds hitting the pipe. The rounds stop as Sapphire looks up and seeing a soldier looking over and points an Odin rifle at her. Jumping up, Sapphire grabs the rifle with her left hand and pushes it away as she clocks the soldier in the head with her right hand. Fire, Lisa screamed.

  Moving quickly, Sapphire move the soldier slightly and hears rounds hit his armor. General, are sure you don’t want to use live rounds, Sapphire mocked! Stupid bitch, how the hell you ever married my son, is beyond me, Lisa screamed! Sapphire releases the soldier and tosses them away and holds onto the rifle. Sapphire swapping through her vision until she comes to the ultraviolet spectrum and sees the soldiers clear as day. Sapphire seeing the soldiers come to a complete stop as General Lisa steps forward.

  Your son, James's mother died during childbirth? Sapphire responded. Flipping the weapon around and takes the grip and aims towards the soldiers and Lisa. Yes, he was my biological child, I never wanted him to marry a lowlife like you, Lisa responded! Sapphire turning on her communicator, Reaper what is wrong? Anderson asked. How the hell was James yours, I saw photos of his mother? Sapphire questioned with skepticism in her voice.? Maria was my best friend, when I learned of her and Adam trying for a child, I knew she was infertile, Lisa said. What the hell is she talking about, Reaper we are heading up towards you location slowly, General Anderson said. Make your way to the ledge on your right, E.T.A two minutes, Anderson said.

  Sapphire noticing several soldiers were missing. Clever, get them to flank me from the left or right, Sapphire thought to herself. The steam starts to sputter as it began to shut off. Sapphire’s vision changes back to normal as she keep the general and her troops in her sight. Raising her right leg and steps over the pipe and feels the steam heat up her armor and blows her cloak upwards. Stop right there Sapphire, I know you will pull a fake surrender, Lisa said. I saw the security footage from the Damocles, Lisa said. Sapphire feeling her instincts kicking in, she spins on her left heel as she releases her grip and extends her blade. Coming down she slashes a rifle in half and opens fire into the soldiers chest.

  Loud crashing sounds could be heard on the other side. Open fire, target her legs, Lisa screamed! The soldiers began firing, shells landing all around her as some ricochet off her legs. Another soldier rushes forward with the butt of the gun raised. Sapphire bends down as she fires her thrusters and slams her shoulder into a soldiers chest. The soldier hits the ground and curls up in pain. Sapphire rolls as she hits the ground, and comes to a stop, Sapphire braces against the pipe. Shells landing on the pipe as Sapphire kneels and pokes her head up as a shell bounces off her helmet.

  Sapphire get to the ledge and jump, General Anderson said. Sapphire stands up as her thrusters extend out and light up. Pressing down, Sapphire jumps and launches into the air and takes aim and opens fire. The kickback of the rifle knocks Sapphire off balance and loses her grip and drops the weapon. Cutting her thruster, Sapphire drops and extends out her blades and shoots towards the ground. Lisa and her troops jump back as Sapphire lands and swings wildly. Lisa rushes forward and pops a few shots into Sapphires chest. Sapphire swings and thrusts her blades as Lisa ducks and dodges to the left as she pops more rounds into her Sapphire’s chest. Get her, General, A soldier said. Sapphire turns land thrusts with her left blade, Lisa sees an opening as she bends down and aims up and shoots and breaks off Sapphire’s left blade. With a hateful joy in Lisa’s face, she reaches up and grabs the hot blade with her left hand. Lisa’s face twists even more as she feels the heat burning through her hand and flips it around. Bringing the blade down with a violent stab, Lisa pierces through Sapphire’s left elbow. Sapphire sees her left arm disabled in her eyes as parks erupt from the injury and her fingers twitch uncontrollably.

  Quickly following through, Lisa kicks Sapphire in the chest and follows through with a punch to her head. Sapphire’s armor buckles as her helmet loudly cracks as her facial projection flickers on an off. Sapphire stumbles back as Lisa rushes forward and leaps up and hooks her right leg around Sapphires neck and crushes Sapphire’s neck guard. Lisa leaps off and lands on her feet as a ping rings out. Sapphire looks to Lisa and sees a pin on her left middle finger as she turn around. Sapphire runs forward towards Lisa as an explosion erupts and shoots her forwards. Sapphire crash lands and rolls out of control and comes to a stop by the ledge of the building. Sapphire laying on her right side with her cloak covering her chest. Sapphire’s head spins as a deafening ring drowns out all other noises. Her breathing increasing as her chest presses against her armor. Damn, she got a flash bang on me, Sapphire thought to herself.

  Rolling over onto her front, she places her right hand on the ground and pushes herself up to her feet. Looking forward as she feels her dizziness getting worse as she sees Lisa and the soldiers approaching with their weapons aimed at her. Sapphire’s stomach turns violently as she hears crying in her ears. The other soldiers quickly circling around and boxing Sapphire into a corner. The ringing starts to fade as Sapphire regains her balance and raises her right arm and clenches her fist as lower left arm breaks off and crashes onto the ground. The ring presses tightly against her chest as she breathes heavily.

  Still standing, or it could be I am very rusty, Lisa said. I don’t think she is that rusty, General Anderson said. Surrender, Sapphire, Lisa demanded! I will not surrender, Sapphire said weakly. Sapphire be reasonable, I do not think James would want you to die here, just give me the data and I promise you will not be harmed, Lisa said in a calm voice. Lies, I know better than to trust anyone, Sapphire said. Lisa tilts her head to the right. You trusted James? Lisa said in a questioning voice. A sharp pain shoots through Sapphire’s heart as she reaches over places her hand over her heart. He will be the only one I will ever trust, no one else, Sapphire said. Reaper jump now, General Anderson said. Jump now, He repeated. To oblivion I go, Sapphire said as she extends out her arms and leans backwards and falls off the edge.

  Lisa bursts into a sprint and reaches the edge in a few seconds. Where did you go level rat? Lisa said out loud. Hearing a loud noise coming, Lisa leaps back and lands several meters away, a ship shoots up and closes the hatch as it flies away. Her eyes widen as she recognizes the crusader flying away. Damn you Adam, I guess your long life has made you a traitor, Lisa said with a pain in her voice. Ma’am, the Damocles is heading for the edge of the city, a soldier said. Tell the Hades to peruse the Damocles, General Lisa said. Copy that Ma’am, a soldier said. She turns away and brushes off her uniform, I wish it did not have to come to this, Lisa said. Walking forward, she bends down and picks up Sapphire’s arm and the blade. Trophy’s for my wall, Lisa thought to herself.