Discovery

<---INDEX 

As the two vehicles drove down the back roads, Zero said over the comm, “Extraction gate is just ahead, two hundred meters. No sign on search parties.” Rock replied, “It's not the scouts I'm worried about. There have been a lot of Stingers in this area lately, and I don't think they'll be very fond of a stray Maverick convoy in their territory. Those Runner guys have been jumping at the site of their shadows lately and in these transports, we're nothing more than moving targets. Suddenly, a voice came over the comm, saying, “Maverick convoy sigma-delta-five, this is stinger squadron Falcon. Divert from your current rout immediately.”

Rock tapped his comm and said, “A warning? That's a new one for you guys. What if we say no?” The pilot replied, “Failure to comply will result in the termination of you functions by hammer-down. Turn left in fifty meters and continue west to grid location charlie-beta-8. This is not a request.” Zero now said, “Are you threatening, “Are you threatening us?” The pilot said, “Does the word Roll mean anything to you?” Zero snapped, “Roll? What the bloody hell is that...” Rock said, “Affirmative, Falcon squadron. Diverting course to new grid co-ordinates.”

"Diverting course? I say we just head to the extract...” Rock cut him off , saying, “The stingers found Maverick forces at the Extraction point, Zero. They're going to scuttle the jump zone. We are to redirect our destination to Lode Runner base seventeen until further orders.”
"How do you know that?” The calm male replied, “I have my ways.” Zero sighed and said, “Whatever. What kind of password is... Oh, wait. Wasn't that... Bloody hell. Sorry boss. Commencing radio silence and feel free to knock off a few points.”

Rock shook his head and replied, “You didn't know. But, please. Don't tell anyone about the code.  The name means a lot to me, but now it's used specifically to keep me from dropping in on her. I mean, if you break off comm with me, I'll have to put up with Axel for the rest of the ride.” Zero laughed. “not much chance of that happening.” Rock scratched his head and pulled out a cigarette. Lighting it, he asked, “Come to think of it, he's being unusually quiet. What happened to him?”

Zero let out a cheerful laugh. “He wouldn't shut up about winning the I D ten T award, So I gave him a little help. On the topic, lets keep the peanut butter crate for last to open, eh?” Rock let out a warm chuckle and said, “Do we really have to open it at all? No one at HQ even eats that crap.” they both laughed and spoke idly until they reached an outpost. Rock looked at the rundown building and said, “Well, here we are.”






"Yeah,” Zero muttered. “And if any Mavericks show up, this is the last place we're going to want to be. This place would be destroyed in seconds.” A after a brief inspection by the sentry, they were allowed to proceed into the building. After driving to the lowest part of the structure that was once a parking lot, the duo got out of the vehicles. A voice said, “Captain Rock.” Rock turned around and saw a man with silver hair and red eyes wearing a blue jumpsuit with a skull and two swords embroidered onto the sleeve.

"A pleasure to finally make your acquaintance. Name's Wesley O'Connel. The folks in these parts call me Reckless. Welcome to Lode Runner Section 17.” Rock looked at him and said, “Don't think there's much need for us to tell you our names. However, I'd like to know what's with the warm welcome? After the Wiley Virus incident, humans tried to destroy all artificial life, Reploid and Maverick alike.” The man nodded and said, “That was the case. At least until recently.”

Zero gave a sideways glare. “What's so different now?” Wesley looked at him and said, “To the point as always, huh Zero? Well, it turned out that you weren't the only ones with an interest in that convoy. You guys helped out a Black Ops unit from our base who was looking into the advanced strategies they've been adopting lately. I don't know the end result at the moment, but the boss should have figured out something by now.”

Rock nodded. “Then lets go see him.” The man sighed and muttered, “Not until the third member of you folks get here.” Zero shrugged. “Not much of a wait. He's locked up in the Skippy crate, and we'd highly recommend not letting him out. He tends to wreck bases more effectively by accident than most Mavericks do deliberately.” Wesley looked at him for a moment, then said, “You know your team better than we do, so I'm not doing any judging. Come with me.” The trio walked through the gutted building until they arrived at what was once a cafeteria.

The man said to his guests, “Guy sitting at the table in dream land. His name is Jake Thompson. We normally call him Peril. Use this to wake him.” The man handed Rock a grenade. Looking at it, he asked, “Why the slag do you want me to wake him with this thing? I'm not going to do it.” Wesley shrugged and yelled as he pulled the pin, “Fire in the hole!” He then rolled the grenade under Jake's desk and it went off with a powerful bang and flash.

Several seconds later, the brown haired male lifted his head and muttered, “Did somebody want something?” Wesley yelled, “Dammit, Jake! You were supposed to analyze those cadavers! Why the hell are you sleeping?” The man stretched and replied, “What kind of a dumb question is that? Because I'm tired, obviously.” Wesley pulled out a pistol and shot the man, knocking him out of his chair and to the ground. Zero and Rock stood there, horrified. It was then when the body got to his feet and looked at them that horror started building into panic. The man tapped his head where the bullet had hit him and said, “Fine, Fine. I'm up you bastard! You and your damned paintballs! Now What the Hell do you want?”

Wesley said in a calm voice, “We came to get the results on the body.” Jake let out a low sigh. “That's why you woke me up? Thought it was something important. Anyway, the body is Reploid... sort of...” Rock looked at him and said, “What do you mean sort of? Either it is or it isn't. Which is it?” Jake Yawned before replying, “Well, that's just it. It's not a lot model. Looks like the Mavericks are adding mechanical parts to regular humans, making a sort of Reploid Hybrid. Nasty stuff. They also put some kind of psychological limiter that forces the person to do whatever the 'Ricks want. I know only one  monster that could do something this cold.”

Rock clenched his fist and said in an Ice cold tone, “Bass. Only him.” Jake nodded. “Correct. Now if you don't mind, I'm getting some sleep.” He lowered his head to rest when an explosion rocked the complex. Jake looked up and snapped, “Wes! Let me get some rest!!!” The sound of a siren filled the air and Jake quickly abandoned his quest to rest. “Dammit to Hell! An ambush!” Rock turned to Zero and said, “Slag. We're in for it now.”