Chapter 81: Devour, Consume, Evolve!(1/3)
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******Alberta, Canada Alpha Rift FOB*******
The Alpha Rift Commander stood at attention at the top level of the operations tower. He looked over the assembled armies of their world. Standing in perfect unity row by row of soldiers at attention waiting for the first call of battle. A technician in the command tower sent a holographic window to the commander. It showed the count down of the different Electromagnetic pulse bombs spread through out the world. They had focused on major city centers, places of wealth, power, and influence. One by one the EMP bombs went off in a glorious radiant blue energy blast that covered the cities, and left behind a static charge that would last several days.
“Zeta Red! Zeta Blue! Zeta Green! Front and center!” Alpha Commander shouted through the communications relay. Three teams of six stepped forward, each clad in jet black armor plates. Each one with the insignia of meta-gene.
“You understand your orders?” The Commander asked.
“YES SIR!” The teams shouted as one.
“Zeta Teams, move out!” The Commander shouted. Each team gave a crisp salute and the teleporter assigned to each team swallowed them up in a combination of light, smoke, or miniature rift.
The entire base when from standby to yellow alert. The Generals issued the orders to all of their respective units. One by one each legion moved to their positions. First to the field would be the meat puppets. Cannon fodder humans that didn't survive the augmentation process, little more than bio-mechanical robots with a unit controller.
Next would go the actual robotic units, with a rigid skeleton structure, wires, synthetic muscles, and VI chips with another unit controller to help control and check them. Tech-Meta's were incredibly rare but incredibly useful. One Tech-Meta could control over a hundred units at once time with in a hundred mile radius. The controller would wear a full mechanical suit to protect them. The suits nearly 8 feet tall of metal alloy, wires, batteries, and of course a full smart chip VI system. They were walking tanks.
Behind them were the true soldiers of the Empire! Special operations units all of them augmented with the best cybernetics their world could produce. While each squad leader was a strong man meta, with basic augments. Meta-Gene was a powerful thing, but Meta combined with tech was far superior! Each spec ops teams were wearing the best composite armor and polymer suits with the latest software, and IFF patch networks.
Last but not least was the transportation crews of troops, supplies, and prisoners. Any commander of an army would tell you that you can't win a war with out information, soldiers, and logistics. For every one soldier you need five auxiliary units helping. The armored personal carriers had both tank treads, and magnetic hover craft capabilities. With partial active camouflage to keep them hidden. While the airfield would be finished in the next 24 hours.
“Soldiers of the Empire! The light is GREEN!” The Commander shouted! The base went from yellow to green with the shout and the soldiers cheered! They moved out in perfect sync. To begin their invasion.
“May our children's, children forgive us...” The Commander said in a soft whisper.
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*****Washington DC, the Oval Office*****
The President of the United States was not having a good day. Of course that was pretty normal lately. With the changes in the global national power table being literally flipped over as new nations seemingly coming out of no where changing the entire dynamic. Thankfully, each new nation seemed to be friendly, and even helpful towards the American people. Themyscira the island nation of the Amazons from Greek myth were real! An entire nation of super model women all capable of bench pressing a car. They played a huge role in beating back the alien invasion from the warlord Ares. Of course the President knew better. They weren't aliens, but creatures from myth and legend. But the public didn't know that!
Then a massive tidal wave struck every coast in the world, an act of violence by the people of Atlantis by their now dead, Prince Orm. Only for the entire nation to apologize and wish to join the United Nations thanks to the efforts of a single alien known to the world as Agent Wraith. It was terrifying on so many levels. For decades America, China, and Russia were considered the power houses of the world. Now that line had changed. Atlantis put all three nations to shame!
Then on top of all that. They had the new meta-gene phenomenon. Humans, wild life, and plant life absorbing dark matter into their bodies. A very small percentage of them change, mutate, and become stronger. Super powered individuals like in science fiction, and comic books that his kids read. Then there was Superman! An alien with vast personal power that seemed to be on the side of justice, and good. But the President couldn't control the man! No one could! He did his own thing! At least Wraith worked for the United Nations!
“Mr. President? Are you alright?” One of his aids in the office asked. They were in the middle o a meeting. They had just finished talking about the oil spill of the coast of Rio.
“I...Yes, I'm sorry. I think I need a vacation.” The President said with a frown. The whole room sympathized with him.
With a POP! And a FLASH! Of electric blue light pulsed through the whole room. The power was cut out, and several people shouted in surprise. Thomas, and older man that had worked for the white house for years dropped as his pacemaker stopped working. Cell phones turned off, the land lines were dead. People shouted in fright and before the President could tell them all to calm down another flash of light erupted in the oval office. Suddenly six people in full sci fi tactical gear appeared in the office.
“What is the mea-!” The President tried to shout before one of the soldiers sliced the president in half with his hand. A purple energy laced across the soldiers arm, creating an energy blade that cut the president from hip to shoulder. Separating the two halves, with a blooming flower of red blood that showered the office.
The Rift Soldiers jumped into action killing everyone they could find, and broke down the doors of the oval office. They had a list of people they needed to die as quickly as possible. This was considered a suicide mission but it needed to be done. As long as they succeeded their families would be set for life! One by one their targets fell to them.
“Zeta Red! Mission complete, no casualties! Reform and move out!” The team leader said over their comms. With in a minute the group of six came together. Covered in blood, bullet holes that never penetrated through their armor, and a few flash burns.
“This may be easier than we thought! This world has meta-humans but they haven't been assimilated into the military yet.” The team leader said softly, his unit chuckled softly. Their teleporter expanded their energy field and Zeta Red teleported to their next assignment.
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One by one the leaders of the most powerful nations across the globe were assassinated by the Zeta Teams. Their pitiful defense could not withstand special operations units with trained meta-human soldiers. With the most advanced gear of three worlds combined. Once the leaders of the nations were killed they moved to powerful and influential business owners. That was when they hit a problem...
Rakakakakakaka! The Zeta Green team leader placed his gauss rifle pressed flush to his shoulder and aimed down the sights. He lined up the shot, and fired in short controlled bursts to maintain his aim. The thing in front of him that was tearing apart his team was not slowing down! It was a ten foot creature with green skin, huge tusks, and tribal clothing. Leather straps around its arms, and legs, with bones, teeth, braided in. Its eyes burned bright red with glee as it enjoyed the fight.
It smashed their units strong man into a pulp straight into the ground. It whipped around and roared into the night with a shout of triumph. Then script made from some sort of energy pulsated from its body flashed and suddenly the creatures was quick as one a low level speedster. It propelled itself from team member to team member. Ripping them limb from limb.
“Warning! Omega Energy detected! Find clear line of sight and report back immediately!” The team leaders VI smart chip beeped at him. The team leaders went wide! Their teleporter sprinted back to him, grabbed his shoulder and wished him luck.
“No, don't!” The team leader shouted! But it was to late. He was standing at the randevu point. Alone, with out his team covered in their blood. He dropped to his knees and sobbed for his fallen team mates. They had trained together for years, he had survived which to him was worse.
“Zeta Green to dispatch, priority message incoming. Make secure!” The team leader didn't mob for long.
“Secure is go, report!” The Rift Commander said across the line.
“My team is down! We encountered an Omega Energy level being.” The team leader said across comms.
“Confirmed! Standby for pick up.” The Rift Commander replied.
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The Rift Commander shuddered in fear, and a little bit of hope as well. He turned to look at his communication officer who had over heard the conversation. The officer had a horrified look on his face, pale as the moon as the blood left his face. The Rift Commander went to the holographic window relay back to their home with a priority message.
“This is Alpha Rift Commander. We have a Omega Energy level being confirmed on Earth-004. Send the Witch Hunters.” The Commander said across the communication line. In less then ten seconds he got a response.
Omega-Energy-Being confirmed. Witch Hunters being dispatched. ETA two hours...
“This just got more complicated...” The Commander said with a growl.
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*****Watch Tower*****
They were blind, deaf, and dumb up at the station. It had been six hours since the EMP's went off across the globe. Thankfully the EMP's didn't cover the ocean, so they were able to get a message down to Aquaman, and Aquawoman. A static field was left behind by the bombs that prevented teleportation down to the surface where ever one of the bombs had gone off. But they had determined that it would dissipate with in 48 hours from the initial explosion. But anything electrical that entered the field would shut down.
Hawkman, and Hawkwoman, along with every League member aboard the station took a spring jump down to an Atlantis ship and were in the process of moving back to America to defend their home. Lash stayed aboard the station because the static field would cause him a lot of pain thanks to his Technomancy Domain.
One by one they had to shut down their own sub-satellites and recall them back to the station. Why? Because with in a few hours of the EMP's going off two life forms which they could assume were Kryptonians from the alternate reality flew up and started to destroy every single satellite earth had made. Thanks to both technology, and magic the Watch Towers sub-satellites could maintain an active camouflage but they didn't want to take any chances.
Because of the Space Domain, Vici could move the whole station with out firing a single thruster. Yes, it was incredibly slow but they didn't make a single heat bloom for which the kryptonians could detect. Even with the turrets installed, Lash was reasonably sure that just one of them could destroy the station if they wanted to. So, Lash went to the main core and poured his magical energy into it to help Vici hide, and move away at a quicker pace. The last thing they needed was for one of them to simply bump into an invisible station.
The Core was on the second saucer next to the Armory, and Security modules. The door to the Armory was wide open and in the frame was another VI Unique Android. Hastam stood at 7 feet tall, and wide as a door. Unlike his brothers, and sisters on the station he kept his robotic look. His voice was a cold, male synthetic voice. His body was a combination of geometric triangles. His head was upside down triangle with the point as his neck, with red sensor eyes on the side corners. Another upside down triangle for his body, with rectangular leg, and arm attachments. Covered in armored plates. He had three fingered hands, and three fingered toes. With jet black, and hot rod red as his color scheme.
Despite the bulky description he was very streamlined. With smooth transitions between each piece. Along with the fact that he was practically a moving tank, with dozens of weapons, tools, and gear implanted in his body. He could build, repair, and create ammunition for any weapon stored in the Armory module.
“Grrrrrrr! Grand Father, how are you feeling?” Hastam said, he would always create a mechanical grating noise before he spoke. Like a machine trying to clear their throat.
“I am tired, Hastam. I had hoped we would have more time.” Lash replied. He was sitting cross legged in front of the core. Spell script surrounded him in bands of magic, that slowly revolved around him.
“Grrrrrr! It will be another thirty two hours before every turret has a kryptonite composite shots available. We will not be caught unprepared again.” Hastam's cold voice responded, not understanding what Lash had meant.
The sound of a fluttering cloak was all that was heard as the VI Unique Android from the Security module appeared next to Lash with a cup of hot chai. They offered the glass to Lash who accepted the drink gratefully. The whispering sound of cloth flapping in the wind was heard once more as Hex appeared at the door leading to the Security module.
Hex was an interesting android. They were 5'9” with a physique that was neither male, nor female. Androgynous was the word! They were covered from head to toe in layered black cloth. With black flexible polymer plates down their arms, legs, and body. They had a genderless voice that was smooth, and soft as a whisper. Though no matter how quiet they were you could still clearly hear them. They wore a long trench coat, with a hood that kept their face in permanent shadow. Hex favored the Illusion Domain, Lash was sure that they had gone further into the Domain than he had.
Vici, along with the Unique VI Androids all had access to his Domains. But they could practice what every they chose on their own time. So it was completely possible that some of the Androids could surpass him when it came to his Domains. Hex was one of those that had with in the Illusion Domain. Something incredibly useful when you were in charge of the security on the station. Lash finished his chai, and Hex took back the empty glass with out a word. Before Lash could continue channeling his energy straight into Vici's core he heard from Vigil.
“They are gone, we'll give it another few hours before we re release the sub-satellites. But we are going to power up the main systems.” Vigil's strong warrior woman voice sounded off across the station.
Lash stood up in a fluid motion. The stations core closed and sealed up. Merging once more into the wall of the station. Unless you know what to look for, the core was just another part of the station. Hastam went back to work in the Armory. Working to produce the ammunition they would need for the coming battles. Hex... Was gone, Lash hadn't even seen them leave.
The elevator took twice as long to get to the main saucer as one by one the main systems went back online. They had turned everything none essential off just in case. Better safe than sorry! The station was still considered F+ grade. Erik thought it was a lot like difference between low level, and high level green gear in most games. Level 60 green gear was far better than level 10 green. Yes, it was still green which was often a low tier item. But it was a high level low tier item.
“Vici, if we could get your upgrade key. Would you need to shut down completely to upgrade or could we do it gradually?” Lash said out loud in the elevator. It took about a minute before she responded.
“I believe because the station is bio-mechanical, I could gradually update all my systems with out shutting down completely. However, it would reduce the overall efficiency of the station itself. I share your worry, Father. If we shut down all the systems to do the upgrade we would be left in the open, we also would not be able to help our allies on the surface. Though with the static field in place now would be the best time to put the station at half. Do you have the key, now?” Vici asked, her voice fill with curiosity and hope. Lash checked his available Dream Points.... 15.
“Not yet...But hopefully soon. We have no idea how long this will last. The higher your overall grade is the better.” Lash replied, his voice full of worry.
The elevator doors opened up, and the station was slowly breathing back to life. The worker droids that belong to the Engineering module were scampering around attempting to do some last minute check ups. Lash walked across the saucer towards that specific module to speak to Malleus the VI Unique Android in charge of the stations engineering.
Malleus was a 6' even black skinned man, with golden amber eyes, shoulder length black dreads, with a black smiths body type. Strong arms, broad chest, and massive thighs from moving heavy equipment around. He had a large cigar in his mouth that he chewed on softly as he blew huge smoke rings out while he worked. He wore the black pants, and boots of an environmental suit. While his chest and arms were naked. The other half of the suit no where to be found. The main engineering module was essentially a massive workshop that oversaw all the maintenance aboard the station.
“Grandfatha welcome! wah mi cya duh fi yuh todeh” Malleus said with a big grin as he pulled Lash in for a hug. His massive arms wrapping around him. Lash replied in kind and laughed gently at Malleus personality.
“If we can get the upgrade key for the Vici. How much of an issue would it before the stations operations while the station basically grows into itself?” Lash asked, as he let go of Malleus. The android leaned back. He puffed another smoke ring from his mouth as he did the calculations.
“Fi be pan di safe side mi wud ongle tek wi dung tuh 75% But dat wud mean it wud tek nearly a month fi di upgrade tuh complete itself.” Malleus replied, as he walked over to a holographic window and drew up the calculations for Lash to see.
“But eff yuh did pan di station wid wi wi cud cut dat dung tuh two weeks.” Malleus said in return. He took out his cigar and looked over the window with Lash by his side.
“Could you start making the preparations now. That way once we get the key we can start the change immediately.” Lash asked, Malleus chewed on his cigar for a bit. Then he nodded.
“Ya mon!” Malleus replied with a grin.
“Alright! May I please borrow a work station. I promised some Amazons some elite gear.” Lash asked, and Malleus lead him to a private work station. Full of tools, materials, and even an enchanting station.
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****Alberta Canada, Alpha Rift FOB****
16 hours after initial attacks the Alpha Rift fluctuated with energy and the local reads out spiked with Omega Energy readings. A unit of ten soldiers stepped from the Rift. Clad in armored plates, long coats, and robes. Those with robes had several visible enchantments written on the cloth. They carried staffs made from oak, ash, cherry. While the others in coats were a little more practical. They still had enchantments on their clothing, but they carried side arms, and rifles. The man in the lead had sandy blond hair, blue eyes, several scars from tiny, to jagged decorated his face. He took out his lighter and lit up a cigarette.
“Smell that lads! Fresh air! None of that processed stuff!” Constantine said to his people. He got a few grumbles in reply. Constantine inhaled some nicotine as he watched the Rift Commander walk over to him.
“Oie! Stewart! How you been mate?” Constantine asked the Commander who paused mid step. Then growled in response as he walked the rest of the way.
“Nice to see you to, Constantine. Still an asshole?” The Commander asked, as he stood with perfect posture compared to the slouching Constantine.
“Yep! I'm an asshole, and a bastard! But at least I'm that way because I choose to be! Unlike the rest of these puppets!” Constantine said, as he waved at the soldiers moving around the base. The Commander stiffened, he wanted to break Constantine's jaw for that remark.
“So, where did this magic beast show up? London? Please say its London! Maybe me and the mates can get a pint before shit hits the fan!” Constantine said, a smile on his face. But a glimmer of sadness in his eyes.
“As a matter of fact, it was in London. You'll ship out after you speak to the squad leader of Zeta Green.” The Commander said.
“Yessss! You hear that mates! We are going back to marry ole England!”Constantine said with a smirk, several of his people cheered softly.
“No screw ups, Constantine. I would hate to tell the Emperor that you betrayed us!” The Commander said with a grimace. Constantine's good nature smile melted from his face. He glared at The Commander.
“Don't you ever threaten me, Stewart. I know my job, and what is at stake. Now piss off! Me and the lads have work to do!” Constantine said as he walked past The Commander.
Unlike the rest of the soldiers in the Emperor's army. Magic users couldn't be mind controlled. Something about the Omega Energy levels prevented the tech from working. So, the Emperor did the next best thing. He capture their families instead and held them hostage. If Constantine went against his orders then his kids would suffer for it. John Stewart hated himself for threatening Constantine like that. But his reconditioning had been effective. Long live the Emperor Rofl Dex.
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Lash finished with the first gear set for one of the Amazons in Red team. Malleus had been looking over his shoulder from time to time checking out his work. Adding some ideas, and asking questions. Lash was surprised to see his Skill/Power/Spell Trainer prompt with experience as Malleus watched.
Technomagical Contruct, Gear Set.
Rating: A-
Material: Orichalcum, Nth Metal, Mithril, Tiberium, Kryptonite.
Effect: 50% decrease of negative spell effects.
Effect: 50% increase of positive spell effects.
Effect: 50% absorption of Kinetic, and Energy effects.
Effect: Physiology Adaptation.
Effect: Size Alteration (5)
Effect: Liquid Tiberium power core.
Effect: Thanagar Nth Metal, partial gravity negation, partial flight, temperature generation (Optimal levels for user), partial self-sustenance, partial symbiosis, partial magic negation.
Spell Effects Nature Domain: Auto Cast, Sooth, Nature's Supplement, Chameleon, Nature's Kiss.
Spell Effects Technomancy Domain: Connectivity, Compression Transformation, Virtual Intelligence.
Spell Effects Synthesis Domain: Renew, Immaculate, Re:Implant.
Spell Effects Space Domain: Infinite Supply.
Spell Effects Grave Domain: Unburden.
Spell Effects Transmutation Domain: Falling Glide, Cat's Grace, Water Walk.
Spell Effects Illusion Domain: Phantasm, Silence, Invisibility, Anonymity, Compulsion, Pain.
Comment: Congratulations! You've created a legendary gear set with so many bells and whistles that you need a hundred page manual to understand it all!
The suit of armor, and weapons made for the Amazon was a mixture of ancient greek armor, and science fiction. It had an under armor skin tight suit that would cover the Amazon from neck to toe. Metal plates covered the entire polymer suit, along with a large necklace piece that could expand to create the entire helmet piece. The color scheme was entirely up to the Amazon as it could change color thanks to the Illusion spells.
It took Lash nearly twenty four hours to make one suit, he had five more to go. Less than twelve hours until the static field dissipated. They had received partial communications from a few people aboard the station. Not only had all of the communication satellites been destroyed, all of the power plants across the world had been sabotaged. On top of a majority of the worlds most powerful and influential leaders had been assassinated!
Lash rubbed his face and got back to work. Now that he had built one gear set, it would take less time to build the next. He was about six hours into the second suit when an alarm went off for incoming spring jumps. Emergency response straight to the medical lab. Lash heard the alert and looked at his tool kit.
“Mi get it Grand Father! nuh bady wi touch it while yuh gone!” Malleus said from his station. Lash bowed from his waist and sprinted out from the engineering hub towards the medical module.
Lash scampered across the station in its lower than earth gravity he practically skipped across the metal plates. He slid to a stop, or tried to as he slid past the medical module. Several VI Avatar league members watched him slide by with a surprise look on their faces. Then Lash slipped through the door to see what all the fuss was about. He froze in place as he watched Ethan try his best to manipulate the mechanical arms to perform surgery on Fantasma.
Fantasma was a bloody mess, with his left arm had been ripped off. His legs were like a bag of marbles, nothing more. His chest cavity was crushed inwards, his organs decimated. But despite it all the man had a smile on his face. Lash activated his Magical Perception he looked at Fantasma's body and didn't see a soul cord attached to him. The soul cord would let Lash pull on it to retrieve Fantasma. He could use Kiss of the Grave to bring him back. But he couldn't find it! Lash dropped to his knees in shock. Fantasma was dead....
“Stop...Ethan. His soul is gone...Even if you repaired his body it wouldn't bring him back.” Lash voice was cold and distant. Ethan blatantly ignored Lash and continued to work on him.
Behind Lash was a young Justice League member. She was about 5'5” with short brown hair above her shoulders. With a modest figure, wearing a full polymer under armor, and uniformed suit. The standard equipment that the Tower gave out to new recruits who had passed the security check. She had fallen to her knees and was sobbing. Her face in her hands, as her shoulders shook.
“Flint Lock.... Who did this?” Lash asked the League member. Flint Lock so named because of her ability to kinetically charge any piece of material and shoot it. It supposedly looked like an old flint lock rifle firing. As a spark was made, and a puff of smoke remained.
Flint Lock looked up startled that Lash knew her name. Her eyes were red, and she had a horrible bruising around her neck, and right side of her face. Her suit was covered in Fantasma's blood, and she sobbed harder when she looked at the remains of Fantasma. Lash used Sooth, Nature's Supplement, and Nature's Kiss on Flint Lock. Her physical injuries faded, but the emotional ones would remain.
“We were in Vegas helping with the rioting. It's a mad house down there, Wraith.” Another League member walked. He was soft spoken, but his eyes were filled with grief and determination as he held Flint Lock. She cried harder into his arms.
“At first we had thought it was the alternate reality. But it wasn't! It was just a few meta-human gangs using the confusion to run wild. A meta that could create and manipulate lava was burning down buildings left and right. Fantasma was teleporting in and out of the buildings trying to save as many as he could. Then....” The man tried to continue.
“It was my fault!” Flint Lock shouted, and cried harder.
“Flint was trying to distract the lava thrower when a big green man came out and tried to crush her. Standard strong man powers. Fantasma ported in and shoved Flint back, the guy....The green guy was working with the lava thrower. We grabbed Fantasma as soon as we could, and found a spot in the desert that was not effected by the static field. Fantasma died before we even left the city.” The man said, as Flint cried and cried.
“Did any of you get a picture of him?” Lash asked, his voice carried the promise of slaughter. The temperature in the room dropped a few degrees.
“Yes!” Bobby Williams walked into the medical module. (Ch. 71) Lash was surprised to see the meta-human. He wore the standard uniform, along with several metal plates, and gizmo's. He tapped on his keypad on his left forearm and brought up both pictures of the red, and green meta-humans that were in Vegas.
“Good to see you, Gear Head. Wish it was under better circumstances.” Lash said, his animalistic voice made Will-->>