Jim Donovan,Sam Tyler and Alexic appeared in a sudden bright flash of blue light about twenty steps away from Kiran Lively. She was standing alone her weapon pointed their way till she could clearly see who was popping in on her. Once Jim felt fully solid again he looked around expecting too see a semi small crowd of alien's or reformed alien's under her watchful eye. "Where did the welcoming committee wonder off too?" He asked Kiran simply shrugged her shoulders in her simple response. "When the one called Rikard suddenly appeared out of nowhere they all disappeared as one in the blink of an eye." Kiran explained waving a hand around the empty room with the exception of her and the rest of her crew. "There isn't a soul around in any of the buildings or the entire block for that matter. I've checked." Jim glanced back toward Alexic who was nodding his newly changed head affirming what Jim already knew. "They would have scattered upon getting word out that Belarius wants a gathering of the clan." Kiran held her assault rifle Alexic way as he explained. "I'm guessing that this is our target that we followed here." Kiran stated. Alexic raised an a darker brow than what he had before. He leaned in closer too Sam as he whispered into her ear. "How could she tell?" he asked in a hushed whisper. Sam shook her head trying very hard not too laugh out loud. "There are some secrets best left as secrets." she replied but would never have admitted that she had no idea what so ever how Kiran could tell. Sam had been shocked herself as she had been standing there with Jim getting ready too move out after their impromptu meeting with Belarius. As he was fiddling with the blue object that had transported them in too begin with and was now about too transport them back out again. Alexic had transformed from his Altrian form too yet another totally different human form. "He was the Altrian we followed here." Sam waved toward Alexic giving him a little more of a once over trying to get used to this whole new look of him. "He'll be joining us on our mission. You can call him Alexic." Jim threw in as he continued too work on getting in contact with anyone in their crew still heading or already there at the two anomaly openings. Alexic was still the same height as when she had first laid eyes on him back there in the desert. But where he had light brown hair before he now had dark black hair cropped close too his skull. The shadow of a beard covered his lower face while a thick mustache covered his upper lip. Everyone especial Jim and Kiran took notice that Sam Tyler was spending a little too much time looking his all new form out too be comfortable with. Jim Donovan made an effort too clear his throat clear down too his toes drawing Sam back too the present with a start. "We have a problem." Jim stated the obvious for their present situation. "I know," Kiran chimed in quickly. "I've been trying too contact Mother but can't get through. I even tried too contact the home office but it's like we are being jammed. " Jim was nodding as he listened but was working on something with his rather large Galaxy Phone. He emitted a low rumbling growl when whatever he was working on didn't seem too work. "I can't get Hannibal nor Tonaka on the standard cell lines either. I'm not real happy with this." Jim Donovan was running through every possible scenario he could think of for this given situation. He turned too Kiran a serious look on his face. "We need transportation. I want it too be fast. We need too get too those coordinates that Mother gave us on those Rift opening ASAP." Kiran nodded as she was about too turn away she turned back too Sam Tyler. "Can you ride?" she asked with the hint of a wicked little smile on her scripted features. Before Sam could answer she waved for everyone too follow her as she made her way out of the building then back up the street the way they had all came in. A pair of BMW k1600GT and a K1600GTL touring motorcycles were parked together outside a Starbucks there back on the main drag where they had came in from. Kiran threw a glance over her shoulder at Jim Donovan who smiled back broadly at her. "Well let's double up and ride." He ordered as everyone followed close behind him across the street.
The wide open dusty stretch of desert was awash with bright blue flashes of light with streaks of lightening quacking all around. There was a storm cloud in the sky at the higher elevations but if you looked hard enough it almost appeared like a tornado or a whopping thunder shower was tearing up jack across the open expanse of desert sand and dry weeds. Suddenly from one of these bright flashes of light streaking out horizontally across the ground a dot of white hot light appeared low too the ground those same lighting began exploding out of itself. During a rather large light show of bolts a group of seven forms moved from out of the light into the open ground. They marched in unison side by side making there way across the desert sand. They walked about fifty yards from the burst of light was still flashing and popping. Then with a flourish they turned then came too a stop turning around one by one till they were facing where they had came in. They were decked out in dark battle fatigues the one standing in the very center of the group had a darken helmet completely covering its head. When they were facing the light the member in the center of the group with the helmet raised a right arm into the air then clenched its right gloved fist pulling the hand down hard in a signal. From the light another much larger group of soldiers began marching out of the light in unison as the first seven had just done only moment's before. These new additions were walking out in a military precision parade movements in groups of ten. The first sight of the leading ten showed that they were decked out in battle fatigues much like the first seven that had walked through the light first. They each had a battle pack strapped too their backs with a battle rig across each of their collective broad chests. Their equipment was tight and close too the body so it was hard too discern what exactly they were carrying. Yet each and every member that appeared marching into the desert lookedeven more menacing and deadly at a glance. Even over the noises of the flashing light and running streaks of lightening one could hear the crush of the marching crowds boots as they continued too march forward in unison. Under the watchful eye of the first seven of the group facing the incoming marching troops one could now clearly see five rows of ten soldier's each that made their way straight forward out of the light. When the first ten were within twenty feet of the now standing seven the troops stomped too a halt. In turn each of the four remaining groups of ten walked out through the light in uniform precision coming too a unified stop behind the row of ten in front of them. This soldier's uniform was a little more ornate than those of the soldier's in the platoon. Each of the remaining six had different flares too their own uniforms which signified that the seven member team were the most likely the commanding unit of the entire group. The Soldier in the center with the helmet looked around at the six then slipped the helmet off in one fluid moment. Long dark brown hair tumbled down to the shoulders of her uniform as she glared back at the other commanders of her unit. She looked behind the troops watching the brilliant blue light and the lightening bolts dissipate as the last row of ten soldiers came too a stop. "I'm waiting too hear how the secondary incursion team is fairing coming through the Rift?" she barked back to her apparent underlings. The soldier too her left stepped forward stiff as a military board till he was immediately too her right side. "My Liege Narrisar, there has been no contact as of yet from the secondary force. But word will be forth coming soon." The soldier speaking was Dulsllian, Narrisar's second in command of this invasion force and a really rather deadly being. Narrisar trusted Dulsllian about as far as she could throw him. Which in most training exercises was rather far but Narrisar knew full well too watch her neck when she was alone with this underling. Though she knew without a doubt that Dulsllian would do his job or she would have no problem killing Dulsllian instantly on the spot. Her only worry was whether or when Dulsllian tried too slip a knife or shoot her in the back the first chance he got. Dulsllian is an old soldier that had literally fought his way up through the ranks. Narrisar suspected that Dulsllian had helped a number of former officers that were his commander meet with any number of unfortunate accidents so that he could advance without much trouble. So Narrisar knew full well that it was most likely easier too keep Dulsllian close too her so she could keep an weary eye on her second in command. "Imperator Tarkan!" Narrisar called out sharply. A soldier that looked to be a tad bit older than Dulsllian marched forward coming too a halt on Narrisar's left. He stood a good two inches taller than Narrisar who stood five foot nine inches in height but with her combat gear on as well as her boots now stood at almost at six foot even. Tarkan was a battle scarred veteran of more encounter's than even he cared too count. Tarkan's main of hair was pulled tightly too the back of his head tied back there in a perfect braid. His hair was a silver tinged with streaks of grey. One might assume the grey hair was from advanced age but in fact if was from and accident during one invasion on another far reaching planet. Tarkan had lead the first group in through the Rift but was surprised too find the the Rift had interacted with his air supply leaving him without oxygen for the first fifteen minutes of the ensuing battle. After coming mere inches from death Tarkan pulled a oxygen supply part from a fallen comrade which saved his life but only barely. He was a battle weary soldier but one that Narrisar knew with some confidence that she could trust. He bowed his head bringing his arm up too his chest in salute. "Yes My Liege." He barked standing at a slightly less ridge attention than his cohort Dulsllian. Who in turned glared back at Tarkan. Narrisar looked too Tarkan waving off his salute. "Form you team. Get them together and make all hast for the secondary incursion teams Rift opening. Give me a precise immediate update once you have reached their location." Tarkan bowed a quarter at the waist bringing his arm back up in salute. "Yes My Liege." was all Tarkan say as he turned on his heels looking towards the battalion. In a few short orders ten members of Tarkan's team appeared before him. They in turn headed off towards the east where the second Rift opening had been predicted. Dulsllian cleared his throat trying too draw Narrisar's attention from Tarkan and his team that were rapidly disappearing from view. "What is it Dulsllian?" she demanded trying not too have too hard an edge too her voice. Dullsllian bowed his head but only slightly as he continued which was a severe show of disrespect for her. She was quite sure that the blatant show of disrespect did not go unnoticed from her other commanders before her. "I have information of an incoming formation of transports heading directly for this very location." Dulsllian informed Nassisar a wicked smile on his sharp crude face at the incoming chance of action so soon after stepping from the riftbhh. Nassisar looked around her trying too get some feeling as too which direction this incoming threat was coming from. She wasn't getting anything from her sensors built into her uniform. "Legati Nireer." Narrisar barked. The shortest member of the command group Nireer's small size did nothing too tell anyone looking at him that he was an equally dangerous member of this commanding team. He fought valiantly in a great number of campaigns which is how he had made his way too Lieutenant in such a short time. "Yes My Liege." Nireer queried snapping too attention on Dulsllian's left side. "From which direction is this incoming group of transports coming from?" Narrisar looked to Nieer a eyebrow raising questioningly waiting for her lieutenants answer. Nireer drew up his right arm then began punching buttons on a wrist monitor after only several seconds he looked up to his Commander. "My Liege, the incoming force is coming in from the west." Nireer pointed off too a rise of hills too their left about two hundred yards from their present position. "They will arrive within the next ten minutes." Narrisar nodded assessing their situation coming too a quick immediate decision. "How soon could we possibly acquire our secret weapons already here on this planet in this area?" Nireer waisted no time punching buttons on his wrist monitor reading the information as rapidly as it came onto his screen as was possible."There is a contingent of our secret weapons about four hours away." Nireer was waiting for Narrisar too drop a hammer on him for bringing such bad news. But Narrisar had already made her decision for the job at hand. "Gentlemen, Gather your perspective squads. Set them at intervals in proper position too be ready to welcome our incoming guest." Dulsllian and the rest of the command group turned as one barking orders sending groups of soldiers in several different directions.
Hannibal Sikes was literally hauling arse down the open road whizzing by like a silver streak bolting down the desert highway. The Yamaha FLR1300A was breaking one hundred miles an hour without even hardly breaking a sweat. The open air whipping through his hair sending his beard flapping on each side of his broad wide neck and felt totally out of this world. Hannibal let loose with a hearty laugh that made a coyote out in the desert about a quarter mile away start looking around when he heard the fit of laughter. That out of this world reference just struck Hannibal's funny bone just right. But another side of Hannibal was worried as he was trying like Hell too raise Tonaka or Bryan on their collective comlinks. His jovial feeling died away even faster as Hannibal could not get Donovan nor for that matter even Mother too answer the com link. "This can not bode well for the home team." Hannibal stated the obvious aloud to himself. Something on the dashboard of the Yamaha caught his eye for only a mere millisecond as Hannibal knew for a fact too take one's eyes off the road could mean a freaking jack rabbit of a ground hog crossing the road could mean certain death for either animal as well as a certain big Russian flyer too boot. He was thankful too be out on the open road alone without any hint of vehicular traffic. But as a motorcycles go you are never completely open while you are flying down the road at hundred miles an hour. After making sure the road was clear for another fifty or so miles Hannibal glanced back down at the dashboard of the motorcycle which was all touch screen activated. There was a built in cellphone app on the dash so Hannibal pulled a blue tooth ear piece from his shirt pocket. He stuffed it into his left ear then dialed out a number on the punch keyboard. The number was a direct line too the Blackthorne home office back in North Carolina. In case of an emergency every field member knew that if you lost contact with your other team members. You could call directly into the home office and with a little work could be rerouted till you could reach a fellow team mate. Hannibal sensed that they were being jammed in one form or another from connecting any other team member. So with some help from the home office Hannibal hoped too find a way to get in contact with at least Mother. With her being an alien program Mother was always easy too get contact with in one form or another. Upon his first try Hannibal was unsuccessful but that didn't upset him as his beefy fingers danced over the small digital keyboard yet again. Hannibal typed in a complex group of numbers which he knew routed his next call through a number of hidden spy satellites that their prospective governments would completely lose their collective shit if they knew Hannibal was using these supposed top secret satellites. After only two rings a chipper office voice answered "Hello Blackthorne." a pleasant female voice spoke up. "This is employee 042. I have an communication emergency. Please patch me through please." Hannibal sounded all business like even adding a semi passable mid western accent. There was a three heart beat pause as Hannibal waited hoping beyond hope to get in contact with Mother then hopefully after that in contact with Jim Donovan. The home office knew the procedure of when a field employee called in with an emergency. After three more heart beats the operator came back. "Name please." She directed more than demanded. Hannibal raised an eyebrow mouthing too himself. "What the Hell." "Name Please?" the operator asked yet again this time a little more edge too her voice. Hannibal nodded too himself as he made a split second decision. " My first name is Jack." He replied a light airy tone in his voice. "The last name is Meoff." he added smiling too himself as he continued down the road. "That was Jack Meoff?" the operator queried with a touch of confusion in her voice. Hannibal let loose with a full body laugh that was loud enough too stop a coyote in its tracks a quarter mile back in the desert. "To whoever is on the line. Close but no cigar." Hannibal touched his bluetooth earbud disconnecting from the call. He had no idea who could have possibly snagged his call to the home office. But Hannibal did know that whomever did meant they are close by which just adds too his worry about what Tonaka and Bryan were possibly riding into. Hannibal wrenched down on the Yamaha's accelerator inching out every inch of power he could muster. The Yamaha's odometer inched up to one hundred ten miles an hour. He just hoped like Hades that all the jack rabbit's and groundhogs stay out of his way tonight. Hannibal wanted too get too the co ordinances that Mother had given him for the first Rift opening as soon as was humanly possible.
Lance Raines glared back into the rear of the moving passenger van at the communications officer Melody Picard. Melody glared back at Lance ripping the earbud out of her ear slinging it down onto the floor of the van cussing in Arabic. "Jack Freaking Meoff?" Lance Raines shook his head at Melody. "You know full well that if one of the Blackthorne operator's were calling into the home office something was freaking wrong!" Melody softened her look but only a fraction as too what it was before. She nodding her head in agreement as this Blackthorne operator pretty much handed Melody her arse with her slight misstep. "How much further before we come too the Rift opening that we picked up?" Lance asked Melody trying too change the subject. He had to be hard on her as he was in charge of this clandestine operation on American soil. The fact that they were sleeping together added too Lance's need too be firm with Melody especially in front of the rest of the crew. "We are less than eight minutes away." Melody spoke as she gazed at the topographical map on her computer screen. "Just around that hill." she pointed through the windshield making Lance follow too see where she was pointing. A number of flashes like a light explosive was being set off appeared in the distance on the opposite side of the Hill side they were speeding towards. Lance glanced at their driver Omar Azzis nodded that he could see what Lance was looking at. Melody's face slowly broke into a even softer grin as she too could see that they were heading into what they had came for. The powers that be back in their home country wanted information on what was happening with these Rift openings. They had only a rare few that happens regularly back home but nothing along the scale they have here in the United State. England has it's fair share that another team just like Lance's keep an eye on. The former Soviet Union has a number of the Rift openings too but the country is so vast it is hard even for the Soviet's too look at even one of them. Lance Raines and his crew like a number of other secret groups are looking for new ground in hopes of understanding these Rift perhaps even going so far as too figure out how to control them as well. "Inform the other three units that we are within minutes of our objective." Lance ordered not taking his eyes off the hill even as the lights slowly began too die out on the other side. "To be on full alert." Lance turned back too glance at Melody. "Make EXTRA sure that we are not interrupted by the local police establishment." Melody nodded her fingers already flying through the channels and tracking exactly when the Local police are at this very moment. Melody knew within a matter of seconds that the nearest law enforcement agency only had six cars for a two hundred mile stretch so it was a very safe bet that they would not be disturbed anytime soon. "Inform all team leader's that when we get around this hill and make the location of the Rift. We will be weapon's hot." Lance Raines ordered taking his Heckler Koch MP5 from its mount on the dash in front of the passenger seat slapping a 9mm round into the receiver getting it ready too rock in one smooth fluid motion.
Luther Tonaka moved cautiously through the shrubbery and parse trees having left Bryan Holt back in the truck too do a little recon work all on his own. Of course Bryan was not at all happy in their inability too get in contact with either Mother nor Jim Donovan no matter how hard they tried. They made good time from the airplane too the nearest Rift opening. Luther's driving meant they probably only broke twenty or so traffic laws as they made their way too the nearest hot spot. When they were within just two miles of the Rift location both Luther and Bryan could see the light show flashing and dancing around in the distance. "Those freaking light should bring every yahoo from here too South Florida too see just what the hell was happening out here." Bryan stated trying too keep his eyes on the road hoping way beyond hope no animal or human stumbled into their speeding path as well as on the light show in the distance. In only twenty or so minutes they were very close too the Rift opening which was quiet and the darkness had crept in quickly as well as quietly. Tonaka moved slowly not making a sound as he moved along through the limited cover. The midnight black battle armor he was wearing made his moving semi easier so as not too attack undue attenttion. His keen hearing was stretching out in front of him taking in a lot of other noises as he moved along. Some of the noises were the usual, a jack rabbit ran from tree too tree off to Tonaka's left. A group of four coyote's were moving in the same direction as the jack rabbit towards Tonaka then going past without giving him a moments glance. This normally would not have bothered Luther except for the fact that they were beating feet around him and away from him like they had already encountered something a fair bit unsavory for their tastes. Normally forest creature's would avoid anything they did not know running away from the moving human form. In other words something was heading in Tonaka's direction that these wild animal's was more scared of them than they were of him. That very fact was the reason why Tonaka was using a great amount of stealth as he moved towards the area where the Rift opening had just occurred. The light show a Rift opening normally gave off was an interesting sight too behold but this one was over in short order. Bryan was instructed too stay with the truck and too keep trying to get in contact with anyone with Blackthorne to keep them abreast of the over Rift situation. But Luther Tonaka couldn't shake the bad feeling deep down in his soul that something wicked was working it's way toward him. Luther's katana rested in its scabbard on his back the ornate handle over his left shoulder ready too slide out and kill at a moments notice. The Tonaka family sword was at least three hundred years old going back too his ancestor Maiko Tanaka who had made the sword at the family home back in Japan. Maiko Tanaka had served his Lord with pride and great dignity. Luther served Blackthorne and his Lord James Donovan with the exact same pride and dignity that his great ancestor Maiko had done. Luther Tonaka came too a sudden frozen halt when the air moved strangely in front of him. The gentle breath of air that slide across Luther's cheek was telling him something was way too close for his comfort. Everything in the area the wind blowing, the sound of the sand shifting under foot seemed too snap into slow motion. Luther was holding his breath as he reach out with each of his senses trying too locate what caused the ripple in the air. Luther caught a shadow of a movement too his left just appearing out of the corner of his eye in a fraction of a second. Tonaka's hand burst into action reaching for the hilt of his katana the blade singing as it was drawn out of the scabbard. The shadowy figure turned into a very large being in a rather wicked looking battle dress as well as some serious deadly looking battle gear. The shadowy figure's hand snapped up reaching for the handle of a broad sword that was strapped across his impressive chest. Luther saw all of this in a matter of nano seconds as his hands brought the katana's blade up in a serious ark slicing through the neck of the figure in one fluid motion. The figure didn't even have time too make a sound it's finger tips only able too brush useless against the handle of the weapon it had been reaching for. Tonaka held his ground as the shadow body stood there frozen in time for a few hearts before the head started tipping too the left at a very unnatural angle before toppling off the shoulders and thumping too the dry desert floor. Tonaka continued scanning for other shadows as the figure's body finally dropped too its knees then fell flat on the ground. "Tonaka," Bryan Holt's voice sounded in Tonaka's ear. "I've still not been able too get in contact with freaking anyone." Bryan sounded only a slight bit stressed but from the sound of his voice Tonaka knew he was not in danger at least not as of yet. " At least we are able too communicate with each other but that is only half our freaking problems. It would seem that we are not alone here at this Rift opening." Tonaka affirmed as he scanned carefully all around him as he felt there were more than just this one and only. "I haven't seen anything or anyone yet." Bryan replied as he began scanning around his position a whole Hell of a lot harder this time around. "Well keep it that way and continue trying too reach anyone of our group. They will want too see what we are facing." Tonaka began inching his way away from the fallen shadows headless form. Normally Tonaka would have got up close too the target he had just dropped too collect some intel on whatever he was about too come up against. But Luther sensed that there was others close by and he had the uneasy feeling that they were as equally deadly as their deceased comrade on the desert floor. Movement caught Luther's attention once again drawing him deeper towards the valley opening where the lights had been glowing only moments before.
Lance Raines had broke the teams into a side by side transport grid as they slowly rolled into the area where they had seen the familiar flashes of lights. Lance's team was in the far right of the column easing into the valley. Everyone's eyes were scanning for any kind of movement but from the moment they had rolled in nothing was moving in the valley with the exception of that being themselves. "Everyone break off and grid search the area totally. Let's not hang around no longer than is needed." Lance pointed for the driver too continue straight ahead while the rest of the teams spread out in three different direction. "Are you picking up any kind of movement? Lance kept his eyes straight ahead but Melody knew the question was directed at her. She ran a scan on the immediate area which took only a matter of seconds. "Nothing is moving about." she stated then leaned closer in towards the screen. "Hold it a sec. We have a single movement coming at us from two o'clock on our right." Melody kept a keen eye on the bogie on the monitor screen. Lance glanced back to Melody a brow raised. "Coming at us? Not away from us? Melody nodded her head affirmative still watching the movement on the screen in minute detail. "Single target moving slowly." Lance turned back around looking in the direction Melody indicated. A stand of trees and shrubbery appeared at the very edge of the projection of light from the head lamps. "Move too within about ten yards of the tree line. Then we will break out into a sweep pattern and see if we can come face too face with our guest who is heading our way." Lance ordered then pressed his mic. "Everyone find a position then break out on foot. Keep in constant contact informing me of anything you come across." Lance nodded as the SUV came too a halt which was his signal for everyone with him too move out.
Hannibal Sikes could see from the GPS that he was getting close too the Rift openings location he had been handed. He eased the Yamaha to around sixty five miles an hour being totally alone on the open stretch of highway. When he had the location in his distant sight Hannibal could just make out the occasional flash of light appearing in a valley like area around a couple of hills from his present location. Hannibal still had not heard a word from Tonaka or Bryan which was never a good sign. Normally Luther would calling Hannibal regaling him with how much better his Rift opening was compared too Hannibal's. Not hearing a single pep told the big hairy Russian that trouble was afoot. He had been equally unsuccessful in being able too hail Mother or Jim Donovan for that matter either. But Hannibal had an inkling that Jim Donovan and the remainder of the group from back in Vegas were most likely beating feet too get down here as well at a highly accelerated rate. He just hoped that the target they were tailing did not hold them up for any lenght of time. He had a feeling all hands were going too be needed on deck for these parts. After about fifteen minutes the lights faded from that valley area which told Hannibal whatever came through the Rift was now moving around freely in the area the Rift sprang open in. A chance glance of some tail lights caught Hannibal attention as they moved off around a curve. Hannibal would have bet a years worth of rubles that those tail lights belonged too whoever he had been talking too earlier. Bryan and Tonaka should have already been nearly on site. As he drew closer dousing his headlights on the motorcycle Hannibal was able too make out four individual sets of tail lights. Jim Donovan was not going too be happy in the knowledge that someone was trying too crash their party. Blackthorne has had its fair share of run ins with government agencies trying too horn in on their research. But it was too early in the game for any U.S. agency to be on site of a Rift opening at least just yet anyway. So Hannibal surmised with little effort that the tail lights that he had seen moving towards the Rift opening was another uninvited player too their game. So Hannibal inched up the throttle a bit so he could hurry up and find Tonaka and Bryan and help out. Hannibal had a tickle of worry as Tonaka and Bryan had too face whatever must have came out of the Rift as well as whatever these yahoo's in the four SUV's which were heading their way. After about fifteen minutes Hannibal made it too where he had last seen the SUV's take a right turn in the road. Hannibal took a left which brought him onto a semi serviceable dirt road. He had too throttle back but only so much so too keep his arse moving and the motorcycle from sliding out from under him.
Tonaka continued on through the woods moving as fluidly as the moonlight moving through the shrubs and occasional trees his katana held out in front of him a two handed grip on the hilt. A sudden short bust of automatic weapons fire brought Tonaka too a sudden frozen halt. His keen hearing told him that the weapons fire was close very damn close by. A second volley of weapon's fire sounded off this time around a little more erratic and certainly more rushed. Tonaka continued forward keeping his eyes sharp open for any movement shadowy or otherwise. A primal scream sounded off in front of Tonaka who scrambled around a clump of brush too get a view of whom ever was screaming. The sight was what Tonaka expected and had seen a number of times before. A lone military clad figure was dangling in mid air being held off the ground in mid air by his throat. His fingers earned in a blind panic firing his weapon harmlessly into the air. This little surprise did not bother Luther Tonaka all that much but the sight of the figure holding the other figure in the air did draw his attention. This figure was clad exactly like the one Tonaka had met just minutes earlier now minus his head of course. The exception for this encounter was that there was more ambient light too be able too see the figure far more clearly this time around than Tonaka really want too. This figure was differently humanoid in character but the proportions were elongated in several aspects. The arms were the size of a body builder quite strong with veins that looked too be the size of steel cables. They bulged through the fabric of the uniform of the battle fatigues that it wore which were all black. This explained a good bit of why way the one Luthet had encounter blended into the darkness so well. Their complexion was dark with wisps of dark hair covering the board flat face. The face looked quite normal at first glance but the bridge of the nose was flat and wide. This gave the strong dark figure a almost simian look but he was quite human in any other form of appearance. The black battle fatigues were cut exactly like that of the figure Luther had beheaded just moments before. There were slight variations in the newer imposing figure's features which meant they were not all cast exactly the same. So from that aspect Luther Tonaka was able too deuce that they were a varied species from whatever different planet or realm that they came from. He also deducted that they most differently were from a warring race that knew their heritage quite well. Samurai were an almost surgical in their mannerisms when it came too battle. The figure still holding the other in the air by the throat was more brute force or a bull in the channel shop mentality. Tonaka finally took notice that there were more of them standing out in the open now. Each one in his own fight with these other human's which seemed too posses a earthly military background. Either way the human's were losing badly as well as quickly being dispatched by a battle clad figure similar to this one. Tonaka brought the katana sword up too the right side of his head the hilt inches from his right ear. He was at least ways relieve in one sense as he knew full well that they could be killed especially when you beheaded them. Luther moved across the distance so fast that he was almost impossible too see. The katana swung through the air in a silver blur making a high pitched singing sound as it was brought down slicing cleanly through the arm of the figure holding the human nearly two foot off the ground. The human dropped too the ground like a wet sack of laundry but Tonaka could tell from the odd angle of the neck that he would not be getting up again too be of any help or hindrance. There were at least four other members of the opposing team fighting with very little effort the human military team. For reasons even he could not fathom Tonaka seemed too be able too tell that this military team wasn't domestic. The equipment they were carrying and their fighting techniques spoke volumes as too perhaps what country they were from. Tanaka barely had time to get his sword in front of him before the one armed figure brought down his own weapon. A very lethal black battle axesliced through the air with the intention of doing what Luther had done earlier too his comrade releasing Luther's head from his body. Luther back stepped once allowing his one armed opponent too follow through with his swing of his battle ax. Once the ax had sailed pass his face by millimeters Luther pushed back waving the katana back and forth blocking each precise strike that the figure tried too throw back at him. It didn't take a genius for Luther to see that taking the figures arm off didn't seem to effect his ability too continue the fight and be quite deadly at it. Automatic weapons fire danced around the both of them bullets impacting the sand racing small plume clouds which didn't still seem too bother the one arm figure one bit. Luther adjusted his stance turning his back on the one arm figure. This allowed Luther too see a female was shooting like living Hell at both of them. She was decked out like the other military figures that were losing a seemingly one sided fight with whoever these guy's were which had stepped through the Rift. Tonaka froze when he saw the woman adjust her aim then come running at him. He was readying too bring the katana too bare against her when she suddenly dropped too the ground sliding past Tonaka's still standing form on the left. She held a Steyr AUG SA A3 223 caliber automatic out in front of her. When she had cleared Tonaka taking careful aim she emptied the clip into a separate black battle clad figure's head. The Black figure stagger backwards as the 223 rounds turned his head into mush. As the figure staggered back a rock finally tripped the rest of the body causing it too crash onto its back. The battle axe that the black figure had be brandishing launched into the air spinning in a circle till it reach its apex the rotating the opposite way it began falling back towards the ground dropping like a bomb at the prone female figure still on the ground. Tonaka launched himself into the air in the woman's direction where the battle axe was spinning with deadly precision for the woman's head. She watched Tonaka the whole time wide eyed as he sailed through the air. When he was within reach Tonaka swung the katana sword in a ark that struck the axe in mid air somewhere in the center of the handle sending it away from the woman's prone form. The change in the battle axe's trajectory was not advantageous for another black clad battle figure as the blade of the axe sank into its head with a sickening splash flipping the body arse over tea kettle too the dirt. Tanaka landed on his feet his katana ready for action again. When he looked around Tonaka found himself staring down the barrel of the Steyn Aug. "Who the Hell are you?" she asked not taking her eyes off Tonaka. In an I stand Luther saw the fear in the woman's eyes. Tonaka's face broke into a half grin. "I can say the same thing of you. But we are too busy staying alive too worry about it right at the moment." He reached forward pushing the barrel out of his face guiding her around till she was facing the two Black clad figures walking their way. "Melody is my name." she said before letting loose with the .223 dumping a load of lead into the one on the right. "My Pleasure, Melody. You may call me Tonaka." Luther replied stepping forward taking the one on the left on hand. Luther countered and parried each and ever blow the black clad figure threw at him. The Black clad figure seemed Hell bent on dismembering Tonaka no matter the cost. A disturbing note that Luther Tonaka took notice of quite suddenly was that from each encounter with a new black clad figure that opponent seemed too be able too take the fight up exactly one notch. Luther would have bet his eye teeth that these being's seemed too be learning from each encounter they had with their opponents. This fact told Tonaka that he needed too switch things up a bit and do something that they would not expect. Luther Tonaka brought both hands up too his chest which placed the sword in front of his face. Then suddenly Luther dropped too his knees right in front of the black clad figure. The same black clad figure froze as Tonaka suddenly stopped fighting dropping too his knee's. Tonaka nodded his head after he heard the report from the .223 letting loose with another volley of weapon's fire. Tonaka slowly turned looking up at Melody a wide broad smile slowly spread across his face. "You took an awful big chance that I was going too shoot the other guy instead of you." Melody spoke up as she was scanning all around them too make sure that there weren't anymore Black clad figure's trying too dismember or disembowel them. Tonaka chuckled lightly also scanning the opposite side around them. "Well there was a minute of worry there." "It would seem that my team is losing." Melody's voice had too struggle to stay in some form of semi normal control. "No Ma'am," Tonaka threw in correcting her. "These being's are adapting too what they are fighting. Hence why I stopped moving and dropped too my knees. There was a lot of heavy hoping that you would blow his arse too the here after." They both could see as well as hear as the battle sounds were almost deafening. It wasn't very hard too tell that there were three major skirmishes going on in different sector's of the valley they were in. It didn't take a brain surgeon too tell that their situation was not improving for either of them. A Group of five battle clad figures were marching their way each with a deadly weapon in each of their collective hands this time around. "I would fully understand if you feel the need too find your way back to your team." Tonaka informed Melody as he was mentally deciding which way he needed too head next. The running away idea was sounding really good right at the moment but Tanaka knew full well that was totally out of the question. He needed more information on what he was facing too relay it back too Blackthorne headquarters.
"If it's all the same with you I think we should continue too work together." Melody advised Luther looking towards the north trying too make some decisions of her own. "Are there any more in your team with you?" Melody asked. Tonaka place a hand on her arm pulling her backwards but not pulling so hard as too inhibit her aim with the Steyr Aug .223. "I have a team member close by back the direction I came in. Perhaps it would be in both of our collective best interests too head in his direction." Luther advised as he gently pulled Melody along with him in that general direction. Luther was surprised that these battle clad figures weren't firing back with some form of weapon. But they seemed quite aped at killing with there bare hands or bladed instrument. Melody's crew were not fairing too well with the attacks from the black clad figures. The four figures were picking up their pace gaining ground on Tonaka and Melody who were back stepping away. "I don't have a lot of ammo left." Melody spoke softly out of the corner of her mouth to Tonaka. Luther was weighing their options which weren't all that good for either of them with her running low on .223 rounds. He had a Glock 9mm in a holster under right left arm which was a good thing but the bad was he only had two other clips on his belt. Since they were fighting blade weapon too blade weapon Luther had no problems there and he suspected Melody's military training meant most of the time with proper preparation she would have had no problems. But Luther knew that she came from a recon team who were here too see what had came out of the Rift . Melody's team much too their collective dismay found they were terribly ill prepared for what they were going too face. "Mel, is it alright if I call you Mel?" Tonaka asked trying too move faster as they were back stepping backwards. "Mel is fine." she replied trying too glance behind her as Luther pulled her along. "This isn't going too bold well for us. But I'll do everything I can too keep you safe." Luther was glancing now over his own shoulder now as a new noise above all the other dins of mayhem was happening around them. A light clicked in Luther's eyes which made him grin at Mel who looked back at him like he was losing his mind. "What the fuc," was all Mel got out of her mouth before brush began crashing in their direction and she felt Tonaka pulling her too the ground. An ear splitting war whoop sounded over the roar of a racing motorcycle engine then Mel was able too see a Yamaha race bike come sailing over her and Luther's prone body's. A rather large individual dove off the cycle on the right side landing with a thump beside Luther. The motorcycle continued through the air as if it was truly meant too fly in a nice ark coming too an explosive crash at the feet of the four encroaching figure's. The four black clad figures were blown in several directions in several different assorted pieces as well. Both Tonaka and Mel raised their heads slowly looking first at the wreckage then to the huge figure who was still laughing laying there beside Luther. "You sure as Hello took your bloody time getting here you Big Russian Oxe!" Luther tried sounding angry but the smile on his face told yet another story. Hannibal raised up on his elbows smiling even more broadly than Tanaka. "It seems I spend a thought of my constructive time saving your little rice sucking butt a lot." Hannibal shot back then smiled devilishly at Luthers new female companion. "How is it that you alway wind up with the pretty girls even in a freaking battlefield. Luther first too Mel then back too Hannibal. "Cause mine is longer than yours. " Mel could not hold back a half chuckle but before Hannibal could retort Luther signaled for them too stand up. "We need too make tracks. A large group of our needs oppnets are heading this way." He spoke quickly. Hannibal and Mel were up ready too move. "Lead the way. Sushi boy." Hannibal finally replied as all three moved out.
Jim Donovan and Kiran Lively were on one bike course Kira was the driver. Jim had told her "If it had been a horse the driver would be different. Kiran snorted with glee as she wrenched the throttle then peeled rubber as they had peeled out of the parking lot back in Vegas proper. Sam Tyler and Alexic was on the second bike following behind Kiran and Donovan. Well trying too follow was a better word as Sam had to work too keep Kiran and Donovan in her sites. They as a group had lucked up finding the pair of cycles as they must have been owned by a couple as the helmets had a deluxe transmitter link between the two cycles that didn't seem too have any problems with whatever was jamming their communications. They weren't too chatty on the haul out of Vegas but after a little while on the open road they made good time able too see the first Rift site several miles off into the distance. Jim hadn't been wild about the of Sam Tyler and their newly acquired friend Alexic riding together. It was Kiran who had placed a halting hand on Jim's arm. She did so silently telling Jim too let it be. So reluctantly Jim did just that hopeful that Kiran would fill him in on why at a later date. A plume of white smoke and then a flash of light appeared close by in a wooded area after several minutes drawing everyone's attention. They all were able too hear the faint bloom of the explosion. "Well I guess it's safe too say something did come through the Rift." Kiran spoke mostly too herself but everyone thought the exact same thing. "What do you think they could have sent through the Rift, Alexic?" Sam queried over her shoulder. Alexic was silent for a second before he spoke up. "The run in's I have been a part of with the Altirian's were usually fought with a lot of shock and awe once they appeared through the Rift's. They usually came in with flying crafts blowing up everything in site. That explosion might be from one of their craft." Alexic put in his two cents worth as he tried too spy off in the distance. "Naw," Jim Donovan broke in. "I have a feeling that explosion has something too do with Hannibal." Kiran laughed nodding her head in total agreement. "I have the same feeling that it is our Russian bear. But if that's the fact it means there is some heavy action going on down there." Sam didn't like where all this conversation was going. "Hopefully we've brought enough firepower too control the whole situation." Both Jim Donovan and Kiran Lively spoke up in unison. "Not Likely." "Gee, that in stills a load of confidence." Sam shot back. "But of course a lot of the commander's I worked with said the exact same thing. So what is the plan once we get closer?" Jim ran a number of options through his head in a matter of just a few tenths of a mile. "We try too locate our people first then access what or whoever came through the Rift. When we stop we'll do a weapon's check. Sam do you want Alexic to stay next too Kiran?" Sam shook her head negative then remembered too voice her thoughts. "I'll take Alexic with me and he'll voice any info he thinks necessary when we come across whatever came through the Rift." "If it's anything I recognize." Alexic added in his two cents worth yet again with only the slightest touch of hesitation in his voice. "Alexic," Sam had too yell too him as she had just switched off the com links between the Helmets. She wanted too cut out Jim and Kiran for the moment anyway. "For whatever we come up against do you have a problem staying your ground and fighting it if the needs arises?" Sam had too know where Alexic stood if she was going too fight with him at her side. If she wind up having too protect Alexic as well as fighting what ever they were about too face. Her life would be even more out there too be shot off if Sam had too protect Alexic as well as herself. "Mrs. Tyler," Alexic spoke too Sam softly in her mind loud enough as if they were standing alone in a nice quiet room. "I have abilities and the knowledge too stand my ground without you having too worry. And if you need too speak to me without anyone else knowing it. All you have to do is simply think my name and I shall hear you." Sam's brows shot up in surprise. "You mean too tell me that you are always in my head? That isn't how we do things around here." Sam's tone even in her head was sharp and too the point. ""Ease you mind Mrs. Tyler. I am in your head as you said only when you invite me in. Asking me a question or simply talking too me direct will allow me converse inside your mind." Sam glanced back at Alexic over her left shoulder. "For Pete sake's Alexic, you can call me Sam. My mom was Miss Tyler "She spoke out loud as well as in her mind. Alexic simply nodded back too Sam showing that he understood. "You need too pug us back into the com link." Alexic told Sam inside her head also pointing with his left hand too the dash. Sam snapped around reconnecting the com link with Jim Donovan and Kiran Lively. "We thought we lost you there for a minute." Jim Donovan sounded the second the com link went back live. "I had too know personally where our new friend Alexic stood when it came down too fighting whatever it is we are about too face." Sam decided she needed too be straight up with her team. But if Jim disagreed with her wondering he would simply have too get over it. "I hope for his sake that he agreed the way you wanted him too?" Jim asked. "I will help you all no matter what we face." Alexic threw in for all crew too hear. "Alright people listen up," Jim broke back in. "We are less than three minutes from jumping into the fray off into the woods. Stay close and keep an eye out for Tonaka, Bryan and Hannibal. They are going too be out there so lets try very hard please not too get yourselves or our teammates killed in the process. The paperwork work is an absolute bitch and Mother would never let me hear the end of it!"
Mel, Tonaka and Hannibal were moving through the trees slowly trying too be as inconspicuous a target as possible. Mel's team member's were fighting a whole other subject. They were taking the brunt of the attack and losing quite badly. Mel told Tonaka that they had arrived in four transport vehicles which were parked back over the hill in an open valley area. Tonaka figured that Mel's team numbered twenty four member total as there had been six member's per transport. She had no intel or idea how large the Rift beings group was as they had appeared out of nowhere attacking her teambefore they knew what was going on. But the group from the Rift seemed not too have too fight in a team having no problems handling killing one on one. Mel's team seemed not too understand why their superior fighting technique weren't working against this unknown force. They had no idea that these beings were adapting too their situation from whatever their foe threw at them. "Where the Hell did you freaking park?" Hannibal whispered keeping his eyes alert from anything moving in the shadows. "He is about another fifty or so yards that direction. " Tonaka pointed off too the east which they were heading in. When Tonaka's hand was fully extended and his index finger pointed out the direction a gun shot rang out like it had came from the tip of Tonaka's finger. He drew his hand back looking closely at the tip of his finger like he was looking down the barrel of a gun too see how the shot had came from there. Another shot rang out this time in the direct Tonaka had just been pointing. "That's sounds like a Browning 9mm shot." Mel spoke knowing a great number of weapon's by the mere sound of them alone. She continued listening closely as the shot rang out two more times in rapid succession. Tonaka froze glancing back at Hannibal a worried curl on his brow. "I'm just guessing but I bet you are telling me with that look that the shots are coming from our comrade Bryan." Hannibal stated already having the exact same thought as Tonaka. "We need too make all hast as quietly and safely as possible." Tonaka waved for Mel and Hannibal too follow along as Tonaka took the lead picking up the pace. After only a few yards everyone started seeing the break in the tree line which looked out onto a gravel access road that stretched off into the distance. This access road was the way Tonaka and Bryan Holt took in too start this newest part of their mission. Tonaka wasn't at all too happy to find Bryan and the car they had acquired was no where in sight from where he had left Bryan just a little early from when Tonaka had his run in with the first Rift being. Bryan couldn't have been too far away as they all heard his Browning High Power rattling off four more rounds. All three of them broke through the tree line out into the open looking around trying too locate where the shots were coming from. Hannibal grunted out loud which made Tonaka as well as Mel turn as one. Their eye's fell onto their ride smashed up against a tree which was smoking heavily with what looked like a Rift figure slumped up over the hood. As if someone had just flipped a switch the figure on the hood who's legs were smashed in several very unnatural direction raised its head and one arm trying too aim what looked like a gun in the opposite direction. Everyone's eyes fell on Bryan Holt standing further up the road his Browning High Powered in his right hand his left trying too jack in a fully loaded clip into the butt if the gun. Mel and Hannibal reacted as one each of them bringing up their weapon's opening fire onto the car with the figure splayed out on the hood. Their collective fire drew the Rift figure's attention just long enough as not too fire upon Bryan. Those same rounds also must have struck the right component which ignited the already leaking gas the fumes wafting on the air in their direction. A whoosh of flame sounded engulfing the entire car in a nice bright burst of fire lifting the car up into the air tearing it away from the tires. The flaming fire ball flipped completely over landing on it's top with a resounding crash. Then apparently the gas tank caught as the next explosion lighted the caress of a car back into the air with an even louder clap of thunder sending the car five foot into the air then crashing back too the ground. Through the whole ordeal pieces of their opponent rained down from the air many still burning once they hitthe ground. "Do you think it's dead?" Mel asked shaking her head trying too get the ringing out of her ears. "That will surely draw the attention of a number of problems for us." Tonaka advised as he began moving toward Bryan Holt position. He wanted a sit rep from Holt but Tonaka already suspected he had a fairly good inkling of what must have went down here while he was parked waiting on Tonaka too return. Bryan would have been waiting in the car ready too move at a moment notice. He also would have continued trying too contact any member of the rest of their crew. At first glance Tonaka caught sight of marks in the dirt and gravel road out at different intervals. These little things signaled to Tonaka that some time after he had entered the tree line and was encountering his first shadow in the woods. Bryan must have encountered a shadowy Rift being of his on accord. This Rift being also seemed too be packing or adapted too the situation with Bryan in the car. He must have floored the car nailing the Rift being too the hood of their car. But skid marks in the sand around where he was walking told Tonaka that Bryan had driven around in circles several times which means the Rift being rode the hood like a rodeo rider rode a snort slinging Bull. Then a short time before Tonaka, Hannibal and Mel came out of the tree line Bryan had decided too end the rodeo ride by driving the car as well as the hood rider straight into a large tree. Tonaka also took notice of the scorch marks in the dirt and gravel that had a close look of being struck by lightening. The assorted marks made deep ruts in the road not far from where they had entered the access road from the tree line. So that meant that this Rift being had decided it was time too break out the old trusty heavy blaster against the large metallic space vehicle that revived its engine at the coming figure rolling backward on round wheels. "Tonaka, On your right!" Bryan Holt called out his warning as he snap aimed and fired. Tonaka spun too his right to see three Rift being's bolting out from the tree line making their way towards both him and Bryan. Tonaka then hear heard Mel yell out a nervous warning of her own from behind him. "Two more coming this way and I'm out of ammo!" She no more got her sentence out of her mouth when Hannibal appeared in front of her a Desert Eagle 44 magnum in his out stretch right hand which looked like a toy in his big meaty paw. "There is a Beretta 93 R at the small of my back." Hannibal yelled over his shoulder to Melody. "It has an extended clip but semi auto might be a good idea for the moment." Hannibal finished then began blasting off rounds that roared like thunder out in the open desert. Mel dropped her Steyr Aug automatic weapon at her feet then reached under Hannibal's light jacket grabbing at the butt of the automatic pistol. Mel deftly jacked back the slide then hit the selector button to semi auto. She stepped too Hannibal's left slipping the secondary grip under the barrel down holding the gun in each hand. She took careful steady aim unloading 9mm parabellum at the two Rift figure's sending lead their way. Much too everyone's surprise the two Rift being were able too spin and contort their body's dancing around each of Hannibal and Mel's shots. Tonaka drew his katana planting his feet firmly onto the ground readying himself for this new attack. Tonaka raised the katana in a two fisted grip over his head. As his body moved getting ready his mind raced running through the scenarios of how this situation was going too turn out and Tonaka wasn't very happy with the possible out come of this scenario. Three Rift beings were coming at Bryan and him as two other's were coming at Mel and Hanniball. This fight could go askew quite easily against them. As Tonaka had been conversing with Melody he came too the conclusion that she was a member of Mossad. The fighting techniques he observed told Luther volumes. The Mossad team didn't fair well at all even with their extensive and expert training. So he had too wonder even with their Blackthorne experience that this could be the shitty end of the stick for Tonaka and his friend's. He blinked back too the here and now as two of the three Rift being's came at Tonaka. The two brandished a blade each in their hands appearing as blurs beginning their attack on Tonaka with a force that was hard for him too match. He was countering each of their collective attacks a fraction of a second before they hit their possible deadly mark. Luther steeled his thoughts allowing his instincts too take over and stand his ground matching his attackers blow for blow. Tonaka caught a glimpse of Bryan as he was swapping rounds from his target who was firing back with some kind of weapon that shot frozen bolts of ice that sparked when they struck the ground with each miss. Tonaka could not chance to glance at Hannibal and Mel but he knew that the Big Russian would give the two Rift beings he was up against Hell all the way too the end. The Deadly Oriental wasn't one for thinking dark thoughts about one's own mortality. But in the line of work Tonaka and the rest of his friend's in his Blackthorne crew always knew that the next sun rise is not always a real sure thing where they were concerned. Tonaka heard someone cry out in pain which was a sound he would have been fine hearing from one of his opponent's. But this voice was way too familiar which made him glanced too Bryan Holt which he saw flying backward too the ground. Tonaka suddenly dropped too his knees as the two Rift's being's came charging in on him at one time from two different directions. There was the clatter of steel on steel as the sharp points of the Rift being's weapons clashed into each other instead of skewing Tonaka's body. Their blade's changed trajectory sending the other's weapon into his oncoming comrade making them collapse like puppets who's strings were cut into large heaps on each side of Tonaka's prone form. He rolled out from between the two dead Rift being's coming too his feet a Glock 22 in his left hand snapping off 45 ACP rounds at the Rift being who was still firing at Bryan's prone form sending him scurrying back into the forest. When the Rift being disappeared into the tree's another sound entered the fray making Tonaka swing around his Glock ready too blow whatever was making the new noise away erasing any new threat. But with a small sigh of relief Tonaka lowered his Glock turning back around making his way back over too Bryan's position as a motorcycle driven by Kiran Lively with Jim Donovan on the back appeared at the edge of the gravel drive. Jim was firing at the two Rift being's that were trying too do Hannibal and Mel harm. Another motorcycle bounced into view behind Kiran and Jim which when he got a little closer Tonaka could see Sam Tyler their newest female recruit driving the second motorcycle. On the back seat was a stranger riding behind her but for some unexplained reason Tonaka knew that the stranger was their target they had been trailing earlier today. Tonaka came too a sudden stop when he finally got beside Bryan Holt's prone form. He knelt down beside Bryan but was already not happy with what he saw. Bryan had two gaping holes the size of two fingers one in his upper chest the second one ripped through his side. Apparently the ice projectiles that the Rift being had been firing at Bryan went into his body freezing the tissue where ever it touched. This little fact meant there wasn't very much blood seeping out but the wounds were still major too the point of being lethal.
Kiran Lively throttled up when she caught sight of a battle going down in front of her. She wrenched the handle bars which slung her motorcycle too the left skidding the bike till Jim Donovan was open to take aim at the two remaining Rift beings firing away with a double barrel shotgun Kiran had produced out of nowhere. Course Kiran producing heavy weaponry from anywhere was never usual for her. Nine times out of ten Kiran was a walking gun shop ready for most any situation from a full blown apocalypse down too a simple full fledged battle. Jim made both of the Rift being's dance back then drop too the ground as both barrels sent a tight pattern of shot into the being's body. The other Rift being suddenly turned on its heels making its way back into the tree line. Jim would normally have took that as a good thing with the Rift being backing off due too a strange thought like preservation of life or being sacred shitless. But Jim Donovan had a bad feeling that someone higher up it's own food chain had just recalled it back too join with the rest of the group. Jim suspected that he was going too run into them again sooner than he cared too imagine. Kiran brought the motorcycle too a lurching stop. Jim was quickly loading new shells into the shotgun scanning around for any new targets. A hefty meaty paw slammed down on his left shoulder accompanied by a deep throaty laugh. "Good too see you Comrade Jim." Hannibal roared with a decidedly bad thick Russian accent. "And who might your young lady friend be?" Kiran asked a very cold sharp edge too her voice. "Don't be jealous my little Babushka!" Hannibal stepped in front of Mel to protect her from winding up inside a full body cast thanks too Kiran extremely lethal hands. "Melody Picard is my name. I have your two friend's here too Thank for keeping me alive." Mel shot her own icy look back at Kiran sensing how very lethal the beautiful British lady was even at this very moment. "Easy Lady's," Jim Donovan warned both of them too stay away from each other sensing a possible cat fight was about too go down. He pointed over too where Tonaka was kneeling beside what he suspected was Bryan Holt's prone form. "We've got bigger issues at the moment." He waved for Kiran too hit the throttle and get over too where Tonaka was assessing Bryan's wounds. Through all that went down there where Hannibal had been standing his ground Sam Tyler and Alexic made their way straight away towards where Tonaka knelt and Bryan was laying. She brought the bike too a safe stop about ten foot away from her team mate's. Alexic was off the back of the bike hitting the ground at a run. Sam dropped the kick stand then climbed off the bike herself coming too a stop beside Tonaka. Tonaka looked up into Sam's eyes the look telling her everything she wished like Hell against. Alexic on the opposite side of Tonaka knelled looking down at Bryan eyeing his wounds closely. Alexic placed his right hand palm down over Bryan's wound in his upper chest. He closed his eyes concentrating for a second then a bright white light appeared around his right hand. "What are you doing?" Sam spoke out loud but mostly for her own benefit. "I have a feeling that your friend is trying too save our friend." Tonaka stated watching Alexic as he worked. Alexic placed his left hand on the wound on Bryan's side as well the same light flaring too life."But I am afraid he is too far gone." Luther informed everyone near tears himself. Jim aand Kiran pulled up on their motorcycle a few yards away from the remainder of the team. Hannibal and Mel Picard ran up only a few moments later. "I can't find any more signs of those being's that we were fighting. " Hannibal reported their present sit rep for everyone's too hear. Jim Donovan eased up close too Alexic close beside Tonaka as well. Melody Picard stood there stock still her eyes mesmerized watching Alexic as he worked over Bryan's wounded body with the strange glow from his hands. "I know you are trying too help Bryan there," Jim spoke up. "But I need too know if those being's you saw were the Pirdrani that you told your friend's about?" Alexic never looked up continuing his work on Bryan's prone form. "The answer too your question is yes. They were Pirdrani shock troops. I have no idea why they were just commanded too come back to the Rift point just over the ridge there." Alexic nodded his head in the proper direction as he still worked on Bryan. Everyone in the crew with the exception of Bryan and Alexic looked in the direction Alexic had just indicated. "I don't like the idea that you know they were recalled." Kiran Lively added in as she checked too see how much ammo she still had on her person. "But I am interested in knowing why they were recalled. Could it be that the Rift reopened and they plan on going back through too where ever the Hell they just came from?" Tonaka shook his head negatively." I feel no kind of disturbance like a Rift opening." Tonaka had developed the ability too sense a Rift opening when they happened too be very close too where it opened. " But I would feel a good bit better being able to get information straight from Mother to be one hundred percent sure." Alexic finally fell back on his haunches with a loud groan beside Bryan's still prone form. Alexic was sweating profusely as the ordeal took a heavy toll on his body. Everyone turned back around too look down at Alexic and Bryan. Tonaka reached down feeling for a pulse on Bryan's exposed neck. After only several seconds Tonaka looked back up too everyone nodding his head slowly. "There is a pulse but its very weak meaning of course 5hat he is alive." Tonaka turned back looking at Alexic nodding his head in thanks. "Thank you, for whatever you've done." Alexic had too take several deep breaths before he was able too get his voice back. "Do not Thank me just as yet." Alexic stated in a hoarse voice. "He is indeed alive but as for when he will fully awaken I can not be sure. The human body is a little different from many of the beings I have encounter before. I did all I could so that your friend could remain alive." "Either way around things Partner," Jim Donovan extended his hand towards Alexic who took it and Jim helped Alexic too his feet. "You saved a member of my team. That makes you a friend in my book." Jim finished his sentence shaking Alexic hand. "But I have another favor too ask of you that you may not like all that well." Jim still held Alexic's hand who face broke into a half smile. "You want me too come with you when you go over the hill there wherever the rest of those being's just left for." Alexic stated already knowing everything Jim was asking. "I hope you'll be able too tell me later how you read my mind." Jim looked over too the rest of his team. "We need to gather all the gear we have left. Get our collective arses over too where we know the Rift had opened and see what these peckerwood's are up too." Even as Jim spoke Kiran Lively, Hannibal Sikes ,Luther Tonaka and Sam Tyler held up there hands showing Jim that they were ready to walk into Hell with out one single problem.
Narrisar stood by the passenger side of the lead transport that these human's had arrived in before they confronted her Pirdrani commando force. Narrisar looked down at a rather battered figure of one of the only remaining human's that was still alive. A pair of her shock troops are dragged this one too her kicking and screaming the whole way here. From what they gathered and by what Narrisar gathered from this lowly human's behavior was that he must be the leader of this pathetic group. "What is your name?" Narrisar ordered more than asked the human sprawled out on the ground kicking at his leg too draw his attention too her. Lance Raines glared back up at his protagonist from his poor position there on the ground. "Whom am I dressing and exactly where did you and your friend's come from?" Lance tried too sound totally at ease but even he knew his voice betrayed his effort. Narrisar looked up laughing out loud making those that were standing guard close by began too laugh as well. When their collective laughing died down Narrisar looked back at Lance. "Who I am is of no importance too you. My friend's as you called them are here to take control of your little blue planet. It will soon be called our own. Once we have eradicated your lot off we will have a brand new home world." Narrisar was about too throw another kick at Lance as she continued her monologue when something seemed too physically jolt her body hard enough that she had too reach out against the transport too keep from falling down to the ground. The two beefy hulks that were standing over Lance rushed forward too help Narrisar. Her mind was reeling as a sense hit her being the likes she had not felt in way too many years. It was the feeling that only a being of the same race got when they were close too someone that they had deeply care for. This someone was a being that had shared Narrisar soul in another lifetime that she did not expect too find here of all planets. The two Pirdrani Gurad's reach out for Narrisar too help her back to her feet. She smacked their hands away struggling but getting back too her feet of her own accord. Narrisar tried too reach out with her own senses trying too see if she got the answer she had been looking for on every planet she found herself on. On more planets than Narrisar could count she always reached out but never received the answer she had been looking for. Dulsllian suddenly appeared in front of Narrisar who had too shut down her senses before anyone too close got the chance too read her thoughts. "What do you want Dulsllian?" Narrisar demanded gathering her strength standing tall in front of her second in command.. "We were interrogating our prisoner for information." Narrisar pointed towards at a now empty spot on the ground next too the transport. She looked to the two guard's who were staring back at their commander a look of disbelief on their faces. The little worm must have crawled under the transport when Narrisar took ill from her mild attack. Those two stupid moron's took their eyes off their prisoner as they rushed too help her. "Find him or do not return." Narrisar roared which rattled the two guards into instant action. Dulsllian smirked slyly but only for a fraction of a second. He wanted control of the Pirdrani Team but he was going too have to wait till the time was just right. Narrisar was a very aformidable commander who had no problem showing her wrath to those who did not follow her every command. Dulsllian had been planning for a great number of past campaign's knowing without a doubt that he was by far a better commander than Narrisar ever would be. "Tarken has reported back that the secondary team did not make it through the Rift opening." Dulsllian informed her with a smile on his face. Narrisar was not happy at all with that little tidbit of information but she recovered quickly knowing full well that Dulsllian was trying too piss her off. "That is a tragic bit of news," Narrisar rattle off gathering herself up her mind spinning on all the possible options she had with this turn of events. Finally her eyes popped open as she saw her next course of action in a flash.
" The loss of team two though tragic is not something that will hold us up. Recall everyone immediately and get them back too these transports those lowly humams came in. We will take them too our next drop off location and pick up our secret weapon. With that in our grasp that will even out the loss of our other team." Narrisar turned climbing into the passenger side of the transport slamming the door in Dulsllian's face. Narrisar wanted too reach out again with her mind trying too reach that spark she had noticed earlier on while talking too that human but she dare not with Dulsllian so close at hand. When the time was right Narrisar would try again and prayed that she would get the answer she has been longing for. Narrisar turned too Dulsllian looking down through the passenger window at him. "Don't just stand there. Get the troops back here at once. We move out in five minutes!" Narrisar demanded then waved for the Pirdrani soldier in the driver's seat too pull away which he did with in very short orde.
Jim and Hannibal moved as a team working their way careful through the wooded area heading for the crest of the hill. Sam Tyler and Alexic were on the right side of Jim and Hannibal about a yard away. Tonaka and Kira were off on a mission of their own looking for any of the transports for all of them and their fallen comrade Bryan Holt too get the hell out of this area. They needed desperately too track these visitors from the Rift too see as well exactly what the blazes they were doing here on Earth. Bryan was settled into a decent hiding spot with Melody Picard at his side for protection when Tonaka was positive that his condition was sound enough that he could be left with Mel. She assured Tonaka as well as everyone else in the group that she would give her life defending their friend. It would be the least she could do for them having done the exact same for her. Jim Donovan lead the way moving from tree too tree keeping an eye out for anything out of the ordinary. Hannibal covered him as well as keeping a close eye on Sam and Alexic. They had sadly came across plenty of Mel Picard's former team mates who were all dead at least those they came across. Each one was in one form of or another of a very unnatural death throws. Some of the unlucky victims had different body parts in various unnatural directions having been wrenched that way by the dark Rift being's. It seemed no matter what this mysterious team threw at these Pirdrani troops they were countermanded much too the mystery teams dismay. Course there really was no mystery too the team Miss Picard had rode in with as Jim knew even without bonified proof that this group were affiliated directly with Mossad. Nearly every major power in the world had different teams that dealt with the mysterious happening's in their little part of the world. The United States ,England,Russia were the most senior of the countries had a number of special operating teams that handled these things as they popped up in their perspective patch of woods. The list of countries continued too pop out special branch teams like France, Germany, Italy ,Japan as well as China had their own boogie men chasers. There is even stories that several countries in the African Continent have small specialist groups working on these strange sightings and stories. Many of these teams were scientific in natural trying too learn all they possibly could from what the anomalies spat out. While an equally alarmingly large group of others were operating for their own ill-gotten gains. So for Jim Donovan and the Blackthorne team it was not uncommon too run into opposing forces looking too gain a hand in the hopes of learning more about the Rift. Sam Tyler was eyeing each fallen soldier they passed. Alexic did much the same thing with a haggard tired look in his eyes. "These bugger's are a rather brutal bunch." Sam whispered too Alexic stating the obvious as it layer scattered across the ground in front of them. Alexic nodded sadly keeping his eyes ahead of them as they moved. "The Pirdrani pride themselves on devastating their enemy whipping them into immediate bone crushing submission with the first wave of their attack. Jim Donovan raised a halting hand then clinched his fist which was the signal for everyone to get down and get ready. Hannibal quickly caught sight of what Jim must have been telling them about in the distance. A group of ten Pirdrani soldier were marching double time from a slightly different direction than where they had halted. Sam Tyler pulled Alexic too a halt bringing him close too her behind a large grove of brush. The group of Pirdrani moved in close towards where Sam and Alexic had just seconds before hide. Jim gave her the hand signal too hold her position fast so that they could take care of the intruders. Sam had her doubts exactly what Jim or Hannibal would exactly be able too do. If the bullets started flying their was a damn good chance both her and Alexic would be cut too shreds. These Pirdrani were a rather overwhelming force too be reckoned with. Sam had too wonder even if she had a whole regiment of soldier's at her disposal that they would even make a dent in these Pirdrani. Sam pulled Alexic even closer too her but quickly noticed that he had a weird far off dazed look in his eyes. Hell, Sam would have sworn that Alexic was most likely having some kind of a freaking seizure. She prayed too the Fate's that he didn't yell out or start rathing on the ground drawing the attention of the Pirdrani. Both Jim and Hannibal drew a bead on the leading two of the troop as they came ever closer too Sam's position. The leading two broke off from the rest of the troop coming up short stopping almost exactly in front of the freaking brush Sam and Alexic were presently behind. This little pit stop gave Jim Donovan an itchy trigger finger getting ready too send this alien threat too the here after or at least draw their attention away from his team mates. Jim was seconds from getting ready too squeeze down on his trigger when he quickly held up a hand knowing full well that Hannibal was in exactly the same stage as Jim was ready too rock and roll. Hannibal raise his brow in wonder even though he knew Jim couldn't see him. But Jim Donovan would not have given the signal too stand fast if he didn't have a damn good reason.
Tarkan looked too his second in command from his team knowing that he had something on his mind that he needed too voice to Tarkin. "Narrisar is not going too be thrilled about what happened too the second team." The second spoke as they stood their together in a semi private moment. Tarkin felt the exact same way but needed too keep his second in his place. So Tarkin glared sharply back at his second. "It is in your best interest not too question our Proctor." He growled back at his second. "But Narrisar will have a backup plan which explains way we are being called back. I can say that Narrisar has a secret weapon that was planted here before we arrived. So my advice is too keep your opinion strictly too yourself for your own safety as well as my own. I say that for the fact that no one will be able too use that against you." Tarkin added the last part to ease his second's scolding as the boy was the youngest in Tarkin's team but he showed the most potential of any of the others in the team. "Let's catch up with the rest of the team." Tarkin placed a calming hand on his second's shoulder then shoved him playfully in the direction as they both set off at a jog catching up with their team.
Sam Tyler eased up from her hiding place behind the brush. Her Berretta pointing in the direction the Rift Team disappeared down after along with the two stragglers only a few minutes passing. Jim Donovan and Hannibal came out of their hiding spot guns drawn ready for anything that might happen too pop its head up. When Sam, Jim and Hannibal were side by side in a line as they checked out their surroundings very carefully making sure no one was doubling back on them. When nothing moved or jumped out at them everyone lowered their weapon's but by no means put them away. "Did you catch all that about something that was supposed too be prepared before they arrived?" Sam asked Jim who simply nodded his head back at her having heard the same comment. From the look he gave Sam she knew that the info was not for the good of man kind. "They were called back too the valley where the Rift first opened."Jim stated as he thought through it all out loud. "They are most likely heading back too the transports that Melody Picard and her crew arrived in. Hannibal added this time around pointing off into the general direction of the Rift opening. Jim was thinking through all their options when he noticed something. "Where is Alexic?" he queried looking around even harder but still not seeing him anywhere. Both Hannibal as well as Sam started into a search as well heading in two direction walking in a circle looking for their Rift friend Alexic. "Over here." Sam called out when she moved part the way back around where her and Alexic had been hiding earlier. Jim and Hannibal came up on each side of Sam their guns drawn. But they quickly lowered them when their eyes fell on Alexic. He was still down on the ground on his knees his arms wrapped around himself shivering. Sam holstered her weapon then slowly eased down kneeling beside Alexic. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Alexic, What is it? What do you see?" Sam asked gently. Jim Donovan was very impressed that Sam's intuition told her that Alexic was sensing something or someone very close by. Alexic had a dazed looked in his eyes but slowly the clouds began too break after he heard Sam Tyler's voice. "I heard everything the Pirdrani soldier's said while we were hid." Alexic stated speaking slowly like his mind was trying too catch up with what he was thinking before he said it. "But then as they spoke too each other another sense flooded into my mind" Alexic tried too see something in his mind's eye yet all he saw were stubborn clouds covering what he was wanting too see. "It was a sense I have not felt in such a long time." He looked back up too Sam Tyler who looked back down at Alexic a worried look in her eyes. "It's like I should know who was walking through my mind but I can not place them. It was almost like in mid stride whoever was sending out those thoughts had too change in mid stream." "Like someone had walked up interrupting them?" Sam added finishing off Alexic sentence for him. "Exactly!" he grinned broadly back at everyone struggling till he was finally about too get back up too his feet. "We need to get too that valley fast before they totally disappear into the country side." Alexic started moving a bit unsteadily at first but after a few good strides was making his way in the direction the Pirdrani squad had went down moments earlier. Sam looked too Jim and Hannibal then nodded. "He's right. We best haul ass." All three of them took off at a jog too catch up with the fast moving Alexic. After about two minutes of hard moving Jim, Hannibal and Sam made up the distance too Alexic coming along side him with a tad bit of effort. They all suddenly slammed too a stop as a group when they could hear a commotion sounding over the crest of a hill they were coming up on. Jim gave hand signals giving orders for movements which were for Hannibal and him too take the right while Sam and Alexic stayed too the left. They each drew their weapons training them out in front of them as they eased up too the crest of the hill at a slow crouch. They each peeked up too look down into the valley below which was at the moment buzzing with activity. They each spied that there were six transport vehicles down there in the middle of the valley. They also took quick notice of the scattered bodies of Melody's team all around the transports. The best estimate showed there were fifty or better Pirdrani moving around the transports getting into each of them making ready too bug out. We can't face that many with only what we have on hand. " Sam stated what she hoped was the obvious for Jim Donovan and the rest of the crew. But from the look in everyone's eyes she knew they were planning something so Sam was going too have to go with the flow. Jim and Hannibal voices low were conversing quickly over possible options when Alexic laid his right hand on Sam's shoulder making her turn too face him. She noticed that Alexic's left hand was awash with that blue light she had seen him use many times of recent. "We are not alone." he told her his voice flat as his eyes scanned the area around them. "Down!" Sam yelled suddenly diving too the ground pulling Alexic with her. Sam could not see too her right but Jim Donovan and Hannibal Sikes both dove away hitting the ground at the sound of Sam's voice. It was a good thing that everyone dove for cover as energy bolts began raining down all around them. Jim and Hannibal returned fire as best as they could each in turn crawling for cover. Sam got off a few rounds but then the energy bolts were hitting way too close too home making her cover her face. Alexic stood up in front of Sam's prone form his left hand held out which was a glow with energy which seemed too form into a large blade which Alexic used too deflect the incoming bolts of energy away from the both of them. The energy bolts shot off the glow of the blade sending them in different trajectories erupting into the ground at different intervals showering the area in bits of dirt and wood splinters. "I think we walked into something." Hannibal roared trying too wedge his broad frame behind a tree that was fourteen sizes too small. Jim stayed low too the ground but was firinging off round after round which struck their mark with each shot he fired. Alexic would flex his wrist sending the bolts of energy in the direction they had came smashing into those that were firing them at him. After about three minutes of heavy fire from both sides the energy bolts stopped coming in at Team Blackthorne. Everyone held their position for several seconds making sure there were no more surprises. Jim finally torn his eyes away watching the transports peel out of the valley making for the opening. "Crap now we'll have too spend time tracking there asre again."Jim growled as he lowered his weapon's still watching the trail of dust disappeared. "No worries there Boss." A oriental voice sounded in Jim head as well as everyone else. "Tonaka Dear Friend, Where the Hell are you?" Jim answered into his throat mic. "Why Jim look too your left along the hillside." Jim did as he was told and quickly spotted the oriental standing there out in the open waving back at Jim with his bow in his hand. "I fired a special arrowhead with a built in tracking device Thanks too Dear Mother. We should be able too track them anywhere they go." Hannibal big meaty paw slammed down on Jim's right shoulder making him whence from the blow. "That little noodle sucking surfer dude is a man of all trades." Hannibal roared with laughter over the open mic. Before Tonaka could reply he added. "And where is the ravishing Miss Lively?" he asked quickly trying too change the subject. "Oh I'll be there in five minutes. I happened across a skydiving group who didn't mind loaning us their plane with one of the bikes as collateral." Kiran Lively spoke with the sound of a airplane motor in the background. "I'll be putting down on the roadway in front of your location in fifteen minutes. So my advice is too hoof it down there so we can get make too Mother and our own plane." Jim nodded signaling for everyone to get ready too move out ASAP. "You took the words out of my mouth." Jim took the lead as everyone else followed close behind him down into the valley area proper. He knew everyone heard everything that was being said so everyone was on the same page. "I want too be on our plane and wheels up within the hour." He looked up in the direction Tonaka had been standing before. "Tonaka lets keep an eye out till we make the road then you haul your oriental arse down there and we get on it." Tonaka waved too Jim that he understood.