Paradox Force Issue #9: Warzone in L.A., Part Two and Three (Double sized issue, pretty long)

The fight took at least 20 minutes. They were both battling each other, and I was just about to make a stealth attack, when....

 

Bombs came crashing down. It knocked both sides out. Marc wasn’t there, meaning he teleported out just in time. Cobb was knocked out from the impact, leaving Rory to help. He telekinetically removed the rubble and carried his body away.

 

Rory: He’s hurt. Bad. I have to perform a quick surgery on him. Mate’s gonna live long enough. But for now, we’re out. Watch over yourself, Noriko. I’ll telepathically establish a link if the comlinks don’t work in our team.

Noriko: Ok Doc.

Trent (over comlink): All right folks. I know what happened. I just had a brief fight with Mech-Prince. He has lead his team, which I believe dropped the bombs around here. The police can’t hold long for this. And where’s Marc?!

 

*Somewhere unknown:*

 

My suit was sustained with multiple cuts and bruises, but I’m still up for a fight. My mini-cape has been burnt off and my I don’t really have a lot of ammo there. Last I heard from the comlink before it broke down was Cobb getting knocked out and Trent’s fight with that gosh darn CEO. I just really hate him, you know. My mind has been on too many things. I just wanna know where my best friend is now....

 

*Dallas, Texas.*

 

I woke up with a jolt. The dreams kept coming, if the guy, the prophet dude who sorta invaded my mind and he let me saw the future. The Grey Police. Really totalitarian. Darren and Carl were apprehending guys. My team was half dead. My (grandson?) was taking charge over my legacy. So much stuff going on.

 

Conrad comes in. “Bad dreams again?” He asks. “I know it’s the same thing over and over again. There’s always a way to prevent it. We’re not talking about dystopian futures like in X-Men or Terminator, but it’s rather a different situation, another scenario. Just relax. I’ll get you some tea. Try meditating if you can.” “Thanks,” I reply. I go to the washroom, staring at my torso and muscles. Then I start washing my, face, knowing that I got to dress up and go to battle.

 

*Back in L.A.:*

 

Police officers were coming. I recognise a few of them. Some were Adrian’s friends. Trent’s hand appears before me.

 

Trent: Kid, this isn’t good. The army can’t access here. Conrad just told me that they’re both in Texas. Adrian’s been dreaming again. And that aside, none of the allies can reach us. I told my sister to stay out of this, she’s under the care of Lockhart and Sanford. You should tell your uncle if you have to.

Noriko: He’ll know soon. Oscar just called me. He’s getting reinforcements, and one of his drones managed to sneak through. He’ll find a way. But as for Adrian, I’m worried about his dreams.

Trent(using his tech and footage): Nothing we can do about it. The ESP is coming soon, and they’ll handle this. By the way, check out Darren, Carl, and Megan. I’ve saw them fight with potential. You think they’ll ever make good team members?

Noriko: Impressive fighting skills. Marc’s gonna like this, speaking of which...

Officer (comes running and interrupts): Blazefire, ahem,—sir, enemy fire is returning! They have heavy weapons here!

Trent: Deploy more squads. Here, take some of my tech. This’ll hold them off a bit. With the ESP coming, we could still have a slight chance of victory. You have to hurry.

Officer: Yes sir.

Trent (back to conversation): About Marc, I’m afraid I can’t come. I’m in command partly with the police here. My mentor is gonna show up anytime to assist, as much as I don’t like him. But Noriko I need you to find him. I’m sure you can do this alone.

Noriko: I could be in use of a “emergency” ally.

Trent (checks database) No one is active, except our doctor. Take Rory with you. I’m sure he’s ready as Cobb is resuscitating. He’ll be notified when you’ll come. I’ll keep tabs on Adrian. Now go!

 

I run as fast as I can, taking out some nearby enemies. Ironrazor had left early, leaving some mercenaries behind with civilians hostage. I take them out with my sais, and some police officers come and free the civilians. I see one running away the other direction, who’s around at 4 o’clock. I chase after him, using my vision, he’s crawling under the tunnel down below.

 

*Back in Dallas:*

 

Conrad: Ready to leave?

Adrian: Sure as always.

Conrad: Good. Then get ready. You are needed as your best friend goes missing.

Adrian: Then ready the squad. The contingency plans have to be set into motion.

Conrad: You sure about this? Given their performance that Trent has showed us?

Adrian: They are.

Conrad: I assume one of them is...your ex girlfriend?

Adrian: That’s a thing of the past. My feelings are mutual, just friends.

Conrad: Then let’s keep it that way.

 

Somewhere, location unknown:

I wake up with my mouth dry. I hate this. Now my suit was starting to fall apart. I find myself in the clutches of that one a**hole. Mech-Prince. And Ironrazor was there too, gleaming happily.

 

MP: Ah...the assassin.

Marc: What do you want, f***er?

MP: I assume you know the codes. Don’t play games now.

IR( steps in): I regret we didn’t have much of a longer fight, do we?

Marc: See for yourself, I can last longer than that.

IR: Always got an edge there.

MP: Enough! Now is not the time for quarrel. I need the codes! You will tell me where is it. I will find the agent!

Marc: Well...I still don’t know. But I know you’re kinda overreacting.

 

*Los Angeles:*

 

Noriko: Is Cobb stable?

Rory: Yes, but he’s healing. I do believe before the lad got knocked out, he managed to pin the last known location of our friend. Must be somewhere close.

Oscar (coming out of nowhere): And I believe we’re being followed. My drones can navigate the sewers quickly. That guy you just chased? He’s a distraction. I “asked” him politely but he’s quite rude.

Rory: All right lads, we’ve got a lead. Follow me now!

 

 

*Phoenix, Arizona, en route to L.A, aboard Photonkiller’s jet:*

 

Conrad: We’ll be there soon. Your ninja friend Noriko is heading out there with a small team, who are the remaining members active now. You have to assist them.

Adrian: I doubt my leadership is not going anywhere. I’m not even sleeping that well. How will they react if this keeps happening recurrently? And what I did in the war...good lord.

Conrad: I feel your worries. But you shouldn’t bring it up at a time like this. I agree that PTSD is a serious issue, but believe me, you’re doing just fine. Remember how I managed to calm my mind? I saved those people in Calcutta when I was 16. I may have lost 20% of my hearing, but still, I never gave up. And so can you, good friend. Now, assemble the team when we get back there ASAP. We are running out of time.

 

*Meanwhile...back to the fight...*

 

I’ve been scouting for hours without avail. It’s been almost a day and I can only assume there is battle up there, as Trent keeps on informing us. But then I stumble upon a piece of dirty cloth, which is very tattered.

Rory: Let me analyse it. There’s some blood on...bloody hell! It’s Teleshift’s. Must be his small cape.

Oscar: Did you hear that?

Rory/Noriko: What?

 

The sounds come again. It seems like I’ve heard correctly, the screams of torture. My run to the nearest spot, and using my vision, the figure looks like...Marc’s.

 

I lead my team there, with various mercenaries standing by. Poor Marc’s been bruised and beaten. Without second thoughts or hesitation, I shout to my team, “Take them down!” As Rory telekinetically slams men across the walls. Oscar takes down some men with his revolvers and his drones, while I disarm them with my quick speed. Mech-Prince seems to have found out our sudden attack.

 

MP: Take them down! Barrett, get us out of here. The interrogation is a failure! The enemy is here to save him! We need to run!

IR: Sir, we can still handle the Paradox Force! You should be leaving first!

MP (launches internal jetpack): Then hold them off as much as you can. I’ll be going...

IR: Well, ninja girl, looks like we’re rebound for a match again, eh?

Noriko: I’m game.

 

He strikes the floor down while my agility makes me dodge him. The attack doesn’t harm me much. I see Rory levitating himself, propelling up to catch with Mech-Prince. Oscar is still really busy with his job. Then Ironrazor proceeds to escape up, and I catch him. I realise we are somewhere in the broken police station. I call Rory to “switch dance partners” with me, where I proceed to sneak up on Mech-Prince, who is launching blasts and rockets at me, while Rory duels Ironrazor. Their fight looks very impressive too.

 

Noriko: What do you want?

MP: Just a code. The agent. And today, since we’re here, let’s end this. On a police station.

Noriko: What’s so important with the third one?

MP: He will fuel my powers. I plan to use him as my agent that turns against you and your friends. And the code that leads me to dominance over technology and most companies in the world.

Noriko: I bet you’ll never find it before you’re even dead.

MP: Then you leave me no choice. I can blow up this station right now!

Noriko: Isn’t there always a better way?

MP: One that should end in vain and in sacrifice. Goodbye, Spectre Blade.

 

The evil CEO proceeds to press a button on his suit’s left arm, causing everything to start falling down. But then a shadow appears, and Mech-Prince strikes him with some blasts. He looks hurt from the smoke, but proceeds to shoot him with his guns, when I realise that it’s Marc, using the remainder of his energy to fight. He absorbs the energy, and proceeds to take Mech Prince one on one in CQC. Both wrestle over control over one another. Then I see a piece of rubble falling over Oscar, who just came up from below but pretty much unconscious. Marc quickly runs over, kicking him out of the way. He teleports me, Rory (who is holding Ironrazor, unconscious with darts around his neck) and Oscar away quickly before the explosion continues. His masked eyes imply him smiling, but then I realise...

 

“NO!” I shout.

 

It’s too late when the explosions trap him and Mech-Prince away. The last thing I saw was rubble, dirt, mess and Rory’s sad, shocked eyes...

Done