[Vérité]

This is the Federation Army Base, where over 3 acres of area is nothing but training, hard work, and the glorious corps. General Rykov can be seen frequenting the area usually as well as many foot-patrols.

Command Room.
General Rykov stood with his left hand balancing his right shoulder while his head was resting under his right fist, watching the gigantic Holoscreen above him. Along the walls, down a ramp were at least 50 Operators, all working constantly without rest.

"Zoom closer." He asked, one eye-brow raising at the footage he was seeing, slightly making his mechanical hat twitch. He was watching the tanks open fire on the Resistant soldiers. They seemed to be no match for the Federation Army's might and will to control New Hera. However tyrannical it seemed, the Rebels were ugly, they were terrorists who cared nothing more than for Liberty to do what they please with the city.

The building where the soldiers were exiting was given A final barrage when the windows broke, sending a wave of glass spiralling out as the structure's integrity gave way, imploding to the ground.

"So this is it? We destroy an enemy-occupied Office facility to find nothing but minor resistance?" He nervously asked the Operator in the seat. She started to drag more items onto the screen with her miniature interface, showing the area around the scene. More foot-soldiers were giving trouble for the Federation, but the assault tanks would have no issue at all.

"I'm sorry, sir. That is all for now. I can keep you posted."

Database Room
In this dark room, there was a glowing cord that ran through the wall, and it seemed to end where more Operators and Technicians were seated at more consoles, monitoring the Super-Computer that was called Zannah.

"Why the hell is Zannah suddenly denying me access to the encrypted files Rykov asked for? If we don't have them ASAP, our asses will be totalled!" One said with a large device attached to his head. He seemed to be the head Technician. Others nodded at the disturbance.

"Unknown file is entering proximity." One of the others said." Viewing now..." He brought up on his screen a malacious file encoded [Message.EXE]. As he tried to scan it, the scan proved negative. He thought prhaps this was what the Colonel was asking for.

"I think I've found it, sir.." He transferred the file to the Colonel's console, who opened it. The console allowed his vision to be directly transformed into a holoscreen. The message read as follows:


'You will all die by my hands.'

A gasp from the Colonel, as suddenly the system started to shut down on them. He was angered, and opened his mouth. "Where did you find that file!?"

Super-Computer section
Once the message was opened, the Peaceful blue glowing machine started to send sparks and smoke, then started glowing bright orange. An eerie distorted laugh echoed across the hallway.

[Vérité]

Command Room

Rykov had not moved for some time. He started to think about his past. Commander Reno. He suddenly came back into focus, casting off the memory.

"Sir, we have an incoming message from Central Tower 2.0." The Operator at the main display told him.

"Put them through. I'm eager to see Giga City's reconstruction rate." Rykov watched as the screen showed the Residents of Giga City, along with a pink reploid with 66 modelled onto her chest..

"Hello, Sir." Nana greeted the General. "We're doing fine here. But I wanted to report to you we had a minor problem with one of the Eastern Force Metal mining zones.. But Maverick Hunters are on the scene already." She knew The General had a rivalry with Signas when it came down to contested territory, but she hoped it wouldn't be enough to spark another Redips. At least she kept her thoughts to herself.

"Did they even have clearance?" Rykov asked impatiently. "This is because they don't seem to trust me, Nana. No matter. Giga City and Air City are doing a whole lot better, correct?"

She nodded. "Yes sir."

"That's all I needed to know. Anything else?"

Nana looked off in another direction. "Well, our new Chief Commander is a little.." She leaned in closer. "I think he has a broken circuit.."

Rykov laughed, something he hadn't done for a while. "Why Nana, I could've told you that!" With that, the communication ended. Rykov enjoyed Nana's company. She worked hard when it came to Giga City's restoration. The screen flippd back over to New Hera and the terrorist conflict.

[CaptainRasmot]

[Transmission from: Signas's office]

There was a burst of static at first but an operator quickly corrected the signal into one that was easily audible.

"Good evening, Operator." Signas said. "We need to discuss business about the Force Metal Mine earlier... Can we speak with General Rykov?"

She turned her head to General Rykoy, slightly unsure of whether to do so or not.

[Vérité]

Rykov was helping a tech with problems on the holo-screens when the message came through. Great. The Hunters had questions about the Mine. He moved over, his hands behind his back with a stern expression on his face.

"Commander Signas, to what business would this be?" He asked.

Signas moved aside as another figure came into view.

[CaptainRasmot]

The figure magnified to show the shape of the mercenary Rasmot who leaned into the screen slightly.

Rasmot stepped to the screen and put his hands to the side of it. "Evenin' sir i'm operative Rasmot with the Blood Hawk mercenary group and we have a bit of payment issues due to an incident in that mine. Me and operative Synthia along with pilot Jabowski received a distress signal from that mine several hours ago and we went to investigate it. When we got there, we helped out Maverick Hunters Juno, Psi and R along with human Miners from the mines. The mission was successful but we require payment and here's the peculiar thing, several Preons activated in the mine and went Maverick. Not only that but the structural integrity of the mine was severely compromised and would have collapsed on the Miners there even before the Preon attack." Rasmot took a slight frown and continued. "However we have a bill of 155,000 Zenny that needs to be paid, the normal fee of 50,000 Zenny per operative on the case, and 5,000 Zenny for the loss of ammunition and equipment. After what i have seen however i have to raise it to 205,000 Zenny to the enormous danger risks we encountered within the mine and too Hunter and Mercenary alike." Rasmot crossed his arms slightly. "25,000 Zenny will be donated to the Maverick Hunters to be divided among the people who were involved in the incident and the main Hunter staff themselves. Since the Force Metal Mine is under your jurisdiction you are lawfully bound to pay under the contract signed by the Blood Hawk Mercenary guild and the Government you stand for. Failure to comply will result in heavy fines and consequences, such as the forfeit of the mining of Force Metal under Federation jurisdiction and turning it over to the Maverick hunters." Rasmot gave a slight smile. "Such is the law i am afraid."

[Vérité]

Rykov was used to smart-ass Jarheads like this. Rykov signed no contract. He never needed the use of Mercenaries. In-fact, if the humans weren't in the mine, he would've blown it sooner. "Really? Can you pull a file on that contract? Because I'm quite sure one doesn't exist." He said. "Your work was good indeed, evacuating the human beings. Aside from that, your help wasn't needed." His eyes grew dialated. "I had 4 squads in reserve on the outside.."

[CaptainRasmot]

Another figure outside of the screen shouted.

"BULLSHIT!" Synthia growled and Rasmot held up a hand.

Rasmot looked back at the screen. "I do in fact have an official copy and even though YOU didn't sign it, the government did and you are answerable to that government. In fact i can intentionally file a report with the government that you INTENTIONALLY endangered human lives in that mine, that you have indeed gone Maverick. And we wouldn't want that? would we." Rasmot let that settle in and pulled out his pad and quickly inputed a few commands. "I have sent a digital copy of the contract and, have started an official notification to the government of this incident and everything you have said is being recorded thanks to Synthia, my personal assistant. Another thing is that we did a fly by of the Force Metal Mine, and as evidence we have footage of no Federation forces in the area amounting to a rescue operation."

As soon as Rasmot finished an official government contract came into view over the screen.

It is here by officially stated that the Blood Hawk Mercenary guild must be paid by the following parties.

A] The party that is in control of the area or region, or place within their area of control.

B] The party that sent out a contracted form of help or bounty.

C] The party that can pay.

Failure to comply will envoke a fine of 600,000 Zenny and the loss of said area under control of a certain party to be giving to another party that can and will pay, or the party that the incident is about. Also failure to pay the fine will result in the instant elimination of the party and disbandment of it's members. This contract has been signed by the government to ensure the safety and well being of Humans and Reploids under the Blood Hawk Mercenary guild.

After the document faded away Rasmot came back onto the screen. "So, will you comply? Or must i make this even more harder to do?"

[Vérité]

Rykov was now angry. He wouldn't dare mention the cloaking devices to the Hunters. He had Government consent anyways. But he was getting impatient. He needed to be in Siberia ASAP to check on the Colonel...

"Although you may have your points wrong in certain areas, I will pay your fee. However, because of your actions, the pooled resources I issued to retake the facility were wasted."

"Also, be advised that my strike force would've safely protected the humans. If humans weren't there to begin with, a strike force wouldn't have been necessary."

Rykov told the Operator to add the credits to their bank pool and resume business. He had work to do.

Landing Pad
Rykov moved up to the chopper as it's dual-turbine engines were revving up. The pilot gave a thumbs-up sign indicating it was ready. Rykov boarded the aircraft.

"When are we going to get there, Captain?" He asked. Another soldier next to him was holding onto the guard rail. Their visor covered their face.

"ETA 2 hours. 10 minutes from now, I'm dropping you off at the Airzone. Can't use the IT bays of course, Top secret frequencies would be needed. Then, you'll take the rest of the flight to the Gulag."

Rykov nodded, and the Captain saluted him. The chopper took off heading west..

[CaptainRasmot]

Rasmot rolled his eyes at the statements and merely looked at the operator on there.

"Thank you for your time, Mr. Rykov, now if the operator wouldn't mind you can pay the credits to this secure bank account" After a couple of minutes he inputed a account for the credits to be paid too. "Also, make sure that 25,000 of it goes to the Maverick Hunters for their fine fine work, that is all, out."

The operator nodded as the Communications were ended and started making the payments to both accounts, the larger ones to the secure account of the Blood Hawks and the smaller to the Maverick Hunters. She had never seen Rykov that angry but dismissed it and went back to normal work.

[Vérité]

Rykov arrived back at the HQ, slightly angry about the incident at the GULAG but overall satisfied with the destruction of the hive. He gave the Major there a sitrep; He hoped his abilities would be enough.

As the heli touched down, the base was full of activity as usual. He wondered what the stir was. It seemed everyone was on edge.

"What's the matter, Private?" He asked, stepping off of the heli.

"The Governor was murdered during a recent raid." He said, keeping his head low. "Our casualties were high, as well.."

Rykov just stared at him. "Where's Beck?" He asked, referring to Rykov's personal secretary. "I'll need to have a word with him.."

[Vérité]

Rykov returned abruptly, with no advancements happening. He got word of another hive popping up, but with the defenses they have, it should hold. Taking Signas's advice in-thought, they were alright.

"Sir." The Operator saluted upon his return into the Command Room. "Nothing to report, but we have done some research on the infiltrator at the Gulag."

"What did you find?" Rykov asked, leaning a hand on the lower-ramp rail. He wanted personal vengeance on this reploid for the destruction of his Colonel.

"No records at all exist of this reploid frame or type. We've done some searching, even the weapons are custom. We're still extending our resources, but so far, we're on thin ice with any info."

Rykov closed his eyes, wondering what an old fellow would've done in his place. "Make it a lower priority, but also be sure to post up a bounty for this reploid."

"A bounty? We haven't relied on Bounty Hunters since the Liberion Revolt on Giga City."

"It's going to be a personal bounty.. 10,000 alive.. 5,000 dead."

[Vérité]

"The shipment is in." The Operator chimed in. "General."

"This is MILCOM, Miss. The General is already on his way to the said location. Please refrain from transmission here, we're currently experiencing an infestation." His office cut off.

The Operator tilted her head. He usually informs the personnel before he takes a leave.

[Vérité]

The large dropship came speeding in, but then slowed once near the drop zone. With the repulsers keeping it lightly focused, the cargo bay opened, allowing the soldiers to exit on the runway. They were met by Life-savor units and Operators who were worried about their friends and lovers.

Rykov coughed, imitating a cold night. He was satisfied to return to base. Letting the Pilots exit the cockpit first, then seeing the rest of the Brass head up to him.

"Sir," The Field Marshall saluted him. "Where have you been?"

"I've quelled an Exodus infestation outside of Point Galapagos." Rykov informed him. "We'll be dropping the final bomb in a few hours."

The Field Marshall was stunned, but moved aside as Rykov proudly waltzed outside of the dropship, and onto solid ground. "Lieutenant, you're to come with me," Rykov instructed. "Chance, report back to me in 0300 hours. Your next mission will have its brief ready."

"Sir, I have an urgent update! Maverick Hunter Base was under attack earlier today, along with the rest of Abel City by an unknown threat. Contact to the base can't be established."

Rykov was frozen in his tracks. He didn't want to do this. However, it would be his duty.

"Sir! Let me go after it." Chance asked. "I can establish a stable connection via my own powerful communication capabilities, and transfer them directly to your Operator."

Rykov was in thought now, calculating what to do. "Contact the Abel City Barracks and put together a task force. Then, once they're ready have them report to Hunter HQ."

"Right away, sir!" The Field Marshall lept down and started running for the base's bulkhead doors.

Rykov turned to Chance. "Do it now. I want results. You'll lead the task force, understood?"

"Understood, sir!" Chance saluted. "Over and out." He began to make his way to the IT bays as well, with Reno standing by Rykov.

"Well, Reno. Congratulations, you're now a Colonel. Fuck the committee, and the formal rank. You're whatever I say you are."

[Vérité]

Command Center

Rykov smashed his hand against his large chair's arm-rest, denting it. Yet another attack on Abel City in the past few hours. He viewed the footage from the Messenger .50 Cal Jeeps as the cruise missile had contact that wiped out electronics which included the footage feed he just saw.

"We can't establish contact with GRN-01 or any of Silver Company. The Operators were still frantic and busy. The lead operator was working off of the large computer, accessing Zannah to monitor other areas.

"Damn it.. Colonel." Rykov ordered, turning his arm-chair around to the new Red-haired colonel. To think, only a few hours back they were fighting mechaniloid-like insect hoards.

"Sir." He said with pride.

"Start tracing every lead on the attacks. Give me status reports every 15 minutes."

"Right away!" He turned and ran off to go monitor someone else across the room.

"As for the rest of you, put me in contact with the President of the United States."

[Time Skip]

This post has been edited by Gate: 17 April 2011 - 12:10 AM

[Vérité]

[After time skip]
No leads on the attack, not even a shred of evidence other than the fact that these aircraft were not Fed or US issue. The bomb destroyed Exodus infestation, so that was one less worry. Now, however, Rykov wanted to calm down just a moment. New Hera's Consortium members were finally captured this week, the fighting had stopped. He was in his chair, leaning back with his hands rubbing his forehead.

His Command Room was empty with the exception of the Navigator and the Colonel, in his newly dawned Fed armor. The Colonel seemed over her shoulder, viewing something that had him intently leaning in close to see.

"So, what's on our to-do list now that the Terrorist mavericks have surrendered?" The General put it into the air, while adjusting his seating.

Chance seemed to acknowledge the question, and slowly but surely turned his body to meet Rykov's. "I'm watching news feed now. It seems the Mayor is taking extreme pride in the capture."

"Oh of course.... sometimes, humans can be just as much a jerkoff as reploids and mavericks. An entire week of raids, personally me, Chance, and you tackling little cells, but it was so easy for the Mayor to take it all like a large bowl of soup and suck it dry."

"I know you're upset, General... But I wanted to remind you," he walked over to face him. He was standing at attention. "0800 hours ago you dispatched GRN-01 to Abel City to meet with the Detective. They should be arriving soon."

Rykov's eyes light up with a small satisfactory delightment. "Good, tell them to come here immediately when they arrive."

[Vérité]

"Now that we're all here, lets begin," Rykov stood to his full height, hands folded on his chest. His operator directed the large holoscreen display. It began showing snapshots of the civilian reploids. They were quite unusual, bearing Sigma symbols and formations. "Now, what do you see out of the ordinary here?"

"The civilians have been altered," Dych took note of their faces, the armor, and the symbols. "Perhaps remote control, or a new strand of virus we don't yet know of." He rubbed his chin in true thought. "The point is they aren't normal."

"And that's why you're here," The General smiled at his own craftiness. "Your detective work will be key to solving this oddity."

"Well, see.." He began rubbing the back of his head.

"What, what is it?" Chance asked, behind him and guarding the door.

"I will need some help. If we're dealing with potential maverick security here, I need a partner."

"Wait a moment...." Chance had a flashback of hunter base. "I think I have the perfect candidate."

"I don't think this is neces"- Rykov had begun.

"This decision will not be in vain," Chance was already walking backwards, towards the door. "I'll meet you again soon with the second Detective." The door opened, and out he went leaving Dych and the General in an awkward stance.

"I wonder who he had in mind," General Rykov pondered at what other detective could exist.

[Vérité]

[From Abel City]

VIP IT bay

On the large platform, The Federation Agent and Omicron were transported there in an instant. The room was empty, with just the two of them. The entire thing had been done remotely. The room itself was eerily black and shadowy, however a large door imposed there.

"Come, Detective. We can talk once we're in a secure room," he said, looking down the hallway left and right.

[OmegaMan]

[From Abel City Transport Terminal]

Omicron looked around at his surroundings. He couldn't exactly tell where they were. He kept quiet as he had no choice but to follow the agent.

[Vérité]

He took a left immediately once they exited the door. Down the hall from here was a giant mechanical door that seemed to pull away with large locks on it. The Fed agent approached it and said, "Texas."



"Access Granted. Welcome to the Command Room." The gears moved aside, and the doors opened. Inside stood a bulky reploid with Federation symbols all over his chest. Medals, insignias, outlines. He had a Barret cap, and his hands were behind his back. It had to be the General. Beside him was a more slender reploid with a C on his shoulder pad. That had to be one of the Colonels.

"GRN-01 reporting in with the Detective," He said, and held his hands off to offer Omicron in.

"Splendid work, Chance.." The General figure spoke with a humble smile.

The room sounded like it echoed of howling winds combined with computer humming. It was definitely an odd atmosphere.

[OmegaMan]

Omicron took another look at "Chance" after his name was mentioned. He suddenly remembered him. Oh yeah, I saw him a week ago at the Maverick Hunter HQ... Omicron stepped through the door and into the room. He wasn't exactly sure how to proceed. He had never seen so many medals on someone's uniform before in person. This distinguished individual. He had to be the General that he was told about. He seemed somewhat intimidating.