Dan wasn’t sure what was worse, the fact he wasn’t alone anymore or that none of them were awake to talk to him. Waven had strung them up with the same orbs as him, with their License in front of them. That bastard of an E.T. had to be loving thing. Hanging beside him, Ace finally started to stir. “God, what hit me?”

“Pretty much the same thing as me,” he told her. He watched her try to shake the cobwebs from her head. When it looked like she was going to put her hand to her forehead he warned her, “You might want to think twice about that.” With his head he gestured at the guns in front of them.

“Can my first time in command get any worse,” she said, almost whispering.

“Everybody’s alive, that what counts.”

“Everybody captured too if you haven’t noticed.” She looked around the room, “Well, almost everybody. You could not have done this bad your first time in command.”

“Nearly got half my unit killed,” he told her. “So far you’re doing better than I did.”

“You call this better?”, she asked in disbelief. “We got our butts kicked.”

“I saw,” Dan informed her. “Our decided to filter in an image in here to let me see what happened. Your plan was good Ace, you put the hurt on them. More than we did the first time we faced them.”

“It wasn’t good enough,” she said darkly.

“I didn’t see the coil upgrade coming either. And I’ve been here for the past couple of days. Just like I didn’t know you could fly the Shepard with the remote pad like that.”

Ace smiled slightly, “I didn’t either until just then. It seemed like a good idea at the time.” She went quiet for a few more moments. Dan saw the uncertainty in her eyes as she studied the gun in front of her.

“You know,” he said after a bit, “there are times I forget you’re the youngest person on the team. You have your stuff together way more than I did when I was 20. I couldn’t even imagine being in charge of anything. Hell, I was more like Boomer back then, which isn’t a good thing”

“I heard that,” Boomer said weakly.

“Just making sure you’re awake kid. Rev what about you?”

“I am present Captain,” he answered, “although not knowing exactly where is a bit bothersome at the moment.”

“Join the club,” Boomer said. “What about you Cap, how you holding up?”

“Outside of waiting for you goldbricks to show up, terrible. And could you not use the words ‘holding up’ while we’re like this?”

“Ah,” Waven said as he entered, “I wonder how you acted around your subordinates.” He walked in front of each one, starting with Ace. “I took you for the means to an end type of commander. That they were just tools to you and not people with their own wants and needs.”

“All you had to say was that I reminded you of yourself, that would be insult enough,” Dan said not taking his eyes off of him. He notice the way he would glance over to him briefly as he studied the others. What was he looking for?

“And what are these people but tools to be used?”, he said almost casually. “Surely you must see that at times out there in the field. The right tool for the job as it were.”

“You didn’t go mad after all this time listening to this guy Cap?”, Ace asked. “I’m impressed.”

Waven gripped her face, “Adults are speaking child.”

“And that’s my second in command you’re talking to,” Dan informed him. For the first time Waven looked caught off guard as he let her go and took a moment to get back control.

“Well after tonight’s performance I assume you are reconsidering that position.”

“Not for a second. She hasn’t disappointed me for a second since I picked her for the job. Hell, after seeing what she came up with I’m glad she’s on my side.”

Their “host” snorted, “If being captured so easily impresses you then I am wasting my here.”

“Were you watching the same battle I was or is your head that far up your own ass?”, Dan taunted. Waven snorted again and left. It felt damn good to get into his head for a change, even if it was only a little.

Rev was the first one to speak, “He has been doing this to you the entire time?”

“I got to go with Ace,” Boomer added, “I’m impressed.”

“I’m sure being around us helped,” Ace tried to joke.

“Remind me to tell you about some of the jokers I used to hang around with back in the day when we get out of this.”

It wasn’t long before Waven returned, looking more like his usual smug self. “We appear to have company coming.” He tapped a few keys on a panel beside the door. Dan knew what was going to happen before a holo image from the ship’s scanner appeared in the air. A black and white shuttle type craft landed within sensor range. “So how many SPD operatives to you have on standby?” Dan said nothing but two popped into his heard right away.

***

Michelle had found D.E. easy enough, he stayed around the Shepard until somebody arrived. Convincing him she was in her right mind was another story. She came close to pulling rank before finally calming down enough to explain her plan. He still wasn’t completely sold but he agreed it was the only thing they had at the moment. And maybe if luck was on their side they catch Waven and his crew with their pants down.

Hiding the pod in what she thought was a safe spot, D.E. suggested they go in fully equipped. A good idea considering they might not get the chance to do so inside the ship. Michelle went ahead as D.E. watched they’re backs. Keeping an eye on the scanner in her hands, it wasn’t much but it helped her get a rough idea what was in front of them. Of course she give anything for one of Dan sky probes right about now. “Michelle,” D.E. whispered, “is that an interface port over there? Do you think you can hack into it?”

She looked over to where he was pointing, and it did look like one. “Don’t you think that’s a littler risky?”

“And what we’re doing right now isn’t? Besides if we know where the others are we can get there a bit quicker than just walking around in the dark.” He had a point.

“Watch my back,” she told him.

“Thought that was Cap’s job?”, he joked. She was glad he was trying to keep her from going nuts. Michelle punched in the code for the keyboard into the keypad on her left forearm as she carefully walked toward it. Plugging into the port she set up her own security walls before starting cracking the ships’. After that was done she had to make sure nobody noticed she was in there. Alien symbols appeared before her eyes so she had to waste a few moments bringing up the translating program and let it turn the symbols into English. Sweat formed on her brow as she started breaking down the wall around the programs until she found the one she was looking for, internal sensors.

That part done she watched as the sensors grid automatically went from deck to deck. Another time waster but it was a little safer than doing a more aggressive scan. She wanted to jump for joy when the sensors indicated were three human and one Zalmanian life signs were detected. A feeling she quickly lost when she realized those were the only life signs being detected. “I got a location,” she whispered. D.E. nodded. Before she could pull out of the system another set of alien symbols appeared, there were different than the others so it took longer to see what they meant.

“I see you,” was the translation.

“No, D.E. we got to…” was all she got out before a blast rip a hole in the side of the ship. Matox walked out and waved the smoke out of his face.

“I said use the airlock you dolt!,” Zyra screamed at him.

“But they might have gotten away,” Matox explained.

D.E. pushed Michelle behind him as he started firing with his D-Shot. “Find that airlock and get the others!”, he told her “I’ll hold these guys off.”

“And exactly how long would you be able to do that, might I ask.” Waven came up behind them cutting off that route. “I’m almost curious to find out.” Michelle kept her hands behind her back, quietly punching a five digit code.

Putting a hand on what she hoped was a conduit she said, “Electro charge!.” A quick pulse ran down the conduit before hitting Zyra with the full blast. D.E. took the opportunity to unlease several shots into Matox face. He tried to cover up after the first couple hits, getting angrier with each hit. Finally he pounded the ground causing it to shake. Seeing it coming D.E grabbed Michelle and jumped out of the way.

“Careful you idiot!”, he yelled. “If you caused anything to kill the ones we have before I am ready and I will have your head!”

“He made me angry,” the big one said, sounding depressed. “And they hurt Zyra.”

“It doesn’t matter,” Waven pulled his sword. “I’ll handle this.”

D.E. first instinct was to shoot, but he knew Waven would deflect he shots. Or could he deflect them from this range? Was he willing to press his luck and find out? Yes he was. D.E. fired and prayed. Waven barely got his sword up in time as the slug bounced off and nicked his shoulder armor. Then he fired again, with the same result. Third time had to be the charm he thought as he pulled the trigger again. Waven swung his sword like a bat and knocked it back at them.

“Ugh,” Michelle grunted as it hit her in the leg.

“Michelle!”, D.E. was distracted long enough for Waven to race in and sliced the D-Shot in half. He dropped his half and had his D-Shooter half pulled out of it’s holster when the alien struck him in the chest. He fell into Michelle who tried to catch him. As Waven came in D.E. kicked out his leg catching him off guard and almost making him loose the sword. Waven looked disgusted as he tightened his grip on the sword. Michelle turned quickly into a roundhouse that caught him off guard with a solid hit. D.E. saw him stagger then jumped in with a straight right to the nose.

Zyra leaned against the hull watching Waven troubles with these two Dekas. “No master brush stroke for this fight Waven?”, she asked enjoying the scene entirely.

“One,” he grunted, blocking an backhand from Michelle, “does not need not need an masterstroke for every situation. Particularly with these two.” Both Michelle and D.E. punched him in the chest. Waven saw his opening and kicked D.E. away. “Anyone can see that this one is not very proficient at hand to hand. While this one,” he grabbed Michelle by the left wrist and held it in the air, “admittedly wearing a Dekasuit of a design I have never seen before, weapons are obviously tied to this device on her arm. Even you two could handle these two with no problem.”

“Let her go!”, D.E. told him pulling his D-Shooter. Waven made sure to keep Michelle between them.

“Now this is an interesting situation,” Wavan said. He twisted Michelle around so she could see D.E. “Here I am wide open, with only your team mate in front of me. Let me ask, how good a shot are you?” D.E. didn’t answer as he stood up. “Are you asking yourself that very question? Is it possible that you can shot past this one and hit what little of me is exposed? Perhaps you are considering taking her out before you try taking a shot at me.”

D.E. felt a chill go down his spine at the idea. He would never shoot one of his own to get the bad guy. This bastard was just trying to get in his head. Then he saw Michelle tap her leg with her right hand. No way she was thinking what he thought she was thinking. She gave a small, barely noticeable nod, almost as if she was reading his mind. Praying to God Cap and the others were going to understand he changed his aim to her leg. Waven pushed Michelle toward him. “Get down!,” he shouted firing away. The alien took the shots as he swung his sword unleashing an energy wave.

He stepped on D.E. neck, apply just enough pressure to make him start choking. “You were actually going to do it weren’t you? You were actually going to shot her. I didn’t realize your commander trained you to be so ruthless. I am actually impressed.” He turned his attention to Michelle, who hand was going for the keypad. “What about you, can you type in whatever command you were planning on before I crush his throat?”

Michelle finger hovered over the first key when a coil wrapped around her neck and shocked her. She fell to the ground as her Dekasuit faded away. Waven immediately ran over and grabbed Zyra by the neck and held her up in the air. “I told you I would handle these two!”

“I… was getting… bored,” she choked out.

“Please let her go,” Matox begged, “she didn’t mean nothing.” Waven kicked him away and dropped Zyra in disgust.

He hauled Michelle to her knees by her hair and held the edge of his blade to her neck, applying a little pressure. “My patients is at a end,” he spoke to D.E.. “Now unless you surrender now I will end this one’s life right before your eyes.” Not seeing any other choice D.E. deactivated the Dekametal and held his hands over his head. “Good, you have some common sense.” Calming himself down he ordered, “Take these two and hang them up with others. I do believe it’s time for the next part of my plan to start.” Matox quickly complied while Zyra looked at her hand than back at him. “Did you actually think I would give the two of you weapons that could be turned on me?” She hissed and followed Matox back into the ship. He studied his blade for a moment before following them into the ship.

***

Waven manipulated some controls as Dan and the others watched helpless. Matox held D.E. to the rack as Zyra worked a counsel to activate the orbs to hold him in place. Then they did the same with Michelle. Waven calmly walked in and stood in front of Dan. He smirked as the human attempted to keep his face emotionless. “So, is everybody here now?”, he asked with a note of whimsy in his voice. “Nobody else is going to drop by unannounced, which was very rude I might add.” He looked around the room and looked like he was thinking something over. “But I must say it is getting rather crowded in. Perhaps we should make some room.”

“What are you babbling about now?”, Ace demanded.

“Maybe you should be the one to go,” Waven said studying Dan out of the corner of his eye. “Have the student die before the master.  It does tear on one’s soul, or so I have heard.” He walked over to Rev, “Or maybe the outsider of the group. Put him out of his obvious misery.” Rev didn’t dignify the remark with a response. He quietly did the same with the others, always making sure he kept an eye on Dan. Waiting for any kind of reaction from him, telling him which of these people would have the most impact. Then he stood in font of Michelle and got it. His face remained emotionless but his eyes were another story. The edges crinkled slightly and a warning flashed in them that he didn’t see with the others. “Her,” he pointed at Michelle and slide a finger across his throat.

“No!”, Ace and Boomer shouted.

“You betrayed yourself my friend,” Waven told him. Matox took her off the rack and at Waven direction forced her to her knees before Dan. They stared at each other, both of them mouthing the words I love you. Matox held her in place as Waven stood behind her. “You appear to have each others hearts. Now I know to take hers,” He held up the sword, the tip pointed at her back. “Do not worry, she won’t be lonely. The others will join her when the time is right.”

“Pray I don’t get free,” Dan told him coldly. Waven smiled at him.

“I would advise against that,” a voice said. Everybody looked around before looking to the hallway leading to the bridge of the ship. The Major stood there with a very determined look on his face.

“Major?”, Boomer said in disbelief.

Waven recognized the SPD command uniform. “So the actual commander finally decided to come out of hiding. Or did you, as they say, lose your mind.”

“Maybe,” he said twirling his cane in small circles on the floor as he studied them. “Then again if the people under me can have their crazy moments, than so can I. Let’s cut to the chase. I am ordering you to let them go.”

“Tough talk from a cripple,” Zyra snorted.

“Crude, but essentially correct,” Waven agreed. “If you are the last of the black badges on this planet then I saw the day is already lost.”

Again he said, “Maybe.” He let the cane drop to the floor, “But we have a saying on this planet.” Reaching behind his back he pulled out the StormLicense, “It’s not over until the fat lady sings. And she not even close to warming up as far as I’m concerned.” He held the License up to his chest, “Emergency!”, he brought the license foreword and pressed the button on top, “DekaStorm!”

Pierce was surrounded by a black digital field as he threw off the command coat. Dekametal formed around him transforming into a jet black bodysuit. It flashed again forming red armor around his feet, shins, knees, elbow and hands. Finalizing into blood red chest armor as a black one hundred burned into it. “Face on!”, A red helmet shaped like an army helmet appeared around his head.

A fire started burning behind him as he brought his hand to his chest, “Striking down a hundred enemies from the shadows. The bringer of hell on Earth.” He brought the arm down in a slashing movement making the flame grow higher. “Soldier of the Inferno, DekaStorm!”

“My, wasn’t that impressive,” Waven tone implying he was feeling the opposite. “So I suppose this is where we see if the old dog still has any fight left in him.”

“Right after this,” He switched his License to Judgment, “Target orders.” The room went black as a red X and a blue circle started flashing front of him. Waven just stood there with his arms crossed while Zyra smirked at the whole situation. Matox bounced in place as the License scanned them. After a minute the X shined brightly before them, “Eliminate targets.”

Waven barked out a laugh, “Ha, we have been X, again.”

“This is the third time too,” Matox was nearly chomping at the bit to get this started.

“I do believe so, I do believe that’s a record too. Remind me to check on that once we are finished here. But this… individual is not worth our time, maybe if he wasn’t hampered as he was it’d be a challenge. Zrya it’s time to use the package.” With a nod she hit a switch on the wall and three Igadroids dropped down. Each of them threw four grenade, each forming eight Batsuroids. They threw more that made a huge number of Anaroids he didn’t want to count.

“I guess nobody ever heard of the easy way,” Pierce commented. He reached down and grabbed the handle hanging from his waist. “D-Sword Blaster!” Two metal bands ran up his arm and wrapped around his forearm. Pierce studied the situation, the room was crowded and they could get in each others way if he played this right. “Rifle mode,” two barrels extended from the grip and he fired at will. It didn’t take long for those who could to fire back. Pierce was forced to run out the bridge and into a side passage and he felt every bit of it in his leg. Looking back he saw what he thought was them putting Michelle back into that contraption. At least he didn’t have to worry about anything there.

The droids tried to surround him but he kept blasting away. An Igadroid jumped over and landed in front of him. Raising it’s cross blade Pierce quickly said, “Sword mode.” A part of the bottom band swung up and extended forming a sword of his own and blocked the blow. The Igadroid kept swinging away forcing him back into the group behind him. But right now his leg giving out on him was him main concern, then things would be over for good. Thinking quick he shouted ‘Rifle mode” and blasted the Igadroid in the chest. Feeling a blow coming behind him he ducked and rolled foreword trying to come up on his good leg, but still feeling it in his bad one. He had to end this fast.

Extending the sword again he faced the group before him and readjusted his grip on his weapon. An Batsuroid and a Igadroid lead a small charge of Anaroids. Pierce stepped out of the Batsuroid way and slashed the Anaroid behind it at the waist. Turning quickly he slashed the Batsuroid up the back. The Igadroid caught him from behind but the Major was able to stab it’s leg taking out support junction that made it lose it’s balance. Pierce shook free and slashed it across the neck. He backed up knowing this was getting him nowhere. Time to thin out the ranks. He backed up a few steps and readied himself.

Extending his right arm to the side the room grew dark and a fire started to grow behind him. Slowly he lifted it up in a circular motion until it was pointed to his left. Feeling the heat of the flames at his feet Pierce shouted, “Fire wave slash!” and ran at the droids who were now trapped by the flames. Slashing back and forth an energy wave followed the swords movements and he cut them down. Finally he ran out of opponents and stopped, “Got you,” he muttered and leaned against a wall for support.

***

Waven listened to the sounds of battle ringing through out his ship. It was music to his ears. His joy was increased by the look of some of his captives as they heard it as well. Zyra, as usual was getting impatient. “Are you going to change the plan now and force the cripple to watch instead of this one?”

“No,” he said gripping Dan’s face forcing him to look at him. Even now his eyes still had that determined look in them. “My target has always been this one. The true heart of any unit is the one who leads them into action, not the one who orders them there.” Dan gave in to his rage and spit in his face. “Are you’re walls finally starting to crack?”, he taunted. It wasn’t long before they realized the fighting had stopped. “Who do you think prevailed? We’ll find out soon enough I ordered the Igadroids to drag what’s left of the carcass of whatever they encountered back to me.”

Before long a single set of foot steps could be heard coming toward them. Then Pierce came limping into view. Waven and the others joined him on the bridge and waited. “One last time, let them go.”

“I think not,” Waven told him.

“Fine, Rifle mode.” Pirce pointed the weapon at him and them. Again the area went dark and fire blazed behind him. Waven stood there with his hands on his hips, but the others behind him were starting to get a little nervous. Finally the energy built up enough, “Burning Shot!,” and he pulled the trigger. His leg gave out at the same moment and his blast went between Waven and Matox who jumped. Collapsing to the floor, the Major grabbed his knee, “Ugh.”

“Oh my, they mighty DekaStorm actually missed,” Waven feigned surprise despite at how relieved the others looked.

The DekaStorm suit faded revealing the smirk Pierce was carrying on his face, “Who said I missed?”

“That damn bastard,” Zyra said looking back. Waven did the same, the control for the holding racks and sentry guns were destroyed. After a few moments Dan came out leading the others onto the bridge. Each one holding their License in their hand. Waven raised an eyebrow has his first captive tried to get some of the feeling back into his arms quickly.

Dan only said one thing, “Change standby,” to his left Ace, Boomer and Rev nodded while Michelle and D.E. did the same on his right. “Emergency!”, as one the raised their OpsLicense across their chest then pushed them foreword, “DekaOps!”

Michelle did the same while adding, “DekaData!”

Dan was covered in Dekametal that turned into a black bodysuit in a burst of light. A dark red strip traveled down from his shoulders to his boots, the shape of the number one forming on the left side of his chest. The metal formed a backpack on his back and the D-Shot appeared in a flash of light. “Face on!”, Dekametal flowed around his head forming a dark red helmet. “Ops1!”

D.E. was covered in Dekametal that turned into a black bodysuit in a burst of light. A dark blue strip traveled down from his shoulders to his boots, the shape of the number three forming on the left side of his chest. The metal formed a backpack on his back and the D-Shot appeared in a flash of light. “Face on!”, Dekametal flowed around his head forming a dark blue helmet. “Ops2!”

Rev was covered in Dekametal that turned into a black bodysuit in a burst of light. A dark green strip traveled down from his shoulders to his boots, the shape of the number three forming on the left side of his chest. The metal formed a backpack on his back and the D-Shot appeared in a flash of light. “Face on!”, Dekametal flowed around his head forming a dark green helmet. “Ops3!”

Boomer was covered in Dekametal that turned into a black bodysuit in a burst of light. A dark yellow strip traveled down from his shoulders to his boots, the shape of the number four forming on the left side of his chest. The metal formed a backpack on his back and the D-Shot appeared in a flash of light. “Face on!”, Dekametal flowed around his head forming a dark yellow helmet. “Ops4!”

Ace was covered in Dekametal that turned into a black bodysuit in a burst of light. A dark pink strip traveled down from her shoulders to her boots, the shape of the number five forming on the left side of her chest. The metal formed a backpack on her back and the D-Shot appeared in a flash of light. “Face on!”, Dekametal flowed around her head forming a dark pink helmet. “Ops5!”

Michelle was covered in Dekaetal that turned in to a black and white version of the DekaSwan suit. A ten number keypad appeared on her wrist as a backpack with two cylinders on the sides formed on her back. “Face on!,” the metal flowed around her head forming a white helmet. She held her left up top her chest, “Officer of the information highway,” she swung it back and punched her right fist foreword, “Dekadata!”

“Special Police!,” Dan shouted and the lights on the side of their heads flashed to life. As one they stated, “DekaOps!”

The two groups stared at each other. Dan finally broke the silence, “You saw the order, eliminate targets. Pair up and take them down.” D.E. and Boomer bumped fists as Matox wringed his hands together. Ace glanced over to Rev who nodded in response as Zyra crossed her arms. Michelle stepped closer to Dan who didn’t take his eyes off of Waven. The alien did the same. Slowly balling his hands into fists he lowered his head slightly as he added, “By any means necessary.”

Waven grinned at the rage underlining his voice. “Matox, Zyra prepare for plan delta.” DekaOps charged their targets and soon as they got in range the aliens activated their teleporter and all of them disappeared.

Pierce used a nearby console to get to his feet and try to figure out where they went. “God speed.”

***

Boomer, D.E. and Matox appeared at a nearby quarry. The huge alien recovered faster from the transport and started attacking. D.E. and Boomer had a hard time staying one step ahead of his blows. “How is a freak that big that fast?”, Boomer wondered out loud.

“We gotta stay in close,” D.E told him while jumping out of the way of a sledgehammer like blow. “I don’t think he can fire those weapons in his back at close range.”

Matox pounded the ground causing a small section of it to shake. “Too bad he doesn’t need it to fire at close range.” Just then Matox flipped up the weapon rack and fired a burst of laser at them.

“So much for that idea,” D.E. muttered.

“Catch,” Boomer shouted out as he tossed D.E. his D-Shooter. Firing away with guns in both hands D.E. tried to circle around Matox while Boomer went the other way blasting away with his D-Shot. D.E jumped for his life as Matox turned toward him and unleashed another barrage. When he did the same with Boomer D.E. got a good look at his back. That might have been custom equipment but he recognized a power pack when he saw one.

They got up and tried to regroup behind a rock wall. “I think I have an idea,” D.E. said catching his breath. He outlined his basic idea quickly while keeping an eye on Matox. “Ready buddy?”, he asked.

“Wait,” Boomer grabbed his arm, “I got a better idea. Cover me.” Boomer ran around the wall and right at Matox while reaching into his pack.

“I’m surrounded by nuts,” D.E. muttered in amazement as he supplied cover fire. Boomer didn’t change course as Matox laughed out loud and brought his hands up over his head. Boomer jumped as they came down at him. As he flipped over he put two explosive charges on the power pack.

“D.E.!”, Boomer shouted as he tossed something over Matox. He ran out and caught it, the object was a detonator. He quickly got the idea. The charges started beeping as Matox realized what happened. He tried to reach for the charges and get them off but his bulk and the armor and weapons prevented him.

Boomer held up the other detonator and said as he got clear, “On three… three!” Both of them pulled the trigger and the charges went off. The pack got damaged and malfunction resulting in an explosion that incinerated Matox. “Got ‘im!”.

Boomer slowly walked over to Boomer and tossed the detonator back to him, “Now that was a bit unnecessary, wasn’t it?”

“Hey, it was your idea was to take out pack on his back. This way we made sure it was done. Besides, Cap did say by any means necessary.” Boomer looked back at what was left of Matox, “And I always wanted to do that.”

“Buddy, you’re sick in the head.” He put an arm round his shoulder, “And I’m glad I’m not the one who’s gotta explain what happened to Cap and the Major.”

***

Ace, Rev and Zyra found themselves in an abandoned town. Ace attacked high as Rev went low. They got through the whip coils and tackled her to the ground. As they struggled one of the coils found Rev foot, “Get off of me you insect!,” she commanded and flung him off. Ace jumped off when she thought she felt one come toward her. They pulled their D-Shooter and started firing. Zyra coils flailed wildly as she desperately tried to block the shots.

“This is getting us no where,” Ace said trying to think of something. A coil shot out a hit her in the gut. “Damn it,” she grunted. She saw another one coming down at her head. At the edge of her vision she Rev jump and run up a side of a building in an arch firing away at Zyra. She pulled back the coils and crouched to decrease the size of his target. When he landed on the other side of her Ace leveled her weapon too. “You want to call it quits now or do you want to see how us black badges really earned our reputations?”

“Still deluding yourself child?”, Zyra sneered and she disappeared again.

“Not this again,” Ace said as she quickly scanned the area. “Rev you hearing anything?”

“I am not sure Trish,” he said doing the same. They stood back to back to cover each other. Then the coils emerged from underground and hit them. She was starting to seriously hate this bitch. Zyra appeared in a flash again just long enough for them to draw a bead and fire before flashing away.

Rev suddenly said, “Behind us.” She didn’t even hesitate to turn around and fire. Zyra cursed and disappeared again. Rev didn’t have time to speak as the coils knocked them away. Ace hit the ground hard as Rev landed a few feet away from her. When he didn’t start moving right away she started getting worried and angry.

“That’s it,” she unlatched her D-Shot and ran at Zyra firing away not caring about the coils. Zyra started backing away as the shots impacted her armor. Ace jumped over the coils and kicked her in the face. When she landed Ace smashed the butt of the D-Shot into her face. Zyra cried out in pain and Ace kicked her down. She was getting ready to smash her again.

“Trish,” Rev said. She looked back and saw Rev standing there. A wave of relief washed over her. “Shall we complete the orders we were assigned?”

She nodded, “Right.” Running over and standing next to Rev they faced Zyra who was just now getting up. Locking their D-License into their D-Shots they pumped the grip. “Ready,” she said as energy traveled through the D-Shot and into the barrel. Level their weapons at Zyra she ordered, “Strikeout!” Pulling the trigger two blue energy streams fired out and hit Zyra. She was deleted.

“Got you,” Ace said. Turning to Rev she punched in the shoulder, hard. “You scared me half to death!”

Rubbing his shoulder he said, “I am sorry Trish. But as you say I had the wind knocked out of me.”

“Good, I’m just glad you’re alright. Sorry about the shoulder thing.”

“It is all right, the Captain will not hear about this from me,” he told her with some humor in his voice.

“I wasn’t even thinking about that. How come you never told us you could do that wall running thing?”

“I never saw a need for it before now.”

Ace snorted, “I was halfway expecting you to say you never asked.” Looking around she wondered out loud, “So where are we anyway?”

***

Dan made sure Michelle alright as they appeared in a cave before charging Waven. The alien stood there waiting for him to attack. Unexpectedly Dan slide down at his feet. Waven jumped over him, which is just what Dan wanted, “Now!” Waven saw too late that Michelle had the D-Colt and fired three shots at him. Each slug hit him in the chest forcing him to the ground. “Get up,” Dan told him.

Waven slowly did so, still with that blasted smile on his face. “Well done human, I didn’t think you were capable of anything so deceitful.” A punched he didn’t see coming rocked Dan. “But you Deka still have that code of honor that makes you weak.” Dan swung around with a back hand that connected. “Did that feel good human?”, he said wiping some blood off his chin.

“Shut up and find out.” They started exchanging blows, blocking where they had too and striking where they could. Dan knew he was at a disadvantage being held captive for as long as he was. Waven knew it too and attacked accordingly. Michelle stood back knowing this was something he had to do first, but it wasn’t easy to just watch at the moment.

Dan step back and pulled out his D-Rod and D-Knife. Waven drew his broadsword as the human changed his grip on the knife so the blade pointed down. Bringing them up in front of in a guard position Dan saw the alien hold the sword up in front of him. Waven attacked first forcing Dan to bloke or evade his swings as best he could. Backing him up against the wall Waven spun and aimed the edge of the blade at his head. Dan crossed the knife and rod and forced the blade to miss over his head. Dan kicked him away as Waven looked shocked.

“My friend was beheaded and you carry a sword. Did you think I didn’t know that was coming?”

Waven smile went a little bigger. “I see it now. It suddenly becomes so clear to me. I hurt you even before I targeted you. I was in your head before you even laid eyes on me. Oh, this is just perfect.”

“Do you ever shut up?” Dan charged blindly and took a kick to the chin. Waven put the sword on his shoulder and stood over him.

“The tiger was in a similar position on many occasions on Nagaus 7. At one point he even begged for his life.” Michelle knew he was just trying to get under Dan skin and could tell it was working.

He started attacking wildly before she could stop him. “And you’re a damn liar!” Waven just parried or dodged each strike. He suddenly pulsed the energy around the blade that knocked Dan back. Waven pointed the tip of the blade at Dan

Michelle couldn’t stand back any more. Running she brought up her left arm and ran her right index finger down the first row on the keypad. She got between them, crossed her arms, “Barrier shield.” Throwing the wide open and a clear energy disk appeared in front of her as Waven energy blast hit it. She was forced back slightly but she didn’t fall. Before long the beam stopped as the shield broke with a small explosion.

“Michelle!”, Dan caught her as the as she fell back. “Tell me you’re all right.”

“No personal matters on company time remember,” she said softly. “Now are you going to get you head together or am I going to have to kick your ass too.” Dan nodded, he was letting it get personal again. They stood together and faced Waven.

“Planning to go down together are we?”, Waven taunted.

“Michelle, can you use that shield to deflect that beam.”

“I think so, you planning on doing anything stupid?”

“I’ll let you know.” The attacked together but Waven was ready for them. Or at least he thought so. Every time one got his attention the other stepped up the attack. He jumped back and pointed the blade at them again.

Running her finger down the pad one more time she brought the shield up just in time. Grunting with some effort she was able to deflect the beam into a cave wall. Dan had already locked his License into his D-Shot as he stepped into view, “Strikeout!”

Waven eyes went wide as he saw the blue energy stream come at him. He just barely batted the beam away from him, but it took a lot out of him. Dan was mumbling several curses while Michelle looked at Waven. “Dan, you seeing what I’m seeing?”

He saw what she was after a moment. Waven’s sword was cracked. “You thinking the same plan b as I am?” She nodded, good they were on the same page. They were going to have to be. Dan went in first keeping Waven off guard. He ducked under a swing and uppercutted him. Then swung his leg around and planted a kick to his head that kept him stunned. Michelle punched in a five digit code and jumped over him and at Waven.

Instead of attacking him directly she grabbed the sword between her hands. “Electro charge!”, the energy cracked the sword even more and shocked Waven at the same time. She kept Waven busy as Dan jumped over her and swung his D-Rod down at Waven with the weapon glowing red. He brought the sword up to block and the two energies collided. Time stood still for a moment, but both of them could see the cracks grow bigger and longer. The energy forced both of them back. Dan landed on his feet with a slight skid as the other one stumbled back. Waven could only watch as Dan and Michelle came running at him. Both of the reared a fist back as Waven tried to block the oncoming attack. Not thinking he brought the sword up on instinct. Their fists came into contact with the side of the blade and shattered it in it’s weakened state. They both kicked Waven back.

“That’s the difference,” Dan started, “between a tool and team mate. A tool will just do what you tell it to do. A team mate will help you come up with options and help keep your head on straight.”

“You still use them no matter what,” Waven said weakly as he tried to stand up. “Make them do what your order.”

“No, they follow and trust me because they know I wouldn’t ask them to do anything I wouldn’t do myself. I trust I earned. Eliminate Target.” Michelle stood in front of Dan and got to a knee while punching in the Data Cannon code. The two cylinders on her back swung up and pointed themselves at Waven. Dan leveled his D-Shot and took aim.

“Data Blast!”, Michelle said

A moment later Dan followed with, “Strikeout!” They pulled the triggers and the green and blue energy streams shot out and hit Waven dead center and deleted him. Michelle threw a thumbs down as Dan said, “Got you.”

Dan sat on a rock to catch his breath as they deactivated the Dekametal and Michelle pulled out her License and tried to get their location and find the others. “You are not going top believe this,” she said after a moment. “Everybody was teleported about a couple of miles away from the ship. Do you think you can make it there?”

He held up a finger, “Give me a couple of minutes.”

She sat next to him, “You’re hurting that bad?”

“Not exactly,” he answered, “just a little stiff from hanging like that for the past couple of days.

She gave him a small sly smile, “So I’m guessing a private victory celebration is out of the question then?”

He surprised her by giving her the same smile and saying, “Give me a few hours.”

***

The Major sat outside of Waven’s ship by the two flight pods and waited. Slowly they came walking back from wherever they were. Ace and Rev first, and while Rev was checking over his leg D.E. and Boomer walked up. Both group exchanged storied of what happened. Everybody but D.E. looked at Boomer funny. Ace just said, “You blew him up?”

“We were in a middle of a fight,” he said, defending his decision.

“You blew him up?”, she repeated.

“We had to end it some how, what else could we have done?”

“You blew him up?”

“Cap said by any means necessary. This isn’t my fault you know.”

“I know,’ she said, “it was D.E.’s.”

“Whoa,” he interjected, “how did I get roped into this?”

“You should have stopped him,” she told him.

“I didn’t know what he was planning.”

“He said he had an idea, we all agreed that him having a idea was a bad thing.”

“Ha freaking ha,” Boomer said realizing he was the butt of the joke. “At least I didn’t go ballistic on my target. What would Cap say to that?”

“That there are some things I don’t mind her basing off of me,” he said as they came up behind them. He leaned against the ship for support. The Major could tell he was glad to see everybody still in one piece. “You doing alright Rev?”, he asked when he saw him rotate his shoulder slightly.

Rev left antenna twitched slightly, “I am fine Captain.”

“How you feeling Dan?”, the  Major asked.

“A little worn around the edges, but other than that I’m fine.”

“I’m still going to have Rev check you out when we get back.”

“Yes sir.”

“Now I won’t have to force you down there,” Michelle said. “Or call in Hawaii, cause I’d put in worse pain than you are now if I had too.”Ace and D.E. chuckled at that thought. They filled in the others about Waven and were caught in a few moments.

“That was a little extreme Boomer,” Dan said after they were done talking. “But I did say by any means necessary.”

“I told you so” Boomer exclaimed. Dan just gave him a look, “Sorry Cap.”

“Well, if the Major’s ready I’m ready to head back home and let the techs take over here,” Dan told them.

“That’s the best idea I heard all day,” Pierce told him and used his cane to get up. “Oh,” he reached into a pocket and pulled out Dan’s cap,” I found this inside. I think it belongs to you.”

Dan took it, looked at it for a moment then put it on Michelle’s head. “I’ll take it when we get back.”

Ace headed for one of the flight pod, “D.E., Boomer give me a hand back at the Shepard. We need to get the Hounds back on board and check her for damage from that run. I know I didn’t miss all of them.”

“You got it,” Boomer said.

“Right behind ya,” D.E. added.

Cap,” she said before leaving. “Some of the things you said back on the ship, thanks.”

“I meant every word Ace.” She smiles as she nodded and started off.

Dan did start for the second one but Michelle pulled him back, “Come here.”

Confused he asked, “What for?”

She put her arms around his waist, “Don’t you know the hero always kisses the dude in distress after it’s over.”

Dan raised an eyebrow at that. Pierce watched and shook his head, “Don’t get all macho on her now.”

D.E. and Boomer glanced at each other, “Cap and Michelle sitting…” Ace smacked both of them on them back of the head.

“Ow!”, D.E cried holding the back of his head

“Hey, she hit us,” Boomer complained.

“She beat me too it,” The Major told them. “Now give the two of them a little privacy.” He turned his back as he and Rev headed for the pod. D.E. and Boomer still shared a bit of a smirk before Ace pushed them toward the other one.

“Alone at last,” Michelle said. “Well as close as we can get under the circumstances. So, when you mouthed the words I love you back there did you mean that too.”

He didn’t hesitate in answering, “Yes. Michelle I…” he was at a loss for the right words. Michelle put a finger on his lips to quiet him.

“You don’t have to say anything Dan.” He leaned in and kissed her. Taking each others hand Dan and Michelle headed for the second pod.