In an unknown galaxy, on an unknown planet...

A lone figure sat in the middle of a dimly lit room. His only light source was a small blue object hovering a few feet off the ground. As the light bounced off the figures face, one could see he was quite old. He had wrinkles on his face and his large eyes were often squinting. He was of course an Ancient for his race and the others and was required to be old. His delicate right arm waved another in as he heard footsteps enter into his chambers. This other being was not like him, in fact quite different than he.

"You requested to see me oh mighty Seer?" boomed a deep voice.

"Ah General Thantos, right on time." replied the raspy voice of the Seer.

The mighty insectoid leader bowed before the mammalian seer.

"We Kandoid's honor all meetings and would never think to be tardy."

The seer gave a slight nod and pointed over to the blue image he was gazing at.

"Tell me, what do you see here?"

"A planet in the Iris Sector, one of the first Sectors we cleansed. It must have been a lifeless planet." replied the general.

"You are wise general, but look further. Do not just see through your eyes but with your soul."

Thantos breathed in deeply and took a second look at the planet.

"There is water, vegetation, and a source of light...which means that there is life?!?" Thantos looked over to the Seer with an alarming look.

"Yes, it would appear the planet has been colonized since our last visit. General assemble our army and prepare for the worst, The Path cannot be completed until we do so."

Thantos bowed once more and exited. The Seer took another look at the planet and placed his hands near his face.

"Soon The Path will end, and Salvation can be reached."

The image of Eridanus V flickered before being silenced, leaving the Seer in darkness.

lightyears away on Eridanus V

Null stood on the balcony of a large skyscraper. His buzz cut hair had small drops of sweat scattered through out his head. He stood in his military uniform from his homeworld, Tarok with his helmet at his side. His soulless battle torn eyes never blinking stared out into the city. He turned his head over to the others as his name was called. He entered back into the room and looked at the government officials. The oldest finally spoke after a brief moment of silence.

"Master Sergeant Null is it?"

"Yes sir," Null replied coldly.

"It says here you have been offered multiple promotions but have turned them down, why is that?"

"I want to stay on the frontlines, its where I belong sir."

"Good...and you're aware of why we've asked you to meet us here?"

"I have a feeling sir," Null replied with a hint of rage in his voice.

"We've just recieved word from the farming colony Savorous that The Plague are on their way. We need to get our infantry ready, and modify our ships if we can."

Null nodded as the official pretended to know what they were talking about, basically sending one of humanity's last planets into combat against an unstoppable force. Null knew this would end in more losses than victories and had a plan of his own.

"Of course sir, has the planet's AI been sent to my cruiser?"

"Of course Sergeant but I still don't see what that will do for you."

"Luck I suppose sir."

"Well we'll certainly need that"

"No sir, we're going to need much more than that."

"General Resnik, Captain Evans to see you." Evans heard the secretary announce his presence to General Resnik.

"The General will see you now." The secretary said to him as she led him into the office, where he was greeted by the sight of an older man who looked extremely fit and only a few years his senior.

"Bill." Mark said, nodding to his friend.

"Mark!" The General looked at his rank insignia for a moment before asking incredulously. "How the hell are you only a captain? You've put in 40 years!"

"Humanity seems to have little use for it's Child Soldiers anymore." Evans said neutrally, his voice's lack of inflection revealing his disgust with humanity's lack of gratitude.

"Anyway, Bill, what do you need me for?"

"You're the best damn tracker in the Army, Mark, and we've just received intelligence that The Plague is going to be making an endgame move against us soon." Evans winced, it was a fear in the back of every human's mind that The Plague would soon descend upon this world that they'd made their home.

"I assume we're doing something about it?" Evans asked.

"Of course, Mark." Resnik replied. "We're sending out a team comprised of those who are either the best in their field or who were persuaded to help us. Anyway, it's a better selection than there was to work with back in '50, there shouldn't be any issues."

Resnik handed Evans a personal file. "Even though you're the ranking officer, it's not your show. Guy by the name of Null. I've never heard of him, though I've been doing SpecOps long enough to know a fake name when I see one. He's a Sergeant Major, so an NCO that knows his job."

Resnik reached out a hand which Evans shook. "Remember Mark, this isn't 40 years ago, they aren't kids."

"That's the problem, isn't it?" Evans replied.

((PK, CN, you guys reminded at all of UWS? Just seems to be a lot of references back to it after rereading the BCC))

((Wow, how many acronyms can I come up with and use in two sentences!??!))

Null was glad the session with the government officials, now he needed to meet with the general as soon as possible. He took the shuttle out of the building and made his way as quickly to the EMF headquarters. He walked down a long hallway until he reached a secretary. He marched right up to her and told him his name and the urgency of his meeting with him. She reluctantly pointed to a door and he walked to the room. He opened the door and saw the general speaking to another and by the looks of his uniform it was a captain. A beam of light reflected off of his mirror like visor from his helmet which was now on his head. He saluted both and shut the door behind him.

"General Resnik, I appologize for my interuption but I need to speak with you asap. I'm Master Sergeant Null sir. I've just spoken to the higher ups and from the looks of it they want to send the enitre army in an all out assault where all I can see is more deaths than kills for us. I trust you got my request about sending myself and 11 others rather than the whole army. I'm going to cut to the chase here sir...we're going to capture a Plague cruiser."

((Well I did like the whole strike team thing, plus its going to be needed for Eridanus's counter attack.))

Jack Adelt was walking through the corridors of the EMF base he was stationed at, thinking about his mission, under the ledgendary Master Sergeant Null. He was dressed in his armor, except for the helmet, to be sure if the Plaque arrived early. He had not spoken to his family for years, maybe now, that they would possibly die would be the time. But he kept delaying it, soon he would be out of time. He shook these thoughts off as he entered General Resnik's office, completley ignoring the secretary's pleads. Inside was a man dressed in similar armor as he, except for the green lines on his own, signifying that it was from the EMF, and two others, the general, and a captain. He saluted and said:

"Sergeant Jack Adelt reporting for duty. I was told to come here for briefing." He looked at Null. "I presume you are Master Sergeant Null, my commander for this mission?"

Evans whistled quietly to himself as Null walked in. "Speak of the devil." He said aloud.

"And the Devil shall appear, Mark." General Resnik replied.

"General Resnik, I apologize for my interruption but I need to speak with you asap. I'm Master Sergeant Null sir. I've just spoken to the higher ups and from the looks of it they want to send the entire army in an all out assault where all I can see is more deaths than kills for us. I trust you got my request about sending myself and 11 others rather than the whole army. I'm going to cut to the chase here sir...we're going to capture a Plague cruiser."

"You've got your green light, Null." Resnik replied. "I managed to cut through some of the bull**** earlier and while the Joint Chiefs listen to me, it takes a while for me to bend their ears towards me." He smiled. "That being said I got it arranged."

Before Evans could say anything, the door walked open and a man wearing a suit of armor sans helmet walked in.

"Sergeant Jack Adelt reporting for duty. I was told to come here for briefing." He looked at Null. "I presume you are Master Sergeant Null, my commander for this mission?"

"I wasn't aware this was where the briefing was?" Evans said dryly to the General. "Something that... slipped your mind Bill?"

"That's General, now Evans." General Resnik looked at the assembled men. "I think we have three or four people left to get here."

((Cyborg, since this is going to be the briefing, you can take Resnik))

James Sullivan walked into a room on Eridanus V. A SpecOps memeber, and a darned good one, too, James had been called over to Eridanus V for some briefing. He wasn't sure what kind of briefing, but it certainly sounded important, judging by the tone of his superiror's voice. James was in his full SpecOps uniform, wand as he entered the room, several people were already assembled.

"Corporal James Sullivan here. My superiors said I was needed to be briefed on something important."

((Note: I've been busy lately, so don't expect a quick response))

Sam cleaned the rifle his father had given him. It was a bit old, but far better than any new rifle. Like a violin, good wine and some movies, it only got better with age. Sam smiled at the analogy.
He put it away, ceasing his smile. He was one of the few people perpared for the Plague. They were coming, close, through the Zarkand system, Straight to zarlandia. They were heading for Sol, Heaven knows why.
"Ares." Sam called out.
His personal AI, Ares (Named after the god of war), appeared in the room.
"Yes sir, what can I do for you?" Ares said, his hand resting on the hilt of his broadsword. He'd chosen the Barbarian king/ viking look, sans a beard and mustache.
"Tell my family to get their packs ready, If the Plague hits nearby, I want to be gone with in five minutes." He said to the AI.
"Yessir! I'll tell them at once." Ares said, and then was gon to other parts of the house.
Five minutes might be too long... Sam thought gloomily as he loaded a magazine.

Deck sat behind a table of an interrogation room, with his hands cuffed to prevent escape. He breathed a heavy sigh; waiting for the representative of the Military to arive and speak with him.

He wasnt in any typical interogation room like you would see on Earth. It was more like a chamber, in the shape of a bubble. A blue neon light circled the entire room, which was assumed to be some type of security camera.

The door across from him opened, and a well suited man with two escort bodyguards accompanied him. He sat down opposite of Deck.

"Afternoon, Officer." Deck greeted. "I'd shake you hand, but...." he raised his cuffed hands. "Well, you know..."

"Dont get smart with me Deck!" the Officer Representative barked. He opened his suit case and placed it on the table. It revealed a built-in holographic projector, which then displayed a hovering image of Deck's profile and criminal record.

"Thievery... Black Marketing... Illegal Salvaging..." The officer read outloud. "And kidnapping?"

"Its not kidnapping if she wanted off that backwater planet of hers." Deck reminised. "She was a really cute girl..."

The officer exchanged a disgusted look. "Yes well... Its a suprise the Military has given you this great offer. At least you havent commited any crimes which resulted in the death of an innocent life."

He shut off the Hologram. "Your actions on Gandon have earned you an alternative to a life of imprisonment. You will serve a team of 11 elite squad members - they could really use your skills when coming in handy. Think of it as community service."

"Get to the point!" Deck barked. "Whats the job?"

...............................

"No, dammit, I said to activate the stabilizers after you rerouted the power!" came a sudden shout from behind one set of doors, before Tech burst through them with a scowl on his face and his hand next to his communicator earpiece. Covered in engine grease, grim from god knows what, and smelling like oil, the only thing that stood out just as much as him were his replacement parts that bore a metallic tint of used tools.

A garbled reply seemed to infuriate the man even more, when he said "If I come back and see so much as a nanometer of misalignment in the graviton coils then I will shove my foot so far up your @$$ that Satan himself will cringe. Am I CLEAR?"

That comment received a mute reply, and Tech terminated the communication. Then he turned towards everyone else to the room, grinned, and casually said "Sorry there, a bit of miscommunication in R&D. Tech reporting for duty."

General Resnik looked around at the group of soldiers that were slowly forming in his office.

Who the hell said this meeting could be here, whatever as long as they all listen

"Listen up ladies, we don't have much time to talk right now so I'm going to make my speech short,sweet, and to the point. Listen up to Master Sergeant Null, and Captain Evans. They'll be your superior officers and you will listen to them."

Null gave a slight nod and approached the group. He looked at a soldier in the room who had the same armor as him.

Is he from Torak?

Null quickly shook the thought off and took a deep breath.

"As you are all probably aware of, The Plague are on their way to stop us. Many attempts have been made to fighting The Plague, but no one has been able to do anything. That's why sending our entire army right away won't be a good idea. I know sending 12 men sounds like suicide but I got a plan. We're going out there in one ship and turning off all systems, making us dead in space. The Plague should take the bait and from there we prepare a bording party. We take over the The Plague Cruiser, with their technology on our side we should be able to turn the tides of battle. Or at least cause enough confusion to let us escape."

Austin was walking through the halls of the facility to the seargent. He knew his next mission was a spy mission, but he knew he should just get intel. Austin went through one of the doors and saw Master Seargent Null in a meeting.

"You told me to come here for intel on the mission sir." He said to Null. He noticed he was getting stares from the others.

"Is this a bad time?" He asked.

"You're crazy!" Deck barked. "You asking me to go on a suicide mission!"

"As I have already explained before." The officer replied. "But you're lucky to have been given such an acception. It sure does beat spending your days behind a cell."

"You kidding? I'd prefer that, then boarding a Plague Cruiser. When you see them in battle, its complete bloodshed. Odds of survival against are acceptionally low."

"Do you think you really have a choice?" the Officer retorted. He stood up, and took from his briefcase an Injection Gun. He walked over towards Deck. "This mission is mandatory - for humanity's sake. If we are able to steal a Plague Cruiser from the enemy, then we can learn more about them! The study of their technology will help increase our chances against them."

He sunk the needle into the side of Deck's neck. He pulled the trigger, to unleash a micro ship into his system. "You will be monitored during the course of this mission. Any extreme mishaps from you and you wont live to say "I hate this job"

"A suicide mission?" Sullivan asked, incredulous. "Well, may as well do it. Beats seeing a planet get cleansed." He turned to Null. "How exactly are we going to take over the Plague cruiser? We can't just board it with all guns blazing."

"A suicide mission?" Sullivan asked, incredulous. "Well, may as well do it. Beats seeing a planet get cleansed." He turned to Null. "How exactly are we going to take over the Plague cruiser? We can't just board it with all guns blazing."

Jack stepped forward.

"I think I may have a plan. If I may, sir?" He turned to Null, but kept going anyway. "I propose that we enter the ship using the tear drops, small pods that are launched as missiles, but they are sharp enough to penetrate the hull of a capital ship. It has been used against pirates to board their crafts many times, with minimal damage to the craft in question." He said all this with an aura of self-confidence.

"Unless Master Sergeant Null has a better plan?" he asked.

"Is this a bad time?"

Null turned his head to look at the new person.

"We're getting ready to board our ship, I'll brief you along the way."

"How exactly are we going to take over the Plague cruiser? We can't just board it with all guns blazing."

Null was about to speak when the soldier that looked like him spoke him. He gave a slight chuckle to the soldier's plan and admired his spirit.

"Not a bad plan, if you don't count the Plague being aware of us there. The plan is simple. We use the ship as bait for The Plague. While they send a boarding party to board our ship, we'll have already exited. From here will enter through their cruiser through the hangar. We make our way through the ship killing the Plague covertly. I made sure the men on this squad were skilled in the art of stealth so this won't be a problem. We upload the AI to the bridge of the cruiser and let him take control. The AI downloads all the information thats on the cruiser and get out of there asap."

"Not a bad plan, if you don't count the Plague being aware of us there. The plan is simple. We use the ship as bait for The Plague. While they send a boarding party to board our ship, we'll have already exited. From here will enter through their cruiser through the hangar. We make our way through the ship killing the Plague covertly. I made sure the men on this squad were skilled in the art of stealth so this won't be a problem. We upload the AI to the bridge of the cruiser and let him take control. The AI downloads all the information thats on the cruiser and get out of there asap."

Sullivan couldn't help but let out a low whistle, impressed by the plan.

"Nice way to take over a ship. Couldn't have thought of a better way to do it. One last question, then we can go and get down to business: what do you plan to do with the guys who board our ship? Set the craft to explode while they're on it?"

"Nice way to take over a ship. Couldn't have thought of a better way to do it. One last question, then we can go and get down to business: what do you plan to do with the guys who board our ship? Set the craft to explode while they're on it?"

Null turned to face the man and gave a slight laugh.

"Don't worry about that, our AI will be able to take care of them very easily. Let's just say he got his name for the amount of deaths he's caused. He'll make sure the air lock will "malfunction" and throw our visitors into space."

Null cracked his neck and waited for any more questions he might get.

"Well, this is a cruiser we're talking about," Tech mentioned. "Unless we want to be dancing there for a couple for couple of hours while their making their distress call, I say we knock out their comms first with a jammer rigged to our ship and then head straight to the bridge and let Azrael take over. Then he'll kill off the rest of the Plague crew by gassing them, sucking the air out of certain portions of the ship, using the ship's automated defenses, etc. We can rig whatever airlocks the Plague use with traps, since chances are that their own boarding parties will have a ship to their back to prevent them from being ejected into space."

"Oh so wonderful are the drums of war. Plotting humanity's next suicidal attempt at its own salvation I see? How I delight in the notion of executing more Plague soon in a variety of excruciatingly painful or simply fun ways. The only thing I will detest is having to be stuck in a human for a part of our journey, even one as skilled with technology as Tech. I would much rather be destroying the cruiser with the power of my mighty flagship Vengeance." Azrael boomed over the room's comm system with a hearty voice, though anyone decently observant would have noted there was a bit of blood lust in his tone.

Evans winced at the AI's tone. He didn't like AI's all that much, never had. He'd grown up when AI's were people integrated into computers, not as self-aware computers with no human sacrifice involved. He still thought of the people who had been slain on the altar of science to create those things and shuddered.

"Well, if we're going to rig our airlocks than why don't we just set up our airlocks to just cycle vacuum into them instead of air, or maybe just rig it to deactivate the maglock and let the dropship hang on by it's own power... and then force it off. Anyway, we're going to have to call our ship a throwaway and be prepared to abandon ship.... anybody have zero-gee training?"

Several nasty ideas were swimming in Evans' mind as he spoke, and he allowed himself to smile ferally, he hadn't done something like this for a long time.

Null nodded away through Tech's plan and waited until he finished.

"I do like your plan about jamming their communications and its something we'll be doing but I'm not sure about that other plan. We'll need all the air we get and gassing the ship might kill some of us too...especially if its Azrael."

Null and Azrael never really saw eye to eye. They were a good team when they had to be paired up but neither really cared about the other's safety.

"Oh so wonderful are the drums of war. Plotting humanity's next suicidal attempt at its own salvation I see? How I delight in the notion of executing more Plague soon in a variety of excruciatingly painful or simply fun ways. The only thing I will detest is having to be stuck in a human for a part of our journey, even one as skilled with technology as Tech. I would much rather be destroying the cruiser with the power of my mighty flagship Vengeance."

"Okay Azrael how about this instead. You either go with Tech, or you go with me."

"Okay Azrael how about this instead. You either go with Tech, or you go with me."

"Oh as delightful as that sounds my dear Sergeant, I'm afraid that is a generous offer I cannot accept. The last time we went on a mission together, I recall that you used my storage crystal to kill a Plague since you have long since run out of ammo. I must say, putting together my personality after that was fun but dreadfully long and boring at the same time. I promise not to get you electrocuted this time, my dead Null." Azrael chuckled in response.

"Well, we're not going in without sealed suits right?" Tech asked, completely ignoring the AI. "After all, if you were going to board a foreign ship, you wouldn't give them the chance to kill you with something as simple as depressurization or gas. The Plague wouldn't be that stupid either, which is why I suggested the traps for the airlock."

"Well, Master Sergeant Null's armor is sealed, right, and since the EMF copied the Torakian design, so is mine, and most of the EMF's too," Jack said. "So that wouldn't be a problem, it should be able to take the gassing."

(Anyone play ODST? It is the BOMB! Seriously, it is so awesome, To describe it would do no justice...)
Sam looked outside his window. The Plague was already here, and they were raiding the planet. Sam cocked his rifle and aimed through the scope.
Bang!
> Plague Recon Squad 418 <
Char'ock, a soldier in the advanced reconnasaince squad, looked around at the abomination of the world. On his home planet, they slept on the ground in small huts, but here, they saw fit to rape the land and defile it with large grey buildings. He knew why the the leaders of his kind, of the Plague, saw it wise to kill off this species of barbarians.
He smiled, chuckling to himself. Truly, he was a barbarian himself, he just used his might on others, not the planets. He left that to the people in the large ships over head.
A muffled crack echoed out, and the Squad leader, Chin'tha, fell; his head a mangled mess of blood and bone. This promoted Char'ock to squad leader.
"Everyone, find cover! Now!" He yelled, and a few more cracks rang out, killing more of his group. They took cover behind large metal contraptions and some boulders that were placed there for no other reason than to look pretty.
Char'ock was at a loss. He didn't see the infidels attack, or know where it came from. All he knew was that it had him pinned. This was unacceptable.

"I promise not to get you electrocuted this time, my dead Null."

"You know I find that hard to believe, but I'm sure my good friend Tech will make sure it doesn't happen again."

"Well, Master Sergeant Null's armor is sealed, right, and since the EMF copied the Torakian design, so is mine, and most of the EMF's too," Carsew said. "So that wouldn't be a problem, it should be able to take the gassing."

Null looked over at Carsew.

Ah, so that's why their armor looks like mine. I really wish someone would have mentioned that to me earlier...better late than never I guess.

"Yes, my suit is armor sealed. The suit allows me to stay in space for thirty minutes. If that's the case we can set up a trap for the boarding party while we cut a whole through the line they'll set up to board us. If were going to gas the rest of them, then were going to need to do it fast."

General Resnik listened in on the plan until he caught a soldier fast asleep outside of his office. He opened the doors and looked at the soldier's tags for a name. With a closed fist he hit the soldier on top of the head.

"Damnit Larson get up! This is not the time for napping!"

Deck was leaning against the ramp of the ship they were to be traveling in and infiltrate the Plague cruiser. But nobody was here. Only the workman were shifting crates around the Dock.

He pulled up his wrist to check the time - one of the many features of his mechanised gauntlet. They were 20 minutes late.

He breathed a heavy sigh. "If I weren't monitored, I would have figured out a way to weasle out of this mission..." he looked at the time again, out of impatience. "What the heck are they doing?"

>Plague Recon Squad 418<
Char'ock looked at the large fancy building in front of him. The infidel was most likely there, it provided the best form of cover. He ordered his grenadiers to fire on the building, which all three did. Windows blew out, beams burned, circuits fried.
>Sam's house<
Sam got a few more shot's off before a beam fell three feet away from him.
"Now's the time to leave!" He yelled, and went to the safe room, were his family was hiding. He grabbed them and ran to his ship pad in the back. He litterally threw them in, and climbed up the steps after them. As he started the ship, the alien soldiers were plundering his house. He inserted a memory chip into the slot, and instantly, Ares came on the display.
"Ares, get us out of here, now!" Ares didn't question the orders, nor ask for specific directions, he just angled the ship up and started the lift off. As they slowly went through the atmosphere, something hit them, an explosive of some sort. "Sam, get out of here! Sam! Sam!"
But he wasn't listening. There was a new voice talking to him.
"Damnit Larson get up. This is not the time for napping."
Present time...
Sam leapt up. Where was his wife? The children, his ship? Right... The explosive device that hit them...
"Sir, you've been asleep for two hours, only of fourth of the rcomended sleep time for one your -" Ares said from his helmet's speakers, but was cut short by Sam. "Ares, be quiet, now please."
Sam looked at the General. "Sorry, Sir. It won't happen again sir. I've just had a rough week, sir."

"Yes, my suit is armor sealed. The suit allows me to stay in space for thirty minutes. If that's the case we can set up a trap for the boarding party while we cut a whole through the line they'll set up to board us. If were going to gas the rest of them, then were going to need to do it fast."

Jack, eager to leave said:

"Good, then it's fine. I'll unlock the armory for oss, and then we'll go to the ship, we can work out the details there." He turned around and saw Resnik slap a man in the head, he went over there. He immediatley recognized the man there.

"Sam Larson," he said and shook his head. "Sleeping on the job..." He smiled a bit and extended his hand towards the man.

Evans sighed as Bill started in on the new guy sleeping outside the hall. Resnik had lied when he said that this mess was better than what there was 40 years ago. In some ways, yes they were better, but for meshing as a group? They sucked.

I guess you just don't mesh like cold, hungry, scared 14 year-olds unless you are one. He thought to himself.

"I guess I'd better put in an effort." He breathed out as he stood up from his chair, feeling his revolvers move within his duster. "Looks like I'm going to have to get a suit of sealed zero-gee armor for this little side trip then."

Evans looked at his chrono before facing Null. "It looks like we're late to your ship, Master Sergeant."

"Sorry, Sir. It won't happen again sir. I've just had a rough week, sir."

Resnik had a smirk on his face as he looked down at the soldier.

"Yeah, haven't we all."

------

"It looks like we're late to your ship, Master Sergeant."

Null turned to face the captain and saluted on instinct.

"Yes sir."

Null looked over at Tech.

"Is Azrael set to go?...and make sure he doesn't try anything funny." Null added that last second remembering his last mission.

Null took a deep breath as he looked around the room. He didn't know why he of all people put in charge. Why not Resnik or Captain Evans? He had survived a cleansing from The Plague as he was on Torak's moon, and he also fought The Plague and lived. Maybe they all thought he knew exactly what he was doing...especially him.

Sam smiled back and shook the mans hand.
"Yeah, kinda trying to get back on the horse you know? Just kinda stood there and next thing I know, I'm out." He forced another smile. The nightmare was a little more than he could handle.
"So, General Resnik, sir. Would you please reiterate the mission, sir." Sam asked.

"Is Azrael set to go?...and make sure he doesn't try anything funny." Null added that last second remembering his last mission.

"Why my dead Null, whatever would give you the impression that I would intentionally place you in harms way?" Azrael spoke with a morbid chuckle at the end of his sentence. "I've already downloaded myself to the vessel's computer, it's just a matter of you getting here before I launch and pursue this mission myself."

There was a moment of silence before Tech says "He's not kidding you know. We've got to move."

Null shook his head at Azrael's response.

"He's not kidding you know. We've got to move."

"Oh I know...trust me. Alright everyone let's move out, we've got a ship to catch."

Null opened the door and quickly walked through to see the general speaking with another soldier. He was able to hear a piece of the conversation and knew the soldier was part of his team.

"No time to explain now soldier, I'll get you up to speed once we leave the ground. I hope you've got zero gee training, if not you better learn real fast."

Null led his group of soldiers to the hangar to board their ship. A man was waiting in front of the ship for the group. Null had actually been briefed about this man before even learing he was to be leading the mission.

"Mr...Deck is it? Let's cut to the chase Deck. I don't care what you did before you were sent here. The only thing that I care about is that you do what I say. Other than that I'd like to welcome you to the team."

Deck looked up and saw a group of people approach him and the ship - given from their appearance and uniform, they appeared to be the team members for the mission.

"About 'friggin time..." he muttered. He crossed his arms, as the leader designated Null approached him.

"Mr...Deck is it? Let's cut to the chase Deck. I don't care what you did before you were sent here. The only thing that I care about is that you do what I say. Other than that I'd like to welcome you to the team."

"You must be Master Sergeant Null." he greeted. "You're slightly shorter than I expected."

He stepped away from the ramp, so as to allow the team leader to step aboard the vessel. "And its not like I have much of a choice to disobey - I'm being monitored, so to speak."

He allowed the crew to aboard the ship, and soon Deck followed.

Jack was last before Deck to board the ship, hitting him hard with his armored shoulder as he stepped onto the boarding ramp. As he entered the main room of the ship he said:

"Nice place, mind you, I hope we won't be here for too long."

Jack threw himself into a chair, laying his helmet down beside him and taking his Battle Rifle from his back, putting it next to his helmet.

"So, who's up for a game of poker?" he said and took out a deck of cards, shuffling them with one hand, in a complicated motion.

Sullivan went on to the ship with the rest of the squad. He did have to admit that the ship did look pretty good. Too bad it's going to be blown up he thought.

"So, who's up for a game of poker?"

"That might not be a good idea." Sullivan said. "Those Plague guys could hit us at any moment." Sullivan then cocked and loaded all his weapons, which included a sniper rifle, two pistols, and a shotgun that could be set to fully automatic.

"That might not be a good idea." Sullivan said. "Those Plague guys could hit us at any moment."

Jack frowned.

"Yeah? So? We'll notice them before, we'll see them through the window, right? And I see no Plaque ships now. I'll deal." He handed out two cards to everyone in the room, laying down three face down on a table. He looked at his cards. Ace and King.

"I'm in. Small blind is fifty cent," Jack said and smiled.

Null looked around at all his team as he walked into the ship. The more time he spent with them, the more he could fell them becoming a unit. He was already beginning to see different personalities amongst the group. He had more confidence in his team as he made his way to the cockpit.

"I must say I'm impressed you actually waited for us Azrael. Well lets get this thing moving asap."

He really didn't have time to listen to the AI's response as he needed to give the ship and quick check. He made sure everything was in shape before making his way back to the cockpit. He sat down in one of the chairs and waited for the AI to give him a friendly response before starting the ship.

--------------

A Plague Recon Crusier passed by another lifeless planet. It was slowly making its way towards Eridanus V. The Kandoid captain looked out into space as he sat in his chair on the bridge. His scanners began to go off and one of his fellow Kandoids spoke up.

"Sir we've detected the planet."

"Excellent work, I will inform the general of this."

A large holoscreen appeared in front of the captain. The image of General Thantos stood before him.

"General Thantos, we've found the human planet."

"Good." was all the general had to say.

"We will send our coordinates when the planet comes into view."

"Well done Captain Triton. The Forsaken Ones will suffer our Wrath."

"As we cleanse them all along The Path." replied the Captain finishing the code.

The image disapeared from the screen leaving the captain to watch the stars out in space again.

Deck felt the unexpected hit against his shoulder by one of the team mates.

Pfft.. whats his problem? Male-period pains, or something?. Though he was very much like a Pirate, Deck hadent made that many enemies... Well, he did tick a few people off in the past in all honesty. He hoped he wouldnt have to make many enemies on this trip.

He entered the ship, and followed Null to the Cockpit. He sat down next to him in the co-pilot seat. "I've been assigned as your co-pilot, as well as your tech expert."

He ran a diagnostic of the ship, before they make their departing. "Apologies for this inconveniance."

"Tech expert huh? Then I guess that makes me the Tech god, which I can definitely live with." Tech commented as he entered the cockpit as well, carrying a bunch of parts and cables no less. "Though since Azrael's driving, you're out of both jobs."

"Attention all crew," Azrael spoke over the intercom now that all the preparations had been made. "We are now departing. ETA: Two hours. Destination: Death. Enjoy your flight."

Jack, who realized that no one wanted to play poker with him, walked in to the cockpit.

"I've been assigned as your co-pilot, as well as your tech expert." he heard the criminal say.

"Tech expert huh? Then I guess that makes me the Tech god, which I can definitely live with, though since Azrael's driving, you're both out of jobs," the Tech person commented.

"So we have criminal dead meat onboard?" Jack said in a deadly voice. "Well, mr Deck, we already have a Tech, and an AI to pilot the ship. We don't need a criminal who will probably shoot us in the back and get out when it gets heated." Jack gave Deck a cold stare.

"Tech expert huh? Then I guess that makes me the Tech god, which I can definitely live with."

"I probably should of said "A Tech Expert". The Officer who recruited me implied you guys needed more than one. The difference between the both of us are certain fields of mechanics - my primary specialty is hacking computers and security. Whats yours?"

"Attention all crew," Azrael spoke over the intercom now that all the preparations had been made. "We are now departing. ETA: Two hours. Destination: Death. Enjoy your flight."

"You guys have an AI? They left that part out, unfortunatly. Well, if he's decided to replace me, then I suppose I'm fine with that."

"Well, mr Deck, we already have a Tech, and an AI to pilot the ship. We don't need a criminal who will probably shoot us in the back and get out when it gets heated."

"And we certainly dont need a crew member who complains like a little girl all the time." Deck smirked. "I'd expect no less from a noblemen like yourself. Yup, I read your file. Sorry, but I was forced to by the Officer."

He crossed his hands behind his head. "Besides, I'm not enabled to go rogue against you guys anyway. I'm being "monitored" so to speak; I've been injected with a small family of nanobots that monitor my behaviour. One big mistake, and they'll release a toxic chemical that will spread throughout my entire body. So please, lets at least try to get along! For my sake!"

Null shook his head as thing started heating up in the cockpit. He could tell this was going to be a longer flight than he expected.

"That's enough from all three of you. Do I need to remind you all this mission is humanity's last chance at fighting The Plague, or do you all want to argue some more like children. If you all can't get along now, what makes you thinks we'll be able to pull this mission off as a unit?! Now everyone sit down, start acting like a team, and get ready for the mission!"

He felt himself getting madder by the second so he decided to go take a look at the weapons they had on board. Null got up and looked over at Deck.

"So I guess you read my file too...good read wasn't it?" he said commenting on all that he had been through including his first contact with The Plague.

He walked out of the cockpit and made his way to the armory. For some reason looking at guns always made Null feel better. Why this worked he would never know.

Jack waited until Null had left the room before he leapt at Deck, holding him against the wall.

"I haven't seen my family since I joined the force," he said quietly. "And besides you kidnapped my cousin. I would have killed you here and now if i could."

Jack let go of Deck and walked out of the cockpit, turning into a small room which contained a boxing bag. Jack took of his armor, leaving him in a black jumpsuit and then practiced kickboxing at the bag, becoming more and more aggresive as he thought about his family, whom he had left, who possibly would die now. He kept going until he managed to kick the boxing bag from it's chain. He sat down on a box, hiding his face in his hands.

After sitting so a few minutes Jack got up, sweeping his black hair from his eyes. He equipped his armor again and stepped out into the mainroom. He greeted everyone with a nod and then sat down in a chair. He turned to Sullivan.

"So, what's your story, mate?" he said.

Deck brushed himself off. "You're Mia's cousin, huh?" he whispered. "I can see why she wanted to get away from somebody as psycotic as yourself."

It wasnt entirely kidnapping. Deck was on a smuggling mission to Eridanus V, where he stumbled upon Mia - who was a member of a family of noblemen. She requested to be taken off that backwater planet, to flee from her father and family so she can be with some guy she was real close to. After dropping her off on Asgard, they havent kept in contact ever since. He does have her residential ID code, incase she required assistance.

"Looks like I did her a huge favour..." he thought. He waited till Jack left the room and glanced up at Tech. "Pardon me for asking, but why did you guys hire him? Public Relations? He has a really short fuse, which could seriously endanger the mission."

Evans walked in as Jack pushed Deck against the wall, and made himself as inconspicuous as possible as the two worked out their 'differences'.

"Pardon me for asking, but why did you guys hire him? Public Relations? He has a really short fuse, which could seriously endanger the mission."

Evans shrugged. "I have no idea why any of us are here aside from Null and I. Everybody has their own story, their own motivations, some are just more.... disturbed than others."

He gave the 'pirate' a once over, "you okay? I don't know how strong he is, but I get the feeling that he might be able to leave a few bruises on you through armor if he really tried, and it looked like he was pissed as hell."

((Wow, sorry about my posting habits, I've been swamped with school lately :( ))

"I have no idea why any of us are here aside from Null and I. Everybody has their own story, their own motivations, some are just more.... disturbed than others."

"I suppose. But in a way, I cant really blame him - I was responcible for his cousin's disapearance. She wanted me to ship her off Eridanus V, so she can escape the arrogance of her father."

"you okay? I don't know how strong he is, but I get the feeling that he might be able to leave a few bruises on you through armor if he really tried, and it looked like he was pissed as hell."

"He's not as strong as you may think; I've been through far worse than what he is capable of..." he stepped forward and crossed his arms. "But if he tries another move like that again, to anyone else especially, I'll make sure he wont get a chance to feel remorse for his actions." Deck promised. "Regardless of the consequences."

He cold stare turned back into a smile. He shook Evans hand. "Sorry, we havent been formally introduced. Deck Reynolds, Freelance Mercenary."

"So, what's your story, mate?" he said.

"My parents were there when Earth was destroyed," said Sullivan, telling his story. "Some of my family members also had run ins with the Plague, Not many of them made it out alive. It actually makes me happy to hear a Plague's neck snap." Sullivan had lost a few cousins and a sibling to the Plague, causing him to have an absolute hatred for them. Sullivan decided to go to the cockpit to talk to Deck. He couldn't say that he actually liked noblemen. He had nothing wrong with them, but they came off as a bit snobbish to him. Besides, he thought it best he got to know everyone on the squad.

"So," he said to Deck. "Are you alright with that nobleman out there? I could hear you guys arguing from out there. What's up with this Mia girl anyways?"

"I suppose. But in a way, I cant really blame him - I was responcible for his cousin's disapearance. She wanted me to ship her off Eridanus V, so she can escape the arrogance of her father."

"Why does that sound like a story that requires copious amounts of alcohol to properly tell?" Evans asked, chuckling a little.

"But if he tries another move like that again, to anyone else especially, I'll make sure he wont get a chance to feel remorse for his actions."

"That may be a bit extreme," Evans cautioned. "But I can't see any issues there, I hate these damn nobles, didn't have them on Earth, sure as hell don't need them now."

"Sorry, we havent been formally introduced. Deck Reynolds, Freelance Mercenary.

"Mark Evans, former Child Soldier turned Special Services," Evans grasped the younger man's hand and gave it a firm shake.

"Are you alright with that nobleman out there? I could hear you guys arguing from out there. What's up with this Mia girl anyways?"

Evans looked at the new arrival, already comparing him to the file he'd gotten to skim over in General Resnik's office and trying to decide if his superiors had been lying for promotion's sake, it didn't appear that they had.

"Why does that sound like a story that requires copious amounts of alcohol to properly tell?

"I couldnt agree more..." Deck shared a chuckle. "I'll be glad to share the WHOLE story over a campfire."

"Mark Evans, former Child Soldier turned Special Services,"

"Child Soldier?" Deck echoed. "I didnt even know they had division for younger people back then. Times sure have changed since humanity abandoned Earth."

"Are you alright with that nobleman out there? I could hear you guys arguing from out there. What's up with this Mia girl anyways?"

Deck glanced as Sullivan entered the cockpit. He shrugged. Hopefully this'll be the last time I'll have to explain it to anybody else...

"Well, he basically threatened to kill me because I was involved with his cousin's disapearance, Mia. She was part of a family of nobleman, Jack's Family. She basically got sick of her family pride and arrogance, especially from her father, and decided to move out - so to speak. I shipped her off to Asgard, where she's currently living with a close friend of hers. Though between you and I, I think its something more than a "close friendship"." he winked.

He looked out of the cockpit window, where it overlooked the vastness of space. Clouds of the nebula gave quite an intimate view, and the near-by moons complimented as much.

"I'll be glad to share the WHOLE story over a campfire."

"Good, and I'll be sure to include my story there too, and the hard liquor."

Evans whistled to himself after hearing the story, sounded like Deck was one tough nutjob , or just insane, if he chose to go on a mission with a nobleman whose sister he'd spirited away.

Letting his mind wander he looked out the cockpit, a rare occurance for the soldier. It wasn't at all like Earth's area, nothing could ever compare to the beauty that his Homeworld held in his mind, but it was still a good sight.

Turning away from the window, he walked into the ship's main area, they needed to plan this out properly.