Active Member
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2008
- Messages
- 7,217
Article 8: Art Of War – Part 1
Adrian summoned Raptor via remote and shot both Croly and Edom. Croly cursed and clutched his body. The Greenshirts, now joined by the Reptoids, began to attack Adrian.
“Damn you, Edom†Croly growled. “You still don’t know your place, do you?â€
“The Biotheres are in my care. You need not kill every one who escapes you.â€
“They may have human parentage, but they are mindless animals. They’re merely proof of our scientific genius, as are you. If they’re out of control, they must be put down like you would any rabid creature.â€
Edom watched Adrian fight madly against the grunts even as he exhausted himself. Almost like he was for his kindred. For a second he felt an inkling of empathy…. but then remembered he was of the inferior stock of humans, those who could not rise to the godliness of Terra Nova’s Greenshirt elite.
“If you were truly devoted to Terra Nova you would not rebel so.â€
Edom bowed low. “A thousand pardons.â€
He took Mesothelae with him and stumbled away. Croly shook his head. Edom was old. Compared to the recent Biotheres, he was also obsolete. Were it not for the fact that Gottfried had given him life, he would have been disposed of long ago.
Adrian was at his limit. His arms and back were discolored; had the spider had poisoned him? He felt himself… or perhaps his BioSuit… grow weaker. Raptor at last arrived, barreling through the grunts and stopping in front of its rider. Adrian leapt on and got away as fast as he could. The Greenshirts fired shots after him but he managed to escape without further harm...
* * *
“It’s hatching now?†Greg repeated in surprise when he heard Alexa report the news. She had brought the egg in a small box and placed it on the table in the galley. The four of them watched the eggshell shake and crack as the creature within slowly entered the world…
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wordlessly the four picked up objects to defend themselves and catch whatever hatched out. When the egg finally broke apart completely, they stared in surprise at the baby that had emerged.
“Oh boy†said Greg.
A baby Reptoid had hatched in front of them. With its human-like body shape and large eyes coupled with reptilian skin and still-soft ventral carapace, it looked almost unreal.
“What do we do?†asked Danny.
The Reptoid snapped at them and rolled off the table to the floor. They began trying to corner the creature as it scampered unsteadily for a way out, biting and clawing them whenever they were close. Kay found something heavy to throw when Alexa stopped her.
“No, don’tâ€
“Huh?â€
“It’s just scared†she explained. Looking into its eyes, she suddenly felt she could understand it somehow. She found a towel and snuck up on the Reptoid from behind while Greg and Danny distracted it. At the right moment she dove forward, wrapped the baby with the towel and hugged it against her.
“What are you doing??†asked Greg bewilderedly. But Alexa held on until the Reptoid stopped thrashing. She gradually eased her grip on it as it relaxed.
“Get some food. It might be hungry.â€
“Do we even have food left?†muttered Kay. She saw only a meager amount remaining. They really needed to go find some more soon. Kay took an uncooked hot dog and nervously stuffed it into the Reptoid’s mouth. Alexa gently released it into a corner as it munched the meal.
“That’s better, isn’t it?†she cooed softly. The boys exchanged skeptical glances.
“It looks so human†said Kay. Alexa looked at the baby again with pity. Human-like indeed. What perverse mind created something like this, a hideous blend of human and animal?
The door slid open and Adrian walked in. He momentarily forgot his exhaustion and looked at the disorderly room, keying in on the eggshell and Reptoid near his feet.
“Looks like I missed the party.â€
“Not all of it†said Greg.
“What do you mean?†asked Alexa.
“One of Terran’s friends contacted me. He wants us to meet him.
Adrian grimaced. The others seemed just as uncertain…
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Opening Theme plays*
(Kagaku Sentai Dynaman Opening Theme)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Teddy Lee†said Adrian once Greg finished explaining about Teddy Lee. “I had him once. Not a bad guy.â€
“I’m glad you think so, because I think we should go find him.â€
“Are you kidding?†Adrian snapped. “You’re gonna take him at his word just because he was Terran’s friend? Did you forget Creel was his friend too?â€
“Then what do you suggest? We’re running out of fuel and food. We’ll be a sitting duck soon unless we get some help, and Lee is the only shot we have. Plus he can tell us more about Terra Nova, something we can use against them.â€
“How do you know it’s not a trap? Nova could have gotten to him already. He could be luring us in for them to finish us.â€
“Adrian has a point†said Alexa. The baby Reptoid was now sitting close to her leg and tasting her pants leg. “His instructions even sound iffy.â€
“He can’t afford Nova finding him out†said Greg. “And again I ask, what choice do we have? Look at the meters. We’ll be grounded in only a few hours. We have to make a decision now.â€
Danny sighed. “I’m with Greg. Even if it’s a trick, once we go down they’ll take us out in a snap.â€
“So that’s two for and two against†said Adrian. Everyone turned to Kay.
“I’m the tiebreaker?†she griped. After a moment she gave her answer.
“I say let’s find Lee. We need anything we can get.â€
“There†said Greg. “It’s decided.â€
“I still think it’s a mistake†said Adrian. “You shouldn’t trust Lee so easily.â€
“I can’t go second-guessing everyone just because of what Creel did†said Greg, letting his feelings out. “At some point we have to trust someone if we’re to win.â€
“I trust us†said Adrian. “Let us land. When Nova comes we’ll hold our ground.†He gripped his chair tightly. “I’m not running anymore.â€
*BGM plays*
(‘Tears Of Digital Heroines’ from Denji Sentai Megaranger)
(‘Tears Of Digital Heroines’ from Denji Sentai Megaranger)
Alexa looked at him. “Did something happen this morning? You seem... vindictive.â€
“Maybe more than our boy in blue, I feel†Adrian muttered.
“What does that mean?†asked Greg.
“… Nothing. Forget it†Adrian shook his head.
“What’s wrong?†asked Danny. His expert eye viewed his comrade’s body. “You look like you were in a fight.â€
“I had a run-in with the Biotheres’ leader†Adrian confessed.
“What? Are you alright?â€
“I’m fine†Adrian couldn’t bring himself to talk about Janine. He rose and turned to Greg again.
“You’re still not fighting like you should. You still want to stay clean.â€
“What’s your point, Adrian?†Greg asked, bracing for another argument.
Janine passed through his mind like a specter determined to haunt him. His voice grew more bitter. “Kill ‘em. Kill ‘em all.â€
Adrian disappeared into his room.
“Stonewall Jackson†said Danny, recognizing the quote. Greg let out a sigh. Sadly enough, he was beginning to feel rather like a Civil War general; Terra Nova was their Richmond. And yet they were just incapable of seizing it...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since taking his leave of Gregory and his band of heroes, Bobby Lorenz had been running from and fighting Terra Nova solo. His means were wide-ranging and, in Greg’s view, often questionable, which was one reason he had opted not to join him. Greg had a good heart, but often not a good stomach.
*BGM plays*
(‘Top Gunder’ from Choujinki Metalder)
(‘Top Gunder’ from Choujinki Metalder)
In one of their recent purges the organization had managed to corner and capture Bobby. He was taken to a facility where other dissidents of this New World Order were being held. He dealt a kick to the Greenshirt holding him (who looked like a cowardly pushover underneath that large costume) and tried to flee but was thrown hard into a wall by an Enforcer, a series of Ecodroids specializing in prisoner detail.
Enforcer cast a disgusted look at the Greenshirt and aimed his cannon at Bobby’s head.
“Leave him!†said a voice. From the floor Bobby saw another Ecodroid named Marauder call Enforcer back.
Mechadrones followed behind him and began roughly corralling the captives.
“Do you see this man?†Marauder asked them, pointing to Bobby. “He is one of those who have continually resisted Terra Nova as it does its noble work in reshaping the world, the world that you have long wrecked.â€
He opened a cannon on his hand and spun it around in pleasure. “Now watch him die, and let it be a lesson to anyone else who defies progress.â€
Bobby was shoved to the wall by some Mechadrones. Marauder aimed at his head. Bobby closed his eyes and waited for the death blow… but just then one of the captives threw something at Marauder right as he fired. Bobby flinched. The shot grazed his head and hit the wall behind him. The would-be hero was quickly restrained by the Mechadrones, but some of the braver captives made an effort to throw them off.
Bobby forced himself up, blood trickling from his head, his vision blurred. The one who saved him waved him off.
“RUN!â€
Not about to argue, Bobby made a break for it. Marauder yelled and fired again. Bobby dodged the first shot, but the next struck him in the back. His eyes widened as he gasped from the impact, and he stumbled to the floor again. On his knees, Bobby turned to see the robot stare down at him.
“That’s a good place for you, human.â€
Bobby responded by spitting at his feet. Marauder paused for a moment as someone relayed an instruction to him. He then struck Bobby across the head. He fell to the ground and blacked out.
* * *
Bobby could hear talking... though the voices were unknown to him.
“What is this?â€
Making out the words “process†and “completeâ€, he slowly opened his eyes to see a bright white lamp over his face.
“He’s awake†a robotic voice announced.
Bobby bolted up to a sitting position. He was on some sort of operating table in a close-quarter room with stone gray walls and no windows.
A man in a white lab coat approached him. He was the Greenshirt Wells IV, a molecular biologist already infamous for his controversial attempts to repeat Vladimir Demikhov and Robert White’s transplantology experiments. Within Terra Nova’s circle though, he had been one of the developers of the updated, longer-lived Biotheres.
“Well, it seems you are awake...how do you feel?â€
He looked at the man for a few seconds. He recognized him from the media.
“You’re Dr. Barinov†he muttered.
“Not quite. I have discarded that name†said the scientist as he tidied up the space and examined Bobby’s vitals. “You may call me Wells IV.â€
“Wells? As in H.G. Wells?†Bobby repeated softly. “Francis Galton? Thomas Huxley? Do you people worship these guys or something?â€
“They are among the great minds of this world. To rechristen ourselves after them only displays the reverence they deserve.â€
*BGM plays*
(‘Aku No Shin'en’ from Jiku Senshi Spielban)
(‘Aku No Shin'en’ from Jiku Senshi Spielban)
Bobby snorted. He could see Marauder in the corner extending and retracting his arm cannon in boredom. The robot had brought Bobby here on Wells’s orders, but felt robbed of his chance to kill this gadfly himself.
“What have you done with those people?†Bobby demanded.
Marauder looked at him and pointed at his body. “I think you have bigger things to worry about.â€
Bobby held his head as a surge of pain coursed through, and felt a yellow substance flake off his skin. He looked down at his body and saw it was smeared with the yellow substance, resembling dried scabs. He leapt off the table in horror.
“What the hell is this??â€
Bringing his hand back in front, he stared at the grotesque sight before grabbing Wells IV by the collar.
“What did you do to me?! Tell me!â€
Marauder tore him from the Greenshirt. Wells took the blue eagle-shaped buckle worn by all Terra Nova members and placed it on his waist. His custom armor suit appeared over him.
“Have you heard of the Cordyceps fungus, Mr. Lorenz? It infects a hapless arthropod species, drives it mad before it finally dies, and grows out from its corpse to spread its offspring. A malicious creation, yet intriguing.â€
Bobby gulped. He had a feeling where this was headed.
“You made your own version, didn’t you? One that could work on mammals.â€
“Very good. It’s almost a shame to use you this way, you have keen mind. But alas, you do not see the light. Thus I have made you useful to us as a weapon.â€
“NO!†For the first time since escaping Terra Nova, Bobby began to feel real fear.
“Eventually you will succumb to the fungus. Then it shall emerge and infect everyone around you. Everyone you are trying to save.â€
“Like hell it will!†Bobby grabbed a knife and tried to stab Wells IV, but Marauder threw him to the other side of the room. Bobby scrambled back up and, seeing the door nearby, made a break for it.
“Let him go†Wells IV said to Marauder. “He has nowhere to run.â€
“You’d better have something else for me to shoot†Marauder growled.
“I don’t care for your tone†Wells IV rebuked. “Remember that I saved you from the scrapheap when Monger had no use for you.â€
“Monger could not control me†Marauder snorted. He suddenly aimed his cannon at Wells IV’s head. “And neither can you.â€
“Oh no?†Wells IV showed him a small detonator. “Did you forget I still have this?â€
Marauder reluctantly lowered the cannon. “Of course not.â€
“Good. Don’t make me use it, you are too valuable to me.â€
Just then a message came in to all Terra Nova bases. The Fuhrer Nova himself was making an announcement.
“I have been informed that the DinoJet is running out of its fuel and must land. The Dinomen are vulnerable; now we must strike them before they can recover! All closest personnel take as many forces as you can spare. Track them down and destroy them!â€
“There†said Wells IV. “Here is new prey for you.â€
Elsewhere, Galton XII led a Greenshirt cavalcade of jeeps and trucks. With him were Sanger IV, Davenport V and Huxley IX. Croly III and his grunts were also en route. In the forest, Edom had finished healing the Biotherium Mesothelae and called forth his Biotheres. Monger and his Ecodroids were not far behind.
A showdown was coming…
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Danny was on monitor duty the next morning.
“I found a place we can land†he reported to the others. A large rocky canyon was a short distance from their current position.
“Good. Let’s make for that and start packing†said Greg. “We can track Lee from the road.â€
Kay then noticed some icons coming their way on a screen.
“What is it?†asked Adrian.
“It’s Nova†said Kay. “They’ve found us!â€
*BGM plays*
(‘Volt, kougeki kaishi! (2)’ from Chouju Sentai Liveman)
(‘Volt, kougeki kaishi! (2)’ from Chouju Sentai Liveman)
Sure enough a squad of Thunderbirds was closing in on them. At any moment they would be within firing range.
“Start the descent! Get us outta here!†ordered Adrian. The five of them took their seats in the cockpit. DinoJet flew lower and the Thunderbirds pursued, like orcas haranguing a massive baleen whale. The jet’s cannons were released and began firing back on the enemy. Nevertheless, some of the fighters got in some damage.
“I wish this thing was more maneuverable†said Greg.
“Well it wasn’t built for combat, remember?†replied Danny. “We’re almost there, let’s just try not to get blown up.â€
A shot grazed their engines. The team braced themselves as the craft buckled. The shields were diminishing. Sparks danced on the outside and within.
“Made it!†Danny exclaimed as they came directly over the plain.
“Gently now†advised Alexa. She found a panel to release DinoJet’s wheels. They bounced once and rolled swiftly, then slower and slower until they made a complete stop. Greg shut down all power to save the last amount of fuel left.
“Now what?†asked Kay. They could see the Thunderbirds flying around like vultures.
“Now I think we take a page from Sun Tzu†said Adrian.
“Huh?â€
“The Art of War? You never read it?â€
“I have†said Alexa after the others shook their heads. Ironic, thought Adrian. The one member without a college education seemingly had the more expansive literary knowledge.
“Oh that’s reassuring.â€
“Just tell us your plan†said Greg.
Adrian could recite passages of the ancient book by heart. Those that felt most appropriate for their current plight came to mind.
“One who knows when he can and cannot fight will be victorious.
One who recognizes how to employ large and small numbers will be victorious.
One whose upper and lower ranks have the same desires will be victorious
One who, fully prepared, awaits the unprepared will be victorious.
One whose general is capable and not interfered with by the ruler will be victorious.â€
The third and fifth factors gave him pause, as he reminded himself of yesterday’s words. Without realizing it his fight with Terra Nova had become personal. But they could not afford to lose here and now. They all had to act for the good of the team. For survival.
“Ok. Here’s what we do…â€
* * *
For a while nothing happened. The heroes gathered their gear and tentatively stepped out of the DinoJet to survey the landscape.
“Are they there?†wondered Greg.
Danny took a pair of binoculars and observed a line of figures coming their way.
“They’re coming.â€
*BGM plays*
(‘Choujuukou Senshi Tanjou!’ from B-Fighter Kabuto)
(‘Choujuukou Senshi Tanjou!’ from B-Fighter Kabuto)
Directly ahead were the Greenshirts led by Galton XII. Their vans and jeeps brought up the rear and had their large rooftop cannons trained on the team. But that wasn’t all; the Ecodroids lead by Monger appeared on the other side of the canyon. Edom and his Biotheres were fast arriving through the valley, and still overhead were the Thunderbirds.
â’re surrounded†said Kay.
“Just stick to the plan†said Adrian, hiding his own doubts.
Galton XII smirked behind his mask as he watched Gregory with his band of fools.
“It ends today, Mr. Diem.â€
“Attack!†commanded Sanger IV.
The Thunderbirds swooped down and began to fire. The Dinomen transformed and ducked from the explosions, then quickly began falling back. The Greenshirts began pursuing, sending volleys of their own after them.
No escape. The only way out was the fight through them...
TO BE CONTINUED
*Ending Theme 1 plays*
(‘The City Lights’ by Umbrellas)
Next Time
*Next Episode Promo Theme 1 plays*
(‘Yokoku Ongaku’ from Ninja Sentai Kakuranger)
The Dinomen split up and engage each of the three Armies; Gregory begins pursuing Galton XII to seize his vengeance; Alexa starts to cement a motherly bound to the newborn Reptoid; DinoRobo must fight the giant Ecodroid Silo and drain the last of its reserves.
*Ending Theme 1 plays*
(‘The City Lights’ by Umbrellas)
Next Time
*Next Episode Promo Theme 1 plays*
(‘Yokoku Ongaku’ from Ninja Sentai Kakuranger)
The Dinomen split up and engage each of the three Armies; Gregory begins pursuing Galton XII to seize his vengeance; Alexa starts to cement a motherly bound to the newborn Reptoid; DinoRobo must fight the giant Ecodroid Silo and drain the last of its reserves.
