The Business of War

Last Flight of the Marauder


Scenario B
Participants:
Cosmic Gladiators (W)(C)
Seven Mercenaries (SA)
Fatal Five (W)
Henry (W)

Location: The Marauder
SA Infantry: 1756
RPD Units: 969
Wily Bots: 243

No one was moving on the main deck of the Marauder, one and only vessel of the Scissor Army Battle Fleet. Joes were sitting in front of monitors, ready to relay the orders of their captain at any time. Captain, who was sitting on his "throne", wearing his cape and his rapier-holster. All around him were his teammates, standing in a half-circle.

Quint was rather uneasy with the events that had just happened. Victory on the RPD was a good thing, but the resistance coming back was a nasty surprise. It seemed like the trickster was still up to his games.

Truth be told, the Merc had distrusted Mesmerman from Day One, but voicing it in front of the General would be pure suicide. Any moment now, and his commander would send the order to terminate mankind. A single button pressed, and all of the human race would be wiped off the face of Earth. Why he didn't resort to this solution from the beginning was a taboo question in the Captain's mind.

But Cutman was his leader and commander, and he would give his life to accomplish any order he gave him. But he wasn't sure his temporary "companions" would do the same...

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

The Wily-bots had been gathered in an area of the battleship where they wouldn't be able to cause trouble. In a way, this served them, as they could speak without a risk of being heard by their "caretakers".

Riff was the most nervous of the eight. He had been a few times in the Marauder, mostly as an enemy, but now that Scissor Joes were all around the place, he wouldn't dare stepping out of the line. But he had to. He had devised with the Wily's Warriors a plan that involved taking control of the place.

"Here's the plan", he explained to his teammates and his two allies : Sunstar and Dark Moon. "We take over this ship and stop the missile launching. Then, we use that vessel's firepower on Elysium itself."

"Good plan, Fatalist" nodded the godlike Stardroid. "But we're short on men, and it's the Mercenaries we talk about." They all had the massacres of Mexico City and Washington in mind.

"Use common denominator" suggested Lento. Everyone was startled by the comment, until Henry got it : "You five worked with Saturn once, right ? Didn't he have a spaceship of sorts, too ?"

"Unfortunately, his Team's -the Cosmic Gladiators- and mine were destroyed by that very vessel at the beginning of the War. But it could be worth the try."

"Good thinking." commented Riff. "You have a way to communicate with them ?"

"If I had a way to relay the signal through my Fortress, but we have nothing strong enough..."

"We'll just have to look at our feet, man !" spat Warpman. "We know Quint. If he finds anything possibly useful, he'll put it in his pockets. Only reason the SA didn't take your 'Fortress' is because he was KO'd at the time."

"Okay. So, Warpman, Karasû and Staccato, you'll go and pick pieces for a transmittor. Get stealthy."

"Our success goes before my honour." stated the knight-bot. "We shall go at once !"

"Lento, you and Dark Moon will gather the drones and guard the area. No fighting for now. Tell the SA it's Quint's orders."

"No fighting for now ? Kinda sucks." commented the Black Devil.

"You'll get your fair share later on. Henry, You'll help us build that damn thing."

"Pheew ... Not like that other time, then." The bartender was referring to the time he distracted Wily.

Riff smiled. "You were good at it, though."

Every piece of the game was in motion. It was only a matter of time now before the rebellion started.

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

The Fatalist trio came back after a few minutes, their hands full of various crates. Each were marked with the name of a town the 7M's forces had conquered.

"Mexico City all right, Madrid they were there, Murmansk -guy does have grudge issues-, Washington as well ... but Rome ?" The Fatalists shrugged at Warpman's question and opened their treasure. They found various components, mostly what they needed.

When Lento and Dark Moon went back, Karasû and henry had their hands full of grease as they were building the transmitter. "Mission accomplished" commented the Dark Devil. "Them Joes saw nothing."

Finally, the machine was complete. Sunstar was about to use it when Henry raised a point : "The Mercs may intercept or detect that communication. If they do, we're toast."

Riff was panicking, but an idea rose to his mind. "You Gladiators don't have some personal comm. system ? I know Doc Robot said something about not being able to intercept your messages in Beijing."

Sunstar nodded, keeping the revelation in mind for a later discussion with the diminutive leader of the Rescue Force. "We're protected in a way, as it is incompatible with Earthen systems. Should they capt anything, they'll hear it as static."

The Fatalists and the God's bodyguard nervously looked around as Sunstar was toying with frequencies. A message finally came, a mechanical voice partially covered with static : "Input wanted frequency." The Stardroid raised a thumb to Riff, and typed in numbers. A familiar voice came, which the Fatalists, save for Karasû, easily recognized.

It was Saturn.

"Who's ... star ? Sunstar, is it you ?" The communication frequently jumped, but it still existed. Riff rushed to the micro and took Sunstar's communicator.

"Saturn, it's Riff ! You'll have some explaining to do, traitor !" The Ring-master's disappearance in Bergen was still fresh in his mind.

"Riff ?" Saturn sounded panicked. "Why a ... y ... ith Sunstar ?"

Said Stardroid slapped Riff on the head to remind him of his goal.

"We'll talk of that later. For now, we need your help in assaulting the Marauder."

"The M ... auder ? Just count ... s !"

"We'll need your battleships. Are they in good enough conditions ?"

"N ... rfect, but they can ... ed for a boarding. G ... us a few hours."

"Perfect. We're on a stationary orbit now. The coordinates are ..."

It took a few minutes to properly transmit the coordinates. Finally, Saturn replied he had them.

"Wait ... s before doing an ... g. Saturn, over."

They had all gotten Saturn's last message perfectly. Waiting, keeping a low profile, and striking at the good time.

Henry produced a pack of cards from his pocket, and proposed the Fatalists to play. After a few moments, Sunstar and Dark Moon came into the game as well.

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

Saturn relayed the mesage from Sunstar to the rest of the CG, and got a look of surprise from most of them. Mars cracked his knuckles with a smirk on his face.

"So, where should i start?" the red stardroid asked.

Jupiter stroked his chin for a moment, then looked at Renard. "Start getting the Engines working, then use parts from the fighters to make a Landing Craft or something."

"On it." Mars said before he trotted off the get to work. Saturn and Jupiter sighed in unison.

"I'll go get some tools." Mako said before he darted off, then Quinten began shifting around debris in the Great Zodiac's control room.

Saturn and Jeremy started checking to see what control panels worked as Mako came back with a few tool kits and a welding torch. Susan took the torch and began repairing the hull with Uranus' help while Mako and Saturn started repairing control panels and Jupiter went to inspect the power core.

About two hours later, Jupiter got on the com and asked Mars about the engines.

"Alright, the Engines work, and i'm almost done with the lander. Just need to finish putting the Virgo's engines on it to get it flying. And we're good to go." Mars said over the com to Jeremy.

"Good to hear, Renard. We've got the Bridge up 'n running and i just finished patching up the Power Core."

"Alright. And Jeremy?"

"Yeah?

"We're gonna need to do a MAJOR overhaul at the first starport we get to once we're off this rock. No way the GZ is gonna last long in space in the shape it's in."

"Agreed, but we'll deal with that when the time comes. We're gonna test the engines, so you might feel a slight jump." Jupiter replied, getting a grunt in responce before he closed the line. Renard sighed, then got working on the Lander again.

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

"Okay, I'm done." stated Mars as he came in the control room. Several minutes had passed since his last talk with Jupiter.

"So, what's the plan ?" asked Uranus.

"We drive the Zodiac all the way to the Marauder, and once we're close enough, we jump in the lander and get there." explained Jupiter. "We'll put the Big Z on auto-pilot before leaving."

"Sounds good to me. Let's start the engines !" shouted Saturn.

The Russian plain was filled with the noise of the blast-off until the Zodiac went in the upper atmosphere, returning the tundra to a silent memorial of Cutman's victory on the Citadel.

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

"Captain ! Enemy vessel at 1 o'clock !"

All the screens in the Marauder were following the target that had arrived in their sight. A large, battered-down spaceship, nearly rivalling in size with the Mercs' base : the Great Zodiac was still active.

"Open fire !" yelled Quint. Following his orders, the ship's turrets turned to their target and delivered salvo after salvo. Though the Stardroid ship dodged the majority of it, it suffered large damages as well.

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

The Zodiac was shaking. All around the ship, there were reports of fires starting. But they had to get closer...

"Okay, let's go ! To the lander !" In unison, the Gladiators headed to the smaller vessel, leaving their base to its fate.

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

"It's not firing back, sir." told one of the Joes, as the Great Zodiac was retreating. "Do we finish it ?"

Quint was about to approve when Ballade spoke up : "A decoy. They wanted to distract us while they tried to sneak on us."

"Radars !" requested Buster Rod. Close to the Cossacker base, there was the small echo of a fighter-like shuttle. "It's out of the angle of our Anti-Aircraft batteries !"

Enker turned to his leader. "What will we do now ?"

"Let them come." replied the green Megaman look-alike. "Call the Joes and start the alarms ! We must make a nice reception for our guests !"

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

The Fatal Five heard the alarm as well. Warpman threw the cards to the ground in frustration. "Fraggit ! Just when I started winning !"

"If we survive this, I'll invite you all at my Hideout to finish this game." offered Henry. He weaponed his plasma rifle. "Free drinks for those who were on the Marauder."

"We shall remember it well, fellow." replied Staccato. "Are ye comrades ready to show the SA how a good fight must be done ?"

Everyone nodded back. "Alright, then. Fatal Five, Gladiators and bartenders - attack !" yelled Riff.

It wasn't the best of battlecries, but they followed it nonetheless.

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

The small vessel was turning around the Marauder like a mosquito attacking a bull. It flew fast in a tentative to dodge whatever AA systems where implemented on the behemoth. It finally found its target - an universal sieve, which allowed any known spaceships to transfer people and goods from one to another without the need of a teleporter.

The lander connected itself and opened its doors. It stood here like a pustula on the larger battleship, in case the Gladiators had to escape.The Stardroids emerged from the lander. Immediately, Saturn contacted the Fatal Five through the short-range frequency they gave him times ago :

"Riff, can you take care of the teleporters ? We'll have some reinforcements coming later on !"

He then followed the rest of his Team, led by Jupiter. As he was a Merc, he remembered the exact plan of the battleship, which saw little modifications after he left the Team.
Bad surprises could still happen, though.

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

Quint was fuming. How did these pathetic Gladiators dare to attack him on his own ground ? News on the mutiny of the Fatal Five came in as well. He needed to buy some time, and deal with the threats one by one.

"I believe it's time for a nice series of duels... prepared our way." he muttered. He raised from his throne, and turned to his teammates.

"Punk, the crew is busy slowing down our traitors. Go and get them." The red destroyer creaked his knuckles out of anticipation.
"Ballade, Enker, Buster Rod, Mega Water, Hyper Storm, take care of whoever you wish.
"I'll take care of good ole Stardust myself. Dismissed !"

As they all left, the Captain snapped his fingers. In response, a metallic curtain rose between the operating systems and the Officer. The room was ready for a duel.

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

Out of a common accord, Dark Moon was leading the assault. His fists shifted between several weapons as he paved his way among the Scissor Joes. Wily-drones were flanking his sides, preventing any side assault.
Then, the attack stopped. Obviously, the enemy had gotten reinforcements. Riff went from behind and looked what he had feared the most : the Crew Joes were attacking them !

Each of them had a reinforced armor, and carried heavy weapons. Disregarding the stray of bullets, they walked on, relentlessly firing and axing to pieces the drones that stood in their way.

"Warpman ! Take Henry and Karasû with you, we'll deal with those guys !" The warpster replied nothing, and opened a Gate. They reappeared meters after, unnoticed by the Joes.
Soon, Sunstar and Lento added their formidable arsenal to help the Dark Devil. They were in for a long fight...

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

The Gladiators were quickly heading to the main deck, meeting little resistance. Leading them, Jupiter was hovering, more and more suspicious as time went on.

"You think they set a trap for us ?" asked Mars.

The avian Stardroid nodded. "It's one of the SA bases here. It's very lik-"

Before he ended his sentence, bombs detonated around them, blinding the Cossackers. When Jupiter opened his eyes, the Mercs were in front of them, their weapons ready.

In a simultaneous move, Enker and Ballade respectively charged at Terra and Uranus, forcing them to retreat in lateral corridors. Mega Water formed a Liquid Lash to grab Saturn, and smashed his way down the ship with his prey. Buster Rod charged at Venus, and Hyper Storm threw Surging Gust after Surging Gust on Mars, forcing the Gladiators into the Officers' preferred battlegrounds.

Jupiter found himself alone, surrounded by the sounds of fights and explosions. Obviously, there was only one person left for him to fight.

"Old-timers meeting, Hunter !" he sped all down the way to the main deck, ready to take on his former teammate.

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

Only a few Joes were guarding the teleporters, as most of them were taking care of the rebels. They were original Crew Joes, and didn't go through the upgrades yet.

N°5-C0 was the Joe in charge of the systems today. He was in mid-slumber at the lack of activites, when he felt three points of pain in his back. They were slightly shaking, when a voice shrieked : "D-don't move, or ... or ... or I'll f-fire !"
5-C0 was scared now : with this kind of vocie and shaking, the guy behind him could fire any moment out of stress. He was relieved when the points went away - and saw a staff put on his neck.

"Good start, Henry. But I believe we can take care of this now." 5-C0 slightly turned to see what happened to his fellow Crew-bots. All destroyed. Then, how come he didn't hear the fights - or the intruders coming in, for that matter ?

"A kind of magic, I suppose !" cackled a third intruder. "Now open a channel or we blast your head off !"

The Joe did as he ordered. Indeed, there was a signal trying to link with the Marauder. He allowed the communication, and blue bolts filled the area.
After a few seconds, there were robots coming in, all arbouring the colors of the RPD - and apparently, more were following.

A SF Unit, apparently the leader, turned to the Wily-Bots. "Which of you is the leader of this group ?"

The Fatalists looked at each other, and pointed at Henry - the best of the trio when it came to talking with the authorities. Not by much.

"Ehh ... He's busy elsewhere. Guess we can show you the way ?"

"You Wily-Bots have surrendered to the SA. Must I suppose you rebelled ?" carried on the Officer.

"Yeah. Exactly. ... So, we'll have an amnesty ?" asked Henry hopefully.

"You didn't get implemented with the Shutdown code, attacked RPD troops, and worked along with General Cutman. However, your help in the takeover of this base may reduce your sentence."

"Show the way to the newcomers, Henry. We'll escort them to Riff." stated Warpman. The robots left, leaving the bartender-bot with a Joe next to him, and wave after wave of RPD bots coming.

"I ... I suppose I can help ?" suggested the crewbot.

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

Hyper Storm tacked Mars, knocking him through a wall and into one of the Marauder's under-used weapon testing bay Magnus had built shortly before the start of Cutman's campain. The red Stardroid leapt back to his feet and glared at the behemoth that used to be his friend.

"So, how many have you killed since you got your little power up?" Renard asked gruffly. Hyper Storm cocked his head.

"This unit does not recognize the question. You refer to the previous unit known as Magnus?" The massive boar asked, a mechanical tone in his voice. Mars' eyes went wide, then sharpened back into a glare as he smirked.

"So, Magnus isn't in there, is he? Well, then I guess I'll have to dig him out!"

The Stardroid rushed forward on his treads, his arms crossed in front of him. The Officer fired several mini twisters at him, but they did next to nothing to the heavy armored Stardroid. With almost as much force as a Hard Knuckle, Mars crashed into Hyper Storm and slammed the Officer into another wall, but was promptly tossed aside like a wet towel. This proved to be a rather bad move on Hyper Storm's part, as several Photon Missiles shreaked towards him.

"Projectiles are useless." The behemoth drawled, crushing the missiles with a sharp increase in air pressure. The resulting explosion obscured HS's view long enough for Renard to launch a pair of Trilo Bursts, which impacted Hyper Storm who gave an annoyed grunt.

Mars smirked from accross the room at his opponent. "Guess they aren't so useless after all, porky."

A Surging Gust started ripping its way towards the Stardroid, who barely managed to get away from the massive twister. Several more followed in rapid succession, and one eventually slammed into Mars, sending the demolitonist crashing into a wall. Hyper Storm began advancing on the impact site, going in for the kill when a flash of green appeared and left a gash on his torso. The behemoth reeled back, then looked at Mars who was holding Magnus' emerald green sword, Vrydi.

"You remember this, don't you?" Mars said, resting the back of the blade on his shoulder.

"Unit does not recognise the weapon." Came the responce as the Officer lurched forward to tackle Renard again, but got a pair of almost point-blank Photon Missiles to the chest. Hyper Storm flew back, while Mars merely slid backwards a little. Vrydi landed between to two of them, the hilt pointing at the seemingly unconsious Mercinary. A dull moan came from the hulking Merc as he stood up, then shook his head.

"Buh....Renard? Ah hell, not again!" Hyper Storm cursed, his voice no longer having a monotone to it. Mars blinked a few times in surprise.

"Magnus?"

The Merc nodded, then looked around. "Damn it all, what the hell just happened? And why is Vrydi here? I thought it was still in Madrid!"

"I went and got it not too long ago." Mars replied. "Figure'd it'd knock some sense into you, seeing as how you went ahead and signed up for General Cutman's 'Nuke-'em-all' squad."

"It wasn't my idea, Renard!" Magnus snapped. "It was Hunter's."

Hyper Storm walked over and picked up his blade, then looked at his friend. "So, you gonna help me knock some sence into the Bossman or what?"

Mars grinned, then spun one of his revolvers. "I thought you'd never ask."

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

When Jupiter arrived on the main deck, he barely recognized it. All he saw was his former leader, waiting on his throne.

"Stardust. It's been quite a time since we last met."

"Hunter." The Stardroid could barely recognize his old teammate. The unwilling leader was now a war-machine, blindingly loyal to a murderer. He had fallen lower than Jupiter thought possible.

"You want to kill me, isn't it ?" asked the Merc.

"No. I want to bring back the old Hunter."

Quint chuckled. "He's still around. But, he's buried so deep in my mind he merely whispers at me. He convinced me of not reprogramming Magnus." He laughed again. "An Officer with a heart. Unbelievable, eh ?"

"You didn't stay here to talk of philosophy with me, right ?"

The Captain nodded. "The War is nearly over. Whether we win or lose, I wanted a duel with an old teammate." He raised from his throne and produced his rapier. "Will you accept that honour ?"

Jupiter set himself in a defensive stance. "Ready when you are."

Quint gave a fencing salute, and the green Robot Masters charged at each other.

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

The rebels were surrounded by Crew Joes now. The drones had all been destroyed now, leaving the Robot Masters alone against the battleship's crew.

"Do they have endless stocks, or what ?" yelled Sunstar between two blasts.

"That thing is nearly half a mile long ! It's obvious it has hell of a room !" shouted back Riff.

Suddenly, the Joes in their back moved over, as if something was coming just behind them. And there was something indeed.

A huge, saw-shaped, red wheel was coming at them. it wasn't exactly rolling on the ground ; ricochetting all over the walls was a more adequate description.
It threw grapling hooks at the walls, making the wheel rebound on the floor and the roof in an effort to dodge the shots. Then, the grapling hooks retracted and threw themselves closer to the Wily-bots. They were facing an agressive, rolling shield.

In a last effort, the wheel threw itself at Dark Moon, who blocked it with his large mass. The parts of the wheel shifted a little, drilling in front of it and throwing black goo all around.
After it had dug enough in the body, the wheel opened itself to reveal Punk. His arms reached Dark Moon's "brain", and he threw it to his shield-shoulders, who started whirring back.
After several damages, Dark Moon finally deactivated, all of his body turning to black mud and falling to the ground. Punk didn't bother to finish his opponent and threw the "brain" away. He then turned to the Wily-Bots who immediately retreated, opening their path through the Joes.

The red behemoth turned back to a wheel and followed the Fatalists. Lento turned back to cover his teammates and started firing at the Officer - all deflected by the crimson armor.

The grapling hooks fired themselves at Lento's shoulders, and he recieved the wheel in his stomach, drilling more and more in his armour as it rebounded.
Finally, the wheel opened as Punk was about to deliver the finishing blow. He put his fists together to form a mace, ready to crush his counterpart's head.

Only at the last second he realized his mistake. Lento's right fist had turned to its chainsaw mode - and he was about to impale himself on it ! Nothing he could do now would change his fate.

Punk spit out black oil as the chainsaw dug through his innards. He turned to the Fatalist and gave his last words :

"Well done." And he went silent.

Gently, Lento removed his fist and put the Merc on the ground. Was he dead, or did he have a chance to survive ? In his last moments, did he have a final change of heart ? Lento didn't know, nor he cared much. All that counted now was his mission, and his survival - both were compromitted by the Joes surrounding him.
He was about to make a final stand when his enemies were all blasted. He turned back, and saw his teammates coming back to him - followed by the unlikeliest allies ever.

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

Saturn awoke, not sure of what had just happened. Last thing he saw, a water tentacle had grabbed him...
Quickly, he rose on his feet. The area around him was damp. Obviously, this was ...

"The Marauder's water tanks. You guessed right, my friend !" Mega Water was standing on one of the enormous barrels surrounding the Stardroid.

"There's something I must admit, now that we're in private. I share some abilities with Waveman, and it's a fact he's more skilled at water-bending." This made the brown robot raise an eyebrow. A Merc who complimented an Android ? Doomsday was coming.

"However", he added, "what I lack in quality, at least I can make up with quantity !" He smashed through the barrel, and a water column rose from it. Some of it redirected at Saturn in the form of water blasts, forcing him to dodge. Meanwhile, the remaining water shaped itself as an armour around the Merc.

He formed his "arms" into giant blades, and he relentlessly slashed at the Stardroid, who absorbed every attack with his Black Hole.

"Quite good. Now, let's go the upper speed !" Aquatic tentacles formed in the back of Mega Water's back, and smashed tanks near. The suddenly-created waterfalls took the shape of asiatic dragoons, and charged at the Stardroid, who only had one available defense -

-he stopped time around him, and charged at the Merc. But the time-frozen water was as slippery as glass, and every shot he did didn't damage the structure.

In a blink, time went back, and the dragoons splashed on themselves.

"Alright, last chance." muttered Saturn to himself. If what he thought was right, Mega Water was a show-off, and would make his death last quite long. Crossing his metaphorical fingers, he started to summon his ultimate attack, forcing him to stand still as his ring spinned around him.

Tentacles and drills attacked him on every part of his body, but he gritted his teeth and kept his concentration. After what seemed an eternity, the Shrouded Galaxy appeared, opening a vortex that sucked everything near Saturn - water and Officer alike.

Mega Water was struggling to remain off the Black Hole, when he saw Saturn charging at him, his ring ready - and the Stardroid slashed his opponent in half in a swift move.
Both body parts fell to the ground, oozing blood-like liquids and his innards revealing their contents. Saturn reached for the Merc's right half of the head, and saw what he wanted.

He grabbed Mega Water's mind-chip and smashed it.

"For Pluto", he muttered. But he felt no satisfaction at the revenge.

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

The crimson behemoth fell to the ground, defeated. With a click, Ballade's body went to its initial shape, and she grabbed her shoulder in pain. She went to Uranus' body, and delivered a final kick for good measure.

Another giant fell to her, but the fight hadn't been without damages : her right side was severely damaged, and the sonic generators from her left arm didn't seem to respond. If she survived this day, she'd have to undergo a long session at the Marauder's repair bay...

She opened a comm. link. Quint, Enker and Hyper Storm gave an auto-block response. Good. They were still active. However, Mega Water, Punk and Buster Rod didn't gave answers. Either they were out of commission or -she shivered- dead.

These were urging matters, but right now she wouldn't be useful in a fight. She headed straight to the medical bays for a quick patch.
As soon as she stepped out of the room, something attacked her - and her mind fell into darkness.

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

The duellist was swinging his spear in an artistic move. His enemy had fallen, but he could take an extra minute to enjoy it, right ?

It had been over in seconds. Obviously, Terra didn't know much about the abilities of the Mirror Buster. Not even his stone arrows or his berserk mode saved him.
The Stardroid had been foolish in attacking the SA. This deserved a lesson...

Enker raised his spear, aiming for the throat, when the wall near him detonated. His vision was blocked by smoke, and a pack of missiles hit him, making him leave his spear.

When seeing who stepped in, he couldn't repress a cry of rage : "You ? You traitor !"

Then the intruders attacked again, and it was over.

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

Jupiter had charged an Electric Shock in his left hand, only to see it deflected by Quint's rapier. He went to the ceiling and weaponed his Magna-Cannon. The weapon fired, only to have Quint dodging blast after blast.

"Two can play that game, you know !" shouted the Officer. Quickly, he removed his Sakugarne and threw it on the ground. It formed to a turret, and aimed at Jupiter.
He dodged the first hellish blast, but the second one damaged his leg armor. In the split moment he took to notice the damage, a third shot got awfully close to his shoulder, forcing him to land.

Quint leaped at him, and clashed iron with his rapier, forcing the defenseless Stardroid to walk back. Then, the Captain rushed to grab back his Sakugarne, leaving Jupiter a few seconds to try a new strategy.
Quint was done erconnecting his arm when he felt shots in his back. He turned to see the Stardroid's backpack turning around him. He set his Buster to automatic mode and shot the hovering drone to deactivation.

This was just what Jupiter needed. He summoned his Thunder Illusion - the bolt blinded Quint.
While the Merc was screaming and swearing, Jupiter charged at Quint with an Electric Shock ready - only to find his shoulder torn apart by the Saku-Drill.

"Shades are done for one thing, you know." the Merc smirked. He relentlessly attacked with both of his weapons, until Jupiter grabbed his left arm, and blocked the blade a few inches from his face. Slowly, Quint was pushed back.

The captain smirked again, and a small laser came from the rapier's tip - and burned part of Jupiter's cheek. In surprise, he released his grab, allowing Quint to crush his right shoulder.
Another couple of seconds, and Jupiter fell to the ground, his armor damaged on several areas. The triumphant Officer put his foot on the fallen Stardroid's torso, and aimed at the forehead with his rapier.

"Joining us from day one would have avoided this situation." stated Quint. "Goodbye, teammate." Slowly, he pressed the trigger -

- and an unidentified projectile hit Quint, deflecting the shot away from Jupiter's face. When he turned to see what hit him, the Captain was out of breath : it was Enker's charred body ! Only a handful of people could do this to him...

The reflexion was cut short by a volley of small tornadoes, who sent the Officer flying away, followed by missiles. The explosives dislodged one his legs, and rendered the other useless. When Quint sat himself next to the wall, he saw a nightmare.

The Fatal Five and Henry. Sunstar, Saturn and Venus. SF Units and RPD troopers, carrying the bodies of his fallen teammates. And in the middle - Mars and Hyper Storm.
This made Quint completely lose his temper.

"You ! I personnally asked not to have you reprogrammed and this is how you pay me back ? By treason ?
"Ever since day one you've been a burden ! Your stubborness cost us the victory in Madrid, and your absence turned Murmansk in a fiasco !
"Be assured, Hyper Storm, that whatever happens to me after the War, we'll have a long and painful talk !"

Hyper Storm was visibly nervous under the accusations, but replied : "And don't you think you made the wrong choice somewhere ? Y'know, the whole genocide thing ? When the RPD found me, I finally realized how you messed things up, and then tried to settle them.
"It's your fault if you want to stay blind."

For a reply, Quint removed the Sakugarne and threw it to the groun, but he disappeared - and popped right in Warpman's hand. "No dirty tricks, buddy." cackled Warpman.

"Get reasonable, Quint", pleaded Riff. "You're surrounded, your Teammates are dead, out of commission or backstabbed you" -Hyper Storm grumbled at the comment- "and the RPD is making a number on your crew. You have only one option left. Just surrender."

Contradicting thoughts were racing through Quint's mind. Would he put his loyalty over his own life ? The General had showed him the way, but now the life of his teammates were in his hand.

At that moment, came a voice familiar to the Mercenary. The voice of something he believed he had unwillingly traded for power : Hunter.

Agree to surrender. Negotiate while you're still able to do so.

Quint finally raised his right arm, and snapped his fingers. The metallic walls around him opened, and revealed the command room. He then put his index on his temple, and spoke up commands that were relayed all through the ship :

"To all the crew ! We have surrendered to the RPD ! I repeat, we have surrendered ! You are now to collaborate with the other forces. Captain Quint, over."

Obviously, the allies were surprised.

"That's it ?" asked Sunstar.

"I thought you'd do some, y'know, last minute heroism." added Henry.

"It's only for heroes, Henry." said Quint in a grim voice. "And the SA is the ultimate bad guy around here. Besides, " and he seemed to brighten up a bit, "I'm a Mercenary. I work for causes that give me the best pay. And the pay here is life and reduction of sentences, right ?"

"We will see about it." stated the SF commander. "Now, prepare the ship to open fire."

As the allies escorted Quint to the command desks, Riff prepared a morse code message for Wily's Warriors : "Ark of the Covenant". And then, he went to the communication unit Joe, who relayed the message.

He had just sent it when Quint asked :

"Okay, so what do you want the Marauder to destroy ?"

THE END

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