A New War

[Zazi]

A tyrannical and militeristic dictator calling himself The Advocate of Unity had taken over the rest of Africa. He had taken over amazingly fast. He made promises of ending all conflict in war torn Africa and getting rid of those he pointed to as sources of the conflict. He said the Hunters, Repliforce, and mavericks were the main sources of conflict and they had the choice to join him or die. Many fell to him and others the war weary armies took over and annexed their countries to him.Many reploids, cyborgs, and humans left the ranks of the Hunters, Repliforce, and Mavericks respectively to fight and die for him. The battered factions joined forces in Cairo. Little did they know the Advocate was coming.

It was about midmorning in Cairo which was the last standing defensive stronghold in Africa. The Hunter had sent out a distress call to Headquarters and the Repliforce and Mavericks all did the same. they then heard a strange and yet familiar sound. A low rumble began to permeate through the defenses and the roars of Jet engines could be heard. The Advocate's forces had surrounded the city during the night and his air raiders began to bomb and shell the city to soften it up for the ground forces. As his forces rushed the city very there were no survivors and no prisoners were taken everyone was executed to show that resistance would not be tolerated.

The aftermath was aired worldwide and many were horrified at the atrocities he commited in the name of Unity and peace. After the shock had set in he made a speech.

"This is only the start. I will force everyone to unite and those who fight will be killed. I do not fear the Hunters, the Repliforce, or that idiot Mangetsu and his syndicate. I have sent terms of surrender to every world government and every military organization they have exactly one week to respond or face total annhilation. I only want what is best for the world and the Arcs of Scion is what is best for the world. A new world order is beginning DO NOT BE CAUGHT ON THE WRONG SIDE!"

The Advocates words rung in the heads of many. His threats and promises could not be forgotten. Even before he spoke the three major faction were all making preparations to fight the Advocate.


((I will be making references to this map at this URL. You can check what cities I am referring to by clicking on the country they are in
http://go.hrw.com/atlas/norm_htm/africa.htm))

[Shay ren]

This wasn't cool. Shadow was comming close to his first real breakthrough in discovering his past. He had heard rumors of a 'Shadow Guard,' some elite group of reploids that may have been connected to his father. Now this. He wasn't thrilled about being deployed in Africa, but he doubted Mangetsu would sit idly by while all of this happened. As soon as he had heard the news, he had begun packing.

It soon paid off as Toren, a quite, withdrawn maverick, came in to inform him to be ready to move soon. He always found Toren rather unsettling. Most of the time he kept to himself, not bothering nor being bothered. In battle however...

But that was neither here nor there. He viewed this goddamn dictator as the reason Shadow's search for his past was interupted, and he would do whatever it took to make him pay.

[Sephiroth X]

"...DO NOT BE CAUGHT ON THE WRONG SIDE!" The screen flickered off and the lights in the Main Hall slowly came back to life. A low murmuring was all that could be heard in the giant room, and Cyano looked over the heads of the Maverick Hunters with an annoyed glance.

"That's the end of the transmission," Cyano said, his teal armor shining in the spotlight. "It's not going to be easy to resolve this conflict. Normally we wouldn't intervene in this sort of thing, but the possibility of a world war kinda calls us into action."

"It's pretty clear what we have to do, isn't it?" Zazi said, slouching in a corner. "Just take out the Advocate, and the rest crumbles from there."

"Except for the fact that there is no data on the Advocate whatsoever. We don't know who he is, where he's from, or anything. All we do know is what he's capable of. One wrong move by the Hunters and we all get blown to Hell. More information when events warrant! Just get ready to move out." The sounds of the Hunters' talking quickly filled the room, and just as quickly died down as they left. Within minutes, only Zazi and Enigma remained, each looking at Cyano with a suspicious look on their faces. After a moment, Enigma was the first to speak up.

"We know there's something you haven't mentioned yet, Commander," he said, his eyes half-open but still as sharp as knives. "Mind filling us in?"

The commander sighed. He really didn't want to tell anyone what he was about to until he absolutely had to, but now that Enigma was onto him it would be only a matter of time before the head of Research & Development found out.

"Fine..." he said slowly. "There's a good chance that we...that we'll have to side with Mangetsu for this one." BANG. Zazi kicked a table over, and glared at Cyano with bright red eyes.

"What the HELL are you thinking?!" he roared. "You're actually gonna trust Mangetsu not to kick the shit out of us?!" A string of expletives followed before Cyano finally kicked him out. After the cursing Beast finally was out of earshot, the commander turned to Enigma and sighed, a tired expression on his face.

"Look...I know this isn't going to go over well with...well, any of the other Hunters, but it's something we have to do. Now go tell the doctors down on the Basement level 3 to wake up your younger brother. He'll need to hear this quickly."

[Omnicyde]

Omnicyde collapsed at the edge of the whirlpool at Daiken’s feet, gasping and shaking the bacta from his armor and hair. A few seconds later, Tanchu collapsed next to him. Omnicyde coughed and looked up at Daiken. “Greetings, sniper.” Said Daiken coldly.

Omnicyde stood, along with Tanchu. Omnicyde checked his chrono, and got confused. ‘I thought we were supposed to be in there for a month.” He said. Daiken took a bemused smirk. “If you prefer, I could throw you back in for the last week, but Mangetsu needs his top men ready for combat. Our situation in Africa has become… complicated.” Omnicyde nodded. He was aware that Mangetsu had a stronghold in Africa. What went on there, Omnicyde had not a clue of. “We are flying out there to set things on schedule again.” Daiken tossed Omnicyde and Tanchu their weapons, which had been relieved from them prior to their swim. “We’re leaving in 2 hours. Get your top men ready, gentlemen.”


Rubbing the black metal bars soldered onto his shoulder pauldron, Captain Omnicyde walked onto the plane. It was a smaller, private plane, one used exclusively by Mangetsu. It was kept in a hidden hanger about 50 miles outside of Tokyo, and was flown below radar level the entire time it was in the country.

Others were already on the plane, including Mangetsu, who stared at the maverick. “Welcome back, Omnicyde.” Omnicyde stopped and bowed. “My Lord.” “I’ll be frank.” said Mangetsu. “You are only where you are right now because I need all of my top men ready for war. You and Tanchu are on that list. You may consider yourselves lucky.” Omnicyde looked to his right and saw lieutenant Tanchu standing there, impassive. “You are both hereby released of your confinement term…” Mangetsu’s eyes glittered dangerously. “But, I swear to god that if you fail me again, a pool of discarded bacta will be very appetizing compared to what will be in store for you.” He nodded and one of his elite royal guard handed Omnicyde and Tanchu both folders without a word. “This is the information you will need upon arrival. We will be arriving in Saudi Arabia in about 10 hours to meet with the top Hunter and Repliforce commanders to negotiate a temporary alliance.” Mangetsu jerked his thumb back towards the rear of the plane. “Your men are waiting.”

Omnicyde walked towards the rear of the plane, Tanchu in tow. He parted the curtains to reveal an interesting ensemble.

There were several sergeants and a single Lieutenant. The officer leaned against the wall of the plane, eyes closed as if in a trance. Omnicyde went forward to meet his new men.

As usual, he had three sergeants for this mission. Linx was one of the few survivors of the Catacombs incident. He was a pretty good soldier and driver… not as good as Sergeant Delain, but almost.

Omnicyde’s next sergeant was a giant of a man named Griswald. He held a massive battle axe in his hands, blade against the floor, and had a 12-guage shotgun across his back in a holster. From what Omnicyde had heard, he was deadly up close and had some serious skill with his axe. Good; Omnicyde would probably need someone with melee skills.

Omnicyde turned to his next sergeant and cocked his head in puzzlement.

He knew there were female mavericks out there, but had never seen one… most of them were too weak or slow to survive long. But here was a female sergeant, with shock-white hair about shoulder length, a combat neck knife, a silenced pistol with laser sights, and an assault carbine with a 20mm grenade attachment. She looked at him and stood.

The lighting in the cabin wasn’t very good, so she couldn’t see his rank, especially since it was black metal. “Listen, buddy, if I hear one more masculine superiority comment from anyone, I will show you how to rip out someone’s neck with your bare hands!” she snarled. Tanchu’s eyebrows shot up and Omnicyde couldn’t help but smirk. “What the hell is so funny…” she trailed off and finally noticed his rank, as did everyone else.

“TEN-SHUN!” yelled Linx as they all stood. The girl turned as white as her hair. “M-my apologies, sir. I didn’t realize who you were.” Omnicyde chuckled. “Since I can guess that you’re new, and because of your situation, you get one freebie, sergeant.” Omnicyde leaned in. “But that was the last one I had to offer. Now… it’s Winter, right?” Winter nodded. “Good. An assassin might prove useful when we arrive.”

Omnicyde turned away and glanced around the room, finally noticing the Lieutenant hadn’t moved. Omnicyde guessed he was still sleeping. He moved to go give him a wake-up call he wouldn’t forget.

[Shay ren]

Shadow's hand snapped up, a grey blur, and slapped away Omnicyde's fist moment's before it connected it with his head.

"Greetings, commander. I'm new as well, so I'll take my one freebie now."

The reploid slowly got up and walked in line with the other's, ignoring the outraged look on Omnicyde's face.

"Let's go kick this guy's ass."

[Ramah Stormset]

Ramah sat at his workbench, fixing up his new weapon, a beam version of a traditional Pudao. Even with all the problems in Africa, there was no worry for him... Or so the Commander of Engineering thought. A messanger knocked on his door before letting himself in.

"Vehicle repair, ask Total. Defense measure questions, ask Lee Oda. Rayne is overseeing engineering today." Ramah answered. He was used to Hunters asking the same questions he just answered, so it was his first 3 sentences when a Hunter enters his office during off duty.

"You would wish it was that easy today, sir. Standing orders, you are to accompany Zazi into any objectives taken. That includes battle situations." said the messanger. There was no smile to indicate it was a false order. "They order you to. You do not have to bring your unit, since this order will put them in direct combat."

"Oh you got to be kidding me!"

[Viper]

"Where is he?"

"I don't know."

Viper stepped in closer to his captive, almost face to face.

"Last chance befor i rip you to peices," viper said with a scowl.

"I-I really don't know, all i know is he was just deployed to somewhere in Africa."

"Damnit, and it was so hard to track him here," viper said under his breath, "Whose with him?"

"Three others, I only know who one of them is."

"Who?"

"You might have read about him in the paper, his name's Omnycide."

Viper did the best he could to hide his dimay, "Thank you, you've been...most helpful."

And with that Viper broke the captive Maverick's neck.

Walking away viper muttered to himself, "It looks like this'll be a little harder than I thought."

[Shay ren]

Shadow ran through the city silently, never leaving any evidence he had been there. Hand on the handle of his sword, his eyes scanned the oppressive concrete jungle. Somewhere he would find him, somewhere-

Omnicyde pulled the trigger, sending a round out of his sniper and into Shadow's head. the bullet entered his helmet and exploded out the back, twisting his body like a limp ragdoll, destroying any trace of his face.

With a frustrated sigh, Shadow pulled the VR training helmet over his head and let it tumble to the ground.

"Everyone is replaceable. We have more stealth assassains. Don't think you're any different. And in the future, it's captain Omnicyde, or better yet, Sir. Understand?"

"Sir, yes sir." Shadow grumbled.

[Zazi]

Zazi was about to leave his office with orders in hand when Ramah walked in. Ramah was strangely formal. They exchanged salutes and Zazi asked for the orders in Ramah's hand. Zazi gave them a quick overview. "Let's go we have a ship to catch." Zazi said. They lefrt the room and walked silently until they were out on the airstrip.

Few hunter Platoons remained and were readying to board the Airship. The two entered via the officers entrance and made their way to officers seating area. Zazi noticed Enigma, A weary but refreshed looking Sephiroth and Cyano were already in their seats. Zazi quickly sat down and pulled out maps of the area. He has copies for everyone in the room. "I suggest you familarize yourself with the area. It is a long flight to Saudi Arabia." Zazi said as the engines began to rev as the ship prepared to take off.

[Omnicyde]

Omnicyde nodded and placed the VR helmet back in the tray, then moved back to his own seat. The folder Mangetsu had given him was still unopened, and with 7 hours left of flight time, Omnicyde decided to check it out.

Omnicyde opened it and scanned the first page. The big difference between hunter paperwork and maverick paperwork was that Hunter paperwork had a lot of red tape… security clearances and whatnot. Maverick paperwork just got right to the point. The first thing was a map. There were several locations marked, including known Advocate strongholds, fallen Hunter and Repliforce defense outposts, the line separating the hostile and safe zones, and the location of the Maverick stronghold that was threatened by a nearby Advocate outpost… although there was no indication that the Arks of Scion even knew it was there. Omnicyde had to admire the base for the ingenious location.

The next few pages were higher-ranking members of the Arks of Scion. The first was the Advocate… not much was known about him, except for his gender and possible age and ethnic background. The next man was the leader of the Hunters who had sides with the Advocate in lieu of his death threats. One Hunter Commander, a male reploid formerly in charge of a Hunter outpost. It didn’t list much else on him, other than basic information, no name though. The next was a repliod named Blitz,from the Repliforce Academy, in charge of the Repliforce under the Advocate. He was kicked out for brutality against fellow cadets, and summarily joined the Advocate. The last was the leader of the Advocate’s Maverick forces, who was extremely well documented. A Sergeant Watts, who along with a few Maverick units had left an outpost in Libya to join the Advocate, relieving the outpost of sufficient men to protect it. The battle had lasted 5 minutes and 27 seconds.

The next page was the list of available support in Africa. Omnicyde saw the usual stuff… about five thousand men, fully armed with the usual weaponry; AKA, whatever was the cheapest on the black market. AK-47s, M-25s, SAWs, RPG launchers, a few heavier weapons, even some Anti-Air and armor support. At the bottom of the list, Omnicyde’s jaw dropped.

“Tanchu! Have you read this!?” Tanchu looked over. “Not yet. Why?” “Check this out! At the bottom!” Tanchu read it and his jaw similarly dropped. “Holy mother of… where the hell did those come from? We don’t have stuff like that in Tokyo!” Omnicyde scanned the last few items again, not believing what he saw. Shadow popped his head in between them. “What are you guys talking… about…” Shadow’s jaw followed the path of Omnicyde’s and Tanchu’s. “Holiest of Holy Jesus…”

Omnicyde closed his mouth, his grin feeling too wide to fit through the door. “Those poor Scion sonsofbitches have no idea what’s in store for them.”

[Crystalis Infinity]

Crystalis frowned as he saw troops readying for war. These troops were getting ready to wipe out any and all resistance toward global "unity". They were also working with extra vigor since their terrorist leader watched off of the cameras set up to make sure everything ran smooth for the upcoming battle. A reploid decorated in war medals approached Crystalis and they saluted one another. "Trap Master Crystalis I presume. Did you set all of the security measures we spoke about?"

Crystalis smiled and waved his hand toward a control tent. "Cameras, sensors, and even anti-reploid mines placed exactly where you ordered Master Sergeant."

The Master Sergeant frowned in thought and acknowledged Crystalis' statement with a nod. "I am glad you defected from Repliforce with me. I deffinately wouldn't want to walk around here knowing our security isn't top notch. I am sure Blitz is happy too, thought he doesn't like to admit being safe behind all of this equipment." He began to walk into the tent and stopped. "You will be staying here in this camp. Though it is likely the Hunters and Mavericks will attack this one."

Crystalis grinned even wider than before, almost looking evil in his Special Forces decorative armor. "Do not worry about that. I am under strict orders to drop all moral judgement against my enemy." The Master Sergeant smiled back and walked into the tent to recheck the troops inside. "Too bad for you I am still taking orders from Galeon," Crystalis whispered to himself.

[Sephiroth X]

Basement Level 3, Maverick Hunter Headquarters, Neo-Tokyo, before Takeoff
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

*ka-chunk ka-chunk*

Sephiroth X sat in an upright pod filled with a green liquid, with his neck surrounded by a ring containing several different vials of chemicals. His lower torso and feet had such a device around them too. Enigma and Zazi walked into the laboratory just outside the super-sterilized area where Sephiroth slept in suspended hibernation and watched as the rings injected Sephiroth X with the chemicals.

"What on God's green earth is wrong with him, anyway?" Zazi asked. "Is that stuff why he's so powerful? I might need to get me summa that."

"No," said the head doctor. "A few...complications occurred upon his reappearance." Seeing the looks on Enigma and Zazi's faces, he continued. "As you know, he was gone for three years. Whatever happened at the end of the Silent Tokyo disaster between him and Mangetsu forced him into three-year suspended animation. From the data we've gotten so far, he was to heal himself."

"Heal himself?" Zazi asked, his eyes wide.

"Yes...As Mr. Enigma here knows well, it's difficult to work on the Shinigami because of their complex body structure. Well, it also seems that he was...how should I say this...hyper-accelerating his body," the doctor explained. "He was pouring all of his energy into evolving faster and healing himself. Not an easy thing to do."

Whenever a Reploid scientist said 'evolving', he usually meant the slow upgrading a Reploid's body did over time. Slowly the Reploid would get stronger, faster, and all around more powerful. Enigma cocked his head.

"So..."

"So he was woken up before he was supposed to, causing a lot of complications in his systems. His capability for power has increased drastically, but since he never fully healed or accelerated as far as he has intended, his body is on the fritz, so to speak. It takes a lot for him to be able to get into combat-ready status."

As the doctor finished, a white smoke ejected from the pod, and slowly the airlock opened, allowing the groggy Sephiroth X to awaken and get up. Moving in an almost drunken state and without his armor, Zazi noticed just how thin Sephiroth X was. He looked like one good whack and he'd be broken into pieces, but the Beast knew better. He knew as well as anyone how much power lay dormant within that thin frame, and he had the scars to prove it.

"After he's done, send him to the hangar. I'll fill him in on the situation then."

((A flashback before Takeoff. I never posted saying Sephy had woken up, and decided now would be a good time to explain why he disappeared for three years.))

[Viper]

"Let me on!"

Viper was attempting (unsuccessfully at the moment) to get onto an airship to Africa in hopes of beating Shadow there.

"Sir I-I'm sorry but without a ticket you can't ride."

"Do you honestly think I care!"

The officer whom was blocking Viper's way spoke into a radio he was holding. Viper couldn't completely make out but what he said but he did hear one word, and that was all he needed. Security.

"I've had enough of this."

Viper stormed out of the docking bay before the guards came, not wanting to make a huge commotion in such a crowded area.

"Like they can stop me."

In only about five minutes Viper was comfortably seated in the cargo hold of the ship and on his way.

"Look out shadow, I'm coming for you."

[Shay ren]

Moonlight creeped into the dark room, as if it was unwilling to be anywhere near this place. It fell just short of the figure sitting behind a desk at the far end of the room, cloaking him in shadows. The man leaned back in his chair, putting his booted feet up onto his imported mahogany desk.

“What is it?” he asked, his smooth voice sliding like oil to the terrified reploid who cowed in front of him.

“W-well, what is our plan?”

“Plan?”

“Given the recent developments, how will we respond to this threat?”

“What threat do you speak of? I, of course, am aware of all the ‘recent developments’ that have occurred, and I have seen no evidence of a threat.” He chuckled, the sound sending shivers down the reploid’s back.

“I was speaking of the Advocate…and this other reploid who seems hell-bent on finding us.”

“The Advocate is not a problem. Far from it, in fact. With him in power, we have prospered immensely, and will continue to do so, especially through the upcoming battles. Fear not, no matter who comes out on top, we win. And of this reploid? Find more about him and report back to me.”

“Yes, sir.” With a bow, the officer hurriedly left the room.

The man behind the desk smiled, his sharp, toothy grin making him to be a Cheshire cat in the darkness. He was supplying all sides with needed weapons and equipment, especially after one of Mangetsu’s agents contacted him. All sides owed him favors.

Yes…whoever won, the Shadow Guard would come out on top.

[Zelos_Project]

Drake stood near the landing strip where Omnicyde's group would be landing. He stood with his arms crossed, his wings twitching every now and then in annoyance.

They said noon... He thought as he waited for the plane to land.

A slight breeze picked up. Turning, Drake looked to the East, where the plane was now a small speck, and comic closer. The wigned warrior smiled.

After ten more minutes of waiting, the mavricks began filing off of the plane. First came a female soldier, then a very powerful looking reploid with an ax, and then two more mavricks. After Omnicyde exitted the plane, Mangetsu and Daiken, along with their guards, disembarked. After a few saultes, Omnicyde pulled Drake aside, a surprised look on his face.

"Drake?! What are you doing here?!"

Drake smiled and put his hands behind his back. "Is that how you speak to a Colonel, Omni?"

"How did you become Colonal?"

Drake smiled. "How did you become Captain?"

The sniper was clearly unhappy. "Don't speak in riddles. What's going on?"

"A war, my friend. That's what's going on. All you need to know is that I'm not a mercinary. Now, let's get back to work."

((Just in case someone yells at me, I had the colonal status approved by Sephy, since he's the crime lord.))