A Not-So-Simple Task, What started as a rescue mission...

[Sephiroth X]

Maverick Hunter Headquarters, Neo-Tokyo, Japan
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The halls of the magnificent Hunter HQ were filled to the brim with hurrying Maverick Hunters pushing and shoving to get to the Main Hall, where Commander Cyano was to be giving an important speech. The commander was a relatively small Reploid, but no one doubted his authority. His blue-green armor brought out his piercing blue eyes which could cut a man down like a knife through warm butter. These eyes watched as every last Maverick Hunter in the base divided into their respective units and stood at attention. Pressing a button on his collar his voice reverberated across the Hall.

"Ladies, gentlemen, and anything else that just so happens to be here, we have a serious problem on our hands," he said. "As of 8:00 US Eastern time, we recieved a transmission from Hunter Outpost 0 in New York City. Along with that transmission we recieved this news clip. Kuro," he ordered, "roll it!"

The lights dimmed and a giant screen behind the commander blazed to life, revealing a large crowd. The sounds of laughter, yelling, and all around delight filled the air at a giant cavern near the outskirts of New York City. Emblazoned across the top of the entrance, the word "CATACOMBS" shone brilliantly through the night sky. Hundreds of people filed into the world's first underground theme park; 1 mile underground to be exact. Three-fourths the size of New York itself, it promised to be an unforgettable experience. The image quickly changed to a rather exasperated looking anchorwoman standing in front of the now blocked off park entrance.

"*crackle crackle* ...At 5 o' clock ET this morning, virtually all signs of life from the newly opened Catacombs amusement park blacked out. The cause is unknown, but we believe that only a few survivors remain. Rescue teams deployed into the park have gone missing, and it's believed that the esteemed Neo-Tokyo Maverick Hunters are being deployed later today to investigate the disaster-"

The screen shut off and the lights returned to their normal setting. The Hunters were mumbling among themselves as the commander resumed his place at the podium.

"Now you know the situation. We're sending a team of our top Hunters and 5 members of their respective units to investigate. You'll be stationed at the Maverick Hunter Outpost 0 where you'll recieve further briefing from Commander Simmons. If there is any Maverick involvement, reinforcements will be deployed. Be sure to check the lists outside to see which of you will be sent. Collect any and all equipment that you'll be needing."

The Hunters filed out, still mumbling to themselves. Cyano switched off his microphone and sat down, sighing. During that whole speech he had left out one thing. The chance of survival down in the park was a slim 15%. He hated the fact that he was sending his men to their imminent doom, but it was something that had to be done.

((We can all guess who'll be sent, right? When it comes to members of the units, just crank out a few NPC's. It'll make things more interesting. Just kicking off the thread, so do your introductory posts!))

[Omnicyde]

One week earlier...

Omnicyde stood in front of Mangetsu's messenger as he was told his new assignment. "You and your men will be sent to America. Specifically, New York." said the sergeant.

Omnicyde licked his lips. "This doesn't have anything to do with that new theme park, the Catalyst or something?" "The Catacombs. And yes, it does." The sergeant gave Omnicyde a package. "This is a new version of the Maverick virus. It transmits via radio waves. It's weaker than the normal virus, though. A reploid has to be incapacitated in order to be infected with it. And you're obviously immune, already being infected." Omnicyde smiled. "Cool. When do we leave?" "How fast can you pack?"

Present time...

Omnicyde squatted on top of a vendor building against a wall, hidden in the shadows with his men. He had with him Delain, Mako, Icarus, and about 2 dozen other mavericks of lesser rank. They had already set a radio in the center of the park that was transmitting the virus to every reploid in a ten-block radius. None of the reploids had been infected yet, though. Omnicyde and his men had yet to incapacitate one to the point where it would be infected.

"How much longer are we gonna wait?" asked Mako. Omnicyde turned. "If nothing happens within a few minutes, i'll let you knock out a reploid. Now shut up."

He turned back to the crowd to see a reploid serving cotton candy walk near their vendor. Omnicyde grabbed a brick they had pried loose from the wall. The reploid paused next to the vendor to hand cotton candy to a pair of children who had run up with money. Omnicyde pushed the brick off the edge of the roof, and it landed squarely on top of the reploids head, causeing him to teeter and fall over, dazed. That would be enough, Omnicyde knew, to allow the virus to hijack his systems.

The reploid got back up. The little girl looked up at the reploid. "Are you ok-" That was as far as she ever got.

A few minutes later, people ran, screaming. The reploid had managed to infect 3 more reploids, and they ran about, in disorganized confusion, killing mindlessly with whatever they could grab.

"We can't let them leave the park!" said Omnicyde. He turned to Icarus. "Don't let any humans get near the door." Icarus nodded once and took off.

In less than an hour, four infected reploids had turned into over a thousand. Almost every human in the park was dead. Icarus had done a great job keeping them from fleeing. Omnicyde knew it was only a matter of time before backup arrived.

"Icarus?" Omnicyde spoke into a radio from the top of another vendor's booth. "Status?"

"Several human Search and Rescue teams have entered the park." he said. "Looks like ESU. Three fireteams, 6 in each team. One's headed your way, looks like."

Omnicyde peered over the roof and saw the team... or rather, what was left of it. The mavs here took no prisoners, and with no weapons, were literally pulling people apart. "They've been taken care of already. Just keep an eye out for Hunters."

"You think they'll show up?" Omnicyde looked over the park. Parts of it were on fire. Dead humans were everywhere. "Do I think they'll show up? No, Icarus, I can guarentee they'll show up." Omnicyde set down the radio. He had already warned his teams not to come into contact with these mavericks. All he had to do was wait for the Hunters to show up. He hefted his Lasarus. When they showed... he'd be ready.

[Tamar Roreth]

He shouldn't be here, he didn't want to be here.

But he was here, and from the looks of things, he was going to be here a while. The fox had been shadowing Omnicyde's team the whole time, and had lost them now and then through the mess of wandering reploids.

Thankfully, they seemed to be both stupid, and inept at climbing. And this was a major boon to the fox.

Tamar perched above the sniper's position... quiet, focused, and neurotic as all hell. Whatever had been released was something new and demonic... Literally turning the infected into robotic zombies. At this moment, the fox really didn't have a clear idea of what to do.

He dropped quietly behind Omnicyde, but with enough sound to alert him, and hopefully not startle him. The sniper didn't turn around, but Tamar felt he was aware of his presence.

The two had worked together on jobs in the past... which gave Tamar barely enough credential to not be shot on sight... barely. The fox took a few steps closer, then raised his voice, "Mangetsu wanted to congratulate you on a mission accomplished."

No response, but Tamar kept going anyway.

"He also wanted me to inform you that from this point forward, you and your team are on your own. If any of you are infected, they are to be executed immediately. Your service has been invaluable, and he respects your sacrifice to the cause."

Tamar smirked as he watched Omni's shoulders move, finally displaying a response, and it wasn't a nice one.

Tamar turned to go, and Omni finally spoke, after the realization that they had been abandoned to die down here sunk in, "And where are you going fox?"

Tamar smirked again, though it wasn't as sarcastic or assured as his first, "I have my own escape plans... I never take one way jobs."

He hoped.

With that, Tamar left to fend for himself.

[Zazi]

Zazi was boarding an airship bound for New York from Ireland. He was ordered by Cyano directly to head to New York and he would be briefed on the way. A few minutes after take off Zazi heard a knock on his door. "Enter." Zazi said as a Hunter Intelligence Officer walked into his cabin. They exchanged salutes and the Hunter spoke. "Sir, I am Lieutenant Kajima. Approximately 2 hours ago we were informed of a tragic event at a new theme park called 'Catacombs'. Something happened and all life has disappeared from there. Our top hunters and 5 of the best in their teams are to be sent in." "So, we are to be sent in to 'investigate' A DEATH TRAP?" Zazi said with anger behind his voice. "I cannot judge that at this time, Sir!" Kajima said. "Is that all?" Zazi asked. "Yes Sir." Kajima said. The pair exchanged salutes again and Kajima turned on his heel and left.

Zazi realised he had about a 3 hour flight to New York. It was quicker than in the latter half the 20th century, but it was still a waste of valuable time. Zazi knew they were in for a fight and a few minutes later he contacted his fighting group (Zazi's personal battle group) at headquarters Headquarters. The group was made up of about 55 reploids. Zazi was talking to them over a secure vid-link with several encryptions and other classified security measures that not even he knew much about. As soon as Zazi came on screen the Hunters stood up to a position of attention. "At ease, and take your seats." The hunters quickly responded and sat down. "Listen I am sure all of you know the situation. I expect that what ever said will not leave this room and if it does you will have to deal with me. I cannot guarantee you will all make it back, but I assure you I will be the first one in and my feet will be the last ones out of that hell hole. I can only take five of you, If you do not wish to take part leave now and there will be no shame in it." Zazi said as he looked at his Hunter's. Not a single Hunter left the room, all of them stayed and watched their commander. "I see that I will have to choose my five, if I had my way I would take each and every one of you. I will send orders shortly and please do not be mad if you are not chosen." Zazi said with a hint of regret in his voice. Zazi had not told the battle group but the real mission of his squad was to restore power and security systems and surveilance.

Zazi began to choose his team members Immediatly after ending the transmission.

Zen or 8-Ball as he was known was Zazi's first team member. Zen was an explosives and chemical expert. He can figure out complex equations for chemical mixtures and how big a blast will be for explosives in seconds. He stood 5'6" and weighed 195lbs. He has darkblue armor, hazel eyes, and long crimson hair. His main weapon is a 1.0 caliber assault rifle.(For those that think 1.0cal is small it isn't. It is huge because caliber is written like this .45 in reference to pistols and other small arms.)He also has several heavily armored storage compartmants built in to house the more volatile and dangerous chemicals.

Kitsen was an expert shot her accuracy calibrations were said to be the best in the world. She was an all around reploid she excelled at no real skill except marksmanship. (It is rumored she can snipe the wings off a fly at 450 yards with a flack cannon, but it is just a rumor) Some just said she was a grunt and didn't deserve to be in Zazi's team but he knew otherwise. She has bright pink eyes and short blue hair. She is 5'4" and weighs in at 185lbs. Her armor is jet black and her main weapon is a model 45-768 A-10 guass rifle with a 300x scope. She also carries an Uzi and dual plasma pistols.

Kuriama also referred to as Huss because of his tendency to hit on females whether they are human or reploid. He is armed to the teeth and is more like a thinking tank than anything else. he is 6'0". He weighs 455lbs and has penetrating yellow eyes, blue armor with yellow highlights, and short spiked black hair. He has a 35mm cannon mounted on his left shoulder and a beam cannon on the other. His left fore arm and hand splinter apart and fold back to reveal a missile launcher. His right hand folds up to reveal a beam saber mounted directly in his arm. He also has a 20mm gatling gun built into his chest on the right side. He also carries a plasma pistol in a holster on his left hip.

Jetez is a maverick virus expert and he is excellent with computers. He has hacking equipment built into both hands and anti maverick virus programs installed. He can do things with computer languages and programming many wish they could. He is very light for a reploid at 155lbs and standing at 5'4". He has long brown hair and black eyes with brown armor. He is also a genious with electronics and electronics repair. He also has a very powerful PC built into his left arm that has a flip up screen with a min keyboard or he can see the screen on his hud and control the PC without even touching the keyboard. He is also a communication expert. His main weapon is a plasma pistol. He depends on support from other team members.

The last team member he chose was Aki. Zazi knew he would be the first from MHHQ to get to New York and the People from Tokyo would take a little longer. He sent his orders into the Maverick Hunter HQ. He then reclined in his chair and thought about his recent 'excursion' in Ireland.
----------------------------------------------Few weeks earlier.(Ireland)------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zazi had been wondering Ireland for a while. He was looking for an old friend. He was only referred to as the Captain or just Captain. Zazi never knew his real name. The Captain was a reaploid Zazi had a great deal of respect.

A very different looking Zazi was walking around a small Irish town. He was wearing black sunglasses and a white T-shirt with a leather jacket, blue jeans, and black leather boots. He walked into a bar of all places, looking for a peculiar reploid who had a taste for liquor. This reploid was actually very human like he was as strong and as fast as the average human and nothing more, hell he could pass for a human. He also loved to get into fist fights and he found Ireland had the best (I don't mean to offend anyone). Zazi finally found the captain in a secluded corner that was mostly covered in shdow. He was wearing a brown cloak that looked like a burlap sack and he was holding a bottle of spiced rum. As Zazi approached him the captain had his hood up and was looking at the table. "Zazi how nice to see you." The captain said without looking up. "What the.." Zazi was cut off in mid sentence. "Please, Zazi give me more credit than that. I would recognize your heavy stomp anywhere." The cloaked man said. "Yeah well I need some advice." Zazi said as he tried not to bite his tongue literally. "Yeah I know. You lost to someone else other than Sephiroth X. I believe he had a cricket on his chest." The Captain said. "It was a beetle, it looked like those ones in Egypt all over the pyramid walls. I need to know why I lost." Zazi said with a disgraceful tone.

"Look not to me for answers Zazi, you were defeated by yourself not by them. You changed that fatefull day in Kyoto and you didn't even realize it." The reploid said as he cocked his head back to drink some more of his rum. Zazi stepped forward and slapped the rum out of his hands. "You see Zazi you are quick to anger and you forgot your team and apparently your mission as well." The captain said. "And who the HELL are you to tell me who I am and what I was and what I do and don't remember!" Zazi bellowed. "You Zazi, forgot who you were fighting for. You forgot when Sephiroth X attacked, you forgot befor he even defeated you. Instead of fighting to protect people and those weaker than you, you fought for glory, YOU FOUGHT FOR YOURSELF!" The captain responded. "That's a LIE!" Zazi yelled back. "Is it? Is it really a lie Zazi?" The captain asked. Zazi shook his head from left to right and became speechless. "Zazi your cockyness does not effect your battle skill, if anything it improves it. It is just how angry you have become and you started to only fight for glory. Zazi remember who you fight for and let anger leave you because it will only cloud your judgement." The captain said. "Thank you Captain." Zazi said as he turned on his heel and left the bar to think about what the Captain had said. Zazi had a few more similar conversations with the Captain before he was recalled back to the hunters.
----------------------------------------Present---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Zazi was disturbed by a waitress for some un godly reason. She asked him if he would like to eat anything or have a drink. Zazi looked at her like she was crazy. "I'm sorry sir." The waitress said quickly. "Just go get me some green tea and how long until we get to New York?" The beast asked. "About an hour." She said as she walked out. Zazi began to suit up into his armor and the waitress walked in just as he was finish putting on his leg armor and his torso was still uncovered. "Here is your tea sir". She said. "Just set it down and thank you, I really appreciate it." Zazi said as he showed her some gratitude. She placed the tea on desk and walked out. Zazi sat down and sipped his tea waiting to reach New York.

(Yes, I know it is long. I hope ya guys liked it.)

[Sephiroth X]

*ba-bump*

A mass of color. Random thoughts flowing around like a river.

*ba-bump*

A voice from far away...

*ba-bump*

Sephiroth...

A team of Repliforce scientists were crowded around a large terminal working rapidly. There was a window right in front of the terminal, revealing a small, brightly lit room with only one powerfully built door leading out into the workroom itself. Within the room was a lone capsule with numerous tubes and wires coming out the back and the sides. Status screens were flashing all over the terminal, quickly spitting out data. Professor Tsukiono, the head doctor and Reploid expert, looked down at his watch which was slowly counting down to 0. Once the time was up, he called to the others in a gruff voice.

"Alright gentlemen, fire him up!"

All at once, the scientists hit a large button on their workstations. The lights flashed, and several arcs of electricity shot into the capsule until it was practically glowing. With a final loud CRACK, the cover popped off, releasing waves of smoke. The cover drew back revealing a Reploid, invisible due to the smoke filling the room. Numerous fans in the room, or quarantine as it seemed sucked it out revealing the Reploid encased in the capsule. Sephiroth X blinked, his eyes slowly adjusting to the light.

"All systems nominal, sir. Now opening shutter." Came a voice from the intercom. The door clicked several times as lock after lock unsealed, and finally swung open. The Maverick Hunter was clad in a tight jumpsuit covered in valves where tubes were running out from. With a hiss, they came off as well, leaving the Hunter free. Sephiroth staggered, holding out a hand to steady himself. His moonlight hair wild and unkempt, he brushed it out of his eerie green eyes, doing what he could to aid his blurred vision.

Professor Tsukiono pulled Sephiroth's arm over his shoulders, steadying the dazed Hunter. The professor smiled, although it was quite hard to see from under his bushy grey moustache. Sephiroth X had been in suspended animation ever since the event at the World's Fair and the battle with Scarab. These 'burn-outs', somehow linked to the use of his sword, were caused by Sephiroth completely running out of energy and willpower. Once in suspended animation, a cocoon-like covering would surround the Hunter, keeping him from moving or waking up until completely repaired. Of course, the last time that happened Sephiroth had been asleep for three whole years. As undesirable as that is, the Hunters put Sephiroth under the care of the Repliforce until the Hunter was fully restored.

Sephiroth was set down into a large armchair and was given a glass of a greenish fluid with several blue sparks running throughout. Most could recognize this as bacta; a healing solution used solely by Reploids and for every sip he took, Sephiroth's vision came more and more into focus until finally it was a sharp as normal. The professor took the glass from the Hunter's hand and replaced it with a DataPad.

Still "out of the loop" as many would say, Sephiroth X looked up at the professor with a confused glance.

"Your latest assignment, Mr. Sephiroth."

Sephiroth nodded and flipped through the data on the screen. His pale face grew grimmer and grimmer with each passing moment. At last, he set it down and rose slowly, staggering towards the door. Professor Tsukiono stepped inbetween the Hunter and the exit holding up a hand.

"I'm sorry to have awakened you and dumped a mission of this severity on you, but please rest awhile before you go to the transport." Sephiroth weakly pushed him out of the way limping down the hall.

"I'm fine, I'll rest on the plane," Sephiroth growled.

"Very well then," the professor said in a matter-of-fact voice. "You'll find that all of your equipment has been forwarded to the Hunter Outpost 0 in New York City. I trust that you're alright with that?" However, as the doctor turned around, he noticed that the exit door was flung open and the sound of soft footsteps were coming from down the hall. He shook his head in disgust. Those Hunter hotshots were all the same...

[Ramah Stormset]

Ramah hated working on reports, that meant working behind his "just-big-enough" desk. And not surprising to the engineering officer, it wasn't big enough for him AND his research hobby and reports on top. I so got to make myself a new desk in my freetime, Command is doubtful at best to answer to such a small detail as a bigger work station.

"Commander?" A voice came by his desk. It seemed the speach Cyano gave was over already. "I thought you would want to know the details of our assignment given directly by-" Ramah got up to snatch a small device falling off his desk. The device shattered on the ground, 2 inches from his hand. Sighing, the Commander of Engineering stooped down and picked up the pieces.

"No need, Rayne, I know everything." Ramah informed his second-in-command. "They downloaded the assignment to my notepad. Get Total and Oda, they will be coming with us. Tell them to pick a couple other engineers from their teams for the ride."

Rayne was the obedient type, with nothing keeping him from taking Commander of Engineering besides his problem of choking under heavy combat conditions. His intelligence was high and his hand fast, his specialty being in the computer system engineering field. He could build a working control system for any makeshift devices any of his engineers could throw out at him if he ever needed to make them. The Hunter Command didn't usually send a spare computer with all the equipment, so his skills come in handy every so often whenever there is a EMP system crash or other battle damage to the control stations. If he didn't choke under the strain, his dual handgun combat would prove all the more useful.

It took all of 5 minutes to give preparation plans to all three of the lower officers. None of them wanted the jet lag that will follow both ways of the temporary transfer to New York, America, but orders were orders. Oda voiced his complaints on his way out, saying something about his ancient history and forgein devils.

Team Commander Lee Oda is one of the few human engineers in the Hunter unit, but was always talking about other countries' citizens as slightly lower than Japan, that included any Hunters born or made outside the boarders. He was strong though, with enough intelligence to make active and passive defense measures for any base not within friendly territory. He keeps boasting his ancestors were part of the feared Oda Clan of Japan during the warring states time, but that piece of history was lost and so nobody contested or agreed to it. His unaccepting behavior to the "forgein devils" he jokingly calls them kept him at his team commander ranking for several years now. Command kept strict rulings on any types of discrimination. His use of plasma weapons in his makeshift auto turrets and barricades shown some strategy of old Japan, making them stagger-fire to keep a never ending barrage of superheated matter at whatever army trying to attack from the ground. In fact, he boasted he could make a usable castle wall in 24 hours if given enough materials. He kept a vibroblade katana on his belt, saying it made him feel like a samurai of ancient times. He could use it just as well as any Combat Hunter he has seen outside of the high officer classes.

Total was different from all the other engineers. She persisted on all the combat vehicles until she brought them up to her standards, which were very high indeed. When not working on something, she had to talk to others or help Ramah in his hobby. Mostly working, almost never playing, she didn't have too many friends outside Ramah and the other team commanders, but the quality of the vehicles she built and kept up were nothing short of perfect. Her weapon choice was a light nail rifle Ramah made for her. She requested it after rescuing him from a weapon experiment gone awry and practiced with his for weeks before hers was finished.

One hour passed, and the equipment and engineers were ready for the trip out to America. Oda was sitting in his plane seat with a smirk on his face when Rayne promised him that he could one up his skills to the American stationed Hunters. Total stayed in the corner with the light combat vehicle, looking through all the systems again for the 7th time. She couldn't stay still when it came to travel. What a team I have created. They should prove useful to everyone. Ramah thought as he sat back in his seat for the 8 hour flight.

[Omnicyde]

Omnicyde watched the group of mavericks wander down the street. They had long since killed almost all of the humans in the park, although distinct heat signatures had been detected around the park interior and it appeared that several stands had been raided of food. Omnicyde wanted all the humans in the park dead, so he had Mako scanning the area. He was watching his team walk down the street while watching for any of the recently infected mavericks. They hadn't sensed any hostility toward them yet, but the virus was a wierd one, and it never hurt to be careful in any case.

One of the members of his team crouched. "Tracks." he said. "Size 7, childrens, and a size 5, also childrens. They appear to be sneakers." The maverick checked the surrounding area. "They ran to the vendor over there, then ran that way." The maverick indicated an empty hot-dog vendor and then pointed down the street.

Omnicyde nodded and was about to reply from his perch when he heard trash cans banging.

Three infected mavericks ran from the alley. Two of them halted, apparently confused. One jumped at the closest maverick from Omnicyde's team and beat him to the ground with both fists. Icarus blew him away with his shotgun, and the other two ran off. Icaruc knelt near the dazed maverick. "Are you alri-"

The maverick sat up, and Omnicyde could immediately tell that something was wrong. The mavericks eyes were a little glazed over, and his movments were a little jerky. Before he could shout a warning, the maverick lept up and jumped two more mavericks. Icarus didn't realize what was going on, and tried to pull the infected maverick off of the other two. Omnicyde yelled and pulled his rifle. By then, though, all three of the mavericks were infected.

"Retreat!" he yelled. "Get to the rooftops!" Omnicyde quickly shot one maverick. The other two grabbed one each, and they quickly became infected and jumped one more. The mavericks that hadn't been infected yet scrambled for high ground. Delain was up first, followed by Icarus and four other mavericks. Mako had been up with Omnicyde already. Delain and Icarus turned around and helped two more mavericks up while the five infected got to three others who weren't as quick.

While Delain and Omnicyde helped mavericks get to safety, Icarus primed and dropped a grenade. He eliminated 4 infected mavericks while the rest of Omnicyde;s team got to safety. The rest of the infected ran off. It was almost comical to see their guns still clipped to their waists; apparently, when thy became infected, they lost the ability to use firearms.

"That was BULLSHIT!" yelled Delain. "I thought we were immune to the virus! What the HELL is going on here?!" "The nanobots must have changed somehow." said Mako. "They can affect us as well."

Omnicyde surveyed his team. He had lost almost half of his men. He had 14 left. There was no question; they had to get the hell out of the Catacombs. "We need to make our way to the exit." said Omnicyde. Mako stared at him. "Sir, we're over 20 miles away from the closest exit, through a place crawling with infected reploids that want to kill us. How are we going to make it?" "I don't know." said Omnicyde. "But my ass sure isn't staying here."

"Hey, boss." interupted Icarus. "I might have a good idea..."

[Crystalis Infinity]

******A few days earlier******

"This is an extrordinary machine. He moves so fast and with skilled sword strokes. It is almost dazzling to see him fight." Galeon leaned forward, the view-screen illuminating his face. Past battles of the Shinigami series reploids flashed across the screen faster then any human could view them. "Too bad there are so few of them. We could really use them in the fight against the Mavericks." The screen flashed as it lost power. "Wraith, tell me why you like this Crystalis so much. He is a subpar fighter, he doesn't obey direct orders, and all he has managed to do is throw a temper tantrum. The ceiling lights flickered to life as Wraith sat down into her chair. Her smile gave away zero answers. "His battle system is yet to be perfected. But his Battle Stress Programs give him a greater edge in combat against this Sephiroth character. He was made to destroy any and all reploids who get in his way. But I will leave it up to you and him to find all those... Potentials."

******Present Day******

"Why New York? That place isn't even NEAR England!" Crystalis was complaining he gathered weapons for his squad. They all were preparing as if hell broke loose underneath the city. Galeon completed his call and handed ID badges out to each of the members that were to attend this situation. "You all are riding first class to Hell. You will be briefed on the flight to New York. Come back alive, all of you if able." Crystalis and six other squad members saluted thier captain and he removed his presence from the room. The plane only sat eight plus the pilots. Wraith stepped onto the plane first as she checked her medical and science gear. "Welcome aboard Crystalis. I intend to keep an eye on you this mission to see how well you have trained. EVERYONE ON BOARD!! LET'S MOVE OUT SOLDIERS!"

[Sephiroth X]

Maverick Hunter Outpost 0, New York City, Neo-America
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Sephiroth X pulled his coat around him, protecting himself from the frigid wind. As the last Maverick Hunters jumped out of the transport, the dark Reploid turned his gaze to the Outpost. It was called only an outpost because it wasn't as highly advanced and didn't have enough resources as of yet to call it a Base. It was a giant dome-shaped building made of dark grey stone. The doors were large and silver with two rows of marble pillars leading up to it while holding a marble roof over the walkway.

"Looks like they should spend their budget on supplies instead of glitter if you ask me," came a voice to Sephiroth's left. The Hunter looked down to see a short Reploid clad in mint-green armor carrying a large backpack looking up at him. The Reploid was Cecil, the only Reploid who was allowed to navigate for the volatile Hunter. Sephiroth nodded and seeing the expectant look on the units' faces proceeded down the walkway, with Zazi to his left, Enigma to his right, and Ramah behind him.The doors swung open 10 feet before the Hunters got to it, revealing the inside.

It was a lot more decorative than the Hunter Headquraters, but fitting nonetheless. The walls were made of (or appeared to be made of) beautifully cared for wood, and the floor was paved in black marble. The hallways were a lot wider than those of the HQ, or at least appeared to be. It could've just been the fact that there weren't many Hunters roaming them. The Hunters walked up to a large round black desk where the receptionist, a rather pretty female Reploid, looked up and gave a glittering smile.

"I take it you're our Japanese support, right?" she asked. She grew quiet seeing the serious looks on the Hunters' faces. After a bit of an awkward silence, Enigma looked over at his comrades.

"Hey, who here can't speak English?" he asked, brushing his spiky black hair out of his eyes. About half of the group raised his or her hands. The major sighed, and looked over at the receptionist with an exasperated glance. "Sorry...Probably should've uploaded English translation data before we left..."

The receptionist smiled, and after a brief conversation, Enigma took the lead down a hall to the left and arrived at yet another pair of silver doors with a golden sign emblazoned "MAIN HALL" hanging above it. Two Hunters, each dressed in white uniforms bearing the Maverick Hunter crest on their shoulders bowed their heads and opened the doors. The Main Hall wasn't as large as the one in the HQ, but could comfortably fit 1000 average-sized men and Reploids, and almost did.. At the far end from the door stood the podium with a giant screen behind it, with a powerful looking human standing behind it.

There was no doubt in Sephiroth's (or the others', for that matter) mind that this was Commander Simmons, leader of the United States's Maverick Hunter forces. It was a tall man, 6 foot 5 and was powerfully built. Clad in a perfectly clean white uniform, the Commander gazed about with his piercing black eyes peering over his incredibly big moustache while his bald head shone brightly in the light. He gestured to an open section of the floor (to his far left looking from the podium) for the Japanese forces to stand.

Many of the American Hunters, looked above and around each other to catch a glimpse of the legendary Maverick Hunters who stood in their midst. Some even poked themselves vigorously in the forehead as if trying to wake themselves up from a dream.

Zazi leaned over and whispered to Enigma, "They act like they've never seen a Japanese Hunter before." The major chuckled. "They probably haven't if you think about it." The commander cleared his voice, and spoke out in a thick Scottish accent.

"Och! Well, ah'm glad to see ye'all made it. The local authorities canna afford to send many mahr of their men, so that's the main reason ah called ye here today." The commander snapped his fingers and the lights shut off, and the silver screen behind him flared to life. I guess some things are the same no matter where you go... Sephiroth thought to himself. Imagining Cyano talking in a Scottish accent drove the normally serious Hunter to crack a wide smile. Regaining his composure, he was glad that no one had been able to have seen him.

An video of the inside of the amusement park blazed onto the screen. It was obvious that the clip was before the disaster, seeing as it was full of life. The screen changed, showing the corpses of Reploids and humans alike lying across the blood-stained floor. It was a nightmarish image, and it seemed that both of the races had been-

"Eaten. Eaten alive," Commander Simmons said darkly. "Our main mission is to figure out wha in the blazes is goin on down there! As ye can see, we've called in some rahther legendary help from ar Japanese comrades, so here's tha deal..." The screen showed a 3-d image of the amusement park and after a few magnifications, a red blip appeared on one of the lower levels. "We've got ourselves a rescue mission! This man..." The screen shifted to show a middle aged man with messy brown hair and horn-rimmed glasses. "...Is Dr. Aaron Lancaster, the head of our country's Next Generation Special Weapon's project is trapped inside, and his chances of survival are gettin worse bah the second. There's a chance...A very good chance tha' Maverick forces are to blame for the attack in an effort to capture the good doctor." (Zazi raised an eyebrow. "Figured that out all by himself, did he?" He mumbled.)

"All that Dr. Lancaster's got with him is a DataPad with which we're trackin' his location and keepin in contact with him. The battery's got only 20 hours till it goes out and it's already on the fritz, so it'll be goin' out every few minutes. Do what you can...And may God be with you..."

((Ok, hopefully that's enough of a briefing...Let's get to it! Sorry it took so long.))

[Enigma]

Enigma was the navigator; he just seemed to be built for those kinds of support roles.

He began his work by handing every team member a thin, round, rigid black band that had a hinged piece of polycarbonate ((aka "Lexan" or just "hella strong plastic")) hanging from one side and a metal contact on one end.

Everyone just stared at the objects in their hands; their creator's brother was the first to ask the inevitable question.

"The hell's this?"

Enigma shook his head and put one of the devices on it. The plastic square lit up.

"This is a modular head-up display. You wear it something like a visor."

He pointed at his own head.

"See?"

The group gave him a curious look.

"I'm going to use it to send maps and such so you don't have to carry a bunch of additional hardware. Also, since most of you don't know English and I don't have time to install the English translation packs, any English signage will be translated on-screen for you into Japanese. All English dialogue heard will be translated and displayed in the upper left, and common English responses and accompanying Japanese translations can be displayed by tapping this button here."

He pointed at the button near the hinge.

"Understood?"

The group nodded and donned the items; the eyepieces all lit up.

((Who else thinks it's funny that a Dr. Lancaster is trapped in New York? Anyone?

(For those who don't get it, the medieval British civil "War of the Roses" was fought between the royal houses of Lancaster and York, which eventually combined to become the house of Tudor to end the war.)

Okay, I'll stop with the bad British history puns.))

[Crystalis Infinity]

There were news reporters and police everywhere, as well as several dead bodies that took many reploids to reach and pull up to the surface. Crystalis found a video camera laying on the concrete and picked it up to find the battery had died. It was probably on when he had died. Barricades were erected to not only protect the public, but to protect the Hunters from the reporters and the general public. Genome, the assault specialist in Crystalis' group, laughed out loud at the Hunters. Most of them didn't know English.

"Why do they get all the attention anyway? They don't understand what the Americans are saying. Besides, WE were the group that took out the robot masters." Tank, the squad's demomlitions expert and tactical genious (at least in this specific squad), kicked a box, breaking it into shards. He obviously felt the Hunters weren't as good as the public eye saw them as. Wraith jumped over the broken pieces and handed Crystalis his pistols, freshly upgraded by a sympathyser gun mechanic in the crowd. "He said he gave you flares like you specified. I guess only you know what that means." Wraith grasped a monitor in her hand, the squad followed her example and listened to her briefing.

"These reploids down there seem to be infected by a virus of some kind. I seriously doubt an actual virus could do this, but that is as far as we know of the condition of these victims." A screen flickered to life as a video, possibly from the camera Crystalis had seen earlier, played its contents. Reploids slowly regenerating arms and limbs in an unstoppable onslaught against the police guards set up around the park. They didn't stand a chance.

"Wraith, madam." Tinker, the squad's field analyser, whom everyone calls "briefing boy", stood from his chair with an idea. "Maybe the 'virus' is actually a form of nanotechnology that has inhabitted the Reploid systems. The regeneration looks strangly familiar to Crystalis' nanotech ammo recycler." Wraith smiled, "Good, you noticed that too. But we don't know yet, so we are sending you all down there to collect a sample, preferably alive as long as it isn't one of you all. We will give you additional information while you are down there. Go get 'em, and God speed." The reploids stood from their seats and saluted the doctor before leaving to face the horrors of the Catacombs.

[Zelos_Project]

Omnicyde's group began moving towards the exit very cautiously. Fourty minutes of slow progress and no enemies made the group very uneasy.

"Hey boss, we there yet?" One asked. He was slightly smaller than the others, but was carrying some high velocity rounds.

Omnicyde was growing very irritable. "Listen, Linx, if you ask that again, you won't need to worry about infection!" Never force Murphy to sucker punch you.

Right on cue, seven infected reploids sprang from the building to their left, through windows, door, or some improvised means. An ice cream vender began pelting them withparts that were falling from a damaged part.

"Shoot them!" Omnicyde yelled. The group of mavricks began unloading bullets into the monsterous enemies. After a few moments, the firing ceased. The reploids didn't.

"That's a problem." Linx muttered.

There was a white light, a booming noise, and the sound of machines falling apart. This was fallowed by a second light, then a third, then a fourth fifth and sixth. When it went quiet (and it dimmed a bit), Omnicyde looked up. There was a metallic blue hand in front of him. "Need a hand?"

Dracona stood above him. Behind him, five more reploids, all with wings or boosters and plasma busters, looking at their handy work.

Omnicyde refused the hand and stood up himself. When did he fall over? "Only six units? i thought you'd come with a whole brigade."

Drake clapped him on the back. "Nope, i started with nine others, lost four. Less units means less losses." Dracona laughed and walked over to his second in comand. "Max, you take CoreX and take the left rooftops. Adrec and Steel will take the right side. The rest are to stick with me and Omnicydes group." Max saluted and gave the orders. Drake returned to Omnicyde. "So, which way are we going?"

Omnicyde smiled. "Fallow me. Oh, and talk to Icarus. His plan is very creative."

((Sorry if I played your character a bit Omni.))

[Ramah Stormset]

Ramah wiped his eyepiece clean, more for viewing out of than viewing translations. He had to understand and speak 3 full languages to work in his Rail Tech researcher days, English being one. Of all the members he brought, only he knew fluent English and Oda spoke and understood passable English. The Team Commander still had trouble communicating with the Outpost Armory for the weapons he requested for active defense turret remodeling.

"How did these foreign devils we call comrads survive with such little organization?!" TC Oda spoke in his japanese tongue. "I specifically requested ten plasma rifles and ten guass rifles a half an hour ago! They still have yet to get the order to the armory!" He paced back and forth with his katana out and slung over his shoulder. He did this when he was furious at things he wished he could control. Every so often, he would pause and stab it into a practice dummy he brought out to cool his frustration. "Our deployment is being delayed because of this?"

"Yes, among other things." Rayne walked into view and approached the planning table. "Hunter Command wants us in there with enough materials to make a small supply depot in deep strike territory and defenses that would stop anything aggressing it." Rayne handed his datapad to Ramah to look over. "So far, the division here hasn't been able to keep to the deadline for the supplies either." He said with a depressed tone. "We have means to transport them all the way, but all the trucks are only half full."

"Isn't anything going right? We have to be able to supply Sephiroth's and Zazi's forces at a moments notice." Ramah placed his head on his fist, waiting for any answers that crossed the question's path. None came, which the Commander of Engineering didn't welcome all too well. "If this keeps up, there won't be a supply depot close enough to help either of them get to Dr. Lancaster with anything left for the trip back. I am going to request Zazi to hold for another half hour. Oda, I give you permission to reprimand any who are slacking for the supplies or weapons." Ramah put the permission on paper to avoid challenging the order.

"They will never forget how fast they can work with me right next to them cracking the whip." Oda smiled, he rushed off to the Armory, which was an easy mile and a half to run for the human Hunter. He exercised power to the breaking point, but he had made good on many of his boasts, including the challenge about the castle in 24 hours. He made 3 barricades with the help of Rayne and Total, all seeming impregnable from anything less than a high power rifle.

Ramah sighed again and gave Rayne a request for the computer equipment to run the active sentry turrets. He could build any computers they lacked on the way, but he would start immediately.

[Omnicyde]

Omnicyde and Dracona's forces had been moving together for about 2 hours now, and by Mako's GPS, they had barely gone 2 miles. They had encountered some more infected reploids, but they had held them off so far without any casualties.

One of Omnicyde's mavericks stopped. "Sir, I found something." Omnicyde glanced at him and saw him inspecting the ground in front of him. "It's those tracks we were following before, sir. The size seven and five tracks. They're moving in the same direction we are."

Omnicyde frowned. He had forgotten about those in the chaos. "Who cares?" muttered Icarus. "They'll be dead before long." The maverick who had noticed the tracks shook his head. "These tracks were made less than an hour ago, sir. I'd bet within the last 15 minutes."

Omnicyde was about to dismiss them when a thought struck him. The children... could they fit into his plans?

[Zazi]

Zazi and his team were getting anxious. They were sitting in the command center waiting to go. They had just recieved word from Ramah that they were to wait another 30 minutes. "Jesus, Sir, why do we have to wait? We could already be busting some heads." Kuriama said. "Keep your trigger finger loose. We will go when we go. I know that I sure as hell don't want to be in there and run out of supplies." Zazi said. "Now listen, all of you just sit tight. I need to go coordinate with someone." Zazi said as he walked out.

The beast began to walk around the makeshift command center just outside the undergound park. He noticed some beefed up defences and some new turrets that were not there earlier. Looks like the engineers are busy Zazi thought to himself. Zazi finally found the hunter he was looking for.

"Sephiroth X." Zazi said. Sephiroth X turned around and greeted Zazi with a less than grateful look on his face. "Zazi the beast." The swordsman said with a wierd twitch Zazi knew all too well. "No need to draw that sword. I just think we need to coordinate with each other." The beast said quickly. "Wow! I am surprised your ego hasn't got the best of you." Sephiroth said as he sounded less uptight.

"My ego was a weakness and I rid myself of weaknesses." The beast retorted. "Then why do you have that tech in your team? I don't think he will help fight whatever we have to fight." Sephiroth X said. "That is exactly what I wanted to talk to you about. I have recieved orders directly to restore power to what ever security systems and emergency systems I can." Zazi said as he and Sephiroth X headed into a briefing room with a 3D model of the Catacombs.