Now thats a dedicated reader.
Ok, I've started typing up the next one so with any luck it won't be long before its done.
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Now thats a dedicated reader.
Ok, I've started typing up the next one so with any luck it won't be long before its done.
NERD Issue # 018
Where Bunneh's Lie
In the wastelands of Neocron, legends tell of a dark and terrible thing.
Found deep in the mountains of Middle-Wastes, it was picked up by the most unlikely of persons.... Unfortunately, that unlikely person lost their hand as a result and lost it again so we won't go further into that tale.
But from the legends, a small phrase, describing the foul thing has remained eched in history. Those that have not paid heed to it, or forgotten it, have paid a terrible price. In the language of Neocron it reads:
Three things: It will not sing, so don't make it try,
Seven lives, it takes with cries for crimes that must atone.
Nine who tried, doomed to die
One who saw, sat in awe, with his observer drone.
In the Land of Neocron, where the Bunneh Lies.
One thing to piss it off, one thing to drive it
One question to set it off, "Hey, can I pet it?"
In the Land of Neocron, where the Bunneh Lies.
The rhyme above tells the tale of the 9 who went out to find the entity known as KillerBunneh. They set out in the early spring of 2269 in search of this elusive goal, and searched for almost a year without success. In the cold of winter, they found themselves lost and alone (for in 2269, a time some refer to as 'Beta 2' (Beta is short for Before Terran Animation, the time where many individuals were brought out of cry-stasis. The 2 is reference to 2 years before the Terran Animation took place) there was no functioning GPS system, so maps of the wastelands were scetchy at best, and useless at worst). The 9 adventurers, having completely exhausted their supplies and their patience, and finding themselves in the mountains, where winter was at its worst, rather than the desert where it would have at least been bearable, they despaired, and huddled down in a cave to die.
"I told you we should've taken that left turn at Albequerque." KGB-Crazy growled.
"Idiot, there hasn't been an Albequerque for centuries." Elle yelled.
"Well we should've turned left anyway."
"We DID turn left."
"Then we should've turned right!"
"Oh you're a load of use, moron."
"Guys, easy." Raiden intervened, "Nothing achieved by arguing, we should conserve our strength."
"This coming from the guy who tried to kill us all on the way over." Lux chuckled.
"Hey, its what I do..." Raiden admitted.
"Well what about you?" Elle turned to the guy sitting in the corner with a welding tool, "built anything useful yet?"
"I believe I've managed to construct.... a metalpipe!" Professor X jumped up triumphant. The 4 as yet unnamed members of the party all 'ooh'ed and ahh'ed and clapped.
"Who are they?" Insidious Wolf asked.
"Who them? They're just extra's. But Prof paid them to be his groupies." Raiden pointed out.
"Ohhh."
As it turned out the metalpipe proved useful. Back in the days of Beta 2, the only things roaming that sector were rats. Not the watered down rats we know today, but big stinking, spleen hanging out their ribs bite your leg off rats. With no remaining weapons, they unleashed Raiden, 'lord of the Kill' on the rats, armed with a metalpipe. An hour later they had an ample supply of meat.
That night a storm blew up outside, and leaving the cave was an impossibility. The 9 companions moved to the far wall, which promptly allowed them to walk right through it.
"Huh? This is a wall right?"
"Apparently." Prof X said.
"Apparently its a wall?" Insidious Wolf asked.
"Well it looks like a wall, seems like a wall, makes you think its a wall, but its not a wall."
"But its still a wall?"
"Apparently."
"...."
Cases of the Apparent Wall often sprung up around Neocron in those days. Thankfully things became a bit more real and less apparent over time. A fact all survivors of Beta 2 are thankful for.
The 9 decided to venture into the mountains depths to get away from the cold.
Now, as every sane person knows, you should choose to freeze your ass off rather than venture blind and poorly armed into the bowels of an unexplored mountain deep in the remotest sections of the world. However these 9 were not sane, they were cold. And when you start having ice formations grow off your privates, reason and logic are the first things to go. So they ventured further.
Eventually they came to a large chamber. It was dimly lit, dry and most of all warm. The 9 moved in and settled down.
"Ohhh yeah, this is much better." KGB-Crazy moaned with no small amount of pleasure.
They settled down and rested. The 4 extras however moved over to the darker corner where they found something strange.
"I've found something strange." Extra 1 said.
"Its a carrot." Extra 2 said.
"Lets eat the carrot." Extra 3 said.
"Yes, lets." Extra 4 took a bite. Then something took a bite out of the extras. They all screamed.
"Look out, somethings in here!" Elle yelled.
"Something killed the extras!" Sid yelped. Prof X wanted him bribes back.
"Well really, I mean you had to expect it. Its what extra's are for... to die first." Raiden pointed out. Everyone thought about that and realised thats why they brought the extra's along in the first place.
The 5 remaining teammates stood ready, Raiden armed with his pipe, the rest with their fists.
Then slowly, out of the shadows crept the single most destructive force in all of Neocron. Teh KillerBunneh! The 5 stood in awe as they realised they had found their goal. Sid was the only one not in sight, sitting in the corridor they had come through, watching with an observer drone.
"Ohh, its so cute!" Elle went over to pet it and immediately split into two by the giant front teeth of Teh Bunneh.
"Nobody messes with the Fur!" Teh Bunneh growled.
"It speaks!" Prof X gasped.
"It comprehends." Bunneh replied. Raiden leapt forward and smashed the pipe over the back of its neck. Unphased, Bunneh slapped him into a nearby wall with its giant ears. Then it sniffed the air.
"You come from Neocron, you bring your filth to my warren. You shall not survive this mistake." Bunneh loomed at Prof X.
"Wait wait, can't we all just sing a song round a campfire and be friends?" Prof suggested. He, Raiden and KGB-Crazy were promptly torn to gibblets by the enraged ball of fluff. Then it sensed the 9th. It loomed into the corridor and glared at Sid.
"Noo, please, noo..." Sid looked on despairingly. Bunneh was about to puree Sid when it smelt something.
"I smell.... CHOCOLATE!!! You have choco bars!" Bunneh's eyes glistened.
"Ahh, yeah, here, they're in my pockets... I'll just get it for you... and AHHHH!!!" Teh Bunneh could not wait any longer.
"Precious Chocolate!!!" and with that it ate the clothes off Sid, leaving him as naked as the day they cloned him.
"You have brought me chocolate. For that, you may live. Now begone." And Bunneh used its overdeveloped hind legs to kick Sid half way back to Neocron.
2 months later a naked and disturbed Sid wandered into Neocron once again, desperately seeking an Outfitter. When asked what had happened, all runners could get from him was.
"Yes.... it was... YES!! It Came To Me... Yes, the... and it... YES, Its Mine... and YES... My ... MY.... My Precious...."
And so it began.
Since this tale, only one runner has ever successfully found and trapped Teh KillerBunneh. That being SpikeZ, on a mission of love, honour and a desire for Booteh. But SpikeZ made sure to bring an offering of Choco Bars, and any wise runner who dares the wastes, will always carry chocolate with them, should they encounter The Long Eared One.
Rumours also tell that Teh KillerBunneh has a master. What being of immeasurable power this is, one can only speculate. But rumours always have a hint of truth behind them.
Until next time...
Biblioteque, if you think you should be NERDed, PM me via this forum with some info about yourself. I do note you're on Saturn, but hey, I'm always trying to think of ways to incorporate the other servers.
*sits back sipping coffee, watching Vash twitch away*
Heheh, I'll let him spasm for another hour, then get started on the next one.
Oh and Arcadius: There's no way anyone can really answer that for you. For some people this may be the biggest waste of 15 forum pages ever. For others this is funny. My recommendation is just read Issue 1 right at the beginning. Its not that long and will probably give you a sense of whether you wanna carry on or not.
The greatest judge of everything in life is yourself...... and Judge Mills Lane. LETS GET IT ON!
Great pasty white English people!!!! I just went to my messenger and there's half a dozen messages from Bibiliotequa.
After cackling my way through some of his suggestions, I suddenly feel very threatened by his sense of humour.... my job is in danger!
Thats it, must make a stand.....
Issue 22: Bibliotequa Vs NERD Editor
Anyways, I have started typing up Issue 19: Long Live the Tyrant now, so shouldn't take too long, assuming I don't get distracted by small furry things with sugar addictions....
(hums away Bib's 'Stronger' parody tune)
Damnit thats catchy....
Anyways, naturally I'm just messing with ya Bib, but you asked to be NERDed, so now you're gonna get it.
Also... and I ph33r the kind of people who might respond to this, but I'm curious as to whether anyone out there would volunteer to sing the lyrics for any upcoming parody songs... if only to give Danae a partner for duets... (Laemin what r u thinking !!!!)
Anyway, back to the grind....
NERD Issue # 019
Long Live The Tyrant
How much do you know about our world? Have you ever truly stopped to think about that? We here at NERD stop to think about that all the time. At times we lose track of the big picture, becoming so engrossed in reporting the latest stunning conflicts between NUTS, JERKs, NUBIs and CRC. We often stop to look around at what else is going on in our world and more often than not learn something. Well today we bring to you a tale that many have advised us is not in our best interests to report. Yet it bears such cruciality to our knowledge of our world, that it is impossible for us to withdraw its publication.
This is the story of Lioon Reza.
We've all heard the history of Neocron. Psi-monks are bad. They got unnaturally shiny bald heads, eyes that change colour, make your head explode if you punch them and took over Neocron to become the ruling class. For that reason, they have been persecuted ever since (why, just recently The DEVS took out their artifact sharpened sharpened polished waxed buffed NERF bat and bashed them all over the head with it, causing them all to forget their previous skills for a time (yes thats right, artifact NERF bats come with 5 slots and can use the 3 secret melee mods!)). They were removed from power.... well ok not removed, grabbed by the short and curly's and thrown out a window is more like it, by the powerful duo of Hagen Yager and Lioon Reza, who formed a rebel force and took back Neocron. The two shared the common dream of removing Neocron's ruling class and installing a democratic system into the city where everyone could have an equal say, vote for their leaders, jaywalk without prejudice and eat snowcones at 4 in the morning while buck naked, dangling from a bungee cord over the waters behind Neocron city.
And of course that didn't happen.
Instead, once the Monks were given the shafting, instead of a Ruling class, there came the Ruler. Lioon Reza took command of the city singlehandedly and filled the city with Copbots and STORMbots as his private police force, completely loyal (aside from the odd amok one, as we mentioned some 15 issues ago) to Reza's rule.
And what happened to poor old Yager? Well he got older. But he took what forces were left after the revolution and retreated to a great big hole in the side of a cliff. He put some concrete down, a few throw-cushions, dotted some guards around the place and called it home. Thus the Twilight Guardians came into being. The rebels that put Reza into power now wanted to kick his ass out. You'd think they'd see the sick cycle of history they're all playing into here, but hey, thats a rebellion for ya, all guns and glory, no brainpower whatsoever.
And so it was that Reza, in command of the city of Neocron, took his role as leader/dictator of the city and began his glorious reign. He built the city up, instituted changes, helped build up the Space industry, lost interest in the industry when things seemed... less than perfect, and now has not been seen for an extended period of time. The occasional publication comes from his office, but none see him. Or do they?
Sitting in his Plaza level 4 apartment, the lushest of the lush, Reza looked out upon his domain. It had not been a great 2 weeks for his rule. His recent experiments with Cyborg technology had gotten out of control, right when he needed it under his control more than ever. The Y replicants (named so because of the Y-fronts, the only form of underwear the technicians could get them to wear) had launched an assault on the eastern wastelands. This was not a problem to Reza. After all an attack on Yager and Rodriguez's corner of the world was no bad thing. The Twilight Guardians had been caged, having to expend vast amounts of their income of teleportation costs to get out of their lands. However, the unfortunately control failure had meant an obscene number of casualties on Neocron-friendly troops. This was not a good thing. It seemed that the rogue Replicants would be brought under control soon, but the PR nightmare was getting worse. A threat was stirring, and Reza had been ordered to meet it.
"Casandra, come in here please." Reza spoke into his comterm. Casandra Edwards, Reza's personal assistant entered the room. She served as Reza's plaything... err, I mean public liason. She handled all contact with the outside world, allowing Reza to simply give the orders, and not deal with the bitching that usually came about from such orders. Edwards was almost frighteningly capable at handling all matters sent her way. The entire beauracracy of a Megopolis passed through her desk, and she never even lost the memo's pertaining to the buildup of Milky Ren wrappers in certain Mountain caves. City supplies, internal conflicts, data communications from what was left of the GPS system, all of it. She dealt with the mechanics of the city. Reza just manned the steering wheel. She entered the room and stood waiting for Reza's latest whim (and yes, we do mean any whim. For to keep Reza happy and away from her secret dealings, Edwards would provide him with anything he wanted. Funny how the backstabbing, manipulative power-hungry egomaniacs always end up working in the same office, huh?
Anyway....
"Casandra. Are my Y-fronts ready?"
"Yes sir, you left them on my vanity cabinet last night."
"No, the other ones."
"Ohh the replicants, yes they're standing by in Storage Hall Omega."
"Very good. I want those Y-fronts destroyed, do you hear me!"
"You want your cyborg squadrons terminated?"
"No, my underwear, destroy it, and get me another pair."
"Oh...., very good sir." Cassandra made a note to take Reza's Y-fronts off after work and burn them. (Hey, if you can't sit in the bosses chair, sit in the bosses... you get the idea.)
"What business today?" Reza looked out the window, his back to Cassandra, who was doing 'sexy' thrusts at him as she spoke.
"Tangent Technologies is continuing its reign over most economic matters. There control over the Outposts has been threatened by The Resistance, and with JERK's joining TG things have become difficult out there. Fortunately the NDA is holding out strong."
"Good, I must find a way to use them to my advantage in the future."
"Yes sir, I anticipated that thought, so have begun drafting up ideas for your approval."
"Excellent. What else."
"We need to pay out a loss fee to City Mercs."
"What for?" Reza yelled.
"A squad was annihilated protecting a Choco Bar convoy past Tech Haven. Apparently the bodies were chewed up and bits of fur were found."
"Teh Bunneh.... how long will he steal our chocolate? Very well pay the fee, but reroute all convoys through the swamplands from now on."
"There's the matter of the meeting with the Fallen Angels about purchasing their security bot technology for use in Neocron."
"Cancel that."
"Why, may I ask." Casandra looked at Reza, who pulled out a dossier full of 'screenies' showing poor, pitiful TH security bots ripped to shreds. Many of the bots had either CryptoCronic or Megaman posing over the smouldering remains.
"The only thing these bots are good at protecting is the ground under their charred hulls. I have no use for toaster ovens with elastic band launchers. CANCEL IT!"
"Consider them dissed."
"Now, is Agent Chaos outside?" Reza sat at his desk.
"Yes sir, he is." Edwards took that as her que to send Agent Chaos in. Agent Chaos walked in and sat at the desk.
"Well, what news?" Reza asked.
"I R L337 Precious!!" Sid blurted out. Reza groaned.
"Shut up you egomaniac." Sid stopped talking.
"Now, what news." Sid said nothing.
"Well?"
"You said to shut up." Sid responded.
"Then Unshutup."
"I R STILL L337. U SU)(OR REZ()R." Reza pulled a NERF pistol from under his desk (another relic of the lost technologies, a short range NERF cannon that can be used on one person at close range). "Ok I behave."
"Is it done?"
"No...."
"WHAT!"
"NUTS got there first. NUBI could not begin an infiltration of NEXT. We had to assimilate the City Mercs instead."
"You FOOL! How you could you let NUTS in first?"
"Well thats where you keep your nuts, they're right up front you see... and..."
"NOT YOUR NUTS, NUTS, the CLAN I SHOULD HAVE HIRED INSTEAD OF YOUR SORRY l337speak, talk to your Precious ASS!"
"Are we talking about ASS now, cause they're gone."
"SHUT UP YOU FOOL!" Reza was enraged, "they are coming, do you realise that? The factions are at war inside the city and are in no position to hold them back. You were supposed to bring NEXT into the fold, which would have brought BioTech in as well. City Admin is mine, and with enough money City Mercs would have been mine as well. Now all you've accomplished is saving me from stealing some of NDA's clan funds again."
"So what should I do?"
"Nothing. You're not up to this kind of work, that is obvious now. Return to your NUBI's and prepare them. Regardless of this failing I will still need them."
"Understood... precious, yes!!" Reza glared. Sid told Precious to wait outside.
After Sid was removed, Cassandra returned.
"What now for the afternoon sir?"
"Take it off." Cassandra started removing her top, "I meant the afternoon. Take the afternoon off."
"Ohh. Thank you sir."
"Be here at 5am tomorrow. Its going to be a long day." Cassandra looked on at the dictator, with his broad shoulders and gigantic ass (thats what you get when you spend all your time sitting behind a desk (RED SUBTITLES SLAM DOWN "GOOD HEALTH ADVICE!")) and wondered what would happen tomorrow.
Once she left, Reza activated his terminal and opened a secret channel. It was password locked. He typed in "Magnitus Jupitus Servitus" and the channel opened.
"I stand as ready as I can, My Master. Open the gates, and let the blood flow." A deep maniacal laugh could be heard...
Until next time...
Ok, so that was Issue 19. Now work begins on 20.
It won't be out today I don't think. 20 is intended to be noticably longer than all the other issues. I warn you all now IT WILL NOT BE FUNNY. This is my version of where I think the plotline is going. It is not official (despite everyones favourite Sewer Fly GM being the writer) nor is it based on any secret knowledge. This is just my thoughts from reading the Neocronicles and watching the activity ingame.
As for PIMP, your exclusion from NERD is because:
a.) I haven't needed you guys yet
b.) this is all a big conspiracy to make all the criminal elements in Tsunami despair and change factions. In short, a conspiracy to turn you into carebears.
But don't worry. Issue 20 is the turning point in the NERD universe. Once I hit 21, we get new clans, new acronyms, more characters, new forbidden technologies and of course, Megaman's jukebox.
Also NDA will get more mention once I figure out a new acronym for them. I considered TITS (Tangent Internal Tactical Soldiers) but figured Danae might bust my ass with a wet towel for that one.... ah well.
So, stay tuned and change your Y-fronts, cause Issue 20: "The Gates Open" is coming soon.
Regardless of personal opinions about PIMP (or any other clan mentioned in NERD for that matter) they are probably the most noticable Tsunami clan I've seen (goes to double check they are Tsunami). My overall intention is to bring 1 or two of the bigger, more involved clans from each faction into the storyline. Other clans may get mentioned in their own little story, but may not get the same recurring roles as the others.
For example: On Pluto it is impossible to deny the presence of System Shock (aka JERK's). Further their subsidiary System Shock International is quite notable too. NDA (TITS?) and Blue Tech (NUTS) are the two richest clans on all of Pluto. NUBI is a total invention of mine to keep the legend of Sid going.
So for those clans who think they deserve to be NERD'ed and in a big way..... go increase your reputation on Pluto. Bend Mega over and play Spank Teh Monkeh. Find the secret warren of Teh Bunneh. Teach Laemin how to use his skin changer.... (stop talking about yourself in the 3rd person).
Anyway, all in good time. NERD is still in its early stages (I hope) and if I make it to Issue 50 (all work and no sleep make Laemin.... something something....) I hope to have created a parody world that encompasses more of Pluto than what it does right now. Issue 20 should be a step in the right direction.
Back to the typathon. 110 words a minute and it still takes hours to write....
I'm on all Servers Snake. I'm Laemin of the Neocron Gamesmasters. So that should also answer your question: yes I'm in the story as well, as the GM who can't control his skin changer.
Alright... back to work.
NERD Issue # 020
The Gates Open
>>>> 0527 hrs, Neocron Central Time. 3rd District, Dome of York <<<<
The office, or what was passing for an office, was barely lit. A dull hum from a single gas powered lantern in the middle of the room was the only sound and one of the two light sources. The other was coming from the terminal, placed precariously on a box, which was substituting for a desk.
The Dome of York rebuild had been long and slow, but the results were pleasing. The citizens were of a mind that there was work to do, and it must be done. And they had a very determined plan of action for how it should be done. And that plan did not feature offices or tools of beauracracy as important. Hence offices were little more than storage rooms with a few extra power conduits, a terminal and a chair (some had to do without the latter).
The Dome itself was the first problem to be rebuilt, as it was the sole protection from the elements. The gates, walls and defenses came after. Basic amenities, food processing came afterwards (you'd be suprised how much work a taskforce can do being fed on ratmeat and suffering).
Of course, this work was done under relative hush. Neocron had crushed Dome of York during the Ceres war, and they monitored the Dome still, to protect against any further uprisings.
But recent years had seen CityAdmin distracted. Battles with the Twilight Guardians had distracted them, the Y Replicants had distracted them, and their own internal struggles had distracted them. When JERK's became Twilight Guardians, the city had gone into panic at the thought of confrontations, and the city turned its eye away from Dome of York again... and for too long.
The terminal began beeping. A transmission was coming through. The sole individual in the room entered the code, and the transmission began.
"It is time." the voice growled and filled the room with animosity, "are you prepared?"
"Yes My Master." the individual replied.
"Then do my bidding. Open the gates, and set forth War." the transmission ended. The individual opened a channel to the cities speaker system
"Begin Operation Retaliation".
>>>> 0529 Neocron Standard Time. Plaza lvl 4 Apartment, Reza's Office, Neocron <<<<
The terminal beeped and Reza entered his code. Cassandra sat across the desk, half unconscious at this time of the morning. Then the voice began.
"It has begun. Prepare yourselves. Prove yourself to me once again Reza." The animosity was overpowering. Cassandra began to quiver in her seat.
"Yes My Master." Reza responded.
"Pass this test and I shall grant you your desire. Fail me and pay dearly." The message ended. Cassandra looked on at Reza, who just nodded. They both realised the truth. Failure was not an option.
"This will be a long day." Reza sighed.
"I'll get some stamina boosters..." Cassandra left the room.
>>>> 0545 Plaza 2, Neocron <<<<
Wannabe had just exited his apartment and was heading off to work in the subway tubes again today. The job would be a long one, expected to take a good 15 hours, but there was plenty of overtime involved, so he skipped off to work, excited.
>>>> 0545 Sector 1, Military Base <<<<
Insidious Wolf was running around buzzing doorbells to summon his NUBI's to awaken. He knew he did not have much time to prepare. As he hammered the buzzers to their apartments he continued to check his inventory. All the necessary modules were there. He would have to remember to check his goguardian for psi boosters before too long as well...
>>>> 0599 Escador Oasis, K Parallel, Wastelands <<<<
5 runners were attacking a Grim Persecutor from the balcony's of a mud hut. This was common practice around the Oasis. One passive Monk healed everyone while the 4 aggressors blasted the Grim to its premature demise.
"Cool. We killed it fast!" The passive monk yelled. The other 4 yelled their agreement. The monk cast a blessed heal and went to recast his boosts when a section of the hut exploded into debris. Now, generally speaking the mud huts are baked solid by the desert sun, and can withstand an obscene amount of firepower, but this time an entire section of the hut was reduced to dust in the blink of an eye. A second blink and the passive monk was smeared across the landscape.
"He's down, he's down, take cover." One yelled.
"Who's attacking?" Another yelled. The monk respawned at the Generep and was about to start heading back to where his gear would have fallen, but couldn't walk. The reason being his lower torso had been severed. And then, the entire building, generep and all exploded into a fireball, consuming his contorted form in fire. The generep was destroyed. A hail of plasma fire and missiles ripped the landscape apart. The four hunters were annihilated, and forced to respawn much further away. The small shabby town at Escador Oasis was obliterated in 7 minutes. A deep, thudding rumble echoed through the sector.
>>>> 0606 Tescom Uplink, K Parallel, Wastelands <<<<
The 5 members of the hunt respawned, only to be threatened by N00bish and Artricia. Artricia made her eyes glow blue and terrified N00bish, which was the only thing saving the hunting party from being summarily executed.
"Easy, we're not here to fight, we need some help." The Monk spoke.
"State your business." N00bish growled.
"We just got hammered at Escador. Theres a hunting party out there with some serious firepower. We want you two to help us get them back." Terms of the deal were arranged and the two joined the 5 and began walking. They were passing the Mauseleum, home of The Grave when they stopped to listen. Not far off, a deep, thudding rumble could be heard, and it was getting louder.
"Is that them?" Artricia asked.
"Yeah. They must be beyond that sandcloud." One of the rifle users pulled out his gun and used the scope.
"Um.... thats not a sandcloud..." the 7 combatants opened fire, hailing destruction at the oncoming tempest, but could not hope to stop it.
>>>> 0612 Eastgate Factory, H Parallel, Wastelands <<<<
Turret fire poured energy out at the oncoming seige. JERK's were in possession of Eastgate, but at this time were called away to business in Twilight Guardians HQ. The turrets were continuously firing on the attackers, but were quickly ripped to shreds within 3 minutes. The walls were broken and the hack terminal destroyed.
>>>> 0614 JERK's clan apartment, Twilight Guardians <<<<
Shadow and Murkster listened to their com-units as the automated messages came in. Their turrets had been destroyed and the outpost lost. The whole attack had lasted less than 3 minutes. Assured that either NUBI or NUTS had launched a major offensive, they began summoning their troops to head in and retaliate, when 2 minutes later, messages from Soliko came flooding in. At this, they were suspicious. Neither of their nemesis' had the manpower or firepower to overcome their stationary defenses that fast, even less so at two outposts. They called all JERK's to TG. They needed a plan.
>>>> 0615 Typherra Memorial, Plaza 1, Neocron <<<<
Artricia, N00bish, The Monk and their 4 associates respawn at Medicare. Battered and bruised and sorely lacking in equipment, they collapse. Concerned faction members move them to the medical units further inside Medicare to recover. They remain in a state of unconsciousness for some time.
>>>> 0651 Drakkhan Fortress, K Parallel, Wastelands <<<<
The fortresses guns spring to life. Members of the NDA flood through the generep and take up defensive positions. The battle for Drakkhan takes 32 minutes. It is later discovered that this is the longest time an outpost was successfully defended for during the course of the day. NDA members are forced back through the generep just before a missile slams through the reinforced outpost walls and annihilates the southern section of the outpost. The generep is damaged, but still remains. 2 minutes before the seige ends, Centuri teleports to Via Rosso 2 to report to Tangent HQ with screenies of the foe.
>>>> 0700 61 minutes after first shots fired <<<<
11 outposts have been disabled or destroyed, the 12th, Drakkhan fortress is under heavy fire. Rumours of the assaults begin to pass by word of mouth to the Neocron populace from the wounded, who are appearing in increasing numbers.
>>>> 0700 Sector 1, Military Base <<<<
With an unusual lack of his usual l337speak, Insidious Wolf addresses the City Mercs members in attendance and clan leaders. He informs them of a major threat headed there way at speed and estimates their arrival before 0800. Oddly enough, no wounded have passed through MB to bring any rumours to the Base. But Sid is so convincing, that the population of City Mercs begin arming themselves and take up tactical defense positions around MB. None have time to query where Sid got his information. Employing the magnificent efficiency in combat situations the City Mercs possess, the defenders are in position within 15 minutes.
>>>> 0702 Drakkhan Fortress, K Parallel, Wastelands <<<<
A sole runner on a speederbike making his escape towards MB notices four pods being launched into the Northern Ocean from just Northwest of the now wrecked outpost. The runner transmitted the information to his clanmates in PIMP. Tsunami Syndicate begins to learn of the happenings in the Northern wastes.
>>>> 0721 Via Rosso 2, Neocron <<<<
Centuri arrives outside Tangent HQ and immediately enters. 2 minutes later he is notified by his clan that the outpost has fallen. He reports to Tangent High Command and requests to perform an emergency briefing. Thanks to the rumours having preceded his arrival, he is granted the briefing. Over the next 15 minutes Centuri outlines the attack and then reveals what their foes are. The screenies depict Cyborgs, armed with a nightmarish variety of weapons, from plasma cannons and rifles, to Multi shot Missile launchers. Worse still are the strange quadrapedal artillery and mobile missile rack vehicles they are using to bombard their targets. There are 6 legged infiltration robots that scale the walls and enter the outposts from above, armed with duel laser scythes. Fortunately their joints are their weakness, but are nonetheless incredibly difficult to destroy with projectile fire, and must be engaged with melee weapons. Some of the cyborgs are standing approximately 3 metres tall, and worse still are what are being referred to as 'Beta Warbots', twice the size of Warbot Titans, armed with duel plasma rifles and a Moonstriker Missile launcher. Tangent Technologies declares a state of emergency throughout the faction and forwards the info to CityAdmin at 0739
>>>> 0739 Plaza lvl 4 Apartment, Reza's Office, Neocron <<<<
The information from Tangent arrives simultaneously at the terminal of all city officials and heads of factions, including Tsunami Syndicate and Black Dragons. Reza takes one look at the information and all the addressee's and realises the City Mercs have not been contacted. 2 minutes after the message is received, he opens communications to the Base. THe channel opens but heavy static disrupts the signal.
"City Merc Battalion, do you read?" Reza calls.
"....Batt.... here.... no..... explan.... can't talk right now sir.... forces.... engagement has begun..... information.... we'll let you know." The voice seemed familiar to Reza, as one of the attache's to Battalion Command. He attempted to determine what the message had meant. He assumed the worst.
>>>> 0740 Military Base Entrance, J Parallel, Wastelands <<<<
The rumbe had engulfed the zone completely. Normal runners faced with an almost earthquake like sound would have turned and fled. But the ardent City Mercs held their ground. Additional guards were out in force, armed with Gatling Rifles. The clans were in strategic positions. The monks of NUBI had placed themselves on the raised cliff by the power generators, from which they could reignt destruction. In the flatlands, the Khans stood predominant. Gargantua had spoken with the other smaller CM clans and positioned them around the MB Bunker. Battalion HQ armed the missile launchers on the roof of the MB, for the first time since they were installed.
"Swiftburn, move to that ditch there, deploy along the southern border." Gargantua yelled.
"Roger, Funktron, with me."
"Nerac, Axion, Deacon, take those troops with you and move forward. Launch a volley when you can see the enemy then fall back, and keep repeating till you're back here."
"Understood Commander," Deacon called back. Insidious Wolf instructed his healers to take up positions between the Khans and NUBI, and to assist any in need.
And then they saw the enemy.
The armies of York continued their rumbling advance. The City Mercs stood their ground. A volley of missiles were launched from the attackers and began slamming into the ground around them. A few were knocked over. The passive module users initiated psi barriers and healing. Deacon and Axion opened fire and took out a dozen enemy cyborgs, then pulled back as their position was assaulted by the scythe-bots. The Beta Warbots hailed plasma after them as they ran for the next ditch. Sid, who posessed the furthest attacking range, opened fire with Holy Lightning on one of the Beta Warbots. It responded with 3 very large rockets which Sid had to dive out of the way of. Two sailed past, but the third hit the dish atop the Base and it exploded into fragments. Communication to and from the base was now cut off.
Megaman teleported into Military Base at 0744. Unaware of what was going on outside, he had come for a ganking session, to kill a few runners and probably get a mod for his new MoonStriker launcher. Yet no one was around. He looked about and even the store vendors were gone. He was about to give up and leave when the explosion of the dish above rocked the facility. He looked around, wondering what that had been and whether it would be any fun when the speakers came to life.
"Code Red. Code Red. Base is under attack. Communications disabled. Structural integrity is holding. Hazard teams to East Wing. All able bodied runners to the surface. This is not a drill. Repeat, not a drill. Military Base is under attack." Megaman charged for the surface.
>>>> 0745 Sector 3, Military Base <<<<
A pod surfaced through the underground pool and the hatch opened. Scythe-bots and cyborgs poured out into the very bowels of the Military Base. 3 Demo-troopers headed for the power conduits, the rest, for the stairwell shaft.
>>>> 0747 Entrance, Military Base <<<<
As Megaman made it through the last door he noticed a few power fluctuations. He was about to ignore it and carry on towards the explosions outside when he peered over the edge into the abandoned elevator shaft. His eyes whitened as he looked at the dozens of scythe-bots scrambling up the walls towards him. Without hesitation, he pulled his Moonstriker and began launching shots into the shaft. Bots were annihilated left right and centre. Unfortunately, they kept on coming. Megaman activated his zone broadcast chat to alert someone to the danger, but the signal was not getting through.
>>>> 0815 Military Base Entrance, J Parallel, Military Base <<<<
Despite the horrendous amount of firepower coming their way, the CityMercs were holding their ground. The passive monks were overworked but effective. Droves of cyborgs had been destroyed, but The artillery was coming to bear now. The saving grace were the missile racks atop the Base. Their extended range was causing massive collateral damage.
"Keep it up guys, we can do this!" Lady Hawk yelled. A resounding cheer came up from the troops. They had noticed that zone communications were being disrupted, but co-ordination of the defense was not affected. The guards used their gatling rifles to intercept as many rockets as they could, and a few more members of The Khans were bringing their Rhino tanks into position to lay down fire. All of a sudden the communication jamming failed for a moment and they received a message
"For the love of ....... GET INSIDE THE BASE!!" Megaman yelled. He'd been fighting for 28 minutes already to hold the flow, "You're all about to be cut off! They're in the shaft!" Sudden horror reached the Mercs as they realised they'd been flanked in a big way.
"Pull back NUBI's, see what you can do, we'll try to hold them here!" Gargantua yelled. Sid led the NUBI's to Megaman, who was cut up pretty bad and his power armour was falling apart. But nonetheless he stood with Devils Grace in hand and slaughtered all that tried to get past. NUBI joined the fight and it looked like they would save the rear flank until....
>>>> 0820 Sector 3, Military Base <<<<
The three Demo-troopers had blown the door and detonated the conduits. Power to the base cut out. The doors lost power, lights went out and the missile racks shut down.
>>>> 0821 Military Base Entrance, J Parallel, Military Base <<<<
The missile racks stopped answering, and the attackers responded with an indescribable amount of firepower. Missile after missile impacted with the base's outer walls, destroying the generators, racks and creating serious cracks in the bases structure. Without fire support, those outside were forced to begin retreating inside. Within 7 minutes, all City Mercs had fled inside and were teleporting to Neocron via the generep (which thankfully has an independent power supply). The Khans forgave past crimes for the time and assisted the wounded Megaman through the GR. At 0830 precisely, the Military Base was declared lost on all counts. And the attackers turned south.
>>>> 0900 EGOS Realm, Higher Plain of Existence <<<<
The EGOS began to gather at ZeroSanity's beckoning. As they came together, a general hush came over them as they watched the proceedings from above. ZeroSanity, master of the numbers, took a rough tally. Over 2 million cyborg troops and their heavy support had flooded from the dome, and more was still coming. Not a single runner still existed above the J Parallel.
>>>> 0930 CityAdmin, Reza's Conference Room, Neocron <<<<
The heads of all City based clans and factions, including representatives from Crahn were summoned. Reza himself appeared at the meeting. All information is given including a full debrief from the City Mercs and Megaman. At 1000 Neocron declares that all clans must lay turrets at their outposts and then fall back to the city. An invitation offered to the Twilight Guardians to attend the meeting without repercussions is not accepted. Reza himself calls on all clans to set aside their differences for the course of the day and to arm themselves for heavy combat. NUBI, NDA, NUTS, CRC, The Exterminators, Psychosys Network, PIMP, MAXT, Synergy, Hunters Guild and The Khans are recognised as the forward wave in the defense due to their numbers and/or outpost holdings. By the time the meeting ends at 1015, all outposts from the H line south that have not already been destroyed are turreted and then abandoned. For the next 4 hours, Neocron itself will be in a mass frenzy of arming and preparation. Reza gives private instructions to Cassandra Edwards, who heads to Outzone Sector 7 under the guard of 8 STORMbots.
>>>> 1015 JERK's HQ, Twilight Guardians <<<<
Word reaches of the meeting between all other clans, with the exception of TG clans.
"Why would we not be invited?" Agent K asked.
"We were," Mehirc responds, "but TG leaders have chosen not to respond.
"What? Why? Our outposts have been annihilated by this threat. Why would we not be called to meet it?" Shadow argued.
"I don't know, but I'm not liking this. Do we still hold Jerikko?" Murkster asked.
"Yes."
"Then let us deploy there, and see for ourselves whats going on." And so JERK's moved to Jerikko Fortress to await the coming of the storm.
>>>> 1020 - 1200 J Parallel to F Parallel, Wastelands <<<<
During this time, every outpost within this region is annihilated. The mines are the only outposts left in working order, as transports arrive and workers head into the mineshafts. Collateral damage cannot be valued. At exactly 1200 hours, the front wave of the assault force arrives just outside the firing range of the Tech Haven turret defenses. For the first time since the first shots are fired, the assault force halts its advance.
>>>> 1200 Sector 2, Tech Haven <<<<
What is left of Technocracy, along with the newly formed Carebear Daycare, under the command of DX Defender and Agent Fukhead, watch the external feed on the terminals.
"How many are ready to fight?"
"Most of the populace is here, we've got them divided up between TH 1 and 3 entrances. We should be able to hold them out." Fukhead responded. Deo, formerly of ASS, came running up.
"I've spoken with the technicians, we can seal the pressure doors and slow any breach. We're in good shape."
>>>> 1205 Reactor Area, Tech Haven & Mainsewer Neocron <<<<
One pod surfaces in Tech Haven, 2 in Mainsewer Neocron. The contents of the Tech Haven one is Demo troopers and Scythe-bots. The contents of the Neocron pair are hacker units, demo troopers and plasma cyborgs. They begin working their way quietly to their targets. At 1210, the TH team has set charges with 3 minute timers on all TH reactors.
>>>> 1213 Tech Haven <<<<
The reactors explode in a nightmarish release of force, fire and radiation. Power to all systems is knocked out. The turret system collapses and the assault force charges forward. A robotic vehicle, similar in shape to the DoomReaper, begins scaling the side of the cliff and begins boring through the wall. Cyborgs flood to the entrances unopposed by turrets. The scythe bots scale the corridors towards TH2.
Tech Haven gravlifts are bypassed by Scythe bots in TH1 and the defenders who were largely packing energy projectile weapons are forced back fast by the lethal onslaught. Cyborgs pour down the ramps in TH3, though not without heavy casualties as the CareBear Daycare's live up to the opposite of their name. But all are forced into TH2. Fallen Angel Science Council initiates the pressure door seal and locks TH2 off.... until...
The gates from the Reactor burst open and floods of cyborgs burst through. The reactor explosion had ruptured a hole in the cliff and was allowing troops to flood in. The vehicle boring in from the outside finished its work and cyborgs drop in through the roof of TH2. Fallen Angels clans quickly realise that a.) their security bots, which are little match for Tangent or Black Dragons have no hope against cyborgs and b.) that continued fighting in such close quarters is a mistake, immediately decide to withdraw through the genereps to Neocron. 35% of those present are killed in the rush to get through the teleporters. At 1300 hours, one hour after the engagement began, the facility is taken. Fallen Angels request and are granted temporary assylum in Neocron and join the effort to prepare the last line of defence. Of those in the defence, only Mako Tanaka of NUTS does not return and is declared 'MIA'.
>>>> 1330 Twilight Guardians Entrance, E Parallel <<<<
Extremely heavy armour columns flow past TG, and hordes of cyborgs along with them. None turn an eye towards TG itself. TG runners either stay inside the city's walls or watch from the balcony's. None oppose the cyborgs. TG Command issues no orders whatsoever.
>>>> 1340 Subway System, Neocron <<<<
Wannabe, carrying on his work, hears of the disturbances, but as he is not relieved of his position, chooses not to abandon his job just because of some war going on in the Wastelands. As he works, once again at the mouth of one of the old lines, he thinks he hears faint thudding rumbles <<<<
>>>> 1340 Outzone Station, Neocron <<<<
"Ok guys, lets try and get organised here. NDA, you guys wanna take the western side of the entrance, NUTS will take the East?" NDA nodded their assent. Omega res led them out, Sl33py carrying the spare ammo.
"Khans, you and The Eradicators head over to the Outzone 8 exit?" They agreed and moved out. Bob The Builder and Belisarius took point.
"Hunters Guild and PsychoSys, you two hold the OZ 9 exit, defend the Chapel." Genty, Tweek, [PSYnet] Ciphyer and [PSYnet] Shakira led the way.
The forces of Neocron laid out across the line to protect the city wall. The city itself had a shield emitted around the wall to protect it from attack, so the only real weaknesses were the entrances. So the defenses were laid thick around the 3 gates. Now all that they needed to do was to wait.
>>>> 1500 Teh KillerBunneh's Warren, Unknown Mountain Cave <<<<
Teh Bunneh looked on at the cyborgs marching past his hole. He could have easily swatted thousands of them, but a message came to his hole
"Do not interfere." was all it said in a menacing voice.
"Yes My Master...." Teh Bunneh hissed.
>>>> 1530 Wastelands in General <<<<
All outposts north of the C Parallel are destroyed. All Mines are now under the active use of York forces, including intense work at Ceres Mine. All runners have fallen back to either Twilight Guardians, Neocron, or Jerriko Fortress.
>>>> 1600 Jerriko Fortress, B Parallel, Wastelands <<<<
JERK's open fire on the cyborg front lines. In a brilliant show of aggression by the clan, 58,000 cyborgs and Scythe-bots are destroyed. Shadow himself takes his Cursed Soul and leaps into the mass of cyborgs, releasing plasma at point blank range, raking up massive kills. But the battle at no point looks promising. Without even realising that there are now over 5 million cyborgs heading towards Neocron, the outpost is surrounded and the vendors have left. JERK's are running low on ammo, and right before they decide to retreat, two of Yorks mobile artillery cannons open fire with Uranium Shells and crush the North and East walls. JERK's make a dash for the generep, but it is annihilated before they can teleport. In desparation Murkster spawns an APC at the AGC and JERK's pile in, and make speed for Neocron.
>>>> 1614 Outzone Station Exit, A Parallel, Neocron ((((
The APC pulls up and JERK's get out. NDA and NUTS automatically go on high alert.
"Easy," Murkster yells, "this isn't the time for that. You know whats coming right?" They ease off.
"So what, you're here to help?"
"Our war for the outposts out there is between all of us. These guys are getting in the way. Lets take em down and then we'll deal with each other."
"Agreed." Reefsmoker called back, "You guys be the roaming team, move around."
"Very well," Shadow called out. And thus JERK's became the only TG clan in the defense against the Dome of York invasion. None realised how many cyborgs were heading their way, but none cared either. There was nowhere else to fall back to.
>>>> 1615 Subway, Neocron <<<<
Wannabe was heading off to his lunchbreak. As he passed the old abandoned shaft he heard the rumble getting stronger. He peeked his head down the shaft and saw literally thousands of cyborgs marching towards him. In stricken panic, he grabbed the fusion welder and threw it into the tunnel, he pulled his pistol and blasted it till it went critical and detonated the tunnel. Grabbing his com-unit he broadcast an emergency message to CityAdmin
"This is Wannabe, I just saw a shi*tload of cyborgs coming down the old subway lines. If they found a way in here, they can get in other ways. I've sealed the tunnel, but you need to get some STORM bots down here in case they break through. I'm getting the hell outta here!!!"
>>>> 1620 Neocron in General <<<<
The long range launchers opened fire on the City walls. The shield bounced them off easily. Cyborgs began charging in waves, but the hundreds of battle-ready runners easily picked them off from their elevated positions. Many had already fought them and were accustomed to their weaknesses now.
"We can hold them, everyone stay sharp!" Centuri yelled. Lady Hawk pulled out a scope and watched a giant launcher prepare. It was armed with 2 giant missiles, about half the size of the old ICBM shells in the war museum in Plaza 4.
"Pfft, what're they gonna do with that?"
>>>> 1624 Mainsewer, Neocron <<<<
The stealth attack took place in 60 seconds. They hit the power generators, couplings and exhaust ports. Neocron suffered massive power outages and the backup power was distributed to emergency services. The exhausts burst and cyborgs flooded into the Outzone.
>>>> 1625 Outzone Subway Exit, A Parallel, Neocron <<<<
The missiles launched and the shield fell. Reza who had come to the front line looked on in horror.
"TAKE COVER!!!"
The two missiles crashed into the Neocron outer wall and split a gash in it the size of Typherra Memorial. 68 were killed in the blast. Cyborgs streaked towards the opening. In panic, Reza gave the order.
"Edwards, release the X-borgs!"
>>>> 1626 Outzone 7, Neocron <<<<
Cassandra released the X-borgs. Some months ago CityAdmin had acquired the blueprints to Ceres Cyborgs. That experiment ended in an outbreak at Ceres Mine. Those were the test types. The Y replicants had been the Prototypes. The X-borgs were the combat class. Twice as strong as Y reps and linked to a singular consciousness, they moved as one, they fought as one and they slaughtered as one. The X-borgs flooded into the Outzone and engaged the Cyborgs. The Outzone, already known as a slum, was turned into a living nightmare.
2nd and 3rd Waves of the X-borgs flooded out into the battlefield afront the wall. They were efficient savages, slaughtering without mercy. The troops of Neocron cheered as they began to turn back the invasion.... till they turned on the troops. The Khans took it worst, losing 11 members and wounding 20 more. Thus the battle had to be fought against Reza's latest mistake as well. Hope was fading fast.
"Cassandra, prepare it."
"Are you sure sir?" She asked.
"Failure is not an option." SpikeZ was listening in on the conversation.
"Very well, I shall prepare the missile for launch. Target?"
"Dome of York."
"Not the cyborgs?"
"If we fall, they will not be around to enjoy the victory. Target the CFM at Dome of York!" Reza growled. SpikeZ had already left for OZ 7.
NDA and JERK's pressed forward, taking as good as they got. The main problem came from the Beta Warbots, who's ability to hail endless fire was stemming any resistance movements.
The Eradicators and The Hunters Guild continued the long range assault, and wished they could hit the launchers, that were constantly forcing them to abandon their place of cover.
STORM bots began to march through Pepper Park heading for Outzone to stop the X-borgs and Cyborgs. Never before had so many units been seen at once.
It was at this time that a message from Mako Tanaka was received. Warlock, Evangelion and Diesel, who had pulled back into OZ station for healing and re-armament, received it.
"Mako, you ok?" Eva asked.
"Yeah, listen, guys, I got a plan. Can you get to Tech Haven?" she asked.
"Isn't it still swarming with cyborgs?" Warlock asked.
"In places yeah, but if you hit hard and fast we can secure TH2. From there we can get to the reactors."
"For what purpose?" Diesel asked.
"Before he died one of the members of the Council told me that there's a backup system for the turrets. If we get that online we can cut off a large portion of their forces."
Warlock summoned half of NDA and NUTS into OZ station. They also got Megaman. The force teleported through to TH at 1923.
>>>> 1929 Outzone Sector 7, Neocron <<<<
Cassandra was fueling the two missiles. Only one would be needed though. She was pondering how to cover her ass for this when the people realised what they had in their possession, but now was not the time. She was about to launch when SpikeZ and Danae tackled her.
"Going to wipe out Dome of York and leave the rest of us to be butchered huh? No teddybear for you honey!" Danae kicked Cassandra in the boobies. Spikez checked the gear.
"What the.... where the hell did you get two of these?" He glared at Edwards.
"Why sweetie? What are they?" Danae asked.
"These are the cause of the Cleansing Light. These are Cold Fusion Missiles." Danae would have dropped her nuts, had she nuts to drop. Here before them were two of the missiles that changed the fate of the world forever. SpikeZ however, saw that they were about to change their fortunes.... hopefully.
"This is SpikeZ to Reef and Centuri. I got some serious firepower here. I think I can thin out the reinforcements. Where shall I fire?"
"Aim between here and TH." Warlock had intercepted the message, "we got a plan. Hit there at 1940 and we'll cut off everything north of that. Then its just the stuff at the gates."
"Roger."
>>>> 1934 Sector 2, Tech Haven <<<<
From the A and B genereps, NUTS and NDA and Megaman poured in. The melee users went first, carving their way through TH2 to the Reactor entrance. Within 4 minutes they reached the emergency controls. Mako entered the code and the guns went online a minute later.
>>>> 1940 Wasteland in general <<<<
The turrets around Tech Haven opened up and began slaughtering cyborgs and heavy armour. Then two missiles sailed over and impacted in D 06 and C 09. The earth shook throughout the known world as pillars of light rose miles into the sky. Over 2 million Dome of York troops were obliterated and a further million were cut off in the northern wastes by the Turrets of Tech Haven.
>>>> 1942 Outzone Subway Entrance, A Parallel, Wastelands <<<<
Everyone took cover when the missiles hit. None understood the severity of what had just taken place but Reza, who pale faced ran back to his apartment, guards in tow. That should have been the moment of victory to celebrate, but still there were over a million troops to deal with at the gate, and the defenders could not hold out. Tired, hurt, dying and low on ammo, some had already begun falling back through the gate.
"We cannot hold here!" Sl33py yelled.
"There's nowhere else to go!" Nerac yelled back.
"We pull back to Pepper, we can try and hold them in the streets." And Sl33py forced people to retreat back with him. Dismayed, Reefsmoker, Centuri and the remaining forces had no choice but to follow. The sea of enemies flooded towards the gates.
Just as Hurricane reached the OZ station outer gate, the light and air behind him bent and reformed and those running away turned to look.
"EGOS TO THE FRONT LINES!!! PREPARE TO FIRE!!!" CheapLoveMotel yelled. The members of the 3rd Circle of EGOS, Iorghe, Canonist, Excelsier, Freenode, Mercuri and Sprite leapt to the balcony's, rifles in hand. The 2nd Circle of EGOS, Ice Angel, Dangermoon, CloudRunner, Armitage, Legatus and Magnolia leapt to the ditches and raised their cannons and Psi Modules. The 1st Circle of EGOS, CheapLoveMotel, Critter, DeepBlue, MoonUnit, Pyro, ZeroSanity, Laemin and BlackIvory appeared, spawned ammunition for the runners who were quickly returning and then leapt to the front lines.
"Lets take it to em.... YEEEHAH!!!" CheapLoveMotel yelled running forwards all guns blazing. MoonUnit and ZeroSanity transformed into Hoverbots and began bombarding from above. More and more runners joined the fight. Laemin charged headlong at the enemy.
"Just once, please work right...." and activated his changer. He transformed into an Apparition and unleashed death on the Cyborgs.
"Yay me!!!"
And so it was that the EGOS came to the battle and assisted the Neocron people in destroying the cyborgs. By 2217, the forces of Neocron had linked up with NUTS and NDA at TH and were pressing forward to the northern wastes to liberate the Military Base.
>>>> 2359, Plaza lvl 4 apartment, Reza's Office, Neocron <<<<
The message blinked again and Reza entered the 3 word password.
"You impress me again Reza. Truly you are a ruthless man. Cold Fusion Missiles. You have proven yourself to me again. You shall continue to be my chosen one." Reza's Master ended the transmission. Reza sat back with a mild grin. All in all it had been a good day.
>>>>0000, 3rd District, Dome of York <<<<
"I have failed you My Master." the shadowy individual hung his head in shame.
"Yes, you did. But I am not through with you yet. Reza is weak. He showed mercy and compassion. He had the missiles to wipe you from the face of the planet but he chose to use them on your cyborgs to save his life. He will pay, and you will be the instrument of his punishment." The Master ended the transmission.
The shadowy individual sat back and pondered his future. He had been granted a second chance by his Master. A Master he knew next to nothing about. He didn't even know his name. The only guess he took to his name was based on the codeword to open the transmission.... (M)agnitus (J)upitus (S)ervitus....
MJS
Until next time.....
(wakes up after collapsing from typing exhaustion)
Ahh ok so..... soo.....
....................
Oh bugger.
Sorry folks, it has just realised to me that *ahem* I haven't actually posted the whole issue....
So.... I'll put Issue 20: Epitath up in just a little bit. Sorry about that....
Damn character limits on posts.
NERD Issue # 020: Epitath
>>>> 0130 Escador Oasis, K Parallel, Wastelands <<<<
The forces of Neocron had split up 20 minutes ago. The Khans had lead a squad to the Military Base to reclaim their home, while the majority pressed the chase against the cyborg invaders. Night had fallen and the journey was slowing down. Many were exhausted and the hope of catching the cyborgs before they returned to base was growing thin. Worse still was no one was exactly sure where they were going. The Neocron force had managed to destroy a few hundred thousand cyborgs more during the pursuit, but it still looked like over half a million would make it back intact.
"Stop stop, this is pointless." Centuri halted the advance.
"What, we can still wreck more of the little bastids!" Byron called out.
"But not enough. We'll not stop them all so whats the point? We'd be better off returning and getting to work on the repairs. They're gonna come again some time and we need to be ready for that." Everyone reluctantly agreed that Centuri was right. The march back to Tech Haven was much slower, but also uneventful, which was a welcome change of pace.
The force reached Tech Haven at 0317 and teleported to their respective areas. The Military Base and Tech Haven were for the most part uninhabitable, so the refugees returned to Neocron until they could begin repairs. The ConCentre would have a lot of squatters this night. Three clans however chose to walk back from Escador past TG, in order to see their temporary allies back to their base. NUTS, NDA and JERK's marched along and eventually came to the entrance. At the sight of it, NDA and NUTS stopped short.
"You sons of bitches!" And they drew their weapons. JERK's responded and they stood at gunpoint, none firing.
"What the hells up with you?" Shadow yelled.
"THATS Whats up with us! The whole worlds been torn apart, our cities are barely inhabitable, yet THERES TG, not a F*cking scratch on it! How do you explain that you bastards!" Omega Res yelled back. They hadn't realised it yet, but JERK's looked and saw that not a shot had been fired at their base. But puzzled or not, they would not lower their weapons.
"We fought for you this day. You at least owe us this much..." And Murkster began to back towards TG, lowering his Module slightly.
"Fine, go. But this is not over Twilight vermin!" Nightfire spat on the ground. JERK's, angry and confused, entered the city. They immediately marched into Headquarters and demanded an explanation.
"What just happened, huh? The wasteland is a smoking pit and you guys are sitting here, not a scratch! Were we in on this whole attack? Why didn't you say anything?"
"You have served your purpose JERK's. The Neocronians are as confused as you are. By fighting with them, they cannot determine the truth. The truth we shall now give you...."
>>>> 0358 Plaza lvl 4 apartment, Reza's Office, Neocron <<<<
Cassandra and Reza sat across each from each other at Reza's desk.
"That was too close Cassandra." Reza sighed.
"Yes sir, it was fortunate that the missiles were used on the Cyborgs after all. I don't think even the EGO's could have stopped them all if they had not been thinned out by the missiles."
"Fortunate? No that was not Fortunate. Our enemy still survives. We have not Ended this battle we have only survived it. And I intend to WIN it at all costs. Now I must answer questions about where we got the CFM's from and I don't have the glory of the Dome's Destruction to show for it," and Reza thought on what His Master would think of all this, "We need to reinforce ourselves. We need more troops on our side."
"Sir, where can we just come up with troops. It took months to come up with the X-borgs and they still don't work."
"Oh they work, just not in a conventional sense. They're psychopathic, which makes them dangerous to use around our own troops, but they could be most efficient if dropped in the right place...."
"Well, I can begin production of more X-Borgs, but that still does not answer how we will increase our standing fighting force, sir." Reza reached over to his terminal and opened a channel.
"This is Reza, do you copy?"
"Yes sir, you've been offline for sometime sir, but we're reading you clear. What can we do for you?"
"It's time. I need you to start the reanimation process. Get those people out here, asap."
"Very good sir, I am hereby double checking the order, you wish Reanimation to begin on the entire population in storage?"
"Correct." Reza said with finality.
"Very good sir, MC5 over and out."
"Now Cassandra, get me in contact with NEXT command."
>>>> 0420 Jerriko Fortress, B Parallel, Wastelands <<<<
A signal came from NEXT HQ to the NUTS who were still on the march.
"Yes sirs? What can we do for you?"
"This is a joint command from CityAdmin, Tangent Technologies and NEXT. You and NDA are to proceed to Simmons Factory and occupy it. Allow the engineers to use the facility and guard it until their work is complete. The operation should not take more than an hour."
"Sirs, Simmons is under PIMP's control. Are they aware we're coming?"
"No and we don't have time to ask. Simmons is the only undamaged Factory left. We need it and need it now. Get there and take it."
"Understood. NUTS and NDA out."
>>>> 0431 Simmons Factory, A Parallel, Wastelands <<<<
Had PIMP still been in a position to form a resistance they might have reacted to the alarms, but as it was, Simmons was taken from their control with ease. NDA and NUTS deployed around the facility and NEXT engineers moved inside. For 54 minutes they worked endlessly.
"What are they doing?" Sl33py yawned, "I wanna go home already. What is sooo important we have to stay out here in the Wastes, which smell like someone kicked over a crapbox right now."
"Can't be helped. Smells from all the upturned terrain across the Wastes. Its in the air now. Gonna be hard to breathe out here next few weeks. And orders are orders." Pitspawn called back.
"Ok guys, we're done, wanna step out of the way of the ramp?" the technicians beckoned Reefsmoker, Lisa Davitt and Shodough to get out of the way."
"Ok so what was so important?" Reef looked on as giant thudding noises came up to and then down the ramp. He, like everyone else, looked on in shock.
>>>> 0525 Plaza lvl 4 apartment, Reza's Office, Neocron <<<<
".... casualty counts are in the hundreds, but thankfully all but 2 were able to achieve replicator locks and respawn. The monetary cost however is..." Cassandra was cut off by the terminal beeping. Reza answered it, already knowing the monetary cost was beyond measure.
"Sir, we have completed our work," the technician stated, "what are your orders?" Reza looked at Cassandra and grinned.
"Unleash the Mechs." were his only words.
Until next time...