Intro: Discovery.
A soft green light reflects off the metallic walls, as nearby consoles hum. Scientists scatter around, checking equipment and taking notes. In the center of the room, the green portal leading to the Rikti War Zone emits an eery crackling sound.
In the corridor just outside the room, a large group of people are forming two separate lines, single file, waiting to have their security clearance checked before entering the zone. These two lines have little in common however
On the right side are the heroes. Noble men and women, of all shapes and sizes, wearing costumes of bright colors. These brave souls want nothing else but to protect their fair city of Paragon.
On the left are the villains. A questionable lot, with their sinister appearance and dastardly methods. Some are here for personal gain, others for revenge, most for their sheer amusement.
Rarely would we find these two factions in the same area, much less in the same room, without fear of starting a conflict, but the present circumstances demanded an alliance, no matter how uneasy it may be.
Both sides talk amongst themselves, while Vanguard operatives quickly scan ID cards, using the mini-computers mounted on their forearms, verifying security clearances.
The conversations slowly die down, as everyone begins to notice the cold chill invading the corridor.
Down the hall, heavy footsteps from leather clad boots echo off the walls, as a large white form approaches the portal chamber. One of the Vanguard operatives steps forward to intercept the brute.
-Vanguard operative 1: Hold it right there! You need to get back in line, and wait to have your clearance check just like everyone else, buster.
The warning falls on def ears, as the horned behemoth marches on. A second member of Vanguard comes forward, holding out his mini-computer to take a quick scan.
-Vanguard operative 2: Scanner puts him at security level 50. Arch-type: Tanker, of the ice variety. Files say his name is
The mans words are cut short, as a big white hand takes a hold of his head, unceremoniously lifts him off the grounds, and tosses him down the corridor.
This action causes an alarm to sound off, and in an instant, every nearby Vanguard soldier is now surrounding the ice tank, weapons drawn.
-Vanguard operative 1: Stand down hero! You are hereby ordered to leave the Vanguard base IMMEDIATELY! We have authorization to use force if necessary.
The statement is answered with an ear deafening roar, as the tanker charges forward.
-Vanguard operative 1: OPEN FIRE!
Stopping abruptly, the ice tank raises his hands, expecting to block the incoming fire, but strangely, it never comes. Slowly lowering his hands, he notices the soldiers are now immobile. Everyone, be it hero, villain or Vanguard, now appear as if they were frozen in time.
The tanker shakes his head.
-Ycebergg: *sigh!* I was wondering when youd get here.
The females presence is announced by the sound of stiletto heels coming down the hall. The woman in question is none other than the member of the Freedom Phalanx; Sister Psyche.
-Sister Psyche: Hello, Ysarggo.
He hadnt heard that name in ages, but then again, not a lot of people knew him by his native name. Sister Psyche had discovered it while reading his mind during their first encounter.
-Ycebergg: I wasnt aware we were on a first name basis now. Im guessing they sent you here to stop me?
-Sister Psyche:
yes, they did.
-Ycebergg: Why? They LIED to me! YOU lied to me! For the past 5 years you people, whom I considered allies, kept the truth from me.
Sister Psyche avoids his gaze. She didnt need to read his mind to know what he was talking about.
-Sister Psyche: I was hoping you would follow me back to Atlas Park, peacefully. They are requesting you stay under Freedom Phalanx supervision until all of this can be sorted out, for all of our safety.
-Ycebergg: So does this mean Im under arrest?
-Sister Psyche: Not at this moment.
-Ycebergg: You sure as hell know I cant just let this go
-Sister Psyche: I know
and trust me, we will help you.
-Ycebergg: HELP ME? You people have known about this for FIVE YEARS, and have still done nothing!
-Sister Psyche: The situation was delicate, we couldnt just
-Ycebergg: I dont want to hear it, Im going to take care of it right now, with your help or not. The Rikti have to pay.
Sister Psyche steps closer to the alien. She reaches up to place a hand on his cheek.
-Sister Psyche: You need to understand, we cant afford to loose you to the Rikti. Not with the knowledge you have now.
The telepath's attack was so subtle, that Ycebergg didnt see it coming. She was now in his mind, showing him images of his home planet. Snowy plains, frozen mountains, large cities carved in ice. He could feel the cold wind caressing his skin. His family was there, calling out to him. All of a sudden, his rage subsided, and he felt at peace.
-Sister Psyche: Do you remember when we first met, Ysarggo? You were a prisoner of the Rikti, being mind controlled into fighting their war for them. I'm sorry
but you are just too susceptible to mental attacks to face them
The tanker's big black eyes snap back open, and his expression turns to one of anger. Sister Psyche gasps and tries to back away, but finds herself frozen in a cocoon of ice.
-Ycebergg: I've been practicing
The surrounding crowd slowly come back to life, now free of their petrified state. All are aghast, as they see Ycebergg and what he had done to the Freedom Phalanxs resident telepath.
The great white behemoth heads toward the chamber. This time however, no one tries to stop him. Once at the portal, he turns around to look at Sister Psyches frozen form.
-Ycebergg:
it didn't have to be this way
Ycebergg disappears thru the portal.
"You wear a mask to hide who you are, I wear a mask to show who I am"
Arc ID 91456: The Zombie Apocalypse Task Force:poster 1, poster 2
CLICK THE ABOVE LINK TO HELP DO YOUR PART TO SAVE C.O.H!!!!!
Chapter one: The initial 8
The Ziggurat…
Located in Brickstown, it is a prison for the super-powered and corrupt. The towering fortress can be seen from every corner of the zone. Its massive walls of concrete and steel, high towers and search lights are both an impressive and imposing sight to see.
In a dark alleyway behind the local hospital simply called the Brickstown Infirmary, a woman paces back and forth impatiently. Her delicate features betray her impulsive nature.
-Nunyo: Where the Hell is he? I’ve dealt with this guy before, he knows better than to make me wait.
Hovering just a few feet away, a man hovers above the ground in the lotus position, barely over four feet tall with his head partially hidden with a scarf and a witch’s hat.
-Gravnetics: I’m sure the doctor has his reasons, Nun. We just need to be patient.
Two loud voices can be heard coming from the adjacent street. Shortly, two large figures make their way down the alleyway. Light reflects off the first form as his body and face are completely covered in high-tech, metallic armor. The second and slightly larger man is dressed in casual wear. He could pass as just another citizen, if it weren’t for his 8-foot tall frame and 4-foot wide shoulders. This man greets the heroes with a smile.
-Grumble: Howdy, Nunyo! Grav!
-Nunyo: Grumble?! Oh my God, it’s been ages!
-Gravnetics: Hello, Stalemate!
-Stalemate: Greetings heroes! I’m guessing you all have been called by Dr Sheridan as well?
-Nunyo: You too?! What can he want with all of us?
The four heroes exchange pleasantries and fond memories, but the moment is cut short as an old man in a lab coat makes an appearance.
-Doc Sheridan: I’m glad to see you all got my message.
-Nunyo: This better be important Sheridan! I’ve been waiting here for over thirty minutes.
-Doc Sheridan: Yes, well… My apologies for my tardiness, but I assure you my reasons are of the utmost urgency. I also have to inform all of you that what will be discussed here must remain secret for it is not for public knowledge.
-Gravnetics: I’m fairly certain everyone here has the Omega clearance, sir.
-Doc Sheridan: I fear this is classed above Omega. You will understand once we get started. Now if you will all kindly follow me to my lab.
The heroes look at each other hesitantly, an unnerving feeling accompanying them, as they follow Steve “Dr. Science” Sheridan into the hospital. They take the elevator down to his personal, subterranean laboratory.
The elevator doors open to reveal a large, brightly-lit room with white floor tiles and stainless steel walls. Medical and research equipment fill the room, files and documents litter every table. The doctor escorts them to the center of the room where eight glass, cylindrical stasis tubes, are sitting on a large metallic table, each displaying a different-colored liquid.
-Dr Sheridan: This is part of the reason why I brought you here.
Stalemate moves foward, scanning the contents of each tube with the mini-computer on his left forearm. The results from all eight samples come back the same: Specimen = Unknown. Nunyo then steps forward, directing her attention to the white stasis tube.
-Nunyo: This...this is Ycebergg.
Her fellow heroes are stunned, surprised by how certain the Defender sounds.
-Gravnetics: Are you certain?
-Nunyo: I'm an Empath, I've healed thousands of people in my career. Each individual is different: their psyche, their physiology. It's like a finger print. Ycebergg, however, always stood out for me since he was alien; he was unique. There's no doubt: this is Ycebergg's blood.
She turns to the other seven stasis tubes.
-Nunyo: Those, however...I can't identify.
-Dr Sheridan: Very good. I was hoping you would recognize it.
Grumble leans back on a steel table which makes a creaking noise under the large man's weight. The Tanker folds his arms in front of him, and gives the doctor an inquisitive look.
-Grumble: So doc, mind telling us why we're here? And why you're keeping a sample of old Frosty's genes in your basement?
-Dr Sheridan: Yes, well...as you know, the Rikti's first invasion of Earth in 2002 was thwarted by the efforts of Paragon City's many heroes. At this time, Ycebergg was being mind-controlled into fighting the war alongside the Rikti as some sort of weapon.
-Stalemate: The Rikti war is public knowledge, doc. As for Ycebergg, he doesn't really hide the fact that he's an alien nor that he was brought here as their prisoner.
-Dr SHeridan: True. But, since you are all his close friends, what has he ever told you of the day he arrived on earth?
The heroes look at each other hesitantly. What happened on that dreadful day is not a story Ycebergg liked repeating.
-Nunyo: He was freed from the Rikti by Sister Psyche. He then fought against them alongside the other heroes.
-Dr Sheridan: And?
Nunyo looks to Gravnetics, then to Stalemate, neither seemed to know what the doctor was implying.
-Grumble: He doesn't remeber...
The other three heroes turn to the larger Tanker, still leaning on the table. However, his expression is now quite somber.
-Grumble: He says he doesn't remember. Claims that the Rikti mind control he was under blurred his memory; everything from the moment he left his planet after they lost the war to the moment he was freed here. First thing he remembers clearly is waking up in Vanguard custody.
-Dr Sheridan: Exactly! So the details of his captivity was kept a secret from him...until recently.
-Stalemate: Why is that?
-Dr Sheridan: Two days ago, Ycebergg responded to an emergency call. A simple robbery in progress. Some Freakshow had gotten their hands on some high tech computers that were being transported to a Vanguard base. Upon arresting the thieves, Ycebergg came upon some old Vanguard files that were included in the shipment. Those files contained information on him and what happened that day. Needless to say, those files managed to... jog his memory, so to speak. Last we heard of him, he was heading to RWZ. And fighting anyone standing in his way...
-Gravnetics: That doesn't sound like him at all. Ycebergg wouldn't attack anyone for no apparent reason!
-Dr Sheridan: Upon hearing the news, Sister Psyche tried to stop him, Ycebergg...incapacitated her...
-Nunyo: What? That's impossible! What could make him do such a thing!
-Dr Sheridan: An arrest warrant has been made. Vanguard are trying to capture him and...
-Stalemate: Cut to the chase, doctor. What was in those files?
-Dr SHeridan: That information is on a need to know basis and...
The doctor is cut short as he is unceremoniously lifted off the ground, Grumble holding him by his lab coat.
-Grumble: We. Need. To. Know.
-Dr Sheridan: Uh...He...He wasn't alone. The Rikti had a total of...eight aliens working with them--all mind-controlled. Ycebergg was the only one they managed to set free. We believe the other seven are still kept captive on the fallen Rikti Mother Ship...
EDIT: For grammar and such. (thanks Grumble 
)
"You wear a mask to hide who you are, I wear a mask to show who I am"
Arc ID 91456: The Zombie Apocalypse Task Force:poster 1, poster 2
CLICK THE ABOVE LINK TO HELP DO YOUR PART TO SAVE C.O.H!!!!!
Chapter 2: Meanwhile…
Gun fire and plasma blasts echo, as smoke emanates from crumbling buildings. The streets are littered with the bodies of the dead, both human and alien. Off in the distance, the blue light from the incapacitated Mother Ship still shines with an eerie glow.
Once called the Rikti Crash Site, the newly renamed Rikti War Zone is a place of constant feud between the Vanguard and the invading Rikti forces. Both sides constantly battle to gain a foothold over the other.
One such battle is currently being waged, in a neighborhood called Pork Chop Hill. The remains of a Vanguard squad are defending an outpost against an incoming Rikti Platoon. The Vangaurd Commander is screaming into a radio in an attempt to be heard over the surrounding carnage.
-Vanguard Commander: This is squad commander to base control, we are loosing ground! Where are those reinforcements I requested?
-Radio: Reinforcements are en-route. ETA is 20 minutes.
-Vanguard Commander: We don't have that much time. The Rikti forces have brought in Heavies, and I'm down to six men!
A plasma blast hits the side of the outpost, sending concrete, debris and screaming bodies flying.
-Vanguard Commander: Make that four...
-Radio: We aknowledge your situation, commander, reinforcements are on their way. You are to hold your ground, no matter what the cost. We cannot afford to loose that outpost. Understood?
-Vanguard Commander: ... orders received. Understood.
The Commander turns off the radio with a loud sigh of disgust. He readies his rifle as he looks to his squad mates.
-Vanguard Commander: Well? You heard the man. Throw everything you got at them!
The five brave souls come out from behind their cover, and start emptying whatever ammo they had into the oncoming forces. Standing before them were over a dozen alien foot soldiers, a handful of armored commandos, and 2 heavy units.
The squad commander could hear one of his men, praying out loud, as he was emptying his clip into one of the Rikti commandos. He reaches down to his belt to grab a grenade, but then notices something strange. The ground around him and his men is covered in shadow, as if something was blocking out the sun. He cranes his head up to look at the sky, and sees a Vanguard issue tank... airborn!?
For a moment, the wolrd seems to go silent, as the huge piece of machinery twists and turns in the sky, before ending it's trajectory in a thunderous crash amidst the Rikti soldiers. The Commander merely stood there, opened mouthed. The fallen tank had managed to take out one of the Heavies, and nearly all of the foot soldiers.
A roar then fills the air, drowning out all other sounds of battle. The Commander then orders his men to seek cover, as a large white humanoid lands amongst the remaining Rikti. The ground was instantly frozen at this beings feet.
-Vanguard Commander: Scan!
One of the Vanguard soldiers promptly pulls out his computer, and scans the area.
-Vanguard Soldier: Got it, sir. Intel says it's Ycebergg, level 50 ice tank.
-Vanguard Commander: Ycebergg? I tought he was banned from the RWZ due to direct contact with the Rikti?
-Vanguard Soldier: Well sir, maybe someone forgot to tell him that.
The men jump, as they are startled by the metallic body of a Rikti Heavy as it crashed to the ground beside them. The armored unit was broken beyond repair.
Slowly, the Commander lifts his head from behind his cover, to see the ice tank breathing heavily, standing over the corpses of the Rikti forces. Ycebergg then turns to face the remaining squad members, but the expression on his face is none too inviting, almost as if he was daring them to say anything.
-Vanguard soldier: Sir, intel says theres a warrant out for Ycebergg.
The vanguard commander was staring into the ice tanks eyes. Ycebergg still hadn't said a word to them, it was like he was waiting for them to act. He turns his attention to his men.
-Vanguard Commander: How much ammo do you have left, son?
-Vanguard soldier: Two clips, sir!
The commander reaches down, and pulls the soldier out from behind the concrete debris he was hiding behind.
-Vanguard Commander: Maybe you didn't hear me, soldier. I asked how much ammo you had left.
Confused, the soldier hesitated, not certain what the commander was expecting.
-Vanguard soldier: Um... none... sir?
The commander looks to the other remaining soldiers. After a brief moment, they proceed to take out all their ammo clips and throw them in a pile of nearby, burning debris.
-Other Vanguard soldier: We seem to have run out of ammo in our fight with the Rikti, sir!
-Vanguard Commander: I see. Well now, it appears we can't arrest him, since we are basically unarmed, does that sound about right? We'll just have to report we saw him headed towards the RMS.
-3 Vanguard soldiers: Yes, sir!
-First V. Soldier: But... sir, wh...
-Vanguard Commander: Listen to me rookie, A- that tank just saved our lives. So I don't care if Lady Grey herself gives me a court martial, I'm not gonna hunt him down. And B- Feel free to try if you think you can, but I'm not too keen on pissing off someone who can throw a freakin tank!
The soldier sits back down, and remains silent. Turning his attention back to the battle field, the commander gives Ycebergg a salute. The ice tank merely turns around, and leaps off in direction of the Rikti Mother Ship. The Commander lowers his arm, and looks at him go.
-Vanguard Commander: Eh! I never tought I'd feel sorry for the Rikti...
"You wear a mask to hide who you are, I wear a mask to show who I am"
Arc ID 91456: The Zombie Apocalypse Task Force:poster 1, poster 2
CLICK THE ABOVE LINK TO HELP DO YOUR PART TO SAVE C.O.H!!!!!
Well, since work is so slow, I figured I'd continue the short story I had started (about a year ago already... dam time goes by fast). So I'll repost the beginning here (thx to Vorac for actually saving it), and post a follow up later today.
I got re-inspired to work on this story due to GR, since it's basically Ycebergg being pushed to his limits, and what would cause him to walk the thin line between good and evil.
"You wear a mask to hide who you are, I wear a mask to show who I am"
Arc ID 91456: The Zombie Apocalypse Task Force:poster 1, poster 2
CLICK THE ABOVE LINK TO HELP DO YOUR PART TO SAVE C.O.H!!!!!