Retaliation, Takes place 3 weeks after "The Assault"

[Metsa Kosen]

As Metsa stood looking up the steep hill to the government base, he wondered whether he could trust his information source. He had found, outside the rebel base, a small map and a note detailing the government's defenses.

The hill itself was a formidable defense, but it also hindered the retaliation if attacked from the south, as it was too steep for foot troops of any kind to descend, and thus restricted the defenders to ranged attacks. This was where Metsa had decided to position the bulk of the rebel army while he and a few select others would use a long-abandoned service passageway that led into the heart of the base from underground.

With a final look at the people who had joined them, knowing what had happened to most of the previous groups of rebels. Almost silently, and with a bit of a smirk, he said, "Charge".

[Hyourinmaru]

Hyourinmaru was calmly sitting near the gates to the base and he thought

They're here huh

[Phantom]

The rebels think they are so smart, Phantom thought as he watch the rebel army charging down. During the last few days, the Government officials had given Phantom the job to build up defenses for the base and Phantom has done a great job.

Outside the southern entrance was a field about four-miles wide and Phantom had mines buried all over the place. He had already evacuated most of the important government officials and files to another base. Behind Phantom was an army of four-hundred demons, waiting for the rebels to cross the mine field.

"This is were it ends rebels,"Phantom whispered, drawing his katana.

[Hyourinmaru]

Hyourinmaru saw Phantom and stood up and gestured to him.

He then lined the blade of his katana with ice and thought

Let's get started

[Tetroneaque]

Tetroneaque watched in satisfaction as the perimeter security cameras showed him the attacking rebel force.

Heh heh heh! Looks like the little twerp found the map and note I dropped by 'accident'. Fools are playing right into my hands. This should prove just the distraction I need to get that classified data for my own. Ah, life is good. Better activate the alarm so as to avoid suspicion on my part. As he finished his thoughts he calmly leaned forward in his chair and pressed a large red button marked as the alarm switch for the entire base.

As soon as he pressed it a warning signal issued forth, calling the troops to get to their battle stations. It also activated the automated defenses within the base itself. To make sure he avoided having any blame for this attack fall on his head he grabbed the microphone for the broadcast system.

"Attention! We are under attack! This is not a drill! Terminate the enemy with extreme prejudice." He stated over the intercom system, letting everyone in the base hear his voice.

That should take care of that... now to get the ball into my court. With that, he happily trotted out of the room.

[Phantom]

Phantom took a wireless intercom and said into it, "Everyone to their battle stations! But do not attack unless I give the order. Violation of this order results in death!"

[Tetroneaque]

Tetroneaque chuckled as he walked down the hall. Armed soldiers went running past him in the opposite direction.

If he wants to command the battle, more power to him. He thought to himself as he listened to Phantom's orders over the intercom system. He passed another group of soldiers as he made his way to the lab. He had been here earlier, ordered to transfer many files and data to a more secure location. Tetroneaque had done that, except for one very important file. At least important to Tetroneaque. He didn't dare steal the file while he was being so closely watched, but had managed to leave it in the base's systems. Now all he had to do was take it, and the full blown rebel assault upon the base was exactly what he needed.

[Phantom]

Phantom returned to his command room in the main compound. There, he switched on all the hidden-mini cameras giving him a 360 degree view of the battle. He also switched on the auto-defense system which was two heavy machine-gun turrets on top of the South Entrance that could rain down firepower on eneimes below.

All I have too do is sit and relax, Phantom thought. Then he ordered two guards to check on how Tetroneaque is doing.

[Hyourinmaru]

Hyourinmaru then thought looks like most of the defenses have things under control so I'll head in and take a look from higher ground

[Tetroneaque]

Tetroneaque was just about to enter the lab where he would be able to access the file when two guards came running up to him.

"Sir!" The halted and saluted, he returned the salute. He was somewhat annoyed by the interruption, though his mask hid that fact.

"What is it?" He asked, careful with his tone.

"Commander Phantom ordered us to check up on you." Replied the one on the left.

"Good good, I can use you. I want you two to stand guard outside this door. Don't let anyone enter until I exit the room. I need to sever the network link inside to make sure the rebels don't hack the system and shut down a vital auto defense station. I may be in there for quite some time and I am not to be disturbed!" He said, giving his own orders to the guards. With luck they'd keep any passerby from stumbling in while he was stealing the file.

"We understand sir!" They stated in unison. Tetroneaque merely nodded his head as he entered the lab and then shut the door behind him, locking it.

He let out a sigh of relief as the door was shut.

Thanks to the sensitive nature of the files on the systems in here they didn't install any cameras. Too big of a security risk if someone hacked into the observation systems. Ha! Good thing they designed it this way. Will make for smooth going...

[Spike]

Spike stood next to Metsa as he ordered the charge. "So how much information did our informant give us?" He asked as he finished preperations for his stealth mission into the base.

[Metsa Kosen]

Metsa was unaware of the cacophany going on above ground as he was several miles below, leading the small party through a series of passages that were unmarked on the map. All it had said was that the tunnels led to several disused service entrances throught the base. However, as they drew closer to the base, they heard running footsteps, and Metsa gave the signal for everybody to get ready for a chance of fighting.

He then turned to Spike and said, "Not much, but enough for us to have at least a partial chance." He then held up his hand for quite for the remaining yards to the hatch that concealed them at the end of the passage.

[Spike]

Spike nodded and waited to see what Metsa was going to do next. As soon as the hatch opened he would have to move quickly.

[Tasha]

Tasha glanced up as she heard the footsteps above them she looked at Metsa "Would you like me to tell you when it's clear to come up?" she asked. With her invisibility it would make it easy to check while not being found out.

[Spike]

"Tash we need to be quiet." Spike whispered. "But I can come too if you need help." Spike's mission could wait as long as he wasn't seen by any government officials.