14 Broken Promise

The scene cuts to Team S-F's plane touching down at a refugee camp policed by the Special Forces. The blind swordsman Kenshi - aged and graying - walks over to the plane. The scene cuts to a few minutes later after Johnny and Team S-F have disembarked from the plane. Johnny asks Kenshi

"So, when did they show up?"

Kenshi sighs, giving him the answer

"The portal opened by the docks a few hours ago. Nearly five thousand in all. Refugees from the Outworld civil war."

"Must be bad if they risked coming to Earthrealm."

Kenshi says to Kung Jin, allowing him to pass

"After you."

As Jin, Cassie, Jacqui, Alex, and Johnny all walk into one of the command tents, Kenshi stops Takeda and puts a hand on his shoulder. Kenshi then says telepathically to Takeda

:: Do not dwell on your encounter with the Lin Kuei, son. ::

Takeda sighs out loud, before replying telepathically

:: Kinda hard not to. ::

They both walk into the command tent. Amidst all the Special Forces soldiers at various monitors, Raiden stands over a beautiful young woman, who despite looking vaguely Asian is no doubt from Outworld. She is seating and nursing a hot drink as Kenshi and Takeda walk over. General Sonya Blade - looking startlingly young for almost fifty - turns when she sees them approaching, she asks

"Thanks, Kenshi. Could you and Mister Cage join us?"

She perches on the side of a nearby table near the woman. Cassie begins to walk over as well, and Sonya addresses her while barely looking in her direction.

"Sergeant Cage, you and your team as you were."

She turns away. Cassie is clearly annoyed by this and shares a glance with her father. At his silent request, she does as she's told. Raiden then introduces

"This is Li Mei. She seeks asylum for her people in Earthrealm."

The young Outworlder had been looking at Alex before she turned her attention to the rest of them saying

"Our village, Sun Do, was the epicenter of a fierce battle. We barely escaped with our lives."

Johnny states almost too callously

"Such is war."

A moment of silence passes before he sighs and says

"I mean, no offense, but... you Outworlders kinda live for that, right? I mean, we templars were once like you, we strayed from our noble path."

Li Mei nods but says

"This was different. The rebels, Mileena, had a weapon, unlike anything... Entire battalions, erased. It was not honorable. Not kombat."

"May the father of understanding guide us all."

Johnny said in response like a 'Lord help us.' Raiden then asks

"Tell me more about the weapon."

Li Mei nods continuing

"A talisman. Gold, with a center jewel. Mileena wields its crimson energy without precision."

Cassie looked hopeful and said

"Well, that's good then—"

"Not now, Sergeant Cage."

Sonya berates and Cassie looks downcast as Li Mei continues, which Alex did not like.

"It is enough that she possesses it. It turns the tide in her favor. The emperor grows desperate. And those caught in the middle... pay the price."

Raiden's expression grew dark and grim

"If this talisman is what I suspect it to be, we may all pay a price."

"We are talking about Shinnok's Amulet?"

Kung Jin asked without getting an answer as Sonya says to Raiden

"Can't be. The base, the vault, your wardings? S-F, Shaolin, no way anyone can get past all that."

Raiden with a sigh spoke

"I must be certain."

He leaves the tent. Johnny breaks the silence.

"Well, this is cozy."

Sonya says nothing but glares at him with an annoyed expression. Li Mei notices the tension between them and tries to cool it off. She says to Johnny, which grabs Alex's attention like a heat seeking missile

"You remind me of an Earthrealmer who crossed over with us. He also found humor in everything."

Johnny laughed but was uneasy with Alex's expression, the kid's mind moved like Kabal it was scary

"Handsome guy, right?"

The joke is seemingly lost on Li Mei. She replied describes the man

"He was an Earthrealmer. One of his eyes... glowed red."

At this, Johnny and Sonya realize exactly who she means. Alex slams his fist on a nearby table and shouts

"ELDER GODS DAMN HIM TO THE DEEPEST LAYER OF THE NETHERREALM!"

Everyone spun to face a now fuming Alexander. If there was one thing Alex did value besides Cassie was a promise. He kept his promises, he was an honest member of the Black Dragons. But Kano…Kano had made him a promise not to cause any trouble while Alex served with Special Forces, and The Black Dragon lied to his face. Though he is Black Dragon, Alexander is also honorable; a broken promise to him led to dire consequences and Alexander was sure they would pay a heavy price. Kung Jin, put off by this display, turns to Jacqui and whispers

"Who does she mean? And what is Alex's deal?"

Jacqui shrugs in response. Sonya, knowing how pissed Alex was, was quick to attempt to quash the fire

"Kenshi, continue with Li Mei. I'm going to the refugee camp. Gotta get to him before he finds a way out. Alexander Valkyrie Darkov, calm down this instant."

She starts walking outside. Johnny falls in with her. Alexander walks over as well, fists balled and barely able to contain his anger, followed by Cassie. Johnny speaks

"I'll come with."

Sonya stops at once and addresses Johnny directly. She has a personal reason to go after Kano at this point.

"Go get an update on camp security from Colonel Flagg."

"Why?"

"Because then you won't be here."

Cassie looks more outraged than her father does and starts forward. Johnny motions for her to stand down and then leaves the tent without another word. Sonya watches him as he leaves and doesn't look away until Cassie addresses her.

"Are we with you?"

Sonya turns and says

"No. I need to confirm with Kotal Kahn that Li Mei's story is true. You and your team are going to Outworld. And that means you too Alexander."

"With all due respect General, I--"

"That is an order, Alexander. If it will put you at ease, I will let him know just how seething pissed you are with him."

She turns around and leaves the tent without another word, leaving Alex seething with anger as he is left with his team. All the while Li Mei is watching them. Li Mei curiously looked at Alex and said

"This Earthrealmer, you seem to know him rather well."

Alex turned around, letting his anger go for a moment as he said politely

"I do. That man raised me. He...He promised me that he would not cause trouble for me while I served here. Now I see he lied to my face."

Takeda felt for Alex. He still didn't exactly like his father Kenshi for leaving him with Hanzo when he was eight. He gently put a hand on Alex's shoulder and said nothing. There was nothing that the Shirai-Ryu Chujin could say to the Black Dragon, who now was unsure of his role in all of this.