That Escalated Quickly
"I'll start a quick sweep and verify the location of the lookouts. My objective will be to make sure whatever is waiting for us in the base is something we can handle. If we can't, I'll contact the masters and ask them to assist us.
If we can handle them, Black Widow and I will work together to clear the lookouts and any external defenses. When it's time to hit the primary base, Sol, you'll join us. V6 can help run guns. Your job is to help us smash in and out.
All weapons are set at stun. I've got a bunch of stun cuffs for the combatants. I'll give you half of the ones I have. I'll also share night bullets with you. It's an innovative technology for night fighting," Gar explained.
"I don't understand, how do they work?" Natalie asked.
"Come on, Gar, are we going to do this now? This is your whole Timeline thing, right?" Sol looked exasperated.
"Night arrows are just regular arrows shot at night!" Gar said.
"Okay, but we're about to go into a serious battle, but you're bringing this up," Sol said.
"It makes complete sense to talk about this now," Gar said.
"What are the two of you talking about?" Natalie asked.
"Nothing. Watch the movie Timeline and then you'll understand his nonsense. Now, can we get back to the battle?" Sol based his friend.
"Fine, but night arrows are stupid. Anyway, that's the plan. I'll start from here and do my search. Widow, I want you here," Gar pointed to a place on the holo-map. She nodded.
"Okay, let's go," Gar put on a helmet without a face guard and raised his hood.
"Why are you wearing that helmet?" Sol was the first to ask, but Natalie was also curious. Usually, he never used armor, although tonight we were wearing some armor.
"Communications are easier, plus there's no reason to take chances," They watched as Gar force-leaped and scaled a building.
"Good luck," Sol called Widow as she used her new widow legs to propel her up a building and disappeared like Gar.
Sol went to the Rancor and started it up, "I guess it's just you and me, V6."
Gar arrived at his destination, leaping from shadow to shadow, sensing his surroundings, and using the Force to move from building to building.
To the average observer, the area looked quiet. It looked like most places in this area. A few people were walking up and down the streets. A couple crossed the street as they chatted. Gar knew there was more going on than appeared on the surface.
Three highly trained women were monitoring the area on the roof of their building. Gar stretched out his feelings toward the main target; he felt the life forms within. There were more than twenty women, but the strongest were two men. One man is much stronger than the other.
Slipping away from his hiding position, Gar moved around the area to verify the location and number of the forces. He recorded everything on his map and sent the map to Widow. She heard a notification from her helmet and viewed the data Gar sent to her.
The comms for both Widow and Sol crackled for a moment before Gar spoke, "Everything looks manageable. There's one very strong opponent, but I feel like I can take him. The other male I sense is Dreykov.
I've designated targets for you Widow, I'll take care of the rest. Once I've finished, Sol will drive the Rancor in through the front door. Widow and I will be ready to follow you in. Does everyone understand?"
"Understood, Jedi 2," Natalie said.
"Understood, Jedi 2," Sol clicked.
The three developed names for themselves for missions. Gar didn't mind going by his regular name, but for some reason, he felt it was better to conceal his name and identity. Gar's name was Jedi 2, Natalie was Black Widow or Widow, and Sol was Hunter 3.
"Engaging targets," Gar messaged the other two.
At that time in the shuttle, Masters M'tz and Shang-Chi, with Zaran sat in the common area.
"Have they begun their assault?" Master Shang-Chi asked. Zaran watched Master M'tz with interest as the older man closed his eyes.
"Yes, they've begun."
"Any problems?" Shang-Chi found the Force an amazing source of power. It was different from his mastery of combat and Chi. The Force was all-inclusive, while chi was born from within. One could use his chi to connect with chi external from him. But that connection was transitory and was easily inhibited. The Force flowed throughout the universe, he was told.
Although Zaran found it interesting, he wasn't as intrigued as Shang-Chi was. He focused on improving his mastery of all weapons beyond a human level. For him, mystical forces were of little interest. Instead, he longed to turn his body into a weapon that could hold all weapons.
Mater M'tz's eyes fluttered for a moment before he opened them, "they have begun their attack. That little initiate may think I don't know what he's up to, but his use of the force is too crude."
"Any danger for the kids?" Shang-Chi asked.
"We should dispatch Hunter 2 to aid them. He should be enough," Master M'tz said.
"Didn't you say Hunter 2 isn't on the planet yet? Will he be able to arrive on time?" Zaran asked.
"He'll arrive when he's needed," Master M'tz commented.
"I'll contact Hunter 2, then," Zaran walked toward the front of the ship to communicate with Hunter 2.
"Do you think they'll be okay?" Master Shang-Chi asked.
"Everyone needs to encounter failure if they are to grow. A famous saying from your country springs to mind, 'A flower in a greenhouse will never grow strong.' These flowers of ours have become arrogant, especially my little initiate. They'll soon learn that leaving the masters was a mistake," Master M'tz said.
"Couldn't we have followed in secret?" Master Shang-Chi asked.
"Gar would sense us, for them to learn they must believe they are completely on their own," Master M'tz said. Zaran returned and nodded at the other two men.
"He's on his way, he'll make his way as soon as he touches down," Zaran said.
"Good, everything is proceeding as I have foreseen," Master M'tz said. Master Shang-Chi admired the older man's confidence and wisdom.
Back at Dreykov's secret hideout, Gar already began to incapacitate the Black Widows surrounding Dreykov's base. Unknown to him, several vehicles drove to the back of the building entering the garage.
A cooly-dressed black-haired man in an Armani suit saw an older Russian man waiting for him.
"Ajax, my friend, it's good to see you," Dreykov smiled. Ajax smiled back at the older Russian. The two always got along. Dreykov often supplied Widows to aid Ajax. Behind Dreykov stood a man in a skull helmet, hooded cape, armored spandex, and covered in weapons. This man was known to others as Taskmaster.
"I am anxious to check on the candidate. I wonder how she is holding up to the treatments?" Ajax asked.
"The treatments are hard for her, but since she is one of my best Widows she has an iron will. I'm sure we will see results soon," Dreykov commented.
Ajax looked at Taskmaster, "Have you thought about letting your daughter join my experiment?"
"Jeanne is doing well as she is," Taskmaster said stoically.
"Fine, she might have already manifested her power. We'll see in the future, but even if she has manifested, I'm sure I could help her realize her true potential," Ajax continued to persuade the fearsome Taskmaster. His comment didn't get a response from the man, so Ajax gave up.
"Who are the others?" Dreykov asked.
"Those are the elite members of the program. They serve as bodyguards for upper-echelon members. We've had some problems with a few of the washouts. Although, I think they've been handled. You never know," Ajax smiled.
"If you need any of my help, let me know. I have many new Widows who have passed your test," Dreykov conveyed to the man who became excited.
"Of course, my friend, I always know that I can count on you," Ajax laughed and pulled something from his inner jacket.
"What's this?" Dreykov asked.
"Cubans, I believe they're your favorite," Ajax handed a box to the Russian.
"This is why we get along so well," Dreykov laughed.
Meanwhile, both Gar and Natalie were sweeping away Dreykov's Widows. Unknown to them they were drawing closer and closer into a battle none of them were ready to fight.