Mahinkan: The Green Skies of Midnight

By M. H. Moosetail

Within the cyberpunk underbelly of Neowinnipeg, a new hero has risen, wearing the sacred armor of the Wakohs. Lance OReilly was chosen to become the new Midnight Green, and he looks to unite the sacred animals of the crystal shards. But he will have to amend years and years of a buried past and of a heartbreak from eleven years ago.

An ancient enemy of the sacred animals has arrived on Earth, bringing only pain and suffering with them. The key to victory lies within Martin Matthews, the true Mahinkan. He has not worn his sacred armor in years and has vowed never to wear it again. As time goes on, he learns it is his destiny to be the true Mahinkan whether he likes it or not.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Aug 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781984534217

M. H. Moosetail

Morris Moosetail has been a passionate science-fiction & cyberpunk writer since his high school days. He showed a flare for writing in elementary, writing on his mothers old ink typewriter. Growing up in the small town of Dauphin, Manitoba, he frequently visited his local library for reading material of anything that striked his interest. He wrote copious amounts of short stories. He is inspired by many different mediums and popculture. He is a fan of anime and video games. When he is not hard at work writing his next sci-fi epic, he spends most of his time building his vinyl collection of new synthwave artists.

Book preview

Copyright © 2018 by M.H. Moosetail.

Library of Congress Control Number:         2018906874

ISBN:                       Softcover                       978-1-9845-3422-4

                                 eBook                             978-1-9845-3421-7

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 06/11/2018

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Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Chapter 47

Chapter 48

Chapter 49

Chapter 50

Chapter 51

Chapter 52

Chapter 53

Epilogue

PROLOGUE

The sky was pitch black. Thousands of windows did little to illuminate the vast streets. There wasn’t a star in the sky. In the heart of the cold metropolis, a robbery ensued. This is, Neowinnipeg, murder capital of Canada. There was no wind or sound in the north end of the city. Those that live in it, know it as the Cross Road. This was the home of the unfortunate, the despicable, and the unforgivable. At night, not a soul roams the streets, unless they are on the run. A slender man was running breathlessly across an empty street and into the back alleys. He moved swiftly with long strides. A hefty police officer was chasing the thief. His badge read, Officer Cliff Benson. The cop was out of breath and his heart was starting to give. He had been chasing the thief for five blocks that started from a convenience store. They crossed one road, the cop hesitated and slowed his pace. In that brief moment, Cliff realized he was walking into the Cross Road. He decided to continue the pursuit on foot. But unfortunately, it meant little to the people who dwell within the Cross Road.

The thief turned back to see the cop was a block away. He dashed up the street and entered a crumbling old black house. The cop stopped when he came to the street where he last seen the thief. Officer Benson glanced to and fro. The street was empty. He didn’t want to believe he lost the thief. He stood at the sidewalk, breathing heavy, trying to push back the doubt. But one idea dropped into his consciousness—he was alone in the Cross Road. The silence was invoking fear within the hefty cop. Every slight sound made Cliff flinch in fear. Sweat was beading down his forehead. His breath grew cold before leaving his lips. He became still as a tree when he saw something across the street. It was a man hidden in the thick shadows. The man took one step into the street lights. The police officer was truly afraid. He saw that the man had two mechanical limbs. His left arm and right leg were replaced by a fusion of organic living tissue, countless exposed wires, and highly sophisticated iron metal joints and gears.

Prosthetic limbs, Officer Benson said breathlessly.

He was reaching for his pistol as a mechanical hand grabbed his arm before he could take hold of the pistol. The cop was frozen with fear when he glanced deep in the eyes of the derelict cyborg. The robotic hand easily crushed the cop’s left arm. Officer Benson dropped to his knees in sheer agony. The two cyborgs were laughing at the weak police officer.

Either you are really brave or really stupid, one cyborg mocked.

The cop was trying to keep his broken arm from trembling. He didn’t hear the words or the laughter of the cyborgs. He gasped when he heard something else down the back alley. A can fell from a trashcan and rattled loudly.

Bravery is often rewarded, came a voice from the shadows.

The two cyborgs ceased laughing and peered down the alley. There was a dark figure walking towards them calmly. The shape of this man was strange. When he stepped into the light. The two cyborgs were shocked to see the man wearing a dark green powersuit. It was very rigid with sharp edges. The heavy iron was smooth and glowed a green hue in the light of the streets. It covered every inch of his body in midnight green metal. A visor shielded his eyes in a deep orange tint, breathing into his mask piece. The cop saw only an orange glare off the visor.

Midnight Green? The cyborgs mumbled.

The green armour-clad warrior glided along the ground in a great display of speed. Suddenly, he was behind the two derelict cyborgs. The cop was staring at two razor sharp blades dripping with oozing white blood. The blades extended far passed the armoured Midnight Green’s knuckles, rooted deep in his forearm. They retracted back into the forearms of the wakohs. The two men behind him fell to the ground. Soon, there was a bright pool of artificial blood. Wakohs reached down to offer a hand to the police officer. Cliff took hold with his right hand, nursing his crushed left arm, and was pulled to his feet with ease. Officer Benson welcomed the pat on his shoulder.

Where is Red? Cliff asked.

Lost still. But I will keep looking.

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In the Arctic Circle, winds howled sharply, rolling along cold winter ice and snow. The ceiling of the land was a clear bright blue to offset the blinding white terrain. There was a small outpost used as a research facility for scientists in the area. It was a large two-storey building with a small highly efficient energy generator outside. One scientist, Carl Sands walked out of the outpost dressed in a heavy black parka. It was his turn to refill the power generator’s diesel tank. He carried with him a gas can full of diesel. The wind blew away the heat from his bones. He was shivering and shaking from the cold as he tried to unlock the fence door. He dropped his key in the snow.

Damn it! He cursed under his breath.

Carl set down the gas can and started brushing his fingers through the snow. Suddenly, the ground shook heavily three times. He slipped and fell on his back. Two other scientists rushed out of the outpost. They were confused when they didn’t notice any cracks in the ice. They glanced at their friend lying on his back.

Meteorites? One shouted. Three?

Carl climbed to his feet.

There is no report of meteorites in our orbit, Sands answered. I’ll check it out.

They nodded and tossed him keys to the ski-doo. As he walked to the ski-doo, he pointed to the snow by the fence door.

I dropped the keys, Carl smiled.

Sands sat on the ski-doo and started the engine. He was surprised it started up with one pull. Before pulling the throttle, he heard something. There was suddenly no wind. He glanced up and saw a red orb hurling towards him. He immediately jumped off the ski-doo. The red orb destroyed the ski-doo. The explosion carried the scientist several feet through the air. He fell hard on the ice. He gazed back to the outpost. His mouth went a gap as he saw three dark figures floating through the air. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing. The dark figures slaughtered the other scientists effortlessly. Their heads were torn from their shoulders. He watched as one dark figure raised his hand. Electricity was gathering atop his palm. It formed a red orb of raw energy. The glow of the orb had showed little light on the dark figures. They wore a strange blood red powersuit.

What hell is this? Carl uttered breathlessly.

The dark figure reared his head at the sound of the scientist. Shock washed over the scientist. He climbed up to his feet in a hurry and leaped into a mad run. The red orb shot from the dark alien’s palm. It was flying towards the scientist. He couldn’t out run the orb. The orb erupted into a large explosion. The scientist was reduced to a smouldering crater in the ice. They stared deep into the smoking crater, standing side by side. Their armour was blood red and more organic than cybernetic, as the living tissue was glistening in the sunlight. Unlike Midnight Green, their armour wasn’t rigid. Their powersuit was as a second skin, in the shape of the human form. But their helmets were made of a pure black glossy substance that shined in the rays of the sun. The dark armour-clad warrior on the far right rose his right fist. His index finger pointed upwards. A small red orb of energy ignited. It floated away and moved directly over the outpost. It exploded and engulfed the outpost in a massive fire. Black smoke billowed into the sky as debris rained all around the three dark neznin.

Is this the planet Evelyn spoke of? Aku asked, openly.

CHAPTER 1

On the television set, an anchorwoman was going on about the latest news regarding a robbery in the Cross Roads. She was blonde and very beautiful as well as intelligent. She wore a red suit sitting behind a large desk. There was a different look in her crystal blue eyes. For this television segment, she wore a small smile for a brief second.

I am Jessica Carter for the morning news, she started. Today is August 4th 2004, Saturday. Yesterday evening, Police Officer Cliff Benson witnessed a hold up at a local convenience store in Malter Street. He chased the assailant down ten blocks before losing the assailant. He was led into the heart of the Cross Road. He was confronted by two cyborgs who meant to cause harm to him. This would have been a story on another police officer killed. But as fortune runs high, Cliff Benson owes his life to a well known hero. He identified him as Midnight Green. There is no sign of Red. However, Midnight Green assures us he is back and he vows to protect the good people of Neowinnipeg.

As Jessica Carter concluded the story, commercials filled the television screen.

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Reef Street was calm and quiet. Cars were caught in a gridlock and drivers were pushing on their horns to vent their frustration. Children with their mothers walked along the sidewalk in this bright new day. They walked passed many old blue-blooded businessmen on their way to work. Within one apartment on Reef Street, Martin Matthews shut off his television set. He had his couches and tables pushed to the walls. He was in the middle of the living room standing on his hands. He tossed the television remote to one side of his living room. He was breathing calmly as he maintained his concentration. His arms were beginning to tremble. His legs were high in the air. He wanted to increase the difficulty as his legs spread apart. He made them as horizontal as possible. His breathing was becoming heavier. He waited a moment to find his balance and maintained his concentration. Sweat was beginning to run down his hair.

He took a deep breath as his left arm moved behind his back. His brown eyes opened wide as he concentrated even harder. His right arm was trembling more violently with the heightened pressure to carry his entire body. His right arm held up his body for a long ten minutes. He bent his right arm slightly to hop off the floor. His left palm hit the floor, taking the place of his right arm. When ten more minutes passed, his legs came down to the floor. He was back on his feet and gave a sigh of relief, making his way to the window. His palms lied flat on the glass as he dipped his head low. His thick black hair bounced flat over his face. He looked up to gaze down to the street below. He watched the people roaming the streets, others going to and from their vehicles, and some sitting at the sidewalk benches.

Martin Matthews is in his late twenties. He was the mahinkan that no one knew about, carrier of the blue crystal shard. It has been years since, Midnight Green crossed his mind. He was all over news as of late. It brought up an old memory he wanted to forget entirely. The sun shined deep into his brown eyes and he turned to make his way to the bathroom to shower. It was Saturday and he had to visit his grandfather today. He stepped inside his bathroom and shut the door behind him. He pulled his white T-shirt off and pulled down his sweat pants and briefs. He stepped into the bathtub, hot water was running. He fined-tuned the temperature of the water. When it was perfect, water sprayed out of the shower head. Water was running all over his body. He took his soap and began lathering himself. The soap ran along his arm, to his board shoulders, to his tight stomach. In minutes, he washed off the lather and took a bottle of shampoo and poured it in his hair. He dropped the bottle and worked the shampoo in his hair. Soon, he washed out the shampoo and poured more into his hair. The shower head stopped spraying water. The shower curtain was pushed to the wall. Martin grabbed his towel and dried himself. He grabbed the doorknob and twisted it open. In his bedroom, he went to his dresser. He pulled it open and grabbed himself a clean white T-shirt, black and white plaid button shirt, and a pair of blue jeans. He took some time dressing himself. When he was ready, he grabbed the car keys on his nightstand and walked out of his apartment.

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The car engine was in full spin as it was speeding down a gravel road. Martin Matthews was in the driver seat of his red 1994 Vaka Klastung SVT Cobra. He was hundred of miles out of Neowinnipeg on the way to his grandfather’s estate. He had been driving for hours through the back roads on the outskirts. Martin wasn’t happy about the trip. He kept his radio off. He was making the trip, because his grandfather, Benjamin Matthews. If it were anyone else, he would have said no. Night fell. He opened his window. He loved the cool air blowing through his thick black hair. It was a welcoming change from the stale air of the city. Martin came into a small forest. He could see his grandfather’s estate in the distance, above the tree line. Within minutes, he stopped at a gate. He shifted his cobra into park and stared hard at the surveillance camera. In a moment, the gate buzzed and it opened automatically.

Coming to the face of the estate, Martin pushed open the doors and stepped inside the grand mansion. An elegant diamond chandelier was hanging from the high ceiling. The floor was a smooth marble. The walls were a beige with gold-coated wall lamps. When Martin stood in the middle of the lobby of his grandfather’s mansion, he realized he hadn’t stood in this mansion for years. It was when he lost his friend, Christopher. He couldn’t live with himself knowing those damn crystal shards got his best friend killed. Enraged, he came to this same mansion and dropped a small blue crystal shard into the palm of old Benjamin Matthews and never looked back. He took a few steps to the staircase and placed a hand on the smooth varnished banister. This place was bringing back too many damn memories.

He jumped in his skin when a hand was placed on his shoulder. He turned behind him to see it was his grandfather’s butler, Vernon. The old butler was a man in great health at the age of sixty-one.

Ah, Master Martin, you finally arrived, he greeted so kindly.

Martin smiled.

Vernon, where is my grandfather? He asked.

Yes, you will find him in his bedroom.

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Benjamin Matthews sat in his red leather chair, in front of his fireplace. He had a head full of pure white hair. His pupils had gone white as he lost his vision years ago. In his old withered hands was a glass of wine. Red. Dry. He was dressed in a black suit and black tie. He was always a formal man even at this late hour. He was expecting his grandson. There was no soul on earth he loved more than Martin. In his other hand, he was holding a very small blue crystal shard. The blue crystal has been part of the Matthews family longer than anyone could remember. It has always been a tradition for the grandfather to pass down the blue shard to the first grandson. But only when it was given to Martin, the hidden purpose of the shard was revealed. The first time it laid in Martin’s palm, it melted into a blue dense liquid and receded into his skin. It frightened him at first. Only weeks later, he learned the nature of the shard. It granted the true carrier this powerful and mysterious blue mahinkan armour.

With the powersuit, the wearer felt different. It heightened all senses as well as speed and strength. But also, the powersuit is sentient. The lifeforce of the wearer becomes completely in sync with the energy of the armour. It is astonishing. Old Benjamin could only imagine. That moment, the doors were pushed open and he smiled.

My dear grandson has finally arrived, he said as he sipped on his wine. Vernon always knocks.

Martin closed the door behind him. He walked over to his grandfather. He placed a hand on his shoulder.

Why don’t you have prosthetic eyes yet, Grandpa?

I don’t need eyes at my age, Matthewson.

Benjamin was filled with glee as he felt his grandson’s presence. Since Martin was born, he looked forward to learn what kind of man he would become. Martin pulled up a chair closer to Benjamin and sat in the second red leather seat. Benjamin nodded.

Where are you working now? He asked.

Vernon came into the room with a glass and a bottle of wine. He approached Martin and handed him a glass. He uncorked the bottle of wine and poured it into Martin’s glass. Martin motioned to stop. Vernon bowed and left the room. Martin took a sip of the tasty dry wine.

I work for Winder Construction, he answered. It’s commercial construction. I’m a crane operator.

Ah, a laborer with a crane, Benjamin laughed. It’s a clean honest living, I suppose. Girlfriend? Have you spoken to your sister?

Martin was staring deep into the fireplace. The warm glow of the flames were soothing and mesmerizing. He shook his head and glanced over at his grandfather. Martin knew his grandfather was disappointed in him. Benjamin gave a faint smile.

I know you, Matthewson, he said first. Don’t pretend that I don’t. When a man finds the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with, he wants no one else. Karina Cline was her name, or does my memory leave me?

Karina was always Christopher’s girl, he answered.

I’ve always known you have strong feelings for her, Benjamin added. And when you ran back here, in one letter, didn’t you say she still looks at you like nothing as changed from when you were children?

She did, he said bluntly.

Martin remembered how it was when he got back to Neowinnipeg. Karina was in high school and Christopher was starting college. When he learned they were dating, he was hurt. He never hated his father more in his life. He still hates him today. But, time has dulled the hate to a degree. He stewed in his seat. Anger was mounting. He didn’t realize his wine glass shattered in his hand and wine spilled over his pants. He glanced over at his grandfather. Benjamin was reaching for a remote. He was contacting Vernon. He clicked a button on the remote and set it back down atop the table next to him.

Vernon will be here shortly, he said kindly. I know you will never forgive your father for what he done. I want you to know you make me proud. It can tear a man apart knowing the one you love is with another man. But understand, it’s not your fault Christopher died.

Martin held a serious grimace and lost all patience.

Why have you called me here? He asked.

Benjamin gave a sigh and nodded slightly.

I have heard the news, he started. There is a new Midnight Green. I thought you’d want this back.

Martin glanced over to see his grandfather opening his hand. He knew what he was holding. The blue glow of the shard shined in his eyes as it laid in his grandfather’s palm.

I can’t, grandpa, he answered. I made a vow.

Now listen, Martin John Matthews, he said sharply, almost shouting. I have sat by while you gave up on school and ran away from your mother. I can live with my grandson working as a laborer. But you are the mahinkan. You are destined to wear the sacred armour.

Martin sat up from his seat with tight fists. He kicked back at his chair and it fell backwards. Why does it matter now that I wear the powersuit or not? He asked. You had nothing to say in the past! What? I should wear the armour now because a relative of Christopher found a way to wear the wakohs armour?

Martin! Sit down and listen! Benjamin shouted.

Martin was brewing in anger, but he could not disobey his grandfather. He forced his restless body to sit back in his seat. That moment, Vernon stepped into the room and was cleaning up the glass and wiping the carpet.

There is a lot you don’t understand about the mahinkan armour.

Three were created, only three were needed, Martin interrupting his grandfather. The mahinkan, the wakohs, and the pinehsi armours were made by the race known as the neznin, the ancestors of the human race. You told me this. What more must I know?

The winds are changing, my grandson, Benjamin started again. Our family has always been able to hear the voice of the Earth. You should know the suit draws their energy from not only you, but also the lifeforce of the planet. It is the only reason I can think of why the crystal chose a new Midnight Green. The Earth is assembling its protectors. I’m worried. It’s wise that you keep this at your side. If anything happens, you’ll be ready.

Martin pulled his bloody hand away from Vernon and stood up.

I can’t break my vow, grandfather, he said bluntly. It was nice talking, but this laborer with a crane has work in the morning. Heavy relief shift. It’s late and I have a long drive ahead of me.

Benjamin listened as Martin walk out of his bedroom. He knew he could not stop him or convince him otherwise. He didn’t have just the Matthews’s pride, but also the stubbornness.

CHAPTER 2

Two black transport helicopters flew through the night sky of Neowinnipeg. They were outfitted with two lethal ion beam lasers and two 9mm vulcan cannons. Inside, were two highly trained ACTF (Anti-Cybernetic Task Force) units commanded by Captain Joseph Wheeler, founded by Frank Yarn. The old versatile captain was standing in the transport hold with four other soldiers, designated as the Alpha Unit. Joseph had dark brown hair, with some grey strands of hair showing through and his hairline receding. He had old icy blue eyes. The captain was dressed in a black, high-end body armour, and heavy black boots. He was in his forties and demanded a lot of respect in the Cross Road as a private investigator and within the ACTF as its commanding officer. His eyes were peering down at his armband computer, into a display screen. It was displaying a 3D grid-based floor plan of the Neowinnipeg Provincial Bank. The display screen began beeping as he was contacted by the ACTF Headquarters in Yarn’s Advanced Science & Research Division. He acknowledged the call by clicking on the enter key on his glove.

First Lieutenant Laura Lao appeared on his display screen, Wheeler’s second in-command. The captain couldn’t hide his grin. She was a such beautiful woman of japanese descent, in her thirties, with long silky black hair, her emerald eyes, and thin cheek bones, dressed in full ACTF combat gear. She was sitting at the communication control panel with a full staff behind her, monitoring the operation closely. Captain Joseph Wheeler, ETA in ten minutes, the japanese soldier winked on the display screen. What are you thinking, mister?

Normally, Laura would be right next to Joseph on these types of operations, but he ordered her to stay behind. This was a capture operation and they were dealing with Jin and Lloyd. There is no telling what might happen with these dangerous cyborgs. He wanted this to go by the book with no deaths. Wheeler sighed, as he hated when she asked that question.

I think I can’t wait ‘till I get back to hold you in my arms again, he said, smiling warmly. Captain Wheeler out.

He winked back to her as he closed the display call. He had proper cause to assemble his task force for such an operation. After much investigating and keeping his ears perked in the Cross Road, Joseph learned what the two dangerous cyborgs were plotting. Both fresh off the assembly line with the best cybernetic hardware and programming they could steal from the military’s black budget projects, and they were making a move tonight. Sergeant Jack Dryden rested a hand firmly on Joseph’s shoulder.

Don’t worry, we’ll get them and make sure they stay locked up, Jack, the tall hard-nosed soldier from Calgary reassured.

Joseph was nodding slightly.

What is the game plan, captain? Second Lieutenant Mike Breelsten, the young american commanding Brave Unit, called through Wheeler’s armband computer audio feed.

Joseph held his arm band closer to his lips.

Alpha Unit will deploy first while Bravo Unit will hang back in case the cyborgs decide to make a run for it.

Good call, captain.

Joseph turned to face his unit.

Ready your teleport coins. ETA, five minutes.

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The moon was high in the air with stars scattered across the night sky. Two dark figures were hopping building to building with ease. The two assailants were cybernetic thieves with high sophisticated hardware embedded in their bodies. They leaped across an entire street and dropped like stones atop the Neowinnipeg Provincial Bank. After months of planning and hundreds of cybernetic operations to their bodies, they were finally ready. Jin, a japanese male, was outfitted to crack any system through a beam of lasers. The other thief, Lloyd, born in Vancouver, was prepared for deadly force from the authorities. Their eyes were prosthetic to communicate digitally with their primary cybernetic systems. Lastly, they were both constructed with sheets of body armour to protect their vital human organs, wearing oil stained red jumpsuits. Jin was carrying a light machine gun with armour piercing bullets while Lloyd was carrying a long range precision rifle. Their heavy black boots walked along the layer of pebbles atop the roof of the bank. They stopped near the air ducts of the roof.

They both had different reasons for wanting the cash. Lloyd had several debts to pay for his cybernetic upgrades and gambling. Jin planned to get as far away from Neowinnipeg as he could. The two cybernetic thieves broke into the air ducts and climbed inside. Popping open an air vent cover, they dropped down on the marble checkered floor. Their vision switched to infrared by merely blinking. The entire main lobby was protected by lasers that were deadly to the touch. A green wall of light was beaming from the palm of Jin, scanning to find a weak point. The data from the scan was running through a corner of his eyes until his system found a control hub that controlled the laser system of the bank. It was in an electrical room behind thick slabs of steel. It was a rather outdated method to hide delicate hardware. When his optic system pointed him in the direction of the control hub, he fired a powerful electrical charge.

The electrical charge surged through the wall, reaching the hub, frying its systems. In that moment, the lasers were gone and the thieves were free to roam about in the bank.

Now for the hard part, Lloyd joked.

From their scan of the bank’s structure, they learned the gold and cash was in a downward tunnel that went two miles below the surface in a holding area. There are more than twelve different checkpoints leading into the holding area. With one sign of unauthorized passage, the tunnel will flood, sealing all checkpoints, and killing anyone inside.

One billion each, right? Jin asked, desperately.

You got it, Lloyd smirked, knowing his upgrades had the more lethal weaponry and strength.

They came to the first gate. Wires from the forearm of Jin bit deep into the system interface. Within seconds, the system was cracked and the gate began to open. The thieves stopped in their tracks when they heard glass breaking. Five small coins dropped on the floor. The coins projected a deep red light upwards and five well-armed, well-trained soldiers appeared before the thieves. The leading officer took two steps forward.

I am Captain Joseph Wheeler, he started. I order you to cease what you are doing and come with me.

The two parties stared at one another. Suddenly, the two cybernetic thieves leaped into the air. They smashed into the ceiling. Dryden and Wheeler shared a knowing glance.

Sgt. Dryden here, they are on the roof and moving, he spoke into his internal radio implanted behind his ear. Stop them, Bravo Unit.

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The two thieves destroyed the floor of the roof, shooting upwards. The gravel on the roof poured into the holes. The cyborgs were met with the cool night air. They wasted no time. They were on the run, leaping from roof to roof. They heard the sound of a helicopter approaching quickly behind them. In a moment, it was in plain sight with a bright floodlight directly on them.

Jin Yami and Lloyd Stone, surrender now and no harm will come to you! Breelsten shouted from the black helicopter with his assault rifle trained on the two cyborgs.

Lloyd stopped in his tracks and fired an electrical charge at the helicopter. The helicopter anticipated the electrical charge and attempted to evade, but it was no use. The electrical surge fried the navigational circuits and the helicopter was going down. Breelsten and his unit were smart to jump out the moment the electrical charge was fired. They dropped on the roof with their weapons trained on the cybernetic thieves. Mike gave the signal and Bravo Unit opened fire at the thieves. Jin dipped low as a wide laser beam fired from Lloyd’s chest compartment. The lieutenant’s eyes widen, as he crouched into a roll forward. It swept through Bravo Unit. The humans fell to the ground, cut in two. Breelsten sprung up on the cyborgs with his rifle barrel pressed firmly against Lloyd’s right temple. Lloyd quickly caught Breelsten by the neck faster than the american could react and pull the trigger.

Put him down, came a voice from behind the two cyborgs. Move in any way and I will kill you where you stand.

The thieves didn’t dare move. They felt blades pressed firmly against the flesh of their necks. Lloyd dropped Mike to the ground. There was no telling what abilities Midnight Green had. They were certain, he could kill them instantly and effortlessly. Captain Joseph Wheeler and his unit dropped down behind the thieves with the second black helicopter. Mike and Joseph shared a nod. The captain was deeply disappointed to see all of Bravo Unit sliced into two, lying in pools of blood.

We want them alive, Midnight Green, Wheeler explained.

Midnight Green lowered his gaze and retracted his forearm blades. Wheeler and his men fired at the cyborgs. The blasts stunned the thieves and they dropped to the ground unconscious.

This is Captain Wheeler, we captured the targets and we are bringing them in, he said into his armband computer.

As he approached Midnight Green, he gave his men the sign to deal with the cyborgs and Bravo Unit. Before he could get close, Midnight Green leaped high into the air. Joseph watched the mythic warrior drop down into a city district miles away.

The new Midnight Green.

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Lance O’Reilly walked into the light. He had wild sandy blond hair and hazel eyes. He wore a fine black leather jacket and blue denim jeans, with bright fine sneakers. On the streets, a red klastung cobra parked right outside this small quiet tavern. Down the stone steps, inside, it was a different story. Usually it would have a few older men and one group of young people, but, tonight it was filled with young beautiful women and eager young men. The music and noise of the patrons were deafening, with party lights beaming in all corners of the tavern. There was no sight of the man he was looking for, but he was here, that was a fact. O’Reilly had followed this man to this exact tavern. He went with his gut and what the crystal shard had been telling him. He wanted some answers from this man. He needed his help.

Young O’Reilly made his way through the pockets and openings of the people standing about. He reached the bar and called the bartender for a beer. A full glass bottle was placed before him. He grabbed it quickly and took a good sip. The beer tasted sweet and relaxed him. It was quite a tense night tracking down this one individual. The alcohol dulled his mind that tended to dwell on the negative things being said about him. Many news outlets were calling him a cold blooded killer, despite who he saved or what he was protecting. He would have to add bounty hunter to his skill set now. At the very least, he was no coward assassin. He tracked this man, followed him day and night for a good month now. This was the night, he would confront Martin Matthews about a great many things.

After another drink, at the corner of his right eye and there he was. His man, was at the far corner of the bar, sitting on a stool with a lovely woman on his lap. They were sharing a few drinks. She was laughing and nearly falling off of him. As he looked closer, he saw it was Jessica Carter, the news anchorwoman. O’Reily was quite impressed with Martin and his taste in women. One big swig of Lance’s drink, it was empty and he looked to go talk with the man.

As Lance walked through the sea of people, he was grabbed by his collar roughly. This angry college student was looking at him face to face. His breath smelled heavily of cheap beer and whisky.

I remember you! He shouted. You’re that fucking Lance guy. You slept with my little sister!

The entire tavern seemed to be waiting for what Lance would say next. This college boy breathing down his neck, holding him by the collar did look familiar. Hailey did say she had an older brother.

You’re Bradley, right? He said, unflinching.

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With a beer in his hand and a woman on his lap, Martin watched the two young kids have some words with each other. The hotshot with the sandy blond hair looked like he could handle himself in a fight, even if the angry one had three or five friends backing him.

"Time to break these schoolyard