Fire and Ice (MK9 - MK11)

Chapter 12: Stryker

The U.S. Army is fighting a losing battle against Tarkatans equipped with shotguns and rocket launchers, as well as twenty foot high Outworld monstrosities. Kurtis Stryker and his partner Kabal are currently standing on a rooftop, watching the Outworld invaders advance.

STRYKER: Fifteen... Sixteen... Seventeen... Eighteen. Kabal, call it in.

KABAL: Base. Eagle Two. We count eighteen. One-eight bogies. Southbound on Olympic.

BASE: Roger that.

KABAL: Eagle Two out.

STRYKER: This is not happening.

KABAL: Not what I was thinking when I swore to protect and serve.

STRYKER: What is that?

They look down the building to see Reptile climbing towards them.

KABAL: I'm thinking shoot first, ask questions later.

STRYKER: Fine with me.

They begin shooting at Reptile, but he dodges the shots with ease and continues climbing. As he nears the top he leaps over them and lands behind them.

STRYKER: Pistols!

They draw their pistols and fire again, but Reptile blocks the attacks by spewing forth some acid vapour, which acts as a shield. As the two officers reload, Reptile strikes with his tongue, disarming Kabal and knocking him over. He then tongues Stryker's gun, disarming him.

STRYKER: Enough of this! It's you and me, Freakshow!

They fight. Although unaccustomed to fighting Outworld warriors, Stryker's rigourous training and arsenal of weapons manages to see him through the fight. Eventually he leaves Reptile on his back, defeated.

STRYKER: Spitting? Sticking out your tongue? Bet your mama's real proud.

Stryker walks over to Kabal and helps him up.

STRYKER: C'mon. We're going street level. We've been compromised.

KABAL: It ain't safe down there.

STRYKER: Better there than here.

He walks off, leaving Kabal sighing and shaking his head. The scene then cuts to the two of them at the ground level of the building they're in. Army troopers are falling back, being chased by one of the gigantic monsters seen earlier. Kabal notices someone on the bridge across from them.

KABAL: Stryker! Check her out!

Stryker looks and the camera follows. They both see a female in a rather revealing purple leotard and leggings.

KABAL: Whaddya think? Friend or foe.

STRYKER: Foe.

KABAL: Dressed like that?

STRYKER: Definitely foe. Cover me.

As army troopers round a corner to fight an unseen foe, Stryker walks out to the bridge. As Mileena approaches, he calls out to her.

STRYKER: Hey, what're you doing out here?

She laughs and pulls off her mask, revealing her Tarkatan features.

MILEENA: Looking for a new playmate!

They fight. Restraining himself to using non-lethal force, Stryker manages to eventually subdue the feral "daughter" of Shao Kahn.

STRYKER: You're coming with me.

A loud roar causes Stryker to turn his head to the bridge to the left of him. A large creature, shaped like a gigantic pterodactyl, flies overhead. While he's distracted, Mileena manages to pick herself up and charge at him, when several lightning bolts shock her into unconsciousness. Raiden - who fired the bolts - floats down from the sky and lands next to Stryker.