FusionFall: Invasion

Chapter Twenty: The War Begins

It had been a week since we ventured into that hell-hole and left Kitsu to mourn. The group had gone quiet. We took on simple missions here and there, aided those who got stuck in trouble. All we focused on was finishing the base and preparing. I was placing more support beams against the wall when my NanoCom clicked.

I pulled it out and found Dexter's face presented in front of me holographically. "What's up?" I asked, a little surprised.

"We seem to have developed a situation..." Dexter said, looking around, obviously distracted by something. "We need you down at the lab right now."

I perked an eyebrow. "We're in the middle of some-"

"Whatever!" Dexter said, irate. I raised both brows now. It was not like Dexter to get short with anyone but his sister. "Just get down here!" The hologram fizzed out.

"Erm...alright then..." I muttered. I pushed the support beam into place and looked about the camp. Walking through, I declared I had to leave. "Dexter called me to his lab, as quickly as possible, it sounds." As soon as I finished speaking, screams sounded both outside of our base, and from some in our own group inside the walls. I spun about, bewildered. Then I looked up.

Green fireballs descended from far above. They arced through space, directed from planet Fuse. I glared. What is that beast doing now? I wondered.

"This might be what Dexter needs you for." Blake said. I turned back and nodded.

"We really do need to hurry then." I said, my face grim. Hurry, to a S.C.A.M.P.E.R. That'll be the quickest way to Genius Groves. I thought as an explosion sounded from far away. I turned and saw just barely, a green explosion in mid-air, just past Sector V. A green streak fell and faded towards the ground.

Hurry.

The white flash of light faded from my vision as I stepped off the teleport pad. I shook my head and looked about. Sure enough, wee were inside DexLabs. "Handy things, those teleporters..." I muttered, rolling my head to work out cricks in my neck. I spotted Dexter waving at me from below the balcony, Computress by his side. I rushed down the metal steps.

"Thank you so much for making it here so quickly," He said, shaking my hand. "And on such short notice as well."

"I grabbed a S.C.A.M.P.E.R. right before it was leaving." I said. "Luckily, it was coming this way anyway, so the K.N.D. ops on board were happy to drop me off." Dexter nodded, then waved his hand, motioning me to follow. He led me to his private office.

The office was a huge space, half-built machines one the walls and on steel tables, electronics and tools scattered about. At the far end was a long table with stacks of paper, a small desktop computer. Behind the desk was a massive screen that took up the entire wall. My jaw dropped.

"Heh, impressive, isn't it?" A familiar voice sounded beside me. I turned and saw Kitsu leaning against his scythe in the corner.

"Kitsu?!" I exclaimed. He grinned mischievously and nodded at me. I heard a clank from somewhere above and a muttered curse. I looked up and saw a figure dressed similar to me, wearing black jeans, vest, button-up, and tie. He looked at me skeptically. Two swords hung from his belt.

"That's Lincoln." Dexter said over his shoulder. "He's our special ops in the Darklands." I nodded and looked back around the room. Sitting on the long desk was a slim, tall girl. She had flaming red hair that reached her waist, and glittering silver armor. She had no weapons. She looked at me and grinned as if I were fresh meat. "Diana." She said to me across the room. I raised an eyebrow, unsure of how to react to her.