Cycle: Tides of Time

Chapter 1

Den City, 2066.

A scientist known as Forae White discovers the secret to time travel, changing the world forever. News of it spreads fast, unfortunately leading to the discoverers demise at the hands of a crazed man with a throbbing need to turn back time.

Mirror City, 2068.

Men who turn back time are labeled as TT's, Time Terrorists, and will be immediately sentenced to death by the court of law. A new branch of law enforcement is created to enforce this fact, known simply as Turtle Ops. A group made specifically to combat TT's. And their efforts were successful, most TT's being aprehended before they can even commit the crime of changing time, but ever still do TT's remain. And one TT in particular is a critical threat, and has been avoiding the Turtle Ops for a long time now. He has grown a following and cult-like status for the way he shows his ideals and values over the internet. He plans to make a "perfect world" in his image, through the power of time travel. He is a force to be reckoned with, and his name is...

Madernak Cycle.

My eyelids lift open with great weight, and I can't help but feel sore. As I try to lift myself up, I begin to hear a familiar voice. "Good to know my medical expertise is put to good use. You were on the edge of death yet here you are." It was Doc. Our Medical Operative. He's a great doctor, but a bit on the lighthearted side when he probably shouldn't be. "What happened, Doc? I can't remember..." I scratch my head. "You were a bit too risky. You tried to take Madernak head on and you got critically damaged. He shot you in the hip with a plasma rifle." Shit... "Did we at least get him?" He shakes his head, looking down. "He used your damage as an escape route."

Damn it. We would have had him! "You need to be more careful, Cyrus. If I didn't transport to the site as fast as I did you would have died. Do you understand?" I sit up, a sharp pain going through my abdomen. "Yeah, I do... I caused us to lose him again because of my actions. I won't do it again." "Good. Hopefully the boss understands as much as we do. Otherwise, you might be relieved of service." Damn, he's right. I was reckless... "Hopefully I can stay... I need to take Madernak down." I kick my legs out of the bed, leaning my head in my hand. "Are you having a headache?" "Yeah, but I'll be alright." I suddenly notice a familiar face from the corner of my eye. Hane was watching us from outside of the door. I wonder why... I decide to get up, preparing to get to work before Doc's hand presses lightly against my chest.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Where do you think you're going? You haven't fully recovered yet." "Donovan, I'm fine. I'll rest when Madernak is behind bars." I try to turn to leave but he grabs my arm, sparking a bit of anger. "No, Cyrus. You aren't ready." There is a long pause, and I notice Hane walk away. "Donovan. Wouldn't you feel the same way in my position? Madernak is hurting everyone in this world. Including my loved ones!" He yanks me back and grabs both of my arms to hold my face uncomfortably close to his. "Don't you think I know that?!" I try to avoid eye contact. "Don't you?!" I continue to look away, without response.

His grip on my arms loosen. "Get out of here... Don't get into any trouble..." I nod. "Thank you, Donovan." He lets go, and I leave the room quietly. I notice Shell seated at the table, writing paperwork. I take a seat beside him. "Shell, what are you working on? You're the Mecha Operative?" "Damage paperwork. My MK. 16 model did some damage to a public home during our mission about a week ago." "But you weren't the one using it, it was Yoni." "Maybe so, but it's still my model, even if it's not my misfire." I look down at the paper. "It's okay, Net. As law enforcement workers were covered, but there's still stuff we have to write." I nod mindlessly, thinking about why Hane was just looking in on my recovery. He's never particularly liked me, but I doubt he was hoping I died.

"How are your wounds?" He asks me suddenly. "Oh. Their alright, I guess. They could be better, but I'm up for work." He begins looking at me doubtfully. "Don't be stupid, Net. That's all I ask." I simply nod in response, getting up and leaving him to his work. I should probably head downstairs, so I press the button on the elevator, taking it to 1F. The hum of the walls is a bit calming, but my body still feels stiff. I need to get back to work, but am I really fit to do it? We do have other ranged operatives... Suddenly I hear a ding, and the door opens on 1F. Hane is waiting right in front of the door, staring me down! "Do you know the risk you caused with that stupid move?" "I-I... yeah, I do... I'm sorry, it won't happen again." His eyes squint. "Save it. The captain is the one you should try to butter up. He might just give you the boot if you're not careful." "I know this..." "Good. Now step aside, I have work to do." I step out of the elevator compliantly, and he gets in the elevator, going up. "Don't take him too seriously, Cyrus. He's just in a bad mood. No ones doing great." I look over to Robin, typing away at her PC. "Understandably so. I was stupid to try what I did." She turns around in her swivel chair. "I wouldn't talk like that if I were you. Your sister would be dissapointed."

"I guess. How is her training, by the way?" "She's getting used to it. She's honestly really determined. It's pretty impressive." I smile slightly to that. "She's always been strong, strong enough to fight for what she wants." Robin smiles sweetly back, then turning around back to her computer. "You two are cute siblings. I just hope she can take a real mission soon." "Agreed..." I say, glumly. She already tried her first mission, but the pressure was too much and she cracked... The Commanding Operative gave her another chance as a favor to me. I guess my mistake will reflect on hers, unfortunately.

"There's a visual call coming for you, Cyrus! It's Mr. Grant!" I hear from the elevator. It was Jonas, our Melee Operative. "Okay, thank you." I jog back to the elevator, setting it to the third floor nervously. The hum seemed a lot more frantic this time, as the ding occurs and the door opens. "Cyrus." I slowly walk out into the meeting room, a long table with many chairs seperating me from the screen projecting our commander, Forest Grant. "Commander Grant." He looks down at a mysterious set of files. I suspect it's my resume. "Please, take a seat, Net." I nod, sitting in the seat closest to me. "Do you know why you're here, Net?" "I suspect so. It was my action I took without orders. And I busted the operation." He nods his head, seemingly dissapointed. "It seems you know. Mind if I recall the event?" "No..."

A short pause as his eyes follow words I cannot see on the paper in front of him. "Members on sight, Hane Frost, Jonas Gale, Miles Organaw, and lastly, you. Net Samori." "Yes, sir." "We seemed to have finally found Madernak Cycles location after a rat among his cult gave us his location in exchange for a weaker sentence. It seemed to be in the deep of Mirror City's lower basin. Hidden from even light. You four were sent to make sure this lead was correct. It was, and he was within this dark seemingly abandoned building. Hane and Jonas split off on their own to find a way to trap him, and Miles along with yourself went to investigate where he was keeping his machinery. Correct?"

"Yes, sir." He nods. "You two found a factory-like structure hidden below the building. You noticed various machines such as mechs, flight vehicles, and a time machine within along with builders, seemingly from his cult, yes?" I take a second to think. "All of that information is correct, sir." He nods again, flipping to the next page in his document. "Madernak Cycle appeared out of seemingly nowhere, and the lights turn on, exposing you both." "Yes, sir..." "It was a trap set for us. It seems that he knew the cult member would rat them out. Suddenly, a volt shot through Tesla coils in the floor, shocking Miles but missing you. Then, Madernak brought out an illegal plasma pistol model known as the MK. 02. He attempted to fire off a round toward the shocked Miles, yes?" I nod shamefully.

"Now this is the part that intrigues me, Net. According to Miles's report, you shoved him out of the coil as hard as you could, knowing you would take the shock. And you took a plasma shot to the side before collapsing in your own blood. Hane and Jonas appeared shortly after that due to all the noise, correct?" I take a minute to think. Did I really save Miles's life? I just... I guess I did. "Well sir, I can't confirm their appearance due to my... unconscious inactiveness." "I see." He smiles a little to my answer, and it shocks me slightly. Am I able to stay? "No doubt was your action reckless, Cyrus. But you did it for your fellow members. True, Madernak got away but he also abandoned his machines. So I personally consider that a success." My hopes grow higher. "You will be continuing work with us. But keep consiquences in mind next time. We care about your safety too. Get well, Ensign. You'll be back to work before you know it."

I stand out of my seat in glee, saluting. "Thank you, sir!" He simply nods, smiling and saluting back. "Keep up the good work, Ensign. I have high hopes for you. Signing off." The screen flashes, then goes dark...