English Vengeance

[b]Title:[/b] English Vengeance

[b]Characters:[/b] Matt Trinity, James Grayson, Raine Bouchard

[b]Summary:[/b] Despite being the same person, this was the clone's first travel into another world. His experiences here would be better for it.

"This place looks sorta... high tech. Different from the technology in Citadel space." Matt said as he looked at the inside of the chamber he had appeared in. It seemed to be either round or hexagonal in shaped with a platform in the center of the room, which he noticed because of the differing colors of the floor. He also noticed two platforms on a higher level and some lifts on the side.

The clone had to stop looking though as something walked into the room as what seemed to be a giant robot with two legs that seemed to be equipped with a pulse fire machine gun walk into the room.

His face turning pale, Matt quickly jumped into cover, avoiding a missile the machine had launched. Hiding as mech fired a machine gun at him, he held his M-97 Viper, waiting for the firing to stop.

Just as the firing would never stop, the clone heard an explosion. Taking a peek, he saw the mech facing the other way. He also saw a distinguished orange globe on its back. Readying his rifle, he fired at the globe. A few shots managed to hit the weak spot, getting the attention of the machine.

Ducking back into cover, Matt steadied as the mech fired its machine gun at his cover. He heard a few more explosions and the machine gun fire die down. Peeking, he saw that the mech's back was starting to smoke as it turned around again. So he wasn't the only person in the room then. That was good to know, for the moment. Whether the unknown was an enemy or friend was something the clone would figure out later.

Taking an aim at the orange globe again, Matt fired his sniper. The shots hit the weak spot, further damaging the mech and getting it's attention. As the machine turned around and readied the machine gun, something hit the back of the mech followed by an explosion.

Matt took a peek from behind his cover for a moment. Seeing no one else around in the room, he knew that whoever helped him destroy that machine was nearby. "Come out. I know you're there." The clone walked out of his hiding place, keeping his M-97 Viper out and on the ready.

He saw an adult male walk out, holding an assault rifle of some sorts at him. "Keep your hands where I can see them." The stranger said, speaking in what appeared to be a Cockney accent. For all that Matt knew, it was still British. Taking a closer look, which was hard without moving mind you, he saw the man of average height, black hair and eyes. His clothing consisted of a combat jacket wore over a green shirt and a bandoleer over the jacket, dirty brown pants with pockets on the outer sides of the legs and black boots. "What's a little blighter like you doing here?"

"I'm 18 sir. And also human." Matt replied. Although he used the term loosely and wouldn't tell people he was a clone. Yes, he is the same person plus one arm but there was bound to be someone who disagreed.

"An American." The man groaned, lowering his weapon slightly. "First those frogs then the gorillas and tin cans. Now I deal with a yank."

"You're quite rude, you know." Matt commented, glaring at the stranger.

"Aren't you the smart one?" The stranger retorted, walking towards the center. He stopped to kick at a piece of the destroyed mech. "Grayson two, and whatever the hell you are, nil."

Matt simply shook his head and followed the man towards the center. The clone blinked as he heard crackling and saw that the man, Grayson was checking his radio. He could hear a gasp and a cough through it as a female voice spoke. "Can't see. Radio shortening out." The voice spoke in a french accent, the woman gasping twice. "Grayson!"

The center of the room was revealed to be a lift that went down as Grayson replied. "I'm coming, Bourchard. Find an air pocket, keep your head up."

----

Walking out of the lift, Grayson heard his radio again, more specifically Bouchard's cough. "Approaching a large cave." She stopped to cough again and continued. "The tubes are enclosed! I won't be able to breathe. Oh god!"

"That's where I am. Move you arms, do something so I can see you." Grayson replied, staring at the room. He could see a lot of tubes connected to the ceiling and all around from the distance.

"Don't you mean we?" Matt commented, noticing that Grayson left him out. The clone thought he did it intentionally and couldn't blame him though. After all, how do you explain that you ran into an American teenager with guns inside a facility you're infiltrating.

The man looked around, searching the tubes for any signs of Bouchard. "Where are you?" He quickly spotted a woman with short blonde hair in a tube right under where the two were standing. "I found you, I'm right above you. Find an air pocket, stay alive."

However, Bouchard was suddenly taken in by the current. A large creature about 16 to 18 feet in height with four eyes, two on each side and carrying a large weapon that appeared to be a cannon.

"Oh goddammit, no!" Grayson cursed, quickly moving into cover and shooting at the creature. "Bloody Titan! Help me get rid of that gorilla, you yank."

"I have a name, you know." Matt retorted, also moving behind cover and taking aim with his M=97 Viper sniper rifle. He fired, getting the Titan's attention.

The large creature turned around as the clone ducked back into cover. It fired its flamethrower at the cover, leaving the cooling unit on it's back unprotected. Grayson took the chance to fire at it with his weapon, the .303 Storm Rifle.

Using this strategy, the Titan was quickly killed after a few more rounds. The cooling unit on its back began beeping too quickly and it exploded, taking the creature with it.

Grayson got up from his cover and ran ahead, following the tube that's underneath the floor and hoping to reach Bouchard.

Matt sighed and ran after the British mercenary. At least he assumed Grayson was one.

----

The two reached a room with the tube that they were following, seeing Bouchard flow through it. Grayson moved closer and saw that the woman was holding on to something. "Don't worry, I'm getting you out of there." He aimed and fired a few shots. But it had no effect. "Oh come on."

Matt simply walked past Grayson and began hitting the tube with his sniper rifle. The latter simply followed suit, desperate to get Bouchard out of the water. The mercenary stopped for a moment to look up and saw that something had grabbed Bouchard and pulled her away.

"Oh Jesus, no! Not again. Raine!" Grayson commented, unable to do anything.

Matt, however noticed a switch and walked towards it. "I think I can pull this." He did, after a strenuous moment of pulling it down. This opened a nearby panel that led into the water.

"I hope you know how to swim, Yank." Grayson said and jumped down into the water.

"I have a- Whatever." Matt sighed and simply followed the man into the water.

----

After swimming through some tubes, the two had to fight off swimming Chimerae called Sirens and managed to surface. Getting on solid ground, both Matt and Grayson quickly gunned down two Hybrids.

The British mercenary pressed down on a panel, opening another passage and releasing more Sirens into the water. "I'm having fish tonight."

"Would you like it roasted, grill or fillet?" Matt retorted, firing at the Sirens.

"Chef's choice tonight." Grayson added, using a Bullseye to fire at the Chimerae in the water.

With the water clear of all enemies, the two jumped down into the drink and swam through the passage.

-----

While walking through a vent, Grayson's radio sounded and a report was heard. "Sir! Those ships are bigger than Buckingham Palace! And they're building hundreds more. These trenches go on for miles."

"They're not operational just yet, and our only objective is stopping those Earth Movers bearing down on Luxembourg." Another voice replied, sounding authoritative.

"Major Cartwright." Grayson replied, as if knowing what Matt was going to ask. "Member of the British Royal Marines under Rachel Parker's command."

"I see. You don't sound happy when you mention his name though." Matt commented.

"Aren't you perceptive for a Yank?" The man replied sarcastically. "Cartwright and I have a history. Leave it at that."

Reaching the end of the vent, the two walked out as Grayson's radio sounded again and an order was spoken. "All personnel return to the LZ. We are leaving immediately."

"Affirmative, sir!" Another voice replied.

Grayson scowled as he spoke through his radio. "Mallery, come in. Don't leave without us!" He waited for a few moments for a response but none came. "Oh, he's a dead man. Don't ask." He added the last part, directed at Matt.

Matt closed his mouth and simply looked up. He managed to see a Hybrid press down a panel, causing a pillar in the room to turn around. "There's no path ahead."

"Bloody hell, how do I get through that thing?" Grayson wondered and then ducked into cover as a Hybrid notices him and opens fire.

-----

After using lifts to move down, taking out more Hybrids and Drones, the two reached a vent and managed to jump down. Grayson's radio sounded again, a woman's voice sounding but different from Bouchard's. The accent was British. "Major Cartwright, we've reinforced the fortress defenses. But the facility's old, and won't withstand much of an assault."

"I take it that's Parker." Matt said, following the British merc.

"Got it in one, yank. Now keep yer bloody eyes open." Grayson replied as he fired his .303 Storm Rifle at a couple of Drones that floated down from an opening in the vent.

Reaching the end of the passage, the two saw a rotating pillar in the middle of the room with some sort of energy shooting straight up. Grayson moved closer and showed recognition of the design of the room. "Must be the Power Core of the whole bloody place... but I've never seen one like this before. Hope I brought enough TNT."

"Can TNT really blow this place up?" Matt asked, having already guessed Grayson's goal. He actually doubted it was potent enough for the facility they were in.

"Like a bloody candle." Grayson replied. Seeing more Drones and a Hybrid appear, he fired his Storm Rifle.

Matt gave support fire using his M-97 Viper sniper rifle. Clearing the way, Grayson ran ahead. The clone, however searched the dead Hybrid for any weapons or ammo after changing the heat clip again. Looking at the creature's chest, he noticed a knife and a sheath wrapped around the chest of the dead Chimerae. Removing it, he checked the knife and nodded. "Can't always depend on my guns after all."

Catching up to Grayson, Matt saw that the man had pressed a panel. The two then saw some flying female looking Chimerae with huge heads floating in the air called Hags. It made them appear as if they were simply organic balloons.

"Ladies? Who gets the first dance?" Grayson commented as he fired at the head of the Hags.

Matt kept quiet this time, not just because he found that joke a bit disturbing but also due to a lift rising up with three Hybrids on it. The clone focused on the Hybrids, taking the first one down with one sniper shot.

Getting on the lift and going down, the two continued, killing every Hag and Hybrid in the way.

They soon reach a rotation ring that exudes fire, protected by four Hags. Matt took down two of the with his M-97 Viper while Grayson took out a Fareye FR-1 sniper rifle and killed the other two.

The two then focused on the ring, Grayson using a BM001 Razor to fire at the device. It quickly broke down and stopped. The British mercenary quickly ran ahead, yelling. "Cover my arse!"

Before Matt could say anything, three more Hags appeared. Running in between the kneeling Grayson and the floating Chimerae, the clone quickly opened fired on the latters. While he took a lot of damage from their psionic blasts, Matt managed to kill the three Hags.

Once he was done, the clone looked at Grayson who just got up and saw what the mercenary had done. Placing the TNT charges against the immobile ring. "Those aren't going to explode immediately, are they?"

"You worry too much. Should be more than enough time." Grayson replied.

"Where to now?" Matt asked.

"Down there." Grayson pointed at the edge of the platform and jumped off. With a sigh, Matt followed, diving into the waters below.

-----

Swimming ahead, the two reached a closed passage as Grayson's radio sounded and Bouchard's voice was heard, coughing. "James? I've stopped moving in a new system, a chamber filled with gas. They are injecting me with something! Wait, stop! Leave me alone!!!"

" Raine, I'm on the lower level. I should be close. Just hold on." Grayson then switched frequencies. "Mallery, I've located Bouchard. We'll be topside soon. That bird had better be waiting."

"Let's get to her, quickly!" Matt commented. Finding a lever, the clone pulled down on it and the water drained. The passage ahead opened, revealing two Hybrids and a Drone lying in wait.

"Dammit!" Matt fired his sniper rifle at the Hybrid on the left.

"Out of my way, gorillas!" Grayson fired his BM001 Razor at the other Hybrid then at the Drone.

------

After traversing the passages and even having to swim one or two times, the two reached a walkway and took cover.

Grayson looked down at the lower walkways, seeing a waterfall and a few paces in front of it. What he say made him ask. "What the hell?"

Matt looked at the direction the mercenary was staring and frowned. The woman, Bouchard was inside a chamber filled with an unknown yellow-colored substance. "We have to get her out of there."

"Dammit, no. Not her." Grayson muttered. His radio sounded and Bouchard's voice spoke, desperation obvious from her tone. "James! Get me out of here!"

A wave of Boilers walked out of a passage and straight towards the two as Bouchard yelled through Grayson's radio. "Help me!"

Using their snipers, they managed to thin the numbers to three before Grayson switched to his .303 Storm Rifle.

The first wave down, Bouchard spoke again. "I can't open this panel from inside."

"More are coming!" Matt yelled and sniped the next wave of Boilers. Grayson simply moved closer with his Storm Rifle to take down the ones the clone missed.

"Where are you, James?" Bouchard asked through the radio as the next wave of Boilers arrived.

Fighting through the grotesque female Chimera, the two reached an elevator platform and Grayson pressed down a panel. As the platform moved, Bouchard's voice yelled out through the radio again. "There's more. Everywhere!"

More Boilers walked out of the doorways to the lower catwalks, only they were going straight for the chamber Bouchard was trapped in.

Guessing what the Chimera were planning, Matt quickly changed heat clips in his M-97 Viper and fired at the Boilers that were farther away, managing two headshots. Grayson managed to kill the closer Chimera then ran towards the chamber.

Pressing on the panel to the right of the chamber, the mercenary opened the chamber and Bouchard fell down.

Hybrids began running into the room and opening fire at the three. Matt couldn't hear part of the exchange between Grayson and Bouchard, busy sniping at the Chimera. When he could finally hear them, the clone kept focused on shooting the Hybrids.

"Wha--? Wha? Is this it? Where are the rest of my samples?"

"They're gone. Lost."

"Mallery must have saved them."

"He sure saved his ass."

The Hybrids quickly stopped running into the room and Grayson shot the last one. "We're running out of time."

Bouchard kept coughing as Grayson knelt down to her. Matt also walked over to help the blonde woman up. "We better make sure she's fine."

"We got her out on time." Grayson replied.

Bouchard looked up, staring at Grayson. "James? You saved me. Oh my god, I almost died. I thought I'd never see my father again." She glanced at Matt. "And who are you?"

"A yank." Grayson replied as he helped Bouchard up.

Matt did the same, glaring at the mercenary. "I have a name. It's Matt Trinity."

"We don't have much time." Grayson switched frequencies and spoke. "Molly, come in. I'm bringing Bouchard up now. Have medics ready."

"What have you done to her? I'll have you court-martialled. Again!" Mallery's voice spoke through the radio.

"That's gratitude for ya." Matt muttered.

"Like I want gratitude from a frog like Molly." Grayson retorted. A rumble was then felt and Grayson took Bouchard behind some cover. "Stay here."

The two readied themselves as a giant, flying Chimera with tentacles floated down into the room. "What is that?" Bouchard asked, looking shocked.

"It's an Angel!" Grayson yelled as he opened fire on the Chimera.

Matt also fired at the Angel, using his M-97 Viper sniper rifle. He had to stop and dodge out of the way of a green substance the Chimera threw from one of it's tentacles. This gave Grayson the opening needed to fire a 10mm grenade from his .303 Storm Rifle, causing some needed damage to the Angel.

"You got it!" Bouchard said, peeking from behind cover and holding a .303 Storm Rifle of her own.

The Angel flew to the center of the room as Matt notices a L210 LAARK rocket launcher and picked it up. "Grayson, catch!"

The mercenary was close to the clone and managed to catch the LAARK. "All right, you sodding giant gorilla! Say ah!" He fired one round at the Chimera and then another.

The Angel flew down, under the walkway then floated up above it, throwing more poisonous mists at Grayson. The merc managed to avoid it but inhaled a bit and then coughed.

The Chimera ducked under the scaffolding again as Bouchard yelled. "It's coming for me!"

The Angel now focused on Bouchard, who fired back at the Chimera. Finding it, Matt fired at the creature, only for it to generate a deep green force-shield around itself. The Chimera dropped it only to get hit by another round from the LAARK Grayson was using.

Matt quickly fired more shots from his Viper then changed heat clips when the Angel created the force-shield again. Bouchard kept firing at the Chimera, the latter focusing it's force-shield on blocking the shots. Once the Angel dropped it's protection, Grayson fired one final round from the LAARK.

The Angel shrieked as it began losing altitude then downright fall into the empty expanse of the room. "It's dead!" Bouchard yelled as she lowered her weapon.

She began searching for something as Grayson walked towards her. "Where's my equipment?"

"I didn't look for your gear. Was too busy trying to save your life." The mercenary replied.

Bouchard hesitated a bit then asked. "You didn't do anything stupid, did you? Where are your explosives?"

"Uh, probably with your samples. We have to get out of here now." Grayson led Bouchard towards a closed door. "Stand back." He hit the door with the butt of his rifle, opening it.

Taking a quick look, Grayson quickly took Bouchard and himself behind the door, motioning for Matt to do the same. "Watch out!"

"Ohh! What are you doing!?" Bouchard asked.

That was the same question Matt had in mind as he snuck a peek into the room and saw a mech that looked exactly the same as the one both he and Grayson destroyed when he arrived. "It's that same machine from earlier."

"You destroyed a Hammer?" Bouchard asked as Grayson looked at the Hammer again and saw that it wasn't moving.

"I just found our way out." Grayson grabbed Bouchard's hand and made to lead her to the machine.

Bouchard stopped him for a moment though. "James, wait. Thank you for coming down here, to get me. I know how hard this is to be inside another facility and not destroy it." She looked at Matt as well. "And you too, Matthew. But I do not believe you are either Royal Army nor Maquis."

"I'm.... just a wanderer of sorts. Caught by the Chimera and managed to escape." Matt replied, not wanting to explain everything to the two in front of him.

Fortunately for the clone, Grayson didn't ask. "Yeah well uh, come on before Mallery ditches us."

Walking into the room with the Hammer, Bouchard stared at the mech. "Do you know how to operate this?"

"If those gorillas can drive one, so can I." Grayson retorted.

"And I think I found my exit." Matt muttered, noticing a Save Point hidden in the corner of the room.

"You are not coming?" Bouchard asked, looking at Matt.

"Let the man go, Raine. He obviously knows what he's doing." Grayson commented and began climbing up the Hammer.

"Don't worry, I'm still fighting the Chimera." Matt assured Bouchard.

The woman nodded and climbed up after Grayson on the Hammer. The clone, however simply walked towards the Save Point and left the world. He still had a lot of things to do.