The Scarman Enigma

[|Scarecrow|]

Several seconds later, the eight wheeler lurched out of the diner parking lot and stopped in front of Harada and Anderson. The two of them clambered into the cockpit, Lucas still wincing from his painful experience with the fence post. The gears ground on each other as Seras fought with the shift lever. The truck began to pick up speed as Victoria finally brought it into gear. They rolled away from the diner and stunned biker gang, their truck snorting as it went.

Where do you suppose Jadyn is heading? Harada asked, massaging her shoulder.
My guess is hell be heading back to his hideout, Seras said as she steered the truck down another street, Well have to head him off, theres no way this thing will catch up with those bikes.
She glanced across at Harada and frowned, You hurt yourself when you hit the floor didnt you.
Lucas grunted over in the other side of the cabin, Its okay, dont be concerned about me,
Seras ignored him and concentrated on Harada, Ill pull us over, let me see.
No, Harada said, holding up her hand, Ill be fine, keep us moving.
Seras grudgingly complied and carried on driving as they sped down the quiet, dimly lit backstreets of Los Angeles Capital.

---

Kurt shifted the jetbike up a gear, barely catching up with Miyu Greer as she merged with a long line of traffic.
I had to pick a bloody slow one, He growled as he pulled up alongside Greer. The HiME Agent was facing forward with grim determination as she weaved in and out of the lines of hovercars and speeders. She caught sight of him and nodded, indicating the large steel jungle of downtown LA Capital ahead of them. Manning understood, Sayne must be heading back to wherever his hideout was, and it seemed to be somewhere within the city centre its self. Kurt nodded back at Miyu and watched as she peeled away, out of the line of traffic, to find a different route into the downtown area. All Kurt had to do was follow Jadyn and try and divert him into a trap. He gunned the throttle and pulled up on his handlebars. His speeding jetbike climbed up and over the line of traffic for a moment, so that he was just above the rows of aircars. He caught a brief glimpse of a weaving jetbike ahead before gravity pulled him back down into the line of traffic. Filled with determination, he willed his bike further on and began climbing through the ranks of vehicles, pursuing his target.

---

Marcus gripped his FTX15 bullpup scoped assault rifle more tightly as the Thunderhawks outer hull began to shake and rattle. The roar of re-entry filled his ears as the dropship dove into Los Angeles upper atmosphere. He tried not to think of Victoria and poor Heather Scarman. The universe really did work in strange ways, to create a totally contrasting version of himself. Marcus had never thought such things were possible until Merlow had first told him about his alternate self. How the man was so evil, Marcus couldnt understand. With grim determination, he swore that he would rescue Victoria and Heather, no matter what happens.

Okay, heres the situation, Robert Merlow called from the head of the transport. The gathered marines all turned to look at their leader intently, Our enemy the Black Flag Corsairs have been operating from within LA Capital, and now we know where their hideout is. The Starwood Hotel seems to have been secretly overrun by the scum pirates and has been acting as their base of operations ever since. The bastards have been right under our noses the whole time.
This is a rescue operation; our targets are a young female civilian, eight years old with long blond hair, and Captain Victoria Wade, who ought to still be wearing her marines gear. They are our priorities, their safety is paramount. Our secondary targets are the known terrorists Sayne Jadyn and Tyrant Marcus Scarman. I know youll all find it odd shooting at a parallel version of our Admiral Scarman, but remember that this man is nothing but a cold bastard. Hes a killer, and he must be stopped.

“We’ll be dropping onto the Starwood Hotel from above, cable descend. Five-minute warning, prep yourselves. This is a hot zone; we expect to be under fire the minute we drop. Keep a cool head and a sharp eye. Good luck all.”
Marcus caught Robert’s eye as the Fleet Admiral completed his briefing. Merlow gave him a reassuring nod and turned back into the Thunderhawk’s cockpit. Marcus looked away and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. The hammer of the Freedom Fighters was falling hard on Sayne Jaydn and Tyrant Scarman.
I’m coming Victoria…

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| S C A R E C R O W |

"See you space cowboy..."