Rebirth (part eight) - The fall of a Hero

Furno relentlessly honed his skills at the Command Tower in Makuhero City, where the air was thick with the hum of holographic simulations designed to replicate the horrors of war. In recent years, Makuro had pushed for the introduction of biomechanical holograms, intending to test the data accumulated by the scientists and perfect the modifications to the Ultimate armor. The Toa and Glatorian possessed strength far exceeding that of the Heroes, and thus, the new armor had to withstand any temperature, endure the harshest environments, and above all, mitigate the brutal damage inflicted by their foes. Countless gadgets were integrated to ensure survival in the most deadly of circumstances. With recent attacks shaking the very foundation of the Hero Factory, the scientists had been forced to expedite their work, though their efforts had yielded no results. Seeing the urgency, Makuro had returned to the drawing board, revisiting long-forgotten plans and secret research, particularly regarding Protodermis.

Breeze and Surge trained alongside their Team Leader, becoming his most trusted allies—staunch companions in the face of a bleak and dangerous future. But Rocka's situation was different. Though they had been allies for a long time, a rivalry brewed between him and Furno for the coveted position of second Alpha Leader. Neither had managed to impress Stormer with their leadership yet, and each mission became a battleground in their contest for supremacy. Their animosity had grown so fierce that, during one mission, they clashed before even setting foot on the field. Stormer, ever vigilant, would choose the true leader—one who feared nothing, possessed unshakable charisma, and would defend the Hero Factory with every breath. Planet 1210 was the perfect stage for their rivalry. Both knew that Makuro viewed the planet as the ideal place to establish a stronghold, and both sought to prove their worth in the impending conflict.

Their training was interrupted by a soldier, who urgently summoned them to the Mission Room. But the news that awaited them was grim: Nex had fallen.

"A creature, unlike any we've seen before, attacked Nex in the jungle of Tesara during his mission on Planet 1210," Zib, the mission commander, sadly reported. "Nex was gravely injured in the fight... I'm sorry to say, he didn't survive."

The words hit Furno like a sledgehammer. Nex, along with Surge, had been like brothers to him. His mind raced, filled with a cold fury. It was time to end this madness. The deaths, the attacks—they had gone on long enough. Now, they would fight back, and they would not stop until those responsible were destroyed.

Zib, sensing the resolve in Furno's voice, spoke again. "They're looking for volunteers to test the Ultimate armor. Makuro is involved, giving guidance and... assistance in the construction."

"We're going," Furno responded, his voice a low growl of determination.

* * *

In the Assembly Tower, Furno met Fortis, head of the Recon Team, where Rocka also stood waiting. Confusion flickered in Furno's eyes. Why was Fortis here?

"It's classified," Merrick replied tersely.

Unbeknownst to Furno, Fortis' team had been assigned to Planet 1210 as well. The departure was imminent, but before leaving, Furno seized the opportunity to address the Heroes. He informed them of Nex's death, his words weighted with sorrow and resolve. An hour later, he departed with a convoy of sixty selected soldiers, Fortis and his team among them. But just before reaching their destination, their course was altered, and they landed on the arid, desolate plains near Roxtus.

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"We land in two minutes," Fortis commanded, his voice low and unwavering. "You know the plan."

The cold winds of Roxtus howled as they descended. The Hero Factory had set its sights on retaliation—the enemy had stolen the lives of their scientists and comrades without reason. They would pay. Evo's death. Nex's death. Fortis' orders were clear: find the enemy and eliminate them. The Recon Team, one of the few units granted permission to kill hostiles on sight, would lead the charge.

They made landfall at a checkpoint near Creep Canyon, where they would wait for nightfall. Fortis and his second-in-command, Fox, meticulously planned their assault. The two teams would split into separate paths to encircle their prey and strike when the time was right.

"We move northeast," Fortis directed, his finger tracing a path on the map. "Nigel, you and your team head northwest. We've pinpointed the enemy's location at 2-3-0. You'll position yourselves at 2-1-1 in the mountains. Wait for my signal."

"Affirmative, Merrick," came the reply.

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Hours before, Furno and his convoy had arrived at the headquarters along the Skrall River, delivering the necessary materials for the Ultimate armor's creation. Soon, any Hero would have access to the upgrades and enhancements offered by the new and possibly final evolution of their technology. The Team leaders of all checkpoints would convene that afternoon at the Mission Center.

The three Heroes were greeted by Stormer, who led them to a private meeting in room A-01. But the atmosphere was far from what they had expected. The air was thick with sorrow, and the shadows of fear loomed over the base. Guards had been posted at every corner, their vigilance heightened. Soldiers stopped civilians at random, checking identification to ensure no infiltrators slipped through. Turrets were now mounted in every strategic position.

"I know it's a grim sight," Stormer said, his voice heavy with the weight of recent events. "This is war, kids."

Later, in private, Surge asked Stormer where Rocka and the Recon Team were headed. "In advance," Stormer replied. "They're tasked with locating the enemy and neutralizing them."

"What if there are... c-complications?" Surge asked hesitantly.

"Then we'll be ready to fight back," Stormer answered grimly.

That afternoon, the leaders of the teams gathered at the Mission Center to discuss how to deal with this unseen menace. Ideas were proposed, some calling for a redistribution of checkpoints to safer locations, while others revealed that even the biomechanical soldiers had fallen victim to the enemy's attacks. The situation was worsening, and the threat had become undeniable.

"Perhaps an alliance would be the most prudent course of action," one leader suggested.

"We can't afford alliances right now," another retorted. "We need to counter-attack, not make deals."

"We should declare war on both sides," someone else declared. "We'll take this planet—once and for all."

Voices rose, the debate growing heated. And then, as if summoned by the tension in the room, a green figure materialized on one of the high conduits. Stormer's mechanic heart sank. He recognized the figure—it was the same entity that had attacked him and his team in Tesara, just before Nex's death...