“Tri Star Actual to all elements, ETA Five minutes.” The voice of General Akubra crackled over the radio in the headphones over Liek’s head. Those same headphones deafened the thumping thunder coming from the helicopter’s blades overhead. While the youth could have flown himself the rest of the Squad he was attached to for the moment.

The Tri Star Platoon consisted of three Squads currently under the direct command of General Akubra, but was planned to be under Liek’s command, with the young man answering directly to the General, once he was officially part of the EDF. Vega and Hyperion Squads where in the two of the other helicopters as the formation flew past South City and out towards a nearby island that was known to be the location of the target. In the helicopter with Liek was the rest of Altair Squad, which included Surge and seven other soldiers.

The change in plan had been as sudden as it was dramatic. According to what the General had shared a group of terrorists had attacked the King during a routine visit to local grade school in South City and the monarch, along with a number of school children, had been snatched up by the terror group called the Phantom Blades. After a brief shootout with the Secret Service the majority of the terrorists had managed to escape.

Majority, meaning not all. The one who failed to get away was swiftly hauled in by the EDF and made to talk. The young man had no idea what kinds of advanced interrogation techniques where used to make the terrorist spill the beans so quickly and he wasn’t entirely sure he wanted to know. It’s not like the Fury didn’t have their own intelligence apparatus that worked in ways the Knighthood would have considered underhanded and dishonourable, but those men and women had made sacrifices in other areas of life to balance their honour. But the EDF’s interrogators where neither Fury nor beholden to their values of honour, so they could do as they needed and Liek wouldn’t question it.

Four attack helicopters flew past the four transports as Liek leaned out the side door and watched. “Comet Flight engaging ground defences.” Reported the lead pilot of the attack helicopters as all four opened fire with rockets, several emplacements burst into towering flames as the explosive weapons struck true. Tracer fire flew back and forth from the air and ground. From where he was perched it looked like the EDF’s pilots where cleaning house with ease.

Until one of the attack helicopters jerked in the air and a voice shouted, “OH SHIT!” a moment before a ground launched missile streaked through the air and into the side of the aircraft, blowing it to pieces!

“They got Rusty!” One of the other pilots shouted while unleashing a barrage of gunfire on the area the missile had come from. He was so focused on avenging his wingmate he didn’t notice the missile aimed at his aircraft until it was in the cockpit with him. Like some cosmic joke, the burning craft spiralled through the air only to crash on the very person who had fired the missile that killed the pilot.

“Fallback Comet Flight! This mission isn’t worth the rest of your lives!” Akubra ordered over the radio.

“But sir!” The leader of Comet Flight replied, “We still have to clear your landing site! Aquas can’t land like this!” He noted, using the flight name for the transport helicopters.

“I repeat, fallback Comet Flight!” Akubra repeated over the protests of Comet. Relenting the attack helicopters popped flares and started withdrawing as the General gave more orders, “Aquas 2, I need you to fly ahead and turn broadside to the landing zone. Liek! Clear the way!”

The young man blinked, but immediately understood what the General wanted him to do. The other members of his squad shouted in surprise as he leaned out of the hatch of the helicopter, allowing the strap attaching him to the roof of the flying machine to take his full weight while bracing himself with his feet, using a flow of ki to anchor himself to the metal as the transport flew sideways through the air.

He extended his hands out to his sides as he focused, drawing out the natural energies used to fuel his techniques. As his hands started to glow he extended them forwards and had the energy coalesce into a sphere, the members of his squad, and even the pilot of the helicopter looking on completely not comprehending what they where seeing. And then he fired it, sending the blue sphere sailing towards what he knew was to be their landing site. But he didn’t stop there, he pulled his right arm back before thrusting it forward again while pulling back his left, unleashing a small blast of ki, then repeating that with his left. Then over and over, faster and faster until his arms where a blur and it was literally raining balls of ki.

Even General Akubra was surprised at the scene. Even as the first ki ball made impact and consumed the landing zone in a ball of fire, followed by the smaller blasts saturating the entire area, everyone watching couldn’t help but compare the young man to a living machine gun. Or, more appropriately, an autocannon given the explosive power behind his shots.

A part of the young man’s mind noted that many members of the Phantom Blades had likely died in that barrage. That same part mourned the lose of his innocence, and the staining of his hands with blood, but at the same time took comfort in knowing he was only doing it for a just cause. The Saiyan part of him just shrugged it off as a day’s work, while the Demon considered the matter with glee, seeing it as a stepping stone towards claiming all that is rightfully his… and they probably all deserved to be killed anyway.

If any defenders remained outside they apparently all decided that not dying in a hail of energy blasts was a better idea then sticking around and stayed far away from the helicopters as they landed, allowing the three squads, along with General Akubra’s personal detail, to disembark. Once they where clear of the choppers the General shouted, “Let’s go! You know the plan! Hit these bastards so hard they never recover!” With an affirming roar all squads in the Tri Stars began their assault. Liek took point and blew the front barricades off their hinges before the squads split up, each taking a different hallway.

For Liek’s squad they played to their strengths, Liek taking point and bull rushing any foes they encountered while snatching any bullets heading towards his squad out of the air as he ran. Surge had pulled out her laptop and was actively hacking the local systems as they moved clearing their side of the hideout room by room. Doors locked and sealed on Phantom Blades as their own defence turrets had their IFFs switched, seeing the EDF as friend and the Phantom Blades as foes, as various other systems began shutting down or turning back on as best helped the EDF. The rest of the squad returned fire as needed and quickly got used to Liek’s speed and adapted their tactics around using him as mobile cover as they advanced.

Within less then an hour the base was almost entirely clear save for one last room. While Liek’s squad had made it through roughly unscathed the others had a few minor casualties. Vega squad had it worst, with most of the Squad injured, but no fatalities. The General’s squad had one injury and the Hyperion just two.

“General, the only ones left are strong.” Liek informed the commanding officer, “Three in total. I think it’s best if I take them on alone.” He paused then added, “Make that four. Last one is… going further underground for some reason. But they’re alone and shouldn’t be much trouble for the rest of you.”

The old General nodded and looked over the remaining Squads. Considering the situation he replied, “Alright. While Liek handles the three in the next room Hyperion will help Vega squad get the wounded back to Aquas. Altair Squad, fall in with me. We’ll go handle the Cave Dweller!” Affirmations rang out from everyone as the troops fell in line and carried out their orders.

As she moved past Surge patted Liek on the shoulder, “Kick their asses, my Guy!”

The youth nodded and replied, “You too, Surge.”

---

WC: 1,458
TWC: 3,682

A few well placed ki blasts was all it took to clean away the bodies. It make Liek nearly want to vomit, but it was something that needed to be done if he wasn’t going to traumatise the children. So he’d swallowed the bile threatening to shoot out of his stomach back down and did what he had to do. With that dirty work down he turned to the other side of the room and the sealed door that awaited. His body ached from the blows the four martial artists had managed to land, including the ones he’d failed to notice turning the intense evasive dance he’d put on. While he’d not noticed them at the time a lot of those Dodon Rays had actually hit him, most had been glancing blows, but his clothes where half shredded and his skin was definitely singed and burned, and the aching was already setting in.

Grunting in annoyance the youth shook his head and focused on the task at hand. Walking over to the door the young man reached out and gripped it with his hands, the metal bending under his fingers before he jerked his arms back, tearing the doors clean off their hinges. Huffing he tossed them to the side and looked into the room. Inside was exactly what he’d been expecting to find, a gathering of children, none older then twelve, most not younger then ten. His eyes darted over them as he did a head count, reports had state that six children had been taken and to his relief all six where present. And better yet, they didn’t look any worse for wear. Nothing a few bandaids, a good shower and a sleep in their own beds wouldn’t fix anyway.

The eldest child stood between him and the other children and glared at him defiantly, “Who are you? Are you with those jerks?!” The boy growled while dropping into a fighting stance. It was clear he had some basic training, even if he wasn’t very strong or skilled. Liek actually smiled at the sight and respected the effort, even if he would have been hopelessly outmatched against basically any of the Phantom Blades.

“My name is Liek.” He replied while holding his hands up to show he meant no harm, “I’m here with the Earth Defence Force to rescue you.” The eyes of the children lit up with hope at his words as they started chattering among themselves. Only the fighting boy remained suspicious.

“By yourself? Don’t the EDF work in groups?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Yes.” Liek replied without hesitation, “But these guys took a lot out of our people and one Squad had to pull out, one is helping them while two others have gone after the King.”

The boy jumped, “Oh no! The King! Is he ok! The grabbed him when they grabbed us!”

Liek nodded, “Yeah, we know. And I can sense the King is ok, and…” He closed his eyes and focused. “My friends are with him, looks like they’re making their way back up now-” he was cut off as the ground violently shook under their feet, and to happen right as he had noticed that power he’d been tracking earlier moving away from the General’s squads? No way that and the sudden quake where just coincidences.

Suddenly Liek’s radio crackled, “Liek! You -ead--- me?”

“You’re breaking up, but I hear you, General!” Liek replied instantly, his hand flying to the device strapped to his chest. Simultaneously the last of the boy’s suspicion melted away.

“We’-e secure- the King! Procee-ing to extract!” The General explained, “Do -ou hav- the kids?”

“Confirmed Six Children.” Liek replied, “Extracting now!”

“Ro-er!” The General replied before adding, “Caution! Situa-tion FUBAR! Last one got away! Some kind of gia-” The radio cut out as the ground shook again and a disturbing amount of dirt and rubble fell from the ceiling.

“That’s not good…” Liek noted, “Alright, everyone! We’ve got to move! Now!” He pointed the way to the exit and started waving for them to get moving, and instruction which the frightened children eagerly followed. As they ran the young man was hot on their heels, their pace nothing compared to what he was used to. Along with way one, the least fit of them all, tripped and fell. His friends noticed and stopped to help but found they need not have worried as Liek caught him before he hit the ground and proceeded to carry the child over his shoulder.

As the group burst from the entrance of the hideout they where met by Hyperion Squad who directed the children onto the choppers safely. At the same time General Akubra alongside his squad and the rest of Altair Squad came charging out of the hideout right as the children finished being helped onto the aircraft, the King being helped along.

Liek and Hyperion Squad ducked and covered as Akubra, the King and the squads with him where blown off their feet as a massive plume of dust and rubble erupted from the entrance of the hideout and the side of the mountain began to collapse, revealing a hole in the side of the cliff. Moment later something massive emerged from the hole.


A hulking figure, a gigantic metal man painted black and gold, stepped out from the shattered mountain, standing taller then even a Great Ape and carrying a massive sword. Speakers built into the outside of the machine allowed the voice of the one operating it to echo off the landscape and be heard by all, “MUAHAHAHA!! You think you’ve won?!” The machine stood to it’s full height and turned towards the EDF forces, “You may have ruined this one hideout, but it is one of many. And with this Prototype Anti-Saiyan weapon Grungust Type-0 none of you are leaving here alive!!”

“OMEGA BEAM!” The pilot yelled, causing the machine to unleash amber beams from it’s eyes. The beams streaked through the air, only to be scattered as Liek through himself between the beam and it’s intended target; one of the helicopters with children on board.

“LIEK!” He heard Surge shout but all he could focus on in the moment was the burning in his arms. His vision blurred from the pain, but he could just barely make out that the sleeves of his jacket where ruined and his arms where an unhealthy shade of red. Gritting his teeth against the pain he half landed, half collapsed on the ground, glaring up at the giant robot.

The pilot cackled more as he looked down at Liek, “You FOOL! That was only the least of this machine’s arsenal! It is powered by a reactor designed for a battleship!” He grinned and laughed, “Curse your own worthless life choices for bringing you here! Because this is the day you all die!”

“General! Get everyone to the helicopters and get out of here! I’ll keep this bastard busy!” Liek shouted.

Someone else, like Surge, would have protested, tried to convince Liek of not throwing his life away. In fact that was exactly the words coming out of the young woman’s mouth even as General Akubra merely saluted the young man and barked the order to the remaining squads to get on board the choppers. He, along with two other men from his squad scooped up the protesting Surge and carried her to the nearest helicopter. Once every last person was on board the helicopters lifted off, all the while Liek threw himself between them and the giant robot every time it’s fired it’s beams.

By the time they where a safe distance away Liek was barely holding himself together, his limbs hung limply from his sides while his clothing was completely ruined. Blood run down his entire body and even forced his to keep an eye shut to stop it from running into it. He was exhausted and his everything hurt as he panted for breath.

He’d tried to go on the offensive, but between the pilot ignoring him and using every lapse in his defence to try and shoot the helicopters and nothing he through at the machine managing to punch through it’s armoured hide, not even his strongest ki blasts, orgone crystals or even his Broken Arms attack had done anything significant. He’d scuffed the paint, but nothing beyond that. He was at his limit and had nothing left to throw into this fight. He didn’t even have the energy to try and escape with his speed in this state.

But he’d succeeded at his objective. He’d protected the helicopters as they evacuated the squads, kids and the King. If he was going to die, then at least he did so knowing he went out as a Knight should; protecting those unable to protect themselves.

A dull thumping noise reached his ear and he tiredly turned his head to see a helicopter with a strange device attached to it. Suddenly his radio crackled to life, despite it’s damaged exterior, “Young man. I will acknowledge that you are more capable then I gave you credit for. Although I but heads with the General I count him as a friend. As a show of gratitude allow me to share two things with you; the first is that the machine you face was created by a… rival of mine. You will be doing me a great service if you prove it is not fit for purpose by destroying it. And second, the means by which to destroy it. While it may cause you to rampage, be assured that no innocents will be harmed. We are too far from the mainland.”

Suddenly the device on the underside of the helicopter flared to life with familiar light as equally familiar energy washed over and revitalised the young hybrid. His body pulsed and twitched as the energy permeated him with a primal roar he grew! Water exploded into the air and shrouded him for a moment, but as it washed back down his figure rose, now standing tall and might as the Great Demon Ape! As the Ape levelled it’s gaze on the robot Liek’s guttural Ape voice replied, “You got one thing wrong, Doc.” He grinned, “I don’t rampage in this form.”

With a roar he launched himself through the air and kicked the mecha with both feet, sending it flying through the air. As the helicopter turned away Doctor Grey stared at the sight of the fully sane and controlled Great Ape in bewilderment, his eyes darting all over Liek’s current form trying to process what he was seeing, “Impossible… the records said nothing of this… nothing of Saiyan controlling this power…”

Thoroughly done with the Grungust’s power Liek didn’t give the pilot a moment to recover, pressing the attack even as the machine rose back to it’s feet with the thrusters on it’s back. The Demon Ape punched the machine centre mass before grabbing one of it’s flailing arms and punching the elbow, the force making the armour buckle and the joint snap. With a solid yank the arm tore clean off, but Liek didn’t waste the opportunity and followed through by bashing the mech across the head with it’s own severed arm. The mech dropped it’s sword, an automatic system recognising that it couldn’t swing the massive blade with one hand, so it shed the dead weight. But Liek continued to attack, ramming his shoulder into the mech to knock it off balance again.

As the metal soldier stumbled Liek reached down and heaved the massive sword up with both hands. As soon as he held the weapon he recognised how impossibly impractical it was. It was punishingly heavy, even for a Great Ape, so much so that even with training it would be impossible to wield with any kind of swordsmanship. He could also see that the blade itself was actually dull. A design that actually made a lot of sense, with a weapon this size the edge was just a waste of time, the weight behind every blow would chip and wear a sharp edge so fast maintenance impractically frequent. Plus with this much weight behind it if actually did hit anything the sheer momentum would allow it to cut through just fine.

The pilot of the mecha managed to regain his footing and activated another weapon on his machine, energy gathering around the chest and starting to shine like a miniature sun as the pilot roared, “HYPER BLASTER!!” The energy erupted out as a massive golden energy beam that tore it’s way towards Liek, but not before the young man in Ape form had leapt high into the sky, massive sword in hand.

Realising his timing was off a moment too late the mecha pilot looked up in time to see the Great Demon Ape hanging in the air, the sword clutched over his head, with the sun shining behind him. The young man roared, “I AM LIEK GALSWITH! KNIGHT OF THE FURY!! I AM THE SWORD THAT CLEAVES EVIL!!” As he landed in front of the mecha he transferred all his momentum into the sword as he brought it down, “CCHHEEEESTTTOOOOOOOOO!!!” He roared, channelling the unbridled manliness and fury of the one true Sword that Cleaves evil.

The blade struck true and bisected the Grungust from head to crotch before burying itself halfway into the ground. Liek leaped away as the Anti-Saiyan Weapon exploded in a massive fireball.

Smiling to himself the young man backed his way back onto the island in time for the artificial Blutz Waves to run out, reverting him to normal. Weak and exhausted he chuckled to himself before collapsing and his consciousness faded.

---

WC: 2,336
TWC: 7,729

Note: The one True Sword that Cleaves Evil