Jac pulled out a small radio to warn Giresun that his escape was not successful, that the unthinkable had happened, that the intruder had actually hitched a ride on Giresun’s escape vehicle. But all the Red Ninja got was static as a response, the several short circuit bugs still actively sending their jamming signals.

The ninja pulled back his hood, he and Anja just standing there, the two warriors unable to believe what they had just witnessed as the vehicle’s jets already vanished in the morning light.

The intruder’s plan was perfectly executed.

Randal was about to have his revenge.

The two attacked Randal. The glyph ran at him sending a torrent of silver, liquid spears flying; the ninja charged with a yell, one hand with sword drawn, the other firing a gun.

Randal dropped his empty hand cannon and fired the short projectile at the escape vehicle, ignoring these new attacks. The barbs of the grappling hook grabbed hold of the vehicle’s side and yanked the Special hard into the air after it, avoiding the attacks of the ninja and glyph.

Jac was quick to pull out a small radio to warn Giresun that his escape was not successful.

There was a deep rumble from the ground. Just behind Randal, the earth opened up in an explosion. This is what he was waiting for.

Ran fired several more shots at the glyph and the ninja, trying to keep both occupied and pinned down. Ignition jets fired and a small vehicle rose rapidly from the ground.

Instantly Ran threw one hand cannon to the ground and withdrew a handheld propulsion grappling hook. Anja and Jac realized what the intruder was attempting. They had to stop him. They had to attack.

Randal fired with his lone hand cannon. The two charged.

Taking cover, Jac returned fire, swords not the only weapons he carried. Randal avoided this attack, keeping himself near this desired spot. It couldn’t be long now. Protocols were set and would be followed to the letter.

Ran returned his attention to the glyph, biding his time. Anja once more sent metal strands flying toward him, this time dozens of thin blades, leaving only a little liquid armor to circle the glyph and protect her from harm.

The Special threw several small explosives at her, forcing the tendrils to deflect and absorb this attack.

Then there was a deep rumbling.

Ran switched to his hand cannons and fired on Anja while he ran. The higher caliber weapons had the effect he had hoped. Her silver armor couldn’t simply bat these away with ease, instead needing more liquid metal to smack the larger projectiles away and the strands chasing Randal pulled back to aid the defense and move the glyph out of harm’s way.

“You will not prevail,” Jac called from behind, forcing the Special to turn his attack and leave the glyph for the moment. The ninja dodged and rolled to avoid the gunfire rather than trying to deflect it.

Anja the glyph fell quickly to the ground directly in front of Randal, slowing her final descent with strands of her liquid metal armor just before impact. She eyed Randal and struck again. He leapt out of the way as wide bladed pikes slammed into the ground where he had stood. Then these pikes became thinner, bladed strands, passing inches away from piercing Randal.

The strands turned and changed course, still coming after the Special. His desperate course of action was to give the armor something else to worry about, namely protecting its host rather than trying to kill him.

Finding the spot then biding his time, Randal rounded another corner then stopped dead, finding five more security waiting for him, guns at the ready. Randal and the guards all fired at the same time. The Special dove to one side and sent a flurry of bullets their way, aiming to kill each or when necessary, aiming to deflect their attack. All five fell to the ground, as Randal somersaulted to a standing position, his systems on overdrive, his aim flawless, each motion controlled and purposeful.

Suddenly Anja fell to the ground like a meteor, directly in front of Randal.

The ninja leapt from the roof, throwing one sword to the ground and grabbing the rope with his now empty hand, slowing his fall. Ran spun and fired at the ninja as he descended, but Jac, flying through the air, again deflected the bullets with his sword. The weapon was a blur as he expertly maneuvered it. He was good. Not all Red Ninja had yet mastered this bullet deflection technique.

Randal ran, turning a corner of the building.

Landing, Jac retrieved his sword and chased Randal around the building.

Randal turned another corner then stopped, five security facing him.

With his simple proclamation, Jac withdrew two swords from his back.

“Very well,” Ran said, turning both guns on the ninja, unloading them. Jac deflected the bullets with his swords while charging the Special just as Anja flashed her hand forward and a dozen silver strands flew forward, spinning, changing trajectory, training on the Special, razor edged and coming to a deadly point at the head.

The Special jumped from the roof, grabbing the zip line, and swinging to the ground.

“We will not fail our master again,” the Red Ninja said, continuing his assault and leaping off the roof.

Jac was dressed in the traditional garb, red from head to toe, face covered with a red hood, his eyes the only area visible.

Ran kept a gun trained on the ninja. To Randal’s left, Anja was propelled to the rooftop by her armor, silver strands pushing off the ground and quickly returning to her, the armor swirling and circling her body, ready for an attack or ready to protect its matron.

“This does not have to go badly between us,” Randal said, backing further to his right, a gun held on each.

“I’m afraid it does,” the ninja said.