Archive of Our Own

Inquisitorial Report Gammacon-Blue-456.9882

Inquisitor : High Inquisitor Raynard Kayzak, Ordo Hereticus

Subject : Shocker Nueva

Report : The threat of this organization is still nebulous at best. I have searched sources leading to other sources, leading to yet more, and this conspiracy remains difficult to fully grasp. I have been left wondering if they have links to heretical groups like the Cognitae or Temple Tendency, or even the Alpha Legion. The way they have hidden themselves, so deeply and completely in Imperial Society, and potentially beyond, is something even the Emperor himself would have trouble unwinding, but I will not be found wanting. I will find the secrets of this “Shocker Nueva” Society, and ensure every member, from the lowest peon, to their High Command and “Great Leader” are brought to the Inquisition and reveal all their secrets before they are given the Mercy of the Emperor they do not deserve.

END OF REPORT.
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“I regret to inform you, Inquisitor Tago, Inquisitor Kayzak was killed while en route to Planet Meridia-Ceti. We are still unsure how a bomb was brought aboard his vessel, as he had personally inspected it twice, then had Servitors do it twice more, and said Servitors were checked for defects. We will inform you of any developments in the case.”
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The world of Kaprivor 12 had seen better days. This dusty, old world had once been the sight of miners and great shafts tapping into the deepest reserves of material, everything from black oil, coal, gold, metal and everything else brought to the surface, year after year after year. Now, all that was left was a sandy ruin, dying towns slowly crumbling away, as people began to head out on whatever transports they could get for the wider Imperium. Workers were scrapping together whatever money, favors and promises they could get to get a ride off the world. The Mechanicus would soon be coming, and anyone left would be open season for future Servitors.

At a dive bar, a beat-up, barely kept-together shack that kept stiff, flavorless. It was downright terrible, really, but there weren't many bars to pick from in this dying town, on this dying world. Seated at the bar were a man and woman, siblings, obviously, leaning over their drinks slightly and coats and their cloths ragged and covered in dust and sand from the dust storms that had become more frequent.

“I am telling you, we need to get out of here. I finally got transport off. There's not much time before this planet becomes a bigger hellhole then it already is,” He said, voice hushed and hurried. “We don't want to be here when the Red Robes show up. I've heard of how they scoop out peoples' brains, turn them into machine abominations. We have to be gone before that happens.”

“I know, I know.” She said quietly, trying not to let her fear and alarm seep into her tone.

“You keep saying that, but we're still waiting here.” The man said sternly. “Alejandra, get it together. This is our last chance. If we don't leave now, there's gonna be no where to hide from the Red Hoods.”

She nodded quietly, slowly, looking at her drink forlorn. The man breathed out hard through his nose, sighing. “Listen, if you spend all your life working up the courage to do something, you'll find everything's passed you by, by the time you do.”

Alejandra nodded slowly, as the man reached in, grabbed a handful of Thrones from his cloak and tossed them on the bar, before heading out. He threw up the hood and stepped out into the whirling clouds and billowing winds of sand. Alejandra sat there for a moment, holding her small glass and sighing, as she shook it slightly, letting the cooper-colored liquid swirl about for a moment. She knew he was right. There wasn't much else to do, and now was the time to leave. Not manner other former miners and workers on Kaprivor would have the chance like they did.

It was now or never. 

But it wasn't like outside of this world was any better. Plenty of those from the ships stopping by for supplies and the odd Rogue Trader shared the stories of beyond. Rampaging Green monsters that lived only for war, otherworldly, Fae beings who would steal whole worlds away in the dead of night, creatures that lived in refuse and darkness whose very touch could cause people to age into their elderly years, or into babies. All of this terrified her just as much as the machine, drone-men who claimed they served an aspect of the God-Emperor, though whatever aspect that was, they were welcome to stay to it and keep away from her.

She shook her head. Whatever happened, Jorge was right. Getting out of here before the Tech-priesthood stripped whatever was left was priority one. Whatever was out there for them had to be better then this. She downed her drink in one gulp and grunted, before rising, tugging her cloak and hood on tight over her, to shield her from the storms raging outside. She marched into the sandy streets, slamming the door behind her to keep the winds from blowing it open again.

She made her way through the half-deserted town, few lights able to keep functioning now that the power grid and systems were starting to collapse, anyone with the knowledge having left long ago for better worlds and prospects.

Her mind was made up. She was leaving with her brother and getting out of here next week with the “Rogue Trader”.

As she made her way home, tracing the way through the dust strewn alleys and abandoned Shacks and hamlets, many having caved in roofs and walls where sand was pouring in. Her boots sank into the sand, the soft crunch and bits of it falling off her gray boots. This place was going under, sooner or later. One could only imagine what would happen after the Tech-Priests got done with it. Getting out of here was all she wanted.

'If I don't let my spineless behavior get in the way first.' She thought.

She stepped a little further, sand and dust kicked aside, before three men stepped in front of her. She stepped back, surprised for a moment as she glared down the leader. He was the tallest, of taunt muscle and scars from past knife fights, his skin swarthy and his head bald. He held up a knife, a rough, serrated thing, looking like it was made from a piece of metal he found. She glared him down, eyes slowly going to the others. They all were dressed in rags, clearly scrapping together whatever they could before the Mechanicus swooped down.

Alejandra closed her fists tight, never blinking as she glared at the leader. He chuckled, running a thumb along the flat of his shiv. “You seem pretty stoic for someone about to be our fun for the night.”

“I'd head home if I were you Alvarus,” She said defiantly. “There isn't much time, and I think you'd rather be getting ready to get out of here rather then being put six feet under.”

“When the Red Cloaks come, I intend to at least die having some fun.” He hissed, grinning and showing a few missing teeth. His cohorts chuckled.

Alejandra knew Alvarus. He did not take no for an answer, and didn't respect anyone who could fight back. At the mines and processing stations, others learned that the best way to get Alvarus off your back was a swift kick to his own. There was only one way out of this, and she wasn't about to keep talking to a guy who didn't see her as anything but a piece of meat to use. Alvarus and his goons drew closer, grinning wickedly.

This was going to be quick and to the point. She couldn't afford to get bogged down in a fight with three men.

She swung her foot around, throwing dust and sand up into the air, and into their eyes, blinding them for a moment and causing them to stumble. She went to the shortest guy first, swinging her elbow in and slamming it into the side of his head. As he stumbled, Alejandra swung her knee up and struck him in the gut, knocking him down, and as he crumbled, grabbed him by the shoulders and threw him into Alvarus.

The two toppled over each other, Alvarus yelling and cursing, as Alejandra dove over the two trying to get free to tackle the third. He was a larger man, but between struggling to get the dirt out of his eyes, and Alejandra's weight knocking into him at high speed, it was enough to slam him into a nearby wall. She swung two hook punches into his face, knocking a few teeth out. As he grabbed at her neck to try and strangle her, a clumsy move, her face twisted into a mask of rage, eyes wide, as she grabbed him by the sides of his head and jammed her thumbs into his eyes.

He screamed in agony, Alejandra not letting loose for a few more seconds, before dropping him to the ground, the man screaming and holding his face in pain, before she swung her foot into his ribs, over and over, eyes wide with fury, Alejandra grunting and snarling under her breath with every hit.

“Come on, take it! Take it! Take it!” She hissed as she delivered another kick. “That's what you would've told me.”

She stopped as she heard steps shuffling through the sand and dirty again, turning just in time for Alvarus to swing his shiv at her neck, attempting to slice her artery open. Alejandra backed away just in time to avoid having her neck sliced open and her blood spraying the alleyways. It still nicked her enough to illicit a cry of pain, Alejandra stumbling back and instantly holding her neck to make sure the wound wasn't deep. Alvarus pressed his advantage, swinging at her and slicing into the back of her forearm, another shallow cut.

The other one ran past, lowering himself and tackling her across the midsection and into the wall. Alejandra's entire world spun, the air knocked out of her. She gulped up air, gasping and trying desperately to get air back in, as the second attacker shoved her against the wall, grinning, and swung a punch, knocking her into the dirt and sand. Everything felt like she was in the middle of an earthquake, as she pawed at the dirt, trying to crawl away.

“Careful with bruising the goods!” Alvarus snapped at the other.

“She's resisting, what do you expect?” The second hissed in anger. “Besides, you got options besides the face.”

Alvarus snarled, shaking his head, looking at the other injured member, still rolling in pain. “What's Tarnus' problem?”

“She jammed her thumbs in his eye then kicked his ribs in a bunch.” The second replied, clicking his tongue as he shook his head. “Crazy bitch.”

“Won't be for long.” Alvarus said with a grin, running his finger along the flat of the knife. “Let's have our fun, then dump her in the Ash Pits.”

“Heh. Won't be much left to identify at that point.” The second laughed, grinning wide.

Alvarus couldn't wait. Alejandra had always strutted around, acting too good for anyone. Thinking she was probably the best thing to happen to humanity since the God-Emperor himself. She had to be put in her place, had to be reminded who held power. And on this dying little dust ball, the one with the killing intent, the ability to murder and take without regard or mercy, were the kings.

She had fallen still, Alvarus looking at her with narrowed eyes for a moment. He wasn't sure what to make of it, but it seemed the last hit and the air getting knocked out of her had put her out. Worked for him. They were more fun when they weren't resisting.

'I do wish I could hear her beg.' He thought glumly. Oh well. Maybe next time, with one of the few women left here.

As his minion approached her, grabbing one of her legs, Alejandra suddenly sat up and threw a handful of sand into his face. The man yelled out in shock, stumbling back, as she grabbed another fist full and threw it at Alvarus. He was prepared, throwing up his hands and stepping back, giving Alejandra time to swing a punch into the second man. He grunted in pain, shaking it off, and trying to focus through his sand-filled eyes.

“I'll give ya a punch, bitc...” He began, before she swung her boot up and between his legs, the man collapsing to the ground and screaming in pain.

It took everything for Alejandra to not begin kicking him repeatedly as well, turning to Alvarus and glaring at him with wide, hate-filled eyes. The man froze in his spot, looking at her in horrified silence. She did not resemble a person so much as a bloody, hate-filled ghost.

“Come on Alvarus. You wanted to have fun didn't you? Come on, let's have some fun!” She yelled, giving him a bloody smile.

Alvarus turned and ran for the streets of the shanty town, disappearing into the night as he did, leaving his two 'friends' to whimper and moan on the ground as he did. Alejandra watched him, not moving, breathing hard as she did. She did not move again until Alvarus was out of sight and had disappeared into the town. She shook her head, before beginning to head home. The moment she did, however, the adrenaline rush wore off, pain rocked through her whole body.

Alejandra yelped, holding her side and falling to one knee. She wheezed and gasped for breath. Her father, when was still alive and the mines hadn't claimed him, had taught her to fight and take care of herself, but Kaprivor 12 was a low level world, and compared to its 11 sisters, was less important. Law enforcement and the Arbites, technology and medicine, and augmentics. If you were an important miner or knew someone who knew someone, you might be able to get something special.

As such, the law of the world was not the same as the Hive Worlds were a woman could get fancy cybernetics and gene-therapy enhancements. Survival here was dictated by cunning. Any injuries, scraps and bruises, were gonna last a while. It was through the pain going through her body and ribs, her eye swelling up from the punch she took, that she finally made her decision.

It didn't matter what those mysterious 'Rogue Trader' wanted, she was getting off this dust ball.
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What little ice they had left was put in a bag and applied over her eye, as her brother tended her wounds. Their shack was another beat-up old wooden structure, held together by old metal, said to be from the ships that brought humanity to Kaprivor, long before the Emperor found them and re-unified them with the rest of humanity under his great leadership. It had adequate bedding, adequate food storage. Everything was adequate, never anything fancy. They never had enough, even when the mine veins were plentiful, to have anything more then that.

“Will you stop fussing over some bruises?” Alejandra demanded in annoyance. “You act like such a little girl, Roberto.”

“I have to, because you seem just chipper and happy after what Alvarus almost did.”

“Almost. Means nothing happened. I stopped it, let's move on.” She insisted, shooting him a glare.

“That's not something to brush...” He began to protest.

“Yes it is. We don't complain, we work, we push through, just like what dad always taught.” She replied sharply.

Roberto shook his head. 'Emperor preserve me for dealing with this stubborn bitch.'

“We're still getting off this rock, right?” She asked, changing the subject quick.

Roberto looked at her for a moment, wanting to push the subject. “Yes. The Rogue Trader, named Garnus Vral has promised us passage off this world. He's conquered some world and...”

“Yeah, yeah, needs people to work there and make it livable.” Alejandra replied, gesturing for him to finish. “I remember what you said.”

Roberto gave her an annoyed look for a moment, before nodding. “Yes. We're gonna be working just like before. Shouldn't be anything like Kaprivor, but not easy living here.”

Alejandra leaned back, grunting slightly as she slowly nodded. “We can leave this dust ball behind, leave Alvarus and everything this disgusting pit ever did to us in the past.”

“Alejandra, maybe you should...”

“What, Robbie? Talk to someone, spill my guts? That doesn't exist here. We work, we toil, and if the Emperor so wishes, we get to retire without too many muscle and bone injuries.” She said, giving him a darkened glare. “Anything else is a luxury for the rich idiots on the other worlds.”

Roberto nodded quietly, still side-eyeing his sister. What had happened there, what had almost happened to her, he couldn't get it out of his mind. Despite his face not giving up any hint of what he truly felt, he wanted to murder them, Alvarus and the others who followed him. It was an open secret what they did, that those bones found in the Ash Pit were the women they cornered and had their way with, but police and Adeptus Arbites had left this world ahead of the Mechanicus reclaiming what they could. No one cared what they did, they were gonna be servitors soon enough anyway.

Whether a servitor was a victim or perpetrator didn't matter once the knives carved up the brain and the machines were stabled on.

'Whatever the case, we'll have work and security soon enough. Alvarus and everything else can just be a ghost of the past.' He thought, nodding to himself. Yes, security was the one thing he looked forward to the most.

“Are you gonna sleep alright?” He asked, glancing at her with worry.

“Will now that I'm home.” She replied, turning away and heading towards her simple cot. 

Roberto tapped his foot for a moment, rubbing his chin, before seeing to the last of their provisions and supplies here, and turning off the single, primitive light in their Shack. Tomorrow would be the start of a new day for them.
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They were up early, out of habit. There was no more work to be done, not anymore with the mines exhausted and this world having nothing left to offer. Miners aimlessly milled about through small, strung-together shacks and hamlets like where the two lived, some finding whatever ways they could off planet, the poor and weak left for what was to come, and others simply drinking away whatever they had left, and whatever the bars and taverns had left before the end. The sun had not risen yet, as the two siblings made their way through the darkened streets and roads. Roberto still eyed his sister in worry, not wanting her rough appearance to put off the Rogue Trader.

He had heard stories of them, far off and extravagant travelers going where they wanted and conquering worlds, establishing dynasties, all with the approval of the Emperor. He had wished for that sort of life long ago, but by now work had taken it out of him. He just wanted to get by and focus on one day at a time. The God-Emperor wanted this life for him, and the fanciful life for Garnus. Who was he to judge or question the cosmic order of things?

The two, along with a few others, made their way to the landing pad at Kaprivor 12. Here was where officials from the Imperium landed, supplies were dropped off, and, sometimes, new labor brought in. Prisoners from other worlds, and sometimes, Abhumans. Large, burly and flabby beasts that barely resembled humans, and goat-legged and headed beings that resembled them even less so, sent in, worked and bringing in the biggest supplies that the other locals couldn't. Every year, the drop-offs became less and less, and by time Roberto and Alejandra had reached adulthood, they hadn't seen any ship use it in years.

The transport touched down, a small, angular craft, the dozen or so lucky miners gathered near, holding up their hands to block the dust and sand kicked up and sent flying all around by the engines of the transport.

A ramp opened up and unfolded, and from it, stepped a man quite at odds with the dirty, grimy miners gathered before him. He was tall but rather thin, an augment over his left eye, a long coat flowing like a cape behind him, epaulets dangling off his shoulders. Across his belt were various baubles and totems hung close at ran, and his boots were polished and steel-toed. He had high, angular check bones, and long black hair that flowed like his coat. Despite his age, he used a cane to make his way down, then around to them. He was flanked by two soldiers in heavy armor and large, powerful guns, tubes and wires feeding into them from a back pack of sorts.

“You all know who I am, correct?” He announced to the crowds. “You all won a raffle, you and your families. To be brought aboard Garnus Vral's ship and be brought to new homes.”

Many were already weeping and giving thanks, fathers hugging their daughters and sons close and kissing them on the cheeks and forehead, couples hugging each other close. Garnus gave a small, thin smile and nodded to them.

“My dropship will take you all to my personal cruiser. Single file, be patient and do not cause a raucous. There's no limitations on space, understand?” Garnus explained to the excited, jubilant crowd.

Roberto blinked hard, trying to hold back the tears of joy he felt, while Alejandra was stunned to silence. For so long, all she had known was Kaprivor and its endless fields of dust, sand and barren soil, struggling each day to survive, her place in the villages decided entirely by how much of the iron, steel, gold and other minerals she could dredge up with the other miners, and soon, her ability to be married off.

The future wouldn't be easy, but it seemed what the Priests had said was true. After all their hard work, the Emperor had smiled upon them, and would deliver them. She was frozen for a solid minute, unable to think of anything else but the intense joy washing over her.

As the guards began to shuttle the people towards the ship, cross-referencing names and interviewing them, Garnus stepped away, pulling out a small device that fit in the palm of his hand and clicked it on, the center of it glowing blue like a ghostly jewel.

“This is Garnus Vral. Are you receiving me, Shocker Nueva?” He asked quietly, checking behind him to make sure no one was listening in.

“The Great Leader of Shocker Nueva is receiving you, Garnus. Now speak.” An ancient and powerful voice spoke from the device, making Garnus shudder in fear.

“Great Leader, I have gotten another shipment of colonists from an Imperial world. Once I have vetted them, my servants will decide which become Combatmen, which will be enslaved then gassed, and which will be your next cyborg warriors.” He reported calmly, trying to remain confident in the face of his leader.

“I did not give you this device to give me idol reports, Garnus. I gave you a direct line to me to ensure we found the next candidate for our Rider program!” The Great Leader snapped, practically roaring into the device at him.

“I'm sorry. The type of candidates you want are as tough to come by as the Space Marines.” Garnus replied quickly, trying to alleviate any anger from his master. “I'm trying my best to find those that match the criteria set.”

“Try harder! There are billions of souls in this galaxy, Shocker should have an easier job getting our hands on such valuable specimens.” The Great Leader snarled. “Do your work, or I can give you to our Drukhari allies to turn into a canvass for their pleasure-addled scientists.” 

Garnus flinched, his face going pale as he blinked several times, before nodding. “I...I...Yes. Yes Great Leader. The candidates will be found!”

“Ensure it does. Old age has made me forgiving, but not forgetful, Garnus.” The Great Leader warned, as communications cut off.

Garnus flinched and stumbled back, as if he had been struck with a hammer blow, his hand shaking as he did. 'Forgiving, but he'd give me to the Dark Eldar?! Why did I make this deal?!'

He put the device away, shaking his head, and stepped back towards the dropship and his guards, overseeing the colonists being brought onboard. The process had stopped briefly, over a woman and man, obviously siblings, Garnus stepping forward, his long coat sweeping around him as he did, looking at the soldier an annoyed glance.

“What is the problem, trooper?” He asked, keeping his tone even, but clear he was annoyed.

“The woman here says she was in a brawl with several men, claims it was a sexual assault case.”

“And you don't believe her?” Garnus asked bluntly.

The soldier shrugged. “These rough necks will say anything to get off planet. Probably just foreplay gone wrong.”

“How dare...!” Roberto began to shout, as she glared silently at the soldier. 

Garnus held up a hand to him, keeping his eyes completely on the guard. “Give me their names.”

He took the file from the man. “Alejandra and Roberto Zuzene.”

Garnus clicked in the name, waiting for a moment, before looking over the records of the brother, and the DNA submitted by both for this 'raffle'. His eyes lite up, but he kept his face even to not arouse suspicion.

“Something up?” Alejandra asked, raising an eyebrow at the subtle change in his eyes.

“Nothing. Let them through.” He said suddenly, both looking surprised, the soldier rearing back.

“Sir...!”

“Let them through.” He repeated.

They were the perfect candidates for Shocker Nueva's program. If they passed the examinations, they might very well be the highest form of Cyber-Augs the organization would produce. This was going to please the Great Leader. Garnus was sure he'd be rewarded for finally giving the Leader not one, but two of what he wanted.

The guard looked at him a moment longer, then waved the two through. If they could fight, that suited him just fine. The program Shocker was looking into needed some fire for the operations they were planning to go ahead with.
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Alejandra sat within the darkened room of the cruiser, hours later and being interviewed again by a Tech-Priest, Bartolomas-9. Given what was going to occur on Kaprivor 12 when she and her brother left, she was nervous as could be around the red-cloaked figure. She had at least expected a monstrous machine creature, but he appeared largely normal, other than, of course, the right side of his face being metallic, and his arms that came out of his sleeves seemingly being completely machine too.

“So, you fought three of them off, by yourself?” He asked again.

She rolled her eyes, sighing loudly. “Yes. I fought them and got home and my brother patched me up. There's nothing else to it.”

He ran a scanning device over her, but stroked his chin thoughtfully. “I run examinations of the physical kind on behalf of Lord Garnus, but I cannot help with ailments of the....mental kind.”

“You saying I'm crazy for what happened?” She asked in annoyance, glaring daggers at him.

“I'm saying an event like that can produce trauma. I would recommend speaking to some councilor on those matter.”

She shook her head. “No. We take what life does to us, and we move forward. We've never had time to whine about it.”

“You were never given the time to, you mean.” The Tech-Priest muttered, before looking down at his data log. “I am scheduling you and your brother for a series of vaccinations and the like. Nothing too out of the ordinary, just a standard thing for some of the colonists Garnus has.”

She thought it weird how quickly he had jumped from worrying about her mental health, to talking about examinations and vaccines, before shrugging it off. These Tech-Priests seemed more interested in machines and their workings. People were probably a secondary or even tertiary concern.

“Looking at your biology, you are quite healthy, but exposure to a chemical of some kind showed up on you and your brother's examination.” The Tech-Priest explained in his usual flat, dry tone. “This will just ensure it is suppressed and your health is not put in anymore danger.”

She nodded. “A'ight, sounds good. Do your magic, doctor.”

“Magic is a....right. Sorry. I have a tin ear for sarcasm.” He remarked, rubbing his forehead as he shook his head. He turned away, pointing to the door. “You may leave.”

Then, in a voice so quiet she almost didn't hear it. “I am so sorry.”

“What was that?” 

“I'll send the schedule to your brother for when the vaccinations occur.” He said, looking over his shoulder, his blue, augmentic eye clicking and zooming in and out on her.

She furrowed her brow, slowly nodding, before getting up and leaving. Something about the Priest was off, but then again, like she had concluded earlier, these Tech-Priests struck her as more strange shut-in types mulling over data and machinery.
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Alejandra and Roberto were awakened from their beds by the same Tech-Priest from earlier. Warp travel was long and drawn out. Neither was sure how long they had been traveling, but it sure felt like it might've been a couple of days. There was no structure here, just getting up, being served food, and allowed to mill around and read about the world they were heading to. It was starting to drive Alejandra crazy. She needed something to do, some form of structure. Being stuck waiting was worse then anything else.

And being left alone for too long left her mind to wander, going back to the night, with Alvarus and the others. She hated the nightmares she was having. She hated having to remember that bastard and what he had wanted. The whole thing was supposed to be put behind her. 

The Tech-Priest led them along. The two siblings said nothing, as Bartolomas explained what he was doing with them. “The time for the vaccinations and preparations for your arrival on the planet is ready.”

The three went on in silence. The only sound was the echoing stomp of their boots, and his metallic feet, hitting the floors of the ship. Alejandra still couldn't escape the feeling something was wrong, but brushed it off as nerves from her rueful attempts at sleep. It would clear up, sooner or later. She just needed to get to work and have things to take her mind off what had happened. 

They came to the room that was Bartolomas' lab. The Tech-Priest quickly clicked in his code, the door opening with a hiss and groan, as he gestured for them to step in. The two were put off by the lack of light for a moment, before Bartolomas nodded again to them. The siblings stepped inside, looking around, narrowing their eyes to try and see through the darkness or let their adapt. As they stood, footsteps quickly ran up to them, the two stiffening and putting up their arms out of habit. A figure grabbed Alejandra's arm, pulling it down. Before she could protest or yell, a needle jabbed into her neck, and the contents within inserted in quickly, Roberto following.

The two groaned and fell slack, the two dragged off as Bartolomas stepped in and put the light on, the two attackers putting the two on mobile lift tables, floating off the floor. The two figures were large men, dressed in black armor and gloves, white ribs painted on the chest armor. They wore black gas masks with black eye pieces and a white eagle on their forehead, a small eagle symbol.

“Put them in the restraints, and prepare them for transport,” Bartolomas ordered. “We need to start the surgeries as soon as we touch-down on the world.”

The two Gas-masked figures nodded without another word, locking in the cuffs that latched around their wrists and ankles, then a final, larger one on their waist.

“Tell Garnus we have his candidates for the Augmentation process.” Bartolomas spoke, tapping a device on right side of his head.
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Everything was a hazy nightmare. Alejandra would awaken only for two or three seconds, in pain so blinding, she was knocked out again. Sometimes it felt as if her head was split open, other times, she would look down to see her stomach torn open and her guts arrayed outwards. These split-second horrors terrified her, but would soon vanish from her mind as she fell back under. Her mind was blank, nothing but the empty void now filling her dream-scape. Her listed from one side to the other, before a voice spoke, a barely audible whisper in the recesses of her mind.

“Activate the charge.”

A surge of electricity roared through the machines connecting her to the operating table and into her body. Her body stiffened, limbs spasming for a moment, before her eyes snapped open and she yelled out in pain. It felt like her veins were on fire, her blood turned to magma. She clawed at the table she was chained to, leaving thin claw marks like an injured jaguar. Her eyes fluttered and almost rolled into the back of her head, before Bartolomas' voice spoke, a more firm and commanding tone then she had heard before.

“That's good enough.” He stated.

A metallic click sounded, as the electric surge stopped and she relaxed, blinking hard as she did to try and refocus her vision. She had no idea where she was. Everything was dark. Whether that was getting fried or the actual room, she wasn't sure. She blinked several times, breathing in sharp and loud, before swallowing as her vision cleared. The room's dim lights became more clear, and the four figures standing over her. 

One was the Tech-Priest Bartolomas, the other two otherworldly, horrifying beings. They were pale-skinned, faces having no eyes or nose, simply strange folds where the eyes and brow would be, prominent, permanently pursed lips, and completely bald. They were dressed in white lab coats, the fronts stained red. She looked down, to see herself covered in some sort of strange armor gear.

The chest and abdomen were red, patterns embossed on them resembling scales, the rest of the body dark green, with stylized “scar” lines painted across them in red. Her hands were covered in armored gloves, resembling black claws, serrated blades along the outsides of her wrists, and she had armored black boots and knee pads.

“Wh...What is this? What's happening? What is this suit you got me wearing?” She demanded.

“You have been chosen by Shocker Nueva to take on the Batta Augmentations. These are the cutting edge of Shocker programming and cybernetic augmentation.” One of the faceless scientists spoke. “Your personality matrix, your biology, all of it has lead to the conclusion that you will be on of Shocker's finest Augments.”

She looked up, at a great symbol. It showed a great eagle, clasping a smaller, broken, two-headed on in its claws, a trident coming down behind it. The center of the eagle's chest bore a glowing blue object. It flashed, as an alert sounded, and an ancient and powerful voice spoke.

“Alejandra Zuzene, when the final surgery is complete, your mind will be erased, and you will answer to the Great Leader of Shocker personally, understand?” The voice stated. “Then, you will hunt my greatest foe, the one who has eluded me for so long.”

“I didn't sign up for any of that. So either kill me or release me, cause I intend to kill everyone here if I don't get an apology.” She snapped.

The Great Leader laughed from the communications device. “Ha! Such spirit, such fire! You are a perfect choice for our next Rider Augments.”

Alejandra's head spun. She couldn't even comprehend what was going, who was this guy, and why she was chosen for this 'augmentation'. She struggled, yelling and cursing at them, spitting at Bartolomas as best she could, the Tech-Priest's left eye and brow furrowing in an expression of resigned annoyance, silently shaking his head, as one of the doctors produced a band saw, the other a series of wires and cables attached to a small black box.

“Struggle if you like, these bars are designed to hold even an Ork.” One of the scientists intoned. “Now, relax. You will find your personality re-write will do wonders.”

As the one with the circular saw approached, activating it, icy fear gripped Alejandra's heart at last. This was going to be the end. Whatever they did would make her a shambling puppet. She closed her eyes, for one of the few times praying to the Emperor for deliverance, or at least to protect her brother if they were doing the same thing.

Suddenly, as the scientist with the saw drew in closer, the sudden clanking and whirring of machines sounded, as something tore free and past cloth, and the three Scientists stood back in shock. 

“Bartolomas, what are you...?!” One of them demanded, before a feeling of intense heat shot past the top of Alejandra's head, and the smell of burning flesh hit her nose. 

Her eyes snapped open, Alejandra looking up in shock to see three robotic limbs sprouted from Bartolomas' side and back each bearing a horrific weapon of some kind. Another fired, a beam of intense orange light striking one of the Shocker Scientists in the head and burning everything above his lower jaw off. The scientist fell to the ground, tongue flopping about as if trying to speak, before hitting the cold lab floor. The next weapon fired a blast of Phosphex, striking the last scientist in a fiery ball and launching him away with a scream of horror.

Bartolomas went to the table controls, struck a few key strokes, and the cuffs over her arms, legs and body snapped off, freeing her. She only looked at him in confusion and shock, as the Tech-Priest gestured towards himself.

“Come along, get up. We have no time to dally.” He ushered her on.

She jumped up, getting beside the red-cloaked Priest, as the Great Leader's voice spoke out. “Bartolomas, you traitorous dog! For this offense, I will hunt you across every star. Shocker will have your head for this!”

“I'm already being hunted by the Mechnicus and Inquisition. Get in line.” Bartolomas remarked, firing a blue blast from his Plasma gun and frying a massive hole in the middle of the door.

Alejandra's head spun as she followed, not sure what else to do but follow the one person not trying to saw her head open. Alarms blared and red flashing lights appeared in the thin narrow halls. She wanted to collapse and rest, but knew she couldn't. Whatever this Bartolomas was doing, she needed to follow him, get clear and get safe.

“Alert, all Shocker Nueva personnel! We have an escaped Augment and traitor in our facility, seek and destroy at once!” A voice called over the intercom.

As they rounded the corner, they immediately came face to face with a platoon of the gas-masked grunts from earlier. This time, however, they were armed and more then ready to put an end to them both. Bartolomas only had time to fire his Lascanon at one with a rifle of some kind, before the others charged at him. He stumbled back, barely avoiding the first one swinging a power sword at his neck. Another went to stab him, but this time, Alejandra grabbed his shoulder and shoved him back, almost slamming him into a wall. Bartolomas was about to yell at her to watch her strength, before she went in to fight.

Alejandra had done the calculations quickly. A quick strike between the legs, to stun and disable, before disarming them, would give her the opening to get a weapon and potentially fight them off. It was just like fighting those with a knife in the hovels on Kaprivor. Avoid the cutting edge, wait for the opening, then hit where it hurt most. She bent back, staying out of the way of the first soldier's swing, before quickly stepping in and swinging her leg upwards and between his legs. A low growl of pain sounded, as the being was launched into the air, and slammed into the ceiling, his head hitting the ceiling, and slamming back into the ground.

Alejandra looked surprised for a moment, glancing at her hands to wonder just what was going on to give her such strength, before another charged with a large staff, its ends crackling with electricity. She smacked it aside, barely feeling the volts going through her hand as she did, and swung a hook punch. The man's head splattered like a ripe fruit being crushed and scatter blood across the ground. Two more came with knives, slicing and swinging at her, Alejandra swinging a kick and smashing into his chest, the man coughing and sputtering as blood was spat up and his ribs collapsed in, and he was thrown into another with the force to shatter both.

The other with the knife swung at her throat, Alejandra dodging easily through his strikes. It felt like he was moving in slow motion. The way she could trace them with the naked eye, move out of the way of their strikes, it was like nothing she had experienced before. She dodged another slash, before flexing her right hand open, and swinging, slashing her claws right through his helmet into the flesh below, before swinging the other hand around and slashing through his armor and ripping his stomach open, guts flying out onto the ground in a bloody mess.

Two others fired their Lasguns, striking Alejandra across her armor, and then her hands as she raised her palms and wrists to block the projectiles, before jumping forward, like a striking jaguar, and grabbing the two by the face, and with no effort, slamming them into the ground and crushing their masks and heads in, her clawed hands going through to the floor as skull and brain matter splayed across the floor beneath her.

She stood, breathing hard, as the Tech-Priest ran by, grabbing her shoulder. She almost jumped, raising a fist, as Bartolomas spoke. “Come, come! We need to keep moving before more Combatmen show up!”

She didn't have time to question anything, before following after him. How was she so strong now? Before, she had barely been able to stand-up to a grown man, now she was leaving them torn to shreds when she passed through. It would've been exhilarating if she wasn't so terrified and confused about everything.

They rounded another set of hallways, two more Combatmen charging at them with curved swords, Bartolomas firing his plasma gun twice, the blue spheres of pure destructive energy vaporizing flesh and armor on impact and launching them into the wall. They kept moving, past half-opened doors showing various machines and maps of the galaxy, a dizzying array of worlds marked with purple, yellow or red markings, Alejandra moving too quick by them to note any real details.

Finally, they came to a door, as Bartolomas looked at his weapons. “I think one of these could...”

Alejandra walked past and swung her foot up, slamming the flat of her foot into the center of it, and shattering the metal door off the frame, breaking it into five pieces that fell to the ground. Bartolomas looked at her stunned silence, before shaking his head.

“Well, it would've been broken anyway.” He said with a shrug, following after her.

Three Combatmen rushed at them, brandishing Stun Mauls. The first one swung for her head, Alejandra ducking under and swinging her forearm under his guard, slicing his stomach and armor open, blood spilling out and gushing forth like a waterfall. The two remaining guards swung their mauls, one striking her in the chest, the other in the back, electricity going through her for a moment, before she roared, shaking herself free of both and shoving them away, kicking one and splattering him against the wall, before slamming her elbow behind her and into the charging Shocker Combatman, head and mask splitting in two. He dropped to his knees, released a strained gurgle, then fell to the ground with a heavy thud.

“I see you already have all the lethalility of the usual Kamen Riders, even not adapted to your augmentation process just yet.” Bartolomas remarked, stroking his chin. “Shocker science does wonders. Horrific wonders, but wonders none the less.”

Alejandra turned, looking at him in bewilderment and confusion. “What is a Kamen Rider, and who are Shocker?”

Bartolomas shook his head, waving her own. “We don't have time to talk. I will explain everything, when Shocker isn't trying to kill us.”

As they spook, a dark red and brown figure skulked about the shadows, eyeing them coldly. He would not move, not yet. He needed to get them in a good position, and figure out what else Bartolomas was up to, what game he was playing and who he could be conspiring with. He held up a cybernetically grafted hand, before flicking his finger. A small, spider-like drone, nearly invisible to the naked eye, flew through the air, and landed with precision accuracy on one of Bartolomas' weapon-bearing arms. He folded them away in his cloak, none the wiser, before gesturing for Alejandra to follow.

“You know how to ride motorcycles, correct?”

“I learned to ride Dirtcycles back on Kaprivor as a miner. It's like walking for me.” She replied, looking over the hangar of various land vehicles.

He lead her to the vehicles, section after section of various bikes and other personal vehicles, before coming to a bike that nearly matched her color scheme, dark green with the red scar paint patterns on its chasis. The inside of the wheel, instead of spokes, was covered in some kind of plating, resembling stone, with engraved patterns showing a serpent coiled around the sun. The front of the bike bore a pointed, 'face' with red, bug-like eyes and two small fang-like teeth. The fender was flanked to the right and left by two large, fin-like wings.

She ran her hand along the side in amazement at the device, before taking a deep breath and getting on. Bartolomas got on the back, the passenger section a little small compared to other bikes, but there was no time to question.

“The Junglraider, she's all yours.” Bartolomas stated.

Alejandra kicked off the stand, and, almost as if responding to her wishes, the engine roared to life, rumbling over and over as she grinned, before spinning about and racing off towards the exit of the hangar. As she did, several Shocker Combatmen charged into the hangar, taking up positions, and firing las rounds at her as she fled. It was too late, however, and she raced off from the hangar and into the rest of the world, soon leaving Shocker far behind her.

The Combatmen did not attempt to pursue, instead, returning to a neutral position, as the mysterious figure from the shadows appeared before them, all turning to him to await their orders. He wore an enclosed helmet, black, but with three octagon-shaped compound eyes in the center, two small gas-mask filters on the sides of the mouth, which bore a pair of red pincers. The sides of his head had four dreadlock-like growths on each side, ending in metal pieces that ticked together as he moved. 

He wore a jacket with alternating red and black wavy lines, and a short black cape behind him, his arms covered in black leather, with the back of his hands covered in segmented red armor ending in claws. In the center of his chest was the Shocker Nueva symbol.

“Spider-Augment, the newest Rider has escaped.” The Great Leader's voice growled in displeasure. 

“Thank you, dear leader, my three eyes are all blind, you see, and without that I wouldn't have been able to tell.” He replied, his voice modulated with a robotic tone.

“Mind your tongue, Augment! If you don't have a solution, I'll melt you for scrape!” The Great Leader hissed in rage.

Spider-Augment waved his hand through the air in an uncaring matter. “Ah, I already have a tracking device on Bartolomas. And we own this world. No matter where they run, no matter where they hide, I will sniff them out.”

He chuckled to himself. “Yes, they'll be in quite the Spider's web by time I'm done.”

He turned to the Combatmen around him. “Be ready to move. I want full deployments to all villages within the next 10 miles, and drones monitoring any movement or odd behavior in the surrounding forests.”

“Do you not have a tracker?” The Great Leader questioned.

“Bartolomas may separate, she might not trust him, or it might fall off.” The Spider-Augment replied.

“Excellent. Continue your plan, and I will see to other things.” The Great Leader responded.

The Great Leader sat within the throne at his secret base, stroking his chin. The red robes, the pointed red head with only two black holes staring out, the Great Leader was imposing as he was inhuman, nothing mortal or normal under those robes, merely a constantly shifting, constantly changing form driven only by a lust for power and the desire to dominate and control.

He sat on a throne that resembled gnarled bone, melted like wax and re-shaped into a form to support him. The based was lined with skulls that almost merged with the bottom of it. Across the back of the throne, were various skeletal hands raised up, grasping towards the sky. The Great Leader leaned back in his seat, stroking his chin for a moment, before chuckling to himself. The officers of Shocker Nueva gathered around, looking up at the looming lord of their organization.

A Colonel in an Imperial Guard uniform, with Epaulets and various metals, with half his face covered in burn scars, looked at him uncertain. “Are you not upset? We've lost a Hopper-Augment. Those are our best work. This could be disastrous.”

“Could be, but I'm not worried. Bartolomas has betrayed us, but we need only follow him, and we will find the leak.” The Great Leader responded. “And if he is working for who I think, I feel invigorated at last!”

The Colonel looked confused for a moment. “Who?”

“Either one of the Inquisitors following us, or, more importantly, the original Hooper Augment that escaped me before,” The Great Leader chuckled, stroking his chin. “If he has finally come out of hiding like the Giants of Light or the various gigantic monsters, then I will have a real challenge to face for once.”

He turned, to a larger, more armored figure in the corner, patiently waiting for his own turn. “Sheshanaga.”

The man stepped forward, dressed in a mix of sea blue and green space marine armor, with a multi-headed serpent on one of his shoulders. “Yes, Great Leader.”

“I need a favor, old friend.” The Great Leader stated, turning to the Alpha Legion Commander. “Your Warband of Alpha Legion have been some of our greatest allies in this modern time. As such, I need an operative to Xarkka.”

“It will be done.” Sheshanaga replied, bowing his head once.

“Have them observe, and if they see a chance, go after the new Kamen Rider.” The Great Leader ordered. “Spider-Aug is a strong Shocker leader, but these Riders are always a handful. Kill her before she can tap into her true potential, but wait til the Shocker-Aug fails.”

“We're not helping him?” Sheshanaga asked.

“He's her test.” The Great Leader replied simply.

Sheshanaga gave another curt bow of the head, before leaving the Shocker HQ. The rest waited for their leader's orders, but he seemed deep in thought at the moment, stroking his chin as his capirote-hood lowered slightly. Indeed, The Great Leader was thrilled by this revelation. Shocker's puppet kingdoms were brought to ruin by the supposed Emperor of Mankind, and they had been forced into hiding. That Golden Man-child had shown a much more ruthless ability to hunt them down then, and his toady had also been thorough, but as with everything, Shocker endured. He endured.

But the real thing the Great Leader had wanted was the Kamen Riders. No matter what walk of life they came from, what timeline, they always challenged him most. Shocker could not stand the test of time without strong foes to prune the branches and separate weak from strong, the chaff from the worthy. If Takeshi Hongo was finally coming out of hiding all these years later, the Great Leader could not help but rejoice. 

If Shocker was to rule the galaxy, its greatest foe being defeated would be the greatest achievement.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Alejandra breathed in hard, the armor vanishing, leaving her in rags from her days of mining and living on Kaprivor 12. Her arms shook slightly as she stiffly removed them from the throttles of the bike, and stepped off. Her legs felt like jelly, her lungs ached for more air, as she desperately gulped for air. Bartolomas watched her carefully. He slowly stepped out, as she stumbled forward, coughing and sputtering, before falling to her knees. She grabbed her chest, her breath sharp and raspy.

Bartolomas silently watched her, waiting for her to recover, before speaking again. “I apologize. The augmentation process takes some time to adapt to the body. It can cause severe discomfort, and you having to be so active after the surgeries will not help.”

Her head snapped upwards, looking up at Bartolomas, blinking several times, as her eyes flashed red. “What did you do to me?”

Her voice was a raspy whisper, the Augmented woman shuddering and still having to catch her breath. Bartolomas was nonplussed, simply replying without a hint of fear. “You have been augmented. Shocker chose you and quite a few of your fellow Kaprivor miners to be upgraded into their commanders and shock troops. Had it not been for me stepping in, you would have had your personality re-written.”

She stood, legs still shacking. Her face looked pallid and sickly, almost rotted, deep black scars appearing from her eyes and downwards, eyes glowing red, giving off a thrumming glow like a machine. Her hands were the same, red lights flashing just under the skin where the veins would be. She wanted to kill him, to strangle the last bit of life out of him, reaching towards him, before pain wracked her body, causing her to collapse again to her knees.

“You have been put through rather unfortunate circumstances. I was forced to do this work so that I could gather the information for my benefactor,” Bartolomas stated in his usual dry tone. “Yet, we cannot let this stop us. Shocker is a danger to the Imperium and the vision the Emperor has for humanity. You, like other Kamen Riders, must rise to the occasion.”

She breathed again, heart hammering in her chest, as the lights and markings on her face and hands slowly faded, Alejandra still shivering and feeling sick as a dog, but at least most of the pain had now faded. She had a million questions, about who this Shocker was, why they were kidnapping people, and who this 'benefactor' Bartolomas had spoken of.

“You called me a Kamen Rider twice now. What is that?” She asked.

“A type of Augmented human granted the power to harness Prana Energies, and take on armored form. You and your bike are a part of that title.” Bartolomas explained. “My benefactor was the first, and countless generations of humans, often against their will, have had to rise to the mantle and face humanity's darkest foes.”

Armored form, some kind of energy within, and others that came before. Made sense. She didn't care for details, she just had to survive. Make the most of her abilities and get out of this mess in one piece. She breathed in, then out, then in again, clearing her mind, before suddenly remembering something else. Her eyes widened in horror as she recalled what had lead them to the lab in the first place.

“You took my brother too. Where is he? Did you save him too?” She demanded, swaying slightly as she tried to remain standing.

Bartolomas said nothing for a moment, weighing his words carefully, before speaking, his words careful and measured. “I could only oversee one surgery, my counterpart who is loyal fully to Shocker, another. I chose you because you were, in the interviews and personality profile, much more aggressive.”

“Aggressive?” She demanded with a hiss.

“Your brother was the dutiful son and a hard worker, but I felt the best way to go with escaping with a Kamen Rider was the more fight-y of the two,” He explained calmly, not losing his cool even in the face of her anger. “If we are to defeat Shocker, we need a fighter. That was you.”

“Is my brother...?” She began to ask, before her voice caught in her throat.

“There is a chance our escape delayed the surgery. We might be able to save him.” Bartolomas replied.

Alejandra nodded assuredly. “Good. We'll save him. We're both all we have of each other.”

Bartolomas nodded, but did not look confident. “Right. Shocker must have him in a facility.”

The Tech-Priest held her shoulder, putting on a confident face, as best he could at least. “You must regain your strength. A farmer is on his way here to meet with you here. His name is Vyi Korrson. The Korrsons own a homestead away from the rest of the Shocker-owned villages and towns on this world. Stay with him and out of sight.”

“What about you?”

“My benefactor, Hongo, will need to be alerted. For now, we both go to ground.” Bartolomas explained with a nod. “Now, be sure to eat. It will help your body recover energy and adapt to the cybernetic augmentations quicker. Good luck.”

Alejandra wasn't sure what to make of him lecturing her like a parent to a child. She wanted to protest, but he was already running off into the forests, his own enhanced legs carrying him far away. She wanted to chase after him, but decided to wait for these 'Korrsons', and see what came next. So she waited. She stood, shaking a bit, before making her way to a tree and flopping down, sitting up with it as support and waited some more. With nothing to do but listen to birds calling and animals skittering about, she could only think about what had happened.

The attack back on Kaprivor, the surgery, the fights, everything was just a blur. All the events just mashed into each other, and trying to focus on even one felt like trying to grab handfuls of water out of a rushing river. She shook slightly, nearly being slashed and taken by force, the surgery and having her guts torn open. She might just go crazy.

'What did I do? Emperor why, why do I have to endure this?' She breathed hard, swallowing hard to keep from sobbing. 

She looked up at the forests around her, the tree looming over, the cool breeze and smell of the earthy forest around her. She wished she could enjoy it, something to see other then the endless tracks of desert and dusty hills. The sun's rays shown through the leafs, and another gentle breeze swept through the forest and blades of grass. She breathed hard, tears running down her face.

Roberto had done so much to get them here, and now he couldn't be here to see how beautiful it was. He was trapped, alone in some lab, and she had no one in the galaxy to share this moment with.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
She did not know how long she had waited, but heard the rumble of a primitive transport as it came to a stop in front of her. The driver opened the hatched doors, and stepped out, Alejandra looking up with some surprise. He was a farmer, she could tell as much by the sun-kissed skin and weary lines upon his face. He had thinning hair and a beard, with a streak of gray in the middle of the brown. He wore a beat-up old brown jacket and overalls.

“You Alejandra? The Priest told me about you.” He said, looking around to make sure no one else was here.

“Yes.” She replied gruffly, rising to her feet.

“Thank the Emperor I found you.” He said with a nod, giving a small, nervous grin. “Come on! It gets nippy at night!”

She stood, still shaking slightly, as Yvi ran over, placed an arm around her shoulders to help steady her. She jumped slightly, looking at him in anger, as Yvi stepped back, putting both arms up. “Hold on a second, lady. I don't know what those monsters did to ya, but I ain't gonna hurt you, only trying to help.”

Alejandra relaxed slightly, letting him put an arm around her to help again. She went to the transport, got into the passenger seat, as he hurried to the driver's seat. She sat back in the seat, practically sinking in as she groaned to herself. 

“My wife and son are getting some good food ready. Once ya get a meal in ya, you'll feel better.” He said helpfully.

“I am feeling ravenous.” Alejandra muttered tiredly.

Yvi nodded, before gesturing with his thumb behind him. “What about your cycle?”

Alejandra grunted wearily, sitting up to reach onto her belt and flicked a switch. The motor roared to life, turning and following behind the transport. Yvi looked through his rearviews, raising his eyebrows in some surprise, before shrugging. 

“Alright then, won't question science. I'll let Bartolomas explain that when he gets back.” He said, giving a small smile to her. “Let's ride.”

They rode off, Alejandra's exhaustion taking her to sleep as they went.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Shocker Combatmen marched along the forests, scanning the ground with equipment and sensors. One of them approached Spider-Aug, who was walking easily through the forests, arms folded behind him as he looked around. He looked at the tracks for Junglraider and the wheeled vehicle common among farmers here. He nodded slightly, before turning to the nearest Combatman.

“I think that's a good place to follow first.”

“Should we do a raid there?” The Combatman asked in a cold, unfeeling tone.

“No, not yet. Keep drones monitoring the place, and follow whoever got her out of here,” Spider-Aug explained. “See, we need her to find Bartolomas, and we need Bartolomas to fine the Original Traitor. Like a delicate web, every part must be spun and weaved until we are ready.”

The Combatman nodded and marched off, relaying orders to his peers, as Spider-Aug hit a button where his ear would be, contacting the rest of the organization. “Shocker Command, we have a trail for where the traitor might've gone, and we know where Bartolomas is hiding. I am positioning everything to prepare to get the Benefactor, the Traitor and the rogue Augment in one place.”

It filled Spider with excitement, that he was going to face another Augment. Such things were outlawed. Shocker was one group, one goal, one leader, and they couldn't fight or bicker much. It would cause disunity and waste their power and abilities.

'Why wait? Why sit around? Testing ourselves could be the best thing in the world!' He thought, shaking his head slightly to himself as he walked along the forest. 'Separating the weak from the strong is what Shocker Nueva was formed for.'

He slowed his pace as he walked along the forests on Xarkka. It was actually beautiful. Once he finished hunting down the last of the traitors, and their shadow war with the Imperium ended, he would live quietly on any world he wanted and away from the weakling humans, and anyone else in Shocker who irritated him. 

'People like you Alejandra are what keeps me from living my dream of happiness.' He thought, shaking his head. 'I can't imagine wasting what's been given to you by living among baseline animals.'
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Yvi lead Alejandra into the kitchen of his home. The house itself was a simple homestead without much ado, simple rooms and cots, and the usual hydraulic equipment and even some Servitors for farming and all. But compared to the lab she had escaped, the thatched together tents and huts she had called home on Kaprivor, this was a royal palace by all accounts. She looked around in amazement at everything, dressed now in the rough, simple farmer's baggy shirt and work pants Yvi's sons bore. 

He let her sit, before indicating everyone around them. “This is my wife Rani, and my sons, Rogas, Corbvin, and Kal.”

Each bowed their heads and smiled pleasantly. Rani was an older women, crows feet beginning to show, while the oldest, Rogas, was well-built and muscular, either a young man or approaching it, blond hair kept clean and cut. The other two were younger, clearly their only work was helping around the house and the smaller details. Rogas looked at her for a moment, clearly bothered, before his expression turned to a neutral one again.

“We got some good food here, and Rani and Corbyin and Kal worked long and hard, so eat up.” Yvi said with a good-natured chuckle.

Alejandra wasn't about to disagree. She was starving. Rogas, however, shifted uncomfortably, before speaking. “Can I speak with you privately, father?”

Yvi's smile faded for a moment, before he forced a smaller one back on. “Course, son.”

The two stepped out of the kitchen, walking through the short hall and into the common room. 

Rogas got right to business, not wasting a moment. “I don't like this thing being here.”

“Rogas, your mother and I agreed to help Bartolomas, and that includes people like her.” Yvi stated firmly.

“You saw that belt sewn into her, she ain't human anymore. Just one of those damn...things Shocker's makin' to drag other farmers and people into the night,” Rogas protested, leaning in close. “People like us, dad.”

“You don't think I know that? Son, your mother and I were the ones dragged here...”

“And I've had to live my entire life under their thumb.” Rogas interrupted. “I don't want us to end up like the Vjun family.”

Yvi took a deep breath in and sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “I'm aware. But I spent my life worrying we'd be like them or any other family that steps outta line, and I don't want that gun to our head anymore.”

Alejandra sat awkwardly, eyes darting around to the two kids who were quiet, before Rani came up, putting a plate of steaming hot food in front of her, then the two kids. “Come on, eat up! Don't want to wither away on your first night.”

Alejandra looked up, swallowing slightly. “I can just...leave, if I'm a burden.”

Rani shook her head, putting up a hand. “Nonsense. Yvi and I agreed, together, to help Bartolomas and his group, and we're not letting anything happen to you.”

“Isn't this a risk?”

Rani tilted her head, putting a hand on her chin as she looked off thoughtfully. “Well, I suppose it is. But so's the best things in life, ain't they?”

Alejandra nodded quietly, before turning to eat, and digging in. Even as she ate, she couldn't help but feel uncomfortable about the whole thing, like she was imposing on this family, or worse, painting a target on their back. The Korrsons didn't deserve the trouble she was causing them.

Rani spoke again, as she set out two plates for the eldest son and patriarch of the house when they returned. “We agreed to help because we've been in similar circumstances to you.”

“You've been experimented on?” She asked.

Rani shook her head as she went to the counter to start pilling on her own plate. “No, we were deemed not worthy of becoming their grunts, their 'combatmen'. Instead, we were designated as labor.”

She turned, gesturing with a ladle. “But we were lied to by Shocker. Their agents promised us good living and comfortable jobs away from our homeworlds, and then enslaved us.”

Alejandra looked at the house and room around her. For slaves, they lived better then her brother and her had, before Rani continued, as if reading her mind. “We years working hard labor, before being granted this place, but everything is owned by a land lord who works for Shocker.”

She understood now. “And if you fall behind...”

“Public beatings, having food and water cut off, and, for those that do real bad, they just disappear.” Rani said, shaking her head she sat down.

Alejandra nodded grimly. It was similar to back home, but far worse. At that point, Yvi and Rogar came back in, Rogar looking sullen and angry, but said nothing, as he and his father took their seats.

“Sorry about that, we just had to...hash out a disagreement.” He stated. “Let's eat.”

Alejandra scarfed up a bit more food, before speaking again. “So you were lead here like me, is what I've heard?”

Yvi looked up at her grimly for a moment, before speaking. “Perhaps it isn't for the best to talk about this...”

“I already told her some of how we got here.” Rani interjected.

Yvi laid his hands on the table, drumming his fingers, before slowly nodding. “I was just a prospector on a world when it dried up. The whole world was gonna be drafted into the Guard and sent to colonize a world after fighting Orks. Glorious service to the Emperor, but really a way to clear out unwanted, dead-weight by the Imperium's bureaucracy.”

He scooped up some food as he sighed. “So some Imperial administrator, or at least pretending to be one, came and told us we could instead work on a new colony world. That those of us with skills to work could instead labor all day and have somewhere to sleep without risk of invasion or war.”

Alejandra nodded. “Same as me.”

“I came here, forced to be a farm servant when I couldn't cut it as one of their Emperor-damned cyborgs, and worked my way into food graces until I was given a plot of land myself, with Rani.” He explained. “My fields were to feed their Combatmen and cyborgs, and in exchange I get to be part of the glorious new reign of Shocker.”

He shook his head in disgust. “Bartolomas, the Tech-Priest, sought me out, gave me the offer to help him, and I agreed. Hence, why you're here now.”

Alejandra shook her head, drumming her fork against the table for a moment as she was deep in thought. “How can they just do this? The Imperium has to learn sooner or later.”

“All I know is what Bartolomas told me, that Shocker existed before the Dark Ages of Technology, and the Long Night, and they've been hiding within the Imperium since to rebuild.” He stated. “And they've been ramping up production of augmented creatures since.”

Alejandra leaned back, taking a long breath out. What was she going to do? This whole thing was getting more and more chaotic. An entire secret society that had been running things since before even the Emperor had shown up to rescue humanity. She rubbed her palms slightly, not sure what to even make of this. How could she hope to win this or escape.

People like Yvi and Rani, and her and her brother had been lied to and dragged into this to endure enslavement and worse. She took another breath in, and nodded to herself. She had to fight these beings, and stop whatever forces had stolen them. The same forces that had taken her and her brother and turned them...into this.

After finishing the meal, Yvi lead her into a cellar. “The farm owner, Usagin, never checks these. He just wants us to work. Stay here, and stay outta sight.”

“I really can just leave with Junglraider.” She offered.

Yvi shook his head, putting a hand up to stop her. “No. I insist. Being out there along, on a planet you don't know. Stupid move.”

She nodded softly, she agreed really. But she hated being a burden on people. “Are you sure you don't want me to do anything? I was a miner, but I can do things to help.”

“Kill lotsa Shocker.” Yvi offered with a smile.

She couldn't help but smile in turn. That she could do. And this farmer's confidence in her at least put some hope back into her. Shocker had done much to hurt him and his family, especially those early years of being a slave, but he had made the most of it. If he could make it without help or these freakish augmentics, then so could she.

She gave one last nod, before awkwardly clearing her throat. “So uh. Good night.”

Yvi held up a folded black jacket. “Here, keep ya warm.”

Alejandra took it, unfolding it and give it a snap, as she looked it over. It was a simple black jacket, lapels folded, and going down to her legs. She pulled it on, tugging at the collar and nodding slightly.

“Thanks, we never got stuff like this on Kaprivor. It was always rags and work cloths.” She replied.

“Figured it'd also cover up that weird belt o' yours.” Yvi remarked, giving a small smile. “Good night.”

She went down the stairs, as he closed and locked the cellar, leaving her in total darkness. She wondered for a moment, how she could see, but remembered everything had been modified. She wasn't seeing or reacting like a normal human anymore. Darkness like this had no effect. She was able to march down without issue, not impeded or blinded in anyway, and quickly making her way deep underground where no one would find her. Until Bartolomas arrived again, this would be her home. A large, dug-in cellar. Crates of supplies and equipment that hadn't been touched in ages. This seemed to be the perfect space to hide a person.

“And when Bartolomas comes, with that benefactor guy, I'll find my brother, and get him out of here.” She said to herself, nodding as she stood in the darkened room. “Then, we'll go wherever we want...we'll just leave everything behind...”
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Days went by, Zuzene left to her own devices. The others, Yvi, their youngest kids, Rani, would come down to speak with her, keep her company for a few minutes, then depart, so as not to cause too much attention or questions from their overseer. Only their eldest son, Rogar, seemed to avoid her and simply focus on his job around the house and homestead. Alejandra did not blame him or resent it. She was a danger to them just by virtue of being here. It made hope Bartolomas could return quickly and get her out of here quickly.

Then, 3 days in, she received a message via her implants in her head and ears. Bartolomas' voice, speaking directly to her. “Alejandra, I have returned to Xarkka. Be ready for a new phase in the fighting.”

Alejandra grinned wide, pumping her fists. This is what she had been praying for. The day when the Tech-Priest would get her out of here and they could take the fight to those Shocker bastards.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Bartolomas marched through the forests, looking around carefully, making sure no one was following him. He needed to move quick and get Alejandra. The plan was in a delicate spot, a crossroads. He and the others needed to be careful and quick in their execution. He hurried along, heading for the homestead of Yvi and his family. His cybernetic legs carried him through the hills, brambles, and fallen trees. He was no Skitarii, but he was capable of getting through beyond what any normal human could.

He came to another clearing, a small lake babbling near by, before he heard a rustle in the bushes. He came to a stop, his organic eye widening as he tried to detect something, anything, before in front of him and from the bushes, came half a dozen Combatmen, aiming guns at him. Bartolomas stopped, looking on in fear, as he turned to run, before more Shocker Combatmen appeared, aiming rifles at him, as other brandished swords and knives. 

Spider-Aug walked out from the trees, arms folded behind him as he chuckled. “Tch. Tch. Tch. Poor little Bartolomas. Coming back to the scene of the crime and not thinking we'd be ready for you. For the family you drew into my web. For the traitor. And...the original traitor.”

“Kill me now or release me, abomination,” Bartolomas snapped, clenching his fists. “Because I don't intend to tell you anything.”

Spider-Aug held up a finger, waging at him. “Oh no, no, no. I don't intend to kill you just yet. First, first, you're going to take us home.”

Bartolomas' eyes widened in horror, as a Shocker Combatmen stepped behind and pointed a gun at his back. He slowly rose both hands, nodding in defeat. Spider-Aug gestured for him to take them away from here, chuckling again.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
The front door to the Korrson homestead knocked. Yvi hurried there, having to stop himself from running. He expected to see Bartolomas, to know the keys to their freedom were close at hand, and they would soon be able to take the fight to Shocker, defeat it like the Emperor would want from his loyal, faithful subjects. He opened the door, smiling as he saw Bartolomas.

And a Shocker Augment, with two Combatmen aiming pistols at his head. The Spider-Aug wagged a finger at him. “Shame. Shame. Shame, Mr. Farmer. Will let us in?”

Yvi lead them in, as Bartolomas followed, looking down in shame. Yvi wanted to curse, to yell at the Priest for a moment, before swallowing down his rage. He couldn't let his fear for his family get to him, not now, not at a time like this. Shocker Combatmen poured in, weapons readied and raised as they marched through. His wife and kids screamed in horror, as Spider-Aug called from the front living room.

“If we could just meet here in the kitchen and not do any of that irritating screaming or crying, that will be great.” His tone still easy and relaxed as ever.

The Combatmen marched throughout the house, weapons ready, as Yvi was sat at the table, his family standing by in quiet, horrified shock and terror. The Combatmen said nothing, their manner rough and attitude cold. The Spider-Aug watched carefully, casually stepping around the house, checking the doors and tables, humming to himself. The Korrsons watched, Spider-Aug not saying a word or giving out orders.

Finally, after a few moments, Spider-Aug came back into the room, hands still folded behind him. “So, I will cut to the chase. You are sheltering enemies of the state.”

“You aren't a state. You are rebels against the Emperor.” Yvi hissed.

Spider-Aug ignored his outburst. “You are collaborating with traitors. Do not deny it, Bartolomas here lead us to you, and your body language, the shoulders and facial expression, betrayed that you knew him.”

He walked around to Rani, who glared up at him, not a sign of fear as she hugged one of her kids close. “We need to find this traitor and if you cooperate, your punishment will be light, you will return to work on your farm, and your children will not be conscripted into Shocker's Combatmen.”

He stepped behind her, grabbing her by the shoulders as she stiffened, Rogar and Yvi both moving to protect their mother and wife. Combatmen moved in an instant, pointing guns, Power Rods and swords at them. “Ah. Ah. Ah. We wouldn't want to upset my fear workers here. They are very protective of their manager.”

He walked away from her, folding his arms back behind himself as he did. “So, you are sheltering enemies of the state. An Augment who is meant to serve in Shocker's armies and agencies.”

The two men relaxed, as the Combatmen lowered their weapons away. Yvi looked to his eldest son, who was sweating hard, swallowing nervously. Spider-Aug turned to Rogar, tapping his foot three times, before speaking. “You didn't want this. I can tell you. Your parents dragged you into this.”

Rogar swallowed again, slowly shaking his head. “I have to...”

“Have to stay loyal? Do what father says? Be the good, dutiful son that looks out for your family?” Spider-Aug asked, tilting his head slightly. “What good is that? When he hasn't been loyal to anyone but his selfish ideals.”

He turned to Yvi, grabbing him just under the chin and pulling him up slightly. He grunted in pain, but said nothing else. “We did everything for you, kept you from dying uselessly for the Emperor, and you spit on our kindness?”

He released him, letting him fall to his seat, before turning to Bartolomas. “And you, your ideals would've gotten you labeled a Heretek. Shocker gave you everything to expand the fields of science and knowledge.”

Spider turned back to the young man, who was blinking hard now, shaking in his boots. “Tell me where she is, Rogar. Point out to me where she is hiding, and your family won't suffer for your father's mistakes.”

He walked over to the cellar door, pointing at it as he turned to Rogar. “Is this the place?”

Rogar looked to his father, tears streaming down his face. Yvi and Rani both looked desperate, Bartolomas slowly shaking his head. Rogar closed his eyes tight, quietly nodding. Spider-Aug simply nodded, and raised his, pointing the back of his palms at the door and firing off web strands across it, creating multiple webs. After he finished, he folded his arms behind himself, and turned away.

“I guess we'll just have to go down there and flush her out like a rat.” 

The thundering sounds of her steps came, Alejandra yelling at the top of her lungs, as the Spider-Aug turned to his wrist, hit a button, and the door slide open with a loud chunking sound, Alejandra in the middle of a swing into it and falling right into the webs he had prepared. He made a clicking sound again.

“Tch. Tch. Tch. Too bad, Hebi-Aug. You have to do better then that.” He lectured, wagging a finger at her as she collapsed, struggling and screaming into the webs as they enclosed around her. “You should've just let the surgery happen. You would've been part of a larger, happier family.”

“I'll kill you!” She sputtered, trying to break free as her arms and legs were bound together.

“No. This nice family and deceitful Tech-Priest are the ones dying, because of you.” He explained calmly, voice not rising at all. “I am going to take them to the nearby town, broadcast their execution, and you and the rest of Xarkka. Enjoy the show.”

She screamed out, her rage now unintelligible. Spider-Aug turned to a squad of Combatmen. “Bring her to a seat and make her watch. Let her understand what resistance to Shocker Nueva brings.”

Spider-Aug turned to the Combatmen under his command and gestured for them to take the hostages and leave, while another group grabbed the struggling Alejandra and dragged her off towards the living room. Spider-Aug was almost impressed by how spirited she could be, but that had to be broken a bit, she had to be made to see the futility of her actions firsthand.

The Combatmen sat her down, Alejandra snarling and struggling, as the webs seemed to tighten around her. This was it. She was going to be forced to watch while Shocker murdered these innocent people. As always, no matter what she tried, it just wasn't enough for when it mattered.

She sat there in silence for several minutes, waiting for the broadcasting device to turn on and for the images of the Corrsons' and Bartolomas' executions to play for all to see. She clenched a fist as she thought about that, over and over. Alvarus, that Rogue Trader Garnus, the rest of Shocker and the Spider-Aug. All thought they could take from others, use and toss them aside when done. She wasn't going to take that. Not anymore.

“I'm not going to take this anymore.” She stated, voice low and calm for once.

The Shocker grunts turned, one tilting his head to the side. “Hmm?”

“I've made my decision, and I'm not letting others decide it for me anymore.” She said, glaring up, as her wrist blades popped out, slicing through the webs and tearing free of them.

One ran and swung his Baton at her head, Alejandra jumping off the chair and swinging a clawed hand right at the Combatman's gut, slicing through armor and flesh with ease, blood spraying over the living room. Two more swung short swords at her, the field around them sparking and sizzling with power, as she ducked and traced around them, going past every hit, before punching one in the face, crumbling his mask, then swinging a few more punches into his stomach, crumbling him to the floor, then turning swinging her wrist blade into the neck of the other. 

He didn't even hit the floor before Alejandra had jumped on the other two, aiming their lasguns and trying to get a clear shot past their comrades. She grabbed the table in the middle with one hand and threw it, smashing into them and into the wall behind him.

Alejandra turned and left, getting to the front door as she activated the switch in her belt and summoning Junglraider to her position. She heard the shriek of tires and the roar of the engine, as it winded through the fields and nearby woods, turning a corner and coming to a stop in front of her. She jumped on, taking the controls, and roaring out of there. The trail left by the tires and tracks of the Shocker vehicles were easy enough to follow, she just had to get there in time.

She drove there, carefully tracking every turn and bump in the road they took, before she flicked on another mechanism in her belt. Wind and energy flowed out from all around her, the central fan in her belt spinning rapidly, a high-pitched whine going through the air as she did. The armor covered her chest, new strength flowing into her clawed hands, as portions of the armor on her chest and back glowed, as something in the back of her head tugged at her. She barely noticed, until it folded out and morphed around her.

The helmet was pointed, with two fins going sweeping from the back of her head, and a central one rising from the center. Red compound eyes clicked into place over her own, glowing red, as two small fangs sprouted over the mouth portion of the helmet.

She sat up on her bike, feeling the wind and something more going into her, filling her with a strength and vitality she hadn't felt in her life. Her jacket flapped and blew in the wind as she held her arms out, a brief smile going to her face underneath the helmet as she did. This was freedom. This is what it meant to live. Garnus had promised a better life. He had no idea how much he was right when it came Alejandra.
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
The town Spider-Aug stood in the center of was much like any other that Shocker set up for its subjugated, slave populations on supply worlds like this. Out of the way, seemingly normal, but hiding Shocker resources throughout them. The people there knowing to tow the line and obey through the fear of death. Like what was going to happen to Yvi and his family for their resistance. 

Combatmen gathered everyone out to witness the execution, as Rogar spoke up. “You said we wouldn't suffer.”

“You won't. Your mother and father will die quickly. And your siblings?” Spider-Aug remarked, walking up to him. “Well, we can always use new Combatmen and Augs for our wars with the Imperium and its Inquisition.”

Rogar's legs almost buckled, a Combatman forcing him to stand as he shuddered in horror. He had just wanted his family to be safe. He just wanted everything to go back to normal. Now, everything was going to be taken from him.

“Son, it's going to be alright. We will always be together, no matter what they do.” Yvi called to him, trying to put on a brave face. “They can't take away what matters most.”

Spider-Aug waited, letting his troops continue gathering the people here. They were huddled around the square, looking terrified and pensive. That was good for him. Fear kept people in line the best. If you wanted something done right, those below you had to fear the consequences. And it was for the best to remind people under you why they should fear you in the first place.

He tapped his foot, as a Combatman walked up to him, saluting him. “Sir, we have finished gathering the villagers here to witness the demonstration, and equipment is up and ready. With your word, we will begin sending this to the other homes and villages across the world.”

He nodded curtly. “You may begin.”

He kept his arms folded behind him as all eyes were locked on him. He smiled underneath his augment helmet, before clearing his throat. “On this world, and many others, Shocker had the decency to get you out of your miserable lives in the Imperium of Man. To elevate you to a greater purpose.”

He spread his arms out, theatrically. “We require only that you work and prove your loyalty to the Great Leader. But sometimes, you forget your purpose. You are only human, after all. You think we are cruel for the sake of it, that you need 'freedom'.”

He pointed to Yvi and Rani, as the two Shocker Combatmen marched them forward. “These two were hiding enemies of Shocker and assisting in sabotage. They willingly put their children at risk of violent terrorists and thugs to spit in the face of the one who gave them so many opportunities. They bite the hand that feeds them.”

The two were brought to the center of the square, as the two Combatmen forced them onto their knees. Spider-Aug walked to Yvi, grabbing his shoulder, as he continued to gesticulate. “Understand what is expected of you. Shocker serves you, and requires only your unthinking devotion and loyalty. When you betray that covenant, it will only end in pain for everyone involved.”

He turned and knelt down before Yvi, grabbing the sides of his head and positioning his thumbs over his eyes. “This will be the last thing you ever see.”

He slowly brought them in, expecting Yvi to beg, to cry or sob. The man instead faced forward stoically, not saying a thing, not even spitting out his last words of rage. It annoyed Spider-Aug. He wanted this one to cry and give some final indication of terror, but he was getting nothing. Spider would've stopped if he wasn't being recorded. He couldn't show weakness of any kind when the peasants and slaves were under control.

A sound like a lightning bolt echoed, as Spider-Aug and his Combatants turned in the direction, shocked to see Alejandra standing on a nearby cliff overlooking the town, glaring down at them.

“Ah! Hebi-Aug! I'm not surprised you escaped. Now you can join us too!” He declared.

She jumped, Spider-Aug jumping and backing up, as grabbed two of the Shocker Combatants holding the children hostage, and threw them like pebbles. The two sailed over the ducking crowds, and slammed through the walls of a building. She turned to the one holding a gun to Rani's head, moving like a comet on foot, and body-slamming the Shocker Combatman, driving him several feet away, before grabbing him by the head, swinging her leg around, swiping his leg out, and slamming him into the ground with enough force to shatter his head like a watermelon, blood and gore splattering the ground and her clawed hands.

She turned, hissing, as Bartolomas broke free and fired a Plasma round at the chest of the Combatman holding Rogar hostage, tearing and frying any flesh that wasn't immediately vaporized. 

Spider-Aug grunted, grabbing Yvi and running, as he was joined by a platoon of Combatants that marched alongside him. Others charged Alejandra, swinging his knives and machete blades at her. Alejandra dodged and weaved through their strikes, waiting for opening before slamming a punch into one that sent him spinning through the air, a number of slashes with her hand claws that ripped another Combatman's face and chest to shreds, then as a third stabbed at her chest and was deflected with her wrist armor, received her own stab, jamming her hand claws into his abdomen and ripping out organs and cybernetics.

She released another low growl, flexing her claws, before letting another swing at her neck, Alejandra releasing a battle cry before punching the blade and shattering it to pieces. She reached up, grabbing him by the collar, the Combatman swinging two punches into her stomach to try and knock her loose, before she flipped over her head and slammed him into the ground.

As the others charged her, Alejandra grabbed the Combatant by the ankle, and swung him like a club into the first, smashing both and shattering their bones. The next charged from behind, aiming to stab her in the kidney, only to have the Combatant swung downwards and crashing into its head and body. Two others swung their blades, only to be knocked aside by her human-club, then the last finished when she spun and threw the improvised human-weapon into the last, splattering both to the extent it looked like a mac truck had hit both.

She did not stop to speak as Bartolomas counseled and checked on Rani and her children. She ran off in the direction of where Spider and his remaining troops had run off to. None of the people stopped her or spoke, standing back in fear of her as she moved off towards Spider. She wasn't gonna stop for anything. Shocker had taken too much from her and others like her. They were all gonna pay, even if she had to hunt down every last member on foot.

The worn dirt roads and cobble stone streets turned into steel and rockcrete. She kept running, past the Hydro-processing plant and the running river, before coming to the edge of it, where Spider-Aug stood with Yvi and his 8 remaining Combatants, each holding a Stun baton or staff.

Spider-Aug chuckled as he put Yvi down. “Terminate all traitors. That is my mission. And I very much enjoy it.”

The Combatmen marched forward and circled around her, holding their shock staffs and batons at the ready, as Alejandra took a fighting stance, ready for them. They waited around her for a moment, circling for an opening, before jamming their batons at her head, Alejandra ducking, before they jammed at her knelling. Alejandra jumped through the air, as the Combatants followed, circling around her as one swung his staff, Alejandra catching it and kicking him aside.

Three swung their Stun staffs, and fourth his baton, striking and sending thousands of volts through her body. Alejandra seized up, stiffening and groaning in pain, before swinging a claw into one's head, and jamming her fingers straight his gas-mask, head and brain and releasing it. She turned and swung a hock punch, completely smashing in another's head, then kicked another aside, most of his body a smear across the ground now.

Spider-Aug watched as she cleaved through them, smashing in skulls, crushing limb bones, ripping open their guts. By the time Alejandra was done, the facility grounds looked less like a Hydro-Processing plant, and more like a slaughter house. He was, as always, impressed by her gumption and brutality.

She ran up to, stopping a few feet to keep her distance and be ready to attack, while he simply kept his arms folded behind him.

“I hate humans. I desire to kill or enslave them on behalf of all Augments who freed themselves from humanity's weakness.”

“So you think you're superior for mutilating your body that the Emperor gives you?”

He shock his head. “Because Shocker Nueva chose me. We are greater then any other. The ancient Kingdom of the Third Reich held the idea of an Ubermensch, a being whose mind, body, and soul were of a high standing then any other. Instead of being so limited to a race, the Great Leader picks from the best of all human races.”

Alejandra swung a fist, Spider easily side-stepping the attack, then parrying another hit. “We are both so above the average human. Yet why do you still care about them? I can't understand it.”

“Because the Emperor wished us to be united!” She insisted, throwing a kick at him.

“How naive. Do you not think he followed our same ideals?” Spider remarked, side-stepping it and slapping away the leg. “Shocker and the Emperor believed in an Empire to rule all humanity as tyrants, Augments and Space Marines are special warriors enhanced by surgery and science to fight. You defeat us, you serve us. It doesn't matter. We win in the end.”

Alejandra swung a punch, then another hook, followed by several more slashes, Spider-Aug dodging and weaving through all the hits and strikes, chuckling to himself. “I see, not one for philosophical conversation.”

He bent backwards, almost at an unnatural angle, before sitting right back up, stepping around Alejandra, who had backed off, catching her breath. “You are incredibly dangerous in close quarters, but as long as I keep my distance, I should be fine.”

He turned, pointing his arms, as web strands shot out from the back of his hands and shot upwards, into the skies, and onto a wall overlooking bisecting the plant, overlooking the pier and docks, as well as where the water was fed into. Alejandra snarled, jumping upwards and flipping through the air, landing not far from him.

Spider-Aug said nothing, waiting for Hebi-Aug to gather her bearings and come at him again. All he needed to do was draw out this fight for as long as possible. The most powerful of her upgrades would shut down, and she'd go to baseline status, allowing him to easily overpower her.

'Then whatever's left of your corpse can be reprogrammed by Shocker.' He thought, as she charged swinging a hook, then a kick at him. “I'm curious, you easily murdered so many of my Combatants, and yet you seem to take no joy in the power you yield now. Why?”

She stepped back. She knew she couldn't keep this up. She had to find a new strategy. “I'm not here for any big philosophical bullshit spiel from you or any other. I want my brother, and I want nothing to do with any of this.”

“The entire galaxy in on fire over ideologies and beliefs, and your choice is to not care about any of it?” Spider-Aug asked, sounding almost incredulous over it. “How were ever chosen to be anything other then a Shocker Combatman?”

He raised his hands, shooting two nets of webbing at her, as Alejandra quickly took off her longcoat and cut the webs, before throwing it at the Augment. Now blinded, she ran forward and swung a punch, striking him in the chest, then another smashing into the side of his face, each sounding like a Bolter going off in their midst. Spider-Aug groaned in pain, tossing the long coat aside and holding his stomach, struggling to stay upright.

He caught his breath, righting himself and glaring at Hebi-Aug through his helmet. “Incredible. What you could've been had you let Shocker finish...”

“I've made up my mind. I'm not letting anyone take from me, ever again.” She declared, jamming a finger in his direction. “Starting with you.”

Spider-Aug laughed, clapping twice. “Very nice. A performance worthy of a soap opera drama.”

He jumped and backflipped away, sliding down the side of the wall, before quickly crawling down it on his hands and legs, limbs twisted and bunched up at unnatural angels as he did. Alejandra followed him downwards, jumping over the side, hands out-stretched and slowed her fall slightly. The moment she did, Spider-Aug jumped at her back. He wrapped his forearm around her neck, then, with a wet snap of flesh and meat breaking free, summoned two more arms that grabbed her wrists and forced them down.

Two more arms then grabbed around her belt, just to make it couldn't do anything more.

“The bliss of having the power to do what you want. No limits, no weaknesses, no laws. To simply exist as you please,” He explained. “No Arbites, no heresy! No declaring those you hold dear heretics, and you with them! That is the future I will achieve with Shocker!”

“It's a future they'll have to achieve without you.” She hissed, stepping onto a wall, and planting one of her feet into it.

Spider-Aug struggled, trying his hardest to keep her in place, but, with a grunt, she pushed off and launched them into the air. Spider-Aug tried to hold on, only for Alejandra to slam the back of her head into his own, loosening his grip, as she ripped free and used both feet to shot herself upwards. Spider-Aug had two options. Either he would land, and be injured by the fall on hard ground, or she would kick him.

“Well, that's how it goes I guess.” He muttered.

Alejandra spun through the air. She wasn't sure how she was doing this, or what she was doing, but her right leg shot outwards, supported by her left, as she flew at him, using the pull of gravity and her armor's generators and inner-machinery to fly at him at high speed.

“Rider Kick!” She shouted, as she slammed into his stomach foot first, a wet crack echoing as it crashed into his body like a rocket, carrying both down at high speed.

Spider-Aug slammed into a nearby pillar, cracks spider-webbing from the point of impact. A loud crack, like bones and meat shattering, echoed throughout the Hydro-processing plant. Alejandra hung there for a moment, watching her foe, before breaking her foot free and back-flipping away. She landed below the pillar, watching as the lights in Spider-Aug's eyes went out, and his head fell forward. She breathed a sigh of relief, shaking her head as she left to go get Yvi.

Yvi awoke, groaning to himself as he did, holding his head as he looked up from the ground, and saw the impaled and eviscerated bodies of multiple Combatants. His eyes widened in shock, blinking a few times, swallowing hard as he fought the urge to vomit, putting a hand over his mouth and grunting as he tried to stop his body's reaction. Footsteps echoed, as someone approached. He looked up, to see an armored figure, dressed in his longcoat, approaching. The being stopped, clicking a button on the side of the helmet as it collapsed and folded away out of sight, revealing Alejandra's face.

“Yvi, you alright?”

He got unsteadily to his feet. “Yes. I'm alright. I'm fine.”

She stepped forward, before stopping. She froze in step like a deer in the head-lights. Something was wrong. Her body was telling her something was going to happen, something terrible was approaching. She didn't know why her cybernetics and senses were going off the wire. Then, as she took another step forward, a massive beast of a thing broke out from seemingly nowhere, and swung a hook punch into the side of her head. She barely had time to dodge and roll before it almost took her head off. 

She held the side of her head as blood gushed from the side of her forehead that washed over her right eye. She staggered back, swiped her arms about and activated her transformation again, the helmet folding out and snapping into position around her head. Alejandra took a fighting stance, claws raised before the gigantic being. 

It was humanoid, larger and broader then any other being she had seen. The armor across its chest and parts of its arms were scaled, like a serpent, while its wrists and belt bore various tactical read-outs and gear on them, while a simple cloak billowed behind the being. Its yellow eyes were small and glowing, with a serrated grill over the mouth and much of the face, with serpents painted onto parts of the chest and face plate, and skulls embossed on the knees.

She had heard legends, tales of the Great Angels of Death that the Emperor himself created from the gene-factor of his sons, but she had never thought she'd see one in the flesh. They were supposedly rarer then gold or platinum. She put her hands up, not wanting to be mistaken for a traitor.

“Wait, wait! Great Angel, I'm no heretic! I've been fighting Shocker! I'm loyal to the Emperor!” She declared, putting a hand out in front of her. “Wait! Just wait!”

The Space Marine chuckled for a moment. “And let's say I do serve the Emperor. Did he not say to cast out the mutant? What are you, then, if not a mutant? Your form has been altered with science not sanctioned by the Mechanicus, which acts in his name.”

“I...I didn't want this!” She protested.

The Marine laughed. “I know. This is a mercy killing. We all are with Shocker. You would be treated no differently by a loyalist.”

He pulled and clicked the safety off a Bolt Pistol, its laser sights zeroed in on her head. Alejandra's eyes widened in horror. Loyalists? Alpharius? What was he even saying? A boom sounded, a bolt round flying at her. Alejandra barely dodged out of the way. The Marine charged, pulling out a long knife, one edge straight, the other curved near the tip. Alejandra came up to her feet as the Marine came upon her, slashing and cutting. Alejandra could barely keep up, even her cybernetics seemingly failing her. The being moved and struck with speed, grace and strength she had never seen from even Spider-Aug.

He slashed at her throat, Alejandra batting it away with a slap on his inner wrist, knocking him open, then slammed a knee into the midsection armor and knocked him back. He grunted in surprise for a moment, before she swung her claws, slashing at his chest, leaving deep gauges into the ceramite. He looked down in shock, before growling in anger, then swung his leg upwards and slammed his armored knee into her chest. Alejandra felt as if a grenade had gone off in her chest. Her armor crumbled inwards, as she felt her organs and bones splinter and break in an instant. She flew off, spitting up gobs of blood into her helmet and mask, before hitting the ground, and sliding across it.

A deep gash was left in the stone floor beneath her, smeared red with some of her blood. Her limbs hung before her, her head drifting listlessly to the side. The aqua blue-green Marine looked at the claw markings in his chest, sheathing his knife, and running some fingers across them, releasing a surprised grunt, before looking up at her again.

“You are quite the troublesome little child, aren't you?” He asked, marching up to her.

“Wait, you don't...!” Yvi began to protest.

“Don't worry, you're next.” The Marine responded coldly, holding his Bolt Pistol up checking to make sure he had enough ammo as he did.

Alejandra tried to get up and rise, but her cybernetic arm groaned and locked up, her body kept in place. The pain in her body was too much, It felt like a thousand small needles and shard of glass were stabbing the insides of her chest. Breathing itself was impossible. She felt blood coat the inside of her throat, the metallic, cooper-taste of blood filling her mouth. Her legs shook uncontrollably.

“I am Alpharius. We are Alpharius. And the Heads of the Hydra Dominatus need Shocker to test the Imperium.” He declared.

Between the horrific pain in her body and the intense ringing in her ears, she could barely hear anything, barely make sense of anything he was saying. They were Alpharius? Who was that? Why were Marines created by the Emperor helping Shocker, like some kind of...test? Whatever the case, whatever the reason, the mighty Marine walked up to her, the ground shaking from low vibrations, like a small earthquake, as he loomed over her, blocking any sunlight and darkening his aspect like a God of Darkness.

She glared up at him, her mask and helmet hiding her features, but she did not intend to show any fear. Even in her broken and shattered state, she would not give up, not be cowed to subservience by this...thing claiming to be an angel.

He leveled the pistol to her head. “I'm sorry, this isn't personal, Hebi-Aug Quetz. But the vision of the future the Primarch wishes for can't have those like you in the way.”

She sputtered and coughed, holding her chest as she struggled to breath. “Yeah...not personal...to kill me...no worries.”

She had wanted to at least say something defiant and rebellious, but she was in too much pain and probably bleeding all over her insides to act tough and cool. As he leveled the pistol and clicked the safety off, before another voice shouted above them.

“Henshin!”

The Marine and Alejandra both looked up at the water works building above them, a flash of energy and sound occurring, like lightning and a wind storm condensed, before clearing, as a new figure stood above them. It was mostly black, with green chest armor, and lighter green gloves and boots, with a helmet of the same color. The piece over its mouth was black, with two antenna sticking out from the forehead, and large red eyes and a crimson scarf.

The Marine grunted in shock, blinking several times. “Impossible! How are you alive?!”

The figure jumped and flipped through the air, the Marine firing off bolt rounds, as the newcomer spun through the air, dodging fire. His leg shot out and slammed into the Marine's chest, sending him several yards back as the metal cracked from the impact. The interloper flipped backwards and landed on his feet, shooting one arm up across his chest.

“Whether you are a devilish minion of Shocker or a bootlick of your original Alpha Legion masters, Kamen Rider will stop you!” The man declared, before he snapped his arm out and pointed at the Marine. “I will be the one to judge you for your crimes, and the one to carry out your sentence!”

“Naive drivel from an outdated old man!”

The Marine moved faster then the eye could follow, his bulk and mass shaking the Earth. Perhaps it was because her injuries or slowly losing power, but it was terrifying how fast he could move, closing the distance between himself and this 'Kamen Rider' that she had heard so much about in no time. And yet, no blow came close. The Marine attempted to swing his pistol into the Rider's head, who blocked, parried, and smacked the pistol away. He seemed stunned for a moment by the strength, as Kamen Rider swung punch after, striking across the armor, before swinging an uppercut and knocking him further back.

The Marine seemed shocked for a moment, trying to speak, but the grill and speaker system seemed damaged from the punch. He reached up, tearing it off and tossing it aside, revealing a pale white-skinned face with snakes tattooed on the sides of his head and over his eyebrows. He looked at the being annoyed for a moment, before closing his eyes and shaking his head, giving a chuckle and small smile.

“They told me you had outdated cybernetics, that other Beta and Hebi Rider-Augs had surpassed you,” He remarked, before reopening his eyes and focusing on Kamen Rider. “But I see they underestimated what a strong old man you are, Takeshi Hongo.”

“You're a few centuries old, but given I have a few millennia, give or take some time sleeping, I guess I really am an old man to you.” Rider remarked with a good-natured chuckle.

Both laughed for a moment between them, Alejandra looking at them in shock and confusion, before something seemed to snap, and both jumped at each other again, the Alpha Legionarie yelling at the top of his lungs. Both were fast and strong, moving and striking at each other with the speed to grab a humming bird out of its flight pattern, and the strength to shatter a tank. The Marine was perfected by the Emperor's science, but Hongo was older and remade from Shocker's own. Without the armor and mass of the Marine, Kamen Rider was striking and punching again and again.

The Alpha Legion Astartes swung his knife, practically a sword. Hongo dodged the first swing, then the next, but was struck across the chest by the next, his reflexes and resistance to pain the only thing that kept the knife from carving into his chest and out the other end. Hongo grunted and side-stepped the slash, before swinging a punch into the outside of the Marine's wrist, the sound of the hit echoing like a shotgun blast. The wrist armor cracked like glass, the Alpha Legion Marine yelling in shock as the knife flew out of his hand. He staggered back, Kamen Rider jumping and slamming a kick into his chest. The armor cracked, hairline at first. Then Kamen Rider followed it up with a punch, several, before knocking him away, the cracks growing thicker and larger across the ceramite plate.

The Marine's eyes widened, before grabbing a grenade, flicking off the pin and throwing it with all his might. The explosion tore through the air, a cloud of fire and smoke, shrapnel and broken stone flying out from the point of impact. The Marine breathed heavily, coughing for a moment, before getting his breath back, shaking it off.

'He ain't dead. I've heard the stories from Shocker grunts. He's too damn stubborn to die.' He thought, raising his hands to a fighting stance.

The Operative stood there, still as a statue. His hearts hammered so loud within his chest he was sure they could be heard over the smoldering ball of ash. Kamen Rider had to be alive. As he had thought before, that being was as close to a Space Marine as you could get in terms of durability, strength, and sure, unstoppable will. He got his answer a moment later, the smoke and fire barely clearing as Kamen Rider leapt forward, leg extended fully.

“Rider Kick!”

The Operative put up both hands in an “X”, the kick sending a shudder through his body from the impact, before he flicked his arms outwards, launching Kamen Rider off him, before charging. He swung an uppercut, knees bending to get low and hit the cyborg. Kamen Rider yelped in pain, body stiffening as the crunch of cybernetics and flesh being pulverized by a ceramite fist sounded. As he staggered, he grabbed the Rider by the head, and turned on his heel, throwing him to the ground.

As Hongo tried to get up, the Operative grabbed him by the ankle and swung him overhead, slamming him into the ground with enough force to make a crater where he landed. The Marine breathed hard, arms shaking slightly as he did. This was a lot harder then it should've been. These damn Riders, if they kept sticking their noses in Shocker/Alpha Legion business, were going to be a pain.

'I hope Sheshanaga and High Command has a plan...' He thought, grunting as he began to approach, slowly and carefully, every step measured and considered.

Even weakened and injured, this cyborg was a danger. He looked over at Alejandra, who was trying to get to her feet.

“Wait your turn. You'll die soon enough.” He declared, lifting a foot up to stomp on Hongo's head.

That brief moment of distraction was exactly what the original needed, turning and twisting on the ground and swinging a kick out at the Operative's leg still on the ground. His stomp was thrown off target, smashing the ground just a few inches off the man-made crater, and sending a burst of pain surging through his knee and outward to the rest of his leg. The Alpha Legionnaire snarled, grinding his teeth together in rage as he turned to Kamen Rider, who had jumped to his feet and swung a hook punch.

The Marine had only just turned to him again, only to get a punch square in the face. The crunch of bone and metal sounded, spittle shooting out as Hongo ground his fist into side of the Operative's face. It would've looked comical, a normal-sized man managing to land a punch on a Space Marine, a creature made by a being declared God by his followers, and twice the size and power of a normal man.

But Takeshi Hongo had faced much in his days as Kamen Rider, and even a Demigod could fall if a man was skilled and unwilling to give up. Compared to the Great Leader and the monstrosities he had created, this Space Marine was nothing.

The Marine's face was scrunched on the left, left eye forcibly closed as he struggled to stay standing. Kamen Rider did not give his opponent time to pull out any other weapons or grenades. He swung at him, punches striking ceramite, cracking and breaking the illustrious metal, before swinging over the Operative's guard and slamming a roundhouse kick into the side of the Alpha Legionnaire's mouth. Blood and a tooth flew out as the Marine's face was mangled further.

As he staggered back, Kamen Rider snapped his arms out, grunting before he jumped and flipped through the air. The Alpha Legionnaire looked up to the skies, the sun blazing behind Kamen Rider's form, as snapped his leg outwards and aimed it right at him.

“Rider KICK!” Was the last thing he heard before the kick slammed into his chest, knocking him several feet back, rocks and fragments thrown up from his feet skidding across the ground, before he slammed down, both legs snapping from the effort of trying to stay up against Hongo's powerful attack.

The armor, after all the abuse Kamen Rider had put it through, finally shattered, the Hopper-Aug's foot striking into the hardened flesh and bone beneath, and slamming the Marine into the ground, this time, Hongo's turn to leave a crater. He pushed on, roaring at the top of his lungs, before finally smashing through the reinforced flesh and bone of the Marine and into his chest. Blood splashed out, across the front of his chest and face.

The Marine gasped in pain, hands shackingly reaching for Hongo, trying to rip him out of the Marine's chest, before Kamen Rider twisted his foot to and fro, organs ground and crushed within, before he ripped his foot free.

“Rider...” The Operative hissed. 

“What is it, Astartes?” Kamen Rider asked gruffly.

“I...I am....Omegon.” The Operative whispered, before chuckling and laughing, as if he had told a hilarious joke, as blood began to pool out from his wound and stain the light green armor plating.

Kamen Rider shook his head, simply stepping away and walking towards Alejandra, leaving 'Omegon' to die, alone and abandoned. He stepped towards the other Rider and Yvi, holding out a hand to the latter first, helping him up, then Alejandra.

“Are you two okay?” He asked.

“Who are you?” Alejandra asked, stumbling and drained, not knowing if she was dreaming or not.

“This is the first Kamen Rider, the man who was to save us, who Bartolomas got us in contact with,” Yvi explained, giving a small smile to the cyborg rider. “It...It is an honor.”

“The honor is mine. You put far more at risk then I did to get me here and fight for your family and community,” Kamen Rider declared, patting him on the shoulder. “Let's get home.”

Yvi nodded, as Hongo turned to Alejandra. “So you managed to fight through several Shocker Grunts and even an Augment on your own? Good start.”

“Yeah, it was difficult, but I got a good kick on that Spider man.” Alejandra said proudly, straightening as best as she could and putting both hands on her hips to try and look more in control and commanding. “Put him down good.”

“And he turned to foam, right?” Hongo asked pointedly.

Alejandra's face fell behind her mask, blinking a few times. “Foam?”

Hongo turned towards the facility, looking around. “Shocker Augments turn to foam to prevent capture on death.”

As he finished, a dart shot out, and struck Yvi in the neck. Alejandra's eyes widened in shock and horror as the color completely drained from Yvi's face in an instant, the man falling to the ground. Hongo ran to him, grabbing him and easing him to the ground, as Alejandra turned towards the Spider-Aug, beaten and battered, but still alive, emerging from cover near the Hydro-Plant.

“Next time, when you kill someone, make sure they're dead!” He declared.

“Gladly.” Alejandra hissed, sprinting right at him.

Spider-Aug shot another poison dart from his mandibles, Alejandra catching it before it struck between two of her fingers and tossing it aside as he barreled at him. Spider-Aug stood his ground. There was no point in running. He was too injured from the first fight, and against two Kamen Riders, even with their Prana low, could still overtake him. And a good soldier of Shocker dies on their feet, not showing their back.

He threw his hand up to the air, arm straight out. “Hail Shocker! Hail Victory!”

Alejandra grabbed the arm by the wrist, before swinging her other palm upwards, snapping the elbow completely inwards. As he staggered back, Alejandra swung a claw strike, then another. And another. And another. Flesh and steel alike was sliced and cut open, Alejandra not stopping, not caring to. There was no saving him. He was going to taste the justice he deserved, the only kind he would get from her.

She swung her claws in an uppercut, slamming into his chest, and twisting them in, before swinging the other hand. The lights of Spider-Aug's mask flickered for a moment, before going dark. She reached her right hand onto the top of his head, and with a feral growl, ripped it out. Spider-Aug could give a brief whimper of pain, before she completely ripped the head off from the body, part of the spinal cord following behind.

A moment later, Spider-Aug's body and head collapsed inwards, turning to white foam as they did, then vanishing. The foam dripped from her claws, as Alejandra glared down in silent fury at the rapidly disappearing puddle of white goo at her feet. It was not satisfying. She had avenged Yvi, certainly, and that felt good, after everything Spider-Aug had put her and those who helped her through. But there was more out there. Other Shocker agents, Augmented Kaijin, and branches that had to be put down. Her armor folded back and slipped away into the back of her skull and body, her energy finally running out.

She began to fall, as Hongo grabbed her by the shoulder and helped her up. “You've had a long, hard time of it here. Let's get some rest, somewhere safe.”
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
The ride over was hard. She didn't need to ride with Hongo, she could at least drive her own bike there, but just the fact she had basically failed in everything she set out to do. Yvi was dead, she couldn't finish Spider-Aug properly, and the Marine had nearly killed her. As she stood with her Junglraider at the ready, she honestly wondered how she was gonna tackle any of Shocker's other forces going forward.

Takeshi Hongo, Rani, and, to her surprise, Rogar, came out of the homestead. Rogar seemed to barely be keeping it together, while Rani's eyes were red from crying. Alejandra wanted to leave, not wanting to face them after what had happened, but stayed put. She didn't have the right to run from her failures and the people that got hurt.

Rani held up a long, silver scarf. “This was mine. I want you to keep it and jacket.”

“Rani, I...”

“Yvi died fighting against Shocker. If you're going to keep fighting them, I want you to have something from both of us, to always remember to keep going.” She insisted. “You gave us the chance to finally live without Shocker. That's what Yvi always wanted.”

Alejandra took it, hand shaking slightly as she did. Hongo reached up, clicking the valves and mechanisms off, and removing it. She had not expected to see an old, battle-worn man underneath the armor and mask. He gripped her shoulder with the other hand.

“When I first became Kamen Rider, I also failed a friend and mentor close to me,” He said, voice low and quiet. “Sometimes, in order to rise and become the hope others need, you need to fail first. That teaches the hardest lesson of being a Kamen Rider.”

She took a deep breath, wrapping and tying the scarf around her neck, giving it a tug and nodding as she looked at it, running her fingers along it. Perhaps they were right. She looked up to Rogar, tilting her head slightly as she lifted an eyebrow at him.

“I want to join you.” He said, voice husky and thin, still fighting to hold himself together. “I need to avenge my father. I thought if I was the obedient citizen, followed Shocker's rules, my family...I was wrong.”

He balled both fists, shaking as he ground his teeth in rage. “I need to do whatever I can to end them.”

Hongo sighed, nodding to himself. “If you both come along, we will be facing many more Shocker Augment Cyborgs and other minions of the organization. And if the Alpha Legion is involved, Traitor Marines will be there too. This will be more dangerous as time goes on.”

“I'm in. It's time I lived up to my namesake.” Rogar declared without hesitation.

Alejandra stood for a moment, slowly nodding to herself. “It's only fitting. They called me Quetz. So I'll be Kamen Rider Quetz. I'm gonna beat Shocker, and avenge Yvi and everyone else they destroyed, and get my brother out of there. I'm not gonna stop until it's done, understand?”

Hongo nodded, giving a small, thin smile. “It'll be a long journey. But with the help of Bartolomas and others, we can free the galaxy from Shocker's threat.”
\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Kamen Rider Quetz, Alejandra Zuzene, is a cybernetically augmented human. She was modified by Shocker Nueva, an evil secret society that plots to control the galaxy of the 42nd Millennium.

Kamen Rider Quetz has sworn to fight against Shocker for the sake of freedom for all sapient beings.