Operation Phoenix: MahdiQuest, Part 1 Military Intelligence is Not Always a Contradiction in Terms by Arsenal the Lone Warrior Arsenal pulled his M-5 Urban Assault Vehicle, often refered to as ãone heavily armed recreational vehicleä, into the visitorâs parking lot of the Headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency in northern Virginia. He apporached the gate, dressed in his Blood Jihad uniform, complete with the blood red insignia of the Covert Ops team. He received several salutes from the enlisted military personnel there. It made him a little uncomfortable to be receiving salutes from people, in many cases, that were older than him. When he was in the military, first as a Marine, then a Navy SEAL, heâd always been an enlisted man; giving salutes instead of receiving. After the customary strip search at the front gate, Arsenal walked through the halls of the CIA HQ until he came to a certain door. Without knocking, he entered. ãBrock! How nice to see you, again!ä This came from the woman in a Navy uniform seated at the desk. She stood up, and he kissed her on the cheek. ãMarlene Montoya,ä he replied, making quite certain to make the final vowel of her first name an ãaä instead of silent. ãLook at you, a full Lieutenant. That OTC came through after all.ä She smiled faintly, then sat back down at the desk. He sat in a chair across from her. ãItâs good to see you, Ted, after what the satellites sent back.ä She tossed him a folder. ãIâm sure that the Jihad will be interested in these.ä He glanced at the pictures in the folder. They depicted the current Lyran, Purple Alliance, and Lizard ships in orbit around the earth. ãWhat are the U.S. and the U.N. doing about this threat?ä he asked. ãThe Jihad already knows about these, and have moved to intercept.ä ãWell, the U.S. and Canadian militaries are in constant combat with what the invaders have sent down,ä Montoya stated. ãThing is, the most concentrated assault has been in North America. Other than a few skirmishes in Australia and England, the rest of the world has been relatively untouched.ä ãThese invaders have a personal vendetta against the Jihad,ä Arsenal explained. ãA few weeks ago, we killed BâHarne. Again.ä He let the word sink in. ãNot only that, we foiled his attempt to take over the world by rewriting history. My guess is, heâs pissed, and called in some reinforcements.ä ãSo what do you need from us?ä ãIâm looking for a Founder of the Jihad. Her nameâs Julie Kangas, the Mahdi.ä She shot him a curious look. ãI wonât even try to explain it. Letâs just say, sheâs necessary.ä An explosion from outside rocked Montoyaâs office. SEAL-trained instincts took over, and both of them dove for cover. Arsenal peeked out the window. Outside, the Urban Assault Vehicle, along with most of the cars in the parking lot, was a smoldering ruin. Several reptilian forms advanced on the building, straight for Montoyaâs office. Behind them, a small battilion of humans and Jello Sponges had engaged several of the Marine guards. One of the Lizards grabbed a Marine by the neck. ãWhere is the Lone Warrior?ä it asked. The Marine shook uncontrollably, as the Lizardâs clawed hand closed around his neck. One very audible snap later, and the Lizard tossed the Marine away. Arsenal quickly popped open two microcapsules, tossing a pulse blaster and several power packs to Montoya. ãReady to rock, Marlene?ä ãLetâs do it.ä Arsenal blasted the wall of the office, creating a cloud of dust and debris, under the cover of which he and Marlene slipped out of the building. ãAh,ä the lead Lizard hissed. ãThe hunted comes to the hunter.ä Arsenal motioned for Marlene to split from him. She took off to the right, while he ran to the left. The pair fired continuously in the direction of the Lizards and Minions, and at least three Lizards fell over dead. Arsenal dropped into a ditch, popping the microcapsule containing his battle armor. While Marlene continued to draw their attention, he slipped into the armor. Finally, he popped another microcapsule, and drew the Ebony Blade. Marlene, on the other hand, was having a hard time with the advancing Lizards. While aiming at their heads had worked for a while, and had killed two more, the Lizards now seemed to be able to dodge the blasts from the blaster. She had just slammed her last power pack into itâs clip and started firing again, when the battle appeared to stop. Arsenal climbed out of the ditch, Blade in plain sight, and let loose a war cry that made even the Lizards look. ãLIZARDS! YOU WANT A PIECE OF ME?!ä he yelled. ãTHEN COME AND GET ME!ä The lead Lizard glanced at the others, then bellowed a response. ãLONE WARRIOR! YOU SHALL DIE!ä TBC? You betcha!