Written by: Jaguar Janks and Saber Stryke1024 (A Collaboration)

Prologue: "You cannot escape us. We are like a predator of shadow, we will strike when you least expect and you won’t even notice where we are." –Zack Roberts, Red Leviathan Corps Specialist.

There was no easy way to navigate through the night in the technological city of Isthar, as many residents found out. Lights are placed throughout Isthar in key locations to let any late employees to make their way home. However, even with the lights Isthar was a dangerous place at night, especially when there was no one to hear screams of victims from their homes or on the street. This particular night was no different.

"You know nothing! Neither does the maniacal fiend you call your employer!"

On the top level of the Macbeth Robotics Institute where flight transportation vehicles land, two shadows approached a scientist who was clutching a suitcase to his chest with his left arm. This scientist held a phaser on his right, aimed directly at the strangers that were approaching him.

Winds whistled on the launching pad as the shadows materialized in from the darkness they were concealed in. Coming out first was a gray fox, his eyes having a deadly calm in them. Next to the vulpine a panther came out, someone who would have been overlooked in the night. There was only one indication to see if the panther was there at all, and it was his intense green eyes.

Looking at the two with determination that the professor never knew he had, he noticed that the strangers are wearing black infantry armor that was accompanied with black fatigues and boots. What caught his eyes the most was the emblem on their right shoulder, it was of a giant red serpent outlining a planet that was most likely Corneria.

Not keeping his eyes off the strangers that are after him, Professor Caine of the Macbeth Robotics Institute backed up further of the launching pad. He knew exactly who they were and what they’re after. And if it is in his power he is going to prevent them from getting it!

Impulsively moving backwards upon seeing the gray fox walking up to him, Caine stopped when we reached the ledge. Apparently the vulpine knew his predicament and remained a meter away from the jaguar professor. Caine steadied his firearm at the unarmed vulpine in a hope to get one shot off, knowing himself that he is doomed.

He was sweating profusely and his paw holding the phaser wavering, Caine now knows that he had failed. Of those two that are in front of him with intense calm the jaguar professor has already acknowledged the two as trained specialists, those who are able to disarm or even kill him before he pulls the trigger. His untrained skill with his weapon and his fear gave him no chance now, or did he ever had a chance to start off?

His thoughts were interrupted abruptly as the gray fox spoke with a tone devoid of all emotion, the specialist actually talking was what shook him out of his reverie. From what he already knows of the organization, the specialists rarely talked or questioned their authorities. Trained efficiently to retrieve, deliver, or kill the specialists had no reason to talk unless it was asked of them.

"Professor Caine, you knew your escape from Macbeth was futile. You know that even if you did get off this planet we would have found you in moments. Our intelligence network only reaches so far. Therefore surrender now with your prototype and yourself unconditionally and we will assure that you’ll not be harmed," the vulpine ordered coldly, his eyes bearing onto those of Professor Caine.

Closing his eyes with his paw on the trigger of the phaser, Caine turned his head to the edge of the Institute. Regaining his remains of confidence the jaguar wrenched his head away from looking down and stared coldly at the vulpine who was still not fazed with him having a weapon and that the specialist is unarmed.

"What are you planning to do with this anyway?! This is your objective, is it not? My presence here is only a hindrance to your mission and you will eliminate me without a moment of hesitation in order to reach it! Let me tell you this, you’re not going to have it!" Caine snarled to the gray fox, making no room for argument.

Turning around quickly he was about to throw the suitcase off the launching pad of the twenty five story institute when his eyes caught an air of black muffling his muzzle and grasping on his paw that had his suitcase. His eyes went wider in shock as he noticed a black paw was muffling him from making any noises with the arm that had his suitcase was forced to be put down on the launching pad.

Struggling with fear, Professor Caine vainly tried to aim his phaser at the panther specialist behind him. He soon gave up as the specialist wrenched the phaser off his paw and banded his paws together right after. Cursing to himself for forgetting of the vulpine’s partner he only watched in horror as the fox specialist picked up the suitcase from the ground.

"Only if you cooperated this could have been avoided, Professor. For your interference and unwillingness to assist us in our mission you would have been killed. However, you are needed from our employer and you will return with us to Headquarters," the fox specialist said calmly, walking off with the suitcase to the stairway.

"You’re all mad! Do you not know the magnitude of destruction of what you’re creating can cause?! This is not the way—!" Professor Caine was abruptly cut off from what he was about to say next when a paw went slammed down at his head, he was immediately unconscious from the blow.

Slinging the jaguar professor over his shoulder, the panther started to follow his partner down the stairs of the Institute. As the two specialists with the professor in tow disappeared from Isthar with no trace of their arrival at the Institute. Morning came to the city of Isthar.