****
Ground Zero The Harvester of Souls sat on a makeshift throne made of skulls from what could be assumed to be victims of the plague that he has released into the Centra landscape. Murdok was obviously irritated at his followers and fumed over the failure of Gheist to eliminate Esperanto. “Tell me again specter, why did you not finish off the Martian and the vagabond priest? Was your long lost human conscience playing a part in your decision?”
“No my lord…I figured that reinforcements were being deployed and Esperanto was only a hair’s breath from death my master;” Gheist stammered and quickly felt it best to bow on one knee; “The Heathen chief fought the priest and he quickly left the scene afterwards before I could secure the death of At-Las. I will not fail you again…”
Before Gheist could say another word, Murdok stood up and grabbed the bounty hunter by his throat. Without any hesitation, Murdok lifted Gheist up into the air until the specter was about a foot off the floor. “You had better not as you are replaceable in this battle for this world. I will let you live for now but do not test my patience.” With that being said, Murdok tossed Gheist across the room with relative ease and returned to his throne.
“Corporal Tek step forward… (Corporal Tek marched forward and knelt on one knee) I have learned that the Centran tandem of Warfare & Trench have been conducting operations in Centapolis. Go there with as many minions as you need to make those meddling fools pay for intervening in Aegis’s fall.”
“Yes my master…” Corporal Tek stood up, made a motion to Cremator, and left the royal chamber for Centrapolis. He was determined not to suffer the same fate as Gheist and planned on showing the Harvester that Resurrection could be counted on.
****
Centrapolis Medical Center Headquarters With an unconscious Nicodemus in his arms, Ventross appeared on the outside of the Centran Medical Center and he was taken aback with the amount of destruction that Murdok’s horde has caused on the city. The surrounding area was in bedlam as the undead had thrown the planet into chaos and the Ravager second in command almost felt doomed.
Ventross took a quick glance around and noticed a personnel carrier pulling up to the medical center. After the vehicle came to a halt, members of the Blue Steel gang ( normally a group of thugs and cut throats that have the moral values of a Gehesian rodent, but due to the current situation, have became freedom fighters against the Harvester’s armies) filed out with almost a military precision. One Centran, in particular, if memory served the Ravager correctly was brutal in his ways…Hustler! Ironically, this Hustler had accompanied the gang and walked up to the bewildered Ravager.
“Funny seeing you here scale face,” Hustler jested, “the rumors must be true that the corruption has even reached the Ravager Mothership.” Hustler stated as he made hand signals to the other members of the Blue Steel gang.
“Indeed. What is the situation here in Centrapolis?” questioned Ventross. Hustler was quick to fill in the visiting Ravager about the events that had occurred over the last several weeks and especially the conflict that happened only hours prior between Gheist/Esperanto and Shepard/Paganax.
“Word has it that Paganax has returned to Primus to gather forces to invade the southern continent of Centra. He left here in a hurry and high tailed it back to his planet. As I have several issues to deal with here, my small force will not be able to follow him…”Hustler stated.
“If you will look after Nicodemus, I will take the fight to him and show that barbarian what it means to face a worthy foe one on one.” With that, Ventross handed his fallen commander to two members of the Blue Steel gang.
“Wait…” a voice came from behind Hustler. It was Rouser, a small build Centran that didn’t look comfortable carrying the battle gear issued to him. “If you are going to Primus, I can lead you to Paganax’s den…maybe even help. I want to get back at the bastard that tried to end At-Las’s life. Hustler’s goons will treat Esperanto, At-Las and the rest while we take care of business.”
Ventross glanced over at Hustler and both gave a nod to one another. “So be it…” Ventross solemnly concurred. Rouser walked over to Ventross and after the Ravager pressed a button on his wrist, the two disappeared leaving Hustler to clean up the mess from the invasion.
****
Centran Gravity Ball Stadium The SWAT Team members (Trench & Warfare) had narrowly gotten Aegis out of the clutches of Murdok only hours prior and had made sure that their commander was safe and was being seen by medical personnel before returning to the battle.
“Man, the plague has run rampant over this city…there must be a way of stopping it...” Trench stated the obvious. “The Harvester must have promised the stars themselves for so many turncoats in the Centran government.”
“I agree…but keep your mind clear with the job at hand.” Warfare stated. A glint of metal caught his attention and he looked through a pair of binoculars to see Resurrection and about twenty or so plague zombies making their way toward the Centran Stadium. Warfare signaled for the Centran military to open fire on the incoming horde and small arms fire erupted like hasn’t been heard in Centra in a long while.
The projectiles from the weapons landed into the zombie hordes with sick thuds but were only able to halt the advance momentarily. Before the Centrans could reload their weaponry, the plague zombies reached their line and all hell broke loose. Warfare commanded the troops to handle the mindless masses and the SWAT Team leapt into action against the commanding duo of Corporal Tek and Cremator. The four combatants locked up and all knew this would be a key match up to determine the fate of this skirmish.
Warfare took it upon himself to battle the biggest threat of the two and landed a forearm club on Tek…Trench used his rifle butt to land a brutal temple smash on Cremator and followed up with a array of brawling fists…Corporal Tek was on the receiving end of a beat down after Warfare executed a Centra Spinebuster on the Antilian that nearly sealed the rebel’s fate…however, Trench wasn’t as fortunate as Cremator shifted the tide of the battle by flinging gravel into Trench’s face momentarily blinding the SWAT Team member…Cremator turned his attention to Warfare and kept the operation’s commander occupied as Tek landed CORPORAL PUNISHMENT on Trench that caused the Centran to scream in agonizing pain!
The plague zombies were winning the skirmish and Warfare reluctantly gave the order to retreat! After he freed himself from Cremator’s clutches, he lifted up Trench and the Centrans once again lost more ground in this unholy war!
****
Plains of Primus Atop of Mount Primus, Paganax reveled in his success over the weak Centrans and began to mass his own army. He thought to himself that he will play the Harvester’s game for now but the Tribesmen of Primus will gain enough strength to cast out the invaders. That will leave Paganax as the ruler of the Centran star system…
As if fate came to be, a tribesman clambered up to Primus and grunted several syllables to the Heathen Chief. “I see that the Ravagers want to bring the fight to Primus, so be it…Grovel, go show our guests the meaning of hospitality.” Paganax remarked.
Grovel quickly scampered down away from the Heathen Chief and headed toward the base of the mount.
***
Ventross thought to himself that Rouser knew this area of Primus pretty well and the Centran actually served a purpose. He might actually learn to like these crude beings before the war comes to an end. As the two heroes began their accent to the top of Mount Primus, Rouser noticed Grovel scurrying down the mountain side.
“Ventross…the Heathen Chief usually is located at the top of this mountain…I will take care of this creature and meet you on top.” Rouser hastily stated and dashed off to meet the Tribesman head to head.
The Ravager had to admire the Centran and picked up the pace toward his final destination…
**
The Tribesman pounced on Rouser and bit into the Centran’s shoulder with a viciousness the young hero never seen before! His shoulder sprayed blood everywhere as Rouser tried to fight off the creature! Grovel, now in a bloodlust, pummeled the Centran with a series of punches to Rouser’s head and nearly knocked Rouser unconscious with a face smothering.
Panic stricken, Rouser crawled away from the Tribesman but Grovel continued his assault; and only as a last ditch attempt, Rouser grabbed a stick and held it toward his assailant! The beast leapt and Rouser instinctively thrust the stick into Grovel’s chest! The creature roared in a mix of pain and anger but was down for the moment. Rouser got to his feet and spit on the twitching body of the Tribesmen.
“That serves you right for messing with a Centran…maybe you will know next time that I don’t appreciate strange people getting in my face” Rouser stated as he frowned at his failure at making a joke. He ripped off his shirt and attended to his wounds before heading up the mountain to meet with his new found ally.
*
After what seemed like an eternity Ventross finally reached the peak of Mount Primus and to his surprise, Paganax was alone waiting for him. The Ravager wondered if the Heathen Chief was honorable or whether he had ordered his troops to assist Grovel’s assault. Either way, Ventross needed to put the Primus ruler down!
“I see that the Centrans sent their newest lap dog to do their fighting for them! How does it feel to know you will perish for nothing?” Paganax stated as he arrogantly walked toward Ventross.
“You have no right to talk about lap dogs heathen! You have set on a war that you cannot win… and you will fell the power of a true blood. So, kneel before your destroyer!” Ventross barked as he leapt toward Paganax.
The ravager blasted Paganax with a short clothesline that forced the Heathen Chief to stumble…followed by a Ravager Gut Buster that infuriated Paganax and Ventross smiled knowing that he had the Primus ruler exactly where he wanted him! Ventross ran toward his foe and put a running shoulder spear that knocked Paganax down! The Heathen Chief finally turned the tables and grabbed Ventross by the throat for a choke slam but the Ravager countered with SEVERED TIES!
“Enough! I am too weak…spare my life…”Paganax gasped. Ventross paused for a moment thrown back by the Chief’s comments and this was enough time for a teleport beam to lock on Paganax. That hesitation had caused Ventross his pray and somehow he knew that the traitorous Ravager-Rankor had something to do with this! Ventross gathered his thoughts and headed down the mountain to find the whereabouts of his guide…upset that he was victorious but not able to finish off the Heathen Chief. He thought to himself that the next time they met, Paganax will not be so lucky.
Great work bubba, I'm really into this like a good show on TV. 
