                RETRIBUTION

PART 24 BY THE CHOIR BOYZ TEAM.......................

Scarecrow's hands were shaking as he started the launch
sequence.  The sweat rolled from his brow and into his eyes.
He wondered if the burning sensation was an omen of a much
more intense heat.  He was frightened beyond words.  But he
had planted the seed that had developed into a Holy War
against Hawk.  He had to finish it completely.  Five, four,
three......  Scarecrow closed his eyes and waited.  Would the
missile strike or would he once again meet Hawk.....in hell?

The silhouettes of several Lerumnods and Flunnizuds were
permanently etched in impassible rock as a light a thousand
times brighter than the sun enveloped the base on map level 5.
Hawk's last home was reduced to cinder in a flash...literally.
Scarecrow removed his sweaty palm from the launch key and
smiled at his good fortune.  He immediately contacted the
Complex to verify the hit.  He had heard the explosion but
wanted to make sure that the missile had found its proper
destination.  "Well?", he muttered, trying to disguise his
anxiety.  "Oh, its gone alright...along with a good chunk of
desert."  The voice of Buster echoed back.  "And Osprey?",
asked Scarecrow.  Buster was slow to reply.  "Sorry, I had to
check with the med fac...Lynx and Black Widow fetched him from
the silo.  He's gonna be alright, just had to sew a few pieces
back on. He's in resurrection now." Scarecrow let out a sigh,
"Then its over. Tell everyone to stand down, get some much
deserved rest." As he got up from the launch chair, he
flipped the switch that operated the console and wondered how
many more times he would have to settle disputes this way.
Not many, he silently hoped....


Slayer could only stare dumbfounded as Scorpio finished his
tale.  Finally, concerned that he was having a relapse,
Scorpio shook Slayer's elbow to get his attention.  "You
alright?", he asked.  "Yea, yea, I'm fine.  Just hard to
believe that so much has changed in such a short span of time.
Scorpio smiled at him.  "Well, welcome to the NEW Wastelands,"
he said. "Give yourself time to adjust and learn the new
areas.  There is still much undiscovered."

"Hey, you two goldbricks!", a voice from below bellowed out.
Slayer looked over the edge of the watch to see his old friend
holding up a piece of paper.  "We're not going to get a chance
to finish up business here." spouted Scarecrow.  "HQ is moving
us to the Deathlan Terrain pronto.  Now get down from there
and throw open the gate, we've got a long walk."

                                Michael Willis
                                Cleve Sanders

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