1984 - Military coup overthrows the US government.
1984 - Legendary freedom fighter Reggie rises to prominence after destroying a military supercomputer.
1993 - The Holy American Republic (H.A.R) replaces the USA.
1994 - The Soviet-Sino Alliance (SSA) is formed.
1995 - The North American Union (NAU) is founded, encompassing the territory between Panama and Canada.
2000 - A war breaks out in Europe between the NAU and the SSA, ending the same year with a limited nuclear exchange that destroys all of Western Europe except for Britain. Millions of Europeans flee to South America.
2001 - A new capital city, "New Columbia," is built in Kansas.
2005 - The Confederation of South American States (CSAC) emerges as a new superpower.
2010 - Eccentric billionaire William Greaves creates a futuristic city on Attu Station, placing a stolen nuke under the city and threatening to detonate it if any nation state interferes with the "free city."
2016 - Reggie and his guerrilla army are defeated at the Battle of Kansas City. Reggie goes into hiding.
2023 - The Greaves Corporation builds a metropolis on the moon called "Armstrong."
2027 - The NAU builds a military base a few miles outside Armstrong, while the SSA builds one on the dark side of the moon.
2030 - The CSAC builds a massive space platform orbiting Earth that houses hundreds of thousands of residents.
2033 - A terrorist attack destroys half of Armstrong, and rumors abound about who is behind it.
Dozens of Memphis SWAT officers took position outside the abandoned warehouse. The only sound was the hum of their weapons as they waited for their target - a psychotic cyborg known as a "vamp" - to make a move.
Suddenly, a lifted truck pulled in behind them, and a tall, imposing figure stepped out. Davis Monroe, a Knight of Columbia, strode confidently over to the SWAT team leader.
"What's the situation?" Davis asked, his deep voice commanding attention.
"We've got a vamp inside," the leader replied. "He's been preying on other cyborgs for their slush. We need him taken down before he does any more damage."
Davis nodded, his face serious. "I'll handle it. But I'll need your team to back me up."
The SWAT team leader signaled his team, and they moved into position. Davis led the way, his augmented body moving with precision as he scanned the area for any signs of the vamp.
Suddenly, the assailant appeared, leaping out of the shadows with lightning speed. The SWAT team opened fire, but the vamp was too quick, dodging their bullets with ease.
Davis engaged the foe in hand-to-hand combat, his enhanced strength and agility matching the cyborg blow for blow. It was a brutal, fast-paced fight, with sparks flying as they clashed in the darkness.
One by one, the SWAT team fell, their bodies torn apart by the crazed cyborg's savage attacks. Davis refused to back down, determined to take down the vamp no matter what the cost.
In the end, only the vamp, Davis, and the SWAT leader were left standing. The warehouse was silent except for the sound of heavy breathing as the survivors caught their breath.
Davis and the SWAT leader slowly made their way through the dark, abandoned warehouse, their weapons at the ready. They had finally cornered the vamp, who’s name was Adam Rosencrantz, and they knew they had to act quickly before he could escape.
"Adam, give it up," Davis commanded, his voice firm. "There's nowhere left to run."
But Adam just sneered at him, his eyes glowing with an unholy hunger. "You can't stop me," he hissed, his mechanical voice sending shivers down Davis's spine. "I need the slush, and I'll kill anyone who gets in my way."
Suddenly, a black male cyborg ninja burst through the ceiling, landing between the two sides with a loud thud. With the unknown cyborg ninja landing between Davis and Adam, Davis could recognize the Private Military Company "Shogun Security" insignia on his metal body. He gritted his teeth, knowing that “Mercs” like him had no right to interfere with a Knight's business.
"Get out of my way," Davis growled, his hand tightening around his weapon. "This is not your fight."
The cyborg ninja just laughed, a cold, metallic sound that echoed through the warehouse. "Oh, I think it is," he said, his eyes glittering with malice. "You Knights always think you're so special, but the world has moved on. You're just relics of a bygone era."
Davis bristled at the insult, his anger boiling over. But he knew he couldn't let it cloud his judgment. He had to focus on the task at hand, no matter who stood in his way.
"Step aside, Merc," he said, his voice hard as steel. "I won't warn you again."
The cyborg ninja just grinned.
Davis and the SWAT leader were caught off guard, and before they could react, the ninja had knocked Adam out cold.
As Davis raised his revolver to fire at the ninja, a cable descended from the roof. The ninja slung Adam over his shoulder and began to ascend the cord to his waiting VTOL.
Davis fired his revolver, but the ninja deflected the bullet with ease. The fragments hit the SWAT officer, killing him instantly. Davis rushed to the officer's side, holding him in his arms as he took his last breath.
Anger took control of Davis's face as he watched the VTOL disappear into the night sky, taking Adam and the cyborg ninja with it. He knew he had failed, and that the vamp would continue to prey on innocent cyborgs until someone could stop him.
Hundreds of miles away in New Columbia, is the National Cathedral. The headquarters of the State Church of America. Inside a nervous Battle Bishop named Stevens is wondering why he has been called to appear there. He wouldn’t have to wait long to find out.
Bishop Stevens stood at attention in front of the Lord Revered, his eyes fixed on the man's stern face. He knew better than to show any sign of weakness or hesitation in the presence of the high-ranking official.
"Report, Bishop Stevens," the Lord Revered said, his voice cold and measured.
Stevens straightened his spine, his heart pounding in his chest. "Sir, I am here to receive my orders," he said, his voice steady.
The Lord Revered nodded, his eyes narrowing. "We have received intelligence that a wayward Bishop, known as Blackheart, has become an outspoken critic of the State Church," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "He is currently holed up in Attu Station, where he continues to spread his heretical teachings."
Stevens's heart sank at the mention of Blackheart's name. He had heard rumors about the rogue Bishop, but he never expected to be tasked with hunting him down.
"Your mission is simple, Bishop Stevens," the Lord Revered continued. "You are to travel to Attu Station, find Blackheart, and eliminate him. We cannot allow heretics like him to spread their poison unchecked."
Stevens tried to hide his shock at the order, but he couldn't help feeling a twinge of doubt. Was it really right to kill a fellow Bishop, even if he had strayed from the Church's teachings?
But then again, he knew better than to voice his concerns. He nodded obediently and said, "Yes, sir. I understand."
The Lord Revered studied him for a moment longer before nodding. "Very well, Bishop Stevens. May the light of the Church guide you on your mission."
Stevens saluted before turning on his heel and marching out of the room. As he left, he couldn't help feeling a sense of dread. He knew that his mission would not be an easy one, but he was determined to carry it out, no matter the cost.
Across town, atop a dazzling skyscraper called “Sentry Tower” was the home of The Knights of Columbia. There Davis sat at the round table, his fingers tapping impatiently on the smooth surface. He had been searching through the Knight’s extensive database for hours, looking for any leads on the whereabouts of the vamp he had encountered in Memphis. But so far, he had come up empty-handed.
As he was about to give up and call it a night, his search yielded a hit. Recent CCTV footage from Attu Station, showing the cyborg ninja that had interfered with his mission. Davis's eyes narrowed as he studied the footage, taking note of the cyborg's name: Lincoln Alexander. He had been a member of Shogun Security, but had recently gone solo.
Davis knew he had to act fast if he wanted to catch Alexander before he slipped away again. He reached for his comm device and contacted the president's office, requesting permission to go to Attu Station.
"Stay put, Knight Monroe," Suzy, the robotic liaison between the Knights and the president, responded. "I will contact the president and see if he approves of your request."
But Davis was not one to wait for bureaucracy to catch up. He knew he had a chance to catch Alexander before he disappeared again, and he wasn't about to let it slip away.
Ignoring Suzy's warning, Davis got up from the round table and headed for his truck. He climbed into the driver's seat and set a course for Attu Station.
He knew he was taking a risk by disobeying orders, but he also knew that sometimes, a Knight had to act on their own initiative to get the job done. And if anyone could take down a rogue cyborg ninja, it was Davis Monroe.