Wasteland Plague
Gaillegro
Perpetual Wastelands -- (OTPC) -- Rumours began to spread recently among Omni-Tek soldiers after several of those serving in the northern parts of Rubi-Ka were reported missing; soft whispers speak of a"Wasteland Plague" that mutates soldiers. A search and rescue party was gathered early this week and returned with reports of horrifying sights. Omni-Tek Corporation blames the Clans for stealing the cure for this plague.
A couple of days later yet another team of Omni-Tek soldiers were reported missing in Mort. The last words from the missing team were "mantis…the wind…mutants!" before the comlink went dead. A small squad from the organisation Omni-Pol was hastily recruited and ordered to search and rescue. None of the persons involved in this mission have been available for a comment. The Omni-Tek Press Corps have learned that the team was sent to Mort to capture a genetically-manipulated mantis, but the beast had disappeared when they arrived.
In light of the ensuing investigation, Omni-Tek has accused the Clans of stealing the mantis from one of their research facilities and setting it loose. These accusations are frowned upon by the Clans. "Omni-Tek kept the mantis for their own benefit.", an anonymous Clan member roared. "It's just like the Omni-Tek to blame the Clans when the most likely explanation is that it simply escaped."
Another large squad was assembled from Omni-1 the next day. A Captain from Omni-Pol led the squad of professional soldiers and volunteers, who were dropped off in the Perpetual Wastelands. He informed them that the mantis had been located and that they needed reinforcements to get inside the hive to find and terminate it.
Two teams were recruited. Ward "Wisewise" Kenley led the team from Omni-Pol and Undying "Dragons" Spirit, unit leader with the Omni-Tek department Aurora, led the team of volunteers. The shadows were starting to grow and the wind hammered mercilessly on weapons and armours, but inspiring words from the leaders and loyalty to Omni-Tek kept the troops together.
When asked why Omni-Pol risked an entire team of high-ranking officers on this vague mission, Wisewise responded without hesitation, "We were given all the information that we needed to hear. We are here to serve Omni-Tek!"
Dr. "Kimarzt" Kimiko and Kiyoko "Khuri" Cervenak were asked if they knew anything about the Wasteland Plague, but had no comment to these rumours, or the rumours of mutated soldiers.
After a short briefing about the location, the teams put on their battle gear and stormed the entrance of the Mantis Hive in search for the Mantis King. The fight was hard, and Kiyoko ''Khuri'' Cervenak was killed at the entrance to the Hive. The fight against the Mantis King lasted for several minutes, but the teams managed to kill the beast. The situation was still extremely hostile and shortly after the King's death-keen had echoed off the cavern walls the hive awakened and the teams were forced to retreat by a horde of mantises. Once outside, the final count of casualties was brought to seven.
The captain declared the mission a success. "Now I am proud to serve among such great citizens!" he told the troops before departing back to Omni-1. Dragons congratulated his team members: "We were overpowered by the last wave of attackers and I did all my best to keep the team alive but my efforts were not enough. However, we would never have gotten to the Hive if we had not the support of great doctors such as Kimarzt and Khuri."
The last known source of a cure for the Wasteland Plague seems to be lost because of the Clans. However, Omni-Med has reported that they have secured tissue and blood samples from the infected dead soldiers and the Mantis King, and that these samples will be used in their research for a cure. Omni-Admin has also stated that they won't deny the possibility that Omni-Med might need more help from Omni-Tek employees in the future.