"We shall divide our forces in two groups. I've received word that the Sentinels will make an attack on a German free power plant. This is to be their first stop before full-on invasion of Japan."

Since the gathering of the Japanese superhumans two days earlier, the Silver Samurai has been trying to create a fighting effort to defend Japan from the predicted Sentinel invasion force. Master Mould has apparently become sentient and joined forces with Onslaught. Japan, one of the free areas of the world, poses a threat to Onslaught's regime, so Sentinels are rumoured to be on the attack.

"One squad will go to Germany, try to hold off the coming Sentinels, and the other will remain here, to protect the citizens of any other attacks."

"Who will be in the groups?" Adam Berman, a virtual unknown element in the group, stands, wanting to go into action. He must show that a gaijin can have honour.

"The group to go to Germany will consist of Myself, Jet Black, Ki, and yourself. Deathstrike, Heavyarms, Sign, and Nightwind shall remain here."

'I will finally get a chance to get into some action, show my honour to the famed Silver Samurai.' thinks Adam. 'A chance to protect my country, my family. I will do what is right.'

Germany. A power plant, one of few unrestricted ones left in the world. This group of young mutants has come here looking to make a name for themselves, perhaps gain Onslaught's favour. They will find the task quite more difficult than they had thought.

[Let's go] The lead mutant gestures to the four others to enter the base.

[Is it clear?]

[Yes.]

[Kill all humans within, destroy the core as fast as possible. We wouldn't want HRM on our asses.]

The group smiles as the leader ignites his flames and flies up to the control room of the plant. The others apply their own powers to kill the humans within. They enter, but find the area deserted.

[Die, mutants!] screams a hateful voice from behind, as the HRM forces blast shot afters shot at the gathered mutants. The HRM continue shooting at them from the hidden corridors, exiting and attacking en masse.

The mutants realise this has been a trap. They signal for reinforcements. An electromagnetic flare flies through the ceiling and alerts the mutant squadron outside. The mutants had planned for resistance.

[Kill the humes!] orders the leader of the mutant squadron.

But, before even a single blast is fired, they all freeze at the arrival of the giant robotic constructs known to most as 'the Sentinels'.

"Mutant signatures detected. Activate offensive measures." states one of the emotionless Sentinels, as they scan the area.

Within a minute, the Sentinels' blasts eradicate the mutants. The humans rejoice. The rumours that the Sentinels had joined with Onslaught were false, they thought.

"Human Resistance Movement: Master Mould has ordered your destruction." another of the Sentinels states, as he readies his weapons at his human targets.

"Vas?"

With a swift motion, the Sentinel battalion unleashes an array of energy beams. The humans' one defence has turned on them. They find that they are without hope.

(Translated from the German -- Benn)

(Human Resistance Movement -- Benn)

Japan. It has been a day since the Silver Samurai's group had left for Germany, and the remaining team has started to become restless.

"Sister, why could my husband have left us here?" Oyama Yuriko, known as Deathstrike, has been married to Yashida Keniuchio for less than one year, and is very unsure of her husband's convictions. Does he really care about her? If so, why would he leave her here in Japan, while he went into battle? Does he not trust her skill in combat?

"Keniuchio has his reasons, I'm sure, Yuriko. He would not do anything to dishonour us, but he would not wish you put in danger, either." Yashida Mariko, sister to Keniuchio, tries to comfort her sister-in-law, Yuriko.

"What does it matter?" asks Nightwind. "He knows that if he stops the Sentinel invasion in Germany, he will be a hero to the people, and the rest of us will be left without glory."

"I do not doubt that." The man known only as Sign concurs. "But, I am equally sure the young Samurai knew what he was doing in leaving us here. As they should attest."

The group turns to see that which the Sign was referring to. A battalion of Prime Sentinels, followed by classic models, drop down on the opposite building. The trans-portal closes behind them and they proceed to attack the group.

"It seems that there is more than one way to get to Japan."

In a snow-covered part of Russia known as Siberia, there is a large hangar. From the outside, it is nothing more than another snow mountain in a sea of them. From within, however, it is much more. The electronic equipment has been silent for a long time, and the tanks of techno-liquid lie unmoving. A large metallic beast sits. Human-like in shape, this was to be the Humans' one hope against the scourge of Onslaught. Now, it sits cold and dead, never to see the light of day.

Roswell, New Mexico.

A dark place. Controlled by an even darker being. A being capable of turning the tide of the war against Onslaught in the favour of whomever he chooses. He is a cold, calculating thing, who has worked long to see his final goals reach fruition. He will not see those goals destroyed by some damned mutants. He has had enough of waiting. Now it is time to see these plans unfold.

"Send the signal." the emotionless being - once a man, now no more - orders through his vast communications system. "The arrival of these mutants could cause a slight change of the current plans, so a contingency must be set up."

He need not say anymore. They understand fully his intentions. The robots move at his word, activating a satellite signal that is sent instantaneously to its intended destination.

Siberia.

A signal enters the electronics, and the equipment begins to perform preordered tasks. The tanks of techno-liquid begin to flow, as the basic building blocks of a cohesive form appear. It has been programmed to perform a very specific function. And to perform that function, it must travel to Germany...

In Team X 2000 #03: The two teams square off against the Sentinels, as secrets arise to the light. Be here in 30 for the third instalment of Team X 2000!