Wanted: Sladerik (Spin-off)

**Wanted: Sladerik** is a spin-off story written by J.C. Morata, writer of *Project: Tr!dok3n*. This ran on April 16, 2016 to November 19, 2016, with chapters published to DeviantArt. While this story focuses on Sladerik's quest to counter Raphael Modos' revenge for the Atarom Incident, this also bridges the second and third sagas of the main series. This also marks the appearances of new characters, namely B.M., Gatz, Murre, and a mysterious character who had cut ties with Zeeko during his own adventure.

## Summary

Sladerik is targeted by Raphael Modos, for ruining a SWAT mission to arrest Igor Arganto in Atarom. He turns to Officer Ziggery for assistance, assuming Modos is plotting a scheme to kill him. Sure enough, Modos enlists the help of Florence and a secret society called the Slither Committee. Meanwhile, Tr!dok3n attempts to find his place in Vic's gang, who are confronted with a pro-Zeeko gang led by a cyborg named Murre.

## Full Plot

In the early hours at the Zeeko Headquarters, Florence and Mr. Kyle are discussing their recently destroyed robot, SAM-02. Jerome suggested the robot to be upgraded with wings, while Florence claimed it needed a linked chip implant with a human's DNA to install on a robot battery, which SAM-02 lacked. Because of this, the Zeeko robot had no personality to complement its given theme.

At a parking lot for an apartment complex, Sladerik was on his way to visit Modos, the leader of Sladerik's SWAT team, at a hospital to apologize for his actions. Just then, Modos attacked Sladerik from behind. Modos was unforgiving of Sladerik, who tried to reason with him through swinging fists and strangle holds. Tr!dok3n appears to help deal with Modos. After a two-against-one fight, Modos warned that Sladerik's days are numbered when Zeeko is involved, then retreated in defeat.

At the Underground Task Force headquarters, Sladerik suggested the name of the collective to be changed, which Officer Ziggery agreed. Then, Sladerik explains that he left Modos' SWAT team because they were serving the "wrong people". Officer Ziggery offers to provide him training sessions in exchange for assisting Sladerik in countering Modos' scheme to kill him.

At Vic's group's home at Western Yoshkai, Haylie confided with Gavin about approaching Tr!dok3n for her personal problems. Gavin assured the shuriken cyborg is likely to be understanding as he himself understood Haylie. Meanwhile, Tr!dok3n returned to Dr. Plotts' and Shannon's residence, only to find that there was a party in his honor for defeating Zeeko's robot gorilla. Lawrence conversed with the cyborg misfit about his shuriken tattoo, explaining how it symbolizes Tr!dok3n's potential as a vigilante who would set an example for those who seek justice. Tr!dok3n appreciated this.

Exercising at a public fitness center, Sladerik explained to Shar about how he suspects Modos is plotting to kill him beyond the reason of fleeing the SWAT mission. Shar feared he would risk his life should he manage by himself. The ex-SWAT officer assured that Officer Ziggery will help construct a plan to apprehend the man.

Elsewhere in the North American Union, a pro-Zeeko group called the Redband Agenda 21 has gathered for a meeting about a recent cyborg misfit targeted by their admired corporation. This gang consisted of Murre, a Hispanic 2nd-generation cyborg with a bionic extending right arm, B.M., a wolf neo-human, Gatz, a cobra neo-human, Sevant, a cyborg with suffered from severe burns, and a loyal Zeeko supporter named Lainey Young.

During a trip on a borrowed motorbike, Sladerik was given a phone call from Officer Ziggery. He was informed about how he was unable to do research on Modos due to inaccessible websites and was ordered to find a compiled folder of police officers at a distant location. At a place near a printing center, Sladerik is suddenly attacked by Z-Ro and some masked officers. Fortunately, Vic happened to be in the area, so Sladerik trusted him to get the documents for him. Inside the building, Vic was partly able to sneak around by shapeshifting into various personalities: a female employee in a purple dress, Amy Winehouse, and 45th U.S. president Donald Trump. He did this when the masked officers were searching for the chameleon neo-human, though Zeeko knew of his specialties well. Zeeko's men and super drones are defective, thanks to the efforts of Sladerik and the arrival of Shar. Courtesy of Vic, Sladerik retrieved the files and made his way back to Officer Ziggery.

During the training session conducted by Officer Betty Larpo, Sladerik had enough stamina to undergo an obstacle course, target practice, and relearning techniques on how to arrest potential criminals. After this, Officer Ziggery found clues that Modos is part of some secret society, as evidence from photocopies of Modos' face and a mysterious neck tattoo, along with notes transcribing how glad he was when *Zachary Corporate World Security* was realized, and a reminder for a secret meeting. At another training session elsewhere, Tr!dok3n and Haylie sparred while limiting their use of their given specialties. When the cyborg misfits were finished for the day, Tr!dok3n encountered Vic in the men's restroom, who blurted nonsense about Haylie's disinterest in the shuriken cyborg, and how she's not truly who she is. Naive, Tr!dok3n returned to the crimson cyborg and left without helping her replace the folding mats.

During another trip on Sladerik's borrowed vehicle, he spotted a strange, robed man who turned a corner to throw away his robe. Curious, Sladerik retrieved the robe to find its contents, then found a card with the same tattoo design on Modos' neck. In the same card, the ex-SWAT officer learned of the name *Slither Committee*, along with its address to the group's location.

At a restaurant, Officer Abil had conversed with Mr. Kyle and Modos about how they should deal with Sladerik and cyborg misfits like Tr!dok3n. Before they formulate their secret plan, they each touch their own body parts, where they kept their matching tattoos.

Vic was hanging around with his transgender girlfriend Lizanna at a bar, until he received a call from Gavin to come witness a dueling session between Tr!dok3n and Haylie at the Pierre Dojo and Gymnasium. At the location, the two cyborgs fought intensely, with Tr!dok3n using his negative feelings to motivate him. While joining Gavin and Dom, Vic recollected his sparring experience with Haylie, whose prowess was too intimidating for him and the other boys. When Haylie ended the duel for emotional reasons, Tr!dok3n also showed sympathy, knowing they were supposed to be training than actually fighting. Having witnessed how evenly matched are the sparring cyborgs, Vic commented that they would make a good pair.

At another location, Officers Walker, Linek and Padil had arrested a group of prison escapees. When Sladerik arrived, he shared new information to Officer Padil, who was given the Modos research by Ziggery. The ex-SWAT officer planned to enter the location of the Slither Committee, where there are booby-traps according to Officer Walker. From a local gas station, the owner named Dave offered to help navigate the way to the Slither Committee's whereabouts, which Sladerik accepted.

While hanging around near Rango's Towing Company, Tr!dok3n learned from Haylie that she's planning to leave Vic's gang, since she believed she is strong enough on her own to battle Zeeko. This made the shuriken cyborg question Haylie. The crimson girl decided their previous sparring session was overdone due to her own problems. She revealed that after her family participated in the Nexus Human Capsule Project during the years she was becoming a cyborg, her parents filed a divorce, which angered her. She wanted to apologize to them until she discovered her mother was a closeted lesbian who hid her true sexuality to marry her father. Tr!dok3n replied that people can choose to have different lifestyles, how it's okay to be skeptical and tolerant, and assured that Haylie was raised well regardless of her mother's choices. During this conversation, Haylie felt she can fully trust him with her life. On the way to leave the area, the cyborgs were confronted by Florence in person for the first time. The Zeeko chairman commented that the corporation will mercifully let them fight until they're "gone from this planet". During the battle, Tr!dok3n was knocked over by Sevant, one of Murre's gang members. Their duel ended with Haylie's intervention.

On the way to the Slither Committee's location, Sladerik and Dave stopped over to a rundown shopping center so the gas station owner could buy something. The ex-SWAT officer was then approached by Modos once again, who revealed he's been working with Zeeko as an agent and warned him that he will be rid of after two days. Dave was then attacked by a group of hooded men, forcing Sladerik to leap into action. Officer Sean Kurton and Shar came around to fight with the surrounding hooded men, allowing Sladerik to drive off to chase after the other hooded men who kidnapped the vulnerable Dave. Because the kidnappers had the upper hand with weapons, Sladerik decided to give up. Fortunately, during the chase, Officer Kurton threw in a tracking device on the hooded men's vehicle, so Sladerik can reach their whereabouts using his map application.

After a gathering of the Slither Committee, Officer Abil, Mr. Kyle, Modos, and Florence hung around their designated Zeeko truck, discussing plans to harm their respective targets: Officer Abil would attack some members of the Independent Task Force, and Modos would snatch one of the cyborg misfits and place them in a torture box while holding Sladerik into submission.

Coming from a date with Haylie at a mall, Tr!dok3n appeared before Vic to join his gang. He also informed that Haylie is leaving their group, which Vic disapproved. Being hostile, the Chameleon neo-human decided to fight the shuriken misfit. Haylie appeared in the area, only to find two copies of her partner. The real shuriken-bearing rebel revealed about Haylie's frustration about her mother, which surprised Vic. The couple also asked of Vic's drivel about Haylie at the gymnasium, which the neo-human denied doing so. Vic revealed it was Murre who was able to shapeshift as his likeness. When they were ambushed by Zeeko's megadrones and masked officers, Vic allowed Tr!dok3n to join their fight temporarily, until the shuriken cyborg was knocked out by Modos.

Officer Abil returned to the Independent Task Force headquarters, then began to attack his fellow comrades, leading to a severely injured Officer Fern and the death of Officer Padil. He revealed to Walker and Linek that he is truly an agent hired by Zeeko. Officer Riku rose from his injuries and struck Abil. With Walker, Linek, and Riku as the only surviving officers present, they dragged the knocked-out Abil into another room.

Meanwhile, resting at a motel, Sladerik had received another phone call from Ziggery discussing the plan to capture Modos. He eventually shortened his slumber, wanting to get over with his case with the troublesome Modos. He was chased by some super drones and an armored Zeeko truck, barely injuring him during his ride. Sladerik survived his trip to the Slither Committee's location. The landlord who allowed the ex-SWAT officer to use his motorbike came around to reclaim his partly damaged vehicle. Overcoming some landmines, Sladerik was greeted by some members of the secret group, including Florence, much to the former's shock. The ex-SWAT officer also witnessed a battered Dave, who was then shot in the back. After a brief fight with the hooded members, Sladerik was knocked unconscious by officer Abil.

Sladerik and Shar regained their consciousness, being dragged by masked officers at an industrial complex. With the presence of Zeeko and the Redband Agenda gang, Florence announced to the handcuffed Sladerik that dropping his coworker into a molten iron pit symbolizes the sacrifice for security and goodwill. The ex-SWAT officer leaped to save his friend-- until their bodies were snatched and relocated by a mysterious web-slinging mutant who chose to break alliance from the police corporation. Angered by this, Florence ordered his masked officers to reclaim the bounded rebels. Eventually, Vic's gang and the Independent Task force arrive to confront their opposers. After Tr!dok3n was free from the shatterproof glass box with agitating machine sounds, he helped Haylie through her fight with the ferocious B.M., who claimed she works with Murre for money. With enough stamina left, Sladerik confronts Modos again, successfully beating him to submission. Vic finally recruits Tr!dok3n into his group, with Haylie maintaining her role as well. For revenge, Walker, Linek, along with Jack Vylio, place a bounded Officer Abil into an abandoned trailer with explosives.

Sometime later, Sladerik visits Nexus Labs to properly greet Tr!dok3n and Haylie. To the crimson girl's joy, she reunites with her father from his completed jail sentence at the Independent Task Force cells. Since the aftermath of Modos' scheme against him, Sladerik is confident of his new place with Officer Ziggery's task force.

## Other Facts

* When Haylie explained her family problem, it was recently mentioned that her family participated in the Nexus Human Capsule Project. This can explain that after she became a cyborg, Haylie still has her family. In Phase 2, Haylie had mentioned she wanted to see her father again when he is released from imprisonment.
	+ During Phase 3, Haylie goes to spend time with her father.
* This spin-off reveals the real names of Tr!dok3n and Haylie, based on the knowledge from Haylie's father.
	+ After this spin-off, Tr!dok3n and Haylie are a couple onwards.
* This story introduces a new group of characters who are supporters of Zeeko.
* The plot involving Officer Abil's attack mirrors a similar plot from the 1999 film, *The Matrix*.
	+ In the first Matrix film, Cypher was initially an ally working in the Nebuchadnezzar. After meeting with Agent Smith, he plotted to kill most of the Nebuchadnezzar's crew until he was killed by Tank.
* This story features alternate incarnations of Angela Vargedo and Zen Wakima, two characters from a comic series, *Angela & Zen: Misfits*, created by J.C. Morata.
* O.N.E. Spider-Man is a fanmade spin-off and tie-in that coexists with this main spin-off.
	+ This story features a brief cameo of an alternate incarnation of Spider-Man, based on a popular Marvel comics character by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.
* This story describes Tr!dok3n and Haylie's exchange towards social issues such as the LGBT community and religion.
	+ Vic also expresses his arrogance towards having social issues. He would later make up his mind in the third saga of the main series.
* This story references 45th U.S. President Donald Trump. Coincidently, this story was written during the 2016 U.S. election where Trump won.
	+ While trying to deceive Zeeko, Vic shapeshifted into Trump, and even used his catchphrase as a staple.