The Kyushu Red Light District was always alive...but the deeper you went, the more likely you were to get lost. It stretched far away from the spaceport, and the farther from the port you got, the more likely you were to end up with a knife in your ribs for your flippant partying. And right now, a man was heading into the dragon’s den, briefcase held loosely. Despite how the scenery changed from a mass of lights and sounds to a gradually seedier red glow, he never lost his relaxed walk. One hand in his jacket pocket, he rolled his neck, eliciting some satisfying crackles before he stopped. Looking around, he withdrew a pad and flicked the center button, lighting up his gaunt face. He glanced to the right at the sound of an opening door, catching a peak of the dancers inside. He looked back down - he had a job, and pleasure would have to wait. A slow, pulsing blue dot lit up, marking his contact. Turning, he continued on into the seedier belly of the Red Lights, until he took a turn and began to leave the bars, massage parlors and night walkers behind. An abandoned convenience store was the meeting place, boarded up and left to rot after the Red Light District took off. Small businesses just couldn’t keep up with the chains, the bars lucky enough to be close…the right ladies. Which was fine for the man and his associates. Heading around back, he jingled the back door for a few moments, then it jerked open. He stepped inside and yanked the broken door closed, securing it with a lopsided, broken shelf before heading into the dilapidated office. A single worn, apparently gutted terminal sat there, along with his contact. The other man stood, hand in his jacket. Gaunt Face held a hand up, then slowly withdrew a knife from an inner pocket. He presented it.
The hilt was engraved with a red dragon.
The man nodded and sat back down, lighting a fresh cigarette. Gaunt Face set the briefcase down and slid a cable from his pad, hooking it in. A brief mass of code appeared, then a fingerprint screen showed. Pressing it, he waited until it showed green before tucking the pad away and retrieving his briefcase, he stepped towards an already moving shelf and stepped into a small lift. Turning back around, he watched it close before a familiar jerk sent him down into the sewers. The entire way down, the elevator bathed him in lights, scanning his biometrics and searching for a match.
The cigarette flared to life, and the man looked back to a small screen set on a shelf, watching some sports game.
The fact the doors opened showed he was clear. When Gaunt Face stepped out, he was greeted by the familiar flag of the Blood Dragons, hung from the ceiling. The outpost was small, needed more fresh air and air freshener than a whorehouse, but it worked. Further back, the sigil of the Order adorned a double sliding door - the man’s destination. Nodding to others, he stood before said door and waited as he was bathed in multicolored lights. Standing still, he waited for what felt like an eternity before the lights snapped off and the doors opened. He entered, heading down the well-lit hallway before entering a new room. “Agent Kaien.” “Colonel.”Agent Kaien saluted. Setting the briefcase down, he slid it open. Removing bits and bobs, he disassembled the false items and reassembled a data file, which he slid into the waiting computer.“We lost good men to verify this information. Standard issue suicide pills.” He rubbed the back of his neck, where the massive back tattoo he had was occasionally visible. The terminal beeped. With the transfer complete, the holocrystals above warmed up, displaying the tactical information of…
“This is a black site. You’d see the same for corporations like Kishiro and Samura, or your run of the mill Naval Forces one. Ya’know, the ones where nothing exists and it never happened. We’ve been watching this site since it was put up last year, and it finally paid off; a bundle of artifacts had been brought in, along with Nomad remains. We managed to get a man inside but he was killed after discovering parts of their operation. What we know is that this Black Site is currently run by the Kusari Branch of the Wild. We don’t know the full extent of their operations nor what they are doing.” “Aoi Iseijin.” The Colonel, an aging former Blood Dragon who had lost a nephew during the raid on Takagi’s Arch, said gravely. “Finding out is tertiary, Kaien. We need to destroy this facility and eradicate all information, and eliminate all infectees. Have we a list?” “Yes, Colonel. We set up checkpoints and coordinated with local Dragon sympathizers to scan all vehicles leaving the facility. We have tabs on every one of the bastards. It was difficult...but that is why this operation has been so long in the planning.” “Good.”Leaning over, he studied the facility.“This is too dangerous for our cell, Kaien. I’m calling in help.” “Colonel, we have the Bloo-” “The Dragons are dealing with the Nagano still. We need whatever the Order can offer us to supplement what this Dragon’s den can give.”The Colonel straightened up, hands clasped behind his back. “I need you to head to the far side of the planet and rendezvous with Agent Kyrios, and learn whatever else you can.I estimate that the Dragons and the Order have five days to find out and stop what is going on and stop it, based on the information you have provided.” “Sir.”Saluting, Kaien turned and immediately headed out. The Colonel waited until the door closed, before keying in the comm. He waited quietly.
The schematics changed. Away they went, replaced with the visage of a white-haired girl. “Colonel Yamada.” “S-Shogun!”He bowed.“I did not know you were with the Order now!” “Not many do. After sceding control of the Dragons back to Kohaku, I took leave to the palace until I was approached by someone. I have come to follow in my late Uncle’s footsteps, as I feel my failure to lead the Dragons to victory on Tomioka has soured my standing as not just a Dragon, but as a Hideyoshi. The Hosokawa Gracia is now left to the care of Mito, and I am now here. So tell me, Colonel. What do you need.” “Help, ma’am. I have credible intel that a Black Site has been created by an Aoi Isejin squadron and is currently being used to research Nomad remains. For what reason, we don’t know.” “I see.” She pursed her lips.“Colonel, I will be dispatching the cruiser Cleopatra to assist you. Onboard is the 117th Task Force - Codename MAGUS. MAGUS is comprised of Order Rangers - the most highly trained commandos the Order has. ” She smirked. “Their commander is Code-name Obsidian. They will be at your disposal.” The Colonel was taken back. He had heard about Obisdian. During the Legion of Steel coup, he had appeared and taken over a small task force and filled it out with Rangers - ones through multiple programs to make deadly strike teams. Some said that Grand Admiral Golanski could be considered the First Ranger - a man who went through multiple black ops programs, had survived hell, and now led the Order. Rumors say that commando programs were based off of what Golanski and even Admiral Hunter had done in their careers, not to mention such legends as Morraine Damodred, James Osborne, Rand Seith, and Santos Bolevara. And now they and their cruiser were on the way. “Thank you, ma’am. When will they arrive?” “Four days, Colonel. Obsidian will contact you once the Cleopatra is in-system.” “Yes, Sho...ma’am.” “You may call me Shogun. I took that as my codename for the time being. Makes it easier.”With a soft smile, she bowed. “May the winds of Fūjin blow swiftly in your sails, Colonel.” “And may Amaterasu’s light illuminate your path.”
The Drone slid through the Seiran Dust Cloud. The pilot was quiet, and the only thing that changed was his eyes widening as a vessel slid from the dust cloud, it’s dark hull seeming to melt from the background. He turned and began slowing down, lining up with the small hangar bay under themidpoint of the cruiser, just behind where the hull dipped. The small fins on the Drone slid down as the top locked into the open hangar doors, sealing with the cruiser. The top bay opened up, and all the man would hear was the sound of items being locked into place in the hold. The pilot settled back to wait.
Loading took half an hour. “Loading complete.” He jerked around. Behind him was a woman, Rheinlander from the slight accent. He nodded and locked the cargo bay. He waited until his console said he was clear, then he detached from the Cleopatra and hit his maneuvering thrusters, moving away before the wings moved back to position and he flew off. The woman handed him a pad. “Here is where we will meet up with a pair of escorts and enter the trade lane. The Sisters vill disrupt the lane further down to give us an opening. That is the extent of the help we can ask of them.” Nodding, he turned and activated the cruise engines, and the small freighter jerked forward and began heading away. He didn’t ask questions. He wasn’t here to.
He was a Blood Dragon.
And the Dragons needed them on Kyushu.
The Drone was in atmosphere. The two escorts, both in Scimitars, peeled off and headed off as the Drone set a course for a small rice farm on the edges of the city. The ship’s manifest said it was delivering farming equipment and fertilizer, and as such would be ignored. Settling down in an open spot near the barn, the rear hatch opened as the barn doors were slid open. A few grav-trollies were rolled up, and all the materials were quickly moved to the barn. The pilot had climbed out to watch.
Then he came.
A clanking was heard as the armored figure headed down the ramp last, the cloak still. With no wind, it’s only movement was that of the figure’s shoulders. He turned, the almost sinister mask now facing the pilot. “That will be all.” Was the curt reply. He turned and entered the barn, leaving the Rheinlander woman to head up. “Thank you.” “...was that?” “...Yes.” She said after a moment. “That was Obsidian.” “Yet another faceless soldier of the Order." “When we are hunting the Wild, sometimes we must stare into an abyss.” “Take care it does not stare back, Agent.” She turned away. “...for Obsidian, it already has.”She walked into the barn, and he watched the doors close. Whatever the Order was going to do down here...he figured there'd be fireworks.
Climbing back into the cockpit, he spun up the engines and took off, leaving the small farm behind and heading towards the spaceport. He had a bottle of sake to enjoy today.
Natsumi Hideyoshi (The Order) | Alexis Hunter (Liberty Navy) |
Kaien was quiet. The small facility beneath the barn was not much, but it was enough for Obisidan and his small team. The Rangers had made themselves quite at home, hailing from every House, every creed, every nationality. A Blood Dragon like himself was currently sparring with a former comrade, the two trying to find and see where the other had grown lax in training. The Rheinlander woman, whom was called Venezia or Ven, was currently cleaning her rifle. The insignia on the stock denoted it as a product of the famed Kemwer line, imagined and built to kill the enemies of humanity. She was focused on it, but even the slightest off sound - someone bumping a table, a sharp inhale - caused her to glance immediately in the general direction...no, it caused them all. They were tense at all times here, and Kaien could not blame them. He took a seat next to Ven. “So. What’s your story?” “Father was one of those who died when the infested officers led the Rheinwheir against Kusari and crushed it. He was promoted and infected, and was killed by the Order later that year. I found out and came here. My story is not unique. Hundreds, thousands have lost loved ones to the Nomads, through infection or invasion. Wilde has murdered mothers, Nomads infested fathers. You know this.” “I do. But knowing who you’re working with can’t hurt.” “Nein, it cannot.” She didn’t deny it, but she didn’t elaborate or ask him. She wasn’t going to be here long. None of them were. Kaien knew this, they knew this. With the cell-based structure of the Order, most of them only heard stories and rumors of others. But some stories, like Admiral Golanski’s Tohuku Crusades, Kelly Hellion’s poison research, Jeremy Hunter’s heroics across Sirius and his demise, Robert D’Souza, Taweret’s leadership after Battle of Toledo, Morraine Damodred - the Iron Lady - and Malacos...the leader who was infected, who was rumored to be the final nail that led to the Fall of Minor, the Tragedy of Toledo. But none of them ever met them….not the Cells. They were kept apart, and even see the Black Fleet was something special.
To think. The Cleopatra, the newest Resheph from Carthage, was waiting in the Nebula behind them. He cracked a smile and left Ven alone.
Sometimes, he wished to transfer to the Fleet. But as he looked up at the Blood Dragon’s insignia, all the man could do was sigh.
Kusari was his home.
And he’d stay to protect it.
His brief reverie gone, he looked back up as the doors opened. Obsidian’s greaves clanked as he entered, and everyone went to attention. He rested a gauntlet on the command console, and a holographic representation of the Black Site appeared...but it was incomplete. “Procuring the plans, thanks to the connections of the Blood Dragons, has been complete. Unfortunately we find ourselves going in blind. The plans are old, and there is no doubt the factory has been modified. We must be ready to go into a trap, into ambushes, as well as outright open area.” His turned to look at Ven. “We will go in quiet, with demolition charges. Our plan will be to bring the building down in a controlled pull, destroying the factory, and anything inside. We further will set off multiple high explosive charges inside to ensure nothing remains. This must look like a government-sanctioned demolition. If anything goes wrong and we are forced to commence an air strike, the Dragon presence on Kyushu can and will be in jeopardy.” he paused, helmet impassive. Then he slowly looked at everyone. “We will go in heavy. Dragons will commence surgical strikes throughout the city to get any infected that is not on the premises. This is a small cell. Let’s make this a rout.” He reached down, and laid a tac vest down. “We will go in with KPT markings. KIAs will be left behind, and their weapons rigged to detonate with the rest. Your tags will be returned to any loved ones. We do not have the means to carry any bodies with us. If you die, you will go down taking as many of the bastards as you can.” he rested on the console now. “We have a seven hour window. We will go at dusk via delivery truck. We have seven hours before light. If we are not out by then, we risk being caught by morning traffic. This should not take seven hours...but as every one of us know, no plan, no idea, will ever survive contact with the enemy. The moment we enter that building is the moment everything can, and will go wrong. If communications are down, go to your objective, plant, and get out. If anyone goes back in to play hero, I’ll shoot you and send you back to Akhetaten myself.”
A few people cracked a smile. Kaien frowned. “Obsidian. What happens if civilians end up in that factory? Plenty of homeless people, especially as rice farms have begun to close after Synth began moving in.”
Obsidian was quiet for a moment. “The needs of many take precedence over the few. Whatever the Wild are doing on Kyushu must be stopped. Collateral is regrettable, but it is acceptable to a degree.” “...yet you are to preserve humanity.” he pointed out.
Obsidian stood up straight. “To lose ten yet to save thousands, or save ten and risk damning thousands? This is not a revolution for the people, Dragon. This is a war for us as a species. This is a war to ensure humanity survives.. If I must damn a city to save a planet, a planet to save a House, a House to save Sirius, I will. It is regrettable. It tears apart our very being to leave humans to die to the Nomads. But as long as humanity survives, as long as we prevail, then sacrifices must be made. Be it me, my team, or Kyushu itself. The ends will justify the means, as long as a prosperous humanity endures to damn us.”
Kaien did not refute. Would he have such detachment? Could he sacrifice Kyushu to save Kusari, sacrifice the system to save the rest? Would even the Shogun be able to watch millions burn just to save trillions? Would...anyone?
Kaien could only look at Obsidian and his impassive helmet...but he saw the twitching in his arm. The clenching.
Obsidian was not lying. But as the armored man turned to leave, he saw the slight hesitation. For all he said...the fact that sacrifices must be made was not taken lightly. It weighed him down, more than the armor he wore, the armor that clanked softly as he left.
Kaien sat down, and softly sighed to himself. He hoped that Obsidian never had to make such impossible choices. "He's made choices." Ven sat beside him, a mug of coffee in her hand. "He's full of regrets." "Yet he still says such things?" "The hardest choices will only take someone with a strong enough will. At least he isn't a psychopath. A psychopath wouldn't feel the weight of such things on him." "But does the Order itself truly believe in such a way?" "Tell me, Kaien. Was every single person on the Donau infected?"
Natsumi Hideyoshi (The Order) | Alexis Hunter (Liberty Navy) |
The First Hour
The delivery truck rattled to a stop a few blocks away, the driver tapping the wheel, acting bored. On the side was emblazoned the emblem and slogan of some electronics company, a fake one of course. It was well known special deliveries for lonely people would arrive as electronics parts, so a fake electronics delivery truck would be met with bemused looks and a few chuckles. Inside, one of the Rangers was staring at a box. “Why are we bringing actual dildos.” “Authenticity.” Ven said, smirking. “Plus, we’re gonna blow the truck. Might as well make it so ridiculous that it’s waved off.”
The other Rangers loaded their weapons. Obsidian was seated at the back, his own rifle beside him. He was silent as usual, though people sometimes did wonder if he was asleep. Some swore the man did the silent act so much so he could get away sleeping in meetings, or so he could nap even in the middle of operations. No one had ever seen him without the armor, after all. Not even Captain Cross, her father. Anyone. Some wondered if Watchtower even knew. Some theorized he was some former big shot LSF agent who defected. Others thought it was David Hale. Those people were usually mocked for such stupidity. Whatever the truth was, everyone still wondered.
Did he sleep in the thing?
Kaien shifted a bit. The train was curving around, heading for the station. The strike was planned to happen at a small transfer station just before the main one in the center of town. In a seedier area, it was mostly ignored except for a few token KSP patrols, which was good.
There. The signal. A woman at the far end scratched her neck three times with a single finger. Getting up, Kaien began moving towards the target. The train was sparsely used this time of morning, so a shootout would cause minimal casualties. Kaien’s hand slid into his jacket, grasping the Kemwer sidearm the Order had provided him. He took a shallow breath, then whipped it out, the light on the side flaring and rising as it was powered on. The Wild turned as he saw the reflection, eyes wide. A faint purple glow began, but it didn’t get a chance to gain strength - he was cut down by Kaien and his companion, riddling his chest with laser shots. Both the man and incubi screamed in pain as it struck the ground,and Kaien fired once more, to end any suffering. The woman attached a small device to his chest, then stood. The train began to slow down as the two replaced their guns. As the doors opened, they stepped out on opposite sides and headed away, heads tucked down. The device activated, a small flash as the dead man’s body caught fire, eliminating any chance the incubi survived.
Both heard the scream of the next passenger to walk on and see the charred body.
The truck rattled to a stop at the gates. The guards both glanced at each other, raising their guns. “Restricted area. Turn around.” “Hey, hey. I got a delivery for you.” The drive said, reaching for his clipboard. “Bunch of computer parts.” “We have no deliveries on schedule.” “Look.” He offered the clipboard. “Step out of the vehicles. Now.” The guard demanded. The driver shrugged and got out. Offering the clipboard, the second guard went to the back. “We’re checking your truck.” “Go ahead.” The driver motioned. “Box should be the one closest to the door anyways. Just si- hey! You need to sign it!”
The guard had dropped the clipboard, ignoring the driver’s token protest. Both moved tothe back, one smashing the lock and the other pushing the door up.
The Rangers cut them down with a few bursts of fire. Jumping down, they grabbed the bodies and hauled them to the gate, where one used the keycard to open it. The truck was driven inside, and the bodies thrown out of sight and set on fire using the same devices the Dragons used on the train. The Rangers then grouped up and headed for the entry point. There were ten in all, broken into groups of two. With the Blood Dragons handling the Wild that had left the compound, there was an estimated fifteen hostiles inside at most. Most operated alone or in far smaller groups, but this was not your average cell. Obsidian and his partner nodded to each other, then the armored man turned and kicked down the front door. It was unlocked. Rifles leveled, they opened fire on the few guards straight ahead, cutting them down. “Three.” Obsidian moved forward as his partner attached the same fire devices on. Obsidian checked for cameras. Just basic ones. Punching the screen, he motioned and headed down the hallway, followed by the other Ranger. They were going to head for what should be the server room, so they could gain access to the surveillance system. The other Rangers spread out across the entrance, sweeping. So far clear. Nodding, the team broke up into their predetermined groups and headed in. Obsidian was heading upstairs towards the datacenter, and Venezia was heading for the area nearest the water. At least eleven more Wild were inside.
Checking corners, Ven’s team picked their way across the hallway. Uncertain of traps, the Rangers spent more time than a covert op usually would making sure the next step they took wasn’t their last. Nodding that the next path was clear, they ducked into an abandoned office and checked the map. Nearly there. Mission time elapsed: thirty minutes. Both took a breath and resumed, picking their way across the space before entering another hallway. At the end a pair of men were talking, motioning to a clipboard. The two then turned and headed up some stairs, leaving them to cross the hallway into the next room, two over from their detonation place. Ven’s job was close, thanks to the layout of the factory, but they also would be required to hold the main entrance - unless anything happened, then they’d escape. Now in an old file room, they headed through, careful as always...but her partner stopped.
She signed ? to them. Shaking his head, the Ranger pointed. A few files had been left open here. Some Samura, some Kishiro. One KNF Tohuku Action Report. Glancing through them, Ven scanned them into her PDA, then put them back as found. Moving on, the two took up positions on either side of the door. Grasping the handle, Ven eased it open. No explosion. Her partner breathed, then rolled in a grenade.
Nothing.
Live bait needed, of course. Ven went in carefully. Deserted. Empty. Of course. Probably the Wild had no use for this section of the factory, and only had nominal defenses on the outer area. They’d protect the real sensitive stuff with more...oomph.
Signalling, Ven took up a watch position as her partner set the charges. A soft beep, and they were done. The two immediately began heading back, faster now that they knew a safe route, but froze. Footsteps.
Taking cover, they waited as a woman in a lab coat passed by, flicking through a PDA. Nodding, the two rushed her - Ven slamming a combat knife into her neck, hand clamping on her mouth, as her partner rammed it into her spine, grasping the pad. The woman thrashed and gurgled, and from her back leaked...well, definitely wasn’t human. Dragging her into an office, they set her down and flicked through the pad. Bunch of science crap...oh. Oh, that wasn’t good. Introducing a toxin to rice that would kill people, thus driving them to starvation, Synth, what have you. That was one way to cause chaos in humanity. Screw with their food. That was not a good idea.
Nodding, the two recorded what they could, then tossed the datapad beside the corpse after powering it down. Her teammate set fire device. Checking their things, they turned and resumed heading back to the main entrance. So far...so good.
Each team had been picking their way across the factory at the same pace. Some were far from their objectives, some were close. But time was ticking down, and Obsidian did not want to be here for much longer. But speed and haste would lead to mistakes, and those would compound to failure, death, infection. Best to suck it up and do their best. Holding a hand up, Obsidian stopped his teammate and listened. Clipped steps. Not a scientist. Raising a gauntlet, a small arrow was fired, embedding itself in the roof. The small orb at the end was a camera, and it showed three more guards heading down the hall. Motioning for the other Ranger to take the one on the right, Obsidian clenched his fists. His companion rolled a small ball into the hall, and he closed his eyes. Obsidian’s helmet visor adjusted as a silent, bright flash emitted.
As it faded, he rushed in. The two on the left were still stunned as he slammed one into a wall, then grabbed the other and threw him towards the junction. His knife was snatched and driven into the first guard’s throat, before he ripped it out and threw it at the man struggling to get up, getting him in the chest. One fire device to the now dying guard, and Obsidian kicked off and landed on the Wild struggling to get the knife out, crushing his chest with the weight of his armor and slamming his fist down, the servos whirring as his strength temporarily increased.
A wet sound was heard, and the man was dead. Tearing the knife out, he turned to see the other Ranger gain the upper hand, spinning the Wild around to then grab and snap his neck. Fire devices were set, and the bodies caught fire and became charred as they moved on. Each Ranger had maybe six of them in total.
Like most things, incubi really didn’t like fire.
And the server room was just ahead of them now.
End of the First Hour
Natsumi Hideyoshi (The Order) | Alexis Hunter (Liberty Navy) |
Obsidian eased open the server door. Inside, a guard and an IT specialist were sitting there, silent. The guard turned to the door, eyes widening in surprise.
Obsidian gunned him down. The other one spun around at the gunfire, but was also cut down. He shoved aside the body and found the port, connecting it to a special PDA. It began to hack in. It would take some time, especially as no Lane Hackers would probably have helped them. His partner frowned a bit, setting the fire devices to the bodies before watching the door. As the hack was progressing, clipped footsteps - a lot of them - were heard. Obsidian set the pad down and took up a position in cover. One day, they will be able to block the Nomads from connecting to the Mindshare.
Today was not that day, and the Wild breached the room...ending up in a crossfire. Three guards down, nine Wild in total now dead. Six remained, excluding the ones the Dragons were taking down across town. His partner set fire device, and Obsidian checked the PDA. Good, done....jamming was down. “Check. Check. Check. Verification Anubis-Omega. Verification Two - Oracion. Comms che-”
An alarm, shrill and obnoxious, sounded. The sound of heavy blast doors were heard, slamming into the ground. The rattle of bars on the windows followed, leaving the Rangers trapped. His partner checked the hallway.
"...Clear. No doors.” “It most likely is every out entrance. Most likely they also will recall all combat infected and tell the rest to scatter -” “Obsidian, this is Kaien. About seven overpowered our men and are heading your way. We got the rest.”
Obsidian sighed. “Understood.” He switched channels. “Report.” “This is Team Three. Skylight in the east section is unprotected. We are setting up a line and will hold the room, over.” “Team Four here, charges placed. We are heading to Team Three.”
Obsidian waited. “....Team Five, report.” Static.
“Team Five is lost. If Team Five is spotted, shoot first. Possibility of infection is too high. Over.”
The hack done, Obsidian slid the pad into a protected section of his armor, then turned and tossed a few grenades. They knew the Rangers were there. No need to be sneaky. Leaving, his team headed out as the room detonated. “Team One to Four, we will link up at point Gamma and head to Four. Team Two, set extra charges and retreat.” “Roger that...wait...door’s opening, we got incoming!” The line went dead for a moment. “This is Two, we got seven trying to breach! We’re holding them off!”
Obsidian cursed...then cursed again. As he and his partner turned the corner, a blast door blocked their path. “This is Obsidian. There are blast doors inside.” He linked into the hacking PDA, then uploaded a schematic. “Uploading plans for this facility. We have six hours to get out.”
Six hours to get out of a sprawling factory. Like that would be easy. He turned. “Let’s go.” He said, heading down the hallway...to a blast door. He punched it. “Of course. I expected this.” “You punched it though." “I felt like it.” He muttered, turning. Kicking the door to his right down, he leveled the rifle. Empty. He entered. “We’re going to need to pick our way through the offices and storerooms.” He paused at the next door. “...This is Team One. Expect everywhere to be rigged.” “Already ahead of you.” Came the bemused reply. Rolling his eyes, Obsidian turned and switched to the scatter setting, and began blasting through the aging walls. “We’ll cut through the walls. Save our explosives for emergencies. We’ll head for the skylight and rappel down.” His partner would nod, and together they began blasting their way through, rolling items in to check for explosives. Nothing. Good. Now...to reach the others.
Team Three fired a brace of shots at the window, letting the glass fall. One fired a grappling line up, securing it. The two then set up a crossfire, each taking a different side of the room. It was a massive room of abandoned factory lines. Most likely this factory built fishing boats...which was easily extrapolated by the hulk that Three-One was currently fortifying. Three-Two was using the old foreman office, taking a few breaths. They had a good view of the entire thing. This was...good…
Crap. “Three-Two reporting contacts from skylight. Five contacts. We are engaging.”
Three-One took aim, taking a shot. One fell at once. Three-Two fired as well, another falling. The other three dove for cover, checking for where the shots came from. Three-One took a slowl, easy breath. They had the advantage for now… “...Three-One to One-One. Three more contacts inbou-” “Two-One to team, enemy freighter landed outside! Ten enemy contacts have exited! We cannot hold the lobby, we are falling back!”
Three-One took another shot, felling another. Blasted. The Iseijin had outmaneuvered them with a rapid response team. Someone had missed something.
Or maybe, someone had left something out.
Obsidian and One-Two stepped out into a storeroom. With everything on the radio, they were moving a bit more recklessly…but nothing. They were being over-cautious. Obsidian resisted punching something. He had been overly-paranoid about an entrenched enemy position. Moving on, he paused. “Sir?” “...Team Five was supposed to be four room over to the west.” He said slowly. “Let’s go.”
Obsidian nodded. If anything, they could set the charges. Turning, they kicked down the door...only to both just stand there. Obsidian lowered his rifle, his armor the only sound One-Two heard. The man touched his chest four times, forming a cross. Before them was Team Five. A gunfight had occurred there, leaving Team Five dead and four other Infected down. Moving past them, they checked to find the charges set and counting down already. He turned and tossed down a charge, beckoning. His partner nodded and followed, and they entered the next hallway. Ten steps down, Obsidian set off his own charge, erasing the evidence the Order might have left. “Team Five confirmed KIA.”
At that, Team Two slammed through the door before them. Ven tossed a grenade behind her as they took the corner, finding themselves stuck at a blast door. They quickly turned and busted into a closet, using Scatter mode to blast through a wall. As they climbed through and moved, gunfire ripped apart more of the wall, leaving Ven cursing. She slammed a claymore stick into the wall behind her, taking a turn with Two-Two. Sounds of gunfire were in front of them, and the claymore went off behind. Cursing, they slammed through the door into the skylight room, where Team Three was currently trading shots with the half dozen of Iseijin remaining. Turning, the two forced a hunk of machinery in front of the door, and fanned out. Both took a few shots at the Infected in the center. “Three-One, this is Two-One. Coming in from main doors, we’re heading for the conveyor belt near the east side of the room.” “Roger that Two-One.” was the only reply. Three-One sounded calm.
Just another day.
Just another mission.
End of the SecondHour
Natsumi Hideyoshi (The Order) | Alexis Hunter (Liberty Navy) |
Halfway through the Third Hour
The gunfight in the factory’s main room had finally died down. Teams Two and Three now had taken up positions, forming a diamond shaped crossfired on anyone coming down. The Iseijin were not stupid, and currently were holding back from a direct assault from the skylight. They had been trying to break the main doors down since the gunfire ended; the Rangers had shoved even more items there, trying to hold them back. Teams One and Four were still out there, and the charges were counting down. Each Team leader had the panic button, and if one charge went off...all of them would. This left Ven a bit antsy...if any of them were caught, they’d all have to go down. And none of them wanted to die here. Sure...they all would give their lives for the Order. Doesn’t mean they looked forward to it. The banging at the main doors had stopped. Ven slowly turned to face them, raising her rifle. She had climbed up the conveyer and now was on a catwalk that she had fortified with scrap metal...and she was not liking this silence. “Two-One to One-One...it got quiet.”
That never was good. Especially not as, mere moments later, the doors blasted inwards, machinery flying. The reinforcements that they had failed to hold off from the lobby were now pouring in, and a fresh wave was coming from the skylight. Cursing, Ven opened fire, scattering the charge as they dove for cover. She primed a grenade, cooking it off for two seconds before throwing it. It bounced once and went off, killing two and sending three down with shrapnel. Cries of pain echoed, and Ven fired a brace of shots to suppress them. Behind her, the thud of bodies falling and hitting the ground had stopped, and those who had made it down now were pressing towards the other three Rangers. They were going to be overwhelmed at this rate. “One-One, this is Two-One. We are being overwhelmed. Sir. Get out and set them off.” She took a few more shots. They were running low on ammo...they came prepared, but even then… “Negative. Prepare for exfil.” “Sir?”
A staccato of gunfire came through the main doors, cutting down a few Iseijin that had taken cover. Teams One and Four came in hot, and a grenade arced it’s way into the skylight assault, throwing three enemies away, covered in shrapnel. The Rangers went to work, Obisdian’s power armor a walking shield for his men. A few lasers he turned, watching them dispel over his cloak. But that trick only worked a few times. The material would absorb and disperse incoming lasers, not bullets - those gouged the armor, pinging off of odd angles. Soon he did take cover, but he had given his team precious seconds to gain a foothold. Reloading his rifle, he took a breath. “Cleopatra Actual has intel. Four Infected have loaded a canister onto a truck and are preparing to leave. Dragons currently have to go underground or they risk being routed.” “What’s in the canister?” “What else but a virus to wipe our rice.” “Someone hates rice.”
Chuckling, Obsidian tossed a grenade. “So it seems. Alright. Evac is inbound. On my mark, head to position and fire grapples.” He checked his six first. “On my mark.”
End of the Third Hour
The Fourth Hour
"Mark."
Obsidian threw his second to last grenade at the door, then turned and sprinted with the Rangers. Gunfire riddled the Skylight as they got there, firing their lines. Any excess explosives they had were already primed, thrown and tossed wherever enemies had fallen. Hooked and ready, the whir of their winches yanked them upwards as the sound of a ship was heard. A spotlight engulfed the rooftop, followed by a few shots and body thuds. As the Rangers climbed up, a Kestrel freighter was level to the roof, one of it’s cargo pods open, another Ranger there. They ran over as the door opened, a volley of laser and bullets fired at them. Three-One went down and was still, riddled with bullets meant for his teammate. Obsidian turned and gave Three-One his last grenade before throwing himself onto the Kestrel, which turned and burned away.
Ven hit her panic button, and together they watched the factory implode and fall, infected falling amidst the rubble.Secondary explosions went off, setting fire to anything that might have survived. Obsidian rested back, arm on his knee, his labored breaths filtered and distorted by his helmet. “Status on truck.” “Heading for the space port.” “Pilot.” Obsidian stood up, already moving to refill his ammo reserves. “Take us in.” “Sir, KSP is already inbound to the site. KNF fighters were scrambled from the air base and already are coming.” “We either take that truck out or they could cause chaos for Kyushu, if not all of Kusari. I didn’t lose three men back there to walk away with them winning.” “Aye sir.” The Kestrel turned, heading into the city. Heading below buildings, the bustling traffic was going to slow down the truck, which was now fighting it’s way to the spaceport. Already it had gotten caught up behind a wreck, but as the Kestrel began to descend, the driver jerked the wheel to the side and mounted the curb. Civilians screamed and scattered, one thrown to the side from the truck’s sudden turn. They were driving down the curb before yanking over and into the street again, weaving between traffic as the Ranger freighter sped up, keeping pace. “Commander, they’ve gone evasive. Permission to fire.” “Negative, we have a chance to settle this and minimize civilian casualties. Hold fire.” Obsidian latched his cable to the winch inside the pod, then keyed open the side door. “Get me close. I’ll stop it. Rangers, prepare for breach and containment.”
A chorus of Yes Sir echoed. Stepping onto the platform, he took a knee as the Kestrel moved closer. The back doors opened and a volley of laser blasts were sent their way, splashing on the Kestrel’s shields.They’d have to lower them to get there. Obsidian was about to call it, when a pair of Wyrms shot past. The truck now had moved and was on a bridge, passing over the corner of a lake as it was forced to take a detour from the main road to the spaceport. Good. That would give the Kestrel some breathing room. “Sir, KSP fighters are on us! They’re demanding we land!” “Do they not see the gunfire from the truck?” “Yeah, they said it’s being handled.”
Obsidian rolled his eyes. “Prepare to drop the shield.” he disabled his line, then tore off the cloak and tossed it back. He had more. The back of his armor unfolded. “I’ll use jump jets, pilot. On my mark.” “Roger that sir.”
The Wyrms banked and were heading back. Obsidian sighed. “Now.”
The shield went down and he jumped. Once clear, the Kestrel’s shields came back, and it pulled away. Laser fire haphazardly was shot at him as he descended, slamming into the roof of the truck, denting it. He rose up and stomped over, hitting the jets as he jumped, using them to help swing into the door. The Isejin looked out in surprise as he drew his fist back, servos whirring, before slamming through the window. The man’s neck snapped, and from his wrist ejected a sharp dagger-like blade, which cut through the incubi. Dead, he grasped the wheel and kept the truck steady as Obsidian slammed a fire device on him and tore the corpse out, throwing it. The truck wobbled and swerved a bit, and Obsidian had to let go to open the door. “Sir! They’re trying to open the canister! The rice fields are just on the other side of the lake!” "Fire at the wall!" He shouted, before yanking the wheel to the right. A bolt of fire lanced through the air, blasting the wall beside them and allowing the truck to fly out. Obsidian kicked off and used his jump jets as the truck arced and began to nosedive into the lake. Passing the doors, his turned and fired a grenade from his rifle into the open truck, before suddenly the doors slammed closed. It hit the water and began to sink as he landed on the road, an explosion of water marking the end. Shouldering his rifle, the sound of sirens and squealing tires drew his attention. He turned to face the KSP SWAT teams that now trained enough firepower to end a gang war on him. Oh joy. “Disarm yourself and remove your helmet, or you will be fired upon!” Of course, that would require exiting the armor, and I would rather the universe not know I prefer briefs. The Ranger thought.
He slowly removed the rifle...then thumbed a setting, before tossing it over his shoulder. It spun and tumbled down, hitting the water and sinking before a small explosion was heard. The KSP took cover, a few firing warning shots. “Do that again and we will kill you!” Came the somewhat panicked demands. Obsidian merely shrugged. People have threatened to kill him for so long, he didn't really care anymore. If they really wanted to, they'd actually try. “Many have tried. You will not.” I have survived infested comrades, the loss of Malacos, the Fall of Minor and the Tohuku Crusades. You peacekeepers are nothing. Obsidian looked at an icon on his hud, and blinked twice. He shimmered and disappeared from their view to the shouts and confused cries of the SWAT team. A few took a pot shot at where he was, expecting it to be a trick. The Field Commander slowly looked around, before he fully turned...and watched as Obsidian appeared, tossing an Officer aside and sliding into his patrol car. He found himself unable to speak as the car set off, then found it as the officer struggled to get up. “He’s stolen a car!” He shouted into his comm. “Find him!” he shouted. The Commander looked at his watch. Quarter till.
The car was abandoned a few streets away. Going through alleyways, Obsidian made his way to the rendezvous point, were a black truck picked him up. Settling back, he tapped a side port, which ejected a spent energy cell. "Log, open. Personal cloaking devices continue to take enormous amounts of power based on current size of power sources. Managed forty five seconds using prototype cloaking device. Still needs testing, Curtana." he sighed and settled back. "End log." Turning his external speaker on, closed his eyes. "...status." he said softly, relaxing. "Heading back to base...." the man frowned, tapping his ear. "What...?" he suddenly jerked the truck around, heading away. "Situation." "Farm was hit. Rangers were diverted. Currently they are meeting the Drone from before and transferring. I'll take you to the Outpost and Colonel Yamada." "Understood."
End of the Fourth Hour
The truck pulled up to the dilapidated building that was the cover for the underground outpost. Obsidian and the driver stepped out, a new cloak now fluttering in the wind. They ducked inside...and Obsidian drew his hand cannon. The man usually watching sports was gone. The small TV was still going. Obsidian held a hand up, a sharp, precise motion. "Go to the truck. Keep it running." he didn't wait. Moving to the hidden door, it keyed open with a sharp wave of his hand. Stepping inside, he pressed his back to the wall and raised his gun as the doors closed. The ride down was fast, silent.
And as the doors opened, he was greeted by a dark room, a spread of bodies, and the torn and burned flag of the Blood Dragons.
Natsumi Hideyoshi (The Order) | Alexis Hunter (Liberty Navy) |
Obsidian was glad for his air scrubbers. The bodies of his man, of Dragons, were strewn about, mixed with a couple bodies with KPT insignias. Of course...the same trick he did, back at the factory. He took cautious steps, one at a time, before finally arriving at the one closed door - the rest were open, blood and bodies filling the space. Someone had hit the small outpost...they hit it hard. Gritting his teeth, Obsidian now stood before the door to the small Order section. Locked. Of course. But if there was anything about Order systems, it was that they bowed to him. Another wave, and a holographic keypad appeared. He waited but a moment, then typed.
BLACK ICARUS
The door opened at once. Entering with gun drawn, he was greeted with a sight that really pissed him off. Kaien was sitting there, peeling an orange, with the corpse of Colonel Yamada on the ground. His head was half gone - the man had chosen death over infestion. As every Order would. Obsidian stood there for a moment, gun on the man currently tossing orange peels all over the corpse. “Your scanners may protect from them, but you cannot do that to me.” He said. “A few infected were...worth it. How you found that factory - I am impressed by you Rangers. I did much to hide it, did much to...forget...about that small reaction team. Why you never suspected an insider at all...why? How could you, oh great and mighty Obsidian, called the Ghost, the Shadow, the Dusk. So many nicknames from your marines, special forces.” He laughed, taking a bite of orange. “You are not going to shoot me. You want to torture me, to get all the information in our inferior, small brains. You want to know everything I do. Well, Obsidian, Oni…” He waggled his knife at him. “You get nothing. Because the KPT is about to storm this building in three minutes, and you shall die. Your armor cannot save you. You. Are. Finished.” We smirked. “Any last words?” “Thomas.”
Kaien’s eyes went wide. Obsidian fired, a hole erupting open where his heart would have once been. Obsidian holstered the gun, and walked over. He knelt, retrieving Yamada’s dogtags, before he waved pulled out a scanner and ran it over Kaien’s head. “That is all I needed to know.” He tore open pockets, and found a ticket. Orbital Spa and Cruise...Luxury Liner Tahiti. Sliding the ticket into a safe spot, he turned and keyed the system. “Scorch.” was all the man said before heading to the elevator. Stepping out, he stepped out and climbed into the truck. “Drive.” he ordered. The driver floored it, squealing away. Behind them, a Kusari Gunship lowered down, spotlights erupting as KSP cruisers began to converge. Ducking into an alleyway, Obsidian and his driver went dark, sitting in silence as KPT forces began to breach. He rested his head on his hand with a sigh. A few seconds later, the outpost exploded, destroying all sensitive data and leaving only charmed bodies and remains. As they once more began to head away, the KSP reeling, the gunship above already deploying rapid response forces, Obsidian keyed his secure line. On his HUD, a picture of Ciaras Cross appeared. “Commander.” “Captain.” He said, then paused. “Prepare to move the Cleopatra. Get me Agent Riley Burke from your WEDJAT detachment. She’s going undercover.” “Where, may I ask, are you sending her?” Cross didn’t sound pleased. She was a respectful person, even if she disagreed with Obsidian’s methods and modus operandi. That was fine. They didn’t have to like each other. They had to win a war. And wars had casualties. Some were unavoidable. Some could not be helped. All needless casualties, though, were regrettable. They were terrible. And they would always be a constant reminder, a constant pain in his chest, whenever he remembered the impossible choices the Order has had to make. Many would say they were extreme, they were wrong. But in the end, sacrificing five to save fifty, five hundred to save five thousand, five thousand to save five million, a planet to save a House, a House to save the other three. If that had to be done to end the Nomads, would the Houses have the guts? Would the Core? Auxesia? The Hellfire Legion, Queen Carina, the Blood Dragons and Hessians?
Would they have the ability to see that humanity is more than Liberty and Bretonia, Kusari and Rheinland, Gallia and Hispania?
"I will brief you when I arrive."
As the truck turned and rattled to a stop, as he stepped out and towards the decloaking Sekhmet, and as he climbed into the back before it cloaked once more and shot skyward, Obsidian closed his eyes. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few. And each House believed they were the many. He was playing God, and he had no right. No, he had no right. But someone had to choose. Someone had to make the choice to put the survival of humanity as a species over such things as a House, an Alliance, politics and economy. Politicians can be trained, economies can be rebuilt, alliances reforged and Houses rebuilt. But if humanity was wiped out, there would be no one left to rebuild.
Every House, from Kusari to Gallia, believes they will survive. They believe they alone can stand against the storm, believe that they are the be all end all. They think the Nomads can be beaten without the need for help. Those that did not? Well. They would fall. The Order can not stand alone - that is why the Sigma Alliance was forged, the Gaians were contacted, and why Crayter was given an olive branch so easily. If the Houses wished to stand alone, to question and demand everything and anything, to enact wars that only would give a string of victories to the Nomads…
Then Obsidian would let them burn.
“Sir, on final approach to Cleopatra."
His thoughts were interrupted. Shaking his head, Obsidian only nodded. “Understood.” Was all he said.
He would let them burn.
But that didn’t mean he wanted them to.
“...Fools…” “Sir?”
“Nothing. Inform my team we will be going on a cruise. I hear Rheinland is beautiful this time of year, if you can forget about the Sigma War.” "Sir...what are we hunting?" The pilot inquired, the Sekhmet's wings pulling in as the modified bomber tucked itself into Cleopatra's forward hangar. The bomber was designed to 'fold' in on itself, causing it to become almost compact. With it now tucked in the upper area of the hangar, Obsidian slid out of the vessel and kicked off, catching a handrail and heading towards the airlock. After being admitted, he headed for the briefing room, where his team and Cross were waiting. He waited until the room had sealed, before stepped past them and activating the main holo table, and bringing up a blurry photo. "This was taken by an Observation Team in Kusari. He is suspected to be a high ranking Wild, how high we do not know. We do know the first name of the host, and what he goes by. His name is Thomas. He is a former Captain of the Liberty Navy." "How do we know that and not his surname?" Cross asked.
Obsidian straight up ignored her. "The Specter known as Kaien had a ticket for the Tahiti, a luxury liner. Tahiti is on it's way to Planet Baden Baden. While we do not believe that there are any Wild on the surface, there may be some on the Tahiti. Furthermore, there are still a few Specters left in Sirius." He clenched his fist. "At the end of this, let's make sure there are none. The Tahiti leaves from Roppongi Station in two days. Ven, Torque, Cam, Samir, and Diz will back up agent Riley Burke." The Wedjat Agent, fairly average in all physical aspects, was confused. "We need someone who no one will notice, Burke. The team I am sending with you will be the distraction. You will need to find the Wild contacts and inform my team. They will do the rest." "Yes sir." Riley saluted. Obsidian returned it.
"We move tomorrow. Transport will be arranged. Get some rest. Everyone's earned it."
Obsidian leaned against the wall of the shower. His armor away, he finally was able to tangled his fingers in his hair, gritting his teeth. This decision, these facts, everything. He wanted this to end. But it would not end. It wouldn't end until Thomas was dead. Until the Wild were dead.
Letting go, he just stood there, under the warm spray, for five minutes. He then stepped out and sat down on his bed, letting the water drip off him, onto the floor, the sheets. He was close. He'd finish this bastard off...and every other Nomad he got his goddamn hands on.
That, he swore.
Natsumi Hideyoshi (The Order) | Alexis Hunter (Liberty Navy) |
The Tahiti was on it's final approach to the Frankfurt Gate. Inside, the Liner was abuzz with activity - families in the pool, women in fine dresses acting as sophisticated as they could, masking the fact they spent their savings on this midlife crisis, men gambling away in hopes they can afford the next ticket their wives' midlife crisis demands...and in the VIP section, a woman was sulking near the back, hand to her wrist, where a ridiculous armband was. Tucked inside was a small communicator, attached to her wrist with a thin band and hidden under the cuff. The woman was not at all happy. And why should she be? She thought she'd get to be on a cruise for a bit, before kicking ass and heading home. Instead - "You bastard Obsidian, I thought I was asked here for some vacation with a side of saving humanity. My breasts are almost spilling out how do these women wear these?! And I swear to god Diz, if you make one more rabbit joke I'll show you hippity hop knock yer block off!"." Seethed Amanda "Aqua" Owens-Hunter. Commander of the Ghost Eye, she had been pulled off her normal duty for this mission when a job opening for a position in the VIP section was desperately needed. And now here she was, accepting a goddamn tray of drinks, dressed as a goddamn bunny. She was going to straight up murder Obsidian, forcing a cheery smile onto her face as she walked the drinks over to a far table. She bent down a bit to put them on, wishing she could just shoot them all. This table was where the suspected Wild were currently 'enjoying' themselves. Their drinks seemed to go only to the extremely drunk women currently crawling all over them, instead of in themselves. That, or they were sticking to water to avoid a mistake that gets them sued for alimony until the Nomads nuked whatever pathetic home he had left. Either way, she was about to get up when one grabbed her wrist, pulling her back down, almost to eye level. "Hey baby, can you get me a Sidewinder Fang?" A smirk and a flash of credits, a few credit cards showed unceremoniously between her breasts. Aqua resisted the urge to see if he believed he could fly, because by sweet baby Jesus she was about to make him believe. Giggling to mask her murderous thoughts, she nodded and scampered off in the cutest way possible to the bar, putting the order in. "I am going to straight up murder you when we're out of here, Obsidian." She growled into her cuffs, before rubbing her bare arms. At least the fishnet-stocking combo kept her legs warm, but the cool air made her arms tingle. Usually she had some billowy sleeves that helped. Not here. Just blue hair and the want to ask Svizra to nuke them now and end her humiliation.
She at least understood why Obsidian had her go in. They needed an attractive woman in the VIP lounge, where she could hear everything as a waitress. Aqua also kept her hair dyed blue, so less likely chance to be pegged as military. She also had a washboard tummy and not Venezia's cheese grater abs, so that also put people off. Not that she wasn't toned, no, you just didn't see this six pack of doom that'd make lesbians swoon. "Stop rhyming in your head, Aqua. There's only three at the table. Files we got from the factory specifically said four. Why, we don't know. Stay frosty."
Well, she was a bit cold, so at least she was doing the frosty part. Rubbing her eyes a bit, she accepted the Sidewinder Fang and delivered it. Hey, at least she could funnel the tips into the Order. Maybe get the Grand Admiral some dance lessons. Maybe teach him the jitterbug?
In the food court, Riley was eating a parfait, her PDA on the table. When connected with a small pen, it acted as a short range mobile scanner, a less powerful but more portable version of the scanners the Order used to detect Incubi. Currently the Order Rangers were spread out amongst the crowd with them in a way to funnel anyone paying attention to them towards Riley, who was actively using the pen to doodle. Her cover was of an Artist going to Baden Baden for inspiration, hoping to draw some of the beautiful views of the planet while there. She was as average as ever, and currently was doodling Aqua in her bunny suit. She wore thick black rimmed glasses - fake, of course, fitted with recorders that constantly transmitted to Cleopatra. The cruiser was running quiet after them, keeping to the edges of the system. Riley paused, a red light blinking at the top of the pad. She closed the drawing app and pretended to check her messages, scrolling through as the HUD in her fake glasses displayed the results.
One incubi. Passed her twenty four seconds ago. Turning, the scanner pinpointed the target - a man in a brown coat, currently ordering a hot dog of all things. She reached up and squeezed one frame, placing a marker on him for all HUDs. OSC had good security, but nothing compared to the power...of simplicity. Riley had slept with a bumbling supervisor and checked the sticky note he had to gain access, then synced the system with the Order HUDs they all had. Now they had found and marked all four Incubi onboard. Or...more specifically...
The four incubi mentioned in the files Obsidian recovered from the Factory. Milly was good - she knew a few tricks from her time in D9, as a Spectre. Before Jeremy Hunter freed her by literally beating the evil from her and locking her up for god knows how long. Riley had to give it to the late Admiral - he knew when aggressive negotiations were needed. Her eye quirked, though, as Aqua's heart rate increased. She frowned and tapped her pad, switching to the VIP Cameras....ah. The Sidewinder Fang guy had yanked her onto his lap. Greeeeaaaaat. Aqua really didn't like that. She was a bit more standoffish when it came to physical contact. It would have been better to send someone else, but no one had that rack on short notice. Riley just rolled her eyes. She'd send a gallon of cherry vanilla ice cream to Aqua. The job sucked, and tended to put them in positions such as this. But hey.
Humanity first.
"This is Torque. Following."
The man got up and began to trail the Fourth Incubi, following him into the casino area. Threading through the crowd, he did his best to keep up...before he slowly came to a stop. The Wild had stopped and was now conversing with a well dressed man, broad-shouldered and with an older, gaunt face. Looking him up and down, Torque frowned, reaching up to squeeze the rim of his glasses. The Order Facial Recognition Database spun up, and ended up finding the man in a Rheinland newspaper...about his election. "Wilhelm Schrei of Hamburg. Elected to the Bundestag for his district. Can we say target? "We can." Riley said, getting up. "We can also say that in regards to the Kishiro Executive currently heading towards the casino. Yoshinori Midoriya, has an office....in Shinagawa, of course. I'm shocked, shocked I say." "Burton." Ven's clipped voice came through, saying her cover surname. "Not that shocked.
A long, drawn out, exasperated sigh escaped. Everyone went silent. Obsidian was getting exasperated, and to the point even Aqua stopped her seething about being the designated distraction. They knew she didn't mind, of course, but she would have rather been given more advanced notice and not be put into the VIP section. Things got private there, and she wanted no part of that. She couldn't even hide a knife on herself, unlike Izzy, that nutjob. Ven broke off, heading for the passenger quarters. She was going to head back to her room and check on her things, nearly running over someone. A few quick apologies later,and she was on her way again...before slowing to a stop. She frowned, looking back over her shoulder. She hurried back to her room and brought up her footage, forwarding to the man she nearly ran over. He came back....as a Senator's Aide from Houston. Ven gently held her head in her hands. That's why Kaien had the ticket for this exact cruise. No doubt the Senator's Aide had been given an all expense paid trip. The Bundestag Member probably was already on this cruise. And the Samura Exec? Happy accident. But no. They were going to try and infected a Senator down the line and a Bundestag member. Why could it never just be easy, or nothing that could spell the doom for entire Houses, Sirius, Mankind, and the like? How many times would they save some idiot Senator or aging politician from a fight they steadfastly refuse to acknowledge as far more dangerous than they really would like to admit?
Probably a thousand more times. At least, based on the information she had, the Senator was polling terribly, pushing to decriminalize....oh. Oh god. No. No no. N.O.
She shut that article off and flopped onto her back. Some people didn't need saving from Nomads. Some needed to be infected so she had an excuse to shoot them dead with a clear conscience. Maybe Obsidian would go for that! Who knew. "The Liner is about to clear Holstein and continue to Mannheim. Once the Four are in a single location, commence strike and dispose of the bodies. Transport will be waiting on Planet Baden Baden back to Cleopatra." Obsidian went quiet, mulling over his thoughts. The Liner was too far away now. He keyed a second channel. "Svizra. We will be fine from here. Return to your duties."
A confirmation received, Obsidian settled back into his secondary chair. He was XO of the Cleopatra afterall. He got a fancy chair out of it, which was fine with him. Watching the Beholder readings, he settled back in. His eyes wandered to the Overwatch Internal channel, and re-read the old discussions the Internal Transmissions held. He paused at one, shaking his head. Please. Not another Graveyard incident...he didn't need a ship crashing onto a planet again. And with that...he sighed, getting up. "Call me when we are near Baden Baden, or if they engage." Was all he said before stalking away.
Natsumi Hideyoshi (The Order) | Alexis Hunter (Liberty Navy) |
The vessel continued on. Entering Frankfurt, it had to move to the side as the Border Control Cruiser began it’s scans, a few Wraiths powering by. The Captain was at ease. Just a cruise from Kusari. OSC had no part of the Sigma War, and quite honestly he just wanted to be on his way. Rolling his shoulders, he settled back into his chair, looking at the reports from his staff. So far everyone was getting along, though he was concerned about the handsy men in the VIP area. That girl was new, and clearly wasn’t happy. He’d need to give her a bit of time off when he could, let her just enjoy the ship. That, or have security intervene. Maybe get a more stringent no touching policy - then again, he never had enough security. Sighing, he just sent a memo to his Security Team about that, then turned back to his duties. So far the Scan was thirty three percent done. That was fine and dandy. No need to rush. They paid for a cruise to Baden Baden, and there was no need to rush.
Ven was quiet. The man wanted to decriminalize marital assault, going past conservative and entering archaic. She knew Obsidian was a staunch Libertonian Conservative - that much she had gathered, from his preference to Libertonian style guns, the flag of his homeland...though his penchant for swords was distinctly Kusari-Bretonian, but everyone had their things. She shifted a bit, cleaning her gun. She sighed, rubbing her cheek as quiet reports went through her earpiece. Riley was tailing the First Horseman, whom they marked as Fury. He had a face that was a permanent furious scowl. Reports say he used to be a Bretonian Privateer. Clearly, he went the wrong way and ended up as an incubi’s organic mecha. War was a former Kusari Kempetai commando, seeing action across the sector, including the Bretonian front. Conquest was a minor rich guy with nominal contacts, and looked like the sultry, probably sleazy, playboy. And Death. Rheinland built, Rheinland bred. If the man was any bigger, he might be able to take on a Marine platoon bare handed and win, nevermind how much Liberty threw into them. Of course, even if he looked ready to do that, a gun was a good tool to level such playing fields. Breaking out of her thoughts and reverie, she decided to stow her gun in it’s hidden holster, and got up to head around the ship. She had to be ready, after all.
Torque and Diz were trailing Conquest, the Corsair woman joining him halfway over. Conquest was back in the VIP lounge, and Torque and Diz shared a drink together, toasting to whatever they felt like, as Aqua did her utmost to not to lose her mind as the man waved her over again. Diz kept a close eye. He had singled out Aqua. Was it her blue hair? Her, as Chikka would say, tsundere personality? Or...was the incubi onto her somehow…? Were they compromised? Maybe. Maybe not. It was best to keep on guard...something both knew that Ven was already on.
Samir and Cam, the Coalition born man and his Libertonian comrade, were passing a smoke in the Designated Smoking Lounge. War was having a single, large Cigar, a singular vice that cleary was one that incubi chose for when it wished to be alone. The two weren’t much of smokers, both preferring to avoid the acrid smell. But...some things they had to do. A few days of burning lungs were better than humanity’s destruction right? The two talked about kids - both had family on Akabat, Samir a girlfriend working at Akhetaten General Hospital as a doctor, and Cam’s wife was a mechanic at Giza Command. Samir wanted kids, Cam didn’t. It was easy to make a cover using some of the truth. Partial lies were easier to maintain, after all. Especially if their family was behind the Scars of Toledo, led by the Thebes itself. Then War put his cigar out, and took out a PDA, typing. Samir frowned, tapping his cigarette against the ash tray three times. The signal that something was up. The Kusarian commando then pushed off the counter and began heading out.
Riley was keeping up with Fury, who was threading his way through the casino. Her HUD indicated that the incubi was heading for the main connecting plaza that led to all areas of the Tahiti, as well as the lift to the VIP lounge. The way he moved, how he paused and tapped a man or woman on the side in a deliberate way, then moved on. She did not like this. Something was so, so off. “This is Burton. Pineapple.”
The emergency code for imminent danger. The most innocuous words were used, words you’d never really say out of the blue, without anything else to make context. She got held up, having to hurry after Fury carefully as he stopped in the plaza, then made for the central bar, sitting down for a drink. She continued past at the same hurry, sitting down to plug in her PDA, acting like a techie desperate to not have her technology die. No one even bothered looking at her. Not even Fury.
Ven nearly was run over by Death. The massive, hulking man looked down at her, scarred face pulling into disgust. She scowled right back. “Watch where yer going ya bastard!” She flicked her hand at him, moving past. “Acting like ya own the place!” She stalked off, not looking behind her. She let her HUD do that, showing the cameras. He didn’t bother with her. He continued...then turned and pulled out what looked like a stick. He waved it at the card reader for an employee access, and entered. Eyes wide, she turned and sprinted over once it closed. “Riley. I need this door open in five minutes. Now.” She said. This was not good. Not good at all. As soon as the door clicked open, she entered and closed it behind her, drawing her gun. “Obsidian. Emerg...Obsidian?” Static. Jammed. “Report people.”
Torque and Diz were trying to keep up with War. “Long range jammed. Seems it’s not jamming inside the ship…” Diz paused, then switched to the OSC frequency Riley had given them. Jammed. Their comms were made to avoid most jamming anyways, nothing less than one on a cruiser could really stop their short range ones. “...Code Black.” Diz whispered, reaching for her gun. Torque did as well, but then the ship shifted, decelerating. Both glanced at each other and moved their hands away, moving into the ship more. They needed to regroup. Something was very off.
Riley was near a port. Fury was currently taking a look out. Others around her looked scared, backing away. She did the same, and her eyes went wide. Oh. Oh no they didn’t. She gripped the railing, fighting to keep a look of pure hatred off her face, hiding it under fear. For around the ship were a quartet of Nephthys fighters...but to anyone else but the Order, they’d never notice the sluggish movements, the mismatched plating here and there...or the clear markings of Nomad blasters near the cockpits. They had salvaged these fighters from the Minor Graveyard. The bastards defiled it. They had defiled the dead. “...they’re blaming us.” She whispered into her comm. They had been on the way to the New Berlin Gate. Instead, the bastards currently had the lane disrupted. But why? Why were they going to all this trouble? Was the plan for them to threaten the ship, let Rheinland save them, then infect them in the commotion? Riley couldn’t figure it out...and she couldn’t warn Obsidian.
Ven kept it up. Following the cameras in the area, she followed after the man as he made his way through, until he stepped out into a hallway, and took a left. She stopped and waited, then exited. Thankfully they had the schematics, thanks to that bumbling supervisor actually thinking Riley had a thing for him. Getting them, she realized exactly where he was going. She was about to break into a run when the first shots were fired, and the thuds of bodies followed soon after.
Onboard the Cleopatra, the ship was at full combat alert. They had been preparing to head in and interdict the Liner when the jamming started, but almost as soon as their cruise engines began to cycle, three Scorpion Gunboats decloaked and opened fire. The Resheph was under attack, it’s shields managing to hold for now as they returned fire with all they could. An SOS was sent out along their Emergency Channels, but Ciaras wasn’t sure help would arrive...and neither did Obsidian. The man was quiet, letting her do her job, but they were taken by surprise and currently outgunned. As they continued firing back at them, Obsidian wracked his brain. Why was this happened? Why interdict, if their mission was to take the… “...we were wrong.” Obsidian said. “They weren’t going to infect anyone. The Tahiti is nothing more...than a weapon.” “Why does that matter?” Cross demanded, lances of fire hitting their shields. “We can’t do anything, and might not be able to at all!” “They’re going to use it as a missile!” He roared. “Get me through the jamming! They’re going to target something, and use us as the patsies!”
Natsumi Hideyoshi (The Order) | Alexis Hunter (Liberty Navy) |
Aqua sat in the lounge, hands cuffed to the pole. Conquest had taken everyone hostage, and a circle of them were on each pole, zip-ties keeping them from escape. Torque was on the other side of the room with the men - Conquest had separated them, probably bleed-over from his host...or so people who may survive would have a worse story. He currently was looking over a few of the women as he had a few fingers of bourbon. His gun in hand, he was waiting for something, that was sure. She shifted a bit, keeping an eye on the man as best as she could. What was he waiting for…a signal? A sign? Someone? Something…?
Diz gave Aqua a look. Both had been separated at their circle, though Diz was currently working to get her knife out. The Corsair, of course, had knives. She looked like normal security, so her hidden gun was gone. Torque, luckily, had his still tucked in a jacket pocket. The three of them, as separated as they were, wouldn’t be able to take Conquest alone. Not when he was infected. It was a waiting game...a very scary waiting game.
Samir, Cam, and Riley had been herded into the main hall. Everyone forced to sit down and give up their belongings, Riley was currently pressed against a wall as Fury and War held advantageous positions, armed with automatic weapons...and they weren’t alone. A few others, Cultists they guessed, were helping to patrol. Without knowing if more were in the ship, Cam, Samir,and Riley couldn’t do anything...especially with Communications down. Riley had marked all the targets with her HUD, meaning the others also would have them marked...unfortunately, with the network down, only Samir and Cam had it. She grimaced and settled back in. She had to hope the others were free and able to fight...to do anything. Stuck there, the Order agents were restless, anxious...in the dark. Something they never wanted to be in.
Ven’s back was to the wall. Sliding her way over, the security guards never stood a chance. The door was sealed now - Ven would need help with this, for sure. Unfortunately her blasting tech was in the room, and based on footsteps, she guessed a few cultists had stopped by. It made sense, really. Bring in fanatics who were brainwashed into following the Nomads, have them all be the ones to die while the Horsemen escaped. No alien material. Only dead bodies, and maybe a fanatical Order survivor. The Koblenz would be disabled, maybe even destroyed, and Thuringia would risk further Wild incursions. She went the other way, heading for the resident rooms. If she could get the blasting tape for the bridge, she might be able to buy them time for Obsidian to help...but the fact he wasn’t here yet, meant something had gone wrong. Something had gone terribly wrong, and she currently had to work under the assumption she was the only one alive. And so...she needed to take down the Horsemen. One by one. Looking at them, she decided to start with War. Death was behind a bulkhead. Nothing she could do. War was the most dangerous of the others, physically, and would need to be dealt with at once. Ducking into a closet to avoid a patrol of two, she glanced at them then made a break for it, crossing the hall and into residential. Checking her six, she continued.
First, War.
Ven managed to get to her room. Retrieving the tape, she packed a combat bag, before setting up the emergency comms array. With how big it was, anyone searching for it would find it, that was for certain. But she needed to coordinate and figure out where everyone was, especially their targets. As all Rangers were taught how to do a majority of tasks on demand, with deft hands she built the comms array. Anything leaving the ship would be detected, but as long as she kept it to the ship, she could lengthen the amount of time they had communications. “War before Fury, fury before Conquest. Death ends all. Check check.” “War, Fury, here with me.” Riley whispered. “Disciplines count one and three.” Thirteen cultists to watch the passengers, War and Fury leading. Ven nodded to herself, marking that on her HUD. “Conquest wanting, give us three.” Aqua needed three minutes to get ready. Probably was going to plan something. If Conquest was apart, that meant something was up. Leaving it to Aqua, Torque, and Diz, Ven said her own. “Death in control. Duct tape fixes all.”
The oldest of jokes, they knew what she was planning.But...without Cleopatra and her Marines, they would not be able to save everyone on the ship. Ven took a breath. It was them, or whatever the Nomads had planned. Sacrifices had to be made…The needs of the many…
Outweighed the needs of the few.
Across their HUDs, the conversation and planning was made. Encrypted texts were exchanged, made using eye movement on the HUD. The plan set, Riley shakily stood up. “P-Please, c-can I use the restroom?”
No less than three of the Cultists spun, weapons leveled. Rolling their eyes, Fury flicked a hand at them, really not caring. Two of them escorted Riley to a restroom, shoving her inside. One was at the door while another dragged her to the first stall, shoving her inside. She stumbled and glared, and found the man not letting her close the door. He smirked at her, opening his mouth.
It stayed open as a knife rammed into his throat before being ripped out, severing his jugular and vocal cords in one forceful attack. Riley caught the gun as he stumbled back, holding his throat, gasping. She stepped forward and threw him down, before turning and hiding around the corner. She let out a deep scream, then waited. The door opened and the man went in, gun raised. He spun towards her as he came around the corner, but she hit the gun up and drove her palm into his face, sending him back. Stunned, she aimed a kick to her groin, causing him to rasp out a mangled cry. Wasting no time, she kicked his face before moving, stopping his backward stumble as her arms went around her. With a single, final wrench, she snapped his neck, letting his limp body hit the floor. Panting, she didn't give herself time to relax. Undressing the man, she tore off her blood-soaked clothes from severing the last guy’s jugular, and quickly put on his...ill-fitting uniform. Having to tuck it in places to look as decent as possible, she picked up the gun and headed back out. Eleven here, unknown amount patrolling. She had to ditch the glasses, but thankfully they all had visors with HUDs. Looking at it, she mimicked the patrol of the first one she linked her HUD with this one.
“Wolf is with sheep.” She mumbled into the comm. Continuing the patrol, she was marking and waiting...then Fury nodded. War turned and began to head out. Riley glanced at her allies, then made to go after. Luckily a few others did as well. Clearly, they all were planning something. Five went with War and her, leaving six to help Fury guard the passengers. While outnumbered heavily, the fact was that they’d mow down countless civilians. With the Rangers disarmed besides knives for now, it was a matter of waiting for a good time to attack. Riley made sure to bring up the rear, following. A few other Cultists were falling in now, and based on the schematics they were heading...to VIP. “Careful.” one said. “The blue-haired one is a known Order operative. It is most likely that she has some backup.” The others began to check their weapons. Riley took in a slow, calm breath. They had made Aqua...but how. Unless one of these was from Commander Owen-Hunter’s past, the fact that she was made was close to nothing. Unless...it was someone with intimate knowledge of the Liberty Cell of the Order, of the current Battlegroup LAST SCION. But Milly Stone had been captured, tortured, re-brainwashed and confined the Hunter’s Rest, the massive home of the former Admiral Jeremy Hunter. Even her former assistant had been captured and sent through Spectre Deprogramming. Riley was extremely confused to how this was happening - Spectres were a dying breed, fewer and fewer showing up as the Order put any they found down. And Aqua only had one minute before they would arrive. With ten enemies before her, Riley did the most sensible thing possible - she primed two grenades, and tossed them in front of the group as she backpedaled. The shouts and cries as they turned to flee were met with Riley opening fire as they turned, now caught between a pair of primed grenades and a fully automatic rifle currently filling the area laserfire. War turned to attack her as his men panicked and fell, none wearing armor. She was still retreating, just spraying the entire hallway.
Then the explosions. The grenades went off, one after another, throwing survivors and War all over. Riley was knocked off her feet and hit the ground, grimacing. She struggled to get up, but there was no need. They were dead. She stumbled forward towards War’s facedown body, drew her sidearm, and proceeded to empty her mag into him, making sure the bastard and the incubi inside of him was dead. Reloading her rifle, she limped forward and policed the bodies, making sure anyone groaning was silenced. The sounds of footsteps was heard, and she turned, leaning against the wall. “War has ended.” She said, before opening fire on the trio of enemies currently charging. One went down at once, another dove for cover and the third was hit in the leg. She slid down and took out the survivor, before waiting. The third...she could hear the panting. After the grenades, there was silence. The mild ringing she had gotten from being a yard or two closer than she wanted was subsiding. She could hear the panicked breathing. The fear. “Humanity first.” She whispered to herself, and fired the moment he tried to take a shot. He went down at once, and didn’t move.
Over her comms, she heard struggle and conflict. Things broke. People screamed. More explosions. Then, the inevitable. “Fury’s gone.”
“Conquest has been conquered.”
Riley waited. And waited. “Ven? Ven? Ven?!”
She turned and ran. Death was on the bridge and this ship had not stopped moving.
The Cleopatra listed as an explosion erupted on it's port side. The ship was losing power as it halfheartedly fired back, the trio of Scorpion drones keeping it pinned. Ciaras had already called for a full evacuation, but she deep down knew it was useless. The Scorpions would just pick off the escape pods. Anyone escaping would be an impossibility, a miracle that no one here could produce. He hung his head in final defeat. It was his time then? Here he would fall. "I do not even get to finish my hunt." "Not with that attitude, Commander."
The Scorpions turned as a new contact appeared on an intercept course...then another. Looking at the long range scanners, beneath his faceless helmet all Obsidian could do was smile ruefully as both the Thunderbay and Ghost Eye were coming in hot, followed by escort wings. It seemed the Cleopatra's distress signal had reached it's older sister, who now was on approach with something far heavier than both. Guns warming, the Scorpion had scarcely returned to trying to takedown their original target with the heavier guns of the Liberty Assault Battlecruiser opened fire, bathing the gunships with devastating fire. Their shields fizzled beneath the assault, one of them turning to try and assault - and was gutted by the starboard mortar of the Ghost Eye. It broke apart as the Thunderbay's nose mounted Cerberus turrets opened fire, sending destructive emerald energy at the next one. It was already trying to twist around, and only took the brunt of the assault. The third merely turned and powered it's engines, aiming to ram the struggling recon cruiser before them. The cruiser's mortar turned, all remaining power into that one shot. With the Scorpion going straight, the shot connected, the shield down. The Ghost Eye took the shot with the port mortar, and the last Scorpion broke apart in a flower of explosive flame. As guns went silent, the Cleopatra shuddered...then went still, it's systems finally giving out. It hung there, slowly gliding through space until it's compatriots drew abreast and locked mooring lines in.
Obsidian leaned forward, breathing. That was too close...and this cruiser was now useless. Squeezing his eyes shut, he stood up and turned. Ciaras said nothing. Neither of them needed to - Ciaras needed to take care of her crew. Obsidian needed to save his Rangers. As the other recon cruiser extended it's airlock, Obsidian could only move fast. His people were in grave danger, and he needed to save them...even if the price was the entire cruise liner.
And he'd have to thank Major Vakalis...later.
Natsumi Hideyoshi (The Order) | Alexis Hunter (Liberty Navy) |
Samir and Cam had stayed down, watching them. Three Cultists and Fury now remained there, but there might be far more already. They held far more advantageous positions, and were currently on full alert after the gunfire and explosions sent three of the remaining six down the hallway fast. More gunfire erupted before a final silence fell. The others looked agitated as Fury began muttering into his comm, turning his back to the others. Samir and Cam were behind a few people, thankfully - and so they began hand signalling. Four enemies, two of them. With Fury’s back turned, the two had quite the upper hand...but...they could not miss. Even a single mistake could cause mass casualties, and neither of them wanted to risk innocent life. Each of them went over it once, twice, three times, four. Nodding one last time, Samir and Cam drew their guns and in one fluid motion stood. Cam took down the two Cultists on the left with a quartet of chest shots, as Samir took down the other with a trio of blasts to his center mass. They then turned and unloaded on Fury, who had turned around with his gun up, only to meet them unloading on him. Shots peppered the area around him, while four struck his sides, shoulder, and one to the stomach. He cried out in pain and went down. The two began leaping over cowering people, screams echoing as they shouted at everyone to stay down. Both reloaded as they approached, splitting up to take either side of the counter he had been behind. They wasted no time, jack in the boxing up and over to unload. Fury was on his stomach, struggling towards his rifle - it had gone flying after the hail of bullets hit his shoulder and stomach, and whatever life he had been trying to preserve ended in one last hail of fire. He slumped as they finished emptying their mags into the Infected, panting. Already in their ears the calls for the other’s deaths happened...then Ven’s silence. They glanced at each other, but neither could go. Samir nodded to Cam and jogged over to start retrieving any fallen weapons as Cam grabbed the intercom. “Everyone, my name is Special Agent Leyland Norris of the LSF. I need everyone to breathe and calm down. Please stay calm and where you are while we wait for Rheinland authorities to arrive to assist with the rest of the terrorists. I repeat, stay where you are. Anyone with prior law enforcement or Military training, please come to me so we can get you a gun and make sure everyone gets out unharmed, yes?” Cam talked firmly, with clipped, confident speech. Had to sell being a holier than thou son of a ***** LSF agent who just took down some terrorists.
Conquest finished the bourbon. Sauntering over, he flipped a knife out, cutting Aqua’s bonds. “C’mon sweetie, we’ll be here awhile. Let’s have some fun! Isn’t this a cruise ship? Let’s party!” He laughed, rich and wild as he offered her the bourbon. His eyes flickered dangerously, the gun held firmly. She slowly took the bottle, looking at it. She shook in faux-fear, selling with everything she had...but then he leaned into her ear, lips curling into a cruel smile. “Shouldn’t have come, Amanda.” He whispered, then leaned back. Taking a few steps to lean on the counter, he raised the gun to her. “Any last words, Lightless one?”
“Sidestep.” Aqua said, then sidestepped, letting Diz’s knife slash through the air, piercing his chest. Eyes wide, he didn’t get a shot off as Aqua moved in, foot flashing out to kick his gun across the room. He made to grab her, but her arm came up to check his, hand slamming into his throat before she spun, taking his arm and setting her stance to judo-throw him a few feet away. The sound of all the air in his lungs leaving was music to her as Torque stood up, gun out. The others were screaming and trying to get as close to the floor as possible as Aqua slammed her pump into Conquest’s face, eliciting a scream of pain. His eyes glowed, sending Torque to a knee with a sharp sound, one hand to his head. Aqua backed up, trying to get her shoes off. The man began to rise as Diz tossed another knife, but he knocked it away, the Incubi on full defense mode. Turning to Aqua, he advanced...as she kicked her shoes into her hands. He didn’t laugh, starting to charge as a knife hit his back...then Aqua slammed the shoes together, knives appearing from the toes. Conquest’s eyes widened in shock - the idea of such cliche and ridiculous devices was something no one thought would be used, but here they were. Being rammed into his eyes, an agonizing scream of pain filling the lounge as he clawed them out, holding his face. Aqua twisted her bunny pomf tail off and slammed it against his chest, where it stuck. He began clawing at it, hand to his face before she kicked him over the counter, watching him flip. Already Diz was releasing people as Torque checked the hallway, shaking his head. The man still screamed, struggling to stand as Torque waved them out. It was a mad dash for the door, everyone turning and heading out in a panic across the hall into the neighboring lounge, which had been closed for maintenance.
And as everyone finally was out, the terrible sound of the incubi was heard. Aqua turned to see it rising over the counter, screaming in her mind. But she merely slammed the door shut and reached up to the bunny-ear headband, pressing a button in the crown that would activate the grenade tail she left with the thing. Sprinting across the hall and slamming the door shut, the force still threw her a few feet into the room, sprawling her on the ground. She just laid there for a few brief moments, then pressed a finger to her ear. “Conquest has been conquered.” she said before her head fell, the Order agent groaning. The shock wave had hurt, and quite honestly she needed some painkillers from it. At least she knew the damn thing was dead.
The Ghost Eye did not work alone. One of the escorts wings that had accompanied it was in tight formation, with a pair of Onuris having gone on ahead to intercept the liner. Already they were gaining distance on the lone ship, it already having covered much ground. Any further and it would be within distance of Rheinland Military vessels, and neither of the Interceptor pilots wanted that. They pushed their engines to the max, already loading disruptor missiles. Being made for high speed intercept, the duo cut their cruise engines and fired, the twin missiles slamming into the shield and exploding, the Liner jerking as it exited cruise speed. Neither of them bothered to celebrate, both of them already forming a tight patrol pattern, forming a perimeter as the Ghost Eye approached soon after. The Resheph fired a brace of shots to down the shield, then fired anchoring lines. It was a hard breach, the breaching moor already set and filled with Order Marines. Obsidian was down with them, his own rifle checked and loaded. They all had their orders. They knew their people. This would be a hard entrance, aiming to retake the bridge. Already the Resheph had put on it’s thrusters, forcing the Liner to slow down and buy them extra time...but if they didn’t hurry, Rheinland would swarm and they’d all die.
And none of them wanted that. ”Operatives onboard have been marked. There is a field comm set up - prepare for status updates as we go in. Objective is the bridge - we retake it and stop this ship. Failure to do so will result in us destroying the Liner. We have thirty minutes to do so. This is as close as we can get without risking damaging critical systems. Good luck. For Humanity.”
Natsumi Hideyoshi (The Order) | Alexis Hunter (Liberty Navy) |