Chapter two:
The law of the jungle
"It's really green." Remarked Bishop, surveying the surrounding trees and grassland. Smith sighed, his eyes rolling behind his helmet. "First humans on Venus for a few hundred years. I was hoping our first words here would be something inspiring like: "this is the first step towards humanity's revival", but sure, let's go with 'it's really green'.
"Actually" a slightly mechanical sounding voice came from Luke's left shoulder. "The recording apparatus on your helmets is currently deactivated; your first words here are of no real consequence." "And here comes the voice of no fun." Muttered Bishop, as they looked at the small, white A.I (Artificial Intelligence Robot) which had just materialised by Luke's head. Shaped like 3D multipoint stars with an eye in the middle, each fire team of three guardians received one or more "Ghosts" to assist them on their missions. These ghosts had several uses, they were not only a source of light, but their machine logic allowed them to provide strategic advice, and they could hack into just about any computer system, human or alien. Luke, as the team member with the most mechanical experience (and common sense), had been charged with keeping the A.I, known as Theta. "As much as I'd love to send a stirring video back to the people of the last city, we have a job to do." Luke stated. "Theta, get us some sparrows. "Affirmative guardian Ironsight" "That's Luke." "Yes Luke." Three sparrows (hovering, non-combat speed bikes) materialised in front of the group. They were made from a strange material that could be transformed into compacted energy by computer commands, like a bike that can fit into a pocket. Though experimental, the bikes were nonetheless physical enough to get a Guardian wherever he needed to go. And that was all the fire team needed from them.
11 miles, 4 failed stunts (Bishop), an unofficial physics lecture (Smith) and half an album of dubstep (Luke) later; Smith gave the order to dismount. There was a mile of thick jungle to go before they reached the target destination, and still no sign of any civilisation. Even if it was an alien robot civilisation they were after. They began the trek through the forest, Smith and Luke agilely vaulting over or ducking under anything in their path, and it became obvious that Bishop, with his Titan class heavier armour, was lagging behind. Smith and Luke waited in the nearest clearing for him to catch up, and Luke mentioned "feels all wild in the jungle, doesn't it?" Smith chuckled under his helmet. "There are laws in the jungle too you know."
"Oh yeah? Name one." "Okay, how about: the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack." Luke visibly became less at ease. "So why, then, did we leave a third of our pack behind?" it was then that they heard laser fire booming from back the way that they had come.
Sprinting back towards Bishop, they were just in time to see him drop his empty pulse rifle and begin grappling with an angry creature looking like an extra-large version of the wolf back on earth. Ten others were circling the fight, but spun around to confront the new threat of Luke and Smith bursting into the area weapons blazing. The wolves quickly realised that the flashy lights hurt, and scattered through the trees trying to confuse the guardians and get to their sides and back. The two men adopted a back to back position and began edging towards their friend. They made little progress, the wolves had the home field advantage, and were hard to hit as they ran through the trees, often getting close enough to sink their fangs into greaves and kneepads. Eventually Smith muttered "screw this." Then shouted "BRACE!" He leaped into the air.
As a guardian, he had an intimate connection with The Traveller. This meant that he could tap into the power of the "dormant" orb, and use it for his own purposes. Doing so was difficult, but as the warlock in the group, he was the strongest at connecting with the traveller, and he proved it now as he summoned an orb of purple plasma and hurled it at the ground. A nova bomb; perfectly performed. The explosion killed many of the wolves, and the sudden clearing made the others an easier shot. His outpouring of energy made it easier for his teammates to make the connection too, in a second; Luke had summoned a flaming pistol out of the air and fired of three powerful shots, blowing holes through some of the retreating wolves. A "golden gun." They turned and saw Bishop, as usual refusing to use a direct outpouring of power, hurl off the wolf he had been wrestling with. His visor had been torn off, revealing the grim determination on his face as he yelled "YOU WANT SOME MORE!? HUH!?" The wolf didn't seem scared. More respectful. Then it nodded at Bishop, before turning and slinking off into the trees. Bishop turned round to them. There was blood slightly leaking from a cut to his face, he had multiple gashes on his arms, and his visor was lying somewhere in the clearing, but he was grinning from ear to ear. "Can you guys abandon me again sometime?" he panted. "Because that was awesome!"
Do not expect the rest to come this quickly; i wanted to get to the action and i assume you do to.
Recognising some of the characters from my other stories? It's more than me being unimaginative i can assure you. *grin* Please follow, favourite, and review fairly, next chapter, 'the gape' out monday. See y'all!
