Ok, for this chapter, it's more about Sceptre tracking Beta Squad in the desert than much development story wise. But it does have some points that will be used later on. Well let's carry on then.
Bionicle: The Axalara Wars
Chapter 2: Demon of the Desert
It was a dark, lonely night in the desert. Thousands of stars glistened in the night sky and the small scuttling of mechacorpions (a small robotic scorpion) was the only sound that could be heard. Until…
"COME ON! MOVE IT!" The command was loud and clear and the team moved fast across the dunes. The metal clanking of their feet raised the attention of the mechacorpions and soon began scuttling behind them. And that wasn't the only thing that was following them. Metres away were the lifeless dust that formed a demon of the desert that was hunting them down…
A few hours later…
Spectre had nearly given up. Even he knew that tracks in the desert were hard to find, even with his military experience. Besides, there wasn't much to look for in this desert. There was nothing but dunes all around him except for a large set of rocks and a cave a mile or so ahead of him. Even if Beta Squad wasn't there, the weather must have forced them there at some point during the day. Spectre turned and noticed a sandstorm picking up behind him. That looks fierce, he thought. I'd better hurry up to the rocks; they can provide some shelter for a while. But Spectre knew he had to be quick; any mark left by Beta Squad will have disappeared if the sandstorm reaches the rocks. And so, Spectre began running.
Spectre scanned the surrounding area. Nothing much here, he thought. They must have hidden in the cave then. As he went underneath the rocks, he turned and found the cave he noticed earlier. The rocks he was scanning created pillars for a make-shift shelter. Perfect. But as he walked closer to the cave, he could not only hear the sandstorm getting closer, he also heard a familiar sound. It was a distress beacon but a very weak one. As he entered, he saw a small flashing red light at the end of the chamber. He sat down and played the message. He was shocked to find who it was.
The message showed a former commander of the army, someone who trained him personally in his training days. He was Commander Valkier, once a leader of Xeta Squad that he led to save the HQ in Genesis City from total annihilation. He was regarded as national hero for his quick-thinking and fantastic strategies that saved the city. But it was rumoured that he would spend his time in an upcoming team, training them for the life as soldiers of the Army. The message began. 'Yin, is this thing on? It is? Ok then. This is an urgent SOS from the members of Beta Squad requesting immediate rescue. During our mission, we were being hunted down by some sort of creature, a 'demon of the desert' if you will. We have placed a beacon on us so whoever can find us can locate us for a evacuation. But we hope that the Army has noticed our disappearance on the radar and has sent someone with enough capabilities who can help us.' Spectre couldn't help but feel that was aimed at him for some reason. But his attention was turned back at the beacon.
A voice in the background shouted 'Sir! It's found us!' The message showed a small robot standing next to him shouting this report. 'Beta Squad! Move out! COME ON! MOVE IT!' the message then turned to static and briefly showed where the team was supposed to be on a map, but Spectre noticed that the sandstorm was interfiering with the signal, but he now knew where he had to go. He put the beacon in a pocket and left the cave. He only hoped that Valkier and the rest of Beta Squad were okay…
'Sir! What do we do?' Yin turned and looked at the commander. Valkier looked at him and issued his command. 'Start climbing! Gain as much ground as possible!' Yin and his brother Yang understood and began climbing up a large dune. They reached the top and turned towards the demon. It looked at the team and let out a banshee-like scream and began its attack on the prey…