XCOM: War of the Chosen
Retribution's Ascension
Chapter I
"Central be advised!" A smooth french accented voice spoke into his microphone while overseeing the street, "Supply crates tagged and marked, awaiting pick up!" There had been a great surge of moral ever since the commander had been retrieved and slowly brought too after some days in being imprisoned for possibly years. Idly replacing a near spent magazine did Bradford's iconic gruff yet steady voice come over the channel, "Good work!" Static briefly came over but cleared up immediately, "Menace One-Five, Firebrand is inbound to your A.O Hell-Hounds, E.T.A roughly two minutes!" The supply raid had unexpectedly been relayed to XCOM's avenger as they'd been moving to head to an undisclosed location. Rumors were of a meeting between factions that had been resisting Advent's occupation for decades possibly.
Corporal Jean Martin lead a newly minted squad which had been brought together underneath Bradford's leadership. It'd been before retrieving the commander from Advent's prison and once transfer ship of senior leadership came to pass things would change. The young man sighed tiredly before tapping his right ear signaling three other operatives, "Hounds rally to my location. We're heading home, so sound off." The mission had been relatively quiet given only half a dozen troopers accompanied by a sectoid greeted them! God be praised, amen to your name! Jean ideally prayed while sighing loudly due to a fact of leading two rookies and one freshly promoted sniper took a hell lot out of his sanity.
"I'm about thirty yards from your position, Jean. Just picked up some loot!" The man carefully avoiding exhaling heavily to be heard over their communications channel, "I think we got a laser sight or something!" One giddy youthful voice made him roll both eyes, "Congratulations, private. Tell me if it actually works this time, would you?" Glancing over past several destroyed cars which had made short work of hostile troopers trying to take cover from their sniper failed to realize grenades created big explosions. He really felt a migraine coming up when a young teen barely out of high school by anyone's sane expectations replied way too cheerfully, "I swear it works! It's actually not flickering as much this time, so chalk one up for the good guys!"
Several moments passed before a frown came over the man's face as silence reined over their communications channel. Pressing a finger against an ear, "Sanders, Daniels report in! Damn it, if either of you are..." His unspoken threat quickly brought online the other rookie who sounded incredibly terrified, "Jean! You have to help me! Please, I tried to warn Daniels but...it..it!" Pants of breath of hyperventilation came to override anything legible. Whatever happened they needed clear words and not absolute panic.
With that in mind an alert corporal barked out firm commands, "Sanders stop breathing so heavily!" Pausing for a moment to hear the other man whimpering, "Private, listen to me very carefully, okay? If I can't hear what you're trying to say, I won't be able to get you to the landing zone where I'm at." The man looked up to see his fellow XCOM squad member make looking slightly pale hearing their fellow's panicked voice, now it wasn't exactly settling to hear someone getting close to having their heart give out.
But that frantic muttering came back, "Oh god...oh god I'm not alone!" Jean looked to a paling girl who held out an actual functioning laser sight much to his amazement, "Sanders where are you? Get to open ground, I'm right here with Alena. Remember those cars you blew up covering our asses, we're right next to there so get over here!" Again somehow through an act of will Jean calmly tried to steer a panicking man who shakily spoke sporadically, "Cars...yeah, okay! Okay...oh god, I hear it coming, what are you!" They heard a squealing of static when something as metal being scratching made both listening resistance fighters jerk away from their microphones, "Get the fuck away from me you...you fucking thing!"
Gunfire fully erupted not even a block away as both resistance fighters looked towards the area in various states of alarm. Alena looked ready to vomit, "Jean." She said quietly sticking close to him as his eyes narrowed reflexively trying to gauge where his other rookie member kept fleeing, "I don't think he's mind controlled because you...you know, how we'd all hear him struggling." Stories from a war fought years earlier and currently made them well aware of mind-controlled friends, "He sounds pretty spooked, I think we missed some enemies here?" Her eyes nervously scanned their surroundings which were choking up with blackened smoke and possibly other such debris from an earlier fire fight, they'd be prime targets if Advent still had boots around.
"We'll find out one way, or another." The elder man said grimly not looking forward to discovering a potential horror show, "Reload and slap a fresh mag in. On me, now!" Rapidly covering distance past several flaming wreckage's did both resistance fighters cover an alley way where gunfire kept up. Alena motioned for him to move forward as he wordlessly scanned his sectors of fire. Two buildings wedged themselves on both sides leading to possibly a warehouse of some kind given how the alleyway lead to some sort of unloading area for big rig trucks. Little to no lights were powered as cables carrying electricity had been destroyed by their previous engagement. Jean mentally took a note to avoid acting so reckless next time.
Automatically his finger pressed the weapon's flashlight to on, "Light's up, Alena." He looked back to see her nodding a little frantically for his tastes, "Roger, Jean!" An entire lot full of trucks gave them ample cover as their lights revealed brass casings of their panicked squad member. Both operatives noticed how sporadic their spacing had been given they were aimed literally everywhere! Jean internally considered that it could have been possibly an enemy, or possibly multiple. Presently the question was what could it, or they be actually?
Coming to a small back entrance were spent casings leading into said building made the corporal again frown. Putting his index finger next to an ear, "Sanders! Sound off, where are you?" His voice kept itself firm as confirmation came back when more gun fire erupted inside, "...get away from me! Oh god, Jean it's inside with me! Please god...help, HELP!" Static exploded causing him and Alena both to hiss out again in absolute pain as they both heard similar bells ringing. Shaking off that moment gave way to immediately locating their panicked squad-mate, if anything they had half their work cut off since there wasn't any word from their sniper's end as well.
"Alena, door." Two words with him gesturing as the youthful girl pressed herself against obviously trembling, "On three!" She whispered marking off as her gloved hand pushed the handle down allowing Jean to rush forward slamming it open, "Clear, move up!" He announced zoning left to right seeing steel layers of pallets. Pallets full of packed food, toys and other such items meant in a retail chain storefront. Lighting overhead gave them little comfort, or rather they weren't providing enough.
He noticed with a shiver, they weren't right. Some sort of lamps yet they were swaying gently back and forth almost way too eerily. Occasionally metal squeaking from not being oiled properly broke the silence. It painted an overly creepy environment, one they did not want to spend any more time in. Both soldiers moved forward deeper following a trail of spent bullets, casing of emptied out mags and rounds just flooded them for several meters. Jean started to grow increasingly concerned given how much ammunition had been spent.
The barely adult girl spoke up shakily, "Fucking bullshit, Jean!" Both of her hazel orbs were watering given how enclosed these isles of pallets loomed overhead, "Why the hell is Sanders running in here for anyways?" It was a good question the corporal internally agreed with yet he kept them set on their course, "We'll find out, kid. For now gun's up, we shoot anything that isn't us or our own, clear?" He kept those orders simple and to the point to which she nodded absolutely sure. There wasn't any need to play it cautiously now since shivers ran up his spinal cord now.
Both of them went rigid when they heard whimpering just up ahead! Creeping forward Alena gestured towards a distant section of wall where parked forklifts were at, they noticed a particular low lying level of steel holding battery charging stations. Underneath was an ample amount of room for a person to hide given how large plastic wheeled bins were what appeared to have been violently thrown aside, Jean felt himself shiver as the bullet casings lead them. Crouching down did his light reveal a fetal man whose face looked as if he'd seen a ghost, "Sanders! Easy, take it easy, it's us!" He gently yet firmly spoke out offering a hand to an obvious catatonic man, it puzzled him when he kept himself rocking back and forth.
"Christ!" He heard a younger girl softly speak up, "Just look at him man!" Alena moved closer to Jean's crouched frame, "He's so scared of his mind he can't even react to us!" The man's eyes were distant as he kept on rocking himself constantly. Mutterings and whimpering were simply too common for an expected panic attack. It begged a question neither of them wished, or dared to find out an answer for.
"What the fuck does that?" She hissed out utterly freaked out as the corporal managed to lightly grasp Sander's hand, "Hey, rookie! Eyes on me." Two brown pupils looked over barely responsive as he firmly ordered him, "You're alive! You hear me, you're alive and we're heading back home, understood?" A small response which required some forceful motivational words, "Stand the fuck up!" His fellow squad mater whimpered trying to regain some cogitative ability given he dragged himself out of a hiding spot, Jean almost hissed out in frustration to hear bullet's being kicked up with a weapon's barrel scratching the granite like floor. Yet they'd found their man alive and somewhat well.
Sander's youthful looking face looked beyond frightened, "Did you get it? Is it gone?" Normally where glasses had been was a singular red line. Almost as if they'd been smashed into flesh, "Jean...I...it got him! One moment I saw it and then Daniels...he...it..." The man broke down blustering out words making a corporal sigh out tiredly as his hand came to settle on a singed shoulder pad, "Easy, kid." He told him firmly once more taking control to also turn his fellow resistance fighter's weapon's light, "Take it easy! Whatever happened happened and I can't control it, but we need to leave now!" Glancing upwards he'd imagine their ride getting close, "Pick-up is on it's way and we need to get these crates back home."
Suddenly something slammed closed making three soldiers jump! The sound boomed ominously as it echoed throughout the warehouse's interior! All three resistance operatives looked around frantically but Alena's voice wavered, "Didn't we leave that door open before coming in?" Before either of them could say a word did their half schizophrenic of a squad mate cry out, "Oh god! You didn't get it...it's going to get us, it's coming..." Their senior leader kept a hand holding him firmly in place, if anything keeping themselves together helped slightly more than being split up.
One firm grip kept them from all breaking apart, "Alena!" Jean spoke very simply getting a chill as well, "We're leaving! Keep an eye on Sanders, move on my flank and do not leave it." He noticed the girl trying to edge towards where they'd come from which wasn't an option obviously, "Let's go find the front door, it's clear we ain't alone tonight." She cracked a smile when he nodded forward, "On me!"
Dragging one man while leading another soldier certainly made Jean question whether his sanity could remain intact. The three moved towards a massive set of double doors leading into what was an actual shopping store. It looked like a mix of an open floor warehouse and retail front given how many isles were on display with items partially stocked. It wasn't exactly comforting given how every single light never turned on, not even frozen vendors remained darkened. Occasionally they heard crackling from frozen foods as subtle humming of freezing equipment made silence eerily consistent.
Every single inch was drenched in pitch black. More it naturally was leaving them drenched in possibly darkness so vast their lights couldn't reveal everything, they barely saw anything beyond ten feet. Unfortunately nerves were shown to be loosening, "Anyone up for a clearance sale tonight?" Alena jokingly tried to uplift a growing sense of tensions lingering outside their flashlight's range but sadly it hardly helped given Jean replied somewhat annoyed, "Time and a place, kid! A time and a place."
Three of them moved solidly as they'd be able too together past several glass doors leading to frozen foods. Jean absently noticed his own reflection which looked dreadful to say kindly, "Keep your sectors of fire in place Alena." He noticed her trying to reach for what appeared to be frozen pizzas, personally he knew it certainly was not tempting to snatch some food given how the Avenger needed supply raids to keep their stomachs full. Their boots clicked against a somewhat polished floor once they picked up the pace to move past several isles again partially stocked with products. Yet something still wasn't right as tingles went up their spinal cords individually.
They all heard dripping coming somewhere in front of their route, "Stop!" This finally came from his squad mate as she started to scanning their flanks clearly feeling something totally wrong. Even Jean hissed lowly once his instincts went metaphorically nuclear, "Stay on my flank, I'm tossing a flare!" Kneeling down while keeping a quietly whimpering Sanders in sight, Jean bit off a flare's top and popped it allowing red light to drive away an encroaching darkness which seemed suffocating in nature. In hindsight it just revealed horror as he tossed in front of them and what came next sent the hairs on his neck straight up. Alena gasped out in sheer terror, "Oh my fucking god! Is that actually..."
All of them witnessed a corpse hanging upside down with the lack of it's skull attached! Red streams crept towards them making a mockery of what could be a stream, it continuously dripped. Crimson droplets slowly feel several feet onto a growing pool of darkened red, "Daniels." Jean grounded out past his teeth trying to ignore an unnatural cold seeping up behind him! Fuck, fuck, fuck! He glanced back hissing out each word clearly not just understanding they'd been lead here, "Shit! We just got played so god damned hard, I can't believe it!" Oh he knew they'd been lured in by their own squad mate who hadn't an idea why, it'd been bait and they had taken it like suckers!
Inwardly crushing any ounce of fear did his eyes adjust to see red outlines and shadows moving as the flare did it's job of keeping their surroundings visible, "What was that!" Alena bit out keeping a rifle trained past several tables full of clothing as a white light revealed absolutely nothing, "Jean I'm not going crazy! Something fucking moved, swear to god right there!" They remained still waiting for any sign of movement yet nothing moved.
Except for a hissing flare slowly dying met their senses. Whether something was there, or not they needed to get outside. Outside in order to reach their landing zone and given how Firebrand would show up, it was solid motivation to leave immediately. The corporal made a decision to get out now! Breathing deeply he lowly told his rookies who wanted to be anywhere else but where they stood, "Sooner we vacate this place, sooner we get back home. Gun's up, we find our front door like it, or not and we get the hell out of dodge!"
No sooner did those words get spoken did they wince together as crackling came over their communications channel. Simultaneously they both heard someone speak while watching a red flare get snuffed out, they felt something breezing past them. All in order to have them drenched into near pitch black darkness again, "Now isn't that so very heartwarming." Eyes frantically scanned nothing except an empty environment, "A shame your hopes are utterly irrelevant." Both Alena and Jean looked to one other with similar looks of shock as their communication channels had been hacked! More so that single statement was met by a snap of air coming from behind their position, neither of them could react in time as Sanders got yanked back!
Vainly clawing at the floor he screamed frantically, "No, no, no! It's here! It's here..." Their squad-mate was pulled further away before being yanked around what was a corner yet Jean immediately reacted by sprinting forward shouting, "Alena! On me, cover now!" Skidding past the corner did they hear Sander's screaming but he wasn't there anymore! They could hear him still since Alena looked utterly terrified out of her skin as she gestured wildly, "He was just here! Right fucking here!" They had turned a corner and found nothing yet screaming distantly echoed around them, they heard it so distinctly it sent shivers down spinal cords as a high pitched squealing filled their ears.
Nothing but an empty isle between frozen glass doors packed with food. A rifle had been dropped given it's light flickered,"Where the fuck did he..." Any words said got immediately cut off due to bones snapping into pieces given how screams, or squealing alike were silenced abruptly. Cracking filled an imagination , or two along an entire room that went into a sickly state of quietness, absolute silence reigned around them. It caused the young girl to struggle to stop herself from breathing heavily, "Oh my god! What is happening to us?"
Not even remotely willing to find out Jean yanked her forward, "Move now! Forward!" The two operatives sprinted towards where cashiers would have normally manned boring jobs, "Shit! Door's locked and closed Jean!" A steel sheet blockaded their entrance as an answer came forth, "Use your grenade!" He patted her back firmly keeping an eye on their backs, "Blow a hole now, I'll cover you! Go!" Her eyes were frantically coming close to exposing an internal panic as her fingers shakily came to settle themselves on her vest where said object hung itself. Training and muscle memory kicked in as fingers slipped around a priming handle, it clicked when armed to detonate.
Pulling a pin she shouted out preparing to throw it, "Frag out!" Jean's rifle blazed to life as his eyes heard movement coming from their immediate left! Bullet's ricocheted off anything hard enough to withstand their stopping power and in second hearing a distinct ping meant a live explosive was in play! Alena moved back gripping his vest's handle yanking him behind cover as an explosions roared sending shock waves outward, "Move, move, move!" Three second passed before Jean cried out as they bolted past burning wreckage of melted steel to see a skyline filled with sparking stars. They were outside, they were going to make it and haul ass on home. So close did both operatives could actually feel cool air brush against their faces, they heard crickets within am emptied parking lot and a transport signifying Firebrand's arrival also became visible.
They just crossed outside before both resistance members froze mid step, "Admirable." Jean heard it first as though it's speaker was behind him. It came quickly like these whispering words which were spoken almost vindictively kind, "But ultimately futile!" Alena's scream made him desperately try to pull her back towards him as her eyes were so full of fear, "Jean..." Her voice broke when literally they got slammed apart and her shrieking became a series of instinctive frantic kicks, or punches when being pulled against her will!
The man looked over seeing darkness itself literally dragging her legs back through a blown door, "Help me! Please, Jean!" The girl who barely turned eighteen weeks ago was yanked backwards into darkness as he helplessly fired around trying to save someone whose screams were soul scarring to bare witness. Shrieks of helpless terror echoed behind him as it all ended with an ear shattering, "No, please no, oh my god! Help, help! No, please no..." Brutally ended were those words altogether, he even heard gagging and gurgling indicating an end to life itself.
His ears tingled due to bones being utterly crunched and warped ceased a young woman's life. Jean's eyes were widening once footsteps casually approached him, "Come on you son of a bitch! I'm right here, come and get it!" His rage boiled over pulling a trigger to send what remaining bullets forward as his shout came sailing forward over the ricocheting lead rounds, "You want me? Well here I am!" Eyes darting left to right as something got nudged when he saw television sets on display almost innocently.
Fingers jerked angrily letting loose every single munition locked within his power, "Where are you! Come and get it mother fucker!" An entire magazine wasted itself dry yet it obliterated electronic products, sparks and hissing became prominent when blue lightning flashed. Not before long the corporal realized an inevitable conclusion once a weapon clicked empty. No sound, nothing moved and a cold chill went up his back. The man snapped out his induced rage trying to come to terms with what happened!
The first of many taunts began, "Over here!" Something whispered next to him as it were just an arm's reach away. Snarling he threw aside the useless weapon to whip a knife, he had it drawn out in a reversed grip immediately, "Over here!" It came from in front yet it also appeared behind, "No, over here!" Jean Martin backed up slowly feeling a growing dread.
He was outclassed, no he'd been fucking toyed with. After everything given due to whatever this thing appeared to be playing now, he felt like a mouse being toyed with ever so cruelly. He turned around running full into a spot light? The resistance operative screamed reflexively when bright light overtook his vision, "...what the..." He squinted seeing Advent troopers leveling their weaponry at him. God help me, where did they all come from? Jean couldn't believe it as an Advent officer merely stared back as if not surprised to see him given how relaxed they seemed.
"Behind you." The man's back went rigid when he slowly turned around to see something shimmer out of existence, "And now, good night!" Jean's world went into darkness as his temple met solid ground despite eyes fluttering dangerously close to a concussion. All he would remember seeing his armored boots with elongated claw like spikes designed to hold something in place, it also dripped crimson meaning he found his squad's hunter. Anger surged granting some sliver of strength to move. But within seconds in trying to move his world turned dark and the man knew no more except tasting a warm coppery taste on his tongue.
"Secure him." I stated simply while kicking away some poor excuse of a knife, "And avoid damaging this one, I need him suitable for interrogation." Advent troopers were silently ordered by an officer who stood next to me speaking in their tongue, I refrained from taking off my mask. I hated these cloned and mass produced dolls for meat shields. Yet these officers had their uses given I crossed both arms walking froward as I spoke over a shoulder, "Also have your troops retrieve the other bodies. We'll use them as a warning."
I kept my gaze trained forward as both legs carried myself towards an extremely armored command vehicle. Stepping around it did I move up onto a lowered ramp, I noted it'd been deliberately vacant much to my liking. Hunching over I made way my over to a chair which was modestly suitable for a person to sit down to view a console. Once I sat down it became active with several scanning lasers indicating a user, "Designation confirmed as Retribution." That code name flat out refused to die off given how it ironically wasn't what I intended, but in hindsight really if anything it'd be considered an actual vendetta. However I got saddled with it no matter what I did.
A mechanized identification required me to lean forward allowing to scan an eye, "Retribution, confirm retinal scan!" Several reddish lasers lit up the offered eye once I blinked to rid myself whitish spots "Identity established, Retribution we welcome you back! Proceeding to grant you access to stronghold seven, one moment, standby for secure connection." I leaned back trying to avoid sneering at several Advent troopers moving outside, I really started to grow irritated at their presence. They were so damned useless ever since getting unplugged from whatever made them useful earlier on, I needed a drink if I continued to hate them this much as it was only Monday.
An overly highly detailed screen appeared as I watched the face of nightmares return. I kept my tongue bitten to avoid having myself sneer, "Was your hunt successful?" The voice of my warden, or teacher asked me fondly. It turned out in my ignorance of the past it was in fact a she, god help me as I shuddered trying to not remember how I found out. Forcing bile down I replied to her ever so grudgingly respectful, "Yes, Master Void-blade." Her smile revealed razor sharpened teeth clearly enjoying the flattery I laid on tonight, "XCOM took the bait as we prepared, I managed to leave their most senior operative alive and unharmed, mostly. Sadly we underestimated their commitment, I do believe he's but a corporal at best."
My hood along with a facial mask concealing the frown I had did wonders as she replied, "Excellent. You're becoming very efficient dear student, I must say." I externally sighed lowly ignoring an unseen attempt to anger me, "Are we certain this will be enough to confirm our suspicions? You've been away a lot trying to decipher whether those Reapers and Skirmishers are planning something big, I'd hate to waste your time." I amended near my statement trying to avoid falling into a trap so she'd be able to have an excuse to cut me into ribbons. Training with swords and being tortured by said things were hand in hand in that hell of a place I called my residence.
"Your compassion is touching, should I feel flattered?" She taunted me coyly as I kept my eyes hopefully stoic enough for her to wave a hand dismissively, "Continue your hunts, student. I shall go retrieve a wayward traitor before long, I trust you'll be productive without my guidance?" I gave one slight nod, " And if there's a time in which we must be summoned..." She trailed off awaiting as I quietly responded all too knowingly what exactly the Elders summons to those they considered their entitled chosen meant, "...and I shall be there at their call, Master. I haven't forgotten who I answer too, so don't fret about inconsequential doubts as they're no longer an issue."
Her amethyst eyes glowed in warning brightly at my choice of words, "Careful my dear student. Is that arrogance I sense in your tone?" My brain wired a response sharply in return, "No, master. I just stated a fact that requires old wounds to remain healed, I simply wish to reaffirm I have no ill will passed between us." That smile gave enough meanings except for avoiding potential problems later as I waited patiently for several minutes. Eventually it all settled out thankfully once she replied very confident given both gloved hands folded themselves underneath her chin, "Remember your place and you shall be granted what is coming, student. Until I have need of you, I shall grant you anonymity to hunt resistance operatives if only none of my other siblings require your services, I do expect my dear brother to snatch you away as always for his rifle's charm."
Comparably I held no complaints compared to another zealous sibling I refused to think had a conscious altogether. Yet it was a price to pay, "As you wish, master. I'll hold true to your will and to the Elder's who watch over us." I recited somewhat reflexively due to lessons of said zealous individual who was a sibling to her, "See to it, student. Hunt well and don't die too quickly." And with that the screen went dark leaving me in somewhat of a peaceful moment, I sighed tiredly leaning back to suddenly smash my fist onto the console's exterior. It dented very obvious given how my rage took a hold almost too simply for my tastes.
"Bitch." I swore lividly leaning back knowing that her self-given 'anonymity' was just a kick in the balls, "String me along every time and you expect me to fight back. I'm not stupid." Radio chatter circulated around myself as speakers picked up intercepted transmissions from those who were trying to hail dead corpses, or a captured operative. Leaning back comfortably I heard an overly gruff voice raising itself as if desperate to hear a reply, "Hell-Hounds report in! Corporal Martin do you copy, Firebrand's in position for extraction! Get your people out of there now!" My lips pulled into one wide grin that mimicked a certain teacher of mine that I'd wish I never relate too, I had moments to reflect I'd be damned to hell's awaiting embrace.
Minutes ticked on by before a female pilot's voice came to life, "Central. Code black, I got Advent swarming all over down here and I'm taking fire, Hell-Hounds are code black, how copy?" Their chatter seemed morbid given how the voice of my enemy's leadership replied quietly, "Solid copy, Firebrand. Return to base, our mission's been scrubbed." I chuckled hearing a man realize he'd sent four into death's embrace, I held no remorse or pity for those who'd become stepping stones to achieve what I desperately sought! I kept monitoring radio chatter as a faint reply came back with engines of some aircraft zooming overhead, "Wilco Central, Firebrand returning to base. May God watch over their souls, over."
I sneered openly to ground out hatefully, "God won't save your souls!" My hand burned as wounds years old had refused to heal with time's gentle passage, "He left this planet the moment you allowed aliens to conquer us like fucking cattle, so reap what you sowed to take your prayers and stuff them down to your dead." Starting to take off gloves I allowed fingers to flex getting knuckles to pop in relief, I ignored the scars lining both palms in order to close my eyes. I desperately wanted to sleep and possibly not wake up for a long time yet fate wasn't kind to me today. Before I knew I heard a beeping chime itself into reality, I mentally prepared for another round with potentially dying as I sighed irritably.
"Retribution be advised, inbound communications incoming from stronghold seventeen, automatic priority over ride established!" The console's mechanized voice recited so dully I rolled both eyes, "Patch it through." Bracing myself internally for another potential brush with death I came face to face to someone whose ability to kill targets at long range smile devilishly. The hood iconic to be tailored for shadowing eyes similar to my master's wasn't enough given how a cocky like attitude rang through speakers, more so they didn't do justice to how absolutely cynical this thing's tone went off. Yet I needed to give respect where it'd serve me to live and this individual warranted such caution on my part.
My head bowed lightly as I spoke up, "How can I be of service to you, Master Grimlance?" Technically he wasn't my official master yet among her siblings I definitely gave respect to them when it served to keep a head between my shoulders. His voice hadn't lost it's sly playfulness, "Has my dearest sister tired of you yet boy? My, my, my and here I thought she'd never let you off a leash to go play fetch." It took a considerable amount of effort to just gnash both teeth silently as I awaiting obediently for my superior to speak his mind. Again I kept telling myself technically I could have retorted an equally snark remark but I wanted to keep myself alive a little while longer underneath his mercy.
"Master Void-Blade has presently granted me anonymity to hunt resistance cells at my discretion. However..." I attempted to explain my circumstances before he literally barked out chuckling, "I am well are of what my sister entitles to your little 'freedoms', boy. She dangles your freedom like a carrot, I'd be inclined to have you suffer that disgrace but I require need of your shall I say, myself-taught lessons for your adequate talents." Wisely I refrained from saying anything given how serious this creature sounded and his eyes narrowed perceptively pleased in seeing an emotion called excitement wander into open view.
The resulting smile caused him to ask one simple question, "How much has my dearest sweet sister inclined to tell you of rumors pertaining to those Reapers?" My eyes flickered away giving him enough of an answer without saying a word, I heard him laugh absolutely amused in seeing I knew way too much about it. He pulled up a hand to have it settle against his face pleasantly impressed, "Your lessons in gaining knowledge about picking your shots is starting to pay off, boy. But please do speak your mind, I wish to hear what you think and I'll keep what transpires away from dearest sister." He promised sweetly as I resisted an urge to mouth off, I knew he'd probably say something trivial to piss off my master eventually and hell damn me since I wasn't looking forward to it again.
"These groups who resist Advent and the Elder's are coming together, willingly." I said it frankly making him gesture for me continue, "It might not be today, or next week but two of them are going to meet for some sort of cooperation if I had to guess, master." Taking one deep breath to steady an already rapidly beating heart I kept myself humbled when explaining opinions, "Master Void-Blade wanted me to capture a resistance soldier to hopefully gleam some insight, I know that I just confirmed what she knew and is moving to intercept them. Although I know not if they'll succeed to drive her off given it's not simple to defeat you, masters."
The hunter of all long range killers clapped very sardonically, "And finally we get to see a pet learning how to play dead! What a day I'm having to see you learn my tricks, boy." I kept both eyes trained ahead to simply ignore these provocative acts, "But your instincts are sharp to assume so. The fields of battle are shifting direction, boy as I suggest you best prepare yourself." He warned me very suddenly that I blinked in sheer disbelief. I must have been absolutely crazy but to me it seemed his expression twisted in a fashion of someone who just wanted to see something they invested in to finally bloom fruitfully, "You'll have your shot, Retribution. Eventually a student graduates as does a spotter becomes the shooter, you're set to overcome what my dearest sister has longed to crush inside your heart, I look forward to seeing you in battle."
My head lowered as I understood what he was stating. I was being allowed to go on my own finally, "Thank you, master." I said those three words very genuinely nervous as his soft laugh of amusement gave me strength, "I'll take your warnings and expectations to heart, I'll achieve what I've longed to find. And if I must seek advice, or counsel I'll contact you if you'd allow it." My green eyes looked directly into a pair which glimmered predatory in nature, "Consider it granted, boy. Now don't disappoint me, I do intend to make sure your skills haven't diminished, Grimlance out." The screen went to an Advent loading icon leaving me in a position I'd never imagine happen, I guess things were changing very radically if I'd been given free reign to move around now.
Keys were immediately tapped as I sought information I'd been gathering for weeks, "Let's see if you take some fresh bait, XCOM. You fell for supplies but I wonder if you'd go for a back door into Advent's network. How much are you going to commit to getting a foot inside the network that's gotten an entire world brought to heel." Taking a moment to compose myself I sent out instructions across back channels of Advent encryption detained specific parameters, likely so I wanted patrols deliberately avoiding an area in where any insertion by aircraft for resistance fighters could be dropped in. Giving them a fail safe security to lure them, I'd become their monster, just so I would set the trap to snare prey that would understand one thing perfectly clear. There was another predator very eager in seeking blood of his enemies now.
End Chapter I
Author's Note: Note the names of these Chosen, I'm just going to off their 'titles' the game likes to give out. I'm sure many will point out and correct me, I'll edit them if they change or they're not exactly accurate. However for now that is the names that are for them to be addressed, you'll see in time why I initially left them as that. But overall I wanted to post this chapter since I'll be away for a few days, plus I wanted to showcase just how this 'character' we've been introduced too shall operate. It's a taste, an extremely radical take on what could be, or should and you'll see what traits from in-game perks you noticed. It'll change in time but for now, this is what you might be seeing a lot.
Regarding squads, I'm sure many of us (myself) included know not to fucking lose them early on, or rather rarely get caught off guard that bad. I've lost one, maybe two soldiers on Impossible on one mission and on another play through I only one lost man through an entire campaign, luck was included and factored. It's XCOM2's unique system in which I find relatively sound, if not unexpected ass kicking to get you crying out, 'why game, why?' So we're all set to know random encounters, moments and what not all factor into this story inevitability. I'm not trying to make something incredibly over-powered, I mean if you look now and currently into possibly future engagements you'll notice something.
Our character is good, I mean good as in what he does. But comparably to all the Chosen, they're great at what they do, so I for one will not try to convince you that something is broken. Factors, load-outs and experience all change outcomes always in every mission in game, or in this story. Plus there's going to be a more interesting element of resistance fighters being sent out simultaneously, or rather several squads doing several missions. Similar in game and in Long War Mods, I tend to enjoy doing LW2 especially since it amps up everything to absolutely insane levels. Again I'm probably saying more than I have shown above, but it's more or less me justifying what's to come initially, so don't jump to conclusions right away.
There's a lot of realism takes that might be good, or bad pending on you (readers) feel. Often or not, I tend to go hand in hand with what works and what really gets people hooked. So I thank you for reading, I wish you well and I hope you're safe especially in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Let's just say I'm getting close to being fed up with fanatics on all sides of that massacre, trust me when I say, my patience for idiocy is reaching limits that even when I served in the U.S Military I'd never dream to be tested when living a civilian life style. Prayers I'd assume will help, but unfortunately I've grown too jaded to say I'll use them because I fear I have become way too numbed and cold to say it'll make a difference now.
An irony here is I write about people doing 'evil' acts, or rather have twisted views. Anyone could argue they are a reflection to my imagination yet I also have one difference between people who believe that this is a sign of me doing terrible things. There is one small yet absolute detail, these stories I create are merely meant for fictional and never meant to be believed as reality. It's all a hobby, smoke and mirrors meant to convey points and themes to those who want to read for fun, or rather want to read a story about things they themselves cannot understand. In short I am not worried about labels, so don't mind my ranting below and please keep yourselves knowingly as good men and women who read.
Anyway have a good week people, be safe and I hope we can prevent evil from arising. Whether we as writers on this site escape a twisted and maddening reality we just know even as fictional these works sometimes grant us peace, or us a voice, it sometimes must do more. Whether we are American, whether we are whatever god damned color or share similar faiths, I must tell you every person has capacity to do extreme good, or extreme evil inside our hearts. My mind is jaded yet my heart is soft when it never ceases to loose that gentle goodness I harbor, it won't go away no matter how hateful or angry I get. It just remains, I don't know whether I should keep that inside me or not, please forgive my ranting and...thoughts, it's just getting worse out there no matter what you all think.
But I know we as good people need to step up now more than ever, good souls know when enough is enough.