CH. 6- Amongst the Giants
A/N: So yeah... I say hi from the Land of the Rising Sun. I got here for work and things have been slowed down a lot on my end for the story. My work consumes too much time. Sorry... I'm trying hard, I promise. Remember, Titanfall is owned by EA and Respawn Entertainment.
The local sun was just rising over the horizon and the warmth it was providing was used mostly to burn away the layer of mist that clung to the wet grass. The near serene morning at the colony was shattered by screams, explosions and the staccato bursts of assault weapons.
David's eyes swept over the first few buildings after his boots had sank into the dew covered grass. For their shoddy appearance from above, they looked deceptively sturdy. His eyes snapped back to a Spectre dragging a man by the scruff of his neck to a line of other colonists. He felt something hitch in his throat as the man was forced to his knees. The woman next to him a sobbing mess as she leaned towards him and was cut off as a single shot rang out and she fell forward in a heap.
The row of Spectres behind them quickly finished off the rest.
This.
This was Frontier Justice.
The people were cutthroat out here and if you wronged someone, recompense was harsh. David frowned as he stopped staring and turned away. Something like this used to never bother him, not before his time in the IMC or during. He had seen how the Militia dealt with their own insurgents and called out the IMC for being barbaric.
Hypocrites. Every last one of them and it made him sick.
Criminals on IMC controlled colonies at least had the luxury of a trial to prove their innocence. Not here though, and right now they didn't have time to set up a court for a whole colony living off the grid.
"Never get used to seeing this." Mantesteva's voice cut through the silence on the comms.
"No… Not even us Frontier Rats." White commented a few moments after. "Shit is fucked up, even by our standards." David could see White striding past a pair of Spectres that were hefting a corpse over to a pile. The man shaking his head slowly. "Damned test for the General's new sex toys I bet."
"Fucking White!" Someone bellowed into the comms. The mood failed to raise with the half-hearted laughter. Even David forced a small laugh.
"Alright everyone." Tapley's voice ground out. "Keep your rifles up and heads on a swivel. The Spectres haven't finished sweeping the area, so keep your eyes open for Militia forces and locals looking for potshots."
A chorus of aye-ayes filled the channel as the Pilots broke out into trios and spread out amongst the buildings. Explosions and increased levels of gunfire indicated that the Militia reinforcements had engaged with the IMC forces sweeping the area.
David kept close to a wall as he began to enter the housing area, his head tilted up and his eyes looking for any motion in the clouded sky. He would see the occasional dropship zip in or out of his line of sight. More IMC Pilots had joined Hazard on the ground and with how a few moved across the open rooftops or the grass-filled streets. They were new at this.
They also didn't last long.
One Pilot on a roof was felled by a single shot from a sniper. A trio on the ground were riddled with holes from machine gun fire. David shook his head sadly as he watched them fall to the dirt. One hadn't stopped moving though, a few weak motions as he attempted to crawl away.
Without another thought David dashed from cover and in a show of dexterity went into a roll before propping up on a knee to take aim at any Militia forces. Two Pilots and a squad of Grunts fell into the sights of his Hemlock before he squeezed the trigger. The burst-fire weapon and it's accuracy tearing into the Pilots and the Grunts that hadn't been caught in his sweep scattered to find somewhere to hide.
With his current opposition subdued David made for the last of the distance to the wounded Pilot and grabbed him by the shoulder of his gear. The man groaned in pain and offered no other form of acknowledgement. The man was fading fast, and David needed to hurry.
Letting his Hemlock out of his grip and hang on the sling across his chest. David grabbed the man with his now free hand and full on backpedalled towards a nearby home. His back slammed into the door, but it was locked and he believed barricaded too. He slightly turned to slam his shoulder into it for good measure. Something rattled, but nothing budged.
A window near the door flew open and a shotgun barrel was shoved out at an awkward angle to try and catch David in the blast it let out. He was too close for the buckshot's spread to do anything and he reached out with his right hand and yanked the gun out. A terrified shriek from a woman erupted from inside as the gun was yanked and she came following out the window on the ground below him. David didn't hesitate as he drew his sidearm and shot her twice in the upper back.
Raising his weapon he reached to his belt and pulled a stun grenade and released it's pin in one fluid motion. Counting silently in his head he side-armed the canister into the window and hefted the wounded Pilot onto his shoulder before the bang went off. When it did he tossed the other man inside before following him in.
The room had obviously been a nice and quiet homestead before the IMC had shown up. These people could have been good people too, but to David, they had sealed their fate the moment they abandoned the IMC. Three men and two more women were inside and clutching at their heads in pain before David sighted them and emptied two bullets into each.
The room seemed to fall deathly silent before several bodies collapsed and one of them landed on the lone table. No other signs of motion were made until David relaxed slightly and released his offhand from the weapon. He needed to treat this Pilot before he bled out.
Dragging the boy by his gear away from the window David did a superficial glance at the other Pilot. Several bullet wounds on the upper legs and two in the lower torso that he could see. Luckily it seemed like some of the juice that is pumped into the Pilot's veins was slowing the blood and keeping the poor guy awake.
"You're going to be fine," David paused to look at the strip of cloth with the man's name, "Jenkins. I'll get you patched up." David reached into a pouch for his basic aid kit. "Hannah, ich brauche Hilfe."
"Ich sehe hervor, welche Wunden Sie über die anderen priorisieren sollten. Die beiden unteren Torso-Wunden und diese beiden sind in der Nähe einer Arterie und sollten schnell behandelt werden." Hannah's voice filled his ear and several red spots turned to blue as Hannah made the necessary adjustments to his visor.
.
There was not much resistance to the IMC fleet as it dispersed the smaller ships into a defensive position around the carriers in orbit. Captain Van Doorn looked out the massive window on the observation deck and stroked at his mustache in thought. The object of his attention being that of the dark emerald of a planet before him.
Moments like these made this whole thing worth it. The adventure, the danger and the conflict. All of it paid out to his sense of duty and these discoveries and once in a lifetime views.
He pulled his hand away and dipped it into a pocket to retrieve a pipe. The old wood worn with time but still strong, just like him. Placing the stem between his teeth he proceeded to pack it with some fancy tobacco he would order through some fancy catalogue. He made a mental note to buy some more when he reached a Hub.
He was nearly out.
As he reached for his matchbook, he w as interrupted as the only door slid open and a junior officer strode in, silently taking in the sights. The young man shook his head before stiffening and taking a breath.
"Captain, there is a broadcast waiting for you on the bridge, sir." The man stood there, motionless and awaiting dismissal and started to fidget awkwardly when the Captain said nothing.
"Very well," Van Doorn eventually spoke. His voice hindered by his clenched teeth on his pipe. "You may leave, I'll be along shortly." He suppressed a sigh as the man smartly turned on his heel and departed. Van Doorn opened his eyes to look at the unnamed planet below one more time before removing the pipe from his mouth. It wouldn't due to show he was breaking regulation on the bridge.
As the door to the elevator slid shut behind him he pulled out the small tobacco case from his pocket and unceremoniously dumped the tobacco from his pipe back inside. He stowed the case and the pipe in his blouse pocket just as the door slid open to the passageway that would lead him to the bridge.
The starting of a migraine was making itself aware, he had a good idea as to who was trying to hail him. He tried to shove the displeasure down and he kept a straight face as he passed several crewman and patrolling infantry, acknowledging them with slight nods as he strode on.
The bright lights and the polished steel of the passageways provided a great contrast to what he had seen out the viewports and screens. In it's own way, it was cathartic to him. It helped put him at ease as he approached the bridge and helped bolster him as he crossed the threshold.
The bridge was alive with action, troop deployments on the ground were displayed on multiple screens. Unit statistics were displayed with their appropriate attachments and even Titan launch preparations were displayed on the side. Several ships had already deployed their armored payload to the surface. The Capacity was one of them.
Reaching the command chair he rested a hand on it before placing himself in it. A blinking yellow light alerted him to the transmission awaiting him. Without another thought he tapped it and a small screen came to life near his hand.
General Marder was on the other side of the screen, and the man did not look too pleased.
.
"So this is our prospective list?" There was a pause. "I've seen a few of these Pilots already, I think you need to rethink what qualifies them." The sigh that followed Blisk's statement echoed over the channel as he stood in a now abandoned room.
"Hey, you gave me criteria for what you want to expand the Apex Predators to more than just tactical advisors." A female voice retorted over the comms. There was a burst of gunfire and the line was silent for a moment. "A lot of the Pilots you wanted me to look at are too new, too idealistic." Her voice returned to the line. "We need people with more salt, more jaded in the whole thing."
"I get what you are saying, Slone." Blisk ground out. "What I need are experienced Pilots, but you can't pass up fresh new ones that have the talents we need. We can change them later with training and experience." He paused as he started to leave the room to rejoin the combat. "If they live."
Slone chuckled over the line.
"I can think of a few to look over. I've got a few contracts drawn out for a few after we are done here."
"Sounds good." Blisk's eyes turned back into the room once more. Examining his work at the colonists that were splayed across the floor. "Just make sure to pass them by me before you approach the Pilots." There was a noncommittal grunt across the channel from Slone. He chuckled, that was the best he was going to get from her about this topic.
.
David let out a breath as the other Pilot was finally patched up to the best of his ability. Hopefully someone would come and pick him up soon. David reached over to the other Pilot's kit and triggered a distress beacon. That would ensure someone would come to get him.
Passing his hands over his pants he attempted to get some of the blood on his gloves off. Staining his uniform in the process, he would need a new one. Grimacing he reached for his Hemlock and checked it quickly. Still ready and loaded, good.
David's radio came to life.
"David, do you read me? Over" He stopped dead in his tracks and reached up to key his mic.
"This is Lurch, go ahead, Ace."
"I've got a fix on a Militia sniper positioned at the top of the crow's nest of the watch-tower, can you draw his attention while I move in to eliminate him?" David took a moment to approach a window and peak out at the aforementioned building. Several ideas came to mind. One stuck.
"Leave it to me, Jake. Over and out." He cut the mic and switched channels. "This is Liuetenant Turner requesting Titanfall on grid seven-tac-three. Hard-fall request."
"Acknowledged, Pilot." The deep drone of Spyglass responded. "Standby for Titanfall."
"Hannah, während du wartet, um zu fallen, bekommst du Jakes Lage, ich möchte dafür sorgen, dass er in Ordnung ist."
"Pilot Lincolns Vitalität ist alles im normalen -"
"Nicht was ich meinte, Hannah." David groaned out as he made his way out the window he had entered in. "Sag mir nur, wo er ist, bitte."
"Verstanden." There was a pause. "Pilot Lincoln ist ein Viertel von einem Kilometer südwestlich von Ihrer Position. Seien Sie geraten, es gibt mehrere feindliche Infanterie und Titanen in Ihrem perspektivischen Weg."
"Verstanden, ich gehe."
"Anerkannt, sei sicher, ich bin im freien Fall." Hannah reported before the line went quiet.
David pressed his body against the first building he came across to see where the tower was in relation to his current position and the newly placed marker on his HUD. It was still a good distance from him, but it provided a lot of sight to whomever was inside.
He peered around a corner to spot the flaming comet that was Hannah. She was going to land nearly on the lookout. He knew she wouldn't be able to tear down the building, but she could rough the sniper up a bit.
David could hear the occasional explosion and constant gunfire. But it was subsiding. The battle was moving elsewhere and the Spectre advantage the IMC had was too much for the M-Cor reinforcement.
Like rats they were scurrying off to find somewhere safe.
He hadn't broken completely from following the cover lines the buildings offered, but he had relaxed slightly from his coiled stance.
Lurch had jogged almost two building lengths before he heard the humming. His instincts told him to dive and he did. Narrowly avoiding the stream of electricity that flowed over him and into a building. His head snapped back up quickly to find the source.
Not seeing anything immediately he turned his head to the side and saw an open door. Rolling quickly in he could hear the hum build back up.
"Hannah, ich brauche Hilfe!" David called into his radio. He fell silent as he heard voices approaching him.
Readying his weapon he went to his back and propped himself up against the wall near the door. The voices drew closer and he could make out what was being said.
"-sector almost secure! Archer squad is meeting up with us on the other side of that building, let's go!
"Does anyone hear that?" Someone piped in as they moved through the muddy street.
"Yeah... Shit! Get to cov-aaaggh!" The Sargeant screamed in pain as the Arc Cannon discarched towards her and her team. The electricity began jumping through the Grunts and only one managed to step back in time.
"Fuck! No!" The man howled as he regained his nerves and surged forward to save someone.
David had seen the intention, and he didn't know why, but his body forced him to move. Leaping to his feet he managed to get up and out the door to grab the man before he could get any more than two steps.
"Shit! What-?" His complaints and curses were silenced as the screaming from his team abruptly silenced. The man's helmet swiveled over to watch as the electrical charge superheated his team's blood and the newly made gas forced it's way out of the Grunts.
Explosively.
David had managed to pull the lone man back to the relative safety of the building and clicked on his radio again.
"Hannah! Wo bist du?"
"Derzeit unterwegs, ich habe mich von einem feindlichen Titan verlobt." There was an audible pause. "Das Problem ist gepflegt worden. Ich werde kurzfristig da sein."
"Danke, Hannah." David sighed into his comms. This day was very hectic for him. He was being oddly emotional and it was now starting to bother him.
"What the Hell man? Who were you talking to? What were you saying?" The Grunt had now gotten his bearings and had stood back up and approached the sitting Pilot.
He also had to deal with this guy now.
David's glowing visor turned up and as the young man was about to say more he paused as the pieces fell in place. The man realized he had been ready to berate a Pilot, and one that had just saved his life. The man's mouth clicked shut.
"Just remember that I could have let you die." David spoke up ad he climbed to his feet and peered back outside.
.
"We need to get the fuck outta' here!" A man cried to the others gathered near the equipment. "We are farmers and moonshiners! Not fuckin' soldiers!"
A few of the surrounding men nodded while others tended to the monsterous weapon strapped to the power loader. A few sparks erupted from one place and while the onlookers shuffled nervously, the mechanics didn't bat an eye.
"Look, lad." A technician spoke up as she peeked over the Arc Cannon. "We have a good kill-box here." She gestured to the piles of reddened gear that was once a squad of soldiers. "Those IMC twats won't dare come after us here. They will get bored and move on elsewhere."
The first man opened his mouth to object but shut it when he saw her get back to work. They were entrenched in a large warehouse with only one entrance. Forcing IMC soldiers to funnel in. This also left them trapped.
"What about Titans?" Someone asked. Gesturing to the rusting mech that stood silently against the back of the building. "What if one of them shows up?" More worried glances were making their way around.
"That's why we modified this." The lady called out again. "It puts out enough power to short out anything. It draws directly from the colony reactor." She gave it an affectionate pat before she looked up at the group. "Besides, I doubt the IMC would waste those resources on a group of 'pitiful' farmers."
"But didn't we see a Pilot earlier?"
That's when the rumbling started and all the questions ceased. The building started to vibrate and tools along the wall rattled. Someone finally broke the sudden silence amongst them.
"The fuck was that?!"
"It's a fuckin' Titan! We gotta go!"
.
Hannah drew back her fist again as the structure held under another strike. The optic swiveled slightly as she studied the few dents she had made. Adjusting the output to the various servos and realigning her aim she struck again.
The wall cracked under her fist, giving her enough room to grab the new edge and tear it off with a deafening roar. Alarms immediately blared as her chassis came under immediate small arms fire. The level of her shields was logged and added to a minor monitor as she peered in the hole she had made.
Several men and women armed with rifles were firing from cover. She logged them as low level threats and continued her assessment. A firmly mounted Arc Cannon sat on a cargo loader and pointing down the muddy street. It sat currently abandoned of Titan or crew, no threat. A low rumbling caught her attention and her scan found the last threat.
A rusted old Atlas struggled to rise as it's pilot was attempting a manual operation with no signs of an OS. Moderate to low threat. She calculated how long dealing with the threats would take her and saved her results for review later. The results were in her favor, these were simple folk, farmers and mechanics. She should not have even had to label them as threats or targets. At this point though they had damned themselves, for they had threatened her Pilot.
She would do anything to protect him.
"Pilot Turner, ich empfehle Ihnen, zur vorherigen Richtlinie zurückzukehren und Pilot Lincoln zu finden. Das sollte nicht lange dauern." With a powerful motion she kicked open the wall the rest of the way for her to crouch and crawl in. A scream was cut off when the shattered metal crushed one man.
Ten targets remaining, Titan still intact.
Hannah reached out and grabbed one of the metal supports above her, tearing it out she slammed one end down on a man and swept it, with him into three other people. She didn't stop to analyze her work as she was now moving on to the next closest target.
A small woman screamed like a banshee as she fired until her clip was spent. Hannah's massive foot came crashing down on top of her and silencing her screams.
Hannah took a moment to check her shield charge, still nearly full. Low grade weapons with poor munitions loaded. Threat level changed to negligible. She changed to her priority target, the Titan staggering towards her.
The cockpit was exposed and the pilot was openly struggling with the controls. As the woman inside let out a defiant cry while throwing a wild haymaker, it was pointless. Hannah caught the incoming fist with ease and before the woman had time to register her impending death Hannah reached forward.
The woman's cry was muffled as Hannah's free hand crashed into the cockpit and it was silenced as the Titan's fist closed on the pilot and destroying everything inside the surrounding operating space.
The Atlas went limp in her grip and she let it drop to the floor as she surveyed for the last of the resistance inside. She spotted them in the road trying to surrender to an IMC grunt. He stood silently listening to them with his gun half raised. Hannah's audio receptors could pick up that they were trying to bargain for their lives, the Grunt didn't listen long before he gunned them down quickly.
With those targets eliminated Hannah moved towards the exit but halted as she scanned the Arc Cannon again. Heavily modified, but a decent replacement for the 40mm cannon she had lost in her skirmish with a Stryder. She had tried to salvage her weapon from the wreckage, but the weapon was too damaged after she used it as an impromptu spear to exploit a weakness in the command pod of the opposing Titan.
With the pros and cons weighed in she gripped stock and the base of the barrel. With a sure grip and appropriate pressure as to not crush anything, she planted a foot on the loader and gave it a mighty pull. Her foot pushed hard and with little time the poorly done welds shattered and the weapon came free.
Armed with her new weapon she moved to shadow her Pilot.
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David was short on breath as he sprinted down the side street. This area was almost deserted as even the IMC had moved on. The fact Jake had stayed in a location for what he felt was too long had him worried. Rounding one more corner he spotted what he guessed was the final door.
The flimsy metal sheet that made up the door didn't stand a chance as his boot caved it in from the force. It fell off it's track and into the room, surprising the residents inside to his entrance. His Hemlock raised to kill those who threatened Ace.
His eyes tracked three plus one friendly. The rifle in his hands went up and his finger tightened on the trigger.
"Stop!"
He wasn't sure if he would have stopped for any other voice at that moment, but he did. His finger tensed for a moment before going slack against the trigger. The barrel was dipped slightly as David's head turned to his protégé and friend.
Ace.
.
Streams of data coursed over the several screens in front of General Marder and his attendant. Several other technicians were there as well. Analyzing the influx of information and then sidelining notes for later.
Marder held one hand up to his chin and tapped at it with his knuckle in thought. His attention was between two streams. The new updated Spectres and the seven Gen-2 Pilots still active on the colony below him.
Most of the results were disappointing to him.
The Spectres were a known improvement, but it was only slight once the actual Militia forces showed up to contend with them.
The Gen-2 implants? They had nothing concrete on that program yet, shame. His eyes shifted over to the attendant who was making comparisons to the different Pilots and jotting things down on a paper pad. Marder's eyes narrowed at that, paper was less common, especially here in the Frontier.
"Tell me, First Lieutenant, what do you see with the implants?"
"Well, sir, they are currently only recording data for further analysis." He paused as he adjusted his glasses. "Although the neural relays they provide have given a proven three percent reaction boost as well as an estimated heightened strength and endurance by about two percent." He looked back down to his pad and noted some things down before meeting the General's gaze again. "Would you like to add some variance to the Pilots?"
General Marder nodded once and Martin silently went to work at a console. Fingers flying over the keys as he sent messages to the implants in the different Pilots. He paused to look at the options for the different Pilots. Martin took a breath in as he finished the new commands.
"Modifications have been made, sir." He walked up to the General. "I've made the implant send signals to induce new chemical signals in the brain. Increased aggression, paranoia, depression or decreased them. Soon we will see how they affect the Pilots in question."
General Marder nodded slightly in acceptance of the information, a small smile tugging on the corner of his lips.
"Very well, you may return to your post." He narrowed his eyes for a moment. "Make sure that you make your rounds through the brig after the battle here. We want to see how the new model of Spectre approaches information gathering from a hostile source."
"Will do, sir." Isaac made a note on his notepad to get a few of the machines and set them up for a basic program. He needed somewhere to start, so he would have it modeled after him. Today was looking to be very productive.
.
"Fine. I'll help you, but we are having a talk after the mission's over." David growled. He didn't know what to do. This man who he trusted was helping the enemy now! Why did he allow this? He shook his head as he stiffly turned away from the colonists. He couldn't bear to look at them, the hate the woman showed towards him was palpable. He knew the real reason though, for his cold attitude, Jake had forced him into this situation and David knew he couldn't harm his friend. His rifle snapped back up as he peered out the door and scanned for anyone, Militia or IMC.
"Hannah."
"Ja, Pilot."
"Was ist die Disposition der IMC-Kräfte in diesem Sektor?"
"Die gegenwärtigen Kräfte bewegen sich nordwestlich im Nordwesten, um die Milizkräfte zurückzuziehen." There was a pause. "David." He hesitated, she never said his first name. "Es scheint eine drastische Veränderung in der chemischen Balance in dir zu sein. Ich kann keine eingehende Sonde machen, da etwas meine Analyse deiner Vitalität hemmt."
"Wa- Mach dir jetzt keine Sorgen darüber, wir können uns später damit beschäftigen."
"Bekannt, wird dieses Thema in einer angemesseneren Situation wieder besprechen." Hannah conceded, but David could pick up what he could only guess was apprehension in her voice.
David peered over his shoulder at the small group with him, the woman with a shotgun was right behind him and the child followed her. Jake was helping the old man hobble along, David knew he should pause or slow down for them, but as he looked at Ace again he felt his anger spike. The betrayal of seeing the other man helping the enemy cut him deep. He could feel something cracking.
Swallowing the lump in his throat he suppressed the budding emotion with an iron will and focused on the approaching corner. They were near the end now, and then he could find out what had given Jake this change of heart. He paused as he scanned around the opening and the open field ahead of them.
Once he deemed the area clear enough he lifted an arm and tilted his wrist to get them moving again. He lowered his rifle as he straightened slightly. They should be clear now, and an odd sense of elation passed through him. Was he excited that he might pull something off that he should be stopping? Or was it like all the other emotions that had been welling up within him lately. His eyes caught the tree line and how close they had come, his eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"Oi! Pilots." Fuck, this guy. David stopped in his tracks and slowly turned.
Kuben Blisk stood not too far away with a detachment of Spectres accompanying him. How had he found them? How come Hannah hadn't warned him? As the Spectres approached them he lowered his rifle and let it hang from it's sling. His hands raised slightly in show of no resistance.
"David. Ich muss meinen Piloten um jeden Preis schützen." David squeezed his eyes shut as the pieces clicked. "Ich entschuldige mich, aber um dich zu beschützen, musste es getan werden." Pilot Lincoln läßt seine persönlichen Konflikte Sie und die Mission gefährden."
David let his hands drop to his sides. He couldn't look up to see Jake as the Spectres apprehended them all. Forcing them to kneel. His anger at Jake was still there, but he knew Blisk's reputation. The man would kill the Pilot, and no matter how betrayed and hurt he felt he couldn't let the man kill his friend.
"You'll live longer."
David's eyes snapped open and he looked at the knife wielding psycho. To Jake's credit he hadn't flinched.
"Let him go, Blisk." David spoke up, his hand resting on his sidearm. Ready to draw in a moment if he needed to and his other resting on the back of his kit where he kept his data knife. He was already planning on how to disable the two Spectres nearest him. They came alert when he touched his weapon.
Blisk hadn't moved, it seemed the man would at least entertain him.
"This isn't his fault. The kid's still a rookie. It's his first time seeing our way of handing out justice." Frontier justice was swift and brutal. Jake may have been a Pilot now, but he was still a Core kid. "He's confused, not in his mind at all."
Blisk didn't turn away and David gripped his weapons tighter. He was frustrated and he could feel the anger and distress clouding his mind. In the end, the hurt from the betrayal overwhelmed the other emotions raging in his head. The mercenary's arm tensed and David could see him slicing Jake's neck open and spilling his blood on this unknown planet. He wouldn't let his friend die here.
"He's not worth the effort."
Those damning words stung him. Some part of him felt like they were justified for what Jake did to him, but he quelled that thought. He could feel the handle on his sidearm creaking in his grip. The standoff didn't last much longer as Blisk chuckled and stood up. David let go of his knife but maintained his grip on his pistol. Ever vigilant on the mercenary.
As the man began walking away he almost relaxed, but his heightened senses screamed danger and he drew his Hammond in response. The weapon stayed at his side as Blisk shot all three colonists in a line. Executing them, but sparing Jake. David breathed a sigh of relief.
"We don't take prisoners." With his piece spoken the man left with his retinue of Spectres. David watched them warily as they entered the colony again.
He hated that man.
David turned from the now gone man and machines to look at Jake. He worked over in his mind how he could broach any topic with the man. He hesitated, Jake seemed to be going through the shock of the moment. He took one step towards his friend but stopped.
He betrayed you and sided with the sympathizers, let that sink in. Some dirty little part of his mind told him, and in a moment of anger he turned and strode away. He would calm down first before he would address that problem. His boots made contact with one of the dropship's loading ramp and he ducked his head as he climbed in. He didn't say anything as a Grunt went around passing ammunition and explosives to the troops in the dropship.
David knew what was going to happen, they were going to crush the Militia at the distant crashed wreck. He felt a small ray of true joy in that moment.
No rest for Hazard this day.
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P/N: Thank you for reading! I hope it was to your liking for the delay. So I hope I can make the updates more regular now, since I am used to my schedule here, mostly. I also have about a quarter of the next chapter ready, since I've been grinding away at this one and got the next one started on my friggen' cell phone at work. Which in itself is a pain in the ass since it autocorrects everything into German, first world problems right? So Jake belongs to my buddy Reilly, Captain Van Doorn belongs to Mac Gustah and Isaac Martin belongs to Torheit. Good luck and keep on keepin' on Pilots!
Translations in order
"Hannah, I'm going to need help."
"I am highlighting which wounds you should prioritize over the others. The two lower torso wounds and these two are near an artery and should be treated quickly."
"Hannah, while you are waiting to drop, get me Jake's location, I want to make sure he is okay."
"Pilot Lincoln's vitals are all within normal-"
"Not what I meant, Hannah."
"Just tell me where he is, please."
"Understood"
"Pilot Lincoln is one quarter of a kilometer Southwest of your position. Be advised, there are multiple hostile infantry and Titans in your perspective path."
"Understood, I'm going."
"Acknowledged, be safe. I am in freefall."
"Hannah! I need help!"
"Hannah! Where are you?"
"Currently en route. I have been engaged by an enemy Titan."
"The problem has been taken care of. I will be there momentarily."
"Thank you, Hannah."
"Yes, Pilot."
"What's the disposition of the IMC forces in this sector?"
"Current forces are moving north by northwest in pursuit of retreating Militia forces."
"There seems to be a drastic change in chemical balance in you. I cannot make an in-depth probe as something is inhibiting my analysis of your vitals."
"Don't worry about that now, we can deal with it later."
"Noted, will revisit this topic in a more appropriate situation."
"I must protect my Pilot, at all costs."
"I apologize, but to protect you it had to be done. Pilot Lincoln is letting his personal conflicts endanger you and the mission."