XCOM: War of the Chosen
Retribution's Ascension
Chapter VI
Fast roping became quite an interesting sensation Elena Dragunova found out pleasantly. She'd been third to descend after two of the resistance's Aces dropped down. Feeling gravity do work while holding on as air whipped past inside underneath her mask made it all refreshing. Mechanized sockets took in bright lighting once night took over it's inevitable transition, no light of day would save or assist in their mission to bring back prisoners of war. Their success became paramount to get those who'd believe in them to surge forward, by any stand tonight was a major battle that could would decide the war's course and currently they needed this for one such time.
Gloves meant to sturdier in handling weapon grips burned modestly brief. Yet faded away once her feet planted solidly onto ground, "Outrider move to higher elevation. Get your eyes up." Lighting had been specifically chosen as one factor inside their deployment zone. Darkness gave all shielding and protection from those staying within light. Cars and trucks distantly swept past freeways alight in their man-made beacons of lighting. People who were residents wouldn't be aware of what prowled beyond their gazes.
The Reaper hardly missed a beat when one of these Aces gestured towards high rise buildings. One of them readied themselves to be her unofficial spotter, "Roger, moving up." Her cloak whipped past a highly alert marksmen who'd been XCOM's lead man on taking long shots. That changed immediately in her presence to scale up piping to bring her dragonuv rifle clearing every sector of fire, Elena's gaze narrowed up ahead to move up to another level of structure. Dimly aware her spotter moved behind to stay below as Firebrand took off to be on station for extraction.
Alone at last, I am free to move as shadow. She thought contently to plant herself prone overlooking an entire field, "Ace's moving up. Securing vectors of fire, eyes up people." The leading Ace spoke calmly yet held an aggressive tone to pick up any slack, "Reaper! What do you see?" Mechanized sockets expertly zoomed in magnifying targets marked by both memory and now technological laser spotted electrons to all weaponry.
"Three armored transports each with our targets inside, they've stopped because of traffic." Outrider's synthesized voice module spoke levelly, "Plenty of Advent, I count exactly a dozen troopers and several lancers spaced out evenly. More maybe on opposite sides of vehicles, how copy Ace-lead?" Five soldiers moved tightly together sweeping all sectors so effectively they were almost gracefully, plus not a single sound drew any local populace's attention as several civilians walked by without ever realizing armed fighters came within an arm's length. Her gaze honed in on each Advent hostile while idly flickering the laser sight to mark them cleanly in sight.
Ace squad's leader replied rather innocently, "I'm sorry but what was your last, Reaper? I detected an inadequate sit-rep, over." Elena replied without missing a beat, "Then I suggest Ace-lead you clean out your ears and use your eyes." Several snickers of communications couldn't be resisted even as she smiled briefly, "Outrider over and out." Another fifteen or so seconds passed with five armed soldiers taking up positions to ambush the convoy's slow moving line, it all seemed to be going rather smoothy given an urge to frown came up. The veteran Reaper paused mid thought to feel something incredibly off about this vantage point, it wasn't quite what she needed.
Raising her fist before pointing palm sideways towards an alert spotter who looked up attentive to see on point, "Spotter move up thirty meters. Wedge in between water tank and support beams." Quick simple directions as he nodded once while she instructed calmly, "Scope out what you see on nearby high-rises, I want eyes and ears." She magnified through mechanized sockets which glowered a dimmed out yellow to zero in on one particular series of structures directly over-watching an entire main avenue of traffic. It looked absolutely pristine at first sight as lighting made it extremely difficult to see above it which got her attention immediately, she'd consider it prime real estate.
Using urban lighting as cover, I'd be there watching my prey. Glancing over to view three of the five Ace's crouch behind cement blocked indicated rapid advancement. They all started cooking grenades ranging from fragmentation to flash-bangs intended to create one loud fireworks show. Not even ten more second passed when she received word, "Outrider, Spotter in position. How copy, over?" Elena frowned when again everything seemed to be perfect and reacted by moving up to start getting another suitable angle overlooking her peers. Clutching the weapon which had slain many from shadow and distance did a Reaper swiftly relocate herself, it felt ideally right.
"Stand by Spotter, moving to secondary perch. Keep eyes up, over." Leaping over several gaps hidden by building's poorly designed angles, Elena found herself perched and wedged between a large satellite providing localized television stations. She eased herself prone once more to clear away some loose ruble to have a rifle's barrel clear of obstruction, "Outrider to Ace-lead, how long until going hot, over?" The hood carefully allowed mechanized sockets to magnify past man-made lighting to view an area once not capable to be seen.
She got a tense response as though someone were waiting, "Fifteen seconds, maybe less. Wait until troopers group together Ace's, lead out." The Reaper waited absolutely still allowing darkness to do it's natural purpose of concealing death itself. Elena scanned each sector she'd be able to provide support but something wasn't right, "Spotter move to secondary perch, eyes up, over." The man hardly missed a beat clearly expecting to move frequently, "Roger Outrider, Spotter moving on-site." Humming intently she remained focused on that overlooking building waiting as her gut instinct started to tingle in a rare show of present mind, why did unease and doubt wish to remain?
Ah, I get it. Flicking a laser sight to superficial settings used by her mask's alone. Evidently Elena grimly understood very well. The Ace's weren't just being shadowed by a Reaper, they were being observed and she knew what it was understandably. You're here after all with us, Stalker. It became inexplicably paramount to feel uneasy knowing whatever it lay in wait was on par with her own ability, or in other words danger not to be underestimated.
Explosions rocked ground as a miniature earthquake shook her position briefly. Two cars were detonated prematurely by grenades as half a dozen troopers got sent flying with limbs severed, "Going hot, Ace's go!" Soon enough gunfire erupted with firefights starting up in two separate locations, Elena gave her go-ahead to an ever patient Ace spotter whose trigger disciple impressed her finally. Slightly smiling as supposed to being disappointed, "Ace-Spotter you're clear to engage. Call out anything peculiar, otherwise hunt well, Outrider out." Exhaling sharply to ward any offset problems in shooting did a Reaper settle right back into it's natural environment, soon Elena became one with shadow to wait for any sign of an adversary.
Come out, Stalker! Appraising surroundings her scope slowly scanned over rooftops as more explosions came echoing. Transmissions were picked up, "Watch your flanks Aces, smoke that officer! Good shot, good shot!" Firefights exchanged multiple rounds from Advent weaponry and resistance crack shots who took down their enemies mercilessly. Several bodies got sent splattered against armored trucks whose drives were picked off trying to support their allies, Elena's gaze hand's hadn't moved from their intended position, effortlessly she zeroed in on one particular area of a battlefield and waited for Stalker's to appear.
Smoke rose up masking an even already difficult approach yet her rifle adjusted itself accordingly. Hardly thirty seconds passed before finally something glinted to her right peripheral! You're moving fast, I can respect that Stalker. Easing herself to remain still slowly shimmering air parked itself somewhere between smoke and fire perpendicular to several soldiers engaging Advent forces. Elena immediately gave out a warning to not have them break cover. Taking a calculated risk she'd use Stalker's patience to her advantage,"Ace-Lead! Come in, over."
The Reaper heard an aggravated voice reply hotly, "What is it now Outrider? We're kind of conducting a firefight here, over!" Two mechanized slots zoomed in filtering out smoke, lighting and absolutely anything to slowly reveal what her fear's grew into. A humanoid shape had slid down in between vehicles which were burning as she adjusted inches to keep up with it's pacing, "Be advised and do not break your position, Stalker is confirmed inbound on your right flank. I repeat, Stalker is confirmed, how copy?" Her hazel orbs remained in place so intently sweat couldn't break an organ's purpose to track an imminent danger and it seemed one wanted to confront it foolishly head on.
"Clarify, vector." Ace squad's lead ordered coldly as if looking out for Stalker's form. Wise but irrelevant given you can't see it to the naked eye, Ace-lead. The Reaper replied curtly while advising very simply, "On your seven o'clock between destroyed vehicles. It's moving around your lines, I'd advise keeping an eye on your backs and tighten up, over." She watched a creature pause as several Ace's quickly bounded to over-watch their backs, now Elena smirked seeing it slip away as if not daring to press it's luck. Opportunist indeed and it'd be their saving grace if they could be able to counter themselves accordingly.
Dragunova gave an update which she heard a relieved sigh causing another smirk to appear, "Stalker's backing off, Ace lead." Her face hardly lost it's focus given a small rib, "You can press your attack, I'll inform you when you can stop sucking your thumb, over." The Reaper allowed some satisfaction to hear an angered growl but nonetheless weaponry discharged even more quickly. So far their attack had been spot on, minus Stalker's presence but Elena kept herself vigilant to continuously filter out more spectrum to slowly get another angle on a dangerous foe. She soon found out that it'd be a continuous effort to maintain.
"Spotter, confirm visual on Stalker?" It'd hardly hurt to get another set of eyes on it, "Negative here Outrider, permission to adjust perch?" Already this Ace knew how Reapers liked to operate as she replied rather sweetly, "Permission granted, over. Mind your head." The man had ducked underneath wooden beams while rapidly gaining ground to over watch from an opposite end of their battlefield, Elena mentally gave praise when it'd be given for practical usage. Seconds passed before a glimmering shape appeared this time between two pillars, Stalker had reallocated into a clever position where eventually one, or two Ace's would wander into given their engagement.
Keying her microphone she gave a second update to Ace-lead, "All Ace elements be advised. Stalker confirmed between pillars, I'd personally make one of you toss an explosive to force it away. Or risk your lives, over." The spotter took an over-watch to take out two troopers who were trying to move around Ace squad's flank, now that alone caused to Elena nod approvingly just in seeing her provided support do what was exactly required. Not even a moment later one fragmentation grenade got sent tossed over an armored vehicle's hood forcing the humanoid creature away and the Reaper refused to lose sight this time.
"Stalker has moved on, advise you secure your target's Ace-lead." Elena spoke calmly refusing to look away from an adversary who disappear between billowing smoke and raging flames, "Copy Outrider, Ace-lead out." Suddenly nature intervened once wind came strongly at her back to move between alleyways giving strength to uplift huge columns of smoke as it concealed even more high-rises forcing her to frown. Her scope adjusted itself yet Stalkers silhouettes vanished leaving an overly annoyed Reaper at square one again.
Where are you going now, I wonder? Checking around Ace squads sectors of fire she noted nothing stood out, or rather nothing on screen picked up her quarry's signature. You're not getting in close to targets you'd be able to end swiftly, if not them then... Elena's eyes widened when veering over to see where her Ace spotter took shots whenever flanks got exposed. Using the scope it filtered out all hindrances to reveal to her exhaling breath Stalker's signature, "Ace Spotter!" She watched a man perk up yet he whirled around feeling nervous given a smile appear beneath a Reaper's mask, "Be advised you are not alone in your perch. Recommend immediate reallocation, Stalker's on your tail and I mean directly on your ass almost, over."
The man booked it without hesitating to move way beyond a patient beings pace, "Wilco Outrider, solid copy!" Her heart raced feeling an almost long forgotten thrill in being tested, so strongly Elena Dragnuvoa felt herself shudder pleasurably in witnessing death walking among those who were being prevented to enter it's arms on her whims alone. You're living up to your given moniker Stalker, if I wasn't a Reaper you'd have free reign on this field tonight. Show me more, I want to see you work for your prey!
The shimmering silhouette ceased to move as it came to crouch overlooking the street which began dying down. Few Advent troopers were alive, or returning fire as their mechanized infantry unit exploded in a shower of sparks. Her eye narrowed seeing limbs probably as hands slithering forward possibly placing a weapon back hosted in place, "All Ace elements move in and secure our packages, over! We're not failing tonight, Ace-lead out." Mechanized sockets continuously filtered smoke out of its user's sight to further provide clarity to an unseen foe. Seconds passed agonizingly slow as she witnessed Stalker hadn't moved from it's own claimed perch to merely observe prey conducting their mission.
What are you waiting for? You have opportunity to strike, what's made you stop now? The intensive waiting game lasted another few more seconds as Ace squad started liberating their imprisoned operatives. However an alert sounded from Firebrand's pilot, "We got inbound Advent drop ships! I count three...no six contacts, two will be immediate in fifteen seconds Ace squad! How copy, over!" Their aerial support read it's radar as Ace-lead replied back obviously wanting more Advent to kill off, Elena frowned in just hearing that arrogance yet alone wanting to see it's face, "Glad to hear it Firebrand! Ace-lead out!"
Stalker's silhouette vanished again causing a Reaper to follow an intended path. You called in support, didn't you? That's why you stood still, you wanted to see how your battle's momentum shifted. Impressive deductions, Stalker. Drop ships swooped in not even fifteen seconds later as flares were dropped with multiple groups of Advent troopers being peppered with over watches, they were in wide open zones yet something odd happened. Specifically Elena slightly moved when most shots were veering wide as a faint scratching noise crackled over their microphones, it sounded like someone keying a hot mike?
All of Ace Squad and Reapers simultaneously froze once they received a cold shiver run up their spines. Elena shuddered either in twisted delight, or genuine fright to see hear a voice commenting rather coyly, "Oh now I understand how you're all conveniently scurrying away from me, I have a stalker." The Reaper felt a chill crawl up her side when zeroing on a silhouette lazily leaning against the building she'd had first seen Stalker initially. Soon a veteran Reaper realized with either dreadful self-awareness, or possibly adrenaline induced rushes she'd been painted and her quarry found it absolutely appraising.
"Yes, I do see you." Stalker's obviously male voice hinted slyly when Elena started to sweat when inching herself to align a shot, "It's your victory." That praise felt bitter sweet knowing their silent game of cat and mouse was over, "I must say your skill and patience have earned you my praises, as well be very aware..." The creature admitted rather fondly as if not bothered unable to strike down its intended prey which heard every word,"... of those who'd take a shot, Reaper. I can see your crest, I will not underestimate your presence, ever." It was obvious this thing had stolen radio equipment and they'd be wiser to change all known stations given how Elena heard Bradford's voice angrily interject causing Stalker to pause mildly surprised.
John Bradford's anger could be seen as well as heard despite not being present, "Play your games all you want you sick bastard! The Resistance does not forgive, nor forget monsters who think they're untouchable." She waited in baited breaths to hear what Stalker would say to those hot words. Training herself to not move it became clear when that silhouette hadn't moved, Stalker apparently kept his word to allow Ace-Squad to proceed to extract their fellow prisoners. Elena felt a shred of appreciation in how any enemy rewarded his foes with but honesty, it painted some curious puzzle she'd want to solve given how a cold chuckle filled her ears.
"Adorable." One word sent shivers of electric delight as that silhouette seemingly returned her gaze across scopes, "Perhaps I shall warn you? I'm well inclined to skin you and hear you sing like some poor little canary, speaking of which I hope you appreciate my work. Your little 'Crow' was quite..." Stalker paused trying to find a word as Ace squad moved with their prisoners, "...entertaining. You'll be proud to know it took me no less than six days, Central Officer, to have her break and I do have a piece of advice for you, John." Elena's eyes shot up amazed to hear how much information had been leaked as the man across an ocean wisely ceased to speak. The Reaper smiled realizing what Stalker might promise next and she laughed quietly when her prediction came almost spot on.
"Let's see if you're as brave as half a man you sound when I stand in front of you, personally." Bradford sounded slightly unnerved given how he tempted fate unknowingly, "That's make two of us, Stalker. Do our world a favor and drop dead, Central out." The laughter following that declaration promised retribution for daring something no meant to be lightly taken, "Very well. To all you Ace's out there fleeing back to your precious Firebrand, I'll be keeping in touch. Stalker, out." It hissed out that call sign as if it were vile, no absolutely disgusting! Yet Elena managed to sigh in relief once it's silhouette vacated the battlefield. It kept it's word to give them victory but she knew it'd only be the beginning of a long struggle and those future victories in time were going to have to be earned among those who deemed it, rightfully.
Lounging within my private quarters I hadn't stopped smiling in favor to over what tonight had taught me earnestly. I'd been beaten, soundly. Not even realizing I'd been outmaneuvered by using my strengths to showcase how exploitable I'd been, "Well played, well played." Speaking out loud I removed the lower mask and hood to inhale deeply, "It seems arrogance has indeed caught up to me, finally. Success warrants complacency and I fell into my own trap, I deserve your title for such hubris I've gained, XCOM."
Slowly but surely I realized they'd been on to me, or possibly aware. How was how I asked myself did they get so prepared for my arrival? Questions burned inflamed inside my chest, I felt fire and absolute rage so hot it caused an innocently dented fist among several walls meant to be made of stern materials. However that got broken once I repeated on word, "Stalker. Stalker!" I yelled out absolutely furious I almost smashed up multiple objects not capable to withstand an assault, I wanted to be feel beyond fucking insulted.
They called me Stalker? Stalker! God help me for of all asinine words and purposes they chose something utterly twisted it vexed my ambition! Disgusting name, a Stalker is not what I am yet you chose to label me as an enemy? I should gut all of your soldiers however I'll accept your namesake for myself, I deserve it and I'll make sure you'll change it, eventually. I leaned back to enjoy a meager couch to rest my aching back given I'd been constantly leaning to find an angle, I swore I got an impressive workout after tonight's surprises.
"But I succeeded with my Trojan in your midst, so consider it a draw." I said lowly to ward off bitterness yet I learned to be humbled in the face of adversity. However it seemed I had a secondary objective to accomplish besides my priority goal, "You talk big John Bradford. You tempt Retribution and it shall come calling, so consider yourself marked. I don't forget promises, or challenges from my prey..." I smiled widely enjoying an imagination worthy of hell's graces and moved to allow both feet prop up on a metallic table. All my weaponry had been laid out as I went over what I'd be able to improve when the next encounter came true. It never hurt to start preparing early given a war was underway.
Sitting up I flipped around a laptop which received information from various outlets and I looked carefully seeing flaws in video's provided. Nothing spotted me except for that Reaper, I wonder who's behind that mask I wonder? It'd be nice to see a face. I snickered obviously looking at my own face apparel staring lifelessly back, "Ah, well. Maybe I'm not one to talk, heh." Scoffing absolutely feeling infuriated I surfed through Advent's administrator access given to go across an entire network, I wanted information about these so called Reapers. They'd be tangling with my plans, so it'd be only prudent to learn their habits and how they operated within battlefields.
It didn't take too much to find given how little I had to utilize, "How conveniently quaint for you resistance people. There isn't much save for one name attached to Reapers..." I sighed out irritably trying to study an enemy that practically hadn't been document, "...Volk. Supposedly leader of these Reapers and they're stealthy sharp shooters. Wonderful, I didn't know that!" Sardonically drawing out coming close to smashing a table into pieces and evidently I realized I'd be on my own to formulate countering tactics to avoid soundly trounced again. Lightly hissing I typed in several more keys trying accessing camera feeds about tonight's engagement.
"Ace's of XCOM." I tested out trying to avoid sneering once I noted how effectively they'd do me harm in a battlefield, "You're worthy trophies and absolute dangers to my being. Along with your guardian Reaper, I don't think I can touch you for a while." Truth hurt to be acknowledged given its lack of sympathy to one in question. But strangely enough it often gave pure clarity in order to reach it's contextual solution of reality's chances, "Perhaps I need to change how I get near resistance operatives? How I wonder, just how and what? What can I use or rather lean on to get ample opportunities to capture more of you?"
Questions filled me with an overly difficult task to keep hold onto practically. Tapping fingers together I skimmed over news reports reading head lines, "Dissident forces disrupt city power. Advent struggling to provide electricity to local populations. Rebel groups targeting food convoys for the poor and homeless inside cities..." I read on and on ignoring how propagandized everything got, "...peace keeping forces require your vigilance to help us identity terrorists. Ah, ha!" My smile grew wide once an idea clicked into place when reflecting I'd already had an avenue to get resistance forces, I'd be able to leak them falsified information getting them liable to make mistakes. Why trying to take on soldiers who were acting upon information given to them by informants of all things?
"Go after them and they inevitably deal with riskier conditions." I formulated an equation which required testing and confirmation to be credible given how I'd lay out traps. What did these resistance fighters need likely, I'd go with food and medical supplies but too much they'd ignore it possibly? Informants would have to be uprooted but what could get them to bite, a hook wasn't enough but if said hook had live bait on it? I smirked absolutely amazed I just placed a metaphor for fishing, "Maybe I should start converting more captive resistance fighters to be persuaded, I'd feel confident knowing they'd be mislead more often."
Too many possibilities, too many factors and I've only scratched trying to understand the extent of all Resistance operations. Wait, perhaps I could issue request to someone already on her way back after tonight. Now inevitably I smiled way too radiantly, I avoided looking diabolical despite rubbing both hands to avoid chortling, "Information for information. Keep your friends close but your adversaries closer, Kathy." Apart of myself would cope with whatever strategies needed to keep myself one step ahead of enemies seeking to kill me. Lips twitched slightly in mirthful contemplation I resigned myself to get some rest after tonight.
"You did good work out there tonight, Aces." Bradford stated proudly with a smile as an entire squad of soldiers walked out of Firebrand lowered ramp, "Congratulations! The commander would like to see three of you personally, I've been told you're going to need quite a few drinks." Three of five expressions turned from wearily proud to absolutely bat shit happy stupid, "You buying first rounds Central?" One man asked eying John who raised a hand to consider an offer, "Who knows pal, who knows!"
Medical personnel came up rushing towards three former captives who were in various states of health. Stepping aside to make way as did others underneath Ace squad's roster, "What the hell was that fucking thing!" All eyes turned towards their squad leader's enraged expression as she walked down with a rifle at the ready. John refused to say a word given how the soldier hadn't obvious emptied a mag leaving said weapon nothing more for show, "What is it? What fucking monster did you almost have us go up against, Central!"
The woman's sweaty face hid little given pieces of shrapnel sliced underneath her chin, "Look at Crow! God dammit all, why couldn't you have ordered us to take it out!" All Aces looked to see a stretcher being carried out as an ugly sight came into view. What was left of their comrade's face had been skinned off like one peeled off chicken skin, it exposed reddish muscle dripping crimson droplets as the woman looked barely alive. Pure sulfur wafted off past them indicating how such gruesome wounds were left looking fresh, "I want answers, Bradford. And I'll be damned if I don't see the Commander to give a piece of my mind."
The grizzled veteran of another war grimly smiled, "We'll you'll get your wish. You're one of those lucky three commander wants to see as soon as you got off this bird." Before more words could be viciously stated another voice interrupted them rather labored. Elena Dragunova walked out taking off her Reaper's mask to inhale deeply, "Stop making such a fuss over absolutely something trivial. Be humbled and grateful you've survived tonight, more so kindly in sustaining little to absolutely no injuries in flawlessly rescuing your three people, alive." Pulling down her hood while cradling a rifle did a tired woman smile faintly enjoying some peace as John nodded appreciatively towards her given she returned it in kind.
"Why didn't you take a shot?" Ace-squad's leader hissed out vindictively trying to damn the relaxed Reaper's mood, "I heard all that chatter. You could have shot that fucking thing between it's eyes and scratch one less threat to our people." Several among themselves silently looked between both women unsure as to object, or agree given they played parts to get all home alive. A few leaned back allowing space if anything got physical between them.
Elena casually started removing her glove to air out sweaty hands, "Very unlikely." Shaking each hand firmly to flex out cramped fingers a Reaper explained reasoning as if talking to some toddler, "You assume I have munitions meant to pierce armor, rookie. Alas I do not have anything capable to puncture Stalker's armor, if you've noticed he's well equipped to take shots and I doubt my rifle in it's current state is enough to do what you...blindly demand." A few expressions winced when their squad lead lowered her head readily confirming a brawl about to go down. Moments passed as a veteran skilled in sharp shooting enemies from long distances stared down an overly tested soldier who knew how to kill enemies.
However she wasn't done fully giving a detail analysis of their engagement, "Further more taking even one shot would have compromised both, and your squad-mates along with my own positions. Keeping Stalker tagged became critically needed for you 'Aces'..." She said that word a little condescendingly making the person rigid, "...to succeed in your mission unmolested by his presence. Be humbled, be aware and be grateful you've survived an encounter three of your own people's teams have fallen to that creature's hands. So I'll give you one last piece of advice to be absorbed by that organ which I've failed to see as some sort of brain." The Reaper's expression ceased to be pleasantly mocking given barbed implications, or rather she finally twisted back into her traditional expression of those requiring absolute attention.
"Pick your battles, Aces." The not so hooded woman stated seriously enough to give off a flat expression, "Stalker is an enemy I'd highly ill-advise to go up against with your current attitude. I'd be impressed if you lasted two minutes, at best." XCOM's leading squad's head took three carefully measured steps but Bradford sternly halted anything more, "Sergeant 'Judas'! Stand down, now!" He barked commands halt this woman dead in her track as Elena faintly smirked finding the sight possibly too entertaining silently. Medics passed by a tense confrontation in getting the last two wounded captives to med-bay wordlessly.
Crossing arms behind him John took control immediately, "If you two are done with your little pissing contest, it'd be best to report to the commander now. Elena!" He turned to face the Reaper with a more composed expression, "I also was told to have you report to the commander's quarters as well. Ace squad's personnel will attend first then you report in, I'll send word to have you informed. Understood?" She nodded impeccably before turning to return to her room as an entire landing pad finally calmed down as tensions eased itself away. Despite tempers flaring all could be said as a job well down today, "Rest of you, get some chow and some shut eye. That's an order from myself and the commander personally, dismissed."
Every person dispersed in either one direction, or another following through as the Avenger started up to take off. John moved towards where an angered Ace squad lead took moments to take self-measured breathing techniques to calm down. He waited expectantly before addressing her rather knowingly, "That anger needs to be under more control, sergeant. You should be proud, relieved or possibly pleased knowing you came back from a mission where everyone could have potentially been killed in action, right?"
Half a face not covered by dampened hair glared, "And not killing something responsibly for almost a dozen of our peoples faces on some damned memorial isn't enough? Plus did you have some choice words to that thing directly, Central?" John hardly flinched given he a ghost of a smile appear, "And we've learned it's prone to anger as well. Get an enemy worked up, he'll come at you predictably leaving openings and I'm sure I'll get my ass chewed out by the commander, soon." That'd been one prediction which would come very true give their commander's track record, John internally grimaced avoiding an imagination.
"You of all people should know planning never goes the way we choose, right?" A singular eye green clear cut as an emerald looked down in either shame? No he realized, it was something much more disheartening or possibly giving off remorse in making John clasp a shoulder firmly. He looked right at her giving wordless faith in knowing what she knew as right and wrong, he simply knew her long enough to convey it kindly.
The fact came to light, "You aren't afraid to die, Judas." Bradford called out firmly walking away yet spoke over his left shoulder, "But it doesn't mean others won't follow you to their deaths. Sometimes you need to live a little, I taught you to be better and you'll learn how too." An aggravated sigh met his smile as boots grudgingly followed him to where they both needed to go. Slinging a rifle over one shoulder unkindly did Judas snort out simply, "You know I'll say it right now. I absolutely just fucking hate going into that damned room."
There wasn't any disagreement to be said as it rang truthfully. Stepping into an elevator pinging it for an entire separate floor John folded his arms, "You don't have to like it, Judas. All you need to do is say these three words, 'yes, no and sir,' alright?" He raised an eyebrow making a grunt of acknowledgment come close to some verbal proper answer. Whether they wanted to say it, or not sacrifices were made for a cause that would succeed. Neither of them just accepted how much had been already given and how much more could it have taken.
End Chapter VI
Author's Note: An interesting fight, or rather it could have been one sided. I had two difference versions but ultimately I chose this one because it represents that things can change, they be potentially fatal or hopeful. Stalker's movements, tactics and ability can be matched all too easily, Reapers are very good at what they do. In time I am going to have a field day when it comes to Templars, oh boy, rest assured I'm giddily in getting that interaction down and there's so much more I could reveal yet I shall not for in favor of suspense.
Beyond that, I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and I welcome reviews because they make me smile a lot.