XCOM: War of the Chosen
Retribution's Ascension
Chapter IX
The blade which I'd have kept in place slowly drew itself out as time seemingly passed in anticipation to trigger an inevitable conflict. I refrained from pushing an almost depressed woman off my arm, I'd imagine resigning to death wasn't similar to seeing death coming in person. Smirking considerably amused my eyes noticed movement on either side of building overlooking the entirety of this main street, "Two, maybe three up top. Now how many moving below?" I murmured trying to get some angle on potential positions for resistance fighters to set up their firing line and unfortunately I had limited options to counter-act them if I stayed to play bodyguard. An entertaining notion to remain one with an environment to find opportunity seemed tempting.
That would be highly ill-advised, Master Void-Blade's reaction in me willingly departing from protecting the doctor could end up...violently physical. Unable to hide it openly I twisted both lips bitterly annoyed just god damn knowing I was leashed to my master's will at least until this hunt was over, hopefully. The consolation in remaining wide open to an attack I grasped a blade's handle to thumb it comfortingly, "Sir Retribution." Glancing down her eyes met mine giving an open window to absolute fear of another sort, "I apologize for being a hypocrite it seems." The woman whose face pressed my open palm smiled rather nervously, "I fear those seeking to claim me wish me alive, or else I'd have burned much sooner."
An honest admission for absolutely plausible objective given this person's unmatched genius to develop weaponry. Amusement radiated off me as it became clear even through a mask, "Honesty cuts deeper over mere lies, doctor. I'd be disappointed if you hadn't admitted your fears, so ease yourself knowing if your life were to end." My head turned to see possibly an enemy crouching overhead given some kind of long barrel rifle stuck out, "It'd be either in flames, or dying resisting those who'd tarnish your legacy in entering hell's gates. Misery loves company as they say." At that alone I nearly chortled good naturally even those words brought relief in her eyes, they closed fondly as her cheek pressed into an entrapped hand of mine.
It seemed in our anticipation for battle she had settled to lay into my side. Devious and deceptively sly in your efforts, doctor. I complimented internally finding such people determined, if anything they deserved to earn some rewards for persistence. Lazily I rested an arm which needed to naturally stop being pulled into an awkward angle, "Enjoy your small victory, doctor." I merely stated factually in favor to look over past the left hand side through multiple cars to catch someone, or some people moving from a construction site. I felt adrenaline surging realizing resistance fighters were taking up their points and get themselves set to go.
Three, maybe four! My mind calculated intensively gauging which route they'd take to reach where we sat in deliberate wait. Unaware of a woman slipping herself underneath an armored limb of mine, I leaned back allowing armor to start activating what it been designed to do. Subtle tingling sensations of electrons trying to blend into warm flesh took several moments longer than necessary, "Do not move, doctor. Anything beyond your breathing and I might be revealed all too easily, so please refrain from moving too much." I spoke ignoring how an exhale of bliss followed a voice dreamily wishing for some twisted reason of this moment to last, "Being alone to face my demise is not so terrible after all. I've forgotten what it's like to be in the arms of powerful men, I almost missed this feeling Sir Retribution, forgive me for acting so..."
I finished that statement rather kindly given my face blended into an interior's seat, "...human? You're forgiven." Seconds ticked on by as if they mocking my patience to witness what just laid in wait to unleash fire and destruction. What are you waiting for XCOM? You're being deliberately coy, or perhaps you know something is wrong now? I thought perplexed when these seconds kept on ticking by as traffic stoppage made us perfected ideal targets. What else did they need prompting to initiate an obviously preordained firefight I wondered silently.
The doctor laying almost sleepily underneath my arm whispered ironically wistful, "Perhaps they know your presence is here with me, Sir Retribution." Quietly I snorted knowing that fact would have dissuaded them well beyond dropping to ambush this convoy, so it wasn't a factor yet. Allowing time to build a crescendo to reach an apex of tense anticipation I replied rather seriously, "No doctor, I disagree entirely. If these resistance fighters had truly known of my presence here, they'd have fled or completely chose another location to strike. They're not waiting, per say." Theories of strategic layouts and conditions of my environment were swarming forward, I glared squinting to see very difficult but parts of clothing crouched behind concrete barriers parallel to blockading the construction site's entrances.
"They're awaiting a command, I'd wager." I guessed somewhat unsure given that group of fighters hadn't left their positions minus some shuffle around. Trailing upwards to a build perpendicular to that construction zone I caught movement again, "Yes. Waiting for their lead to initiate an attack though I wonder what's going to be..." My voice got cut off when an earthquake shook the very limousine's frame several feet off pavement. I laughed quite enjoyably hearing a series of explosive continuations along with weapons discharging and soon enough screams of innocents filled outside to a climatic start of another battlefield.
Advent forces tried rather willfully to stop a doomed defense as troopers got shredded almost immediately. Based on screams of these troopers, I'd say every shot is lined up and hardly little is being returned to force them to duck. Another series of explosions came forth sending pieces of charred reptilian alien flesh smashing against the limousine's right window. I blinked hearing clanks of metallic shrapnel giving evidence to grenades usage, "That didn't sound thrown. Never heard a ping from the primer pin, so a launcher perhaps?" I mused when hearing cannon fire tearing through unfortunate pieces of flesh and they weren't Advent troopers no less. I inwardly felt impressed these resistance fighters were actively ignoring all civilian presences, hell if I didn't know any better they were hell intent on taking the doctor alive.
"Such burning aggression and cold ruthless calculation." I complimented slowly listening to Advent troopers being silenced and I watched rather amazed to see orange splatter strike our limousine's front wind shield. Something banged up front given it might have been a body, or body parts once gunfire crawled to a halt. Smoke filled an entire street obscuring most visibility yet I hardly flinched when a woman curled closer sensing an end to fighting. The doctor started to shake not out of fear in being targeted but of something more mundane in my opinion, "I don't want to leave your side. I refuse to feel that numb coldness again, please Sir Retribution..." I looked down slightly curious to see that desperation I'd been seeing lately, "...don't let them take me away. Gun me down, or cut through my heart before allowing them to gain an edge to tarnish my legacy, please."
Interesting proposal, I'll have time to mark it down. Smiling widely I wanted to reassure her in that sense but instead I quieted down to whisper, "Be ready, doctor. Your demons have arrived to take you away." Did I feel cruelly gleeful in seeing that panic in her eyes, I'd admit it only if anyone forced out from my half dead corpse. Perhaps patience in dancing along among those who felt fear in losing what they wished came to be my bane metaphorically speaking.
The door slammed open revealing a hooded many wear darkened aviators of some kind. He looked Slavic at least given my imagination to think so, I also noticed a red bright star necklace dangling between blue and white stripped shirts underneath kevlar vests. The doctor whipped around gasping in genuine fear as she back away trying to have myself shield her. Both arms went still as an actual corpse yet I whispered very faintly once seeing those eyes narrow angrily in finally seeing their quarry resisting, "Face your demons, Lena! Go face them!"
Seeing her face look on into where my own would have been in horror, shock, happiness and longing made waiting worthwhile. She tried reaching upwards before being yanked backwards when a monstrous hand grasped an ankle. The doctor shrieked in Arabic screaming out a few curses I'd wager, she also vividly screamed about being denied closure with myself blaming Allah, yet I probably understood another series of screams about her legacy being tarnished and I eventually paused mid thought. She shrieked pleading for my aid not wanting to redeem herself, "Retribution." I watched smiling wide in seeing her dragged out ruthlessly onto pavement, "Sir Retribution, please!" Three resistance fighters tightened a semi-circle with one preparing some sort of drugging.
Salivating in enjoy an entire scene I planned on allowing this to go on but it seemed play time needed to end immediately. Closing my eyes I felt something cold slide underneath clothing, flesh and bone when it became clear. My master's imminent arrival came true as I heard her voice crackle distantly in either the eternal void's vast distance, or perhaps on open communications between us. Regardless of how I heard her, I got every instruction clearer than water, "It is time my dear student. My presence shall be announced to the prey I hunt, we shall reveal our power and strength to those who seek claim over property that is not earned, or freely given! Prepare for the hunt!"
My will became secondary when I willingly uttered softly to lock an unseen leash, "I understand and I obey, master." That cold wave came to reality's burning senses as light flashed overlapping a causal exiting of one limousine's grateful frame groaning in release. Rotating my blade to have it's blade pointed upwards I waited for my master's word to strike any who dared to steal property of the Elder's will themselves. Yet when I looked up ready to gauge angles I met three pairs of eyes who heard the cloak I held break down to readjust itself accurately to an environments fluctuating light.
"Join me in darkness, XCOM!" My masters shrieking voice echoed over radios gleefully and it's promises of agony verbally. An inevitable reaction of pain sent shivering cold sensations up spinal cords just due to her power alone. I wasn't an exception save I'd been used too so I'd be fortunately resistant to it's effects presently. I smiled absolutely thrilled when realizing I wasn't just a student today, nor was I just a hunter or whatever these fucking resistance insects dared to called me whenever I appeared on battlefields. I'd been given opportunity to prove I was an equal willingly and readily standing side by side with my teacher.
One resistance soldier wearing an iconic red cross on their right shoulder turned around just when my cloak needed to be readjusted. Seeing eyes going from purely confident, reassured and relaxed to polar opposites couldn't be given as a gift. My mask concealed a smile so wide I looked almost utterly human appearance wise, "Outrider we've secured our VIP, let's move out ri..." I titled my head off to the side seeing a golden cross around that exposed neckline, "...oh, my fucking Christ!" That tone of voice I serenely sighed out pleasant, I wanted to hear more of it! I wanted to hear that sense of hope being crushed and realizing there wasn't any save to die, on my whim and discretion.
The medic specialist whimpered backing away even when a half-conscious woman who was my supposed charge weakly lifted a hand. I looked down fondly witnessing that reverse order of eyes seeing me as something unstoppable, I loved every moment of each side. Three resistance fighters two of whom were men tensed up looking on in shock to see their lone medic tripping over her own two feet in clear terror, "Lord...Jesus, it's... it's Stalker!" Invoking a title I still loathed but begrudgingly inclined my head to feed off this superior feeling of purposeful importance, god help them if they wanted me to become what they fear most?
Then who was I to deny myself an invitation? A large man looked pleased if not slightly perturbed to see so close. His accent undeniably Russian at least, "So this is big bad Stalker, yes?" I tilted my head over to see him about to lift a cannon that I grew to not enjoy lately, "Wonderful! I have to make you dead, no?" Only two choices and I gave them only one to act on as I shot forward slicing into a weapon needed to spin the barrel! They all yelled out in shock once I cleared several meters well beyond any normal human to jam a blade's tip several inches deep into metal.
"Girl, down!" Another similar accented voice snarled as a medic went prone over the doctor's drugged form, "Die!" I darted over my ride shoulder first avoiding shells striking another car's back end. Glass shattered once I low crawled underneath and began sprinting to circle around sheathing blade onto cloaked armor once more. Whose first? You ranger, your countrymen or that little medic whose given me quite a flattering look? Armored weighted boots crunched over singed metal, or bodies as my legs powerfully used to leap up onto one vehicle, I needed some elevation to cover more ground and the forces underneath supporting easily caved in a roof inwards. Similar more did so while jumping to another abandoned line of stalled out traffic, in doing so I used that as momentum to avoid being spotted.
"Remember your purpose, student. I shall deal with my prey, alone." I heard Master Void-Blade speak knowingly as I shifted priorities to front flip over a half destroyed car. Fire raged on both sides when I shot past sending wind to flutter it briefly, "As you will, master." I replied verbally to see my objective being carried on the now destroyed cannon wielder's shoulders and I grinned rakishly, "Not so fast, I have a scheduled appointment." I snarled pushing limits I hadn't done in possibly years to jump almost several meters high to land fist smashing into pavement steadying myself and one leg swept forward sweeping two resistance fighters off their own two limbs.
Doctor Lena fell barely self-aware given her unfocused orbs didn't recognize me at all. I jerked away from a ranger's sword which nicked enough armor to disrupt my cloaking. He stared hard right into my own less than pleased orbs, "Brave of you." I intoned gravely rushing forward using forearms to block an expertly sharpened blade as sparks came into existence due to metallic surfaces exchanging heat, "But ultimately futile!" I hissed shoving him roughly back into a truck's side denting the metal exterior slightly and I slammed one fist forward. Cracking sheets of a metal as though they were tin toil he ducked away scrambling. Especially when my fist would have crushed a skull into pieces once I yanked it back creating an audible groan for all to hear.
"Monster!" The ranger yelled out in disbelief seeing strength beyond humane as I laughed enjoying the compliment, "Indeed!" I froze briefly hearing a rifle being reloaded and I veered around throwing my blade akin to a spear towards the medical specialist who screamed. My aim truer than hope itself impaled itself through a young soldier's shoulder against the car behind. Screaming blissfully became music when I dashed over another vehicles hood sliding into a crouch while drawing the pistol I fondly needed to be remind enemies of it's fatal consequences.
"Pull it out, pull it out!" The woman shrieked out as I stood up seeing a ranger grunting to slowly but surely remove a bloodied sword. Frowning I looked back to see the doctor's unconscious body missing and I looked up further to see the large Russian man heading towards a construction site's entrance. Hissing briefly irritated I pursued clearing distance all too readily while avoiding someone taking at my visibly armored form, "I'll deal with you snipers, later." I vowed darkly sliding between two cars to immediately catch up to where a panting man started to head inside towards partly finished stairs, I wasn't in the fucking mood to play anymore.
Channeling power through armor I growled angrily to ascend almost an entire story despite grasping half completed railings and bending them being enraged. I stalked towards a man who came around carrying a dusty if not bruised Lena's half consciousness form. He literally ran front long into one singular powerful boot of a foot just causing him to vomit bloody chunks. Even less than amused Lena came stumbling, or flying forward to which I caught her just a mere foot from colliding into solid concrete floors. Sighing loudly I lifted her and carried the doctor akin to someone holding a bride towards concealed cover, "Your growing value to the enemy is being annoying, doctor. Stay in one place, would you?"
Kneeling I laid her flat out of sight from any would be sniping points and I heard snaps of weapons discharging due to my master join into the fray. I heard her voice mocking and absolutely insufferable, "Wherever you presume to strike...I shall be watching waiting." It seemed several shots had missed as I looked over to see an entirely massive flash of purplish energy trail upwards. I never got distracted when I spun around blocking an overly curved blade skirting across metal that it wouldn't be able to cut through.
"You...god...damn monster." The large resistance fighter huffed out straining against me with bloodied lips as I sneered behind my mask's protective layer, "Flattery will get you far with my mercy." Sardonically snorting I kneed him in the gut causing more bloodied coughs while I cracked both sets of knuckles preparing for an old school beat down. I strapped my firearm away for good measure, I'd enjoy a little one on one and my charge was safe for the time being to have some...leeway. I wanted at least one new trophy, one for good measure and for future fond memories of being allowed to hunt with my master's permission.
The man struggled to one knee viciously snarling underneath labored breaths as I walked forward easing both arms to flex fingers. In some desperation of panic I batted away an uppercut before slamming open palms across both ears and whatever equilibrium for sight got disrupted rather painfully when ear drums were ruptured. He raped out something in his native language before I grasped the kevelar vest's front to send him soaring over crashing into wooden planks. His struggles weren't enough to appease my satisfaction once I refused to let up when moving over to send one brutal hay-maker into an almost shattered jaw just to have him get sent reeling twice in as many seconds. Circling around I looked to see the doctor's steadily but safe form where I left her, "Come here, soldier. On your feet." I hissed rather deceptively innocent to yank him upward.
Blood and saliva hit my face as I went still for a brief moment. Did he just? I laughed darkly before snarling out angrily to throw him into a concrete wall, "Admirable." I spoke loudly wiping away the reddish liquid as he gasped out angrily and in sheer frustration in being man handled. My rage started to peak when talking very levelly, "But very, very ill-advised." I chuckled quite friendly when I got him to stand and slamming fist after fist to get him dangling by my very strength alone! The deep cooping gagging cough brought happiness as bloodied saliva got brought up when a stomach couldn't muster force to eject food.
Shoving him back I went on a literal rampage beating him senseless and having absolutely pure thrills in seeing a rag doll flop around. Ribs, chest, ribs and then face I repeated that cycle until I heard rasping moans fade into cracking thuds. I stopped when he slumped forward mouth wide open barely alive yet I crushed his neck by tilting him to see the lesser brutalized face, "Tell me. Are you more beast than man?" Humming loudly I mocking imitated his accent to which he blinked once to spit out teeth with one word, "Beast."
I spun around sending him sprawling towards an edge with limbs unresponsive. Stomping over I made sure in checking over to see the doctor's sleeping form still within sight. Thankfully it seemed this man fellows were trying to escape my master's pursuit. A feat I'd wish them well to deliver upon as I smiled kindly, "Your cooperation is appreciated doctor, may you sleep well." I intoned humorously to look over towards my half dead soldier who miraculously struggled to crawl towards the edge. Clicking my tongue I stomped hard onto an ankle shatter it immediately upon impact causing him to roar out, "And where the fuck do you think you're going? I'm not done!"
Stepping off I kicked his ribs sending him sprawling over crying out and spitting up reddish dark fluid where his lips met concrete, "Do you have my explicit permission to die, soldier? If not you're not allowed to end yourself without my discretion." Animatedly I intoned to see why he''d want to drop two stories head first for an admirable attempt of merciful killing. Clever but again futile to achieve. Yet I gave this beast credit to withstand hits that shatter normal men into paste, god damn I almost wished I wasn't so annoyed that I'd let him to live.
"This...strange..." He coughed out slurring words to such a degree I leaned closer, "What's strange? A beast beaten by monster?" I mocked an accent causing him to wheeze shallow but he quivered allowing reddish liquid to trail downward, "...no...no, no." I gasped out in shock when I stubbed back feeling something strike my side! Coughing out loud I flung the man aside when a knife's edge slipped between armored plates drawing blood, "...monster...bleed...red?" He wheezed out laughing oddly in disbelief as I gnashed both sets of teeth together clutching a wound and warm trickling slipped between gloves to be fully viewed.
I veered around rasping out lividly standing upwards beyond pissed now! You little fucking piece of shit, I'm going to skin you alive! And have your flesh regrown to do it a hundred times over! I seethed rapidly crushing his neck by continuously slamming the near dead man over and over into one crackling wall of granite. Crunching followed muffled thwacking bones splintering when I finally dropped a twitching body at my feet, "I toyed with you too long. Stay dead." I twisted wincing by yanking the red covered blade back to where it's owner lay twitching. Breathing in heavily to avoid stumbling I managed to brace myself against a railing while keeping an eye on the doctor's drugged body still maintaining my master's orders.
"Fuck." Muttering hotly I yanked off one rarely used medical dispenser to jab full on into muscles and I groaned painfully feeling heat sear a wound shut. Shuddering I dropped it to remain upright shaking myself down, "That's what you get playing, dumb-ass. Explain that to master Void-Blade and see how long she hold's it over you." I laughed bitterly disgusted as distant gunfire faded when Firebrand's appearance was obvious as an entire squad fled. My master's scream of frustration echoed over wind and machine alike forcing me to grimly imagine her wrath now. Prey escaping underneath her own power and watch?
Least I got a trophy, so she can't take it out too much on just me. Sharply nudging an almost possibly brain dead man I wondered if killing him would be strictly worthwhile? Frowning I scowled when realizing killing it indeed was a mercy, I still needed to get information and what little I'd be able to extract could salvage my lapse in judgment. Ah well, I can least say they didn't get the good doctor, so take what you can get it and call it that.
Reluctantly I began dragging an unconscious man by his good leg as I had hoist up also a drugged out woman over my shoulder. I grunted barely managing to move underneath almost four hundred extra pounds of flesh inside an armor that weighted it's fair share, "Hopefully I'll never see either of you two ever again, I'm tired of socializing." I whispered irrefutably fed up with human interaction that wasn't on my time, "Get an overly psychotic doctor whose just as mad as she's a genius, plus getting a shank with a knife into ribs through armor I need to redesign now." I muttered shaking myself down to ward off phantom pains even though the medical injector did it's wonders, I still could feel muscles torn and healing took time I needed to utilize. More work required, more time consumed and less sparingly time for myself to heal up naturally of course.
Keeping up my pacing I walked out of an incomplete building with my charges respectively. Advent troopers who jumped in off drop-ships were securing what was left of a main street, I lost count how many bodies of both civilian and military would be used tonight for headlines. Although this time they'd be more honest than usual, "Cold calculus of death, Reaper. Consider me a fan as I'll make sure you get similar treatment for your people." I smiled tiredly while continuously dragging both bodies towards a figure who appeared several yards away. My master looked towards me absolutely irritable, I avoided staring at her in the eye obviously given sign her armor had a few bullet impact marks. If I kept my mouth closed, it starved off a reflex to keep on staring which surprised me internally.
In a rare show of rage I watched a being embedded with powers beyond anything I'd dare not hold firm against smash an unfortunate car in twain. It didn't even ignite as sparks of energy infamously know to set off combustible liquids was retrained to such a degree of mastery. Ironically enough a display meant to inspire fear and caution gave me solace once I found it to be distracting from questions as to how she'd been injured by resistance soldiers. Awaiting rigidly holding both an unconsciousness doctor and enemy soldier I struggled to kneel before her presence alone, "Master Void-Blade." Bowing my head in traditional lessons instilled upon in my younger days, "Peace be with you and your hunt's path, I stand before you awaiting your will."
I kept my formality completely secure avoiding seething eyes which wanted anything to be excusable for destruction. "My apologies for making you wait, I had to secure the good doctor here from being abducted. But fortunate favored those foolish to dare to try, the Elders smile upon your hunt for I bring tribute..." I dragged the resistance man forward who remained blissfully aware of a monster coming close to crushing his skull into pulp, "...to showcase this hunt's fruits. I humbly ask if it's enough to sate your displeasure, master." I kept on kneeling refusing to budge even a knife's wound ached between torn muscles next to ribs, somehow though I withheld almost natural reaction to flinch every-time I felt fire whenever breathing in deeply.
My eyes remained obediently in place for I'd not dare to look her in any eye. Seconds tensely passed before a hiss of relative reluctance followed one tone of stoic control, "Your tribute is adequately in condition to be interrogated, student. Perhaps your aptitude for capturing our enemy should be noted for future reference, so you have my expectations met." I almost flinched when she wanted to know why, or rather more alarmingly how I'd been catching resistance operatives far more often than it'd be convenient. However I had an excuse which would definitively make her sardonically laugh realizing an honest fact, "I did not sustain this captive without injury, master. I'm only a man, only a child of humanity and I have much to learn to not be lax in my skills."
She looked over to see a slight tears were blood still remained visible even if it started to dry out. I looked up offering utterly truth, "Am I remiss in my words to you, master? I only remain humbled when advised by your teachings, so forgive my shame." I may have over sold that given she barked out a laugh waving my words off, "On your feet, dearest student. We both may have to rethink our ways, for I may have had been too wayward to allow that Reaper's game to come full. But your tribute is enough to glean insight into where these insects scurry off too..." She trailed off to yank a man easily off scorched pavement onto her own shoulder, a very large man I noticed grimacing and I held no pity, or sympathy for what that poor bastard would endure at those hellish hands.
"Your orders Master Void-Blade?" I inquired simply to the point making her grin, "Continue your anonymity against these vermin, student. If I have need of you, I shall summon or my siblings who if need be call upon you as though they were I." I knew that to be standard protocol given herself and two siblings were above my station, henceforth I was liable to be conscripted and expected to obey their orders without question. I lowered my head yet I looked over to see an unconscious doctor breathing lightly, "And what of her, master?"
Her eyes dully took little care for details, "Use her as you see fit, student." My eyes strained to avoid closing in sheer agony knowingly what that entitled. Oh god, no please no! I'll probably kill her myself if she doesn't lose that reverence for me, I can only stomach so much. Ignoring anymore thoughts I listened intently to my master's will as she began walking away to go back to her stronghold, "Take care of this new investment and task! She'll be our prey's bait, as we've seen for they took effort now and they'll do again it again in our futures, I expect you keep her physically healthy." An amethyst eye lazily put me in my place from over a shoulder and I bowed my head accepting yet another leash to drive me to insanity.
"Understood master, may your future hunts grant you trophies and success." I intoned respectively as she nodded in return. I started to rise up but got told something to irrefutably piss me off so much I actively grounded both sets of teeth, "And may your own hunts give you strength, dearest Stalker. I expect you to use that title given to you, I've imagined you've earned it." Her coy condescending smile vanished once a flash of whitish purple sent her back towards a place I wished to never set foot again for hopefully an entire year. Once she was quite gone and far away I reacted by yelling out enraged in being told to accepted as that disgusting word of a purpose!
I give you progress, I give you results and I salvage your pride as a hunter? And for what? Kicking me in my balls for doing something right? I questioned savagely while restraining any physical movement for I'd break a spinal cord accidentally, I took one massive breath pain be damned to finally cool emotions to suitable levels. Moving rigidly for failing to avoid being disciplined whether it was physically lacking I looked down to see Doctor Lena's peaceful expression. I shook my head already knowing I'd regret trying to convince my master to let Advent forces safe-guard her person, god help if I should have tried, it'd be as though a man needed to move a moon but knew absolutely it'd be impossible otherwise.
"Two of them? Together?" John sat with Elena Dragunova who looked less than happy to hold a conversation given her first mission as a leader, "Yes, John. Must I say it until your ears bleed out?" That clipped sarcasm caused the man to grunt not finding humor given how seriously dangerous future missions were involving that Chosen's territory. Running a hand through his hair he asked simply, "Opinions, recommendations or finding way to get a rabbit's paw around here?"
The Reaper slapped a rifle's internal firing mechanism together soundly but waited a minute for words to be considered. Her eyes hardened briefly to settle on blunt continence, "Avoid where ever this 'Assassin' stake it's claim to hunt your people...no!" She stopped abruptly to turn around giving Bradford a chilling visual of one soldier who knew how to avoid wasting lives, "It falls upon me with blood being on my hands they you are now my people. Simply put we have no chance in a straight up engagement to effectively lock down that assassin, or any other creature comparably like Stalker who was there for what reasons, I know not." There wasn't any deception in saying something very true, John understood this very well and currently they had nothing to stack up against their more unique enemies.
"That explains why the commander told me to ask for your insight, I guess I had to hear it firsthand before taking you to explain as well." The man pinched his nose's bridge trying to avoid feeling flustered as Elena'a gaze turned colder realizing something, "You sent us there desperate to succeed for your cause, didn't you Bradford." Years of instinct honed in on weakness from afar as it began to settle in there were struggles, personal struggles evidently, all within XCOM's seemingly undivided front with their commander leading, "Answer, me." She spat out coldly making weary eyes give what they needed to say unsaid causing a pause in their talk. But that ended merely moments later as tension snapped akin to glass.
An overly calm settled over onto a woman who socked John cleanly square in the jaw. He stumbled back when watching through squinted eyes to see a Reaper sneering rather disappointingly. Bradford to his credit swished a near broken jawbone soothing into place, "I deserve another, don't I?" He only spoke resigned as an eyebrow raised itself accordingly, "If you wish to be my punching bag, I'd agree if not wanting to tell you how much of absolutely cowardly bitch you seem to my eyes." Forgot getting sucker punched this became almost one to the ball sack. Punches weren't just thrown physically it seemed as guilt settled in for a long haul.
"I hope you're aware your impatience cost a life. One of my own and for what?" She prompted willing to hear some verbal reasoning to avoid physical extraction of frustrations and justified excuses to send this man onto both knees. Getting back upright an explanation managed to startle even a veteran killer's face momentarily, "Because the commander and I agreed to test a theory. Our information's sources have been tampered with for several weeks, we just confirmed a huge breach in our ability to verify intelligence, Elena." His face turned beyond grave as if it were seeing a ghostly apparition haunting them within the growing shadows of a conference room. Blinking twice to comprehend those words did a natural question retort warily.
One word curtly invoked answers, "Details." John grimly smiled using one word to answer their recent problems, "Stalker." The Reaper glared slightly giving off a hint, "He's been hitting resistance cells all over the former united state's eastern coasts. We've gotten hints off the black market which has gone underground as well, Stalker's been uprooting grass level eyes and ears on streets and I found it odd given how clean our information got sent up." Folders filled of paperwork deciphered, or encrypted got tossed aside into an arranged trash can. Weeks of potential targets compromised, or planned ambushes were inside that parchment of lies courting their soldier's lives.
"Clever. Hellishly shrewd, using our belief in those risking lives and not realizing they were..." Elena quietly trailed off feeling a shiver of respect run up her spine, "...captured? Interrogated. Compromised and broken?" John added less than pleased to know they were going to back to fundamentals before even sending off squads on missions for two weeks at least. Setback after setback finally started to make sense as they'd been played all too easily, "The commander realized it after seeing something off about our failures, I'd been too pissed off to think of something simple attributing to losing so many people and what not."
Elena Dragunova started to hold an immense measure of Stalker's capability on not just a battlefield but manipulating strings like an actual puppeteer. Respect, admiration and fear itself simply couldn't be used enough to warrant such a creature's intelligence, "We'll have to adapt our tactics, John." She said his name almost normally, "No longer can we fight on open grounds, we must learn to strike in shadow and be one with it to remain unseen to slay our adversaries. Until we're certain Stalker's schemes do not cost us more blood than initially required." They'd have to fight like true Reapers whenever reaching an area of operations! They'd have to always remain unseen and reap those who sowed their rights to forfeit among the living.
"Why do you think the commander asked for you personally Outrider?" Central's head stated rather humorously despite nursing a cracked jawline, "You Reapers can do things our soldiers can't do, yet. We need everyone in on this war, together and unified, so what we're asking of you is lead us into these shadows..." He stepped forward offering a hand acknowledging lessons willing to be learned, "...back through into the light. Can you help us, as allies and instill upon our people what many have feared lying in the darkness?" His demeanor shifted into a wall of charisma making the Reaper faintly smile to smack that hand away in fear of being infected by something far more dangerous than any enemy she'd willingly acknowledge.
She gave one warning, "Pull another stunt like this again? And I use my knee to make sure you don't walk right for a week." Turning out to give a wry smirking glance over to the man who coughed looking more interested at a wall, "Crystal clear , Outrider." Elena's soft chuckling made shivers run up Bradford's back in ways that made his once thought about nightmares being trumped by this walking Reaper. However just before reaching a doorway partially opened did those eyes turn to face him warily, "Good to hear because it seems we have an eavesdropper."
Kicking an obstacle aside did someone stumble forward as both veterans looked on rather expectantly to see Katherine 'Grimm' Jamestown's face openly fluster. John crossed both arms appearing to be as some brewing father about to chew out his kid, "Corporal. Explanation, right now." Elena leaned against an open doorway blockading her young bubbling subordinate rather bemusedly, "Yes Grimm, an explanation is in order. I distinctly told you to return to your quarters for some rest, clearly I misjudged your willingness to train after a mission." Each person expected a silly reason, or were prepared for some relaxation to tease a young operative yet that all changed within seconds of her standing up," I'm sorry but I have...an idea. I mean, I...I overheard how our intelligence is pretty shot to hell and I can help, maybe."
Her face looked expectantly nervous in seeing two sets of eyes look in disbelief, "And I think I have a temporary solution to keep us good, again maybe." Turning to Bradford explaining rather cautiously given her inexperience's in calling out promises, "Central I wasn't entirely honest about my time locked up in Advent's prison." John looked naturally amazed while gesturing to hear this out considerably intrigued, "I have an inside source, a person who was there with me. If I have your permission, I want to go on an undercover operation and get into contact to get us on even grounds with...targets."
Now granted she didn't say who given it was already an obvious guess of creature invoked as Elena whistled sharply from behind not expecting this kind of confession. John scoffed rather animatedly shocked willing to take a chance on some good luck, "Christ kid, say something next time? Will you?" The younger woman's face earnestly wasn't comfortable, "I was a prisoner, sir. So making deals and what not wasn't exactly easy to come up with and you never asked, technically."
She spoke as John shrugged guilty as charged, "Next time you get captured, or held in captivity? I'll put it on my list of things to be informed about kid, so what's your game plan? I'm all ears given the commander will hear about this too, I do need my own permission." Getting an edge would help as they were effectively at square root of one again when finding targets softly left open. This was going to be a long conversation about potential targets and resources as Katherine inwardly braced herself to do what needed to be done for their cause. Okay let's see if those promises of yours come through for me, I'm holding you to your own words you god damned sly bastard because if you don't, I swear next time I won't miss your head.
End Chapter IX
Author's Note: Did you really think there isn't some sort of espionage war going on? Who honestly through something like this would happen, be fucking honest and get me to laugh, alright? If there's one thing about this game I've always longed to see, doing missions about espionage and using your soldiers to gather information from turncoats, sources or traitors from within your own organization. Man, I hope they go in-depth into the third game once they announce XCOM III, if you're hoping as I am then it's a good thing.