Alright before you read this chapter a few things you must know : I've decided to change the frames ( the robots ) into combat frames and construction frames. With some diversity in the combat frames. BF = Battle Frame (normal combat frame), ABF = Armored Battle Frame (combat frame with more armor and guns in their wrists).
"Nuk hinmaar! Mu fen kos krongrahkei, nid gahviik ahrk nid votivut!" A knight shouted at his soldiers as they readied turrets and cannons. The Shriekers were at full attention as they sensed hostiles closing in. Not a few seconds later an incoming shot blasted a few acolytes off the wall.
Krosis stood beside Carolina as they both used special binoculars to spot the enemy. They had placed the spider walkers on a dune for protection and it was a good position to unleash artillery strikes. Another walker fired using its cannon and the wall was hit underneath a turret.
"Walker 5, raise your barrel with 16.5 degrees!" Carolina commanded and the walker followed the orders just as it was programmed to do. Another shot and the turret was destroyed. The gates opened and Hive began charging towards the walkers for a counter attack since they only saw the walkers. They came closer and closer but Krosis waited. He wanted the enemy to come close enough so they would be devastated by their surprise attack.
"Wait for it. Now!" he shouted as the walkers used their chain guns to exterminate the thralls and acolytes as the guardians, Wolves and BFs joined the fight. Knights began deploying their shields but were eliminated after a while. Enemy turrets opened fire but guardians deployed shields and they slowly retreated. The Hive saw this and deployed ogres to pursue. The behemoths came out of the gate and headed for the walkers as well. They didn't anticipate a ketch to de-cloak and fire at the ogres. It began to unleash fallen ships to attack the enemy. The turrets were distracted and aimed at the fighters instead of the enemy infantry. The Hive even aimed their cannons at the ketch but right as the first shot was unleashed the ketch turned around and fled the battlefield.
"OK, now's the time! Let's kill some Hive bastards! To hell and back lads!" Shaxx yelled as he charged at the enemy with two rocket launchers. The Hive's defenses were still aimed at the air giving the infantry a chance to advance. The Wolves and guardians followed Shaxx in battle as they ran towards the walls. He shot each rocket at an ogre and ended them. A vandal came to his side and fired his rifle at the enemy acolytes that met them with a counter attack. They all began to pick off targets and some Wolves died as a bomb left a big crater due to the impact. Knights shot their boomers causing the Wolves to lose numbers. Shaxx noticed this and called a titan squad for backup.
A fireteam of sunbreakers used their ability to unleash armaggedon on the knights as they were decimated. Dilak joined the fray with a copy of the exotic machine gun 'Super Good Advice' that Carolina had produced for him. He stood firmly on a rock and shot any thrall down that approached them. He laughed maniacally and aimed at the acolytes before some troops joined him and gave cover fire to the advancing teams. One of those dregs used binoculars and called for an artillery strike. A few seconds later the gun of a walker found its target as a group of Hive soldiers were mercilessly blown up. Another one spotted energy barrels close to the wall and gave the info to the snipers.
Lucy thanked him for the information as she gave orders to her squads to aim at the turrets and barrels. They found targets and began their tasks. The barrels exploded and caused gaps to appear in the wall. A gunner was shot down and the turret went out of control as it leaned towards the left side causing other barrels to explode. The gunners fell of the wall and wizards were chosen as primary targets. The same knight that ordered his troops to fight charged towards the walkers with his elite troops.
The knight was huge and his boomer along with others causing a walker to blow up. Krosis cursed him and grabbed a scorch cannon. "Goodbye punk." He muttered before using the modified cannon to precisely shoot the knights eyes. The projectile flew through the air and was a direct hit. The knight stumbled backwards and fell on one knee. It had one eye left and looked at the battlefield. That's when he realized that anything to stop air attacks was destroyed. He looked to the sky and saw skiffs flying above his forces. He then also realized the enemy had ordered their troops to pull back or find cover and this caused his own troops to be exposed.
The bombers unleashed all of their bombs on the Hive. Countless explosions erupted as craters appeared and corpses were burning because of napalm. The Hive screamed in terror as the allied forces kept shooting. The big knight was shot down as a guardian fighter shot a missile at him while fallen blockade runners decimated him with rapid machine guns.
The Hive commander from the plains that fled after its encounter with Kate saw this scene from beyond the wall and smiled devilish. She raised her arm and formed a fist. This signal caused cannons to fire and tombships to depart as they shot down bombers that crashed down on the battlefield or in the city. The ships retreated and the ground forces advanced.
"Walkers 1 to 4 are to remain behind for artillery support. 5,7 and 8 are to accompany the assault teams." Carolina ordered before jumping on a pike and leaving along with Shaxx and his troops. The Frames got in formation and marched into the city with guns ready and causing loud noises as they walked in sync.
"Guardian teams are to report to their groups and help the Wolves in claiming the city. No one gets left behind and everyone looks out for each other, understood?" Shaxx announced at the guardians and they all saluted before going in.
"Stay behind and do not only target the enemy in front of our troops but also the ones that try to flank our friends. It's our job to protect them as snipers." Lucy said to her own squads.
"I guess everyone is doing their roles as a military. I haven't seen something like this since the old days. Ain't that right Krosis?" Dilak asked the old baron.
"Indeed, though I hoped these youngsters wouldn't have to fight a war. I can only fight along them so they may live to fight another day. Speaking of brats, how is the other team doing?" Krosis said with sympathy for his fellow soldiers. He had seen some crying for their dead comrades. He knew the price of war and wasn't new to the concept.
"They managed to get in undetected because of our guerilla tactic. That was quite the thing though." Dilak answered remembering the many explosions.
"Yes, let's hope they will be able to help our men in taking the city. I don't want this to become too bloody." Krosis said before they went through the walls as well with their men to fight a war.
Shaxx had taken the left side and led Wolf forces along with guardian teams into the city. A few pikes were sent in advance to scout ahead but hadn't reported yet. That was until they heard explosions as the pikes came back.
"Enemy ahead! They have ogres-" A scout yelled but was killed as an ogre dashed out of a house and grabbed the scout only to rip him apart. It threw the corpse at its enemies and roared. Shaxx grimaced at the sight and grabbed his sword that was forged in fire by the lords of the Iron Banner. He got on a pike and raced towards the ogre. The ogre used his beam to eliminate Shaxx but he simply dodged it with ease. He jumped off the pike right before it crashed into the monster's legs and stabbed it in the back as it fell forward.
The monster roared one final time before succumbing to its injuries. Shaxx had to duck behind the corpse since the Hive were now ready to fight the enemy. They lined up and unleashed their wrath upon the allied forces who did the same thing. Both sides were engaged in a bloody fight but with guardian support the Hive were losing.
"Sir, we could always let the Fallen take the hits and have them charge at the enemy so we can take the enemy out faster." A titan commando said to Shaxx who couldn't believe his ears. He glanced at the titan and saw a Vanguard symbol on the chest armor and Shaxx couldn't help but be disappointed in Zavala. He knew that the commander had told his forces to use the Fallen to their advantage and he had probably told them not to see them as allies but as a means to end the Hive occupation.
"If you give such a suggestion, why don't you go in the front so the Wolves can kill the enemy faster?! Maintain that attitude and you'll be court-martialed! They are our allies and we will help each other to our fullest capability. Now get back to shooting." He furiously snarled at the guardian who grunted and joined his fireteam.
Shaxx grabbed a shotgun and dashed into the house were the ogre came from. He headed for the stairs and instantly met acolytes. They didn't hesitate to kill him and one of them used his boomer to slow Shaxx down. Shaxx however, walked further without even dodging as he simply shot the Hive with his shotgun. He didn't show any sign of fear and advanced further. The acolyte with the boomer fired again but Shaxx sprinted towards him and punched him so hard, the acolyte flew through the room and against the wall. After a few seconds he fell and only cracks in the wall remained.
The others were quickly taken care of and once Shaxx got upstairs he saw a crouched knight shooting at the Wolves from behind a barricade. Shaxx dashed towards the unsuspecting knight and delivered a shoulder charge so the knight would fall out of the building. The knight was dead without even putting up a fight. Shaxx aimed his shotgun behind him and shot a thrall down that was sneaking towards him and he didn't even have to look at his attacker. He spotted a gap above him and flew out of it.
He landed on the roof where a Hive turret was. The acolytes came at him with swords but Shaxx dodged the first swipe and landed his elbow in the acolytes head. It fell on the ground and before the rest attacked they shouted and tried to scare him. Shaxx cocked his head to the side and shrugged. He quickly summoned a heavy machine gun and mowed them down.
"Overconfident assholes…" he muttered before planting a patrol beacon that summoned one of their own turrets. He got on it and started to give suppressing fire for his troops as Hive after Hive fell to the hail of bullets. Once they were all dead he jumped of the building and a dreg came to him.
"Lord Shaxx, we have secured this street and further Hive soldiers have fled into the city to meet up with their main force." He said as he saluted.
"They're trying to weaken us before attacking with the rest of their forces. Damn it, our forces have sustained casualties and our men are tired now. If they still have forces ready with plenty of energy there is a chance that we could be pushed out of the city and back into the plains. Give this information to the other commanders immediately."
"Sir, yes, sir!" the dreg shouted and went back to the communication unit.
"Keep your eyes open men. I heard fighting from Shaxx's side and I'm sure the Hive have something planned for us as well. I want those buildings cleared now." Dilak ordered his own troops. One by one soldiers started to enter houses and other buildings to sweep them.
"Dilak, don't you think this is way too quiet as well?" Krosis asked his fellow baron while observing small alleys. They had decided to split their forces up to cover more ground while shanks protected them from the air. Krosis had this strange feeling that warned him for an ambush.
"Indeed, so far we haven't even met one single thrall. They're plotting something alright but the question is what precisely." The other baron mused. He tried to figure out what strategy the enemy used but had yet to come with an explanation.
"Sir, we spotted a few small canons up ahead in that building. We looked for Hive presence but saw none. It looks deserted but we haven't confirmed that. Your orders?" A captain reported. Dilak stared at the building for a while trying to spot anything suspicious. The building was at the end of the street and if the Hive wanted to ambush them, that building would be a damned good way.
"I'll check it out myself. I don't doubt the enemy is there, they just want us to come closer or want to hit us in the back. Keep the men ready will ya." He answered and looked at Krosis who nodded.
Dilak walked up to the building and smashed the doors open. it appeared to be a three floor long restaurant. He walked past the counter and looked around. He saw nothing except for dust and tables. He looked at the ground and saw footprints. They were faint but definitely not old and to make matters worse, it was from a thrall. He then spotted where the footprints ended, on a table. Narrowing his eyes he held his heavy machine gun ready.
In an instant he shot thralls down that had attached themselves on the ceiling. As three fell down and disintegrated the rest came down and lunged at him. A few died before one finally got to Dilak but he simply stopped shooting for a moment and smashed the machine gun's stock into the thrall's head and forced it to the ground before placing a few bullets in its chest. He pulled the trigger but realized it was out of ammo. With a grunt he placed the weapon on a table and pulled out his shock pistol. At this point a few acolytes came out of the kitchen and tried to end him.
Dilak tossed one of his many grenades and forced the Hive to move. As they tried to get behind a few tables they were all shot in the head with expertise by the baron. Two thralls attacked him and he managed to evade a slash to the chest in time. He grabbed the pistol by the barrel and brought the hilt down on a thrall and kicked the other one away. As they stumbled he had the pistol ready in his hand again and shot them down.
He moved towards his machine gun and grinned as he punched a crawling acolyte down onto the floor. He picked the gun and reloaded it. As he did he got a call from Krosis.
"Yes?" he answered nonchalantly.
"Let me guess, you want to do the rest by yourself as well?"
"Oh definitely, I think I found a new hobby. Bashing Hive heads." Dilak slightly laughed. He could hear a sigh from Krosis but a small chuckle as well.
"Sometimes I pity your foes, you know." Krosis said before leaving Dilak to his newfound hobby. He had to take care of his troops after all.
Dilak slowly went up with his weapon ready. He had his finger on the trigger and actually wanted to be ambushed so he could kill some more Hive. He glanced around the corner and saw no one. He was quite disappointed when he noticed there was no one the second floor. He walked to the middle of the room when suddenly the ceiling above him collapsed causing dust to cloud the room. When it settled down Dilak could see three knights standing in his way with swords. He thanked whatever deity was watching him for his chance to kill knights instead of lowly thralls.
The first knight dashed forward and attempted to swing down on his opponent but the baron dodged it and got in a stance to counter the recoil of his weapon as he placed around thirty bullets in the knights head. The knight fell on his back while almost nothing remained of his head. Dilak saw the other knights advancing towards him and decided to have more fun. He placed his gun down and grabbed the dead knight's sword and ran towards his attackers. Just before they made contact he jumped against a pillar and pushed off to fly through the air. With a single swing he beheaded the second knight. The other one tried to hit Dilak but he parried it. As they both tried to overpower the other Dilak grabbed his pistol on his belt with a free arm and shot the knight in each leg. The knight fell to the ground and roared in pain and glared daggers at Dilak.
"What's the matter big boy? Something wrong with your leg?" He playfully mocked before chopping the third head off. He looked at the hole in the ceiling and just shrugged. He wasn't going to jump when there are stairs. He once again picked his machine gun up before continuing his onslaught.
He walked up the second pair of stairs and saw a wizard communicating with his soldiers to ready the cannons. Dilak crouched and sneaked towards the wizard before an acolyte yelled in alarm. The wizard turned around only for the baron to stab him with two knives that had shock grenades attached to it. The creature screeched as it was kicked by Dilak into a whole bunch of energy barrels and munitions. Dilak ran towards the window while acolytes attacked him. He sprang out of the window just in time for the grenades to detonate. As he fell down explosions and fire erupted out of the windows. He landed into a small sand dune to evade major injuries. He grunted because of the impact but watched in satisfaction at his work. The third floor collapsed onto the second causing the entire building to fall apart.
"You know that was way too flashy and overkill right?" Krosis asked him as he watched the flames engulfing the remains of the building.
"Knock it off, there's nothing wrong with having fun. Besides those bastards had it coming after 'taking' our friends for their own purposes." The fellow baron retorted.
"I suppose so. Let's continue on, I got a call from Shaxx's unit and apparently the Hive are trying to weaken us before we reach the center. They still have enough troops to give us a hard time and I don't want take any risks. That means no more solo stunts, understood?"
"Fine, if you insist." Dilak said while pouting slightly. He had so much fun today that he almost had a good mood for once.
They both continued on with the other Wolf forces so they could meet up with Shaxx's combined unit and Carolina's robot unit.
Carolina watched her surroundings with a feeling of dread. She had heard the sound of fighting a while ago and was alerted by Shaxx what the Hive's plans were. Yet she could not help but feel as something was missing. As if the Hive not only wanted to battle them when they were exhausted but also have something else to ensure their victory. She understood that she had to keep the walkers safe if they were to have a better chance against the seemingly unlimited amount of Hive soldiers.
She held her arm in the air to stop her forces from continuing. Something popped up on her radar and it seemed to come their way. With a few hand signs the BFs took positions with rifles aimed. With a nod of her head two BFs walked in front of the group at full attention. They were at a large park with broken statues and other art pieces. The droids had reached the center of the park where a large cube monument stood.
Suddenly the front of the cube crumbled apart as a bunch of thralls jumped out of it and lunged at the two machines. They retaliated and managed to kill three of them before they were ripped to pieces. The thralls howled and others joined them in their assault as they seemed to crawl out of the sand and ground. They charged at the robot unit with determination to kill the attackers.
"Terminate on sight!" Carolina ordered loudly before the BFs opened fire. Thrall after thrall fell to the fury of the BFs combined fire power. They had spread out to avoid being flanked on the sides. The walkers advanced and held the assailants back with their chain guns and cannons. Carolina herself was busy issuing orders to the droids in order to coordinate a successful counter offensive. She noticed the acolytes that came at them from the sides as they stayed close to the small buildings. She quickly countered them by having the BFs who were equipped with rocket launchers to blast them to pieces.
A quick radio call and three skiffs came out of the sky as they managed to evade the anti-air guns that were positioned on the larger buildings. They provided cover fire but flew over the Hive soldiers to come to a halt behind the enemy forces. Some acolytes and thralls looked at the ships with interest. They were dropships and instead of Fallen reinforcements they were loaded with ABFs. They were attached to metal bars and were curled up. They activated and were detached as they landed on the ground. A few scans and they aimed their wrist guns at the Hive. The ABF's slowly advanced towards the hordes of Hive that had to split up to avoid total defeat.
"Yularen, I thought I asked for five skiffs?" Carolina said aggravated at the possibility as to why the other two weren't here.
"My apologies commander, I'm afraid they didn't make it thanks to the hostile AA guns. I did find out that a few of the Frames are still functional and are clearing the area's around their crash sites. If you want more assistance you'll have to eliminate those guns. We were unfortunately ambushed by enemy reinforcements. It seems that the Hive had ships in reserve." The baron explained over the comms. Carolina sighed at his statement and looked at her HUD to see that she had lost quite a few of her BFs already. She had spent so much time on those droids and while it was helpful that the dregs and servitors were able to help creating them, it was still a pain to make so many only to lose them.
"Understood, I'll be able to take out at least two guns after I've advanced further from this wretched park. I was planning on enjoying the art here but looks like I have more urgent business." She said with so much sarcasm even Yularen didn't miss it. He couldn't help but letting out a quiet laugh at the robot builder's expense.
"Of course, do let me know when you've taken those guns out. Oh and don't forget to make some photos for me when you're there. I love old human art as well and it would make my day." Yularen joked only to hear a loud grumble.
Carolina focused on the battle again and saw that her droids had cleared most of the Hive soldiers. A few battles here and there but nothing she had to deal with personally. She advanced through the wrecked park with her BFs and spider tanks following her in formation. Their footsteps echoed through the abandoned shopping district she had reached. Carolina had RC to coordinate the BF attacks. A squad was dispatched towards the first AA gun in the western part of the district while she would continue with her main forces as the second gun was right in her path. And nothing, but absolutely nothing, would stop the irritated and angered Carolina. Her temper was getting the best of her and the Hive would soon feel her wrath.
Shaxx was getting more and more frustrated by the amount of turrets the Hive had placed. They had barricades on the street with the turrets behind them. Although many were already destroyed thanks to the commandos there were still too many to his liking. The Wolves didn't stand a chance without the guardian teams and it was the same way around. Guardians would protect the Wolf soldiers while they would protect the downed guardians as the needed time to be revived. Shaxx was glad that they looked out for each other but this was getting them nowhere. He had to come up with some sort of strategy.
Then it became worse. Shaxx looked over his makeshift cover and his jaw dropped. Three giant ogres with armor on slowly marched towards them. They acted as shields for the enemy infantry and they advanced without stopping.
"Get me an artillery strike, an aerial attack or anything to take those things out! If they manage to cross our defenses we're screwed!" Shaxx practically shouted at his troops. It was not like he feared death but he would most certainly not let his men die.
"I contacted the air force but nothing to help us sir! And I can't get in touch with the artillery squad. We're on our own for now." A warlock reported after trying to reach their allies.
"Everyone, focus fire at those big ugly ogres! Take them down!" Shaxx yelled as loud as he could. In a matter of seconds all wolves and guardians were only firing in one direction, where the giant ogres were which came closer and closer. One of them scored a lucky hit as one of the behemoths fell on one knee since its left leg got shot off by a concentrated fury of scorch cannons. It didn't faze as it crawled further on.
"Hold the line!" Shaxx shouted. He fired another rocket at the middle ogre. It roared as it was hit right in the eye and stumbled somewhat backwards, crushing an acolyte that followed it. it regained its composure and went on with renewed anger. It charged its eye and unleashed a laser at Shaxx's position. He had dodged it in time but three vandals were hit as they supported their officer. With badly burned bodies they fell on the ground and stopped moving. The fourth one dropped to his knees as the beam had grazed his shoulder.
"Get him medical treatment now and get him out of here." Shaxx told the medics that rushed to the downed soldier. "Captain, you and your squad will set up on that roof and attack them from above."
"Yes sir!" the said captain answered before moving out with his squad.
"Agh!" A hunter grunted as she was shot in the chest and stomach before falling to the ground. She disintegrated and the ghost was left behind to revive the dead hunter. A wizard noticed this and ordered acolytes to finish the ghost off.
"Protect the guardian by surrounding the ghost." A vandal officer said as some dregs moved in along with a servitor that took the brunt of the attacks.
"Sir they've almost reached our position and we're losing ground quicker than we can pull back." A guardian informed Shaxx who had decided to shield the retreating soldiers since two more ogres joined the fight. He had been hit in the shoulder but that did not stop him.
"Leave it to me, go now!" he shouted as he shot another acolyte down.
"But sir you'll be killed." The guardian answered with dread and worry for his leader.
"A price that I'm willing to pay so you can all survive." He quietly said before going onwards to distract the enemy. He skillfully dodged the enemy bullets and grabbed the scorch cannon of a dead captain. He began killing the enemy wizards and knights so the acolytes and thralls would focus on him. They took the bait and soon all Hive soldiers assaulted him, not bothering with the retreating forces. He stood there as a one man army and didn't faze even as he kept receiving damage.A thrall slashed at him when it got close but Shaxx dodged and he gave it a head knock so hard it died on the spot.
A boomer strike knocked him on the ground behind a few crates. He coughed a few times and looked at the sky. He couldn't get up no matter how many times he tried.
"So this is it?" he thought to himself. He began recalling events of his live. The battle of twilight gap, the murder of his love, his first official Crucible match, his bickering with Zavala. Another explosion occurred close to him and dirt flew all over him. Shaxx didn't seem to care he would die with dirt all over him. It was how he wanted to die, dirty because of a battle. He recalled his first meeting with Razor's fireteam and with the Wolves. Getting out of that tower was one of his best decisions ever.
He closed his eyes and sighed. He had a few regrets though. Not being able to collect the glimmer Cayde owned him, his arguments with his mentor and most of all not being able to avenge her. He smiled at the memory of the beautiful guardian he fell in love with all those years ago. With the memory of her smile he could die happily now. It did not even matter if it was painful. He was able to protect his unit and died as a warrior just like Saladin said you should go.
Then he heard something. It sounded like a whistle or something like that. He turned his head to his left and he saw them. Multiple ships flying through the air to his position. They opened fire at the ogres and other soldiers as they were decimated completely. The ogres died by taking the brunt of the attacks. Multiple thralls still charged towards his position but they met the fists of Krosis and Dilak as they jumped off their pikes. The thralls were quickly terminated and the barons came to Shaxx's side as they supported him by taking each an arm over their shoulders. He looked around and saw his own forces along with the barons' unit repelling the Hive with ease.
"I never thought you would be so beaten up Shaxx. Getting too old?" Dilak teased the worn out crucible handler.
"You're not really that young yourself Dilak." Krosis retorted and Shaxx let out a soft laugh. Both barons looked at him with confusion. They thought Shaxx would try to argue with them but he didn't do that. Instead he laughed at the insult.
"I'm just glad you two showed up, I was certain it was my time to go."
"Yeah well, we heard a distress call from your forces and decided to come and check up on you. Not like we had much of a choice since Razor and Kate would have had my head if I ignored your plea." Dilak said.
"Speaking of those two, have you heard anything of them?" Shaxx asked as they let a medic take care of his wounds.
"No we haven't, but lately the Hive has been jamming our communications." Krosis said with concern
"I noticed that my unit couldn't contact the artillery unit." Shaxx added.
"Indeed but they're safe and well. Yularen says the interference is coming from somewhere below the surface. Once we clear those caverns we'll have the communications working at hundred percent." Dilak told them.
"All we can do for now is believe in them and hope their mission will be successful." Shaxx said and winced a bit as the medic applied some healing ointment.
"That's how a war goes, everyone has to play a part. That reminds me, how is Carolina doing? Last thing I heard was that she cleared an entire park with her machines. Yularen said he asked her to take down the enemy AA guns." Dilak asked.
"Knowing her she should be done with that by now. I think it's time we head out as well to the meeting point." Shaxx said as the medic left him to regenerate on his own. His guardian abilities would do the rest.
The barons agreed and after some arranging the combined units marched on to their objective, the central building which acted as the Hive headquarters.
"Looks like the attack was a success." Razor said as he and Kate walked through the dark tunnel along with Hevnok and his Silent Fang. The loud noises of the bombardment told enough for him to understand that the plan was going smoothly.
"We'll have to make sure our mission is going to be successful as well." Kate told him. The plan was that they would go underground through the tunnels of the city to plant explosives beneath the Hive headquarters while the others distracted the enemy. They had been going through the tunnel for quite some time and not a single thrall stood guard.
"I just hope our forces won't suffer too many casualties. The Hive seems to have new weaponry and reinforcements from Prime Servitor knows where. Is it still that far?" Hevnok contributed to the conversation.
"If my data is correct we should arrive shortly at the first metro station. From there on out we should split up. Kate, razor and me will go through the tunnel leading to the enemy stronghold while you and the Silent Fang will go to Hive strategical locations like their main AA platform. Once that's taken out of commission Yularen will move his ships in to provide better air support." TK clarified as he floated ahead of them acting as a flashlight.
"Still sounds risky to me. Are you sure you'll be fine on your own?" Hevnok once again asked Kate.
"We'll be fine. We still have these shanks and my little trick." She said with confidence. Hevnok looked at the horde of shanks behind them. They were equipped with wire rifles and chain guns but he knew how easy it was to destroy those things.
"I hope you know what you're doing." He said to Razor who had been checking up on his shotgun. Razor merely shrugged and Hevnok sighed again.
"So what's the plan after we defeat the Hive, are we going to blow the city up or something?" Hevnok asked as he was full of questions.
"Apparently the Vanguard wants to use it as a base of operations. They think that once the Hive have all been eliminated no one will try to claim this city." Razor answered.
"I can understand if the Cabal wouldn't try it but what about the Vex? Surely they're not naïve enough to think those machines wouldn't try to get this place for themselves."
"The order to occupy came from the city council to be exact. Ever since they got more power they've been able to influence the Vanguard and are set on expanding their territories. They don't really care if a guardian dies if it means more influence. That's also why they wanted the House of Wolves to lead the attack. It might seem like a sign of trust but honestly they are somewhat using us." TK clarified.
"I guess it can't be helped. We we're enemies in the past and to become allies we would have to do something for them anyways." Kate added while Hevnok still didn't like the attitude the last city gave them. Dilak had already threatened he would go to the council himself to teach them manners and shove a foot up their asses but Kate and Krosis managed to calm him down.
"I'm picking up strange activity up ahead. It's some sort of energy reading." TK suddenly said after some minutes. Everyone tensed at his words and readied for an eventual ambush.
"Do you recognize it?" Razor asked as he stepped in front of the group.
"It's familiar but I haven't encountered it before."
"Alright let's move on." He ordered as everyone continued on.
They arrived at the metro station and were surprised at the sight. Large black orbs with a dark shade of red full with Taken power hovered around and some Taken were standing in line as if they were ready to march on. A knight stood at the staircase leading to the surface arguing with a wizard. The small task force stopped at a quick gesture of Razor. Kate and Hevnok hurried to his side and observed the situation as well.
"OK, what's the plan this time?" Hevnok asked looking at the motionless Taken.
"I don't see any other approach aside from a direct one. We can take them surprise with some snipers and grenades but then we'll just have to eliminate them." Razor explained with his gun ready for action. A few whispers and everyone was ready for the battle. The tracer shanks were in position and a few shanks were spread throughout the room undetected. Razor gave the sign and in an instant many enemies were dispatched as guns were blazing.
Razor opened fire along with the rest of the infiltrators. The Taken simply saw their prey and attacked with all they had as usual. The consumed phalanxes didn't protect their allies and simply charged at them like the rest of the Taken.
"Why are they coming at us with such savage tactics? They normally have some intelligence left to strategize." Razor wondered out loud.
"I analyzed them and I can conclude that these Taken are not the ones we normally encounter. They seem to be unstable in structure. They must be the new Taken that were created by the new king using the rituals that were left by Oryx. Dark Drinker said something like that at least." TK answered while directing shanks for optimal efficiency.
A consumed knight managed to break through three shanks as he simply crushed them with a cleaver. He roared and swiped towards Hevnok who had to sidestep it and kicked the beast in the abdomen causing the knight to drop his weapon. They locked into a fistfight with none giving ground to the other. They continued like this for a while until Hevnok finally planted a knife right in its face causing the being to disperse. He grabbed his gun again and joined his men to protect them.
Kate was dueling with the knight that was in command of the Taken forces. The Hive zealot had a dark green cloak with red Hive runes in it. His blade had the same red runes carved into it. He also wore more armor compared to the standard knight, even for a high classed officer. They clashed blades and to the knight's surprise Kate could keep up with him. He unleashed a few well-coordinated strikes intended to end the duel quickly but Kate parried them all and retaliated at the right time.
The knight slowly forced her to move around and he effectively separated her from her friends. He kicked her away in the stomach and brought his sword down only to meet air as she already recovered from the attack. She tried her vortex attack but the knight evaded it with surprising agility. He tried to cut her arm but she managed to get away in time though the sword grazed her arm. She did not see the fist coming and within moments she flew through the air against a train car. Kate saw the knight coming even with her blurry vision and got up to counter attack.
She unleashed a horizontal strike followed by a vertical one only for her to slam her arc filled fist into the knight's left arm. The knight grunted in pain and looked at the wound. The armor covering his bicep and a part that protected his shoulder were completely wrecked and useless now. His decayed flesh was grazed as well and he knew he could not use two handed attacks anymore since his arm was simply hanging at his side. Kate took this as an opportunity to use some power attacks since the knight could only use one arm to block. Begrudgingly the knight had to slowly pull back to avoid the series of powerful slashes his foe threw at him. He swung his sword around to create some distance so he could reorganize himself.
"Hi krif kril, nuz daar los oblaan fah hi. Ont Hi los dilon zu'u fen gunaar hin fahdon ahrk moro fen kos dii." The Knight spoke in a mocking tone. Kate cocked her head to the side in confusion.
"I know two languages but I don't speak yours. Maybe you should take some lessons and while you're at it, learn how to fight as well. You hit like a thrall." Kate retorted with a grin. Even while she couldn't understand him she knew he would probably understand her. She was correct as the knight roared in fury and held his blade high.
The sword glowed a blood red and out of nowhere two taken vandals appeared with weapons aimed at her. It was now Kate's time to be infuriated as her own kind was turned against her. The knight laughed as he sensed the anger coming from the young Kell. He barked at the Taken and they began to attack her as she used the void-forged guard to stop them from hurting her. She dashed at them and chopped their heads off and glared at the grinning knight who had sent a taken captain after her. The captain swung his swords horizontally but Kate ducked and stabbed him in the chest. The captain let out a short yell before succumbing to its wound.
"You're so dead now." She said coldly causing the knight to stop grinning as he saw something in her. He looked at her closely and for a second he saw an enormous shadow that stood ready to devour him in the most painful way he could imagine. This was a different darkness than he served. It was frightening and a shiver went up his spine. Not from a wound or anything, but from pure terror. He was afraid of this shadow and in his panic he failed to see the incoming sword strike aimed for his arm.
It was a direct hit and his armor was shattered along with his bones. The limp arm dropped the sword and the knight fell on his knees. He felt intense pain and looked up to see Kate standing in front of her with her blade held high just like the knight had done himself a few moments ago. His eyes went wide as a black orb began to form above the sword. Before he could even scream he was sucked into the black orb. He was taken by the Wolf Kell now.
Kate suddenly realized what she just did and lowered her weapon. She looked at the sword and saw dark blue energy surrounding it. She made a mental note that being angry activates Dark Drinker's power. She had intended to cleave him in half but looks like things didn't go that way.
She sighed and looked at her armor. There were quite some dunks in it and some burns. She looked at her leg and saw it was bleeding slightly. She figured it was because of the knight that she absolutely loathed. She wanted the taking process of him to be as painful as possible. Kate turned around and saw Razor standing behind her. She yelped and he chuckled a bit at her antics.
"Very funny, don't you have to wage a battle or something?" She muttered avoiding his gaze.
"It ended a minute ago. Hevnok is in control of the situation and TK is helping him. Though I have to say that I didn't anticipate you to take that knight. You looked pretty angry, did something happen." He asked with concern in his voice at the end. Kate stayed silent and Razor thought for a moment before she finally broke the silence.
"He sent Taken after me. Fallen Taken to be exact. I got so angry that it just happened, I wanted to cleave his face in half and in a few moments he was sucked into an orb. Wait I'm not becoming like Oryx right?!" Kate said and gradually started to panic. Razor frowned at her concern and tried to say something. He really tried.
"Kate-" He began but was immediately cut off by a rambling Kate.
"I mean, I've been taking those Hive and I turned them against their former friends. I'm getting angry because they have my own kind fight me and the others but when I think about I'm doing the same." She continued to say quickly as if she was thinking she went crazy.
"Look Kate-" Razor once tried to say but was once again interrupted by a hysteric Kate.
"I'm just like Oryx, am I not? I'm just as evil as he is. Dark Drinker said that Taken powers are not evil but the intentions matter. I really am-"
"KATE!" Razor yelled in frustration and disbelief. Kate was instantly silenced and looked at him with wide eyes. She wanted to say something but it was his turn to interrupt her.
"I get it that you're freaking out but you're not crazy or evil. It's perfectly fine to get angry. I would be as furious as well. Just like Dark Drinker said, the intentions of the wielder of that power dictates whether it's evil or not. And I believe you're one of the most honest people I know. You're kind and would never abuse it." He ended with a smile and a slight blush as he realized what he just said.
Kate was shocked. She blushed fiercely and felt weird. The feelings she was having at the moment were so foreign to her. She had received praise from various people but for some reason it really mattered to her when it was Razor who gave her compliments.
"T-thank you Razor. I appreciate it. You're probably right, I'm just freaking a little bit out. Let's get back to Hevnok. We still have a mission to accomplish." Kate said not looking him in the eye. She wondered just why he made her feel like this.
They both walked in silence back to where the fight had calmed down. No Taken were to be seen and the strike force had minor casualties with most being shanks. It did not escape their attention that a wizard was bound to a pillar with guards standing beside it. Hevnok was with them as well and when he spotted the two he called them over.
"We managed to restrain this one. What happened to the knight?" He asked as he looked at Kate for an answer. She just pointed at her blade and made a 'poof' sign. He understood and decided not to press further onto the matter.
"I assume the wizard hasn't caused too many problems?" Razor asked turning to TK who was floating at the shoulder of Hevnok.
"No in fact she was all too happy to provide us intel. Well, after Hevnok threatened her of course."
"I still have it." Hevnok boasted and Kate sighed at his declaration.
"You're impossible." She taunted him. Hevnok just grumbled something under his breath that wasn't audible.
"Gaas raan! Waan zu'u knew kroved fund kos het zu'u fund drun ulaan lahvu wah piir hin klov vau!" the wizard shouted interrupting their conversation. It began to struggle trying to break it's restraints. The guards aimed their weapons to subdue the wizard who was now shooting massive waves of killer intent at Kate.
"She's feisty." Razor deadpanned.
"She just wants to kill Kate and would have brought their entire army here if she knew Kate was here. At least that's what she sort of said." TK clarified.
"Tell her their army is being taken care of as we speak." Razor said as he folded his arms.
"Hin lahvu fen kos pahsaan das ganog. Hi los nau hin meyar." TK spoke in the Hive language. The wizard laughed at his statement and surprised them with what it did next.
"Nooo, it'ss youu who will dieee." She said poorly in their tongue.
"We'll see about that." Kate said and grabbed her side arm. A single shot echoed through the station as the wizard crumbled to dust. Her friends were looking with surprise at her. She shrugged and reloaded her gun.
"Anyways," TK said trying to make sure they would not remain scary of Kate's cold demeanor "we still need to plant some explosives. I'll gather the shanks."
"Yeah, and I'll get the troops ready and leave for our objective. See you guys at the meeting point." Hevnok said and they were gone in an instant leaving Razor with Kate.
"Is there something wrong?" he finally asked her. He was concerned about her behavior towards the Hive.
"I just hate these bastards so hard. I wish they would just disappear for forever." She answered.
"Understandable." He said with a nod.
"Not to mention that they're damn ugly. No offense Dark Drinker." She huffed and out of nowhere he appeared.
"None taken. I can understand that they're like you say 'a pain in the ass'." He said with that same heavy voice.
"What happened to that knight?" Razor asked. Dark Drinker looked at him with a strange expression before answering.
"He has been transformed and will be a fine addition. Especially since he was completely broken down through mental torture." The large shadow answered. Kate and Razor gasped at this in shock.
"Torture?" Razor asked and Dark Drinker nodded in confirmation.
"I guess I had this thought that I wanted his transformation as painful as possible." Kate mused.
"I suppose it's for the better anyways. Can you support us with Taken?" Razor said with a sigh.
"Yes, I have added some new warriors to our arsenal and most are ready."
"Let's go then." Razor ordered.
They went towards the train tunnel leading them to their destination. The shanks were ready and Dark Drinker followed with some spawned Taken. They walked through the large tunnel until they heard noise. Razor used his zoom and muttered one sentence : "We are so screwed." He said as he gripped his weapon to be ready for the hell that came towards them.
Okay it took way too long but I just couldn't continue writing for some time. Once again, my apologies. By the way the Hive language that I use is actually the dragon language from Skyrim. I thought it was pretty cool and to my opinion it fits the Hive.