CHAPTER 10

'Well, good to see you all passed your first test' Axton paced in front of the four troops as the stood in front the the Crimson Raiders headquarters. The sky was begining to lighten with the approach of dawn

'Test?' Dion asked.

'Yes, test' Axton confirmed. 'We had to know you were capable of lasting longer than 5 minutes in a real battle. Anyhow, we noticed a few of you have some real nice skills we'd like to see abit more of. So, rest up troopers. After midday today we head out to the Dust! An adventure awaits you! Excitement killing, blood and gore!' Axton pounded his closed right hand into the palm of his left hand to emphasize what he was saying. Willy chuckled, and Montayva smiled at his dramatization.

'Got a mind for action there son' Axton stopped abruptly and faced the older soldier.

'There a problem if i do?... Pops' Axton retaliated. Willy just laughed.

'Son you aint the first soldier to call me that. And no, no problem'

'Good' Axton frowned, not liking that he was shown up in front of the other newbies. 'Well then, off you go' He waved his hand at them, his mood dissolving to one of slight annoyance. The three males each headed off in a different direction. Montayva was left standing in front of Axton. He was just about to turn and walk away when he noticed the hazed, glassy look in the sirens eyes.

'Someone approaches' She said quietly, and he had to concentrate to hear her properly 'In the fast travel network' She explained as he glanced around the almost empty street.

'How can you know that?' He asked skeptically.

'I just do' Montayva answered honestly, she had no other way of explaining to the man in a manner that he would comprehend.
Montayva was already beginning to surmise that she had a more extensive range of powers than the other sirens because unlike them, she was born a siren, and not created. But she had no way of knowing this for sure. After years of practice, Lilliths skills were also begining to vary. Maya worked on hers also whenever she got the chance. With encouragement from Angel, the older pair of women had began to branch out and try things they otherwise wouldn't have given thought to.

'Well I say, we group up, head out and while you bunch hang to the edges, I'll run in and smash them all with my fists. Then they will be forced to give us the information' Brick slammed his fist down on the table, and the map flickered in protest.

'Yeah sure, coz that always works' Lillith threw her hands in the air in exasperation.

'Why don't we just head out in two's and threes. We'll cover more ground that way.' Mordecai made a sensible suggestion.

'And who do we team up with who?' Maya asked.

'Well that's easy, we'll spread our skills out.' Mordecai returned.

'Hmm, that could work' Lillith considered the notion.

'Like Lillith, you take Salvador and the kid. Maya, you, Brick and that weird guy' By weird guy he referred to Zareb. 'Axton and I will head out with Montayva and the old man. I think that spreads our skills pretty eveny.' Mordecai shrugged as if he couldn't see any other way too it.

'You know, I'm actually agreeing with him, Lil' Maya nodded.

'Just one probs peeps! You forgot your most important member!' Gaige entered the room.

'Meh, go with Lillith' Mordecai said nonplussed by the mechromancers sudden appearance. The girl was still quite young, and though she never let on her real age, she wouldn't have been 20 years old. Despite this factor, she was extremely talented in her field.

'Typical, always showing up late' Lillith smiled, weighing an ignorant tone with the kid they had all become quite fond of.

'Dont you know its trendy to arrive fashionably late?' She shot back playfully.

'Ouch, burn!' Axton laughed as he entered the room also, Montayva behind him.

'Once you fools are done playing around, we have a take-back to orchestrate hear' Mordecai the buzz-kill waved his arm at the map on the table.
Just as Mordecai voiced his complaints, Angels image appeared above the map.

'Hello all. I see you are all in good spirits this day?' She noted. 'I have some information you will require before assembling for this mission.' Angel paused and waited to see that she had their whole attention.

'Go on' Mordecai urged impatiently.

'You know the area called Friendship Gullag well. It is one of few remaining Hyperion controlled strongholds. There is a growing number of Hyperion troops assembled there. You should know that they are planning a take control back on Pandora. The are led by a man named Kent Duraph. This man is extremely dangerous, a former mercenary of Jack. I would even go so far as to call him Jacks right-hand-man. His men call him Duraph. And he has sent out many ECHOS in the last couple of days, recruiting those left abandoned at the many Hyperion posts left standing across this region. If you wish to continue your rebuilding of Sanctuary, you will need to take them out. This is their first planned target.' Angel spoke solemnly.

'Well that shouldn't be too hard right?' Axton shrugged. 'We beat Jack, we'll beat this tool too'

'I like your confidence soldier' Angel commented 'But be cautious. We are talking about the man that took care of Jacks dirty work'

'Dont worry Angel. We will think this over thoroughly Lillith assured. 'But before we get into Gulag, we will need to take out the force guarding the entrance first'

'You hit the nail on the head there Lil' Brick pummeled his fists again. 'Thats where my plan comes onto the field'

'Brick, as much as I admire your methods, I think we need to stick to what we just discussed. We'll take em from all sides. That way there wont be any escapees' Mord said maliciously.

'Yes, Mordecai s plan will work best for this' Angel confirmed, before her image flickered away.