XCOM: War of the Chosen
Retribution's Ascension
Chapter X
I sat comfortably between wide yellowed metal arch ways used to unload massive shipping containers off cargo ships. One leg lazily swung side to side during a cool autumn breeze as I watched one group of workers leaving their jobs. The binoculars pierced through dim lighting to see several laugh together when breaking off to go home. International resistance contacts, they'd have cells in place at all major ports. Only natural since I cleaned house in several cities over these few weeks. I'd been busy since that time in giving my master a captive to sate her frustrations upon. Now I wasn't shocked to learn that rumors whispered of seeing a man being torn apart when angering something rather monstrous, or it'd been said.
"Rest in place, friend." I accentuated mockingly into a strong wind as I went about surveillance on my self-driven interests. After one week having no luck, or apparent enticement for resistance fighters to take baited targets I switched up my priorities. Giving it one week had been pushing it, so I settled on international underground contacts in getting support globally. Using sea lanes to smuggle in weaponry, supplies and manpower wasn't exactly easy.
Advent hot-line gave insight that three dock-workers seemed suspicious. Two have been working here for years and another just two weeks ago. I smiled reading off information as it all seemed very convenient considering that later detail. Either that little event scared off potential resistance recruits, or they rallied to have people eager to take down something dangerous. I'd been subjected to know and learn that an alias known to be as Stalker.
The monster of swift silence and shadowy presence. A monster that kept resistance cells awake at night in fear, they were frightened I'd appear and snatch them away. How very poetic, I'm neither shadowy nor am I swift. I'm just quiet and patient, but thank you. I mockingly bowed myself despite leering lightly to continue keeping tabs on those three dock-workers who moved along towards a fenced off entrance. I magnified the binoculars to zero in on faces, I marked them and I expected to run facial reconstruction software on them for information.
But to my immense shocking delight I felt a grin come about, "Am I seeing this right? Now what are these odds?" I spoke shaking my head absolute ecstatic to see a familiar shade of blond hair going down shoulders and an ass in pants just a little too tight. I lingered in favor to wonder, "Intentional? Unlikely, but not impossible." Softly trembling in absolute delight in recognizing someone who wanted to be found by someone unseen, or rather I'd imagine someone wanted to be seen by someone not wanting to be unseen.
My, my, my. I fondly sighed to mark this person immediately to trace, I guess this was one way in being hailed for conversation. I watched through lenses as I saw her look around before padding pockets in apparent alarm. I hummed intrigued as a guard seemingly sighed before point back towards the harbor to retrieve what must have been an identification card, or something along those lines. You're growing a spine, aren't you? Personally I admired how confident the acting on display became a start contrast to what I first saw over a month ago.
I felt absolutely impressed to see such improvement, more so to god I admitted it to myself. How time flies when we're all trying to destroy, or kill each other. It seems only like yesterday I had you tide up and ready to bleed you dry, Katherine. Sighing loudly I kept a lazy eye to see her backtrack towards lesser sparsely worked areas of this dock yard. If I wasn't any keener I'd imagine it were very innocent to see her walk around but I zoomed in to see her eyes wandering, "You haven't forgotten me, or maybe you just what it feels like to have something behind you."
I smiled saying two words while standing up fully to stretch, "Clever girl." I complimented to jump down allowing sound dampening material do it's work. Not a soul nearby looked over, or up from stations as night held it's firm grip over those within. Wordlessly I became one with it all, I moved rather quick to weave between containers and heavy equipment to pin-point where I needed to be soon enough. Breezy currents off a large body of water made it cooler than normal yet I happened to well insulated to get over containers if I needed to jump onto them.
Lunging over cargo containers I kept an eye on where a marker continuously pinged as I got closer bypassing dozens of twists and turns. Every now, or then I leaped over unsuspecting workers or dock loaders who never knew that sudden breeze wasn't exactly pleasant. So why risk yourself coming to find me now, Katherine? What's your game you hope to play? I wondered while avoiding a larger game and grunted to reach across the next largest gap as both knees absorbed forces when landing. I had to scale up one ladder just to get an overview of where I'd traverse next.
My moving destination found herself walking along peers on open ground apparently. Oh that's adorable, you're using open ground against me. I snorted absolutely in disbelief to keep on jogging over container's stacked parallel for rows upon rows. Every muscle inside legs were getting quite an extensively surprising workout when I sped up, I needed the exercise anyways since remaining stagnant for two weeks degraded durability. More so I felt very alive when chilling winds swept past roaring due to my acceleration alone.
Somehow I have a hunch your reappearance isn't accidental toward the resistance avoiding my efforts. Did you tell them anything, or is that your real reasoning? I pondered when coming to an edge cloaked to see she moved towards a peer where two cargo-ships had moored off, "And now to find somewhere private for us both." I glanced upwards to see a crane not in use giving the entire load of cargo had been lifted nearly on the peer itself. There was an open top on that crane with one way down and it'd be secluded to avoid any potential surprises if I had to say.
Glancing down I slid a finger over my wrist to prep the grappling line, "Perfectly pressurized and no worries for slack." Breathing happily in rolling both shoulders appropriately enjoying pleasant night I stared intently forward. Leap down to brace accordingly I sprinted well beyond and ahead of my quarry who kept on looking around expectantly now. It confirmed she'd been trying to find a sign, or rather wanted to draw myself out to confront her.
"Not on your terms, only mine." I murmured coming to find purchase by hauling my armored form over two containers stacked vertically. Katherine walked slowly coming down to decide to settle in between two rows of double stacked cargo containers. The wind howled strongly in between them off an ocean's vast distance creating strength and sustainable concealment for my presence to be ideally masked by those aware of their own skin. I sat down allow both legs to dang lazily to wait patiently for her to pass underneath me ever so deliberately.
Here goes nothing, I hope you're aware what you've provoked tonight. My arms pushed off when ground came striking towards me rapidly. Both knees strained to allow a muffled drop as two hands were lightly spaced out touching the ground to have myself arching forward. My quarry hardly flinched given she continuously kept looking between spacing as if expecting someone to come out. I smiled to move as silent as I'd normally do so to appear within a meter of her back.
"This is such a bad idea!" She said at first, "A real grade-a god damned idea!" I heard her say uneasily even over another sharp breeze as I followed to humor that feeling she'd been constantly nurturing. Taking a moment to suppress an ever growing urge to allow I finally relinquished reluctant control to whisper right into her right ear coyly agreeing, "Indeed it's a bad idea because you reap what you sow, Katherine."
The woman's gasp came out a mix of a shriek and stutter, "Holy fucking god!" I remained unseen yet my voice gave it away I'd been chuckling, "Retribution will suffice." I simply couldn't physically stop laughing quietly given I saw her clutch an area where the heart nearly burst out alone, "But I shall thank you for your flattering opinion of me." I'd say seeing her absolutely terrorized yet alone almost hysteric made me wonder if I was such a cruel man to enjoy it. I continued to laugh at her expense even though she swore lividly.
"You twisted fuck! Are you trying to scare me to death?" She accused me almost on point to which I denied it rather innocently, "Not willingly." Her blue eyes closed and open repeated trying to figure where my face would have been, "But I have an inkling to assume you are not here in front of me for that?" I stated rather pointedly to allow a sly tone to imply something deviously concerned, "Because if only you wish to find out if I do so scare you for fun, perhaps I can arrange a far more dangerous setting." That glare almost looked to bring out what I particular enjoyed to see when they refused to rise to that bait. Lightly astonished shame came to be because I expected this greeting to be at least entertaining.
But I did feel mildly surprised she grounded out, "Christ you're an ass aren't you?" My mask even while concealed managed to draw out cheekily, "Of course!" If I hadn't started irritating her beforehand I got to see it in spades when she gave a literal flat expression, "I shouldn't have come here, I'm beginning to hate you a lot." I laughed out loud moving to start encirclement causing her to freeze momentarily trying predict what I do, "Why Katherine! I'm hurt by your words because I'm beginning to enjoy our little conversations, they're so...fun." I spoke casually humming a bit as her eyes rolled knowing I'd keep on provoking reactions a lot more often.
The young resistance operative futility tried to make me cease moving, "Can you not act like some twisted monster trying to hunt someone? And can I at least see what I'm talking too?" My smile widened when I went still causing her to stumble briefly as if she'd actually lost track of my cloaked form altogether. Siding stepping past when she turned opposite to where I'd moved too did I prepare a suitable location for more serious conversations, ones that needed to be addressed from any eyes or ears lingering by chance.
She took a step back fearfully realizing I'd gone silent for an unknown reason. I adjusted to simply whisper into an ear yet again, "Hold on tight and don't try to fall." My arms wrapped around her before I raised my right forearm to fire a hooking as it curled perfectly to start bringing it's intended payload up several stories. The girl's muffled scream was followed by her desperately clutching onto my cloaked armor and I laughed to have her hear it clearly. And within several seconds of being in mid-air I leaped up to have a secluded area on one unmanned crane meant to life up heavy objects weighing tons.
"You fucking asshole!" She screeched clutching herself once I set us both down, "God damn it! Let me go you son of a bitch!" I stepped back allowing my cloak to unravel to become visible as I gave a lazily concerned eye turning away, "Are you quite done? I don't have all night to listen to your crass words." I intoned mildly once I got it across things were quite seriously demanding and both arms crossed imposingly awaiting her reasoning for getting my attention. I hoped for her sake it'd be something worthwhile because I was done playing around.
Moments passed when it dawned I'd be deceiving her when an almost frustrated expression obviously took hold. I crossed both arms to lean against a portion of the crane's metallic frame simply staring pointedly giving away no sense of coy, or twisted entertainment. I kept my eyes trained absolutely unyielding where she tried to speak at first but it died instantly, "We have an agreement in place, Katherine. I won't leave you a hanging headless corpse if you can't speak to me, or something." I cruelly joked even though she wasn't aware I'd have done it, if only to truly terrorize the first of my prey almost two months ago. Yet she didn't need to know it be true even if I found it absolutely exhilarating.
That gave confidence even if she sounded bitterly disgusted saying, "I need your help." Standing up swallowing an apprehension I raised an eyebrow, "Really, now?" I drew out rather sardonically by revealing both hands despite arms crossed, "I wouldn't have figured." She winced knowing that wasn't exactly comforting to start off yet I gave some practical hope, "But since I am here standing and talking without trying to harm you. What is it do you need?" I wanted to break the ice in a way where it wasn't warm, or possibly optimistic to give a false impression I was a friendly figure. My interests were well known and hers were well known, so what did she wish to gain at my expense for my own ambitions as it were?
"You could have just remained quiet." She grumbled much to my humming agreement yet I prompted a continuation with one hand gesture, "You made a deal with me, I get that. So god damn me, I'm using it." This young woman who seemingly found courage whether through doing whatever it took, or possibly swallowed down better judgment to say it. I again motioned for her to get on with it despite feeling bemusement to see someone asking an enemy for help, "What can you provide to us, exactly?" An interesting detail I'd have wondered myself I weren't so unsure to take this course and I looked upwards to see nothing but stars flickering distantly.
I replied rather flippantly given I shrugged, "You tell me Katherine. What do you think your cause needs since you've obviously found out." She flinched when both of my eyes narrowed animatedly entertained given I brought a hand underneath an armored mask, "What? You think it's simply mere coincidence you've appeared before me? Work on your timing a bit and I won't have to see this predictable occasion in which none of my efforts are snaring those in your resistance. So, guess what?" I questioned leaning forward causing her face to tighten, I wagered she'd wanted to use that revelation to get me in good graces no doubt.
Sadly I wasn't a simpleton, I'd banked on all of this early on. This was why I considered it a high-risk investment with very valuable rewards, "It means one thing." Lifting a finger I wagged it left to right very familiar of a time when she and I were inside an interrogation room, "I've been found out. Now as a result all my carefully preordained opportunities have been seen through, and you are here to use me to get further ahead of Advent, correct?" I explained completely casually while pointing out flaws in my own strategy as it'd been a high possibility to expect sooner than later. Why did I feel so smug and excited revealing hands to those who couldn't imagine someone planning out several steps ahead, hell I did like to play chess occasionally for fun truthfully.
"Wow...uh, that's just well, damn." She said dumbly feeling overwhelmed by stepping back as I laughed absolutely in agreement, "Yes, it's quite contradictory isn't it? But allow me to provide you some clear answers and opportunities for you to utilize on my behalf." I stood upright walking causing her to freeze yet she made no effort to run. It'd been impossible given I chose this location for several reasons but I moved past her to stare towards an open ocean. I watched it glimmer almost surreal while witnessing the moon's massive reflection and light give an eternal glow of absolute beauty worthy of earth's legacy.
Eying her rather bemusedly I pointed out a little know fact, "To tread paths dangerously and cautiously to become rewarded you must first learn boundaries of territories. Case in point my master's authority ends at this ocean and is met by another whose chosen their territory across it." I kept it simple because it needed to be simplified for their sake, "Strike in-between them and you'll have less chance to be encountered, so learn them all." I spoke frankly gesturing towards said ocean where I also gave an actual list of potential spots for targets, "Supply convoys, supply caches and potentially many others I can give to you."
The blond woman walked up to me looking optimistically yet I raised a finger in warning, "But it's not why I want too." She looked slightly uneasy when I stared very coyly, "It's how should I give them to you, Katherine. What can you do to make sure and I myself, to believe you can receive my gifts without, shall I say refuse to not plan on being exposed for your cause's sake." I intoned very final as I went back to stare at an ocean wondering if I needed some tropical getaway after winter settled in. Now granted I'd say it wouldn't hurt not did I wish to experience one alone which needed time to be birthed, or so I wished of it eventually.
"Data exchange is too risky." I heard her say slowly trying as if musing openly and I remained quiet to give it hope, "Contacts through agents is worse though. You'd crack down on them here but your masters...they'd..." A hiss of frustration started to make me smile widely, "Wait! You said to receive gifts, right?" She looked with those blue eyes I sighed lightly to see them shine in emotions signifying success and I replied slyly, "Don't you mean my gifts? I'd be insulted if you thought they weren't for your eyes and ears only."
Revelations struck as she looked shocked, "Just us?" I nodded once playfully enjoying every minute of our conversation, "As in you and me, I...what? So we meet and exchange what?" I hummed loudly before reaching downwards to pull out something from my belt's smaller compartments, I'd say an age old technology meant to secure information on the go became suitable, "Something that hasn't been broken yet." I implied coyly when her eyes went wide using real old style tech that even Advent hadn't thought to do away with at all. I'd never seen a young woman look at me as an enemy and as a genius in less than thirty seconds, I found it beyond exhilarating I almost started to feel flattered.
Katherine couldn't hide a mouth opening in sheer amazement, "Portable universal serial bus sticks? Literally you'll give them hand to hand?" I wagged a exceptionally small black USB stick holding possibly hundreds of terabytes of data meant to be decrypted of course, "Why not? It minimizes my effort to keep you around." She looked at almost pleasantly confused before I amended, "Or rather it maximizes your ability to keep me around you whenever you want contact to be made. Just you and only you to get these, I cannot afford to have you compromised by others. After all..." I leaned forward to whisper rather scandalously to have her stiffen, "...I hold you in higher regards for doing something for me once this exchange is completed, Kathy."
The USB stick offered itself innocent to be taken by a numb hand. Now I wasn't going to pretend I wasn't having so much god damned fun doing this radically untested strategy. Too many things could still go wrong, I'd acknowledge that doubtful part of my consciousness yet too many things were already going right, so it was moot to consider anything beyond tonight. Efforts needed to be maintained to achieve an ambition I sought too accomplish, so playing twenty questions and hard to get wasn't going to cut it too readily. Making it fun made it worthwhile, so I wasn't going to hesitate to see where it'd take me eventually.
"I'll keep your word." She gasped out shuddering by pocketing a treasure trove of information, "But it'll take time, I'm not good enough to get into..." I interrupted absolutely agreeing by advising merely to enjoy these moments, "The Aces of your resistance. Don't rush your development, I know what it means to learn from your instructors and then learn to maximize your strength to garner power's clout over those who see up to you as something higher than their stations." The blond girl looked over a bit shocked but remarkably listened to every word I invoked, "Time is your ally, it is my ally and as such it benefits us both. Did you honestly think I expected you to reach my agenda in two months, or less?" I said in disbelief leaning away looking absolutely baffled when she turned away as well. Apparently she thought so, or I'd guess?
She looked over once and I caught the indignity all too clearly. Second passed before I laughed long and hard gripping my sides. I laughed so utterly loud I swore this girl's face flushed as I hunched over to grip a piece of metal, "My, my, my. You really thought I expect you go from half-ass shot missing my skull two weeks ago to best of your own?" That insult got overlooked when she stepped back when I let something slip unintentionally, yet I couldn't have cared to imagine anything beyond laughing so earnestly in possibly years of emotional disciplines. This was simply too much and I let it all out laughing wickedly happily.
"You...you know, but how..." She said it in disbelief when I leaned back upright inhaling heavily to feel relatively good for once, "Your perch wasn't half bad, I'd have been hard pressed to find out initially given you, or your Reaper of a shot didn't account for Advent security systems of nearby buildings. Granted I scrub them, or use them for reflection in why I failed or garnered results I need to make sure I'm well advised." My explanations were so detailed I think I almost caused her mind to overload given she sat down immediately. Oh god grant me mercy because I again resisted to laugh beyond amused, "Your aim is thankfully not fatal to my health yet."
Two blue eyes were absolutely scared beyond senseless when they focused on my own green orbs. My expression fancied earnest playfulness, or deceptively friendly kindness, "Christ help us all." She whispered looking up at me especially when I moved past her looking outwards a city lighting up, I leaned forward cupping my chin, "You're an honest to god fucking monster." Shockingly enough I remained leaning against a railing of an unused crane to stare towards the city of lights and I wasn't offended. The only thing I said to her in return just before we had to part were two words full of purpose in which it gave me strength to know I was on the right track and in return I'd give an actually truthful grateful answer for once, "Thank you."
The man struggled not even several seconds before I slammed him face first neck broken. I slid along cargo-containers which had been prevented from being unloaded. Three ships, dozens if not nearly a hundred of cargo containers filled with weaponry, food and other such things. I'd be in upbeat mood for possibly three, or so days given my little rendezvous with Katherine's surprising admission in needing my assistance. Fortunately for her all that information I'd given would come in handy as there needed to be a trade off to keep any curious eyes wondering about resistance fighters gaining so much equipment, or firepower for that matter.
Advent drop-ships came streaking over head as dock-workers scrambled for cover shouting alarmed at such a presence. Moving along one ships long starboard I lunged forward when one identifiable undercover operative which had been run through Advent's extensive facial reconstruction protocols and it came back as a well known smuggler. He tried fleeing yet it wasn't going to be remotely possibly. My armored hand crushed lashed out once his wind pipe exposed itself especially when running full long into a concealed presence.
Feeble fists tried instinctively resisting something far beyond it's capacity to escape. Snarling quietly I reared up choke slamming him through crates full of food and water meant for resistance fighters on North American soil. His body crumpled inwards as a rasping gurgling met my ears indicating one merciful trip to unconsciousness, "Lucky." I commented slightly disappointed I almost technically tried to kill him really, "But fortunate." I moved on sweeping past ropes being tossed for descending Advent troopers who quickly moved to secure their captive, all I needed was to find a few more to make this raid very valuable to me.
Several crewmen not aligned to deep cover operatives panicked when they ran past me. More so I tried to halfheartedly move yet they managed to to brushed aside my concealed armored body. I rolled both eyes in irritation as I looked down to see them gap in open horror. I spoke very thinly close to throwing them over board for a swim, "Please watch where you're running too. Or else I'll feed you to hungry sharks who don't get picky about fresh blood, understand?" They fell to their knees when my cloaked form rippled as I continued onward. I leaned an ear back to hear one of them say, "Diablo! El diablo camina entre nosotros!"
Devil? Oh, really? My shrill appeased laughter sent them sprinting when I recognized one word in all that fearful tone. Moving along I looked down hearing rare shots of gunfire and saw another ship moored across the massive loading dock where lightly armed operatives tried in vain to slow an advancing force not capable of being stopped. I'd prepared enough measure to have them overwhelmed given I noted how several mechanized support units were over-watching advancing troopers with officers leading them effectively.
"Captain, status report." I spoke curiously while moving towards this vessel's hatch leading to lower decks where I had come across an interesting rumor. Communications to my subordinate and head overseer of the raid replied in a much more groomed English and I found it oddly impressive he'd dedicate himself to learn the language zealously attentive. Yet I paused mid-stride to quickly move over to be wedged between two containers as I watched three operatives coming out with some intriguingly creative hardware, I needed a second to comprehend them all.
All three wielded either rocket propelled grenades, or rocket launchers dedicated to the one thing that made laws rather dangerous by design. That's quite a fair bit of heavy weaponry for just deep cover operatives, how interestingly fascinating. I watched them line up a firing line towards incoming drop-ships which weren't aware due to a lack of laser targeting systems, so I hummed curiously noting they were all using their eyes and that became symbolic to well trained fighters. But most critically detailed was that they weren't native to the American continents.
They were experienced saboteurs, or pirates possibly born to Africa's vast ethnic groups as given their voices speaking a language I wasn't keen on. Two wielded machetes on waistlines while iconic old school Keivesheiv rifles were shouldered properly. Vests and jungle style cameo matching pants were quite clear in their details that this was the right ship I wanted to be on. And I moved quickly when they weren't even trying to waste adjusting time at targets, I knew instantly these men compared to most of these operatives stationed inside this docking yard were very confident.
Sliding across I drew a blade impaling one man through his rib cage and I spun around cleaving flesh into bloodied chunks. Red mist splattered for possibly meters across the other two shouted in alarm as half a torso fell overboard while firing an explosive weapon sporadically. The blow back alone caused me to grunt while trying to steady myself once I spear tackled the other two forcing weaponry in opposite directions. Jesus these guys are built! Kicking one in an abdomen he hunched over grunting loudly spewing out vomit mixed with crimson and I landed one powerful uppercut just for good measure to send him reeling back an entire meter!
I didn't turn around when pulling out a pistol and flickering mechanisms to full power aiming upon a terrified face. I smiled while intoning a fair warning, "Don't blink." Reddish near blackened blood along with brain and skull matter splattered across an entire deck. An almost headless corpse twitched as gurgling rasping met my ears when I stood up breathing outwards, "Had to work for those three. Almost had to explain how I lost a drop-ship to Advent bureaucracy, not a good day if master catches wind of it." I grumbled gratefully stepping over two and a half dead men, I hosteled my firearm moving towards an open hatch leading in this vessel's interior.
This is going to be very claustrophobic already. I thought lamely noting I barely had any room to move quickly, or out of incoming projectiles. Cloaked, or not I wasn't in any damned mood for lucky ricochets and magic bullets, "Wonder why the crew haven't come out yet." I whispered curiously bypassing locked doors to cabins and it dawned on me either there weren't many, or they were possibly evicted due to those armed experts I'd deal with moments ago. Lights flickered occasionally as I pressed further into the cargo-ships depths.
Sheathing a blade and switching back to my firearm I drew it aiming off to my right. Where the hell is the rest of this ship's crew, or passengers? Half a dozen people don't man a ship of this size by themselves. Small droplets of steam induced water leaked in several places as humidity started to be felt immediately after descending another flight of stairs. One ear picked up faint banging possibly due to metallic beams, or someone slamming something hard together as I strained to follow it to a source well beyond my sight.
Slowing down I eased my steps to avoid splattering water when I came to a bend around one corner dripping constant droplets. Three steps, two steps and one! I jerked aside narrowing avoiding a man yelling out firing what appeared to be a shotgun? No, it can't be! It looked well beyond anything I'd see a resistance fighter use in their hands at all and I almost swore it looked familiar. Once it fired a sharp ringing sound echoed as a projectile torn through steel walls like tin foil and upon closer realization the wall became swiz cheese.
The firearm I held in my grip tightly came directly settled on a man's temple. He only looked over in shock to see red as his skull splattered onto where he'd been hiding. I reached out ripping the strangely modified weapon out of numb hands, "How in the living hell did resistance fighters get their hands on Advent weapon tech?" I spoke out stunned to see what was some kind of modified weapon I'd seen on Advent troopers and other such individuals handling excessive firepower. God damn it looked hands down meant for stopping power, hell's grace I'd take a guess it'd puncture through my own armor at point blank way too easily and I thought enough to really get to the bottom of this lunacy.
"Advent weaponry in XCOM's hands?" I turned over to see wiring used to enhance the weaponry's internal loading chamber and saw it reinforce the barrel for higher temperature dispersal, "Not on my fucking territory. Now I really have to root out an international weapons ring." I vowed tossing it to the side to continue moving forward as I kept an eye around myself ready for more hide and go seek peekaboo shot corners. One good angle meant death and I'd be seeing my own guts shredded like actual fish through a compacter.
Hugging one side of a hallway I heard heavy breathing not even several feet away. Maintenance hole probably, heavy breathing indicates anxiety give or take. I waited for a few moments to witness the barrel of some modified rifle shakily sliding out. Slowly I crouched in response avoiding it's muzzle given my face wasn't even three or so inches away from seeing wiring activate at a trigger's command. Easing myself to calm down I waited for an armed resistance operative wearing the cargo ships company's clothing move right past where I crouched. Once he passed I stood up narrowing both eyes lividly enraged I'd been reduced to such cautious tactics.
None of you are going to live, or see daylight ever again. I quickly came behind locking arms and swiftly broke a neck as a rasping shocking gasp rewarded that effort. Bones splintered and cracked when I shoved the twitching corpse head first into a metallic wall, "Breath your last." I muttered in favor before pushing onwards careful now of every little nook and cranny, officially I'd say I was getting quite an unexpected trail of absolute perfect repetition. Any slight mistake invoked a fatal reward and I wasn't in any mood to die.
Distant banging still wafted through air as sound echoed off metallic corridors once I rounded another corner. Another four steps, three, two and one! I side stepped to duck underneath another modified rifle's barrel lunging outwards. It's user yelled something ineligible before pulling a trigger to fire possibly three or so shots. Due to how close I almost rolled away when I felt waves of air and heat burning exposed flesh, "How?" I whispered irritably when unsheathing the blade to have impale through an underside of a jaw, "You aren't that attuned to my presence yet you know when I move, so how?"
Spinning in place I tore off an entire man's face as bloodied chunks fell out spewing volumes of liquid across an entire section of wall. Without missing a beat I sheathed my weapon moving past trying to gain some ground to where the rest of these resistance operatives situated themselves heavily. No camera, or security systems in place so that leaves out interior assistance. But...three steps, two and one! I sneered this running past to slid underneath a man who tried to shoot, "Third time?" I growled firing one shot to send another skull asunder, "What am I not seeing?" I stood up abruptly looking back one before coming to another flight of stairs, I read lettering to what had to be this vessel's main hold and all those banging noises were much more prominent.
Descending another level I came to a hatchway opening up onto some sort of scaffolding. Wiring along metallic supports held up a walkway leading outwards and several ladders, or miniature spiraling stairs for those to descend on the vessel's main hold's floor greeted my eyes fully. Now I get it, I just stumbled upon possibly an army's worth of recruits, or something of that extent. I pressed against a wall to witness cargo containers with dozens to nearly a hundred people scurrying about, "And this is an entire shipment of Advent weaponry mods meant for XCOM, or Resistance cells here in North America?" I whispered quietly in absolute disbelief seeing men and women scrambling to establish an entire fortified stronghold within this cargo-ship's depths.
They can't be allowed to hold out, or rather I cannot allow this equipment to be utilized against my ambition's progress! My terms, or death! I slid past to look for suitable locations to get an advantage and I noticed overhanging walkways meant to go up to the main deck, "That can work but is there anything here I could use to sink this massive tomb of metal?" I wondered aloud remaining absolutely still in seeing people underneath grated sheets of floor creating barricades, or were made hastily crafted bunkers out of everything and anything that could be moved.
Continuing my surveillance of an entire army I peered further ahead causing me to hostler a firearm and using binoculars which zoomed in immediately on my target of interest. Group of six around a table, I think they're studying a layout and everyone's looking up to that woman. I saw another native to Africa's vast jungles wearing some sort of reddish beret and wore jungle like camouflage fatigues, "She's seen war and is worth more than any resistance operator I've seen." I stated almost way too confidently to believe anything else but a fact, one I needed to capitalize on now and sinking this vessel without having some interrogation needed would be satisfactory. And I had quite a challenge to undertake beautifully for sure.
Marking her for capture! My fingers pressed a tracking locator from equipment to sync up with my own armor's internal mechanisms. Only thing left was to provide an update to an entire Advent raiding force, "Captain! Do you read me, over?" I asked quietly pressing my fingers against an ear to hear an almost clear response, "Yes, Lord Retribution. What need do you have of us?" He replied immediately without wasting time as I relayed what I discovered, "Be advised of this vessel I'm currently on-board of a small army barricading themselves and are intending for some last stand. They have stolen Advent weaponry given their stopping power is on par, or beyond your own as it's likely they'll inflict fatal injury even upon myself, how copy?"
Unrelentingly I kept surveillance in play while keeping an eye behind, or below if anyone got an idea to check up on where I was located. Munitions boxes, munitions again and ah, ha! My persistence paid off when I spotted possible explosive ordinances when several men broke open wooden crates and I zeroed in with magnifications to get one clear picture, "X-twenty four charges?" I practically spat out disbelief in wondering how the fuck did half ass resistance fighters, hired guerrilla commando help and now this god damned shipping company got their hands on all kinds of hardware! Those charges alone should have been instantly red flagged if missing out any Advent armories, or bases regardless of their location.
"Solid copy, Lord Retribution. Your orders?" I heard my communications crackle briefly as I gave an indication absolutely certain, "Scuttling this vessel and securing one possible VIP. Blow open the doors from main deck and I'll fast grapple up to a drop-ship with VIP in tow, confirm?" I started calculating routes to those six individuals who were pointing, or gesturing vividly onto a diagram and I swore that red beret woman frowned when looking up to where I'd come from. Freezing so still I watched through lenses in seeing hardened brownish eyes narrow once before gesturing to the diagram again. Too close, way too close to be a damned coincidence, I'd bet due to Resistance reports and rumors she's aware of my abilities it seems!
My lips twitched when noticing modified cannons being outfitted on several resistance fighters and I almost wanted to slam a fist into something fleshly. Oh great, they have those modified? Rifles, shotguns and now cannons all with capacity to tear through metal walls? I get hit once and I'm dead, I'm going to make sure when I get my captive I will get answers for this madness! They were getting well prepared for a massive holdout and I understood all this had to be swept away. There was high chance resistance elements could get their hands on this if moved by convoys, or stashed away in locations meant for illegal contraband.
"The ocean shall be my tool to wipe away your hope." I spoke quietly seething when men and women alike started to get into position pointing their weapons. They covered every doorway from where I'd been situated and some were climbing onto elevated positions with standard long rifles and scope, I gave a sigh of relief. Last thing I needed are high powered bullets coming at me. Between all this and that alone, I'd just say fuck it and have Advent heavy ordinances drop to obliterate this vessel outright. But thankfully small mercies can be granted after all, if I don't capture this VIP then I can't nip all this in the bud now, or risk seeing more shipments.
All these potentially damning consequences would inevitably lead to one group I'd rather not have see the capacity to kill me. If these weapons get directly into XCOM's hands! I growled throatily trying to avoid, or rather not allowing such a possibility to happen on my territory, "Not on my watch, not on your terms but my own!" I said it again marking down several crates of those demolition charges which would be ideally needed to be set to my own armor's frequency for remote denotation, I had to mark them and make my way towards a VIP without being seen. To most lesser minds, or saner individuals it'd be considered absolutely suicidal.
But it was just another trial for myself to overcome! Success warrants infamy for their motivation to kill me anew, but retreating now just abdicates to failure and that is not acceptable! My masters would deem is cowardly, deem it less than honorable for a hunter and absolutely intolerable for a predator to flee when an enemy knows how to defend itself, so it all just means that this time a hunt is much more...thrilling. I smiled widely trembling when I wanted to howl with laughter as I felt this undeniable excitement where odds were against my will! No matter what came at me, I'd decide whether it was suicidal or not, vowing mentally I would exceed what odds made it impossible and nothing was going to stop me!
"Drop-ship inbound on your orders, Lord." I heard the captain over our communications channel, "Understood, Captain. Blow the main-hold wide open and prepare for immediate contact, do what you can and happy hunting." I stood up clipping the binoculars onto my belt secured and drew out both my means to succeed where everything was against me yet again. The sword cleaned by blood forged by my flesh and a firearm christened in those who stood against me, I was a hunter and predator ready to achieve an ultimate feeling of purpose against prey which stood opposing to will. Regardless if I'd smile or not, I for sure was going to have a good time and there wasn't anything on Earth that would be able to stop me from die trying.
End Chapter X
Author's Note: Been playing a lot of XCOM2 lately, I actually got onto a map where it was an Oil Tanker. I blame too many remote starts via a pair of Reapers and having a Templar with Fortress just reaping the kills, but I'll say this much. I hate that damned Warlock out of all the Chosen, if anything his powers are beyond insane when amped up via mods, difficult and permanent dark events making every mission absolute hell. I usually follow the Great Commander 'Odd' himself, most of the time I take up his challenges and get destroyed, it's a fun experience despite realizing I get in way over my head constantly. So consider that food for thought, Odd's a good channel to watch pulling off impossible miracles and as such he makes it look easy, but I digress I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.
It's been awhile, so as such I hope you're doing well and are safe wherever you're at.