Chapter 10 – Blaze of Glory
Letting out a wordless howl of rage, Kain drops to the ground and activated the Klink Hammer. As soon as the large barrel is deployed over his shoulder, Kain fires the weapon, the recoil from the round knocking the barrel back behind him out of site, a loud klank filling the air as the shell is ejected. The round streaks towards Belial, and connects, the NEXT having no change to dodge thanks to Sumika's furious assault. Taking the hit directly, the NEXT explodes on impact, Belial letting out a final pain-filled scream before going silent. "Warlord!" Megan shouts desperately over the comm.. Looking for White Glint, Kain sees that the NEXT has retreated, flying up to towards the top of Motherwill.
Putting thoughts of the white NEXT aside, Kain boosts towards Backlash and Megan, The warlord's AC smoking and down on one knee. "Damnit!" Kain curses. "Now is not the time to be biting the bullet old man."
"I'm not, dead yet." Backlash coughs, his voice surprising them.
Hearing the warlord's voice, Kain breathes a sigh of relief. "Good to hear you're still with us." Kain says.
"Warlord, I-" Megan starts to say hesitantly.
"I'll deal with you later." Backlash tells her as Hammerfall slowly gets to its feet, the servos in the AC's legs shrieking loudly in protest. "I've lost contact with Diana and the MBU. What's the status on the bomb?"
"Setting up the relay now." Sumika tells them as she boosts towards them.
"I thought you were offline?" Kain asks.
"I was faking." She explains. "I couldn't handle him one on one, so I faked going offline until someone came to help me, or I had a chance to nail the bastard."
Looking towards the burning wreckage of Belial's NEXT, Kain grunts. "He won't be coming back this time."
"-jamming and ECM levels are increasing." Diana's voice suddenly comes out. "I cannot remote detonate the bomb as planned. However, the splash from the Klink hammer should be more then enough to trigger the device from range."
"That's going to be a problem." DK says. "The Klink Hammer ripped off the hard point when we fired it."
"What?" Kain exclaims in surprise. Checking the HUD, he sees that the weapon is no longer displayed. "Shit. What the hell happened?"
"The weapon mount must have been damaged when the SHIFTERs were hit." Diana says. "The recoil must have been more then they could have handled. Damn!"
"At least we got one good shot out of the thing." Kain mutters. "Can't we just tag the thing with missiles?"
"It's wedged between the plating." Backlash replies. "You won't be able to hit it from down here."
"In other words, someone needs to go up there."
As soon as the words leave Sumika's mouth, Kain grimaces. "Damn this is bad."
"It's going to get worse." Sumika tells them. "I'm picking up lots of signals coming our way. Alliance is deploying their Normals to come finish us off."
"I will go." Megan tells them. "You three make your way to the extraction point. I will fly up and detonate the bomb myself."
"You won't be able to avoid the blast." Diana tells her. "And none of your ACs have enough AP to survive it. Fall back to the extraction point. I'll deploy the Antenna relays and see if-"
"I can do this!" Megan shouts. "I must do this!"
"No." The warlord tells her. "Megan, Sumika, fall back towards the extraction point. Kain, I have a plan, but we'll need those energy missiles of yours."
Hearing this, Kain frowns. "Shouldn't you go too boss? You're not sounding too hot right now."
"Sumika's out of grenades and I have the only other high-impact weapon here." The warlord tells him. "We can tag the bomb from down here and avoid the blast, but it's going to take some creative shooting. Both of you fall back and cover our exit."
"But!" Megan starts to object.
"That's an order!" Backlash roars, sounding like his old self.
"Yes sir." Megan replies quietly.
"Get going." Backlash tells them. Hesitantly, the two ACs start to boost away from them.
"Creative shooting my ass." Kain growls, switching to the one-to-one. "What are you really planning?"
"I'm not going to make it." Backlash tells him tiredly. "Both my legs are crushed, and I can feel something bleeding inside me." The warlord coughs several times before continuing. "Probably burned bad too, but I can't feel much anymore."
"Whoa!" Kain exclaims, his heart leaping into his throat. "Hang in there! Let me call Sumika back, and she-"
"No." Backlash stops him. "I'm not going to make it back to the MBUs. Time's up."
Kain slumps back in his chair in shock. "I, I can't. . ." Kain starts to say.
"I'll fly up to the leg, and blow the bomb." Backlash tells him. "Cover me for as long as you can, then get out of here. Tell Val, that she's in command now, and the safe is hers. She'll know what to do."
Kain swallows hard, a lump forming in his throat. "Anything, else?" He asks hesitantly.
"Don't let them win." The Backlash tells him. "This endless fighting has to end, or we're all dead."
"You got it boss." Kain tells him, trying his best to blink away the tears.
"Normals landing to the east." DK tells them. "They're coming this way."
"Watch my back." The warlord tells him before boosting into the air.
"You heard the man." Kain tells DK, his voice tight. "Let's do this."
********
The wind hitting him through the hole in his core, Backlash grits his teeth against the pain of a thousand needles being driven into his burned and unprotected skin. Reaching the leg, he starts to climb up, when he sees White Glint in the air before him. Banking hard to the left, Backlash manages to avoid her first round, but the second hits the right arm, shearing it off completely. Cursing, he fights desperately to keep his AC in the air, but the task is difficult, his hands starting to go numb. Finally, after what seems like an eternal struggle, Backlash lands on the joint, the bomb in front of him, wedged between two plates of armor.
Still in the air, White Glint fires at him twice more. Undaunted, Backlash fires back with his left-hand grenade launcher, grunting as the rounds hit Hammerfall, the AC's systems blaring out warnings madly. Seeing the left arm go offline, Backlash activates his linear cannon, the large barrel swinging down and extending. Seeing it power up, Backlash smiles. "You always did come through for me old friend." He says fondly.
"Surrender." White Glint's voice comes through the comm., the NEXT watching the large weapon warily.
"Never." Backlash replies. "You may have won this battle, but you will never win the war. My name, is Warlord Jeremiah Backlash, pilot of AC Hammerfall, and leader of the Outer Heaven warband. Remember that name kid, cause they'll be the ones that send you, and your masters to Hell!" Lurching forward, Backlash points the cannon towards the bomb.
Realizing too late what he intends to do, White Glint fires her guns at the AC, but is too late to stop events from unfolding. Watching the LX fire, Backlash smiles, his vision going dark, then bursting into a brilliant white that lulls him to sleep.
********
Several miles from the unit, Megan and Sumika watch as the bomb explodes, a brilliant white flash that envelops a large part of the leg and body. "Wow!" Sumika exclaims. "Hope it does as much damage as it looks like its doing." Megan does not reply, the younger pilot quiet and sullen since they were ordered to leave several minutes ago. "I hope they were able to get clear of the blast in time. It looks like it, wait, something on radar." Checking her radar, Sumika waits in suspense for the identifying information to come up. Over the comm., she can hear Megan holding her breath. "One AC." Sumika declares once her radar makes the identification. "It's Kain."
As the words leave her lips, the implications hit Sumika. All too clearly, the warlord's plan unfolds before her. "No." She whispers, tears starting to form in her eyes.
"Kain!" Megan calls out, her voice filled with relief.
"I'll be there in a minute." He tells them. "As soon as we link up, we head for the extraction point."
"What about the warlord?" Megan asks worriedly.
"He's not coming back." Sumika says quietly, trying very hard not to sob. Feeling confined within the core, Sumika pulls her helmet off.
"No. . ." Megan says in disbelief.
"He's dead." Kain tells her. "Nothing we could have done to changed that. Let's get out of here." Wiping the tears from her eyes, Sumika sees Dark Knight approaching, the AC showing more damage then it had before they had left.
"It's, all my fault." Megan says quietly, shamefully.
`"We'll deal with that later." Kain says gruffly. "Right now, we've been ordered to extract. Let's get the fuck out of here before something else happens." Nodding, Sumika waits for Kain to go by, then, after taking one last look towards the site of the explosion, follows him, the knowledge that the warlord died fighting to the very end bringing little comfort to her heavy heart.
********
Sitting in the command chair on Motherwill's bridge, Damion looks down furiously at the damaged, smoking leg. "Of all the incompetent idiodicy!" He shouts, startling the bridge crew. "The most powerful weapon walking the face of the Earth, crewed by alliance's best, guarded by the vaunted Order, and what stops us? Three measly ACs and one Last Raven!" Damion slams his fist into the chair's arm in frustration.
"Sir." The chief gunner calls out hesitantly. "We have the Outer Heaven's temporary base in range of the main gun."
Looking down towards the damaged leg, Damion takes several slow, deep breaths to calm himself. "No." He says, once more calm and collected. "Let them go. They may have succeeded in slowing down our time table, but they have not stopped us. And while their victory may have been long in coming, it was a costly one." Damion smiles slightly. "Yes, costly indeed. Who would have thought that Backlash himself would sacrifice his own life to spit in our faces?"
"Sir, the Matriarch wishes to speak with you." One of the communications officers calls out.
"Tell the old crone I have more important matters to deal with." Damion says. "And please inform her that the next time I say that we are faced with a serious threat, perhaps she will understand that it is indeed, a serious threat." Nodding, the communications officer turns to relay the message. "Bring Motherwill to a full stop." Damion commands. "I want repair crews to focus on the damaged weapon systems first."
"Should we not repair the leg sir?" One of the crewman asks. "If we give the UEG time to rally, they could-"
"The UEG does not have the power to challenge The Spirit of Motherwill." Damion counters, rolling over the objection. "Once the main guns are repaired, nothing will be able to approach us. Have an engineering team assess the damage to leg, though if it is still able to move, then I highly doubt the damage is extensive."
"Yes sir." The crew man salutes.
"Also, inform Alliance command that our initial attack was a success, despite the interference from the Last Raven. Once repairs are completed, will begin phase two of the operation."
"Sir." The communications officer from earlier calls out. "The Matriarch insists that she speak with you."
"Tell the Matriarch, that unless she has information on an immediate threat to our position, or to Motherwill, I have no time to speak with her." Damion tells the man pointedly.
"Yes sir."
Nodding, Damion sits back in his chair. "Now it is our turn to rule this planet."
********
Waiting for the seals to unlock, White Glint sits in the darkened cockpit of her AC, furious. Defeated. Not in combat, but outsmarted. The sting of this truth bites deep, her lips curling back in an angry, silent snarl. Angry not at the Last Raven for escaping her, nor at the Warlord who sacrificed his life to deal The Spirit of Motherwill a powerful blow. No, the anger was directed at herself, at her own foolishness and inability to comprehend her foe's tactics. She has failed.
Finally, the core hatch opens, and White Glint climbs out of the cockpit. Stepping onto the gantry, she angrily walks towards the lift. How could I have been so foolish, the thought wracks her brain for the hundredth time since being called back to the hangar. How could I have not seen? Reaching the ground, she walks towards the hangar's main exit, order technicians and personnel quickly moving out of her way when they see her angry gait.
Exiting the hangar, she enters a hallway and goes down it, taking the second left, then a right after that. When the hall ends in a doorway, she does not hesitate to step through the portal, the door opening automatically as she approaches. Lights in the room come alive, bathing the small rectangular grey room in a dull, white light. At the center off the room is the order's seal, a white shield with a red rose over it, a pair of swords crossed beneath the shield. On the shield itself, beneath the rose is a sunburst design. Other then the emblem on the floor the only other furnishing in the room is a large screen built into the wall opposite of the door.
Coming to a stop on the seal, White Glint drops to one knee, and bows her head. "I have failed Matriarch." White Glint says out loud. "I await your punishment."
The lights in the room darken, and the screen comes alive, the same emblem she kneels on dominating the screen. "You have not failed my child." The Matriarch says. "It is I who has failed you."
"No!" White Glint objects, looking up at the screen. "I should never have given in to Belial's foolish demand. I should have slain the Last Raven while he was-"
"You would shoot another warrior in the back?" The matriarch asks. "Like you were naught but a cowardly assassin?"
"No matriarch." White Glint replies.
"Above else my child, remember that you are not just a knight of the Order, but second of four. Others would resort to such cowardly tactics, but you my child, must be beyond such things. No, it is I who must bear the blame for this incident. It was I who did not heed the warnings of the Alliance commander. Though this Damion Batten is sometimes arrogant, he is no fool."
"Please Matriarch." White Glint begs. "Do not take the blame for this failure. I am at fault for this."
"Do not seek out un-necessary burden my child." The matriarch tells her. "For now, I will deal with this matter. Know that your performance has matched my expectations as always my child. Your skills continue to amaze even me. In time, I have no doubt that you will be first of the Four."
"Thank you Matriarch." White Glint replies.
"Do not look upon this day as a failure my child, but rather a moment of learning. The Last Raven must be dealt with, and when the time comes, you will be the one to slay him."
"Perhaps, Matriarch, he can be brought over." White Glint suggests. "I sensed, something, when I spoke with him on the battlefield. A discontent, a doubt."
"Your foe is far from doubting in his course my child." The Martriach warns him. "The goals he has chosen for himself are set, and I do not think he will waver from them."
"Perhaps not Matriach." White Glint agrees. "But perhaps, his goals are similar to ours. A more detailed investigation should be done."
There is a long pause before the Matriarch replies. "Agreed. We have already under-estimated this Outer Heaven. We must be prepared for our next clash with them. In the meantime, Belial will be returned to the temple once he is sufficiently recovered."
"Belial lives?" White Glint asks, surprised.
"Indeed, much to the surprise of all involved. It would seem that despite the terrible wounds he has received, he still lives, and still burns for revenge."
"Belial is a fool." White Glint spits. "Even when he should have had the good graces to die. I do not understand Matriach, why you keep that one so close."
"Even a fool has his uses at times." The Matriarch tells her. "This you will learn in time, as you will learn many other things. For now, we will focus on the matter at hand. Begin your investigation of the Outer Heaven warband, as well as this, Mars base facility."
"As you wish Matriach." White Glint says.
"Also be aware my child, that when the time comes, it will be you who leads the order of Dawn to battle against Outer Heaven."
"I am not worthy of such an honor Matriarch." White Glint says. "The first is still amongst us, it is she who should lead the attack."
"I will but say this once child." The Matriarch warns her sternly. "Do not let your wounded pride blind you like it has Belial. It is by my will that you will lead the attack, by my belief that you, not the first, will be better suited for the task. Remember child, this was a day of learning, not necessarily one of failure."
"Forgive me Matriarch." White glint apologizes. "I graciously accept this honor. I will not make the same mistakes again."
"See to it that you do not my child." The Matriarch tells her before the emblem disappears from the screen and the lights come back to life.
"Matriarch, a moment!" White Glint calls out. "I have a request." It is several long seconds before the screen comes back to life.
"What is it my child?" The Matriarch asks.
"The remains of the one who detonated the bomb, the warlord Backlash." White Glint says. "I wish to claim right over them."
"For what purpose I wonder? No child, you need not answer. I grant your request. The remains have been brought on board. Do with them what you will."
With that, the screen once more darkens. Getting back to her feet, White Glint looks down at the emblem, lost in thought. "The Last Raven." She whispers after a bit. "I look forward to our next meeting."
********
Lying on the bed in one of the STORK's small cabin, Kain growls under his breath when someone knocks at the door.
"Kain?" Diana calls out. "I need to talk to you."
Kain debates not answering, but decides to do so. Getting to his feet, he goes to the door and opens it. "What's up?" He asks tiredly.
"How you feeling?" Diana asks him, currently wearing an orange jumper. "Somewhere between tired and really, really, pissed." Going back to the bed, Kain lies back down.
By the time they had arrived at the extraction point, the STORKs had returned, and were already packed. Once the ACs were aboard, they took to the air, and are currently making a B-line for Mars Base. "I'm surprised they didn't try to shoot us down." Diana says.
"They didn't have to." Kain mutters. "They kicked our asses good."
Diana does not reply, instead saying. "I just talked to Sumika. Megan's taking the warlord's death hard."
"She's going to get a hell of a lot more shit once we get back to base." Kain growls, sitting up. "What the hell was she thinking? Damnit! She's supposed to be better then that, a lot better!"
"It's not easy being married to the Last Raven." Diana tells him.
"That's not an excuse to try and get yourself killed." Kain grunts, running a hand through his hair. "Fuck. First Bob, now Backlash. Things can't possibly get any worse."
"The Spirit of Motherwill is still out there." Diana reminds him, earning herself a really annoyed look from Kain.
"Whatever. I need to get some sleep. Did you get the data on White Glint yet?"
"I can't deploy the MBUs while we're airborne." Diana apologizes. "But I'll have it in a day or two."
Kain nods. "You okay?" He then asks quietly.
"I'll probably breakdown later." Diana admits. "Right now, I still have too much to do."
Nodding, Kain watches Diana as she leaves the room. "White Glint." Kain sighs. "I am definitely going to take her out the next time I see her. Count on it."