Chapter 14 Friends, Serrans, and Creepy Demons...
Character Cortana
Bzzzt, Bzzzt, click. "Riza whats going on," Cortana asked as she opened the comm-link between her and Riza's ACUs.
"Oh just a party with our old demon friends and some new horrors," Riza replied. Cortana also heard the sounds of gun fire and the twang of the Spikes firing their darts. "Since you weren't invited I figured you should know about it, oh and its an open ended invitation so bring everyone you can, and quickly."
"We are on our way you just sit tight and hold down the fort," Cortana replied. Then she opened a comm-link with Griffen. "Did you get that big guy?"
"You bet I did," Griffen, the secret dragon and leader of the UEF replied, "Me and Ivan are all ready to go, you got anyone your bringing?"
"Arbiter and Johnson if they want to," Cortana said, "K and the others are cleaning up the demons in the surrounding areas but we can be at Riza's position in thirty minutes."
"Good we are on our way now and will be there in ten," Ivan said.
"Hey Cortana what was all that about," Johnson asked from the ground about fifty feet below her.
"Sounds like Riza and her group ran into trouble," Cortana replied, "Griffen and Ivan are on their way there now and we are heading there as well so get on, both of you."
Johnson and Arbiter just shrugged at each other as they climbed up onto her ACU. When they were situated she activated the jets that allowed her to fly and they took off heading towards Riza's communication point of origin. The three had been following the broken fuel lines that ran from Mercy to the various towns around it to see how long it would take to repair the infrastructure. Cortana already knew it would take years so she saw no reason to not go help her friends. She enjoyed flying, it was after all what she was born to do. Though she was originally supposed to fly star ships not experimental command units. Still the versatility that the suit offered had simply grown on her over the years. With six thrusters, two on the back, two in the hands and two in the feet, she had complete control of the ACU when flying, allowing her to preform maneuvers like a three-sixty or flips that the other ACUs simply could not do.
Bang bang, She opened the door into the head, or control center of the ACU. Johnson and Arbiter stepped through from outside. Arbiter took a seat while Johnson walked over to her. "Did Riza say what we are going to be in when we get there?"
"Yeah demons, ole and new ones," Cortana replied, "Why you worried?"
"Well one of us has to be," Johnson said, "You know fifteen years ago, before you and Chief got married he would be the one rushing into danger and you would be the one worrying about him."
"And yet even with your reverse roles," Arbiter said, "They still work marvelously together. Never did figure out the marriage bit though, but I guess there really isn't any other woman for you Chief."
"That's still confounding you isn't it," Cortana laughed, "How hard is it to understand that we both realized that even though John and I can't have physical relations or children, due to me being made out of metal, our relationship is simply that much stronger because of it... and me living inside his head for a few years."
"You do realize that... oh right," Johnson replied, "Now your just messing with him."
"Earthlings," Arbiter huffed, "I just hope that there are some demons left to taste my blades."
"I'm sure there will be old friend," Johnson said, "Cortana how much longer?"
"We got a good ten minutes left but I think I can already see Riza's base," Cortana replied as she scanned the area for motion, "Oh... oh that's not good. There must be a small war going on down there. I'm picking up Beast's, Delta's, The Doctor and River's, Marion's, Adam's, North's, South's, Starkiller's, Riza's, Ivan's, Griffen's and John's profile sigs, and a bunch of demonic ones plus several units that belong to Riza, Ivan and Griffen. There also seems to be several large demons that are the commanders and then the general of course, but one of them seems to be working with our guys."
"Well that's a nice change for once," Arbiter said, "A friend on the inside."
"Cortana," It was John on the radio, "You are coming in hot so prepare to dodge your way through."
"Thanks for the heads up Chief," Cortana replied, "Everyone hold onto something."
As she cleared a ridge that was blocking their view of the plain beyond a volley of projectiles came flying up at them. Cortana dove under the missiles and skimmed across the ground, grinding demons between her ACU and the dry, cracked landscape of the plain. She then straightened up, landed, and began running towards Beast who was in a fight with a demon lord that was rising up out of the ground.
"Wow, that's a lot of arms," Johnson commented as he stepped back from the window after viewing the twelve armed demon, "Hope his friends are not going to be as bulked as that guy."
Cortana fired off three shots before slamming into the demon, giving Beast a break from the constant beating from the arms. Then she pulse jetted backwards out of the demon's reach only to have to dodge a beam of fire that shot out of the creature's eyes. She responded with a few more shots before getting back in close to avoid the eye-beams. With the experimental ACU, her Sentinel abilities, and super fast reaction times, Cortana was able to deflect and redirect every blow that the demon tried to land on her. Beast meanwhile was now able to find openings to counterattack the demon. Arbiter and Johnson were hanging on like their lives depended on it as Cortana spun, flipped and weaved through the eight arms that were lashing out at her.
As she and Beast put out punishment on the demon, she noticed an experimental level aircraft come online. It was a soul ripper, one of Ivan's super heavy gunships. So he was focusing on air power, smart. She sidestepped a massive swing of all twelve arms and fired off five pulses of the burning nano-cloud that so easily ate through many other demons. Against this creature however the cloud dissipated leaving only surface damage that was already healing.
"What the..." Cortana muttered, "Riza is there something you forgot to mention?"
"Uhhh yeah, I had hopped that your weapons would have a better effect on the demons than ours did but apparently its almost indestructible." Riza replied sheepishly, "Sorry about that."
"Great," Cortana snapped as she knocked away another strike from the demon and stomped some lesser ones that tried to attack her, "Well do we know what is causing it to be this powerful?"
"Yeah," It was Fenix that responded, "He is still half way in the portal that he is trying to come out of."
"Well then let him get through so we can kill him," Cortana said.
"Not going to happen. If that thing gets through it will be mobile," Fenix replied, "And I doubt that even all of us here can kill it before it reaches Mercy if that happens."
"We are not letting it out but we are going to force it back in," John said, "Cortana I need you and Beast to keep it distracted while The Doctor, River, North, South and I head into the crater and disrupt the portal. I know you can you do this."
Cortana fell back into the rhythm of the fight for a moment. If it had been any of the others asking her to continue this ridiculous fight she would have argued, but not with John asking her. "Ok go but make it fast," She said, "I may be good but I'm not perfect eventually this guy will get a good hit in then... I don't know how this suit will hold up."
"Hey girl, whats happening," It was Marion.
"Marion good to hear you," Cortana said, "Not much just trying not to get crushed by a giant demon. You?"
"Oh I'm about to join in the fun with a new friend," Marion replied, "You may want to move to the left, Ravalon really has it out for this guy."
Cortana was going to ask who but then the large demon commander that had seemed to be working with them when she was approaching smashed into the demon that was fighting her and Beast.
"How interesting. A demon civil war," Arbiter remarked as he pulled himself up from the floor after having been knocked there by Cortana's spin. The demon, Ravalon, was a strange sight with three legs a cone-shaped shell and a snake-like head that extended from the opening he actually made Cortana laugh when she saw him.
"Hey a weirder looking bloke than me," Johnson said, "That's a nice change."
For something that looked so clumsy, Ravalon was actually proving to be very agile. His unnatural speed enabling him to not only dodge the larger demon's attacks but to strike back as well. Now Cortana, Beast and Ravalon were able to attack the demon general with everything they had. With the twelve arms divided among the three of them and with Delta, and Marion's group assisting Griffen, Ivan, and Riza's forces. The area was being wiped clean of demons as fast as they could portal in.
Cortana blocked a punch from the right then kicked away a left hook before turning the same leg back on the demon and kicking him in the chest. Then more blocking, some shooting and more punching. Beast was trading blows with the big guy like the hits that the demon inflicted on him were nothing more than flies trying to bite him. While Ravalon was dodging then striking then dodging with his snake-like speed and precision. The demon, while not hurt necessarily, was definitely getting worn down. Even with its twelve arms and three faces, it was still one mind that was having to react to the three of them assailing it and that mind was showing signs of tiring. A missed opportunity to strike here a failed block there, small things but weaknesses nonetheless. Weaknesses that Cortana didn't face.
As she was presented with more openings Cortana was merciless in striking out whenever and wherever she could. Even under the increasing damage that the three were dealing the general still appeared almost untouched by their battering, Cortana hopped that Chief would get the portal closed soon. Then she saw Beast get knocked backwards by a vicious uppercut, that was followed by a straight punch. Then Ravalon was picked up and thrown into Beast as he got up to rejoin the fight, leaving both kneeling on the ground as they fought off demons that had diverted from Griffen's ground units. Cortana was now the only one to take on the general.
She responded with a little surprise that she had been saving, the tactical missile packs that were on her back. With the push of a button twelve missile fire out of the silos and headed for the general. Twelve missiles, twelve hands, enough to keep the demon occupied while Cortana punched away at its face while she was under rocket power. A right hook, followed by a backhand and a left hook, with subsequent backhand. Round kick, hook kick, side kick, then a double kick to get her out of the way as the missiles got the better of the battered giant and exploded against its chest. The general actually slumped after that attack.
"Enough!" the demon yelled, "Stand down! You win, if K's friends are this powerful, how can we hope to stand against the Leviathan himself? Ravalon you were right, this isn't our best chance of getting out of Hell, its our only chance."
"Told you Lurbruk," Ravalon said, "But you never were one to listen to reason."
"So wait, There are two of you on our side now," Beast asked, "Well fine with me, that's a nasty uppercut you got there."
"Chief," Cortana radioed, "Don't disrupt the portal, the big guy is giving up, he's coming over to our side."
"Wait what?" Came the reply, "Well if Ravalon convinced it then ok, I guess we will head back up there."
"Ok see you soon," Cortana replied, "Well I'm glade that's over... hold on, Ravalon where is Marion?"
"Must have gotten flung off when I got tossed," Ravalon replied, "she was on my shell."
"I'm here," Marion called out, "Fortunately for you, Jinx here has a very powerful voice. Saved us both from being smashed into the ground. Did some sort of ghost trance thing and we went through Beast and the ground and came right back up just fine."
"Your welcome," Jinx the white cat that Marion was holding replied through Marion's head set.
"Demons changing to our side and talking cats," Johnson said, "And this is just a normal day for us."
"Well as long as the situation is under control I'm happy," Cortana replied, "Lets get the big guy out of the portal. Lurbruk you look like you will be a good hand at rebuilding cities."
"I'll do what I can," The large demon said as he lifted the rest of himself through the portal. The twelve armed torso sat atop a twelve legged based that was shaped like a saucer from which sprouted the bird-like legs. The legs resemble a storks but were much thicker and had strange rocky pads on the toes instead of claws. In total Lurbruk was a hundred and twenty-five feet tall, and must have weighed over ten tons.
"Well I doubt we can just take him back to Mercy," Griffen said as he walked his ACU over to them, "The city is structurally unsound as it is."
"Then let me start rebuilding a city that is out away from the town," the general said, "That way I can show the inhabitants that I mean to help them, Ravalon can be my dignitary and ambassador."
"Sounds reasonable," Cortana replied, "and with your snake-like build, Ravalon, you could go under the city and help strengthen the supports."
"Logical," Ravalon said, "Always liked the logical ones."
"Ok whats going on here," Fenix asked as Delta came over, "Looks like you found some new buddies, sure they ain't going to bite us when we aren't looking?"
"I would hope not," K's voice boomed from above them. "Ravalon, Lurbruk, its been some time, but I haven't forgotten what you two do best, deceive. You bring any harm to anyone that is under my banner and I will rend your very souls from your flesh. Are we clear?"
"Only if you say that to us in person," Lurbruk replied, "Come here so I can kill you!"
"Oh I wouldn't have done that," Cortana said as she maneuvered her ACU back away from the demon.
K plummeted from the sky in a fiery ball, his landing caused the earth under him to ripple out creating a small crater. He was in human form, clad in a black leather set of armor that revealed only the flaming pits of his eyes. He approached Lurbruk and somehow managed to look down at the demon from under his hood. "Well here I am go ahead and try," K snarled.
The general raised his arms and slammed all twelve fists into K. Cortana was already running to help however she could, Delta was charging their weapons, Marion drew her bow, Ivan, Griffen and Riza were jetting in, Beast was charging towards Lurbruk, John and his crew had just come up from the crater and were heading towards the general and even Ravalon gathering energy for an attack.
"Stand down!" K's voice boomed again as the impossibly large Lurbruk was lifted off the ground by his hands. K was lifting the demon with one hand, he had completely ignored the crushing forces that must have been delivered with the demon's smash. "Ok big guy how about now, will you listen?"
"So it is you," Lurbruk stammered, "I... yes your friends are my friends."
"Good," K replied as he let go and deposited the giant general on the ground, "Now everyone who wants to stay here assist the big guy in helping repair the cities, He is good for lifting but he is not very precise. Fenix, Delta, We will return for you, we will help rebuild this planet but now I can not delay Starkiller's galaxy is in danger and DC needs to be there."
"Then stop your yapping and get out there," Anya said, "We wish we could go with you but we are needed here."
"I know, but you've got two very powerful helpers now the reconstruction should go quickly," K said as he morphed into his dragon form and took off.
"Well sounds like we need to get back to the ship," Cortana said, "Fenix, Dom, Baird, Coal, Anya,... I guess I'll see you all later."
"Same here baby," Coal replied, "Same here."
"Before we go," Griffen added, "The bases that we built, while very rudimentary, are sufficient enough to produce quite the array of units, mostly construction but a few mechs as well, I'll leave them in your care."
"Thanks," Dom replied.
With that Cortana lifted John up so he could get in, The others got in the Tardis and departed, while Beast and the other commanders started walking back.
"Hey there," Cortana called as John entered the command console, "How's today been?"
"Could be better," John replied, "Delta has some good souls."
"Good souls that I am not going to leave here with those demons," Johnson said, "Chief, Cortana, you two look after the others while I'm gone. Besides I deserve a holiday. Arbiter, Ah never mind you just keep doing what you do best." With that Johnson jumped out of the ACU and joined up with Delta.
"Well I didn't see that coming," Arbiter commented, "It seems that the core is slowly breaking up."
"So it seems," Cortana agreed as she activated the auto-pilot and headed for Doug's ship. John came over and placed an arm across her shoulders as Arbiter resumed his fiddling with his armor's camouflage circuitry. "Chief we aren't going to leave like the others are we?"
"No," John replied as they exited the atmosphere to head for their next destination.
Character Johnson
"Hey Delta wait up," Johnson yelled as he landed behind them.
"Johnson, your staying?" Fenix asked.
"Sure am," Johnson replied, "I had my time with Chief and them, but when Doug brought me back I knew I belonged with you guys."
"And we are glad to have you," Fenix said, "Now come on we got some factories to start up, demons to direct and a town to report back to."
"Demons, and generals at that, can we trust them?" Johnson asked.
"I don't know but K seems to," Fenix replied.
"And they definitely respect power," Anya added then with a wink, "Which is not inconsiderable in our case."
"Yeah paladin remember," Coal said, "Marcus if there is anyone on this plant that can keep these demons in line its you, haven't seen you use those shiny abilities in a while though."
"I save that for special occasions," Fenix said, "Now lets go see if the big guys are willing to help out like they said they would."
"You know we can hear you," Ravalon commented, "Just saying."
"Well then what are you doing standing around here," Johnson barked, "Ravalon you know where Char is show Lurbruk so he can start clearing the area for rebuilding."
"Then head over to Mercy and help strengthen the bedrock of the town," Fenix added, "We will get on the comm and tell Hoffman you are coming. After we get these factories working we will send some construction bots your way."
"Right," The demons replied as they headed off to the east towards Char.
"Well, That went better than expected," Anya said, "So who here knows how to operate a huge industrial and economic revival?"
"Why do you think I stayed behind," Johnson said, "Other than I like you guys better than most of the rest of DC?"
"I guess having access to Doug's mind would give you a heads up on large scale operations," Baird said, "where do we start?"
"Food," Johnson replied, "Food and shelter, then technology and defenses. If the demons tried to invade here once already they will try again."
"I hope not," Coal stated, "There is hardly anyone left on the planet to fight back if they tried to... wait you mean the robot stuff that the Commanders left us don't you?"
"Guys cut the chatter," Fenix said as he patched a call through to Hoffman, "Hoffman this is Fenix, we are sending a big crabby, snake-like demon your way. His name is Ravalon, he is going to check the under-structure of the town and strengthen any weak spots, we also sent another demon to Char to see about salvage and rebuilding. Over... Yes they are on our side, yes K and DC are leaving, no we are staying, we have some factories to bring online first but then we will be back, Yeah Throon is with us and Johnson. No he is the zombie looking one. I'll call you when we are done!"
"Tough sell?" Johnson asked.
"No," was Fenix's curt reply as he led the way to the now inactive bases that Cortana, Ivan, Riza and Griffen left for them, "Though Hoffman is pretty mad about not having a choice in the matter."
As they entered one of the factories the cool, air conditioned interior was a nice break from the hot arid plain outside. Johnson walked over to the controls and couldn't do anything with them.
"Blarg it," Johnson said, "Bio-locked, I can't use them."
"Let me try," Throon said. The locust activated the holographic interface. "What should I tell it to build?"
"First run a check to see if we can control the other factories from here," Johnson said, "Then get some construction units going, have the first three or four head over to Lurbruk in Char then send a few to Mercy. Fenix, Can you guys get to the air platform, make a transport, and return to Mercy I can operate this stuff just fine with Throon's help."
"Shotgun," Coal called, "We'll be there before you know it."
"And we will radio back how many construction units we will need and what level," Baird added. "Man I always wanted to play with this stuff."
"Come on guys lets go," Fenix said, "Johnson just call if anything comes up."
"Will do," Johnson replied as Delta headed out the door which closed itself after them.
"Got it," Throon exclaimed, "Access to the controls for all the factories and connected units."
"Excellent, lets see what we've got," Johnson said as he leaned over to look at the console, "Hmm, mostly light scouts and tanks, a few aircraft, two construction bots. Ok I can work with that. Ah only six tons of metal coming in and a hundred gigawatts of energy, send the construction units we have out to find more metal and build more energy generators."
"On it, ah it seems that Delta has started producing a transport, that's using most of our resources," Throon replied, "Once they are done I will order the construction of more builders."
Character Ravalon
Ravalon stood just out of sight from the town of Mercy, he was debating over which form he should first appear to the inhabitants in. He was favoring the purely snake form, as he hoped that it would be more familiar to the townspeople only larger than any snake they were used to. With a thought he vanished the shell and tripod legs as he resumed his original form. "Right lets try not to get shot at," he thought to himself as he slithered over the hill. The town had obviously seen better days, the wall around it was crumbling, the buildings had little to no paint left on them and a few had collapsed, the roads were patchy and broken there were downed power lines scatter around the perimeter and above all the other structures was a barely working satellite antenna. Even so a squad of armed men came out to meet him as he drew near the iron gate.
"Halt," a short man clad in blue metal armor said nervously, "We need a name before we can let you in."
"Ravalon," Ravalon replied, "I'm supposed to help with the undercity structures and supports."
"Ok, your cleared Hoffman is waiting for you follow us," The same man said with a relieved sigh.
Ravalon followed the team through the streets where he got looks of horror, wonder, hate, and most of all fear, from the people he passed. The town was just as run down on the inside as it appeared from the outside. There was, however, one building that stood out from the rest. A large church that seemed almost untouched except for a broken window or two. It also seemed to be where they were headed. As he wound his way through the streets a transport shuttle from the robots' bases flew over head and landed in the back of the town, probably Delta.
"That should be your heroes," Ravalon said, causing the guards to jump at his long reverberating voice.
"Hoffman will see you now," the lead guard said as they stopped at the front of the church, "He is inside."
"Meeting a demon in a church," Ravalon stated, "Seems... ironic."
The door opened and Marcus Fenix looked out from it. "What can't come in? Well to bad get in here."
"Now that's not terribly civil," Ravalon replied as he slid through the double doors which closed behind him. "So you got the bases working then?"
"Well Throon and Johnson did anyways," Dom replied Fenix is checking back with them now."
"Johnson you there? We are back at Mercy..." Fenix reported over the radio.
"Fifty-thousand watts of power and its pushing overload, the beast is ready to devour all the metal they can hold... bzzz, click. Sorry about that," Johnson replied, "I was just getting Throon acquainted with Sammy Hagar."
"Hey why did you shut it off... oh phone right," Throon's voice came through from the background.
"Anyway good to hear you made it back," Johnson continued, "I guess Ravalon is there."
"Aye he is," Fenix said, "Just send us some construction units when you get a chance."
"Will do," Came the reply as 'Heavy Metal' started back up in the background again.
"Well at least they are having a good time," Hoffman commented, "You however will not be having as much fun. Ravalon I don't know why you would want to help us, and this is not to say that I trust you, but the seismic activity in this area has made the town unstable. You may be the only one who can get down under the foundations and sure up the ground underneath us."
"Sounds reasonable," Ravalon replied, "after all I can slide through openings that are much smaller than my actual size. I can not, however, actually do the construction of the supports, you will need either man power or the construction units to do that part. I will mark the locations for you though so the crews won't have to go looking for them, where is the closest entrance to the undercity?"
"In the back, an old elevator shaft will take you straight to the bedrock you can work your way around from there," Baird said, "Just try not to collapse the town on us."
"Don't worry I won't," Ravalon replied as he slid over to the elevator and bit the cable in half dropping the car to the bottom of the shaft before beginning the crawl down the shaft. The elevator car hit bottom and a plume of dust rose up from the gray, lightless, abyss that he pushed himself towards. "Yeah this is much better than being stripped of flesh by K again," Ravalon thought as he pushed his way past the broken car and into the undercity. "Well now lets get started."