Chapter 25: Change of Allegiance
Disclaimer: I don't own the Armored Core series, Software does. My OCs and their NEXTs belong to me.
Armored Core: Demons of Hell
The next morning, Keith and Katrina wake up at around 8:30 a.m. and do their usual morning routine before heading to the hotel's restaurant for breakfast Steven and Fiona are already in line when they show up. Today's high is expected to be about 47 degrees Fahrenheit so the four wear shirts and pants.
They are directed to a table and they grab the menus to see what the restaurant has. Their assigned waiter shows and asks them if they were ready to order and they nod. Keith said that he will have country fried steak with eggs, sausage, crispy potatoes and a glass of chocolate milk, Katrina orders a group of pancakes with bacon strips and glass of orange juice, Steven will have the same thing that Keith is having and Fiona will have waffles, buttered toast and a cup of coffee. The waiter writes the orders down in his little book and informs them that their food will be ready in 15 minutes, with that he leaves them. Now that the waiter is gone, it was time to talk.
Steven asked, "So Keith and Katrina have you made your decision?"
Keith nodded, "Yes. We have decided to fight the League because looking back on it, they are tyrants."
Fiona smiled, "Glad to hear that."
Katrina added, "Aren't there other pilots facing the League?"
Steven shook his head, "Besides you two, no there isn't. If there were we'd ask for their assistance because we don't have the military might to fully take on the League." 15 minutes later, their food arrives and they start eating. A short time later, all of the meals are consumed and the group was happy with a full stomach. Steven pays the toll and then they leave to walk around Line Ark City while letting their food be digested. The residents of the city see the Demons of Hell and wave with a smile, which Keith returns.
'These people are really friendly.' He thought.
Katrina cried, "Hey, Fiona can I ask something?"
Fiona answered, "Sure. What is it?"
Katrina asked, "Are these people actual residents of Line Ark City or did they migrate here?"
The blonde answered, "Half of them actually live here while the rest came from other colonies that have become uninhabitable due to Kojima contamination. Line Ark is one of the few places that aren't polluted by Kojima waste products."
Suddenly, the watch that Steven is wearing beeps and he looks to see that an emergency has arisen and the group heads for the mission room after Keith, Katrina and Steven slip into their g-suits! The monitor comes on and the Line Ark logo appears on the screen.
The briefing started, "Here is our emergency. The League is launching an all-out offensive against Line Ark. They have been trying to break us through indirect, surreptitious means for some time but we have stood firm now they are dropping the pretense and showing their true colors. The ace up our sleeve is White Glint but if the League comes at us with all of their might, even that won't be enough. That's we need you to be our trump card. The corporations abandoned the planet's surface and the people who live on it. They are no longer part of a rational economic system that supports society. They have become nothing more than elitist parasites! You know the truth. A world ruled by the League is doomed. We the people must control our own lives and build our own future! Of course we will pay you as much as we can. Please, help us in this fight for freedom!" Hearing the desperation in the briefing person's voice, the Demons of Hell can't say no so they accept.
Keith, Katrina and Steven board their respective NEXTs and head out for Line Ark Bridge since they know that it's the only entrance to the city. Black Dragon, Red Angel and White Glint land on the sub-bridge waiting for the assault and in no time, Black Dragon's radar detects enemy bogeys.
Otsdarva said, "Those slimy politicians with their empty calls to arms, 'In the name of liberty.' Ha! I'll sink you all to the bottom of the ocean! You ready, Fragile?"
His partner answered, "Preparations are complete."
Otsdarva ordered, "That's good to hear. Move out!" Both NEXTs activate their overed boosters and proceed to their objective.
With the Demons of Hell and White Glint, Keith continues to watch as their targets approach.
Serene informed, "Commence mission, co-operate with White Glint and eliminate the League NEXTs. We've detected two enemy NEXTs, Stasis and Fragile. What, Stasis? That's piloted by Otsdarva, the former rank 1 Lynx! The League isn't holding back this time."
Stasis and Fragile continue forward when suddenly Stasis is kicked back hard and once the blue Armored Core stops grinding against the ground, Otsdarva looks at his attacker.
He smirked, "Demons of Hell. You guys have decided to betray the League. You do know that the punishment for treason is death, right?" Black Dragon steps forward with White Glint.
Keith stated, "That's none of your business. Prepare yourself, Otsdarva I'm going to kill you here and now! But you, Fragile, you stay out of this!"
CUBE fired back, "The League has deemed Line Ark a serious threat and as such, it must fall. If you get in the way, you will fall as well."
Just then, Serene alerted, "An SOS has just come in from Line Ark City a third enemy NEXT has launched a surprise attack! They are requesting immediate assistance!"
Katrina replied, "I'll go and protect the city. You guys focus on taking out those goons in front of you." Both allied Armored Cores watch as Red Angel activates the overed booster then blasts off toward Line Ark City and both of her allies turn back around to face their opponents.
Keith growled dangerously, "Otsdarva, CUBE, how dare you!" The other present Lynx can feel a dark aura around Black Dragon from the huge amounts of killer intent Keith is giving off. Weapons are readied and all 4 fighters commence battle.
Black Dragon dodges a round from Stasis' ER-O705 energy rifle then counters with its WADOU grenade rifle Stasis quick boosts out of the way and the shell destroys one of the buildings surrounding Line Ark City, the obliterated structure sinks beneath the waves. Stasis unleashes the MP-O901 at its opponent but Black Dragon shakes them off then releases a missile swarm of its own at the blue LAHIRE NEXT. The ER-O705 is fired again and gets countered by Black Dragon's grenade rifle. The black machine had to pull back as Fragile aims its XCG-B050 chain guns at Black Dragon, making both teams switch opponents with Fragile facing Black Dragon and White Glint against Stasis.
Otsdarva said, "White Glint, all those silly legends die today! I've surpassed you and now I will prove it by defeating you!"
Steve fired back, "Like the way Keith kicked your ass more than once?" He selects both SALINE-05s and locks onto his foe. Upon achieving at 10 lock max, Steven pulls the trigger commanding the spread missile launchers to the deadly projectiles from their confinement. Stasis avoids the attack and fires the MP-O901 missile launcher again. White Glint's speed and agility comes to its aid in dodging the missiles then the white Armored Core points its rifles and shoots round after round before reloading. Otsdarva makes a foolish mistake in bringing his machine too close to White Glint and barely avoids getting hit by Assault Armor, making Steven smirk. He knows that Otsdarva came dangerously close to meeting his end. The SALINE-05s spread missile launchers are once more fired at Stasis silently telling Otsdarva that if Steven is going down then he will take the former rank 1 Lynx with him.
At Line Ark City, the third enemy NEXT continues its attack while panicked civilians run for safety. Their attacker targets a group with its high-laser cannon but just before its power is unleashed, Red Angel comes to the civilians' rescue kicking the foe away. The civilians use this opportunity to escape from the inevitable battle between the two giants. The hostile Armored Core gets up and turns to glare at Red Angel. Katrina recognized who it is, it's Blind Fold piloted by the rank 13 Lynx Jan.
His NEXT was a gray colored SOLDNER-G8 model developed by the corporation Aldra and successor to the HILBERT-G7 he used during the Lynx War. The armament included a BZ-BROCKEN lightweight bazooka, GRA-TRAVERS lightweight handheld grenade launcher, HLC09-SIRIUS high-laser cannon and an RD03-PANDORA radar unit. The HILBERT-G7 he previously piloted was equipped with laser weaponry but both incarnations of the NEXT have the exact same theme of "Overwhelming firepower at the cost of ammo supply." Or to put it more simply, Blind Bold was a power house and Katrina got to experience that first hand during an Arena match. She came awfully close to losing but Red Angel's Assault Armor gave her the victory over him. During that time however, Katrina was still green in piloting a NEXT hence the reason why Jan nearly defeated her. This time she was more prepared!
She said, "Hello, Jan. It's certainly been quite some time since we last faced each other in battle, huh?"
Jan nodded, "Indeed. You know if this was by my decision I wouldn't be launching this attack because I do not like seeing the innocent get hurt. Unfortunately, I don't have much choice in the matter because I know what will happen if I disobey the League's orders. Please don't take this personally, I'm just following orders."
Katrina chuckled, "Likewise if you wind up dead or severely injured due to this battle, don't hold a grudge against me." Both Lynx have mutual respect for one another.
Blind Bold shoots the GRA-TRAVERS grenade launcher at its target but Red Angel thwarts it with 03-MOTORCOBRA machine gun. Jan switches to the HLC09-SIRIUS and Katrina does the same thing with her HLC09-ACRUX both beams are fired at the same time and enter a lock up. Back and forth ensues before the beams explode in a draw, knocking both Armored Cores off their feet and get back up a second later. Deciding that this battle won't be determined by weapons Katrina and Jan switch to physical combat. Red Angel tosses the machine gun while Blind Bold places its hand held weapons down then both machines speed toward the other and their fists collide.
Out of the corner of his eye, Steven can see Black Dragon and Otsdarva battling to the death. Katrina told him earlier that both of these guys utterly despised each other but for different reasons. Keith hated Otsdarva because of the disrespect he showed Keith for an entire year and Otsdarva despised Keith because the 16-year old took his rank number since he took it as a severe blow to his pride.
Stasis swings its storage blade at the opponent but Black Dragon blocks it with the 07-Moonlight and a punch connects with the side of Stasis' head, sending spiraling back before Otsdarva corrects his Armored Core. Keith's knuckles pop as he tightens his grip on the control sticks, murderous intentions in mind.
'Keith is serious on killing me, isn't he? He's going all out on me!' Otsdarva thought.
Keith told him, "You know, Otsdarva if you hadn't acted like an asshole during my initial days as a Lynx then you wouldn't have found yourself in this situation. Perhaps after you die you will have realized that insulting me was foolish to do." The black-haired American teen resumes his attack. Black Dragon goes for a horizontal strike with the 07-Moonlight laser blade which Stasis dodges but fails to avoid an axe handle slam that sends Stasis crashing into the water and the black Armored Core's eyes glow an evil red color as it waits for Stasis to surface. In no time, it did with water dripping from its skinny body. Keith can hear Otsdarva breathing heavily and takes this as an indication that the intense battle is making him fatigued. Taking aim with the MP-O901 missile launcher, Stasis launches a bunch of projectiles only to have its enemy avoid them and retaliating with the WHEELING-01. Stasis mirrors Black Dragon's actions in preventing from getting hit by the missiles and shoots the AR-O700 assault rifle at it. Stasis receives moderate damage from Black Dragon's Assault Armor sending the hostile NEXT's AP down to the red zone and immediately follows up the attack with a round from the WADOU grenade rifle. Then something unexpected happens.
Otsdarva exclaimed, "What? Main boosters have stopped all of a sudden! Damn it, I'm sinking! I can't go down like this!" Keith watches as the blue LAHIRE machine sinks into the ocean depths Keith knows that there's no way Stasis would be able to withstand the crushing pressures of the deep. When Stasis' signature vanishes from Black Dragon's radar, Keith feels satisfaction run through him. The man that had disrespected him for so long is no more. Now Keith can turn his attention to Fragile, which is still fighting White Glint.
White Glint fires both the 051ANNR and 063ANAR rifle at Fragile, which the X-SOBRERO NEXT avoids with no trouble but had to take evasive action if it didn't want to get by Black Dragon's grenade rifle.
CUBE said, "Looks like you left me with no choice, initiating Plan D."
'Plan D?' Steven wondered in his head.
Blind Bold savagely kicks Red Angel through an enormous skyscraper and the top of the structure crashes onto Red Angel with a thunderous impact. The gray SOLDNER-G8 machine waits for the dust to clear instead Red Angel bursts through it and spears Blind Bold to the ground and delivers hard punches until Blind Bold tosses its enemy off with authority. It struggles to get up, having sustained heavy damage to its frame while Red Angel only had moderate damage despite the fact that it was getting tossed around like a rag doll. Grabbing Blind Bold, Red Angel runs its head through neighboring buildings with the sound of shattering glass and steel before ending it with a throw. Blind Bold corkscrews through the air before crashing to the ground.
Katrina heard Jan chuckle, "I haven't had this much fun battling you for so long, Katrina."
Katrina chuckled as well, "The only reason why you had the upper hand the last time we fought was because I was still a rookie but not this time around." The HLC09-ACRUX high-laser cannon is fired and Blind Bold ducks allowing the beam to fly past Jan but still manages to graze his machine's radar unit. Blind Bold retaliates with its bazooka only to have it being cut in half by Red Angel's EB-R500 laser blade. Katrina was about to commence another attack when a warning alarm tells her to avoid a missile swarm heading her way. The projectiles miss their intended target and crash into nearby buildings. Both Red Angel and Blind Bold turn to look at the one who launched those missiles.
The machine was a reverse-legged Algebra EKAHAZAR model colored white. Its weaponry included a LABIATA mid-range rifle, CANTUTA extended-range machine gun, both developed by Algebra, a SALPA ultra-lightweight grenade launcher and an MP-O200l scatter missile launcher manufactured by Omer Science Technology. The machine's name was Moroz piloted by Irbis Ornstein.
Jan asked in confusion, "Irbis, what is the meaning of this?"
Irbis replied nonchalantly, "The League knew that you would waste your time doing this pathetic fight with Katrina and so they have sent me to finish this."
Blind Bold tries to stand but immediately falls to one knee, obviously the damage was more severe than first thought then Jan gets the surprise of his life when he sees Red Angel stand in front of him. His opponent had become his protector!
Irbis stated, "The League will be most pleased to hear that the Demons of Hell are dead."
Katrina fired back, "Hate to break it to you but that's not going to happen. The one who's going down is you, Ornstein! Jan, I think retreat would be the best option for you right now because as it stands, one more hit and it's game over for you."
Jan sighed, "You're right. I guess we'll have to finish our battle some other time." The excessively damaged SOLDNER-G8 Armored Core leaves the battlefield for much needed repairs to its body.
Red Angel fires the remaining ammo of the WHEELING-01 multi-chain missile launcher and SM01-SCYLLA support missiles at Moroz before jettisoning all of the ranged weapons until only the EB-R500 is left. Normally, a pilot would only do this as a last resort in a drawn-out fight, this made the NEXT lighter and more agile.
Irbis taunted, "Someone's getting desperate."
Katrina rolled her eyes, "Oh, shut up." The AALIYAH/M main boosters light up and thanks to the reduced weight Red Angel's speed increases. The road gets blown off from the sudden acceleration and Moroz barely manages to avoid a slash that's aimed for the EKAHAZAR core part. Moroz unleashes its LABIATA mid-range rifle but Red Angel slices the bullet in two and it flies past Red Angel's head before exploding. The red Armored Core throws hard right hook and sends Moroz crashing through a series of buildings and pursues the white colored enemy.
Back with Black Dragon, White Glint, and Fragile, Black Dragon and White Glint put up a serious against Fragile but then White Glint's main boosters fail and it sinks into the water.
Fiona informed, "White Glint has been disabled! He cannot come to your aid anymore, Keith I'm sorry."
CUBE said, "Now it's one against one. Test applicability increased, excellent."
Keith cried, "If you think I'm more predictable then you're sadly mistaken because you will be joining Otsdarva on the ocean floor." Fragile's XMG-030 machine guns open fire but Black Dragon dodges the rounds with ease. The murderous look in Keith's deep blue eyes is now replaced with blazing intensity as each enemy attack is avoided. The one thing that is on Keith's mind is showing CUBE what happens when the Demons of Hell get serious in a NEXT battle. Fragile receives a kick to the face by Black Dragon and the X-SOBRERO NEXT bounces off the ocean surface before CUBE is able to get his machine air born again. Starting to become incensed by how long this mission is taking, the XMG-030 machine gun fire once again and Black Dragon deflects them with the 07-Moonlight laser blade then glares at the enemy with those red eyes.
'What's this bizarre feeling I'm sensing?' CUBE thought.
Keith asked, "You having second thoughts now?" Fragile fires the last of its machine gun's ammo at Black Dragon but just before the trigger can be pulled, Fragile's hands get cut off by Black Dragon's laser blade. Realizing that retreat is the best option, CUBE starts to pull out until he feels Black Dragon grab Fragile's foot preventing it from escaping.
CUBE demanded, "Let go this instant!"
Keith shook his head, "No, I will not. Lay harm on the innocent and you will suffer the consequences!" A blast from the Assault Armor finishes Fragile and Black Dragon lets go.
CUBE exclaimed, "Energy flow is reversing from the AMS!" He screams in pain as Fragile sinks to its watery grave.
Black Dragon lands on Line Ark Bridge and turns around to look at the entrance to Line Ark City. Keith had a gut-feeling that Katrina's battle was approaching its end.
Moroz's body had dents and scorch marks from its battle with Katrina. Red Angel walks up to it and glares down, Irbis feels a chill running down his spine as he stares into the cold, glowing cobalt blue eyes that held a promise of imminent death.
Katrina asked him, "Are you regretting of ever interfering in my match against Jan?"
Irbis begged in fear, "P-please, K-Katrina forgive me. I-I-I-I was just following orders from the League."
Katrina replied, "Perhaps, you should have thought of the consequences of this transgression. For attacking these innocent people, the punishment is death." Red Angel drives the EB-R500 laser blade into Moroz's chest, ending the fight. She joined Keith on the bridge her machine's ranged weaponry reattached to Red Angel before she left the city.
Serene said, "Confirmed. Enemy attack has been thwarted, mission complete. In the end only you two remain, I can't believe it. Just a brief moment of relief, let's make the most of it."
Fiona cried, "Keith, Katrina, allow me to express our gratitude. Thank you. However, this might be the end for Line Ark."
Katrina told her, "We will continue to fight against the League, no matter what."
Fiona smiled, "Thank you."
Keith asked, "What will you do, Fiona?"
Fiona answered, "I don't know right now. You two should focus on saving humanity." Black Dragon along with Red Angel made their way back to Collared. Once there, they head for their quarters when they pass a meeting and Keith can hear people talking so they listen in. Inside the meeting room, some of the other NEXT pilots review over the attack.
Lilium informed, "Line Ark's White Glint, Fragile and Moroz have been heavily damaged, Stasis sank into the sea and Otsdarva has been labeled MIA. According to our intelligence, the only confirmed survivors of that battle are White Glint's partners, Keith and Katrina."
Wong Shoa-Long scoffed, "They got too cocky for their own good especially our boy genius Otsdarva."
Wynne D. Fanchon narrowed her eyes, "Maybe, maybe not. Something about this whole thing smells fishy."
Shoa-Long continued, "In any case, White Glint has fallen and I highly doubt that the Demons of Hell are going to be Line Ark's successors. We have achieved our primary objective." Wynne D. then went on about the attacks that the Arteria facilities have been suffering recently, this catches Keith and Katrina's attention since they were not informed about it until now. Not wanting to be caught eavesdropping, they head for their quarters.
The next day, Canis decides to do a mission since he's bored. It was unusually windy as well and they were howling as well, almost like it's telling everyone that something foreboding is about to happen.
The briefing began, "I'll tell you about your mission. The client is Algebra and your objective is to eradicate the NEXT at the Richland Agriculture Plant. There's little info about the target but what we do know is that it's not affiliated with Collared and is a two-legged heavy. Of course, the client is expecting you to co-operate with support NEXTs for this mission. Overall battle strategy is totally up to you but please, don't try and be a hero. You have allies, use them. Briefing over this is an excellent opportunity to strengthen ties with Algebra, Canis. Who knows, it might open some doors too." Feeling confident, Canis goes ahead with the mission without a support NEXT.
Upon arrival at the Richland Agriculture Plant, Canis sees the plant's MT63-MK Mamluks currently engaging with the unknown NEXT but are getting decimated by it. Getting a better look of the target Canis soon discovered this was the same NEXT that Keith and Katrina encountered during that failed attack on the Tanaka nuclear power plant.
The target was a charcoal gray composed mostly of GA America parts except for the SOLDNER-G8L legs. Its armament included a GAN01-SS-WB standard bazooka, SAMSARA plasma rifle developed by Aka Vit, a former corporation that eventually collapsed in the Lynx War and its remnants were subsumed by GA Europe to create TORUS after the war ended, an OGOTO grenade cannon, PLATTE-01 series-fire missile launcher and EUPHORIA Primal Armor Rectifier shoulder units that greatly increases its defense power. Canis managed to find out what the NEXT's name was, Ferrum Solidus.
Serene ordered, "Commence mission. Eradicate the enemy NEXT!"
Canis said, "Savage Beast in the field. This beast will knock you out right good!"
The enemy pilot cried, "Whose peon is it this time?" He saw Savage Beast and grinned, "Finally, another NEXT! Arms Forts were beginning to bore me." Judging by the voice, Canis believed that the pilot is a middle-aged man with a lot of experience behind him.
Savage Beast fires its BM05-LAMIA AS missile launcher at Ferrum Solidus but little damage is inflicted, making Canis raise an eyebrow. Savage Beast pulls a hard right turn when a lock-on warning sounded indicating that the OGOTO grenade cannon was being pointed at Savage Beast. A part of the resulting fireball bounces off Savage Beast's Prima Armor and Canis realizes that this enemy pilot is not to be taken lightly. The desert yellow, black striped Armored Core fires both its AR-O700 assault and LR04-AVIOR laser rifle at Ferrum Solidus and land inches from it. Retaliating, the enemy unleashes the PLATTE-01 in response to this Savage Beast releases flares to direct the incoming missiles away before firing back with a missile wave of its own. The surviving MTs help Canis in his fight against Ferrum Solidus by firing rockets. The charcoal gray hostile swiftly takes cares of the nuisance before returning its attention back to Savage Beast. The LANCEL two-legged medium Armored Core gets struck by the OGOTO grenade cannon and Canis struggles to stop his machine from digging into the earth for a several minutes before ultimately succeeding, Savage Beast rises to its feet with dirt falling off its massive frame. A bazooka shell flies past the head and the MP-O601JC PM missiles is fired that inflicts minor damage, showing how much the enemy NEXT's defense were enhanced by the EUPHORIA Primal Armor Rectifiers on its shoulders. Not letting up, both assault and laser rifles are used next on Ferrum Solidus before dodging a round from the SAMSARA plasma rifle.
At Collared, Keith and Katrina look at the mission list and see one with a client they've never heard of. They choose that and the screen background changes to a serious of black flags bearing the name "ORCA" waving in a snow storm.
The client said, "Greetings, Maximilian Thermidor here. We want you to infiltrate GA America's Arteria facility, Ulna, and destroy it. This mission flies in the face of everything the Cradles stand for and will be considered an act of treason, with that said I want you to listen to what I tell you. Some fled to the Cradles and live in the clean air others were abandoned, condemned to the Earth's poisonous surface maintaining this system is causing horrible on the surface, that pollution will soon start bleeding into the atmosphere itself. The Cradles were just a temporary measure humankind has no future on this planet unless we stop them! You may think I'm alarmist but I speak the truth if you believe in what I say then you must take this mission. I await your answer." The briefing screen goes blank again.
Keith asked, "What do you think, Katrina? Should we accept the request?"
Katrina answered, "The League is making everyone believe in what they are doing is right but they are lying through their teeth and I feel a sense of truth behind Thermidor's words. I say we accept the mission!" With the decision made, Keith and Katrina board their NEXTs and head for Arteria Ulna.
They arrive at the target area about 20 minutes later.
Serene ordered, "Commence mission. Destroy GA America's Arteria Ulna. The target is miles above you so start climbing, you two! You know what you're doing, what it'll mean right?"
Keith said, "Yes we know what we're doing, Serene. Besides, if we don't do something then all life as we know it will cease to exist. Just like it said in the briefing to defend Line Ark: 'A world ruled by the League is doomed we the people must control our own lives and build our own future!' I believe that time is now, the League of Ruling Companies must fall."
Katrina added, "I agree with Keith. Those corporations are nothing but egocentric, heartless, power hungry assholes. It's not their place to judge who lives and dies."
They start ascending, dodging enemy fire while doing so. They soon reach a large C-shaped ledge at the summit of a huge snow covered mountain. They manage to take a look at the target.
'This is Arteria Ulna? I was expecting something more…fancy.' Katrina thought in confusion.
The facility itself was actually a bunch of power regulators. MTs equipped with high-caliber sniper cannons and large, old-type Arms Forts guard the regulators but they pose no threat to the Demons of Hell.
A few strikes from Black Dragon's 07-Moonlight and Red Angel's EB-500 laser blade take care of them and the HLC09-ACRUX annihilates the old-type Arms Forts. With that petty defense out of the way, Keith and his lover target the power regulators. The structures don't last long against their right hand unit weapons and the eerie cyan light the regulators were emitting disappeared upon their destruction. Eventually all of them are destroyed.
Serene stated, "Confirmed. All targets destroyed, mission complete." With the destruction of Arteria Ulna, the Demons of Hell have shown their loyalty and respect towards life. The two return to Collared where the briefing screen shows the black flags again.
Thermidor said in a pleased voice, "You have shown me your answer. Welcome to ORCA!" Knowing that it won't be long before the Arteria facility's destruction hits news headlines, Keith and Katrina pack up and prepare to leave the place Keith has called home for a decade. After refilling their NEXTs ranged weapons with fresh ammo they depart from Collared once again, this time never to return.
Back at the Richland Agriculture Plant, Savage Beast and Ferrum Solidus are going at it. Savage Beast closes the distance with the enemy and trips it before planting a foot on Ferrum Solidus' chest and aiming the LR04-AVIOR in preparation to end this but the enemy pilot won't allow Canis to kill him so his machine kicks Savage Beast off then takes aim with the last remaining ammo of the PLATTE-01 series-fire missile and Savage Beast uses the last of the YASMIN flares on them. Canis knows that his enemy's AP is dangerously low and a few more hits will finish him. Loading a new clip into the AR-O700 assault rifle, Savage Beast aims it and fires at Ferrum Solidus' chest taking out the rest of its AP.
The pilot said, "Doomed to obscurity forever. Heh, what I deserve for not taking this more seriously!"
Serene cried, "Confirmed, unidentified NEXT destroyed."
Canis raised his arms in victory, "Damn, I'm awesome!" When he returns to base and collects his Credit reward, he sees personal gathering at the lounge area to listen in on the news.
The reporter said, "At 12:30 local time, Arteria Ulna was the site of an attack by two NEXTs. Eye witnesses reported seeing them climbing towards the summit and then vanished from their line of sight. A minute later, explosions were heard from the summit and an eerie cyan light briefly appeared before fading. Soon, the NEXTs left the area."
'I hope Keith and Katrina weren't there when the attack occurred.' Canis thought with worry. Then it hit him, he didn't see them around the base it's almost like they went MIA. He sees Sherry passing by and grabs her arm, catching her attention.
He asked, "Sherry, where's Keith and Katrina?" He notices a look of hesitation and frown on Sherry's face, she isn't going to like what she is about to tell him.
A/N: Chapter 25 complete. I'm ending it a cliffhanger.
Well, my fellow readers we're nearing the end of this story. Only one chapter left then this story is complete.
This Tuesday, Duke Nukem makes his return after 12 years in Duke Nukem Forever. I'm psyched!
Read and review.
Stick around for chapter 26.
Vader 23A