Chapter 13: The Train to Nowhere
Another Saturday came around which meant while I should be sleeping in and relaxing I was with my team, training. This time things were different as it was Anna and I sparring each other with Oliver and Nikita observing the fight. Their role was to take notes on what we were doing good at and what we weren't doing good at. Team CFVY was absent as they had been asked to help Professor Port catch a few Grimm for his class. Currently, Anna and I were standing opposite each other waiting for the match to begin. I had my Schofields that I had decided to name Veritas and Aequitas, which was Truth and Justice in Latin, set in their melee form while Anna also had Sainte Emeute in its poleaxe form.
Our ranged capabilities were well known, so Oliver incited a strict 'no range mode' rule for this fight. I knew that Anna's poleaxe had more reach than me so I needed to be more agile and unpredictable to avoid being hit with a stronger weapon. It doesn't help that her semblance allows her to absorb and disperse kinetic energy across her body to lessen its effects, meaning it will take a lot to put her on the ground. Essentially, her semblance is a lot like Kevlar. Maybe, I might have a chance if I can get in enough hits to begin with so she has less Aura to fuel her semblance.
The buzzer sounded and I immediately charged forward knowing Anna would expect it. She moved her left foot back and took a defensive stance as I continued forward. As I got closer I reeled my right fist back and as I released my punch, I also fired a round from the gauntlet to add more power to the attack. Anna used her poleaxe to redirect my hand away but I hit her in the ribs with my left. She quickly reacted by slamming the bottom of Sainte Emeute into my chest to push me back. I stumbled back with a groan but hastily regained my posture in time to narrowly dodge an overhead attack from Anna.
The next punch I threw was blocked by the flat side of the axe head and made a loud thud noise. I hissed as I took a step back and quickly shook my hand before refocusing on the battle. Anna shot me an apologetic look before swiping at my midsection from the left. Knowing that I didn't have the time or space to dodge the attack, I brought both arms to my left side to block the impact which nearly caused me to lose my footing.
The next thing I saw was a boot to the face which did cause me to stumble to the floor. On instinct, I elbowed behind me and luckily had caught Anna in the gut then I sprung up to my feet. As I reeled my fist back, Anna had hooked the axe head around my wrist, jumped in the air and before I knew it I was slammed into the floor. Taking a moment to reevaluate the situation, I rolled to my right, got to my feet to take up a boxing stance and wait for Anna make her move.
So, going on the offensive won't work since Anna had a pretty solid defense and her weapon made it easier for her to parry my attacks. Anna then charged me and pulled her poleaxe back, ready to swing. As she got into range Anna swung Sainte Emeute at my chest but I knew it was coming and with the aid of my semblance I ducked under the swing and sprung forward at Anna. Due to the momentum of the swing, Anna couldn't retaliate and took an upper cut followed by a right hook that she narrowly dodged. She used the pole of her poleaxe to push me away and swiped for my ribs but I was able to jump back in time to avoid the strike.
Anna followed up with an over head strike that I couldn't avoid so I used my semblance to bring my hands up, crossed in order to block the attack. For a minute or two, we both pushed against each other attempting to over power the others defense. Realizing that I couldn't hold forever, I rotated my wrists so the back of my hands were on both sides of the pole and threw my hands to the right and towards me. The move had caused Anna to stumble forward to be met with a kick to the gut that caused her to stumble back a few feet while losing her grip on her weapon.
With the sound of metal clattering on to the floor, I rushed forward and let a right hook fly. Anna ducked under the swing and side stepped the left hook that followed. Anna kicked me in the hip before another kick had landed on the side of my knee which nearly caused my knee to buckle. When I threw a right jab, Anna foot smashed into the side of my ribs but I was quick to react and wrapped my arm around her foot. She must have anticipated the move as she brought her other foot up to my chest and launched me onto my ass a good four feet away.
Jumping up to my feet, I saw Anna sprinting for her poleaxe so I also ran for the weapon ready to swing. Anna slide under the attack and based on the sound of metal scrapping across the floor. Knowing I needed to turn around, I fired a round from the gauntlet which gave me enough energy to spin around one hundred eighty degrees but not without being jarring and causing me to be dizzy for a moment.
Thankfully, after a moment I had regained my bearings and had enough time to dive to the side to avoid a swing from my right. I rolled a few feet before I got back onto my feet and took up a defensive stance as Anna slowly approached me with the poleaxe ready to swing. Each step she took, was slow and methodical likely a result of her trying to read my defense and guess what I was going to do.
I knew what my plan was and waited for her to get closer. She must have known that I was right hand dominant and tended to open with an attack from the right so I needed to change that up. After a few steps, Anna was at least seven feet away and was still scrutinizing me which meant now would be time to attack. I rushed forward with my right hand cocked back ready to let it fly which caused Anna to adopt a strong defensive stance as she planted her feet firmly in place.
As I threw the right hook, I stopped it halfway to its target and threw a quick left hook, enhanced from a round fired from the gauntlet giving it more speed. The attack landed perfectly, and Anna twisted with the hit. However, my victory wasn't enjoyed for long as Anna had swung her poleaxe towards my gut and I had no time to react.
'To quote a great man: "It was at this moment he knew, he fucked up".' I thought the second the flat side of the axe head caught my gut.
I remember seeing the ceiling of the training room before I saw the gray floor and landed violently, face down. As I pushed myself to my knees, the buzzer sounded and I saw a white line in the floor in front of me; I had been eliminated due to ring out. I let out a breath as I got to my feet and dusted myself off.
"That was definitely a close one." Oliver called out.
I looked up at the screen that monitored Aura levels and both mine and Anna's were barely in the orange. I'm sure her semblance requires a lot of Aura to disperse absorb energy like that. Anna walked up to me and we both shook hands.
"Jakob, you have greatly improved your hand to hand capabilities." Nikita began. "You have also shown that you can be more adaptable in combat. However, I recommend that at the beginning of a fight, you start off evasive to take the time to analyze their patterns."
Oliver then put forth his two cents. "I agree. With your lack of training, no offense, you're still outmatched by most other students. However, that is also a strength since most will underestimate you."
"Good point, although in a real match I'll be able to use the revolver modes to keep my distance too."
"Not a bad idea." Oliver said before turning to the sharpshooter of Team ORNJ. "Anna, don't rely too heavily on your semblance since it drains your Aura. Also try fainting attacks to trip up the enemy's defense; your attacks were pretty predictable."
"It is great to see such cooperation and constructive criticism in a team." The voice of the wise Headmaster called out.
We all turned to see Ozpin and Professor Goodwitch walking up. I honestly was expecting to see Wednesday alongside the older professor, it was kind of weird to not see the two of them together.
"Good morning, Professors." Oliver greeted. "What brings you here?"
"Unfortunately a mission." Ozpin said which had confused us.
Usually, first year students were given a two week period before being sent on another mission and it had barely been over a week since our mission to Sunset Cove. Also, it was about nine on a Saturday so it was far to late to send us on a mission but Ozpin could easily pull some strings. Another thing that struck me as odd, was why didn't he go to anyone else. Its not like every first year team went on a mission at the same time, ours was a special assignment.
Oliver looked at all of us before returning his gaze to the Headmaster. "Professor, it hasn't been two weeks since the last mission."
"I understand this is unorthodox, but with Team CFVY unavailable your team is the next best team for this mission." Goodwitch began. "There is a train bringing vital supplies such as food, water, Dust and building materials to a small settlement."
"Verstalen Railroad as well as the Schnee Dust Company, which is supplying the Dust, are concerned about Grimm activity and asked for extra security." Ozpin explained. "While we believe Grimm activity in the region to be low, we still have to take their request seriously."
"However, we do believe that sending a second year or higher may be 'overkill' for the mission. While you are first year students, after your mission to Sunset Cove both Team ORNJ and CFVY are now ranked the top two teams in the year." Goodwitch stated.
"So we're the best without being too good?" I asked bewildered.
"Let me put it this way, there are missions that might require second, third or fourth year teams and we would rather have them available for those missions than being on a train for two days dealing with a few Beowolves." The blonde Huntress explained.
Nikita was the first of us to speak. "That is a rational conclusion."
"Why do they feel its necessary to have additional security? This is the SDC we're talking about." I countered.
The seemingly stoic Headmaster uncharacteristically rolled his eyes. "While the Schnee family has the wealth to hire mercenaries, Jacques Schnee prefers to save money at every possible turn. Even if that means using the academies to do so since declining would not be great for public relations." While Ozpin spoke calmly, he clearly had an axe to grind with Jacques Schnee not that I blame him.
"So you can see the final reason why we don't want to send higher year teams. However, on the off chance of a serious Grimm presence we know you can handle yourselves." Goodwitch stated.
"When are we supposed to leave?" Oliver asked, despite his disdain of the mission.
"The train leaves at twelve thirty. Credentials will be sent to your scroll that you will show the security personal near the rear of the train." Professor Goodwitch stated as she tapped on her tablet. "The train will be at the Grand Vale Station by eleven."
"If its any consolation, while the SDC is using the academy to cut costs, Verstalen Railroad is offering to pay your team for the help." Ozpin stated.
'At least they have the decency to offer payment.' I thought bitterly.
"One last thing, the train runs through the Avalon Mountains where it will be close to freezing for the next few days, which could delay you if it snows." The Headmaster advised before leaving with Goodwitch.
"Well, it's nine fifty-two. So, we have an hour before the train arrives and two and a half before it leaves." Oliver stated. "What's our plan?"
"It would be beneficial for us to get on the train as soon as possible, that way they can walk us through our tasks if we have any." Nikita reasoned.
"Also, it would be hard to miss the train if we're on it when it pulls in." I half-joked.
Oliver and Anna nodded in agreement with both of our statements.
"Okay, with it being two days we can pack light." Oliver stated. "I'd recommend maybe a change of clothes in addition to a few meals just in case they don't have food for us."
"Should we pack cold weather clothes?" Anna spoke up. "If it snows and we end up delayed, we may need warmer clothes to avoid using too much Aura trying to keep warm."
"Wouldn't hurt." Oliver said.
"Let's get packing then head into town." I stated.
The Grand Vale Station was not what I was expecting. I thought it was going to be like Grand Central Station which was all underground and subways, not a collection of platforms with above ground rails and trains that all look like they were ripped out of the late nineteenth century. The train closest to the entrance was our train as it was the only one with 'Verstalen' written on the side of the engine. The first three cars of the train were passenger cars but the rest except for the rear two cars and the other engine were flat and loaded with crates and shipping containers. One of the cars was loaded with only crates that had a white snowflake on the side and had several robotic soldiers roaming it. The rest of the flat cars were guarded by actually people wearing dark gray suits with black sunglasses armed with rifles that looked like the ones Atlas's military use. Go figure that the SDC would send robots in place of people, probably for the same reason the asked for our help; to cut costs.
We made our way to the rear cars, which was more armored than the other passenger cars meaning it must be the one that housed the guards. As we approached, a man in a sharp black suit with a bright red vest and gray tie flanked by two guards closed in on us. The man had jet black hair and a well groomed beard, in his suit he had a pin of an anvil over a set of rail.
"Greetings, you must be the team Beacon is loaning us for this trip." The man said. "Team ORNJ, correct?"
"Yes sir." Oliver replied. "I'm Oliver Von Grun and this is Nikita Stark, Annabelle Rouge and Jakob Liath." He added as he pointed us out.
"I am the representative for Verstalen Railroad, Theodore Pitch. I know it may seem grating after our introduction but may I see your credentials to verify your identity?"
We all gave various forms of agreement before pulling out our scrolls and showing them to Theodore. After he looked at all of them he nodded.
"Thank you for your time. I know it may seem redundant but I'd sleep easier knowing that I had personnel who could efficiently handle Grimm, should any appear." Theodore added as he lead us on to the train.
"We understand that the Grimm can be pretty unpredictable." I replied.
We were led into the first armored train car which was filled with bunks; easily twenty or so. Some of the beds were occupied with slumbering people and next to the beds were weapon racks and foot lockers. They seemed basic but definitely were better than sleeping on the floor like the last mission.
"This is the sleeping quarters, the four beds on the far end are yours." Theodore explained as he pointed said beds out to use.
We then moved into the next car which looked more like a living room as it was nicely decorated with a couch, cabinets, tables with chairs around them and even carpet on the floor. At the end of the room was a door that most likely led to a private bedroom
"This car is where you will find me and the Schnee Dust Company's representative, Miss Daisy Ivory. However, you are free to come in here to rest and relax. It's the least I can do to thank you for your assistance." Theodore added.
"If I may ask, why are there regular passenger cars?" Nikita asked.
"Ah!" Theodore exclaimed. "While this train is carrying valuable supplies, it is still a civilian train so we are still carrying passengers."
Oliver was the next person to ask a question. "Is they anything specific that you would need us to do?"
"Maybe, have one or two of you walk the train, and watch the area. I'm not too familiar with guarding trains from Grimm, hence your involvement." Mister Pitch admitted.
"We'll come up with a routine and I'll tell you before we leave." Oliver said.
"Very well, help yourselves to the drinks and food here as well. If you need me, I'll be in the next car briefing the guards and please, call me Theodore or Teddy. I feel that Mister Pitch makes me old." Theodore said before exiting the car.
"Well, he's nice." I stated to no one in particular.
"Okay, here's the drill." Oliver said, grabbing our attention. "Two of us will patrol the train every hour for about ten minutes after we leave. Every six hours, we'll rotate who's one person who is going to be on patrol until we reach our destination, then same thing on the way back. I'll keep in contact with Ozpin for any updates on Grimm activity in the area and we'll update our plan if the situation requires it."
"Sounds good to me." I said.
Anna nodded.
"Well thought out." Nikita said, which I assumed was her way of agreeing.
"I'll be back in a moment." Oliver said as he left to inform Theodore.
The first six hours passed uneventfully and I was coming back from my last patrol for another twelve hours. I didn't even see a bird in the sky as this train snaked its way through the Emerald Forest and towards the mountains. This was by far more boring than being stuck in Professor Port's class listening to his bullshit stories. I guess the upside of this whole thing is we are going to get paid for this. I entered the second armored train car and sat down on the sofa. I relaxed and closed my eyes in the hopes of getting some sleep but my eyes snapped open when I felt my scroll buzz.
"Hello."
"I heard your team got assigned a mission." Coco stated.
I huffed. "Pretty uninteresting. We're just guarding a train."
"Probably better than trying to trap Grimm with Port blabbering about his 'fearless adventures from his youth'."
I couldn't help but laugh. "Its been six hours and we haven't seen anything. At least you guys had something to do."
"Fair point. Although, your mission ruined my plans for the day. You still owe me that 'nice dinner' you promised."
"Hey, this wasn't optional and it would have been given to us or your team if you guys weren't already on a mission."
"Lucky us." Coco joked. "When are you supposed to be back?"
"Two days, maybe a little longer if snow falls on the mountains we're supposed to go through. So with any luck, we'll be back Monday afternoon."
"Hopefully. Either way, are you busy right now?"
"No, I have a lot of time to kill."
"Good, we just got back from helping Port. Although, we were going to ask if you guys wanted to join us in going into Vale."
"Kind of hard to do that when our team is on a train heading in the opposite direction."
"You really are a smartass."
I let out a laugh. "So I've been told. Anyway, how did your little round up go."
"Fine, all things considered. We managed to trap two Boarbatusks and a Beowolf. The crazy old fool wanted us to try and capture an Ursa but it was too smart to fall into our traps."
"Did he ever explain why he needed live Grimm?"
"He said something about them being used for demonstration in his classes. Something about, learn by doing."
"Oddly fits his style." I huffed. "Although, by now every first year has come into contact with Grimm so it would be moot."
Coco hummed in agreement. "I can hardly tell why either." I overheard someone talking in the back ground. "Yeah. Well, I have to get going."
"Alright, tell the team I said hello."
"Likewise, and don't do anything too stupid."
"No promises."
With that, I hung up and put my scroll back into my pocket. I again let my body relax, slowly closed my eyes and tried to get a little sleep in. The sound of the door sliding open had forced me to open my eyes. Standing in the doorway, was Anna with her weapon in one hand while leaning against the door frame.
"You should see this." She said as she gestured behind her with her free hand.
I sprung to my feet and followed her out onto the flat car where both Oliver and Nikita as well as a few of the guards were standing. Following their gaze, I saw that there was a back of seven or so Beowolves that were running parallel to the train a good several dozen feet away.
"What do we do?" One of the guards asked.
"I don't know." Oliver stated. "They don't seem interested in us, but why?"
"Has there been any change in Grimm activity, boss?" I asked.
Oliver slowly shook his head. "I'd just spoke to Ozpin a few minutes ago."
"Then why worry." A guard said. "They ain't bothering us."
After he said those words, the Grimm changed course and were now running to intercept the train. I looked over at the guard that had just spoke with a deadpan expression.
"You had to jinx it." I huffed as I activated my Aura.
Returning my focus to the Grimm approaching, I drew Veritas and Aequitas and began firing at the Beowolves. Anna and Oliver did the same thing, while Nikita had started to charge up her gauntlets and waited for them to get closer. Shooting at a moving target was already hard enough but shooting at a moving target from a moving platform was something else. Sure, my semblance can give me time to line up a shot but that doesn't help me determine where my bullets will land. By the time I get my third shot off, the Grimm jump onto the train but lose a few from the guards who began shooting when they got close. There was about six Beowolves that were now on the car in front of us. The guards backed away from the Grimm and formed a line on the other side of the car, ready for any Grimm to charge at them.
Four Beowolves charged us while the other two charged the guards who began to open fire. The one that was sprinting at me swiped for my head, but I had ducked in time and fired two rounds into its chest, causing it to stumble back in pain. While I had it dazed, I switched my weapons into their gauntlet form and landed a right hook onto its face, followed by a left jab to its abdomen. I then swapped my weapons back into their gun mode but the Grimm swung its claw back, catching me in the gut and sent me into a nearby shipping container.
As I got back onto my feet, I saw the Beowolf running at me on all fours with its jaw open. Not interested in seeing what happens next, I dove to my left and activated my semblance while I was still airborne. Although I was still falling, I was still able aim Veritas at it's eye and Aequitas at its neck and fire. As the bullets struck home, I landed on the ground and deactivated my semblance. The Grimm stumbled for a bit before finally falling to the ground. Just as I mentally patted myself on the back while getting on to my feet, something slammed into me and knocked me back down.
"Sorry about that, Jakob." Anna apologized before she got up into a kneeling position and fired two rounds that killed the Beowolf she was dealing with. "Are you okay?"
"I'm as right as the rain." I said.
Looking around, I could see that the rest of the Grimm were dealt with so I spun both revolvers before holstering them. Thankfully, no one seemed to have been injured in the fight. However, I had a nagging feeling. I couldn't place my finger on what it was or why but I had a feeling that something was going to happen.
I have found out that I don't sleep well on trains, especially fast trains. I could feel every bump, twist and turn the train made which was mildly nauseating when I had my eyes closed. Not to mention that I could hear the train moving along the tracks as well as the whooshing of the wind louder since I was a Faunus.
Not to mention that there was close to a dozen people in the car, some who snored which also kept me awake. The private car was completely empty, so I had some decent quiet to myself although I couldn't find any sleep. Currently, I was sitting at a table cleaning my weapons trying to do something to preoccupy myself with.
Looking up upon hearing the door open, I saw Oliver and Nikita walk in.
"Shouldn't you be asleep?" Oliver asked, sitting down on the sofa to my left.
I lazily hummed. "Guess sleep and high speeds don't mix well for me. Anything new?"
"No, there has not even been any change in Grimm activity that we have seen." Nikita stated.
"Although, we do have a problem. These mountains are playing hell with communication so I haven't gotten an update in three hours."
"Great. How long are we going to be in the dark for?"
"About another hour or two at most." Oliver said.
"Fun." I droned.
"It is highly unlikely that a large quantity of Grimm are going to be in the area." Nikita stated.
"Knock on wood." I said, as I tapped my knuckles against the wood.
Oliver pushed himself off the couch and made his way to the exit. "I'm going to get some sleep before the next patrol."
I returned to my weapon maintenance and soon the room became silent save for the sounds of the brush I was using to clean the cylinder of Peacemaker. Once I was sure the debris was removed from the cylinder, I put the weapon back together. When I had finished reassembling Peacemaker, I looked over to see that Nikita was still in the room. However, the look on her face was one of contemplation and uncertainty. I could also tell that she was mumbling something to herself, although it was quiet enough that I couldn't hear any of it.
"Everything okay?" I asked, which had snapped Nikita from her not so inner monologue.
"Oh... I was simply reviewing a Dust formula that could increase the potency of electricity based Dust as to not use as much in a fight." Nikita stated enthusiastically.
I laughed, not at her or what she said but that she had reminded me of myself when I was younger. While I was introverted back then, if I was talking about a subject I enjoyed I could be hard to shut up. Same thing could be said, even now.
"You remind me of myself."
"And this is humorous?" The genius of ORNJ asked, genuinely confused.
I shook my head. "No, that laugh was just me feeling nostalgic about my younger years."
"How so?"
"I have your same enthusiasm but instead of Dust, its about history. I could go on about these cool little facts I learned about some event or person."
"Did anyone ever call you weird because of it?"
I laughed lightly. "Of course I did. Not everyone around me had an appreciation for history but I never let that bother me."
"I try not to, but sometimes I can not help but feel like an outcast." Nikita said as she slumped on to the sofa.
I got up from my seat, walked over to her and sat down next to her while letting out a sigh.
"Nikita, I know more than anyone what that feels like." I couldn't help but stare at the floor.
"Jakob, I did not mean-" I stopped her by placing a hand on her shoulder.
"I know, but me being a Faunus is not what I'm referring to. I wasn't a popular person back home and when I was in school several years ago, people liked to make fun of my love of history. What I learned was that the opinion of passerbys doesn't matter nearly as much as your friends." I finished, looking back up at Nikita.
"Do you think I'm weird?"
"No, we all have hobbies and interests that are not 'normal'. I mean look at Coco, the girl lives and breathes fashion which isn't what most people would consider normal. Sure, you can be eccentric at times but that is what makes you, you. I mean, we are all weird if you think about it; no one in their right mind would take up a career in monster slaying."
Nikita let out a light laugh. "You have a valid point."
"Of course I do." I said as I stood up. "Look, I'm your friend and you accidentally burning a table isn't going to change that."
Nikita also stood up. "Thank you, Jakob."
"Anytime."
The next couple of dozen of hours passed by slowly, maybe because I'd yet to get more than an hour of sleep before I would wake up, ready to puke. By the time the train finally rolled into the settlement, I was borderline sleepwalking and had immediately plopped onto a bunk bed. Thankfully it took a few hours to unload the supplies so I'd finally gotten some good sleep. However when we started to get going again, it all went back to shit. By now, I had been so tired that my body practically shut down and I slept like a brick for once. However, I was nearly thrown out of my bed as the train came to a screeching halt. As the train slowly started to decrease speed and the wheels screeched across the tracks, I rolled out of my bed and on to the floor. I used the bed to hold myself up before the train finally stopped with a hiss from the engines. The door flew open and Anna and Nikita ran in from one side while Oliver ran in from the other.
"What's going on?" Oliver inquired, weapon at the ready.
"I'll go up and ask them." Anna said, before exiting the room.
I could feel Oliver look me over as put my gun belt on followed by my hand braces. "You good?"
"I'm mediocre." I said as I gave a tired salute.
A minute or two later, Anna came back in the room with her weapon on her back.
"Trees fell on the track ahead, they're going to stop and clear them." Anna explained.
"Great." I droned.
"Let's go see what caused it." Oliver said as he exited the room.
The rest of Team ORNJ followed suit and we disembarked from the train. The train had came to a stop in a forested mountain pass and there was a light snow on the trees and the ground. There was two trees that had fallen onto the track, but from what I could see there were more trees that had been knocked over or broken. There also was some smoke rising from the horizon some distance away. The four of us shared a look understanding it was likely a crash, before we ran off towards the smoke with weapons drawn.
After several minutes of running, we'd came to a stretch of knocked over trees to find a Bullhead crashed into the side of a hill. The tail of the aircraft seemed to have been completely destroyed and was likely the reason why it had crashed. Some of the trees around us were scorched and even a few where still on fire. We stayed at the edge of the tree line as there were a couple of armed people around the wrecked airship. There was an off-road truck that had been backed into the clearing and had what looked like a missile launcher in the bed. There were crates that had been strewn across the area, some opened showing that they were filled with Black Dust. Whoever these people are, they're definitely bad hombres and mean business.
"What's our move, boss?" I whispered.
"We might be too late to catch these guys if we go back to get help, so we're going to get involved. You and Anna rotate around the area and over to that truck and wait for me to make the first move before we attack." Oliver explained.
Before we had a chance to move, a pilot was pushed out of the airship who was wearing a similar flight suit as the Atlas pilots except it was green. One of the armed men turned to face the pilot then fired a burst of bullets, killing the pilot.
"Never mind." Oliver spoke with his teeth gritted. "Let 'em have it."
Anna took cover behind a tree and had Sainte Emeute in her rifle mode, planning on providing cover for us. I drew Peacemaker and Parabellum and ran forward with Oliver who had his saber, The Iron Chancellor, at the ready and Nikita stayed back in order to charge her weapons. Two shots rang out and two of the attackers weapons flew out of their hands and while they were still surprised, Oliver smacked both of them in the face with the flat side of his blade. The two fell to the ground, knocked out but the others had taken notice and were aiming at Oliver. I quickly activated my semblance and brought both weapons up at the hostiles and fired knocking their weapons out of their hands. I then deactivate my semblance and charged the two, getting one with a hard right hook before the other one was hit by a blast of electricity and fell unconscious.
A final asshole rushed at Oliver with a sword, but Oliver skillfully dodged the strike. Another swing was parried by Oliver who smacked the man in the face with his other hand. The man then attempted to kick Oliver in the chest, but the saber wielder grabbed the man's foot and yanked it forward. As the man stumbled forward, he was clotheslined which had caused him fell onto his back. Oliver kicked the man in the face which had knocked the bandit out cold.
Since there were no more... conscious enemies outside, I ran over to the crashed Bullhead and opened the door after holstering Parabellum. The door opened and I was greeted to a scene that made my blood boil and filled me with a rage I had never felt before. The was another pilot who was backed into the corner of the room with panic and horror on their face and near the the center of the room was a man with dark blue hair who had his bolt action rifle pointing at the pilot. The man turned to face me with a surprised expression before he attempted to aim his rifle at me which caused my heart to beat violently.
Thump-thump
The man let out a curse directed at me.
Thump-thump.
There was a silent gasp that had escaped from my lips.
Thump-thump.
The man quickly racked the bolt, chambering a round.
Thump-thump.
There were four clicks from my hand gun.
Thump-thump.
Then, there was the sound of thunder.