XCOM: Retribution's Ascension

by Marutectz552

What is purpose? Without purpose what is will, without will what reason is there to have purpose? To have neither is to have no purpose, for I am what I am and I have reason. I am leashed to powers, to beings beyond me and I accept it. My will grants me reason, guides me and that is something that cannot be allowed. I am Retribution, for my will is my reason and that is dangerous.

17. Chapter XVI

XCOM: War of the Chosen

Retribution's Ascension

Chapter XVI

A steady loud dour knocking made my eyes flutter open as I leaned upwards idly rolling both shoulders stiffly. Exactly six hours for a sleep cycle, I may have overstayed in that interrogation cell last night. But it was worth seeing that woman realize I'd been playing nice, a shame I didn't have more time to properly have her break. Swinging legs over a bed moving quickly towards the doorway, I peaked through a small glass slot and witnessed the captain standing at attention. He'd alerted myself when time passed to regretfully cut my session short with the good doctor, I made it a point to keep that woman aware of who she talked down too.

Opening the door slightly ajar I turned around calling out, "Enter!" There was a refrigerator where fresh water and nutritional mixes got stored frigidly, "Is everything prepared, captain?" The advent officer appeared from within a peripheral standing firmly in armor. He hardly sounded exhausted considering he'd been up active far longer than I'd suspected, if anything his near two day long stint indicated they needed less sleep than natural humans. Or he was possibly an insomniac who hardly noticed probably.

"Your armor is secured and awaiting in the designated location, Retribution and we have tonight's rotation mixed with my troopers." I drank contently to lean against a counter top partially intrigued to hear him mention, "After your departure from the interrogation, I received a report the recipient refused medical treatment and had to be sedated. She was most violently aggressive, I believe it necessary to enact such actions if medical staff required guards to keep her restrained. More so I thought it were necessary to keep you unaware due to an ordered sleeping cycle, sir."

I raised my bottle of liquid sarcastically remarking, "Feisty women, right?" He didn't react visibly yet I chortled to wave it off, "We're as prepared as I believe, captain. As long as neither of two who I have invested into survive, Grim-Lance gets a quality source of information and I get an insider into XCOM that'll owe favorably with Vahlen's life. I only regret not making her realize how fortunate of a deal she has presently, if not I'd have...gone further to see her cry. She's quite resilient compared to those we've interrogated."

Again my humor wasn't noticed to have him cautiously ask, "Is she different from your usual prisoners, sir? I don't recall you admitting trouble in acquiring information, or confessions." I resisted smiling to omit amusement to flatly answer, "In name her reputation and notoriety to Advent, but I had her on both knees spitting out blood. If I had another week, or two to patiently pace my interactions I'd probably have her confess to questions yet oddly enough she refused to say a word." Truthfully remembering those eyes refusing to break a resolve I grudgingly respected, if not for kinship but of a person refusing despair's common acceptance. I rarely encountered resistance operatives being that stubborn, but respect could be given if I humored it.

Still she never stopped glaring, it's making me wonder if handing her back to XCOM wouldn't be interesting enough. It irked me to an extent in having such a person unknowingly insult my efforts, life and motivations. If I didn't know any better, I suspected Vahlen took my presence as a personal insult for assisting her survival. I hoped I saw her face to face again in the future, I intended seeing that woman crawl since she'd be walking out of prison soon enough. She believed I was some twisted monstrosity, or was it just pride for losing to the one's torturing her?

"Is our transportation set on arriving?" I'd be smuggling operatives in through an empty prison delivery where internal cells, secured and not occupied would conceal them sufficiently. I was technically trusted in driving said wheeled vehicle given my credentials authorized forgeries, "It's secured Retribution, I have clearance codes when you enter the gates and every guard is instructed to ignore your vehicle's tag. From there proceeding to escort trainees to a security wing, I have my troopers stationed at check points."

Lightly grinning found myself bemused to inquire offhandedly, "Are their uniforms neat and pristine?" The officer nodded accordingly, "Five sets awaiting usage and forged to authenticate, I had little difficulty utilizing your status among Advent bureaucracy to have them ordered under your alias as you'd liked." I nodded thankful to drain a bottle liquid contently to remind him all too aware of the Resistance learning of my initial crackdown, "Anything clean and quick will make them suspect me, think of it as a contingency."

There wouldn't be doubt for them to verify and it gave myself ample suspicion to keep their assumptions at bay. Nothing is fool proof, as long as Vahlen is secured and they get her out with Katherine to keep 'Reb' in good graces. But I can't say for her team, or those 'Aces' if they show up since Retribution has a price after all. Ironically giving them resources to escalate a war seemed far too dangerously reckless yet it'd force actions to mask my intentions. My master needed an opportunity to remain approving, if he managed or I captured another soldier to sat the Elder's agenda in seeking out the commander of XCOM.

"Is Lena secured and monitoring our progress from her location?" The woman had been fervently trying to decipher data about the Avatar Project mainly. It'd have been best to keep her in the loop to possibly conduct live theoretical concepts, if she desired to improve my armor and weapon on a later date for generous capacity. And not dealing with her physically, is an added boon to my irritation to remain in check. I'll have to tolerate her enough when rooting out traitors within Advent's bureaucracy eventually.

Watching a bit bored in seeing the Advent captain pull out some tablet skimming through reports, "Her present residence is secured sufficiently, Retribution. Although local laboratory staff have complained of eccentric behavior and apathetic indifference to their work, or so what my troopers received." I smiled pleasantly in response for not dealing with said woman's lack of humanity, if anything it'd keep an equilibrium to see genius baring rewards for humoring an effort to secure resources. She'd have plenty of time, or I hoped and have means to dig up answers inevitably.

"We have less than an hour before Katherine contacts me to get them into position. Is my uniform for the prison here?" He gestured simply towards a bundle laid out neatly along a bare glass table's surface as I started inspecting everything keenly. Blackened pants, boots, shirt and padded vest with a helmet greeted my growing smile due to it being polished. Humming happily I began switching into said attire rather swiftly, "This is probably my most ambitious hunt I'll ever conduct, captain. I can't predict what will happen once a baited trap is taken."

Slipping a fresh shirt on while idly looping the belt and pants to hear him reply agreeing, "It is full of miscalculations yet the rewards are incredibly valuable. Acquiring both Resistance and XCOM headquarter locations will be oddly convenient to orchestrate raids. For it progresses the Three and Elder's agenda while keeping yourself in their graces, sir." He skimmed through several more reports of consistent resistance cells striking Advent facilities, or skirmishes arising in locations throughout the country we resided presently.

"Nothing I'm allowed to do is freely given, or expected out of merit." I mentioned absently to secure a vest and adjusted myself accordingly, "I seek on my ambition to be accomplished. My masters seek the commander and both are conveniently in the general direction I hunt, therefore I am only serving both at my expense to gain it. Retribution is my purpose, my calling and my name captain. And I never forget, for it was I who chose it to earn my place to survive."

Leaving an Advent helmet on the table when I walked past to grab a laptop diligently. Logging on to sit on a balcony overlooking an ever darkening skyline. Nothing will stop my effort, I will achieve what I desire most! The Elders...those Ethereals as Valhen called them, they'll stop at nothing to retrieve their greatest asset and it's tied to that Project Avatar. The power of men to have Gods walk among them, I can't wait till I find out more about it all. Men who wield powers of Gods, I think that sounds absolutely worthwhile to peek into I'd hope.

The laptop's screen held an Advent symbol circulating on a background as I sat down patiently awaiting my call for aid. Cool winds brushed past leaving myself to enjoy it naturally, "Such a wonderful city. I'll miss seeing the ocean and view, it's quite memorizing. But work comes before pleasure as they say, to see beauty for limited time." Musing warmly I rested to idly take a knife from the vest's pouch to flip it lazily upwards and downwards to pass time.

I watched an Advent officer lightly stand at ease observing a similar view with an indifferent expression curiously enough. Due to his own helmet obscuring eyes, I couldn't tell what he'd been viewing keenly. Yet I remained quiet to bask in this residence's luxury to find some sort of peace of mind finally. No doubt Grim-Lance will gloat to master Void-Blade, if he succeeds in capturing a significant lead. She'll be very angered since I'll be apart of his success, I fear I'll be recalled back to my home and be forced to replicate the same result, somehow.

Ironically it'd mean I was ascending to what a hunter did to track their prey by her teachings. To wait, to stalk and lure them inward with baited temptations. She would be equally furious and prideful to see her ways gaining fruits of labor due to years investing, by the Elders and herself to see myself flourish to achieve what I wanted most. Yet it didn't exclude dangers of being reprimanded, or offering submission and obedience to adhere to her word alone. She was my master, teacher and guide above her own siblings.

"You're troubled, Retribution." I heard my name mentioned by him observing acutely aware, "May I ask why?" It was a simple question, if at first glance and I slyly commended this genetic creation to learn new methods of gathering subtle information. I found myself growing impressed he'd listened, willingly to improve himself and it was difficult to not feel adrenaline for creating another capable monster to hunt prey.

Being intentionally vague I replied rather whimsical, "Success or failure doesn't avoid consequences of those above myself to enact their frustration." Putting on gloves concealing scarred flesh accented my personal dilemma since it'd likely occur again. My master's were selfish beings far beyond what I'd dared to hope match, if not by their skills and power. Being human meant I had limits to discover, to overcome and inevitably break to achieve ambition. Master Void-Blade would demand I replicate her brother's success, or failure to give an opportunity of similar value.

Time seemingly passed to leave us both in our thoughts respectively. Below nocturnal urban life began as cars, or trucks increased with musical beats playing along beaches. Tourists congregated, residents free from work and other such beings ignorantly lived their lives while monster's loomed above. I found myself slightly wondering if I hadn't been discovered by Advent, if I would be dead or like them. Those numerous humans on Earth who believed everything upon seeing what lay in front of their eyes, if only to realize what horrors lay behind lies of convenience by the Elder's plans for humanity.

An audible ringing caught my eyes to smile cruelly pleased to answer a call, "Grimm! How was your day?" I questioned pleasantly enough while motioning towards an Advent soldier who perked up, "I trust you slept well? It's going to a long night, so are you prepared? I have everything in place for you to get into prison."

Katherine hardly sounded eager save for politely refusing to answer my civility, "We're just about ready for meeting up with you, Reb." I pointed towards a doorway for him to leave immediately, "Good to know. Send me where and I shall be there to get you in, it'll be fun. You'll appreciate getting half of your mission accomplished without firing a shot, or risking yourselves needlessly to guards who won't suspect much. I think you have considerable chances to succeed, if you're careful and keep to what you planned."

The captain nodded once to quickly vacate an apartment to proceed heading to the prison facility with an arranged escort. It left me alone to hear a hardened response, "I feel happier knowing you're doing so much for us Reb. But there's been a slight change in plans, we got someone here with us who Firebrand landed outside the city earlier when we left last night. We're putting everything into this to make sure we succeed. It was last minute, literally!" I raised an eyebrow in response rather surprised to hum loudly curious as to what exactly.

"And what change is that?" Katherine didn't answer save for a smoother and far more confident tone to get my smile wider. It'd been a familiar voice I recalled belonging to an enemy whose danger and skill I acknowledge encountering XCOM's Ace-squad months ago, "Your lack of video is quite disturbing and most wise Reb, was it?" I blinked several times before realizing it had been the very Reaper who'd stalked myself upon a battlefield, a woman who sounded lovely to hear once again in perfect clarity.

I laughed rather modestly to remark a bit humbled, "Thank you! Whoever you are?" I questioned confused to hear a brief introduction, "Outrider is my call sign, insider. Grimm is someone who I have a vested degree to hone in." I frowned heavily debating whether she'd been informed of my identity as Stalker, or anything implying dangerous implications. After several moments I figured to wonder if this 'Outrider' whose affiliation with the Reaper group knew of myself.

"How much did she let you know about the prison break?" I inquired curiously enough to hear Katherine state plainly, "Don't worry, Reb. It's need to know, I told Outrider what's about to happen since she insisted our business is our own, Central whose our operator kept our mandate clear and no time for distraction. Vahlen is our priority, like I said to you last night. We're going all in to get her out." I hardly believed everything she'd said yet I wouldn't know until meeting said people in getting clearer suspicions dispersed.

"Indeed." Outsiders smooth voice dispelled any notion of doubt, "I'm particularly interested as to how you're going to get half a dozen of us inside." I silently chewed over irritation to carefully use words considering Reapers were extremely dangerous if reports indicated acutely, "Prisoner transport, Outrider. Large enough for trainee's to arrive and change into uniform, I have clearance to get to where Valhen is held...precisely. I've seen her through my post in a security hub, she's not exactly had an easy night."

My words garnered a sharp response, "Explain." I laughed equally uneasy to relate a sighting of another monster hiding behind my smile, "Something in an armored suit visited her last night, I got off shift and passed it on my way out. Wore black and silver like armor, I think it had a mask with yellow eyes and surrounded by heavily armed Advent troops. Never saw it before, so would you two know?" Silence reigned on their end for several minutes until Outrider responded, they'd been conversing intently. More so I thought I heard low murmuring in the background from Katherine's operatives who sounded anxiously unnerved naturally.

"That is an expected danger, Reb." She stated confidently a bit eager to mention, "Stalker is an alias we designated to a formidable foe whose notorious for appearing. I've fought it before, if anything my presence will negate him for sufficient risk." I inwardly laughed trying to imagine how assured this Reaper dared to imply I'd been manageable, I practically felt flattered and tempted to see if that threat was handled. Gradually my heart thundered excitedly when I realized what I planned had already fallen apart immediately.

No plan survives first contact with an enemy it seems! Struggling to snicker I only sounded mildly alarmed to sound nervous, "It looked quite dangerous and I heard from late night guards he wasn't gentle. But I'll let you resistance people deal with it, so when do you want me to show up?" I exhaled loudly to feint impatience to hear a chuckle, "Within an hour, preferably since we're cleaning and destroying our current location of valuable information. Be sure to understand you walk among death and danger tonight, insider."

I kept my voice level to sound partially offended, "I'm the one whose head is going to roll, if I'm found out Outrider. But thank you for caring, I'll see you all soon." I heard light chortle when a ping from below left an address and time to get them picked up. The call ended abruptly leaving me in silence as I leaned back uncontrollably trembling. It barely lasted several seconds to laugh obnoxiously clapping both hands and inhaling deeply.

I didn't expect XCOM sending in that Reaper again, oh I'm going to have to work for my hunt apparently. Tapping gloved fingers against an arm rest consistently did little alleviate an internal surge of excitement, "Now things get interesting." Memorizing the address perfectly I got up to stretch lazily popping my neck, "I wonder if Grim-Lance would be very intrigued to have a Reaper like yourself interrogated all to himself. God I think your rifle against his own, it could be worthwhile to keep all suspicion off my back."

Either way I committed myself to upholding a dangerous game of hunter and prey involving what little humanity I'd nurtured. Whistling lightly I closed the lap top and picked up a helmet to place it over my eyes which burned hungrily to hunt worthy prey. I owed you and Kathy from nearly taking my head off, a shame I have to collect that due on said promise. So let's have an interesting night, I do have to believe everything won't be easy for an ambition to grant itself sold. Tonight is going to be an interesting time, I just know it.

---

Katherine anxiously adjusted an Advent prison guards uniform while sitting rigidly in the passenger's seat as a road curved upwards. Why did I have to volunteer sitting up front with this creature? She kept staring outside the window despite warmth radiating from vents, "You never told me you drove trucks." Stalker's smile hadn't lessened to simply chuckle quietly as his masked face merely hid eyes of a monster's pleasure. It had been tense to say the least when an Advent marked transport truck arrived in front of a desolate warehouse with Stalker greeting them pleasantly humbled.

"I have several talents many consider mundane yet they're quite useful." The bastard smug creature mentioned absently to shift gears lazily, "Transporting prisoners is quite the career choice, if one enjoys their work to see dissidents reforge themselves in the name of re-education." Her expression soured immediately when realziing that very laughter was silently trying not to drive them off a road bordering cliff faces where the facility lay outside city limits. It'd been a considerable route of caution, if she came close to flinching due to sheer drops on said roads when it became clear not utilizing drop ships was ideally safer. Yet skies were clear due to an orange reddening mixed horizon receding into total darkness.

Katherine kept a microphone turned off until reaching where the prison's gates were spotted to keep her team confident. Elena's presence solidified doubt into resolve despite riding alongside arguably their worst enemy among Advent, so far to her experiences and that was quite intimidating. This creature wore flesh akin to a man was for up debate in terms in being human. But just like any one of themselves who were monsters he hadn't lied to her yet, "You tortured our target, Stalker and that wasn't apart of our deal. Why?"

She eyed an arrogant bastard who had a small wry smile to fondly reveal, "She believed herself untouchable because I went through considerable effort and risked my neck for her to live." Her eyes narrowed doubtfully to see him hardly look remorseful to point out slyly, "And aren't you one for changing our dealings, Katherine? Trying to lie to me of all people, to not warn me of your Reaper and now things are going extremely south once bullets start flying."

She scowled to snark back angrily, "That's a fucking technicality since I didn't even know E...Outrider, got sent ahead." His eyes narrowed partially in nearly using Outriders name as he remarked subtly surprised, "Really? You did state they were sending their best, to go all in and you didn't mention a Reaper whose skills with a rifle are nothing less than fatal to most?" They turned upwards to slightly turn right going up an incline as force from speeding upwards caused Katherine's stomach in churning sickly.

"Why do you care, Stalker?" She tightly bit out making a sneer form openly, "Because if I didn't?" His voice harshly hissed bemused to make a shiver run up her spinal cord, "You would've been dead when I first caught you, girl. Don't ever mistake my curiosity for anything less, or more unless you want me to regret letting you live." Arrogance alone implicated a warning that literally made any lingering doubt asset itself to one day kill this shallow being, or get an angle to having him damned for playing with lives loosely.

Staring ahead did a creature fall silent to relax as her eyes trailed to forests densely growing thicker and potent further ahead. The facility had been constructed within a valley with mountainous terrain and forest growth deterring most, or making it difficult to escape if someone attempted too. Good thing we have Firebrand to air lift us all out, she's a damned good pilot to make this an extraction quick and easy. Only thing we have to worry about is her getting to us, or we'll risk being encircled by Advent drop-ships.

Torn on whether to probe Stalker to anything as leverage was too tempting, "I wonder if someone whose a traitor to their own people can regret anything." Katherine immediately almost bit her cheek when an entire truck gradually slowed coming to turn around a bend. The creature turned with an indifference sending shivering warnings up her spinal cord. Ironically she favored in keeping this monster talking to humor a semblance of humanity yet all too quickly silence meant dangerous territory. At least before hand Stalker seemed akin to civil as opposed to being observed quietly.

However an ever growing predatory like smile peeled back to have him remark, "Don't throw stones in a glass house, Grimm." Her heart thundered when noticing a glint of metal being partially sheathed closer towards the door's lower setting. I almost got my neck slit open, I can't believe you're angry for someone telling you a fact, Stalker. You're human...like us all. She'd just found something to make a monster suffer for being able to bleed red, to be human and it ironically seemed justified in having it tormented by those who'd died .

"What is it like serving masters who made you into this so called monster, Stalker?" His masked expression looked ahead to coyly reply, "It's wonderful, Kathy! I hunt whoever I choose, I decide who lives and I use whoever is useful." Those were deliberate warnings she swallowed bitterly to realize a line had been crossed. This literal creature certainly appeared based on reevaluating herself, an unseen shift caused blood to freeze. Stalker found himself discovering patience if being closer to death seemed ironically safer as a prison complex came into sight.

Again however their vehicle slowed due to a driver deceptively tapping innocently along the steering wheel's leather, "Tell me, girl." Stalker's smile grew wider to brandish an ever pristine knife which had been subtly stowed along his thigh moments ago, "Are you trying to have me kill you now, or later when you'll regret it more? Because I'm certainly humoring either option!" He admitted brightly while crushing a pedal to lurch their vehicle over an incline as flat paved roads quickly gained distance towards several check points.

Besides the main gate a preliminary barrier amounting to several guard structures would have to clear them forward. Katherine inwardly calmed herself despite the vehicle slowing down gradually as Stalker lazily pulled out a forged identification card. She still couldn't observe his expression save for subtle grinning oozing off smugness, "Imagine if you had to find your own way into this facility, Grimm. Don't make me wish I should have let your team handle infiltrating a prison, or else I'd join to get a laugh for my troubles."

Spot lights directly zeroed in on their windshield despite being tinted it'd caused bright spots appearing frequently. Several concrete barriers where Advent patrols glanced upwards seeing Stalker preemptively hold a card out, "Prison transport..." He listed off their identification for a moment towards an Advent officer who handed said card towards another to scan through a myriad of reddish scanners, "Trainees to begin their orientation, Elders help me! You ever had to deal with inept ungrateful recruits, captain?"

Katherine peeked over to see Stalker casually leaning back as an Advent captain gestured for troopers to inspect their armored truck diligently. Please don't open the damned back doors, or else they'll see Elena! Almost eerily indifferent did a creature smile devilishly knowing, "Don't worry about our recruits in the back, captain. They've earned being jostled around to get their feet wet, so thank you for your concerns but my security block commander is expecting them for orientation since they're our latest batch."

An Advent officer hardly seemed suspicious to nod while handing back Stalker's identification to wave them forward. Turrets stood down while gates slid aside by troopers pulling them, "Thank you, I'll tell our friends at the gate you're happier today." The vehicle moved forward without an issue much to her internal doubt it'd been all genuine given Advent's lack of activity. Stalker's influence among them seemingly was on display, an effective display if she grudgingly admitted when a narrowed road met their route.

"How many are in your pocket?" She interestingly asked half expecting him to throw a knife at her throat yet the creature chortled, "Enough to make it interesting." His gloved hand shifted gears to light cruise a truck towards another far more guarded and secured checkpoint where four turrets tracked their approach. Good god, I don't think we'd have been able to assault this place yet alone thinking to get Vahlen out over our corpses! Advent is all over this place heavily armed, shit I hate it when I have to believe to be grateful to him for expecting predictions.

Overhead a pair of transport drop-ships came hovering as the sheer force of air and exhaust rumbled an interior truck cabin. Stalker merely looked upwards smirking, "Vahlen is deemed high risk and failure of securing said risk is summary execution, if I understand Advent's policy for people they really, really don't want to go missing." Troopers were expendable in other words, if their cloned stock and growth indicated a vast army to continuously hone to be efficient. Katherine shuddered when reddish lines scanned through windows as turrets adjusted to have all four aiming right at the interior cabin, by her assumption it certainly looked secure.

Two officers with a dozen troopers flanked both sides as one officer looked slightly different from two nearby. What the hell? Katherine blinked in seeing a darker maroon coloration along an interior cape as Stalker handed off his card again to speak bemused, "Major! Good to see you're active and not sitting back up there in your tower." Unlike typical Advent officers which she'd witnessed often, or fought it'd been rare to see higher ranked officers among Advent forces which were bred from rumored specialized stock, or so according to bits of pieces they'd been hearing from years ago.

"Thank you." But his lack of humane emotion seemed far too obvious that they weren't human enough to mingle among civilian populaces, "Pleasure to see your enjoying the quiet shift, sir." Stalker's voice kindly dipped to grin while gesturing behind himself flippantly, "Trainees and recruits to begin their loving careers in assisting the Elders, I swear they get younger every time you, or I see them don't they?" Katherine earnestly doubted the officer knew sarcasm, or coy implications when another trooper scanned an identification card wordlessly.

The humanoid indifferently glanced over seeing her own cautiously curious expression, "Be on time as always, or suffer disciplinary repercussions, shift-leader." Stalker chuckled lightly to partially agree leaning back as a card got handed over yet again, "I do my best, Major. Have a good night, I trust we'll go along as always, if anything to make this prison seem exciting." Another trooper signaled towards one sitting above to begin opening gates which swung outward. Reddish scans went over the vehicle considerably until they disappeared from view.

It's all a ploy, they probably know what he is...or rather, who he is obviously. Their lack of security indicated Stalker's influence among them was something akin to guard wariness. Not one trooper dared to impede, or remotely question him regardless of rank and familiarity with said location. It was equally terrifying how none of them dared to question him, but more importantly indicated a valuable insight if he were to be killed inevitably.

"Have a good shift." Was what he only said as all Advent troopers moved away allowing Stalker to lazily move the truck through a pair of barb wired gates. There was only a small road leading forward where it split towards an entrance and further behind where other trucks parked in rigid formation awaiting prisoners, or off-loading cargo. It was also significantly darker when he smiled openly noticing her gaze trailing clearly.

His voice turned modestly soothing to send a shiver up her spinal cord uneasily, "Don't worry about finding yourself in a dark place, girl." Pulling the vehicle leisurely around towards a ramp where several civilians dressed in work clothing greeted them, "I'm not going to kill you, or your operatives this close when I put enough effort and resources for you to succeed as I told you. You'll be promised a victory to walk out of here with someone whose life is far more valuable than yourself, or those who claim to give up their own."

He backed the vehicle up when several men waved steadily as they assisted unknowingly to which Stalker idly followed directions. In several moments a vehicle came to stop as one walked forward asking politely, "Identification and purpose, sir." Another exchange of a card and it being scanned took less than several seconds. The worker whistled towards a coworker who looked about to open doors to hear, "Empty load! Ignore it!"

Stalker mildly offered a pleasantry which seemed bored to her imagination, "They'll be plenty of transports, so enjoy your lazy night." That garnered a feeble laugh when they were left to themselves as the creature waited several minutes quietly observing walls which were aligned with barbed wire, turrets and Advent guards. Yet he waited until two sentries walked further along to smile coldly in seeing convenient gaps of security.

"Be prepared to fight for your lives, or else you might make this prison prematurely your own." Opening a driver door he got out leaving her to gulp down anxious anticipation when it'd dawned to realize chilling awareness. He's going to let me live, oh god but everyone else is fair game! What kind of monster are you really? Shakily getting up to gulp down a sickening sensation which originated insider her stomach nearly became too much.

Underneath a light stood the monster which leisurely opened doors allowing her team to get out either stretching, or adjusting their own uniforms. Yet Outrider remained within once she came up several stone stairs to see a fully uniformed Reaper adjusting an improved sniper rifle, "Grimm begin your task acquiring any useful data, do it quickly while securing our VIP. I shall find myself higher ground giving you covering fire once our extraction is underway, I expect your arrival to be swift and mindful of your enemies."

She swallowed to nod hesitantly, "Be careful, Outrider." The Reapers mask hardly seemed to allude to an indifferent expression, "Remember what I instructed you about using the environment to become one with your shadow, I trust you for being a diligent student. But do not worry about myself, I intend to correct a stain upon the creature which I shall deliver retribution for those who I lost underneath my direction months ago." Her promise made a monster baring that name perk up rather quickly when he smiled favorably impressed.

Her would be killer commented lightly curious enough, "Retribution?" Elena looked over while still relatively concealed inside the truck's interior as yellow sockets remained visibly, "An odd choice of word to describe cold justice, or a divine purpose." Stalker sounded genuinely interested to kindly question a Reaper who remained observant while moving to an edge where light met an interior shadow, "May I ask why you choose that path, Outrider?"

Her mentor seemed to smile faintly underneath a metallic obstacle given she waved him aside, "A personal mission, insider. One lost for another life to be repaid, if you must understand." He hummed loudly to gesture off towards their right hand side, "Well since you have a scope on that impressive weapon, if I had to guess? There's a maintenance ladder leading to the roof, it's on occasion we guards do go up there to assist, or watch over workers who come close to communication lines and I'd recommend you make use of it. I spoke truthfully about giving you and your student, Grimm all advantages to get Vahlen out."

Outrider peered upwards in seeing several stories where landing pads for emergencies had been scouted previously in reports. Katherine wanted to voice anything in avoid seeing someone she trusted and felt responsible to warn, "A fine perch, if anything to keep an eye on enemy patrols. It is rare for an insider to oblige and risk himself for us to gain nothing, Reb." She wanted to vomit when Elena moved past them both humoring said option.

After momentarily pondering he shrugged playfully in shooting back mildly hurt, "I would feel guilty for not trying too. I keep my word, Outrider." His helmet dipped down in a faux manner akin to when people inclined respect, "And I'd rather not see you all fail in this mission! My purpose is to help you, I'd rather be able too without jeopardizing myself, or your own objectives to continue being useful to aid the resistance's capability."

The Reaper softly laughed underneath a mask to remark quite bemused, "Wise and humbled! It is rare to see such unique qualities to my understands, I can see why Grimm was fortunate to encounter you." Stalker's expression turned subtly to grin coyly in making her stomach churn uneasily, "She's valuable to you and those seeking to assist your cause, Outrider. As long as we all play our parts, I can continue to effectively provide opportunity if I manage my hands...but I'd rather not spoil my streak of good fortune when we're not even finished walking into your VIP's cell."

Several of her operatives walked over eagerly despite being underneath Advent security, "Think we'll get in without a hitch, Reb?" Their youngest seemed to be perking excitedly towards a creature who laughed far too pleasantly, "We're well beyond a point for them to think twice, Christopher. Just keep an eye on your back, or those next to you if things do get dangerously confusing. I'm just a guard whose training recruits for simplicity's sake."

The two married resistance fighters chortled quietly when Kim literally shoved a barely considered young man aside, "Kiss his ass more, kid." She stared quite brazenly at a creature who could have killed them if it considered betraying them, "I still think he's a plant, Outrider! He just seems too relaxed to not be anything less, if you're buying this bullshit." A masked Reaper lightly looked over towards her self silently raising an eyebrow in seeing such blatant disrespect of demanding a senior answers, as well being tolerant in a civil manner.

"Kim, just drop it." She reluctantly grounded out trying to not convey a similar agreement but for different reasoning entirely. Stalker's smile hadn't faded save for growing widely smug, "Don't provoke her, Reb. Please!" Stressing that last word proved humoring when he shrugged lightly to move towards an access doorway reaching outward in scanning a lock. The door's locked reddish panel switched to green leaving him to smile wordlessly implying for them to begin. Yet she imagined a gleam inside those eyes which promised unrelenting horrors.

Elena only gave one warning towards a brash operative whose instincts were technically true and undeniably on point, "Behave, girl." Shouldering a weapon over one shoulder did the Reaper's synthesized voice eerily remind them all, "Be mindful of who you accuse, if we're to be successful in getting out alive. Grimm and her insider will be enough to get our extraction out alive, so do not forget the priority and I shall give my word to get you out, if I must. Success is paramount to our victory, I can assure you."

Katherine motionlessly nodded towards a teacher, friend and fellow soldier whose expertise was invaluable to learn. Just having someone capable in killing Stalker nearby wasn't remotely as hopeless when she spoke stonily, "We get Vahlen, or we die regardless. We're being counted on to get an edge in this war, so listen to someone whose been fighting in the shadows and hasn't known peace like we all learned eventually." The Reaper nodded far too obviously pleased to begin going up a ladder where darkness made her exterior clothing blend in seamlessly.

Please don't die Elena, I don't think there's anyone else who can kill this creature leading us to our deaths. Stalker hadn't moved an inch to simply observe quietly yet a smile remained sealed into place coldly enjoying their infighting. He'll find a way to slip away, he wants to remain on his own terms and I can't find out what I can do to kill him. Best thing to do, is go with it and pray to God he slips up tonight somehow.

"Reapers." He mused lowly testing that word far too intrigued, "Such decent people to give warnings to those walking into war itself." Gesturing towards them rather playfully, "Can we hurry it along? I don't want to be endangering my life so soon for your humor, or else that'll be suspicious enough since I'm never late to work." Ironically she doubted any Advent late on his watch were dead men walking, or else she'd believe him being genuinely honest.

Kim despite being tall enough to come up to Stalker's chin refused to be intimidated, "You're trouble, pal." Katherine visibly winced in seeing him lean forward whispering far too happily, "And you're expendable like everyone else, kid. It's not often someone risks their head for strangers, so appreciate it or else you'll never get out alive with that attitude." The small woman sneered briefly before heading in as a married pair followed seemingly apologetic towards Stalker who ignored it conveniently. Yet his hand dipped towards a knife when she'd passed out of sight as she'd understood he'd picked out a possible target.

He's already picking whose going to live, or die. God damn it, if I say anything we'll never get Vahlen and I'd endanger everyone from having little chance, to nothing at all. Glaring spitefully towards a creature who glanced over in seeing a youth rubbing his neck nervously, "Don't take it personally, Reb. Kim's on edge, so I hope you didn't get an idea we're not thankful...I just think you're insane for being open about helping us out. If you know what I mean, right?"

Stalker's smile literally screamed coy when he firmly placed a hand onto his shoulder, "Just watch yourself, kid. You'll do fine, I can see it and you'll find out too." Christopher nodded gratefully when moving past into a waiting area leaving only herself and him alone momentarily. They didn't need to exchange so many words yet she whispered cautiously, "Please Reb, I don't want them getting any ideas about you. I know what you are, I don't need them seeing a monster and honestly I hope to God you end up in hell."

He faux winced by whistling painfully, "Ouch!" A hand teasingly drew an obvious blade while clutching his chest, "That was uncalled for Grimm. Because I recall making deals with devils never makes you a saint, so don't make me feel bad when you've got a special place reserved for those willing to get their hands dirty." Of course he'd milk her frustration to forcefully crush down words to visibly lash out as she walked past stiffly. His chortling certainly made it less than bearable when he'd shut a door prominently.

How can I end up in hell when you're the one who killed my team, friends and threatened family despite everything? Stalker lazily wandered past their small group leading up to an interior doorway where a scanner lightened, "Just follow behind me at all times. Don't interact, or speak to any Advent until you reach Vahlen's cell block. Everyone knows who I report too, so you'll be fine since they'll see your uniforms."

Surprisingly none of her operatives spoke up in favor to understand they were about to induce a prison break for someone beyond their inspiration. They all understood how significant the person being rescued would do for the war, to give both the resistance and XCOM an edge against Advent's seemingly endless resources to hunt them down. Each person knew to an extent as Katherine relatively bit down on a cold chill creeping up her spine. It was all due to Stalker's presence who would give them a chance in turning the war, but it was on his game and she didn't understand how such a creature existed to be so selfish.

He's a human for god's sake, I can't say it's not surprising but he's just as dangerous as those Chosen who taught him. It proved uneasy to wonder what did those creatures created by the Elders to teach a human how to kill them. More so as a child based on his youth alone? Monsters, they're all monsters and nothing less is acceptable to do us all a favor to see them wiped out. All I have to do is wait until he gives me a chance, I owe it to everyone who died by your hands and I will see you buried for playing with lives...Stalker.

Hallways aligned with cell doors both occupied and emptied met their gazes through small dark paneled windows. How many spoke out against them, or were caught helping us? She internally debated in seeing a variety of people ranging from adults to children, a sign that no exceptions were made if anyone assisted to help resistance fighters. Lightly biting her cheek to move just behind Stalker's back did she speak lowly, "Do you know why so many are in here?"

The monster wearing human flesh smiled pleasantly to lean back quietly implying, "For meeting the wrong people, or so I imagine. This is just another prison in another country, I didn't throw anyone in here specifically." She doubted that entirely yet Stalker's attitude hardly changed save for himself smiling plainly bemused. However his lack of goading made up to have herself believe one thing, if he'd wanted to have his own private prison it wouldn't be anywhere visible considering what she'd gauge of his ability to extract information.

Bypassing choke points where Advent guards routinely patrolled between cell blocks in groups of three, or five forced herself to quiet down. They hardly spared them all a glance considering their youth and inexperience showed when Christopher flinched. If the officer leading noticed his helmet covered face didn't react visibly. They were heavily armed much to her internal horror in seeing grenades of both lethal and nonlethal variety stocked next to fully loaded magazines. Alone these five had enough firepower to deter a fully armed squad, if it came down to exchanging munitions in any prolonged firefight.

"How come they're so heavily armed, Reb?" She whispered particularly quick to have him reply almost condescendingly, "Because of where we're currently located, Katherine." He lead them through more doors which slide aside as another half a dozen Advent guards marched past, "Compared to where you and I met? It'd been low risk security, so armed guards weren't delegated as opposed to whose residing as arguably one of the most notorious prisoners whose value requires higher density of security to...keep said person here."

Glancing over a shoulder in seeing how her team handled themselves by remaining indifferent despite walking rigidly, "Did you have anything to do with it?" The monster's smile kept itself mildly affronted to whisper slyly, "Retribution is well known, girl. Anywhere said person goes is an increase of security for those he interrogates, if you're lucky you'll hear it is akin to an infamous rumor of him being very, I do mean a very high standard individual. But you know how well he hunts, if I understand what you're trying to think of him."

She outright refused to humor old nightmares of being strung up in some tunnel, or watching those who were friends being slaughtered. Keep giving me excuses to find a way to put the bullet into your skull, Stalker. Deeper they traversed into a prison facility where corridors met with surprising lack of Advent presence in terms of their guards. Very few patrols they encountered seemingly appeared save for a sparse hint of smaller groups. Overall it became clearer to her that he'd come through on giving them a relatively secured opportunity to succeed.

Cell doors seemed to have a lack of occupants in which all of them looked into curiously enough. Katherine came to walk just behind Stalker's side as he whispered coyly, "Vahlen is quite possibly the most secured prisoner here. They put her in maximum security where very few are placed, so consider yourselves welcomed to a nice place most call home." He sounded far too at ease to make herself wish otherwise, if they wanted to get out of this place alive without him enacting a monster which struggled to hide itself. She could hedge an almost chilling realization he'd been patiently savoring the movement when they'd go their separate ways.

Doors slid past when their journey got them past several lingering guards who patrolled past them. Their indifference wasn't entirely as eerie due to a lack of verbal communication, if not all but most guards were silent. There wasn't much noise save for their boots making either occupants within cells look up brokenly, or most flinch when noticing larger numbers. Most of these people wouldn't see a day outside their prisons as Katherine realized sourly, "How many ever walk out, Reb?" She was genuinely curious to hope since prison uprisings would appeal to those who had next to no chance of seeing daylight.

"Couldn't tell you, I just guard them." He coyly told her ever so assured to add flippantly, "But I imagine those who conform to reeducation, beliefs and maybe change of heart do get appeals to go back to society. It's all give, or take when it comes to each facility. Use your imagination, I doubt many of these people ever see what made them wish wasn't taken away." The bastard mocked those who were locked away for defying Advent, if anything he should have had more in common with them to do that same route. He was technically defying Advent by doing whatever he pleased, or so she imagined considering the secrecy.

They turned another corner bypassing a stair well where he motioned lazily, "There's your way up to the rooftops, if you choose to make a hasty exit." He also pointed further ahead were signs amounting to various other exits made her wince, "And if you can't reach that one? Follow those until you see one, if you want to make things interesting for people to live longer." His voice was soft just enough to have herself hear it almost chilled to realize she'd used up any good will. Stalker would make an appearance and it'd kill whoever it got it's hands on first.

Several hallways later they came to one prominent set of black steel like doors which seemed to be thicker than usual. I guess that's the Maximum Security block, I guess they really don't want people coming in. Stalker moved relatively bored to lightly tip up his helmet for a laser like light to scan his eye. After several moments the doors shifted to open leaving him to wordlessly beckon them to follow by jerking a chin. He'll lead us right into the heart of enemy territory befriending us, to give us hope and strength if only leave us and in that one fleeting moment of a smile he'll become our killer all too willingly.

An entire corridor of highly secured cells greeted them with sporadic spaces filled with occupants. It seemed not as many high valued risks and prisoners were behind bars, "Up ahead there's a security hub where you can access the facility's internal network. I highly recommend downloading all of it for your sake, if there's a need to spring out others given the chance." He whispered slyly to her while they bypassed one last group of Advent guards lead by an officer. However unlike beforehand this entire group paused immediately upon seeing them!

Six heavily armed guards led by one lone officer sharply spoke to Stalker who hardly seemed fazed. All of her team anxiously held their ground when he pointed to them personally, "New recruits learning shift rotation and positions, I don't intend to leave them ignorant. Why do you have to start today, captain?" He drew out lazily to which the Advent officer roughly shoved him aside angrily gesturing towards an opened doorway. In response to realizing a security risk had been unintentionally triggered she watched him raise both hands placating said angered creature.

"Alright, I'll get them to their post and whoever is shift-leader can deal with them." Walking over towards her pointing straight towards another bend, "Straight and then left. Security hub is manned by two shift-leaders, okay? They'll connect you into the system and begin your job." His smile playfully made her heart race due to another damning realization. He'd planned on separating themselves from him in order to become the monster who'd been spotted inside this prison, they would trigger a prison break and giving him ample opportunity to stalk them.

You bastard, I can't believe you're washing your hands of us already. She glared angrily to tensely bite out, "And what about you, Reb?" He looked back towards an Advent officer who gestured impatiently towards a doorway as several lower guards moved past them, "I triggered a disciplinary warrant due to my careless disregard for protocol. So therefore I have to report to my officer, or else you'll be detained for my transgressions. Don't worry about me, I'm sure you'll have plenty of time to worry about everyone else."

That damned smile curled upwards when she'd understood it'd be on themselves to do what needed to be done. He'd done his purpose without an issue, if only in that literal intention of getting them right where they had to go. But he wouldn't help them break Vahlen out apparently. He has to save his own ass, or else the masters might know probably. I hope they do find out one day, monster and get your own face skinned off for being a rebel. God knows you're already a damned traitor to your own people for whatever reason.

Without much of a warning he lightly padded her bicep mockingly reassured, "You'll be fine." He moved past giving one singular nod to Christopher who looked nervously between himself and an officer that ignored him completely. You're also marked to die, I know who he'll kill just to keep things interesting. Who looks up to him as a nuisance and another whose persistence to doubt him, both are just useful tools in his eyes. God help me, I should have died months ago instead of listening to this damned monster willingly.

All seven departed with Stalker directly center among them all to give her an unseen smugness in his walk. He'd planned on removing himself with those in his pocket, they were all in one a prison break and it ironically terrified her to such a degree where it seemed surreal. How many were actively against Advent's rule, but not willing to help them because they had their own motive? Just how many were going to betray one another and consider them as a means to an end, if they even had will to follow Stalker personally?

I can't ask these questions right now, as much as I hate this bastard. She grudgingly focused on getting what had to be done before considering anything when their lives mattered. We have a job to get done, so deal with what you know is in sight. Stalker can wait, I can figure out on another day how to kill, or expose him to make sure he has nowhere to go, or anyone to turn too. Too many people are dead because of him, so he'll answer for playing monster and acting like God when it comes to everyone fighting this war.

Gesturing for her team to follow as doors closed behind them with an audible hissing of compressed air and steel left them trapped. They'd have to override security measures, hack into a network and obtain any data while getting themselves with Vahlen to an extraction point on a roof top. Between all of that along with an enemy who'd be observing them, Katherine ideally wanted to scream out of sheer frustration since everything they'd do was predicted. They were playthings within a game only she found herself seeing and it was damning to understand Stalker's humanity was only skin deep when it came to truth.

"Christopher, once we overtake that hub and prepare to get our VIP out." She motioned towards her youngest operative who looked determined despite sweating, "Get as much as you can out of Advent's internal networks. Prisoners, supply routes or anything. You're our best specialist whether you want to admit it, or not." She had to iron out their roles immediately before everything went to hell in a literal hand basket, if anything once security protocols were exposed and overridden it'd draw everything who'd been banking on their arrival.

"Rest of start picking out guards to take out and I'll start working on our VIP, we need to make this opportunity count as much as possible." She gave them an earnest urgency to which none of them willingly wanted to ignore. They were behind enemy lines with very little chance to live, or survive without an extraction bird awaiting their signal. And without reinforcements they'd be hard pressed to endure firefights even with Elena's expertise in sharp shooting aiding them. It all came down to them to get everything right to the literal choice.

They turned a corner as directed by the monster who'd befriended her team far too easily. Along one wall were two doorways leading to an internal monitoring station where two Advent guards kept vigilance in overseeing prisoners. Time to quiet them, knives and hands! She lightly tapped a sheathed knife as two of her team immediately took point. Two open doorways as two went through the furthermost and she the closest with Christopher nervously behind. But that proved to be a boon to their cover entirely.

"Reporting to shift-leader, I was told by one of our own..." She began drawing the two's attention as one started to get up already familiar with newer recruits. On screen were multiple camera angles particularly of Vahlen who had seen better days. Catching glimpses of dark bruising along her face, or arms were enough to warrant Stalker's admission of brutal hospitality. He'd kept his word regardless of how twisted, or disturbing he'd played with human lives. Lying had never been apart of his habits ironically enough to have her feel terrified more.

From behind a married couple nodded subtly before knives were drawn and both simultaneously took down two guards whose muffed screams went unheard. She blinked once to see crimson liquid drip when knives pierced necks, or outright cut open throats. It took less than fifteen seconds to see their armored forms twitch to go limp, "Do your magic, kid." The youngest gulped down an urge to vomit when two Advent guards got tossed aside as a pair of knives were wiped on the very uniforms, a sign of loathing to their enemy.

"Kim, come with me." She motioned for her operative to assist in breaking down a cell door's lock system. Shuffling through one cargo pocket to pull out a palm sized device capable of explosive force got activated, "If we can't get in quietly, set it for ten seconds and we'll go loud. Until then standby Vahlen's cell, understood? Things are going to get loud and fast, when it happens!"

The girl grinned confidently as she swiftly got back inside a hub where two loaded rifles were being inspected and prepared for usage. Least we'll have extra fire power, but it's on you kid to get a signal out to Firebrand. We need her to start landing our reinforcements, or we'll be swarmed by guards quickly. Can't let them block our path, so it's on whoever shows up to cause a commotion and draw them off. She had gone over Bradford's reassurance when Ace squad showed up, they'd cause a loud bang and give them an ample concealment to haul ass to an extraction zone which should be in theory relatively possible.

"Got access to their internal systems, Grim." Their young technician reported while pulling out a smaller device linking via wire ports of Advent's console, "So far nothing's being triggered and I can get us access to an external communications antenna to link up with Firebrand. I can patch ourselves to link up with Outrider as well, if you want it to happen." Communications were going to be critical as she gave an affirmative nod to do so. Sooner they were all the same page, a far more effective anticipation to counter act enemy movement was too tempting to ignore.

Taking off a helmet to idly toss it aside Grimm spoke firmly, "Outrider, are you receiving this on your end, over?" It didn't take long for her mentor and marksman tutor to reply, "Is everything going to plan, Grimm? There's no sign of alarm, so therefore are you making entry into Advent's data?" She replied positively while watching two of her operatives going to secure an entry point with rifles drawn, "We're starting our breach and if we're detected, we go loud. I'm sending a signal to Firebrand to drop in our reinforcements, soon enough."

On screen Vahlen shifted leaving her to briefly watch one of XCOM's original leaders stumble out of the bunk inside that cell. She seemed almost crying if fists being clenched slamming onto a concrete like floor but remarkably got onto both feet, "VIP is confirmed and wounded, Outrider. Seems like she had a personal session with Stalker, if the damn thing is around I'd bet." Bruising along arms indicated almost broken internal bones, or rather thin red lines along facial cheeks were reminiscent of his sign in skinning people alive.

"Understood Grimm, do what you can and treat it. Once we're detected, I expect you and your team topside immediately." The Reaper brokered no room for anything less as she sounded exasperated, "Not like we're picking out a cell for ourselves, but we'll be there soon enough. I'll send Firebrand a go-ahead to drop off our soldiers, soon they and you secure our exit, the better off we're all making it home alive tonight. Is that acceptable?"

The only person she absolutely trusted replied rather amused, "Take all you can, Grimm. Send it up, Outrider out." With a small buzz of crackling static she proceeded to give out orders, "Chris start uploading to Firebrand, get her here now! Download everything you can within the next several minutes, I don't think we'll have much longer if Stalker is around. That's his handiwork on Vahlen, so we better haul ass soon." She all but warned the youngest operative who nodded hastily while punching in numerical keys, or outright tapping on applications to begin downloading.

Her heart thundered when an eerie stillness emerged among those awaiting an inevitable sign of being close to death. They wouldn't remain concealed for much longer as blips of equipment started to rapidly become common sight. Checking in with others is already being noticed, but how much longer until someone investigates? Buzzing crackled into an ear as from down the hall she got an update, "Grimm we're establishing an over-watch! Rex's got an idea to give you all some time, if Advent gets curious, how copy?"

She answered relatively disturbed due to how expected her team would react if someone were observing them akin to prey. Regardless if they had to abide by a monster's whims, she'd make it regret every second when ordering, "Set up a few explosives to trigger whenever anyone walks into this block. We're going to need to take out as many, or god willing cause a commotion to make them think twice. Don't get stringy with how much, Jim!"

Between three up front with two including herself they'd be spread evenly for any amount of bodies shooting back. Still better safe than sorry, Rex is probably the most dangerous among us with his former experience as a cop. Or knows how to shoot, I hope! Despite working several weeks with this group it'd come down to personal preference to fit in for their roles, she'd been trying to utilize what little seemed doable to get objectives accomplished. But she had a sick feeling knowing some of them weren't going to survive to see tomorrow morning.

"Grimm!" Her eyes darted over to the young specialist who grinned, "Firebrand's got the green light to drop us our reinforcements. She'll drop them just outside, circle around and hang back until VIP is set to be lifted off." On screen uploading bars of bluish and green were indicating quick connections leaving little to mistake misinterpretation. They were hacking right into Advent's security network downloading and transmitting information through their own external communications to an aircraft sending it to their headquarters.

Glaring paranoid between several screens of Advent's symbol lazily floating behind uploading windows, "Do we have a direct connection to Central yet, Chris?" Her heart raced unintentionally trying to spot any signs of distortion hinting for an inevitable alert being triggered, "Not yet! They're too far out, but within a few more minutes we'll be able to talk to them. Until then it's just us, Outrider and Firebrand if she has a problem, so we'll just have to hold out until we get up to the rooftops for clear communication."

Her frustration boiled over when slamming a thick boot into the consoles sides jolting one screen. Shit, I should have realized something would go wrong. Without Central, I can't verify when and where Firebrand is going to mark a landing-zone, if anything it'll be up to the Aces to clear as somewhere to group, defend and engage all hostiles. We can't get locked down, or else Stalker is going to have his way with all of us...not including his masters when one shows up. She inwardly prayed that assassin didn't show it's face to make their day that much more dangerous to watch corners, or outright jump at their shadows.

Minutes ticked by agonizingly slow with her heart thundering rapidly as uploads continuously were managed by an operative. Ironically he'd grown confident with every action to admit far too excitedly, "I can deep six some high value data on potential prisoner transfers, Grimm! Want me to get it done now, or do you want Shen to take a crack at it? It'll take about thirty seconds!" He all but told urgently to get a tense nod to do so, as it'd make every moment tempting a monster worthwhile when they got back home.

Another crackle of static came from upfront, "Rex to Grimm, I got Advent guards approaching from where I'm kneeling. Just one hallway over from where our over-watch is set, I'm heading back and leaving a surprise." An ex-police officer promised chortling leaving little to imagine as their window started to close rapidly. The lack of routine check-ups apparently caused some sort of cautious alert yet no overt alarms went off signaling rapid response teams to eliminate them.

Stalker's influence, no doubt! She swore while viewing screens on consoles steadily uploading and downloading data simultaneously, "Is there anything off about this exchange, Chris?" Her paranoia wasn't unfounded due to how seamlessly it'd been transferring given she'd had some experience in technical fields. But it might have been too much to ignore, if she weren't keen on spotting abnormalities normally gone unchecked. With what she understood, knew and expected about a monster finding joy in their torment proved damning to ironically use to her own advantage once moments passed.

"Wait, what the hell is going on?" Christopher whispered typing rapidly while looking over, "Something is wrong, Grimm! There's no latency from their server to this console, to my equipment and to our external communication signal. It's just one smooth...oh, shit!" His frantic actions made her paranoia glower with an internal glee as it'd all came crashing down. Apparently they were given free access on someone else who'd been viewing it all, if only approving of breaches for whatever reasoning at all.

Her technician seemed to pale when several screens started flickering, "I can't cut off the transfer, I can't even log out of this console...it's been locked with my equipment still connected." On one screen an image appeared rendering every screen to symmetrically freeze yet a lone detail emerged. A singular pop-up of their worst nightmare appeared fully masked. Both she and Christopher couldn't stop shuddering when a coy voice seemingly filtered through speakers. Apparently Stalker hadn't been one to not keep an eye on her team's actions.

"What do we have here, I wonder?" The monster's voice filtered through smoothly as if stumbling upon someone's dirty secret, "Is this what I believe is occurring? Resistance fighters actively trying to free a person I intend to torture for information? Two of you, no less?" Those questions were deliberately theoretical to assume when one screen out right switched over in seeing a clear image of Stalker's masked face seemingly peering at them both. And this bastard walked us right into this place, he's been gone long enough to become this fucking monster.

He only chortled openly to remark fairly impressed, "It took you longer than expected, I wondered when you'd catch on. Such a shame, I know where you all are now." She couldn't afford letting him go on as a barking order came out, "Cut the connection! Now, or it'll find us!" Christopher flinched outright when a sly laughter followed those words, as if they were just too humoring to not get a laugh out of earnestly.

The young operative frantically tried cutting connections to no avail leaving Stalker's image to partially tilt his head. An eerie warning came next, "I don't how, or who got you to this location. But it will be your grave, or new home when I find you. And for taking the bait, I shall give you ample warning to die with each other." A screen went dark leaving the young man to look up paling as an ear piercing shrieking of alarms went off. Red and orange lights blared brightly as Katherine realized everything came crashing together.

"Go loud, we've been discovered!" She screamed to hear an audible explosive rumble from outside as a door got blasted off hinges. Reaching for a communications device speaking rapidly, "Outrider, we've been discovered by Stalker! Bastard rigged the security console, he's on his way and be on the look out! How copy?" It didn't long for an answer to come forth when Elena's voice hardly sounded surprised given an amused observation.

"I heard you, Grimm and every alarm on the premise." A slight pause came next before she heard news regarding Firebrand's arrival, "Be advised our Aces will be landing on an adjacent roof, I have the ship in sight and proceed to make your way up to us. Enemy movement will be frequent to hinder your path, they'll be heavily armed and I shall do all I can to deter any trying to enter." It all boiled down to them fighting their up to a stair case, getting up said structure and hoping Stalker's whims weren't going to run out naturally.

Locking a pistols slid into place she answered far too calmly to hide an internal anxiety, "Roger that, Outrider. We'll meet you up there, so take them down!" Ending that conversation settled on maintain their ability to live for another hour, Katherine went over quickly who to put on point and begin setting in their inevitable brush with a monster's game. Rex, Jim and Jen, then Kim and Christopher with myself holding up the rear. If that bastard wants to get behind us, he'll have to risk letting me live probably and I'll make it regret trying too.

"Cut everything off, we're going topside and holding up until Firebrand gets us home." She motioned for her operative to hastily pack up while moving out into a hallway where Vahlen was being tended too by Kim and Rex. The former cop frowned when taking out several medical supplies from a case provided on their Advent uniform, "Gonna need a few minutes, doc's roughed up Grimm. Someone intentionally wanted her cuts to fester overnight, I think she's got a fever or something because she's burning up."

He quickly started dressing deeper incisions which went across the woman's arm and just underneath her own chin. Paling flesh indicated stress as sweat dripped visibly, "Rex! Did you set up a few surprises, Jim and Jen covering our exit?" The man grinned while wrapping several deeper sliced incisions with clothe before replying, "Our lovely couple will be fine! Set up an old trip wire a hallway over, so if it goes boom we'll know..." An audible explosive tremor shut him up momentarily to whistle worryingly causing teeth to bite down.

His expressions signaled an uneasy sense of urgency, "Shit, I guess we got friends coming." Kim lifted Vahlen enough to where they both worked quickly to get the woman stabilized, "Help her up, kid!" Grunting both of them got a near feverish woman on her feet as Katherine moved behind checking for any possible sign Stalker had slipped past an over-watch. Shimmering air, shimmering air...no, I don't see him here yet. Thank God, I think he's going to play with us until we reach a stair well leading up to the roof itself hopefully.

Radioing ahead while keeping pace as Christopher switched out with Rex who watched their backs pistol drawn, "Jim! Jen!" Calling the married couple who waved from around a corner, "Once we start pushing, watch yourselves! Remember Advent isn't the only thing here tonight, if you see Stalker or anything out of place? Shoot it, immediately."

Neither man, or woman spoke yet they nodded while honing rifles down a hallway where it split into several corridors. Besides a trace of linger smoke from an explosive trap set, it seemed clear save for occupants in cells screaming to be broken out. A few were actively pounding fists onto glass, or bellowing to be saved from their personal hell. But several were oddly quiet leaving little to them having no hope, or life to resist when they'd been broken long ago. Katherine ironically needed to ignore them all in favor of giving them all a chance one day.

We can survive, I know we can as long as Stalker is spotted. Breathing deeply she motioned for her team to start moving. As long as they stuck together, they had multiple eyes and ears peeled to pick out where a monster would hide. But ironically it also again painted one large target for Advent to start shooting into eventually. Either way, if they didn't survive wasn't important but for Vahlen to get out of this prison to give everyone a fighting chance.

---

I smiled far too humorously when viewing Katherine's small group of children and rustic operatives from a holographic screen. The dull coloration brightened when I spoke clearly, "Master Grim-Lance! Your prey has arrived, may I proceed to hunt my own?" I requested formally when hearing an audio response as everything came together. He'd have his own hunt to conduct, if I had to be utilized then I would be at his beck and call.

"You may proceed, Retribution." His chortling indicated that indeed who he'd hunt arrived as expected to make things seem far more interesting, "If I need you, I'll send word. But in the mean time do try to enjoy yourself, boy. Grim-Lance, out!" I couldn't stop grinning from where I stood partially viewing Katherine's small team of operatives moving past a corridor. I noticed Vahlen's braced form which would slow them down naturally.

There's nowhere I can effectively go for an ambush, but hiding in plain sight is just what I need in all honesty. Tapping several keys I wordlessly typed in commands as darkness seemingly appeared due to all external lights being shut down. I heard boots immediately stopping when total darkness, albeit save for internal low red lights within cells oozed through windows as occupants started screaming louder to get out. Echoes of men and women alike ran up from other blocks due to a near building wide black out emerged due to my hands alone.

Drawing my firearm while moving quickly as I switched off a holographic display to grin, "Whose going to die, I wonder?" I mused while rapidly gaining ground to crouch near a corner as I peered around to view half a dozen resistance operatives shuffling slowly. Few of them had any sort of lights save for two upfront whose rifles taken from dead guards proved wise, if only everyone of them prepared it'd have been easier to flee. Oh well, I guess I can take some shots in the dark to see if I get lucky.

Small flashlights apart of Advent's uniforms were swiftly trying to peer ahead, or behind them frantically. But my armor remained cloaked to meld within a darkened interior when I raised an arm aligning a pressurized grappling line, "Whose first?" Eyeing several targets as sockets within my mask enhanced vision to closely magnify faces of tense resistance operatives. I saw Katherine frantically looking behind while physically blocking her youngest operative, or anyone making myself smirk rather intrigued.

Ah, that loud mouth girl who was right about me all along. Slowly moving along one wall while cautiously avoiding some bends of light did I manage to crouch low enough. They believed I'd be ahead of them yet I was just out simply changing into an armor being taken cared by the captains trusted soldiers. I never left your sight, I only changed the mask of who I wanted for you all to see personally. Now you must run, or you'll risk losing everything.

The group moved quickly trying to pick out overhead signs leading to an entry stair well which became difficult in darkened environments. Not a single light internally glowered subtly, or brightly enough forcing their limited visions to focus on securing an exit. As the group started turning another corridor I got an angle I'd been savoring, "You should have kept your mouth shut, little girl." I whispered chuckling softly when a snapping hiss of air and an immediate shriek of pain rewarded myself when I yanked prey backwards.

"What the fuck's got me?" I heard a girl cry out trying desperately to latch onto doors, or anyone solid enough when I began running backwards snarling. I heard Katherine scream almost knowingly terrified since she'd seen a similar situation, "Grab her, quick or..." My legs supported by enhanced armor powerfully gained distance when cries of shock and horror echoed distantly. I didn't even have to worry about gunfire despite shots wildly being sent down where I'd been previously, I witnessed sparks of ricochets shrilly pinging off metal doorways.

"Help! Please help!" I heard near hysterical pleas when I leisurely halted to pull prey right into a predator's awaiting hands. Gunshots wildly blasted away into any direction, I kept myself angled past a corner peering partially to savor such a terrified and near desperate expression. For all your talk, I imagined you'd face your death with resolve. But instead you're so scared, I hate children who lie to my face about being prepared to do an adult's work. Oh, I hope these next few minutes make you realize life is too fickle to exist.

Casually stepping aside I heard a weapon clack loudly allowing little worry to be shot. I yanked the girl forward making her to cry out when my armor's cloak ceased, "Oh my god!" She whispered when only yellow hues from mechanical eye sockets stood out visibly, "Fuck you!" I heard the soon to be dead resistance operative hiss defiantly despite having tears leaking down eyes, more when I snarled kicking her square in the jawline, I didn't hesitate wrangling her up onto two feet by an exposed neck. She kept kicking naturally trying to cry out when I saw every detail through a mask's filtered vision.

Squeezing soundly to hear meek gasps of air proved far too short lived as I snapped bone by jerking flesh aside. Least you had some heart to die, a shame I expected less! Liquid dripped from a limp corpse when I tossed it aside while retracting a high pressurized line. It'd take some time before readily available when I walked over another dead human, it'd been lack luster yet I had several more targets to have my way with presently.

Glancing behind towards another stairwell which ran similarly to where I'd initially told those to flee towards a roof top to hum lowly. Might as well wait for them on their way up, I can't keep picking them off from their rear. They'll have learned, so better to keep them guessing. Lightly running while a cloak concealed my armor's external features, I pushed open a doorway while running up stairs hugging the railing where space went upwards and downward. Plenty of room to jump, if I need to get a getaway and perfect for someone to lose their head.

Sprinting up an angled stairwell I came across a doorway leading in front of where the operatives were desperately to find. Peering upward to see through near pitch black conditions, "That'll work." I whispered grinning to get up several flights in order to get a downward angle, "One of them needs to take the express anyway. This is too much fun!" Coming back first while pressed up against a wall, I had an utterly clear view of flashlights rapidly bursting through glass panels once the doorway slammed open. The sheer force echoed indicating those who were fleeing urgently knew, if they didn't reach higher ground it'd be their deaths.

Pulling out my firearm I aimed down sights right towards anyone who'd be suitably spaced. I wonder who I'll take out next? Calmly breathing I went still allowing light to wash over myself, "She's gone, kid! Stop trying to get yourself killed faster, you hear me!" Apparently the youngest among them was wrestling partially with an ex-police officer while Katherine shouldered Vahlen who looked to be coming out of an induced drugged state. The captain reassured me she'd be near unresponsive, but apparently her own will is too much to contain. You have my utmost condolences for thinking you can endure interrogation, doctor.

"She's gone, Christopher!" Katherine barked out while gesturing for a married couple to swiftly sweep lights above and below seeking any enemy contact. But it was a mundane waste of effort, I'd personally made sure none would interfere with their ascent towards their supposed extraction point. My master was most likely engaging those so called Aces, or else they'd soon be within his rifle's scope to be shot masterfully. It'd be interesting to see if Grim-Lance would find the Reaper worthy enough for myself to hunt unhindered.

The operatives slowly made their way up keeping constant vigilance despite having little sight as to where I stood presently. It is said unto death, if one is married. Smoothly advancing ahead to get roughly several floors above where lights from rifle barrels illuminated, I eased myself over a railing holstering the firearm immediately. Breathing steadily I lightly balanced between falling forward, or edging backward waiting absolutely gleeful, "Let's see if you're all ready to meet your hunter face to face."

Peering through darkness I waited until one stream of light was directly below where I'd been crouching on a railing. Now! Grunting I stood upright before stepping off and spinning just in time to latch on a space to literally throw myself among Katherine's team. Shouts and screams of shock were simply too musical when bullets started firing off. They knew something had just landed right in between them, their VIP and an exit all in one fluid motion.

Ducking underneath one light itself while sweeping a leg out from the husband who yelped when slamming head first onto stairs. Sprinting powerfully I slammed shoulder fist into his wife who buckled underneath my armor's sheer weight, "Shoot it!" She screamed when I got a hand around her throat to slam said person face first towards a wall, I only needed to whirl herself around as bullets came furiously from Christopher's firearm.

Impacts mutely were heard as I literally resisted chortling due to how quickly I saw eyes glaze over. It seemed an over zealous youth wanted desperately to stop this nightmare, if only to make it worse in hindsight. Once an emptied magazine went through it's natural munitions, I threw the corpse forward into them causing limbs and bodies to fall over each other. It was too damned easy to make these so called operatives cry out in fear, I only wished they'd put up more of a fight. And if anything I was just being kind enough to end them relatively quick.

Despite on death's door I heard muffled gasps, I watched a man embrace his wife momentarily, "Jen!" I heard the man bellow due to her being used as a body shield, "How kind of you to join her!" I praised almost musingly to rush over towards an edge while grasping the man's rifle, I pulled him right over with myself far too nimbly despite him firing involuntarily. I grinned widely when his screams rang down as I dragged him right off a railing's edge. Have a nice trip down to earth, I hope your wife and you are together in the after life.

I caught myself several levels down grunting when weight and gravity almost tore my shoulder out of place. Yet I used both hands pulling myself over an edge, "Three down and one more to consider." Muttering simply exasperated while dusting myself off, I watched for several moments hearing Katherine to get everyone up stairs with rampant desperation. She expected for them to survive given how much effort I could hear, but I was a man of my word when it came down to giving an ample opportunity to survive.

Leaning against the railing to idly gauge where my last prey scampered gave enough time for the pressurized line to secure itself. Aiming upward just to tilt over a bit, I fired once to see thin wiring wrap around just below where I saw humans running frantically. Least I gave them a head start, it's not like I'm going to kill you personally, Grimm. But then again I'm severely tempted just to make you wish I wasn't being so considerate, I'll remember your little attitude today just to see it cost you lives for thinking I can be outmaneuvered.

Within moments I found myself steadily rising upward to lightly reach out pulling myself over as a line retracted immediately. Sixty seconds until fully pressurized, I'll have plenty of time to make due when I need it again. The HUD within my mask marked itself accordingly when I stalked forward, I kept one hand upon a blade's handle firmly while pursuing prey which had remarkably kept themselves going swiftly upward. Apparently losing three of their own provided ample motivation, I could only chuckle quietly ascending behind frantic shouting.

"What the hell is that thing, Grimm?" The ex-police officer bellowed from above as Katherine screamed almost beyond angrily, "I told you. It's Stalker!" Their title of myself wasn't too demeaning yet I found it fondly flattering to hear such loathing in her tone. She probably realized I'd been savoring to hear their so called fear, or terror but I only enjoyed hearing desperation whenever I proceeded to wipe them out. Plus hearing their genuine disbelief proved too sweet to not humor, I drew my blade lazily just to begin tracing it's tip along a concrete wall.

The noise alone made their voices cease when a scratching blend of metal clanking and being dragged across echoed. Deliberately I let up for several moments to do it again, I heard Katherine literally swear lividly telling them both to pick up their pace. They had to carry Vahlen between the three of them, so I had to give them some distance to regain hope. Or rather an assumption they'd be able to survive to link up with their reinforcements. Run, run, run and pray I don't see you soon.

"What's it doing?" I heard the youngest surviving youth shakily call out, "What the hell is it trying to do?" I angled a blade's tip to slightly dip and rise when I grinned hungrily while noting a timer ticking down gradually. They were only one floor above me when overhearing, "It's playing with us. What else do you need to know, kid! Fuck this alien, I hope it gets gunned down and I know it can hear me, so fuck you!"

I inwardly chose the last operative to die since I'd wanted only a handful to make it to where they needed to flee. If I had allowed most to escape, I had a gut feeling to believe my masters would be doubtful given how much success I'd garnered. Grim-Lance may look the other way, but master Void-Blade would demand answers to force them out of myself. And I really cannot afford her wrath upon myself, if Grim-Lance does obtain prisoners to interrogate. Success cannot be disrupted unless I have no damned choice to fail.

Onward they moved panting heavily when I kept up just behind cloaked to trail a blade's tip dauntingly reminding them. The prison itself had five floors including one maintenance level just before and below every floor, I gave them ample time to reach where they'd needed to go. Grappling line pressurized, how wonderful! Idly lifting an arm to make sure air escaped, I started running lightly just coming within a corner when the stairs leveled out onto a floor itself. Katherine viciously tore open a doorway while her youngest operative got Vahlen through, but an ex-police officer froze immediately when staring behind himself.

Light shinned brightly even though my mask's internal filters made it appear dull as I saw every detail in that face realize it'd seen a predator. The firearm raised itself reflexively even when I heard this man's leader scream, "Rex! Don't!" It was too late when I reared back to sent a sword streaking through slicing air with an audible whistle and a man screamed not several moments later. He got sent stumbling back to slump onto both knees despite firing several stray bullets ricocheting harmlessly over towards my right side.

He appeared stunned to numbly trace a handle as an entire length of metal was embedding itself through his chest. Uncloaking armor to become visible sent Katherine's expression from angry to near undeniably enraged despite fleeing with Christopher in tow. I hadn't stopped grinning to prominently stomp a man's hand from reaching over towards the harmless bloodied pistol, "Oh...god." It was a whisper of dread when small droplets of crimson leaked from the corners of his lips, I stood looming overhead savoring every moment. Playtime is over, my real prey is waiting just outside and you're only a means to have time seem enjoyable.

I knelt down absently reaching out to prominently begin squeezing an expose neck without mercy. Between enhanced strength due to a suit's internal functions, an almost directly impaled blade and streams of crimson flowing out? I gave this man about several minutes when he'd begun feebly trying to ward off an ever inevitable snuffed out life. Fingers desperately tried relieving pressure despite it growing harder and ever secured, "Monster...monster!" He whispered defiantly trying to ward off an obvious terror once it'd become clear, I'd kill him without a word.

My own hand wrapped around a blade's hilt to rigidly push downwards and he choked loudly when I crushed a neck entirely. It was possibly agonizing yet briefly enough when his eyes rolled to never again see himself fall into darkness. Retracting a weapon swiftly to sheathe it, I dragged a corpse and let it fall over below while idly washing both hands naturally pleased. Below an audible thud followed by several crackling sounds indicated a lack of survival, if anything I was being methodical to simply begin the true amusement.

Sheathing the bloodied weapon I moved past an open doorway leading into a hallway where at an end it's lead to one last set of stairs. Last time I couldn't get close to those Aces, because of you Reaper and now I have my master who'll put you in your place. I'm wondering if things will be interesting, I always wanted to hunt the best of enemies and now I can without an issue. Up ahead I heard another door slam whereas sporadic gunfire erupted signaling an outside firefight had begun, I smirked since I heard a literal boom indicating Grim-Lance had been enjoying himself.

Checking myself over considerably to idly pad, or adjust equipment was only necessary since there wouldn't be no time soon enough. XCOM had brought their best soldiers to rescue someone they considered their best chance for survival, I could only oblige in that vein of humor. And as a result? Despite hearing gunfire, shouting and explosions which rocked the hallway's interior. I knew I would hunt them without mercy, without hesitation and be absolutely prepared to know they'd be able to kill me.

---

"Ace-Lead, on sight!" Elena frowned while picking off an Advent trooper who started moving from over as said creature fell wordlessly with a hole in it's forehead, "Outrider, give us a sit-rep! Now!" The Reaper resisted rolling both eyes while breathing quietly to still a rifle's scope, she eased the trigger when another round cracked mutely to send a second Advent trooper crumbling into one prominent ball of limp limbs.

Speaking relatively aggravated yet composed enough to remark, "Grimm has VIP on hand, Ace-Lead. Prepare to secure the landing-zone, eliminate all hostiles and I can verify her ETA is momentarily, over." She had an overview from an adjacent rooftop where small gaps divided sections of a building, for the Reaper wedged herself among communications equipment on a tower to garner height in order to pick off Advent with deadly precision. So far few had climbed given it'd take considerable effort to pinpoint their attack.

All five Aces moved swiftly in establishing fields of fire while a familiar marksmen took it upon himself to reestablish old roles. Elena almost smiled fondly finding it a bit flattering, "Outrider, this is Ace-spotter! Where do you want me, over?" She practically chortled while pointing suitable cover for himself to lay down precise avenues of gunfire, "There's suitable cover and height among that water tower, Ace-spotter. Shoot well, over."

Darkened leather and padded armor concealed herself relatively well as evening's full presence enveloped herself. Where are you Grimm, you're running late! A stillness seemingly settled over an entire roof top when every single Ace eyed forests just outside a fence-line. Below alarms were bellowing loudly invoking Advent to move immediate, Elena personally countered dozens rapidly advancing towards the main facility yet it'd take time for them to discover their location. But that wasn't their most pressing danger with them tonight.

"Elena!" Her inner communications microphone exploded causing an eye to twitch out of sheer reflexive irritation, "Stalker's on our heels! He's taken out most of my team, we're heading outside now and...close it, Christopher!" Perking upward to see figures rushing out of one entry point leading onto the roofs, Grimm's appearance seemed fairly disheveled. Through scope and mask magnifying to zoom in on her, Elena noted they had slammed a doorway shut while backing away honing what little weaponry intently.

Across an entire rooftop which was littered with exposed metallic piping, or rigging meant to ventilate internal air hissed loudly. Steam on occasionally leaked to provide some natural concealment yet several portions of open round were dangerously clear. Square like fans pumped in air, or pumped it out as the Reaper took in all her perch's oversight. She's need to move, or these Aces have to pick up the pace now. Stalker alone is difficult to manage, but I won't be able to contain with that what is most likely going to show itself soon.

Crackling static appeared gradually until their worst fears came to expose themselves when an audible light slamming atop a guard tower caught all eyes. It illuminated everything aspect of terrain, person or object just momentarily yet Elena's eyes narrowed when seeing one lone figure standing up right. It's not that assassin, it's...him. The creature who stalked her own people that never ceased to shut it's mouth, in all truth this monster was a Reaper's worst nightmare and greatest prey to claim if one managed to kill it.

"Savor your moment, for it shall not last!" An almost slyly smug tone emitted from their communications as the Chosen openly broadcast to naturally unnerve it's prey. She braced immediately when a laser guided scope swiftly settled on an Ace who immediately sprinted for cover, "Run little rabbit, run!" It gloated when firing once to send a man yelping when an almighty cracking like shot struck solid granite splintering pieces wildly when impacting it. Elena settled in aligning her own scope to breathe calmly preparing for a counter-shot to the creature's gleeful demeanor.

"Ace-lead, I do trust you know to lay down suppressive fire upon that Chosen." She placidly recommended when seeing the creature firing some sort of grappling line to swiftly reposition itself. Through a scope's magnification she noticed an oddity with this Chosen, it seemed oddly reminiscent of Stalker's own appearance save for being larger and less armored. It definitely couldn't be mistaken when gunshots erupted off towards her left, if anything invoking said creature's presence turned out to be terribly timed.

Her student's voice erupted to quickly inform their would be reinforcements, "Grimm, to Ace-Lead! Stalker is on our ass, get over here now!" Elena aligned a shot as the Chosen's voice filtered over their communications frequencies chuckling naturally, "Oh!" Biting down old memories of this creature taunting herself did it ever notice happily, "It appears we have a Reaper tonight. How extraordinarily fortunate to see one of your kind, after so long!"

Grimm ran with the VIP between herself and a lone surviving operative who took cover when another laser lined itself teasing. She didn't hesitate to firing a single shot as it struck the Chosen directly in an arm causing him to snarl, "Lucky shot, Reaper!" It swiftly made itself reposition to the far side of a building's top as various rigging and pipes forced herself to avoid wasting ammunition. I can't get a clean shot on it, but it's got a powerful weapon to literally sear through thin metal and there's very little I can accomplish.

The creature's voice smugly taunted her personally, "What's wrong? Can you see me?" Another might crackling shot rang out nearly taking an Ace soldier's head clean off. Only through sheer realization by hunkering down behind a square like fan unit saved his skin. But this Chosen hardly seemed deterred to laugh openly, "I see you all. But it seems like you Reaper, I have a special friend out here tonight who deserves recognition for our duel."

Staring pointedly she'd caught a glimpse of one lone hazy outline moving between two Ace soldiers who noticed immediately. They've taken my advice to heart it seems, I'm incredibly flattered! Smirking briefly when one man threw some sort of orb, it exploded to radiate lines of red and within moments Stalker's form materialized brightly. She expected the creature to seemingly be stunned, or hesitate yet it only sprinted past several Aces to take cover behind piping. The Chosen chortled loudly while viewing everything she'd been witnessing simultaneously.

"Ah, I suppose spoiling the fun is smart enough." Stalker crouched just out of a scope's peripheral to fire his own firearm which amounted to one soldier crying out. Apparently the one manning a heavy mini-canon clutched an arm, "Oh, I bet that hurt! Do you want someone to make it better, soldier of XCOM?" The damned Chosen cooed while laughing lowly taking absolute humor in seeing them scrambling to fire back resolutely infuriated.

Within moments a red line prominently glowering due to the lack of natural light stood out ominously tracking another Ace soldier. The Reaper quickly found herself torn when Stalker sprinted from his own cover, if only to slid underneath pipes which obscured him as steam arose due to ventilation shafts and outside air meeting in extreme duress. An almost furious voice demanded, "Outrider take care of that son of a bitch, we'll handle Stalker and bring it down! Ace's pair up, fan out and keep low to bring down this monster, understood?"

Elena frowned when filters along her rifle's scope started picking out an outline as another ear shrieking shot flew to blow apart partial cover. The Ace soldier who'd been targeted found himself flung to the side while grasping his side, "Oh, so close!" An ever smug creature lamented as it moved yet again laughing lowly over open communications frequencies. But a sudden warning came from Bradford who sounded close to urgently alarmed.

"Be advised Advent's got drop-ships inbound to your position, Aces! Get the VIP secured and signal Firebrand to get you all out, don't try to think you'll outgun them today." They got a fairly secured estimation when orders came down from the commander apparently, "Commander says get yourselves out of there and haul ass. You don't want to stick around, we've got an indicator Advent's been monitoring the facility and they're hell intent on getting you all. It's time to move your asses, Aces, Grimm and you, Outrider!"

Her scope aligned to where the Chosen had shot as Ace lead's voice crackled sharply, "Negative on us getting extracted, Central. We're pinned by that damned bastard and Stalker, we'll do what can to bring the hurt on them." Elena pulled the weapon's trigger as a crack struck true making said creature avoid being struck, "Is that what you call shooting, little Reaper? Perhaps you'll do nicely, since I'm impressed I think you need to learn what it means to be stalked."

She glared not remotely amused when consistent gunfire erupted due to an armored figure sprinting across the rooftop. He's going to use Stalker to pressure me, how quaint considering I have suitable munitions to bring it down. Angling herself downward while loading in armored piercing rounds capable to pierce an intended target, Elena managed to align a scope just over where the uncloaked creature moved nimbly. It slid underneath piping when a soldier spotted it as lead flew streaking in tearing loose material apart consistently.

Yet the uncloaked humanoid wedged itself in between debris and solid metal piping forcing her to hiss silently in irritation. Putting a gloved finger to radio the squad leader did she report, "Ace lead, be advised Stalker is pinned but I cannot flush him out. Place enough firepower on it, I'll contend with the Chosen, over." There wasn't much she'd be able to do considering another trail of red light followed ominously another Ace who sprinted as a beam exploded inches from his head. Any longer they'd risk being casualties in a prolonged game of cat and mouse, Stalker's presence further fueled urgency to even their odds somehow.

Weaponry flared to life openly shredding anything mandible as an armored creature hardly moved yet the squad effectively kept it in check. Or so it had appeared at first. Elena blinked once until movement vigorously drew a scope leveling onto Stalker's partially obscured form. What are you doing now, creature? She thought warily when gunfire briefly ceased due to reloading from several Aces who took cover just as the Chosen's rifle shot explosively tore into granite. Stalker's arm rose until a thin glinting metallic line rapidly shot across open ground, it immediately tightened visibly and the next thing she witnessed was an armored humanoid skidding along soundlessly.

"What the shit!" The Reaper heard one Ace swear aloud on open communications when diving aside as a bladed weapon nearly took his leg cleanly off due to Stalker's deliberate outreach. It came screeching due to metallic plating abruptly stopping a creature as it bounded forward retracting wiring and her blood froze momentarily out of sudden realization. He's coming right at me! It sprinted wildly left to right as if making itself an almost incredibly nimble target silhouette which caused her scope to flicker due to it's actions alone.

Stalker hadn't slowed down even when Ace lead's voice shrieked dangerously frustrated, "Gun the bastard down! Take him down!" Reddish lines once visibly potent started fading gradually as a flickering reflecting of light started surrounding an armored form. Those scanners weren't meant to last long, or have a larger range! Shen, if I survive this you'll need to rectify these dangers or else I'll force you to work night and day tirelessly! She vowed internally while exhaling loudly in a bid to trace the armored humanoid's strides despite a scope filtering out effects to have it stand out, if anything taking this thing down would make their favor in a battle closer to achieve victory.

"Ah, ah, ah." Her eyes closed due to a red light brightly making an almost natural reaction as a Chosen spoke tauntingly coy, "Let's see if you're willing to die, little Reaper." Either she took the shot, or took to being shot left little to debate! In a rare hiss of genuine anger she swore, "Outrider relocating! Aces, cover me or we all die!" Below bullets struck rapidly across an approaching killer which nearly became undetectable to visible eyes, Elena stowed a rifle on hand and tensed up bracing to leap off from a corner perch when it'd exploded in a seething broil of red and orange. Plastic and warped metallic frame struck her back as she landed grunting lowly.

Damn you Hunter, I could've had one less threat neutralized! She didn't bother looking back instead in favor of running lowly behind any form of object, or piping aligning the entire environment. Behind multiple rounds struck wildly yet concentrated on an area encroaching to roughly estimate where a cloaked predator blended effectively into despite moonlight bathing them all in pale ambiance. Peering over a shoulder vividly did filters built within eye sockets notice a gleaming shimmer looming ominously briefly veering away. God damn it all, it appears Stalker was sent to keep me at bay since I was the only capable to shoot back at the talkative bastard who hunted my people for sport.

Quickly skidding to a stop as she crouched down behind cover partially exposing leather padding along her cloak did hands expertly begin reloading munitions. Magazines swiftly exchanged with those capable of piercing heavily armored hostiles, "Capable to pierce even a Beserker's hide. Let's see if your claim holds truth in it, Shen." She whispered all too anxiously as a heart raced from urgency in being pushed to survive for once after numerous years of honing skill and it'd be tested once again in a battle of instinct.

The rifle's barrel came up leveled as she peered around a corner crouched all too prepared for hunting monsters that her people thrived to achieve continuously. Let's find out just who moves first, Stalker. Checking over both shoulders revealed nothing save for a building's edge that lead below into the parking lot where their initial entry point had been. Gunfire erupted in earnest as Ace lead's voice bellowed out alarmingly, "Advent drop ships! Thin them out, spread them out and give them lead, Aces! We're not dying here tonight, understand!"

Overhead transports with Advent troops literally landed just mere meters as humanoid's rushed forward with an Officer pointing directly forward. Where will you strike? Moving nimbly towards an outcropping of pipe and metallic grates ventilating internal heat, Elena swept a rifle peering into the scope seeing literally nothing save for flashes of muzzle fire and figures trying to garner an angle on each other. Yet the cloaked creature never dared to reveal itself leaving little to imagine it'd wait patiently as documented.

"Outrider!" She frowned when hearing Grimm speak up from a relatively secured position as her lone operative supported their VIP into moving closer towards the Ace's lines, "I don't have a visual on Stalker! I think it's trying to place itself between you and our Aces, can you confirm any movement on your end? Over!" She blinked absently when a chill ran up her spinal cord as a scope moved itself instinctively towards multiple muzzle flashes as shots rang out in earnest. With so much noise and adrenaline it'd certainly seemed likely to find opportunity with so little time to react, if anything it had wanted herself to think otherwise.

God damn it all, it wanted me to move! And now, I see it! The shimmering outline stood out when an Ace carrying his own scoped rifle had his back turned as Stalker's form dissipated right into open view. Their lone marksmen far too late looked up in stunned fascination while mid shot yelling out, "I'm flanked!" A sword swiftly went upright into pinning a bellowing man through his torso to be impaled right into thinner material kicking wildly. She didn't hesitate when pulling a trigger as her round tore soundlessly through air screaming to hit it square in an upper shoulder.

Stalker flung itself while stumbling to both knees yet managed to raise a pistol to unleash one singular booming crack in silencing an Ace abruptly. Her scowl in seeing an entire face blown apart left little to assume the Ace marksmen survived, "One of us is done! But I can see Stalker's wounded!" Another man called out bellowing when unleashing an entire drum of munitions from a cannon shredding apart literally meters worth of pipe, ventilation and forced a creature sprinting awkwardly to slide behind cover all too naturally aware of its injuries. But the damage had already been done when the squad's medic rushed over to collect dog tags.

"Firebrand is swinging around, Aces! Hold for just another minute!" Central's voice called out giving a much needed update as Elena moved forward intending to capitalize on wounded prey. You'll soon regret sparing a chance to keep me pinned, creature. Two lives on my watch, I will not allow a third as long as I have a bullet on hand. Crouching to come around a corner she saw nothing even with the scope filtering out obstacles, Stalker either fled or it'd jumped off the building entirely possibly well aware of the limited maneuverability.

Peering below revealed only parking lots, or open patches of grass leading up to walls as several Advent guards started firing. She quickly stopped to nimbly find cover to prop a rifle's barrel to swiftly send two shots silencing them immediately. Two bullets left, before I'm forced to reload magazines! Lightly irritated she checked behind herself seeing nothing before proceeding along an edge, it'd be effective to determine whether it'd strike from below or seemingly make another appearance. Yet ironically something else had seen temptation when red light blinded her interior eye sockets of a mask blatantly.

"Oh!" The deadly smug Chosen's purring voice reverberated over open communications, "Now I know where you are little Reaper. Run, if you dare!" Elena hissed quietly forgoing caution to sprint swiftly inwards as that red beam hounded herself relentlessly. This is utterly ridiculous, simple but effective. No doubt it'll use Stalker to draw our attention and flush either myself, or anyone it wants on it's preference. And without Ace's marksmen, I can't afford to have someone competent enough to force that Chosen to find a new perch.

She realized in morbid fascination that bordered grudging respect for what Stalker and the Chosen had done in effective motives. They intentionally targeted another marksmen, to leave me the sole threat to them both at longer ranges. Damn, I'd have done the same in these creature's place if I wanted to funnel threats into acceptable handling. Her boots crunched over loose pieces of tin, or piping as heat scorched a shoulder when diving just underneath the projectile slamming right through loose material in an explosive fury.

"Where is Stalker?" Ace lead's voice growled out when she'd knelt down in seeing a hole for the face on their deceased squad member. Shots went overhead as several soldiers, Elena noted returned fire sending several into heaps of limp limbs. The Reaper quietly activated her own communications channel to get to her wayward student who more, or less moved relatively effectively whenever the firefight slowed at times. She spoke informing a grim faced young girl to continue pressing forward through the carnage, "Don't stop, Grimm. Once you're behind friendly lines, I expect you'll hold position and secure the VIP."

She let a gloved hand drop back onto the weapon's grip while cautiously peeking around to just see red light blindly grow potently. Shit! Immediately ducking away from an edge which got blasted into literal pieces caused a heart rate to increase naturally due to adrenaline, "Too close." Edging away towards an opposite end of the ventilation shaft ended up similarly with another beam of light shattering pieces of metal and stone. The Chosen particularly wasn't going to relent until it'd either claimed her, or killed what it desired ultimately.

"Outrider!" Her eyes narrowed when frowning as Ace squad's leader hissed out lividly, "Do you have a visual on that cloaked bastard?" The Reaper came unnaturally close to retorting tightly yet managed to remain partially aware of her surroundings, "Negative. The Chosen's persistence in claiming my head, or capturing myself is quite vexing when it'd deliberately used Stalker to target the only other individual capable to harm it. Secure the VIP and begin preparation for extraction Ace-Lead, there's no chance of prolonging this kill zone."

The hooded Reaper took a breath before sprinting across open gaps as a red solidified line followed ominously ahead. Already distance between their expected extraction zone and herself dauntingly gave a cruel possibility in being separated. Advent troopers started appearing from behind their position as ladders became funnels of armored humanoids taking positions, "Outrider! If I can get some ground on these guys, I'll get you a clear path by covering you." Grimm voice out almost too loudly showcasing a lack of control despite trying to foster dimming hope. Elena simply smiled merely out of sheer exasperation since emotional conditioning took far longer than rifling apparently, but she wasn't blind by possibilities long expected.

Coming to a stop she skidded to brace the weapon's length alongside solid material peering further down from herself. Nothing stood out save for seeing where Grimm and her operative handling Valhen behind a ventilating shaft provided ample concealment. The scopes infrared melded with internal eye sockets that visibly magnified obvious distress and concern upon her student's face. You know we all face our deaths in this war, girl. I'm no exception, neither are you and nor do we control who is left behind to safeguard those to endure.

An Ace screamed loudly updating their further deteriorating perimeter, "I got Advent hauling ass onto our position! There's a lot more coming up, we need to bug out like yesterday!" Streaks of bullets, or muzzle flashes lit up an entire rooftop as numerous humanoids who'd worn armor got cut down ruthlessly due to well position cross fires. Elena wasted little time in order to over-watch Grimm and the VIP's safety while gunning down an Advent trooper who stuck his head out to get a shot on said stationary group.

"Grimm, move now or you risk endangering our mission's objective." She ordered curtly making the girl grip their VIP with another youthful boy as together particularly dragged themselves further ahead where an angled roof stood in their way. At this rate you'll get yourself killed, our VIP and we'd have wasted our lives for nothing. Just what is making you...oh, no! Behind the small group a shimmering outline appeared ominously as it moved utterly parallel to their backs. Stalker had chosen it's time to strike as always at the worst of their times.

Her student whipped around screaming over gunfire as Stalker came striding forward yanking the girl right out of a scope's sight. Shit, shit, shit! Urgency took hold due to adrenaline when sprinting from ventilating shaft to shaft using it's low profile to avoid a Chosen's tracking beam. The reddish glow continuously hounded her steps as the very said creature purred happily, "Run little Reaper, run and make this worth some sport. You'll do nicely, I imagine!" Elena ignored it despite slipping underneath exposed pipes which burst explosively due a projectile slicing through everything as pain racked a shoulder blade blisteringly.

Looking over made said painful recognition become prominently worse off as blackened cloth and padding greeted exposed flesh. It skimmed me, if only just avoiding in blowing off the limb. Any closer in mere inches, Elena internally shivered since she'd have met an end by loss of blood. Nothing short of choking sensations of horror to bleed out. Don't stop, move or die! Pushing onto all fours she began crawling underneath exposed pipes trailing overhead as that red beam kept tracing left to right, a sign of being hunted relentlessly by the Chosen personally.

"Grimm!" She called out while shifting underneath debris trying to get contact as seconds ticked away closer to fatal possibilities, "Stalker is right on top of you! Get yourself and the VIP moving, now!" Ahead gunshots rang out coming from a pistol as the Reaper scowled angrily in sheer frustration. The red beam held steady slightly off to her left, a solidified projectile stuck slicing through thin concealment forcing herself to adjust accordingly. No response came from a younger woman who she'd undertaken to be a credible student and her eyes briefly closed trying to fend off an inevitable assumption.

Gunfire erupted above her position as rounds from both friendly and enemy struck pieces of solid granite off foundations. Just managing to cram underneath tight spacing, a small ladder leading upwards onto another level of roofing greeted adrenaline fueled veins. Flashes of red and white mixed as internal mechanical sockets retracted, "Disgusting." She muttered to sling the rifle behind while sliding firmly sideways to just barely begin climbing out of a nearly minted grave. Shaking herself free of tensed up muscle to begin climbing did little to ward off natural concern, if anything Grimm's silence indicated Stalker without doubt.

Getting up to where the ladder curled to allow any climber to step up soundly did she try again, "Does anyone have visual on Grimm, or the VIP?" Calling out over open communications was met with a squad leader hissing back, "Negative Outrider! We're bogged down, I can barely tell who is where and what's barely human." Not even mere moments did the hooded Reaper managed to just look up before enemy fire forced her onto both knees! Throwing herself behind some sort of mangled ventilation shaft left little to imagine how many Advent advanced upon their position, they needed to be extracted or else a worsened fate awaited them all.

Wonderful, if I survive this madness I will have words about... Elena abruptly cried out when a massive force literally sent her flying backwards! Frantically scrambling to find any purchase did a gloved hand wrap around metallic bars which nearly got yanked out of rooted bolts. Struggling to fight against the crushing force caused another hand frantically flipping aside loose clothing to reach for a leather hilt as glinting metal managed to be unsheathed. Oh no, I know what is happening!

Gnashing both sets of teeth tightly to nearly nick her own tongue was due to one glistening wire wrapped around a boot. Angling the blade she swiped downwards wrapping wiring around and it snapped immediately as a loose end tore into clothe furiously. Panting she immediately looked ahead seeing the ladder looming overhead, "Firebrand's inbound, people! Get yourselves and the VIP moving, Advent is bringing in more reinforcements." Bradford's voice called out in conjunction due to an audible roaring when an aircraft began descending from where mountains dipped to allow clear flight plans.

"Outrider!" Ace lead's voice grounded out straining due to an influx of incoming fire forcing them all to hold their positions, "Where the hell is Grimm and the..." A pealing static interrupted that question with said person huffing and puffing, "Coming upfront! Stalker took a hit, but I don't know where it went but Vahlen's with Chris and I!" Elena started dragging herself back towards a ladder while breathing sharply due to an almost dislocated shoulder, it became clear getting out wasn't going to happen due to a looming danger.

The Reaper frozen when a shimmering outline appeared above peering down right where she'd been yanked earlier. Damn, it's not going to let me flee. Inhaling briefly she began moving away as that outline appeared to be scanning for her attentively, "Ace lead, get everyone in the landing-zone and get yourselves out of here. I can't make it, Stalker and that Chosen intend on capturing me alive...don't waste time and flee." She spoke tensely trying to move slightly back towards an opening from underneath so many ventilating piping as liquid dripped occasionally. Steam obscured her entire frame just enough to see something heavy drop down from the ladder itself.

Only place I can possibly avoid capture, is either fight my way into the forest or finding somewhere to hide in this facility somehow! Carefully pulling herself with an arm as a boot continuously dug into gravel to push towards an opening did Grimm's voice nearly shout, "We're not leaving you behind, Outrider! You can make it and get Stalker onto open ground." Elena inwardly chortled finding such confidence easier said than done considering the circumstances. They were achieving a victory at cost, if anything her capture would ease pressure off those who'd know more in hindsight.

Yet she held no illusions being captured would yield pleasantry conditions to endure at their enemy's hands. Hissing lowly while keeping an eye on distortions which were a creature's legs proved difficult due to heated steam, "I'll evade capture if I can, but don't risk anymore then what we expected to lose Katherine. Use what I taught you, to place into practice and one day you'll find an opportunity to bring down what you want to kill." Grunting as she managed to get herself out from underneath tightly compacted piping, Elena remained crouched clutching a shoulder resisting to pant from fiery sensations growing stronger inside said limb.

Sweat dripped down within the interior of her mask yet she managed to spot a possible route off said building. Above Firebrand came swooping to hover just above an opened area, "Extraction zone is hot! But let's book it Aces, Advent's got enemy aircraft hauling ass!" The pilot relayed from within a cockpit with engines screaming shrilly causing a miniature cyclone of a storm blowing up dust, dirt, granite or anything light enough in wild abandon. Small pieces of loose granite came falling overhead as the Reaper managed to get behind a ventilation shaft partially mangled due to gunfire when she'd noticed seeing Advent troopers moving forward.

They were slightly above her position yet none looked down to instead focus on shooting ahead of them leaving time to move unseen. None checked below leaving her to clutch a shoulder burning internally to peek along an entire building's edge, "Outrider!" Bradford's voice rang out once it became apparent she'd hadn't been spotted by Firebrand's pilot, "You need to haul ass to the LZ, or you'll be left behind. There's no second chances, if you're left behind we can't guarantee your safety and God knows what will happen to you."

The Reaper smiled fairly aware to reply strained as she ducked out of sight while keeping eyes out for an enemy that hunted out of sight, "I'll do what I must, John. One life to change the tide of war is inconsequential, get them out of here." Gripping a knife tightly while moving towards a ladder closest would be difficult enough yet no doubt she had no illusion being captured alive warranted painless circumstances in Advent's hands. Leaning against cover with the scoped rifle slung meant she wouldn't be defenseless but speed was needed to hide into shadows of an environment, if only to prolong their enemy wasting time hopefully.

"We'll find a way to get you back." Central vowed sternly making her smile partially since time alone would make that decision all too apparent. Captivity, or being killed meant little chance for escape and if came down to it? I'll do myself that favor, we Reapers won't hesitate to give ourselves into death before allowing Advent to know where we operate. I'll do that same courtesy for XCOM, I swore that much for the cause itself.

Running past behind Advent troopers who were shooting upwards as ropes were being extended for those under fire being airlifted out. Their mission was a technical victory, but one at great price with one of their best killed in action and she herself being potentially captured. Either way, the war would continue and those who lost themselves in hunts, battlefields or anywhere became a graveyard due to a simple fact none could predict their demise. Elena chortled softly finding an irony, she'd at least know of that end after tonight regardless of chance. I can't linger here anymore, or else being captured without resorting to ending my life shall happen faster than I dare.

Ahead lay one ladder leading downwards onto a lower section of roofing where it lead out in a darkened parking lot. Vehicles which were large enough could be worth stowing herself onto seemed likely, if she remained silent and still until daylight. Several were prisoner transports similar to one they'd been provided, "Hope indeed." She murmured coming to sheath the knife while quickly trying to garner distance in climbing down until finding an appropriate height to leap off. Gnashing teeth tightly due to her shoulder being jostled around didn't help, but she managed halfway down until looking backward sharply due to hearing gravel shifting upward.

You're persistent, aren't you creature? The Reaper threw herself away when above an outline appeared of the armored humanoid looming overhead. Her feet crushed inward after several seconds falling abruptly to a stop as she rolled with momentum despite hissing out painfully when solid metal and rock met injured flesh. If I must die, I'll do it on my action and not your satisfaction! Struggling to get up while breathing beneath a mask to whip out an exposed knife left little imagination, Stalker wouldn't relent until it sought her as a prize for capture.

The armored creature swiftly leaped off coming to thunderously crush roofing with a prominent thud as external cloaking ceased to hide it. Electric ripples hissed in revealing armored plating as two yellowed sockets glowered underneath a cowl when it stood upright after moments of absorbing force. It's well documented firearm wasn't drawn yet the glimmering blade leaked crimson in being pointed away underneath moonlight. There wasn't much competition if close quarters combat was initiated, a sword and knife were entirely two different weapons for separate purposes. Yet the Reaper smiled regardless finding some semblance of respect it'd allow her to defend herself without resorting to a firearm capable to blow off limbs.

"Enjoy your victory, creature." She spoke simply while backing away cautiously trying to garner an angle to pierce armored plating, "But you have lost the prize." The masked humanoid lazily moved perpendicular staring silently, as if pondering words which was an oddity. Stalker from what she understood was prideful, smug and utterly confident yet not shy about speaking their language akin to the Hunter stalking them all tonight. It's silence must have warranted some sort of truth as it finally replied bemused to her senses.

"Already surrendering, I expected more from a Reaper of all people." His voice sounded fairly disappointing yet made no move closer save for shifting to have her adjust accordingly, "But it's not me you should beg for mercy. My master who is seeking you, I dare say I don't pity what awaits you if he finds you alive." He absently commented rightfully aware to make her hiss quietly, if the Chosen got it's hands on what it sought for preference to interrogate? She had to die by this creature's hand somehow, or death would be difficult to attain while in a Chosen's captivity considering Prata Mox had yet been confirmed dead months ago.

The Reaper sprinted immediately making Stalker perk up rapidly as she ducked underneath a sword's slash to slice into it's abdomen. Yet steel skidded off in a series of sparks making him grunt as a knee slammed right back sending her sprawling away. Shaking off a jaw shattering hit did little when an armored boot kicked her square in the chest making her roll away, "You want to die! I can see why, but why shouldn't I do to you?" Stalker questioned mainly amused to prowl while she gasped out air to clutch a knife that wouldn't be able to pierce his armored exterior.

He leaped forward sword overhead as Elena screamed in just managing to duck underneath another thrust while lunging forward blindly. But her vision got jarred when a solid fist sent her tumbling off opposite as a knife slipped after rolling several meters aside. Damn creature's armor, it makes it's strength already above any human. Panting while shaking off blurred vision did little when said monster remained still lazily sheathing an unneeded weapon onto his back. What is it doing, does it want me to beg or...

Stalker knelt down to fetch a knife which got inspected momentarily until he threw it back leisurely in front of herself. The hell is this farce? Gripping said knife's leather grip tightly did little when the monster provoked, "Get up, Reaper. Give me an excuse to kill you, or else my master will have you wish that I wasn't trying to earn a worthy trophy." Anger naturally surged when it'd toy with her as a meager threat, a means to an end and it was taunting her that mercy was something earned in a duel where death meant victory in itself.

"You will regret believing yourself above me, creature." She grounded out getting onto both legs shaking off numbed sensations as an arm limply fell. The armored monster partially looked over briefly to coyly beckon her forward, "I'll believe it, when I see it...woman." He teased mockingly to spark an infuriating fury when rushing forward slashing lividly, as it leaned back with both hands aside as she tried desperately to find purchase in between plates. Kicking an open leg hardly deterred a laugh gleefully finding joy in seeing her helplessness.

Brandishing an edge to strike just underneath its jaw proved a terrible mistake of judgment when hands shot forward. They wrapped themselves akin to snakes around an extended forearm forcing her to scream when pressure exerted came close to snapping bone, "Oh, am I being too gentle?" Stalker hummed loudly to throw her back first into metal and granite, "I can fix that, Reaper." A fist buried itself right into her sternum making vomit almost certain when blows rang quickly and mercilessly in sending herself spinning vigorously.

An uppercut uplifted both legs off the very ground as she cried out when an elbow thunderously hammered on one purposeful angle. Her mask got sent flying off to the side as blood spat out when she fell onto an arm panting for air naturally, "And I expected you to be more of a challenge. I guess you've never had someone get this close you, or am a little wrong to assume." Stalker's smug tone implied slyly amusement when a rib crushing kick sent her slamming right into the wall's granite to have air wheeze in rapidly.

The humanoid knelt down again this time pulling up a mask which was dented along one side due to an armored elbow. He turned it over several times musing openly entertained, "Your kind hide supposedly, to kill without being seen and flee whenever something drags you out into open ground. That's your problem though, it's not an if but simply when...something can make you become easily prey." It lingered on a mask leaving Elena to weakly spit out a saliva and bloodied mix right into an armored chest plate glowering with a dull yellow hue. Stalker hardly seemed fazed yet looked right into her eyes for several moments pondering quietly to himself.

"Kill me...coward." She rasped out refusing to showcase frustration despite grinding teeth weakly, "I will not beg for mercy." The monster chuckled lowly to absently toss the mask over his shoulder to have it clank below distantly. He got up briefly looking upwards to see Firebrand beginning to spiral in place preparing to flee, "Mercy? You aren't worth it, Reaper. And do you want to know what I think about you?"

The creature suddenly lunged forward when a flash of light and jolting force sent her aside without warning. Warmth trickled down her chin while rasping out for air as another thundering force crushed ribs inward making her hoarsely shriek, "You aren't worth killing." A distance distorted voice chuckled when the monster's hand grasped her neck making breathing almost impossible. Being hoisted while enfeebling kicking, or trying to pry claps for fingers aside proved in vain when Stalker's masked face came right into view.

Her vision blurred between coloration of murky gray, yellow and white as legs found themselves having no purchase on solid ground. She was being dangled over several stories high with little room to realize it wouldn't be fatal entirely, "You're not worth being my trophy, Reaper. My master will find you and I hope you realize disappointing me...is your greatest mistake." Stalker whispered softly to gleeful allow her to snarl faintly trying to claw at air as legs tried in vain to land defiant strikes. Yet it barely did anything save for herself to twitching underneath the monster's hand, Elena regardless gurgled out liquid to spit naturally.

However the creature slammed another fist right into her jawline as something snapped within in making her cry out lowly. Slowly Stalkre's image started blurring out when she felt air rushing past as gravity took her down effortlessly. My death is only...a price for victory. Lips twitched into a smile as a sudden darkness took hold. And the last thing Elena realized was slamming back first right into solid concrete blacking out.

---

I walked forward staring down at an unconsciousness bloodied woman who wore the clothing of a Reaper breathing shallowly. My jawline twitched angrily underneath when I activated an internal command to an open communications channel for an Advent officer, "Captain! Come to the loading bay intermediately, I need you to get someone back to a safe house. We have a change of plans, understood?" I spoke tensely while looking out over towards an exposed patch ground leading to a fence-line that lead further into forested terrain.

Walking over several steps I found a mask heavily dented as I picked it up weighing said object attentively. Internally I heard words from someone who I never dreamed speak to me, I almost found it surreal yet ideally I couldn't help but grin savagely. 'Help her, survive! Please, Reb...I'll get you whatever you want but don't let Elena die! Please!' Katherine's pleas were too damned intriguing to pass up when I'd cornered her and Vahlen as this very person almost pierced my armor's back which I had to attend too soon.

"Elena." I tested that name briefly to see a bruised and broken jawline belonging to someone who'd betray XCOM apparently to survive. I was genuinely curious to figure out why she'd all but beg me, after all that supposed snark and anger in getting me annoyed. Survive? Katherine, if you're so willing to betray everyone to have your teacher last another day? Interesting, I actually went through to humor it and as a result...Master Grim-Lance doesn't know you're alive, Reaper. I studied a mask for several moments before peering ahead to laugh underneath my breath since everything was far too entertaining at this point.

Stepping back I threw said object as far as I'd been able to have it land over fencing after rolling several meters somewhere out of sight. False trail, that'll work! Cautiously I knelt down again gently yet firmly feeling for broken bone as the woman's lower face seemed crooked with ugly blue and purple toned flesh expanding gradually. I twitched my own jawline again frustrated when I found myself deciding on whether ambition, or obedience meant for than the other. Grim-Lance was a teacher I respected, but trusted? I quietly scowled knowing that was a foolish danger I suspected he'd exploit, I wasn't naive expecting that which I hadn't been wrong since hunting alongside him.

"You'd tell your sister, if it didn't suit you." I whispered chuckling to reach out dragging a woman by her collar towards an Advent prisoner transporter. Unraveling a sling attached to the rifle which needed to be left behind in avoiding suspicion, I inspected it momentarily impressed by such effort to nearly kill me. If I had been angled differently, I knew that whatever shot a projectile could have pieced my back and gotten close to a vital organ. My ambition is above even your baited kindness, master Grim-Lance and I have no intention of having it ruined by pretty lies.

Laying out the weapon aside I kept an unconsciousness Reaper underneath the vehicles darkened underbelly to casually eject a magazine. Pointing upwards I fired to hear a crackling echo momentarily while tossing said rifle aside, "Things I do to make sure I get what I want." I muttered tiredly amused to lean against a vehicle's exterior awaiting the conclusion above. The enemy's aircraft began speeding off with tracer fire from Advent troops desperately in vain trying to impede it, but XCOM had gotten what they wanted despite suffering loses.

Upwards along a ramp did doors begin lifting revealing several Advent troopers walking down in a loose triangular formation after waiting patiently. I looked over seeing the captain personally order said group to halt, "Sir?" He questioned naturally curious as I motioned him to peer at a bloodied enemy for several moments. I reached up pulling my suit's mask off to inhale lightly as cool air felt far more refreshing despite circumstances changing into far more dangerous territory. If anyone else but us caught wind of this technical treason, I wouldn't escape consequences from either Grim-Lance or Void-Blade entirely.

"This is treason against the Three." I heard him clearly state while staring at an enemy who'd should have been handed over to Grim-Lance, "No, it's not." I retorted to slyly tap my temple far too happily, "It's in my ambition's progress to hold onto an insurance, captain. Unexpectedly it seems that a trojan promised I'd be able to set foot where XCOM hides itself, I cannot overlook such a guarantee without risking possibilities for my master's to shall we say, learn of their location?" The officer tilted his head accordingly debating internally for a minute to finally nod slowly, I almost clapped mockingly proud for him finally getting it.

Nothing I do is without hindsight, captain. Either Katherine makes do on this promise, to get me inside XCOM's supposed headquarters or I kill this Reaper, or hand her over to my masters. I internally thought while laughing quietly to order, "Send for medics. Ones you can trust, or apart of our little group and we'll get her back to that exposed safe-house to keep this facade intact. I think a guest is going to learn how much hospitality an enemy offers, if you think security is going to reworked and kept tight to set a trap in place."

The humanoid looked down again momentarily inspecting an enemy operative, "We'll have to separate you from routine security measures in place. But I believe it is doable, Retribution." His gloved hand clicked an internal communications device to speak in Advent's language as other troopers began securing a parking lot over-watching for others, if they happened to come upon this scene. I gave them authorization regardless to avoid accidents, "Anyone not apart of us, I trust you'll silence them and make sure none learn of this troopers. No witnesses tonight, no one but us knows of what has happened."

I smiled far too entertained to clip my mask onto a belt securely, "The Reaper escaped further north into the forests, we have evidence to support it. And as such, I'll inform Master Grim-Lance when I can, Captain." He looked over a shoulder nodding simply despite rigidly holding an almost live weapon whose safety came close in being turned off. I'd kept a hand on my own weapon visibly yet it was only a show of force to maintain what I ordered to be carried out. There couldn't be any hesitation, or else I'd regret betraying what I stood to achieve since childhood.

The pieces are set, I have a way into get what I want! And if that fails, I have someone whose worth more to be interrogated by. Master Void-Blade wouldn't mind it, if anything she'd approve of using her brother's supposed 'kindness' against him to give her an edge. I smiled plainly since I had contingency routes to escape severe dangers, if not outright be allowed to operate relatively unscathed. XCOM had their days numbered, I had the means to find them either through Katherine or if need be, I had the Reaper whose name was Elena as an alternative.

"Have you thought about giving yourself a name yet, captain?" I asked mainly curious to see him speaking quietly into a secured communications frequency as another voice replied. He kept his back turned for several moments until chatter ceased. But once that ended he replied with a curt answer, "No, sir." Raising an eyebrow briefly I'd have pegged him to at least consider one, "I have not."

That proved slightly disheartening yet I made no effort to pressure him into deciding what he'd call himself eventually. Oh well, I guess things can't always go my way. I watched him wave forward troopers to begin securing a perimeter leaving me by myself to inspect an injured Reaper once again. I couldn't help but chuckle in realizing I'd place myself closer death for doing what any human would do for another. I wondered just how long could I manage to hide from my master's who would be closer to achieving their ambitions, if they only allowed me to do what I needed to accomplish for them to secure this world.

Smirking lightly did my eyes look upward to see a moon being covered by cloud cover. I could appreciate some beauty in this world, I found tonight to be another excellent sign of progress and that was worth enjoying many things. But as far I was concerned, I still had plenty of dangers to circumvent until I reached where I needed to go. And that was what made me come close to chuckling of out sheer exasperation for thinking being less than human made me less of a monster. I knew being human meant being a better monster without doubt.

End Chapter XVI

Author's Note: If there's one thing about this character, I do like the idea of expecting different choices and seeing whether he's setting himself up to fail or succeed. More will be revealed next chapter during that moment in the firefight where Stalker and Grimm were left alone, let's just say things going to get very dangerous for those pretending to lie. Nonetheless I hope everyone enjoyed the chapter, I hope you all have a safe holiday and spend time with the families. Happy holidays, see you all in the New Year to come.

Leave a review, and enjoy yourselves.