Sighing I look around once more. Trees surrounding me for as far as the eye can see, with me sitting on a boulder in a clearing. Looking up at the sky I see that night is soon to come. Shaking my head I return my attention to my sidearm, continuing to fiddle with it as I wait for Firebrand to pick me up. The longer I wait the more my imagination runs wiled. The possibility of Firebrand getting shot down in rout while unlikely, still existed. Adding to this uneasy feeling of mine is that Firebrand makes a point to never be late for pickups.
And as of now, she's one hour late. With a grunt I push myself on to my feet, my elevated position allowing me to look over the treetops. Staring at the direction where Firebrand should show up from, I shift my weight from one foot to the other. My eyes scanning the horizon for any unnatural movement. Minutes pass as I stand motionless, but noise from behind me snapped me out of my frozen state.
Swiftly turning around I raise my handgun, ready to defend myself. As I watch the trees the noise returns, a sound one will find hard to forget. The sound of chitin rapidly clicking.
Recognizing the noise, I make my way down the boulder as fast, and as silently as possible. Reaching the ground I make sure to hide all off my body behind the boulder, pressing myself against it in my attempt. The clicking grew louder and louder with every moment that passes. With the sound rapidly approaching I make sure that my handgun is ready, while slowly removing my knife from its resting place on my chest.
The sound, just as it had grown loud, started to rapidly die down. After a few moments it disappeared completely, but I stayed hidden for a few more minutes, wanting to make sure that it's safe.
Rounding the boulder I inspect my surroundings, gun raised and scanning for targets. Satisfied with the lack of hostiles I allow my arms to fall limp. Looking at the ground in front of the boulder I see it full of holes coming and going from the forest. Walking up to the holes I kneel besides them and drag my hand over the closest hole. By the looks of it, I'd say around seven chryssalids are in that group. Looking in to the forest where they entered, I slowly make my way to the top of the boulder once more, taking my rifle in hand.
As I keep my gun trained in the direction the chryssalids went, a soft hum enters my ears. Turning my gaze upwards I see Firebrand stabilizing herself above me. The Skyranger wobbling more than I have ever seen it wobble before. Looking closer I see a large amount of scorch and impact marks all over her hull.
Frowning I take out my data pad to form a com link with Firebrand. After a few moment the connection is created.
"Firebrand, do you copy?" I inquire.
"A bit more static that I'd like, but it's good to hear your voice." She responded as the Skyrangers ramp lowered.
Looking up I prepare for the rope to descend, only to see a small eruption of sparks from above the ramp. Worse yet, following the small explosion I could hear distant roaring.
Turning back to where the chryssalids are I raise my rifle "Firebrand." I managed to say before she cut me off "I know! Give me a minute to manually set a rope down."
Shuffling my feet in to a more stable firing position I respond "Don't think I have a minute."
The sound of a struggling motor died as Firebrand only managed to voice a confused hum before my rifle roared to life. Half my magazines exiting it and digging in to the first chryssalid that emerged from the tree line, its body filled with heated metal crumbles to the ground.
Getting ready to fire at the next one, my eyes widen at the sight of over ten chryssalid emerging the tree line. There gaze settles on me, with them all roaring in unison as even more emerge from the tree line.
"Shit!" I yell, jumping off of the boulder and sprinting in the opposite direction. The sound of the chryssalids legs piercing the ground filled my ears as they follow me.
"Purgatory!" I hear Firebrand yell through my coms, her voice being muffled by the horde chasing me.
I focus all of my attention on running, and insuring that I don't ram a tree as I do. Not having the spare breath to respond to Firebrand. As I run I doge and weave between trees, vaulting over any that have fallen and ducking under the larger branches that try to block my path, Ignoring the smaller and thinner ones as they impact with my armor.
My surroundings quickly darkening the deeper I go in to the forest, making it ever harder to maneuver at top speed than it already is. But a flash of light that momentarily blinded me resolved that issue. As I run Firebrand insured to keep herself right above me, using her spotlight to illuminate my path and make it ever so slightly easier for me to stay alive.
"I really wish this thing had guns right about now!" Firebrand voiced her complaint as I managed to squeeze myself in between two large trees, with the sound of a few chryssalid impacting with said tree following mere moments later.
My legs started to burn and my lungs started to tighten. Ignoring the growing discomfort from the sudden life threatening situation I find myself in, continuing to use all my legs strength to keep what little distance I have from the chryssalid horde.
"Purgatory! There's a drop off to your 10, I'll position myself so that you can jump in to the back! Just a bit more and your home free!" Firebrand informed me as she speed up and went to my left, her spotlight insuring that I know where she is at all times.
As I run a sudden force hit my back, almost making me stumble and fall. Managing to steady myself, a new dose of adrenaline started poring through my veins, dulling the heat that I feel from my legs and lungs and allowing me to push my body ever so slightly more.
Firebrands light stopped moving, the beam shooting to my left so that it doesn't blind me as I run.
Bursting through the tree line I see only a few meters between the drop off and myself, with firebrand hovering in midair a little bit away from the drop off. Waiting for the last possible second, with my foot just on the edge, I jump.
With my body going in to the Skyranger, losing control of my landing I slide and role, with my shoulder hitting the back of the troop hold. Regaining myself quickly I look at the entrance, only to see a chryssalid as it as well jumped, followed by a few more that attempt the jump.
Sounding my entrance in to the Skyranger with a metallic clang, Firebrand started to close the ramp and speed up. Resulting in the chryssalids failing the jump, except for the first one.
Scrambling to my feet I raise my gun and pull the trigger. With only a few of the shots actually hitting the chryssalid as I threw my body to the side, avoiding a slash from the chryssalid, and in the process wasting the magazine. Letting go of my rifle I lunge at the chryssalid, my body slamming in to the chryssalids, resulting in the bought of us falling to the ground. Before it could recover I pulled my right arm back, with my left arm grabbing its shoulder and keeping it steady, only for my right arm to shot forward. My fist connecting with the chryssalids head, cracking the chitin and making its head jerk down from the force as it screeched. The sound of metal and chitin clashing echoed in the small troop hold from the impact. The chryssalids being disoriented for a few moments.
Not letting it recuperate I pull my knife out of its sheath, raising it high above my head. And bringing it down with all I have left in me. The blade piercing the top of the chryssalids head with ease, only stopping at the hand guard. Pulling the knife back towards me as its still in the chryssalid head, its body moves back until it stops as my handgun presses against its back. Moving my handgun up its spine I rapidly fire it. Sending seven shots in to the chryssalid at point blank range, ripping its back open and spraying orange all over the insides of the Skyranger.
Slouching down at the sound of my handgun clicking, I start taking in deep breaths. Ripping my knife out of the chryssalids head I stand up and start walking backwards. With my back making contact with the metal wall behind me, I let my body fall limp. With me sliding down the wall and on to the ground. A thin layer of orange liquid filling the back of the Skyranger.
Leaning my head back against the wall I start to calm my breathing, my body feeling extremely heavy now that the adrenaline has stopped flowing through my veins.
"Purgatory…?" I hear Firebrand ask through the coms now that silence started to consume the back of the Skyranger. Hesitation and worry clear in her voice.
"I'm alive." I croak out between deep breaths.
"Are you injured?"
Looking down at my body, I note the lack of red, and the extreme overabundance of orange "Don't think so….although you might kill me when you see the mess I made…" I respond, my eyes drifting to the mangled chryssalid corps.
"As long as you're alive for me to be upset at." She responded, making me chuckle.
"Get some rest back there, I think you've earned it." Firebrand said as silence once more returned.
Looking at the pool of blood, and then at the chryssalids head, that conveniently is facing me, I already know that getting rest won't be something I will do on the ride to the Avenger. No matter how much I'd like to as well, but it only takes a few minutes for my body to return to normal, well operationally normal. Seeing as my equipment sure has seen better days. With all the mud, dirt, dried blood, and now fresh blood coating it. And that's not counting the scratches from Lost, and the occasional other stray chryssalid I encountered.
Half an hour passed until I remembered something. One of the chryssalid struck my back while I was running. With a groan of bought annoyance and tiredness I push myself on to my feet. Removing my backpack from its spot on my back, I inspect it. And indeed, on the backside of my backpack a four digit slash mark can be seen. A rather deep slash now that I look at it closely. But as luck would have it, none of the remaining supplies I had on me were damaged. Mostly to thank for that is that the backpack is almost empty as is, empty magazines being its main content now.
Throwing the backpack on one of the empty seats I turn to the pilots door. Entering the cockpit I find myself in a little free space next to the pilots chair and controls, allowing the pilot to easily enter and exit the craft.
With the sound of my entrance Firebrand turned her head to look at me, her gaze moving from my head to my legs slowly, as if she was inspecting me.
"Wow, you look like shit." She promptly stated, her gaze returning to my helmet.
Glancing down at my armor, with it having lost most of its deep black color for grey, brown, a greenish yellow one and orange, I lock eyes, or rather lenses with Firebrand one again "I feel like shit as well."
With a chuckle she turned to look back to her controls "I'm sure you and the old girl can shear that statement."
With a hum I lean against a part of the wall that holds no electronic equipment "So, what happened to the Skyranger?"
With my question I could see Firebrand stiffen, with her sitting in her seat for a few moments, unmoving "Well… a haven was attacked by ADVENT not to long before I was supposed to start heading your way. Things kind of went from bad to worse and the ground team called in to be evacuated. And while I was getting them out, ADVENT decided to riddle me with as many rounds as they could. Barely made it back home, landing wasn't all that graceful ether…" she quickly informed me.
A hum escaped me as I looked back on the damage I saw before the chryssalid showed up, and ADVENT really did do a number on the Skyranger, with holes everywhere, pieces of the exterior armor missing in some places, as well with deformities from extreme heat.
Firebrand turned to look at me, and apparently misunderstood my response as she quickly added "You see that's why I was late, we had to fix up the Skyranger to a state where she would be safe to fly."
I returned my gaze to Firebrand from the celling "I know, don't worry. But why would you think I'd need an explanation as to why you were late?"
Returning her gaze to her consoles she spoke up again "Well, seeing as me being late is the reason you almost died, I figured you'd be somewhat upset at me."
Cocking my head to the side I pushed myself off of the wall "But I'm not dead. Besides, you're the reason I'm still alive right now. Not the reason I almost died."
A chuckle escaped Firebrand as she shook her head slightly "For somebody that nearly got ripped apart by chryssalid, you sure are in a forgiving mood."
"Well, you were delayed by events outside of your control. Even if I was upset it would be misplaced to aim it at you."
"I'm pretty sure it would be normal to be upset after a near death experience. Suppose your lack of a self-preservation instinct is to thank for that one, although you sure were in a hurry to stay alive."
Turning around I go to exit the cockpit "I'm not afraid of dying if that's what you're implying. But seeing as I can't kill the Elders if I'm dead, I'll try to keep myself alive for the time being."
As the door started shutting I heard Firebrand voice a uneasy "Huh?"
Leaning against the closest wall for support, I wait for us to reach the Avenger. Once back I will have to clean up my equipment, restock my supplies, visit the Doc for an overdue scan, and if I can, actually apologize to my squad mates…..
…..Entering through a door, I find myself in a large spacious room. The room contains many a objects of interest. The one that you see the moment you enter the room is the bar, found on the right hand wall. The center of the room is filled with several tables, all of which have six chairs per table. Across from the door, near the wall, two special tables can be found. A pool table, and a table tennis table. To my left, hanging on the wall a large TV is found. Underneath it many different entertainment devices can be found in the form of consoles, dvd players, and this 'Karaoke Machine' thing.
But the thing that caught me off guard is the lack of people. The Rec room is empty. The lights are even dimmed down, with three fourths of them turned off. But all things considered, I can see why this place is empty. Not many people would be awake until 3 A.M.
Walking up to the bar, I get behind the counter and take a bottle of water from the fridge there. Having retrieved my refreshment, I went up to the TV, turned it on, and after a few minutes of consideration I chose.
Sitting down on the couch that is in front of the TV I turn on the console, and after a few moments the familiar monk chanting fills my ears as I begin to play.
Having played enough to clear 3 mission, the sound of the door opening filled my ears. Feeling no need to turn around I continue playing, until I hear footsteps getting closer. Pausing the game, the familiar footsteps continue to get closer until another body fell in to the couch with me. Without a word I exit to the main menu and enter Co-op. And out of the corner of my eye I see Red fetching another controller.
As we play through a few missions I lean back in my seat as a cutscene starts playing. Looking up at the dimmed celling, I take a deep breath "I-" is all I could say as I get cut off.
"I know. I am too." Red said as he leaned back as well.
Sitting there, the only noise coming from the TV, a smile starts forming on my face. Looking back at the TV, with Red doing the same, we continue our session. Not stopping even when the Rec room started to get filled up. As it did, some people sat with us and watched us play, asking me about my mission, informing me on events I missed, and having general conversation.
Having changed games at this point, I feel somebody plop down to my right, and for a moment somebody cuts of my sight as they sit down on the ground in front of me. Looking down I see Dart leaning against the couch between my legs, and to my right Manhattan drinking a coffee.
"So what's planed for today?" I hear Dart ask as she leans her head back to look at me.
Humming for a moment I look back at the TV to see that Red lured a group of enemies to me while I was distracted, resulting in my death "Besides beating Reds head in later? Don't know, you pick."
Now it was Darts turn to hum as she though, with me using the opportunity to hunt down Red, revenge kill him, and "T-bag" his body. This received many a chuckles and teasing from the other soldiers and crew that are watching the game unfold. All I know is that this T-bagging is considered humiliating to the receiver, and a show of dominance from the one dishing it out, or so Red told me once rather dramatically.
"Shooting range sound good?" Dart asked, leaning back again to look at me.
And before I could give a response a familiar distorted voice spoke from behind me "That is acceptable."
Now it was my turn to lean my head back and look behind me. And right above me a very familiar Skirmisher stands. Staying like that I spoke "Complaints?"
Receiving no objections our group stands up, with Red and me throwing our controllers to the closest two that were watching us play. Alas Dart did have something to say, if her jumping in front of me is any indicator.
"I get to shoot your handgun." She said, her tone serious but a large grin is covering her face.
Shrugging my shoulders I walk by her "Sure, just have to go get it from Shen. You guys go on ahead, I'll catch up."
"Wait, just like that?" Dart asked clearly surprised.
"Well, yeah? Central's going to most likely complain my ear off later, but I think I owe you guys that much at least."
"Wait, the rest of us get a go as well?" Manhattan asked, clearly excited.
"Well, might as well right? It's already there and all." I stop at the doorframe, looking at them.
Dart and Manhattan turn to one another, a high five with excessive grinning following my statement. Turning my head to look at Red and Omega, I get an amused grin from Red and a shrug from Omega.
"Is this really such a big deal?" I ask, the sight of Dart and Manhattan gathering some attention from others in the room as well.
"Yeah! Of course it is! You never let anybody else use it, who wouldn't want to shot a unique gun?" Dart beamed at me.
"The punch that thing packs, I wanted to have a spin with her for a really long time now!" Manhattan proclaimed.
"I have used it before. All you have to do is ask him." Omega casually remarks as the remaining three grow silent.
There heads turn to look at me, slower than I would have liked them to turn. There expressions blank as they looked at me, Red included.
"Purgatory, mind explaining this favoritism?" the three ask me, taking a step towards me at the same time.
"Well, it's really simple." I say, taking a step back "She caught me while I was at the range with it."
They continue to look at me blankly "You think we'll buy something like that?" Dart said, seemingly not believing me at all.
"Uh, yes. That is the hope here really." I say as I tap the door console, with it shutting.
Turning around I start making my way to engineering. Slightly worried to what I will find waiting for me at the shooting range. The only think I can really do is repeat what I said, and prey.
Walking down the halls I pass many people along the way, a few new faces greeting me as well. Getting closer to engineering I can hear the familiar sound of machines working away, with the door being open. So walking in without hesitation I look around, seeing engineers laboring away as they are creating supplies for us. Towards the back of the room, I see Shen as she's looking over supplies as it would appear. Walking up to her, I make sure to not disturb any of the workers, and the ones that do notice me I great, with them returning the gesture. As I get closer I make sure to sound my approach by impacting the floor with my boots, making a loud but dull thud. With Shen turning around at the sound, she looks up at me as a smile forms on her face.
"Purgatory! Good to see you alive and well!"
"I see you're in a good mood as well." I smile back at her.
"Oh right! Purgatory, perfect timing, I could use another heavy lifter to help move some supplies." She quickly said, pointing to the crates behind her.
Before I could respond, a metallic clank from my right caught my attention. Turning my head, my eyes widen as I jump in front of Shen, my left hand instantly going for my thigh, only to grab air. Understanding that I'm unarmored and unarmed I lower my stance, getting ready to charge. The construct of metal before me stopped moving, its large frame turned to face me. Never having seen a MEC like this I prepare myself for the worst, hoping that I'll be able to distract it enough for the engineers to escape and warn the others.
Before I could charge I felt a hand grab my arm, with Shen jumping in front of me, her back turned to the MEC, arms stretched out wide "Wait, wait!" she shouted.
Only having glanced at her for a split moment, I return my gaze to the MEC. Keeping my eyes locked on to its optics. My body turning more and more stiff the longer this last, with me remaining in a combat posture.
"Shen." I simply said, not wanting to waist more time and potentially missing any hostile move the MEC makes.
"Pleas calm down! It on our side! My father made it, it never was an ADVENT MEC." Shen responded instantly to my saying her name.
Looking at the MECs head, with its four optics staring back at me, it straightens itself out as if it was standing at attention. After a few moments a robotic voice emanated from the MEC "Lieutenant, Spark MK-1 reporting all systems green and ready for combat."
Looking at it for a few more moment, I look down and meet Shens eyes. With them pleading at me. Looking at her for a few seconds, I return my sight back to the MEC while slowly returning to a passive stance, still keeping my guard up none the less. A sigh of relief escaping Shen as she relaxed, her shoulders and head slumping down.
"Can I get an explanation now?" I ask, my eyes darting over the MECs frame.
"Yes! Right, you see, sometime after you left, I fixed up a rather old GREMLIN, and when the little guy woke up he connected to the Avenger and a recording played. Of my, father. It lead us to an abandoned robotics tower, where we got him from." She said, patting the MECs chest.
"Things are never that easy Shen." I said looking at her accusingly.
"Never said they were. Am old AI was there, tried to kill us, we got Spark, and killed it instead." She responded, a slightly worried smile on her face.
"So, you went there?" I ask, with her nervously nodding causing me to sight "Shen…" I say placing my hand on her shoulder "It's our job to fight, don't do something like that again. Understood?"
She looked down in embarrassment, but nodded her head regardless. All things considered, getting scolded by a younger individual would be quiet embarrassing, adding the crowd of engineers watching and I'm sure it's even worse for here so I don't blame her, too much, it was still a pretty idiotic thing to go herself. Fathers massage or not.
"Well, I'll give you a quick hand, I actually came for the Terran Eagle, we'll have to speed this up because I have my group waiting down at the shooting range." I said turning to the crates, slightly reluctant to turn my back on the MEC.
"Ok." Is all Shen said.
"Lieutenant, this unit is ready to provide assistance where possible." The MEC, 'Spark', announced.
A shiver ran down my spine as the MEC approached my back. But ignoring the feeling I worked, with the MEC doing the same, moving crates to where Shen needed them. It took only around ten minutes to move them all, and as I was putting down the last crate, I turn around to see Shen standing behind me with the Terran Eagle in hand. A large amount of ammo in her other hand as well.
"One Terran Eagle as requested! The ammo is on the house." She grined at me.
Taking the offering I give the handgun a once over "Thanks."
Shen gave me a node as the MECs mechanical voice sounded again "Awaiting further orders."
Glancing at it for a moment, I look at Shen "Think you can send me the rough details on its capabilities so I know what I'm dealing with here?"
Nodding her head she spoke "Yeah, I can do that easy. I'll send it to your data pad, so you can look at it whenever. You can ask me on the more complicated things whenever you want to, given that I'm not in the middle of work."
Nodding my head, I leave and head for the Shooting range, Terran Eagle in hand with a bag of ammo in my other hand. It didn't take me to long to get to the shooting range, and luckily, no Central in sight. Entering the shooting range I'm immediately bombarded with staring from three individuals. Indicating that I indeed am not in the clear just yet.
"Before you even ask, Shen held me up. Oh, and the MEC that somehow nobody though to informed me about." I say staring blankly at them, with them now awkwardly looking away.
"O-Oh, right, there's a MEC on base now…?" Red said glancing at me out of the corner of his eyes.
"Yes. And you're last in line for using Terran Eagle." I said, walking up to a shooting booth and getting the gun ready.
"Oh come on!" Red groaned.
Finishing I turn to see Dart already behind me, clearly excited for what's to come.
"Alright, I don't have to explain how to shoot it, but use bought hands. This goes for all of you. Do not shoot it with a single hand. Understood?" I order them, my voice stern and serious. My face holding no noticeable emotion, and they simply nodded.
Nodding myself, I turn to the weapons hanging on the wall, and pick the mag sniper. As I'm inspecting it, the familiar roar of my handgun fills my ears. Turning around I see Red and Mat standing on bought sides of the shooting booth Dart is in. And inside Dart is holding the Terran Eagle, raised, with smoke coming from the barrel. A wide grin on her face as she firs it again.
Smiling at the sight, I move to a booth myself, grabbing ammo on the way, and start shooting myself. The sound of Omegas rifle firing in burst filling the room as well. The room being filled with the sounds of three different guns firing,
Reloading the sniper, I get ready to shoot again until I hear somebody clear there throat from behind me. Looking back I see Red standing there, so clearing my weapon and placing it on the counter I turn to face him.
"Out of curiosity, what's the faster you've fired that thing." Red asks me while pointing in the direction of Dart and Mat, with Dart allowing Mat to enter the booth.
"Shoots as fast as you can pull the trigger. Although if you do shoot it like that, I'll be surprised if you hit a sectopods broadside outside of point blank range." I inform Red as he nods.
"Ever fired it as fast as possible at an actual enemy?" Reds voice gets slightly muffled as the Terran Eagle lets loss a round.
"A few times actually. Puts down any muton that's in my face. And with them liking to punch you at that range, it gives me plenty of time to unload a magazine in there chest, neck, and head."
"Oh! So that explains all the noise coming from you when a muton tries to punch you." Reds face changes, with him looking as if he had a revelation.
A grin spread on my face at him only now realizing this. Red was about to say something, but the roar of my handgun filled our ears. With a yelp following instantly after. Hearing the yelp, my head shoots to my right, with me dashing to the booth where Dart and Mat are. Looking in it, with Dart standing at its entrance holding her laughter back, I see Manhattan vigorously shaking his left hand. A pained expression covering his face. Looking down at the ground, I see the Terran Eagle lying there. Picking it up, I return my gaze to Manhattan, a frown on my face.
"What the hell did you do?" I ask him sternly, with him jerking around n surprise, looking at me wide eyed.
"What went through your head to shoot it with one hand? With your off hand at that!" I bark at Manhattan.
"You shoot it with your off hand as well!" he tried defending his actions.
The sound of my hand slapping my face echoed in the room as I groan "You fucking idiot." Is all I could say at that moment.
"Do we have to go to the gym so I can show you why exactly I can fire it like that?" I ask Manhattan rhetorically, with him shrinking as he exits the booth by me.
Sighing I look up to see Omega standing in front of me, her face unemotional as always "Just, please don't follow his example." I plead as I hand her the handgun, with her nodding and entering the booth.
Sighing again, I go to return to my own shooting, seeing Dart mercilessly teasing Manhattan along the way. Getting to it, Red pops his head out of the booth next to mine, a grin on his face.
"I'll go easy on you." He said, with me wordlessly accepting the challenge and the two of us competing for the rest of our time at the shooting range, even gathering a crowd from those that came later.