Just a heads up, there is a piece in this chapter that references the Gears of War novel "The Slab" (Which I highly recommend reading!) No doubt more references will pop up in certain chapters so just a heads up.
Devin noticed the message on the wall across the room, "Welcome to the Slab". It was written in blood. It might have been there for a while, Link would know but figured to leave his friend alone on the subject. The mission is to get their friend away from here. That's their focus.
The trio of Gears made their way down the hall to the prison blocks. They found themselves at an odd fork in their path. Which route is the best to the King Raven? Brandon turned around to his friends to explain.
"Alright Link, we got two options. We can either take the guards quarters, that's how Devin and I got here. Or we can take the Prison Blocks and punch right through the locust outside. Make a straight shot for the Raven. It's your call, Link." Brandon finished.
"Let's take the prison blocks, I need to kick some ass." Link said, tightening the grip on his rifle closer towards his chest.
There was no hesitation in his words, neither was fear. He was ready to uncage the Gear inside him.
"Hell yeah, Link. Let's go!" Devin cheered from behind. Sending a rough pat on Link's left shoulder.
Brandon resumed lead to send word to the nearby Ravens.
"KR Six-Four this is Delta-Two, we've reached our objective, moving to ex-fil."
"Copy that Delta-Two, be advised the grubs are mobilizing fast towards the prison. I'd recommend you hurry out ASAP." the KR pilot responded.
"Roger that Six-Four, Delta-Two out."
"Guy's the fastest way outside is this way." Link suggested.
"Alright then, you're on point till we get outside." Brandon ordered.
"We got your back, Link." Devin walked up beside him.
Link pressed forward to the nearby door and gave a hard kick. The room echoed with the loud metallic kaboom from Link's boot. A large flock of disease ridden crows scurried away for the shattered rooftops to freedom in a flash. Leaving to the group a jolt of surprise from Link. They had to leave behind their meal of mutilated decomposed corpses hung on chains to show the trio. Blood was still dripping from their limbs.
"Shit." Link said glumly. No hint of emotion in his speech.
"Oh man- Uggh!" Devin dry heaved a bit before saying his remark, "Fuck man, these grubs are nasty. Leaving inmates like this." Devin managed to finish.
"Nah… These guys were from the psych-ward. They were murdered and left here a year ago by the prison gang."
"What? Oah-" Devin finally heaved out stomach acid.
Even Brandon had to cover his gaze for a moment, lest he ended up like Devin.
"Shit, that's just nasty… What the Hell's been going on in this prison?" Brandon asked Link.
"You're so better off not knowing." Link walked around the corpses with his mouth covered.
Brandon and Devin followed Link to Cell Block D. Crossing the hall that connects the blocks, Locust Drones sprung out from the bridge to their left. Taking cover behind the debris, the rush of sharp bullets sparking off bits and pieces of concrete was surprisingly louder than normal for Link. He guessed being away from a firefight for four years can do that to anyone.
"Ground Walkers!" A screaming Drone was heard.
"KR Three-Eight, Delta-Two… We've got Locust in the tower, can you assist, over." Devin called with his earpiece.
"Roger that, Delta-Two. We're moving in for a strafe."
The whizzing of chopper blades overhead began to rise into Link's ears. Soon after the raven was in view, the mounted minigunner started chewing out the grubs and the tower itself. Tall mounds of rubble crumbled down with a loud crash to the ground. Dust spread all over the Gear's field of vision as the Raven flew away.
"KR Three-Eight this is Delta-Two we have multiple KIA's we're moving up to the extraction point, over." Brandon informed the Raven as he and the rest moved into the next Cell Block.
"Hey Link, grab some of those grenades. More grubs are likely in the next room." Brandon noticed for his friend.
"Roger that." Link made his way to grab a few bola grenades.
The heavy chain dangling over his grip with the explosive shell on the end felt nostalgic for a moment. Hopefully Link's throwing aim hadn't gone rusty while in the Slab.
"Alright guys, the D-Blocks of the prison are just outside this door. Let's get hostile." Link said after checking his Lancer's clip. Making their way inside, Link, Devin, and Brandon were stacked beside the door. Groaning screeches from both doors opening revealed seven fully armed Locust drones, and two Grinders.
"Hostiles!" the lead Grenadier shouted.
Brandon and Devin quickly ducked behind the metal barricades along the floor. Leaving Link to take cover at the broken concrete pillar foundations.
Bullets started rushing over their heads. Devin and Brandon started returning fire, but before Link could follow suit he noticed the patio to the left.
"Cover me, I'll flank'em!" Link shouted over the hail of rifle rounds.
Link kept low as he crouched his way passing cover to cover of whatever was sturdy enough to reach the patio on the left side. All around, bullets were constantly chipping out little chunks of debris from the sharp speed of the ricochet. Reaching a good vantage point, Link let loose his lancer rifle on the remaining grubs.
"Eat shit and die, motherfuckers!" Link yelled out all the pain and suffering from his years in the Slab. The feeling was satisfying for the young Gear.
The sour stench of gunpowder burned the hairs in their noses. One dead grub after another grub dropped like bags of bricks. Dark pools of their own blood flowed down the prison floors. The Grinders we're all that's left.
Soon after, a King Raven showed up to lay down air support. Both Grinders shifted their attention to the Raven.
"Delta-Two we are under heavy fire, we can't hold out much longer, get to your exfil now! Oh shit!" Mulcher rounds struck the Raven's cockpit leaving the craft as swiss cheese. Both Brandon and Devin killed one of the Grinders as the Raven started going down.
"We are going down! Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!" The Raven whirled out of control in circles trying to gain control. The falling Raven flew over Link and his friends crashing somewhere across the Cell blocks. All that was heard after was an explosion.
"Grind!" The last big Locust shouted before firing down on the three Gears.
Link stood out from his cover and threw over a grenade, "Frag out!" Link shouted over to his friends down below.
One loud explosion of smoke bursted underneath the Grinders feet leaving his remains of splashed blood and chunks of grub flesh.
"One grub flambé." Devin yelled with a cheer.
"Fucking, Hell! Delta two, Six-Four if you can hear me get your asses over here now!" the second Raven pilot shouted over the comms.
"Copy that Six-Four!" Devin looked over to his group, "C'mon Link!" Aaron yelled over to his friend.
Brandon was already ahead clearing out some metal sheets to the side so they could get out.
"Delta-Two we are getting seismic activity from below the prison. We need to get airborne now!"
"We're on our way Six-Four just hold out a little longer." Brandon looked over to his two friends, "C'mon move your ass's!" Brandon yelled while sprinting to the Raven. Link and Devin followed suit, catching up to their third wheel.
A sudden and loud crack from the ground ruptured behind Link taking the tail end of their group. Link wouldn't dare look back, just keep running was all he could do. Pain started burning from Link's legs but wouldn't dare hesitate to hold a muscle still. Another sudden rush of adrenaline kicked into his legs. As he realized the old gear inside Link never left him. He was just hibernating while enduring his life sentence.
Brandon was the first to jump in the Raven, Devin shortly followed. Looking behind them to see Link still had some space to run through. Looking behind Link the two could see what was causing the seismic activity beneath the Slab. By the time Link made it to the Raven both of his friends took his hands and just threw him across the deck. Link quickly scrambled his stance back to turn around and lay down fire support down below. The three Gears and the Raven's mounted minigunner started to see what was rising from the ground. It's eight-legged spikes protruded to reveal it's face. It stood tall enough just to graze the bottom of the Raven's hull. The last thing they saw was the monster's metallic headpiece. Finally out of reach, the giant spider, or more commonly known to the COG as a Corpser wailed out a menacing roar to the lifting Raven.
(10 years after E-Day, Ilima City)
"Find out how to enroll into the Anvil Apprentice Program that serves grades 9-12 for our elite training regimens. Become a Gear and defend the order of life."
-The Anvil Apprentice Program pamphlet.
Standing atop the podium was a 700 square LED display, broadcasting from the capital live was none other than King Rhoam Bosphoramus Hyrule of the Coalition of Ordered Governments.
"I stand before you all, soldiers of the COG. My Fellow Gears of Hyrule. All of you answered the call from the Anvil Apprentice Program. No doubt your families have endured the long night of the Pendulum Wars, and now they bestow that honor to all of you here. We citizens of the COG take great pride in the victories we've brought for all of you today, however our past victories will not save us from threats we face now. As we speak the Locust Hordes are marching towards the very heart of our home. But their reign of terror ends today starting with you! Go forth young Gears and bring back the hope of tomorrow!"
The entire crowd of teens dawned in standard issue cadet COG armor roared with pride at the energy around each other. At the center of the crowd, one Gear among hundreds stood amongst the rest in a silent blank face underneath his trooper helmet, Private Link Takanashi.
The skies were going dark, and not by the time, but by oily dark ink. A cavalry of roaring APC with engines ready to run tail await the boarding civilians for evacuation. The Princess of Hyrule, and daughter of the king, Zelda Summerset Hyrule awaits to evacuate with her father's Onyx Guards.
"Alright, the next APC is loaded and heading for Jacinto. Next transport is ready for you, your highness." The Lieutenant and commanding officer of the evacuation outpost assured Zelda.
"Thank you, sir." Zelda began to enter her designated APC until her eyes caught someone of interest.
"Link, is that you?" Zelda asked over to see her friend holding his helmet to find it damaged beyond repair.
"Link! Are you hurt?" Zelda tried to race over but the Onyx Guards held their grip to keep her stationed near the APC.
Link jogged over to her so she wouldn't have to step away from the APC.
"I'm fine, Zelda. My helmet got chipped by a sniper, I would've died if I didn't have it on me." Link nodded in confidence and a small smile.
Zelda could tell he's faking the smile. He was shakingk to the core of his bones in fear. Looking over the side of his face a small graze was just under his eye, "Hmm, that cut doesn't look too bad, actually." Zelda brushed off Link's hair to have a better look at his face. "You'll be okay. As brave as you are, that doesn't make you immortal."
One of the Onyx Guards said standing up on the APC. Taller than Zelda's stature. "A little advice rookie. How old are you?"
"Sir, I'm Fourteen. I just finished the Anvil Apprentice training, sir." Link stated loudly.
"First off, drop the sir shit. We're not that polite out here. Always remember the Gear's golden rule. Take cover, or die."
"Sir!" Zelda gasped in response.
Quickly as if on cue, stronger seismic activity began to quake beneath the streets. Roads started to crack further away to the point where even the APC was shaking. Zelda trembled away from the APC but Link managed to scoop her back on her feet. The ground beneath the APC started to burst from below, knocking over the APC on its side. Link predicted this to be an attack so he took Zelda by the hand and fled her away from the incoming ambush. Behind her she turned her gaze to see the APC being snatched by a four-story tall Corpser. One of her Onyx Guards was seen impaled by one of its front pincers. He was spitting out mouthfuls of blood, alive, through the helmet. The Corpser dragged the APC down along with the two Onyx Guards, one who's definitely dead, witnessed by Zelda. She turned back to Link picking up the pace with him so they could retreat.
Link fled with Zelda to the nearby outpost at the block and hid her in the back corner.
"Stay out of sight, Zelda." Link said with a serious tone. All she could respond with for her friend was a nod.
Link pulled out his Chainsaw Lancer and joined the rest of his fellow Gears to fend off the incoming Grubs.
(Present day)
For Link, the cool thick breeze from outside the Raven brushed off the sweaty stress of his escape from the Slab. Slumping down into his seat with utter exhaustion, Brandon handed Link a canteen. Accepting the offer, Link downed half of the water down. Gulp after gulp, the feeling of clean water almost felt unreal. At least the water was cleaner than what was given in prison.
"Thanks, Brandon." Link said as he handed the canteen back to his friend.
"Don't mention it." Brandon said, "Oh yeah… Welcome to Delta squad."
Devin sat next to Link checking his current amount of ammo. They both took a moment to see another Gear in his helmet laying down fire on something below them. Devin knelt under his seat to grab a Gnasher shotgun to offer Link.
"So where are we going?" Link said as he accepted the extra weapon.
Another Gear stepped away from the mounted minigun and took a seat beside Brandon, "Embry Square, Colonel Impa's waiting for us… Didn't think you'd see ol'Groose as Lieutenant now did ya?" the big red headed Gear in the short mohawk said with a sly smile.
Link rolled his eyes until he remembered who's waiting on them, "Hold up, Colonel Impa? Ah shit."
Devin elbowed Link's side with a hint of humorous excitement, "This is gonna be awesome."
"I'll get the popcorn, Dev." Brandon said.
"Hey are you THE Link Takanashi? The one who fought in Ilima city?" the Gear over the doorway asked.
"Yep." Link responded glumly.
"Wow, cool!" The Gear then resumed shooting down the streets.
"Eh not really." Link said to himself.
"That's Anthony Carmine." Groose mentioned to Link.
Looking over to the side at the view, Link could see the landing zone up ahead. Down below was another Raven and a decorated Gear waiting for them. Link caught the glimpse of the one Gear from the Sheikah tribe with long braided white hair. Her slender physique aligned into her armor in elegant curves. She still keeps the chopsticks to hold up her hair. Colonel Impa's waiting to chew Link out, and spit him out. He can tell.
The Raven made landing with a rugged thud as Impa waited sternly for the Gears. The first to step off and arrive at Impa's front was none other than Link.
"You!" Impa jabbed Link on his chestplate, "A traitor like you doesn't deserve to wear the uniform."
"Yeah, I couldn't agree more, yet here I am." Link remarked.
Groose approached from behind Link to see two other Gears behind Impa approach from the Raven.
"Cawlin, Strich, nice you two showed up." Groose waved.
"Step aside." Impa ordered.
Link obliged and took a glimpse over her shoulders to see someone else exit the Raven behind Cawlin and Strich. Her long blonde hair still gleamed off her beauty just as well as her figure. Even after all these years, Zelda caught a glimpse at Link. He noticed she's wearing an officer's uniform. The faded blue seams of her uniform aligned well with the gray color scheme. He could barely see her father's embry star on her chest. Link looked away from her gaze for a moment to spot Brandon and Devin pretending not to notice what's happening. He looked back over to Zelda to see her dazed at his presence. Knowing from her letters she never knew if he ever survived the Slab. Link reached for his pocket to pull out a crumpled up letter to show her. She responded to Link's gesture with a small smile, and he can tell she's beyond thrilled by the sign.
"Lieutenant, I have good news. We have a plan to end this war for good." Impa explained to Groose as they walked away from Link and his two friends.
"Yeah right." Aaron said.
"Colonel, sensors are picking up-"
BOOM! Followed with a roaring "AAGGGGGGHHH!"
Link whipped his focus over at Zelda to see blood on the side of her head but it wasn't hers. The sniper round made contact with Cawlin's head. Shortly after more Hammerburst shots came hailing from above the staircase at the buildings walkway.
"Locust!" Devin screamed.
"Zelda, get down!" Link yelled before diving for cover. Brandon, Aaron, and Anthony followed suit. Impa and Groose were the last to reach cover. Sadly, Strich was taken out soon after by Hmmerburst rounds to the gut.
"SHIT!" Brandon shouted.
Zelda luckily fled to the cover of the Raven away from the firefight.
"We now have the Lightmass bomb! It'll take out all these grubs with one shot, but it can't work without the targeting data! It'll map their tunnels below so we can hit those things where they live!" Impa shouted crouched behind cover.
"Down to four Grubs!" With a fresh round in his lancer, Link popped out from the sandbags shooting two of the drones out.
"INCOMING FRAG!" Brandon wailed for everyone to duck.
"We lost contact with Alpha Squad, their last transmission was in Embry Square. I want you to get in there, find those men and deploy the resonator." The explosion of the grenade from earlier rang in everyone's ears so hearing Impa's assignment was difficult.
"Will we have air support?" Groose asked.
"Are you serious? You are the support, Groose!" Impa said the ringing finally cleared, "Nemacysts are keeping our birds out of the skies you'll need to move in on foot."
"We're screwed." Devin responded to the news.
"And Zelda over there will be feeding you intel on this mission." Impa pointed.
"Yes Colonel, and right now we need to go now." Zelda said in slight panic.
"Get it done." Impa walked away from Groose and back at Link, "Let's just get this over with. Starting now, you're hereby reinstated in the COG, Private Takahashi. Make it through the mission, and you'll get a full pardon."
"Thanks… Colonel." Link responded calmly.
Impa just turned back over to the Raven with no sign of emotion.
The twin blades began spinning for take off, Link was able to catch one more glimpse at Zelda. She still had some of Cawlin's blood on her face, and yet she can still look dazzling. He gave her a small wave goodbye and went over to Lieutenant Groose.
Okay first of all, the "Anvil Apprentice Program" is something I made personally for this story. The closest thing you'll find that's similar is the Open Arms Program to which how Garron Paduk was able to join the COG. I was hoping to continue this chapter up till we meet the Berzerker, but I think this is a good stopping point.