Winters beginning ch7 Apologies in advance, first time doing action sequences
The Chiva is about to begin. As a show of further proof of their technological superiority, the young unblooded about to take their right of passage to become adults are transported aboard a recently completed planetary assault ship. Such a vessel is among the largest built so far and was designed to deploy large numbers of Predators, ground vehicles, and set up bases for further operations on a planets surface.
Through out the two mile long,one thousand meter wide, and nine hundred meter high frame, the vessel sports a massive arsenal of plasma cannons, plasma lances, a sizable point defense grid, and recently added long range missile systems. The reintroduction of said missiles came about after Strikers break through in improving the destructive power used in wrist comps. This improvement has lead to a drastic increase in weapon yields all around, and as such new missile designs were developed and given major improvements over their ancient predecessors.
Along with a new armor composed of greater thickness and of a new alloy compared to the smaller and less capable Clan mother ships. As well as the strongest shields available and the ability to replace and build nearly anything, made the vessel just shy of being completely self sufficient.
However the lack of science labs and containment modules for hard meat queens created some concern for the Council. This was mitigated by many Elites and Enforcers who saw such a vessel as blessing from Paya, as bad bloods,and other sentient races are starting to become space faring. Notable was the humans sudden leap in technology, and are now advancing at such a rapid pace, that it is estimated they will achieve FTL flight in three hundred years if not sooner.
As such since Yeager one was selected for the very purpose of building an Army and Fleet capable of defending Yautja space should the need arise. The Council then made a decision that all purpose built warships would be named after Elites and Enforcers with commanders being selected by Clan Elders.
Due to the sensitive nature of these vessels any blooded serving aboard them that breaks the code and does not accept the punishment of the Enforcer is to be killed immediately. Exile is not an option when serving or operating Council Warships.
PCS ( Predator Council Ship) Wolf, en route to deploy young bloods to hunting world, Reaper two. 5 min till drop.
Striker inspects the first group, which includes his son, the deployment bay can launch hundreds of pods but for this only a small fraction of them will be used.
"All right unbloods, today you become blooded, make no mistake the hard meats are not kewi's and will kill you in any way they can. Reaper two is a rock with a thin atmosphere with hardly anything in the way of vegetation or wildlife. This isn't Earth or Yautja Prime so if you take your mask off, you will be dead in less then a minute. This rock is barely classified as habitable but makes for excellent ground for hard meat containment.
A mother ship already deployed nearly fifty hard meats created from various hosts, so stay on your toes. Remember only use your plasma caster when you have achieved the death of a xeno either by blade or with your bare hands. Any questions?"
"Who will lead the ground team?" Scythe asked
"Thank you for volunteering Scythe, try not to die or get your squad killed."
Scythe had blank stare and asked his close friend Ghost. "Why me, I hate leading?"
Ghost was the quiet one and rarely spoke, true to his name however he specialized in stealth and his shy nature meant his observation skills were top notch. Ghost's ability to read others and predict them made many concerned if he was a security problem.
"Your the most logical choice" Replied Ghost as he goes on to explain why.
"Kal, well he daydreams to much, Hawk is full of himself and doesn't like Winter, and Winter while capable isn't liked by many and it would have shown favoritism on Strikers part. That leaves you Scythe." stated Ghost.
unbloods prepare for drop, came a voice from the intercom system.
" Alright, everyone in but Winter I have something say to him first." ordered Striker
The four entered the drop pods.
" What is it Sir?" asked Winter
"Son I have an order for you and it's one that comes straight from your mother. Go down there and kill them all, then come back alive soldier that's an order."
With a glint in his eye and with no one watching, Winter stood to attention and gave his father the American Salute.
"Sir... Yes Sir". Dropping the salute, Winter enters the pod.
Kima if he survives this, he is bound to make many rivals and enemies, while Winter still see's humans as prey, it won't stop him from adapting their techniques. pondered Striker
"Pods one through five ready, commencing deployment."
Immediately the pods dropped from low orbit and accelerated too high speed. Upon hitting the surface more akin to a JDAM, about five kilometres away from target the five Yautja got out of their pods and turned to Scythe.
"Alright since we are outnumbered against the most dangerous prey out here lets not get careless. Winter you'll take Ghost across the left side, try not to blow up the rock we stand on."
" Understood, lets go ghost" Winter asked as Ghost followed suit.
" Okay well they're dead, now lets go hunting" stated Hawk
" I did that because of how much you don't like him Hawk remember we may not live either, now move out." Ordered Scythe
As night came on this world the unmistakable hissing of the hard meats could be heard, at this point both parties had been separated for quite some time.
Marching through the caves they discovered, Winter and Ghost stopped to asses the network.
"Something's wrong, we haven't heard back from the other three and we are to far inside for coms to get through." Ghost was worried, going into caves increased the chanced of finding hardmeats but also increased the chance of being killed by them.
" Not true, Kal is an expert in coms so in reality they are either dead or too focused to care as we should be" Winter replied
"You know Winter neither of us talk much but I've observed you more then anyone else to know. That you are nothing more then a cold blooded experiment designed to kill with out empathy, remorse or pride, which even for our race is saying something. To you this isn't a right but a mission that you'll see through no matter the cost and I must say. The rumors are crap, your just misunderstood, more unique then others but in the end you will never hesitate to help your fellow Yautja."
Winter raised an eye brow behind his mask at that, since most thought other wise. "Your right Ghost but there is one thing I do care about"
"What would that be." replied Ghost
" Kill count" Immediately Winter deploys two shurikans and throws them. Cutting down two hard meats with a third being blasted with the plasma caster nearly on top of them.
Ghost deploys his spear and wrist blades.
" More coming Winter!" The distinct hissing sound stops, only to be replaced by the sound of fast moving limbs and quick shadows.
" Ghost how many?, my sensors are picking up nearly a dozen here and the ones we've killed are melting the floor!"
"I've got, Paya, over a dozen here!"
"Fine we'll go your way then" Winter replied, then proceeded to aim the plasma caster at the ceiling and fired, causing a cave in.
Ghost then proceeds to charge straight into the dozen Xeno's to his front, impaling two of them then discharging his own plasma castor.
Acid from the carnage began to rain down on top of them, but ignoring the pain and stripping the armor as they went, they pushed through.
That's the Tenth one we've taken as a trophy and so far things look bleak. My first kill is one I will always remember as it reminds me of the medical training we received. These hard meat varied quite a bit but my first kill managed to bite through my wrist comp, then my bones, almost biting my arm off. Upon gutting its head the acid did the rest.
While I've lost an arm the others have lost nearly all armor save for their masks and lower body armor. Scythe is the only one left with a working com system and our plasma castors are working fine for now. However at this rate we'll be dead by morning, since I'm beginning to think they used Kewi's as hosts.
Ground rumbles
"Scythe what was that, I thought we agreed to stay away from the caves?" We stayed on open terrain to eliminate additional vectors for the hard meats to get us. Noted Kal.
"I don't get it, we are now blooded, why hasn't the PCS Wolf picked us up yet?" Asked Hawk.
"Because Winter was given orders to kill them all by his father and according to the data there is a cave in and a stampede of hard meats trying to kill two heat signatures."
"Wait how did you hear about those orders Scythe?" Questioned Kal
"I activated the external speakers on my drop pod, and knowing Winter, the crazy meat bag will follow those orders to the letter."
"Of course he will, after all he only looses focus when around a female he likes. Given his human tendencies I believe Winter would be a good fit for a so called white eyed female hybrid, I heard about." Stated Hawk
"Got a name for that female?" asked Kal
"Nope, I just heard it and you know Winter he doesn't take rumors as truth." Hawk replied.
"Okay then, lets go into the mouth of the cave, we have hard meats that need killing!" Roared Scythe.
Heavy breathing, Winter and Ghost managed to make it back to the mouth of the cave but at a cost. As Ghost was at the front he suffered the most injuries from the acid as well from the tails, claws, and mouths from the Xeno's. Winter wasn't much better as most of his armor was damaged or broken and acid had made plenty of holes in his body barely missing vital organs but the bones are another matter.
Load out check, one shurikan, my wrist blades, which are now useless, knife, spare plasma cannon configured as a pistol, and my wrist comp which is now dead. Medical fluids are doing wonders for the acid burns but beyond that everything else is fine. as Winter checked his gear.
"Ghost how are you holding up?"
Wheezing, " Not good, my mask is barely functional and I can't feel my legs"
Sigh... "Sorry Ghost but they're not there any more." Ghost just as we existed the cave had a xeno jump him from above and pinned him to the ground. The resulting scuffle of stabbing then literally blasting the bug to bits caused his legs to be showered in acid blood. Along with much of his body, still Ghost had enough will power to push through just has his legs were ripped apart above his knee. While to him it may seem like only a few seconds has passed but the fact is it has been a few minutes. I had to use an injection after treating his legs just to wake him up.
"I had to use a tourniquet to cut off your circulation to save what's left in order to keep you alive."
"Even so Winter, that unorthodox tactic you used, kept us both alive" Wheezing" for now at least.
"Winter!, Ghost!, How are yo-, Paya, Ghost what happened?" Scythe asked in shock given Ghost's lack of certain extremities.
"We encountered heavy resistance and had to extricate from the cave with fifteen confirmed kills." Stated Winter.
That got Hawks blood boiling, as Winter just stated it like a ships sensor read out.
"We are trained and taught to ignore many things but how you just said that Winter is not Yautja." Hawk said with barely contained anger
"Hawk", Kal said in a calm manner so as to not trigger him
"No! I've had with you Winter, your arrogance and high an mighty attitude has pissed me off for the last time! I challenge you right here and now." Hawk roars, then draws and activates his combi spear.
Everyone's eyes in the group widened at Hawks insanity.
"I refuse and if you won't let me, then I yield, you win, now we have more acid bags to kill."
Just then the unmistakable sound of the Hard meats hissing finally came. Surrounding the group at ruffly three to one odds, the elongated head with their sharp white teeth and razor tales combined with their incredible speed and agility meant survival for any of the group was slim to none.
"It appears we are surrounded" Stated Kal
"Indeed" Winter said.
"Okay Hawk take your anger out on the Hard meats, disperse your selves around Ghost." Scythe ordered.
The group did as ordered and were now ready to take on the swarm or die.
"Any last words?" Kal asked
Winter responded. " They've got us surrounded again, the poor meatbags." the group chuckled at this, then proceeded to open fire.
Note the last sentence was taken from a quote by General Abrams when he was surrounded by Germans in WWII. Oh and yes he is the one that the M1 Abrams Tank is named after as he was an aggressive tank commander in WWII. I had to edit it as bastard doesn't really fit with xeno's or does it.
Also new word count record sweet.
Review and share please. thank you.