See First Page for Disclaimer
Chapter 2: City Lost, New Allies.
"So, Joey's Gone?" says Robert. "Yes, and both Armored Shrike Units have been heavily damaged," Marlene explains. "It looks like we'll have to fight them here." "Much as I have to agree with ya," says an unknown person, "looks like we don't have much of a choice." Another person jumps down from a short ledge, only to have Marlene's rifle in his face immediately. The person in question looks to be about 20yrs old, brown hair, green eyes, 5'9". He has a standard issue rifle and armor, and a backpack on his back. "Who are you?" says Marlene, instantly suspicious. "Names Matthew Kabrinski, 17th sleeper recovery squadron. Sole Survivor after a Blue attack. I picked up a short ranged transmission on the comm., and followed the frequency to here. Mind if I ask how many are out there?" Marlene looks him over for a second, before dropping her rifle. "There's at least 30 of them, but it gets worse." "Try me," replies Matt. Yuji and Marlene explain what they saw in the Comm. Array. "You gotta be kidding me," says Matt. "These damn bugs are shielding their Cores now. Great. Just feth'n great! Well, what're we gonna do." Marlene outlines her plan, with Yuji objecting to using the civilians as bait.
After informing the townspeople, Robert turns to Matt. "Well," asks Robert. "What do you think?" "Personally," starts Matt, "I don't feel right about using civilians as bait for the Blue." This earns a small smile from Yuji. "However," he continues, "I don't see any other good possibilities. I'm a good runner, granted, but I ain't fast enough to outrun these damn things. And with no Armor Shrikes available, I guess this is the only option. At least, with this course of action, at least some of the civilians may survive. Marlene," says Matt, turning to face her, "about how long until the Blue can cross the river?" "Probably about 30min to an hour, why?" "Ok," says Matt. "I'm gonna see if there's any other way to do this than risking civilians needlessly."
"No offense," says Marlene, turning to look at him, "but HQ has told all of us that all the people remaining on earth were to be considered dead, and should have no bearing on our mission." "None taken, Ms. Angel. However," he responds, "I just don't like innocent human blood to be spilt, regardless if it's from those of Second Earth, or survivors on the planet itself. Anyway, I'm gonna scout around. I'll be back in roughly ½ hour. C'ya!" Says Matt, heading off in another direction. Marlene shakes her head, and her and Yuji begin setting up their plan.
***Ruined Building ½ mile away***
Matt looks around, and sees that nobody's present. 'Good,' he thinks. 'Now that I'm alone, I can get this done.' Without saying anything else, he pulls a strange looking black pistol out of his bag, and begins to softly recite a prayer.
"May the Machine God bless your spirit, as your casing protects your circuits. May he watch over you, and provide you with the spiritual guidance you need to smite the enemies of the Emperor."
While reciting this, Matt anoints the pistol with a sacred oil.
"May the anointment with the sacred oil protect your soul and body from corruption and malfunction. May your power destroy those who wish to undo the Emperor's work!"
Upon completing the prayer, Matt screws in, what looks to be, power cells for his pistol: one underneath the gun, just in front of the trigger guard, the other one placed into a slot on the back of the gun. A rune on the hilt of the gun flashes green for a second, followed by a black background with an 'X' in the center. 'Good,' thinks Matt. 'It's ready. The Blue are gonna get a real charge outta this.' Holstering the pistol, he packs up his other materials, placing them back in his pack, and returns to the front line that Marlene and Yuji had set up.
"Sorry gang," says Matt. "No other way in, or out of this Island, less you feel like going for a swim." The other say nothing, and Matt finds a good spot on the firing line. Just as he gets comfortable, both his and Marlene's wrist computers start beeping. "They're here!" shouts Marlene. All four soldiers take up firing positions. Marlene, Yuji, and Matt with their rifles on the barricades, Robert with a machine gun. "Let's Rock!" shouts Matt, firing, the others following suit.
For a moment, it seems that the plan is working, as the entire first wave is obliterated. However, just as the last of the first wave falls, a giant, mantis-like Blue appears, with no Core! "My God, is that one of the Blue that shields it's core?!" asks Robert, shocked at this turn of events. "Yuji, aim for the eyes," says Marlene. While Marlene and Yuji fire on the shielded Blue, Matt has moved behind the front line on the second floor of a ruined building, using the height advantage to snipe the second wave of Blue, trying desperately to hold them off. 'What is going on down there?!' he thinks, then catches a glimpse of the mantis Blue. 'A shielded one. Just what we needed.' He thinks, sniping another one.
Suddenly, Matt hears a rumbling noise, and sees the Mantis blue destroy the barricades. 'Shit!' he thinks, then sees Yuji and Marlene get on a motorbike and run circles around the Blue. He smirks. 'Resourceful, I'll say that.' About this time, he hears a click. 'Out of ammo, just great. This is about as bad as it can get.' Thinks Matt, who sees a third wave of Blue making for the gap. Shouldering his rifle, he gets back on ground level, and sees Marlene and Yuji get tossed from their bike. 'To Hell with it!' thinks Matt, yelling in his mind, and heads to Robert's position, just as the shielded blue barrels down on their position. "You ok, Robert?" asks Matt. "Look out!" yells Robert. "It's the shielded one!" Matt just turns around, and pulls out his pistol. It's a black Pistol, with two caps coming out of it, where he put the power cells earlier. It's mainly a smooth design, with six holes near it's barrel, and a ribbed area on the top rear half of the pistol. Robert is in shock. 'A Plasma Pistol!' thinks Robert, in awe and shock. Matt just takes aim, and fires. A bright blue bolt of highly charged gas fires from the pistol, blasting the head clear off the shielded blue. The Black Rune on the hilt flashed orange, with a black 'IX' replacing the 'X'.
Matt's attention is grabbed as Robert clears his throat. "Yeah?" says Matt. Robert just levels an appreciatory look at Matt. "So, you've finally arrived. I know you're not from Second Earth. Hell, not a single person on the station owns a plasma weapon." Matt just looks at him for a second, then smirks. "So you know. Good." "Here," says Robert. "Give me your wrist computer." Matt removes it from his left arm, and hands it to Robert. Robert returns it after typing in some information. "Ok, Matt. I programmed in Vikanor Space Base's location, and a map of the intervening terrain. Here's three clips for your rifle. You have to make it to Second Earth. With your help, I know the Blue will fall." "And what about you?" asks Matt. "I'm through anyway, so I've mined the whole area with our demolition charges and grenades. I know I won't live, but I'll take these bastards out with me!" Matt looks around for a second to see that the line is broken, and the civilians are being eaten. He closes his eyes and makes the sign of the Aquila. "Very well, Robert. Good luck, and happy hunting. The Emperor Protects!" says Matt, bringing his right arm across his chest.
Robert smiles, and repeats the gesture. "The Emperor Protects. Now Go! I'll tell Marlene and Yuji about the bombs, just go!" Matt nods his head, and flips the safety on his pistol. The Rune changes to a green color, he disassembles the rifle, then places the disassembled rifle, the pistol, and the ammo in his bag. Robert just looks confused. "What are you doing?" he says. "Simple," responds Matt. "My bag's waterproof, and I need to take a swim to get outta here." Matt stands up, shoulders the pack, and salutes Robert, before taking off full gate through the ruins, avoiding the Blue. As he turns around one last time, he sees Robert talking to Marlene and Yuji. He then turns back around, and heads full gate for the river. Seeing it, he jumps off of the ledge, making a splash as he hits. Just after he surfaces, he sees the aftermath of a giant explosion behind him. Climbing out of the water, he turns around to see the flaming wreckage of the city. Offering a quick prayer for the dead, and briefly wondering if Marlene and Yuji made it out alive, Matt accesses his wrist computer, and finds the direction to Vikanor. 'Well,' thinks Matt. 'Time to head out. I got a lot of ground to cover, and only 14 days to do it in.' Let's get to it,' he decides, as he begins the long and grueling trek, to Vikanor Space Base.
End Chapter Two
Chapter 2: City Lost, New Allies.
"So, Joey's Gone?" says Robert. "Yes, and both Armored Shrike Units have been heavily damaged," Marlene explains. "It looks like we'll have to fight them here." "Much as I have to agree with ya," says an unknown person, "looks like we don't have much of a choice." Another person jumps down from a short ledge, only to have Marlene's rifle in his face immediately. The person in question looks to be about 20yrs old, brown hair, green eyes, 5'9". He has a standard issue rifle and armor, and a backpack on his back. "Who are you?" says Marlene, instantly suspicious. "Names Matthew Kabrinski, 17th sleeper recovery squadron. Sole Survivor after a Blue attack. I picked up a short ranged transmission on the comm., and followed the frequency to here. Mind if I ask how many are out there?" Marlene looks him over for a second, before dropping her rifle. "There's at least 30 of them, but it gets worse." "Try me," replies Matt. Yuji and Marlene explain what they saw in the Comm. Array. "You gotta be kidding me," says Matt. "These damn bugs are shielding their Cores now. Great. Just feth'n great! Well, what're we gonna do." Marlene outlines her plan, with Yuji objecting to using the civilians as bait.
After informing the townspeople, Robert turns to Matt. "Well," asks Robert. "What do you think?" "Personally," starts Matt, "I don't feel right about using civilians as bait for the Blue." This earns a small smile from Yuji. "However," he continues, "I don't see any other good possibilities. I'm a good runner, granted, but I ain't fast enough to outrun these damn things. And with no Armor Shrikes available, I guess this is the only option. At least, with this course of action, at least some of the civilians may survive. Marlene," says Matt, turning to face her, "about how long until the Blue can cross the river?" "Probably about 30min to an hour, why?" "Ok," says Matt. "I'm gonna see if there's any other way to do this than risking civilians needlessly."
"No offense," says Marlene, turning to look at him, "but HQ has told all of us that all the people remaining on earth were to be considered dead, and should have no bearing on our mission." "None taken, Ms. Angel. However," he responds, "I just don't like innocent human blood to be spilt, regardless if it's from those of Second Earth, or survivors on the planet itself. Anyway, I'm gonna scout around. I'll be back in roughly ½ hour. C'ya!" Says Matt, heading off in another direction. Marlene shakes her head, and her and Yuji begin setting up their plan.
***Ruined Building ½ mile away***
Matt looks around, and sees that nobody's present. 'Good,' he thinks. 'Now that I'm alone, I can get this done.' Without saying anything else, he pulls a strange looking black pistol out of his bag, and begins to softly recite a prayer.
"May the Machine God bless your spirit, as your casing protects your circuits. May he watch over you, and provide you with the spiritual guidance you need to smite the enemies of the Emperor."
While reciting this, Matt anoints the pistol with a sacred oil.
"May the anointment with the sacred oil protect your soul and body from corruption and malfunction. May your power destroy those who wish to undo the Emperor's work!"
Upon completing the prayer, Matt screws in, what looks to be, power cells for his pistol: one underneath the gun, just in front of the trigger guard, the other one placed into a slot on the back of the gun. A rune on the hilt of the gun flashes green for a second, followed by a black background with an 'X' in the center. 'Good,' thinks Matt. 'It's ready. The Blue are gonna get a real charge outta this.' Holstering the pistol, he packs up his other materials, placing them back in his pack, and returns to the front line that Marlene and Yuji had set up.
"Sorry gang," says Matt. "No other way in, or out of this Island, less you feel like going for a swim." The other say nothing, and Matt finds a good spot on the firing line. Just as he gets comfortable, both his and Marlene's wrist computers start beeping. "They're here!" shouts Marlene. All four soldiers take up firing positions. Marlene, Yuji, and Matt with their rifles on the barricades, Robert with a machine gun. "Let's Rock!" shouts Matt, firing, the others following suit.
For a moment, it seems that the plan is working, as the entire first wave is obliterated. However, just as the last of the first wave falls, a giant, mantis-like Blue appears, with no Core! "My God, is that one of the Blue that shields it's core?!" asks Robert, shocked at this turn of events. "Yuji, aim for the eyes," says Marlene. While Marlene and Yuji fire on the shielded Blue, Matt has moved behind the front line on the second floor of a ruined building, using the height advantage to snipe the second wave of Blue, trying desperately to hold them off. 'What is going on down there?!' he thinks, then catches a glimpse of the mantis Blue. 'A shielded one. Just what we needed.' He thinks, sniping another one.
Suddenly, Matt hears a rumbling noise, and sees the Mantis blue destroy the barricades. 'Shit!' he thinks, then sees Yuji and Marlene get on a motorbike and run circles around the Blue. He smirks. 'Resourceful, I'll say that.' About this time, he hears a click. 'Out of ammo, just great. This is about as bad as it can get.' Thinks Matt, who sees a third wave of Blue making for the gap. Shouldering his rifle, he gets back on ground level, and sees Marlene and Yuji get tossed from their bike. 'To Hell with it!' thinks Matt, yelling in his mind, and heads to Robert's position, just as the shielded blue barrels down on their position. "You ok, Robert?" asks Matt. "Look out!" yells Robert. "It's the shielded one!" Matt just turns around, and pulls out his pistol. It's a black Pistol, with two caps coming out of it, where he put the power cells earlier. It's mainly a smooth design, with six holes near it's barrel, and a ribbed area on the top rear half of the pistol. Robert is in shock. 'A Plasma Pistol!' thinks Robert, in awe and shock. Matt just takes aim, and fires. A bright blue bolt of highly charged gas fires from the pistol, blasting the head clear off the shielded blue. The Black Rune on the hilt flashed orange, with a black 'IX' replacing the 'X'.
Matt's attention is grabbed as Robert clears his throat. "Yeah?" says Matt. Robert just levels an appreciatory look at Matt. "So, you've finally arrived. I know you're not from Second Earth. Hell, not a single person on the station owns a plasma weapon." Matt just looks at him for a second, then smirks. "So you know. Good." "Here," says Robert. "Give me your wrist computer." Matt removes it from his left arm, and hands it to Robert. Robert returns it after typing in some information. "Ok, Matt. I programmed in Vikanor Space Base's location, and a map of the intervening terrain. Here's three clips for your rifle. You have to make it to Second Earth. With your help, I know the Blue will fall." "And what about you?" asks Matt. "I'm through anyway, so I've mined the whole area with our demolition charges and grenades. I know I won't live, but I'll take these bastards out with me!" Matt looks around for a second to see that the line is broken, and the civilians are being eaten. He closes his eyes and makes the sign of the Aquila. "Very well, Robert. Good luck, and happy hunting. The Emperor Protects!" says Matt, bringing his right arm across his chest.
Robert smiles, and repeats the gesture. "The Emperor Protects. Now Go! I'll tell Marlene and Yuji about the bombs, just go!" Matt nods his head, and flips the safety on his pistol. The Rune changes to a green color, he disassembles the rifle, then places the disassembled rifle, the pistol, and the ammo in his bag. Robert just looks confused. "What are you doing?" he says. "Simple," responds Matt. "My bag's waterproof, and I need to take a swim to get outta here." Matt stands up, shoulders the pack, and salutes Robert, before taking off full gate through the ruins, avoiding the Blue. As he turns around one last time, he sees Robert talking to Marlene and Yuji. He then turns back around, and heads full gate for the river. Seeing it, he jumps off of the ledge, making a splash as he hits. Just after he surfaces, he sees the aftermath of a giant explosion behind him. Climbing out of the water, he turns around to see the flaming wreckage of the city. Offering a quick prayer for the dead, and briefly wondering if Marlene and Yuji made it out alive, Matt accesses his wrist computer, and finds the direction to Vikanor. 'Well,' thinks Matt. 'Time to head out. I got a lot of ground to cover, and only 14 days to do it in.' Let's get to it,' he decides, as he begins the long and grueling trek, to Vikanor Space Base.
End Chapter Two