----- Chapter 11 : Master System ------
Sarunakai stood before Principal Tyrell.
"I summoned you here because I need the best and you're it. The mines are protected by some kind of military grade defence system. I want you to assemble a team of the finest Hunters and shut it down."
"I understand. I have just the people in mind."
He turned on his heel and left the office.
-----
Bernie left the hospital. Despite the advances the Hunters were making, they were still taking casualties and the infirmary was rapidly finding itself overwhelmed. Bernie was only slightly concerned that he seemed to be going through teams almost as fast as photon shells for his weapon. Well an influx of inexperienced youth can do that.
He questioned the woman manning the Guild desk at some length. All the established teams were full or away on the surface. Bernie preferred the convenience of being a support RAnger, jumping in and out of teams wherever the action was. He was about to concede to the fact that he would have to lead another bunch of no-hopers when a listing caught his eye.
He accessed the team's statistics. Consistent successes, no serious injuries logged, a balanced mix of classes and they were small enough to appreciate a man of his talents. They were even Pioneer-side, perfect.
-----
Eventide had no problem with relinquishing leadership of the team once Bernie had explained his plan. The lower levels of the mines were populated with fast moving Sinows and the tank-like Garanz and few teams were capable of staying for long.
"Besides..." Grinned Eventide, "I haven't done anything exciting today."
-----
The plan itself was fairly simple. Track the movements of the other teams through BEE messages and use that work a route that would minimise conflict. It might not be a glamorous approach but it yielded results, especially since most of those teams would be blundering into danger anyway.
-----
Bernie signalled the team to stop. For the last twenty Beats or so they had become the most advanced team. The faint echoes of battle long since faded behind them into near silence. This too had worked in their favour, their enemies clearly audible over some distance thus allowing for avoidance or ambush as the situation required.
If they were indeed the furthermost team then why was there wreckage scattered throughout the rooms that they now passed through, like a recent battle had taken place not more than two days ago. Bernie could hear a faint sound, it sounded almost like sobbing.
"I think there's someone here, look around."
-----
Sarunakai closed his eyes, let out a breath and relaxed.
"There's someone here, I feel it."
The others began to search around the burned-out hulk of a Garanz, but Sarunakai instructed them to try further afield.
-----
The electronics for the storeroom door were non-functional but with Eric's assistance they were able to force it open. Inside they beheld a dishevelled figure curled up against the back wall, barely moving. The orange armour was dirty and a tangle of hair obscured his face but Bernie recognised the pitifully sight before him, it was Ash.
"Holy Crap! How long have you been down here?" Exclaimed Bernie as he placed his hand on Ash's shoulder.
Ash recoiled from Bernie's touch and attempted to shuffle away. Bernie frowned and reached out for him again.
Don't touch me." Mumbled Ash.
"What?" Queried Bernie.
"Don't touch me!" Yelled Ash and gave Bernie an almighty shove.
Bernie sailed right out of the room and past his three team-mates before hitting the floor hard. He scrambled to his feet, furious.
"You're DAMNED lucky I don't blast your ass back to the Stone Age for that one boy!"
Bernie regained his composure, "Come on! Let's go!" He indicated to the others and after a fraction of a Beat they followed him out.
Bernie would not admit it to anyone but when Ash had turned to yell at him, he had caught a glimpse of his face and it frightened him.
-----
"Over there, look!" Said Eric.
They all turned to look at the sign fixed to the wall. It read 'Monitor Room'.
"Be ready for anything." Commanded Sarunakai as he led the way forward.
Sarunakai stood before Principal Tyrell.
"I summoned you here because I need the best and you're it. The mines are protected by some kind of military grade defence system. I want you to assemble a team of the finest Hunters and shut it down."
"I understand. I have just the people in mind."
He turned on his heel and left the office.
-----
Bernie left the hospital. Despite the advances the Hunters were making, they were still taking casualties and the infirmary was rapidly finding itself overwhelmed. Bernie was only slightly concerned that he seemed to be going through teams almost as fast as photon shells for his weapon. Well an influx of inexperienced youth can do that.
He questioned the woman manning the Guild desk at some length. All the established teams were full or away on the surface. Bernie preferred the convenience of being a support RAnger, jumping in and out of teams wherever the action was. He was about to concede to the fact that he would have to lead another bunch of no-hopers when a listing caught his eye.
He accessed the team's statistics. Consistent successes, no serious injuries logged, a balanced mix of classes and they were small enough to appreciate a man of his talents. They were even Pioneer-side, perfect.
-----
Eventide had no problem with relinquishing leadership of the team once Bernie had explained his plan. The lower levels of the mines were populated with fast moving Sinows and the tank-like Garanz and few teams were capable of staying for long.
"Besides..." Grinned Eventide, "I haven't done anything exciting today."
-----
The plan itself was fairly simple. Track the movements of the other teams through BEE messages and use that work a route that would minimise conflict. It might not be a glamorous approach but it yielded results, especially since most of those teams would be blundering into danger anyway.
-----
Bernie signalled the team to stop. For the last twenty Beats or so they had become the most advanced team. The faint echoes of battle long since faded behind them into near silence. This too had worked in their favour, their enemies clearly audible over some distance thus allowing for avoidance or ambush as the situation required.
If they were indeed the furthermost team then why was there wreckage scattered throughout the rooms that they now passed through, like a recent battle had taken place not more than two days ago. Bernie could hear a faint sound, it sounded almost like sobbing.
"I think there's someone here, look around."
-----
Sarunakai closed his eyes, let out a breath and relaxed.
"There's someone here, I feel it."
The others began to search around the burned-out hulk of a Garanz, but Sarunakai instructed them to try further afield.
-----
The electronics for the storeroom door were non-functional but with Eric's assistance they were able to force it open. Inside they beheld a dishevelled figure curled up against the back wall, barely moving. The orange armour was dirty and a tangle of hair obscured his face but Bernie recognised the pitifully sight before him, it was Ash.
"Holy Crap! How long have you been down here?" Exclaimed Bernie as he placed his hand on Ash's shoulder.
Ash recoiled from Bernie's touch and attempted to shuffle away. Bernie frowned and reached out for him again.
Don't touch me." Mumbled Ash.
"What?" Queried Bernie.
"Don't touch me!" Yelled Ash and gave Bernie an almighty shove.
Bernie sailed right out of the room and past his three team-mates before hitting the floor hard. He scrambled to his feet, furious.
"You're DAMNED lucky I don't blast your ass back to the Stone Age for that one boy!"
Bernie regained his composure, "Come on! Let's go!" He indicated to the others and after a fraction of a Beat they followed him out.
Bernie would not admit it to anyone but when Ash had turned to yell at him, he had caught a glimpse of his face and it frightened him.
-----
"Over there, look!" Said Eric.
They all turned to look at the sign fixed to the wall. It read 'Monitor Room'.
"Be ready for anything." Commanded Sarunakai as he led the way forward.