Waking up from a dreamless sleep for the first time in a long time, Mason took a brief moment to remember where he was and the events of the previous day.
Looking under his right arm, he found Tina curled into his side. Her tiny arms wrapped around him as best she could like he was a giant teddy bear, a content smile on her young face as she continued dreaming.
It took a while to get her to get back to sleep after her night terrors. But when she finally did she refused to let him go, leaving the slayer to accept his fate as he got comfortable and went to sleep as well for the night.
Sending a smile at his young charge, Mason carefully extracted himself from her grip and got out of bed. Ensuring she was still sound asleep before heading over to the locked trunk where he stored his Praetor suit. Assembling the Hell-forged steel armor over his current attire, minus the helmet that he held under his arm before making his way to the war room where everyone else was already gathered.
"Catch some good winks?" asked Lilith while she drank a cup of coffee.
"More or less, thankfully Tina didn't have anymore nightmares." replied Mason as he set his helmet down on the holotable. "She's probably going to be having those for a while."
Roland nodded, "At least she's safe now. In time, she might get better." shaking his head, the Commander cleared his throat before getting on the topic at hand. "That aside, I think it's time we start planning where we go from here."
"Our best bet would be to track down the Vault key." offered Tannis, even if she didn't like the idea of destroying the key, the idea of having it back in their possession was a must. "Whether Jack successfully manages to recharge it with Eridium or not, it's better off not in his megalomaniac grasp."
"I agree with Doctor Tannis." VEGA spoke up from his residence in the headquarters' systems. "I would also recommend dealing significant blows to their resources here on Pandora. The less they have to continue their operations, the better it will be for the resistance. I have gathered and marked several key points of interest that may help in these endeavors."
The map of Pandora before them zoomed out and a dozen different locations were marked. Roland looked over each location before focusing on one in particular. "What's this here?"
"A heavily fortified structure in a region known as 'Thousand Cuts'." replied the AI.
"That's no-man's land." said Mordecai. "Anyone who went out that way was never heard from again."
"This location is protected by several layers of defenses that would be hard pressed to get past. In addition, the Helios station has a constant view of it to offer orbital bombardment and loader unit drops for added security." VEGA explained.
"Whatever Jack has hidden there must be important to need that much to protect it." said Lilith. "Not even the new city he's trying to build is that defended."
Mason looked at the image of the structure they were talking about. His memory coming back to him about what exactly was hidden there.
Or, more or less, who was being hidden there.
"Until we know more about it, trying to mount an assault on the place would be suicide." said the slayer. "We should take out the other locations. Gather intel."
"Agreed." said Roland as he looked over the map again, "There are a couple more places that we could formulate an attack on to give us an edge."
VEGA moved the map around until he centered on a structure in the Arid Badlands, near an abandoned town that had at one time been known as Fyrestone. "This is another location of interest you may need to consider in the near future. It is the Hyperion Data Stockade. Most classified and high profile information is stored here. It is also where many of Hyperion's encrypted transmission channels pass through."
"So anything and everything we would want to know about what Hyperion is up to, we could find there." said Lilith while leaning on the table to get a better look at the point of interest.
"What about the rest of the spots?" asked Mordecai.
"Various Eridium mines, laboratories, and recon outposts. There also a few known space ports where troops and supplies are brought to Pandora's surface from the Helios station." said the AI.
Mason looked over the map in thought, "I'm all for wrecking their side projects...but, we have to consider the long haul."
"Meaning?" asked Roland.
"The moment we start taking out their mines and other operations they'll bulk up the security of their more important sites." explained the slayer. He motioned to the Data Stockade. "If we can get VEGA into their main data cache, we can get access to any information we could possibly need on what Jack's up to, along with his progress in finding the Vault."
The Commander thought it over and nodded, "From a strategic point, it makes sense. The issue is we lack the resources to mount an assault on the stockade."
"Perhaps a direct assault isn't the answer." VEGA threw in. "If you were to cause an attack on a smaller target, it would draw the attention of Handsome Jack and his forces long enough for a smaller team to infiltrate the Data Stockade."
The plan sounded solid to the former Vault Hunters, "I like it as long as we can go in and smash some stuff." said Brick while cracking his knuckles.
"Looks like Brick's volunteered for the distraction." said Lilith, "But we still have a problem. Jack's not going to get all worked up if we attack a random base. How can we be sure we'll get his attention?"
"We'll give him something he wants." said Roland, standing to his full height. "I'll be part of the distraction as well, no way in hell he'd ignore the head of the Crimson Raiders being out in the open. And by the time he figures things out, it'll be too late."
"You sure about this, Rol?" asked Mordecai. "The second Jack finds out you're out there he'll send everything he can to capture or kill. The bastard could end up sending Wilhelm again."
The name alone made the Vault Hunters tense.
"That's why I'm going too." said Mason. "Jack obviously knows about me after what happened the other day. And with me there with Roland it'll make him focus more on what we're doing."
"I would recommend Lilith to take the role of leader of the infiltration team." offered VEGA. "Her Siren abilities would allow a quick escape should something occur."
"I'll tag along as well, offer sniper support." said Mordecai with Bloodwing trilling in agreement.
Roland nodded, "Then we're agreed. We'll start making preparations for the attack. The sooner we get our hands on that data the better. For now we should-"
"Commander! Can you hear me?!" a voice suddenly burst through their echos with the sounds of gunfire in the background.
"Reiss? What's going on?" Roland said into his echo.
"We got Bloodshots at the gate trying to force their way in! We're holding out the best we can but they ain't stopping! We could use some backup out here!"
"Sit tight! Backups on its-" Roland was cut off when a green blur suddenly shot past him. Having heard the SOS, Mason had grabbed his helmet from the table and sprinted toward the balcony. Leaping over the railing and hitting the ground with a trembling impact that left a small crater in his wake.
From there, he was off like a massive armored bullet. Slamming his helmet into place as he charged past the various citizens of Sanctuary who all leapt out of his way. His heavy footfalls shaking the ground as he burned a trail straight out the city's entrance and toward the massive gate where the sounds of gunfire and explosions could be heard.
Back on the balcony of the CR HQ, the former Vault hunters watched the slayer with wide eyed expressions.
"...fuck." Mordecai said, in utter shock at how fast Mason had moved.
Roland raised his echo back to his mouth, "Reiss, you got backup enroute...you and the others may want to find cover though."
X
Reiss looked down at his echo in confusion after he had finished helping a wounded comrade behind cover. On the other side of the gate, half a dozen technicals baring the sigils and paint jobs of the Bloodshot bandit clan were lobbing exploding barrels and firing massive saw blades, attempting to break down the barrier.
He and ten others had just returned from a scouting mission when the bandits came running, they barely made it inside after losing two of their own and sealed the gate when things started getting worse.
Just as he was about to ask Roland what he had ment, he saw something approaching from the city. At first he thought it was a vehicle...until it got closer and he saw that instead it was a lone man in heavy power armor...charging toward them at the speed he believed only a runner could accomplish.
"What the fu-" he couldn't finish as the unknown man ran past him toward the gate, and with agility that was unbelievable considering his suit, actually leaped over it.
The men firing on the Bloodshots from the towers on either side of the gate could only watch in awe as their backup cleared the barricade easily and landed on the hood of the lead technical with earth-splitting force. The bandit vehicle crumpling beneath the impact, sending the driver and the gunner catapulting forward and splattering into a mess of blood, gore and shattered bone against the very gate they were trying to get into.
Raising to his full height, the slayer leered at his opposition through his HUD. "Looks like we got a big target boys!" shouted one of the bandits from the bed of the rear technical. "Save the head if you can, it'll look good on my hood!"
Mason grin sadistically while he brought out his new E-Tech rifle and cocked the bolt-handle.
("Slayer Gates" - Doom Eternal OST)
The glowing rounds left the barrel in a steady solvo, punching through shields, armor and flesh alike as the slayer mowed down the bandits and raiders in his sights. Those that managed to avoid being torn apart by the Eridium-infused barrage fired their own weapons at the armored super soldier, only for their rounds to bounce harmlessly off his suit's plates.
A psycho leapt from one of the technicals, Mason caught him in midair without trouble. Sending his rifle to storage, he took out a grenade, pulled the pin and rammed his fist through the deranged man's rib cage. Implanting the explosive before throwing the body at the Bloodshots where he exploded in a burst of red that distracted them.
This would be their downfall as the slayer charged ahead into their ranks, shoulder bashing technicals out of his way and crushing several of the bandits with his hands and feet.
A midget with a shotgun tried to shoot him, but one of Mason's large boots connected with his head. Severing it from his body and sending it through the windshield of a truck, much to the driver's horror.
The remaining bandits attempted to gang up in the berserking Doomslayer, but each and every one met a painful and bloody end as they were torn apart within his grasp. A Badass Psycho charged into the frey, raising his buzzaxe to deliver a harsh blow, but the weapon was deflected by Mason's chainsaw. Sparks shooting in all directions when the whirling blades met.
Spinning to the left, Mason came back around with his chainsaw revved loudly as he cut through the mutated psycho's leg. Dropping him to the ground where he proceeded to drive the deadly instrument into his back. The teeth chewing through flesh and bone and he yanked upward and cutting the Badass up through his torso and head, nearly cutting him in half.
Praetor suit covered in a thick layer of flesh blood, the slayer turned his attention when he heard an engine roaring and a lone technical attempting to flee.
"Heh, pussy." Mason said as he brought out his rocket launcher. Targeting the vehicle and firing one shot. The missile hitting the bandit truck's rear and sending it flipping forward into the air and crashing on its roof.
Lowering the weapon, the slayer felt something impact the back of his helmet. Turning around, he found a lone bandit Marauder holding a now badly bent tailpipe of a wreck vehicle.
"Oh...fuck..." the bandit muttered, dropping his 'weapon' and raising his hands. Mason grabbed him by his face, a small application of his monstrous strength had the skull in his hand popping like a grape.
X
The leader of the bandit group crawled out from under his technical. Battered and bloody as he tried to escape even though his legs were a mangled mess.
"What the fuck's going on out there!"his echo bellowed, his boss not sounding pleased. "You idiots better have gotten through those gates or there'll be hell to pay!"
Taking out the echo, the bandit attempted to call for backup when a large, green armored hand reached down and plucked the device from his weak grasp.
"Hello?! One of you assholes better answer me before-"
"This the head of the Bloodshots?" Mason asked, cutting off whoever it was.
"Who the fuck are you?!"
"I'm the one that just finished turning your guys into bloody smears on my fists." he took out his combat shotgun and blew the head off the bandit at his feet. "And that, was the sound of me killing the last one. Now, before you open your mouth and give some lame-ass monologue about ripping my spine out my ass or some other bullshit, allow me to explain what's going to happen next."
"I know you're little hideout is at the old damn, I also know how to get through that weak-ass gate you have protecting it. You better hope the men you have guarding the place last longer than these ones did, because your time left in this life are numbered."
The line was silent for several seconds before the one on the other end burst out laughing. "Y-Your kidding right?! What the fuck you planning to do?!" the head of the bandit clan asked while still laughing.
Mason grinned behind his visor and said only three words;
"Rip and Tear." the echo was crushed in his hand not even a moment after.
X
Back at Sanctuary's gate, the Crimson Raiders had witnessed the utter slaughter of the attacking bandits with equal parts awe and fear. One of them having turned to the side to throw up.
Reiss was at a complete loss, his rifle having slipped from his limp fingers and clattering to the ground as he watched the Bloodshots getting torn apart...literally.
"Corporal." Reiss jumped and spun around to see Roland and the other former Vault Hunters approaching from the city. "Report."
"Uhh...we suffered two casualties...sir." the Corporal looked back out at the blood-soaked battlefield. "C-Commander...who was that?"
Roland looked out over all the carnage and winced, almost feeling sorry for the Bloodshots. "New addition to our ranks. I'm pretty sure his results speak for themselves."
Mason took that moment to approached the gate, fresh blood splashed across the Praetor suit's plates. "Well, that was a nice morning warm up." he said while cracking his neck. "Though I just called out the head honcho of the Bloodshots when he called one of his boys."
"You what?!" Asked Roland shocked. "What did you tell him?!"
"Told him that his days were numbered and I was coming for him." the slayer replied nonchalantly as he started making his way back to Sanctuary.
The Commander pinched the bridge of his nose, "Mason, I have no doubts at all that you're one tough son of a bitch. But we can't handle a full blown war with the local bandits on top of Hyperion. Throwing threats around will just get them more fired up."
Mason paused and looked back over his shoulder at Roland, "I didn't make a threat...I made a promise."
X
The slaughter of the Bloodshots just outside the borders became the talk of Sanctuary. Normally death, violence and shootouts were an everyday occurrence that many folks didn't bat an eye at. But when it is done by the CR's newest member, who had done it mostly with their bare hands, people couldn't help but spread it around.
Especially when several of the raiders that were on guard duty at the gate recorded what had happened on their echos.
Most of the populace of the settlement were curious about Mason, even more so now compared to before. A select few others did their best to steer clear of him, while a smaller number actually wanted to try and fight him. Although they lacked the courage to go through with it.
Returning to the HQ, the Slayer was greeted by a very excited Tina. Who proceeded to jump onto his shoulders and ride on them as he walked through the front door. Everyone regrouped back in the war room and talked shop for a couple hours, going over various plans before going their own way for the time being.
Mason and his little charge decided to walk around Sanctuary after Roland told the slayer to familiarize himself with the town and the people in it.
Roland, Brick and Mordecai stuck around HQ with Tannis remaining in her lab area. As for Lilith, she began walking through Sanctuary lost in her thoughts.
She'd been plagued by more dreams last night, these ones more vivid than the ones that she had been having before;
X
A burning plain stretched out, lightning storms igniting the skies above as loud roars and shrieks filled the air. The same warrior that she had been seeing every night was once again waging his endless crusade against the unholy beasts. His glowing blade slicing through their ranks, slicing through flesh and bone while blood painted the dirt beneath him.
But he wasn't alone. Around him stood the six women with angelic wings and ethereal aura were combating the creatures as well, the seven of them laying waste to the invaders until nothing remained but corpses.
Among the carnage, the warrior breathed heavily, his never ending fury firm in his gaze as he stared off into the distance.
The women all landed around him, one of them approaching and drawing the warrior's gaze to her. She reached up, her hand holding the side of his face and revealing the glowing markings that ran along her arm.
Rage filled eyes became calm, almost peaceful as the other women circled them. Each one reaching out to touch him, all of their arms baring the same markings as the first that all glowed when they came into contact with his powerful frame.
The first woman leaned up without warning and pressed her lips to his before a flash of light burst forth.
X
It didn't take a genius to figure out that the strange women in the dreams were Sirens, or that the warrior was more than likely Mason. But the real question that has been keeping her awake is why.
Why was she having these dreams? Why now all of a sudden? And how is it all connected to Mason? Nothing made sense anymore, and it was beginning to frusterate Lilith more and more as time passed.
Shaking her head, the Siren fished out a cigarette. Lighting it with her powers and taking a long inhale.
"You know those things will kill you." Lilith looked left and found Mason approaching with Tina still riding on his shoulder.
"Considering what else is out there, these are the least of anyone's worries." replied the Siren as she took another drag. Tina made a face before the slayer set her on the ground where she wandered off to play in the snow a few feet away. "I take it you met everyone?" asked Lilith.
"They are a colorful bunch." said the slayer. "Marcus seems loyal, though I can tell a good con man when I see one. Though its a good thing he's on your side. Zed is more likely to kill you as he is to heal you, but he's good at what he does. Scooter...he's certainly a character. Thought I was a giant robot and came at me with a wrench."
Lilith laughed, "Yeah, he's not all the way there. But you won't find anyone else on Pandora who can strip a runner and put it back together as quick as he can. Aside from his sister Ellie."
The duo lapsed into silence, both staring off into the distance of the frozen wastes just outside Sanctuary's shield. "Mason, I gotta ask." the Siren said, finishing her cig and crushing it on the ground. "Why did you reveal so much to us? I mean, we're all grateful, but to say so much to people you recently met seems like kind of a rough risk."
Mason was quiet as he thought the question over, "I may have spent an untold amount of time in Hell, but I like to think I can still judge Humans pretty good." he met her eyes through his visor, "On an instinctual level, I know I can trust you and the others. And like Roland said, the raiders could use all the help they can get dealing with Jack and his flunkies."
He turned his attention to Tina as she threw snowballs at the shield infront of her. "She things highly of you." said the Siren as she followed his line of sight. "Known you only a couple days and she thinks of you like a knight in shining armor."
The slayer nodded, "It's a nice fantasy...but I'm the farthest thing from a hero in any shape or form." he felt Lilith's eyes on him, "You all saw my history, or at least the cliffnotes. I'm not some archangel from the heavens. My soul is not even remotely qualified to even step foot there. I'm a monster with the sole purpose of slaughtering the ones that threaten to wipe out all life, through any means."
Lilith crossed her arms under her breasts and nodded, "I get that. No one here are saints. Pretty sure none of us are going to the pearly gates when our tickets get punched. There's really no 'saving' Pandora anyway, but it's our home. The least we can do it make it a little better."
"That's reason enough." Mason agreed. "Guess it's a good thing I fit in around here."
The Siren smiled, "Guess so." they fell back into silence as they looked out over the landscape together.
X
Back in her lab, Tannis was leaning over her desk as she went through a small library of echo recordings and data files that she had stored on the servers that were set up in the old archive building.
After the recent revelations that she and the others had been privy to, the scientist had a strange itch in the back of her mind that just wouldn't fade. At first she thought that she had finally tipped over the chasm of madness after balancing there for so long, then she realized that it was something else.
Something that forced her to go through her entire data collection as fast as she could to find the answer.
And after a several hours with little to no bathroom breaks, she had finally found it.
Looking at the screen before her, Tannis' eyes widened when an image appeared. Her brain going into overdrive and her heart hammering in her chest.
"Th-This...this changes everything..." she said in a near whisper.
On the monitor, was an image that had been carved into stone. One that had been taken by one her colleagues back when Daul first came to Pandora. Faded and eroded by time, but clear enough to make out the characters displayed.
The image revealed an armored warrior standing on a pile of what looked to be dead creatures. Six female shaped beings with wings could be seen behind them, but it was the last character at the very top that had the scientist on edge.
It was the arch-like symbol the Eridians used to signify the Vaults. And inside that was another familiar sigil. One that she had seen recently on the helm of their newest addition that she knew she had seen once before.
The mark of the Night Sentinels.
A/N: How's that for an update?
Doom Eternal is only a week away folks! And there's going to be a lot of ripping and tearing to be had. Until then, prepare yourselves!