The Outlands were a completely different beast to the city. Zero had never been deployed out here much, leaving them slightly in the dark when it came to this place's dangers. They had been out to the likes of the Wasteland, a nigh endless and growing barren wasteland that coated the North American continent, but here was different.
Sightlines were smaller, cover more numerous than even an urban environment. It was the perfect place for an ambush, and they were reasonably paranoid. The rustle of branches caused their face to twitch, especially as the group was finally beginning to move.
16 rebels, including themselves moved cautiously. Some were still somewhat wounded, but all were armed. Zero and Mokou led the vanguard, Yukari somewhere closer to the middle. The others seemed incredibly nervous around the Elite, especially due to them suggesting group positioning.
Zero saw it as absolutely reasonable, especially due to their continued use of the armor and weaponry from their former post. Regardless, the group pushed on, moving steadily through the forest that seemed to grow thicker and thicker as they continued.
"I didn't think the Outlands were this untouched by the Union." Zero spoke, slightly to ease their own tension and break the silence, if only to speak in a low tone.
"You can still find it here and there, it certainly ain't untouched." Mokou replied. "Mainly comes in the form of that toxic sludge the city pumped out, usually spilled out from the canals. But it ain't just the Combine out here."
"Denizens from Xen." Zero flatly filled in. "I imagine this is where the Antlions came from back in the City."
"Bingo." the long-haired rebel replied. "Tons of nests underground. Not to mention other stuff like the Bullsquids, Houndeyes, Panthereyes, etc, etc. Ate all the wildlife that was here before, replaced it with themselves."
"Unfortunate result of the cascade." Zero replied.
Mokou chuckled. "I think that can be applied to everything that's happened to Earth so far in the last 20 years."
Zero was about to reply, but a sound pierced the air. However, they could tell right away it wasn't just a normal sound. It wasn't something just heard, but felt, their body practically resonating as it occurred. Then, another answered it back.
Listening to it, as strange as it was, it almost sounded like a conversation as two more similar sounds pierced the air. But with the way it was heard, they practically couldn't pinpoint a direction it came from. It certainly wasn't subtle, but they could see it's uses immediately due to that effect.
As it settled, they merely looked to Mokou, who had a look of confusion on their face. "Was that a mating call or somethin'?"
"Vortigaunts." came Yukari's familiar voice as they moved forward. "They speak of assisting Alyx Vance. Apparently they were severely injured."
"Shit." Mokou mumbled. "Wait, you know Vortigaunt?"
"It is a… skill I acquired a long time ago." Yukari spoke with a slight hesitance.
"How long?" Zero inquired.
Yukari blew a little breath out of their nose, closing their eyes for a moment before looking to the Elite. "Another time. We must keep moving. Getting caught out here would be a death sentence if they really are sending out Hunters en masse."
Zero paused for a moment before nodding, turning back towards the front as they gestured for the group behind to start moving again. And hesitantly, they obeyed, the group moving back into formation as they trudged through the thick forest.
It wasn't until another twenty minutes that they reached an actual clearing, Zero calling for the group to hold as they peered onward.
A surprisingly large building sat within the clearing. It looked old and abandoned, husks of ancient cars still parked in it's outside lot. From it's large and industrial appearance, they could easily assume it was formerly a factory of some description. Zero and Mokou crouched in the brush surrounding the building, Zero looking for any signs of movement as the rest of the group too got low to the ground, forming a more tight-knit pattern.
"Do any of you know of this place?" Zero glanced back to the members behind them. Most shrugged or shook their heads, but one came forward a little.
"I think I do." the male Rebel spoke. "I think we might've had an outpost here, or nearby, at least."
"Had?" Zero slightly tilted their head.
The rebel shrugged. "Dunno anymore. With the reports of Hunters around, we can't tell if it's dead or not. Think it might've been the outlying base for the outpost down in the mines below us."
Zero paused for a moment, thinking it through. "Thank you…"
"Aaron." the Rebel filled in.
"Thank you, Aaron." Zero spoke, looking back to the factory building that loomed over the surrounding trees. "I think it may be worth investigating, if only to check on this possible outpost."
"I agree." Nitori spoke up a little from their position near the back. "Even if it was taken out, they probably have communication equipment. Would be best to affirm the loss of the outpost to White Forest."
"However, it wouldn't be wise to send everyone in." Zero added. "A majority should stay back here. If a trap is sprung, get out of here and get to White Forest if you can."
"How should we do this, then?" Mokou asked.
"Majority should be left back here, and if Combine appear in any manner, flee." Zero started. "Nitori knows more about Rebel communication equipment than I do. If a trap is sprung, additional firepower may be required to survive."
"I can torch Hunters, i'm pretty sure." Mokou spoke up with a slightly proud look as they glanced to their Immolator.
"True. Immolators are known for such things." Zero stated, looking to the group before their eyes settled on Yukari. "And you should come as well."
Yukari rose an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Several reasons." Zero started. "Union seemingly wants you. If so, if a trap is sprung, all attention will be put on our group, allowing the others to escape."
"And as for us?" Yukari countered.
"Surprisingly, I find the chances against Overwatch forces to be higher than Rebel ones, because if they want you as a prisoner, then they'll be holding back in terms of lethal force."
"So you want to make the group that goes in a tantalizing enough piece of bait that they might be pulling their punches?" Nitori asked.
"Yes." Zero flatly replied.
"That's…" Yukari seemed to take a moment to think, closing their eyes for a moment before looking back to Zero. "Actually not a terrible plan."
"Sounds counterproductive to me." Mokou scoffed. "The equivalent of puttin' all your eggs in one basket."
"Ah, but Mrs. Fujiwara, you must know that if such a case happens, the eggs are often handled even more delicately than usual." Yukari replied. "Now, who has spare weaponry? I believe it wouldn't do well to do such a thing with just a USP."
A couple offers went up, and Yukari chose the SPAS-12 from the lot, getting several extra reserves as well.
"So, that's 4 going in, and…" Yukari did a headcount. "12 waiting here."
"Perhaps we could use one or two more to cover the entrance." Zero suggested. "Volunteers?"
While Yukari got immediate offers, people seemed far more hesitant to volunteer for the Elite's offer.
"I'll reiterate it for ya'." Mokou started, narrowing her eyes at the group. "Who IS going to volunteer? Because I don't enjoy dying as much as the next person, despite what many would claim."
Several hands immediately rose. Mokou brushed off most of them, choosing some ones they knew were dependable, due to their extended time with the group.
"Good." Zero said, adjusting the AR2 in their arms. "Now let's move."
The others nodded, while the remaining rebels adjusted their position as the group of six exposed themselves, moving into the building's large parking lot.
As the building neared, Zero's optic could see every minute detail. Tiny cracks were beginning to form in the building's walls, a small spiderweb grown from disuse that was slowly growing further and further.
As they approached the main doors, they could see the countless remnants of fingerprints which had opened them, and with a quick scan, they could tell the last use had been a week prior.
The group leaned against both sides of the double doors, and with a nod from Zero, they opened them quickly, weapons raised as several eyes slightly widened at the scene inside.
Rebels littered the floor. Some killed by bullet or pulse, others by knife. Actual bullet holes on the surrounding walls were few, leading Zero to believe that the job had been done quick and clean, before they could even react. Light streamed in from windows above, sun-baking some of the bodies and more easily revealing some of their infestation with maggots.
"Fuck, that's a smell I wish I were less familiar with." Mokou's nose twitched in disgust.
"They've been rotting." Zero immediately replied. "Hard to say if Overwatch is still around."
"L-let's do this fast anyways." Nitori spoke, clearly unnerved by the smell and bloody scene before them.
Zero scanned the room, optic settling on a set of monitors in the corner, supplemented with radios and other various pieces of circuitry lying about. "There. Check if there's still power. If not, I can supplement. Others, be on guard, watch for any movement or sound. Watch the doorway especially."
"Right." Nitori replied quickly, moving over as they tried to brush the smell out of their mind as the two Rebels took position at the door, Yukari, Mokou and Zero scanning the areas as they kept their weapons at the ready as the engineer looked to the equipment.
"Okay, this actually isn't that badly damaged. I think there's still some power left over." Nitori started as they booted up the set of monitors. "Hold on…"
The monitors came to life, as well as several other lights in the room. "Alright, I think i've got it! I think they must've had a backup generator."
Zero moved over to the monitors, optic still glancing around as the engineer adjusted the signal.
"Alright, here goes." Nitori cleared her throat. "White Forest, this is Nitori Kawashiro, come in."
The static of the radios seemed to grow rather than lessen, however. But then the screens flickered, something coming into view. Nitori's eyebrow rose until the monitors all flashed on at once, a strange, almost insect-like noise erupting from it's crude speakers as the distinctive image of what the Resistance knew as an Advisor watched on.
"Shit, it IS a trap!" Nitori scrambled as the monitors shut off at once. The Rebels tried to move for the door, but found their way blocked as a Combine forcefield immediately turned on.
"Alert." came a voice, something similar to Overwatch's AI, yet colder, near mechanical and with a very distinctive echo as it sounded throughout the forest. "Biotics confirmed in Outland sector A5. Subject Gap engaged. Lazarus Subprime engaged. Kappa Prime engaged. Clamp, Restrain. Further biotic signatures detected. Expunge."
"I thought that AI went down with the Citadel?" Yukari wondered, surprisingly calm despite the circumstances.
"Backup. 80% of it's functionality with 20% form." Zero replied as the echoes of a dropship could be heard emanating from outside.
"I do hope you've thought of a plan further than this, cyclops." Mokou gritted her teeth slightly.
"Head further into the factory. If this was an outpost, it is likely there may still be supplies here. Perhaps even emplacements. Forcefield is also likely connected to a temporary dark fusion generator. We solve that, we get out of here."
"Then let's stop talkin' and get movin'!" Mokou nearly yelled, moving towards the other set of doors within the factory floor. They wasted no time in kicking them open, revealing a longer room.
Conveyor belts moved to and fro through the room, a practically vertical maze of conveyors and side passages leading up, but Zero more noted many of the lower conveyors as half-decent cover as they sealed the doors behind them, locking the soft metal to buy a slight amount of time.
At the end of the room lied something very much of note, however. A single elevator, an industrial yellow design making itself distinct against the backdrop of gray, black and rust.
"That looks promising!" Nitori spoke up.
"Better than the alternative!" Mokou shouted. "Move for it!"
The group of six jogged quickly as the windows shattered above, standard Overwatch soldiers rappelling down from the roof, forcing a couple of rebels to shield their heads as shattered glass went everywhere.
Despite this, MP7 and AR2 fire filled the air as Rebels and former Elite alike fired at the rapidly descending troops, killing most before they hit the ground, Yukari ending the last one's life before they got to any sort of cover.
"Alright, the elevator!" Nitori called out, trying to calm herself a little. "Seems like it's lacking power."
"God damnit, really?" Mokou breathed out in irritation.
"It's okay, it's not useless! Those lights turning on back in the first room means this place still has some power! I just got to look at the power for this room."
Yukari noted the upper floor for this elevator seemed surprisingly low and accessible, and if one got on top of the elevator…
"Zero, try to boost Nitori to the top of the elevator. They should be able to climb up from there." Yukari suggested.
"I… I think I can do somethin' up there, maybe." Nitori spoke, somewhat calming down. Zero merely nodded to the statement, holstering the AR2 and getting in a position to boost them up.
Nitori moved towards them, Zero's somewhat increased strength easily able to hoist them up to allow them to stand on their shoulders, allowing the engineer access to the top of the elevator, and with a little work, get themselves to the second floor.
"Alright, just hold here, i'll see if if can't see what the problem is!" Nitori rose her voice above the sounds of the incoming dropships.
"Be damn careful up there, Kawashiro." Mokou called up.
"I will!" Nitori spoke as they moved on the walkway above, moving into the rooms above as the sounds of further dropships echoed forth.
"So, how long do you calculate that door will hold?" Yukari asked as they got to cover.
"Two seconds, tops." Zero unholstered their Sniper Rifle, finding that it's High power may be needed here as their sensitive auditory sensors detected incoming footsteps.
The far door beeped. Zero could easily surmise they had set a charge, likely to give them the cover of smoke to work with as they poured in.
However, as the beeping got faster and the Elite took aim down the scope, they saw the flaw in the plan.
He could see through smoke.
The door blew apart an instant later, and a shot went out immediately, the mask of a standard trooper doing nothing against the rifle's accelerated pulse munitions. MP7 fire roared right after, damaging several soldiers as the group went low for cover.
Mokou, however, didn't seem to care about such things, moving into the fray by leaping atop the conveyors, her Immolator spitting a stream of lime-green death as plastic, metal and kevlar melted and fused with flesh, making for a gruesome result to all on the wrong end of the beam.
Even with the devastation inflicted to the initial wave, however, further moved in. Bullets flew through the fading smoke, bullets impacting into Mokou, who grit their teeth hard, falling back behind cover, red bleeding into their standard blue civilian clothing and vest.
Zero casually tossed over their emergency vial right after they fired off another round.
"Don't… don't need it as much as you think cyclops." Mokou spoke as they leaned against the conveyor, blood dripping to the floor as they breathed in and out with ragged breaths. "Shoulda' guessed they wouldn't hold back on me."
Zero didn't seem too concerned however, taking out another trooper as Yukari's SPAS-12 drowned out much of the room's ambient noise.
"There's something you're not telling me." Zero asked, a very small glance in their direction before resuming their firing pattern, the combined fire from nearly all hands keeping the soldiers at bay. "Because you shouldn't be talking right now, let alone moving."
Mokou let out a laugh, interrupted by a cough of blood. "You Overwatch catch on fast."
"Observation is a primary goal of mine." the Elite replied. "I do hope that engineer of yours is nearly finished."
Mokou breathed in and out more steadily, despite being covered in her own blood. "Patience, cyclops. Lemme' buy some more time."
"I'm expecting a explanation after this." Zero spoke somewhat more loudly, their sentence ending with the ping of their rifle clipping a soldier's helmet, leaving the victim exposed enough for their teammates to finish off.
"You'll get one!" Mokou spoke as they vaulted over the conveyor, a line of plasma streaming across the line, several troopers retreating as comrades collapsed into corroding, barely recognizable cadavers. This followed by a grenade from one of the other two rebels forced them fully out of the room for a moment.
"Alert." once again, the voice of Overwatch made itself known. "Possible malignant infection of high-ranking Overwatch personnel detected. Use of synthetic bioweapons is authorized. Code: displace, clamp, cauterize."
"Looks like they found you, Zero." Yukari noted, ducking behind cover as they slotted in shell after shell.
"Which means we're exceptionally low on time before we become overwhelmed." Zero noted. "If they realize that I'm not just a Rebel in a stolen suit, then their priorities shift."
"Cauterize." Yukari spoke as they finished loading the shells, pumping the first in. "To stem further infection of personnel."
Zero was about to speak, but then the battlefield changed. Light wasn't just streaming through the ceiling now, but the lights above had turned on, and the belts of their makeshift cover began to move once more.
"Told you to be patient!" Mokou spoke as the sound of rapid feet above quickly revealed Nitori to drop down.
"Sorry about the wait, they're trying to send them through up there, too!" Nitori spoke as they dropped to ground level.
"Does the elevator go down?" Zero quickly asked before the troops outside regrouped.
"I did see a floor schematic upstairs. It does, but I don't know to where." Nitori commented.
"Anywhere's better than here." Mokou spoke, getting on the elevator. "Now get on. Now."
With little hesitation did the others follow, the group of six barely fitting into the elevator as they hit it's button. The elevator groaned in response as troopers began to move in, but regardless the elevator went down.
No light illuminated the tunnel, leaving them in close to complete darkness. Most could feel their breath on one another
But then the elevator suddenly stopped and groaned once more in defiance of it's passengers.
The group's eyes widened, looking upwards as the very distinctive sound of a wire snapping occurred.
"Fuck, hold on everybody!" Mokou called out as the elevator plummeted.
And then that darkness became final and absolute for all.
Author's Notes
And that's a wrap for this chapter. Could've made it longer, but I have plans for next chapter, and this seemed a perfect stopping point (i'm not the most happy with how it turned out, but oh well).
Plus it's my birthday, so consider this as my gift to you lot instead, since i'm not getting much.
I may as well talk about the reviews. Yes, I have read them several times, and no, despite my own insecurities about my work (which I do appreciate the compliments, thank you very much, i'd love to see more reviews, especially longer ones like Valdisk's) I will attempt continue this story to it's conclusion, however bad it may be or how negative I may feel about my own writing.
As for what may come next, expect explanations, explorations, and the reason why that outpost was wiped out in such a fast manner.