Author's note – I'm currently looking to progress the story of Shattered Existence and although I do have wide plans I also want to know what readers think. So if possible any reviews would be greatly appreciated I'm of course looking for constructive criticism as I always am hoping to improve but also willing to listen to what readers want within the story. Although no promises of course.
Torfan. 2178CE. 14:00.
Flying high above the surface of Torfan the small Kodiak shuttle began it's descent holding the members of Cyric squad firmly in their seats. Harsh winds swinging the shuttle from side to side as within Shadow-Strike began to brace himself gripping hold of the over the shoulder restraints. Outside of the shuttle the sound of wind could be heard rushing by followed in bursts by the thunderous might of artillery that decimated numerous alliance vehicles. Raising his head Brick looked around to see everyone else restrained to their seats with the atmosphere within the dimly lit craft so bleak he sighed.
"What happened to talking?"
Coughing roughly Bone raised his head towards Brick as they both stared at each others helmet for a second.
"What happened to..."
Before Bone could have a say in the matter though Shadow-Strike quickly cut them both off.
"We're waiting."
Raising his arm to just under the right side of his chin Shadow-Strike activated his side of the comm systems as he tried to connect with the pilot.
"Everyone's ready set up the link"
Lowering his arm back into place on the over the shoulder restraint Shadow-Strike gripped tightly as he looked into the centre of the craft it was a wide open area which could easily fit five or so Alliance marines. That wasn't it's purpose though as the floor began to glow with the power cables underneath glowing brightly the floor became transparent as a hologram emitter activated revealing a single man roughly in his fifties stood there in Alliance uniform. His back was perfectly straight and his hands where held firmly behind him as he looked around ensuring he had the attention of each member of the team before he spoke. Cyric squad was his creation and he wanted to prove it was worth the effort and resources to put together such a team in the future. Covering his mouth the man coughed briskly into his hand to clear his throat as the medals of honour on his uniform suggested the man was at the very least an Admiral.
"My name is Admiral Aaron Beck as of now Cyric squad is under my command and although I don't officially control this operation the actions of every man and women here are by my command. Torfan was found by our operatives and now it is your chance to avenge those we lost at Elysium. They held no remorse for our kind whether it be man, women or child I don't expect better from us. Every one of those scum what die today is the death of a pirate what brings harm to our kind I make it know that I expect not a single one to be left breathing by the end of this. Whatever happens ensure that their ring-lords are dead."
Staring forward Admiral Aaron Beck's image faded out into nothingness leaving the room in silence bar the hum of the hologram emitter as it's energy flickered out. Then there was silence as each member of the group took in their orders some where left speechless at what they had been signed up to commit. If the Alliance ever released a report of what was to occur they all knew they would be heroes to the human race. Reports could be biased. Then Nova began to speak as her mouth struggled to open in shock at the brutality of her orders her voice showing the total shock.
"...I can't kill..."
Cutting her out before she had a chance Foxhunt spoke with authority and a cold almost merciless tone.
"...You do what your ordered to do then we go home. Their is nothing else that matters. You will do what is expected of you or else your as bad as them."
Visibly angry now Nova's biotic shields where beginning to haze with blue energy what was struggling to contain itself as Bone took her hand trying to calm her down. A simple pat on the top of his hand as her biotic fields began to normalise and she relaxed with a sigh as she spoke somewhat calmly.
"I kill soldiers, I kill Pirates, I kill mercenaries but I don't kill civilians."
Staring her down Foxhunt continued to look Nova straight in the eye as a small smirk swiped across her face.
"Will now it's time you start. Your doing this for your world, our people, our race. Don't disappoint."
Watching silently Shadow-Strike and his brother Stormbreaker kept quiet intrigued in the arguments between the two sides as their attention lowered to a datapad held firmly in Shadow-Strike's hand. Both of the men continued to decipher the information as Trigger whistled in the background bored out of his skull. With both of his hands practising tricks with his dual carnifex's which where on safety for the moment as he flipped and spun both pistols around his fingers like old westerns he had seen time and time again. It was the whistling that caused the arguing group to turn as they looked towards the entertained Trigger as a large grin crossed his face the moment he realised he was the centre of attention.
"You know I blitzed N7 training. Of course anyone who had seen me knew instantly what I was capable of and I just hope that through all your arguing and friendly get to together that's your half as capable as me. If your not then this is going to be a waste of the back up."
Regretting the shoulder mounted restraints Brick flexed his hand with a smile as he imagined hitting the rookie Trigger over the head for his bragging. Most of the group would be willing to join in he presumed as his eye's wandered around the shuttle as suddenly he heard the huge thump of nearby howitzer's ripping across the night sky. Then their was a large explosion as a ball of light erupted from in front of the shuttle as the cockpit was blinded with a mighty light which seeped into the cargo hold as the shuttle began to shake around. It was obvious the pilot had lost control as everyone braced themselves Shadow-Strike was their to make the call.
"Pressurise your suits everyone. Helmets on now."
Putting away the datapad both him and Stormbreaker had been viewing each and every N7 operative began to put on their helmet as the ship began to regain control Shadow-Strike pressed a buzzer to contact the co-pilot.
"What's going on out their."
"We're flying through dust storms theirs barely anything we can see and their howitzers are ripping our transport shuttles apart. I'm going to have to land this thing soon we're not far from the base."
"Understood get us close as you can."
"Yes sir. Linking in a new priority call."
"Patch us in on the double"
Letting his finger let go of the buzzer he turned back towards the group as the hologram began to reactivate the blue light shot up into two separate objects one a huge citadel will the other an armoured soldier. His helmet the standard Alliance military rebreather helmet except for an unusual antenna that poked out from the left side of his helmet signifying his position as operations manager along with other slight twists on his armour.
"I've been assigned as your advisor, and will be your eye in the sky until further notice. I have been informed Admiral Aaron Beck has already filled you in on what he expects from you but his orders are only a small part of what we need."
Raising his entire arm the advisor pointed towards the huge citadel as he lowered his head to look at the citadel turning from an angle so he was facing everyone as both him and the citadel where nearer to the cockpit. The impressive fortress made even more imposing by the fact one side was fully covered by the natural cliff side of a mountain.
"This is their current base of operations and we need to ensure this fortress is eliminated as quickly and efficiently as possible. Our mission is to ensure these pirates cannot recuperate through any means necessary..."
As he spoke the hologram of the citadel began to fade into new sections showing off numerous corridors and mass halls as well as the immense size of the central citadel doors which where obviously locked tight. It dwarfed many of the rooms within as the advisor allowed for numerous area's in the hologram to begin blinking red as he spoke again.
"...Intel suggests these areas can be accessed by a small squadron of soldiers which can infiltrate the citadel..."
As the blinking stopped for all but one access point it was a massive vent on top of the citadel which stuck out as an obvious point for rappelling down.
"...This leads into numerous area's within the citadel and it's in your best interest to use this access point as further Intel suggests there is minimal build up in the forces at the top of the citadel. Once inside you are assigned two tasks we need the elimination of these three targets."
As the citadel flickered it was replaced with the heads of one Turian alongside two Batarian slavers as the Turian was instantly recognised as the infamous leader of the Terminus pirate bands Elanos Haliat. Alongside his lieutenants Khan Pograrr and Dreita Domnahan as the male Batarian Khan's most noticeable feature was the deformed bottom right eye which had been burned during a slaving operation alongside most of his right jaw. Will Dreita stood out simply for being feminine compared to the other's despite her aged appearance.
"These three where behind the Skyllian Blitz and finally we've tracked them down to this planet each of them must be eliminated for this mission to be a total success. Orbital bombing should keep them pinned down for long enough to complete your mission in time."
As the faces where saved to each member's hud they vanished from the hologram being replaced yet again with the citadel as the Advisor began to point out four central podium's at the bottom of the citadel.
"Once the target's deaths have been verified you have to proceed with disabling manoeuvres."
Raising his head Bone was confused what exactly he meant by disabling manoeuvres.
"Disabling manoeuvres?"
Answering it before the advisor had a chance Brick proceed with his attempt to one up Bone.
"Uh... blowing things up?"
"Oh... I knew that."
Raising his hand against his helmet Shadow-Strike coughed sharply into his hand to silence the two before they began a competition of one up's they simply didn't have time for as the advisor proceeded.
"These four pillars have been identified as the foundation of the citadel along with their support columns and a single direct strike to them would bring the entire building down on itself. Our issue at this time is we cannot perfectly locate these pillars from outside so it's of important that beacon's are placed on them for precision fire so our dreadnought can pierce through this mountain. We'll hold fire for a few minutes for you to escape once the beacons down but after that we need to ensure theirs no survivors. That's your orders we'll keep comm chat up at all times for mission updates, good luck Cyric squad."
Giving a light nod to show he understood Shadow-Strike's face was hidden underneath his T-57 battlesuit's helmet which was pressurised to deal with the environment outside. The understanding nod was enough to convince the visor to leave as the hologram emitter deactivated and normality returned, brought along with the awkward silence of the battle which was interrupted every few seconds by the explosion of an anti-air round in the proximity to the shuttle. Every member knew they relied on the pilots reflexes to get them to the drop off point safe and sound and in a way the silence was welcoming void of the reality of war. Opening his mouth though Trigger had no care for the relaxing silence.
"Do you guys even use biotics?"
Sighing Bone shook his head as he listened to the vanguard brag yet again he was getting impatient of the hotshot. What child even used words like "blitzed" was all that crossed his mind as he naturally decided to reply.
"Do you even lift bro?"
"I guess that's a no then. Doesn't matter I'd outclass any..."
Then it hit.
