CHAPTER XIV: DISASTER

Sometimes I am quite happy I don't have a body as flawed and frail as yours, marine. Because if I had... my nervous system would have collapsed under the tension I endured, as I tried to focus on my duties while also keeping you under surveillance, worried about your devastating actions. I was very annoyed as it turned out that the African situation was quickly put under control and the threat had been overestimated. I immediately returned to my command post in the town that turned out to be your home...

Adjusting the observation orb never felt that unpleasant as I almost felt what I was about to see – the stronghold of Mt. Erebus in ruins, demon corpses scattered everywhere. There weren't many defenders anyway – the invasion of Earth had engaged all our resources as never before. I had serious doubts that the Warrens could stop you. The Master Spider was my last hope.

Meanwhile, there was trouble near the town – two mechanized divisions of marines had managed to evade the initial purge and now moved with their tanks towards our battle lines. I made a quick check – the Barons were at the city's other side, engaged in the assault of some bunkers that still resisted us and only some Hell Knights were available. Not enough to deflect a mechanized strike force... It was shameful for me to allow human incursions and I thought that it should be the most severe measures that I would take against them.

It was in that moment that I decided to unleash some of Hell's creations that had not taken a major part in the battle by now. Slowly and clumsily, the Mancubi answered my call and moved towards the edge of town. These corrupted and slimy gluttons had the strength to take care of the infantry while the Hell Knights took out your tanks.

The marines were very unpleasantly surprised when great balls of flaming human grease exploded among them. The Mancubi performed superbly, even though their aim was poor and they set quite a few buildings on fire. The marine group was decimated quickly and with very minor losses that made me think of ways of improving Mancubi's speed and armor.

At the same time, the bunkers on the other side had managed to prepare their artillery. And this time I had no Cyberdemons to destroy them with. But I did have a cadre of my personal creations from ages past... The marines were surprised when they saw a whole army of what looked like brains set on spider–like mechanical legs. Their astonishment grew into shock when the Arachnotrons unleashed a destructive wave of plasma upon their positions...

The marines tried to escape using some primitive–looking vehicles I was not familiar with. These vehicles very fast and they would have escaped. One of the patrols that I had sent to secure the perimeter returned. The patrol consisted of two Arch Viles who were perfectly sufficient to decimate the last marine survivors from a distance. The threat was finally eliminated.

Having secured my outpost and the Infernal Gate, I observed the other Gatekeepers' progress around the planet. One of my brother's fleet of Lost Souls was engaged in a fierce air fight with human aircraft somewhere far the east. A group of Cacodemons were en route to the battle. I knew that once they arrive, the skirmish would be won by our forces, so I turned my attention to a mountain range in another continent. Demons had already excavated a few ancient infernal temples and deployed the black containers there, increasing the armies of the Former Humans by millions.

My second observation orb gave out a soft crackle. You had breached the Gates to Limbo and were now on your way to Dis. The Master Spider awaited you in ambush in the citadel's courtyard. I felt that the moment was decisive, so I turned all attention there. I could not leave my post now and that really infuriated me. I ordered my servants to leave the hall and I remained alone with the observation orb, enlarged as much as possible and about to show me the disaster that would take place soon.

Your confidence decreased as you passed the Gates of Madness and entered Dis. The evil emanations of the palace did scare you, didn't they? From what I saw, I knew that the Master Spider's bodyguards would make no difference – it was a fight between you and him. And I was to watch it.

You entered the courtyard and, as I expected, you did not notice what was waiting for you in ambush. Your face expressed true shock as an unimaginable spray of bullets rained upon you. I smiled when a few bullets injured your arms. You are a tough human, you know that? You were bent on keeping up the fight, no matter the cost. This I do respect. You had always been a worthy opponent. But the Spider had some real pain for you in store.

With a muffled crack twelve orbs appeared beside me – the other Gatekeepers wanted to share the experience of the battle. They told me to sit and watch the end of my worries. The battle was breath–taking indeed. You jumped back and forth, desperately trying to avoid the rain of bullets, while the Spider confidently moved around and waited for you to make a mistake. In your hopelessness, you entered inside the Spiders vault where you were safe... for a moment. The Spider decided that the building was not durable enough for his chaingun and laid his firepower upon it. As the roof crumbled you sprung out... holding something in your hands. We gasped with surprise when we saw what it was – one of the UAC's experimental weapons stolen from Deimos – the weapon known as the BFG 9000.

The Mastermind did not expect you to wield that weapon. Your first discharge of plasma sent him back half–stunned. My worries arose again – I had some idea of the weapon's true power. Your injured arms barely supported the weapon's weight but you could lift it and shoot again. The Spider was ready and dodged the projectile. Another rain of bullets made you jump to the right – you dropped the BFG. With a triumphant howl, the Spider went after you, finally determined to put an end to your life. You ran around the half–destroyed vault, with an expression of exhaustion on your face...

The other Gatekeepers and I were expecting the battle's end when the unthinkable happened. Jumping boldly under another spray of bullets you rolled over to the BFG. The Spider was preparing to turn towards you and finish you off. Then, somehow, you found the strength to lift the heavy weapon with your aching hands and a green plasma ball went forward. It hit the Mastermind in the face and vaporized half of his brain. The cybernetic body was shaken by powerful convulsion as the rest of the brain fell down and splashed on the floor.

I could not say a word. The Master Spider had fallen. Dis had fallen. Inferno was ravaged by a single mortal. The other Gatekeepers turned towards me. A very short but heated discussion was held – the decision was taken quickly. We failed because Inferno's defenses were severely weakened by the invasion. So we decided to lure you to the place where Hell's legions were. We concentrated and harmonized our powers...

You were sitting on the floor, trying to catch your breath, when you were surprised by a loud crackling sound. The wall at the courtyard's bottom opened up and revealed a Portal. Through it, you could see the green fields of Earth. Feeling victorious, you stepped forth and passed through the Gate... without realizing that the Gate was opened by the Thirteen to lure you to danger.

You were on Earth now. I ordered all unengaged demons to go back to Inferno and salvage whatever they could... Within seconds, you were about to realize what has been happening on Earth while you fought evil unleashed on Mars's moons and in Hell itself.

At that time an apparition of Lord Baphomet appeared. He was incredibly angry and demanded explanations. Neither of the Thirteen could tell him exactly what had led to the disaster that had just happened. Baphomet ordered us to take care of "the impudent mortal" and do it quick. He also implied that the punishment for failure would be exceptionally severe.

You were transported to an area of many demonic outposts and facilities. We hoped that you would perish there. We dared not imagine what would happen otherwise... Failure was not an option now that we had to extinguish the last remnants of human resistance and assume full control over your world. We also had to find out how it was possible for one lonely human to inflict so much damage upon the Infernal Legions and their masters.