Chapter 48 - Revealed Secrets

Bryant gripped the console in front of him for stability as another explosion rocked the base. The alarm sirens had stopped due to a short circuit, but everyone on the base was already aware of the attack or dead. More doll pods were opened, and the dummy bay had been completely emptied. It was all or nothing now.

The dolls had been authorized to shoot on sight, but so many had been scattered and picked off. Most communications and radar had been lost, and now the last of the reserves had been launched. A doll ran in, damaged and covered in blood. Tia, his adjutant, had been evacuating the human personnel. "Report! The support staff evacuated safely. We lost two squads protecting the helicopter, but it's done." She sighed and put a hand to her side. "My main battery was damaged, I think I only have a few hours left."

"More than enough time. I've finished here. Send a retreat through the Zerner network and retreat to -" his instructions were cut short by another explosion. There was gunfire in the hallway. "They've gotten through. Shoot to kill, Tia." His doll nodded and loaded her gun. The gunfire got closer. Bryant's anxiety grew as he aimed his gun towards the door to the command room. The door burst open, and gunfire poured from both sides.

There was an explosion, and Bryant flew back against the wall. He sat, stunned for a moment before he scrambled to grab anything to use as a weapon. Tia fired back, dropping two humans as they charged in. Her eyes grew wide with shock as the dying men reached for their vests. Another explosion shook the room, and then nothing but darkness.

Bryant groaned as he came to consciousness. Everything hurt, especially his arm. He did a quick, mental check. He hurt everywhere, so likely no paralysis. He could put pressure on his legs and good arm, so nothing major was broken. He tried to rise to his knees, but someone dropped in front of him and kicked him in the chest. The blonde doll pushed him onto his back. She pointed her rifle at him and waited.

Ange and the white-haired doll dropped down a few moments later. They kept their weapons trained on him. "94, get his radio and badge." The blonde doll knelt down, and a blast of superheated metal flew by, missing by inches. The Strelet lumbered forward, intent on killing them. Its mask was cracked in the fall, and some sickly pale smog hissed out. The Strelet was barely standing and wrapped in flickering blue light.

Bryant took the brief moment of confusion to crawl off to the side away from the gunfire. The other doll dropped down and shot at the Strelet, but the shield was still up and deflected the attack. The dolls focused their fire, but then scattered as it rushed them. The Strelet's aim was improving with each shot. It was only a matter of time. However, Bryant wasn't going to stick around for the fight. He knew when he was outgunned. The room dropped another bit, but Bryant would be ready for the drop this time.

He rolled and fell, landing hard on his feet and collapsing. He sat listening to the gunfire for a few moments until he had enough strength to pull himself into the shadows and down a winding passageway. It wasn't the first time he had to leave a battle with his tail tucked, and it wouldn't be his last retreat. He took slow and careful steps while holding onto the wall. His cybernetic arm was barely responding and his shoulder burned. His communicator clicked as he found a brief window where he could reach to the outside world.

"This is Bryant." The static returned briefly before a familiar voice.

"Bryant?! Thank God your alright. Alexander is gone, he took off with some forces. The evacuation is almost complete up here."

"And Yulia?"

"Lost contact."

"Alright…I'm heading back up and out. I'm hurt, and I lost my squad." Elaine was quiet for a moment. An update appeared on his tablet.

"Be careful. I've sent a path up through the tower." Bryant walked forward, eventually losing contact with Elaine. He stumbled through the insides of the tower before spotting a bright light. The path up lead through the area. The lights led to a thick metal door, engraved with a symbol looking like a mathematical compass. Bryant pushed it open and found himself in a pure white observation room, overlooking some kind of laboratory. No one was in the room. Bryant walked to the overlooking windows and spotted Alexander a floor below him. He had an entire platoon of Strelets and he was organizing them. He was talking to a figure on a screen. From where he was standing, he couldn't see much but long white hair.

"…will come around." Alexander's voice came from a console nearby, it seems that it was still on. "He just needs to see what we are doing here and-"

"No. Father will not allow it. You must gain his allegiance before such an action can be approved." Alexander paused before he answered the woman.

"I understand." The call ended and Alexander turned to his dolls. "Find the intruders. And you," he pointed to a set of dolls, "go back up and bring Elaine Bryant down here." Bryant froze when he heard those words. Alexander shuddered and glanced up at the observation room. Bryant was sure the glass was tinted, but as their eyes met Bryant felt something akin to fear. He opened his mouth to say something when an explosion rocked the room. Alarm sirens began to screech. Alexander kept his eyes fixed on Bryant.

"Deal with that. I am needed elsewhere."