Moving through the occupied streets turned into a town of tents and a sea of varying shades of green visible beneath maroon armor from the troops present, he waited until they were clear of the crowds of regular soldiers and more in the open as they made their way back to the drop shuttle.
"You're awfully quiet." The Commander spoke up, the distant sound of battle serving to remind him to replace his helmet on his head proper. "What's on your mind, Captain?"
"I suppose I'm rather uneasy, Commander." Corr replied after looking around and donning his own helmet. "Possibly even a bit distracted, come to think of it." There was a brief pause, "Why is the Supreme Commander insisting on ending this by force when General Vaukt is correct in seeing the siege option as preferable in minimizing casualties? This almost screams of insanity driven by pride and revenge."
"Because, Corr, Grimm is worried about his own head as he's so quick to separate others' from their shoulders. He's made many mistakes with this campaign and the assassination attempt has only intensifed them. General Yarnitch's death is one less convenient source of blame for these shortcomings. His attempts to overshadow General Vaukt has caused more problems than solving them. The man put his reputation on the line making bold claims at the start of the campaign and has failed to deliver on every single one of them. Everyone beneath him is cowering in fear because of his inability to admit fault due to pride and arrogance...and the Empire continues to send legions of soldiers to certain death because of this."
Vult paused, wary of his volume and tone in passing other Irken soldiers before continuing.
"...worst-case scenario is the VDF breaking out of their contained perimeter and embarrassing the Empire...again...for the second time. Blame falls solely on Grimm's shoulders and, unlike the Tallest, all soldiers are easily replaced...even chiefs of staff. Vaukt is aware of that as well and has been trying to be the only sane one left on this Irk-forsaken planet. I'm tired of Vort. I'm tired of fighting the VDF, but most of all? I'm tired of the Empire and it pains me that we have to keep fighting."
Vult really hit the nail on the head with what he was saying. "I know. I feel the same pain having to keep doing this, probably about the same level as you thanks to Calla." He replied quietly, mindful of his volume. This wasn't their abode, or somewhere isolated he could be more matter of fact about the situation. "Though, it's like you said before, we still have to keep up appearances for now. I definitely don't like it any more than you do." He stopped to look at a passing officer, he didn't even think to salute at the time, it was an Imperial Elite with the rank of Major, but was around Volx's height. The Major was too focused on other matters to care at the moment, gathering troops to head to the front.
That really struck Corr. Even with the Empire valuing height, shorter Irken have been thrust into upper echelons of authority because of the losses suffered. "I really have a bad feeling about this."
"Anyone with the ability of forethought at this point can feel the same sentiment," Vult cryptically spoke, implying his agreement as they stepped up onto the platform where their ship was waiting with the team, loaded to bear.
No surprises or a lack of preparation this time. Everyone was doubled-up on ammunition and vital necessities for what was likely to be an extended stay at the rate things were going. Something that was also creating a sense of uneasiness amongst the group, although unspoken. The mood of general apprehension being back on Vort and at the final stages of the campaign. Those same eyes looked to their two commanding officers boarding the lowered hatch.
"What's the word, Sir?" Haxx queried, mentally forcing himself to stop bouncing his foot anxiously.
"Being handed-off, Sergeant." he informed, leaning to call up to the front of the ship. "Rem!"
"Sir!"
"Sector One, Field HQ!"
"Vectoring now, Commander!" She responded, going about pre-flight procedures before sealing up the hatch at the stern as Vult stood between the rows of his seated team, boots magnetically attaching to the deck while his palms held the handles overhead.
Kazak was sitting with Rem in the co-pilot's seat of the shuttle looking to the pair of phasic barrier protected locations as they took off and headed for their next destination. "These Vortian shuttles are a lot more cozy than ours…" he commented to himself before looking back to the others over his shoulder, "Any valuable information?"
"Actually, yes," Corr replied, "General Vaukt said he's recalling a scout sniper from the field who should have some intel for us."
Kazak's expression showed some rising excitement with the potential of meeting someone he used to work with. "They give you a name?"
"Yes, a Captain Mizak."
"That was my commander. I helped build the unit with him. He and I were the two solo operators of the whole unit before you guys came to grab me." He turned back to look to the outside and mind anything that Rem didn't immediately get. "Going to be nice to see him again."
Volx looked to Corr from her seat, "So, sir, are we working with General Vaukt or Saro?"
"General Vaukt will oversee operations, though Saro will be pointing us to where we're needed most."
"Lovely…"
"It won't be too terrible if we have the General in our corner."
"I agree. He's probably the only high ranking officer here I'd trust with strategy right now."
"You and me both," Kazak spoke up from the cockpit. Clearly Volx and Kazak had experience working with him from ID1 to some degree.
"Chain-of-Command is still being followed." Vult pointed out, watching through the small viewport at the passing, ravaged cityscape and the distant engagements taking place around the perimeter of the phasic barrier. "Supreme Commander Grimm has delegated operational command to Major General Saro. I will deal with him, you follow what myself, Corr, Volx, and Kazak tell you. Understood?"
Everyone sounded off with "Yes, Sir" like the well-oiled machine they were, personal discrepancies aside.
"Any questions?"
Aero's hand shot up.
"...any questions that don't involve maiming or harming the Major General despite how much he deserves it?"
Her hand went down with a pout.
"Good...we'll return shortly once we set down. You can get out and pull perimeter detail to stretch your legs while the Captain and I seek out Saro."
"Coming in now, sir." Kazak said as Rem found a clearing to put the shuttle down in, only to be quickly surrounded by Troopers who recognized their shuttle as Vortian, but then some apparent confusion at Irken markings on it. The ramp opened and Volx was the first off.
"Stand down, they're friendlies!" One Trooper officer called out, the others lowering their weapons and dispersing. "Though not sure why they're using filthy alien tech…" As the others filed out, Corr walked over, prompting the officer to straighten up and salute. "Hello, sir, sorry about the welcoming committee."
Corr returned the salute, "No issue, Lieutenant, you were simply doing your job. We need to know something from you."
"Sir?"
"Where is Major General Saro?"
"He's in the sector field HQ about a block that way, sir," the Lieutenant pointed to the west. "He's held up in the stock exchange. Won't be too hard to miss."
"Thank you, Lieutenant." Corr signaled to Vult and started heading off down the road. "You worried about what might happen if he sees you again, sir?"
"Not in the slightest," the Commander responded, noticing the soldiers milling about in comparison to those in Grimm's sector.
They were far more haggard. Their boots and uniforms muddy, armor carbon-scored. Many of them sported healing injuries of varying severity, but still remaining combat-effective. The looks on their faces and eyes spoke volumes where their voices did not. Tired, constant fear and dread of death...not even PAK programming could overcome the most severe cases of it.
"One of a handful of outcomes are expected: He attempts to start trouble, I have an excuse to shoot him where he stands. He attempts to lord over me with his promotion, I remind him of our prior meeting and his life owed to me...and likely beat him into a bloody paste over it...or he's learned his lesson and this will be at the very least, tolerable and brief. Under the circumstances, I win in all three outcomes."
"I wouldn't want to get into a fight with you with that nifty new arm that Aero, Vard, and Sula cooked up for you." Corr even seemed to smirk ever so slightly as they approached an older looking building with a damaged facade, but still mostly intact, with massive stone pillars that rose to the roof of the facade. The sentries outside showed even more how desperate Saro's situation was. They were made of troops ineffective for front-line combat but could still fill other roles. One sentry had his left arm in a sling and another a bandage over his right eye. The duo saluted the two as they walked up the stairs to the main entrance.
Inside, even the officers and command staff were weary, the constant reports and updates driving everyone to the brink of collapse. A few were propped up against the walls to avoid being trampled as they collapsed from exhaustion and needed the rest. This sector probably had the worst of it given the circumstances.
Vult left them be. Unlike most commissioned officers, he didn't demand respect or those to bow at his feet in his wake. They clearly had more pressing matters to deal with. In the back of his mind, he wanted to cast blame onto Saro and his promotion. Maybe he was at fault, like Grimm...or maybe this was beyond his control. He was to find out soon enough.
The pair, guided by a Lieutenant, rode the elevator to the top floor where Saro had set up his command center. A conference room with an open view of the corridor between the power plant and the phasic barrier could be seen beyond. Other officers were moving about with controlled chaos, the radio-chatter near constant in the background. Much of it wasn't good news. Heavy casualties sustained. Units lost. Ambushes. Panic. Static...and Saro stood at the window, his new uniform and rank visible, watching it from afar through a pair of binoculars.
"Uhh...Major General? Sir?" The Lieutenant attempted to get his attention.
"What." He all but snarled, the high-collar of his uniform hiding most of the back of his head.
"A Commander Vult and Captain Corr are here to see you at Supreme Commander Grimm's orders, Sir."
Sneering with contempt as he watched soldiers he ordered within an hour ago engaged with emboldened VDF defenders be systematically overran or vaporized from existence from the constant rain of artillery, growled, throwing the pair of binoculars down to shatter them in frustration...yet another pair destroyed by him and unsaid as one of the junior officers quickly ducked out to go find another pair
Saro turned to face his "visitors". His flesh bore the scars of his run-in with the VDF as their prisoner and being tortured. Most of all, his artificial eye was yet to be replaced. The circuitry and mounting had been completely removed, the socket obviously hollow. In its place was a makeshift patch of black cloth just to cover up the gruesome injury. Contempt was written in his stress-fatigued features.
"...Dismissed," he ordered the Lieutenant before turning his attention back to the pair. "...to what do I owe this displeasure?"
"The feeling is mutual, Sir," Vult all but threw up in addressing him as a superior but managed to keep it down. "Supreme Commander Grimm delegated my team beneath your command."
A humorless laugh escaped Saro as a hand rose to smooth back his antenna before intaking a sharp breath to maintain his composure.
"So he's sent you to the Valley of Death, is it?"
"Seems that way, Major General." Vult responded cordially.
Corr glanced at Vult briefly before continuing himself, "The Supreme Commander said we're to assist in this sector as you see fit. General Vaukt also said we were also to debrief Captain Mizak of the scout snipers and that you also found something...interesting, lately. He didn't have too much information on what that is, only that we should ask you and investigate it for him, sir."
He also had to keep the sickening feeling of Saro being above them down, but not to Vult's extent. The previous run in didn't escape Corr's memory one bit. Whatever they had to do, he only hoped to see it end quickly.
The short-statured Major General looked between the two of them, his bright red eye showing the contempt he did not hesitate to mask before speaking again.
"...Just so I understand the both of you...Supreme Commander Grimm has given me operational command...over you."
"Don't let it go to your head, Sir." Vult reminded him firmly. "...and before you claim insubordination, I am here behest of the Tallest, not Grimm...we are tasked with breaking this stalemate. Grimm suspects that would be done in your sector of operation. I am inclined to agree...so to answer your question, yes, my team is tasked beneath your command but we are not here to die for you."
"I wouldn't dare dream of it, Commander." Saro facetiously spoke. So his personality hadn't changed. Unfortunate.
Rather than continue to lord over the pair with a perceived sense of superiority thanks to his recent promotion, he tapped a series of keys on a field terminal set up at the center of the conference table. Much like Grimm's, an operational map projected in three dimensions.
"...Unlike the other sectors, they don't have a bunch of cowardly dogs shooting them in the back constantly. This area between the power plant and the edge of the phasic barrier has been...problematic, to say the least."
"So we have been briefed, Sir." Vult cut to the chase. "What do you want done to fix this?"
"The power plant is the source of energy fueling the barrier." Saro pointed out. "Naturally, the horned freaks are protecting it more severely than the perimeter of the barrier itself. They have been isolated for three weeks now and supplies are dwindling. They have taken to sending runners through the Valley of Death out of desperation. Light, fast vehicles to run supplies and fresh troops or extract their wounded. We have had some success in picking those off...mostly."
Vult listened to Saro's assessment, studying the map in depth and making mental notes. He had more detailed troop movements and breakdowns than Grimm's did at this level of command.
"Do you have a plan of how to approach this problem?" Vult queried, seeking more intelligence before flying off half-cocked and blind. "Knocking a power plant out is a non-issue. The issue is getting inside against an entrenched enemy expecting such."
"Um, Major General," A Sublieutenant spoke up, "should we tell them about the one with the fancy suit?"
Corr's antenna piqued when he heard 'fancy suit. "Fancy suit? Like an artificial muscle suit with armor plating over certain areas?"
"Yes, sir," he paused, "How did you know?"
"We had a run in with those types of people before. You captured one?"
"First Sergeant Bahs did, sir, found him crawling out of a building that toppled down in the Valley of Death and was completely surrounded. The coward surrendered. They were hoping he'd fight back so they could shoot him."
Saro's singular eye glared hard at the interruption. "I was GETTING TO THAT!" Such sent the Sublieutenant scurrying off out of fear of further reprisal. Saro's temper had gained infamy in the sector, but paled in comparison to that of Grimm's.
Huffing as he regained his composure, he looked back to Vult and Corr. "Yes...we have one of their what I assume is your contemporary in our custody. Naturally, he has been less than talkative despite attempts to coerce him."
"Just say your interrogation techniques bordering on torture were ineffective. It's quicker." Vult challenged. "...again...Sir...what do you want my team to do?"
Saro looked at the map for several long, silent seconds. The radio chatter of countless doomed units and their leaders was a constant, angry buzz in the background. Bad news upon worse news coming back from the front...or not at all.
"...everyone out...except you two." Saro announced, gesturing to Vult and Corr. Those staffing the command room looked to Saro and one another with confusion at the order before he slammed both of his fists down on the table. "I SAID GET OUT!"
Boots quickly scuffled and chairs slid across scratched floors, leaving the three officers alone with the radio chatter in the background slowly diminishing. A sign of their status being lost or death soon to come.
"...I don't know."
"You don't know what, Sir?" Vult sought, slightly confused.
"I SAID I DON'T KNOW!" Saro screamed back at him, huffing. "...THIS! I don't...know. I don't know what I'm doing. I don't know what your team should do. I don't know."
Catching his breath, shakily exhaling, he tried to calm himself as he shook his head.
"I...I've never commanded troops at this level. A hundred men, in the field, I can handle...this...thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands...is beyond me…"
The stress overpowered his pride and ego, admitting such faults to one of his most hated contemporaries in existence. The abstinence was gone. "...everyone capable above me is dead...either by snipers...or Grimm beheading them for incompetence...and I'm next if I don't fix this…" his hands gestured to the mess of a strategic map.
"...and I don't know how."
"How many troops have you committed to your attempts, Major General?" Vult cut to the heart of the matter. He wanted to know just how badly Saro's incompetence had threatened to undo the entire campaign.
Saro shook his head, struggling to lift it to meet Vult's gaze.
"...Grimm ordered the Valley of Death be secured at any cost...every attempt to enter the area and take up defensive positions has been a failure...I've lost count."
A lesser man in Vult's position would have taken full advantage of rubbing salt into very open wounds and embarrass him further. Instead, Vult remained composed at-ease, looking to his superior officer in rank.
"Permission to speak freely, Sir?"
"Sure, whatever."
"Your incompetence borders on sabotage and as much enjoyment as I would take in filing such with Internal Affairs to see you punished and possibly deactivated for it, now is not the time or place...we were ordered to help you. Help you we will. Whether I want to. Whether you want it or not."
Saro sneered at Vult with an incredulous look.
"What do you propose then, o wise one?"
"Captain, take the shovel out of the Major General's hand he's set on digging his own grave with." Vult cheekily ordered, pointing to the map. "Put that knowledge to work and educate him on how strategic command works."
Corr decided to take matters into his own hands and look over the map. Maybe he could figure something out. One thing that immediately came to mind would be to use their previous route of infiltration behind enemy lines. Surely the phasic barrier wouldn't extend below ground. If it did, maybe it would recognize a VDF signature, and they had just such a means at their disposal that was better that Saro didn't know about. "I'm already having ideas, Commander, at least for what we could do. As for the General…"
He pointed out several locations to set up defensive gun emplacements, even more for artillery. "The Vortians as far as I can tell from your casualty reports in there are using their artillery sparingly, which leads me to believe they're making more strategic use of heavy mortars to make it look like artillery. Keep your troops in these locations and you'll have effective kill zones for both your artillery and infantry. This will minimize casualties and you don't have to send anyone in, per se. You can consider the zone secured without even occupying it, at least to satisfy the Supreme Commander's ego." He turned to look to Saro, "You turn that valley into death valley for you, not just for them. If you can't send troops in but they can't run supplies in either, then you've accomplished your task and it's only a matter of time."
Saro listened studiously, stroking his chin as Corr casually explained.
"Area denial, in the broadest terms," Vult summarized for him. "No different than laying down anti-personnel or anti-vehicle mines over the only water crossing in the area. Make it dangerous for your enemy to attempt while not being in their sights."
"When you put it like that...seems so simple…" Sarro commented with a shrug. "...Grimm told me to secure it, so I attempted to secure it."
"As any infantryman would naturally do. Take and hold...but sending troops into a pre-zeroed location with defendable enemy positions at either flank is a recipe for slaughter. You've learned this the hard way. You do whatever Corr tells you to do, you may get to keep your new promotion and then some."
"I know the urge to send troops in and physically secure the location comes rather naturally to lower officers, though, in the upper ranks you have to get creative. Sometimes you don't physically need bodies in a location for it to be secure. Denial of access can mean the same thing. After all, I'm sure the VDF considers that corridor secure, that's why they've been sending supply runs first braving no man's land around the main perimeter followed by the valley of death."
Corr stopped and turned to face Saro, "Deny it to them, it's effectively secured, even if you can't move in there as of yet. However, Grimm is being impatient, normally all you would need to do is wait until they start dropping from a lack of supplies and you can seize the facility. This is where people like us can come in."
He looks back to the map, "Now, I know the Vortians have a failsafe within. If we take the power plant and shut it down, their phasic barrier is going to be on a finite timer. They'll be forced to act or surrender before the fleet decides to turn that whole area into a crater. I believe the Commander and I can formulate a plan that will accomplish the objective, won't get anyone needlessly killed, and will allow you to keep your head."
Another pause as he walked over to Saro, "I suggest in the meantime reading up on grand strategy and the higher levels of warfare. You have not only your infantry at your disposal at this level, but artillery, air support, many assets, learn to use them."
Vult took it a step further as he zoomed in on the map, opening up the tools at Saro's disposal to make movement orders, unit markers, and the sort. He began pulling back and adjusting their relative placement out of the pre-defined killzone between the power plant and the perimeter of the barrier.
"From this point forward...do not send any more forces into this corridor. You have proven they end up dead beyond a shadow of a doubt. Relay such to General Vaukt and let him deal with Grimm. Tell him I recommended such." Vult began as he continued employing the concepts Corr was trying to get across to him. "I ask you, would you use your pistol to attack an armored personnel carrier?"
"Of course not."
"Use the right tool for the job then," Vult corrected, gesturing to the map. "You have more than infantry, like Corr pointed out. Move your artillery to pre-sight and zero the corridor behind your infantry. Area denial. Provide coordinates to the Armada in low-orbit if you require more firepower for an orbital bombardment. I personally wouldn't recommend that unless absolutely necessary unless you pull even further back. The proximity is pushing danger-close for friendly forces."
Saro watched as Vult casually adjusted his map and maneuvering of forces. Special forces, classified, outside of the traditional command structure, and a single team...and he was moving flawlessly between the concepts of high command and strategic maneuvers like any other member of the Empire's chiefs of staff.
"Light armor to engage light armor and support infantry, heavy armor to engage heavy armor. Seeing as the VDF is running out of heavy armor, that puts you at an advantage. Use the heavy armor for static fire support. Enemy emplacements, defended positions...heavy armor."
"...then what do I use your team for?"
"We…" the Commander began, selecting a different unit marker to designate Spec Ops, changing it to a different color given their unique assignment. "...are not your hammer. We are not frontline combat troops. We do not solve problems normal infantry contend with. We lack the base of fire and the logistics to bring what is necessary to fight organized units. We are your scalpel. We kill the enemy through death by a thousand cuts. We mark targets for your artillery and heavy ordnance to destroy. We cause problems behind enemy lines and turn attention away from their defensible front to their vulnerable rear."
"...turning their backs to our offensive."
"Precisely." He nodded, looking to Saro once more. "...as for exactly where, I don't know yet. You want me to save your c'hurta from the chopping block? Give me time to come up with a workable solution. Until then, no more charges. No more throwing yourself against either of these hard targets. Back off, hold position, and await further orders. Secure logistics, get those men supplies and relief."
"Get these defensive emplacements put up like we have marked, rotate your men, get them rest. Fresh fighters are better, exhausted soldiers die much more easily. When your front is more secure, look to reinforce your rear. Your two sentries out front don't bode too well if the Vortians decide to counterattack here for whatever reason." Corr paused after finishing his explanation, "We'll figure out what we can do. Once we debrief the Captain and see if we can't get your prisoner to talk, we can find a solid means to help you out using our skills in the best way possible."
The Major General took all of this in, rubbing at his tired eye, wincing at the sensitivity of his healing socket before sighing.
"Saro."
He looked to Vult.
"Straighten up. Stop feeling sorry for yourself. I don't. Corr doesn't...and your men sure as Irk won't."
Rather than nod, the Captain-turned-General stood up straighter, his shoulders squared up properly, looking more like a proper leader and commander of forces.
"I want everything you have on the power plant and the phasic barrier. Schematics. Operations. Defenses. Enemy strength. My team and I will review it and come up with an actionable plan. You will be the first to know once we do. I also need to speak to your prisoner."
"Yeah...sure," he nodded in agreement, taking up a spare data disk to plug into the terminal to do just that. "The prisoner is being kept in the basement of the building." He informed, unplugging the disk before offering it to Vult.
Accepting it, he tucked it into one of the pouches at his belt, snapping it shut.
"Now...when we leave, you call your staff back in here. You take command of the situation. You delegate what we've told you to do. Let your subordinates delegate to theirs, and so on. Your focus is on that map, not what is happening on the ground. They will inform you. Listen. Adjust. Adapt."
"Understood." Saro nodded, gaining a little more confidence back. "...I hope you aren't expecting a "thank you"."
"If we survive this, you will be kissing my ass."
"See you've picked up their language…"
"Try it some time. It's fun." Vult shot back. "We're leaving. Get control of yourself and this room. I have to come back in here to sort it out, it's going to be me shooting you between the eyes...well, eye."
"Noted." Saro said with a lack of amusement. "...you've already overstayed your welcome."
"The feeling is mutual." Vult reminded him, looking to Corr with a nod of his head. "Let's go."
Corr nodded back and followed Vult out. He stayed quiet until they returned to the elevator and started descending to the basement level with just the two of them within. "Nice words to Saro back there," he seemed to smirk, knowing Vult got something out of telling off a superior much higher ranking than him who otherwise didn't deserve the promotion. "What's our plan with this guy they have? If what they said is right, definitely another Ohnmatu operative like Vara and Jur." He didn't say anything further, Vult already knew what he was implying.
"Dependent on his condition and willingness to talk," Vult summarized, focusing more on the task at hand rather than his own personal victory over Saro. Two-to-zero if score was being kept. Something that Kazak would probably have loved to see for himself being there for the first dressing down.
"...ultimately...assuming I can tell him the truth of the matter and if he believes us at all."
"I may have an idea if he doesn't," he alluded to potentially using one of their private channels to contact Vara or Jur back on the ship. "That may be our way in if he doesn't want to listen initially."
"Assuming we can do that while we're here," Vult pointed out as the lift came to a stop at the sub-level of the building. The doors slid open to reveal Troopers standing guard. Their sleepy gazes quickly straightened up to attention as they saw Vult and Corr.
"Sirs!"
"At ease," Vult spoke cordially. "The prisoner. We're here to speak to him."
"I ca-"
"I already have Major General Saro's permission with General Vaukt's backing. Let us see him."
"O-oh, of course, Sir!" He stammered, not daring to question not one, but two high-ranking officer's endorsements. "Apologies, Sir, following orders, Sir."
"Good work." Vult placated him, waiting for him to fumble about with the keys to enter the room.
Once the door opened, Corr's eyes went wide, seeing the suited Vortian trapped within a hydraulic press. "What in the blazes is this?!"
"That was the only...real way to contain him, sir."
Corr only heaved a sigh and shook his head, walking around to one side, making sure to stay out of arm's reach of the Vortian. "You still alive?"
The Vortian's head, still fully encased in armor, turned to look at Corr. He spoke, tired, wearly, "Charsis, Dorum, Kialstis, Vortian Navy…" he sounded weak.
Corr looked to the two Troopers, "How long has he been in here?"
"Three days, sir."
"Good grief," Corr risked going in, reaching down to remove the goggles and mask of the Vortian before withdrawing his canteen and offering him small sips of water. "Were you people trying to interrogate him or kill him with dehydration?"
"We...didn't want to get near him, Sir." One of them hesitantly came clean. "We heard stories about the ones wearing that armor...how strong they were."
"Leave," Vult ordered them. "Take up your discrepancies with Saro or Vaukt."
Not wanting to risk incurring the wrath of these two uniquely-uniformed Spec Ops types, the Troopers closed the door before departing, leaving them alone with the entrapped Vortian.
"...now that we have some privacy." The Commander cryptically began, checking the room for any signs of cameras or recording equipment. He saw none. Confident of such, he knelt down to his head, tapping a few keys on his wrist to open up a communications link with the SiR Unit.
"Vara? Jur? You awake?"
There was the sound of shuffling on the comlink before Vara's voice came over. "Commander? Is there something wrong?"
The Vortian stopped drinking for a moment as his eyes went wide hearing a familiar voice. "Qoris?"
"Charsis?"
"He's rather weak, Commander, apparently they kept him trapped in a hydraulic press for three days." Corr resumed slowly pouring water, "You need to drink, trust me."
"Oh for fuck's sake."
Vult remained squatted down, allowing to hear and speak with ease to his comrades.
"Your friends are in our custody and looked after far better than you are being kept here." He began, keeping it concise and to the point. "I can't say much here. OPSEC. Just know that there is a lot currently in play right now and we are part of it. I can get you out of here, but only under the condition you remain in my custody. Play by my rules, stay alive. Take your chances here and die. Your choice."
"Kialstis, I suggest you take the deal."
"We're not supposed to-"
"Trust me, I wouldn't say this otherwise. From what it sounds like, they got you locked down that not even strength mode is breaking you out. Take the deal."
The trapped Vortian took a breath and sighed, looking to Vult and nodding. A quiet acceptance of whatever was going on.
"We get you out of this, no funny business." Vult warned him, looking to Corr as he stood up. As a precaution, he took a step back and drew his rifle off of its magnetic lock on his back to keep at low-ready across his chest. "Find a way to release the press, Corr."
Corr nodded and stowed his canteen for the meanwhile, looking around and finding a switch for the press near the Vortian's feet on the machine itself. He pushed the button to raise the press, gradually taking pressure off of him as the machine hummed. The Vortian remained there, quietly lingering. He was much too weak to run.
"Charsis, it's like he said, can't say much, you'll get a fuller explanation later."
"Just who are you guys?" He looked to Vult and Corr, "You're more robust than most Irken I've seen. Like even I wouldn't want to take you on outside of this suit."
"A group full of surprises, Dorum, you said your name was?"
"First name, yes."
"Can you walk?"
"Maybe...I think I need a medic...and then a shower and some food."
"All of the above will be provided aboard our ship." Vult assured him, wary of his movements even if he was weakened.
Digging in one of his pouches, he produced a couple of items. A circular, magnetic disk and a pair of restraints. Tossing the disk to Corr, he prepared the energy-based cuffs.
"Nullify his armor," the Commander ordered. "Restraints alone aren't convincing. What did you do to scare all these Troopers around here?"
The Petty Officer slowly rose to his feet, asking for Corr's canteen so he could take another drink before replying. He leaned against the press, even if he was standing. "Last time they had me restrained, they used a girder with heavy duty chains, as well as a chair. I switched my armor into strength mode and broke the chains, kicked one straight down the hall and smashed the chair over the head over another...a metal chair."
"Impressive, but I'd expect nothing less of that armor." Corr walked over, looking around on the armor for things Vara told him to look for. Ever since their secretive bond was forged, she's been a bit more forthcoming about information on how things worked. He took the Vortian's left hand and tapped around a bit.
"How do-"
"We know a fair deal about how these work already." He offered the Vortian his mask and goggles back to put on. "Disabling your armor is the only way we're going to get you out of here without any questions, and I doubt you'd rather be armor locked and have to be hand trucked out of here."
"That would be rather demeaning, yes." He handed Corr back his canteen and donned everything once again, holding his hands out front for Corr to slap the restraints on.
Making sure his armor was deactivated, but still allowed movement and the restraints securely in place. Vult nodded his head towards the door. "Let's go. Sooner you're out of here and off world, the better. Vara and Jur can fill you in. We have other matters to attend to."
"Right," he followed their lead as they started heading back towards the elevator.
"First thing's first, how were you captured?"
"Well, building came down, I think an Irken tank shell hit it. I crawled out of the wreckage only to be surrounded by Irken, so I surrendered."
"Where, exactly?"
"Maybe about a klik out from the power plant."
"That close? How are you people getting through your phasic barrier?"
"Hardened checkpoints. The barrier lets in friendlies at ground level as long as your IFF signature matches. Sadly that means if a civilian gets trapped on the outside, they can't get back in."
"Of course, you Vortians do think of everything."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
The three made their way up the elevator and out of the building, a vehicle out front waiting for them. One of the sentries handed the key fob to Corr, saying he had orders to provide it for their use from higher up. It was much quicker than walking a block back to their stealth shuttle.
Only sooner did they pull up did Kazak see someone familiar. The approaching Irken sniper, filthy from the field, quickly picked up his former senior NCO, even with armor on over his own personal cut of uniform. "Kazak!"
"Mizak!" The two met and fist bumped each other before Kazak started walking with his former commander, "How's the unit?"
"Not great. Grimm's good ideas have been getting us killed, but Vaukt is doing his best to mitigate it. There's more of us doing solo work now thanks to what we forged."
"No kidding? At least that's a good sign. How's Avak?"
"He filled your boots decently well. How has your transfer been treating you?"
"It's been...interesting to say the least."
"You look like you've been working out."
"Something like that." Kazak looked up to see Corr, Vult, and another suited Vortian stepping out of the vehicle and walked over, "Boss, this is Mizak, my former commander."
Mizak nodded to Vult, "I'm not going to insult you with a salute that a sniper might see, and some might see it as rude if I offered you a dirt covered hand to shake. General Vaukt said you wanted to debrief me on what intelligence I have on the phasic barriers so far."
Vult stepped out of the vehicle, Corr following suit with their "prisoner". The team had followed Vult's orders prior to landing, taking up perimeter security around their drop shuttle as an excuse to stretch out and stay limber since they still lacked a hard plan or objectives.
"Rem!"
The pilot and navigator left her position, jogging over to stop before her superior officers.
"Sir!"
"Another prisoner for our brig. Shuttle him to the ship and return in short order." He explained as Corr settled him into their shuttle, strapping him in.
"Yes, Sir." She obeyed, Corr acting as his escort for the quick trip to low-orbit and back.
Vult turned his attention back to Mizak and Kazak, extending a hand to the filthy scout sniper with a smirk and nod. "I'm not Supreme Commander Grimm...Kazak knows I'm not afraid of a little dirt."
Mizak smirked and shook Vult's hand. "Glad to see you've taken good care of him, Commander. This guy's one of the best soldiers I've served with." He reached up and held down his hat as the shuttle took off and departed. He looked around and saw an empty restaurant not too far away from the landing zone. "We can speak there if it makes things easier."
Vult nodded, motioning for him to lead on.
"Kazak earns his keep. I didn't restore him to Lieutenant for nothing." He assured as the trio made their way to the building in question.
Kazak pushed the door open, the restaurant floor had some littered debris, left exactly as it was before Irken troops moved in, aside from the shattered glass littering the way. Mizak took a seat at a table. Kazak couldn't help but step behind the bar, looking at the various liquors, wines, and even beers stored within. "Anyone want a drink?"
"Something strong, Kazak," Mizak replied as the Lieutenant gathered a few glasses and a few beers, and a bottle of whiskey, taking his own seat at the table and pouring out a portion of the liquor for the three of them, and opening the bottles with a borrowed opener. "Thanks."
"I'm just glad to see someone familiar again after all this time."
"No kidding. This whole campaign has been an awful, awful mess."
Vult settled into the seat across from Mizak as Kazak returned with the drinks. From their seated position, he had line-of-sight on the rest of the team and where Rem would be returning soon enough.
"Between my "briefings" with Grimm and Saro, I can use a drink...or three." He shook his head with a sigh. "...I haven't even gotten to work yet and I'm already tired of being here. Again. For the third time."
Accepting one of the glasses poured by Kazak, the Commander took a drink, wincing at it burning his throat with a small cough before setting it down.
"So...phasic barrier. That prisoner we took told us they have an IFF system built in. Let anyone tagged friendly pass through without a problem. What do you know about this technology? Any weaknesses?"
"They can iris it. Seems almost foolproof. I've watched through binoculars as they brought in civilians one day." He downed the liquor himself, exhaling a bit after downing the drink as he chased it with beer shortly after. "However, I have something of a theory I just looked into before Vaukt made contact."
The sniper withdrew a printed map of the area, something Kazak smirked at. Not many would know how to use one of those with all the technology available, unless they were smarter. As Kazak downed his liquor he looked to the circled areas within the valley of death. He could see where Mizak was going with this already.
"I haven't tested the power plant yet, but I did investigate using the phasic barrier two ways already. You have two solid ingress routes. The sewers are one route. The barrier can't extend below ground. The storm drains are also another possible route. Only problem you may run into with those is where they decide to drain to. I think all the drains in this sector may lead to this river near the power plant. No way to use them to potentially get into the main shielded zone unless you use the drainage system in another sector."
"And you know this works?"
"They haven't shielded the sewers."
"Guess they don't think of everything." Kazak looked to Vult, "Unless it's rigged with proximity alarms or fuses further down."
"That'd be my bet," Mizak spoke, but pointed to the Citadel. "My guess is with their limited resources, they're focused on defending this within the main barrier. This is no doubt the Vortians' military HQ for their occupied zone and the source of their main phasic barrier. They're going to put all efforts on defending that no matter what, secondary to the power source, of course."
"What about vehicles?" Vult queried, looking at his hand-drawn map. "We...appropriated a Vortian stealth shuttle. Surely the IFF would let it pass through, would it not?"
"Likely, yes. It should just scan your vehicle as friendly and allow you and whoever's inside through as well. Problem is, good luck finding anyone willing to test that theory by trying to run any number of the captured Vortian vehicles we have around here through the barrier. Nobody wants to take the risk of being killed even inside a vehicle, so really it remains a theory at best. Though, if the barrier can't pass through solid matter like the ground, it shouldn't be able to penetrate vehicles."
"Sounds like we may end up being the first," the Commander commented, tapping all the Xs inside of the phasic barrier on the map. They appeared arranged in a particular pattern, evenly-spaced about assuming the scale of the map was the same. "What are these? They have to do with the barrier or are they something else?"
"Those?" He paused, "Those are the emitters. Helps keep the energy output even across the entire barrier. Thing is, the main structure is all inside the barrier. General Hubr just north of us actually tried using some captured Vortian cruise missiles to strike them. Ended in failure, the missiles just blew up against the barrier." He stopped to think, "You know, if they don't detect your shuttle, the IFF can get you in. If they do detect you, you might have to find some way to jam their ability to do so. They might otherwise mark you hostile from the other side and the barrier will respond accordingly."
"We got a couple who can probably figure out how to work a radar jammer."
"I think you're set there then. My estimate is the barrier will still be mostly intact even if you take out one of the pylons. Take out two, it should weaken it enough to keep artillery from raining down, but you can start moving infantry and vehicles inside. Three go down, barrier's toast."
Vult, listening to Mizak's explanation of the pylons and their purpose, began taking notes. Between what intel they had on the barrier already, the brilliance of Vard once he turned him loose with such knowledge, and potential weaknesses and manners of approach, he was beginning to formulate their plan of action.
"You've been doing a lot of recon of the VDF line, right?" he began. "What are you seeing? What should be expected?"
"They're scavenging weapons and ammo off our dead as well as their own. They're desperate in there. I've seen chemical propellant ballistic weapons in Vortian hands lately. Even seen an Elite get killed by a crossbow."
Kazak blinked at the remark of the crossbow, "They're really desperate."
"Safe to assume any regulars left in there are the most battle-hardened veterans they have left if they've survived our offensive this long." Vult commented. "Bad enough being outnumbered. Even worse being outnumbered by a highly motivated enemy."
"Would we be any different if the roles were reversed and it were Irk?"
"Fair point."
"To answer that previous point, yes, the regulars and special forces types in there are among some of the fiercest I've ever faced. Though, you're not going to believe this…" Mizak reached into one of his pouches and withdrew a photo he took of a pair of Vortians, a male and female, wearing similar armor to what Vult and Kazak were familiar with already, but clearly upgraded, and sporting an actual helmet. The two looked like they were built like tanks. "I saw this, and no, this isn't altered."
"Fuuuuuuuuck," Kazak's eyes went wide as he looked at the two. "Who the shit are these?"
"Picked up Vortian?" Mizak gave Kazak's shoulder a light slap with a smirk before he went back to being serious, "I have no clue who these guys are. I know I was in a sniper duel with one of these suited guys before, but he was far more normal looking. Not anything like this. I sure didn't try engaging them. I might be daring, but me alone against even one of them almost seems like suicide."
Vult's blue eyes widened in shock at the image. He claimed it wasn't doctored or altered...but the scale of these two. They towered over nearby VDF. Encased in head-to-toe suits of hardened armor. They looked like they were wearing the armor of a vehicle around them. The standard-issue weapons looked comically small compared to their frames.
"Can't say we've ever seen anything like that...and we've seen a lot." Vult cryptically spoke, wary of classified information, even among fellow special forces. "How many of these types have you seen? Any idea what those suits are capable of?"
"No clue, I do know I've started seeing more of them in recent days. Some of them have numbers painted on their armor. Highest I've seen was sixty eight. Now...I don't know if that means there's that many of those hulks running around out there or if there's more than that. Though I've seen what the more normal sized suited ones are capable of." Mizak paused to drink some of his beer, "You know the assassination attempt on Grimm? It was done by suited types, but not ones that are that big. One of the Elites apparently had his PAK ripped out and was beaten to death with it. If these are anything like those armors, I'm going to say they're capable of ripping us in half, and I'm not exaggerating."
"We're familiar with that model," Vult left ambiguous regarding Vara and Jur, now their third prisoner of the same flavor to join them soon enough. "These though...completely new. Don't match anything intelligence-wise regarding the VDF or the Vortian Navy...private sector? Maybe...SIS, even...but their government has a strict policy about their jurisdiction on the homefront. They're never seen on Vort...then again, Vort has never faced the full might of the Empire like this, either."
"Whatever they are, they're definitely the first I've seen of them lately. I don't like what it means. I just know anyone who came up against any of them yet haven't lived to tell the tale."
"That dangerous?" Kazak queried his former CO after taking a swig of beer.
"By the time I see them, I usually see the aftermath of mangled corpses."
"Eesh."
"Speculation aside, given their appearance, that doesn't surprise me." Vult commented, taking up his glass to drink again. "Once again, we might be the unlucky ones to find out first-hand."
About that time, their appropriated shuttle was beginning to set down again across the street. Vult paused from drinking, opening his communications channel with Corr.
"Purple-1, copy?"
"Reading you, sir," Corr replied from the other end.
"Precious cargo intact and secured?"
"Affirm."
"Round everyone up once you step off. Across the street in the restaurant. Call this place home until we come up with a workable solution. Have Purple-5 button up the shuttle and lock it down."
"Copy that." Corr looked to Rem after they touched down, "Secure the shuttle once we're off. Commander is setting us up in a restaurant across the street." Once the ramp fell, he walked off and assembled the others, heading over to the restaurant as Rem locked up the shuttle.
"Guess you get to meet the rest of the team, Mizak."
"I know that above this place are some apartments. Surprised none of the local Troopers or Elites tried to take them over yet, but maybe it's a bias for our own things rather than sleeping in a more cozy abode because our enemies slept in it."
Corr heard the end of that as he came through the door, "I think it's more that they haven't been alive long enough to take them over."
"Ah, Mizak, Captain Corr, our second in command."
Mizak extended a hand to Corr, "Nice to finally meet the guys Kazak ended up with."
Corr shook Mizak's hand, "Likewise meeting his former commander. Experimental units like ours usually don't get to run into each other like this it seems."
"Well, suppose that happens when the campaign is going as badly as this," Mizak gestured around them. "May as well enjoy the chance."
As ordered, Corr brought the rest of the team into the building. Everyone, carrying their additionals as prescribed prior to arriving to Vort, looked for places to set their gear down.
"We'll delegate quarters and watch rotation before the day's out." Vult informed his officers, finishing off his drink before standing to his feet. "Just drop your stuff somewhere. We're not here to pass inspection or impress anyone. Line up, introduce yourselves."
One by one, Kazak introduced Mizak to the others. Now it looked like three snipers in the room among the Spec Ops types. Mizak also sent a message to have some of the supply unit bring up a resupply package from the unit's FOB, figuring they'd be working together in the interim. Anything to get this mess on Vort over with.
Kazak spoke up after the last introduction was done with. "Now, this being a restaurant, we probably have some good food in here left if it hasn't spoiled. Also, we have an open bar. Try not to drink it all at once."
"I'd say Haxx, but we all know how much of a lightweight he is," Rha spoke up with a smirk, shooting a glance at him."
"While you're all here," Vult addressed them, getting their attention. "The bar? Use moderation. Our job's hard enough without being drunk while trying to do it. I will be very upset if you show up inebriated when I need you sober. Same goes for any food you find around here. Use caution, make sure it isn't spoiled or you'll have an adverse side-effect to it. Understood?"
A resounding "Yes, Sir" from his team followed.
"Orders of business first," He began, procuring the data disk Saro provided him from his belt. "Vard."
"Sir?" The short-statured Tech Specialist queried, seeing the storage device being held out for him to take.
"Put your head together with Rem. I want this uploaded into our navigational suite and mapped out proper. Anything on the technology behind the phasic barrier and the systems employed, I want you to come up with workarounds or exploiting weaknesses. Make sure any manner of entry we take is safe and we remain undetected."
"Yes, Sir." he snapped a salute, taking the data disk.
Vult took up Mizak's hand-drawn map, holding it out to Rem.
"The Xs on this map are pylons to the barrier system. Map their location. The other symbols are standard fare for marking infantry, artillery, and the sort. I want those mapped as well. Return that to Captain Mizak when you're done."
"Yes, Sir." Rem acknowledged, accepting the piece of paper before she and Vard both went to a nearby empty table to start getting to work.
"Corr, Volx?" the Commander continued delegating. "Clear this building, floor-by-floor to err the side of caution. Once it's determined safe, delegate quarters and watch rotations accordingly. Round-the-clock pairs at a minimum. Even if the Vortians are encircled, that doesn't mean they won't send special forces or the like out to cause trouble behind our lines. No risks, no excuses."
"Will do, sir." Corr headed off with Volx to start clearing the building, bringing Rha, Haxx, and Hesa along with them to do it.
"By the way, Commander," He drew out another photo of one of the Ohnmatu operatives, he seemed much like the others, but one thing that instantly stood out was that he was wearing a vibrosword on his waist. "This guy's been looking for me ever since I won that sniper duel. I haven't seen him in recent days. Thought I should let you know about that. I highly doubt he's been killed. They may be planning something."
Vult instantly recognized the likely culprit in the photograph. His conversation with Volx regarding her outburst came to mind. Nomad. The one responsible for killing one of her favored subordinates and part of the team that killed the rest of them in ID1 and nearly blinded her in one eye.
"...keep me posted on his whereabouts if you can. One of my own has a little bit of personal history with that one. Need to determine if it is a good idea to cut her loose locating him or not." Vult reasoned, remembering something from before as he dug around in one of his pockets. "Vard, one more thing."
He bounded over, responding to his superior's call.
"Yes, Sir?"
"Save this frequency. High Priority. That is General Vaukt."
"General Vaukt as in Spec Ops General Vaukt?"
"The same. The less we have to deal with Major General Saro and Supreme Commander Grimm, the better. Vaukt said he would handle either of them if they become an issue. He's our friend." The Commander concluded with a smirk.
"Understood, Sir...a shame about Major General Saro's frequency being clouded with interference. Protocol dictates we go up the chain of command, correct?"
"Textbook, Sergeant."
Vard smirked, snapping a salute before returning to his work. Vult looked at Mizak once more. "Would you like his frequency as well or do you already have it?"
"Already have it, Sergeant. We've been working rather closely with Vaukt ever since Grimm decided on a move that saw half a platoon of our men killed in the course of a single hour."
"Wait, what?!" Kazak sounded shocked, "A single hour and half a platoon's gone?!"
"Yes...and actually it wasn't even the Vortians' fault, per se."
"Oh, great. What happened?"
"We surrounded a VDF Lieutenant General in a small city called Chalgos. Elites had him surrounded, our guys went behind the lines to scout his HQ and set up a shot. Rynk was a Commander back then, he told the Lieutenant General he was surrounded and that he needed to surrender, a message from Grimm himself. The General said in reply 'Nuts.' Well, Grimm took that as an insult and he had heavy artillery turn the whole area into a crater, not even bothering to tell our guys to pull out of there."
"That son of a bitch."
"Yeah, no kidding. It was after Vaukt got wind of it that he pulled us, all spec ops, completely under his command. Anyone wanted to have us go on a mission, they had to go through him. Grimm was infuriated, but he valued our lives a load more than Grimm's ego."
"Rightfully so," Vult nodded. "For the time being, we're in a holding pattern. I don't care what Grimm wants. I'm not taking my team anywhere half-cocked or in the dark intelligence-wise on this one. General Vaukt understands that and will deal with any fallout from the Supreme Commander's impatience."
"The General's been great to have around. Probably the only sane one left in the chain of command that high up for all we know." Mizak looked to Kazak and nodded to him and looked back to Vult, "If you want any additional help. I'm happy to offer any assistance. I'll even go along with you guys if it helps. You've seen what Kazak can do, you know what we're capable of."
"Offer is appreciated. For the sake of covering your c'hurtas though, pass it through General Vaukt and see what he says. While delegated to him for all intents and purposes...we're still not exactly under the Spec Ops branch. Technicalities. Classified. You know how it is."
"Ah yes, the 'if I told you I'd have to kill you' sort of stuff."
"Sorta what I got pulled into," Kazak shrugged, "Never a dull moment, I'll say that much."
"Well, I've got a resupply kit coming here. I'll go contact the General and see what he says." He and Kazak fist bump again before he walks outside to radio the General.
Kazak looked to Vult, seeming much more relaxed and oddly happy despite getting sent back to Vort. "Never thought I'd see any of the others in the field again. Aside from that weird undercover mission on Irk."
"Unfortunate you couldn't see more of them," Vult acknowledged solemnly. "...too bad you can't tell them about half the things I've had you do, right?"
"Yeah...and no kidding on that other part." The sniper officer sighed, "Aside from you guys? Those really are some of the best soldiers I've ever served with in the entire Armada. Though knowing what I'd do now…" he paused, not wanting to let anything further slip out, "Definitely keep them in mind for later."
"They aren't the only ones," Vult cryptically spoke, wary of who was listening. "...I need to make a private call. Mizak or the others ask, I'll be back." He explained before standing up to leave his seat.
"You got it," Kazak nodded, finishing off what was left of his beer and relaxing in his seat.
Leaving it at that, Vult left the restaurant. Crossing the street, he approached their appropriated shuttle. Passing the reprogrammed biometric scan and series of security protocols, the hatch opened, allowing him access. Closing and locking it behind him, he activated the communications link with the SiR Unit again.
"Vara, Jur, copy?"
Vara's voice came back on over the comms, "Reading you, Vult. What do you need?"
"Doing a little research, hopefully one of you have some intel on the matter," he opened with. "Recon teams have photographs of some of the absolutely impossibly largest Vortians I have ever seen. Both genders. Clad in heavy armor, head-to-toe, black. Helmets included. Even at the distance they were photographed, they'd be too heavy to move without augmentation. They don't look like anyone from your teams. You know anything about them?"
"Honestly, that has me scratching my head too, sir. I wouldn't know about anyone outside of Ohnmatu that has that level of tech."
Their new arrival soon spoke up, "Ghost Scribe."
"Come again?" It was Jur speaking up this time.
"Ghost Scribe...secret teams...SIS. Had a run in with one of them days before I was captured. Went by the name of Numbers. She said she couldn't say much more than that or she'd have to kill me."
Vara came back on next, "What in the fuck is SIS doing with our tech? How big was she?"
"The lady looked like she could probably pick up one of our light vehicles and hurl it down the street or something."
"Looking at the picture I was just shown...eight feet would be a humble estimate. There were VDF regulars nearby for scale. Average male height hovers around six and a half feet. Not just tall, proportionate too." Vult summarized his deductions. "...my next question is what is your people's intelligence wing, whom I was under the impression was prohibited from operating on Vort, doing in the planetary capital?"
"Right after you guys hit Praxxus the first time around, there was a new law passed through Parliament. In the event of a national emergency of the same tier, if it's declared by Parliament, SIS would be allowed to operate within Federation territory. Guess what was triggered when you guys hit Praxxus the second time."
"So we have ourselves to blame for this," Vult commented dryly. "...anything else you can tell me about them? Equipment? Armaments? Command structure? I'm sure we'll be crossing paths with them soon."
Vara sighed, "I wish I had something of substance to give you, but the existence of these guys is new to me too."
Dorum spoke up next, "Best I can tell, they're using standard issue weapons. Maybe they have something special I don't know about. Their armor is very similar to ours. Capabilities are basically on par, though they've really maximized the armor plating over the muscle suits we have, and not to mention added a proper armored helmet where we have our rather rudimentary ones. Don't get me wrong, in extreme temperatures we'll both be comfortable, but they can deal with head shots a lot better than we can. If strength is comparable-"
Jur interrupted, "If my foot did that number on Corr's leg, then someone about the size you're talking will likely shatter bone or could literally rip a limb off of you like it was nothing. Potentially even rip you in half."
"Precisely," Dorum chimed in, "One of our guys, Lieutenant Ahko, completely different team, he ripped some guy's PAK out and beat a couple of Elites to death with it. I'd say such a physical feat is possible with how Numbers looked."
Vult blinked. That name. That was the same VDF soldier that strung Saro up...the same one he tangled with in CQC.
"...Lieutenant Ahko wouldn't happen to be a sniper by trade, would he?"
Vara chuckled, "You clearly haven't met the Ahkos. They're all marksmen. A family with a history of service in the VDF but also of rustic living. They're survivalists. Back before we were leaving for Devastis, I know the leader of Char was talking to 'Zharic about bringing her brothers into the fold. If he's in this...then we have three team leaders from that family now."
Dorum was next, "There's four Ahkos. Reeshara who heads Char Team, Tha who heads Athka, Rub heading Dyrkas, and Ruk his twin brother. Reeshara uses a scoped carbine, Tha uses a scoped battle rifle, Ruk has one of those old fashioned single shot plasma cartridge rifles, Rub has a bolt action using the same sort of system. Rub was the one who took out Yarnitch and Ruk was the one who nearly got Grimm."
"Yeah, Rub was his name...I stabbed him in the thigh with my combat knife and he let me go because my team spared his spotter days prior." Vult shared, omitting the fact Saro was alive and had a promotion because he was the one to save the man from Rub's "custody". "...I can't imagine I'm high on his favored list."
"Well, that's awkward." Jur chimed in, "It might be best to avoid running into him if you can stand it."
"We got word from Admiral 'Narr maybe a couple days after captured. He was pulling the plug on defending Vort and wanted all of us off the planet. I couldn't risk transmitting because of Saro's guards, but...if they haven't left...and they're still there...I don't know what the plan is. I wish I could give you more to work with."
"You've given me plenty. I have...connections to process this through," Vult spoke, careful of his choice of words and implications. "...Dorum, was it? Thank you for your cooperation."
"It is. Commander Qoris filled me in on the score, sir. I just hope you don't have to do anything too...terrible with my friends."
"Doing what I can to mitigate as much damage done moving forward. I lack Grimm and Saro's cruelty. Everything my team does is for a purpose and handled professionally." He assured. "...if at all possible, without compromising either myself or your comrades, arranging so we don't cross paths is ideal."
"Thank you, sir." Dorum sounded appreciative of it on his end.