To say the Senshi were in awe by the arrival of the Siege Merciless, would have been correct. As the massive warship slowly descended from the clouds moved towards the mountain sized dragon.
The ground seemed to tremble, as the Warship parked itself directly over them and pointed it's nose at the monstrosity. On board, Hannah began to target the massive beast. As once again she did not want to use the main weapon so close to the planet's surface. The shockwave alone would kill anyone at that level, included Logan and the Senshi. But the Valiant-Class Heavy Cruiser was still armed to the teeth with other, "less" destructive weapons systems. All of whom were perfect for this situation.
"Kami-Sama..." Mars gasped out in awe, just as the warship settled above them. It's hulking mass casted a shadow over them.
"Fire for Effect..."
Suddenly, the Siege Merciless erupted as it's numerous rail guns opened up on the would be dragon. Causing the beast to roar out in pain that echoed through out the landscape, as numerous tungsten rounds impacted it's body with a vicious fury. But the creature/Death Phantom was not going to allow some space ship to best it, as the creature suddenly took flight in attempt to out maneuver the vessel. But the Siege Merciless was quick to react continued to engage the demonic creature. As numerous turrets swung around and followed the dragon as it tried to find a opening.
But Death Phantom's dragon wasn't the only creature to feel the Valiant-class' wrath. As Hannah had also targeted the droids on the ground and they too were subjected to murderous fire.
By now, the two MANTIS had also managed to recover and were joining in the apparent slaughter. Just as the Pelican flew in and landed right behind the the now stunned Senshi.
"We should get moving." Logan stated, just as the rear of the drop ship opened up.
"Yea... we should do that." Jupiter commented, as the girls began to run towards the space craft. But just as Serenity was about to board the craft, a bolt of energy shot out and struck the pelican. The resulting explosion, though small, ripped the drop ship's hull apart. Effectively destroying the craft.
Serenity and the Senshi, though stunned by the attack, were not hurt by the blast. But soon saw their assailant appear in the form of a heavily modified Spider Droid that had what looked like a massive cannon fitted where the upper torso should have been.
Worse still, several more of the creatures appeared and began to aim themselves directly at the Senshi. But before they could attacks they were suddenly ripped apart by heavy gun fire, as the MANTIS moved in to cover the Senshi and Logan.
"We gonna have to get to the Drop Pods." Logan announced, as the Pelican burned. "Hannah, how far are the Pods?"
"They are located thee miles south west of your current location." the A.I. replied, "But you will have to pass through the city to get to them."
"Understood. We've gotta move, NOW!"
The Senshi, not having much of a choice at this point, listened to the Spartan and began to follow him as they retreated into the city. All the while the two Mechs provided much welcomed covering fire as they made their retreat...
As this was going on, Chibiusa and the Asteroid Senshi had managed to make it back to the Command and Control center. They could see the massive dragon flying around the warship but we're more surprised by the fact that the ship was more that holding its own against the creature. They were even more surprised to see than on one of the display screens...
"You see! I told you space man would find them!" Sailor Pallas chirped out happily, as the group could see the other Senshi and Logan making their way into the city.
"But why are they heading into the city?" Vesta asked, as she watched one of the MANTIS destroy another droid.
"They are gonna try to get to one of the drop pods." Hannah's voice replied, though her image did not appear. "They are gonna have to make their way through the city to get to them."
"Can't you do anything to help them?" Chibiusa asked, a sense of dread starting to build within her as she watch her mother on the screen.
"Not right now.'" Hannah replied, "My main concern is keeping that dragon away from them. Besides, it's not like I can land on top of the city to pick them up! Their best bet is to get to the Drop Pods so they can get back to the ship."
"Still!" Vesta spoke up..."There has to be something we can do to help! what if those Droids attack the pods and destroy them?"
There was a moment of silence, as Hannah processed what the Asteroid Senshi had told her. She then perked up and said "Maybe there is." A map of the Siege Merciless suddenly appeared with a highlighted...
"I am going through need your help with this..."
Meanwhile, back on the surface, the Senshi and Logan had managed to retreat further into the city. The MANTIS continuing to provide covering fire with Logan, as the group navigated through the deserted streets. The ruins of the failed settlement made for a unsettling maze consisting of cobble stone streets and black walls. On one hand it seemed to have caused the pursuing droids to slow down, as they attempted to navigate the many alley ways and corridors. But it also slowed down the Senshi and their allies as well. It was Logan using his power Armor's built in tracking system, which prevented them from getting lost.
But it was this time did the Senshi finally find out what happened to the people who had been exiled along side the Black Moon Clan all those centuries before. As the group was forced to enter one of the old buildings for cover. As Logan knocked down a "wooden" door to allow the Senshi to take cover.
'What is that?!?" Serenity shrieked out in terror, causing the rest to suddenly snapped to attention. But rather than seeing another droid or something similar, the group were met with the most horrific sight.
For not crouched in a darkened corner was a unnaturally pale creature dressed in what looked liked rags. It had some physical features which suggested it was female, but it looked gaunt with only patches of long hair left on its head. But rather than being hostile, the creature seemed more afraid than anything. As it held up it's boney hands as if it were trying to protect itself from the Senshi and Logan.
"Kami-Sama..." Mars gasped out... as tears began to well up in the eyes. "This is what happened to you?".
"What? What is that thing?"
"She... she's... was human" The Senshi of Fire replied, as she could sense the fear and pain the creature currently felt. Sure enough, Mercury activated her visor and began to scan the being before them.
"She is human." Mercury confirmed, though she seemed more horrified by what she saw. " But..."
"But what?" Serenity asked, regaining her composure.
"She's mutated." The blue haired woman replied. "She's been exposed to some kind of radiation I have never seen before... it changed her."
"So... that would mean that every single person that was Nemesis exiled to Nemesis... turned into that thing?" Jupiter asked, as the weight of the situation finally dawned on her.
"If they didn't die off first..." Mercury continued. "She is showing early signs of multiple organ failure. "Though it would explain why the city seems so deserted."
The humanoid creature suddenly hissed and scrambled out of the room, leaving a stunned/traumatized group of women behind. Serenity could feel an overwhelming sense of guilt take hold of her, as she could not help but to blame herself for what had happened to the Black Moon's followers. She was the one who ultimately had them exiled all those years ago, but in doing so she had more or less sealed their fate.
"I know what you are thinking, Usa." Mars said softly, using Serenity's former name. "There is nothing you can do, she is too far gone to help."
"I... understand." Serenity replied sadly. "I just wish I didn't have to exile them here."
"You didn't exile them. You have them a choice and they chose to leave." Mars replied. "You could not have known that this planet would have changed them into... what ever that thing was."
"The pods are one hundred meters that way." Logan's voice suddenly interjected, as he looked out the window. His display clearly showed the two massive drop pods, as well as the MANTIS taking up positions near the LZ. But he could also see that a much larger enemy force was advancing on their position and they needed to move NOW.
Just how many Droids were there?
Knowing that their new ally was right, the Senshi got ready to make one last run towards their objective. Once he was certain the coast was clear, Logan took point as the group exited the building. The girls could hear Death Phantom's dragon roar angrily, followed by explosions. Apparently the Siege Merciless was proving to be more than a match for the entity, though by now they could not see the supposed battle taking place.
After clearing another corner, the Senshi could finally see the MANTIS once again. Behind them, were two vessels that were much larger than what they expected to find. In fact, the D96-H "Albatross II" was just a larger version of the Pelican and this latest variant of the craft and each one was large enough to carry one MANTIS comfortably inside them.
But of course, none of that mattered to the Senshi. they just needed to get to the closest ship. They ran as fast as they could, which was impressive considering they were all wearing heels, and were just about half way there... when several explosions erupted between them and the two "Pods". A wall of fire now existed between them and salvation and surrounded the group. As a cluster of massive spider droids appeared through the flames, their blade like arms and legs refecting the orange glow flames around them.
"Well... now what?" Venus asked, as the she and the rest of the group prepared for another battle. But before the creatures could attack, several orange beams suddenly struck the droids. Causing them to seemingly melt away into nothingness. Moments later, dozens of insectoid like drones dived down on the approaching Droids and began to attack them with energy based weapons.
"Drones" Logan stated, as he saw the Forerunner inspired constructs fly in and engage the enemy. He knew that the Siege Merciless had a number of them on board for use in case the vessel was boarded. But it seems Hannah had been able to reprogram them for use outside of the ship.
"What the hell are those things...?" Jupiter asked in wide eye awe, as the Drones continued their attack.
"Security Drones." Logan replied, as he watched the Forerunner inspired constructs continue their attack. "They were designed to protect a ship in case an enemy boards the ship. I guess Hannah has something to do with this."
"Do you like?" Hannah suddenly chirped, sounding a bit pleased with herself. "Figured you could use the help, but I think we should get going. I don't know how long I can keep our friend away."
Sure enough, the Siege Merciless lumbered over head and lowered itself to just a couple hundred meters over Logan and the Senshi. By now the Dragon and flown back to the ruins of the Black Moon Palace, the massive UNSC warship proving to be more than a match for the creature and it's master. Now with an opening, Hannah guided the cruiser to retrieve the Senshi and Logan. Of course, this also allowed the Cruiser to provide more fire support of its own, as it proceeded to obliterate the area around the drop ships and their passengers. Via it's extensive network of point defense turrets, which unleashed thousands of 20mm rounds on the would be attackers.
Needless to say, Serenity and her Senshi were in a state of shock by the scene, the massive warship just hanging in the air completely unopposed and destroying the Droid army. But Logan's voice broke them out of their stupor, as he yelled out...
"GET TO THE DROP SHIP!"
By now, both MANTIS' had boarded their respective vessels and had gone quiet. While the security Drones began to fall back to the hovering Heavy Cruiser, as the Droid Army ceased had seemingly been dispatched. Not wanting to waste any time, the Senshi began to run towards the closes Albatross, with Logan covering their retreat with his only remaining weapon, which as his M6C pistol.
Finally, the Senshi had made it into the ship. Leaving only Logan and Serenity to board.
'Go!, I'll cover you!" Logan barked out, as he continued to scan the area. Known by this point that it was useless to argue with the Super Soldier, Serenity did what she was told and began to run towards the drop ship. But half way to the ship, Logan noticed some movement near some rubble.
Suddenly, a massive Spider Droid broke through and began to charge at the Royal. It moved at an near impossible speed and quickly closed the gap between it at Serenity.
"Usa!!' Mars cried out in horror, as the Droid was practically on top of Serenity. The Royal didn't even have time to react, as she say the construct raise it's blade like legs to strike her down. But just as the Droid was about to strike, Logan suddenly appeared in-between it and the Royal. The blades, impaling Logan in one swift move but leaving Serenity completely unharmed.
Blood dripped from the Droids's "legs" before it pulled them out of the Super Soldier. But Logan never made a sound and continued to stand as swiftly brought up his pistol and emptied all of its bullets into the Droids head. Effectively destroying the creature, as it fell to the ground.
Logan then fell to one knee and grunted in pain... "G... get to the s...ship ... I'm right behind you..."
"No!" Serenity cried, as she tried to help the wounded Spartan. But he was too heavy for her to move, even as it became clear that Logan was seriously wounded. Yet, the Queen of Earth was not about to abandon her new friend. Especially after all he done to help her rescue her friends.
Suddenly, more pairs of hands appeared and began to help her. Her Senshi had seen everything and were now trying to help the Spartan to safety as well.
Logan for his part, was trying his best to move on his own, yet the pain was starting to get to him and he began to struggle. He could feel the taste of blood in his mouth, as his vision started to become blurry. But he could also feel the Senshi trying to help him. All the while he could hear Hannah calling his name, her voice filled with panic as she called out to him. But that too soon became a blurry mess, as soon he could not make out her words.
The last thing he could remember was making it on board the Albatross and falling flat into the metal floor. He could feel the vessel start to lift off before finally... everything went black.
Leaving a exhausted group of Senshi to look over his inert form as a pool of blood began to form...