p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;" data-p-id="ea34e11dde80a5c293ddc3df24a09585"span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"Rumble POV:/span/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="cfe96d3195d88ce98e192f8ca7d7ff2f"The Dropship rattled softly, keeping the silence from getting too unbearable. 8 bots were seated aboard the craft, 4 lined on each side./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ffcf1406c88964bb557f4f29d5f53d89"Me and my brother, Ruvik, Kaz, the Dragon, two bipedal femmes by the names of Gypsy and Flow, and two bipedal mechs by the names Vibe and Plunder./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="630c926e395dc04da11cebaf3aaa1f14"5 of them meant nothing to me, in the least cold way one could intend it. These missions weren't designed to survive. They were designed to test us./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7ff9316bbda84f90714f222af6f95ba4"Plunder had stared at the Dragon the entire ride so far, arms crossed. The Dragon noticed almost immediately and turned it into a staring contest./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="89103798d069229e3754139013f735f3""What's wrong with yer face?" he finally posed a question in his ragged accent, resembling a human's Australian accent./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="206ff6881205875294ab796b014f4656"The Dragon reached up and caressed his mouthguard delicately, staying silent but maintaining the uneasy stare./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1dabbb09e55a95a0a45477058ad431fa""...cool. Cool," Plunder muttered to himself, before turning to the femme beside him, "What's the deal with this freak?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c99f5b1a56d0bd542e808ae2cda20924""Real subtle man. I'm sure he appreciates that," Flow responded./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="31bb1b64db9d8677714d7aca08276544""I'm gonna take a wild guess and say he's here for one of the same two reasons we all are," Vibe spoke up, dusting off the gauntlets he wore, "He's either unwanted or dangerous."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="647623f3bcb52b3d62366cdfc55a3e33""How about both?" the Dragon added, finally breaking his silence./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c4ab24b653afa20cf84a244bc0849034""Look at that, it talks," Plunder commented./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a6a203669ce70c30d7520f4ffdeeb051""You got in last night, huh?" Gypsy questioned, looking the Dragon over with a sultry expression of interest, "You got a name?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a6ad032a2ce10e2b7f13d4e188a61854""Nagisa," the Dragon responded, his gaze showing some interest of his own as it scanned over the attractive femme, "Delighted to make your acquaintance m'lady."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="858e9349b4eebbbdbd76ecca4f8ffacb""You won't be, not for long," Plunder returned, turning his attention to me, "And what's yer deal, mutt? What makes you Cynth's favorite?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="49faa0d137e6ca63c068de331d77e66f"I looked up as I was spoken to, unsure of how to respond./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="498832e3d435934a662b120450b172b8""Don't play dumb mate, we all see it," Plunder added, leaning forward in his seat, "What's the secret to getting in good with her and the Commander?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="26bf30b5487c1971506752d954c74581""You say that as if extra attention is a perk," I responded./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b4472df07de353a27f6c9276d6315cbe""Maybe not, but I don't see many scars on ya," Plunder continued, "I never see you get bloodied up or beat down like the rest of us."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6e32ea6c37f3a462b09f92bed3b3c0a4""Because I don't earn it as much," I replied./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b2bd388295dbc28770a314efffa9bb5b""Or maybe 'cause the Commander favors his own kind," Plunder coldly accused./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="52f05cc28e288c56dc0937159bfa9b05"The bipeds lined one wall, the predacons lined the other, with Kaz being the only exception seated beside me. The division between them was more than apparent, more than just physical./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ea28e54d3e2d451a04d352fa7dfe5ab2""We're all in the same shit storm here," Ruvik responded calmly, "The way you walk doesn't change that."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fa36c44355a6121d858b95a5c2c16673"Plunder went quiet for a few moments, glancing between me and my brother a few times before slowly leaning back in his seat, "I guess not."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e11feae6b284611dab7510cac00f9e75"Before another word was spoken, the Dropship was bathed in a red light, signifying their destination was within range./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6f5574ae4e6d8b73db57ecf9766dcb81"All 8 bots stood one by one, making their way to the rear of the ship. Ruvik was first, standing in front of the bay door as it slowly dropped open into a shallow ramp, sounds of torrential wind and rain filling the tense silence./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="286616f6f13431451207973872271da7"Ruvik glanced back at me, nodding slightly before leaping out into the clouds and taking flight. Nagisa was next up, saluting flippantly to Plunder before jumping backwards and disappearing into the night sky./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="74a8c34b60044861e12db6e16badf1b5"I was next, hesitating a moment and gazing out at the stormy skies. My wings ached to stretch out, to carry me far away from this place and these people, but I knew what would happen if I tried./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="201fc572c94f880c4e7be31f6d3ec14f"I tightened the combat harness around my shoulders and leaned forward, rotating to my back as I fell from the ramp and went into free fall. I closed my optics, feeling the rushing wind on my back as I plummeted./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="75c6fa7a9b4ccb17ee259164cc4b5cf9"Gradually I allowed my wings to unfurl, until they started catching the wind. I rolled upright and fully extended my wingspan, riding the wind and turning my free fall into a glide./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4c78da3fcdc7bbf0c6094a4c01fee795"I steered myself away from the wind, soaring faster and faster as it propelled me along. I swooped upwards, making a half circle and ending up on my back again, tucking my wings in and allowing myself to fall./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d7c3562a4a2a135db2d0ecac7428b3db""Having fun?" Ruvik's voice came over the comm links they'd all been equipped with, my optics opening to see my brother make a wide circle around me, "Come on, time to go to work," he reminded./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ae8ec7c23f8c1562cf077b97ace1487f"Ruvik dove downward, I followed suit and rotated into a dive as well. The two of us plummeted through the clouds, spreading our wings in almost perfect unison just before we broke through the skyline and entered visible range of the ground./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b9a05822368f919a86cbffa45404e9d5"We arched slightly upwards to glide parallel to the ground, slowing up and touching down. I skidded to a stop, Ruvik making a power slide to curb his momentum./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d161b0c0d879e55efbe86e91f7c19d28"Nagisa tucked into a flamboyant backflip as he slid to a stop, Kaz touching down a good distance from them. I glanced upward, searching the skies for our comrades./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d7defd5f0b831aac90d99ff2b0acb86b"Plunder was nearing the ground, Flow and Vibe not far behind, with Gypsy trailing behind. The femme spun carelessly in the harness of her parachute, whooping quite loudly./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="460cc1112be665c8bb39b4969eba76f9""Did you forget the part about this being a stealth mission?" Plunder hissed into the comm link./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="69a4af89f0600003caa2024e7e3893ac""Chill, I'm just enjoying the freedom while I've got it!" Gypsy responded into hers, giving another twirl that sent her parachute spiraling in wide circles./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3d172eaa6f5fe9e71f9fbb5ae7464240"Out of nowhere, a ground shaking bang and a bright flash came from the building before them. Cannon-fire, that sent an anti-aircraft round rocketing through the night sky./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="33ad6abb9fae6f90fd74bfc3904138c9"Gypsy was torn apart in a blink of an optic, her top half splattering into oblivion, her parachute ripped in half and folding in on itself./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b2a07337eca696175420fa524b759b80"I dropped to the ground, signaling my team to do the same. The remaining bots followed suit, Plunder cursing softly and taking out his duel blasters./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c59f3eb12aa27f9158f973870fa53c1e""Shit. She was the hot one..." Nagisa muttered softly with a blank tone void of any shock or empathy./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="da9a3105d666800bb4e38071d143c964"I shot him a disapproving glance before turning my attention to the building, waiting for more rounds to be fired off./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="44a3300ec68e7bee89af9e2e94033f46"Instead a searchlight came on, scanning the skies for a minute before turning to scan the ground around the building./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="170a1756140db4177b137b474f8dca72"My team flattened themselves behind dirt mounds or fallen trees to avoid detection, the searchlight gliding back and forth across the open area./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="09b768e6b6418492f2057ed6b755d1d2""Now what?" Vibe whispered sharply into the comm link./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="44699819d8ef85528ccdf2db4f83ff74""Stay low, watch and learn," Ruvik responded in a hushed tone, nodding to me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3c775f0b41c18ec7e023ce98c28dd363"I returned the nod, knowing exactly what he was signaling me to do. I took out my rifle and extended it to its full length. Along the side was a scope that I clicked into place atop the barrel, before slowly and carefully leaning out from my cover./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="142a3692e8349720a6afd709eb84b6cc"I moved my rifle into place, resting the barrel on the dirt before me and peering through the scope, lining up the shot./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="889c2a110965a12e302b87106d825f58"The searchlight moved over my cover, I ducked down again to avoid detection, waiting for my chance before returning to the scope and adjusting my aim./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="17793261451ccfd50282338457bb4d03"Finally I took the shot. One silenced gunshot hissed through the air, the searchlight shattering and blinking out./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f72b79e22aada86f6f3237d60dcfdbcb""That's our cue," Ruvik whispered into the comm link, giving me a supportive pat on the shoulder./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7c547b10676a345979a279e0a88bc9e2"On command, the bots got up from their places, crouching low and moving through the once again darkened field./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1db482c8b7b34725df3af546a0dfa3c9"The cannon fired. A tremendous explosion erupted from the darkness, staggering me and Ruvik a bit with its close proximity./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="895cfdf6e6cdb3f8d69ab52d0d61662b"We recovered quickly, glancing at each other in a quick sibling check before continuing forward. Another shot fired, missing by a great deal./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2ffcf108790c8ef49a960e06884f8223"The enemy was panicked, our presence was known, but our location was shrouded by the cloudy night. Ruvik led the group right up to the building, coming to a large set of bay doors./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7ff6366e83db9d3d1db0f645ec7a1ac9"Kaz stepped forward, knowing his job, and took out his datapad, linking it to the control panel and typing away rapidly until the doors groaned to life and slid open./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="bcb0549334b2d70c9086076cfd435a39"As to be expected, gunshots rang out as soon as an opening became large enough. The group sidestepped to avoid the hail of gunfire, Vibe tightly securing his gauntlets to his servos./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b540f8d2a3ff697f6fb21d74e9189bee""Cynth said these would help channel it. Guess we'll find out," he declared, leaping out and raising his servos./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="02a5580c9812f96f62698b7468ebc72a"Unbelievably he managed to avoid the hail of bullets, straining to activate the fruits of his experiments with the help of the gauntlets./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a0fbaa0595ea220aff25e79432d26130"His grunts grew into a prolonged shout, bellowing with effort as he felt them start to work. Sparks flew from the gauntlets as they glowed bright blue, the vertical rain of bullets splitting and curving to either side of him, forming an invisible bubble around him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="57aeade5990834744fe553e949c788c9"Vibe stepped forward, his shout growing louder as his form suddenly started trembling. Abruptly, he sharply bent completely backwards, his form folding in half within a millisecond./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="46fb56520690c37879aef34b3010f977"His arms sharply snapped to odd angles and crackled as they folded numerous times in on themselves, his now upside down torso jerked side to side and forced itself into a rough zig-zag pattern./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="266da47e260c5796de33682e56332964"His war cry became screams of pain that were cut off when his helm crushed inward on itself with brutal force, his form crumpled piece by piece until the mech was no more than a jagged hunk of metal bleeding a puddle of energon on the floor./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2b800c2a8469dbea57d167c8f574e67b""Well did they work?" Nagisa questioned, I was actually unable to tell if he was serious or not./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5e205c76fb5c3e1e26b442fa2bd37e88"Ruvik rolled his optics, he and I sharing a signaling nod before leaping out from cover in unison, unleashing a barrage of shots into the room./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4ac108476a7253b93d122034e7f79490"Each bullet fired found its target, the small army within dropping one by one until the room was clear. After a cursory check of the visible area, Ruvik led the way inside, stepping around the crumpled remains of their teammate./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4154738f057c52d41d8c04fdf91e78f1""Lots of good those toys did ya," Plunder muttered to himself, turning over the still intact gauntlets with his heel./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="35616f158e055d6d670b5b384380a5c1""Let's keep moving, we've still got a job to do," Ruvik declared./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0a1d31c6a20ffef8ae982de7c58ce387"The two brothers made one last visual sweep of the room as the group moved in from the cool night outside./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6388ea02b85c6bf510fa0a976a137d9b"My attention was immediately drawn to the interior doors of the garage. Not only were they closed, but barricaded. From this side./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e982d4833538334b6b76fd831d95eb9d"Ruvik followed my analyzing gaze and took notice of the barricades as well. He and I exchanged a questioning glance, asking and answering without a word./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a55d9d85127bf0eee790afa6dfb9c308"Slowly and carefully we dismantled the arrangement, moving crates and chairs and setting them aside./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a89c6e6ba9cd009984d75916b8dd57aa"Once enough objects were removed the barricade fell forward, pushed by the door as it creaked open and fell from its hinges./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e7db1093fae1346c71506e0fbd8accc9"I took a flashlight offered by my brother, which I situated in a slot on my combat harness and clicked on./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6e216549b158262548769ebaaaecec01"The beam of light barely shed visibility into the dark hallway beyond. I glanced at Ruvik, getting an affirmative nod, then looked back to my squad./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0bcaac168dfc2ad003841d3757b34145""Onward we go..."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="cfe96d3195d88ce98e192f8ca7d7ff2f"The Dropship rattled softly, keeping the silence from getting too unbearable. 8 bots were seated aboard the craft, 4 lined on each side./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ffcf1406c88964bb557f4f29d5f53d89"Me and my brother, Ruvik, Kaz, the Dragon, two bipedal femmes by the names of Gypsy and Flow, and two bipedal mechs by the names Vibe and Plunder./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="630c926e395dc04da11cebaf3aaa1f14"5 of them meant nothing to me, in the least cold way one could intend it. These missions weren't designed to survive. They were designed to test us./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7ff9316bbda84f90714f222af6f95ba4"Plunder had stared at the Dragon the entire ride so far, arms crossed. The Dragon noticed almost immediately and turned it into a staring contest./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="89103798d069229e3754139013f735f3""What's wrong with yer face?" he finally posed a question in his ragged accent, resembling a human's Australian accent./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="206ff6881205875294ab796b014f4656"The Dragon reached up and caressed his mouthguard delicately, staying silent but maintaining the uneasy stare./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1dabbb09e55a95a0a45477058ad431fa""...cool. Cool," Plunder muttered to himself, before turning to the femme beside him, "What's the deal with this freak?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c99f5b1a56d0bd542e808ae2cda20924""Real subtle man. I'm sure he appreciates that," Flow responded./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="31bb1b64db9d8677714d7aca08276544""I'm gonna take a wild guess and say he's here for one of the same two reasons we all are," Vibe spoke up, dusting off the gauntlets he wore, "He's either unwanted or dangerous."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="647623f3bcb52b3d62366cdfc55a3e33""How about both?" the Dragon added, finally breaking his silence./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c4ab24b653afa20cf84a244bc0849034""Look at that, it talks," Plunder commented./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a6a203669ce70c30d7520f4ffdeeb051""You got in last night, huh?" Gypsy questioned, looking the Dragon over with a sultry expression of interest, "You got a name?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a6ad032a2ce10e2b7f13d4e188a61854""Nagisa," the Dragon responded, his gaze showing some interest of his own as it scanned over the attractive femme, "Delighted to make your acquaintance m'lady."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="858e9349b4eebbbdbd76ecca4f8ffacb""You won't be, not for long," Plunder returned, turning his attention to me, "And what's yer deal, mutt? What makes you Cynth's favorite?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="49faa0d137e6ca63c068de331d77e66f"I looked up as I was spoken to, unsure of how to respond./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="498832e3d435934a662b120450b172b8""Don't play dumb mate, we all see it," Plunder added, leaning forward in his seat, "What's the secret to getting in good with her and the Commander?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="26bf30b5487c1971506752d954c74581""You say that as if extra attention is a perk," I responded./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b4472df07de353a27f6c9276d6315cbe""Maybe not, but I don't see many scars on ya," Plunder continued, "I never see you get bloodied up or beat down like the rest of us."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6e32ea6c37f3a462b09f92bed3b3c0a4""Because I don't earn it as much," I replied./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b2bd388295dbc28770a314efffa9bb5b""Or maybe 'cause the Commander favors his own kind," Plunder coldly accused./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="52f05cc28e288c56dc0937159bfa9b05"The bipeds lined one wall, the predacons lined the other, with Kaz being the only exception seated beside me. The division between them was more than apparent, more than just physical./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ea28e54d3e2d451a04d352fa7dfe5ab2""We're all in the same shit storm here," Ruvik responded calmly, "The way you walk doesn't change that."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fa36c44355a6121d858b95a5c2c16673"Plunder went quiet for a few moments, glancing between me and my brother a few times before slowly leaning back in his seat, "I guess not."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e11feae6b284611dab7510cac00f9e75"Before another word was spoken, the Dropship was bathed in a red light, signifying their destination was within range./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6f5574ae4e6d8b73db57ecf9766dcb81"All 8 bots stood one by one, making their way to the rear of the ship. Ruvik was first, standing in front of the bay door as it slowly dropped open into a shallow ramp, sounds of torrential wind and rain filling the tense silence./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="286616f6f13431451207973872271da7"Ruvik glanced back at me, nodding slightly before leaping out into the clouds and taking flight. Nagisa was next up, saluting flippantly to Plunder before jumping backwards and disappearing into the night sky./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="74a8c34b60044861e12db6e16badf1b5"I was next, hesitating a moment and gazing out at the stormy skies. My wings ached to stretch out, to carry me far away from this place and these people, but I knew what would happen if I tried./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="201fc572c94f880c4e7be31f6d3ec14f"I tightened the combat harness around my shoulders and leaned forward, rotating to my back as I fell from the ramp and went into free fall. I closed my optics, feeling the rushing wind on my back as I plummeted./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="75c6fa7a9b4ccb17ee259164cc4b5cf9"Gradually I allowed my wings to unfurl, until they started catching the wind. I rolled upright and fully extended my wingspan, riding the wind and turning my free fall into a glide./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4c78da3fcdc7bbf0c6094a4c01fee795"I steered myself away from the wind, soaring faster and faster as it propelled me along. I swooped upwards, making a half circle and ending up on my back again, tucking my wings in and allowing myself to fall./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d7c3562a4a2a135db2d0ecac7428b3db""Having fun?" Ruvik's voice came over the comm links they'd all been equipped with, my optics opening to see my brother make a wide circle around me, "Come on, time to go to work," he reminded./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ae8ec7c23f8c1562cf077b97ace1487f"Ruvik dove downward, I followed suit and rotated into a dive as well. The two of us plummeted through the clouds, spreading our wings in almost perfect unison just before we broke through the skyline and entered visible range of the ground./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b9a05822368f919a86cbffa45404e9d5"We arched slightly upwards to glide parallel to the ground, slowing up and touching down. I skidded to a stop, Ruvik making a power slide to curb his momentum./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d161b0c0d879e55efbe86e91f7c19d28"Nagisa tucked into a flamboyant backflip as he slid to a stop, Kaz touching down a good distance from them. I glanced upward, searching the skies for our comrades./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d7defd5f0b831aac90d99ff2b0acb86b"Plunder was nearing the ground, Flow and Vibe not far behind, with Gypsy trailing behind. The femme spun carelessly in the harness of her parachute, whooping quite loudly./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="460cc1112be665c8bb39b4969eba76f9""Did you forget the part about this being a stealth mission?" Plunder hissed into the comm link./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="69a4af89f0600003caa2024e7e3893ac""Chill, I'm just enjoying the freedom while I've got it!" Gypsy responded into hers, giving another twirl that sent her parachute spiraling in wide circles./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3d172eaa6f5fe9e71f9fbb5ae7464240"Out of nowhere, a ground shaking bang and a bright flash came from the building before them. Cannon-fire, that sent an anti-aircraft round rocketing through the night sky./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="33ad6abb9fae6f90fd74bfc3904138c9"Gypsy was torn apart in a blink of an optic, her top half splattering into oblivion, her parachute ripped in half and folding in on itself./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b2a07337eca696175420fa524b759b80"I dropped to the ground, signaling my team to do the same. The remaining bots followed suit, Plunder cursing softly and taking out his duel blasters./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c59f3eb12aa27f9158f973870fa53c1e""Shit. She was the hot one..." Nagisa muttered softly with a blank tone void of any shock or empathy./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="da9a3105d666800bb4e38071d143c964"I shot him a disapproving glance before turning my attention to the building, waiting for more rounds to be fired off./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="44a3300ec68e7bee89af9e2e94033f46"Instead a searchlight came on, scanning the skies for a minute before turning to scan the ground around the building./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="170a1756140db4177b137b474f8dca72"My team flattened themselves behind dirt mounds or fallen trees to avoid detection, the searchlight gliding back and forth across the open area./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="09b768e6b6418492f2057ed6b755d1d2""Now what?" Vibe whispered sharply into the comm link./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="44699819d8ef85528ccdf2db4f83ff74""Stay low, watch and learn," Ruvik responded in a hushed tone, nodding to me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3c775f0b41c18ec7e023ce98c28dd363"I returned the nod, knowing exactly what he was signaling me to do. I took out my rifle and extended it to its full length. Along the side was a scope that I clicked into place atop the barrel, before slowly and carefully leaning out from my cover./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="142a3692e8349720a6afd709eb84b6cc"I moved my rifle into place, resting the barrel on the dirt before me and peering through the scope, lining up the shot./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="889c2a110965a12e302b87106d825f58"The searchlight moved over my cover, I ducked down again to avoid detection, waiting for my chance before returning to the scope and adjusting my aim./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="17793261451ccfd50282338457bb4d03"Finally I took the shot. One silenced gunshot hissed through the air, the searchlight shattering and blinking out./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f72b79e22aada86f6f3237d60dcfdbcb""That's our cue," Ruvik whispered into the comm link, giving me a supportive pat on the shoulder./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7c547b10676a345979a279e0a88bc9e2"On command, the bots got up from their places, crouching low and moving through the once again darkened field./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1db482c8b7b34725df3af546a0dfa3c9"The cannon fired. A tremendous explosion erupted from the darkness, staggering me and Ruvik a bit with its close proximity./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="895cfdf6e6cdb3f8d69ab52d0d61662b"We recovered quickly, glancing at each other in a quick sibling check before continuing forward. Another shot fired, missing by a great deal./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2ffcf108790c8ef49a960e06884f8223"The enemy was panicked, our presence was known, but our location was shrouded by the cloudy night. Ruvik led the group right up to the building, coming to a large set of bay doors./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7ff6366e83db9d3d1db0f645ec7a1ac9"Kaz stepped forward, knowing his job, and took out his datapad, linking it to the control panel and typing away rapidly until the doors groaned to life and slid open./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="bcb0549334b2d70c9086076cfd435a39"As to be expected, gunshots rang out as soon as an opening became large enough. The group sidestepped to avoid the hail of gunfire, Vibe tightly securing his gauntlets to his servos./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b540f8d2a3ff697f6fb21d74e9189bee""Cynth said these would help channel it. Guess we'll find out," he declared, leaping out and raising his servos./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="02a5580c9812f96f62698b7468ebc72a"Unbelievably he managed to avoid the hail of bullets, straining to activate the fruits of his experiments with the help of the gauntlets./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a0fbaa0595ea220aff25e79432d26130"His grunts grew into a prolonged shout, bellowing with effort as he felt them start to work. Sparks flew from the gauntlets as they glowed bright blue, the vertical rain of bullets splitting and curving to either side of him, forming an invisible bubble around him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="57aeade5990834744fe553e949c788c9"Vibe stepped forward, his shout growing louder as his form suddenly started trembling. Abruptly, he sharply bent completely backwards, his form folding in half within a millisecond./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="46fb56520690c37879aef34b3010f977"His arms sharply snapped to odd angles and crackled as they folded numerous times in on themselves, his now upside down torso jerked side to side and forced itself into a rough zig-zag pattern./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="266da47e260c5796de33682e56332964"His war cry became screams of pain that were cut off when his helm crushed inward on itself with brutal force, his form crumpled piece by piece until the mech was no more than a jagged hunk of metal bleeding a puddle of energon on the floor./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2b800c2a8469dbea57d167c8f574e67b""Well did they work?" Nagisa questioned, I was actually unable to tell if he was serious or not./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5e205c76fb5c3e1e26b442fa2bd37e88"Ruvik rolled his optics, he and I sharing a signaling nod before leaping out from cover in unison, unleashing a barrage of shots into the room./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4ac108476a7253b93d122034e7f79490"Each bullet fired found its target, the small army within dropping one by one until the room was clear. After a cursory check of the visible area, Ruvik led the way inside, stepping around the crumpled remains of their teammate./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4154738f057c52d41d8c04fdf91e78f1""Lots of good those toys did ya," Plunder muttered to himself, turning over the still intact gauntlets with his heel./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="35616f158e055d6d670b5b384380a5c1""Let's keep moving, we've still got a job to do," Ruvik declared./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0a1d31c6a20ffef8ae982de7c58ce387"The two brothers made one last visual sweep of the room as the group moved in from the cool night outside./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6388ea02b85c6bf510fa0a976a137d9b"My attention was immediately drawn to the interior doors of the garage. Not only were they closed, but barricaded. From this side./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e982d4833538334b6b76fd831d95eb9d"Ruvik followed my analyzing gaze and took notice of the barricades as well. He and I exchanged a questioning glance, asking and answering without a word./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a55d9d85127bf0eee790afa6dfb9c308"Slowly and carefully we dismantled the arrangement, moving crates and chairs and setting them aside./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a89c6e6ba9cd009984d75916b8dd57aa"Once enough objects were removed the barricade fell forward, pushed by the door as it creaked open and fell from its hinges./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e7db1093fae1346c71506e0fbd8accc9"I took a flashlight offered by my brother, which I situated in a slot on my combat harness and clicked on./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6e216549b158262548769ebaaaecec01"The beam of light barely shed visibility into the dark hallway beyond. I glanced at Ruvik, getting an affirmative nod, then looked back to my squad./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0bcaac168dfc2ad003841d3757b34145""Onward we go..."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" /p