Chapter 1: Relic

[2 Months Ago]

"Scan complete. Conclusive match for provided blueprints. There is a Nikke present, as the Supervisor warned."

Then proceed with primary directive, eliminate the Guardian and secure the sarcophagus intact.

Hanging back, Thermite Unit 02891 watched as the first wave of Husks and Servants advanced into the cavern.

Weapons fire flared up quickly, both from its fellows and the Guardian.

"Contact, pr-"

The transmission cut off abruptly, accompanied by an explosion that rocked the caverns.

Inching closer and closer as the explosions continued, Unit 02981 eventually peeked around the corner.

"I'll kill…every last one…before you have her!"

All of the three dozen Husks were down already and 11 Servants of their 17 vanguards had fallen. The Guardian was huddled behind a large rock formation as the remaining Raptures strafed it, pouring weapons fire into the earth to try and suppress her.

From the clicking and whirring sounds it could detect, she was reloading her weapon.

While the sarcophagus was lying on its side behind a separate rock formation.

Perhaps…

Remaining Servants and Masters, engage. Enter through the north-western tunnels to flank the Guardian.

Master Units 03002, 03006 and 03011, advance to the ends of the southwest, southeast and southernmost tunnels. Ready weapons and fire on command.

"Acknowledged, command unit."

Stepping back out of the direct line of fire, Unit 02891 waited until extra confirmations began to flood in as its fellows began their assault…followed almost immediately by reports of increasingly severe damage to their chassis when the Guardian retaliated.

Linking with the optics of Units 02997, 03002, 03006 and 03011, 02891 oversaw them moving into position.

All too soon, 02997 and the rest had begun their attack.

03002, 03006 and 03011, move into weapons range.

Advancing alongside them, 02891 was forced to link with 02934 02997's optic feed violently cutting out once the Guardian blew half of its central chassis into scrap.

She had moved to the other side of the rock formation to shelter from the fresh Rapture wave, yet 02891 noticed that she was inching closer and closer to the jagged rocks the sarcophagus rested against.

Almost there.

Establish data link, take aim.

Firing one more barrage to take out the closest Raptures, the Guardian began reaching out to grab the sarcophagus.

Fire. Target the left extremity.

Another round of weapons fire lit up the tight confines of the cavern and tunnels.

The Guardian cursed as 02891's thermal blast struck home, knocking her arm to the side.

That momentary distraction was all it took.

03006's machine guns peppered her back a few seconds later, followed shortly by 03011's missile striking the rock next to her, knocking her off her feet.

Sprawled on the ground, the Guardian brought up her head. Her gaze flicked rapidly between the sarcophagus and approaching Raptures.

Fists clenched for a moment before she pushed herself up and began ducking and weaving towards the eastern tunnel, returning fire as the Raptures launched another barrage. She cursed as more machine gun shells clipped her legs.

Seizing the opportunity, 02891 moved towards the sarcophagus.

I will verify the target, form defensive phalanx for the scan.

"Confirmed."

His fellow units hurried to re-align themselves as 02891 scurried forward, activating the scanner suite the Supervisor provided as it approached the sarcophagus.

Scanning…

Contents logged.

Internals logged.

Profile matched to existing databanks.

Begin retrieval.

The scanning suite powered down and retracted, being replaced by the second of the Supervisor's refits: a pair of magnetic grapplers, which quickly pressed inward to clamp around the top and bottom of the sarcophagus before scooping it up and hoisting it to the top of 02891's chassis.

The sarcophagus properly secured, 02891 began the long march through the crystal-infested caves. Gunfire roared close by, but it paid no heed.

Primary directive achieved.

Connect to Supervisor Unit for further instructions.

Establishing audiovisual link…

Connection successful.

Supervisor, this is Unit 02891, we have secured the sarcophagus.

"Excellent. Show me her condition."

02891 transmitted all collected scans through the network.

"Far less damage than I expected externally, but the internals are…no, it won't be an issue. What of the Guardian?"

02891 didn't respond immediately, instead turning up its audio receptors and allowing the background noise to filter through.

Amidst the hails of weapons fire and mechanical whines and clicks of the other Raptures, a lone voice could be made out.

"She's…not yours…to defile again!"

The Guardian is still active, Units 02832-02885 have already been destroyed. She will likely continue pursuit of the sarcophagus.

"Understood. Then relay these orders: all other present Units will stay behind and delay her. All other priorities are secondary."

Confirmed. Requesting the next directive.

"Make your way to Foundry 07 immediately. I will direct nearby patrols to your location to escort you. The sarcophagus MUST arrive intact, even if it costs every last one of you. Now get going."

Affirmative.

An anti-material shot flew past 02891's right cannon as it began to turn.

Despite her left arm sparking and twitching, while her right leg was dragging behind her, the Guardian Nikke limped through the wreckage of the other Raptures towards 02891 and raised her weapon.

"You won't…get away!"

All nearby Units, Supervisor's orders, engage and delay the Guardian.

"Affirmative."

"Engaging."

"Weapons primed."

"As the Supervisor orders."

The Guardian's aim was thrown off by a fresh barrage of weapons fire. Turning, she saw a dozen more Raptures approaching from all the cave's entrances.

With another barrage forcing her into cover and clipped her right arm, all she could do was cast an angry look at the retreating 02891 and its prize.