Authors Note - Greetings and welcome to a new chapter
Chapter 6 - New Allies
Level 4 - 'Abandoned office space'
Without any further issues, The Doomslayer and his newfound friend Stephen managed to exit level 3.
At the new level they reached, they found an abandoned office space. It took on the appearance of a large group of rooms that resembled an office. Despite its resemblance to an office, the level was mostly uncluttered, except for small rooms scattered throughout.
This backroom level, unlike other levels, experienced actual seasons, including summer, fall, winter, and spring, which is the current season.
Shortly after leaving the entrance, they came across what appeared to be a massive temporary settlement.
Beyond the concrete walls surrounding the settlement, rows of large tents were put together haphazardly to house the wanderers and their supplies. Despite that, the tents were not the sole structure present. Beyond the tent city were various 'small 'buildings' made from concrete walls, sectioning off certain areas of level 4. Due to their professional construction, a major backroom group likely erected these.
It was not the most prominent settlement in the backrooms. However, due to its relative closeness to the entrance of the backrooms, and relative safety, it meant that thousands of wanderers and official groups settled here, whether permanently or temporarily.
As the slayer and Stephen walked through the makeshift town, many people were quickly drawn to them, or Doomguy himself.
The Bane of Hell was the focus of attention for wanderers everywhere, who whispered or talked about him out loud.
According to what he heard, these travelers seemed to be aware of him, or at the very least his appearance. At first, he wondered how that was possible but he then remembered the two MEG operatives. They more than likely spread the word about him in the improbable case that he showed up here
"Holy shit, it's that green armored wanderer."
"So the MEG wasn't shitting us, he is real"
"There's no way this guy isn't an entity or something"
"Stephen!"
Coming out from a bright red tent was a short pale woman who looked to be in her early twenties. She had piercing blue eyes and unkept dirty blonde hair. Running as over to Stephen as fast he she could, she practically leapt at him, wrapping him in a breathtaking hug.
"I didn't know what happened, I thought you were gone." said the woman, squeezing Stephen as if her very life depended on it.
"Oof. H-hey Erica" Replied Stephen, shifting uncomfortably from the tight hug"
"I told you to not go near that fucking building. I told you. Thank god you're okay"
"Yeah, I know. It was a dumbass decision"
The newly reunited couple then turned to the Slayer, filled with eyes of gratitude.
"Thank you for bringing my boyfriend back," Said Erica with a glint in her eyes.
"Yeah, you saved my ass back there" Added Stephen, letting out a sigh of relief.
"We are happy that we were able to be of assistance." Replied the Father from the Slayer suit.
Unlike everyone else, the Bane of Hell chose to do a thumbs-up.
A few moments later, he found people slowly approaching him, asking him questions.
At first, it was slow and moderate but then the Slayer became a mini-celebrity for the town in the next hour or so. It was at that moment that nothing else mattered, as nothing else mattered but the Slayer.
All of a sudden the crowd currently present around the Usurper had dispersed.
He Spotted what looked to be a small group of people dressed in tactical gear with MEG emblems coming toward him. At the front of them was a woman with light brown skin, looking like she hadn't seen vitamin C or a hairbrush in years. Stopping in front of the Slayer, his enhanced senses picked up a strong sense of coffee smell wafting off the woman. She also looked like she hadn't slept in a while, showing dark ovals under her baggy eyelids.
"Hello. My name is Dr. Heather Mays and I assume you are the Doomslayer, correct?"
"Greetings. I am the Father, but you can also refer to me as Vega. While I am not the being inside the suit, I speak for him as he is unable to do so for himself. I assume you are MEG correct?"
Dr Heather adjusted her glasses as she spoke. "Yes, I as well as these soldiers behind me are with the Main Explorer Group. Honestly, when the two operatives first reported about you, I thought you both were just a new entity."
"I can understand. Do you still hold the belief that we originate from the backrooms?"
"Yes somewhat, as no wanderer previously has shown levels of strength that your friend has displayed."
"Very well.
Is there somewhere private we can talk?"
...
Level 4 - MEG Base
Unlike the tent city outside, the MEG base was a series of concrete walls that sectioned off a large part of the immediate level. Inside the complex were training rooms, armories, and research labs, as well as meeting rooms to discuss plans of action.
It wasn't an extremely advanced base of operations, but it was certainly one of the most advanced wanderer-made structures in the Backrooms.
Inside one of the aforementioned meeting rooms stood the who was currently leaning against a wall, arms folded. Next to him stood familiar faces Kenner and Jenkins, who upon hearing about the scourge of hell's appearance in level 4, briefly left their posts to thank him for saving their asses.
Also present in the room was a group of high-ranking MEG officials who ran most MEG operations in and around levels surrounding level 4. The group consisted of 4 individuals. The oldest one, a 56-year-old caucasian man named Brian Pence who had balding dirty blonde hair, a handlebar mustache piercing blue eyes oversaw operations and was responsible for arranging expeditions for MEG soldiers. Next, Cole Miller, 41, was Another Caucasian man who was a brunette with brown eyes. He was the guy to be involved in any immediate construction projects for any levels surrounding level 4. Third-most was 45-year-old African-American John Kay who had tied up dreadlocks and was sporting standard-issue MEG combat gear. John prided himself on being a Major in the Immediate MEG company currently stationed on level 4. Due to his quick thinking, sheer will, and leadership skills, he was able to rise through the ranks faster than most of his colleagues. Another thing was that after his parents died, John had been the main guardian of Jenkins, teaching him the ropes of the backrooms and raising him as if he were his flesh and blood. The last one was Dr. Cassandra Mays, the fraternal twin of Heather Mays differentiated from her sister by her short hair and pink earrings.
lastly was Dr. Heather Mays who was currently staving off days of sleep deprivation, taking a sip of coffee here and there. Coffee, like actual real water, was uncommon in the backrooms, so she prided herself on having a sizeable stock of it for her to consume.
At that current moment, they were all discussing the Hellwalker, what he was, and what he came to the backrooms to do.
"I still have a hard time believing that you two aren't entities." Said Mays, upon hearing about the slayer's exploits from the Father.
"I mean, killing multiversal-level beings, that-I mean-I-how?"
"I understand that this information might seem hard to believe. But the Slayer has indeed performed the acts I have just described and he is also as well not an entity of the backrooms. However, it may seem. We, like yourself, have originated from outside the backrooms." Replied Father, hoping to clear up any confusion or disbelief.
"You mentioned the ability to create portals? Is it possible you can create some kind of a portal to the front rooms?" Questioned Brian with curiosity
"While it is possible, there are several issues in pursuing such an idea. First off, the technology to even build a primitive slip gate might not exist here. Second, even if we were able to construct such an object, I fear that the backrooms might consider us cheating and throw a wrench in our plans."
"You mean 'you cheated?'. I agree. It was a problem with us as well. Every time we tried to make level travel easier that fucking level always through a ranch in things. For years we weren't able to do anything without getting sent there and dying a horrible death. However thanks to our best scientist we were able to make artificial exits." Interjected Dr. Cassandra
"Artificial Exits?"
Cassandra took a swig of coffee before replying.
"Yes artificial exits. We were able to manufacture our exits, not only to make a new exit out of a level instantly. But we were also able to configure the technology and link it up to artificial entrances at safer levels. Hell, we even managed to link bases together using the tech, meaning that we won't have to travel and risk our asses getting to other bases and levels."
"I see. Maybe if we combine minds we would be able to exit out of the backrooms. Do you know know where he is located?"
"Last I heard he's in a huge MEG base on level 11. That base dwarves ours by a margin. We have a few artificial exits here at MEG base alpha, one of them should lead to level 11."
"It seems like we have a lead then."
"What about your green friend?" Said John, putting the focus back on The Outlander.
"While I work on constructing the slip gate, the slayer will continue to do what he does best. Rip and Tear."
John let out a small chuckle. Throughout his years, he had seen teams fall to the backrooms time and time again due to the inherent danger of some levels. However, with the Slayer here, they could utilize him for exploration without worrying about him getting killed. They'd have to be more worried about cleaning up entity corpses from what Kenner and Jenkins' bodycam footage told.
"Actually, there is something you can help us with."
The Hellwalker stopped leaning against the wall, arms unfolding listening intently.
John glanced over at Kenner who in turn produced a few manilla folders. Setting them on the table, the operative opened them up to reveal various photos and documents. In the photos showcased a series of photos depicting a suburb in near-pitch-black darkness. Some of the photos did have light present, however, that light was so dim that it might have well been negligible. On the documents were reports and research of entities and events that took place within this strange suburban level.
Picking up one of the documents, The Scourge of Hell read about one entity in particular. The watchers. Entities consisting of singular large floating eyeballs that shot disintegrating laser beams.
"Five levels down from ours is a level called the infinite suburbs. Now back then it wasn't safe by any means, but granted you had enough supplies and ample weaponry you'd get through it just fine. Unfortunately; for some unexplained reason, entity activity increased, following an unknown cataclysmic event. We tried to study and research it, however with the danger that the hordes of entities pose, studying the anomaly of level 9 has been all but impossible. However, now with a literal tank at our disposal, we can finally study and research phenomena that would be too dangerous for the average wanderer."
The Marine stopped reading the documents and looked over at the Major, the prospect of ripping and tearing something soon filling him with an almost child-like glee.
"You said you guys came to the backrooms to help right? Well, this is a way you can help. By joining the MEG and fucking shit up; plus while I've seen the footage, I want to see you in action to get a better gauge on you. That way we can assign the most appropriate missions to you."
John needn't say anymore. The prospect of fucking shit up alright already being a valid selling point for the Slayer.
"So whaddya say, big guy?"
Not even a second passed after John uttered that sentence and the Slayer already had both thumbs up.
Brian, who had been quietly observing the general conversation had decided to speak up after the Slayer's confirmation.
"Alright, before we get this show on the road I have a question."
The sound of his voice caused everyone to cease any further conversation; instead turning toward him while he spoke.
"While our weapons are alright and even more advanced than what most in the backrooms currently have like we can do with a little bit more."
He turned toward the Armored titan and immediately noticed how the marine tensed, almost as if he had foreseen the incoming question.
"Is there any chance we can have some of your weapons so that we-" Brian wasn't able to finish his sentence when the Outlander immediately shook his head, doing so slowly as to make his answer crystal clear; an act which Brian understood yet remained a little bit saddened over.
"I am afraid the Slayer is not keen on letting others handle his weaponry. However, I'm certain I will be able to draw up some technologically feasible weapon schematics."
This seemed to put Brain in a better mood.
"Still, theres one more issue. You can't enter level 11 if you're already in level 9 with the Slayer. We need some way to transport you."
At that moment the armored marine reached behind his back, pulling out a small half-spherical object. The object in question was a silvery metallic color that sported neon blue markings and alien symbols; a device that rivaled even the strangest objects ever found in the backrooms.
"Alright, well that settles it. Vega will go with Heather and Cassandra to level 11 and the Doomguy will sent to level 9. Normally we'd train any new members to our organization; however, with Doomguy I don't think that would be necessary. All you need is some insignia, a body cam, and a name tag. Nothing more."
Brian noticed the Hellwalker nodding in agreement.
"Alright well, chop chop everyone we got shit to do."
With haste, the room was emptied. Vega went with the twin researchers and the slayer to level 9. John was especially excited to see just how deadly the slayer was.
One thing for certain. Those few hours were the start of some intense changes in the backrooms. Changes that hopefully, mean't freedom at last.
Authors Notes - Greetings. I apologize for the long wait. College is a hard place to be. I apologize if my writing is dogshit. I genuinely am trying to become a better writer. I welcome any criticism as I want to best share my stories for everyone.
