THE BATTLE FOR ANVIL GATE PT1: THE ASSAULT
A soft wind blew through the branches of a still forest, empty of sound and character, not even the animals dare make noise as if they were listening in for something; Then the distant sounds of thunder broke the eerie silence then it followed up with rain, so much it seemed like it was raining milk. Lightning arc across the sky and thunder kept pounding like a mighty gong. Then from it came the locusts, carefully moving and weaving through the vegetation, the loud footsteps behind them said that the silence had come to an end.
A cluster of trees crackled and popped as their frames were crushed underneath Locust Siege beasts and Brumaks, hundreds of locusts marched through the forest trampling over freshly bloomed flowers and lichen covered rocks and logs. Above in the sky were a few gas-barges where many of the Locusts elite awaited the arrival at their target objective. The brumaks cleared a path then hanged back, letting the troops in first awaiting further command, same with the Siege Beasts whom by orders of General RAAM were not allowed to fire just yet.
Four weeks since the Kentor Skorge was last seen, this included all who were with his as he crossed the badlands nearly two weeks of RAAM and Skjall stomping on the fires caused in the aftermath but now it was time to continue with their mission. Since the Locusts' retreat at the last battle in Anvil Gate, humans had expanded outwards and started to re-take old positions in the surrounding areas by slowly eliminating the locusts camps that once took up the space. They also started building fortifications out of old vehicles like the Assault Derricks used for Hollow Storm and if their scouts are correct, the old centaur tanks had been repaired but kept inside the Fort.
To top off reasons why High General RAAM was in a vile mood was that one of their ammo forges was destroyed by infiltrators at the dead of night, which will hinder the future tasks; With the Queen in her own secret mission in the company of the human Adam Fenix, Both Generals were determined to take Anvil Gate once and for all; Armed with six Gas Barges, twelve Reavers, four Brumaks and three siege beasts, their combined 27,000 approximate troops were well supported and ready to crush the human stronghold. Both Generals sat upon a Gas Barge filled with Elite Locust troops and plenty of snipers, all ready for their Generals' beck and call.
RAAM: Skjall, take as many of the Elites with you to bolster the Savage ranks, attack them from the West. -he orders in the locust's tongue as loads his personal weapon, a Unmounted Troika-... My forces will attack from the East, snipers will take positions on the barges to strike past the treeline and Elites will take the middle ground, meet the humans, distract them as we take ground. -he places the Troika next to the table, he then points at Anvil Gate on the map-... ultimately it shall be destroyed.
Skjall: What about their leaders? -he asked with a stoic look on his face-... And our Siege beasts and brumaks? -he asked while he loaded up his Boom-cannon with rounds-
RAAM: Take them, We shall break their spirit... Cut the head of the snake and the body dies. -he says before looking over the edge of his gas-barge, looking at his troops-... the Siege beasts shall wait till we clear out their defensive positions to avoid unnecessary hindrance to our plans. -he added before looking towards the defensive locations they have to take so their plan could grant them victory-... There's also an additional attack force coming to assist, however they shall be awaiting our signal.
Skjall: Which is...? -he asked as he locked eyes with RAAM-
RAAM: The site of our original attack's defeat. -he answered as he strapped his serrated knife on his hip, then his boltok which was black from worn and damage; he tightened gauntlets then checked his armor-... When they arrive, this battle will be won. -he finished checking his gear then walked towards the edge of the Gasbarge and looked down to the Attack force, unfazed by the hard rain that assaulted his face-
A few Therons led the initial wave of attackers however they stopped and sniffed around, the Sentinel that was behind them stopped looked around and shouted in their raspy whisper voice: "ENEMIEEES!" followed by a few frag grenades being flung at their direction from seemingly out of nowhere. The sentinel threw the closest Theron to him back, saving it's life. The Sentinel jumps back to avoid the blast from killing him like it did three other Therons, He aims but sees nothing till a round bounces of his armor and he retreats behind some trees, he searched around seeing muzzle flashes coming from the tall grass just up ahead. He took cover behind a Large boulder to avoid being killed by the gunfire.
Sentinel: Humans in the Grass! -it shouts/whispers, which the other Therons echo to the rest of the assault force-... Attack!
A boomer comes up and fires towards the grass which manages to kill three gears hidden in it, The gears then finally break from their hiding spots and take cover behind trees and massive logs, returning fire. The Savage take most of the fierce up-close and personal encounters with the enemy while the Elites and the standard drones to watch their backs while metaphorically and literally shooting over their shoulders. A few humans were stabbed by charging Savages wielding Retro Lancers while others were brutally gunned down where they stood.
Some locusts have crystals growing out parts of their bodies, one in particular had almost an Eye-patch made of a cluster of these crystals while others seem to have them around their biceps or legs, but those were rare. probably five percent of the attack force was infected by the "Bloodrot" and it's crystals however they were not going to falter in the fight, not one bit.
Explosions and gunfire drown out the heavy rain with their cries of hatred, the wails of nature being torn apart by rounds from both sides. From the Gas-barges came sniper fire which started to dwindle the Gears down allowing the center attack force to push forward, while the west and eastern attack forces kept the gears from advancing or flanking. They kept somewhat of a strong-wall that stopped and pushed back the Gears from their dug-in positions, kept them from attempting to take back their lost territory and from pushing the locust back.
RAAM rappelled down from his Gas-barge with his Troika strapped to his back with a thick chain, flanked in both sides by Theron Elite who carried Torque bows and Sawed offs with Bayonets; They steamrolled through the first line of the gears using their Torque bows strategically by shooting them by the human's feet when the hid behind cover or by lining up shots where the blast would kill multiple humans. General RAAM started his bloody killstreak by crushing a Gear's skull with a bash of his troika, creating a sickening crunch by the impact. Then he destroyed around sixteen men and women, both COG or stranded who lived at the Fort. As he moved forward he sidestepped behind a upright trunk of a dead tree for him to safely cool his Troika then he continued forward firing the turret in bursts, forcing incoming defenders to fallback. The Locusts moved forward alongside their General and repeated the same destruction this time two boomers walked alongside the deadly general, The attack force reached a hill, climbed up and spotted the first location of interest: A guard tower with troikas and a snipers' nest at the east side of the battlefield.
RAAM: FOR THE QUEEN! -He shouted as he fired his Troika at the guard tower, listening to the screams of humans being torn to mince-meat by his weapon, a few rounds passed through the walls-... PUSH FORWAAAARRD! -the line of attackers pushed forward and pushed the defenders back with their overwhelming firepower and sheer numerical advantage-
RAAM ordered a pair of grenadiers to move up to the tower which they did but were killed by a gear wielding a mulcher; Six more attackers were killed by the same gear, RAAM fell back as the Gear focused fire on him unaware that a Theron Elite witnessed his General's peril and was coming to assist by flanking the Tower:
Mulcher Gear: Show me your face motherfucker!... Let me give you a makeover! -he shouted as he fired the weapon at the General, allowing three additional gears to move up and attempt to rush RAAM, while Troika fire kept the Attack force from advancing any further-... You fucked with wrong Gear, you ugly sonnababitch! -he killed a few rushing savages but kept returning his sights to the General-
The Theron Elite leapt over a window and charged a duo of stranded with his knife, gutting both of them in silent quick succession then threw a frag grenade right behind the trio of gears who were attempting to rush the General, the blast killed all of them and the sight of the carnage caused the Gear with the mulcher to get spooked and stop his firing allowing the Theron to take cover behind the Gear. The Gear retreated from his dug-in position unintentionally towards the waiting Theron elite.
The Gear got too close and got killed when the Theron Elite grabbed him from behind threw him over the barricade and onto the ground before impaling him in the chest then pushing it deeper, then suddenly twisting the blades around finishing the gear off with blood splattering all over the theron's face; After yanking the bayonet out of the man he proceeded to climb up the Tower's staircase and kill the two Troika gunners, one by a point-black blast of his his sawed off, causing the Gear to literally explode and the other by impaling them in the chest then throwing them off the tower to their death below.
From below another Theron Elite joined RAAM in moving up the tower, as they headed in they heard a few more screams from humans, sounds of a struggle followed by two more blast of the shotgun then a loud death like howl of pain from the Theron, shortly followed by two gunshots from a Boltok revolver; Seconds after a thud was heard, like if someone had fallen onto the ground, all these sounds painted a bad picture for the High General of the Locust.
RAAM and the other Theron Elite charge into the tower slaying anyone who attempted to impede their advance, whom were two stranded and a gear who were a poor excuse for back-up. At the first floor by the Troikas was the first Theron Elite, slumped against a wall and blood pooling underneath of him, A massive hole where his chest armor near around the neck; Seems he was blasted by his own shotgun if the Gear corpse in front of him was a sign of the struggle and a fight. The dying Theron Elite clutched a boltok in it's left hand, one that he may have taken from the gear in the struggle.
RAAM saw how the chest cavity was exposed by the massive blast from the sawed off, so he took out his own boltok and finished off the Theron; The remaining one took it's fallen comrade's ammunition and grenades before proceeding with it's mission which was to secure the tower until the Attack force can reach it. The Elite takes aim with his Torque bow on the nearest wall to his left after he hears something coming up the stairs, he fully charges a shot that sticks to the wall then kills a duo of Gears who were trying to retake the tower. he turns to his right and ducks just as a whole squadron of Gears arrives guns blazing, General RAAM gets behind a tall wall but not before he's grazed in the face by a round, leaving a two inch and a half long cut on his right cheek.
More Locust arrive at the tower and engage the gears allowing the Theron Elite to peek and headshot a Gear then escape the ensuing battle alongside RAAM, jumping into the field where the attack force was continuing their push towards Anvil Gate. A Gas Barge was seen crashing down to the far left side of the battle, victim of a mortar strike from ahead, RAAM saw from where it came and started to head there, ordering a barrage from Reavers to strike at a trench around ten yards ahead. Gears and Stranded scatter away as the reavers carpet bomb the trenches allowing the locust to take them as a foothold in their advance.
RAAM: Advance! -he shouts after mowing down a dozen gears who where trying to take cover behind a log-... Bring forth Brumaks! -he ordered a Cyclopes that was nearby whom nodded and ran towards the rear of the attacking force to deliver the command-... Destroy them all! -he shouted as reavers bombed clusters of the defenders up ahead of the attack force-
AT THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE BATTLEFIELD-
Meanwhile Skjall grabbed a Stranded out of cover and choke-slammed the woman to the ground before curb-stomping her, He then hid behind a large boulder so he could reload his Boomcannon. He peeks out and fires towards the Trenches ahead, Laughing evilly when he heard the bloodcurdling shriek of Gear as the explosion launched his burning body around ten feet in the air. Bullets bounced of the rock around him and a few grenades went flying by his location however he refused to fall back, so he poke out again and fired his cannon towards the Western Guard tower, which exploded the snipers' nest in a massive blast launching viscera across the defensive position.
Skjall: FOR THE HORDE! -He shouted at the top of his lungs, raising his fist into the air then ordering his troops to move forward-... I WANT NO SUVIVORS, NO PRISONERS, NO MERCY ONLY THEIR SCREAMS!
Behind him were the Savage Legions who rushed the tower after hearing Skjall's words, they shouted in unison as they sprinted forward like a wall of blades, tearing through the human defenders; A Savage Kantus leapt up a Elevated rock formation next to Skjall and began chanting something that honestly sounded like the priest was screaming bloody murder but whatever he was saying it manage to rile up the Savage into a frenzy. However before the Savage Legion could use their frenzied status against the Humans, the Savage Kantus was killed by Troika fire coming from the Western Guard Tower. Savage Locusts ran forward and without the boost from their Kantus, many were not fast enough (and smart) enough to avoid being shredded by the Troikas. However some of the Savage troopers and Common troops broke in and overwhelmed the defenders, seizing the tower from under human control, The overwhelmed Gears retreated to the next position: A makeshift set of fortifications made out of a Assault Derrick with trenches dug around it.
The Common Troops took a step back as these positions began using even more machine-gun fire and mortars to defend it; Skjall saw how a One-Shot obliterated a Grinder that was pushing up, originating from the Assault Derrick position so he ordered three groups to attack the position from the left, right and center so they could quickly enter the trenches and be out of range for the defender's heavy weapons. Skjall drew in the enemy fire after one of his Boomcannon shots obliterated the One-Shot gunner as he was aiming the weapon. While he barely avoided the mortar fire, a few machine-gun rounds pierced his armor and hide, around his legs and his back. the burning pain climbed up his spine and the feeling of warm blood running down his body was infuriating to him but it was worth it when he saw his troops storm the trenchline.
RAAM had the same situation where his forces were pinned by Machine-gun fire however unlike Skjall, The High General was not a patient locust so he ran forward, plowing through a massive tree in his way and leapt into the trenches, then using his handheld Troika he eradicated any all humans who were brave enough to remain in the trenches. A few savages threw incendiary grenades behind RAAM as Gears tried to come from behind him, burning them to death in the sticky flames. A mortar fire close by launched shrapnel and debris all around RAAM, a few body parts of fellow locusts were among the rubble but the General was undeterred.
Gear: Sir, The attack for is being led by General RAAM, He's personally assaulting the Eastern Bunker! -RAAM could hear the Gear shout into the Radio, sitting on top of the Assault Derrick-... Requesting HoD at these coordinates or we're going to be overran! -a seconds later the same gear would shout out something to the others however the only thing RAAM understood was the last part-... DANGER CLOSE, DANGER CLOSE, DANGER CLOSE!
In the center of the Battlefield, a few yards from the Assault Derrick position a Grenadier looks down at the floor and sees something shinny, a red gear symbol pulsating on the ground then he looks up to see a blinding orange light come from the sky and kill him with an massive explosion of energy; A Hammer of Dawn strike obliterated around a hundred of the Attackers and as it moved around it killed more and more, after six seconds it blinked and disappeared leaving behind a huge burnt crater and hundreds of charred mangled locust remains. One of the survivors that was caught by the blast was a Theron Sentinel who was severely burnt on the right side of his body where he was struck, his right arm was nearly entirely blackened and burnt, his face and right side of his torso were burnt too but the chants of a Kantus raised him from his near death haze to a pained fueled rage:
Burnt Sentinel: S-STILL A-LIVE!... -It shouted with it's raspy/whispering tone, it stood up after recovering it's now damaged torque bow then saw how the Humans were starting to Overwhelm the General, who was now falling back behind a Burning tree-... Must... Defend... UZIIIIL! -It roared to others of the attack force, probably members of it's squad; Two Grenadier Elites, a Cyclopes and three other Drones with assistance from a Kantus, came to aid the Sentinel as it fired upon the Assault derrick location-
RAAM: Focus Fire!... -RAAM ordered as he pointed at the Gears on the Assault Derrick, who were now pinned by Torque Bow fire and constant gunfire from the now recuperated Attack force-... KRAV WITH ME! -he yelled at the Sentinel who alongside it's squadron joined RAAM in the second attempt to take the Defensive position-
The Sentinel managed to fire two shots from it's Torque Bow before the damaged sustained rendered it unusable, so it retrieved a bloodied up lancer from one of humans they killed; RAAM led the squad to the back of the Assault Derrick where makeshift ladders where built to reach the top however he recoiled back when he was sprayed by Gear who spotted him. One of the Grenadier elites threw a pair of frags up the stairs which led a lot of screaming and shouting as they exploded, shortly after the locust climbed up as quickly as they could up, immediately being engaged in Close Quarters, no cover gunfight against the remaining Humans. RAAM climbed up and roared as he let his Troika rip, firing wildly as pasted by his Soldiers, he kept firing till his weapon ran completely dry.
The General's Rampage had decimated the defenders, killed all but two gears, one who seemed like a regular grunt and another who was helmetless and clutching their throat; The Grunt was killed by the Burnt Theron when it chainsawed his back opened from the left shoulder down to the right hip area, feeling temporary relief from his burns when the human's blood fell upon them. Then RAAM walked up towards the last remaining human with his boltok in hand, he looked down upon the human woman seeing as she was spitting blood and gasping for air thanks to a bullet piercing her neck in a 45 degree angle, barely missing the carotid artery nevertheless a ultimately lethal wound. Her eyes were bloodshot, her chest-plate was drenched in her own vital fluid and a puddle was forming below her but before she let out her last words she flipped RAAM the bird:
Dying Gear Woman: F-ff.. -pained gasp-... F-fuc-k... You... -her grip on her wound seized and her hands went limp, life left her eyes as she bled out-
RAAM holstered his Boltok and walked passed what was left of eight defenders who died to RAAM's current followers, He took hold of the machine-gun turrets that the humans were using and tore it out of the tripod, ripped out a couple pieces left and now he had himself a new batch of ammo which he used to reload his custom weapon, his squad took the ammo from the bodies and then awaited the attack force to take over the defensive support. From behind the attack force came the roar of a Brumak and then another by Skjall's side and the final two coming right down the middle; RAAM saw across the battlefield as Skjall's position was completely taken over by the Attack force, then he looked forward, able to see Anvil Gate through the foliage just ahead, around the length of thrashball field.
Slowly but surely the rain seized and the clouds went away, clearing the sky and letting the bright afternoon sun shine upon the battlefield once a forest but now another victim of war. A Gear that had survived the massacre and hidden among the bodies was found by the Burnt Theron and brought up to RAAM, tossed by the General's feet; We a quick glance the battle-hardened RAAM determined that the human was dead already, his wounds were too severe to recover. He asked for a weapon as the whimpering man looked up at to the general's grievous visage, his attempts to remain brave were laughable but admirable.
RAAM: Pathetic weakling... -He grabs the gear by the neck and retrieves the Cyclope's Lancer, let's go but only to bash his fist into the man's face causing him to drop to floor; He proceeds to stomp his boot down onto his chest, pinning him to the ground then swiftly firing the lancer at his face. After finishing the execution he tosses the bloodied lancer aside and orders the Sentinel and the Theron Elite to take the humans' mortars and radio-... Target the other defensive position!
The Burnt Sentinel struggled to aim the mortal with one eye as the other was burnt shut however the Theron Elite corrected his aim and then they fired the mortars, aiming at the second Assault Derrick Position, the mortar hit it's mark blew a chunk out of the assault derrick, sending a few gears into the air from the blast. As the General ripped the ammo out of the Troikas and reloaded his Troika Machinegun he could hear the Human radio spark alive: "Colonel, Locust have taken checkpoint Charlie and are currently dropping Artillery at checkpoint Delta, we're requesting dropping the hammer on those positions now, call a fallback to next positions to prevent friendly hits!" after hearing this, the General ordered the Brumaks to fire rockets directly at the next defensive position which was a wall of old cars turned into a wall in front of Anvil Gate:
General RAAM: SKYFIRE!... Advaaance! -he shouted before jumping off the Derrick and rushing towards the nearest source of cover and crouching down, shortly joined by the Burnt Sentinel and the rest of the team-... Krav, listen in to the humans' chatter, advance on my command. -he received a nod from the Sentinel before seeing Two gasbarges swoop in and drop off a few more elites onto the battlefield, leaving after dropping a few massive shells at the final defensive line-... Yes, Yeees, YEEEEEESS! -he says in enjoyment as the Gasbarge started to leave, avoiding the artillery fire from the fort-
However his pleased demeanor changed to rage when one of the gasbarge was taken down by fire from two Centaurs, it crashed down with a massive blast. RAAM covered his face when the fire flew in his direction, charring bits of armor however he angrily shouted as the Centaurs fired towards the Attack line, killing many of the Locusts on it. Skjall appeared from his side of the battlefield and fired his Boomcannon at the centaur as it charged forward in full speed, he jumped away before he was ran over then on his knees he fired at the thread of the tank, dislodging it and causing the tank to ride without control into a massive boulder, flipping over and crashing hard on to the wilderness.
Skjall fired twice at the flipped over Tank, severely damaging it but still functioning then he reloaded before angrily roaring as he fired at the other tank, tearing a chunk of it's crudely repaired armor. This centaur retaliated by firing a shell at Skjall that struck the ground a feet away, the blast launched Skjall flying a few feet back against a tree, demolishing it upon impact. A Theron from the attack force shot the tank with a Torque Bow on top of the hole created by Skjall which caused it fallback, smoke coming out of the hull. RAAM looked up and saw that there's two more human tanks acting as guard dogs to the fort firing rounds at the Attack Force and killing locusts in clusters.
RAAM dashed out of his cover with his Custom Troika in tow and saw nearly a hundred humans run out the Fort's main gate and take cover behind the Junk wall, mounting up with turrets and with One-shot as well as Mortars, or at least that is what he assume was expecting his attack force; Skjall stood up slowly, bleeding from many pieces of shrapnel lodged in his body, he coughed blood into his hand then angrily swiped it away, he picked up his Boomcannon and loaded it up. 'Six more shots left, Enough to destroy any more of those vehicles' he thought as he looked back to the destroyed centaur from earlier where the driver had crawled out and attempted to fight only to be beaten to death by three grenadiers.
Skjall: Attack!... Focus fire on those vehicles or we'll not gain anymore ground! -he yelled to the attack force which responded with roars of affirmation-... Do not fail the Queen!... VICTORY IS AT HAND! -The Locust roared in vigor as he spoke so many of the elites took point and took control of many locusts who had lost their respective Theron Squad leaders, The Savage sat behind them eager to tear into human flesh and the rest of the Locust army was behind them, ready to fire over their shoulders and destroy Anvil Gate-
Both Generals led the charge and crossed the Woodline, now face to face to Anvil Gate, at this moment the gunfire once more intensified by the humans upon spotting the Attack force. Sniper perched themselves in trees or laid prone behind rocks (A tactic enforced by Skjall after witnessing it's effectiveness when done by humans) while the Therons sat at a distance firing between low and high power shots, low so they could hit gears (if they aim their shots correctly) by their feet or high for those bold enough to stick out of cover for too long. The Brumaks where almost at the Woodline in front of the fort while the Gasbarges and reavers flew in circles around the fort, blasting it from all directions with explosive ordinance. RAAM felt bile and poison weld up in his throat at the Fort, he wanted to destroy it not only because it was a stronghold for the humans but because he knew that it was a beacon of hope for humans that for him to destroy it, would stomp out their hope of resisting.
RAAM: DESTROY THEM ALL, FOR THE HORDEEEEEE! -He roared at the top of his lungs, as he did the ground a few meters in front of him exploded open into Giant Emergence holes that unintentionally turned into Trenches-... FOR SKORGEEE!... -He ignored the gunfire that struck his armor as he shouted with all the Hate and passion he could muster, from behind him the treeline started to collapse has Brumaks broke it down, roaring as hard as the General himself, sowing fear in the hearts of the defenders-... FOR THE QUUUEEEEEN! -One could say the earth itself shook as the entire Attack force roared in preparation for the incoming combat, roaring in anger and hate towards the humans, the Savage screaming in approval of their General's command, The Elites bellowed rage against Humanity's futile defense and the long awaited destruction of the Human Stronghold-
From the Trenches came Grinders, came Boomers, came Maulers and their remaining Elite counterparts, Savage Boomers came as well, all creating a new wall of heavy ordinance to attack; From behind the Boomers came Bloodmounts, at least ten of them, with either a Beast Rider or a Grenadier upon it. The Grinders started pelting Fierce hate at the Junk Wall and/or at the centaurs that protected the fort, the Boomers and Savage Boomers fired at the wall near exclusively while the Maulers sat on a line protecting the troops behind them with their shields. The Junk wall was not really a wall but essentially a Guardhouse built in front of the Fort's main gate as a final checkpoint before entering the Fort's first inner area, It has two floors of sturdy and reinforced scaffolding with small holes so gears could poke their weapons through and fire, four armored and fenced up windows where Mounted machine guns were placed and near three by three foot wall of Hull armor that composed it's outer layer.
From behind the Attack force came and sat the Siege Beasts, ready to deliver death to the Fort from the sky however RAAM held them at standby as the Humans have not seen the Catapults yet, perfect for catching them by surprise (Or proving a certain mouthy gear wrong). Nevertheless the Siege Beasts were in position according to RAAM's back-up plan for the Assault.
RAAM and Skjall would pelt the windows quickly however were not able to hit the gunner behind the Armored/barred up window, ducking behind their troops as machine gun fire whooshed past their heads, the Brumaks fired at the Junk Wall but only managed to chip away at small bits of the thick fortification, The grinders were not able to considerable damage to the wall either as it too heavily armored as it essentially was built like a doomsday bunker.
From on top the Fort walls came sniper and more machine gun fire, taking out more and more Locusts in the process. The Generals quickly realized that this pathetic looking fortification was in fact much thicker and resilient than they could ever have expected, even if they could break through it, they would be running low in munitions for the final assault to the inside of the fort so RAAM retreated and called a Reaver for him and one for Skjall, while a Gasbarge landed next to them.
RAAM: Krav!... Come to Gasbarge, We strike from the Inside! -he ordered, which the Burnt Sentinel acknowledged and brought as many Elites, Boomers and Therons into the Gasbarge before it ascended into the sky once more-
More Gasbarges started landing and retrieving chunks of the Attack Force just as RAAM gave the order for the Siege Beasts to open fire, releasing massive balls of fire and striking the walls of the fort and even destroying one of the centaurs. Now with the humans distracted by the Siege Beasts, the back-up plan would begin: RAAM led two gasbarges full of Locusts through heavy fire from machine guns and heavy weapons till they could rappel or jump inside the fort's walls. Skjall's Reaver would successfully land on the wall at it's eastern side and drop-off the Hulking Locust along with a Theron Elite who joined him. RAAM's Reaver was hit by a One-shot and was nearly torn in half, sending the High General crashing through a cheap metal roof of some sort of makeshift barracks.
He screams in searing pain on his right leg, he pulls himself out of the rubble and discovers a large shard of cheap metal lodged deep in his thigh just above the knee, he knows better not to remove it so he stands up as quickly as he can, when he stands he feels it move inside and blood squirt out of the wound. He unholster his boltok, checks how many rounds he has left and then starts fighting through the pain by moving through the barracks.
He passes a doorway and spots a pair of humans loading up a Troika Turret, he aims a skillfully shoots both of them before tearing the turret off the frame and wields it like one would a mulcher. He slowly makes his way through the hallway till he hears Gears coming towards him: 'Sanders!... Dahn!, what the hell was those shots?!... you guys there?!', 'Something's wrong, get in there!' then as the Gears ran and saw the wounded general, RAAM erased them with his Troika, shredding them to bits and splattering the walls with viscera. 'General RAAM is inside the Fort!' one shouted through the speakers around the fort then 'All forces converge at the West wing!... Kill that Sonnababitch!'.
With that RAAM readied himself as he heard the footsteps of running gears from below and from the different levels and floors, all heading towards him; He looks over a railing and sees a scaffolding where a constant flow of gears was going, so he revved the Troika and sprayed the Scaffolding, tearing a few handfuls of Gears to shreds and even ended causing the scaffolding to fall apart then collapse under it's own weight. He roars angrily as a few rounds bounce off his armor then he continues to fire his Troika against the east wing where a few dozen gears sat and fired at RAAM, he sprayed and killed many of them while others took cover or jumped away from the gunfire. He heard the revving of a chainsaw behind, he turned a solid one eighty degrees in a sharp manner and barely manages to block the chainsaw from striking his torso with his Troika.
Gear: I'LL CARVE YOUR FUCKING FACE! -he shouts as sparks fly violently against his helmet and his armor as his chainsaw gnawed through the Troika-
RAAM used his freakish strength to Crush the Gear by pinning him down with the Troika to the ground, he stood up just in time to avoid the gunfire from incoming gears; He picked up the Lancer from the floor, he revved the saw as he heard the next gear coming up, he swung it towards the doorway and killed the Gear by jamming the saw in his chest. He picked that gears' retro lancer and fired it towards the group of incoming gears, killing three then against all the pain he's suffering he charged up towards the incoming squad of gears, bulldozing them to the ground. As the Gears tried getting themselves up, RAAM killed one with a Curb-stomp, then picked another and used her as a meatshield against another's gunfire tossing the dead gear's body against the firing human, he draws his boltok blowing a hole in his head.
In a few seconds, RAAM picks up two lancers and simultaneously fires both of them from the hip, killing the remaining six gears before tossing the empty rifles then retrieves a Retro-lancer and another lancer, moving on from the slaughter he had committed in that hallway; RAAM bends the corner and gets blasted in the chest by a pair of shotgun blasts, he recoiled back behind the doorway in pain dropping the lancer before angrily roaring and charging out the doorway with bayonet forward. He missed the gear and receives another blast to his back, he screams and recoils then spun around swiped the shotgun off the Gear's hands, snapping the weapon over his knee in pure rage, he lunged for the Gear's throat, lifting the Gear by the neck and smashing them against the wall violently before withdrawing one hand from the gear so he could retrieve his knife.
The Gear kicked, punched and thrashed around in RAAM's vice like grip but they could not break free as the Monstrous General drove the serrated blade over and over into their abdomen, painting the wall behind the gear, their armor and RAAM's own arm and chest in blood. After he dropped the body, RAAM coughed blood and slumped next to the wall, sliding down leaving part of his dark blood smeared against and next to the Gear he butchered seconds ago. He sat there bleeding however RAAM refused to die yet, he took a few shells from the Broken gnasher and pry them open, pouring and smearing his wounds in the gunpowder. He tore a leather strap off his armor and bit down on it, He then started a spark using his knife and gauntlets, setting the gunpowder on fire, cauterizing the wounds and biting down on the strap to prevent himself from screaming and showing both his location and weakness to the humans.
His head was completely clouded in pain and agony, so much so that he blacked out without been able to seal his back wound. As he drifted between life and death he felt a voice speak to him, he heard the voice of the one being that he truly cared for: 'You aren't dying General, I will not allow it!'... he heard his heart beat slowly but louder, overtaking her voice, 'RAAM STAND UP!... YOU'RE NOT YET BESTED, GET UP!'. He tried moving but he felt cold, he felt death grip his consciousness, he slowly felt it embrace him. Before he gave himself to he heard the worst sound he has heard, a sound that made his heart beat hard from fear and anxiety, He felt anger and rage build up in his throat as he heard it increase in volume: His Daughter's scream in pain, her mournful cries shouting and thrashing within the Hivemind.
His eyes exploded open and he roared in rage, he felt his chest tight and his throat seal up, heat rise up his face, blood seeping between his fangs realizing he bit down his tongue; He came up to his feet, not knowing where his daughter was, he needed to find his daughter Nanaira, he had to he just had to because she's in trouble; He shouted in rage, hearing the hundreds of fellow locust rage as well but he did not care about them, he did not care of the attack, he wanted to find his daughter, kill what harms her!
'Destroy them RAAM, she's angry that you wish to die and let humans win!' Myrrah's word cut him like a knife through the heart, he stood up and saw red, he only heard his breathing and his heartbeat as he sprinted through the fort, a lancer on one hand and a knife in the other, killing and destroying all humans in his way. 'Nanaira suffers and you do nothing!... kill them all!' He felt no pain, no exhaustion or anything but the need to save his daughter, his thoughts frenzied and ragged as he killed his way through the fort trying to find his precious Nanaira. Eventually it all went black, not remembering what happened hours later...
A FEW WEEKS EARLIER WITH CPT McKENZIE-
When Charlie Squad returned from their mission much of the fort's inhabitants celebrated their arrival like if they were heroes, which they weren't technically wrong, even more so when they brought back a old pick-up truck filled with ammo, armor, guns and ordinance from a Locust ammunition Forge not far from where they killed Skorge; It was mostly rifle ammo that could keep their lancers, longshots and turrets running for months but ammo is ammo, Improvised Bolo Grenades and incendiary grenades, mortar shells, two boxes worth of One-shot ammo and plenty of shotgun shells to sweep the earth clean. (...and have a free for all)
The biggest surprise to the squad was they finding what looked like a half-made reversed blueprint from the UIR Belt-Fed Machine gun from back in the Pendulum Wars in addition to three of these weapons, one was rusted to hell while two where (possibly) operational. Other UIR weapons where found in the Forge Camp were a few modified marksas, both the MK1 rifle and the GZ18 Sniper counterpart, as well as a few Booshka Grenade launchers. Among the weapons the also found heavily modified Locust weaponry like a SMG version of the Gorgon Pistol and the MK1 Hammerburst used during E-day till around the time of Ephyra's fall.
COL Hoffman: Holy Saint Spirit, what a haul you've brought son. -he inspected the ammo haul then seeing the Bloodmounts that were hauling all the weight-... How in the hell you got these things to drag all this?
Jinx: We found them like this so we did what came to our minds first... Take 'em. -he showed Hoffman one of the Old UIR machineguns-... Seen these in your younger days sir?
COL Hoffman: Yes I have son, been in both side of these weapons too... -he gestured to the Marksas-... and these rifles as well.
Jinx: I think these weapons could be returned to working order and given to those could really use them well. -he retrieved the blueprint of the Machine gun-... This is what truly we need.
COL Hoffman: Pass these to the boys in RnD see if they can bring these weapons back to life. -he added before slowly moving away-
Jinx: Sir you haven't asked us if we killed Skorge or not... -he said which the colonel chuckled and turned around the face the young captain-
COL Hoffman: I never doubted you kid, The moment you and your team left, I knew that bastard was not going to see the end of that day. -he said with a satisfied smirk and then left-
Jinx nodded to himself before quickly returning to his team, seeing Travis and Dempsey take the machine guns to RnD then seeing others High Fiving each other Gears as they spoke of how they killed Skorge; Jackson had the biggest smile on his face as he headed to the west wing, Jinx fully aware that his friend was headed to the makeshift lab there. Mckenzie walked through the doorway and up the stairway, seeing the occasional stranded woman and child or the rough looking man pass by him then as he crossed the junction into the barracks area he saw how it was now filled with Stranded, bunch of families separated by improvised privacy screens made of sheets. 'The Hell?... since when are there so many stranded here?' he thought as he carefully navigated through the area without stepping on some personal belonging or children's toy. He was a bit tense when he realized that from the moment he'd entered the barracks they have not stopped staring at him.
A little girl ran into Jinx, hitting the floor and dropping her stuff cat doll, she looked up to Jinx and covered her face as he reached down to her; he gave her the doll back and as she looked up to him, he helped up. he patted the dust from her then patted her head before continuing on passed the area and arriving at the hallway towards the door that splits off into a three way interception, three gears guarded this area.
Gear Private: Mornin' Sir. -he says to Jinx as he stands straight, saluting at the Officer, joined by the other two gears-
Jinx: Relax Private, no need for that here... -he says to the private, after saluting back to them-... Hey could any of you could explain what's up with the Stranded?
Gear Private: They arrived yesterday sir, they said they're nomads who ran afoul with some war cult or some shit, so they left and ended in the deadlands. -he says to Jinx-
Jinx: War cult?... Sometimes I feel like this world is turning to shit around us, the grubs are one thing but to start fearing your fellow man?... -he says before moving pass them and into the lab-
He walked underneath the shaky lightbulbs, then he opened the door and entered the lab and immediately got struck by the stench of rotten carrion and rubbing alcohol. 'Dear God, what the fuck is that smell?!' he thought eyeing Jackson putting on gloves and a face mask, while a Petrified Locust corpse sat on the gurney in front of him; The corpse had crystals sprouting from around the shoulders, chest, upper arms, chin area and the bits of it's head. The crystals looked a reddish peach like color while the flesh where it sprouted from was looking dry and blackened while the skin resembled loose tissue paper. It was quite foul scene but nothing he could not handle, so he grabbed a pair of leather gloves and went to Jackson's autopsy table:
Jackson: Sup Jack, came to see the show or to talk about something? -he says as used a scalper and pliers to peel a bit of skin/scales from a cluster of darkened crystals-
Jinx: I'm curious what led you back here with a bunch of corpses instead celebrating with the rest of the boys?
Jackson: This disease affecting the locusts seems fascinating to me, Like think about it... if this is a Pandemic level shit for the locusts, do you think this could spread to us?... or in a best case scenario it sticks to them and they die out. -he explains as he places the clustered crystals upon a tray then opens up the area of origin, he uses a flashlight so he could inspect the area better-... see that right there?
Jinx: What, see what? -he follows Jackson's scalper till he sees what he recognizes from his anatomy courses: Veins and arteries-... Are they...?
Jackson: They're crystallized, expanded and pushed outward from the body... Seems after 'rigor-mortis' sets the crystallization speeds up drastically and forces the blood vessels to escape the body... Honestly I am a hundred percent sure that these corpses will become giant crystals... The one thing I don't understand is if this disease speeds up so much after they die, which would make into a 'post-mortem' type condition... how the hell living grubs are sprouting crystals? -he asked as he walked towards the most recent corpse who's frontal lobe area of the brain has completely been incased in crystals-
Jinx: Maybe they're already dead, like zombies? -he dryly joked to Jackson who was taking off his protective gear-
Jackson pondered on those words but he simply kept his thoughts to himself, Jinx however tossed the Gloves into the nearest sink before moving towards the door and waiting for his friend to come; After putting on his armor on Jackson joined Jinx as both headed through the fort and towards the Chow area:
Jackson: I'm guessing you noticed the amount of stranded who joined our little community?
Jinx: I've heard from the "PNN" that they been pushed out of their nomad lifestyle by a War cult... care to share some light on that? -he asked Jackson as both pulled open an Armored door open-... Damn thing sticking again, shit's going to kill someone someday.
Jackson: I know, Elias should be fixing it later but yeah, the Nomads got shellacked by a motherfucking war cult, can you believe that shit? -he said with much skepticism, his tone was was lined with distrust upon the 'facts' the nomads had given them-... I see that being completely horseshit, It's a ploy to get us to open ourselves to them then BLAM!... They fuck us and take everything of value, Like my Ex-wife. -he said to Jinx, which made the young man laugh and turn red due to him trying to hold his laughter-
Jinx: Oh-... -chuckle that then turns into a cackle-... oh... my god, Goddamnit Jackson... -he laughed again then pinched the bridge of his nose-... Don't change brother... But fo' real do you think they planning some shit?
Jackson: Yes, I've never trusted a Stranded since they robbed my convoy back in Vectes then destroyed my fishing boat, damn thing was sturdy, survived everything even the Lambent leviathan but not the stranded, those fuckers burned and sunk it. -he said to Jinx, he did a quick four point safety check, something he did often by impulse-
Jinx: We should be careful then, Let's tell the boys later to watch out for shady shit then, no paranoia but just to keep an eye out. -They walked down a flight of short stairs, quickly making their way through the inner courtyard till they were on their way to the garage- How do you think the Centaurs are going along?
Jackson: Same thing I've said two months ago, Not much progress... The engineers need more resources and we don't have enough trucks to gut and feed them to four lousy centaurs that might or may not work. -he says before opening the door and swinging it open, both closing it after entering through it-
The garage had trucks, Humvees, bikes and centaurs under maintenance, more so on the centaurs where two of them were lacking wheels and were being fitted with Pariah Tank threads; It looked odd as half the Centaur looked welded onto the lower bottom of the old UIR tank with junk metal attached around it as extra security. One of the tank mechanics was a old man called Fergus who once upon a time was a UIR Tank gunner until a explosion took his right leg and was bound on a wheelchair, left behind when the UIR was defeated:
Fergus: Oi would you look whom the wind blew into my workshop?... A milksop given some pity bars and a waterlogged ol' sea-dog who should've been drown in training... the fuck you two sonsofbitchas doin' 'ere? -he cackled like madman as he took the pipe off his lips and strongly shook the hands of both Jinx and Jackson-... Come to see how your shite tanks doing, ya'?
Jackson: Yes, you dried-up crippled indie fuck... -Fergus did a cartoonish "Oh shit" expression before laughing and wheezing through him puffing from his wooden pipe-... I'm guessing the Pariah threads where going to happen eventually if nobody had stopped you, so how's the progress going?
Fergus: A wee-bit quicker than normal since those stranded arrived, feel my backside turn into a cigar-cutter just thinking of bloody cult going 'bout their day killing nomads. -he says flicking off some ash off his pipe-... These 'eaps of junk should be up and running in like a week from now if these babies don't whine and complain that their backs hurt... -he gestures to the mechanics and engineers-... "backs hurt" my arse, I've missing my bloody leg and have enough metal in me body to be considered a land vehicle but they're whining because their backs pop... ha!... -he coughed then emptied his pipe before loading it with a bit more Tabaco-
Jinx: Don't ever change you old dog... -he said through a chuckle-... thankfully the tanks will be good by the time we really need them, specially after we bombed a grub ammo dump to kingdom come.
Jackson: Well thank you Fergus, keep up the good work Old man. -he says before he starts to head out, Jinx in tow-
Fergus: I will as long as these babies do what I tell 'em to. -he chuckles before heading back to work-
They left, not before seeing the progress for themselves and being satisfied at it; Most of the tanks are on mostly operational status but still under construction, The stockpile of ammo was in a safe area away from the engineers and any possible fire hazards, Their loaders where putting the larger pieces in place while the mechanics and other workers put them in place. Jinx was glad that they were spurred into fixing the tanks and Humvees ahead of any possible assault or in case the stranded where planning to ambush the gears within the fort.
Jackson: Hopefully we get to put some guns on these Humvees, It would make them very much a better mode of escape if they could shoot motherfuckers. -he says to Jinx who smiles at the progress-
Jinx: You read my mind. -he responded before they both headed off-
LATER THAT NIGHT, 2200 HOURS-
The barracks where a bit lively with the success of Jinx's Charlie squad's mission, morale among the gears is high after hearing that one member of the locust leadership has been assassinated successfully and the massive increase in ammunition did help as well; Some had gone to sleep early while many others are still awake and celebrating with booze that someone had stashed up somewhere, that plus the sense of humor, old dogs telling stories and the occasional gossip was keeping the mood high among the troops, from Privates to NCOs everyone involved was having a good time.
Jinx sat in the back of the barracks by his bed where Charlie Squad stood, sitting or leaning on the sturdy metalframe bed-bunk joking around with their fellow squadmates; All wore their bottoms and footwear but had removed their upper armor, remaining in their under-clothes and their COG-tags, Jinx for example wore his black undershirt, his trousers and his boots but was lacking his armor which was sitting underneath his bed, Nika wore the same attire but had bandages wrapped around her hands and around her bare feet in addition to a black beanie with the COG's insignia upon it.
Wicker: Old Drill Instructor Salas was a mean sonnababitch but he taught us a neat trick with the Gnasher to punch through Locust armor easier, said he used the trick to kill a Theron guard before... -he finished his tale to the rest who seemed to listen out of courtesy-
Jackson: Okay kid I'm certain a grizzled old bastard like Salas was teaching kids like you tricks of the trade, met that dickhead back when I was a lowly Private and he was a specialist, honest to god he hated anyone and everyone who was younger and less experienced than him... -he pressed his thumb against the first bend on his trigger finger, kissed it and flicked them at the group as a gestured meaning 'on god'-... Promised it's true... -he shakes his head before continuing-... Hope the fucker stubs his toe on his bed tonight. -he says as he stands up before sitting back down, remembering something-... Anyone knows who the hell keeps writing gibberish on shit?... Like earlier I saw a clusterfuck of letters written in ink on the mess hall table and it's starting to get annoyed... -he finished his rant before gulping down a hefty shot of liquor and then passed the "glass" to SPC Travis who looked sauce'd already-
Travis: Hey doc I've seen them on one of the tanks too, like on the steering wheel. -she added with a very slight slur, she didn't drink more but gave the shot to Larr who was still coughing from his last shot-... I'm done, got work tomorrow.
Alex Bland: Whoever the hell it is, They're really fucking bored but enough of Jackson's ranting I want to hear out your plan for tomorrow. -she states before gulping a shot of liquor from a tiny makeshift shot glass made out of aluminum foil-... that one hit the spot.
Jinx: Alright but this is the last time I say it so listen well... -he takes his own shot before speaking-... So the Idea is to hit this "Queen's Landing" I've been grubs muttering about in my previous scouting sessions, If what the grubs rambling has legitimacy It's safe to bet that Myrrah and RAAM are using that fort as their base of operations. -he says in a lowered tone-... It's at least three full days on foot if you take the snail trails but I can get there in one day and a few hours by cutting through the forest. -He explains to them-... It's heavily defended and I saw a few gasbarges on stand-by when I scouted the first time, Jackson spotted an armor and ammo forge in that location.
LTN De La Tour: What about the other locust base near the badlands to the east? -she asked as she gestured Jinx-
SGT Addams: What other base?
Jinx: If it's the one carved into some big-ass trenches, It's safe to reason that it is a Ammo dump for the grubs however it could be still small, I haven't been able to access it but by the sounds I've heard, there's lots of Locusts in there.
PVT Dempsey: I say we shellack that base, It's too close to us and the main road for the evacuation plan... -he says before downing a shot himself-
Mika: I agree with Dempsey, If we ever had to dip from the Fort, those grubs would hear us and surely throw a wrench in the evacuation. -she says while leaning closer to Jackson, taking the shot glass from him and downing it-
Jinx: Then who's in favor of hitting that base? -he asked and quickly everyone that is part of Charlie squad and foxtrot squad raised their hands-... Okay then we're hitting it, if we got nothing to do in... let's say three days, we're striking at the heart of the grubs, we're going for the Queen's Landing... Agreed? -He received different approval gestures and responses before Jinx stood from his bed-... Then rest up, tomorrow we take down another base that the grubs control, ready your gear for 0400 hours and pack explosives and plenty of ammo, okay... let's make it happen people, goodnight. -he says to his squad, sending off on their way to ready for the mission tomorrow-
Jackson: I'll let the Colonel know on my way to the lab, Goodnight brother. -with that, Jackson took off towards the lab-
Jinx took around an hour to ready his assault backpack with essential gear and ammo for the day to come, he lay upon his bed around 2321 hours and before he drifted to sleep he grunted in annoyance as the Gibberish writter had written "Wkh Gdxjkwhu zloo pdnh wkhp vwurqjhu, vluhq whduv ixho wkh ohjlrq" on the bottom of the top bunk, he touched it but to his surprise it was still wet: 'Who the hell is doing this?... some type of inside joke I'm not aware off?' he wiped it off with his blanket and went to sleep.
TO BE CONTINUED...