Chapter 3: The Prone
As the sun slowly sank beneath the horizon, painting the sky in vibrant hues of orange and crimson, Cross, Elma, and Lin returned from their rigorous training mission. The fading light cast a golden glow over the Blade barrack, where the comrades felt the lingering adrenaline pulsing through their veins.
"Commander Vandham will definitely want to hear about today's adventure," Elma remarked, a spark of excitement illuminating her features.
Stepping into the barrack, they found Commander Vandham waiting for them, his muscular arms crossed and a proud smile spreading across his face. "Welcome back, team! I heard you encountered a Tyrant. Quite impressive work!" he exclaimed, his voice booming with approval.
Cross straightened his posture, a swell of pride filling his chest at the recognition. "Thank you, Commander. It was tougher than we anticipated, but we managed to overcome it," he replied, looking at his teammates, their expressions reflecting a shared sense of achievement.
Vandham nodded knowingly, his expression shifting to one of earnest contemplation. "You are beginning to grasp the essence of what it means to be a Blade—the core reason our organization exists. We are here not only to safeguard humanity but also to glean wisdom from the dangers that lurk beyond our territory. It's a weighty responsibility."
Lin, ever the curious one, leaned forward slightly. "So, what's next for us, Commander?" he inquired, his interest piqued.
The commander's demeanor shifted, growing serious. "I have a new mission for you. Three days ago, Nelson's team vanished after installing a probe. I need you to locate them. Their last known whereabouts were in Primordia," he instructed, the urgency in his voice palpable.
Cross exchanged resolute glances with Elma and Lin, a silent understanding passing between them. "We won't let you down, sir," he assured, determination ringing clear in his tone.
"Excellent. You will be partnered with Nicholas. He has a new weapon he's been itching to put to the test," Vandham said, gesturing for Nicholas to join them.
Nicholas sauntered in confidently, cradling a sleek photon saber that glimmered with an otherworldly sheen. "You guys are going to love this!" he declared, a playful wink accompanying his statement. "Trust me, it's more than just eye candy."
Lin raised an eyebrow, his skepticism clear as he studied the weapon. "Let's hope it's not just a flashy toy," he quipped dryly, a playful smirk forming.
With their mission laid out before them, the team set off, spirits high and determination coursing through their veins. The journey to Primordia was filled with a palpable tension, each member focused intently on the task ahead.
As they neared the designated area, Elma scanned the surroundings with her visor, which lit up with data. "I'm detecting something unusual—a damaged Skell has been reported not far from our location," she announced, her usually calm demeanor tinged with urgency.
Cross tightened his grip on his weapon, adrenaline sharpening his senses. "Let's investigate. Stay vigilant and ready for anything," he commanded, the weight of their mission anchoring their shared resolve.
Lin was scanning the surroundings when she furrowed her brow. "Guys, I see a group of people… they're moving in an orderly fashion. Something feels off."
Suddenly, alien soldiers emerged from the shadows, eyes glinting with hostility. They spoke in a guttural language before suddenly switching to English. "You are trespassing!"
"Let's teach them a lesson!" Cross shouted, charging into the fray. He fought with precision, his heart racing as he defended his team.
After the skirmish, they found an entrance to what resembled an alien base. Elma led the way, her senses on high alert. As they explored, a chilling sight stopped them in their tracks.
"Oh no…" Elma breathed. "It's Nelson's team. They're… dead."
Cross felt a wave of anger and sorrow wash over him. "We have to keep moving."
But before they could leave, Glennar, the alien leader, appeared, his eyes fierce. "Who dares invade our territory?"
"We're not your enemies!" Cross shouted, stepping forward, his longsword glinting in the dim light. "We're searching for Nelson's team!"
Glennar sneered, his expression twisted with distrust. "You are liars! I will not let you leave!"
In an explosive moment, the two groups clashed. Blaster fire lit up the scene like fireworks against the night sky, and chaos erupted. Amidst the turmoil, Glennar seized Elma, gripping her tightly. "Surrender or she dies!" he snarled.
"No!" Cross shouted, adrenaline surging through him. He quickly switched his assault rifle to semi-automatic, aiming at Glennar, but the risk of hitting Elma stopped him.
"Let her go!" Cross yelled, his voice fierce as he charged forward, weapon lowered. With a leap, he tackled Glennar, his momentum driving them both to the ground.
In the scuffle, Cross shifted his grip, and with a swift movement, he drew his longsword, using the blade's edge to disarm Glennar in one smooth motion. The alien fell back, shocked, freeing Elma in the process.
"Are you okay?" Cross asked, concern etched on his face, as he helped her up.
"I'm fine!" Elma replied, shaking off the lingering fear. "Let's finish this!"
Regrouping with their team, Cross switched to his assault rifle and took a defensive stance. Together, they advanced on Glennar's soldiers, coordinating their movements with precision. Cross dispatched enemy after enemy with a combination of calculated shots and precise sword strikes, each blow a testament to their resolve.
Glennar, realizing the tide had turned, fought fiercely, but Cross's agility and determination shone through. He swung his sword with practiced ease, engaging directly with Glennar while his comrades provided suppressive fire, forcing the remaining soldiers to take cover.
Finally, as the dust settled and silence enveloped.
"Now, we need to find a way out of this dark and damp cavern and report back to base," he said, his voice steady yet laced with urgency as he surveyed the lifeless forms of his teammates strewn across the rocky floor. The air was thick with the scent of moisture and the faint metallic tang of their recent battle.
As the remaining group cautiously made their way through the dimly lit tunnel, a soft, curious noise echoed, momentarily breaking the oppressive silence. Cross, his senses alert, stopped in his tracks and turned toward the sound's origin. There, nearly obscured by shadows, lay a small, weathered basket atop a moss-covered stone.
"Did anyone else hear that strange sound?" he asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity and concern.
Elma, her green eyes glinting with intrigue, glanced back at him. "It sounded like something's trapped inside. Should we check it out?"
With a determined nod, Cross approached the basket, heart pounding with both trepidation and intrigue. He lifted the heavy lid and, to his astonishment, a small, vibrant figure burst forth, landing with a cheerful bounce. "Hoo boy! Tatsu is free!" the creature exclaimed, eyes wide with excitement, its round face beaming with an infectious joy.
"Tatsu?" Cross repeated, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Who exactly are you?"
"I am Tatsu, the greatest Nopon merchant in all of Mira!" the creature declared, puffing out its chest with an unexpected degree of pomp. "And Tatsu possesses a wealth of knowledge about the Prone you just fought!"
"The Prone?" Elma interjected, stepping forward, her tone urgent and inquisitive. "What can you tell us about them?"
Tatsu's round, eager eyes sparkled as it began to share its insights. "Oh, Prone are very troublesome aliens! They are aggressive and angry! They do not appreciate visitors—Tatsu warns to keep your distance! But Tatsu recognizes your strength! You can fight!"
Cross exchanged meaningful glances with Elma and the few remaining members of their team. "We should bring Tatsu back to New Los Angeles. He may have valuable information that can help us prepare better," he suggested.
"Great idea, Cross!" Tatsu chirped enthusiastically, his stubby arms waving in agreement. "Tatsu wants to sell wares and help friends!"
As they made their way towards New Los Angeles, the atmosphere gradually shifted from one of cautious hope to a somber realization of their losses. Upon arrival, they were met by Commander Vandham, who stood in front of the briefing room with a stern demeanor, arms crossed over his chest. A serious expression framed his face as he surveyed the room filled with weary soldiers.
"Listen up, team," he said, his voice booming yet filled with a heavy undertone of concern. "We lost Nelson's squad earlier today. We cannot afford to let our guard down, not for a moment. Stay vigilant and watch each other's backs."
A profound silence swept over the room, the weight of their losses palpable. Cross felt a tumult of determination and sadness churning within him. He understood the grave dangers they faced but felt resolute in his commitment to protect his remaining team members.
Later that evening, as the stars twinkled brightly against the velvety dark canvas of the night sky, illuminating the expansive landscape, Cross found solace on a weathered wooden bench outside. He stared at the constellations, lost in thought, grappling with the events of the day.
"Hey," a gentle voice broke through his reverie. Elma, resplendent in her polished uniform that proudly bore the insignia of her rank, took a seat beside him. Her radiant smile and reassuring presence infused the air with warmth. "You doing alright?" she asked, her tone reflecting both concern and camaraderie.
Cross looked up, meeting her gaze, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Yeah, just reflecting on everything that happened today. It's a lot to process." The day had been a whirlwind of challenges, and he found himself still grappling with the weight of their mission.
Elma nodded, her empathetic brown eyes sparkling with understanding. "It is. But I'm really glad you were there with me. You saved my life back there," she said earnestly, her voice laced with admiration. The gravity of her words hung between them, reminder of the narrow escape they had made together.
A faint flush crept across Cross's cheeks at her compliment. Even amidst the chaos of the day, the thought of Elma's pride in him sent a rush of warmth through his heart. "I'm just doing my job, Colonel. I'm genuinely happy to be on your team, Elma," he replied, his voice steady despite the warmth of embarrassment and the weight of her rank.
"Tatsu feels this is a special friendship!" the Nopon chimed in, peeking out from behind a nearby tree, his round eyes gleaming mischievously and contrasting with the seriousness of the moment.
Elma let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head at Tatsu's unexpected interruption. She appreciated his cheerful demeanor almost as much as his loyalty. "Thanks, Tatsu. But I was just expressing how much that meant to me," she said, turning her attention back to Cross, her gaze softening.
With an exuberant grin, Tatsu nodded enthusiastically. "Friends must always look out for each other! Tatsu understands!" His innocent enthusiasm brought a lightness to the conversation, easing the tension of the day's events.
Elma turned back to Cross, her expression shifting from pride to one of genuine warmth. "Just remember, you're not alone in this. We're all in it together," she reassured him, her voice a soothing balm amidst the lingering echoes of their harrowing experience. The strength of her words resonated deeply with him, reinforcing the bond they had forged.
With that, she leaned closer and planted a gentle kiss on Cross's cheek, the gesture both unexpected and profoundly meaningful. His face flushed even more intensely, warmth blooming under the softness of her affection. "That's for saving my life today," Elma told him, a hint of mischief dancing in her eyes.
She then settled by his side, the gesture of camaraderie building a sense of unity between them. "Thank you for being here, Cross," she added, her affectionate smile lighting up her face, a stark contrast to the burdens of leadership she often bore.
His heart raced as he returned her gaze, an uplifting surge of emotion coursing through him. "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else," he replied sincerely, his voice steady and resolute.
As Tatsu hummed a cheerful little tune in the background, Cross felt a renewed sense of hope wash over him. Together with Elma and their unexpected little merchant friend, they would face whatever challenges awaited them on the horizon. Each small victory and shared moment brought them closer, turning the trials of their journey into a testament of their friendship and resilience.