System Harbinger : Legacy Earth 5, page 14
Before he knew what happened, he’d been struck four other times. The chitinous-skinned alien grabbed his helmet and tried to snap his neck. His suit compensated, preventing the action from following through.
The Rodivia’s hands slipped against the helmets refusal to relent. Expecting the fight to be over, it relaxed. Lance used the opening to slam his fist into his attacker’s chest, causing him to stagger. Following up with a low, forward kick, he aimed for the knees.
Lifting his leg, the insectoid alien blocked Lance’s kick. Even with metal boots and his enhanced strength, he didn’t harm his attacker’s exo-skeleton. A punch flew toward the SOAT’s face. He blocked it and attempted the spinning drop move Chadavia taught him.
In a blur of green, Lance’s arm was pulled behind him and pinned to his lower back. Even with his suit compensating, a sharp tinge shot through his shoulder. The captain threw his head back. He heard the crack of their heads impacting. The grip on his wrist loosened. Pulling down and away, he leaned forward and spun.
Breaking his arm free, Lance slammed an open palm into the Rodivia’s shoulder. A pop rang out from the joint accompanied by a hiss from the assassin. Pulling his pistol, he fired several rounds at his attacker.
Bounding backward, spinning through the air, he dodged every bullet fired his way before leaping up the support pillar with his good arm and vanishing around its edge. Holstering his pistol, Lance looked around for another attacker while retrieving his rifle.
“We clear?” Lance asked.
“We’re clear,” Chadavia replied.
“Good, get down here and let’s get this door open!”
“On our way,” Stephanie replied.
Lance looked at Dexter, who was just staring at him.
“Why all the gaping and no helping?” Lance asked as he worked the nearly dislocated socket around.
“I’ve never seen you move that fast,” Dexter said in awe. “You were a blur; I couldn’t’ve helped if I wanted to.”
“Seems these things are worth their cost!” Lance said before looking at his scorched shoulder. Its polish was gone but still intact. “Those plasma bolts may be slow, but man, do they hit hard.”
Stephanie and Chadavia jogged to Lance. The engineer pulled a partially charged Marty off her hip. She inspected the map Devris downloaded into their network. She tossed the robot, and it scampered up to the intimidatingly large doors and clambered up.
“It’s got two points of lock. This should only take a minute,” she said, approaching the seal at the middle of the doors.
“You may want to get that communicator warmed up,” Lance said to Chadavia. “I’m thinking that they may not be so hesitant to pull the trigger this time.”
The Jarog obliged. All three men positioned themselves around Stephanie. Taking defensive positions around her, they kept an eye on her back.
“How long you planning on taking?” Lance asked.
“Give me a minute; this isn’t exactly a system I’m used to!” Stephanie replied.
Chadavia dropped the disk. Madam Devris’ image flickered to life.
“You look like you’ve made quite a bit of progress!” Devris exclaimed. “Ooo, I like your tactics.”
“Yeah, well they woke up today and chose violence,” Lance replied. “It wasn’t my first choice.”
“You want to keep an eye on that door? I’d like to not get shot as soon as they open,” Dexter chimed in.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure my men are compliant.”
“Then make sure quick because Marty’s saying we’re in,” Stephanie said as she stood up and moved to the side.
The ground rumbled. Dust and debris fell from the ceiling as screeches of the rusted doors started to move.
EIGHTEEN
PUSHBACK
The doors opened several dozen feet before they stopped. Light flooded into the pitch-black warehouse. Several ambient lights from armor flickered into existence before spreading like wildfire. Lance swallowed hard, his instincts whispering for him to get his team and leave. By his estimate, there were at least a thousand beings inside. It didn’t help his mini map was nothing but a sea of red.
“Members of the Crimson Dagger,” Madam Devris’ image shouted as she paced in her office, her hologram remaining motionless. “The Sunless Blades tried to take Tachyon from us. These SOATs were gracious enough to help us take him back, so go… TAKE HIM BACK!”
A roar rose from within the darkness as battle formations shook the station. Lance jumped out of the way as a wall of mercenaries charged out of their confinement. Dexter and Stephanie were already clear while Chadavia had to sprint to the side as well, leaving his communicator behind. It was trampled in a matter of seconds.
“It’s like watching panicked wildebeests,” Dexter shouted over the clanking of armor.
“Would that make the projector Mufasa?” Lance asked, glancing at his teammate.
“I mean… yeah.” Dexter nodded. “Wait, would that make us the hyenas?”
“If so, dibs on Steph being the crazy one,” the captain replied, pointing toward their engineer.
“What are you all talking about?” Chadavia asked in confusion while the stampede continued to rush by.
“Hamlet with lions. Don’t worry, we’ll make sure you get to see it,” Stephanie replied. “And I refuse to be the crazy one… how do you think they all ended up in there?”
“We can ask him!” Lance said, pointing at a Halthron who brought up the back.
His run was akin to that of a penguin. Every few steps, the alien had to stop and catch his breath. The wall of Crimson Blade members was already disappearing into the depths of the station.
“How’d they get all of you in here?” Chadavia asked.
“No time,” the Halthron wheezed as he tried to lumber past them.
Lance turned, walking at a leisurely pace he kept up with the sprinting criminal.
“I think we have plenty of time,” Lance replied, motioning in front of them. “When you get one block up, this’ll all be over, so may as well humor us… How’d they manage to trap all of you in there?”
“They had a Cephalith!” the Halthron exclaimed in frustration as he stopped.
“How does that play into anything?” Dexter asked as he caught up.
“The Cephalith looked like Madam Devris,” he replied, taking several deep breaths. “Our communications were jammed, and they said they’d kill her, so we rushed to save her. We swarmed the place, killed the guards, and after they locked us in, their distraction squeezed into an air duct way to small for any of us to follow.”
“I hate those things,” Chadavia muttered with a shake of his head.
“Thank you for clarifying. Why don’t you take a seat, have a breather, and let us take it from here,” Lance suggested.
“I think I just may,” the Halthron replied as he plopped down, still struggling to catch his breath.
“Where are we going next?” Lance asked, turning his attention to his multi-tool.
He pulled up a detailed map of the station, showing a highlighted route to Fractured Moon territory, with a cut-off on Uata-controlled portions of Tachyon.
“Looks like we’re backtracking. Check your gear; we’re moving out,” Lance ordered.
Sticking to the shadows, they made their way back to the Blue Shell. Sounds of battle raged through the streets but grew quieter as the Crimson Daggers pushed back with all their might.
Stopping at a service door near the club, Lance grabbed it. His team formed up behind him and as he pulled the door open, they rushed in, sweeping the service corridor. No one opened fire.
“Clear,” Dexter called.
Stepping in behind his team, Lance shut the door behind them, pulling a latch forward he locked it shut.
“In a hundred and fifty yards, turn left. It looks like it’ll be the first door on your right,” Lance called up.
The captain looked around. Clenching his jaw, he shook his head. The service corridor was barely wide enough for Dexter to stand straight without his shoulders catching. The definition of a kill box if he'd ever seen one. He muttered a quick prayer that no Sunless Blades were behind the closed shutters that stretched over them.
“Any chance of an ambush in here?” Stephanie asked as Dexter led the way.
“Not sure. This was just a wall last time I was here,” Chadavia replied. “But I’d post up here if I wanted to protect my territory easily.”
“I think we all would,” Lance added.
Reaching the turn, Dexter poked his head around the corner for a split second. He withdrew before raising his rifle and stepping into the branched-off turn. Stephanie moved in unison with him but kept her back against his. She aimed her rifle down the opposite alleyway, which led to a dead end against the Blue Shell’s outer wall.
Reaching the door, their maps marked as entrance to Fractured Moon controlled space, Chadavia took point. Dexter positioned himself to the left of the door. He pressed up against the wall, prepared for a breach and clear.
Lance lined up on the right with Stephanie behind him. She tapped his shoulder. The captain looked at his trainer and nodded. Chadavia took several deep breaths. Lance studied his body language. The Jarog was about to assault the door.
Bang… bang,bang… bangbangbangbang!
To Lance’s surprise, Chadavia leaned in and knocked rhythmically on the door. Dexter’s shoulders sank. With a screech, a view port slid open.
“What brings you here, SOAT?” a gruff, deep voice snarled from behind the door.
“We’re here to stop the war between the Sunless Blades and Crimson Dagger,” Chadavia replied.
“Let them tear themselves apart!”
“You’re neutral in this conflict, we respect that. We’re not asking you to get involved, just to allow us to pass through your territory as fellow neutral forces caught up in this fight.”
“We know why you’re here; it’s far from neutrality!”
Chadavia’s head tilted slightly. Lance felt a strange pulse of compliance push through him.
“If we don’t bring an end to this war, they’re going to turn on you, and even if they’re depleted, we both know you don’t stand a chance to win a war on two fronts. Let us pass and we can ensure the Fractured Moons survival.”
The being on the other side of the door fell silent. Lance, being between the two, had a desire to open the door in an effort to please Chadavia. He resisted. The viewing port slid shut with a screech. Several heavy clanks reverberated through the door before it was flung open.
CLANG!
“Ow!” Dexter exclaimed as the door stopped suddenly against him.
“Fine,” the keeper relented, revealing themselves to be a massive, hunched over, batlike humanoid.
“Thank you, ma’am,” Chadavia said as he stepped through. “These are other SOAT operatives here to assist in my mission. They mean you as little harm as I do.”
She stepped back and motioned for them to enter. Lance stepped through, followed by Stephanie and Dexter, who wiped off the rust that transferred from the door to his armor. It was quickly shut and sealed behind them.
“That’s a ma’am?” Dexter asked as he caught up.
“And a very close acquaintance; her hearing got me out of more than one scrape,” Chadavia replied.
“Ever thought about telling someone that you didn’t have the droids they’re looking for with that trick?” Stephanie asked.
“I don’t own any droids, so that statement would make little sense,” Chadavia replied. “Before we pass all the way through, we need to speak with Titan, get his permission to fully traverse.”
Lance clenched his jaw. Adrenaline seeped through his system. Between the Levaths and Tardigs, what species could merit the time Titan?
“Where can we find Titan?” Lance asked after taking a deep breath to remain in control.
“Go straight, stop in the square, and I’ll tell him you’re coming,” the door keeper replied.
“Thank you very much,” Chadavia said before turning and leading them straight down similarly dilapidated streets. “I know this is your mission, but I have a rapport with Titan, so let me do the talking. And whatever you do, don’t stare.”
“What happens if we stare?” Dexter asked.
“I’ve seen him bite clean through the armor and arm of guys bigger than you for much less, so I’d say nothing,” the Jarog countered.
“Good point; thanks for the warning!”
“No problem, and lower your weapons,” Chadavia added as he nodded above them.
Lance looked at the sprawling cavern above, built high by old metal. Almost half of the windows were unlocked and open. People sat at them; barrels of their weapons leaned against the seal just waiting for the order.
Hrafn squad obliged, lowering their rifles as they pressed forward. Ahead of them, the street opened to a large roundabout with a platform in the center. Steps led to its flat top, fifteen feet off the ground.
Humans, Galio, Jarog, every race that Lance heard of until this point and dozens more that he hadn’t emerged from the side streets and alleyways. Some wore dirty uniforms, others scraggly clothes. The majority, however, donned night blue armor with an image of a pale moon split into pieces on their chest.
On the platform stood a bipedal being with mousy features and jet-black fur that covered any part of him not protected with armor. He stood just shorter than Justin with a flatter snout than expected for what could only be described as a giant mouse.
“Oh boy!” Dexter exclaimed in his best Mickey voice.
Lance stifled a laugh as he shook his head.
“Can it!” he snapped.
“Titan, master of the Fractured Moon, I have SOAT business to attend to in Sunless Blades territory. I humbly ask that you allow me and my fellow SOAT operatives to pass through your territory. We will cause no issues,” Chadavia called out as he tapped his forehead with three fingers before making rolling motions forward.
“I will not play part in the war between Devris or Uata,” Titan snarled in a raspy voice.
He looked over Lance. Yellow piercing eyes stared from a thick brow sporting several scars. For such a small being, the captain understood where Titan got his name. It was a look that would make Leon break.
“I’ve smelt your kind before. I’ve brought several of them into my fold.” Titan’s nose twitched as he leaned forward. “But I’ve never smelt one like you three. Tell me why this is.”
“Couldn’t say for sure,” Lance replied, wanting to appease the crime lord and get moving. “My best guess is that we’ve been enhanced to be the genetic peak our bodies can be.”
“That’d be a useful trait to have in my employ,” Titan sneered before scratching the back of a torn-up ear.
“We’re here on official SOAT business,” Lance countered. “We’re not looking for any trouble, or a new job; we’re just looking to pass through. We’ve got currency, if that will help ease this transition.”
“Money isn’t as interesting to me as favors,” Titan countered.
“You owe me, Titan,” Chadavia called out, causing the criminal to turn his attention back to the Jarog. “From when I warned you about the assassination planned for your mother.”
“Are you sure you want to spend that favor on something so frivolous?” Titan asked, tapping his fingertips together.
“Yes.”
“Very well, Chadavia, our accounts are settled. You may pass.”
Chadavia started walking, and Lance followed closely behind. Instantly, every rifle barrel raised up and pointed at him. The captain froze in place. He took a sharp breath as Titan lifted a hand.
“I said Chadavia could go, not you humans. Offer me something I want, and I’ll consider letting you pass,” Titan mused, motioning toward them.
“I’ve got a gun,” Lance said, drawing his plasma pistol.
“I have countless guns,” Titan argued, motioning to the weapons pointed at them.
“What about armor?” Dexter asked. “We’ve got some good suits on our ship.”
“A deal on credit is only struck by a fool,” Titan replied with a head shake.
Stephanie pulled Marty off her hip and lifted it into the air.
“What about technology?” she asked, releasing the robot.
Its legs sprang out before hitting the ground. Marty scurried around before remote hacking into a projected sign a few yards away and playing one of its own videos on it.
“Technology like that is cheap for someone like me.”
Lance narrowed his eyes. Tilting his head, the helmet retracted so he could meet Titan’s gaze unobstructed. A sneer crept across his face, showing razor sharp teeth hiding just out of view.
“It doesn’t matter what we offer,” Lance muttered. “He said to offer him something he wants; he only wants one thing. You get one favor from me and me alone. I am the commanding officer of these two, so they’re of no use to you. One favor that isn’t murder, and all three of us join Chadavia.”
“Are you sure you want to remove murder off the table? It’s typically such a fun one to do!”
Lance eyed the guns. His stomach fluttered in nervousness as his skin itched each place a rifle was aimed, which was all over.
“No murder!” he emphasized.
“So be it! But be ready when I call and keep in mind if you go back on our deal, not even the SOATs are safe from Tachyon,” Titan warned as he motioned past him. “You may go!”
Lance summoned his helmet once more, waving for his team to follow. Stephanie picked up Marty. Chadavia wasted no time once they cleared the square and started to run. Hrafn squad picked up the pace and stayed close behind him.
“Think Titan’s leaning into the whole moon theme with the rat thing he’s got going on?” Dexter asked.
“I doubt any other race made jokes that the moon was cheese,” Stephanie replied.
After several minutes of running, Chadavia slowed down. Shaking his head, he turned toward Lance.
