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Post by General John "Aegis" Murlance on Jun 3, 2005 14:37:24 GMT -5
Firing fervently at the Blakists who were taking pot-shots at us, I worked my way back behind the front line. I had heard Garland take the hit, and had seen him go down. In the chaos that ensued, everyone's spatial awareness became slightly distorted, as panic overtook reason in the midst of the gunfire.
I noticed a service hatch just out of the squad's line of sight that I could access relatively easy. Glancing around, I realized that the only people near me were Maxwell, Mamba, and the stricken Garland. As Mamba could clearly no longer be trusted, I had to consider her as much of a threat as the rest. As such, I waited until all were suitably preoccupied, and ducked into the adjoining corridor. The hatch opened relatively easy, and I took no long measure of time ducking into the conduit beyond, securing the entry once again as I did so.
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Post by Lieutenant Kei-teh Kintaru on Jun 3, 2005 18:59:06 GMT -5
Automatic plasma rounds scorched around me as another team of Blakists came roaring around the corner. They weren’t called in. They had been waiting. I knew this because of two things. The first thing I noticed was their equipment. The patrols that we had seen so far only carried standard “small talk” equipment. These two teams carried what seemed to be battlefront weapons. The second thing I noticed was that the second team were not out of breath. If they had been called in the enemy would surly show signs of tiredness from rushing around this labyrinth of corridors. So HOW did they know to wait for us here? Were we that loud when “interviewing” the special agent? Hell if I knew.
I had taken refuge behind a large pipe that was opposite the stairway were Garland had been rushed down for medical attention. This wasn’t looking good; the shot that he had been inflicted did look bad, even from my point of view. Peaking around the corner whilst I was crouching I could count six grunts altogether. Six very pissed off grunts might I add, and they showed no sign of giving up.
Typical Blake bastard… I murmured, reloading another magazine into my plasma pistol. When I finished reloading I noticed something that made my heart jump into my throat… the General was missing. I hadn’t noticed where he had disappeared to, but wherever he went it wasn’t where we needed him. Before I could report anything to anyone, a plasma round came dangerously close to hitting me. The round hit the large pipe, vomiting steam into the corridor. The steam hugged the surroundings and shrouded my body, making me near invisible.
Great I muttered, smiling to myself…
As silence masked the dull humming of the machinery buzzing around us, much like the steam had masked my whereabouts, the Blake team moved in for the kill. Their targeting lasers danced around the corridor in the thinning steam, especially around the area that I had planted myself previously. Fortunately, I had managed to cling to a pipe above the enemy team undetected. As their eyes searched forward, I attacked from behind. Crossing my legs around the ceiling pipe, a reached down to the guard directly below and grabbed his head. With a harsh twist of my arms, the poor simpleton’s neck broke like a toothpick. As the rest of his team spun around to see what the commotion was, I threw a pair of daggers into the crowd, flooring two of the guards. Three down, three to go. Unsheathing “Ryu” I charged into the remaining enemy, catching them off guard. My blade made short work of the poorly trained team. I skilfully sliced through the evil bastards, coating my newly acquired Blakist uniform in the blood and flesh of it’s intended “user”. How ironic. As I stood in the bloody mess, a foul sceptical to behold, one of the “daggered” Blakists struggled to raise his firearm. As I turned around, fearing I was about to become Blake Swiss cheese, the trooper’s life was extinguished by a hail of plasma rifle fire.
“You should be more careful Corporal” Sergeant Net said, reloading his weapon. I stood still looking up at the ceiling. The steam had condensed and water began to drip from the ceiling. Opening my mouth I swallowed a few droplet of water to quench my thirst.
“I got carried away… thank you… sir” I replied, closing my eyes and swallowing hard. The Sergeant checked me over and gave a disapproving face at my current appearance. I didn’t blame him, after all I did have many “disapproving” attributes to my character. Much of this came about after that horrific incident… but now wasn’t the time to indulge in saddening memories. A team mate had been hit and I needed to assist. I made my way down the stair way and looked over Garland. Maxwell and Mamba rushed to stop the bleeding the best they could, and continually searched for items from their medical kits. From what I could see, the round hadn’t hit any vital organs. I crouched next to Maxwell as he made his analysis. I was now able to get a closer look of the wound. We now had to stop both the bleeding and any possible infection. Garland was looking pale and was running a cold sweat. This wasn’t looking good at all. Reaching into one of the many pouches on my utility belt, I pulled out a small plastic test tube, which contained a small greenish power. It was a small concoction of the “Kintaru clan” and would guarantee no infection within the wound. [/color
“That’s it! I’ve stopped the bleeding!” Mamba said in excitement. This was very good news, I could now use my “home brew”. Maxwell looked at the test tube I held in my hands and questioned what it was.
“It is a mixture of herbs and plant extracts that stops infection. Not only does it kill any harmful bacteria it comes into contact with, it also acts fast” I replied as I began to remove the lid. Maxwell gave a disapproving look.
“I bet that stuff hasn’t passed MRBC field tests and regulations?”
“This isn’t time for jokes sir. Trust me on this”
Maxwell looked down at Garland. None of us had any for of antiseptic in our medical kits and though the bleeding had stopped, there was no guarantee that we could get him to a medic in time before all of our mission objectives where complete.
I awaited Maxwell’s answer.
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Post by Captain Benjamin Maxwell on Jun 3, 2005 19:31:54 GMT -5
"Do it." I replied, hesitating only momentarily. Garland wasn't getting any better, and we were running out of time. As Keith set about preparing his healing remedy, I glanced around at the smoldering carnage before us.
They knew we were coming...but how? Were we too obvious in the break room? And...where the hell is Murlance?
The answers eluded me as I motioned to Holms Net to perform a head count.
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Post by Holms Net on Jun 3, 2005 20:14:05 GMT -5
...5, 6, 7, 8... where was nine... Maybe I was miscounting...... 8... who is missing... Murlance.
I tuned in to Maxwell's comm, not wanting to give any chance of Blakists hearing me.
We have everyone here but Bishop-4, Murlance, sir. He must of slipped off during the fighting. There are a few vents around here he could of slipped through, I suppose, if he decided to go army-style. Want me to get a few of us to look for him?
As I awaited a response, I glanced around, looking for any signs of where Murlance had gone.
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Post by Lieutenant Kei-teh Kintaru on Jun 3, 2005 20:46:10 GMT -5
“Do it.” Maxwell replied, hesitating at first. Crouching down, I looked into Garland’s panic stricken eyes.
“Garland? Garland, can u hear me?” I said clearly, snapping my fingers in front of his eyes. His pupils locked onto my fingers at first, then they slowly crept towards my eyes.
“Sir, there is no easy way to say this. I’m going to administer an antiseptic to stop any infection. Its fast acting but there is one draw back. Its going to hurt. Its going to hurt A LOT and we cannot give you any painkillers because it will slow your heart rate down if it is mixed with this antiseptic” I said, saying each word clearly and carefully so that he understood. Garland bit down on his lower lip and nodded furiously.
“Do it. Just do it” He growled, giving out a few heavy breaths. Reaching into my back pocket, I pulled out piece of wood that I would use to stir food when out in the fields on exercise.
“Bite down on this… it’s the best I can do”<br> I placed the solid piece of wood across his mouth so that he could bite down on it to relieve some pain mentally. The wooden stirring rod was long enough so that if he did pass out there was no threat in choking or swallowing it. Garland’s teeth clasped onto the wooden rod and he gave another quick nod. His eyes were wide with terror, but he seemed ready. I peeled back some of the wrapping that covered the entrance of the wound, poured a small amount of the green powder into the palm of my hand and rubbed it quickly all over the damaged area. Garland winched in pain and gave out a muffled howl. The pain he would be feeling would be near indescribable. Perhaps it would be best compared to pouring a large amount of whiskey into the same style wound. Just as quickly as I had administered the first amount of the antiseptic, I turned Garland on his side and administered the second amount to the exit wound. Another howl of pain could be heard. Mamba whispered some soothing woods into Garland’s ear to calm him down. I guessed it was a woman’s trait. As soon as I had finished rubbing in the powder, myself and Gunman helped bandage our wounded comrade, while Maxwell had words with Holms about Murlance’s where abouts. Where could he have gone? This was defiantly stirring up some trouble for us, something that was infuriating everyone.
As I turned Garland onto his back I could see he had passed out from the pain. Gunman pulled the wooden rod out of his mouth and examined it with a surprised look on his face. He then passed it back to me and I could see why he was surprised. Garland had a tough bite indeed; the wooden rod had nearly been bitten in half.
“He should come around in a few minutes and he should be able to walk with some assistance.” I said, chucking the ruined stirring rod aside.
I placed the small test tube back into my pocket and waited for Garland to wake up.
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Post by Dr. Jessica Saturina on Jun 3, 2005 21:18:52 GMT -5
Alot of gun fire and mens voices coming from the stairwell landing that Garland had just charged onto. Only problem is it didnt sound like Garland had the upper hand like he had hoped when the light grenade was used. Then Captain Maxwell yelled.
"Garland's hit! Get me some covering fire!"
As the others gave us cover, Gunman and myself ran up to where Garland was, grabbing him we pulled him down to our landing laying him out to assess his injury. Captain Maxwell quickly came in and started pulling off his armor and clothing to see how bad it was.
"Shit...Mamba! Get the Eligus diagnoser out of my pack! I need to know the extent of this wound!"
Moving quickly I ran to where the Captains pack was, furiously trying to find the instrument he requested. I finally found the instrument, jumped up to run toward the group helping Garland when something caught my eye. I seen a shadowy figure slipping out one of the service hatches. I couldnt take time to investigate. The Captain needed this instrument, so I ran quickly back over to him and handed it to him as he and Gunman were trying desperately to stop the bleeding.
Here Sir, I found what you asked for.
I handed it to him, but wasnt sure how much good it would do. Garlands wound looked pretty bad. There was a lot of blood. Captain Maxwell and myself were working hard to get it stopped. Kintaru joined us on the floor with Garland, he brought out a tube with a greenish powder looking stuff in it.
That’s it! I’ve stopped the bleeding!
I had finally manage to get the bleeding stopped. Kintaru wanted to put the greenish powder on the wound. He and Maxwell exchanged words over weather or not to use it, then Maxwell gave him permission to use it.
I seen Captain Maxwell motion to Holms Net to do a head count, as he did, mentally I did too, but I already knew someone was missing, in all the excitement I just didnt know exactly who. Then I heard over the comm that it was Murlance. I knew then and there this was the time. I had to Talk to the Captains. I leaned over as close to Captain Maxwell as I could get.
Sir, General Murlance being missing is a very bad sign. I think its time for me to talk to you and Captain Dillenger about what's going on with him. I feel that it is very important for the completion of this missiong that you both know what his mission here is. So, as soon as we can I really need to talk to Captain Dillenger. I would like you and Captain Gunman to be present as well.
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Nicholas Schuster
Regular
DECEASED
"Blakists are like a virus. And WE are the cure."
Posts: 139
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Post by Nicholas Schuster on Jun 4, 2005 13:11:07 GMT -5
As the last of the Blakists hit the ground like a sack of potatoes, I dropped my weapon to my side and wiped perspiration from my brow. This had been the heaviest bout of resistance I had expected to encounter thus far, and it had caught me off-guard.
As Captain Dillenger reloaded his weapon, I glanced around at our team.
"Our."
I chastised myself for using the word. This wasn't "my" team, and it was no longer "my" mission we were on. I was a prisoner, and it would do no good to forget that.
I stepped carefully up the flight of stairs behind us, where a knot of people had begun to gather on the landing. Corporal Kintaru was wiping blood from his hands, while Sergeant Zhukov stood unusually close to him, looking about shiftily. Captain Maxwell and Commander Mamba were conversing about General Murlance - though I didn't catch the details of their exchange. Meanwhile, Sergeant Holms Net crouched over Lieutenant Garland, who appeared to be in excruciating pain, and only semi-conscious. I moved toward the stricken Lieutenant.
"You're just going to leave him like this??" I shot at Holms Net, as I dropped down onto my knees next to Garland, assessing the extent of his wounds and the treatment that had been applied. He was still in obvious pain, and there was no telling how long it would take for the remedies in place to take hold.
"Kintaru gave him a herbal fix. The Eligus diagnoser says the wound's already starting to heal."
"That's all fine and good - if you're not worried about him being able to stand up." I replied, slinging my backpack onto the ground and removing a small pack containing a number of different remedies, including painkillers, antitoxins, stimulants, and even a small syringe of cyanide.
I gazed at the cyanide for long moments. If I were to inject myself with it, I would be dead before the others even knew what happened. It would be an excruciating death, but perhaps preferable to...
...I shook the thought off before it had time to finish. I plucked a syringe full of cordrazine, a powerful stimulant, from the pack, as well as another, containing an advanced form of painkillers, which would allow Garland to return to near-normal functionality.
Pulling off the caps of both syringes with my teeth, I primed both plungers, and administered both sets of injections simultaneously. Once the drugs had been dispensed in their entrity, I took hold of the Lieutenant's wrist, monitoring his pulse, which grew stronger and more even as the seconds passed.
At long last, Garland's eyes fluttered open.
"Lieutenant Garland. Can you hear me? How do you feel?"
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Post by Commander Garrett Garland on Jun 5, 2005 15:22:48 GMT -5
I felt two pricks in my skin and then a familiar feeling of liquid entering my bloodstream. The first liquid was very warm and diffused quickly throughout my body, wherever it reached I seemed to loose some of the feeling, but the pain from my wound-- and the other medicines, was gone. Before where I had felt excruciating pain there was only a dull throbbing. The second liquid was cold, very cold. Unlike the first it did not diffuse throughout my body, instead it went straight to my head. It was as if someone had taken a hammer and smashed my skull but as soon as I felt the sensation it was gone, taking with it my grogginess. I was finally able to open my eyes fully and they were staring right into Schuster’s, "Lieutenant Garland. Can you hear me? How do you feel?"
I found that my voice had strength, “Yes, I can hear you, thanks. I feel—fine? Is that normal?”
Schuster replied, “Admittedly, you’re going to be out for a week after this stuff runs out, for the next day or so you’ll probably be more alert than you have ever been. Be careful though because you’re missing most of your armor, so another hit like that and there will be nothing that we can do for you.”
Sergeant Holms Net offered me a hand up and gave me a smile, but his eyes gleaned with warning; don’t become too friendly with our new team member…”
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Post by Holms Net on Jun 6, 2005 16:42:12 GMT -5
After Garland was up, most people were still dealing with a few minor injuries of their own, and talking among eachother, trying to figure out waht was going on. I went over and searched the Blakists, seeing if I could find anything of any use. The only things I could find were some clips of ammunition, and one Blakist had a unique looking knife on him, that I took the pleasure of taking for any close encounters.
It had obviously seemed someone had let these guys know we were coming, they were too well organized, too well armed. They were still just Blakist grunts, nothing special about them.
As I continued to look around for anything of interest, Commander Dillenger called us all back to get ourselves back on our mission.
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Post by Dr. Jessica Saturina on Jun 6, 2005 20:06:39 GMT -5
After Agent Schuster administered the liquids in the two viles into Garlands body, he started coming around. Amazingly quite quickly, he seemed almost as good as new. I was so relieved that he was going to be ok. Holms Net offered Garland a hand up. Garland took his hand jumping up as if he hadn't even been injured.
I went over close to Garland, placing my hand on his arm, smiling up at him.
It's good to have you up and feeling yourself Lieutenant, that was a very close call, but thanks to multiple efforts you seem to be good to go. Just be careful.
Thanks Commander, its good to be up and back to the task at hand.
I then walked over to where Captain Dillenger was standing conversing with Captain Maxwell and Captain Gunman.
Captain Dillenger, Sir snapping a salute I have some very important information. I think it is time for me to let you know just what General Muralnce was up to. I feel with the way things have gone and his total disregard for your command and the lives of the others, that you should know that he is not here to help you with your mission. He is here for his own purpose. I admit I went along with him in The beginning. He is my commanding officer through the MRBC, and I was to try and help him to delay the efforts of the Legionnaires while he gained access to the part of the base he needed to get to. I was very uncomfortable with this, but felt it was my duty to be loyal to him, but after seeing the way he reacted to what happened when the base locked down and his treatment of Schuster, I can not stay silent anymore.
I understand Commander. I do wish you had come forward sooner, but I'm glad you have come to me now. You need to tell me what his purpose is here.
Well, all he told me was that there is some extremely important technology buried here that he was commissioned to retrieve. He didn't say by whom. Only that they didn't want it to fall into anyones hands. Apparently it is extremely important and powerful. I don't know who sent him, but it wasn't the MRBC. The fact that he apparently has no regard for anyones lives on this mission, to me, makes him dangerous, and he should be caught and stopped before he can reach his objective.
I agree Commander
Captain Maxwell, and Captain Gunman was present as Captain Dillenger and I conversed. Dillenger then motioned for everyone to regroup. He then began briefing us on what was to happen next.
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Post by Captain Adam "Gunman" Wolf on Jun 6, 2005 23:19:29 GMT -5
As the fighting died down rather quickly, Captain Maxwell motioned for me to join Captain Dillenger, Commander Mamba and himself over by the door away from the rest of the group. Getting up from my guard position over Garland's injured form, I noticed Holmes giving him a hand up and I quickly jogged over to meet the others in a few quick strides.
"Well, all he told me was that there is some extremely important technology buried here that he was commissioned to retrieve. He didn't say by whom. Only that they didn't want it to fall into anyones hands. Apparently it is extremely important and powerful. I don't know who sent him, but it wasn't the MRBC. The fact that he apparently has no regard for anyones lives on this mission, to me, makes him dangerous, and he should be caught and stopped before he can reach his objective."
"I agree Commander."
Just as Commander Mamba was finishing up explaining what she knew about Murlance's own agenda, I heard some noises coming from down the hall. Looking down into the darkness in the direction of the noises, I looked back at the group for a moment.
Excuse me sirs, ma'am. I've got a possible contact down the hall, I'm going to check it out, I advise we get the rest of the team ready to move out. I'm going to go alone so that I don't attract too much attention.
Without even waiting for a response I silently slipped down the hall, pulling out my MAG-18 and flipping the fire control switch from "Semi-Auto" to "Full-Auto" a slight hum emitting from the weapon as the electronic firing system readjusted and the weapon went to full power.
Crouching low I peeked around the end of the corridor I was in, the darkness making it rather hard to see much of anything, but I did catch the same sound I heard earlier, the slight whine of an electric motor and the scrap of metal on the ferro-steel grating covering the floor. Something large was moving out there, but what I couldnt begin to imagine. Turning on my night vision built into my combat visor, I slowly made my way out around the corner and towards the deeper darkness of the far wall. The faint sweep of a low intensity flashlight swept across the opposite wall of me coming from a nearby hallway, signalling that there was definately someone else there. The slight whir of mechanical motors could be heard a little louder as I gently peaked my head around the corner slowly. What I saw next nearly caused my heart to stop.
Standing in the blackness and slowly moving towards me I could clearly make out the sillohuette of two PA(L) Tornado class power armour suits, moving methodically through the corridor. They both stopped suddenly and I quickly ducked back around the corner praying that they didnt see me. They were just within earshot, and I was able to barely catch what they were saying.
"What was that? Did you see something?"
"Probably just your mind playing tricks on you again, you still haven't gotten over that fear of yours have you?"
"Shut up Carl, shouldn't we have heard from the infantry teams by now, we don't even know where they Mercs are. Those Mercs couldn't have taken them out could they? We should get moving, we're almost to the rendevous point."
"Calm down Jack, remember we're still waiting for Henry, we can't arrive at the rendevous without him, our CO would kill us if we arrived a man down again."
"Yeah I know, where is Henry, what is taking him so long? You don't think the Mercs got him too do you?"
"God no, Jack, just calm down, you have to remember that Henry's got that new Purifier battle armour, damn thing is so big and clunky compared to the PA(L) suits, sure its got more firepower, but its a bitch to wear."
"Yeah yeah, lets just keep moving alright?"
"Fine."
As the gentle whir or electric motors began again I figured they were on the move once again, I couldn't let them get to their rendevous, let alone meet up with their friend in the purifier, I had to alert the team and let them know the situation. Flicking my comm open I waited for confirmation from Maxwell or Dillenger before continueing.
Bishop-3, this is Bishop-2, both Bishop-1 and myself read you loud and clear, whats your situation?
Not so good, we've got 2 PA(L) Tornado class units and a possible Purifier enroute to our general location, looks like our ambush friends were planning a bigger party. The sudden sound of assault rifle fire and depleted uranium slugs richocheting off ferro-steel could be heard a little close for comfort over the comm followed by some breif silence and scuffling.
Bishop-3 What's your status? What's your status?"
Bishop-2, things are heating up, get the team moving NOW, I'm coming in hot.
The moment the assault rifle fire broke out I realized that my position had been comprimised, they must have picked up the initial comm signal I sent before the encyption and tight beam frequency was fully operational, that meant they must have been monitoring for any disturbances very closely. Damn... this is gonna get ugly. I though to myself as I quickly backpedalled while still in a slight crouching position, relaying my final message to the team I opened fire. Leveling my sights on the nearest PA(L) my MAG-18 let loose with a hail of fire, charged particles scorching the air itself as the rounds exited the barrel and headed towards their intended target. The first 5 round burst grazed the the PA(L)'s left shoulder, the Blakist barely even acknowledged being hit inside his heavy armour. The mynomer muscles flexing heavily as he began to speed towards me assault rifle leveled towards my chest. As my night vision automatically dimmed in the muzzle flash, I momentarily lost sight of the farthest PA(L). Diving to the left side of the hall, a torrent of fire from the Blakists rifle ripped into the conduits and piping extruding from the wall. Taking a slight moment longer to aim this time I squeezed off another 10 round burst, this time each photon round slammed into its mark, searing through the mynomer muscles across the calf of his right leg, the tendons snapping violently as the armour is cored. Rolling back to the right side of the hallway I get up and fire off another 15 rounds into his back, I heard a muffled scream from his faceplate as the armour literally melted away under the brute force the directed fire. His left arm dropping limp, and the severe sparking from the acuated hip of the armour indicated he was disabled if not worse.
Now where did that second guy get too? I wondered, but not for too long because a moment latter I was thrust face first into the back of the downed PA(L) as my right shoulder erupted in pain. A quick glance over showed me that the entire right shoulder pad had been blown apart by a particle weapon of some sort. Apparently the other PA(L) was more heavily armed than the first. Ignoring the pain I dove to the side wincing as I rolled across the damaged section of my armour to get back to my feet. My eyes adjusted again in the night vision to focus on the PA(L) taking aiming for a second shot with his particle rifle. I ducked down and ran like a bat outta hell down the corridor I had originally traveresed, holding my rifle out to the side and just squeezing the trigger. The full-auto took care of the rest as it let a torrent of blueish energy gush down the hallway, several rounds striking solid hits against my heavily armoured opponent while several more flew harmlessly past him into the various conduits and structures along the wall. As another pinkish beam fired past my head, I caught sight of the doorway the rest of the team was behind. Activating the comm through my visor I called for help.
This is Bishop-2, I have a heavy target approaching the door at your last known co-ordinates, could use some assistance right about .... NOW!
With the final few words I whipped myself around and went into a backwards lunge the would leave me slidding on my backside across the grated floor. Grabbing the MAG-18 with both hands I cocked the pump action Plasma Pulse grenade launcher and squeezed the trigger as soon as the PA(L) was in my sights. As the superheated round burst forth from the 60mm barrel I hit the floor hard, all I saw next was the PA(L) suit take the round square in the chest, as chunks of charred metal burst out of him and hammered the walls, the plasma grenade lept across the suits surface, burning everything along the way, similar to a PPC effect on a 'mech. Right then the door to my right burst open and Maxwell, Dillenger, Holmes, Garland, Mamba, Kintaru, and anyone else that had a weapon opened fire from the wide doorway. Whatever was left of the PA(L) suit wouldn't be able to be identified aside from maybe dental records as the countless rounds shredded the powered suit in bits of frayed ferro-steel and mynomer tendons.
Thanks guys, perfect timing. I said as I got up, heading back to the doorway I checked my shoulder for injury, there didnt appear to be anything aside from some severe bruising along the backside, just don't want to take a hit there with no armour left.
Turning to Maxwell and Dillenger I said, Might I suggest we get this show on the road? There's bound to be more where they came from
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Post by Star Captain Killian Bekker on Jun 7, 2005 0:30:32 GMT -5
The mission was starting to get increasingly difficult. The General we now knew was on some sort of quest to gain the LosTech before we could. On top of that, somehow the Blakists were expecting us. Not to mention the prisoner I now held that was a link to a past I thought was long forgotten.
...and perhaps the key to our survival.
Okay, Mamba, Zhukov, Keith, the prisoner and myself are going after Murlance. Captain Maxwell, take the rest of the team and find out what LosTech is here. Whatever the General wants, he is gonna have to take it from my cold dead fingers first.
Do you think splitting up is wise?
Yes, I do believe so. I don't think we are going out the way we came in either.
Captain Maxwell looked me over, but his eyes revealed that he knew that I had to be the one that found Murlance. He spoke with a tone I didn't often hear from him.
Dillenger, just promise you won't kill the General unless you have to. I want some answers from him.
I can't promise that I won't hurt him, but on my honor I will try to keep him alive at least.
With that I picked the first set of doors leading down that I could find and motioned for my team to make haste.
The General has a good head start, but there's one thing he forgot about.
I pulled out my datapad and tapped a few entries. Once I navigated to the proper menu I clicked on the General's Icon. It was slow at first, but it managed to zero in on his general location.
...leave no man behind. I gotta love the techs.
Zhukov, Mamba. You're on point, if it moves it dies.
I tapped the datapad again and my team's HUDs began to display the last known location of the General. Mamba steeled herself and began moving at a decent clip. Her honor was at stake and Murlance was all that stood in her way.
Bishop-1 to all units, my team is on the trail. I suspect we aren't too far behind.
Aff. Bishop-1. Good luck and happy hunting.
We snaked though narrow corridors that seemed to get narrower as we went. The HUD told me that Murlance should only be another few hundred meters away.
Commander Dillenger, the General doesn't seem to be moving anymore. In fact, it seems that he isn't moving at all.
Well, if he knew we were tracking him, he'd ditch the device, but since I don't think he knows yet...
Mamba stopped dead in her tracks. I looked in her direction and saw an interface panel and the radio that contained the tracking unit lying on it's side.
Bishop-1 to all units, I have located an interface panel to what appears to be the hidden bunker's main computer. The General was here, we will continue our search.
Understood, Bishop-1. Keep me updated. Bishop-2 out.
I turned to Schuster.
Can you hack that?
Sure, the security protocols are rather dated, but it should be a rather simple task.
Then do it. Find out where the General is going, I intend to meet him there.
...just give me a reason to kill you...or the General.
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Post by Captain Benjamin Maxwell on Jun 7, 2005 10:25:19 GMT -5
The stairway wound downward for a great distance, descending beneath the walls of the surface complex and into darkness. The Blakist presence here had been minimal - after all, they had secured access to the Brian cache through the base's main blast doors, and as such, they had little use for a rear-facing service corridor. It was sheer fortune that we had been able to dispatch every patrol we encountered before they had had a chance to fire a message off to their commanders, alerting them to our presence. I agonized over how much longer that luck would hold out, and what we would encounter once we reached the heart of the facility.
The stairwell terminated in a dark, damp cavern which ran to the southwest, apparently hewn from the rock face millennia ago by ancient, long-vanished flood forces. Stalactites descended majestically from the ceiling, their moist surfaces glinting in the low torch-light like the fangs of massive beasts. Umber-colored rock walls loomed around us, and my infra-red flashlight cast eerie, distorted shadows across their surfaces. The sound of trickling water echoed through the tunnels, though I couldn't determine where its source was.
Strikingly out of place here was a large, enclosed, power relay device, which, though horribly battered, was adorned with faintly glowing status lights. It read "High Voltage," and its cables snaked down the cavern, disappearing around a corner at the far southwest end.
I couldn't have asked for a clearer sign as to where we were to go.
I motioned for the team to fall in behind me, and, single-file, we made our way stealthily to the end of the tunnel. Two guards stood to either side, one of them fumbling with a cigarette, the other knocking back a beer, both oblivious to our presence there.
"...the woman and me got into it again last night."
I motioned to Gunman to move to the right side of the tunnel. He nodded an acknowledgment, and flanked right as we crept up behind the guards.
"Again? Why are you two always fighting?"
I moved to within inches of the left guard's back.
"I like the way she fights. So anyway, I says to her - "
The guard suddenly stopped speaking, and looked around frantically. Gunman and I froze.
"Aw, damnit, Frankie! I left my freakin' lighter at the last checkpoint. Hook me up, will ya?"
"Sure, Pete. Sure. Here."
'Frankie' set his beer on the ground, and reached into his coverall pocket for the lighter. 'Pete' leaned over, and basked the end of his cigarette in the heat from the lighter's ignition grill.
"Thanks, Frankie."
Pete took a drag on the cigarette, while Frankie picked the beer back up.
"So I says to her, 'if you think I'm gonna spend 60 credits on a damn toaster oven, you're out of your freakin' mind.'"
"What'd she say to that?"
"Well, she..."
What 'her' response was will forever remain shrouded in mystery. Frankie and Pete both hit the ground like a pair of 'Mechs who had just ejected their pilots. Even in the 31st century, a broken neck was still one of the most effective ways to dispatch an opponent. Gunman signaled a thumbs-up to me, and I reflected the gesture, rifling through Frankie's pockets for anything that might be of use. I procured a key fob that dangled tantalizingly from his belt, as well as a pair of submission cuffs, before pulling back into the shadows.
I motioned for the team to fall in behind Gunman, and eased around the end of the rock corridor. The caverns formed a junction here, splitting off to the northeast and southeast. Another branch ran due west. We made our way down the northeastern tunnel, stepping over several makeshift laser nets and under a series of cleverly-mounted motion detectors, until the cave system dipped from the northwest to the northeast, creating a wedge-shaped junction that was impossible to see around. Ancient glyphs, carved deep into the rock face, caught the light of our infra-vision at odd angles, and one such particular engraving, which appeared to be a humanoid figure with a star-burst, featuring an extended eastern point carved into its torso, caught my eye.
As I peered around the wedge-shaped junction, the glyph was given meaning. The floor of the north-south cavern into which I gazed was covered over by an illuminated metal grating, which extended to a large, cog-shaped vault door in the far south. The cavern's ceiling had been reinforced with ribbed, circular metal trusses which seemed to play more than just a support role - though I couldn't work out what it was. To make matters worse, a large contingent of guards, backed by a myriad of security droids, automated defense emplacements, surveillance equipment, and a lumbering Kanazuchi Power Armor, paired with a Vetron unit, stood between us and the vault's entrance. A Mobile Field Base was present as well, its bristling sensor array in full 'analysis' mode. None of the forces present had taken notice of me yet, and I didn't want that to change any time in the near future, so I crept cautiously back out of sight to where the team waited.
"Well, folks, we've found the vault. Now - any suggestions as to how we might get in?"
As the team spoke amongst themselves, and analyzed the sensor reading I had taken, I reported our status to Captain Dillenger.
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Post by Holms Net on Jun 7, 2005 13:41:38 GMT -5
Most of us were sitting silently, thinking to ourselves. A few were talking to eachother, trying to think up a plan, but odds weren't exactly in our favor in this case.
Obviously, we couldn't go straight in there, we would be slaughtered. A distraction might work, but we would still most likely be left with enough hostile forces to dispatch us. Maybe a big distraction would work. Maybe get Dillenger to cause some sort of power failure, most likely getting some of the guards away, and shutting down most of the vaults automated defenses. Well, I figured that would work well, and waited for the team to finish speculating before we were called back together to discuss a way past this... problem.
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Post by Captain Benjamin Maxwell on Jun 7, 2005 13:47:42 GMT -5
OOC: I figured there would be confusion over who is where now that we've split up. To that end, I asked Captain Dillenger for clarification on this matter. As of right now, these are the current squads:
DILLENGER'S SQUAD - Dillenger - Zhukov - Mamba - Kintaru - Schuster
MAXWELL'S SQUAD - Maxwell - Gunman - Garland - Holms Net (addition by Captain Maxwell)
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