“Might I see your rifle?” he asked. Jaxon nodded and handed the gun over. Genos took a quick look through the scope before handing it back. “There is a hovercraft at the camp. I can activate it, and we can use it to approach the stronghold.”
“With the accelerators in our suits, we run at a baseline of twenty miles an hour. It would be a quick trip around this and any other camps along the route,” Jaxon pointed out.
“True, but the sand that we would kick up as we ran would make our movements obvious. Along with that, our armor generates a large enough amount of heat for thermal scanners to detect us, even in this climate,” the mechanist explained. “Using the hovercraft would be more advantageous in not raising suspicion, and if they require a code or signal to enter the main camp, there is a possibility that I can find and activate it with the hovercraft.”
“A well-thought-out plan, Genos, good deduction.”
“You were thinking the same thing?” Genos asked.
“It is part of my responsibilities to know my environment and the best way to accomplish a mission with a number of variables. But I feel it is important for any field class to consider these issues and how best to surmount them.”
Genos giggled for a moment, and Jaxon looked over with a quizzical look. “That is funny to you?”
The Tsuna continued to giggle as he explained, “I was thinking about friend Kaiden. You two are in the same class, but you seem to have very different ways of approaching situations. You are strategic and calm, and he is… Well, I have only seen his Division test recording and that battle against the Sauren, but he does not seem to be…that.”
“Kaiden has his own way of applying his skills and his own way of leading. It is…certainly different, but he will come into his own.” Jaxon looked back into his scope. “You should also keep in mind that if he is watching us in the observatory, he can hear you.”
Genos snapped a quick glance at Jaxon and then up at the sky as if looking for a camera. “That, um, that was not a negative observation, friend Kaiden.”
“Cheeky bastard,” Kaiden sneered, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms. Chiyo chuckled beside him. They sat in observation room thirty-eight, which was designed like all other observation rooms—a small square space with ten seats. A tablet on a small table between Kaiden and Chiyo allowed them to control the different viewpoints and gave them a bigger view of the map. A large monitor on the wall in front of them provided a bird’s eye view of the two Tsuna as they made their plans.
“Hey, Kaiden, Marlo said he, Silas, Izzy, Flynn, Amber, and Luke are looking for ya and wanted to know if you wanted to watch Jaxon’s test,” Chief notified him.
“Well, we’re already here, obviously. Give them the room number and tell them to get their asses over here asap. It looks like the good stuff is going to start soon.” Chief disappeared from view.
“Genos has a good mind for field work,” Chiyo noted. “I wonder what will happen when they reach the main base.”
“I wouldn’t be too worried. We got in a brawl with a Sauren a few weeks back that we thought wanted to kill us, and he was practically Zen through it all.”
“You got into a fight with a Sauren? Was it the same one you told me you were training with?”
“Raza, yeah. It was a hell of an introduction,” Kaiden recounted. “But Genos was able to take down a barrier that protected Wulfson’s guns and charge one up to full power while Raza was rampaging around the place. I think he’s more of a warrior than even he realizes. It’s probably because he isn’t used to fighting that much, but being good in a battle doesn’t always indicate who’s the better killer.”
“A surprisingly astute observation, coming from you.”
“Does everyone see me as a blood-lust-filled jackal?” Kaiden sneered.
“Kaiden, the destroyer of worlds, remember?” Chief jeered in his head, causing Kaiden to scowl.
“I can have more tact than that when I want to,” he said defensively.
“The numerous guards, mercs, and droids you’ve slaughtered through our missions alone would beg to differ,” she countered.
“Hey, it’s to our benefit that we take out as many as possible. For SXP and so they don’t come after us later in the mission.”
“During our third mission, I was able to block the alarm, and you still made a point to go into every room and take out any merc you came across, including the group playing poker in the basement,” Chiyo recalled dryly.
“As I just said—points,” he retorted.
“We would have gotten more points if we finished the mission within thirty minutes. Due to your…methodical style, we were in that mission for more than four hours.”
“Methodical. I think that’s how I’ll refer to it now.”
Chiyo sighed as she looked back at the screen. “It appears they are about to begin.”
“Are you ready, Genos?” Jaxon asked as he put his rifle away.
“Indeed.” The engineer nodded, drawing his pistol. It was a device that fired a remote access antenna, allowing the user to take control of most basic hardware.
“You take care of the two guards next to the hovercraft and create a distraction.” Jaxon held his knife, a long, eight-inch straight blade. “And I’ll take care of the trio around the tent.”
“I believe this will allow me to do both at once,” Genos declared.
His partner gave one final nod, and they both crouched and began moving towards the camp.
Genos made his way behind a stack of boxed supplies. He peered around the corner to see both guards looking away, one at a tablet and another at the sky, a perfect moment. He aimed at the one on the tablet and launched a round to his back, then quickly fired another shot at the second guard. With a calm movement, he opened a screen on his gauntlet and pressed a separate command for each soldier.
The guard on the right dropped his tablet, reached around his helmet, and tried to tear it off. No oxygen reached his lungs as Genos had activated his gas mask but not the oxygen tank, causing no air to enter and locking the helmet in place. The other guard seized up and fell to the ground as Genos locked the mechanical joints in the suit.
With futile scrabbling, the first man continued to try to remove his helmet. He ran around the hovercraft, flailing to catch the other guards’ attention. They stood and one rushed over to help, and Jaxon used that moment to sneak behind one of them and sink his blade into his neck. He leaped over the man and drove the knife through the visor of the second guard. As the asphyxiated defender fell, Jaxon flung the knife at the remaining man, piercing his shoulder. The Tsuna ran up and pulled the knife out and dragged it across his guard’s neck. The man shuddered for a moment before grasping at his throat and falling to the sand.
“Well done, kin. Not a single shot fired.” Genos unlocked the door to the hovercraft.
“Can you activate this?” Jaxon asked as he stowed his knife.
“Of course, but if you wouldn’t mind checking the guards for an access card or…actually, one moment.” He walked over to each of the downed mercs and removed their helmets, then studied them quickly.
“What are you looking for?”
“A signal chip. I could manufacture one if there is a record of them in the hovercraft, but that would take some time. It would be much easier if we simply had one already in…ah, here we are.” Genos pulled a small chip from one the helmets and inserted it into his own. “This should prove useful. Now, if we can get a little cooperation from the last one.” He looked over to the guard who was trapped in his armor.
The two walked over to him, hearing muffled yelling from behind the mask. “I turned off audio,” he explained. “One moment.” He pressed a command on the screen of his gauntlet that unlocked the helmet. With a deft movement he pulled it off, and they heard the guard yelling an alert.
“Intruders at Outpost Blue. All other men dead. Send reinforcements and alert the main base.”
“Outpost Blue? This seems to be
a running theme for us.” Genos chuckled.
“You blocked his radio, correct?” Jaxon asked.
“Of course. It is a basic rule.”
The guard continued to yell, apparently oblivious to their words. Jaxon sighed as he shoved a boot in the merc’s face and pushed him into the sand. “What do we need from him? I would like him to stop talking.”
“It’s a simple precaution. I wanted to create a couple of messages for any guards at the gate just in case.” Genos studied the helmet. “I blocked his radio, but his words might be stored on a recorder or internal hard drive. I could fashion a few dialogues using those.”
Jaxon continued to push the merc down with his boot. “I have my own ways of getting what we need.”
“That would be helpful,” Genos responded. “I think it would be most interesting to see whose methods are quicker. Use the recorder in your helmet and try to get some basic affirmations and a reason why we are returning.” He turned away and plugged a wire from his gauntlet into the helmet. “Oh, and please, do try not to wear him down too much. We need it to sound convincing.”
Kaiden whistled. “Wow, those guys are hardcore when they wanna be.”
“It is surprising how…good they are at this. I was under the impression that the Tsuna were more into the sciences and exploration than war,” Chiyo admitted.
“Hey, the Sauren are technically explorers too. Doesn’t stop them being really good at shedding blood,” Kaiden explained with feeling. “Besides, they have warrior clans. It figures they got to know a few things about it after all this time.”
The door to the room opened. They looked back to see the rest of the invitees walk in.
“How’s it going, mate?” Flynn asked with a wave.
“Y’all just missed Jaxon and Genos take down a camp of mercs,” Kaiden said with a nod at the screen. “Now they are…uh…” Kaiden watched as Jaxon took his knife and leaned down over the merc. “Well, Jaxon is having a polite discussion at the moment.”
“Is that sarcasm or is this another cultural thing that I’m not aware of?” Silas asked as he frowned at the view onscreen. “Because I’ll have to politely decline to participate if he ever asks me to.”
“Nah, that’s just Jaxon’s way of interrogating. He plays up the whole invading alien angle. Works pretty well,” Luke stated.
“How’d you guys do?” Kaiden inquired.
“We passed with a final score of seventy-six thousand.” Silas looked at Izzy. “Could have had a time bonus if someone didn’t have to look in every nook and cranny for bonuses.”
“Hey! Those bonuses were worth more than the time bonus,” Izzy argued. “Besides, it’s a matter of scout pride to look into crannies.”
“You’re supposed to establish footholds and excel at hit-and-run tactics and objective retrieval,” Silas retorted. “You’re not a surveyor with a better gun.”
“I have many talents,” Izzy declared with a flourish. “Besides, you can’t deny that I saved your ass in that trench.”
“The trench you pushed me into?” Silas inquired.
“That was to save you from a rocket blast!”
“The one I warned you about?” Silas chuckled. “Followed by you pushing me into a trench.”
“You’re hopeless.” Izzy sighed.
“While they continue to bicker, what about you and Marlo, Luke?” Kaiden asked.
“We did…all right,” Luke muttered as Marlo sighed.
“Turns out that they did have waves of enemies…lots of waves.” Marlo grunted, the sound despondent.
“But you got lots of points, right?” Flynn asked as he took a seat next to Kaiden.
Marlo shrugged. “Oh, sure, but remember what Izzy said about taking hits being deducted from your score?”
“We scraped by with a final score of thirty-seven thousand,” Luke grumbled.
“That doesn’t sound too bad,” Kaiden remarked cheerfully.
“You need a minimum of thirty thousand to pass,” Chiyo explained. “Unlike the Division test, you only receive fifteen thousand for completing the objective. The rest of the points come from eliminations, class bonuses, time bonuses, and secondary objectives.”
“Ah… Well, at least you passed.” Kaiden tried to sound reassuring.
“Yeah, barely, but Mr. Kitzinger, my workshop teacher, is probably gonna make me do extra training,” Luke whined.
“Not to mention what Wulfson is gonna do to us,” Marlo added. Both giant soldiers shivered.
“At least I’m not the only one worried about that now,” Kaiden whispered to himself.
“It looks like Genos and Jaxon are getting ready to head to the main base,” Chiyo reported. The rest of the group took their seats and watched the screen as the two Tsuna climbed into the hovercraft and sped out of the camp.
“Now the real show starts,” Kaiden exclaimed.
Chapter Thirty
Jaxon and Genos raced through the desert. The sand slapped against the windshield of the craft. Genos hunched low, scanning through the screen on his gauntlet.
“What are you looking for, Genos?” Jaxon asked, his gaze alternating between the map on the visor of his helmet and looking out at the terrain for other camps and possible ambushes.
“Trying to figure out the best way to destroy the facility. We were not given much information, but if they have a core I can overload or a munitions bunker, it should not be difficult. However, I am not seeing anything specific in the details.”
His partner chuckled. “That would be giving us an advantage. This test is to prove our skills in a situation where we have nothing but our commands and the resources we have available. Our weapons, our armor, our minds…” He looked at his kin. “And each other.”
Genos looked up with a polite nod as he turned off the screen. “How do you believe we should approach this?”
Jaxon thought for a moment. “We have two goals, the destruction of the facility and the retrieval of the cannon.”
“According to the mission details, the cannon is a secondary objective, it is not required to win.”
“Genos, I do not say this to belittle you, but you should take some inspiration from the wisdom of the old warriors. It is a command to retrieve the cannon. Just because we do not need it in this scenario does not mean we should make a habit of not obeying the commands given to us, no matter how small.”
“I see…” He looked down at his gauntlet for a moment, clenching his fist. “Then we will have to focus on getting the cannon before we destroy the base. Doing one before the other could prove to be an issue when we need to escape.”
“Agreed, but we don’t need to do them exclusively,” Jaxon suggested. “Once we are inside and have a better understanding of what we need to do, we will make a proper plan. For now, we will simply work to take the fort together. They are sure to have many troops and droids at their disposal, so I need you to sabotage or convert as many droids as you are able to. Then, if you see any vehicles or mechs that you can tamper with or override, use them to create a distraction while I find the cannon.”
“Are you sure that you will be fine alone?” Genos asked worriedly.
“Your concern should be directed at yourself. For this to go smoothly, what I am asking is for you to be the focus of their aggression. Can you handle that?”
Genos nodded, taking out two small grenades from his belt. “I have shock grenades to deactivate the droids and stun or possibly take out the human opponents. And these…” Genos picked up one of the grenades, a clear receptacle filled with small round devices. “These are seeker drone grenades. When detonated, the drones attach themselves to any droid or machine that can be physically rerouted. Droids and turrets will attack their owners and machines with no action functions will be deactivated. I will merely need to be in an area where I can make the most use of them.”
“Then we will find an area with as many droids as possible. That is where we will begin our strike,” Jaxon decided.
Genos put the grenades away and activated a console between them. “The hovercraft has two small cannons mounted on top. I will use this to begin our assault while you enter the building. If you find a core room or munitions bunker or anything that will allow us to destroy the base, let me know.”
“Of course. I don’t believe I have the skill or enough explosives to do it on my own.” He pressed a button on the side of his visor, deactivating the map and wiping it clean. “Be prepared, Genos. We are here.”
The guardsman at the gate looked over the dunes to see one of their hovercrafts moving toward them. He checked the schedule and saw nothing to indicate that they were expecting a rendezvous with one of the outside camps. Cautious now, he activated the signal check and received a positive reading from the hovercraft.
“Outpost Blue, why are you here?” the guardsman asked into a comm mic.
“Need supplies.”
“According to my reading, you were supplied nine days ago with enough rations for two weeks. Why are you here early?”
“Supplies were lost to blight scarabs,” the hovercraft driver reported swiftly.
The guardsman sighed. “Goddamn scarabs. None of you are infected, right?”
“No.”
“Either way, you should check with that medic droid we captured, just to be safe. You’re allowed in for two hours to restock and get a check-up, but your asses better be gone before midnight,” he commanded and entered the code for the gates as the hovercraft approached slowly. After a few seconds, the gate was completely open, and the vehicle moved through. The man closed the gate behind them.
He looked through the small window to see the sand kicking up and heard a hollow wind in the distance. His face grim, he spat out the window of his station before closing it. A sandstorm was rolling in.
Animus Boxed Set 1 (Books 1-4): Initiate, Co-Op, Death Match, Advance Page 56
