The group made their way along the now illuminated path, the amber light of the glow strips their only means of guidance. They reached a split in the corridor. One continued directly forward and the other led them to the left. Chiyo stopped them, pointed down the left hallway, and beckoned them to follow.
“Do you have a map?” Kaiden whispered over their comm link.
“No, not a complete one. I’m filling in as we go. If I can find a console, I could get a clearer picture but for now, Kaitō takes what we have and uses the typography to fill in the rest as we go along to make a path.”
“That’s useful,” Genos commented. “What exactly do you suggest we do once we get to this location, Chiyo?”
“Right now, the only objectives are ‘destroy the station’ and ‘don’t die.’ There should be an important device we can exploit. I hope it’s the command system as I would be able to gain access and set off a destruction order or deactivation sequence as needed. If we have to go with Genos’ traditional route, it means we would have to send the core into meltdown and then run to the hangers before we are also caught in the explosions.” They continued and Kaiden constantly remained alert for enemies, cameras, turrets, or anything that could be a potential danger. So far, they had encountered nothing of concern. The hallway was devoid of anything but pathways and the low lights of the glowstrips.
“I don’t like this. I know it’s cliché and everything, but it’s too damn quiet,” Chief grunted, his eye peering around in Kaiden’s HUD as if he scanned the surroundings.
“It doesn’t look like an area that they use often. I can’t imagine there would be many guards down here,” Kaiden reasoned.
“Agreed, although I must admit I would actually like to see something come through here,” Genos huffed. “There is something rather unnerving about walking around in such a dark, empty space.”
Chiyo raised one of her hands and rubbed the top of her opposite arm as if to dispel goose bumps. “It’s uncanny, I’ll admit, but it’s better than laser fire and bullets coming at you from all sides.”
“That’s actually become more of our native element,” the Tsuna jested.
They came to another split in the path and the infiltrator continued directly ahead so the others followed. “The less of a mess this is, the quicker we can finish and the higher the score. Like Kaiden said, it’s best to use tactics as long as we can, especially with our time running low.”
“While we’re on the subject, what happens when we run out of time?” Kaiden asked.
“What do you mean? It’s self-explanatory,” Genos stated.
“Immediately booted out? Do we start in the same area or the exact same moment when we begin again?” he questioned,
“Indeed, the exact same spot,” the Tsuna confirmed. “You would even have the same ailments you did when you left, as Julius explained about Otto yesterday.”
“That’s a potentially costly mistake.” Kaiden chuckled. “I’ll do my best not to lose an appendage before we leave.”
Chiyo raised a hand and a hush fell over the group. She pointed above and toward the catwalks. Several droids with jagged bodies and large round heads that illuminated their surroundings paced above.
“Oh, well, that’s different. I don’t think I’ve done a mission with those before,” Genos admitted. “A new first.”
“Those are Watchbots,” Chief stated. “They aren’t really a mortal threat, but they make one hell of a noise if they see you. I suppose they had to have something down here to look around.”
“Can we take them down from afar?” Kaiden asked, holding up his rifle.
“Only if you want to set off the rest. They have good audio sensors, too, you would definitely not want to make a big explosion around them.”
“Aren’t you helpful,” Kaiden snarked.
“Like I said, they usually aren’t well armed, but it’ll probably bring this whole place down on you very quickly,” the EI warned. “I’m not sure you can get past all of them without alerting a few, and all you need to worry about is one.”
He sighed and exchanged a glance with his companions. “Let’s keep mov— Genos, Chiyo, get ready.”
“What is it?” the Tsuna asked as he drew his cannon and scanned the area ahead.
“See the shadows on the wall over there? Something is waiting for us or coming this way.”
“Should we run or wait to engage?” Genos asked and his cheerful demeanor switched quickly to a serious one, a habit implanted by his training.
“Let’s leg it. We can cover more ground while we aren’t under fire and make it as close to the central chamber as we can get. If we have to fight the rest of the way there, so be it, but it’s better to increase our chances as much as possible.”
Genos nodded. “All right, I’ll take point. Chiyo, tell me the directions over comms.”
“Understood.” She nodded and raised her sub-machine gun.
Kaiden followed quietly behind him and tried to identify what lay ahead. They paused at the next corner and peered around it to see a group of Havoc droids—not in the greatest shape—wandering along the bottom path and only a few yards away from them.
“If we stay here, we have no choice but to engage,” Chiyo stated. “What do you want to do?”
“Do we have another option? I’m all right with a fight considering how far we’ve already come, but any shot down here will definitely alert those Watchbots and every pirate in this place will know we’re here.”
“I saw a hatch a few hundred yards back,” Genos mentioned. “We could see if that leads to an alternate location and go from there.”
“It would be better to try that than have to go all the way back and start from square one.” Kaiden placed a hand on the Tsuna’s shoulder. “Lead the way, Genos.”
They raced down the hall and the mechanist moved much faster than one who spent most of the time flying instead fighting might be able to. The metallic clacks and shifting figures of the Havoc bots faded behind them. At least they didn’t have to worry about pursuers for now. They turned into another hall that led away from the approaching enemy. Genos pointed to a small hatch on the side of the wall.
“Allow me.” The ace approached the hatch, twisted the valve, and grunted as he forced it open. A stream of water sounded from deep within. “It’s a steep drop,” he advised them as he looked down the hole. “I can’t tell if it’s a slide or tube or literally only a hole.”
“The shocks in our armor should be enough to disperse the fall as long as it isn’t over a hundred feet,” Chiyo advised.
“Do you guys wanna risk it?” he asked and glanced at his teammates. “The other options right now seem to be to double back and try to find a different way around or barrel through the droids down here and almost certainly alert some or all of the bastards above.”
“This seems to lead to a waterway or sewage system,” Genos noted. “I don’t think there would be something of great concern in there.”
“I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for any surveillance,” Chiyo promised.
Kaiden glanced at his teammates once more and both nodded quickly. He placed his rifle on his back and peered into the hatch. The rush of water now competed with heavy marching treads behind them.
“It looks like the droids are coming this way,” she warned.
To hell with it. He leapt into the hatch and allowed the water to carry him as his companions followed suit and they ventured deeper into the station.
Chapter Seventeen
As Genos exited the waterway, he fell into a pool of water and muck and climbed out quickly, his visor blurry and armor heavy. He grimaced at the sludge that covered him and tried to remind himself that he was in the Animus. What a disgrace to allow something so vile to coat him. For a moment, he missed the waters of his home.
“Are you all right, Genos?” Chiyo asked and helped him to steady himself.
“Yes. Just give me a moment to find my bearings.” He tried to clean a p
art of his armor at least. “Where are we?”
“Some sort of facility. Most of the lights are out and there’s leakage everywhere. I assume this must have been used for tests or monitoring stations systems, but that’s only a guess.”
“Where’s Kaiden?” he asked.
“Over here,” Kaiden grunted. He was bent over and supported himself with his hands on his knees. “Give my stomach some time to settle.”
“Do you feel ill after the ride, as it were, friend Kaiden?”
He coughed and sputtered. “I guess so. Either that or all this crap I’m covered in is seeping into my pores. I ain’t feeling too hot. I think I would have just preferred to fight my way through the station at this point.”
Chiyo rummaged through her supply box for an injector and a pale orange liquid. “Hold still,” she ordered and pushed the needle through the underlining of Kaiden’s armor and into his neck. “This is a serum to help with nausea and dizziness. There was only one and I didn’t think you would have a use for it.” She injected the liquid.
“It’s a good thing you brought it anyway.” He rolled his neck once Chiyo removed the injector. She helped him stand as they and they scrutinized their surroundings. “Well, this is certainly a change of scenery,” he muttered sarcastically.
They were in another chamber of some kind, the walls colored a faded red. From there, halls stretched outward and seemed to provide a way for them to go in any direction. The area had the look and feel of a giant maze with little indication as to what might lie ahead.
“I’m not sure if this is better or worse than where we were,” Genos ventured. “How vast do you think this place is?”
“Chief, think you can get us an aerial view?” Kaiden asked.
“You won’t throw up from the height?” Chief inquired.
He retched. “Don’t display it in my visual. Just float up there and look around. See if you can find a door or something.”
“The first time I get to contribute and I’m simply a flying pair of binoculars.” Chief sighed but drifted as high as he could and surveyed the area.
“Will you be all right Kaiden?” Chiyo asked.
“Yeah, I’m feeling better. That stuff you injected into me certainly helped.” He straightened and stretched. “Next time we wanna go on a ride? Wait to do it in a place that’s actually fun.”
“It’s curious that you seem to have no problems integrating with the Animus, but an even faintly rough ride makes you sick,” Genos remarked.
“I need to get it together. Periwinkle is mocking me,” he grumbled. “I guess I need to make a mental note to stick to the solid paths.”
“The whole point of the Animus to accustom you to all potential combat situations. If you get a contract with the Earth Navy, you’ll be in the water a lot,” Chiyo pointed out.
“I don’t have a problem with water, but riding through that crapchute was more than I anticipated. Give me a break, all right?” he pleaded, his tone rough.
“That might work, but there are also medications. I believe those would be more beneficial,” Genos suggested.
Kaiden removed his mask to take a deep breath and frowned at the Tsuna. “If you weren’t so precious, I would think you were mocking me.”
“I finished my little bout of recon,” Chief declared and floated back to the trio.
“What did you find?” Chiyo inquired.
“There are three doors in here. One is about three klicks south and the other two are five klicks north, separated from each other by one hundred yards.”
“Do you have any idea what’s behind them?” Kaiden asked.
“I don’t have x-ray vision since we don’t have the super helmet right now. And these Dead Space helmets aren’t worth a damn,” Chief huffed.
Kaiden sighed. “Do you guys have any suggestions, or should we simply spin one of us around a few times and whichever way they hobble, that’s where we go?”
“While I would suggest the direction of the two doors as that gives us more options, the fact that we don’t know what’s in here with us makes me concerned. They are further away, so that means more chance to run into something that may be hostile,” the Tsuna reasoned.
“Fair point, but we are at least well-armed and have some healing serums to boot. I haven’t been too impressed with what’s on offer but I’m confident that whatever junkbots they have lying around won’t prove to be a problem. Also I don’t see any watchbots this time, so it’s better than the last room.”
“True, but we don’t want to use supplies too quickly. We don’t know where we are or even what floor. Kaito is trying to map it out using the path of the waterway, but we’re still not entirely certain. If we were washed down to the very bottom, we’ll have to give up on our plan and play this out the traditional way—the long way,” Chiyo explained.
“Let’s go with the closer one. It’ll get us out of here and we can get our bearings sooner.” Kaiden suggested and drew Sire. “You can spirit yourself away now, Chief. I don’t think I’ll need to cast you into any of these mostly broken gadgets.”
“Then I shall take my leave and take a well-earned nap on my patio,” the EI declared and disappeared.
Kaiden rolled his shoulders and his stomach stopped churning and his mind cleared. He caught movement from the corner of his eye, aimed quickly, and fired his rifle at something in the air. It spiraled and crashed.
The three ran over to it and discovered it was a small creature that resembled a tiny pterodactyl with pink eyes and flesh that had yet to fully develop scales.
“It’s a…baby mutant of some kind.” Genos picked the carcass up and studied it. “Could this be a devil bird?”
“Oh, sweet Jesus.” Kaiden sighed. “How are there devil birds down here at what might be the bottom of a space station?”
“This was a science vessel. They could have run a study on mutants, among other things. When the scientist were driven out, whatever specimens they had have run free.” Chiyo looked at the others as a small snapping sound seemed to echo in the large space.
“We’re in a hunting ground.” Kaiden cursed and readied his weapon.
Genos drew his new rifle and activated it. “We need to move.”
“What do you want, Swarn?” Walker hissed and tried to stare the other man down as his bodyguards paced the room.
“I want to know when I’ll be paid,” the captain answered. Six of his men flanked him as he walked into the Red Sun leader’s room. “Me and my men have run your little scams for months and now, we were screwed by one of your clients which left us high and dry.”
“I would hardly call them scams,” Walker huffed. “They have brought in a considerable amount of money for us, but we are pirates. You can’t expect a warm reception every time you go out.”
“I’ve left the operations to you because I expected results,” Swarn retorted and slammed his hands on the table.
“And I’ve kept the position because I get them. I also have time scheduled for potential mishaps like this one,” he retorted and brushed his red locks out of his face. “If you’re that strapped for cash or lust that much for blood I could—” The conversation was interrupted by a small light that flashed on Walker’s desk.
“What’s that about, Walker?” the other man asked.
“It’s from a tracker we implanted in one of the mutants down below,” Walker muttered and stared at the screen. “Normally, it would simply mean it died, it seems that it was killed by an energy blast.”
As the team raced through the chamber, a sharp buzz rebounded off the maze-like surroundings. Kaiden spun instinctively and grimaced at two orbs that rocketed toward them. “Get down!” he shouted and fired at the globules. He was able to hit one and it exploded, which made the other one erupt along with it. The liquid within spattered and melted through everything it touched. Genos dove towards Chiyo to shove out of the way of a falling beam.
“Chief, scan for hostiles.” the ace ordered with the butt o
f his rifle against his shoulder as his gaze searched the area.
“I don’t need to. There’s one above you—nine o’clock,” Chief warned.
Kaiden’s his eyes widened at a brown, spotted creature that resembled a Bayou Stalker that peered back at him with large, sickly green eyes. It was smaller than stalkers he had faced before the Death Match but at least seven and a half feet tall with broad shoulders and large arms and legs. It was mostly covered in scales with hardened pieces of flesh along its neck and underbelly. Several large, deep scars traced its arms and chips in its claws made it look like they had serrated edges.
It roared at them and leapt from the pile of metal it stood on. The ace rolled back before it landed, but the claws sliced along his coat and armor. He pushed to his feet and fired several shots in a quick burst. The monster’s skin crackled and seemed to glow and burn for a moment, but it simply hissed in response and charged. Kaiden was used to this dance by now, side-stepped the stalker’s downward swipe, and switched to ballistic rounds. He fired two shots to the chest the knocked the reptilian alien back. It shrieked in anger and he smirked.
“Kaiden, two more!” Chiyo warned. He glanced back as two others stalkers barreled toward them on all fours. One was a dark-black with a white chest and the other a murky camouflage-green, colors he’d not seen before. He fired a few partially charged shots, but they serpentined around them. The group had to get away. Kaiden could tell they were at a disadvantage fighting these creatures in such confined spaces.
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