Episode 18
Once more the sun was setting low in the sky and Oliver and
Vedia were once more readying themselves for another patrol. Vedia slammed home
another power cell into the waiting Phoenix’s
chamber and double checked it was packing a full load. She had reviewed the
weapons specifications back when they had encountered the off-world mercenaries
and knew full well how power hungry it could be. It made use of an under barrel
kinetic charger that allowed it to be primed to deliver a doubly condensed
blast but at the cost of additional drain on its power source. The Phoenix could drink down
a power cell quick, and as handy as a micro-gen cell could be the time for it
to recycle its charge could mean death in a battle. Vedia much preferred to
keep a steady supply of cells to keep her little blasting beast well fed.
Moving to inspect her other offensive option Vedia gently
laid her new rifle upon a table and reached to examine something quite
different. They all referred to it as a ‘Heat Axe’ but in truth it was little
more than a broad blade with a piercing point on it’s backside held at the end
of a long shaft. It could be handled easily enough with two hands but its
weight quickly pointed to the incorporated tech built into it. The axe was not
something they ever used as weapon itself, instead it was just something they
used when the needed to force their way past an obstacle or make an emergency
entrance. Its blade would superheat with thermal energy to allow it to cut
through metallic and other dense substances with ease. Just the kind of thing
that should do nicely in a pinch should she require to face something up close.
“Make sure to load up on all the mass slugs you can carry
for that thing,” Vedia advised as she slipped the axe to hand at her back.
“That Thunderbolt should be able to rip one of those things apart, but like
this little Phoenix
here it is dependant on its ammunition. While I can keep pouring in cells you
are going to have keep providing that Thunderbolt with those super-dense mass
slugs. Just keep that in mind while we are on patrol and you should do fine.”
Oliver tried to make a mental not to remember that as he
started to look around him to double check just how much ammunition he had been
able to scrounge up. He had to hope Vedia was right about these weapons because
he could still picture his last encounter and didn’t want to repeat that
feeling of helplessness. “And what am I supposed to do with this fusion torch anyways,”
Oliver asked hesitantly.
Vedia simply blinked back at him at first. “Oliver, I
believe you just answered your own question. But just so we are clear let’s
review, shall we? It is called a what, exactly?” “Well, it is a torch, ma’am,”
Oliver answered quickly. Vedia instantly followed up with another question to
further form her point. “And you use a torch to…” Oliver now felt completely
foolish, it was just that simple. “You torch things, ma’am,” he admitted with a
lopsided grin. “Precisely, all you need to do if another of those creatures
gets in close is turn that fusion torch their way and let it get introduced to
the focused beam intimate-like.”
A metal tapping came from the doorway to grab both officers
attention like a teacher calling for class. “Hope I am not intruding,” Gabriel
politely proclaimed. “But it looks like there has been another attack, we just
got the call.” The metal mottled man casually reviewed the new formidable
firearms laid out and couldn’t resist a whistle. “Looks like you two are loaded
for Ursian,” he declared with a chuckle.
But officer Corvan wasn’t laughing; she seized up her rifle
and pocketed anything in sight in a flash. “Come on Novius, let’s hit the
streets we have monsters to mutilate,” she commanded confidently. “Ready to
roll,” Oliver replied with a chambered round, an edge of courage sparking to
life in his tone. “Lead the way Mr. Vincent,” Vedia added as she strolled up to
stand before him. “But let’s try to keep your other side out of sight until we
arrive on scene and even then only if it is absolutely necessary, understand?”
Gabriel found himself curious by the request but after
finally getting to once more see the outside of a cell he wasn’t about to
question it. He needed his freedom to help tackle these terrors; there wasn’t
anything he could do from inside a cell. “Yes ma’am,” Gabriel confirmed before
turning to hurry off like a hound on the hunt. The Night-Watch Squad was once
more on the prowl for pernicious perpetrators of panic and pain.
As they ran through the darkening streets that Gabriel was
navigating their way through Vedia could feel her own eagerness growing to test
herself against these creatures again. Even Oliver seemed to be keeping pace
with them without his former reluctant slower step. They moved through blocks
and side streets to follow Gabriel’s lead until the he padded to a stop with
his hammer already in hand. Vedia and Oliver immediately followed suit to bring
their own weapons to bear. With a crack Vedia primed the kinetic charger under
her barrel until the weapon purred with the hum of waiting power.
Laid out upon the ground was the grizzly remains of what
they could only deduce had to have been another victim. A trail of terrible
tracks lead off down the street and the scent of fresh blood filled Gabriel’s
nose. “This way,” Gabriel offered as he concentrated on the lingering smell and
moved to follow it. “Keep your eyes peeled,” Vedia advised and took to cover
Gabriel’s left side. Before she could even order Oliver to take the right she
noticed her squad-mate was already in position as they all three cautiously
continued.
Awaiting them was the howling horror itself, its ferocious
form bent over what could have been a fresh kill or something intended to be.
The baleful beast rose to regard them with it cruel gaze to stand up upon its
hind legs, its open jaws still dripping with saliva. It was just as Gabriel had
described, Vedia decided as she took everything in with a momentary flash. This
thing was something like what Gabriel had shown them when he transformed, some
abominable alteration that was neither man nor beast.
A savage and sinister snarl sailed to life to challenge them
defiantly from the creature’s lips that was echoed by a faintly detectable
whimper. The sudden sound made Gabriel’s ears perk up and instantly he
understood – they had interrupted this things idea of sport. He must have
another poor soul cornered like some helpless prey. Fearless the fuzzy foe
turned his own eyes toward the source of the noise and an almost grin began to
form on his gruesome face.
“No more,” Gabriel growled and threw himself into motion to
block the beast. As he moved he felt his flesh flow to form once more into his
own mixed shape. This time when his right arm moved to block a savage swipe he
found the brutal barrage repelled. His left hand quickly slapped aside a
separate stab aimed at his middle and a furious roar punctuated the creature’s
frustration. It seemed determined to remove this new obstacle keeping it from
its waiting quarry just as Gabriel was resolute in resisting it.
As the two mighty monsters began their brawl Vedia cursed
her inability to line up a clear shot. “I can’t take a shot without hitting
Gabriel,” Vedia reluctantly confessed. “Heads up, we have company,” Oliver
advised and gestured behind them. Moving towards them they could make out the
familiar appearance of revenants that seemed to be drawn to them by something.
“We’re going to have to leave that fur ball to Gabriel, we’ll have to deal with
these things,” Vedia commented as she took aim. Oliver couldn’t help but agree
himself with both what Vedia was saying and what Gabriel had. “No more,” he
vowed beneath his breath and his finger brushed the waiting touch of his
trigger.
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