Worldkiller, p.38
Worldkiller, page 38
part #7 of Variant Series
39
I wish Becs was here to see this, I thought, as we rushed through Southbank, passing nearby to the warehouse we used to work in, the little apartment units we called home.
It was a quite surreal moment, running through the dreary streets, surrounded by hundreds of soldiers in their gleaming silver armour and luxuriant red robes. These were streets I'd crept through a million times, disrupting cameras, dashing between their blindspots, sneaking and hunting and going about my secret, night-time business.
If there could be an opposite to that, this was pretty much it.
We didn't face too much resistance as we went, the Neoroman troops stampeding over any unlucky custodians who happened to be in the area. Most, I imagined, would have fled as soon as they heard us coming, knowing that they had no chance to handle such a horde. Those who were in our direct path, however, didn't get the chance. They were cut down by those at the front without even breaking stride.
"What must the local people think of all this?" called Ford as we ran.
"They probably all think they're dreaming," said Blair. "A part of me still does too!"
From the apartments lucky enough to have windows, I could see faces now, shadows looking out. However surreal this was for me, it must have been even more bizarre for them.
"I wonder if they know that we're here to liberate them?" Ford said. "They're probably all terrified right now."
"Well, let's ease their troubles, shall we?" said Blair. I saw her draw a long breath and then, still running, she called out loudly onto the streets. "Don't be concerned!" she shouted, at the top of her lungs. "We are here to save you all! We're here to free you from the grip of tyranny! This great city is being liberated! Liberated, friends! You will all be free by morning! You will all wake to a brand new world!"
She stopped, panting hard, a near-euphoric grin on her face.
"That was fun," she said, breathing heavily. "I can see why my grandpa...loves to make those...inspirational speeches. It feels good saying big...meaningful words."
She took another full breath, steadied herself, and then called out again, more or less repeating what she'd said before.
"Oh come on, no one's going to join me?" she asked, panting as she finished her second rendition, looking at me and Ford. She turned to Harkin, Cash, and Murtagh, jogging along behind us. "Come on guys," she said, looking back at them. "This is it. This is our moment. Join in! Join me!"
I couldn't help but laugh, and so decided to oblige her. It really wasn't me, to be honest, but still, I called out loud and proud anyway, shouting about liberation and freedom and ending tyranny, emptying my lungs as we rushed along through Southbank, with Ford also doing the same.
In the end, I wasn't certain that the people even heard, not with the noise of the stampeding troops filling the air. But, that didn't really matter. It felt cathartic to be calling out anyway. It only added to the surrealism and exhilaration of the moment.
Before we knew it, however, we were arriving at the border to the Westbends, flooding through the streets and heading for the river. A little further to the east, I could hear the distant sounds of battle, the dark skies out there illuminated in places by orange and yellow flames. That would be the doing of Amber, Elian, and the Fire-Bloods, I knew. Perses and General Hatcher were, I imagined, also getting their share of the action.
They were, however, still south of the river, working through the slums and across the bridges out there. The few reports we'd gotten from our scouting missions here had told us that the bridges were now heavily blockaded, with many of the smaller walkways and bridges crossing the river destroyed. And though the river itself was mostly dried up, it remained muddy and hard to cross, with many large gun placements, and likely mechs, set up on the other side to fire at those trying to cross that way.
The army slowed, then, as we approached the riverbank, clearing out any resistance that hadn't yet retreated across the Thames. I looked out toward the Crossing, and noticed that a large blockade had now been established there, taking the place of the fortress and shanties that we burned down only a few days before.
There looked to be several more mechs there, protecting the border to the Eastbends along with hundreds more military custodians. We had to assume that there would be a large number of Reapers out there too, waiting to strike from the shadows when the fighting began to break up.
It didn't take long for the Northbank troops stationed at the blockade to fire upon us, the air filling once more with the tumultuous song of battle. At the front, Ares and his Imperial Guards took cover, the many hundreds of Neoroman soldiers around us doing the same. They began firing back, using their sleek, blade-like rifles. The noise was beyond deafening, the square that linked to the Crossing assaulted by explosive charges emitted from the mechs and defensive gun positions set upon the bridge.
"There's no way we can flank behind them?" called out Kira, as we gathered in our group, taking cover and firing too from a side-street just off the main square, a little back from the front lines.
"Not likely," said Harkin. "The only way to cross the river is by using the bridges."
"It's a lot more heavily defended than I'd hoped," called my father. "But I have an idea. Stay here. I'll be back in a moment."
He rushed off, moving through the battlefield, speeding up toward Ares. I watched nervously, as he dashed between cover, using his telekinetic power to protect himself from flying shrapnel. Within moments, however, he was sliding in next to his commander, who stayed down at the low wall to the side of the bridge. Even for someone like Ares, taking the direct route across the Crossing would be tantamount to suicide, with the current firepower gathered there.
"What do you think he's got in mind?" called Blair. "You reckon your dad and the telekinetics can somehow block gunfire, or create a shield or something?"
"I don't think they can block gunfire," said Ford. "Maybe divert it, if they see it in time. But they'd have to have incredible eyesight and reflexes for that."
We all looked to Kira, who had a much better knowledge of telekinetic power than we did.
"Blocking gunfire is a tough ask," she called over the noise. "Max could probably do that if he was being fired at from range, depending on the projectile, but that's not something we can expect from our other telekinetics and Elementals. The shield idea is feasible, though," she added. "I've seen Max do that before, gathering up chunks of rock and stone to act as a protective barrier while we advanced toward an enemy. But...I don't know. This firepower is pretty intense, when concentrated like that. If the shield was blown apart by those mechs then they'd be completely exposed out there."
It was a good summary, but obviously my dad and his men knew better than we did what they could do. We watched on for a few moments, as Ares and my dad spoke, before Ares nodded, pressed a muscular finger into his ear and began speaking down comms.
"Can you hear what he's saying?" Blair called, looking to Kira.
She turned her head slightly, trying to concentrate and hear Ares's voice through the noise. After a moment she shook her head. "It's too loud and hectic, and he's too far away," she said.
Blair looked at me, eyes lifted, as though asking if my own audio enhancer could sift through the din. I shook my head at her in answer. If Kira couldn't hear, my tech wouldn't manage it.
I turned to Harkin, wondering if he could listen in, perhaps, seeing as he was part of the central leadership group and could communicate with the other leaders. I found him in conversation with Cash and Murtagh a little to the side, safely tucked away down the side-street we were taking cover in.
"OK, Victor," I heard Murtagh say. "Now would be a good time while we're stuck south of the river."
"The streets are being cleared so it should be safe," added Cash. "I'll come with you and make sure."
"As will I," I said Murtagh.
Harkin nodded his thanks, then turned to the rest of us to explain what was happening.
"We're going to try to make contact with Gatsby," he said. "His stronghold isn't far from here. Hopefully he'll be there, and can make contact with the other bosses too. I owe it to them to pay a personal visit, after the promises I made."
We nodded our understanding, and the trio sped away, moving a little further to the southwest. Blair watched them go, a little concernedly.
"He'll be fine, Blair," I said. "It's clear that way, like Cash said. It's a hell of a lot safer over there than it is here."
She seemed reassured by that, nodding. "Probably," she said, her grin returning. We looked back out across the square to find that my father was returning now, dodging explosions and gunfire as he rushed back to our position. "Your dad is super cool, Paige," she added. "I hope you realise that."
It was a striking sight, as he sped bravely through the square, quickly escaping back into the cover of the side-street where we waited.
He took a sharp breath to refill his lungs, frowning briefly as he glanced upon our group. "Where are Victor and the others?"
"Gone to check in on Gatsby," I said. "So, your plan, dad? What is it?"
He smiled. "Just you wait," he said. "I'll give you a hint. Watch the skies."
We did just that, looking into the cloudy firmament as the drizzle continued to come down. I followed the direction of my father's eyes, noting that he was looking toward the east of our position. Then, it dawned on me, as a smile erupted on my face.
Amber.
She started as little more than a glowing dot, coming from the distance a couple of miles to the east. My heart began to beat harder as she flew in our direction, her speed maxed out, travelling high above the river.
Within what seemed like moments she was growing brighter, clearer, vaporising the falling rains and mists as she shot like a missile through the skies. And then I realised, it wasn't just her. There were two figures there, swirling around one another, feeding off each other's flame. Amber and Elian, husband and wife, a flaming vortex of impending doom.
The Northbank troops at the blockade noticed them coming, turning their gun placements to the skies as they came. The mechs did the same, swivelling at the hips, pumping out explosive charges of red energy in their direction. They fizzed off into the blackness, leaving trails of red sparks behind.
I watched, chest tensing, as the charges went directly for the Fire-Bloods. They didn't dodge. They didn't move. They just kept on coming.
"Why aren't they avoiding them!" called Blair, as half the soldiers around the square stopped firing to watch.
I noticed both Kira and my father observing with knowing smiles on their faces. Just you wait, those expressions said.
We didn't have to wait long.
Coming from opposite directions, the flaming Fire-Bloods and fizzing red missiles continued on their collision course, crashing into one another in a merging of red and orange light, sparks bursting wild like fireworks from the impact.
I heard a muted cheer ring out across the bridge, coming from the blockade. It was wildly premature.
Bursting through the shroud of light came Amber and Elian, seeming to shine even more brightly than ever, their bodies protected by a shimmering shield of heat and flame, little sparks of red energy now zipping and darting around their bodies like tiny bolts of lightning. The mechs and guns continued to fire, as the Fire-Bloods suddenly swooped low, doing so in perfect harmony and unison as they neared the blockade.
"Their turn," I heard Kira say, the same vulpine grin on her face, as when Ares cut that mech in two.
The Fire-Bloods attacked.
Reaching down, with their palms out, I watched in a state of awe as they unleashed great spouts of flaming lava upon the blockade below, swooping over the top of it and setting it ablaze. Immediately, the premature cheers of the Northbank soldiers became howling screams of horror and pain, their armour melting around their bodies, even the armoured mechs unable to fully withstand the molten flame raining down upon them.
The Fire-Bloods regained some altitude, banking sharply through the air, before swooping once more in a second, devastating attack. Across the square, the Neoroman troops roared their approval, as Amber and Elian performed a triumphant fly-by, waving as they passed, spinning and twirling, before shooting back off at great speed to rejoin their own men.
I heard Kira let out a short, huffing grunt. "Show-offs," she said, shaking her head.
I grinned broadly, watching on as the Neoromans flew into action, taking advantage of the chaos ahead as they leaped from cover and charged immediately into the fray. This second blockade was a great deal bigger than the first, but the result would be the same. Within a hot minute, the Northbank soldiers and mechs were being routed, the work of the Fire-Bloods finished off by the charge of the Imperial Guards, and the legion at their back.
We charged in too, rushing along with the great horde as the Crossing was quickly enveloped by a storm of Neoroman rage. Passing the flaming remnants of the blockade, I saw hundreds of dead custodians heaped behind, spreading across the wide bridge and away across the banks on the other side.
Among them, the mechs had been utterly destroyed. I saw several of them, some badly melted by Amber and Elian's attack, others finished off by the Imperial Guards, using their bladed weapons, and variety of Variant powers, to cut and rip them apart.
Ahead, the sounds of war were already erupting across the Eastbends, as the troops of the legion went to work, doing what they did best. And further down the river, the others had also broken through, Perses and Kaiser Konig's armies closing in.
It was a storm of Variant vengeance, an onslaught that no force on earth could possibly stop.
And in my head, came words from The Art of War.
Never venture, never win!
40
I ran along with my father, Ford, Kira and Blair, hunting as a quintet through the streets. The fighting had spread out now, the Neoroman forces rushing off in their units through the sprawling district of the Eastbends. There were still many blockades they had to deal with, all of the main tributaries leading to Northbank heavily defended. Elsewhere, smaller patrols and groups of Reapers watched over the lanes and alleys.
It was the latter we were hunting.
"OK, Reapers ahead," said Kira, sensing their presence as we advanced. "They're holed up in a building nearby, probably ready for a sneak attack."
"How many?" asked Ford.
"A dozen. They're at the end of that alley," Kira said, nodding to a side-street on our left.
It was a lot for us to handle, given we were only five in number. Too much of a risk unless we got help.
Around us, thankfully, other groups of Neoromans rushed along, their remit to hunt through the city and take out smaller groups, clearing the buildings and blocks, one street at a time. One such group was led by Captain Marcus, speeding around with a troop of half a dozen Imperial Guards who were close to the man. Columbus was with them. Where before, they'd looked at him disdainfully, now they accepted him as one of their own.
"Marcus!" hissed my father as he passed.
He noticed us and rushed in, with Columbus and the other Imperial Guards in tow. I knew them all, having travelled with them from the north. They were some of the more gifted killers and hunters among the guard, with a couple of them former Champions of the Imperial Games too. It was a truly formidable group.
"Commander," said Marcus, his eyes lit with the thrill of battle, blood streaked across his fine armour. "How are you getting along?"
"Very well, Captain," returned my dad, the two men briefing shaking hands, gripping at the forearm. "We have a contingent of Reapers up ahead, if you want to help us take them out?"
Marcus's eyes lit brighter. "Of course, sir. I'd love for nothing more."
His men showed similar sentiments in their expressions.
"How many?" asked Marcus.
"A dozen," said my father. "Kira says they're concealed in a building at the end of this alley, preparing for a sneak attack. Let's flush them out into the open, shall we?"
Marcus nodded. "I'll take care of it, sir. Atticus." He turned to his brother. "Come with me. If I'm to die, I'll be damned if you outlive me." The two men shared a brotherly grin, as Marcus turned back to my father. "We'll lead them out here, sir," he said. "You can pounce when they're in the open."
My father nodded, then hissed for us all to disperse and take cover on either side of the mouth of the alley. We did so, our troop moving to one side, Marcus's the other. The two brothers then shared a couple of quiet words, nodded at one another, and sped off up the narrow lane.
"You remember when fighting one Reaper was a big deal?" Blair whispered to Ford, as we waited. "Crazy how things are now, right?"
"Right," nodded Ford. "You haven't killed one yet, have you?" His mouth twisted into a teasing grin. "A Reaper, I mean?"
"No," she grunted. "But I'm about to rectify that." She looked to the others. "You hear me. I'm killing one of these bastards right now, OK?"
"There's plenty to go around, Blair," said Kira. "Don't be greedy."
"Greedy? That’s a bit rich coming from you," Blair said, looking across to the Imperial Guards, waiting with eager eyes, blades drawn. "I know what you Neoromans are like. You're damn insatiable when it comes to killing."
Kira and my dad looked at each other and shrugged. There was no way they could deny it, really. Though, in truth, Blair was just the same.
I took a few breaths, preparing myself, my gun-gloves activated and ready to go. From down the alley, gunshots now sounded, with a muted explosion coming from inside a building. It was likely a smoke grenade, or some other device used to flush the Reapers out. I turned to the wall, looking through it using my headset, and saw the dual figures of Marcus and Columbus come speeding down the alley.
The Reapers, as hoped, were in hot pursuit.
The two Neoromans rushed out onto the street, splitting as if trying to escape. The Reapers followed a few moments later - the men had, clearly, been running at a reduced pace so their pursuers could keep up - bursting out onto the road, as we immediately closed in, taking them by complete surprise.
