My team and I finally reached a good vantage point: a large, broken-down building that had likely been a massive forge. Judging by the state of the crucibles, that had been many years ago. Setting up, I powered up my rifle with a mental ping.
It emitted the faintest hum; I didn't need full power for this. Most of the hive dwellers below wore little more than scavenged flak armour, and even that was rare. More often, it was a patchwork of mismatching armour.
Lining up my first shot, I barely paused, the target less than a hundred metres away. A sharp crack, and the captain—identified by his gang markings—dropped, a hole in his chest. Without pausing, I moved on to my next target, picking up the most entrenched or best equipped first, then turning to the others.
Every crack of my rifle, another body dropped for the corpse collectors. The rest of the team joined in, their guns barking in unison, and together we made short work of the Stalkers below.
"Any new orders?" I called to Adira.
"No, nothing new."
"Good. Let's push forward then."
Without waiting, I moved to the next building, chosen for its advantageous position. At some point in the last few days of fighting, I had inadvertently taken control of the team.
Adira was nominally in charge, but even she was following my orders, and she was a veteran and a captain. The grunts we came across along the way followed without question. If I had to put my finger on it, it started during the frantic retreat to avoid being overrun by the advancing Ash Stalkers.
With Adira's support, I organised any stragglers we came across, and together we had mounted a solid resistance. Eventually, helping repel the major push on the HQ. By the end of it, we'd certainly least casualties.
By this point, I had long shrugged it off and just gone with it. Adira didn't seem concerned, and I still followed her orders when she issued them. Otherwise, she seemed content to follow my lead. And I had to say, I hadn't steered us wrong yet.
My soldier knowledge fragments were coming in, incredibly useful. Without them, I shuddered to think how badly I might have screwed things up. Then again, without those memories, I doubted I would be here at all.
We were nearing the end of this conflict—finally. Rumour had it that one last huge offensive was planned and then the war was over, one way or another. Supposedly, someone had seen a representative of the guilds come through.
Never a good sign.
But then I could get back to what I loved—tinkering. It couldn't come soon enough; my shoulder had bruises on its bruises. I'd been so busy in fact, that I hadn't even had time to think of what to spend my spark on. It was still sitting there, untouched. A huge relief, if I'd lost it…
We dropped back down to one of the higher streets that wound through the city, moving with care. Signs of the violence all around us, bodies, rubble, the aftermath of the countless battles going on.
We reached our next building and climbed up, luckily there were stairs we could use this time. Then we repeated the process we had done a dozen times already.
The objectives were usually different, at least on paper, even if they turned out the same. Sometimes, we used our range to suppress a zone so our troops could advance. Other times, we helped repel an enemy push. But in the end, it was always the same.
Clear the street. Move on. Sometimes, as was the case this time, it was a solid building with good cover and room for all of us to shoot from. Other times, we were stuck on awkward perches, with only a few of us able to shoot.
Adira vox crackled to life, breaking up the monotony. "Adira, circle back to the forward base." Said a voice I didn't recognise.
"Copy." she said. "You heard them quick march."
"Thank the Emperor," one of the team muttered. "I'm so tired."
"Don't hold your breath." Adira said, "If they are calling us back, it's probably for a job."
I ignored the groaning around me and focused on putting one foot in front of the other. That and keeping hyper vigilant. I was too close to the end of the conflict to die now. For all their grumbling, the hivers around me were veterans and had their heads on a swivel.
It didn't take long before we began passing more and more Court members as we neared the front line. In the distance, I could see the Ash Stalkers fortress, cleverly known as the Flesh Fortress or just the Fortress. We really were a creative bunch. Its blocky rockrete walls and thin, now sealed-up windows told of its origin as a hab block.
The building was vast and impressive, even half collapsed. The entrance was barricaded and from every opening, a gun of some sort poked out, making it look like some deformed, grey hedgehog. At the very top, where the hab had broken in half, the rest of it collapsed over the years, were massive gun emplacements loomed.
Autocannons lined the top, with powerful search lights sweeping the area. Not that they were strictly necessary, the bioluminescent glow from the fungus and lichen lit everything up well enough.
Inside the hab, the layout became a maze of passageways leading to the various shops and services. I'd never seen it, but they were supposedly one of the first buildings constructed in the hive. Which explained why it had a large open area running through its centre.
That kind of open design wouldn't happen now, not with every iota of space crammed with some purpose.
It was in there you'd find the best surgeons and flesh weavers, alongside a black market peddling all sorts of drugs and enhancements.
The forward base sat inside a heavily guarded building, well out of sight from any of the guns. With a nod of recognition, Adira and I were waved through and led to a meeting room. As we entered, those already seated looked up from their discussion.
I recognised the boss and the big boss, Lanto and Salina. Many of the lieutenants, captains and champions of the court were also present. Trying to keep my nerves in check, I filed into the room. Even with regular contact, I still felt uneasy.
These were some of the most powerful people I had ever, and once thought I would ever meet.
Selina, in particular, was iconic, held in awe and fear in equal measure. A former prostitute from the spire, she'd arrived with nothing and over the last 20 years had built one of the most powerful gangs in the hive.
Smiling Lanto moved to greet us. "Good you're here. Let's fill you in and go over it one last time." Leaning over the table with a rough map of the area, he pointed. "We've secured enough control to finally assault the Fortress. One large push should overwhelm them. The main doors will be destroyed—Caspel will be overseeing that. Adira, your team will be on overwatch on the outside, making sure nothing flanks us.
Once inside, all units will move in to take control of the Fortress.
We have confirmed that Veska 'Fleshgrip', the leader of the Stalkers, is inside. So, if we clear this out, we will have as good as won. I will be briefing everyone who needs it in more detail later—any objection or questions right now?"
I kept quiet, even though I had a few things to point out. Luckily, they were all raised by others. I just listened as they discussed plans to finish off a gang and kill thousands of people. I don't know what it said about me, but I couldn't find it in myself to care.
Better them than me.
The meeting was just finished, and most, except the lieutenants, were filing out of the room when Lanto called out, "Aleric, Adira, stay a moment."
I paused and moved to stand by the table next to Adira, who seemed almost as calm as I hoped I looked.
"Adira, Aleric will not be attached to your squad for this. He and several of our best shots have another job."
"What is it if I can ask?"
Lanto paused a moment before shrugging. "Sure. As you know, one of the Stalkers' main exports are exotic animals, particularly mastiffs. Most of them go to their dogfights, but those that survive the pits are augmented and either kept or sold.
Most of these are not a problem, and we will take them out as we come across them. However, they have one hardcase mastiff. I have no idea where they found it, but it's been protecting its den ever since."
It went without saying that the den was the Fortress we were about to attack. Judging by Adira's sudden nervousness, this was a bad thing, but I had never heard of a hardcase mastiff before. A cyber mastiff, sure, a dog that was enhanced by bionics in some way.
Lanto must have seen my confusion. "You would not remember them, but they were popular among the law enforcers a few decades ago. A hardcase mastiff is a fully mechanical cyber mastiff with only the barest trace of the original dog remaining. That makes them one of the most dangerous beasts around."
"So, I'm just supposed to watch out for it?"
"Sort of. It's barely under control, so they don't let it inside the Fortress. That's also why they couldn't get it to attack us. It will come from outside. Your job will be to use your monster to kill it or at least wound it so myself and a team of champions can finish it."
"What about the other snipers?"
"They'll be trying as well, but I will be honest with you Aleric. Few have the firepower or accuracy to hit and actually damage it."
I took a deep breath, feeling the pressure suddenly placed upon me and a glow of pride at his trust. I nodded, "I won't let you down." I said, hoping it would be true. I doubted I'd be long for this world if I did.
"I know you won't," he said, clapping me on the shoulder. "Go rest. We've several hours before we start our assault."
As we left the room, Adira bumped my shoulder, "Good luck and don't fuck up." She said before walking off. Grinning slightly, I went in search of some food and a place to kip.
---
My vantage point for the battle was both excellent and terrible. I had a fantastic view of the area around the Fortress, as well as our advancing forces moving up the streets, still out of sight of the guns.
What it lacked, however, was any cover.
I lay on top of a rusted girder sticking out into the void, moss and vines clinging to it. I'd crawled almost a hundred metres to reach this point without being spotted, and if I was discovered, there was very little I could do. My only hope was that the coming chaos would keep me hidden.
I was nearly a kilometre away, which provided some protection at least.
I shifted slightly, making sure my vox was still strapped to me. If I did knock it off, I didn't want to explain how'd I lost it.
All was silent for the moment, very much the quiet before the storm.
There was still some time yet. It wouldn't be a surprise attack; I could see the Stalkers preparing and setting up. They weren't the bottom feeders we had killed off on the way either; they looked far better equipped.
It could just be better-maintained weapons and war gear, but also many of the true elites of the gang had augments. Extensive bionics from eyes to entire limbs. These weren't the bulky, crappy ones either, used by the desperate, but sleek, well-fitted enhancements.
Not surprising, given their flesh weavers. I couldn't wait to get my hands on some of them to take apart.
I could even spot the cyber mastiffs Lanto mentioned, though not the hardcase one. Just the slightly modified ones: some with bionic paws or jaws, and some with light armour. Most were still largely organic.
At some unseen signal, a missile streaked from a street; its shooter hidden from view. The official start of the battle and hopefully, war.
The rocket flew almost ponderously through the empty space around the Fortress; it felt like everyone held their breath, watching it. When it struck the gates, the explosion was almost muted, a dull thump as most of its energy was directed into the gate. The shockwave kicked a huge cloud of dust into the air, hiding everything behind a thick haze. The smoke had yet to clear before the next, and then the next were fired.
That was the signal that everyone had been waiting for, and both sides erupted into gunfire. From the heavy, rhythmic pounding of the autocannons to the sharp crack of autoguns, it all blended together into a deafening cacophony of noise and lights.
After several volleys at the gate, moving after each shot, the rockets started to target other locations. And they needed to move each time, as the area was lit up by gunfire, the heavy autocannons tearing through the building like papier-mâché. Most of the missiles slammed into the walls, tearing large chunks from them, but a few struck true, silencing several of the autocannons.
Casualties mounted on both sides, bodies and limbs scattered across the streets.
I spotted a few priority targets and relayed them to Adira, who was in charge of that. But otherwise, I just waited. After what felt like an excruciating amount of time but was probably less than half an hour, I saw movement down below as we began the advance.
Even with many of the guns disabled or destroyed, walking into that hail of gunfire would have been suicide. The gangs didn't care about death, but they didn't want to waste their manpower.
Armoured trucks rolled out carrying veterans, while the recruits hid behind the advancing trucks. Those who could had shields, even if it was just slabs of metal crudely slapped together.
A few had proper shields made of discarded or damaged armour plating, offering real protection. Even with that protection, they left a trail of bodies in their wake. Watching the chaos and carnage unfold, I was once again glad I had decided to go with long-range, staying well away from that sort of fighting.
I watched as they valiantly pushed on, finally reaching the breach. Using the trucks and shield, they built a makeshift barricade and began pouring through the gap. The grunts went first, followed by the veterans. Unsurprisingly, those first few waves were a slaughter, with the tight chokepoints, there was nowhere to dodge. But still they pushed forward, forcing the Stalkers to retreat and allowing our forces to make ground and move out of my sight.
As more members flooded into the Fortress and out of view, a blood-curdling shriek pierced the chaos—cutting through the gunfire like a power knife through flesh. From the far-right corner of the Fortress, a blur darted through the shadows.
I only got a good look at it when it paused long enough to slaughter a group of Court members and flip the truck they had taken cover behind. It was a thing of both beauty and savagery. Easily two metres tall and four long, with wickedly sharp teeth and claws.
Its sleek body was sheathed in silvery armour and radiated pure malice through its blood-red bionic eyes.
Honestly, it was a work of art, if your idea of art involved slaughtering gang members by the dozen. Bullets pinging off of it and lasers splashing harmlessly against it. Weighing at least a ton, it crushed a truck as it landed, ripping into the metal and swiping a paw inside. Screams rang out from inside, from the unfortunate gangers trapped within.
Moving with a speed and grace no creature that large had any right to, it blurred to the next group—slaughtering them with ease. Then the next. And the next.
It was obvious why the Stalkers had been so long-lasting with a monster like that guarding their home.
Yeah… I was going to need full power for this one. Tracking it, I felt my gun begin to hum more intensely as it powered up to my most powerful shot. I was taking the time to get used to its jerking, zig-zagging movements. My patient was rewarded when it made another huge leap, and I had my chance.
Lining up my shot, I mentally fired, distantly registering the recoil, my full attention locked on the mastiff. There's no fucking way. Unbelievably, it must have sensed my shot, twisting mid-air just enough for it to skim along its armour, leaving a deep scar but no actual damage.
Swearing, I twisted to line up another shot but it was already too late.
Before I could fire, it had landed and was twisting and turning at impossible, erratic angles. Somehow, it had even triangulated my position, or close enough, using the terrain to block my shots as it slipped behind trucks and walls, moving from one group to the next, slaughtering them with brutal efficiency.
Morale started to collapse, grunts and veterans alike faltering, their glee charge slowing to a crawl. Before a rout could start, I saw a tight knot of champions, Lanto at the front, looking as relaxed as ever.
This must be the team he mentioned.
Strangely, Lanto had the least wargear. While all the others were armed to the gills, many with shiny carapace armour, he wore his normal helmet and hardened flak armour.
Over the vox I heard Lanto say, "Aleric, hold your fire until we can lock it down—then take the shot. Use that supercharged shot you mentioned—we won't get many chances at this."
"Copy." I replied, chewing my lips.
At the front, leading the charge was Drakar, the massive adhuman, with his rocky skin, whom I first worked with on that fateful mission all those years ago. He hadn't changed a bit, except now he wore what looked like tank armour strapped to his chest.
Still, he moved with surprising ease despite the heavy burden. A truck and jeep followed behind, another elite unit in tow. The Red Corsairs. The unit to be a part of.
They made a beeline straight for the beast that was killing all it came across, getting more frenzied with every kill. As they neared, most fell back, pulling what I could only describe as harpoons, whilst a few, Lanto and Drakar included, pressed forward.
They opened fire, drawing its attention, and I stared, jaw slack in disbelief as Lanto and Drakar leapt into the mastiff's path. I flinched, expecting to see Lanto flattened, but miraculously, he and Drakar managed to hold it. Sliding backwards as they slowed and controlled its charge.
Lanto forced the mastiff's head down and away from his chest, which it tried to bite.
It was only for a moment, but that was enough. Harpoons shot from the rest of the team on the truck and the jeep.
Some failed to find purchase, pining off, but enough of them stuck. Instead of spikes, they were magnets, latching onto the armour with just enough force to hold it.
It wasn't a long-term solution. Even as I watched, the mastiff shook itself, like a dog shedding water from its fur. One metal wire attached to the jeep snapped, another was ripped from someone's grip, and several others were dragged close enough to be in range and were swiped at by its paws.
Through it all, Lanto stood, the calm in the centre of the storm, holding the beast and keeping its attention. I'd known intellectually that he was dangerous, but I'd never realised quite how dangerous he truly was.
The augments he must have…
I felt the vibrations of my gun running at full power. With a thought, I started to supercharge it, what I called overcharge. Pushing far more power than was safe through the gun. I'd only have a few shots, two, maybe three, before it was fried or worse, blew up in my face.
I was hoping it would be the former rather than the latter.
As the gun powered up, arcs of electricity sparked running up and down the gun. I anxiously waited for the go signal from Lanto. I double-checked my ammunition. I knew it was the special kind, given to me as we were leaving. A potent, armour-piercing variety. Still, I checked it was loaded for what must have been the seventeenth time.
Sighting on the centre of mass, I waited until "NOW!" Lanto shouted through gritted teeth.
I almost jumped at the sudden noise, but I controlled it and fired. The kick was ferocious, the gun screaming in protest as a mighty boom echoed out, the dust shaken from the structures around me.
The armour-piercing slug screamed off through the air.
Even through the chaos and noise, the hardcase mastiff still had a supernatural awareness and jerked just enough. My shot struck it, a ringing, clang sounded that I could hear from my perch. It punched deep into its body, but it had moved just enough to avoid its most critical systems.
The mastiff roared in pain, snapping at those around it. Many were ready and managed to react in time. Several were not so lucky; a champion in carapace armour was sliced to ribbons by its paws, and another crushed by its bulk.
Not waiting, I pushed the gun to the max and fired again.
This shot fired true, striking deep into the mastiff.
Even then, the beast still stood, but it showed a sign of weakness, letting out a whimper and trying to retreat, the line slackening as it lost strength. It was no less dangerous for it, as one gang member found out. Lanto was having none of it. From his harness, he pulled out a perfectly spherical grenade and shoved it deep into one of the holes I had made.
Leaping back, the bomb exploded, releasing a flash of sparks and lightning as the EMP grenade went off—frying even more of its electrons now that it was past its outer shielding.
Unfortunately, that was all I saw as my gun fizzed and crackled. I was too late to get fully out of its range, but I managed to avoid the worst of it as the gun let out one last crackle of electricity before shorting, blue arcs of electricity shooting out, some running up my hands and arms, burning flesh as they went. Crying out, I jerked back, luckily not falling off the metal beam or pushing my gun over the edge.
A puff of black smoke wafted up from it. My impulse unit gave me nothing, marking it as very clearly dead and in need of a lot of work. Making sure it was safe on my back, I started to crawl away, not wanting to be near where I had fired from.
Although I couldn't help but look down, pulling out a scope as I did. Looking through it, I saw the mastiff slumped and the team of champions, with Lanto charging toward the breach. I was halfway across the beam when my vox sparked to life, "Well done Aleric. Anything to report?"
"No. But my gun is fried, so I won't be able to provide any further support."
"Affirmative. That's fine, your bit is done. Stay on the lookout and report anything back to Adira."
"Okay, over."
"Over."