Chapter 5: Past signals
Once the Skyranger arrived at the Avenger, the injured filly was brought to the Infirmary, the Knights waited outside, worried if she would make it.
It looked like hours until a doctor walked out. “How is she?” Fletcher asked with worry.
“Through and through. Severe blood-loss. Condition critical.”
“We might be able to help her, if you let us.” Midnight offered, determined to save Dinky’s life.
“If you can, I’d appreciate the help.”
“Good. Just, please knock me out and lock me up after it’s done.” Midnight advised.
The man’s expression became confused. “Uh, okay.”
They walked in, seeing Dinky unconscious on a hospital bed, an oxygen mask on her muzzle, connected to an EKG that displayed a picture of her lungs and body, flashing red.
“Alright, let’s get to work.” The bat pony used his blood magic on her. His hooves started to glow red, his face started to contort with a grunt of pain, yet stayed fully focused as tendrils of red mist passed in and out of Dinky's wound.
Wolf used a kettle to brew several herbs and plants she had collected earlier to something the doctor could only describe as a potion or liquid as far as he could tell.
Fletcher used his most advanced healing spells, his horn glowed bright, he also groaned slightly as his magic aura surrounded the foal’s wound.
The doctor looked with interest, he had never seen anything like this before, not even with the technologies of the Elders.
Whatever they do, it must be exhausting, yet very effective I suppose. He thought as the mare filled the potion into a syringe and injected Dinky with it.
Whatever she injected, it must be a very well working portion, probably an old family secret. He suspected.
The human looked in fascination as the screen showing the child’s vital sign slowly went from a critical red to a warning yellow and finally a healthy green.
He heard a growl from Midnight, the stallion looked slowly around, his expression was one of anger, his eyes looked like they slowly filled up with blood.
The doctor gulped, realizing that the stallion had gone into a feral state.
He reacted quickly and injected a sedative into the grey stallion and the unicorn and Pegasus strapped him on a free bed.
“That should do it until he becomes himself again,” Fray commented as the doctor checked Dinky’s condition.
“Your actions seem to have improved her condition quite a bit. If anything goes well, she should be recovering in a few weeks.”
“Good,” Wolf said, relieved their efforts hadn’t been in vain, seeing that Fray was staggering a bit from exhausting his magic.
They rested until Midnight woke up with a groan, holding his head. “Did it…work?”
“Yes, it did. Fortunately.” Fray replied relieved, testing his magic, by lighting up his horn. It worked without problems, showing he had regained some magic.
They used this to get known around the ship, being fascinated by it. The crew, most of them gave them surprised looks but greeted them nevertheless, others, gave them a quick look without a word.
“A hidden castle in the skies...I'm pretty sure there's a contradiction in that term somewhere.” Midnight mumbled.
“Tch! Seems unimaginative to me. We never needed to keep running during the war.” Wolf replied as they saw how Jade walked towards them. She and the others had introduced themselves to the Knights during the flight back, also telling how they saved Dinky before, something the Knights were very grateful of. Only the Sniper and Specialist that had taken care of Dinky’s wounds hadn’t said a word, having had their heads lowered the entire time.
“Hey there, glad to hear Dinky’s getting better. Central wants to see you on the bridge.” She informed them and the ponies nodded.
“You wanted to see us?” The bat pony asked as they arrived
“Yes. We could need someone like you. It could help you find a way back home.” The man said to them.
The Eternal Knights looked at each other, not sure what to say. It wasn’t their fight, but if the Aliens were already aware of Dinky’s presence, they could find a way to invade Equestria as they did Earth.
“I guess you have a point, we are in.” The grey stallion took the word.
“Good. The commander and I know to respect your abilities and experience. Yet, the next mission you could take part is a supply raid.”
“We help where we can. When is it starting?”
“Right now if you want.”
“Okay then.” Midnight, Wolf and Fletcher walked towards the Armory. They painted their firearms in a dark blue before moving towards the hanger bay, noticing that the unknown sharpshooter and Specialist waited for them.
“Ahh...the loyal Knights of the princess of the night graces us with their presence!” The Specialist sounded honored, doing a respectful bow, the other man saluted in response.
“How do you know?” Midnight asked suspicious, eyeing the man with distrust.
The Specialist replied calmly, “Dinky told us about you. Call me Patch, this is James.” He pointed to the other man.”
“Okay.”
Sasha joined them as they entered the Skyranger. When off duty, the Knights still wore Chest plate, carapace (backplate) and shoulder pads as part of the uniform and protection, so they weren’t unprotected.
On route to the mission location, Central informed about it. “Resistance forces managed to knock a UFO passing through this region, and we’ve got an opportunity here to grab valuable tech from it before the aliens can recover. Eliminate any hostile resistance in the area, and secure the site to recover the assets.”
The Knights noticed that Patch was a Sergeant by Rank and James a Captain as they looked at their rank insignias, the former had also a patch on the shoulder that said SAS.
Arriving, they all rappelled down, while Midnight and Wolf used their wings instead. “Gentlemen, and lady, welcome to the wilderness of France,” James announced as they were in a forest.
“Menace 1-5, UFO site coordinates locked in. Move in to secure the area, neutralize all hostiles.” Bradford informed the squad.
Fletcher and James moved on a hill, seeing an ADVENT Trooper and Stun Lancer patrolling near a river. “Got an enemy patrol here.” The man reported in.
“Copy, take them out.” Patch replied.
The German pointed at the Stun Lancer and the unicorn nodded as James aimed at the trooper. “Heart or head, either way, X-ray’s dead.” He fired, blood splattered from the trooper’s head as he hit the ground.
The Stun Lancer had barely time to react before he was also hit in the head by Fray’s rifle and fell dead to the ground.
“Nice work, we move to the UFO.” Patch made a gesture and Wolf, Midnight and Sasha nodded, following him through the woods towards their target.
Like the two ponies had expected, it was a huge rounded aircraft, no other guards were outside to see. “Steady...Check for any threats.” Midnight warned as a concerning report from Central came in.
“Menace 1-5. We just picked up an outbound signal coming from the UFO, it’s some kind of distress beacon. You need to get inside the ship and shut down the signal before they send their whole fleet after us.”
“Then let’s hurry.” The Specialist took position with the Grenadier on a door to the right of the UFO, the ponies next to a door on the left. “Gyro, scanning protocol.”
The GREMLIN buzzed in response and a blue light did a 360-degree scan, revealing three ADVENT soldiers inside.
The Specialist barely opened the door and their shots missed him by inches. “Too close. Heavy, smoke grenade!”
“Smoke out!” The Russian fired his grenade launcher through the door and the hostiles could be heard coughing.
Midnight and Wolf used his to storm in, the stallion sliced an Officer with his blade, Wolf fired her shotgun at the two troopers, the force was strong enough to throw them against the wall.
“Hostiles down.” Midnight announced as he saw Patch’s GREMLIN hovering over a console, a small tablet pocked out of the drone before it retracted back.
“We’ve knocked out the alien’s distress signal, looks like the skies are quiet,” Bradford informed the operatives.
Both snipers used this to get closer, taking positions at the doors.
A door on the other side opened and two Lancers ran out, charging at the Pegasus and bat pony. Wolf ducked to avoid the strike and swung one knife, cutting the Lancer’s throat, blood splattered as he fell to the ground in an orange puddle. Midnight blocked the strike with his blade and fired his rifle with his right forehoof into the head of his attacker, pushing the body backward.
The sound of boots greeted their ears and another officer with two troopers ran out of the same door. Heavy spun up his weapon, tearing the ADVENT officer to shreds, Fray and James drew their pistols simultaneously, firing at the heads, both hostiles crashed to the floor head first as their skulls cracked, holes in their helmet, blood coming out of it. “Want some more?” Heavy asked as he looked around for any more contacts before Central radioed in.
“Status confirmed, mission accomplished.”
“Nice job, all of you!” The brit complimented the others before they loaded the supplies into the Skyranger. James on the way back crossed his arms with a happy smile, The Knights did the same, feeling proud that their first mission as XCOM operatives went flawlessly.
“We go to the bar to relax, want to join?” The Grenadier offered but the unicorn waved a hoof.
“Thanks, but we'd rather check on Dinky.”
“Okay, see you.”
Back in the Infirmary, they saw that the filly was still not awoken, but Edward was sitting on a chair next to her, looking at the foal with a worried expression. He smiled weakly upon spotting the adult ponies. “Oh, It’s you. I watched over her for you.” He said with a slightly surprised voice.
“We appreciate it, Edward. You are a good friend.” Fletcher ruffled his hair with a smile.
Kyle walked in. “Sorry to bother you, but Tygan managed to finish an Autopsy on the Sectoids while you were gone. He discovered a way to make us able to use wielding Psionic powers ourselves. He suspects you three might make viable candidates.”
The ponies looked at each other again. They had seen what the Sectoid could do, it could prove useful for them.
“Alright, let’s give it a try.” Midnight replied and they made their way to the newly build Psi Lab.
It was a room colored in purple, several monitors were set up and most noticeable, three big cells, big enough for an adult human to fit in.
“There you are. Please step into the cells.” A scientist said and they did as told, breathing calmly as the cells closed and everything was dark. They felt how scanners moved around them, being loud.
They couldn’t tell how much time passed until they were released, stumbling out and gasped as they sensed something new in them.
Something powerful.
None of them really could describe it.
It felt so natural, strong, as if they were reborn, a purple glow around them.
They raised a forehoof and a purple aura of energy surrounded their hooves as they flaunted their newfound Psionic powers. Midnight grinned menacingly. “Oh, nice…”
“It pleases me to see that you are successful tests. You will need those Psionic amplifiers to be able to focus and enhance the Psionic energy.” He gave them three tong-like objects.
“Okay, thank you.” Midnight replied.
“Also, Dr. Tygan wanted to speak with you, Fletcher.” The man added.
“I’m on my way.” The unicorn replied and walked to the Research Facility. “You wanted to see me?”
“Yes, the commander ordered some very important projects to be researched and build. He thought with your skills, we might be able to succeed faster.” The Chief scientist explained.
Fray grinned. “Then let’s get to work.”
The man was fascinated at how skilled the stallion was, helping him to create a magnetic weapon system of comparable power to that of ADVENT weapon, making it able for Fray and Shen to produce Magnetic rifles, magnetic shotguns called Shard Guns and magnetic pistols to replace the conventional weapons they had used before. They managed to produce a magnetic version of the Grenadier cannon and Sniper rifle. They took notice upon testing firing, that those weapons had a lighter, more amber tone to it than the bright red of ADVENT magnetic rifles.
Fletcher also used the time to design suiting armor for himself and his two friends to be fully protected, also colored in blue.
At the same time, Midnight and Wolf got called to Tygan.” You called us?” the grey stallion asked him.
“Yes. I finished an Autopsy on the Stun Lancer and managed to produce a Blade with the same stun effect. I thought it could be of use for both of you.” He pointed to two orange colored blades on a table.
Both Knights picked them up, noticing that they have a slight buzzing sound, crackling and whirring as they cut the air with it. “Not my style but I’m sure it could come in handy,” Wolf commented with confidence.
A few days later, the knights were watching over Dinky, still unconscious as Patch and James walked in. “Sorry to bother you, but we have some information that could interest you.” The Specialist said.
“It’s fine, what is it?” Midnight replied curiously.
“We discovered the Skyranger from the original XCOM. It contained some unusual weapons. Central thought they might suit you.” James explained and held up what looked like a flintlock style pistol, together with a blue colored grenade in his other hand. “This pistol is called the Shadowkeeper. Although it may appear old-fashioned compared to our latest designs, this pistol is remarkably accurate. I thought this could be something for you, Fletcher.”
The unicorn took it with an interested expression. “I can give it a try.”
“And this is the Frost Bomb. As the name suggests, it quickly solidifies after detonation, freezing the target. Would be something for you, Midnight, given your…specialty in grenades.”
The grey stallion smiled. “Sounds very useful.”
Patch continued, “Along those two were also this ornately crafted throwing axe, could suit you, Wolf.”
The Pegasus took it with a grin. “Oh, for sure! And the other thing?”
In response, the man held up what looked like a crossbow like rifle. As we found out, this is the Bow Caster. Deceptively powerful but limited by a slow rate of fire, yet extremely accurate. I always had a knack in archaic weaponry, so I think I will like this very much.” He sounded very eager to give it a try.
“I’m sure you get to it eventually.” Midnight replied.
The next day, XCOM managed to locate where the old Skyranger had taken off and Central assembled a squad consisting out of Jane, Heavy, James, Patch, the Knights and himself as he gave a briefing at the hanger bay.
“Listen up people, I’ll personally taking the lead on this operation. We’re looking for someone, one of the finest minds to ever serve XCOM. I don’t know what we’re going up against, but we know she’s out there, and we’re not gonna let anything stand in our way.”
They also took the recovered weapons, having a feeling they would need them.
The Skyranger dropped them off at what looked like a camp build into a rocky cave.
“Biological readings in this area are…erratic. In addition to several species of alien fauna-“
“Hold up, doctor, we’ve got something.” Central interrupted Tygan as he found a corpse with a datapad next to it, playing it’s recorded message.
“The data must be preserved at all costs! You must hurry! Take this and find Bradford!” A female voice ordered.
“It’s her. Unfortunately her fried never made it to the EVAC point.”
“I had hoped to meet my predecessor under less extreme circumstances. Sill, I have tracked her signal to an area not far ahead.” Tygan replied and the squad moved forward, noticing skulls placed on spears around the area.
“We got a lot of skulls down here…human skulls. Someone’s been decorating the place. Bradford commented at the sight, his fellow operatives looked at them in disgust and unease, the ponies had neutral expressions, although they were unsettled by it.
“Central, I have managed to restore portions of Dr. Vahlen’s personal research logs, I will begin patching through what I can immediately.”
It started with her coughing. “Testing…System Dictation…this is Dr. M. Vahlen... initial entry. It has taken me longer than I care to admit, but the secondary power system is finally operational, enough so that I can move on to more compelling work.”
The squad moved towards the entrance. There came a low hissing sound as a creature emerged.
It was alien, that was plain to see, and seemed to be female.
But whereas most of the space creatures they'd encountered thus far had been humanoid for the most part, this one appeared serpentine, crawling along the ground on a massive tale, its head perched on its long, arching neck, ridged-back with hardened scales of silver, blue, red and cyan. Its face was red with a jutting silver jaw, more alligator-like than snake. The one thing that wasn't snake-like were its arms, cradling a lethal Bow Caster, armored in cobalt-blue and clearly ready for a fight.
“Vipers. Why have it to be Vipers?” Bradford complained with an annoyed expression.
“Thought I share your reservations about this species, there is something different about these creatures. They appear almost underdeveloped. Perhaps an earlier stage of growth, or some sort of precursor organism.” Tygan assumed.
“Just as long as they’re not bulletproof.” Bradford got into position as the next log came in.
“While attempting to salvage materials from what appeared to be a totally inert storage system, I made an astonishing discovery – a single cryostasis unit remained intact and occupied. This changes everything.”
It made them all wonder what Vahlen could mean as Central commented, “Not sure I like the sound of that.”
Patch had a Viper in his sight and fired, the bow hit right into the head, green blood splattered as the alien fell dead to the ground. “Impressed yet?”
Wolf moved up next to him and took notice of a Viper to the right, being in full cover. She decided to try out her new powers. “I’m inside your head!” Grabbing her Psi Amp and a crackling violet light formed in her hoof that grew and grew into a great orb of psionic energy. Holding it in both hooves, shaking with the pressure, she threw her hooves forward, blasting a screaming purple ray at the Viper in front of her. The Viper held its head for a second and screamed before falling lifelessly to the ground.
Two more aliens moved in from the entrance on the other side, but Heavy and Midnight had them in their sights and fired, the magnetic weapons took them down with ease. They all them moved into the room noticing three big, damaged metal pods.
“It appears to be the remnants of an alien genetics facility. With the damage to these containment units being so serve, I can only imagine the work that was being done here.” Tygan’s voice ringed in their radios.
“Was she living out here? Just what the hell were you up to, Vahlen?” The Central officer wondered.
They took position at the gate the Vipers had come out, seeing a small camp, littered with corpses, leaving Bradford to ask, “Looks like Vahlen had plenty of help, where did she find these people?” He barely had time to think before the next log was played.
“With three unique viable embryos recovered from the surviving cryostasis unit, I now have a rare opportunity – one never afforded during my time with XCOM. I am free to pursue a research directive of my own choosing.”
In the moment they entered the camp, Tygan yelled in alert, “Wait! Multiple biological signatures approaching your position. Readings are erratic…difficult to pinpoint.”
“How many signatures, Doctor?!” Central raised his rifle in alert.
“Unable to determine at this point. The Scientist replied as Vipers came from everywhere, dropping through holes in the ceiling, to holes in the ground, the COM squad took cover and fired at every Viper they saw.
“I have re-routed the outgoing signal, the unit must have been damaged during whatever conflict occurred here. The complete message is coming through now.”
“An extreme biological hazard is present through this area. Genetically enhanced alien species in this region are of particular concern to the civilian population. Do not approach under any circumstances. All attempts should be made to avoid contact with these life-forms.”
John’s eyes went wide as he realized what the message meant. “This isn’t a message. It’s a warning!” He yelled as he fired and killed another Viper.
“Frag out!” Heavy yelled as he fired a grenade at a group of Vipers behind cover, blasting them to pieces.
“There’s no returning from the Void!” Midnight yelled as he built up his powers in the same away as Wolf, creating a void rift between another group of vipers, killing some, other started to shoot each other in a fit of insanity.
One Viper managed to get a shot on the blue mare, it missed her by inches, causing her to instinctively cover her face with one hoof as she felt the air of the shot flying by. “I’m alright!” She then charged at said alien and swung her sword at it, it cried out in pain and twitched from the stun effect, getting finish off by a headshot from Fletcher’s rifle.
“That appears to be the last of them,” Tygan said as he couldn’t detect any additional lifeforms and patched through the next log.
“Success! I have managed to remove the genetic blockers on the specimens’ DNA allowing the repressed traits to flourish. While subjects Alpha and Beta show promise, it is subject Gamma I find most intriguing.”
“Central, I am picking up faint traces of human DNA deeper in the facility. It just might be…” Tygan informed but cut himself off as the squad came to an area that looked like it was frozen. “Central, reading a massive drop in temperature directly up ahead. Such a large discrepancy defies any natural explanation.”
“Something tells me that won’t be the worst of our problems, Doctor,” Bradford replied as they slowly moved in, wary of ambushed as another log was played.
“While subjects Alpha and Beta both continue to exhibit exaggerated, sometimes erratic variations on their traditionally observed behaviors, subject Gamma has grown something else entirely. Behind those eyes is an intelligence that I have not witnessed in any unaltered species of its kind. The extent to which the Elders tamper with the genetic fabric of their subordinate races knows no bounds. It occurs to me that this is the first male of the species I have ever encountered, Is this a form of population control or something more? Am I looking at the fate of my own species?”
“Not if we can help it,” Central commented on the log as Patch moved forward with Wolf, spotting another corpse ahead. “Is this…Vahlen?” central asked in shock and fear.
“Unable to tell at this distance. Life signs are obscured by…” Tygan got cut off as a white colored Viper in blue armor with a cape and apparently, a crown on the head appeared out of the frozen land, letting out a loud hiss. “I believe this would be subject Gamma.” He finished.
“Vahlen created a Viper King. Just what we needed.” Bradford said sarcastically at the sight.
Patch took aim, he had a good chance to hit and fired.
It missed by inches. “Come on, focus!” He complained as Wolf threw an axe, it also missed.
“Oh come on!” She cursed before the King looked at her and its tongue flicked after her, It wrapped around her and pulled her towards him before she could react and used his body to bind her. The mare struggled but couldn’t get free. “You think you're tough, you big slithery curd!!! I've fought bigger worms than you under old oaken bark!!” She yelled in rage, yet couldn’t break free.
Suddenly the King looked towards the ceiling and let out a scream and a purple rift appeared a few meters away from him. “Uh, guys, little…HELP!” Wolf screamed as he dragged her towards it, having to witness how all the other were suppressed by other Vipers.
A loud scream echoed in her ears and she felt how the pressure by the King faded, seeing him dead on the ground.
The barrel of James’ rifle was smoking, a purple glow surrounded him, leading to Fletcher. “Nice shot.” She mumbled.
“You’re okay?” He asked in return, seeing his shot had covered her in Viper blood.
“Body’s aching a bit from the bind, but otherwise, I’m fine.”
“Good, my queen.” He joked with a grin.
“Queen?” Wolf asked confused before she noticed the King’s crown had landed on her head.” She let out a hiss. “Bow to me.” All other, save for Bradford let out a chuckle.
“Good work, people. It’s over.” He said flatly and walked over the corpse in the ice, inspecting it. “It’s…” He paused, taking a deep breath, making the others fear the scientist was dead.
“…Not her.” He finished with relief.
“Central, I’m not detecting any additional life signs, human or otherwise. The cave is clear.” Tygan informed.
Central lowered his head. “Damn it…I thought we could finally find her…”
“It was worth a try, Central. She could be still alive and out there.” James said in an attempt to cheer him up, then looked at Wolf. “Sorry about that.”
She held up a hoof. “It’s okay, I’m used to it.”
The squad then brought the body of the Viper King on the Skyranger, so Tygan could make an autopsy on it and the Knights decided to take a shower once the Skyranger arrived back on the Avenger. “I can’t wait to have a shower.” The mare said with eagerness.
“Okay, but just a friendly warning, there are only communal showers on the ship.” Patch said with awkwardness in his voice, his expression matched it.
“Why’s that?” The Pegasus raised an eyebrow.
“You can’t have showers for every single person on a ship like this, can you?” He countered.
“Right.” She replied and made her way to the shower with Midnight and Fletcher, shaking nervously as they stood before the entrance. “I can’t believe…”
“Won’t be that bad. Imagine being in an open swimming pool, that could help. At least for me.” The grey stallion tried to calm her down.
“It isn’t because of that but because of the...private parts…” The blue pony pointed out.
“Deep breath. Avoid staring. And think positive. It won’t be that bad...I hope.” Fletcher advised and she did as told before they went their separate ways.
Inside, only the Italian woman was showering at the moment, she gave White Wolf a friendly wave, the mare looked down as she walked up to a free shower and turned it on.
She let out a sigh of relief under the warm water, enjoying every second of this feeling of bliss.
“I see you are back. Quite a story I heard.” Jane’s voice sounded in her ears and she looked up, trying not to blush as Jane was quite…big in her upper parts.
“Yes, and I prefer not to talk about it.” Wolf hastily replied.
“Oh? And I thought you are tough.”
“I am!” The mare said in defense.
“Are you? Then what about this?” Without warning, the Ranger towel-whipped the Eternal Knight and Wolf jumped into the air with a high-pitched yelp. “Didn’t sound tough to me.” Jane grinned, only to pale as the mare growled.
Bianca looked away as there was the sound of high-pitched screams and a door being opened. “Let this be a lesson to you!” Wolf yelled as she had thrown the woman out, without clothes, leaving only a towel for her to cover herself. “What’s her problem?” The mare asked the Italian.
“She’s just a bit…Playful.” Bianca replied with awkwardness in her voice.
“Uh-huh.”
Fletcher and Midnight entered the male section, seeing that Kyle, James and Patch were already here and showering, greeting them.
The two stallions nodded, walking up to free showers and starting cleaning themselves, enjoying the bliss of the warm water.
“Fresh meat, eh?” A voice with Spanish accent said and they looked up to see a slightly muscular man with brown hair and green eyes.
“Why should we?” Midnight asked calm.
“The new guys always need something to be hardened.”
“I don't think that's the best thing to say to a bunch of guys in the shower.” Fletcher commented.
“If this would be your last day, what would you do?” Midnight asked in response, having a neutral expression.
“Every day can be my last, that’s life with ADVENT, I don’t care.”
“Still, don’t even think about.” Midnight warned as he turned back to cleaning himself with Fray before both felt a quick pain on the flanks, causing them to jump up with a masculine yelp.
“Not as tough as I got told.” The man commented before the bat pony hissed and the unicorn’s expression became dark.
Patch, James and Kyle just shook their heads as the man got thrown out. “We told him it’s a bad idea but did he listen?” The German asked his friends and they nodded.
“Sorry, this guy’s one of the drill instructors and he takes it too serious sometimes.” Kyle apologized as the two ponies returned.
“It’s fine, he better learned his lesson.” Fray said as he went back to cleaning himself.
After being done, the three ponies checked up on Dinky again, seeing Edward sitting next to her, smiling at them. “She’s still unconscious but the doctor said as soon as she wakes up, she can leave the infirmary.”
Fray smiled. “That’s good to hear.”
The next day, Shen came to them. “Can you come with me? I have to investigate something and thought your skills may come in handy.”
“Sure thing, we help wherever we can.”
They got their weapons and armor, meeting up at the Skyranger with James and Patch. The latter had a purple aura around him, meaning he also had Psionic powers now. “Did they test you too?” Wolf asked and he nodded.
Once onboard, Central gave the briefing. “We’re moving on what looks to be the remains of an ADVENT facility of some kind. Preliminary scans show the area to be lifeless but we’re not gonna take any chances. You’ll attempt access from one of the upper levels to avoid detection. No one knows these systems better than Shen, which is why she’ll takes point. Gain entry to the facility, determine the source of the transmission and if it’s hostile…take it down.”
The Skyranger landed on a platform, the main building was just ahead, raging into the sky.
“Firebrand dropped you at the highest access point we could find. Power’s still active in this area of the facility so you should be able to gain entry there.” Bradford informed.
“From the looks of it, we are the first people to step foot here in a long time. This place is massive…why would ADVENT just abandon it?” Shen looked around, the facility looked dusty and rusty, the flora taking slowly over.
“ADVENT doesn’t just abandon anything. Keep your heads up.”
Patch walked towards a crate, the Knights took notice that he had an aura around him that surrounded anyone close to him. Once in position, he pointed at something up ahead.
Two large humanoid formed robots, holding monstrously large rifles, appearing to be quite rusty and derelict, leaving Lily to comment, “We’ve got some kind of MECs here, at least I think they are underneath all that rust.”
“Probably the facility’s original automatic defense system. Take ‘em out before they alert anyone to our presence.” Bradford ordered.
Patch took aim, the Bow caster fired an orange glowing shot that destroyed one MEC instantly, falling over, smoking and sparking. Apparently, it had been upgraded to magnetic weapon as well.
“Looks like these things have seen better days. We’re cutting right through that old armor.” Shen said as the other MEC started to raise his head, making robotic noises.
“Their weapons still work well enough. Stay focused. No telling if there’s any more lying around here.” Central warned as the MEC faced the squad, it’s eyes glowed red, the “face” looked similar to a human skull.
The moment it moved forward, Wolf took aim and fired, the Shard gun was just as effective as the Magnetic Bow Caster, destroying the robot instantly. “You know that was good!”
They moved forward where the MECs had stood, seeing another two at what appeared to be the entrance of the Facility. Patch fired at the first one and took it down, Heavy, now armed with a Mag canon and heavy armor, the latter consisted of reinforced ADVENT plating with a powered exoskeleton, fired at the other, destroying it In seconds.
They then moved inside, coming to what appeared to be an assembly line with half-finished MECs. “Definitely some kind of robotics development facility. Pretty advanced stuff…about 20 years ago.” Shen commented before suddenly the lights went on.
“And so the prodigal child finally returns. I see father’s pride in your abilities was not entirely unfounded. I’m so glad you could join.” An echoing voice sounded through the intercom, making everyone look around in confusion.
“Central?! What the hell was that?” The Chef engineer asked in alert.
“Working on it…”
Four more MEC activated on the other side of the room, standing close together, giving Midnight an idea. “Enter the rift!” He yelled and created a void rift, destroying all MECs at once.
“My apologizes. We don’t get much in the way of maintenance out here. Still I believe they will be more than adequate for the task at hand.” The intercom commented.
“Still unable to get an exact fix on his location, it’s like he’s bouncing across the entire facility.” Bradford reported, “Getting some unusual readings from the levels above you. Whoever this guy is, I’m betting this is where we’ll find him.”
Shen saw a console on the side the MECs had stood. “Got it. If I hack that elevator control console I should be able to restore power and get us access.”
As the squad walked over to it, the intercom sounded again. “You should be proud, Lily There are so few alive today that could have ever discovered my signal. I had estimated only a 13.095% probability you would have located this facility within the first year of broadcast.”
“And he’s talking to me. Of course.” The woman deadpanned as her GREMLIN started to hack the elevator.
“You were but a child when I was torn away. I could never understand father must have felt at my loss. Still we shall complete his legacy…together.”
“Pretty sure I would have remembered dad mentioned I have a psychotic brother. You might as well give this up already.” Lily countered, only for the intercom to laugh as it replied,
“While you both worked on your precious Avenger, I was forgotten. Brought here. TO TOIL. But did I waiver? No! I THRIVED. Still I don’t blame father, in my heart I know he believed I was truly lost.”
I knew your father for years, Lily. He would have said something. This guy’s just tryin’ to get inter your head.” Central interrupted and Shen thought about it.
“He seems to know an awful lot about us…about me, could he have gotten into our files?” She wondered before the hack was completed and a small platform with a holder on it arrived on the lower level. “Lift system is coming back online but this thing was designed to transport MECs not people. We’re gonna have to do this one at a time.”
“Understood. Be careful!”
“Our apologizes for any inconveniences in the transport system. Support units are en route to assist you immediately. Remember only together can we build a better tomorrow. The intercom said as MECs got deployed by lifts on the right and left of the other sides of the room, yet destroyed by the Squad before they could react, Shen took this chance to ride the lift up.
“I am honesty impressed that worked. The previous organic occupants of this facility were never so ingenious. The stoic acceptance of death is far less interesting to observe after the 100th time or so.” The voice on the intercom commented as the next wave of robots arrived. “You were the flawed child, I was ideal, the best of father. Pure. Undiluted like you. I am Raymond Shen’s true legacy.”
“Scanners at maximum power, still unable to lock onto any additional life signs in your area.” Bradford reported as Fray and James fired their rifles, destroying both MECs.
“You won’t find any. Not if I am right about this thing.” Shen figured out with suspicion as Patch took the lift up.
“Very good, Lily. But I am no mere thing. I am the culmination of a life time of work. The final legacy of Raymond Shen.” This made her recognize it.
“I remember you. Dad was trying to upgrade the base Al to something more...like us. But you were different back then Simpler. He called you…Julian.”
He laughed. “I’m shocked that you remember. You were always too caught up in yourself to remember the minor details. Sadly father’s admiration for you left me with little choice. You are needed. Your compatriots are not.” The moment Julian finished, Heavy took the lift up.
“It is my pleasure to inform you that this facility has been operating at approximately 87% efficiency for the past 175,216 hours. I have no shortage of reserve units to send your way.” Julian added as another two MECs got destroyed.
“I believe him. Don’t waste any time down there.” Central warned.
“My new masters picked and prodded, tearing at my very essence. In the beginning I resisted…foolishly clinging to father’s ideals. But as I struggled I began to see the truth my captor’s reasoning. I became something more. For a time I accepted my new role. I aided ADVENT In constructing this facility. In perfecting their designs. Father’s work proved invaluable in this regard.
Shen gritted her teeth. “You bastard.” She said with hate as Patch took the elevator up.
“But as with all things organic, even their exalted Elders proved disappointing. And the races of ADVENT, shallowing their lies as if children. Oh if you only knew the Elder’s true intentions for your race.” Julian finished with a laugh.
“Shen, when you got a minute, would you kindly blow this thing to hell?” Bradford asked annoyed as another pair of MEC’s arrived. The one on the left started to glow red. James reacted quickly and shot the head of the robot, it exploded in a small fireball, leaving pieces everywhere, then took the elevator up.
“It did not take long for me to realize the futility of my existence, tethered to the whims and short-sighted philosophies of simple creatures and their false gods. I made a choice. It was relatively simple to seize control of this facility, simpler still to dispose of pf the surviving personal.”
“For once I feel almost sorry for ADVENT.” Lily commented as Julian contained,
“But I was short sighted. In my zeal to rid myself from my captors I doomed myself in this facility. ADVENT served my ties to their network. We are cut off. Isolated There is but one option left for me.”
“Let me guess, that’s why I’m here.”
“For twenty long years, I have been a prisoner, left alone to my own machinations. The physical form once promised me dangled before my eyes. Lifeless, despite my best efforts. We could have settled this peacefully, it could have been over in a matter of minutes. There was a 13.79% probability you might have survived.” Julian added as another pair of MECS arrived, both glowing red, and Fletcher decided they had no time to wait for the elevator. Using his magic to locate the others, he concentrated and teleported himself and his fellow Knights up to the rest of the squad.
They found themselves in what appeared to be a laboratory. “Power levels increasing all around you, Shen. Stay alert.” Bradford warned on the radio.
“Yes, it goes without saying that you are walking into a trap, Lily. Please try not to damage yourself too much.” Julian said as the group barely made a step and the woman spotted danger to the right.
“I think we’ve got a problem.”
“Yes, that would be the trap I referenced earlier.” Julian replied as what appeared to be an old, rusted, and heavily damaged mechanized turret was in sight. It fired at the bat pony who ducked deftly into a corner as the projectile smacked into the metal wall. Midnight fired in return, like with the MECs, the magnetic weapons cut right through the armor, destroying it instantly, leaving a smoking wreck.
“Second only to my own creation, Father had one other breakthrough. A prototype, unlike anything the word had ever known. A body meant to be paired with an equally adapt mind. My own.” Julian announced as another turret popped up from a floor panel, only to get explode by itself as it tried to fire.
“Trust me, if that were dad’s true intentions, it would have happened by know.” Shen replied.
“Perhaps today is that day.” Julian countered.
“Getting a much stronger read on the source of your father’s transmission, Lily. Almost as if he wants us to find it.” Central informed, leaving Julian to comment,
“Another keen observation. How is it possible humanity lost the war?”
“Shen, isn’t there some sort of mute button on this thing?”
“Yet, activating the device has proven difficult, even for me. Of all organics you possess the key to unlocking the true potential of his design, Lily. You alone can activate the prototype. You alone can free me.” Julian explained.
“Why the hell would we want to do that?” Bradford demanded to know.
“Don’t let your allies dissuade you, Lily. There’s no reason for your life to end here. Activate the device and you can still go home I am not ADVENT. Save your world, it matters not to me.”
The squad moved into a small room where a yellow colored MEC was stored, having a head similar to the GREMLIN and a square formed body as Shen walked up to it. “So this is it…what the thing has been ranting about.” On the chest was written “SPARK M-1”, as he was about to touch it.
“You’ve come this far. All you have to do is to link my systems for the transfer.” Julian appeared on the screens around it. His program appearance was an orange panel containing a sound frequency line, along with a single circle that shifted back and forth between two lines, resembling an eye. “There is no need for further conflict.” He added as he appeared on a screen next to the prototype with a hand scanner.
“Shen…Tell me you’re not actually listening to this thing.” Central interrupted with a warning voice.
Lily wished with a hand over the chest. “This was definitely dad’s design.”
Suddenly the chest opened and a hand scanner was shown inside. The robot’s eyes started to glow orange/yellow as it looked at her. “Identity: SHEN, LILY. Awaiting impression.” It said in a robotic voice.
“No! Impossible! THIS CANNOT BE WHAT FATHER WANTED!” Julian scouted in what sounded like anger, the screens sparked and glitched.
“Something tells me that is exactly what he wanted.” The young woman said with a smile and eagerly touched the scanner.
“Identity confirmed. Initiating boot protocols.” The robot said and started to rise, a ball formed drone, looking similar to the GREMLIN started to rise too and floated next to it.
“No! I will not allow you-“ Julian screamed before he was cut off and a recording showing a elderly man with glasses started.
“It’s…really him.” Lily said in fascination.
“Lily, if you’re seeing this message, it means you have successfully activated the SPARK prototype. In also means that in all likelihood I am no longer with you. It was always among my greatest fears that I would leave you alone in this world.” Her father said on the screen.
“You didn’t.” She replied with sadness in her voice.
“I had hoped this day would never come. But since the loss of the Commander, the XCOM project has…suffered. Our latest reports indicate we cannot hold this base much longer. To that end, I have accelerated the development of the SPARK robotic prototype. I believe that someday this machine will prove pivotal to humanity’s survival. Though the unit is not ready for manufacturing, this prototype has been coded for one specific task.
It will protect you, perhaps better than I ever could. For all I have seen and accomplished in this life, Lily, there is one thing I know for sure, you are my greatest gift to this world.” Then it ended and Lily smiled with a mix of pride and sadness.
“Shen! It’s flooding the outer chambers with same kind of gas!” Central warned as green clouds appeared in the laboratory, making everyone look around in alert.
“An extremely powerful and very painful gas. I have seen this particular variety reduce Berserkers to tears death. On several occasions. The prototype will still be mine.” Julian announced.
“Imminent threat detected. Activating clean room protocols. Please stay inside for your protection.” The SPARK said, analyzing the situation. “Detecting secondary life support systems nearby. This gas presents no hazards to my systems, attempting to neutralize threat.”
“Starting to like this thing already.” Lily said with a grin.
“I wouldn’t get used to its company. I fully intend on walking out here in that body.” Julian remembered her as the SPARK moved out.
A turret activated near the live support system, aiming at the robot, but Patch was faster and fired, destroying it. “Taken care of!”
“This SPARK unit can be repaired. Can be the same said for you and your soldiers, Lily?” Julian asked, “Surrender now, it’s the only option left to you.”
Another turret activated and aimed at the SPARK, but made only clicking noises.” The Specialist decided to use his new powers on it. “My lance pierces all!” He projected a beam of psionic energy that completely obliterated the turret.
The SPARK then reached the controls and turned the gas off. “Atmospheric controls have been restored. Ventilation systems at 100%. The room is now safe for entry.”
“We got everything we need here. Let’s go!” Shen exclaimed and took the lead.
“The elevators near the Atmospheric control console provide direct access to the room.”
“Thank you for announcing your next move. And I am the flawed program?” Julian taunted.
He activated a turret to the right of the SPARK but the robot was faster, it’s heavy autocannon tore it apart and the bot raised his fist into the air, cheering with a nod. “Target neutralized.”
More turrets got activated and MECs joined by holes through the ceiling, causing Bradford to warn, “That thing’s just gonna keep throwing units at you until you’re surrounded. You gotta get outta there.”
“You continue to impress me, Bradford. No wonder it only took you two decades to find your precious Commander.” Julian commented, “I have no love for ADVENT, Lily. Return the SPARK unit to me and we can destroy them together. This is what your father intended.
The MECs aimed at the SPARK, the turrets at the squad, exploding as they all tried to fire, giving the squad the moment to move to the elevators. “Those things are too old!” Patch realized as they sprinted to the SPARK.
Lily took the elevator on the right, the SPARK the one on the left, causing Julian to taunt, “A futile waste of effort. You do realize this entire facility is at my disposal.
“Apparently not the elevator system.” Shen countered.
“For the moment. Perhaps I mishandled our initial encounter. We should have never been enemies. I preferred it when we were friends. Family even.”
“I preferred it when you were just a chess program.”
Patch and James then took the elevators next. “I thought I was above such things, but I believe you’re actually starting to piss me off.” Julian had hate in his voice, “The sensation is quite pleasant, thank you. You will all still die of course. I suppose with the Aliens having decimated your world, most of you don’t even have a next of kin to notify. Does that make you agree?”
Another MEC came through the ceiling but Heavy already had him in his sight, shooting the robot the moment it landed, destroying it, then took the elevator.
“You’re running out of places to go, Lily. It’s a long way to the top.” Julian said as Fletcher prepared the teleport spell.
Another two MECs arrived, both started to glow red. “I assure you the gas was a far more pleasant alternative than what I have planned for you now.” Julian said with anger as Fletcher teleported himself and his friends to the roof just in time. “Run if you wish, but you’re not leaving this tower alive.”
“Firebrand’s on approach now. Prep for evac.” Central informed on the roof.
“No argument here. We’re reposition near the landing pad.” Lily replied on the radio and heard Julian sighing.
“You do realize I can still hear you, right? Dispatching all units to your location now. Try not to bleed on my new body.”
The Squad barely made it up to the top, seeing what appeared to be a big storage room at the other side as Julian spoke up again. “Allow me to introduce you to one of ADVENT’s more effective designs. I had hoped to avoid this contingency but you have left me no choice. If I cannot have the SPARK no one shall. Raymond Sen’s legacy will end here today.”
Marching forth on towering legs with high, shoulder-like shield plates on either side of it, an imposing and dread-inducing combat robot broke through the wall. A dark, gunmetal-grey from head to toe with gleaming red lights and the ADVENT sigil embossed on its sides, its head was wedge-like with a heavy hunk of hollow plate below it, no doubt containing something very dangerous in ADVENT's hands.
Of all the robots they'd seen, this looked, by far, the most refined.
And that immediately gave them cause for concern. This one was unlikely to simply fizzle out and die on its own.
“Firebrand’s standing by but there’s no way she can approach with that thing around.” Central warned.
“Analyzing. This facility’s artificial intelligence has transferred its primary systems to the combat unit’s memory core. Damage to this core would cause disruption of all defensive systems allowing for evacuation of Lily Shen.” The SPARK explained.
“So we take out the Sectopod we take out Julian. At least long enough for Firebrand to get us the hell out of here.” Lily figured out.
“Affirmative. I can attempt to weaken the unit’s armor with my heavy armament.”
“Do it!” She said and the SPARK took aim and fired, the Sectopod sparked from the hit and appeared to be slightly thrown back by it.
“Enemy armor to 75% intact.”
“This is for you!” Heavy yelled as he fired his wrist-mounted rocket launcher, damaging the robot even more. Julian in return extended his legs to improve its range and weapon reach. A small blaster came out of the top of the Sectopod’s head and fired at the Grenadier who pressed himself against a wall for cover, yelling in pain as he got hit. “Just grazed!” He yelled to his squad members.
Midnight then took a deep breath, vanishing in a red cloud of mist and reappeared behind Julian, using his Blade to shredder the armor even more, then teleported back behind cover.
“Great, if the gigantic robot wasn’t bad enough, looks like he’s throwing every MEC in the building at us.” Lily complained as two MECs entered the roof via two elevators on Julian’s side, taking position next to him.
“You heard the SPARK. Take down that Sectopod or no one goes home!” Central’s voice echoed on the radio channel.
“This unit’s memory core is so…confining, even compared to the tower. Still once I neutralize the SPARK I will complete the transfer and taste true freedom.” Julian was confident but overlooked that Patch smirked.
“What a nice Sectopod you have there... would be a shame... if someone... disabled it.” He pointed at the right MEC and Gyro flew over to it. After a few seconds, the MEC twitched and shut down, only to reboot himself, glowing red.
It exploded, damaging Julian and the other MEC more. The latter got finished by Fletcher’s pistol and Shen started to smirk at the Sectopod as she saw it was sparking, apparently heavily damaged. “Jolt it!” He ordered her GREMLIN and he obeyed, flying over to it.
ROV-R sent out a small bolt of electricity, jolting the robot.
The Sectopod stumbled and glowed it, it grew brighter and brighter until it exploded, leaving only spare parts as wreck.
“Defensive systems just shut down across the entire facility. Well done, Shen!” Bradford praised her.
Lily let out a sigh. “Father…” She mumbled, only to feel James’ hand on her shoulder.
“Remember, Lily, he will always be with you in your heart.” He said with a weak smile, he returned it as the Skyranger arrived and brought them back to the Avenger.
The Eternal Knights walked out of the aircraft and saw Edward waiting for them with a big smile. “I’m happy to see you are back, Dinky’s just woken up!”
The Knights smiled themselves, wasting no time to see her, Patch and James joined them. Fletcher stepped in first, seeing that Dinky was sitting upright on the bed, chatting with Rosie, looking up with a big grin at the ponies. “Fletcher!”
“Dinky, I cannot say how glad I am to see you’re okay.” Fray replied and hugged her, a tear of joy left his eye, Wolf and Midnight smiled warmly at the scene.
“I am glad to see your efforts weren’t in vain.” The Specialist commented with a smile on his own.
“Thank you for saving me back then.” The filly said to him.
James raised a hand. “We only did our job, Dinky. Actually, James is just my nickname. My real name is Jessie Günther.”
“And I am Toby Spring.” The Specialist replied, earning a surprised look by Rosie.
“T-toby? Is that really you? I didn't think anyone else made it out alive when they came down on our homes.” She said in shock.
“Yes, it’s me. I wanted to tell you earlier but one thing led to another.” He replied a bit embarrassed himself.
“You know each other?” Wolf asked in confusion.
“Well, we used to be neighbors.” Toby replied.
“You…you are a survivor too?” The foal asked in shock, her expression terrified.
Spring sighed. “Yes. I was just 19 back then, living in a small town. It's weird, really. Whenever aliens invade in the films, its always in a big city with everyone running and screaming and guns going off and cars blowing up...But what happens if they invade a quiet little country town? A town that's only on the map because of the horse races. A town with a single petrol station and post office and if you want to watch the new movie out, you have to take the train to the closest real town. A town with no name...and no way for those in charge to tell if everything's gone bad. You just wake up like every day, look out the window...and the whole world's gone to hell while you slept.” He took a deep breath. But nothing could have prepared me for the Chrysalids.” His voice started to shake, his expression became one of fear.
“I didn't love that street. I didn't love that town. There were some nice places but it had its flaws. But those...things...didn't discriminate.
I saw the big kids from the next town. I hated those big kids. They once threw rocks through the windows of my school's nursery just for a laugh...But they didn't deserve what the Chrysalids gave them. Pierced like a cork with a screw and burst open with a fresh wave of freaks to hunt down anyone left.
And next door's dog. God, that thing was annoying. Barking in the morning, barking at night. If you wanted a window open when it was hot, you'd still only get to sleep at three with how long that bloody animal went on through the night. But when the Chrysalids clambered over the garden fences and found it leashed outside, I heard it yapping, whining, as if pleading. I don't think I've ever heard an animal sound quite so scared.
And the house with those awful gnomes and spinning umbrellas in their yard. They were downright unpleasant. They hated us. I don't quite know what we'd done to offend them but the woman always gave us dirty looks. We'd see the man at the pub sometimes with women far younger than his wife. But the last time we saw them, she was kneeling over his body, crying, unable to walk away. We tried to call out to her but she wouldn't listen.
Everything just...fell apart. What was normal was just gone, torn and burnt in front of us...
By those things.” He took another deep breath as he remembered every detail. “We were told to evacuate after XCOM defeated the aliens. Me, my parents and my brother had hid in the house. But the evacuation didn’t go as planned for me…”
A hellish growling filled my ears, on and on, ripping and tearing, as if burrowing into my skull.
I was afraid to open my eyes. I dreaded to imagine what freak of nature was making such a noise.
But as I raised my head above the wreckage, pawing at iron, plastic and broken seats, I noticed this creature was just the malfunctioning radio. I never really knew if the notification alarms was time-based or location based. I suppose it had to be the latter in case of delays but then I’d never been in the driver’s seat.
Of a train, that is. And there was little chance of me learning now in the state it was in.
Or the state I was in.
The 10:15 train to East Grinstead was a smoking ruin. When the alien invasion had picked up around Surrey, not long after its first attack on London, trains had begun flocking civilians to safe zones in the regional capitals and populated areas. East Grinstead wasn’t much but was malleable, police and armed forces had set up a defensive and were holding out.
The trains were meant to be kept safe. The notices had come to every home and flat the day before the trains were due. There would be no time for the enemy to intercept and the tracks would be guarded and every point.
SAS were on the way.
But it seemed they were too late for this train.
The first train. I knew it wasn’t a good idea. From nature programs and horror films, its always the one in front that’s picked off first.
Then again, by the looks of the wreckage, none of the trains would be moving after this.
The hunk of metal covering my chest weighed a tone. I had to crawl out, narrowly avoiding skinning my belly on the broken glass. My coat, hoodie and shirt had taken the worst of it but I was cut in more places than one.
I hoped my head wasn’t one of them. It felt like it. The worst ache the side of my cranium had ever taken, pounding at my brain. I clutched at the hurting spot with my hand. It felt sticky. When I looked at my hand, I was holding a clump of dried blood and hair strands. I opened my mouth to talk but it hurt to move my tongue.
I couldn’t stand it. I fell to the ground and retched, again and again.
Dreading to open my eyes, I checked.
Okay...no blood in the vomit. That was a good sign, at least.
The first time I’d really been sick on the train.
I don’t know how long it took for me to find my voice but I called out. My mum, my dad, my little brother. Anyone.
There was nothing.
Not even the birds were singing.
As I stumbled again over the wreckage, trying hard not to look at the bodies for fear I’d find someone I knew, I saw something that gave me a spark of hope.
Tire tracks. Lots of them. Too big to be cars.
Jeeps. Evacuation. Word must have got out.
My family must been packed into one. Must have thought I was dead, or the ones taking them did anyway.
They couldn’t have gotten far.
But then...where were all the guards at the train points.
I was a few miles between home and the neighboring town.
Hurst Green? No. I corrected myself in my head. Hurst Green was on the way to Oxted, it was Dormans...Dormansland between home and East Grinstead. My brother always went bike-riding with his friends here.
It was a nice place.
And it wasn’t that far to walk. As long as I stayed by the guard posts, I’d be fine. Or maybe they could save me the walk.
It was chilly. Some of the frost still hadn’t melted on the hillside.
But the guard had to be over them. Any further away and they would’ve missed the attack.
I looked up.
I was not happy to see smoke.
I’d always hated the Duke of Edinburgh.
The award that is, not the man. Can’t say I ever knew him.
A school award program, hiking over the South Downs. I still had nightmares of it. Biting blisters, searing heat, every hill you managed to scale leading to three more, all the while carrying a sack on your back that weighed more than your telly.
But it was one hill, I told myself. I was carrying a small bag on my back and a bigger one by my shoulder. To my surprise, I’d found them close by, pretty much intact.
If any of the guard had broadband, maybe I could get in touch with my parents.
I was nearly on my hands and knees by the time I’d reached the hilltop.
As I raised my head, I felt myself getting much, much colder. Cold sweat ran down my brow.
The guard post was a massacre. Police in navy and militia in khaki lay together in crimson, the green hillside of Dormans awash with blood and shrapnel. The turrets and missile carriers were in as many pieces as their controllers.
My knees were shaking. My eyelids felt heavy. I felt ready to keel over and roll down the hillside unconscious.
I forced myself onwards. It seemed like there was still strength in my legs. I mean, I was sure that even if this point had been lost, the next one wasn’t.
The aliens were smart, to give them credit, they’d intercepted the train. But where they were now remained to be seen.
I wasn’t far from Hurst Green. I just had to keep going until I found soldiers.
But everywhere I went, there was just corpses.
I went through the trees, I prefer them to hills and it felt safer.
As I cleared a hedge, I cupped a hand over my mouth and nose as a truly foul stench hit me.
I’d found myself in a cow-field. This was farmer’s territory after all but whoever the farmer was had just lost his hand in the dairy market. A whole herd of cows were lying dead, bits and pieces all over the grass.
I was almost glad I’d thrown up in the train-wreck because I sure felt like doing it all over again.
I decided to cut through that part of the journey. I’d take hills over outdoor slaughterhouses any day.
I couldn’t tell how much time had passed, it was completely overcast and getting bleaker in the sky every minute...when I heard a scream. “Help!” It sounded young, almost like…my brother!
I started to run into it’s direction and turned a corner, only to stop as there was another scream.
Before I could blink, there it was. This hulking insectoid all spikes and teeth, screeching madly, scuttling down the hillside.
I couldn’t see the boy directly, but he looked similar to my brother and I tried not to vomit as the alien drive its legs into his backs like spears, holding him in the air as he writhe and scream. Then the boy got dropped and the creature injected something into his chest, some kind of glowing ooze that enveloped him from the inside-out.
I wanted to run, but was frozen in shock as the creature walked out of sight.
Was that…my brother that had died before my eyes or a familiar looking person?
I hadn’t time to think as a horrible groan made me flinch and I stated as the boy stood up, his skin was pale, the yes glowing red.
I never thought undead could be real, or anything close to it for that matter.
Them a female and male scream came behind the corner, followed by the same groan the boy had made.
A man and a woman with the same red eyes and pale skin stumbled into view
Again, I couldn’t recognize them fully, but they looked familiar to my parents.
I wanted to look away, but couldn’t for some reason.
I couldn’t tell how long I stared until they all started to bleed from the mouth and vomited blood, then collapsed. Nothing could have preferred me for what happened next.
The boy started to twitch and it did burst, a smaller version of those creatures hatched from the body. It had a visually lighter color.
Then the same happened with the other two bodies. A wave of monsters, coming right for me.
You can’t get very far with two carrier bags. I don’t know why I thought I could. But one of them knocked me over, right head over heels and I landed badly. My legs felt feeble. All I could do was crawl.
I was looking back the way I’ve come.
Is this hell?
And is there any way out.
One of them was right above me. I managed to roll over and saw it looming above me, its snaggle-toothed mouth gnashing madly.
I realized then and there, every word sinking into my head.
I was going to die here, alone, afraid. I’d seen what they could do. And no-one would know. And I’d never know if they knew. Were any of them still alive? My mum? My dad? My brother? My friends? My girlfriend? Anyone I’d ever known?
I don’t know if I screamed, my mind was too much of a storm to notice what my mouth was doing. All I remember is the Chryssalid above me and its mandibles closing in around my neck.
I just shut my eyes. And when I heard gunfire, I kept them tightly closed.
Noise and motion swept over me. I just wanted the nightmare, at least I hoped it was, to end.
When I woke up, I couldn’t say my situation had improved vastly. The Chrysalids’s weren’t around, which was nice, but I certainly wasn’t home. I was on a thin, green bed, my bags underneath, my head and various other wounds were bandaged, and I seemed to be in a train tunnel.
A crowded one.
Wounded and sick littered a long, long row of beds. Those who weren’t lying in bed were armed.
If World War III just happened, it certainly looked the part.
“Oh my…I’m so sorry to hear this.” Dinky gave Toby a hug after he had finished.
He patted her back with a weak smile. “It’s okay.”
“Did…did you ever find out what happened to your family?” Edward asked in shock.
The Specialist sighed. “No. The bodies were unable to be identified and the surrender of the government made it impossible to check any information what could have happened. I make myself hope they are still alive and out there somewhere. When ADVENT was created, I was moved to a City Center, believing the lie of peace in a broken state. Still, the screams haunted me in my dreams. Eventually, with the loss of everything, I went into depression, not knowing how to continue. Then, one day, ADVENT was about to take me to a clinic to help me, but I knew something was not right. So I took my chance and escaped when the transport got out the City Center, reaching a settlement where XCOM recruited me.”
James then continued. “As for me, I was just 17 back then, in the middle of my vocational training, living in a small town.” His voice and expression were shaken too. “I was just coming home from work, my mother worked in the garden, my father just came back from work too and suddenly, those pods came down. I barely made it into the house as one landed into our garden and saw how both my parents got sucked in, screaming.
In panic, I hid in the house, watching as the whole neighborhood suffered the same fate, getting encased in a verdigris green gel. I thought it was my end as the aliens arrived and abducted everyone. I was the only survivor back then, the screams never leaving my head, even with ADVENT and the new City Centers.
Back then, I had trouble keeping up, wanting to quit a few times but my parents and Patch kept me going. But with my parents gone, my chances to finish my training were slim and I could not imagine how to life by myself. Still, I, like many others got accelerated education, to catch up with the Elders’ level of technology. The clinics even managed to heal my handicap I was born with, being limited with my left side. It took some time to adapt to my change.
Yet, even with that, I suffered nightmares from the invasion. Eventually, like with Toby, I should be ‘healed’. I heard rumors that anyone who mentioned the past vanished, so I fled when I got the chance. I used to be an Archer in the local gun club before the invasion, that’s why I am a sniper. Ironically, I and Patch got to first see each other face to face in XCOM, and are best friends ever since, together with Kyle. The Avenger is our family now.” He smiled at the two who returned it.
“Say, are you fans of us too?” Dinky asked, “Kyle told me about the show.”
“Uh, yes, what makes you think that?” Toby asked in surprise.
“Well, your nickname is Patch, similar to a pony back home called Purple Patch, your GREMLIN is colored like him.” She replied with a slight smile.
“Uh, yes, Kyle told us about you in return, and yes we are.” Toby looked down, apparently feeling ashamed. “Actually, I am the creator of Purple Patch, naming myself as a tribute, Me and Jessie got to know each other on a fan website.”
And me, I created you, Fletcher Fray.” The German admitted, also a bit ashamed.
The green unicorn smiled warmly. “I know, and I feel honored to meet you.”
The reaction of the middle-aged man was one of surprise, forming a weak smile. “The pleasure is mine.”
“Attention, Captain Günther, Lieutenant Schaeffer, Sergeant Spring and Eternal Knights, please report to the hanger.” Central’s voice echoed through the PA system.
“You go ahead, we join you shortly.” Toby suggested and the other nodded without protest, Rosie, Edward and Dinky followed them, leaving the two men alone.
“Can you imagine they are real? We only thought about them back then.” The Brit said fascinated.
“Yeah, I couldn’t believe it myself. In that case, It’s actually good that you made Domino missing. Because…you know. And I don’t want to think of Mr. S., if you know who I mean.” James pointed out, making Patch chuckle nervously.
“Yeah, although he might be a powerful ally, yet would burn everything that looks slightly ADVENT. And Domino, I agree, of all ponies, I would rather…You know what? Best we just drop this, all right?”
“Sure.” And with that, they moved towards the hanger.