Chapter 3: The tranquility of death.
The alarms chirped loudly, red lights flared in the ship. Thunder Cloud set his wine down, looking at the frantic, pacing Luna.
"Luna what's going on?!" Thunder Cloud looked, fear and anxiety flowed though his veins.
"The Solar Empire his here! So are the Zerg!" Her flustered feature shone in the reflective glass, her dark-blue hair seemed to frizz from it's normal wavy complextion. Thunder Could came up beside her, catching the arieal battle. Squid-like creatures roamed, giant dragon-like creatures called 'Mutalisks' chased the Solar Empire's Wraiths, only to be battered by the out-of-date Terrain Valkyries. The Battle Cruiser Emphon was the flagship of the Lunar Uprising. The commander was smart no doubt, but no match for the endless swarm, and technologically superior Solar Empire. Not with only five Battle Cruisers in the sector. Luna got on the intercom.
"To all pilots, report to the hanger and prepare your crafts immediatley! We strike as soon as one side loses!" A dirty move however, that's war for you. Running from the brig, down the lift and to the hanger with all due haste, Thunder Cloud saw Krasus being dragged into a Dropship by Rainbow Dash and Twilight. Everything in their arsenal was being thrown into this assault.
"On my mark we fly! Fly to preserve the freedom of this universe, Celestia must not get word of our growing forces!" Luna shouted, her voice sounded nervous and frustrated, yet it was authoritative. Thunder Cloud took control of his Wraith, bringing it to life again. The newly reinforced wings were grey, mis-matching the color of his Wraith. Thunder Cloud made a mental note to repaint his beautiful Wraith.
"Alpha Squadren on me." Thunder Cloud said calmly, putting his oxygen mask on. Many Wraiths as well as Dropships blazed alive. The infantry comms crackled with constant call-outs and chatter.
"Leiutenant Krasus here, Dropship C square and ready for take-off." Krasus's voice seemed almost monotone, just that he talked startled both twilight and Rainbow. His eyes turned alive and ready to kill, paying no attention to the two gaping girls. The comms crackled again.
"Zaskorch here, Dropship A, accompanied by Whispy!" Zask's voice seemed rougher than usual, the Firebat seemed excited.
"NightShade here. . . Dropship D, I got Reaper squad. Minus two members." NightShades voice seemed dull, Krasus knew he was demanding to know where the remaining two squad members were.
"Rainbow and Flutter Shy are with me." Krasus called, further confusing them. What did they do to you. . Twilight thought, staring hard the the Ghost. "To awnser your question. ." Twilight snapped from her mental transe, looking at his closely. He hadn't raised his head. "They succeeded in those tests. ." Krasus just let out a light shiver.
"I'm sorry. . I didn't know. ." Twilight paused, shock and concern spread across their faces.
"The past is the past." Krasus sighed, the pilot turned his head.
"Buckle up ladies! We're in for some chop!" The ship started shaking, a bang was heard. The pilot spoke over the comm. "Cover us Alpha Squadren, we're taking some heat!" Crossing the rigid vallies, the Dropship was being chased by the organic cannons know as Mutalisks. "Once we land, be quick! I'm not tryin' to stay long. Scanners show Zerg in the area. They are in most area's fighting hostile units. The Solar Empire as it appears!" the Dropship landed, pouring out troops. Three Wraiths went back into space with the Dropship, paying no heed to the hostile battle. Debris from enemy Battle Cruisers hailed down, crushing many small Zerglings.
"Marines on me!" Whispy called out, clicking his gun. The many Marines followed Whispy, Zaskorch followed, the only Firebat in all of the Lunar Uprising. Many vulture scout vehicles rode out, their engines kicking dust off the dry ground. Vultures have a hovering system that kept them off the ground. Two sensors in front picked up rocks that could be harmful so the rider could detect and dodge them. The Vulture was armed with AGP-2 "Thumper" grenade launchers. The top speed ever recorded was 230 Miles per Hour. The three Ghosts climbed up a hill, Rarity and Twilight stayed side-by-side, whispering to eachother. Krasus reached the top of the hill, putting on his mask. His voice crackled through.
"We're in for a surprise, I can feel it. ." His Canister Rifle was around his back, he had two large combat knives out. There was a light chitter and the rocks seemed to move. . No. Not rocks.. Hydralisks! The cobra-like Hydralisks slithered into view, they propped up on their boney tails and reared back. "Find cover!" Krasus shouted, jumping behind a large rock. The spines hailed on the rocks, their acidic spit starting to desentigrate it. As the rock melted, the deadly duo of Hydralisk looked around, noticing nothing was there anymore. The Hydralisks started stirring, they were conscious of the danger, yet they spotted new targets- Twilight and Rarity. Every spine that hit the rock echoed in their heads, time was wasting. . Then everything went quiet.
They both stood, two Hydralisks stood with knives through the back of their thick carapaced skulls. Twilight and Rarity stared at the normally shy, blood covered Ghost. Krasus returned their gazed for a mere moment, then averted his eyes. "Krasus dear, are you feeling alright?" Rarity asked, watching him pull both his knives out with a sickening crack.
"I'm fine guys, really. I owe my life to Luna, just as Zaskorch does. She sent a Dropship where the Solar Empire had left us!" Krasus continued on, sheathing his blades. Rarity shook out of her trance.
"Krasus, where are you going?" Rarity grabbed the shocked Twilight and ran after him, Krasus had already pulled his Rifle out.Three Reapers flew from the horizon, Krasus flashed a light, the Reaper in front quickly closed the gap with his jet pack, hopping up the cliff. The Ghost still hadn't responded.
"Krasus, it's Nightshade. Enemy compound about seven klicks to the West." NightShade pointed from where he just flew. The other two Reapers were quiet. Until they saw Twilight and Rarity.
"Twilight, Rarity am I glad to see you!" her voice seemed broken. The voice was that of the Rainbow-haired girl. The other stayed quiet, but embraced them both.
"What's wrong with FlutterShy?" Twilight asked, hearing the pink-haired reaper sob quietly into the mask. Rainbow put a lightly-armored arm around her.
"We uh- Had a rough trip. ." Rainbow said, looking to the Reaper who was consorting with Krasus. The memories of combat flooded her mind, screaming, explosions. It was all a horrid sight, the many explosions went off like fireworks back on her home planet. Many buildings burned, men shot and killed. So many. . . It was a shower of red. Had they known how terrible this job was, they wouldn't have signed up. Finally, the Ghost Krasus's voice leaked through to them.
"You thinkin' Nuclear strike?. ." Krasus said roughly, shifting in his spaceboots. NightShade nodded grimly. Krasus just let out a long, drawn out sigh.
"Very well, take me there and I'll mark it for Luna." Krasus took his mask off and shook his head, his hair flailed back and forth. "Ugh. . It's so hot in there. ." NightShade scoffed and pressed on, walking in front of the Ghost.
"The Solar Empire will be expecting us. Be prepared for Science vessels." NightShade said as they pressed on, twirling his pistols around his fingers before holstering them.
"I got EMP rounds NightShade, no need to worry. I got three in my bag. ." Krasus pointed back to his backpack, many wires came from the pack to the suit, his optical implants greatly increased his sight. Krasus was an A-1 class Ghost, one of a squad of three. The Command post was now in sight. . .
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. . The Marines were behind a rock, Arclite Shock Cannons were hailing down on the rocks, the 70mm shots taking large chunks off. Whispy yelled into his comm.
"Vulture squad! Take that thing out!" Whispy yelled, his accent blending with the many Gauss Rifle shots from the enemy Marines.
"This is Gamma, leader of Vulture squad, target aquired. ." Five AGP-2 Grenader Launchers went off, ripping the tank a new hole. The fires sounded again, the tank exploded violently. Clouded in smoke and confusion the Marines turned to see the Vultures revving as they sped off. Yamma, second in command was to late. A hail of Guass Rifle spikes impaled his head against the side of the Vulture, blood slowly dripped from his head to the seat.
"Yamma!" Gamma cried out. Gamma came from the same mother as Yamma, the identical twins both signed up, being experts at speed racing back on their home planet of Baler X. "I'm going back for him!" He cried out, starting to bank left, two squad mates clutched his vehicle between theirs.
"He's already dead!" One called out, his red glasses and Orange hair waved in the wind. The leader stopped, the two Vultures that were holding his clashed hard into eachother, pulling off before more damasge to their rides could be caused. Gamma's radio ranted at him. "Gamma, that's suicide, you can't maintain that much fire!" The man yelled
"I don't care!" His voice broke between sobs. "I can't do this without him!" Gamma rode back to the scene, speeding as fast as the vehicle could go.
"Marine squad, cover Gamma, he's gone crazy!" Another squadmember yelled. The burst of the Vultures thrusters boomed loudly, the screen on the Vulture lit red signaling the thrusters were overloading. The enemy Marines turned to the Vulture and began firing. A few stray spikes hit the thrusters. The Vulture started careening out of control, the Vulture slammed into a nearby rock. The explosion startled the enemy Marines, they all watched the cloud of smog rise into the air, the smoldering Vehicle had been wrecked. The front tips were smashed all the way back to the seat of the light-weight vehicle. Whispy took this as an opportune moment.
"Move, go go go! Kill 'em all!" The Marines moved quickly, teeming with Stimpacks. The few without Stimpacks jogged slower and had a slower reaction time. The suited Marines poured over the barricades, catching the enemy Marines by surprise. Spikes hailed back and forth. The enemies only had a few soldiers left, they were cut off from any extra ammo, and their moral was crushed due to seeing the sheer number of their slaughtered comrades.
AppleJack ran in, placing a hard kick into the visor of a downed Marine. He punched. She ducked under his fist, grabbed his arm and threw his body over her. The shattered visor of the Marines suit filled his face. The man sat with the shrapnel'd glass in his face and eyes. Whispy walked to him casually.
"Ey' boah, Who's th' commanding offcer here? Y' may join us 'r die." Whispy said grimly, looking down with pitty at the soldier.
"I'd rather die than serve that monster Luna!" The man said gruffly, breathing raggedly after spitting blood. Whispy pulled out his Slugthrower and shot a spike through his adversary's head. AppleJack stared at Whispy from behind.
"Was that really necessary, sugarcube?" AppleJack spoke softly and put an armored hand on him.
"Those who do not join or leave the Solar Empire must be taken out as to not cause harm to the rest of the group. ." Whispy managed to sputter out, not turning to face her. AppleJack felt sorry for this Marine, yet she was glad he had his own opinion and mind.She turned to Pinkie who was playing with her Gauss Rifle.
"Pinkie, ya ought ta be a plume more careful with that there rifle, It's a might dangerous" AppleJack looked at the Slugthrower in it's holster and pulled it out. It felt so familiar in her hands. This world has consumed so many good men and women. . Is it goin' ta take me too? She opened her visor, mechanized treads could be heard.
"Tanks!" A Marine yelled before his body split grotesquely from a 30mm tank shot. Mechanized arms came from the back and sides of the tank, propping it up as a huge barrel arose. Whispy cursed under his breath.
"Retreat!" Whispy said, looking at the many Marines, he noticed something. He tugged AppleJack's arm. "Wheres Zaskorch?!" He said, staring at the cased face, she shrugged.
"Last ah knew he was behaind me!" AppleJack replied helplessly, knowing the answer wasn't good enough.
The firebat stood alone, looking at the chittering Zerglings. "You ain't getting me that easily!" He said angerly, he closed his fist and a column for plasma-fire drenched the onlooking creatures. He turned and charred the ones flanking him. Suddenly, a guttered roar rose from the sky- Mutalisks. Zaskorch pulled out his Slugthrower and pumped the small gauss bullets into it's silky wings. The beast crashed down to the ground, still spitting out what were know as Glaive wurms. Zask had just crawled out of a huge hole, the Zerg appeared everywhere. Smacking the 12 round clip to his helmet, he slammed it into the pistol. Screaming angerly, he torched the squirming Mutalisk. Seeing no further Zerg, he walked off casually.
Running up the hill, he saw three men-like shapes. They all stood to be over Seven feet tall and wore golden armor. One turned, it's blue eyes blazing.
"Un taro Adun!" The figure yelled. Plasma blades blazed from the goldish gauntlet. That's when Zask realized; We are fighting in another war. . Zask thought. He turned and started running away from the figures. The strange aliens were gaining on him. Zask threw his hand back and let a burst of flame shoot at them. A bluish aura seemed to surround them.
Cha-chink. Cha-chink. Two shots flared like cannons from a large hill. The shots pelted the oncoming protoss Zealots. Their shields faltered, two bluish lights flew towards the heavens as their death cries rung out. The last one seemed to slow a bit, but kept coming. Two shots smashed into the same target, making the last Zealot disappear. Zaskorch slowed to a cautious walk, still aware of the Terrain presence. Three Ghosts stood, Krasus's rifle seemed to smoke, as did Twilight's. They both ran to him.
"Looks like your debt is paid Krasus!" Zask said. Three faint figures were seen flying over rocks in the horizon. Finally catching a feint view of the suit color, Krasus and Zaskorch said Simultaneously. "NightShade."
When he finally arrived to the scene, his unchanging eyes seemed to stare in the distance. "Let's get moving." He said impatiently. Rainbow and FlutterShy seemed to lag behind. "Come on, come on!" NightShade shouted through gritted teeth. Zaskorch stared at him.
"Come now, no need to be such a drag!" Zask said chuckling. NightShade just scoffed. He landed and started walking.
"Whatever." NightShade replied in a low grunt. FlutterShy and Rainbow Dash landed near Krasus. Rarity and Twilight quickly jogged over to them.They talked of their situations lightly, but they thought differently. Krasus and NightShade were the only two who's minds couldn't be read. All the other's thoughts ran through Krasus's head. Fear, hopelessness, death. Seeing in their minds Krasus knew the exact reason. Krasus knew something was different, when they landed there were five Reapers. They caused many casualties yet. . The enemy Terrain overran them. This however, was a question that would have to wait.
"There it is. ." NightShade grunted. His gruff features seemed to shine in the bright starlight. Krasus and NightShade were discussing urgent matters between each other.
"The sun don't rest I swear. ." Rainbow complained, helping FlutterShy cope.
Krasus looked grim, most likely due to the fact that it was up to him, the only Ghost with optical implants, to nuke the enemy. The sheer number of deaths alone made Rainbow jumpy. FlutterShy whimpered, but was soon silenced by Rainbow. "It's okay FlutterShy. . We are safe with them, I know it. They won't let us. ." She searched her mind for the proper words. "Get lost. ." Rainbow said, still uncertain of anything at this point. FlutterShy gave a slight smile and a nod.
"O-Okay. ." She replied simply. Everyone but Krasus sat, even NightShade. His emerald-green hair gleamed. Twilight and Rarity sat dead silent.
"Meet back here if you can. . You got Twenty minutes and no less." NightShade said sincerity caught in his features. Krasus just nodded, turning away. Turning his cloak on, Krasus seemed to be wrapped in a shroud of air. Only a slight blur being seen. His voice shot from a rock. "You took out all the missile turrets?" His voice was calm yet destructive.
"Is that a question?" NightShade retorted. An awkward silence kicked in before the Ghost was heard skidding down a few rocks. Krasus sensed the enemies, heard their every thought mostly fear, but some surprisingly tranquil. Most likely due to overdose of Stimpacks. He shook it off, these feelings were affecting him more than he would like. It was always grim being the bringer of death, however, this wasn't just killing a few soldiers for a cause. It was more of a mass genocide! Flicking a switch, the next time his trigger is pulled will be a nuclear mark for the nukes on the Emphon.
Pulling the trigger, Krasus aimed at the middle of the base laying in a canyon filled with the unsuspecting Terrain. As he aimed, he watched the small red dot.
Is my fate really to condemn the lives of my adversaries? Am I, a fellow Terrain, to fall into the trench of darkness, never to be seen again? The lives of those I take are no better than my own. . Even as I nuke them. . I envy them. So tranquil even in death. . Am I really an angel of death?
A small pod fell from the sky, it looked a lot like a drill of some sort. A single tear managed to slip from his eyes as the nuke slammed down, obliterating every man in sight. The buildings that still stood were burning. Krasus backed away and started making his way back to the rendezvous point. He had to get back fast, his cloak was running out and he was still in hostile territory.
Just another minute! Krasus thought, turning a corner only to fall on his flank after hitting a Marine. The Marine had been pumped full of stims. his suit looked as if a tight schoolgirl uniform. His face was lean and muscular. No doubt, due to his bronze-colored armor, he was a Captain of the Solar Empire.
"The buck? Something just hit me!" the Marine whined, the whole battalion laughed.
". . You seein Ghosts?"
". . Had a bit to many stims?!"
The other soldiers teased, Krasus slowly crawled away.
"I ain't crazy! Somethin' brushed up against me!" The Captain screeched, he pulled up his gun and fired randomly. Putting a serious expression on, Krasus stood, pulling out a dagger and throwing it. Fffpsh Right between the eyes. The soldiers stopped laughing as the Captain fell, still firing his Gauss Rifle, pumping two Marines full of slugs.
"We got a Ghost boys!" One of the Marines hooted, obviously new due to the ignorance from how dangerous a Ghost can be. Taking the knife, Krasus came behind his target, slitting the second-in-command's throat. After, he quickly threw the knife through the Corporal's faceplate. One by one, the only man who stood was the new recruit, shooting randomly in a panic. Taking both wrists, Krasus tossed the soldier over him, making him drop the Rifle.
Uncloaking, Krasus slowly holstered his knife and began walking away. The whimpering Marine made moans of sadness and fear, half unbelieving he's still alive.
"This will be your curse. . To see each member of your squad killed over and over. . One by one, your the lone survivor of your squad. You will explain how one Ghost took out your squad, slowly driven mad by the replaying horrors you've witnessed. Fairwell." Krasus said as he left slowly. Still hearing the man yell, calling him mad and vowing revenge. The man threatened to return and kill his friends.
The whine of Wraith engines screamed overhead, being chased by some bat-like scourge, creatures that sacrificed themselves in a great explosion on impact. Krasus shot three before they were out of range. The other Wraiths flew towards them, the three Wraiths pulled up as the two approached. The two fired a volley of Gemini Missiles, standard on Wraiths for air-to-air combat. The two pulled up, however, one was to late. Three scourge slammed into the body of the Wraith, making it explode in a huge eruption. Krasus arrived at the rendezvous point, all eyes looked towards him. Some's eyes were watery. Twilight stood up.
"Welcome back. . We thought you died. ." Twilight said in a squeak, looking over to her other friends. NightShade, being the only one who was 'Okay' in a standard.
"Sorry." Krasus apologized, then looked to NightShade. "How much longer?" NightShade looked up, his red eyes beaming into Krasus's blue ones.
"Do I look like a stopwatch?" NightShade responded, making FlutterShy fold in on herself. She sat in the fetal position, rocking back and forth. Krasus shot him an angry look, just as Rainbow did. Rainbow sat next to FlutterShy to comforting the emotionally weak girl, she suddenly remembered how FlutterShy, even before Rainbow, had shot two enemy soldiers. She seemed so aggressive, then the next moment, her eyes were soft and she teared. Krasus sat next to Rarity and Twilight, he sighed, putting a block on his mind.
"Whats wrong dearie?" Rarity asked, turning towards Krasus.
"I just need time to think. ." Krasus said, looking back at her, then turning his gaze to the sky.