Nova Sky- Titan Rising
Page 15
Parasites continued to fall from the titan as it strode along. Evan checked the scans and the number continued to increase by the second. Initial scans showed that each parasite was about five feet long and four feet high. The horde formed a dense cloud underneath the titan as they powered along, Evan guessed to protect their food source.
Krekken fighters moved to the rear of the titan, aimed their cannons down and opened fire. Plasma blasted paths through the parasites that were too slow to keep up. Venna watched as they lay waste to dozens of the creatures. Some parasites turned their heads to see the Krekken craft. Launching themselves into the air, transparent wings flashed outwards and turned to rapidly flapping blurs. Parasites screeched as many turned and aimed for the Krekken ships. A cloud bloomed as they darted forward.
Venna gripped the edge of the chair for a moment before calling up the Shield Maiden weapons. Quad cannons slid down under the ship’s wings as the plasma stream cannons powered on.
“Nyn, keep us at a safe distance. Those things are going to come right for us once the Krekken ships are destroyed.”
Nyn nodded as she handled the controls, a flutter of blue and red running along her skin.
The swarm came toward the remaining Krekken fighters. Their ships unloaded plasma bolts and missiles at the incoming cloud. The swarm didn’t slow down despite parasites being roasted alive from each strike. Krekken pilots attempted to retreat, only to be engulfed in the monstrous swarm. Pale insect like faces pressed against cockpit windows, spitting acid and slashing claws against metal. Krekken ships began exploding, lighting up the night before the bodies of parasites covered them. Some ships pulled away only to have a stream of parasites fly after them.
Venna took control of the Shield Maiden weapons, “Evan, keep to your current course. We are going to give some assistance to the Krekken fighters.”
Nyn kept the Shield Maiden steady as Venna’s fingers lightly touched the attack commands on screen. The Shri-Ka knew the remaining pilots wouldn’t survive without assistance. Heart pumping in her chest, the Captain knew deep down they needed help and she wasn’t going to let them die if she could do something about it.
Quad plasma cannons spun and roared to life. The night was filled with plasma bolts as they cut at streams of parasites. Krekken pilots swerved left and right as bolts blasted through the parasite ranks. Many parasites turned their attention to the Shield Maiden and changed course. The swarm moved toward the Raptor Class ship spitting hot plasma death. Red swirled along Nyn’s skin as she reversed thrusters. Venna watched as the scanners were overwhelmed with parasite signatures.
“Take us up!” Venna commanded.
Nyn nodded and moved the control sticks of the ship. The Shield Maiden’s thrusters flashed as the ship turned, pointed its nose up and engines glowed. The ship burst upwards as cannons rotated and fired. Evan watched on his screen as the Shield Maiden roared into the sky while firing full force at the swarm following.
Krekken Forces
Dumon Troops: 20,000
Dumon Fighter Ships: 46/100
Rekkus Spire Shield: 100%
Rekkus Spire Auto Cannons: 40
Evan's Team
Shield Maiden: 100%
Hera: 100%
Pris: 100%
Titan (Ravager): 99%
Parasites: 132,448
Evan couldn’t believe the number of parasites on the battlefield. He wanted to think it was an error, but as the swarms moved, it was an accurate scan of the situation. Krekken fighters spun and flew on as patches of parasites chased after them. The air was filled with flashes of light and falling, burning alien bodies. The Shield Maiden continued to accelerate skyward, firing and killing parasites by the dozens. Parasites began to struggle against the thinning atmosphere as their wings beat harder. When they could go no more, they spiraled back down. The Shield Maiden turned and fired plasma streams into the swarm as they struggled to stay airborne.
The Engineer sighed in relief as he flew along. Taking in the terrain images, he looked for a spot with the best vantage point to fire his neural disruptor. Thinking back to its construction, the Engineer hated that he only had two drill missiles loaded. It was all they could build and house in the short amount of time they had. The Doctor’s nano-drones were programmed and buried deep in the missiles, ready to repair the drill once it entered the titan. The arrays would unfold and once the Engineer had a ping on a nerve stem, then he could fire the emitter. The player was confident it would work, but the hard part was getting one of the missiles in a soft location on a nearly invulnerable monster.
Several jagged hills lay along the outskirts of the Rekkus Spire. Taking in the terrain dimensions, Evan picked out a spot they could set up and uploaded it to the Battle Net. Pris turned her head to the chosen spot, unblinking eyes taking it in. Lydia glanced at the incoming information and sent her confirmation. The two power suits blasted on as the titan crawled toward the waiting city.
Dumon shock troops lifted up heavy plasma rifles. The ground swarm outpaced the giant titan. They would reach the troopers in moments. City auto cannons rotated and pointed down at the incoming swarm. Dumon soldiers held their stance for a long moment, watching the hellish parasites drawing ever closer.
Evan had so many run-ins with the Dumon that he knew their tactics well. He watched from ships as the Dumon would move in their triangular formations. They never believed in backing down and fought tooth and claw. Disciplined, they never balked in battle. Their numbers so vast, they never waited for the enemy, they fully engaged them. It was an intimidating tactic, and it often worked. Evan could remember hearing rumors that the Dumon had little nerve endings or that they were genetically removed so they don’t feel pain. Whatever the case, the ground troops would stay the course to not let the parasite horde break their lines.
Dumon shock troops aimed their heavy plasma rifles and advanced. Their signature, triangular formations moved in sync with one another as the parasite swarm came barreling toward them. Plasma flashed as the Dumon opened fired. Plasma bolts crossed the short distance, slamming into the parasite horde with incredible power. Evan and Lydia watched as they continued to advance, their formations creating an arrow point of plasma bolts, cutting through the meat of the swarm with awe inspiring unity.
Screeches filled the area as parasites were mowed down, hundreds of bodies at a time. For one glorious span, it looked like the Dumon would push the parasite horde back to the hell they came from. Not one soldier fell as they blasted parasites to pieces. Despite staring into Dumon death, the parasites pushed against the blazing storm of hot plasma. Their advance pushed at the soldier’s lines with a steady power no army could stand. Evan wanted to believe they could hold them off until he was in position, but as he scanned the Battle Net, the cracks started to show.
Plasma rifles silenced. Dumon soldiers ejected clips and slammed new ones in. The advancing force of weapons fire diminished slightly. The city’s auto cannons roared to life as they rained down shards of plasma, but it wasn’t enough to hold back the tide. The faltering streams allowed parasites to gain ground. They rushed ahead with wild screeches and launched into the Dumon formations. Large Dumon claws swung out, slicing or impaling parasites as their smaller arms and hands reloaded weapons. Globs of acid-spit struck the armored lines, eating away at their hard exo-skeletons. The Dumon never cried out or showed any fear as parasites leapt on them, spitting acid and pulling at their bodies, ripping them open. The grisly horror played out, causing sickness to fill Evan’s stomach as he pushed Bruiser’s thrusters to full power.
Krekken Forces
Dumon Troops: 19,456/20,000
Dumon Fighter Ships: 39/100
Rekkus Spire Shield: 100%
Rekkus Spire Auto Cannons: 40
Evan's Team
Shield Maiden: 100%
Hera: 100%
Pris: 100%
Titan (Ravager): 99%
Parasites: 102,769
Ravager moved along
, giant eyes drinking in the carnage before it. It hungrily moved toward the standing city, ready to smash it to pieces and allow the parasites a feast before they returned to its body. With its thin mouth yawning wide, jagged teeth flexed as strange sounds poured out.
Bruiser and Hera reached a group of raised hills and landed. Bruiser put a hand down and Pris stepped off, plasma rifle in hand. Hera moved in close, wings flexing as she pulled a long-range plasma rifle from her thigh and held it. Turning, she aimed the barrel at the titan as it continued its frenetic pace toward the city.
“Alright, what’s next,” Lydia said as she targeted the titan’s massive red eye.
“I need to set up,” Evan said as Bruiser’s back bloomed open.
The Engineer pulled himself out as the shoulder canister opened and the neural emitter slid up. Shouldering his E-pack, the player made sure it was secure before reaching for the emitter and pulling it free. It was heavy as he lifted it up and jumped down to the ground. Holding it over his shoulder, he moved a few feet away and aimed one of the ends at the titan. Evan’s control implant connected to the Battle Net and the Emitter. Targeting grids appeared in his visual display as he adjusted the emitter on his shoulder.
Pris looked out to the battle field, “Dumon forces are being overrun.”
Lydia watched as data streamed in. The Titan would be on the Dumon forces in minutes. City cannons retargeted from the parasites to the titan and continued to fire. Plasma bolts filled the sky as they slammed into the titan. Ravager brought its pincer claws up, sliding into place and covering its face as bolts flashed against hard exo-skeleton pincers. Ground forces struggled as a tidal wave of parasites washed over them, pulling, slicing and spitting acid. Krekken fighters continued to attempt to out-fly the swarm.
Krekken Forces
Dumon Troops: 13,249/20,000
Dumon Fighter Ships: 28/100
Rekkus Spire Shield: 100%
Rekkus Spire Auto Cannons: 40
Shield Maiden: 100%
Hera: 100%
Pris: 100%
Titan (Ravager): 99%
Parasites: 98,555
Evan checked his targeting and lowered the end of the emitter, “I can’t get a shot with its pincers in place.”
“Ravager will reach the city shields in eight minutes,” Pris said with no emotion.
Lydia studied the monster as it made its way closer and closer. Eyes searching, she looked to every angle and groove the monster had along its tough body. Searching, she looked to the pincer claws, eyes narrowing. An idea bloomed and she bit her lip.
“I have an idea,” the Cyborg said in a low voice.
Evan turned to the majestic exo-suit of Hera, eyebrow rising.
Lydia continued, “The pincer is segmented. I can use my Plasma Edge sword and try to cut through it. If I can cut it loose, you will have a clean shot.”
Evan’s heart twisted in his chest, “I….”
Lydia cut him off, “We made this mess. We all have to do our part to clean it up.”
The cyborg’s heart thudded in her chest as realization flowed over her. She knew it was extremely dangerous but if something wasn’t done, the mission and everyone in Rekkus Spire would pay for her actions.
Hera looked to the titan, “Fire the emitter and Bruiser and I will attack the pincer claw.”
Lydia turned Hera’s face to Evan, new information scrolling across her screens. Focusing past her cousin, she watched as Rekkus Spire citizens came spilling out of the edge of the city. They carried various weapons and makeshift armor, but one figure stood out. Jamie Spiral moved before them with head held high and plasma rifle in her hands.
Dumon forces were being cut down to pieces as the parasite horde broke through their ranks. The giant crab like humanoids fought on with large claws and close quarter fire as pale parasites cut into them.
Citizens formed up a line, aiming weapons and holding position. Jamie Spiral stepped out further, rifle up and aiming. Dumon troops fell in droves as the parasites climbed over them and made for the city limits. City cannons fired tirelessly at the titan and the parasites as they loomed closer and closer.
Jamie yelled out a command and the edge of the city lit up. Plasma bolts fired into the incoming wave of parasites. Keeping as much distance between them and the enemy, citizens maintained suppressing fire.
Krekken Forces
Dumon Troops: 4,112/20,000
Dumon Fighter Ships: 19/100
Rekkus Spire Shield: 100%
Rekkus Spire Auto Cannons: 40
Rekkus Spire Citizens: 6,491
Evan's Team
Shield Maiden: 100%
Hera: 100%
Pris: 100%
Titan (Ravager): 99%
Parasites: 90,339
Lydia watched Jamie’s determined expression as she fired again and again into the parasite swarm, fueling the Cyborg’s resolve. Without a word or waiting for permission, Hera took off. The exo-suit reattached the plasma rifle to her thigh and pulled her PE sword. Flashing to life, a glowing plasma edge surrounded the sharp edge of the sword. Wings flexing and thrusters firing, Hera was on a direct course with the incoming titan.
“Lydia!” Evan shouted over coms.
The Cyborg ignored her cousin, leaving a streak of light in her wake.
Evan turned to Bruiser, “Protect and assist Hera!”
Bruiser nodded before his back thrusters slid into place and flared to life. Taking off, the big exo-suit changed direction and surged after the winged Hera. Evan watched as both exo-suits made their way to the incoming titan, heart thumping in his chest.
Pris turned to see three red exo-suits blazing in their direction.
“Stay behind me,” Pris commanded as she hefted up her rifle and aimed.
Evan turned to see what she meant when his eyes widened. Three Crimson Blade exo-suits powered toward them, arms pointed and wrist plasma guns firing.
Thirteen
Pris bent down to one knee, aiming at the three incoming exo-suits. Targeting lining up, she pulled the trigger with ease again and again. A steady stream of plasma bolts darted through the sky. The three Crimson Blade suits broke formation, dodging the incoming bolts. Pointing arms, rapid fire plasma cannons blazed as they returned fire.
Evan knelt down behind Pris as she fired at them. The engineer watched as bolts hit the power suits, knocking them around. Pris focused on one and continued to fire. Bolts struck the suit in the chest once, twice, and thrice. Smoke ballooned up as electrical arcs appeared. The android didn’t let up as she continued to fire into one. A breast plate cracked and exploded. The suit’s thrusters flashed and flared before smoke curled around. It spun out of the air, pilot losing control.
The android moved to a new target when plasma bolts slammed into her. Evan was knocked away by Pris’s arm and went spiraling to the ground. The Engineer looked up to see Pris standing, parts of her body exposed and blackened. She didn’t hesitate as she fired into the two incoming suits. Each red exo-suit returned fire, blasting away pieces of the hill.
Pris turned and ran toward Evan, grabbing him by his E-pack and moving as bolts exploded at her feet. Twisting an arm around, she fired at them as she ran with Evan in her other hand. The Engineer watched with wide eyes as the suits landed and ran toward them. Pris threw Evan to the ground and turned her full attention to the two exo-suits. Plasma bolts lit up the air between them. One suit took two shots to the head, causing it to crane back as it stumbled. The other pressed closer, firing over and over again. The android took a hit to the shoulder, blasting off her arm.
Evan drank it in as Pris’s arm came away and she moved as if it was a minor inconvenience. Plasma rifle still in the falling hand, Pris reached with her other hand in a blink of an eye and took hold of the rifle. Fingers let go from the falling hand and the android grabbed with her other one. Aiming, she pulled the trigger as she righted herself.
The suit that took shots to the head, stumbled sideways as bolts hit its
neck. Plasma burned circuits in the soft spot of the armor, sending the suit crashing down the hill, arms and legs spasming. The final suit charged forward as Pris aimed and fired. Bolts struck it in the chest as it reached over and wretched the rifle from the android. Pris was up, taking the palm of her right hand and slamming it into the power suit. The pilot pulled an arm close and brought it out, hard across. The strike sent Pris flying backwards and landing at Evan’s side.
Pris made no sound as she stood up, ready to attack again when Evan put the barrel of the emitter over her shoulder and aimed at the red exo-suit. The red suit stalked forward with ease, glowing eyes on the android and Terran.
“I knew you didn’t leave the planet,” a familiar voice growled.
Evan kept his gaze steady, “Nika, we don’t have time for this!”
“We always have time for this! I can’t wait to tell Dad how I cut you to ribbons. It will be the first time, but not the last. I will hunt you down until you see me in your dreams, cutting you down again and again,” Nika laughed.
Evan kept his aim steady, “Please, stop or…”
The red suit took another step closer, “Or what? You’ll fire that weapon? I’m willing to bet I can take you down before you can pull the trigger…if you can pull the trigger. Dad told me what you did and the look of anger and horror painted on your face. You don’t carry any weapons. I paid a lot of credits to find information on you, the Engineer who is afraid to fire a weapon.”
Pris connected to Evan and talked directly to him, “Hand me the auto cannon rod and I will subdue her. You do not have to take the shot.”
Evan ignored her, finger over the trigger.
The red suit was still, watching Evan and his android, “I can see that is a neural emitter. You made it larger. Impressive, but it won’t work on an exo-suit. You’re wasting your time. I’m recording this so when I find your brother, I can play it for him as I cut him up too.”