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Zyman Skellann
A13 SHIELD
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Posted - 2014.04.13 16:34:00 -
[1] - Quote
SHADOWS AND DUST
PART ONE: CADE
GÇ£It has been written that the coward dies a thousand times but a hero only once. Clone soldiers had no fear of death, what remained then was fear of pain. Death was certain, however temporary, and hero or coward it made little difference to the soldier or to Death.GÇ¥ GÇô Philosophy of the Templar
The heavy Minmatar suit rocked backwards as Cade HanssenGÇÖs rail rifle shells tore into its shield, the soldier within turned tracking his heavy gun and unleashed a deafening hail of return fire that ripped up the low rolling hill scape where Hanssen had positioned himself. He half-smiled grimly as ineffective stray rounds plinked from his shield causing no significant damage and dropped to one knee levelling his railer to end it.
Realising he was caught cold the heavy troop made a dash for a ruined bunker wall as his shield finally failed. Hanssen eased off the trigger switching to three round bursts that ripped chunks off the heavy frame until the armour was destroyed and the soldier was flung backwards arms flailing as he dropped.
Hanssen put himself behind the low rise, there was somethingGǪ
Heat and light seared across his mind. He rolled backwards barely in time as his commando frame sounded a warning tone that told him that his shield was gone. Gas and steam blasted from his drop-suit skin, his right shoulder plate glowed with white heat, and the armour had begun to melt. Laser rifle he noted.
His vision cleared as the rail rifle came up instinct finding the target, a light Amarr frame barely inside mid-range. Hanssen had no choice but to commit so he came straight on and let the hyper-fast slugs do their work. Three shots smashed home tearing the female soldiers light frame apart. Her body inside the ruined armour was mangled in a way no amount of nanites was going to able to fix. He stepped over her remains, scanning.
The drop-suit scan picked up another signature in his proximity, it was straight ahead. Hanssen weaved forwards tracking with the rail rifle, he made for a shallow impression in the packed earth; its scant cover was better than none.
His finger squeezed the trigger an instant before the assault troop came into view from over the slope.
The trooper fired back, a long frantic volley sent mostly wide by surprise. The assaults armour had begun to shatter apart when their weapons simultaneously ran dry.
His initial surprise gone, the assault smoothly released his mag and slammed another home but it was already over. GÇÿThe fastest reload was another gunGÇÖ Hanssen brought his second rail rifle into play and let go with full auto. As the armour failed a few rounds slewed through the faceplate jerking the enemy soldier off his feet. Hanssen was reloading before he hit the ground, the low hum of his armour repair nanites vaguely registered as he scanned for another target.
The snipers charged bullet slammed into his visor and ripped off half his face.
Hanssen went down hard, he stayed down, twitching, screaming yet unable to make sound. Serrated knives sawed at his flesh, molten metal ran down his back and for an endless moment he thought the pain might drive him insane. He pleaded for it to endGǪ
There was an exchange of fire, streaks of flame and light, the ground shook as explosive rounds hit close by thenGǪ
Warmth flooded through him then, heat. He felt the familiar hot tingle of a flood of nanites surging through his body repairing bones and tissue and the rush of the combat stimulant. He surged to his feet shrugging off the residual pain, he knew it would fade quickly.
He raised the rifle and fired after the retreating enemy troopsGǪ
'Likes guns that fire lots of bullets'
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Zyman Skellann
A13 SHIELD
0
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Posted - 2014.04.13 16:37:00 -
[2] - Quote
There was no pain.
The healing nanites had left scars. Cade traced his fingers across the line of his jaw where the raw pink tissue met the stubble of his chin, smooth but for the impressions left by the shards of visor which had cut into his face in a pock marked pattern. There were some who considered scars a badge of honour and this clone would bear them for now, Cade cared more about function, his own notion of honour was internal, a deep personal commitment to team and mission, for him honour was neither a badge, nor a mask. He rolled his shoulder. The burn scars which covered his entire right side did not seem to impede his movement, it would suffice.
GǣJump clone ready,Gǥ the neutral female voice of the computer intoned, Gǣin tenGǪ nineGǪGǥ
Cades clear pale blue eyes stared back at him in the mirror, he was glad the damage he sustained had not included his eyes. Nanites had difficulty returning eye function and he found the cyber implants cumbersome in spite of the enhancements they offered.
GǣEightGǪ sevenGǪ sixGǪGǥ
He clenched and unclenched his fingers. Strong, sure hands that quickly adapted to new skills; new tools, new weapons he corrected himself, new ways to kill.
The Caldari navy had been quick to recognise the potential in Cade Hanssen, he had an aptitude for weapons and tactics but more impressively he tempered the raw aggression demanded of common soldiers with reason and judgement and drew others to follow him naturally. Caldari commando training followed and when he excelled at this also, promotion followed success and he was selected as a special combat troop leader.
That was when he became immortal, more than just a soldier.
GǣFiveGǪ fourGǪGǥ
Where the Caldari had exercised excellent judgement in Cades quality as a soldier, they had failed utterly to gauge him as a man. As he saw it, they had failed him. Politics intruded into military matters all too often. Sometimes inaction was called when ruthlessness was demanded and a deadly enemy was allowed to escape and more lives were lost. Cade began to suspect the ruling classes of corruption.
On other occasions the weak ego of the politicians demanded decisive action when restraint was the better course and the soldiers were ordered to slaughter. This strengthened the resolve of the enemy and provided them with martyrs; it stained Cades deep personal honour and led him to despise his masters.
GǣThreeGǪ twoGǪGǥ
Was a mercenary less honourable than a soldier? To Cades mind they were at least more honourable than politicos. To his honour, he was at least free to refuse assignments. He cultivated a reputation of trust, loyalty to his employer, a fashion of honour as well as the skill and tenacity they demanded.
These qualities had brought Cade Hanssen and a handful of other individuals to the attention of a man known only as GÇÿPrimeGÇÖ. A man none of the squad had ever seen, who appeared to them only as a hologram in silhouette. A questionable arrangement but the missions were acceptable, the equipment was high grade and the pay was beyond excellent.
Though his actions no longer served exclusively the Caldari state, Cade viewed that he served all people and that his missions ultimately served to end all war.
GÇ£One.GÇ¥
Cade eased back into the clone chair and closed his eyes, when he opened them again his scars were gone and he looked out over a different region of space.
His mission was waiting.
'Likes guns that fire lots of bullets'
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Zyman Skellann
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Posted - 2014.04.14 00:14:00 -
[3] - Quote
PART TWO: TRIN
GÇ£The greatest weapon is the mind.GÇ¥ GÇô Philosophy of the Templar
The man sat motionless and upright staring straight ahead. He was not waiting; his mind was empty, blank. He was incapable of thought, could not plan and did not dream.
The inhibitors saw to that.
He did not even know his own name.
Occasionally tall hairless men, thin faced in long black overcoats would visit him. They placed food in front of him and instructed him to eat, they also told him when to sleep, when to wake and when to wash and also when to purge himself.
He obeyed always immediately and without question.
Sometimes the overseers would place other items in front of him, GÇ£This device is broken,GÇ¥ they would say, GÇ£take these tools and repair it.GÇ¥ The man simply worked, he had not the presence of mind to question how he knew how to use the tools that he could not name. He worked tirelessly knowing nothing except the work in front of him until it was done.
ThenGǪ
The man sat motionless and upright staring straight ahead. Time passed.
GÇ£Doctor?GÇ¥ called a womanGÇÖs voice.
The man twitched but remained still. He responded only to commands, not questions.
GÇ£Doctor Voss?GÇ¥ The man did not know his name.
GÇ£Doctor Daxxon Voss?GÇ¥ Something flicked at his face, the man turned his head with the slap then returned his gaze straight ahead.
GÇ£Damn!GÇ¥ The woman appeared directly in front of him in a shimmering haze.
Trin Valier made a rapid scan of the immediate area before deactivating the personal cloak. It was clear.
GÇ£WeGÇÖre going to need more time,GÇ¥ she said aloud, GÇ£heGÇÖs still inhibited.GÇ¥
GÇ£Deal with it,GÇ¥ came the short reply that only she could hear, GÇ£stick to the plan.GÇ¥ Trin made a face.
She slapped an ion pistol on the table. GÇ£Take that, stand and watch the door.GÇ¥
The man took the thing and held it casually downwards; he stared blankly at the door.
Trin almost laughed, almost. She turned the gun in his hand and raised his arm placing his finger inside the trigger guard. GÇ£Keep that pointed at the door. If men come pull the trigger until they fall down, then repeat if more men come.GÇ¥
She was not certain the Doctor would actually be able to shoot anyone in his condition but seeing him armed would give the Amarr overseers pause at least and Trin wouldnGÇÖt need that much of an edge.
Trin glanced at the scan again. Clear. From her pack came a small portable sequence uploader; prototype equipment from GÇÿPrimeGÇÖ a man with seemingly endless resources. Flipping the box open she unspooled the connecting cable and fixed the needle to the base of the doctors skull.
The box hummed into life with a faint display of blue and green lights and a voice droned, GÇ£Subject: Voss, Daxxon identified. DNA sequence upload commenced, nanite surge initiated estimating one hundred seconds to completion.GÇ¥ The doctor blinked, his eyes glazed a moment and widened as if surprised before regaining his blank stare.
A hundred seconds. Trin Valier glanced at the local scan, faintly, it showed pattern of crimson blips.
GÇ£Lower that,GÇ¥ she said softly, GÇ£keep still.GÇ¥ Making no sound Trin fluidly spun across the cell, back to the wall next to the door. She slowly slid the nova knife from its sheath and allowed it to charge.
GÇ£Ninety seconds,GÇ¥ the encoder droned.
GÇ£Mute,GÇ¥ whispered Trin.
She closed her eyes a moment sensing rather than hearing the three men approach, they were unhurried and made no attempt at stealth. Not that it would have made much difference but so far there was no alarm.
Trin allowed the first overseer to pass and the second, they were half way across the room before it registered that their charge was standing, then they saw the gun and the first man stopped so abruptly that the second stumbled into him.
The nova knife flashed as Trin moved in a blur using both hands to power the weapon through its target. The super-heated blade glowed white as it scythed across the neck and into the chest of the third overseer leaving a faint glowing trail that left the fatal cut cauterised as the blade swept clear of his abdomen. The man dropped immediately to his knees with a look of horror etched indelibly across his face and died without a sound.
The second man was turning and there was no time to recharge the knife. Trin buried the cold blade to the hilt in his stomach. He grunted as though winded.
GÇ£Nova knife,GÇ¥ stated the doctor flatly as though he were admiring a box of flowers, then his eyes glazed again.
Trin released the hilt of the knife and left it where it was, she slammed the heel of her hand against the second mans jaw staggering him sideways as the first overseer lunged. He was a big man with big hands, rangy and heavy boned for all his tightly drawn skin gave him an emaciated look.
The overseer was not without training, a veteran probably, he kept his head and his balance and his left fist jabbed out without over extending himself but Trin was already moving forwards.
The overseers fist met air as Trin swayed inside the blow and jabbed stiffened fingers inside his bicep, on the back swing she whipped her elbow across his jaw snapping his head back and rocking him back a step. Trin spun in a tight, rapid flurry her foot cleared the floor by a hair as her other leg drove outwards at an angle, the blade of her foot ripped the overseers head back at an impossible angle with a loud crack and he fell pole axed.
GǣAdvanced hand to hand combat,Gǥ the doctor mused as though admiring a fine painting, GǣGallente special troops, probably Black Eagle scoutsGǪGǥ His eyes glazed again.
GǣNot anymore,Gǥ Trin said regarding him coldly, GǣAnd you my friend are more than a scientist it seemsGǪ unmute.Gǥ
GǣFifty two secondsGǪGǥ droned the box.
'Likes guns that fire lots of bullets'
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Zyman Skellann
5
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Posted - 2014.04.20 21:13:00 -
[4] - Quote
Denak Kalamari wrote:Just read through both parts, you've done a good job.
Keep up the good work!
2k2y wrote:Good job! I liked Cade Hanssen's story more.
sir RAVEN WING wrote:This what I call amazing, mostly because the connection you made between the two parts.
Can't wait for more...
Thanks fellas, we're still on character introductions and character try outs here so my little squad will eventually have a representative from all the factions and I have a bunch of stories to tell about them.
Thanks to all the readers also, anyone wishing to follow these episodes should expect an add most weekends.
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GÇ£Commence relay when upload complete. Doctor Voss?GÇ¥
The words seemed familiar, but he only responded to commands. He looked down. There was something in his hand. Why was he holding anGǪ
GÇ£Ion pistol?GÇ¥
GÇ£Perhaps I had better hold that,GÇ¥ Trin tentatively extended her hand. The Doctor looked confused. GÇ£Give me the gun.GÇ¥
The Doctor flipped the pistol around in his hand and extended it towards Trin, grip first, she accepted it carefully, her eyes never leaving his. GÇ£Scientist my eye,GÇ¥ she muttered wondering, not for the first time, who Voss really was and what Prime really wanted from him.
GǣForty secondsGǪGǥ
Trin glanced at the scanner mounted on her wrist, still clear. She made a quick visual check into the corridor, then handed the DNA sequencer to the doctor. GÇ£Take the box and follow two steps behind me.GÇ¥
Voss took the machine and moved silently into place. Discomfort had begun to creep into his expression, his eyes narrowed, with every passing moment he looked more like a man who knew that he was a prisoner in his own body and wanted to escape. Intelligence burned then died in his eyes, self-awareness and self-control barely beyond his grasp.
To take a mans mindGǪ
If Trin had still been capable of feeling remorse for the pain and death they brought to those they fought the hopeless despair in VossGÇÖ eyes would have wiped it clean away. She and Cade were killers but they only killed soldiers, these Amarr scum barely qualified.
These were evil men, this was an evil place.
Trin stooped to retrieve the nova knife from overseerGÇÖs corpse, she left the other dead man still kneeling, leaning against the doorframe, the look of horror frozen on his face; he could rot there.
The Doctor dutifully followed on; to Trins relief following her instructions seemed to calm him.
GÇ£Moving to extract,GÇ¥ Trin reported into the comm-link.
GǣUnderstood,Gǥ returned Cade Hanssens voice, Gǣno unusual movementGǪ yet.Gǥ
She noted the pause, GÇ£So you feel it too?GÇ¥
GÇ£Something isnGÇÖt right,GÇ¥ Cade asserted. She considered Cade about the best soldier she had ever worked with. His instincts, like hers, were usually right on and in the game they played you listened to your instincts or you got out or you spent a bunch of time visiting the clone vats.
They both knew something was coming... but what?
Cade had eased into an over watch position. There was a portable cloak field covering both him and the saga light attack vehicle he had mounted with a rail gun in case things got heavy.
There was activity at the front of the facility, under the harsh direction of black coated overseers the prisoners mindlessly transported items back and forth from numerous rows of racking stacked with machinery that they had made or repaired.
He surveyed the compound through the scope of his sniper rifle walking the cross hairs over each of the positions of the guards in turn; marking the order he would choose to take them down if it became necessary.
The building itself looked a thousand years old, ancient and made of weathered stone it stood out in the middle of nowhere on a barely populated backwater planet. Of course there were no walls; secrecy and the zombie like condition of the forgotten inmates were defence enough but Prime had known where to look.
Cade swept the scope over front face of the building, no one watching from the windows and ahhGǪ
Unseen by the guards Trin and Doctor Voss had made it to the yard, the air shimmered around her as she engaged the cloak and disappeared. Cade grinned.
Smart.
She was going to walk him straight out of the front door and no one was going to suspect a thing.
GÇ£You there, stop.GÇ¥ An overseer.
Voss stopped, looking ahead, waiting.
GÇ£Walk ahead,GÇ¥ Trin whispered in his ear. The Doctor started walking again.
The overseer started, GǣWhaGǪ stop, stop I said,Gǥ he started coming over.
Voss stopped, Trin moved him on again with another whisper, the overseer was turning purple, she felt herself starting to grin.
GÇ£Stop!GÇ¥
GÇ£Walk on,GÇ¥ she whispered. Cade laughed in her earpiece, he wanted her to know he thought it was funny too but it was starting to draw attention.
GÇ£Plan GÇÿBGÇÖ Cade, I think youGÇÖre going to have to come and get us.GÇ¥
Trin dropped the cloak and raised the ion pistol to the overseers face, it made a sound somewhere between a roar and a whoosh as it ripped off the back of his head.
GÇ£Run after me,GÇ¥ she called to Voss and darted off between the storage shelves.
It started as a point of dim red light high above them on the edge of space, then it became a small square and its light pulsed rhythmically seeming to emanate from somewhere unseen deep within the opening. A small stream of tiny blips began pour out of the square accelerating towards the planet surface, they grew long trails of heat and light as they passed through the atmosphere and gradually the blips grew and became men in armoured suits of brown, blood red and gold.
The deafening roar of the falling drop-suits ended with a series of thunder-claps as the inertial damps kicked in and the squad of Amarr Imperial guard was deployed in a half circle around the yard.
"Plan 'C'," corrected Cade.
'Likes guns that fire lots of bullets'
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