The night which was once a time of solace and contemplation is now a dangerous part of time to live in.
Ever since the E-day started, there were creatures that swarmed across sera... Some useful to the Locust and detrimental at best.
One such creatures is the kryll. They were the swarm, a flying piranha like figures that will ripped anyone apart and even cog armor is not even safe from the sharp teeth they were born with.
It first known at the first few weeks of the locust invasion and now, night patrols in the ruins of the old world is one way to tell you that you screwed up really bad and unwritten rule that you are bait.
Emphry is the same, among the ruins of the beloved city, danger is afoot.
Every rubble, every ruined rooftops is a locust hiding... The constant chattering of the kryll will make everyone on edge.
As the moment you stepped in the darkness, your death is guaranteed.
Delta squad headed towards a known stranded Outpost.
As going miles and miles in the darkness to the imulsion facility without a vehicle is basically a suicide. And time is running out, if they don't put the Sonic Resonator before the kryll return to their nest in the depths, even Alexander is wary about them.
He knows that there is a limit of being a supersoldier. And even he would have his spine chilled by the sheer amounts of kryll barreling towards him. And he is weakened, and his flaming sword is still undergoing repairs. So he had to use a Chainsword. After all, they been putting chainsaw on lances and they don't bat a eye if a sword fashion from a chainsaws is a thing.
"So tell me Dom? How did you get aquaited with this Franklin?" Alexander asked.
"Met him, and he owe me a favor. That's about it." Dom just vaguely spoke.
Alexander did not ask anything.
As they soon arrived at the supposed location.
It looked well defended for a stranded.
Several automated turrets aimed at the group.
Alexander realize that there is a imperial presence in the Outpost, if you not noticed the aquila that is on top of the wall. And next to it is a drunken old man and several guards aimed their guns at them.
"Why you cog pigs doing here?" He asked as he burped.
Dominic stepped out of the crowd.
"Looking for Franklin... I am here for a favor he owes me."
"Looking for Franklin eh? He right in the back.. hehehe" the man giggle as he chugged his drinks.
As they stepped in. Various eyes stared at the group.
Wary
Curious
And hatred.
"Mommy who are these people"
"Shh, don't looked at them"
"Go away Cog pig"
"Fuck you..."
They noticed that the complexion of the people living there was not haggard but at least trying to be healthy.
A woman was barbequing mystery meat. And she looked away.
The group ventured in as they looked for Franklin.
Alexander noticed a makeshift church in one of the stores nearby.
"What's the matter?" Marcus asked
"Go on ahead, I have something to check in that church..."
"Oh, great major is a religious nut, didn't know that." Baird spoke.
It was known that the God Emperor worship officially began a week after the Hammer of Dawn was launched. Many of the people was converted by these mysterious preachers and giving the stranded and cog supplies. Many in cog wanted to destroy them, but in one of Prescott good ideas, was that they should leave them alone, as these preachers is keeping order and they didn't sparked a rebellion or animosity.
In exchange, these preachers were given a quotas of getting supplies to Cog.
Many high official and soldiers of Cog, converted to the Imperial Creed.
Though some atheist is skeptical of this growing religion... But the Imperial Church have a standing army to defend the stranded was one that they didn't wish to fight against.
"Faith Baird, is what keeps us alive in this dire times...Marcus, Dominic go on ahead and see what this Franklin wants us to do... Inform me what he wants from us, Favors don't come cheap after all." Alexander left the group.
As he entered the store, there was a mass and a preacher stood on a boxes of vegetables crates and he wore simple robes, as he held the leticio divinatus, he spoke.
"The children of the sera, here is a dire times of sera, I give good tidings that the God Emperor would descend upon us and bestow us his 19 holy sons and his faithful angels to smite the darkness... He sent his herald to bring hope in this nightmare." The preacher spoke kindly.
One of the attendees spoke one question.
"Is the God Emperor of Mankind herald is a god?"
The preacher chuckled as he simply added to the complexity of his speech.
"The herald of the god emperor is not a god, but one of you, living amongst you and observing from the shadows to see if we are worthy to enter the gates of heavens." He gazed upon the aquila made of tin. And above it is a picture of the God emperor.
"Tomorrow, we will discuss on our faith and the arrvival of the Herald of the god emperor, here is the daily rations... May the God Emperor shine upon your days. Head to Brother Philip for your rations"
As the sermon is over, the priest gave them their daily necessities.
The priest in question handed those that attended the mass with unmarked boxes.
"Here is 6lb worth of bread, 3 kg smoked bacon, canned vegetables, toiletries, 5 liters of water, 3 kilos of salt and pepper. 2 sticks of butter. 4 kilos of oats and 5 liter of oil, And if you are sick, talk to the sister of healing, she would provide aid."
A child smiled as the priest gave their parents candy to soothe the child anxiety.
It was a attempt of normalcy, but Alexander knows that most of them, is just here for the food. But in time, they will believe...
The priest noticed his presence and nodded as he headed to attend the people.
"Ah, You must be from cog?" One of the people that attended the mass asked.
"Yes... I just wanted to see the God Emperor..." Alexander asked as he didn't want to revealed himself too soon
"Funny, in this dire times, when the lights fell from the skies, I lost my daughter... It felt like my world fell apart."
"I'm... sorry to hear that..."
"I know... But as I pray to this church... It gave me a epiphany, a revelation that, if what the church said was true... Does my daughter is in heaven?"
Alexander paused... It was a religious debate. And he knows the warp Is real. But at least he would be frank for once.
"Yes... I sure the God Emperor will protect a innocent soul in his heaven..."
"Thank you... Staying here, Gave me time to reflect and contemplate, and understand that not all the cog soldier like you is not the one that pulled the trigger." The person left with a box in tow.
Alexander watched as he disappeared.
"Go on"
"Proceed with caution. I just mingle with the locals."
As the comms ended, Alexander sighed.
Looking back... Is he really a hero?
Sure, him immediately invading and freeing the people of sera from the lambent and locust, would have freed them from suffering. But people would band together and become rebellious towards his ruling But is that the case... Theoretically, it is the most efficient way to conquer this universe, practical, it is impossible to understand humanity need for rebellion.
Now, he is weighing the cost and benefits of keeping this war ongoing. Waiting for the time that the Cog have been dismantled.
He realizes that the Coalition, the spiritual successor of cog is more worse than being reactive and he doesn't want that to be the downfall of Sera,
Gear of War 5 is a mistake.
"Am I no different from you father?" He gazed upon the moonless sky, seeking for answers. He lost is biological father... Now it's just the god emperor left...
He hear people cried out.
Alexander headed towards the noise and found that Baird and Cole was surrounded by the people. The people's expression was changed.
"Look it's the Augustus Cole, the Star of Hanover !" One of the people cried out.
"Here's my bacon Cole!"
"Woo! I got so many fans!" Cole laughed as he shook hands with the people. And a teenager held a scrap of paper and pen and waiting for Cole to sign it up.
Alexander and Anthony was baffled as they were led to a table and the people gave them food and drinks. As if the hostility turned 180 degrees.
"Wow, so much bacon...My brothers would love to have this.." Anthony murmurs as he saw bacon piled high. He grabbed a plate and went somewhere.
"Where you going Baird?"
"Fuckkk... The Drink is spiked... Where's the toilet!" Baird groan as his stomach is rumbling.
One of the people pointed to a outhouse nearby and Baird rushed there in a sprint and they could hear roars from the toilet as his stomach is disagreeing with him.
Alexander smirked at his misfortune.
After the party, Alexander took night duties.
Watching as he just order the drunkard to just go back to his house with a crate of beer in tow.
Anthony walked up to him, standing next to him.
"Soo. Tell me sir... Did I... Know you?"
"Ah, We met at the port Hanover last time. I payed your family to watch trashball."
"You mean you that guy from last time?, you didn't feel so old." Anthony
"I make a promise with your family, that I protect the them as much as I could. Your ancestors would be kinda sad if you died too soon."
"You know... Sir ... Thanks for saving me."
"Same, just take care of my teachings, and perhaps you can be the second grub killer."
"Really thanks."
Baird came up to them and felt like he been drained for days.
"So... What's up?" Baird asked.
"Nah, small talk... Wait a minute." Alexander noticed some movements in the night filled streets. He reached for a Macroculars and put it into night mode. His next words was grim.
"Baird...tell Marcus to hurry up. I think we got a locust attack imminent."
As Baird contacted Marcus.
Alexander noticed in his hud, that there was also a signal in the distance where the locust is located that is connected to their feed.
"Fuck... Grubs got our com links." Alexander rushed towards the church, the priest that is fixing the place noticed his intrusion.
"It is already late for sermon, and confession is in the morning." Th priest spoke.
"Get the imperial guards ready, the grubs is coming. Get the people into the church, quick!" Alexander held out a Inquisitorial regalia and the Priest understood that the man before him is the herald and he gave orders to the Imperial guards that station in this Outpost.
Delta squad noticed that military aged men in olived clad armor rushed out and manned the walls. One manned the nearest troikas
"Where did this guy's came from?" Baird asked.
"I prayed for salvation and it have arrived." Alexander spoke.
"I am not talking about god here. Where did this men actually came from?"
"The church guards. Where else Baird?"
"Pretty rich for a church to have this much military hardware." Baird scoffed.
"Who cares, they help kill grubs it's all right for me." Cole shrugged.
"You okay? Anthony?"
"Yes, Major!"
"Remember your training! Survive so that you can return home intact!"
The roars became apparent, and the ground rumbled. The locust swarmed towards the Outpost. People began to panicked as the danger was apparent to them. But they were lead by their guards.
"Alright, all go into the church! Leave everything behind, the locust don't take food!"
"Please, God... Don't let me lose my second family!"
One of the guard approached Alexander
"All the civilians are safe. We will fight."
Alexander nodded as he watch the hordes flooded into the vicinity.
"Let 'er rip!"
Lancers and lasguns began to fire and the night grows ever more deeper.
(Marcus Pov)
I walked by with my brothers.
I question why did a general suddenly became a major relegated to Delta squad...
He's been keeping secrets behind us... Like that Damm Prescott.
"We are at the first checkpoint..." Dom pointed out.
The checkpoint is like a military grade wall stuffed with automated cannons and several soldiers walked by as they simply watched our approach and guarded by both entrances. And they don't look very talkative.
"This is a wall that stranded could not fix up in a short time.... Something wrong here." Carlos commented.
A radio picked up and Franklin, who supposed to send us to a goose hunt gave a message.
"Me homies should be there to defend that point... There is some ammo and grenades in their armory. Just say Apple Pie... Dunno why that works." I could hear that smug of that man, I want to clog that jaw up.
But nevertheless, I approached to one of them and spoke the key words.
They nodded and led us to a armory, that is filled with the dead cog weapons and stashes of ammo that is compatible with it.
I found a longshot and check its durability and nodded as I walked out. I found a small shrine next to the exit.
In that shrine is several cog tags and incense that wafted. A man stood before the shrine, gave a prayer.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Giving prayers... For those that lost their lives... I thought the war ended... But it was just a prelude."
"I don't think that it would mean much in a long run." I scoffed.
"As one of the Holy sons of the God emperor once spoke...
We kill for the living and we kill for the dead...
At least when that time comes for me... And I will surely die... I will say to my brothers in the afterlife that I am willing to kill as many of these bastards with me. Go trooper. I see that you have more important duties than quibbling with a man that have nothing left to lose." The man return to his prayers and it gave me contemplation...
"Marcus what's wrong?"
"Nothing... Let's get the junker and finish our mission."
As we reached the second checkpoint, we found that the kryll entered the Outpost and killed everyone, the light are off.
"We arrive at the second checkpoint, and pretty much everyone is dead." Dominic spoke.
As we entered the buildings.
The locust laid a trap for us. They knew we were weak in the darkness so they even had Boomers waiting to cave in one of the buildings.
As we fought our way, we met a street enclosed in darkness.
"No electricity... Wait... Those propane tanks." Carlos commented.
We all had the same idea. And shot at different gas tanks.
The barrels of gas exploded and lit up in a momentary burst of flames, but we had to rush into the fire, the screams of the kryll echoes above us as they tried to swept down and their skin was burned by the light of the flames.
"Cole what's the situation?"
I smiled at the banter, at least Major is not that hard to work with.
As we made our way down, we found a worn out lift. There was armor plates facing the direction of the bridge. As we crossed the bridge the locust began to fire at us.
I simply move the lift while Carlos and Dom provide cover fire.
And a message came to us with words that made us rushed forward.
"Wilco, We better hurry." I spoke.
As we arrived at the gas station, we met another drunkard.
"Where's the Junker?" Dom walked towards the man and held out the keys to the junker.
"Oh, boy we didn't expect you to arrive so soon, expected you to be dead, So we didn't filled it up." The man giggle as he pointed towards the junker, Dom went to the cabin and found the fuel tank is empty.
"So much for being a homie with a stranded. Dom, help me fuel up this thing and Carlos, take point..."
A bullet whizzed by my head and I took cover near a burnt out car.
"Locust!" I yelled out, informing Dom to hurry up. He dragged the fuel injector and Carlos guarded him. The locust swarmed over us, using the coverage of the night.
"When I say so!"
"Marcus, its topped up! Let's go!" Dom yelled in the gunfight as we entered the junker.
The man guarding the station joined us.
"Hell, you cogs bring disaster everywhere you go! You burned Half the streets!"
There was a explosion erupted in the gas station and a great fire erupted and swallow all the locust that loitered the area.
"Great.. there goes my savings!"
"At least you got your life intact." Carlos chided the man.
As we reached the highway that is filled with long rusted abandoned cars a butter reminder of the past, it was a long stretch of darkness awaiting us.
"Kryll at Six o'clock!" Carlos bellowed.
"You can't use both the Engine and the UV light at the same time!"
We stopped momentarily as I aimed the UV turret at the location.
We worked as a team.
I worked in the uv light, Carlos worked as a warning and Dom is the driver.
We all fended off the attacks until we reached the peripheral walls of the outpost.
It was more different when we arrived at the start, bodies of grubs littered the landscape and filled with holes and most of the automated defenses was destroyed by explosion, mainly boomers...
The strange thing is that we saw several soldiers that is not Cog helping Delta as they fended off the Locust.
I seen Major at Aspho fields, and he was a monster, to fight with. But now... Aged seems to keep up on his body... His movements is getting slower .
He was not as flashy attacks and more dedicated to piercing the skulls. He noticed us as he beckon us to enter.
"What are you waiting for?! We got a all you can feast grub over here! And you are late for the party!" He smiled.
But I sense he was talking to something else.
The three of us rushed into the ruined outpost.
Fires burn down what remains of the stranded homes...
I have mixed feelings about our incursion, but it was for the mission.
We assisted the defenders and caved the holes where the locust came, and the fight ended...
After it was over, the people stared at us...
Eyes of scrutiny... The same look upon their faces... I felt my hand tremble a bit. But ignored it.
Franklin walked towards us and clap.
"Well, well, well, when the cog boys shown up, the Locust invaded... Just leave." He show us the exit.
We left silently.
But we waited for a brief moment for Major to see the people off.
They made the gesture of the aquila as they gave him something and went back. Perhaps making a new life for themselves.
He rushed back with a picnic basket.
"What will happen to them?" I asked.
Major opened the basket and handed us a bacon sandwiches and some bottle of water.
"The priest tell us that they will be moving to Hanover and a pickup will come for them..."
"Where did you get the sandwiches from?" Carlos asked.
"Most of them were upset that we kinda the one that ruined the place, but some of them gave you something to eat.. just come way of saying thanks for saving their asses." Alexander hummed as he got a bottle of mustard. And handed the jar to me.
"What do you mean we were in the wrong?" Baird asked as he stuffed a sandwich.
Alexander pointed his helmet.
"My helmet is useful, I can connect to cog comms signals and during the assault, I found that in the backline there is some semblance of our codes being heard. Short words, we been compromised. And someone in the grubs knows our location. And it's a smart asshole."
"Fuck... Does that mean that the grubs knows our location?" Baird eyes widen.
"Possibly... But I based it on the assumption that the grubs already prepared a ambush at the Lethia Imulsion Facility... Baird... You the smart one, change our frequency of our teams, and I authorize you as Major to do so. Let the wizard use his magic and save the party from extinction" Alexander joked.
Baird laughed as he cracked his head and got to work.
"Well then, since you asked politely, time for the wizard to do his thing."
"Hopefully not get bald in the process."
"Hey! I have perfectly good hair... Right?"
"If you get bald, I buy you a wig or a hair restoration gel, your choice. One that will attract the ladies."
"Screw you!"
"That is why, nerds are so easy to tease. Especially one that will be bald due to stress."
"Stop with the bald jokes!"
I smiled at Baird and Major banter as he fixed our frequency.
It was simply encrypted. And linked to all our channels, and we made our way to the Lethia Imulsion Facility....
Hopefully end this war.
(???)
A Giant Locust walked upon the ashes of the Outpost that Delta defended.
He held out a Cog helmet that is hanged from his belt and listen to the comms channel.
The creature grinned as he walked towards the priest that was captured by him. One of his arm is ripped off and blinded in one side.
It was the preacher along with several guards that stayed behind as to let the rest run off to safety.
The preacher smiled in defiance.
"Abomination... You will understand the fury of the Herald of the God Emperor... Justice will come for us." The man spat his blood at the armor of the locust.
The locust felt amused as he snapped the preacher neck. A simple execution. A he proved no valuable meat in his bones...
The locust giant called in a reaver and went elsewhere.