Chapter 16
"My dear citizens! I once more wish to reassure you that we are working as fast as we can to fix the utilities of the south eastern plate. And that we have our people out there looking for whom ever caused the damage to the plate and we will make sure they are brought in to justice for attacking our beloved city!" - Mayor Liam Oak, at a press conference a day after Rafaela sent a piece of a building flying in to the city plate. - July 18th 2056
I remained silent for a moment before speaking again. “That is a bit unexpected. So have to get something to make sure that I don't go in to that kind of a state again. Put a pin in that please” I said leaning by head back only see some movement up above. Tilting my head to the right ears standing up. Then a large piece of what might have been stone along with quite a bit of machinery fell from the ceiling of the undercity. My eyes going a bit wide as it landed on a building down below. “Oh.. Hal is going to kill me.” said and I could hear the other two on the line laughing softly
Enemies Eliminated
7 x Model 3 = 70 points
2 x Model 8 = 10 points
3 x Model 5 = 60 points
New total: 1109 points
I blink slowly. “Wait?.. Did that just?.. And I got points for it?” I asked and the two started laughing quite hard and I grabbed on to the bike a bit harder. “Hey hey! Don't crash us now!” I said a bit louder and Kevin just shook his head. “Oh don't you worry little kitty we won't crash besides that reaction was quite funny.” He said and my ears flicked back a bit. “And those ears of yours are adorable.” I heard Lilyana and I just sighed giving up and shaking my head.
Oh that stone was something that you did send flying and we are still quite close to it. So I decided that it was appropriate to give you the points for the enemies that you crushed as it landed. See I told you big Booms can solve all kinds of problems.
Shaking my head a bit before sighing. “I guess that was a good thing. But I still feel like I might have caused us all a lot of troubles with that damage” I said and Kevin nodded. “Quite a few corpo types up there are currently celebrating their fortune as they will be the ones to get the contracts for the repairs and rebuilds. Then the people living above will likely pay to send PMC's down and look cause troubles.” He said and my ears moved a bit. “Well I guess that I will be putting turrets by the gates in to this part of the city then. As a reminder for them to not cause trouble.” I said as we landed on a roof top across from a large building complex. Kevin nodded. “That might get them to hesitate for a moment.” He said as he got off and I jumped off after him activating my cloak and walked over to the edge to look at the building. There were quite a bit of traffic. Some Models dragging things in to the building other heading out. “And according to my scans there should be a hive in there. And from what I can see here I'd say that is likely true. Catch” He said with a grin and tossed something that looked like a dark cylinder of some kind. I managed to catch it almost fumbling it before looking at the thing. “What is this?” I asked
“That is an emergency teleportation device. It will send you to a medical pod in my base in case you are about to die.” He then looked over to his bike and it went up in to the air. I then put the device in to one of my pockets “As I said you will be dealing with this one on your own. I will go in with you. But will only engage if you are close to dying.” I blink a few times. “And this is so that I learn how to handle these things on my own?” I asked and he nodded. “Also to allow you to learn how to survive with less of the actual risk.” He said turning and walking to the fire escape. “I will of course give you advice on the way. And warn you if something that you can't handle shows up.” I look back to the building before running after him.
Quickly moving the stairs and jumping down the last bit. My drones darting down behind me only to set in to fly slowly around me. Moving over to the edge of the building to peek out and have a look at the target. “So would heading in through the front doors be a good idea? There are quite a few models in the way” I said and he had a look around the corner. “I think that you could do that.” He said as I kept watching a few objects near the entrance started looking a bit fuzzy to my view. “Well Here we go then!” I said and moved around the corner to sprint as I grabbed a Gravity shaker and tossed against a trio if Model 3's as one of my drones flew out to start and burning two model 4's. The second drone going to burn the fuzzy object the first one a chair just started burning the second one a desk that was flipped over by the wall started to move and wriggle before falling down a burning mess of claws and flames.
Raising my rifle I start firing at the remaining model 3's that had now turned and tried to jump after the drone attacking them. I manage to kill one of them after a few shots, then the drone kill the last one and the street goes silent. I quickly move towards the entrance to the building. “You want to make sure that you know or slow down anything trying to get in behind you” Kevin said and I blinked. “Would a some turrets and maybe some mines work?” I asked looking over at him. “That might do. Turrets would be lost quite quickly but mines go for it.” He said and I nodded. “Fen some mines that would be safe for us to pass and wouldn't hurt random people when they pass please and spread them out a bit if you can around here.”
Enemies Eliminated
3 x Model 3 =30 points
2 x Model 4 = 30 points
1 x Model 9 = 25 points
New total: 1194 points
I think that you could use a few resonators with a proximity fuse. That would be safe for you and anyone that finds them. And you might be able to hear them from the inside. And if you go with the sticky version then they won't get pushed around if something tries to rush through.
I nod “Go for it” I stopped in front of the entrance to the building and looked out over the walk way.
New purchase:
12 x Class I resonator MK I – S “Sticky” - 72 points
New total: 1122 points
As I watch twelve objects fall down a bit randomly with a small light blinking once. I then look towards Kevin and he just shrugs. “That might work. If something gets passed it would be quite hurt at least.” He said as I turned back around and walked in to the building. The hallway was dark I couldn't see all that far in to it. “Umm I might need something to see in here” I said then my eyes flicked in to a soft blue and I could see the hallway as if was bathing in a blue light. “Oh never mind!” I said
Did you forget you got new aug's that are meant for military use?
I nod as I step inside and my two drones flies in flying around the hallway. The light from them making even easier to see. The first few steps in were normal stone then it turned in to some kind of green/black covering running along the floor and up the walls. There was two thick root things that looked to have black bark running along them that went wound the corner and up some stairs. Tilting my head as I walked closer to them then looked over to Kevin and pointed to them. “What are these?” I asked as my ears flicked at the sound of multiple somethings softly thudding against the odd surface that I happened to be standing upon. “Those are likely how the hive moves things from a dissolving pool to the main production room. Following them could give you some options in how to destroy this hive.” He said and I nodded as I turned to where I could hear the sound getting closer raising my rifle as one of my drones darted up and around a corner I hadn't see. After a few moment I could smell burning grass as the drone came back followed by five model 3's and one model 4. My second drone went in and started attacking the model 3's along with the first one. Darting around above the group I could see deep burns appearing on the backs of the model 3's with each pass. I aimed at the model 4 and fired trice hitting twice and killing it.
Enemies Eliminated
5 x model 3 = 50 points
1 x model 4 = 15 points
New total: 1187 points
Looking around slowly I then motioned up the stairs. “So I will head that way first I think.” As I spoke one of my drones darted up the stairs the other remaining behind me flying in lazy circles. “Fen is it possible to see what the drone up there sees?” I asked as I walked
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
Of course. Let me open a window.
As she spoke a window opened up showing me the view of the drone flying up the stairs following the roots that went along the wall. The screen showed everything with a slight white glow. I blinked a few times stopping half way up the stairs. “Something wrong?” Kevin asked from down the stairs were standing as if it was normal to be within a hive if only barely. I shock my head “I'm just surprised how the view from my drones look. Everything seems to glow a bit to its view” I said and he nodded. “Likely the glow around them that gives that effect” He said.
He is correct it is the light glow that makes it look like a wisp that interacts with its night-vision. I can filter it out if you want.
I shake my head as I keep going up the stairs to find the same long hallway. With that bark-substance covering the walls and windows along with most doors. My drone comes to a wall of the stuff and to its right an open door. The roots went in to the room and the drone followed before it started flipping around. I stopped and looked at the view and the shield icon went red as the drone went stable and flew up to the roof. Inside I could see two Model 6's looking quite upset at the intruder. “Fen.. This one had armor piercing right? And what does that shield icon actually mean?” I asked.
It does. Change the firing mode and it will go through armor but cause less damage with each hit. As for the shield. When it turns yellow that means the shield has taken some damage. When it turns red that means its down and need to recharge. This will drain more of the drones battery but they don't need to be recharged for a few more hours at least. And we can always replace the battery if needed.
I nod and with a quick command send my other drone rushed a head, as I moved my hand up and changed to the armor piercing mode on my wisp-mother. Then quickly moved to help my two drones that were doing their best to burn and cut at the two model 6's. Moving around the corner and half in to the room so I could shoot seven times in to the side of the first model 6 dropping it and turning only to find that the other one had started ignoring the drones as it was so close that I barely manage to see it before I went flying out the door and in against the wall outside. The model 6 hitting the wall beside the door stopping it. Trying to lift my rifle up to shoot as Kevin walked up pulling his revolver and fired in to the model 6 causing a large hole to appear in its head as the back of its body just exploded. “Really! You don't have the armor to go in to close combat with well most things.” He said as he started walking towards me.
I moved my hand up to pull down my mask trying to speak as it felt like something was crushing my chest. As he got close he knelt down besides me as a box appeared. Then something that looked a lot like mechanical spiders crawled out and pressed in to some of the now exposed skin along my side. He then took out a medical pen and pressed it against my neck before taking out a familiar inhaler and pressing it against my face. I took a deep breath feeling the familiar burn. “Now all of this will help. And you will be up and running in a minute or so. But really girl! Toss in a grenade or something instead of rushing in. Let your drones do their thing” He said as my breathing got easier.
“Thanks..” I said once I could speak “Don't mention it. But do learn from it. Drones in let them weaken the enemy toss in some grenades then enter the room. Or get power armor. Or both!” He said.
“And stronger drones too will do you wonders.” Lilyana said over the call sounding a bit worried. “Also! Don't you dare die on us before we can meet up at least! And then don't die after that!” She almost shouted. This caused Kevin to chuckle a bit. “Yes.. The day the Danger close is my MO lady meets up with the bringer of mass destruction might be the end of this city.” He said and I stared at him “What? I'm not that bad!” Lilyana said quickly. “It happened like what ten times.. Last time” She said and Kevin nodded slowly. “Oh ten times that time sure. It was a battle that lasted two minutes.”
Groaning I sit back against the wall “I might need other grenades then what I have been using for that. Resonators and Shakers are good for area denial. But not sure about room clearing.”I said as I moved a hand up to the side of my torso. Sending the drone with an undamaged shield a head. To scout the next hallway. The place looked empty and ended with an other wall of the same coating as the walls and floor. This time instead of an open door the entire wall was missing. Within was what looked like a large pool the walls of it made in the exact same way the walls and floor of the corridor. The two roots connecting to it's base. “I think I found that pool you were talking about” I said.
That does look like a smaller version of one of these pools. This hive is set up in a quite bad location. Quite restrictive in space at the moment. But grenades. You don't actually have access to all that many regular ones. Actually you only have access to one semi regular one through your moonstalkers technologies catalog. And that one is only like a regular grenade. It is a vacuum grenade. But with your light weaponry catalog along with your esoteric single-use explosives I can offer you a laser grenade the The Light burn II. It doesn't really explode at all. Instead it shoots a lot of tiny lasers around it self before spinning around quickly. And as I got you.
Enemies eliminated
2 x model 6 = 60 points
New total: 1247 points
Taking a few more breaths before standing up and checking myself over once again. My shirt and chest armor slightly ripped and covered in blood. I can feel my ears drooping a bit. “I just got this shirt damn it..” I said then raised my rifle looking up at Kevin as he spoke. “That is good that you found it and anymore enemies along the way?” He asked and I shook my head. “Its just through this room and down the hallway.” I said before moving.
He let me pass and followed behind me. As I entered the room the drone that had its shield down went down and started to fly around me. I checked its status and saw that the shield had gone back to yellow. “At least they recover quickly.” I said and I could hear a chuckle behind me. “That does sadly mean the shields are quite weak” Lilyana said over the call. “But you will get better ones with time and points” Kevin added. Crossing the large empty room with just the corpses of the two model 6's. Once through the room we started walking down the hallway “What was this place? Before they built the walls and plate?” I asked and Kevin answered. “Oh This was a small town built to house the builders and their families. Or rather one of them. Most of the others became the first subdivisions and surrounding townships. This one got swallowed as they wanted to rival some of the other mega cities in size so they added a few plates. If you mean this building it was one of the larger schools.” Kevin said.
“I see that does explain the size of the building and why this part of the undercity is well so well developed” I said just as we came to the missing wall inside the room were that large tub the surface of the liquid inside bubbling slowly. Slowly stepping in I could see that it went from wall to wall and almost all the way to the broken wall. “This thing is quite large. It did look smaller on the screen. So what now?” I asked and looked over to Kevin and he spoke just before Fen. “You get something to cause damage to it. Your AI will know more about that with your catalog or if you need to unlock something.” He said
Yes! That I do and you have a very simple option here. Within your Class I Slow Battlefield cleanup and restoration there are options for this kind of thing. They are meant for already dead hives. But with your Class I Esoteric single-use explosives you can use the combination to replace the hive clean up nanite with the flesh melter ones for a bit of an extra cost. They will release and flood the system before activating and eating through it. I would recommend a half and half. Allowing the slow acting ones to be active at the start and to have the faster one activate to break things once the slow ones starts getting counter acted. It would cost you 15 points for the canister. Once you get it you lower it in to the pool and it will release them. Well you could just toss it in. Or I could teleport it in over the pool.
“Oh go for that” I said taking a step back. “Sounds like the best way to deal with this anyway” I could see Kevin shaking his head. “You really do need to start sub vocilizing when talking to your AI” He said and I shrugged. “I can't do it. Never understood how one does it and I always fail when trying” I said
New purchase
1 x nanite slurry dispenser – 15 points
New total: 1232 points
A cylinder about the size of a large fire-extinguisher appeared above the pool and fell in to it with small splash and a moment later the dark blue glow turned a few shades lighter. “Oh that is neat went for greenish to almost blue there” Kevin said and I tilted my head bit. “I can't see that. Everything is just blue for me with this night-vision.” I said then I could see a soft pulse at the start of the two roots. “So now we follow these until we hit the core of the hive?” I asked as both my drones darted down the hall and in to the room. And I started walking before I could get an response.
“That we do. Now you are likely to run in to a lot or resistance on the way. The hive knows for sure that its under attack now” He said as my drones came in to the hallway what with the stairs only to be met by a large group of model 3's. The drones went high and started burning the models slowly killing them. I nodded and started running. “Fen one of those laser grenade thingies” I said holding my hand out to the side.
New purchase:
1 x Mark II Laser-cutter's cube grenade – 5 points
New total: 1227 points
I quickly moved in to the large room we had walked through earlier as a fist sized hexagon shaped ball landed in my hand. Glancing at it I could see that it had small square plates covering it and a large button on the top. I pressed it and tossed the thing in to the hallway before taking two steps away from the door and raising my rifle. The hallway lit up in quite a few spinning lights. And I could see the walls getting burned in lines over and over again. A few of the lasers even entering the room and scorching the walls. Both my drones shields went yellow. From the drones view I could see the grenade spinning around with hundreds of lines of light shooting out from it. One of the Model 3's managed to get through and to the door for my shot to go through its head and strike the wall behind it. “Ops.. Forgot to change that” I said as I quickly checked the ammo counter 20 shots left. Then changing it back from armor piercing as I stepped in to the hallway.
The formerly empty hallway was now covered in cut up antithesis parts. I walked carefully between them just in case one of them were still alive before reaching the stairs one drone heading down the other remaining by my side. The drone that went down stairs jerked to the side evading a tentacle that came flying before frying the model 4 down below. I quickly moved down as I saw it was currently empty.
Enemies eliminated
12 x Model 3 = 120 points
1 x Model 4 = 15 points
New total: 1362 points
Looking around to make sure the old wide hallway, I confirmed that it did look the same before starting to walk down it to the end of the hallway. The right part was open and the left blocked off by an other wall of some kind of plant material. Turning and walking down the open path. My drone going around the corner first before I followed it finding a missing wall in to an other large room and the path forwards blocked off. The roots went in to the room as I followed them. Inside the room they went from the wall to start following the ceiling in stead as it went across the room through an other broken wall in to what looked like an old bathroom judging by the sink I could see along its wall.
