Excerpt 001: Enquiring Minds

[rekindledtitan]

TYPE: Patrol log

LOCATION: Ishtar Sink, Venus

PARTIES: Three [3]. One [1] Ghost-type, [1] Guardian-type, designate Blaze-37, Class Titan [

rekindledtitan ], One [1] Unconfirmed, designate Aran, Samus [onemorebounty ]

 

ASSOCIATIONS: Multiversal Nexus; Samus Aran; Chozo; Ishtar Sink; Hezen Protective; Pelsor; House of Winter; Drevis; Blaze-37; Ishtar Academy



They land in a clearing on the city outskirts with grass under their boots and a heavy overcast above. The breeze that greets them is hot and humid, a little acidic. Around them is a densely-grown treeline, with broad leaves that are near-luminescent shades of green. Their rustle is echoed by the distant wash of waves from beyond the ruins.

Blaze turns to scan the area, hopeful of opposition even though her Ghost already checked the site. The broken towers and city blocks are quiet within the overgrowth. But then it’s not the human ruins which really stand out. To the north a massive volcano takes up much of the sky, belching out a noxious plume of ash and gas. Small wonder that each shift in the breeze makes the scent of the air waver between sulfurous and salty. Over the hills to both south and east loom dark geometric structures. Look at them with anything other than the optical spectrum, and they emit some very peculiar readings.

“At last,” the Exo remarks, feeling a thrill that doesn’t break her readiness. Her head’s turned up to check the skyline as she speaks. Then she's moving for the buildings. “We’re in Guardian territory, more or less. Doesn’t stretch too far yet. Won’t take long to find some trouble.”

Comments

[onemorebounty]

The same. I'm either going to end them, or myself in trying.

*When Samus bursts from cover, she's bound to draw attention; like a low-flying shooting star, streaking through the scrubland. She tries again to scan the fortress ahead, hoping they might be close enough by now for her visor to pick up on something.*

If it's not some variation of, "what is that thing coming at us," or "the sensors must be broken," I'm going to have to revise my opinion of them downward.

[rekindledtitan]

//You needn't worry about that. They definitely know something's up.// There's a chirp, and the Ghost adds, //Activity over the drop ahead - moving fast. They're going to intercept us.//

There are a few trees out here, but most are dead and stunted, or uprooted by whatever seismic activity buckled the landscape into hills and ravines. The human ruins are behind them: no colonists ever built this close to the Citadel. It blots out much of the sky now, a monumental black column sprouting from the rock. The higher reaches jut out in ways that indicate complete indifference to gravity. Much of it seems to be suspended entirely in the air.

To the eye it's silent and still, but on sensors it shimmers with the interference of cast-off emissions. Samus might be able to detect how space warps and coils about the glossy walls, dragging the clouds with it. More interesting is the fact that the Citadel seen by eye does not entirely match up to the Citadel as seen through other sensors, and different portions are missing in each. The pall that hangs over the planet builds into an oppressive air as they draw closer.

To Blaze that's anything but discouragement. On the open ground she's started lagging again, and the promise of combat draws a renewed burst of speed from her. //Hah! We're not the only ones out for trouble. They have thrust bikes?//

//At least three.// Which means the riders will be mere dregs, out to scout and scavenge as close to Vex ground as they dare. Just a little light fun on the way in, Blaze figures.

[onemorebounty]

"Engage with prejudice" is the order of the day?

*That sits just fine with Samus; she uses the drop ahead as a jumping-off point, sending herself on a high arc, twisting in midair to bring her arm cannon to bear against the targets. Beams of plasma lance down toward these first encounters, even as she sets her visor to scanning one.*

If the citadel sent these out to see what we're capable of, they're going to get a show.

[rekindledtitan]

//Always.//

Their opponents are hardly imposing: slightly smaller than the average human, two-armed bipeds with light armour and shock pistols at their sides. They're organic, certainly, four eyes glowing over their breathing masks and a stiff mohawk of hair poking from their heads. Depending on how thorough her scan is, Samus might pick up on the remaining skeletal joints where each has lost a second, lower pair of arms.

What they have are heavy thrust bikes, plated in solid-looking blue armor. The engines crackle with tormented electricity, but the vehicles skate over the ground with ease. They yell to one another in gravelly voices as Samus launches herself from the high ground, trying to turn and target her with the twin nose cannons.

It's immediately obvious this doesn't work with an airborne target. Samus' fire rips into a wheeling Pike, gutting the engine. The rider accelerates desperately, then throws himself off as the controls fail.

Another goes skidding sideways to evade - and no sooner does it succeed than Blaze comes skidding down the slope to crash right into it. To the Titan's surprise, this only slams it away from her instead of exploding the engine. Weird. Without thinking, she moves to close on it again. Meanwhile, the third Pike's rider is smart enough to bolt clear, planning to turn and target the 'humans' properly.

//Huh? Oh- they will. Didn't send these dregs though. Fallen aren't friends with the Vex in there.//

//Our enemies hate one another as much as they hate us. But it's a safe assumption the Citadel is watching.//

[onemorebounty]

*That third one may have evaded Samus' initial burst of plasma fire, but as she arcs toward a landing, she gets a signal lock and sends a missile its way.*

I'll be certain to keep a few tricks in reserve, then.

*Since they're employing vehicle-mounted weapons that don't tilt up very effectively, Samus leaps after her missile, keeping the advantage of altitude whenever possible.*

Am I seeing joints for amputated limbs on these things?

[rekindledtitan]

Blaze's dreg swerves in panic, but she catches up and throws a fist loaded with arc energy into its chest. However sturdy the Pike, its rider is still a weak point. Another couple of blows makes sure it stays down. She looks up to see the missile strike home on the remaining Pike just as it turns. //Hah! Nice catch!//

That leaves one survivor getting to his feet, pistol in one hand and crackling knife in the other. He might be a little cutthroat, but he'll fight to the last.

//Correct. These are dregs, the lowest rung of their society. The docking is an initiation rite. The ones who prove themselves are allowed to regrow their arms.//

[onemorebounty]

I'll admit, I respect anyone who can do their job while they're short a couple limbs.

*Samus' arm cannon changes configuration, shortening and widening, the red-glowing seams closing and the seams that open shedding a faint purple. She levels the weapon at the remaining dreg, and fires off a shot. The shot takes the form of three motes of light oscillating through a common central line, along which they are radially equidistantly spaced--the wave beam. It doesn't hit hard, but the strong electrical charge it carries tends to make its targets seize up for a moment. More to the point, the motes track on their target, following even if the creature has some bright idea of jumping aside at the last moment.*

Of course, that doesn't include these three...

[rekindledtitan]

It's a good choice. The dreg does spring aside nimbly. He gets off a couple rapid shots at Samus before he realizes her fire's still tracking his way. Down he goes with a painful squawk.

//That's a fair assessment.//

//It's too bad: with rides like these-// Blaze cuts off, looking over curiously. //Your weapon's reconfigurable?//

[onemorebounty]

It is. And my people designed it to incorporate new weapon types as it encounters them.

*She is pardonably pleased about her ever-growing bag of tricks.*

Basic loadouts are a kinetic charge, an electrical pulse, live-capture cryonic gel, a plasma particle beam, and missiles.

*So pleased.*

You were saying, about their rides?

[rekindledtitan]

//Impressive! I'm starting to understand why you don't want anyone scanning your gear. It's funny, though - that pulse you used tracked just like the rifles their friends use.// She gestures at the corpse in front of her. //That'll set them wondering. You know, if any of them get away next time.//

It's a pretty large 'if', but there are always sentries. As for the vehicles...

//Yeah- these heavy Pikes, they're new. Much tougher than the little scrap-buckets I've seen before. Could have put up a nice fight if the drivers knew how to use them. It's a shame. Have you seen these, Ghost?//

//I have some data on them. I should warn you, they... don't belong to the Winter forces. If there's an outside pack hunting in this area, they're much quieter. I can't detect any unidentified communications, but I'll keep monitoring.//

[onemorebounty]

Did it? Well, it's good to know they can do that before I find out the hard way.

*Her grim smile may be hidden by her helmet, but it's audible on the comm line.*

Let them wonder. Let them look at each other and think, 'who's the traitor?'

*As Blaze explains about the bikes, Samus takes the time to scan one properly.*

Winter forces? And who do they belong to?

[rekindledtitan]

//...Oh. Right.// Blaze sounds a bit sheepish, because she's just remembered that 'the hard way' is liable to mean something different for a non-Guardian. Confused and panicking enemies cheer her up, however. //Heh, they want to break their own line, who're we to stop them?//

The Pikes are solidly armored, though in a mishmash of recycled alloys layered over components built for durability and heavily worn. The twin cannons Samus is acquainted with, but there are mounts on each side for deploying bouncing explosives. Where the engines still function they spark and crackle alarmingly beneath the housing. These are cobbled-together and lovingly patched antiques, but with a bit of nerve and skill their drivers could get away with a lot.

//The Fallen House of Winter is dominant on this planet. I believe these three were from the rival House of Wolves. To summarize a long story, right now both groups are leaderless. The Wolf packs are scattered, less numerous... and very heavily armed. No pun intended.//

Which means there are no less than three enemy factions about, and all of them hate each other. Blaze makes a very happy 'hmmmh' on hearing this. //Long story shorter: more targets for us.//

//And significantly more explosives, yes.//

[onemorebounty]

*There are two schools of thought about being surrounded. The first recognizes the lack of options for escape, and despairs. The second observes the nature of circular firing squads, and rejoices. When surrounded by three enemies equally likely to shoot at each other as the target in the middle... well, it comes in somewhere between "target-rich environment" and "early Kitmas" on the Hunter's list. Wrestling one of the pikes upright, she looks to Blaze and Ghost.*

Well, they've come such a long way, we ought to be neighborly. I can think of no better service than stress-testing these pikes against the gates or wall of that citadel. Can you?

[rekindledtitan]

Laughing, Blaze prods at the controls of the one she's investigating, and then slings herself easily onto the seat. //That's a fine idea! There's just one thing - looks like these things have some extra armament-//

//Arc mines.//

//Right. We'd better make sure to try them out while we're at it. You know - check they still deploy properly.//

[onemorebounty]

Well, naturally.

*Samus' grin is audible, even across the comm, as she settles onto the bike, taking a moment to scan its interface and hoping her suit can find some sort of port to work with.*

It wouldn't be much of a stress test if we didn't try everything, right?

[rekindledtitan]

She might need to look closely, but there is an interface port for accessing the limited onboard circuitry.

//Gotta be thorough with this stuff,// Blaze agrees happily.

Even hidden in her systems, the Ghost is more mindful of their companion. //Would you like any information on the vehicle's controls?//

[onemorebounty]

*Ah, there we go. The ideal would've been a wireless or optical port, but she'll take a hard connection if need be--her arm cannon has some very adaptable ports, and within a moment she's jacked in.*

I think I've got it, Ghost, thank you. I wouldn't mind some idea of what to expect from arc mines, though.

*Hopefully Ghost can tell her on the way, as she's revving her engine and angling for the citadel already.*

[rekindledtitan]

Blaze is close behind her, firing her Pike's boosters to see if she can't overtake her friend. The road to the Citadel weaves through steep-sided hills, narrowing as it joins up with an ancient river channel. The vehicles are slow and ungainly compared to Guardian transport, but they handle the winding path easily. Give or take a few clipped tree stumps on Blaze's part.

//Got it. They're short-timed explosives, designed to bounce clear and explode quickly when deployed. They'll cause electrical damage in a short range, and they seem rather unstable. You should probably be careful where you eject them.//

[onemorebounty]

Thank you. Do you think it's possible to start their timers without ejecting them?

*Even as she asks, she sets her suit to the task of looking for a way. It'll be more bang when they hit whatever they hit, if it works. Not that her attention is solely on that--the citadel has been watching, and she expects interception on the road ahead. She'd prefer to see it coming.*

[rekindledtitan]

//No problem. Just activate the stored mines and modify the ejection mechanism to signal them only. Give me a minute and I can take care of it.//

The road looks clear as they approach. Forging ahead, Blaze is about to comment on the lack of defenses when a needle of brilliant red energy lances into her Pike's forward shielding. She reacts immediately by hitting the boosters and pulling to one side, making the next shot twang past her shoulder.

//There they are! Snipers up high!// The lean, brass-tinted forms would be hard to pick out on those yellowed rocks save for the pinprick of red light from their single optics. Blaze has no time to look up anyway. She just keeps her head down and waits for her Ghost to flash the markers up on her HUD - Samus' too, if she'll accept the extra data. There's more fire incoming, and the enemy seems keen to immobilize their rides.

[onemorebounty]

Thanks, I'll leave it to you.

*Samus is quite willing to accept targeting data from Ghost, sizing up the snipers' positions.*

Do you think they're tapping our comm, or normal sentries?

*Either way, they are a problem in need of solution. The nose-mounted guns on the pikes aren't of much use against targets so high up, as they've already seen--or they wouldn't be, if the pike stayed on two wheels. Heaving back, Samus sends a spray of fire angling generally for the sniper.*

*Precision targeting and wheelies are, alas, rarely coincident.*

[rekindledtitan]

//I'm on it.// There's a chirp from the Ghost, and a blue light darts into Blaze's Pike. //I'm certain our comms are secure. Perhaps they've seen these vehicles before.//

The tools aren't on her side, but Samus' fire rakes across a sniper's position and it huddles up, suddenly cocooned in rippling orange energy. Its comrades immediately co-ordinate fire on Samus, trying to relieve the damaged unit.

//So they're worried? Good sign.// Blaze scans the road ahead. Another shot scores her Pike and glances over her leg. She ignores it. //Got an idea - let's see how sensitive their optics are.//

She banks hard, using the Pike's momentum as she hurls a flashbang grenade toward the snipers. One of her class perks, it turns out, is a damn good throwing arm. The grenade bounces off the rocks, detonates mid-air in a resounding crack and a flash designed to flood most sensors with white noise. It won't incapacitate all the snipers, but several are close enough to reel in disorientation.

[onemorebounty]

Good to know--and that makes sense.

*Samus took Blaze's remark as a warning, turning her visor opaque and steering by X-ray sensors for a short while, hoping they wouldn't be included in the flash-bang's noise spectrum. Once it goes off, she picks up the opportunity Blaze has bought them: she can, with a moment's preparation, get signal locks on several targets at once, and unleash a salvo of missiles, one for each. She wonders, idly, as she targets the reeling snipers and fires a cloud of missiles straight up, whether they'll be able to get their defenses up before the missiles hone in.*

Nice throw.

[rekindledtitan]

Turns out they can't. They really can't. At this range, Blaze's optics are only a little fuzzed (and X-ray, indeed, is quite untouched). She has a good view when those missiles strike home and their targets disappear in flame and it is so very lovely to watch.

//Nice strike!// She guns her engines, making up lost speed. //I wish I could hear them recalculating right now. Oh- and let's match speeds a second, my Ghost wants to switch over.//

[onemorebounty]

*Samus grins in her helmet. Matching speed, she sends a few beams of plasma down-range to keep the snipers hunkered down.*

Well, you set them up for me.