Chapter 5

Princess B’vian Myus Thwuen /// Earthtown Inner Ring Checkpoint

The explosions that rippled across the street as her and her companions dashed towards the Alliance checkpoint were hellish. Thundering sounds, cracking stone and bone alike, a cacophony of murderous rage as these humans descended upon them like wild animals. Whooping calls punctuated by weapons discharge. Terror had gripped her heart, but her instinct told her to run, her companions told her to run, and so she ran, another series of kinetic impacts rounded off the pavement next to her. Her body as a natural instinct jumped away from these, but she was able to maintain focus. Her Djikit keeping her afloat as she sped off towards the supposed safety of the Alliance marines.

She wasn't the only one terrified, Iiree, she could sense was beginning to fold her body around herself into a tight knot. A natural fear reaction for their species, the only problem is that she was beginning to slow down.

“Iiree you cant stop. We need to keep running” B’vian called to her.

Amidst the sounds of shouting, and explosive chemical reactions she wasn't sure if Iiree could hear her. She would not let her die, not here, and not on B’vians fool errand. Reaching out with her Djikit again she psionically grabbed Iiree’s terrified form, lifted her slightly further off the ground and began to pull her towards B’vian. A moment of hope arose as she assumed Iiree’s safety. This was short lived as she heard another soldier scream “fuck RPG incoming…. Get down”.

A screeching sound like wind passing through a metal pipe streaked past the company, and struck the ground not too far off, followed by a violent explosion. The force of which knocked her and those around her to the ground. She could feel her internal structures get rocked around like being crushed by a powerful current.

Her mind struck the sides of her Qwoo, and her vision faded to black for a moment. Her sensory stalk rang and hummed with the impact. As her vision slowly returned it went from shades of gray and blurry to a fine amount of detail slowly returning.

She turned her stalk towards the primus still standing strong unleashing forceful blast after forceful blast of Djikit energy that ripped out destroying any soft tissue in its path, yet they still came. A group had taken cover, popping up and firing their weapons haphazardly over the barrier, forcing the primus to step out in front of the street as his booming voice shouted to the soldier to get up and move.

As Primus Mag Te Zol stepped past the minor cover the street offered a human vehicle with some type of rear mounted weapon sped past and around a corner blitzing towards Zol with speed. It approached its weapon firing into the Zol’s titanic form and struck into the Primus like a bolt of lightning, forcing him to take a single step back. He raised his clawed gauntlet up and slammed it down crumpling the entire vehicle into a small crater created by the force of Zol’s strike.

A nearby Human clad in black dashed out from its hiding spot wielding a long metal pole of some kind, before stabbing it with force into the gap in the Knight’s plate. The Primus turned and snapped the human in half with his other gauntlet, before the pole now inserted underneath the plate detonated like the ranged explosives earlier.

The primus, an unshakable monument of power, fell to a knee. The princess could see dark blueish gray fluid leaking out from the now established hole. The humans sensing their prey weakened, began moving towards the downed group with their weapons aiming at any who still moved. B’vian cried out screaming in rage, as she tried to stand. It wasn't right, it wasn't sane, her friends, who came with her were going to die in some slum for her. She screamed, letting her Djikit unshackle itself and lash around at the approaching humans.

She knocked some back but her mind still reeling from the shock of the explosion couldn't concentrate enough to manage a decent blow. One human wearing some kind of bone-like structure over his face approached. Weapon raised towards her Qwoo, she tried making herself a ball.

“Im going to die” the thought ripped through her head like lightning.

Terrified she began to cry, an undignified, wounded cry. Not fit for royalty, but for a scared and lonely child. Her thoughts fell to all the failures of her life and how she had climbed up no matter the challenge, only to be outdone by people she sought help from.

Her form began to curl itself like her ancestors did wrapping over and over attempting to make a small annoying target, she knew it would do no good but she couldn't help it. Her Qwoo pounded harder and harder as the human laughing said, “fucking Squids, hope theres a hell for you.'' Then a shot rang out. The princess screamed.

Lt. Jacob McFea ////Alliance Marine Checkpoint

The explosion from up the interchange highway could be felt as much as heard. Lt. McFea turned to look up the street. He could see a massive armored truck having swerved across the intersection onto the opposite street and straight into the corner of a building.

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“Ey Lt. i got movement looks like foot mobiles, hopping out of the back of that truck.” his squads marksmen Lccpl Heilds sent over net.

“A-firm Lcpl, keep eyes on.” McFea replied as he continued to watch as Wraiths began to seep out of every shadow.

“Notice all Arbiter units this is Arbiter actual, general reminder people the highway is not our problem or our turf, keep eyes on as the situation develops but do not under any circumstance break protocol.” a static filled message came across the net from McFea’s CO.

“Yo Lt, ROE says if they shoot at us we can shoot back right? Cause i really don't like being told to blue balls myself while getting throttled if you catch my drift.” came a voice to his right.

Turning to face his newest member of his detail, Pvt Arthurs was standing there thumbing his safety on-off, smiling.

“IF they shoot or IF orders are given you can fire, otherwise, stow your shit and standbye Pvt.” his voice stern and stoic in response, he didn't like loose cannons even if they were acting.

Arthurs nodded, then shifted his attention back up the road. McFea did the same.

A group led by a couple Watchers started dashing down the highway taking partial cover next to some of the road barriers. As they did more and more Wraiths appeared, some acting tactically, some charged the Watchers and whoever they were escorting. The watchers' plasma weapons already spooled up to maximum rpm continued to unleash a torrent of bluish white balls of fire. Dropping quite a few of the oncoming Wraiths, even hounded as they were, the fight they were putting up was impressive.

As the group got closer and closer Mcfea could begin to make out more distinguished details. Including about half a dozen watchers mostly non-Squid, a Noble of some renown from the look of him, along with two maidens, and a massive golden crab knight. Damn the Squids could really go over the top, especially when it came to gold. The watchers were using covering techniques as they pushed up, giving the man running in front a chance to let their weapon cool before they took up a position and fired to cover their brothers in the rear. Rinse, repeat, solid tactics, assuming nothing catastrophic they should be here in under 2 mics.

“Prep for any overflow boys, Wraiths aren't known for their complex understanding of borders” Mcfea said over the net as he flicked the safety off his rifle and stood a couple paces ahead getting ready to take cover behind a barricade if needed.

He continued to watch as he set up his rifle on top of the barricade, the group hurried towards them closing fast, but looking past them he saw two more 4x4’s peel out from around a corner. Weapons mounted on the back, turning towards the group. Automatic fire rippled across the hulking golden from and the two or three watchers in the back. As he watched one of the Watchers dropped under the hail of bullets. The golden knight turned and unleashed a shockwave like a damn jedi. Sending one of the trucks flying in a crumpled ball.

“Hey LT, are we gonna do something?” called one of his squad over the radio

Before getting a chance to respond Mcfea started on as more Wraiths started to appear in nearby buildings firing into the running group. The giant knight unleashed a few more jedi fuck ups as Mcfea responded “ cant not yet, if they can make it over the border we intercept, otherwise hold position and keep your fucking rifles ready”

A Rpg fired from the building across the street landed close to the upcoming group, and sent all but the golden crab prone. “Fuck i bet that hurt” Mcfea heard Arthurs say. A few of the watchers were down and out, looking like one or two were trying to stand up. The knight was trying desperately from the look of it to rally those remaining to get up and run. As he did however he had to step out into the street to lay down covering fire, right into the path of the technical. Mcfea took his eyes off the carnage for a moment to check the guiding posts, he counted 5 ish to the group only 250 yards before him and his men could do anything. They were so close. Turning back he saw the technicals continued their approach, driving full speed into the massive golden Crab knight. Striking into the side of his legs or whatever the psychic Calamari used as legs, the knight buckled under the force for a moment before turning and smashing both of its golden claws down on top of the vehicle Mcfea watched as a massive force slammed down around the claws and crushed the truck almost flat. The men inside were pasted under the force.

“Fucking psychos, trying to fuck with Djikition knights…glad we dont have to clean that up” the Lt swore under his breath to no one in particular.

Then the knight swiveled around to catch a wraith who had run by and cut him in half. Before he began to turn back around but as he did an explosion went off. The knight fell to one knee. The remaining Wraiths began to pool out of the buildings and a few transports arrived form somewhere nearby. As they approached the group one of the female Djikitions lashed out with her mind powers and bitch slapped more than a few Wraiths back. It wasnt enough as the Wraiths continued to walk up to the fallen group.

“Lt, are we gonna let an execution happen in broad daylight?” Lccpl Heilds asked.

“We dont get a choice, Heilds, its outside the border.” Mcfea responded.

“Yea but…” the radio message died in his throat.

McFea didn't need Heilds to say anything, it wasn't what they had signed up for he knew it. It also wasn't his call, what else could he do. From his position at the border checking his sights he saw the female collapse muscle spasms and the natural “ball” reaction taking place. Mcfea could only imagine the fear, maidens were little better then secretaries you got to fuck they didnt sign up for combat. Even if the squids did kill earth this shit was fucked, even for him.

“Sir… please” it was Heilds again his voice hoarse, Mcfea could almost hear the tension. A marine with a conscious is a hell of a thing Mcfea thought.

“Fuck me, all elements open fire, priority the Technicals, and Wraiths. Drop all those cannibal mother fuckers” as he finished as though to emphasis his point his checkpoint rippled with the echoing fire of automatic weapons. The hostels on foot began to drop one by one, as rounds ripped into them. Mcfea could just barely hear the sound of the Maiden screaming in terror.