Cameron finished cutting down the last A.R.M.S. unit, a Lancer, with high vertical slash, using the momentum of the Headsman’s heavy blade, couple with his thrusters to force the weapon through his opponents lance, held up high in an attempt to block, and down into the skull, bisecting the unit in a perfect line.

“Whew,” He said, breathing heavy through burning lungs, “These Betas are a little harder to deal with compared to the Squires and Alphas from Celephis.”

“Oh shut up,” Logan said, wrenching his mace free from a crumpled beta chassis, “I wouldn’t have even dreamt about taking on one Beta class at your rating, let alone multiple.”

“What can I say?” Cameron said, “I guess I’m just a natural.”

“Natural jackass maybe,” Logan said, switching over the comm channel back to the EarthGov teams, “Wolfhound actual to Anubis and Osiris,”

“Send it Wolfhound,” Kremmel called back a moment later.

“Big bastards are dealt with, breach is a go,”

“Roger.”

The channel clicked off abruptly, and Cameron was concerned that he hadn’t picked up everything that was relayed over the link. That was until walls to the left and right were disintegrated in two massive explosions that caused Cameron’s chassis to jostle from the magnitude.

“Woah shit!” He exclaimed, “These guys know how to party.”

“Yeah, they’re not fucking around,” Logan said softly.

The pair of them watched as the two kill teams poured into the compound like a colony of ants, going building to building. They broke down doors with a speed and deftness Cameron had never seen before, before filling the windows danced with the repeated bright blue flashes of rail-rifle fire. Barely three minutes after the explosions went off, the deed was done, leaving both teams gathered together outside the last laboratory, waiting to proceed with the next phase.

“Osiris to Wolfhound,” Kremmel called back, “Ready for a snatch and grab?”

“Yessir,” Logan said, “Moving there now,”

“You sure about this?” Cameron asked after he heard the click of the EarthGov channel closing, “I mean, even with your weird little feeling, you’re still down to do this?”

“Am I sure about this?” Logan repeated, slowly moving his mech to the back of the compound with Cameron in tow, “Absolutely not. Am I going to do this? You bet your ass I am.”

“Fair enough boss, let’s get this shit over with.”

The two of them glided over to the rendezvous, now filled with EarthGov soldiers, and stopped, letting both mechs idle as Logan called over to Cameron to remind him of the plan.

“Here’s how this is gonna go,” He said, “I’m going to exit my crusader, run inside the vault with these guys, grab the module, and then we’re getting the fuck out. Quick, clean, and efficient.”

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“Roger that,” Cameron said, taking in the brief overview, “What about oxygen? Pressure suits?”

“Not needed,” Logan said quickly, “Manna Group built their own artificial atmosphere that covers the entire rock. Just enough to breath and walk around, I’ll be fine.”

“Fair enough… what do you need me to do then?”

“The most important job I can think of,” Logan said, “Stand guard and make sure my paint doesn’t get chipped.”

“… You’re a real asshole you know that?” Cameron said after a minute of silence.

Logan laughed, his Crusader shrugging as it mirrored the gesture he had performed from the cockpit.

“I’m sure you’ll learn to live with it kid. I can trust you in mech, but behind a firearm? That makes me a little nervous.”

“That’s hurtful,”

“Well maybe later you can cry on a pile of silver,” Logan shot back, “Look, just pull security and I’ll be back before you know it.”

“Fine…” Cameron huffed, “But next time, you’re playing the babysitter and I’m doing the cool shit.”

“If I’m feeling generous that day, then sure.”

“Eh, I’ll take what I can get,” Cameron said, watching as the back hatch of Logan’s Crusader lifted its plates, exposing his muscular back as the uplink threads removed themselves from his body. Slowly, he turned his body in such a way that allowed him to reach out and grasp the first ladder rung going down the mech’s left leg, and climb his way to the floor below. He wore a comm set, that Cameron knew was still transmitting as he heard Logan’s heavy breath with every foot he climbed, the thin air of the artificial atmosphere making any physical act more laborious and challenging. Stepping off the ladder and onto the dusty floor, Cameron watched him pull out a rail pistol and prime it, before making his way over to the EarthGov troops. As he walked, he tapped the headset with his finger, and his voice was coming over Cameron’s comm channel once again.

“Testing testing. Can ya hear me kid?” He asked.

“Loud and clear boss.”

“Roger,” Logan said, “I’ll be out soon enough then, stay safe.”

“Awe… and hear I was thinking you didn’t care.”

“… Kid you make it so hard to be nice to you sometimes.”

“You know, I think it’s somewhat of a talent.” Cameron said.

“Well I’m glad you have one of those after all,” Logan shot back, “Just don’t do anything stupid while I’m gone, alright?”

“Like what?”

“Oh I’m sure you’ll figure something out.”

***

Killian watched as the soldiers and Rake entered the laboratory, and grinned. How lucky he was that his quarry was left alone, saving him from the mundanity and tedium of having to massacre the whole raid force just to get to Ket. He inhaled through his nose, closing his eyes as he did, feeling a wave of calm wash over him. Slowly his eyes opened, instantly locking onto the black hooded figure of the headsman. The high-pitched ring of Caustos’s little toy being primed as Kronos confirmed the action inside of his brain.

“Pulse cannon is armed, Master. We are ready to begin the mission.”

“Excellent.”