When Aloy called, they answered.

Where she was, they rallied.

At the campfire on the coast opposite where the Zenith base was, they assembled.

Well, the loyal members of the squad assembled. Even Regalla walked with them but Sylens chose to keep himself separate.

Alva whispered that his distance suited her just fine.

Kotallo couldn’t help but agree.

Aloy could only see Sylens at first and was understandably concerned…then her face broke into a relieved smile when the rest of them walked into view.

“Egghead here couldn’t stand travelling with the pack.” Erend called, carrying Sylens’ weapon on his back.

Tilda drifted down from the sky and landed upon the sand.

“Are we all here?” She asked. “Then let’s begin.”

She walked to a large outcrop of rock and simply caused a portion of it to disappear, revealing a door not unlike the ones used to access the base.

Aloy tilted her head. “A tunnel?”

“An ancient escape route from the ruins on the island. When I realised it ran all the way across the water I thought it would prove useful to come and go undetected, so I concealed it from the others.” Tilda used her hands and opened the door without touching it. She turned back and waved them forward like it was an inviting home, not a dark, dank tunnel. “Shall we?”

Aloy headed in first, Sylens following and then the rest of them.

Almost immediately they were assaulted with a ferocious smell. The water was stagnant and they did their best not to step in it. Alva kept close to Kotallo.

“I wish there was a less…pungent way to get inside the base.” She said softly.

“Agreed.” Kotallo muttered. His horror at enclosed spaces had returned to him. He had to keep moving to keep from being overcome by it.

His pace quickened, keeping up with Tilda and Aloy as they led them through the darkness. Aloy heard his steps and glanced back at him, slowing and shifting to the side so that they could walk abreast.

“Something on your mind?”

Preferring not to talk about the way his spine seemed to have gone into hiding, Kotallo spoke about what he’d been thinking of on the way to the rendezvous site.

“The Bulwark…the Kulrut…and how we need another miracle if we are to survive the Zenith base…”

“I’ll try not to let you down.”

“I know you will not.” He said quietly, sure the Zenith ahead of them was listening and for a moment, he thought he saw a smile on her face…and it was not pleasant. It was as though she found his admiration of Aloy to be amusing…in an insignificant, meaningless way.

Not for the first time was Kotallo relieved that Aloy was smart enough not to take her at her word. He steadied himself, determined to help Alva discover the Zenith’s secrets so that Aloy wouldn’t be caught unawares.

It was no little relief to emerge on the other side and breathe fresh air and not feel like the world was closing in around him.

They had to climb a cliff, Kotallo finding his artificial arm was excellent at doing that as well, able to grip tightly even when the rock was sharp or cold. When they stood up, a great plain of land stretched out before them, the base on the other side where the grand tower stood, taller than Scalding Spear or even the Bulwark.

“There’s the launch tower,” Tilda pointed then gestured to the open land, “that plain offers little protection so the only viable path is through there.” She indicated to a narrow edge that ducked around the cliffs before heading inland. “There will be Spectres guarding it and many more can be deployed from those hangers.”

Kotallo felt Alva’s glance and nodded. Aloy turned to them.

“Alright. Alva. Kotallo, get to it.”

They immediately turned and set out on their task even as Tilda questioned their absence.

“Do you think she suspects?” Alva whispered as they hurried out of earshot.

“I think her superiority would laugh at any suspicions.” Kotallo muttered.

“She does seem very…” Alva swallowed. “Does she look a little…focused on Aloy?”

“You noticed that as well?” Alva nodded. “Yes, she seems almost preoccupied with her.”

“Well…if she turns on Aloy, I know she’ll not succeed. Oh…we go down there.”

Though Kotallo was sure he could take a Spectre or two down on their route to the regulator, they opted to slip past. Stealth would allow them to get closer without alerting any more attention than necessary. As Aloy had said, it all depended on their success.

“Kotallo,” Alva said softly, “are you…nervous?”

“No.”

“Oh…I wish I was braver.”

Kotallo had to admit, after his initial aversion to the Quen’s endless questions, he didn’t mind Alva’s presence. She was sincere, gushing but not above reigning in her enthusiasm…most of the time.

“You are here, despite your fear,” he offered kindly, “that is brave enough.”

She smiled at him, her eyes brightening. “And here I thought you didn’t like me at all.”

He rolled his eyes. “Keep walking.” He shook his head and tried not to smile as she gave a giggle and hurried forward.

The regulator was in a pit and Spectres patrolled the outside. Kotallo counted three and swore. “I’ll have to take them out before I can drop these,” he gestured to the explosives in the bag he carried, “and activate them.”

“That’s three Spectres…”

“I am aware…”

“Three…”

“If we do not do something soon…”

“Kotallo,” Alva turned to him, “can you remotely activate the explosives?”

He blinked. “Yes…but the Spectres…”

“I’ll go over there,” she pointed to one side of the regulator pit, “and get their attention with a few arrows. You drop the explosives while they’re looking at me and we run for it.”

Kotallo looked at her. “And you say you’re not brave.”

“Oh no, I’m terrified.” Alva laughed softly, betraying her nervous energy. “Good plan?”

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Yes. Go.” Kotallo slipped around the right while Alva sprinted to the left, not taking great pains to hide herself. One Spectre noticed her and lifted itself up but didn’t move.

“Hey!” Alva cried. “Over here!” She unsheathed her bow and fired off several rounds at the Spectres furthest from her which got all of them advancing on her position.

Kotallo tapped his FOCUS. “Aloy, Alva and I are in position.”

“Do it. Blow the regulator.”

“A moment while I ignite the charges.”

Kotallo slid to the edge of the pit and dropped into it, running to the top of the regulator. The hatch was locked but his metal hand was able to rip it off and he threw the bag inside, slamming the hatch down and sprinting back, hoisting himself to the edge once more.

“Kotallo!” He turned to see Alva completely surrounded, her bow useless in her hands as they advanced.

Kotallo grabbed the nearest rock he could find and flung it at the Spectres. It glanced off the hide of one and it turned. He flung another and another and as their attention was divided, Alva dove for cover.

“On me you metal monstrosities!” He roared and flung another rock. The Spectres, realising they’d lost their initial prey, advanced on Kotallo, crossing the pit in their desperation to engage him. Kotallo waited for a moment then hit ignite on the remote charger. The Spectres were right over the regular when it exploded, the top of the hatch tearing off and the fireball engulfing the Spectres. They writhed and screamed in their metallic voices before slumping to the charred ground.

“Are they dead?” Alva peeked out.

“Yes.” Kotallo looked at the pit. “Is the regulator destroyed?”

Alva tapped her FOCUS. “Oh…yes I’d say so.” She looked at him. “We have to get to a node!”

“And quickly. Spectres will be here in seconds now that our presence has been revealed.”

And they did not come in small numbers. Kotallo followed Alva as fast as he could. When she was focussed, that woman could run! She grasped his arm near a rise and pointed at the line of strange bulbous constructs.

“Look there! I’m seeing connections for a network node!”

“Do you also see the Spectres?” Kotallo pointed out, the multilegged machines tearing up the ground.

“It’s the first node I’ve seen.” Alva licked her lips. “We can make it if we run, right?”

Kotallo looked at her and wondered if he was going to be able to even get her there, let alone protect her from the Spectres. He was about to suggest they search for another node when Alva almost shrieked. Kotallo spun around and staggered backwards as, out of a Zenith pit in the ground, Slaughterspines and Thunderjaws, Ravagers and Sawtooths were appearing, apparently built out of thin air in a matter of seconds. The machines charged into the fray, immediately recognising the Spectres as the enemy.

“Beta hacked the Zenith’s printer…it’s churning out machines!” Alva shook him, at the very brink of excitement. “It’s Aloy’s army!”

“By the Ten…” Kotallo breathed. “This…all this…so that no more Tenakth would have to die…”

“Come on!” Alva pulled on him. “The Spectres are distracted. Let’s go!”

Kotallo shook off his reverie and followed Alva at a sprint, sliding down an escarpment, across the stretch of grass that was being torn up by the warring machines, towards the platform where the giant balloons were tethered. They had to weave in and out of the Spectres that were too distracted by the giant hunter/killer machines appearing endlessly, larger and with greater fire power than they to pay much attention to Kotallo and Alva. Not that they couldn’t be crushed in the stampede. Kotallo yanked Alva out of the path of a Slaughterspine and they went into a slide beneath its belly, scrambling to their feet and up onto the other side.

They climbed onto the platform, the sounds of battle behind them as Alva scoured for a way to interact with the node. She gasped and pointed, running to a strange, spherical device which she seemed to be able to understand. Kotallo was grateful he did not have to try to do so.

“This is it…this will work.” She tapped her FOCUS. “Aloy, it’s been intense, but Kotallo got me to a network node. I’m trying to get in.”

“What do you need from me?” Kotallo asked.

“If I know you’re watching my back, I can concentrate on hacking this…” Alva’s terrified Quen gaze suddenly firmed and she began to work swiftly, turning a ball around in her hands as if what she was doing made sense.

Kotallo saw two Spectres racing towards them. He picked Alva’s bow from where she’d dropped it and lined an arrow up along its sights. He was not proficient in archery and if his shots hit, it was more luck than skill but at least it was something to do before they were within range of his arm and blade. Between the two of them he sliced and cut, gouged and crushed until the carcases of two Spectres lay dead at his feet.

“You okay?”

“Concentrate!” Kotallo barked, wiping the machine oil from his face.

“I’m almost there!”

Kotallo moved forward, sure he could hear something scrabbling around. He kicked one of the Spectre’s he’d killed and shook his head.

He tapped his FOCUS as he turned to go back towards Alva.

“Aloy, we’re…” His eyes widened as a Spectre, that had approached them unawares by clinging to the bulbous outside of the balloon they were under, plunged towards Alva. Kotallo ran forward, grabbing its head and flinging it to the side. As it sprawled and kicked, trying to get back on its feet he jammed his arm into its head and ripped out a handful of circuitry. “Die machine filth!” Suddenly he realised his FOCUS was still connected to Aloy’s. “Apologies for that…we’re okay,” he looked at Alva…or glared might be more accurate, “as long as Alva hurries!”

“I’m almost into the network!”

“Just…do the best you can!”

A moment later Alva gasped and almost froze. “I…I’m in!”

“Don’t just stand there!”

“Right!” She worked frantically, her eyes darting across the information filling her vision. “What…what is this? Escape vectors? Why would they be escaping earth? They’re trying to rebuild their immortal colony here…and what is Nemesis…nemesis…over and over…like a warning…”

She gasped and stepped back. “Damn it! Locked out!”

“You should let Aloy know whatever it is you discovered.”

“Right.” Alva tapped her FOCUS. “Aloy, you there? I got into the network but only for a minute before I was shut out. I found a bunch of flight plans and trajectories…as if the Zeniths were planning to leave earth.” She nodded as Aloy responded. “I know…but there’s more. The files I found have a lot of references to something called Nemesis. Whatever it is, the Zeniths are afraid of it…”

She jolted, her body coursing with lightning from a surge from the node. Kotallo grabbed her with his metal hand and the lightning travelled up his arm, causing his body to convulse. He did his best to yank them both back from the node, falling from the platform onto the soft grass and somewhat soft earth, breaking the connection.

Kotallo grimaced and looked over at the Quen’s still form.

“Alva?”

“I…I’m alright…” Alva panted. “Kotallo…the Zeniths…Tilda’s been lying to us!” He held out his hand to her and drew her to her feet. “I should…oh no…my FOCUS…” She tapped her ear. “It’s not working. I think the energy blast overloaded it.”

Kotallo tapped his as well. “Looks like it happened to both of us.”

“This is bad. Very bad.” Alva’s eyes were wide. “Kotallo, I think Nemesis destroyed their colony, not a natural disaster. But whatever it is they’re doing here, it’s not a clean start…it’s an escape!”

“Then we need to make haste for the tower so that we can stand by Aloy.” Kotallo said.

“You’re right.” Alva nodded. “I…I think I can get us there.” She looked around. “That way.”

She and Kotallo ran to the base of the tower, meeting up with Zo and Erend.

“Where’s Sylens?” Erend demanded, bloodied but alive.

“He was with you.” Kotallo pointed out.

“He nicked off during the fight with the machines…”

“We need to get to the top of the tower…now.” Alva insisted and began to climb.

It was not an easy ascent but they held nothing back, clambering up and up, finding handholds, stairs and beams to drag themselves to the top of the Zenith launch tower. There they made for a doorway that led them onto a large, white platform where the remains of a smouldering machine and a strange white capsule lay on the ground. Kotallo noted that there was a hand clad in white reaching out from it, cold and dead.

“Found her!” Erend called.

Kotallo craned his neck to see Aloy and Sylens standing close together…and the mood was tense.

She looked back at them, her eyes full of grave revelation.

“Is she hurt?” Zo asked.

“Still on her feet.” Erend breathed.

“Thank the Ten…” Kotallo exhaled, his heart skipping a beat.

“She looks okay.” Alva exclaimed as Aloy turned her back on Sylens and came to greet them.

“She looks victorious.” Kotallo added, realising the corpse nearby could belong to none other than the treacherous Tilda…and that Aloy had been triumphant despite the Zenith’s schemes.

“As always.” Zo smiled.

“Aloy!” Beta ran from another doorway, across the smooth surface of the platform and threw her arms around Aloy’s shoulders. “You did it!”

Aloy’s arms looked awkward for a moment before she curled them around Beta and embraced her.

“Hey, where’s he going?” Erend demanded, pointing behind Aloy.

She didn’t turn, knowing who he was referring to.

“As far away as anyone can go.” Aloy said sadly.

“Oh…” Erend frowned. “Are you sure?”

Aloy’s eyes widened and she turned to see Sylens walking down the steps. He looked to bypass them entirely until she reached out.

“You’re staying?”

Sylens stopped then looked at her. “For a time. You people are going to need all the help you can get.” He said with his usual arrogant superiority before continuing to walk away.

They watched him go, something about the whole encounter telling Kotallo that more had gone on than they could possibly comprehend.

“Ah…does anyone else need a drink?” Erend asked.

“Not if it’s that ale of yours.” Zo taunted lightly.

“I’d be fine with a nap.” Alva laughed.

“Excellent idea.” Kotallo mused, thinking how the two would go well together.

“I hope it’s really over this time.” Erend put his arm around Aloy and they gazed at the sky full of stars that had begun to glow against the indigo and purple background of night.

Kotallo marveled at it and pointed a constellation out to Zo and she smiled and nodded.

He looked at Beta who stood on her own, shaky but alive.

He smiled at Alva, a rare gift from him and she beamed in return, a bond forged in the heat of battle and comradeship.

He looked at Erend who was warmly grasping Aloy around the shoulder…

…and he saw Aloy’s face.

Where there should have been relief and joy, there was something drawn about her face…

…as though the battle was not yet done.

It was the same haunted expression that she had worn after Thebes.

What had happened up here?

What had caused her to deflate so?