Chapter 63
When Milk Runs Turn Sour
There is always that moment when you fully test out a new piece of gear in live combat. You can use the equipment, move around in it, and even do a little dance. Just know that everything changes when you go to live combat. Then depending on the scale of the live combat certain tests wouldn’t even matter. Take for instance the scuff test. What good is testing to see how well a patch of lime green pain stays on your suit, even after being rubbed vigorously against a metallic and stone structures.
So where are we?
Goldie, the transitioned Goldhammer, is taking point. I like this as it means her grayscale mechanoid suit is providing a bit of optical camouflage for my suit. My suit of course being the shoot-me-now-electric-lime-green color.
Fortunately, I have a plan.
Mind Rend-X.
Yep, the old find their minds and eliminate them before they can move. I also take a minute to cast my newest magic spell Physical Attribute Boost on both Goldie and me. The results are as you would expect. Namely, we both stumble a bit as our bodies suddenly move and turn faster than our minds are expecting. It would be otherwise comical if we weren’t in the middle of live combat.
The only good part is, I have already taken care of the hostile minds within our immediate vicinity. There of course is one glaring problem to using powers like Mind Rend-X, namely they don’t account for people that are resistant, or automated defenses.
Fortunately for me, Goldie is on point, and despite still adjusting to her three-fold boost of speed. She is moving remarkably well. It takes a moment for me to realize that she is slowing herself down. The best way to describe what she is doing is she is walking, while appearing to run. See she is going so fast, and her reaction speed has increased so much that just taking small movements is making it seem like she is moving a mile a minute. Actually, truth be told, with space the way it is, and the vast distances between us and the rapidly approaching enemies, she might be moving well over a mile a minute. Still, you get the point. Slow is smooth, and smooth means you grind your enemies to pulp, while still looking fashionable.
Flash! Flash!
Bursts of lights flicker all around us. Most are coming from Goldie. I have a hand latched to her shoulder. We had already gone over such a drill previously. Her being a much higher-level physical fighter has attributes that are well off the charts. As such, with the boost I gave her, we determined that she would be more than capable of letting me piggy-back on her. This was fine with me, as it let me focus on finding the minds of would-be assailants and eliminating them. You know teamwork.
She does all the running around and heavy lifting, and I take the easy job of destroying minds and making enemies. I think I should make that a self-help book when I eventually retire. Destroying Minds and Making Enemies: A How to Guide. I don’t quite know how well it would sell, but I think people would at least read the blurb of the book and that is half the battle right there. Then you lure them in with a bait-and-switch and make them realize it was never about making enemies at all. See, the book would really be about destroying them, before they became enemies. I am thinking this as I continue with my job, of finding new minds further out and ripping them apart.
“It’s quiet.” Goldie says.
I shake my head, as my mind is literally spinning from having to locate, target, and destroy so many minds.
“What?”
“This is too quiet.”
“This is space, how loud can it get?” I ask, because you know, science and all.
“No, look.” She said, as she pointed to the two giant destroyer class ships that were just waiting for us, then she pointed to the salvage ships that were just waiting.
What she didn’t see, or likely couldn’t understand was that my range in space was ridiculous. While the battle cruisers were still outside my range, everything that had already been deployed was well within my range. This meant we had a literal debris field between us, and the destroyers.
“I’ve already taken out the living between us and the destroyers. But we will need to get closer if we are to take out the destroyers.” I say.
“Wait, are there ghosts?”
“What the? No, there are no ghosts. At least I hope not.” I reply.
“Then why the comment on the living?”
“Because I don’t know if there are automated defense turrets between here and there.” I reply, trying not to sound too sarcastic.
“Oh, good point.”
Silence.
“All right, I’ve got it.” Goldie says. “You are on protection duty, while I get us there.”
That is all she says. Before I have time to protest or ask for clarification, we are already moving.
Flash, sparkle, twinkle.
Beams of light erupt around us, letting me know my fear of the automated defenses was a valid one. Fortunately, with Goldie steering us and moving at speeds that would be impossible for me to mimic, we are able to avoid most of the beams of energy and kinetic projectiles. This gives me time to use Telekinesis-X to disable the turrets and rays that are angling towards us.
Flicker, fade.
One after another the lights from the automated turrets go out as their barrels collapse inward on themselves. That or the energy cores get ruptured easily by simple flipping the geometric prisms inside. Once again, I have a flash back to my initial temple run where I had to face the giant floor of advanced killing robots. Then I had to face their final boss where I had to continually flip and alter the pattern of the crystals being used.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Supernova.
Quiet explosions of light erupted all around us. The explosions of course were a stark contrast to the picturesque black of the night sky, lit only by dimly flickering motes of light particles off in the distance.
Thud.
I slammed into the back of Goldie, but this was to be expected, as her momentum abruptly stopped for a second. Then before I could fully comprehend what was happening, we were moving again.
In a show of amazing ingenuity, Goldie had taken us to one of the largest freighter vessels and began using it as a shield for us. With the giant freighter effectively being weightless in space, all it took was us adjusting our angle and boom we were moving with a freighter as a shield.
Once again, I marveled at how adaptive mechanoid space suits were, compared to regular space craft. In all my years of piloting I would never be able to do such an act. While I could fly and grab an item with Telekinesis the effect was never the same. Also, that often created a strain on my mind as I would often need to readjust my mental grip or change my trajectory slightly. This also meant that I couldn’t use my other powers to try to take down enemies as I would be locked into using Telekinesis that entire plunge. However, with our current set up, not only were we able to dart around the combat zone, thanks to Goldie’s enhanced senses that were magnified by her suit. We also had me, as I was able to lay down a 360-degree dome of protection around us.
This was the great part about being with someone whom you trusted completely in battle. You didn’t have to talk, you didn’t have to lay down plans, or second guess your decisions. All that needed to be done was go in, execute your part of the mission, then go home. Simple as that.
Everything was going smoothly.
“Ready the door knocker.” Goldie said.
With that, I instantly went from full time finding minds and extinguishing them, to pulling out one of my two BFGs, Big-Funnel-Grenades. This was a maneuver we had practiced. This was also one of the most dangerous moves we could do. Goldie was my pure support, during this procedure. See at this point, the inertia on the freighter that was being pummeled by friendly fire, was still going full speed ahead. This gave us a second.
“Ready.” I called out, as I pulled the weapon form my back and braced it with both arms.
With that Goldie let go of the shielding freighter for a second. Then with a quick movement, she spun around so she was big-spoon to my now little-spoon. Still despite the dislike of the position, I did what a came to do. I looked forward, aimed at the broad side of the large destroyer, and then released my round.
Thwoop.
As I fired the first door knocker, it spun me wildly. Fortunately, Goldie was more than ready, as we began rocketing forward at an enhanced clip. While still in the act of moving forward several things happened all at once. First, I placed my BFG in its holster on my back. Second, Goldie once again spun around me, making her body and armor take point. Still her moving ahead was not enough to stop the rounds of fire that had managed to converge on us, with our impromptu shielding gone.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
I had been hit, and I knew that Goldie too had been hit, but we continued.
I did a quick check of my vitals and despite the hits, my internal air supplies seemed to be fine. I had dodged a bullet, well not really, but in the grand scheme of things these bullets were a lot easier to take than others. Especially as they all went against my armor.
Then I realized something.
“How you doing Goldie?”
“I’m fine, one of my auxiliary air tanks is hit, but corrective measures have already been taken. Containment is set.”
“Good, let me know if you need more air.”
“Will do. Now focus. We are about to breach.”
I didn’t know what she wanted; I was already focusing on ripping apart every mind within range. Still, we continued on.
I didn’t even realize we had entered the hole I had created, until the lights of space went dim around me.
Fortunately, Goldie was still taking point, allowing me to focus on everything else.
Thud.
I landed with a surprise, as the part of the hull we landed in still had gravity activated. My legs nearly buckled under the sudden strain. Not that it was too much, but that I was not ready for the weight to suddenly be applied.
This meant several things. First, it meant that Goldie carrying me, literally in this case, through the rest of the mission was a no go. Second, it meant that I would finally get to see the Dwenvarian in action. Well real action.
This would be my first time seeing her not only in her new form, but also without swinging and missing wildly with each strike.
What came next was a sight to see. I had already cleared most of the way, as my Mind Rend-X took care of most of the sentient life forms. That just meant that Goldie and her enhanced attributes, and superior mechanoid suit were to take care of the automated defenses.
In the time it took me to run forward in a straight line, Goldie would have outpaced me, dashing from one side of the hallway to the other.
Snick, bang, boom.
Explosions, and burst of highly explosive rounds fired off. Some hitting her, most missing wildly. On the bright side I was glad she was taking point, as even with her increased speed, she was still taking damage. Our goal was to get to the command center and disable the controls for the ship.
Since we were already onboard, the only thing we really had to do now was make our way through the pockets of resistance. Again, normally running at full speed while using Mind Rend-X would be nearly impossible, but the suit made most of my actions easy. The suit had an auto assist feature that let me passively give it directions and it would go to that spot I was thinking about. I would of course still have to move my feet to manipulate the gears and pistons, but the suit would take care of the rest.
That was how I ended up following Goldie through hallway after hallway of the giant vessel. Finally, we came to the sealed quarters of the control room.
The doors closed was a blessing for me, as I used the door as a shield to protect me, while I targeted every single mind on the far side of the wall.
“Gah!”
“Ah!”
“What, what is happening?”
Voices cried out, it took me a moment to realize these weren’t cries from the minds I was destroying, but rather the friends of those I would soon rend apart.
“Calm down.” A hissing voice cried out from beyond the door.
Hearing that voice sounded like gravel being scrapped against a chalk board; low, grinding, and utterly unnerving.
Just hearing the voice my mind went back to previous battles. The worst part, I couldn’t sense the mind where the voice came from.
“Is that all of them?” Goldie asked, as I let out a sigh of defeat. I was drained, both mentally and physically. I don’t even know what I did physically to be so tired, as I just let Goldie carry me around. Yet, I couldn’t help but feel exhausted. Especially with the battle that I knew was still to come next.
“There is one left, but I can’t get them.” I admitted. I broke eye contact and looked away. I wanted to tell her more, about who this opponent was, what they represented. But I couldn’t, my mind still felt scrambled from earlier. Scrambled from before my Precognition-X made me aware of the impending dangers. I am just so tired.
Mind Blink. My mind once again pulses, as if having its own heartbeat that is separate from my own body's.
“Don’t worry, now it’s my turn.” Goldie said. “About time I contributed to this little battle.”
“What are you talking about, you have literally been carrying me through this whole battle.” I said. I was so lost in my own thoughts, trying to figure out what was wrong with my mind, that I missed the moment she moved.
Goldie was already moving, her giant suit jabbing out, grabbing portions of the metal door, and pulling. In an instant the door was off and collapsing. Mechanical suit one, emergency blast door zero. To be fair, I don’t think many blast doors were designed with the idea that mechanoid raiders would make it all the way to the navigation room.
As the door opened, I saw a giant black monster that was bound with cords of burnt muscles. Just like the others, this one too had glowing green sacks where the eyes should be. Glowing green sacks that were likely filled with the beast’s own genetic material. Not one, but two chances to resurrect. Worse, Goldie couldn’t see the creature, at least not like I could.
“Admiral? What are you doing here? I thought you wanted peace?” Goldie said, shock and anger in her voice.
I didn’t know who she thought she saw, but that was no Admiral. A quick glance around the control room showed that this was likely a furry, as everyone had excessive fur and animal ears showing.
“What does it look like is going on here.” The Prolaxian Infiltrator, who had taken on the role of a furry admiral spoke.
“Admiral, think of what this will mean for other beastkin.” Goldie said, pleadingly.
Beastkin, dang it I knew they weren’t called furries, I thought to myself.
“Goldie, he isn’t what you think.” I said. As I entered the room.
“Oh,” said the Prolaxian Infiltrator as it cocked its head to the side, before continuing. “And just what am I?”
With that, the PI let its mouth with long sharp teeth show, while a long tongue uncoiled as it let drool fall to the floor.
“You’re a monster.” I said, then without fully meaning to or realizing what I was doing. My body acted. I wanted Goldie to see what I saw. Now that I had already done the process once, well more than once I knew what to do and what to expect. Focusing my mind, I focused on my last and what was supposed to be my most powerful Psionic power. By focusing my will on a single target, I was able to take my passive power and for a moment make it an active power. “Revelation Sight!” I shouted.
With that, I felt a torrent of energy flow out from me and pierce the monster before me. The world went to an eclipsing bright. Both Goldie and I had to turn away to shield our eyes from the burst of light.
Zwoom.
The burst of energy was so much that the power to the control room dropped for a second. That was all it took for Goldie to start moving, her signature golden hammer that had been designed for her mech swinging wildly. I didn’t even see the moment she drew the weapon from her back. Instead, all I saw were the after images of the grayscale suit charging forward, the golden weapon flashing for a moment. Then the sound of utter silence.
Thump.
Not the hard thwack that one might expect. Nor the crunching sound of bones breaking. Nor even the hissing slurp of muscles getting ground to hamburger. No, none of that. Just the sound of a mighty swing, being stopped in near full motion.
I looked up to see the PI that had been posing as an admiral of some kind holding up the hammer with one outstretched hand.
“What, how?” Was all Goldie managed. Then her eyes seemed to catch up with the rest of her, as she truly took in the pulsing black monster before her. “What are you?”
“Hahaha!” The black monster began laughing, its laugh that of a hissing dragon more than anything. “I am a herald, here to signify your inevitable death.”