Cedric eyed to his left and right cautiously. He was in front of the rest of the team, but being honest with himself - he would have preferred the rear. That though, he considered, would leave a bad impression.
"Strange that they would not be in the corridors." Gunner said, his shotgun at the ready.
"Maybe they just ran for safety?" Paws chimed, his Stigman-88 slightly shaking in his upright hand paws.
"Unlikely scenario." Tesla replied.
"Attention crew! Redirect forces to protect the specimen! This is not a drill!"
A distinctly feminine voice rang through the corridor, a PA announcement that made Cedric slightly jump through the emergency claxons and rotating lights.
"That answers that question." He said quickly, reaffirming his grip on his weapon.
"Specimen?!" Tesla piped up, perhaps a bit too excitedly.
"I'd say that's what they are protecting." Cedric replied, enjoying the grin forming on Tesla's chops as he looked back quickly.
"A fair assumption. I don't suppose-"
"Yes, we'll try to find it. If we get called back before then, we'll have to forget it. We're looking for valuables too, don't forget."
Tesla nodded, her ears slightly bobbing.
"Hush." Killer said suddenly, her satellite dishes swiveling back and forth. A little part of Cedric wanted to reach out and touch them, it was so tantalizing - he refrained.
Her ears flicked a few more times, "Seven, about to round the corridor."
"An easy obstacle to remove." Gunner grunted, simply walking forward. Cedric looked to Tesla for a second opinion, she simply shrugged. Cedric shook his head and followed behind Gunner, weapon poised. Killer was ready to turn on her invisibility belt.
Seven small canid korellei rounded the corner, shouting at the bear that now blocked their path. Before they could raise their pistols to defend themselves, Gunner blasted them away with his shotgun. Several simple strong pows emanated from his direction, and the bodies - now blown to bits, covered the floor. One of the canids was still alive, several holes in her tactical rig. Before Cedric could protest, Gunner blasted her head off.
"Damn it Gunner." Cedric cursed.
He tilted his head back, checking his magazine. "What?"
"We could have interrogated them!" He reprimanded.
"Sorry..." Gunner apologized, a bit to Cedric's surprise.
"Well, it's fine I guess. Threat eliminated." He shrugged and kicked the body. He just couldn't feel any remorse for these people. They knew what they signed up for, just as he did. It was a fact of life. They were just imperials after all, all the same - right?
"Pathway is clear ahead." Gunner grunted. Cedric nodded and slipped past him, scouring the walls for any sign of a computer or terminal they could use to gain some kind of blueprint data. He passed by a door, and stopped quickly. There was a few doors ahead, perhaps crew quarters. As he moved to go inside the closest one, he felt a tug and a slight push out of the way - it was Chem.
"Masks" they said.
Cedric was confused at first, then heard movement as the team behind him produced small masks that fit perfectly over their heads from small pouches on their sides. Cedric thought they were equipment pouches, and paid no attention to them. He was half-right. Chem handed Cedric something that looked like a hood attachment, slim and form fitting. It clipped perfectly into his own. He nodded, and clicked it into place. He felt a little bit like an astronaut now, the visor in front of him providing goggled vision while the slim hood fit snugly over his head.
Chem stepped forward and relieved a grenade from their kit that Cedric did not recognize. He pulled the pin, waved the door, and tossed it in before jumping backwards. A few moments later, gurgled screams erupted from the quarters. After waiting a few more minutes, the screams died down. Chem ushered Cedric with a nod.
Taking an unconsciously deep breath, Cedric stepped through. He was surrounded by a yellow mist, the small amount of exposed skin on his body began to burn - looking at the exposed skin, it appeared to be fine - if a little bit sweaty.
"I did not tell you to go forward." Chem said simply through the radio.
"I thought you ushered me in with your nod?" He asked incredulously.
"I was letting you know it was effective."
"Outside of a little bit of burning, I'm fine." He replied, investigating the bodies. If he was Paws, Shy, or the boys - he'd be horrified. Rather, he was sickly fascinated. The eyes of the downed Korellei were flowing tears of blood, bloated eyeballs bulging out of their sockets. Their death throes frozen in place in a myriad of different choking positions.
"You are not affected?" Chem asked through the radio.
"No, just a little burning sensation. You did a number on the rest of these poor bastards though."
"Interesting. Inform us when the mist dissipates."
"Can do. Found a computer." He said, scanning about the room he found a terminal, still apparently active but requiring an authentication code. Its blue and well-designed graphic illuminating the yellow mist that now began to dissipate.
"Terminal, actually. Needs an authentication code."
"Try ALPHAGAMMA-11, all capitalized." Rang Tesla through his headset.
"That's oddly specific..." He noted through the radio, and punched in the digits. Sure enough, authentication was granted.
"How'd you know that?" He commed.
"I served on this ship several years ago, when I was still with the imperials." She answered.
"And you didn't think to fucking mention that before?!" Cedric demanded.
"I had no confirmation it was the same ship, they don't have unique ship designs in the Empire. The only difference is name and authentication codes."
"So you went on a hunch?" He followed up.
"Yes, it seems we were lucky. I am afraid I do not have the interior memorized."
"Hm, okay then. I'm in. The yellow mist has dissipated, by the way." Cedric looked around, his vision no longer clouded by the yellow hue. Chem was the first to step through, and immediately began investigating the bodies. Tesla followed shortly after, alongside the rest, now removing their masks as did Cedric. Tesla made her way to him, promptly plugging in her holopad. It did not take her long to navigate to the ship's interior map.
"Well?" Cedric asked, "Where are we?"
"West of the research wing. You see the large black spot in the middle here?" She pointed to it with an outstretched claw. Cedric looked down, and sure enough - the map cut off abruptly in the middle - a large black square. He nodded.
"That's not normal. Seeing the map, I am beginning to remember where to go. If we go out the door and to the left, then take a right and forward - we should arrive at the middle section of the ship. Last I remember, this did not exist. It is a new addition, one that is not normal for Lineus class frigates."
"Lineus?" Cedric prompted, "I thought that was the name of the ship. I saw it while in the eighty-eight."
"Did you see a serial number next to it?" She asked, extremely intrigued.
Cedric shook his head, "No, no serial number."
"A science vessel with no name or serial number - yet lightly defended? Very interesting." She mused.
"It sounds like they weren't trying to draw attention to it. If they had a large or super heavy escort, they'd be suspicious to any passerby." He guessed.
"Your intuition intrigues me." Tesla replied, gently messaging his chest. "You still owe me a biology lesson."
Cedric clutched her paw softly, and removed it from its position. "Eventually, perhaps."
"Hmm, I will hold you to it." She purred, before removing her holopad from the terminal's port. "We should be fine to move once more, I am confident in where we must go."
Cedric nodded, "Let's go then."
Their steady pace to the middle of the Lineus class frigate was thankfully unbarred. They stood now before a large door, almost hangar-like. Beside the frame, at a Korellei's torso height, lay another terminal - similar in design to the last one they encountered.
"Paws, Gunner, watch our flank." Cedric commanded, walking up towards the door. He knocked on it a few times, it made no sound. It fitted well with the white washed and blue striped metallic walls of the vessel, like it had been there since the vessel's christening.
"You think the authentication code will work for this as well, Tesla?" He asked, looking back - he was worried that they would be attacked from the rear, but no one in his squad could hear a thing.
"Perhaps not, but if they have not changed general access - then they have not changed superior access either. Step aside Director, I will take care of this." Tesla's hyenidae tail swished back and forth as she worked, furiously interacting with her holopad.
"Lancer one, this is Lancer two - over." Grey's voice fizzled over his comms.
"This is Lancer one, go ahead."
"We havent found shit Director, minimal resistance. They've been disabled. Sitrep?"
"We've also 'disabled' minor resistance. We're in the middle of the vessel, Tesla was able to acquire blueprints - apparently, she's been here before. We're at a giant door, looks like some kind of black site."
"Tesla has been here before and she didn't say anything?!"
"Trust me, I asked the exact same thing. She said all vessels are similar, couldn't confirm this was the one. Learned it on a hail-mary."
"Alright, well we're on bloc B. Where do we need to go?"
Before Cedric could respond, Tesla was already doing so. "Go back the way you came, it'll be a bit longer but it is confirmed safe. Take your first right, keep going down and take another right - you'll see us. The main deck is box-shaped, easy to navigate."
"Understood." Grey replied, and Cedric relaxed. Cedric jumped as a few gunshots rang out behind him, he swiveled around - barrel hot and ready to engage. Killer was standing in place, cleaning off a pistol she acquired from one of the dead crew.
"What the fuck was that for, Killer?" Cedric demanded.
"Cameras." She said with a smirk. He hadn't even thought of that! He looked upwards, and surely enough a few orbs mounted in corners of the corridors were left a smoking slag.
"Oh, fair enough." He said, somewhat embarassed.
Killer, with a distinct gait, approached Cedric and placed a kiss on his cheek, caressing it with a paw as she passed by, twirling the pistol in her grip.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
"I'm always watching you, Darling." She said with a sultry tone.
"I've got it, third command code. We are ready to enter as we wish." Tesla said, resecuring her holopad on her waist."
"We wait for Grey to redevous with us. I guarantee they will be holed up in there." He replied.
"The frame will provide minimal cover, we need some way to make an alpha strike." Tesla noted. Cedric immediately looked to Chem, who simply nodded. "Understood, Director."
"That solves that then. We'll need to stack to cover our asses. Gunner and I will be the most exposed."
"It is no problem, I can handle a few scrapes." He grunted. Before Cedric responded, he could hear the familiar clanking of Grey's crew behind him. As soon as they rounded the corner, several projectile rounds rang out up and to their right, Grey's team ducked into the corridor in reaction. Cedric scanned the direction of fire, then followed it down - Paws had fired his weapon. Enraged, Cedric trampled in Paws's direction and hoisted him high from his scruff with a single hand.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?" He screamed, almost deafening. Paws began bawling uncontrollably, his weapon clanging to the ground.
"I-I'm so sorry! Y-you said to cover the rear and they rounded so fast and I-"
Cedric hurled him to the side and against the corridor wall, he slammed into it and slipped down, still sobbing.
"I-I'm sorry I'm s-so sorry." He stuttered. Cedric followed where he landed, and crouched down low.
"If you do that one more fucking time, shooting your fucking weapon without checking your fucking target - you will be removed from my fucking team, and depending on how badly you fucked up, you may be losing a fucking limb too. Understand?" He growled.
Through the flowing tears, Paws quickly nodded. "Y-yes sir..."
"Now pick up your fucking weapon." Cedric growled again, pointing to the fallen firearm. "And CHECK YOUR FUCKING TARGETS!" He screamed.
Hobbling up, Paws constantly wiped away his tears through several hiccups and sniffles, and retrieved his weapon - reassuring his previous position, shaking violently.
"That idiot will get us killed." Gunner noted over his shoulder.
Cedric shook his head, his anger at the negligent discharge waning.
"Everyone needs to learn. That will be a lesson he will never forget." He said quietly. "His only saving grace is that he didn't shoot anyone from Grey's squad."
"Fucking Goddess Paws!" Grey yelled, but not nearly to the volume of Cedric's anger as her team closed the distance.
"You were taught that shit already!"
"I-I know I know! I-I'm sorry!" He bawled again, apologizing profusely in a lower tone.
Grey laid her cybernetic arm on Cedric's shoulder.
"I know that was a bad fuck up, but was the screaming and physical intervention necessary?" She asked low, so that Paws could not hear.
"He could have killed you or anyone else. He was lucky - this time." He responded, still slightly irritated.
"Alright then, your team - your rules. So what do we have here?"
"Black site most likely, Tesla has it unlocked, we just need to hit the terminal. Chem is going to alpha strike whatever is in there, Killer disabled the cameras. We're going to stack up along the frame, best cover we have here."
Grey turned around to face Cedric squarely, her weapon at low ready through her emotes.
"You and Gunner will be exposed."
Cedric nodded, "We know."
"No guts no glory huh?" She noted, lighting a cigarette and handing him one.
"Really? At this time?"
"Ah ah ah." She said coyly, "Think about it. The cameras are down, and the door is unlocked. If we take a little break, they'll lower their guard. Adds a bit of reaction time to their return fire when we pop the hood of this 'black site' type deal."
"That's... An excellent idea." He said, accepting her cigarette and lighting it himself.
"Not concerned about us getting dropped on with our own guard down?" He asked, inhaling deeply.
"Not likely, you've probably already figured the same thing - they are all in there now." Shs said, pointing her bacco stick to the door.
"Yep, that's what I figured." He said, inhaling again.
"So we just sit here and do nothing?" Gunner asked incredulously.
"You're doing something right now Gunner, watching our asses with negligent discharge over there." He said with a chuckle.
"That's unnecessary. He's learned his lesson." Grey reprimanded with a low gaze.
"Right, sorry." Cedric apologized, somewhat half-heartedly.
"I shouldn't be required to remind you" Tesla started, "That we are on a time frame."
Cedric commed up to Prez, "Overlord one, this is Lancer one."
"Go Lancer one."
"Sitrep."
"Sitrep?"
"Situation report..."
"I knew that! Just not at first. Tender is halfway done, we're finishing up getting what we need. Thanks to you, we aren't missing anything this time."
"How much longer?"
"About fifteen minutes or so. Any longer than that, and we're in danger of being countered by imperial reinforcements."
"That's good enough. We found a black site, we're going to pop the hood and see what's inside."
"Are you mad? You succeeded! We're fine! Don't waste time!"
"We've already worked our asses off to get here, we're doing it."
"No you're no-!"
Cedric muted his comms with a smile. He's always wanted to do that.
"We've got fifteen minutes, can we make it happen?" Cedric called out. Several of the squad members nodded.
"I'm almost finished with my bacco stick." Grey affirmed. They waited a few more minutes, then doused their cigarettes and took a stacked position by the small hangar frame. Cedric nodded to Tesla across from him, her pistol drawn as she input a few touches onto the terminal. With a loud fwsh, the hangar began to open. Chem unveiled a launcher of sorts, and fired it into the chamber as soon as there was a crack, the two squads quickly donning their masks.
The familiar screams of death greeted them as purple gas spread throughout the chamber.
"Organic desintegrator. We are a safe distance. Do not approach until the smoke dissipates." Chem said matter-of-factly.
"Did you not consider that the residue would be harmful to us?" Tesla reprimanded.
"It does not last beyond the initial gaseous state." Chem replied over the radio.
They waited for several seconds, and the purple cloud dissipated as soon as it had expanded. A few defenders were still alive and returning fire, but the center of the chamber had been reduced to organic sludge - the reeking stench invaded the squads' masks, even somewhat Cedric's.
"Jesus christ Chem, how did you even make that shit?"
"Careful experimentation." They replied simply.
"Right well... Don't experiment on us." He said, somewhat concerned.
"I will not experiment on you or the crew." They replied.
"Thanks..." Cedric replied, somewhat dryly.
"It is safe now."
Cedric nodded, somewhat uneased by the projectiles flying past them. Looking forward, Cedric saw a giant tube with some sort of Korellei in it, and several large terminal complexes that would provide ample crouching cover.
"The terminals! Go for them!"
Without thinking, Cedric rushed out first - the defenders were already moving left and right to shoot around their non-existant frame cover. He sprinted as fast as his legs could carry him, as he dived behind the right terminal he felt a shot of pain rush through his chest. They hit him?!
"Fuck, I think they hit me!" He cried over the radio, his adrenaline surged throughout his body - and he quickly inspected his torso. His curiass had saved him, a scorching and squished round dug into its hard carapace.
"I'm good." He said with relief. The others followed his lead, Grey's team dived behind the left teminals. He heard a canine yelp and a scream of pain as they dived, Cedric immediately shifted his head to the source of the noise. Shy and Blue were on the ground, blood beginning to redden its hue on the ground. Cedric stared horrified at the sight.
"S-shit, Shy and Blue are hit!" He screamed through the radio. He felt a familiar paw on his shoulder as he flung off his gas mask, the others were doing the same.
"They're gone, Darling. I can't do anything, the fire is too heavy even for my belt."
"I can't fucking get to them!" Grey yelled over the radio, "They're gone!"
Several pows from a familiar shotgun was followed by two deep grunts as Gunner slumped down next to them, two fresh holes in his chest. Tesla skidded beside them shortly after, already tending to his wounds over the hail of gunfire above their heads, the cackling sparks of bullets ricocheting off the damaged terminals showering them with minute burns.
Paws dived in after, and curled up into a fetal position, his eyes wide with terror.
Cedric looked back to Grey's reduced squad, Stripes and Tool were screaming profusely as they found gaps in the carnage to fire their Stigman-88s at the enemy.
Cedric stole glances at Grey's team, then his own, then the injured canine and ferret bleeding out on the ground. Cedric grit his teeth, the pressure feeling as though he'd chip a tooth at any moment.
"The fuck they are!" He screamed, and he tossed his weapon down. He waited for a few seconds, trying to gauge the lull in fire as the defenders reloaded. He'd take fire, no doubt - but he'd be damned if he didn't try. He waited, and waited, and waited. A few seconds more, just a few... And... There!
Cedric dashed out of cover and grabbed the closest injured squadmate, Blue. He felt pangs of pain as bullets collided with the back of his carapace. He grabbed Blue's scruff with controlled force, and began to drag him towards his own terminal, where Tesla was treating Gunner. With as much speed as he could muster, he backpedalled with full force, slipping on a small pool of blood as he landed near the terminal, his back slamming into it. He moved Blue up and away, tossing him lightly beside Tesla.
Cedric conducted a self-check, still good - he thought.
"Stop!" Tesla yelled. "You're injured, they're gone!"
"I'm fine." He breathed, waiting for another lull in the gunfire. There was none. He'd have to go now, or Shy was doomed. He took a few deep breaths, and launched himself again at his other injured comrade. He failed to save those he cared about before, he'd rather burn in hell then fail again! Shy and Blue were still on his team, and he would not leave them to die.
Legs pumping, adrenaline cascaded over Cedric's body, providing him with super human speed and strength. He felt a sharp burn behind his right shin.
"Ah! Fuck!" He screamed, and pressed on. The pain would pass, it was temporary. He felt more strikes against the middle of his back as he bent down to grab Shy, followed by another burn in his right shoulder - the force throwing him forward.
"Fuck!" He yelled again, once more trying to ignore the pain. He threw his body over hers, and grabbed Shy's scruff with his right hand, and freed her weapon from her grasp with the other. He whipped around, leveling the weapon and unleashing a torrent of fire, eliminating three of the defenders with wild shots. Another burn in his right shoulder followed by a burn in his right thigh forced him to the ground, the weapon freed from his grasp. He whipped around again, breathing heavily. He could feel a slight weakness begin to course through his body. He needed to take advantage of his adrenaline, now!
Once more, he grabbed Shy by the scruff and hauled her back with super human speed, a final burn striking his right shoulder once more forcing him down to his buttocks. His body slicked with warmth, and he crawled backwards, successfully guiding Shy's body behind cover before slumping against the terminal. All Cedric could do was breathe, his body becoming warmer yet colder by the second. He lazily self-inspected his body. There was so many holes...
His vision began to cloud slightly, but his adrenaline still kept him awake.
"Darling! Darling!" Killer's voice was hysterical, as though her psyche had been broken.
"I'm fine..." Cedric grumbled weakly, struggling to point towards Blue and Shy.
"Them first..." He rasped. He was comfortable against the terminal, maybe he could take a short nap.
He felt Killer's paw smack his face a few times, he barely felt it as his head lulled to his left side.
"Darling! Stay awake darling!" She screamed.
Cedric was then looking deeply into Paws's eyes, he was no longer in the fetal position - he was simply crouched, staring at Cedric. Did he see something funny? He thought, his mind beginning to wonder. Paws grimaced, and picked up his weapon. He peeked out from the top of the terminal, loosing two shots. Screams of two injured defenders followed their wake.
"Good... Boy..." Cedric whispered.
His head lulled to the opposite side, and saw that Grey and her own team were returning fire, a few shots pinged against Grey's arm - more gunshots, more death throes. There was a strange focus between them all now that he could not describe. He saw Tool take a shot to his arm, and he went down. Grey tossed him what appeared to be some sort of tourniquet. Cedric heard a thoom and a pop, followed by gas expanding behind and to his left, Chem had unleashed another gas attack with their launcher.
He heard grunting from the side, "I can still fight." The shotgun clattered to the side, and Cedric could hear several laser shots beethoom into the distance. After a few minutes, he heard what sounded like a banshee screaming in the distance, and soon his world fell silent. Through blurred vision, he could feel tightening around his body, Tesla was treating him.
"We need fucking medical support!" Cedric could hear screaming over the radio. Was that Grey? It sounded like her. Maybe it wasn't, he couldn't tell.
"Ten minutes!" Was the reply.
"Fucking sooner, you shitbrained fucking-"
Several curses rang through his ear, causing him to giggle. He felt a slight nick in the crook of his elbow, and he felt a coldness rush through his body. After a few minutes of giggling, his vision began to return.
"What?" He rasped, surrounded by bandaged comrades. He could feel warm blood as soft fur embraced him.
"Darling..." The voice sounded like it was crying.
"It worked, I can't believe it." Tesla said, looking distraught and ragged, her medical bag mostly empty. Assorted trash surrounded them as he gazed around.
"What? What happened? I pulled Shy and Blue to cover and then Paws kicked ass, and then..." He said, fighting back the urge to vomit.
"Why did you? I can't-" Another voice, Shy. Her tears melted down his clothing as he looked around, embraced by another hug.
Cedric's memory began to return. "Fuck, Blue! Is he?-"
"I'm good. It fucking hurts though." He said, Cedric turned to the source of the voice, Blue was propped against the terminal.
"You did good." A large hand slapped onto Cedric's shoulder, shooting pain causing him to scream for a few seconds.
"Sorry." It was Gunner.
"You did good too, you burly bastard." Cedric said with a giggle.
"I understand..." Cedric looked down and to his left, Paws was simply on his knees, staring at his rifle - its barrel blackened with soot.
"You kicked ass, Paws." Cedric coughed, it shot pain throughout his body - but his strength was beginning to return.
"Did I though?" He said slowly, his voice almost sounding detached from his very being.
"Yes." Cedric affirmed. He slowly stood up, forcing the pain down into the depths - it wasn't very effective. He propped his right arm on the ruined terminal and looked around. Melted bodies and croaks of death echoed throughout the large chamber.
"Shuttle landing now! Delta and Echo are on the way." Prez's voiced sounded over the comms, and she sounded like she had lost her composure.
"Don't bother. We're all alive. For now. The threats are eliminated. We're pushing forward." Cedric did not recall unmuting his comms, but perhaps he had done so without realizing it. Cedric stared upwards at the tube, now slicked on the outside with blood.
"So that's what they were so adamant on defending..." He rasped.
"You should restrict your movement, the blood transfusion was experimental." Tesla said from behind him. Killer was silent, only propping up Cedric using his left arm as she could. Shy was tending to Blue and Tool. He looked left, Stripes looked traumatized, but otherwise uninjured. Grey also appeared to be fine. Quickclaw was bloodied, but silent and calm as always. Cedric barely noticed him, just as he had barely noticed Chem.
"Was it O negative blood?" He asked.
"How did you know?" Tesla asked, completely surprised.
"I'll be fine."
He hobbled around the tube, staring at its occupant up and down. He refused support from anyone else other than Killer, encouraging the others to support the more injured. Both squads stared up at the pod's payload now.
"So that's what we risked our lives for..." Grey said dryly.
"Hell of a score, if you ask me." Cedric rasped.
Inspecting up and down, it appeared to be a digitgrade Korellei, but their face, and various parts of their breasts and upper limbs were covered by a silvery metal. Their face was encased in metal, and a thick black visor that reminded Cedric of a monitor on standby covered where the majority of their face should be.
"What the fuck is that?" Cedric asked.
The others afforded no input, they had no idea. Tesla interfaced with the terminal attached to the tube with her holopad, typing furiously.
"It seems like..." She said cautiously, double taking gazes at her holopod.
"That... Is a Protogen."