The sound of battle still echoed in the distance, though it had lessened now. The skirmishes were on a smaller scale, but the chaos remained palpable. Thea paced back and forth on her creek, torn by indecision. "Should I go? Or should I just keep away? This battle is just getting more confusing by the second."
As she wrestled with her thoughts, a drone approached her, its mechanical whirring cutting through the tension in the air. Thea's eyes narrowed. "Who's there?" she called out,
A voice crackled through the dragon fly drone's speaker. "Hey, it's me, Wanderer. I'm here to make a deal with you."
Thea's eyes widened in surprise. "Make a deal with me? ,,What kind of deal?"
"You want to inflict pain on SWAT and Series 9 at once?"
Thea considered his question, her mind racing. The thought of striking back at both factions was immensely appealing. "You don't say," she replied, a hint of excitement creeping into her voice. "You have my attention. Continue!"
As they approached the complex, they were met with heavy resistance. Series 9 security forces and armed goons tried to impede their progress at every turn.
Thea, walk behind mercenary. her dark angelic persona is startled both side. she clenched her teeth, frustration bubbling to the surface. "Looks like they're not going to make this easy."
Her mutants surged forward, passing the mercenaries and straight to series 9 forces. from small critters. beastlike wolf, to giant tentacle big as pipeline. they devour and penetrate security force armor.
The small critters swarmed the security bots' legs, beast-like wolves tore into the augmented goons, and the massive, pipeline-thick tentacles crashed through defensive lines, disrupting formations and sowing chaos. The mercenaries, initially startled by the monstrous vanguard, quickly adapted, using the mutant assault as a brutal screen to advance.
Meanwhile, Wanderer observed the battlefield through his monitor, his mind racing with strategy. "Focus on taking out the security forces first, then move on to the goons. Keep the mutants as cover and use them to flank and disorient the enemies."
His orders rang out over the comm link, and his warrior responded with renewed vigor. The mutants charged in, using their numbers to create chaos among the enemy ranks. its was their first time work with the mutants.
As they finally reached the factory complex, the squad was immediately assaulted by the sounds of steel clashing and the thick, black smoke that filled the air. "This is it... burn it all. Find and sabotage this machine," Wanderer commanded.
The squad spread out, each member moving toward different areas of the factory. Furqan led a team to the main control room, while Chrome, Sanada, and a group of mutants made their way toward the engine room. They navigated the maze of steel and machinery, dismantling crucial components, setting explosives, and causing as much damage as possible to the factory's production capabilities.
Meanwhile, Oboro headed to the research labs, intent on gathering as much data and equipment as possible. Using his invisibility cloak, he snuck around, collecting information without being detected. But as he attempted to download critical data, a familiar face appeared on the screen.
"Ah, you... you’re back. You rebellious ant... I created you," Dr. Nero's voice echoed through the lab,
"Damnit," Oboro muttered under his breath, startled then look around
"Oh yes, I remember all too well. I created you, my boy. And look at you now, rebelling against me. You were supposed to be my masterpiece, but instead, you turned out to be a disappointing failure."
Oboro's eyes narrowed under his googles, "You may have created me, but I am my own person now. I have my own beliefs and my own convictions."
Dr. Nero sneered through the all screen. "Beliefs and convictions. How quaint. You think you're a person now, do you? You're nothing more than a mindless tool that I created. You have no free will, no autonomy. You're just a reflection of my genius." The comm abruptly cut off, leaving Oboro seething.
His squad members, confused by the sudden silence, began to inquire. Furqan broke the tension after regrouping "Who is this old man?"
Taking a deep breath, Oboro replied, "He's Dr. Nero, the man who created me. He was obsessed with creating the perfect lifeform... the perfect weapon. And I was the result of his experiments."
"Ah, finally, Oboro the enigmatic reveals his past," Wanderer chimed in over the comm, a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
Oboro scowled at Wanderer's comment, "It's not like I was trying to keep anything a secret. I just didn't think it was relevant to bring it up."
Wanderer continued, "Now I understand why you follow my journey. It's simply because we share a common enemy. You know my hatred toward Series 9. But it's okay... let's destroy Nero together."
"Yes, we share a common enemy. But don't get the wrong idea. I'm not following you because we have a shared goal. I don't trust you. But for now, our interests align."
"You don't trust me? After all of this? You broke my heart... but it's okay," Wanderer smirked behind his bandage. "Let's get the job done... professionally."
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Oboro rolled his eyes, "Spare me the dramatics. I don't trust anyone, especially not someone who seems to take everything as a joke. But fine, we have a job to do, so let's get it done. Afterwards, we part ways and never see each other again. That's my condition."
With their resolve set, the squad prepared to face the chaos ahead, Later, as the squad ascended the factory complex, they began to plan their next move. They reached the research complex, where the security was noticeably tighter. Guards patrolled the area, and hidden cameras and sensors were strategically placed behind plants, neon lights, to prevent any unauthorized entry.
“It’s going to get tougher from here,..We could just go outside and blow up the factory without confronting Nero. Hopefully, he’ll die in the blast or the fire.”
Oboro’s voice cut through the static, firm and resolute. “No, we need to make sure that Dr. Nero is taken care of definitively. He’s too dangerous to just leave to chance. We need to find his laboratory and take him out personally.”
Wanderer chuckled, “Hmm, do you think I’ll risk my men for you, Oboro? Remember, you don’t belong with me anymore. You must convince me.”
Oboro sneered, c. “I’m not surprised you’re too cowardly to take a risk. But fine, I’ll give you a reason to care. If we don’t take out Dr. Nero, he’ll just keep creating more monsters like me. He’ll continue his experiments, and who knows what kind of horrors he’ll unleash on the world. Is that enough of a reason?”
“Yes, that sounds very morally justified. I’ll be a damn hero, finally, for both mutants and humans. But it’s not enough. I want you to work for me for... two years.”
Oboro raised an eyebrow at Wanderer’s unexpected proposal. “You want me to work for you for two years? That’s quite a steep demand.”
Wanderer shrugged, “You’re a one-man army.”
Oboro laughed. “You’re not wrong there. I’m a highly skilled warrior and tactician. But I still want to know what you have to offer in return for two years of my time and skills.”
“Umm... aaa,” wanderer unable find a right word
Oboro crossed his arms, “That’s it? Just an ‘umm’ and an ‘aaa’? You’ll have to do better than that if you want me to agree to your terms.”
“Just do it. You don’t have an option to choose,” Wanderer replied,
Oboro bristled at Wanderer’s authoritative tone. “Fine. I’ll agree to your terms. But just know that I’m not doing it because I like you or because I’m loyal to you. I’m doing it because I have no other choice and because I want revenge on Dr. Nero. But as soon as our goal is achieved, I’m walking away from this, and you’ll never see me again. Understood?”
“Alright, boys,” Wanderer said, rallying the squad. “You heard him. Let’s make sure Nero’s head rolls before we blow up the place!”
The squad members chuckled and nodded in agreement, excitement coursing through them at the prospect of a fight. “Aye, sir. We’ll make sure Nero’s head rolls one way or another.”
Later, they reached a long hall with a white floor. Thea hesitated briefly as she caught sight of a torture device through a glass wall. Memories of the cruel treatment she endured at the hands of the Sacred order flooded her mind, reigniting her anger and hatred towards them. The sight of the device triggered a surge of emotion within her—a mix of anguish, fury, and determination.
Her eyes narrowed, fixated on the device before her. a circular device. with a bedside on center. its design to maximum pain and discomfort.
For a moment, she considered charging through the glass and tearing it apart with her bare hands.
But then she took a deep breath, reigning in her anger. She couldn’t let her personal demons consume her now, not when there was a battle to be won.
After a hard-fought fight, with heavy casualties on both sides, they reached the top of Ironforge. The last room was guarded by two exo guards, its was glass floor room. with aestatic cristal like atmosphere. with dna like staircase. guardred armor is contrast on the its surrounding
“yehhaaa.. another bugs to crush!. lets kill them and get extra pay day!” one exo guard said after crushing merc head with his hand. the merc squad firepower cant penetrate the guard armor then force to back to stairs, unable to advancing.
chrome then draw his gattling machinegun. and shoot at the glass floor from below. soon its crack. and one guard is fall down from weight.
amid the chaos, thea criter and sanada manage to overcome the last guard. the guards fell, leaving Dr. Nero’s office vulnerable.
The doors to Nero’s office were heavy and reinforced, with no windows or obvious weak points. As the squad approached, they could hear the sound of shuffling papers and a low muttering coming from inside. They breached the door, and there stood an old man with messy white hair near an aquarium filled with an ant nest.
Dr. Nero turned around at the sound of the door being breached, startled at first but quickly regaining his composure. He sneered at the squad. “Well, well, if it isn’t some wannabe heroes. Did you come here to stop my noble research?”
Oboro stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the old man. “We’re not here to stop your research, bastard. We’re here to take you down, once and for all.”
Wanderer then spoke through his drone, “Well... any last words?”
Dr. Nero snorted disdainfully. “Last words? To a bunch of mindless grunts like you? I have nothing to say to the likes of you. You’re nothing but a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of my research. I doubt any of you could even comprehend the true extent of what I’m trying to achieve here.”
Wanderer reply “I just... wanna ask one last question.”
Dr. Nero rolled his eyes, impatience etched across his face. “Fine, fine. What is it that you want to ask? Make it quick; I don’t have all day to entertain your insignificant questions.”
Wanderer pressed on, his voice steady. “I found that each tower in the Series 9 district is filled with their own deranged labs and factories. Each of them has their own goons. So I suspect... you guys work individually, is that correct?”
Nero frowned, clearly surprised by Wanderer’s question. “Yes, you’re correct. The towers in Series 9 are divided into different districts, each with its own research facility and security systems. We operate independently from each other to prevent any interference or cross-contamination between our projects.”
Wanderer nodded, and speak through drone. “I see... and each of you fights each other in some way?”
Nero grumbled, his expression darkening. “Yes, unfortunately, there is some level of infighting between the different factions in Series 9. We each have our own agendas and methods, and sometimes our goals conflict with each other. It’s an unavoidable consequence of the nature of our work. But we’re all working towards the same ultimate goal, so we tolerate each other’s presence for now.”
Wanderer’s curiosity piqued. “What is that ultimate goal?”
Nero smiled coldly, his eyes glittering with megalomaniacal ambition. He lowered his voice, as if about to share a deeply guarded confidence. “Our ultimate goal is nothing less than the transformation of humanity itself. We seek to transcend the limitations of our current form, to become something greater than humans can possibly imagine. To evolve beyond the mundane confines of our mortal flesh and become a race of gods.”
Wanderer couldn’t help but scoff. “You play too many JRPGs.”
Nero scowled, insulted by Wanderer’s flippant response. “What?! How dare you compare my lofty goals to some mere video game! This is serious scientific research, not some childish fantasy. I’ll have you know that my plans for the future of humanity are not subject to the trivialities of entertainment media. Hmph!”
Wanderer chuckled,. “Ahah ahha... yes, because you know how ridiculous it is. So about the mutants in the wasteland... do they even evolve normally? Or are they actually your experiments gone wrong?”
Nero’s expression faltered, a hint of wariness flickering across his face. He clearly did not like being questioned about his failures. “What do you mean by that? The mutants in the wasteland are simply the natural byproduct of the nuclear fallout. They are aberrations, the result of genetic mutations caused by radiation exposure. They have nothing to do with my experiments.” He quickly composed himself, regaining his arrogant demeanor. “Why do you ask? Are you afraid of a few mutated monsters roaming the wasteland?”
Wanderer reply. “Well... just a theory.”
Nero scoffed, his arrogance returning in full force. “A theory? And what exactly led you to that conclusion? A wild guess, I presume?”
Wanderer reply. “You guys had the tech to do similar things—change humans into mutant creatures. Do you think my theory is out of nowhere? It was natural to think like that.”
Oboro chuckled, his tone sarcastic. “Hah. A theory, huh? Looks like Wanderer here has been playing detective. Maybe you should write a book, Wanderer. ‘The Science Mysteries of Series 9.’ I’m sure it would sell like hotcakes.”
Wanderer drone turned his attention back to Dr. Nero. “Alright... you guys have nothing to say to Dr. Nero?”
Furqan bowed his head, his expression solemn. “Dr. Nero, your quest for knowledge and power has gone too far. You’re no better than a mad scientist now.”
Wanderer drone then turn to oboro “Hmmh... alright, Oboro, you can do the honor of finishing him off.”
Oboro grinned, relishing the chance to take down Nero. “With pleasure. I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time.” He stepped forward, drawing his sword. “Any last words, you arrogant bastard?”
Nero scowled, his bravado faltering in the face of Oboro’s challenge. “You think you can defeat me? I am the architect of the new world, the harbinger of a new era. You are nothing but a pitiful insect, flailing against the inevitable tide of progress.”