Nameless’s boots hit the cold steel of the stations ground, golden flame lapping from his body. Light filled the air as he twirled his lance, letting it rest on his shoulder. He looked around, and saw his company all gazing at them, their faceless helmets studying him. Across from Nameless, Rachel stood perched on top of a pile of shipping containers, black wings extended far from her body as she looked down upon them like a goddess. A fog like smoke erupted behind her, and her daughters walked out from it, standing by her as they gazed down upon the humans, their glowing grey eyes projecting from their grey hoods.

Ahead of them, Spider sat in the Magnolia, cockpit door open as he spoke with a Martian spider in an orange jumpsuit. The orange clad Spiders where scampering about, ripping apart and reorganizing the electric power grid controls underneath the bunker. Nameless looked across the area and saw several of his men lying dead underneath black blankets. “Lieutenant, compile a list of the dead and wounded, and get them off the station asap,” Nameless called.

“Yes Sir!” Lt. Sarah called as she jogged away.

Nameless looked up at Rachel.

“All good?” he called.

“Yeah, some of my girls met heavier resistance than we anticipated on the lower levels. I’m heading down there. I’ll link up with Alex and get you on comms once we’ve established a solid foot hold,” Rachel said back.

“Be careful,” Nameless called.

Rachel nodded, smirking underneath her hood as she soared into the air, her daughters following as long trials of smoke billowed from their bodies. Nameless sighed, looking around. Was he up to this? Did he truly deserve to lead all these people. Every fiber of his being doubted himself, but he walked forward anyway. As he came close to the magnolia, Spider climbing down from the cockpit via the ladder rungs building into the side of the mech suite.

Both men met in front of the bunker, as electric zaps and sounds of soldering drifted from the blasted open windows and doors. Spider sighed, pulled a pack of cigarettes, pulled one out from the pack with his lips, and ignited it with blue flame coming from his thumb.

“You guys are lucky there’s anything left to salvage in there,” Nameless chortled.

“The defense system is completely separate from the power grid, I knew what I was doing,” Spider shrugged, blowing smoke through his nostrils.

“So, what’s the problem brother?” Nameless arched an eyebrow.

“Well, two big ones actually. The arguably more important one, is that there’s Sylos here.”

“Sylos?”

“Parasitic zombies, so to speak. Much more complicated than that, but we must make sure we kill the queen, and soon. Without her guidance, clearing out the mindless husks will be rather simple. We also need to make sure our troops make take extra precautions around the husks and never be caught alone,” Spider said firmly.

“Done. We know where she is?” Nameless asked.

“My apprentices are finding that out right now, we’ll find her.”

“And what’s the second problem?” Nameless asked cautiously.

Spider was silent as he pursed his lips, ashing the cigarette.

“What’s wrong man?” Nameless sighed.

Spider silently held up his armored forearm, and a projection danced in the air. It showed a Laydren with bright yellow eyes clearing a hallway of some kind, followed by a dark man with long dreads.

“Gods above,” Nameless gasped.

“He’s left a trail of destruction miles long across the main habitation levels,” Spider grimaced.

“But he’s alive!” Nameless grinned.

“For now. Do you know who that is?” Spider tilted his head.

“No, never saw her before.”

“Does the name “Decree, Scourge of the main frame”, ring any bells?”

Nameless pondered, racking his mind. It did seem slightly familiar.

“Most wanted cyber terrorist ever? Death warrant signed by Laydra, Zion, Umar, Gurga, hell even most Station States like Barouge?” Spider asked slowly.

“Oh yeah! Fuck. Fuck my life, the hell is he doing with her?” Nameless widened his eyes.

“Don’t know, but this looks bad Nameless. Even if he is innocent, just being seen with a war criminal who’s killed literal millions doesn’t look good. It’s guilt by association.”

“C’mon, no one’s that bad,” Nameless laughed.

“She portaled an entire Space Station twice the size of Zion and Barouge combined, into the center of a dwarf star. Which then caused a super nova, that eviscerated an entire populated solar system. You can still see the blast ripping into space from a telescope light years away.”

“Okay yeah, yeah, that’s um, pretty bad,” Nameless sighed through his teeth.

“It doesn’t matter how many bad people she killed doing that. Millions of innocent men, women and children died due to her actions. A Vagabond who associates with someone like that, is no brother of mine,” Spider sighed.

“That’s not something for us to decide,” Nameless grunted.

“We made the Vagabonds, Nameless. You are our leader. If one of us starts working with certain terrorists to kill other terrorists, they become what we’re trying to destroy. You don’t drink more toxic poison to eliminate the weaker poison already inside you. What happens when this footage gets out? Zion is already being blamed for what happened to Utopia. This will be all the evidence Earth and Laydra needs to come stomping down on our heads!”

Nameless was silent, arms crossed as he pondered.

“Delete the footage then,” Nameless huffed, looking Spider in the eye.

Spider’s eyes widened as the projection vanished, his arm going back to his side as he bawled his fists.

“What did you just say to me?” Spider whispered.

“Delete, the, footage,” Nameless growled.

“You better have a very, very well thought out and justified reason for such an order,” Spider snarled.

“Delete the footage, said so yourself, anyone else sees that, we’re fucked. When we find them, we throw Decree to the courts, let them handle it. If Aj had no clue what she’s done, and is just using her for help, then he’s innocent. I’m not going to punish the fucker for being ignorant. Problem solved.”

“And if he knows what she’s done? What’s she’s capable of? Nameless, she can transcend from the physical world to cyber space. That is a forbidden power, one of the highest war crimes a Light Bearer can commit. If he’s seen her do that, and continues to help her, he is a terror accomplice and a war criminal!”

“Says who?”

“Says the fucking Zion convention! Don’t bomb hospitals, don’t use life forms as shields, don’t use chemical or biological warfare under any circumstances, no orbital bombardment unto civilian populations, don’t fucking breach the wall between the physical and cyber world!” Spider roared.

“We are fighting people who do literally all of those things,” Nameless growled.

“Which is why our cause is just! If we accommodate people like that, we’re no better than the Dark Axium,” Spider sneered.

“First time I’ve even heard of these stupid rules! This is fucking war, there should be no rules! If I haven’t even heard of these, how could you expect Aj to know?!”

“We were briefed numerous times by Thaddeus regarding this matter. Perhaps if you and Aj hadn’t been so drunk all the time, maybe you’d be fit to lead this army,” Spider snapped.

“Oh, get off your high fucking horse, like you have ever cared about what Zion says!”

“I don’t. My oath is to protect the innocent, by upholding decency and law. Not becoming the very thing we are striving to destroy!”

“And we will do that, but sometimes you need to make some hard decisions. I don’t care what that emaciated terrorist has done, Aj is doing what anyone else would do! He lost everything; I’d work with someone like her too,” Nameless spat.

“Careful. The line between you and Shrike is blurring,” Spider arched an eyebrow.

“I’m doing my job. Which is keeping you fucks alive, and killing the bad guys,” Nameless growled.

“And you have done such a marvelous job so far,” Spider snickered.

“Just find him, we’ll deal with his horrible friend choices later,” Nameless barked.

“I will delete this footage, but if he has been an accomplice, he must be brought to justice,” Spider said in a low tone.

“Fine!” Nameless spat as he walked away.

“Don’t let this war erode your morals, brother,” Spider called.

Morals be damned. Nameless would have burned this station to ash had he been in Aj’s shoes. Aj was innocent, he had to be. Nameless had known him since childhood, they had bled together, slept beneath the same stars together, killed and won together. No one knew Aj better than Nameless. Even if Aj had seen Decree use her powers, so what? Terrorists, real terrorists where dying. Decree was just as bad as the Dark Axium, no denying that, but that didn’t make Aj like her at all.

If that logic was true, then all of them where be just as bad as the Dark Axium. The Bounty Hunter guild had how much blood on their hands? How many families had been shattered by the Whispers’ hidden blades and planted explosives? How many worlds had burned simply because saving them wasn’t in Zion’s best interest?

No one was in any position to judge Aj. Not Zion, not spider, not any government or body of politicians who have never stepped foot onto a battlefield. Soft people making decisions making decisions about how this war would be fought. Nameless would have loved seeing those fat politicians and weak, slimy philosophers lace up their boots, grab a rifle, and join them on the front line.

A plan hatched in his mind, as Nameless stomped forward towards his troops. As he approached, Sergeant Major Thorn was talking to a radio operator. Besides the Samoan man was Lt Sarah, a holographic pad floating in front of her helmet. Several officers were giving the Sergeant Major reports as Nameless walked into their circle.

“You have your objectives, make it happen people,” Thorn barked.

The officers nodded and walked away as Sarah and Thorn faced Nameless. Nameless sighed, as he took his helmet off.

“Congratulations are in order sir, only five dead, and the entire level is secure,” Sarah’s voice crackled from her helmet speakers.

“That’s five families I have to explain to why their loved ones aren’t coming home,” Nameless grumbled.

“True, but no amount of training can prepare these welps for war. Everyone is still new, the unit hasn’t formed a cohesive battle culture yet, sir,” Thorn crackled.

“Fair enough, I know we will lose people, but I want it minimized as much as possible. What’s the situation with the other units?” Nameless asked.

“Bravo and Charlie report confirmed footholds on the lower levels, they are being reinforced by the Zion trooper core as we speak. Armor is now on sight, we have air superiority, and the Mechanized wing have secured the docks. XO Thaddeus reports minimal casualties,” Sarah nodded.

“Tell them to push but stay within range of other units. I don’t care if the momentum stalls, we have Rachel and Alexander for that. Keep our people secure, keep them alive. I want our folks set in by end of day, I don’t need stretched out, thin defensive lines,” Nameless said.

“Sir!” the two nodded.

As they issued the commands via holographic wrist attachments, Nameless studied his helmet in his hands. The red and black paint overlapping on the plumed helmet was humble, with a visor for his eyes. He rather liked it. There was nothing flashy about it, simply there to protect his face. However, he did plan on etching the names of the fallen into his helmet once this was done. A reminder of his failure. Doubt and anxiety wrestled in his mind as his breath quickened.

Five dead, five families he’d have to explain their loss to. For what? So, some rich folks could have their trading station back? What was the point of any of this? So much death and destruction simply because the politicians wanted their influence and victory.

He looked up and noticed the two silent warriors studying him.

“Sir, permission to take my helmet off?” Sarah asked.

“You see me with mine off right? You’re a grown adult, go ahead,” Nameless shrugged.

Sarah and Thorn slowly took their helmets off. Thorn’s broad, scared, brown skinned face studied Nameless with his narrowed hazel eyes. He seemed Earth Samoan by heritage. Sarah’s sharp eyes where cutting into him, her pale face framed by drifting locks of golden hair.

“We noticed your exchange with War Captain Spider, sir,” Sarah mumbled.

“Nothing to worry about,” Nameless grumbled.

“With respect, sir, we feel the same about the ROES (rules of engagement),” Thorn nodded.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

“Can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs,” Sarah nodded.

Nameless sighed.

“Decree is to be apprehended and in cuffs the moment we recover her,” Nameless said firmly.

“Understood,” Thorn said.

“And Vagabond Aj?” Sarah arched an eyebrow.

Nameless leaned closer.

“Get to him before the Mechs or the Troopers do. Promotions, time off, fuck, I will personally buy who ever finds him a lifetime supply of beer. Just find him and stow him on a shuttle. Keep him out of sight until I can get to him,” Nameless said in a hushed tone.

“Understood. If you vouch for him, we will find him,” Thorn nodded with rigid resolve.

“Make it happen, Sergeant Major,” Nameless said.

Thorn stormed off, as Sarah studied him with her clear, optimism filled eyes. She still had life in her gaze, unlike most people who fought for Zion. When Nameless looked into her eyes, he saw hope.

“The people who make the rules, should come onto the field and play game a few times,” Sarah shrugged.

“Couldn’t agree more,” Nameless sighed.

He studied her, a creeping sense of dread in his heart. He was toeing a line, a place that Spider would never go. But this was Aj. As he contemplated, Sarah smiled, studying his face.

“You’re gonna ask me to do something sketchy, aren’t you?” Sarah whispered a twinkle in her eye.

“I forgot your previous job was to read people,” Nameless mumbled.

“What do you need?”

Nameless bit his lip.

“I’m not going to ask you to compromise your morals,” Nameless sighed.

Sarah leaned closer to him, until she was a few inches from his chest, as she was shorter than him. She titled her head, as if weighing what was about to be said. She looked over at the other officers and flicked her hand. They walked away, leaving Nameless and Sarah alone, as she looked back up at him. She cleared her throat.

“I volunteered, to serve alongside a bounty hunter who clawed, and killed his way to the top of the hill. You think I’m just some goodie, raises her hand when the teacher asks, tattles on the cheaters type? We’ve all done, unspeakable, things to get where we are today. I’m not here for Zion. I’m here to serve alongside the human who will progress our race beyond anything we could possibly imagine.

“You say water board the prisoner, I’ll bring the five-gallon jug, preheated. You say burn down the village, I got the Zippo. You say run into the burning building; I’m slamming my jeep into the front of the house. Now, what the hell do you need, sir?” Sarah whispered softly.

Nameless looked down at her, chest burning. Gods above, why couldn’t everyone be like her? There was something, deep and dark behind the glow in her optimistic eyes. A steady, thousand-yard, cold stare. One earned from doing unthinkable things to others in the name of self-progression. In that moment, Nameless finally understand how a Lieutenant had risen so far, and so quickly through the ranks. To stand by a War Captain of Zion, as a young officer. She had lived a life very similar to Nameless to say the least. That buried glow beneath the light in her eyes almost reminded him of the stares the Whisperers had.

This was what Nameless needed. Uncompromising will, a dark, and guttural adherence to strength amid the chaos and pain of war. A vicious and loyal companion that would rip the jugular of the enemy out with their own teeth.

Not to mention, she was stunning. Gods above, those eyes, a man could fall in and lose himself in that gaze. Her body was perfect, hair smelled sweet despite the physical hardship of movement. What was this? He was loyal to Rachel, she was his. But here and now, the things he would do to this viscous little warrior.

“Make sure Spider doesn’t find Aj,” Nameless whispered.

“That’s it?” She cackled softly.

“I’m going behind a friend’s back,” Nameless blustered loudly.

“Shush!” Sarah grinned.

“I-who-wuh, no! I mean-” Nameless mumbled.

Sarah pressed her gloved finger against Nameless’s lips.

“He will never find him, I promise. You’re doing the right thing. Aj is a valuable commander and should have his own unit. Just like you. You two saved Mars, and freed Zion. I’ll keep Spider of Aj’s trail,” Sarah grinned.

“You’re the best,” Nameless sighed.

Sarah pulled away from him, walking backward as she smiled.

“Not yet,” she grinned, as she pulled her helmet back on.

She turned around and gestured to her commandos who followed her as they went towards the mechs. Nameless watched as she walked away, noticing her amor was perfectly fitted to her slender form, her back and lower perfectly shifting with seductive symmetry as she stormed forward, rifle in hand.

Nameless tore his view off her, shaking his head as he huffed. He was her commander; he shouldn’t view her like that. She was a hard-working warrior who had earned her place. But. That tenacity, the eagerness to enact violence, and get the job done. Gods above, the things he could accomplish if he had fifteen of her. This war would be over by tomorrow.

Nameless steeled himself and stormed forward. Across from the area he had been briefed, long rows of generators and buildings lined the path he now walked. As he moved forward, his commandos left and right stopped what they were doing, nodding, or raising their fists triumphantly as he moved past.

Were they, proud? Nameless kept his stoic expression, as fear and anxiety tore his stomach apart. They should have hated him. All of them brand new, thrown together in some amalgamation of elite soldiers. And he had gotten their comrades killed. After throwing them into the abyss of an unknown and overrun space station. Someone else should be in charge, he was just a follower, why was he the guy, why was he always the guy? He just wanted sex and alcohol, why was he here with so many people watching him? This sucked. He missed Mars, life was so much simpler.

A deep rumble shook the floor as his eyes widened, his radio screeching with overlapping feedback of commanders begging for reinforcements. Nameless dawned his helmet, the internal holographic display thrumming to life as he sprinted forward. The beowulf thumping against his back, his thermal knife jumping up and down from the belt. As he ran forward down the path, Thorn ran from the opposite way, towards Nameless.

“The fuck is going on?!” Nameless roared.

“We found the queen sir!” Thorn yelled.

The two stopped ahead of each other, each faceless helmet gazing into the other’s visor.

“Where?” Nameless huffed.

“She’s two levels down, in the sewage treatment level. We lost a squad, task forces one alpha and thirteen bravo are in contact,” Thorn nodded.

Nameless nodded his head, forming a battle-plan.

“How fast can we get reinforcements to them?” Nameless asked.

“The Axium have checkpoints on every elevator shaft and traffic tunnel, it’ll take days,” Thorn said.

“Where is Rachel and Alexander?” Nameless asked.

“Lady Rachel is en route to the lower levels; King Alexander is four levels down. It’ll take them just as much time to reach the queen. The mech corps is in support, but War Captain Spider seems preoccupied with the power grid,” Thorn said.

“So it’s up to us then,” Nameless spat.

He turned, and gazed around, thinking.

“Your orders, sir?” Thorn asked hesitantly.

“Radio the fleet, have them bombard the sewage level,” Nameless said over his back.

“Sir!” Thorn roared.

Radio operators on the side turned to their head pieces, hailing the ships with overlapping commands as Nameless formed the plan.

“How thick is each level ceiling?” Nameless asked softly.

“Sir?”

“How thick is the metal beneath our feet?!” Nameless barked.

“Couple meters sir, several dozen feet of steel and support columns,” Thorn blustered.

“Get the fucking engineers over here!” Nameless thundered.

“Moving!”

He knew what the Dark Axium wanted. They wanted him to skull drag through every tunnel, every checkpoint. A brutal slog of attritional warfare as he made his troops clear building to building, room to room. More bodies meant more Sylos. But that wasn’t what was going to happen. Nameless had other ideas. His radio crackled.

“Have you heard the news, dear lad?” Professor Thaddeus’s voice crackled.

“Yeah, we found the Sylos’s Queen,” Nameless said.

“Precisely, the siege will be over in a month! I’m on the bottom level, I plan on linking up with you soon,” Thaddeus called happily.

“Not if I kill the queen sooner,” Nameless spat.

“What are you planning dear boy?” Thaddeus asked in a concerned tone.

“Move your forces as quickly as possible to the sewage treatment area. If this doesn’t work, tell the Vagabonds I’m sorry, and I tried. Tell Rachel, tell um, fuck, tell her,” Nameless stuttered.

“I will convey your affection,” Thaddeus said softly.

“Sure. Only if I die,” Nameless sighed.

“Don’t be too rash my dear boy. I don’t know what the hell it is you’re doing, but good luck,” Thaddeus sighed.

“Gods’ speed professor bullshit,” Nameless said.

Nameless disconnected the radio link and turned as a mob of commando engineers approached. Overhead, the Earhart thundered past, landing as the litters of dead and wounded where picked up and rushed onboard.

“Listen up!” Nameless barked, grabbing everyone’s attention.

“I need everyone to get their jetpacks from the crates, then fall in on me! Engineers, you will blow away what I cannot. I will engage my energy and smashed a hole into the floor directly below us. When I’m done, you guys will breach through what’s left. Once we have made a direct route into the subsequent level, we will fight our way down to the level’s floor and repeat the process. Once we have arrived, we will kill the Sylos Queen.

“We are now the main effort!” Nameless shouted.

The engineers and commandos roared, weapons overhead as they cheered.

“To your posts!” Nameless thundered.

The commandos scurried away. Nameless activated his energy and sprung up into the air. No more attrition, no more check points. The less dead friendlies the better. The enemy would face him and his soldiers on his terms. He would end this siege, with fire, blood, fury, and wrath. Through violence of action. Patience be dammed, he was going to kill the queen himself.

As Nameless soared towards the ceiling of the level, his golden flame burned and coursed. He focused his entire will, every cell in his body as he gathered his full strength. He had now risen hundreds of feet, the buildings below looking small, his soldiers looking like ants. He sighed, then turned his body, top of his head leading towards the ground.

He extended his fist, and plunged forward, downwards towards the ground. The army cheered as the long golden flamed comet hurtled towards the ground. His flaming fist hit the dark cement with a blinding flash, and with a creaking roar of twisting metal, he punched through the meters of thick metal. He hurtled through darkness, as he spun in midair, his energy dissipated. Exhaustion taking over.

Above him, a small hole of light had punctured the overhead darkness of the ceiling level. The engineers were moving with great speed, planting explosives and detonation cord as they furiously worked. Nameless gathered himself, slowing his breathe down as he heaved. A roar filled his already beaten eardrums, and he looked upwards, to see a storm of burning metal and debris falling around him. The engineers had widened the small hole to a massive, gaping porthole of light.

Through the gaping hole poured out dozens of armored soldiers in black armor, with painted red stripes, their jetpacks thrumming. They had stowed the packs for the initial attack due to the potential explosion should a pack get hit. But here in the wide-open levels, jet packs would be perfect.

Pride swelled in Nameless’s chest. These where his soldiers. He turned, mustering his energy once again, and shot downward. The hundred or so feet of open air gave him space to build up his energy as he accelerated. Below him, dozens of apartment buildings and skyscrapers spanned out before him.

As Nameless shot downward, he thought he saw a small, civilian hover craft dogging anti-aircraft fire. It was on the far-left side of the level, beneath the base of a mansion built into the level’s wall. The poor fools, Nameless thought. Who in their right mind would try to flee in the middle of a war zone. He watched, with mid fascination, as the hover craft was struck by anti-aircraft fire, it’s engines burning, the craft stuttering and spinning. Nameless watched with reserved empathy, as the hover craft smashed into the side of an apartment building. Gods help whoever was inside that thing.

He turned his focus back to this destination, the ground steadily racing towards him to embrace Nameless in its dark, cold embrace. He smashed into the ground, toppling several buildings with the impact. Nameless flew back, upwards as he spiraled midair, all the oxygen in his lunges escaped, his body screaming with pain. He fell back down, and hit the top of a hover car, parked on the street. The metal crunched, the glass shattering as his body concaved the roof of the vehicle.

Nameless gasped, as he slowly tore his body out of the crumpled metal. He rolled over the collapsed roof, falling, and smacking the ground with a gut clenching thud. The air had already escaped his lunges, but with the extra impact, he was now completely incapacitated. Nameless wrenched is helmet off, his vision blurring. He gasped and spat unto the ground as he wretched dry vomit. His body was in agony, every part of him begged to rest and recover. Instead, he stood up shakily, his knees wobbling, mind buzzing. Above him, the commandos descended, jetpacks roaring as they closed in.

Nameless leaned forward, hands on knees, gasping and retching as the bone breaking pain slowly resided. He coughed, spat, then straightened upward. The engineers landing around him. Above all, he saw shuttles now pushing through the gaping hole in the level ceiling. Far more were following than he had imagined.

As Nameless caught his breathe, the engineers began laying explosives around the crater he had managed to pound into the ground. He slowly walked backward, as the commandos streamed around him, taking cover. He knelt as the engineers set up the detonation device. One of them looked at him, both nodded, she pressed the button, and the crater Nameless had made with his impact erupted. Dust, smoke, and debris billowed up into the air, covering them all with fine bits of dust as the city square collapsed.

Nameless slowly stood up. His body was shaking, his mind fuzzy, his vision going in and out. Around him, dozens of engineers stood, their weapons ready. Above them, shuttle after shuttle dropped off more commandos. He studied them, taking in the view of his troops. Before them, the gaping hole in the ground beckoned, stinking of melted steel, chemicals, and death. Nameless slowly walked forward.

As he walked, he fought back the urge to vomit. He steadied his breathing, as he held his helmet in the crook of his arm.

“Look at me!” Nameless shouted.

The troops all studied him.

“Look at my face!” Nameless blustered.

The soldiers shifted uncomfortably.

“I am Nameless! I am high councilmen! I am, the War Caption of Zion!” Nameless shouted at the top of his lunges.

“I am the one! I am the hand that holds the knife that cuts the throats of the oppressor! I am jumping down into that hole!” Nameless shouted, spit flying from his mouth as he pointed.

The soldiers reloaded their weapons, racking their bolts as they nodded.

“If you are afraid of what awaits us, go back the way you came!” Nameless screeched.

The troops were silent.

“When we go down there, death will embrace us. Welcome her warm embrace, for she is kind, and will judge you for your bravery! I do not care how many of you follow, I would rather go down by myself, then be surrounded by cowards. Are you worthy? Will you die alongside me?” Nameless thundered.

The soldiers cheered, holding their weapons over their heads.

“I am going to die. They will not remember my name. They will not sing my songs. They will only live as they should, their freedom provided by the sweat, blood, and sacrifice I willingly give. That is what it means to follow me. I am Nameless, you all, will truly be nameless. Your face will not be on any news outlets, no tales of bravery sung in bars. You will be forgotten, your blood staining this ground we stand on. But your sacrifice will earn our loved ones a few more days, maybe years of life. That is what it means to follow me,” Nameless roared.

The soldier stomped their feet.

“If it is glory or fame you seek, go somewhere else. I am here to kill, I am here to burn, I am here to conquer. They will not remember me, but they will remember what I have done!” Nameless shouted.

The soldiers cheered, each beating their chests and jumping.

“Are you nameless?!” he shouted.

“Yes!” they thundered.

“Will you fight with me? Will you shape history, by my side?!” Nameless asked loudly.

“Death for the worthy!” the soldiers boomed.

“Death!” Nameless roared.

Nameless grinned. Perhaps they were best for him. It seemed as if the careful selection of Hera and Thaddeus had borne fruit. Each of his warriors thought and fought as he did. He turned towards the gaping hole, imagining what awaited him. He then stomped forward and gazed into the gaping dark abyss. Approaching footsteps caught his attention, and Nameless turned, to see Thorn and Sarah approaching.

“Master Spider is busy dealing with Sylos on his level, and we have AJ!” Sarah grinned as he pulled her helmet off.

“Where is he?” Nameless gasped.

“He is secured, sir. Forgive me, but we have more pressing matters,” Thorn head nodded to the gaping hole.

Nameless nodded.

“Thank you. Please make sure everything is taken care of while I go down,” Nameless.

Sarah and Thorn looked at each other. The old Sergeant major took his helmet off too.

“Sir, we’re coming with you,” Sergeant Major Thorn said firmly.

“Can’t let you have all the fun,” Sarah winked.

“What about the other task-forces?” Nameless arched an eyebrow.

“Our commander is about to jump into a hole that leads to a fucking parasite queen lair, and you want us to stay behind? With all respect Nameless, go fuck yourself. We’re sticking with you kid,” Thorn grinned.

“Seriously. I didn’t sign up for this just to do guard duty,” Sarah nodded with glee.

“Yall’s funeral,” Nameless shrugged.

“Our funeral. That’s what it means to be a Red Beret,” Sarah nodded.

“Red Berets?” Nameless asked.

“A little twist on ancient American Green Berets. Or do you not approve, sir?” Thorn chuckled.

Nameless looked around at the red stripped, and plumed helmets mounted on his warriors’ heads.

“Red Berets it is. And stop calling me sir, Thorn. Just say what you mean,” Nameless chuckled.

“Jesus don’t say that, old man has zero filter,” Sarah chuckled.

“The blood stains on my boots outnumber your years in service kid, mind your tongue,” Thorn growled.

“Grouchy old fuck,” Sarah rolled her eyes.

“I will address him as sir, the commander earned his place. An army is nothing without discipline, and adherence to structure. Even if he does look fifteen years old,” Thorn snickered.

“You guys really want to go down there with me?” Nameless huffed.

Both nodded firmly.

“Okay. Red Berets of Zion, on me!” Nameless roared.

He pulled his helmet on, ignited his golden flame, and jumped into the gaping hole in the ground.