The convoy was behind schedule. With usual transit routes blocked or too dangerous to use while other teams secured them. They had been forced to use a more roundabout route. Even then the convoy had to make constant diversions. The reports from spotters on the wall tracking enemy movement were slowing their progress even more as they tried to avoid the worst of the fighting.
Emmerich was trying to get comfortable with the armor he was now wearing. On the positive side he felt much safer. Even if it felt like wearing a small house. His main issue was that his vision was reduced a good deal by the helmet's lenses.
Deciding to try and keep his mind off the discomfort he looked at the Onyx trying to think of a way to break the ice. He'd been escorted by DeeBees and Police officers before. The former were light on conversation skills to say the least. But he had known most of the latter so had spoken with them during journeys.
But what were the rules here? Was he meant to stay quiet? Were they all looking out the windows to keep watch outside or at the view? There were sounds of combat in the distance, but none of the Onyx seemed tense. Would talking distract them or-
'So what actually makes you important?' A voice asked. It took a moment for Emmerich to register that the question was directed at him. Turning to look at the figure to his right he found the same helmet as the rest of the unit looking back at him. The only feature that made this Onyx different was the large profile of a Longshot locked to his back.
'What makes me important?' said Emmerich, startled for a moment.
'Yeah. They called us back from the fight and got us restocked, even topped up our rations and canteens. Now we're taking a drive together. Seems a little much for someone who I only know as an ore not a person,' Onyx Guard remarked.
'3-4. Stow the attitude or you can go on foot from here on in,' Corporal Figueroa said from the front passenger seat.
'It's fine with me, Corporal, if...' He looked over to the figure, realizing he had no name to go with the soldier.
'Private Hickman. Squad three marksman,' His introduction done. Hickman returned his attention to the ruins outside.
'If Private Hickman has some questions about his duties that I can help answer, then I'm more than happy to do so. If that's fine with you, Corporal?'
Figueroa gave an off-hand gesture of dismissal whilst keeping her own gaze out.
'I apologize if I came off as aloof. Most of the escorts I've had before were DeeBee's and I'm sure you're aware of their conversational skill or lack thereof,' Emmerich said trying to break the ice. Hickman gave a sigh. It seemed humor would not help at the moment.
Emmerich swallowed dryly then continued, 'As to your question? I'm important only in the sense that I'm needed elsewhere as soon as possible.'
He paused to judge his next words. How to explain his assignment? He didn't even know if he could tell the Onyx any details, not without re-checking the folder or his PDA. The folder was wedged under his seat and he'd put his PDA into one of the pockets on his belt rather than risk any of it getting lost.
'ASAP.' Said Hickman.
'I'm sorry?' Emmerich stumbled, trying to recover.
'You can use ASAP' means the same as what you said but takes less time to say. I get you want to speak with us, get to know us, build rapport and all that. But let's face it, you and I don't have much in common. I'd bet if this war never happened then you and I may never have even met each other let alone talked.'
Hickman's words hurt somewhat, but Emmerich couldn't deny there was some truth to them. He had wanted to get to know those charged with protecting him. But it was one thing to know how to shoot a whole other to dedicate yourself to the military. Still no reason to back away now.
'You think it is better for me to think of you as some faceless protector?' Emmerich asked uneasily.
Hickman huffed again but remained focused on something out the window, 'I kind of thought you might not want to risk getting attached to your meat shields.'
Emmerich felt like someone had struck him across the face, 'Meat shields? That's wrong and no way to think of anyone, especially not someone who chose to serve their country.'
'Not a good way, true, but you may want to rethink it being wrong. After all, these freaks seem very interested in you right now,' Hickman said. Checking the action of his Lancer.
Emmerich felt lost again as Hickman's words sank in. Then his nausea and unease began to return.
Unknown to the Governor, the Onyx were well aware they were being tracked. Their squad comms had been going back and forth. Each slight shape around a corner or a flicker of movement had been counted and tracked. Current tally was about 10 to 15 shadowing them. Keeping pace thanks to their detours that had become far too common to be random.
Figueroa was focused on keeping track of their adversaries. The odd shape darting around a corner, the slight movement at the edge of vision. Hunters was the call. The pattern of stalking lined up, but it was strange they seemed to be holding off far more than expected.
A glance at the Tac-Com display on her gauntlet showed their current route. It would take them along a road with an open square to the right. Prime ambush ground with a little time and work. They would be shredded before they even got out the doors. Of course that depended on when the attack started and if they could flip this on the ambushers.
The Prey was close now with its guards. They were weak, trying to sneak their way through The Hive's lands. The Hive was stronger than mere Humans. They were united with each other in a way the dull creatures could never understand.
The others had prepared the ground well. She looked back. The pack was ready just a little longer than the thrill of the hunt would reach its apex and they would have their kill.
Myers had seen the same position as Figueroa. After a moment of surveying the ground he keyed his radio to the platoon, 'All points. Be ready to dismount at the junction before Butcher Way. Go lights out. If they wait till the square, then we'll strike their rear and wait for the flank groups. After that we take it, as it comes. Copy?'
A round of affirmatives came back as they moved into place. The Onyx Guard had been guarding New Ephyra rather than fighting the Swarm. But they were not ignorant of the enemy. They read reports and spoke with the regulars. When both could stand each other.
During the last war the COG had been slow to wake to the threat and struggled to fight the Locust. This time though, they had veterans who had passed on tactics from the last war. With the information gained. The COG planners had come up with decent tactics to counter the swarm. In theory at least. Until the Swarm came up with something new.
'Black-13 weapons free,' Myers called over the radio.
Emmerich was confused, they were talking like they were driving into a battle. But surely it would have been better to turn around and leave rather than drive into a fight. Deciding that curiosity was greater than the chills going up his back.
He leaned forward to speak to Figueroa, 'Are we in danger?'
Figueroa didn't even look round; her hand was also on her door handle, 'You aren't, but the things about to jump us are. Day, make sure the Governor doesn't get too close to anything with less than good intentions.'
'Yes, Ma'am,' The figure to his left, now known as Day, responded. Sounding far too relaxed for someone who knew they were about to risk their life.
'Can anyone explain what is about to happen? Please?' Emmerich asked. His confidence faltered as he realized he had no clue what was going on outside. Let alone how to act during actual combat.
'We're about to commence MOUT,' Day said. Her blasé demeanor was throwing Emmerich off along every word out of her mouth.
'MOUT… What does MOUT mean?' Emmerich asked. Turning to look at her.
Day turned and inclined her head before responding, 'Oh right, sorry, Sir. Military Operations in Urban Terrain. We're about to get ambushed by the things that have been tracking us since we left the wall.'
Her tone made it sound like she was walking him through how to set up some furniture. Not announcing they could be dead in a few minutes. Emmerich's mind was racing through possibilities. How many things were out there, were they there for him, was he the reason they were in danger?
His mind did not translate this train of thought to his mouth however, which opted for a very understated, 'Oh.'
Figueroa disregarded the Governor's behavior so long as Day stayed with him he would live. What she lacked in self preservation Day more than made up for with distinct focus to any task she was given.
'Spencer ETA till the stepping off point?' Figueroa asked, her eyes focused on the ruins.
'Three to four mikes,' Their driver, Private Spencer said. Grunting with discomfort as the car went over a hole in the road,'Watch your step on the way out. The ground's been torn to hell.'
Figueroa sighed, 'Don't we know it?'
She stole a look at their passenger trying to read him wasn't hard. Unease near panic. The situation was never something he was prepared for. If he broke, then Day would have to drag him through whatever was about to happen. Protecting him would be easy enough with the rest of the platoon to deal with any danger.
Their VIP would just need to follow the golden rule. Take cover or die. Still better to play it safe if Day was handling the VIP, then she wouldn't be able to deal with attackers at the same time.
She tuned to the circuit for squad leaders, '4-1, 3-1, Interrogative. Can you split a unit to assist with close detail?'
After a moment, Hudson's voice came back in her ear, '3-1, 4-1, Designating 4-4 to link up with close detail after dismounting. Don't say I've never given you anything.'
An extra body would keep the Governor from getting injured… too much.
The convoy drivers removed their hands from the wheels of their vehicles. As they did so, the Auto-drive that had become a staple of COG vehicles since the end of the Locust war took over. The Onyx worked some small control on their armor turning off the identifying lights.
Emmerich spent an agonizing moment trying to find whatever control he needed. Day didn't even look. Reaching over and flipping a small switch set flush to the plate that disabled his lights. He was still trying to think of what was about to happen. His mind slipped for a moment until he managed to form a solid question. He would never get to ask it.
As the convoy reached the stepping off point the Onyx opened their doors and darted clear. Day grabbed Emmerich by his webbing and carried him. By the time he realized he was out of the car. Day had him behind a countertop of what appeared to have been a bar before it was abandoned.
'Bauxite, Confirmed in cover,' His appointed bodyguard reported.
He turned to see Day had slipped into the shadow of the counter next to him. He sat for a moment, trying to control his breathing. He knew not to try and peek over the counter that would surely get him remanded by Day or... shot. Could… he get shot right now?
Better to look for another angle. Glancing around the counter space. He found the Bar had a mirror set above them. Probably so that the people who used to work there could watch the customers without giving it away.
Looking at it for a few moments he watched as the Onyx in the other vehicles dismounted and took up positions. They moved far faster than he'd thought someone in full armor could. Just dark blurs moving to the shelter of what cover was in the street. The DeeBees opted to step off their truck and walk to their positions. The exception being one headed for their position.
'Get over here, you walking scrap pile,' Day hissed.
'This unit is traveling at its optimal speed. Please direct all complaints to the Ministry of Settlements.' Said the Deebee.
'4-1, 3-2, Why is the bot set as a patrolman?' Day called into her radio.
'I don't know. They assigned the bots to us. I thought they would have sent us combat units,' Hudson's voice came back.
'You thought? Can we change them? Get it loaded for combat?' Day asked as she watched the DeeBee wander over to their cover.
'Do you have a link to a server with the new combat software on it? No? Then we're stuck with the glorified patrolman,' Hudson said.
'Fuck,' Day hissed, forgetting to come off her radio.
'Agreed. All points, 4-1. Be advised our automated section is not repeat not combat configured. Consider them supportive only,' The venom in Hudson's voice made it clear that he was more than pissed at this situation. If he found out who allocated these bots to them, he'd make them wish they had been sent in the bots' place.
'4-1, Black Actual, we'll make it work,' Myers' voice came over the radio.
The vehicles had continued to drive forward. Their momentary slowing and loss of their passengers unnoticed by their pursuers. The lead Packhorse crossed in front of the square with no sign of danger until it was about to clear the other side. Where a rusted out van exploded.
The force of the blast slammed into the armored car. The side nearest the blast crumpling like paper, it came to a stop on its roof. Seconds later the fronts of the buildings on either side of the road exploded. The rubble into the street. The way out of the square was blocked by fire and debris.
The Minotaur that had been following tried to break, but slammed into the pile. The Packhorse that Emmerich would have been in was able to break in time, along with the rest of the convoy. A voice guttural and inhuman called out. The sound chilled Emmerich to his core. 'Launching'
A small canister flew into his view. It emitted a strange whining sound that he could just make out and seemed benign as it moved through the air. As it passed over the rear Packhorse a sudden burst of thrust from its top sent it downwards and into the roof. The Packhorse had been designed to withstand small arms fire and light shrapnel. The weaponized demolition charge tore it open like a can.
'For the Queen!' The creatures of the swarm poured forth from the buildings around the square. They pelted the convoy with a hail of bullets. Grenades flew under wheels and detonated leaving the transports immobile. Had the humans been inside their vehicles. The ambush would have slaughtered them. Instead they began their own attack.
Far from the swift battle that they had expected. The Swarm now found they were being attacked in the rear. The Onyx closest to the enemy cut into the enemy's now exposed rear. The Swarm were cut apart where they stood. The survivors dove for what cover they could return fire.
'Watch the alleyways they'll try to get on our flanks. Hold until they commit, we need them out in the open or this will be a pitched battle,' Myers ordered.
He was relieved this had gone so well. Sure their vehicles were most likely done for. But none of his people were down and they had the enemy on their terms at the moment. They just needed the Swarm to commit to the flanks. Then they could get this fight fished before any roaming packs of Swarm joined in. He glanced around as he reloaded. So far the Swarm were keeping to expectations.
Snipers at the rear trying to pick off anyone who may stay out of cover for too long. Drones and a few Grenadiers were the meat of this lot. They had killed a few of them when the Onyx counter attack started since their backs had been exposed. No doubt there were more circling around them, while the ones in the street tried to keep their attention.
The first Grenadier leading right side alleyway had its blood up. It smashed its fist into its scrap metal visor snarling as the pain drove it forwards. It heard the sounds of battle and the shouts of its kin. It hungered to tear into the foe. It would never get the chance.
Instead of emerging from the alley and striking its foes from behind. It was met by one of the Onyx that had been waiting around the corner. With a frag grenade ready.
The Grenadier howled in rage as it found itself blinded in one eye as the grenade smashed into its face. In its moment of pain induced disorientation the Onyx spun the wounded Grenadier around and pushed it back the way it had come. The Grenadier stumbled into the pack of drones that it had been ahead of. Blocking their way for a few critical seconds as the grenade counted down.
Had the Swarm's not been so eager the other drones that were behind them would have had the time and space to turn and flee. Instead more ran into the first group. Unable to untangle themselves from the press of bodies they now formed.
The single grenade alone would have outright killed a half dozen of the Swarm. But the blast also set off the grenades fastened to the belt of the doomed Grenadier. Within seconds of their attack on the humans right flank. The Swarm had lost most of its forces on that side and all it had gained was giving an alleyway a thin coating of gristle.
The DeeBees had joined the fight walking towards the enemy. Their preset voice lines demanded the Swarm surrender. The machines advanced into the gunfire. Chips of their armor being torn off. They advanced, uncaring and unflinching. Until there was a sharp sound of metal rending against metal, followed by one robot exploding.
'Was that the Dropshot?'
'Negative! Torque Bow just took out one of the bots. Start scanning for those Hunters before they pick us off.'
The Hunters were darting from cover to cover, trying to find a better firing position. Their leader scanned the battle before them. Many of the Swarm had perished in the human counter attack. She felt a pang of emotion run through her mind. Then quashed the thought, their deaths served the Queen and the Hive. Their charge had been to assist with the hunt. If they died, it would matter little, so long as the prey was dead before it could flee. So the Queen had commanded.
Where was the Prey though? Not amongst those who fought that would be foolish, even for these dull creatures. Where was far enough to be safe but not so far as to be left beyond aid? The pattern to the human's defense became clear as she watched the battle.
Their main group was forward meeting the Swarms forces. Smaller parts were guarding the rear and flanks. But one building lay near the center of them, with footprints leading inside. Within one of the human's metal servants stood. She focused her eyes and saw something moving behind a small counter at the back. Just a flicker, but enough to convince her that was where the prey was hiding.
She hissed to her sisters. The Hunters crept their way forward towards a ruin overlooking the Bar.
The leader felt a strange sensation in her connection with the Hive. Each of them had a pattern to their thoughts. The cunning nature of her sisters, the simple yet efficient Drones and the Blunt focus of the Sion leading this band.
But was the feeling of rage and hunger. She touched the connection and felt the others that the sounds of battle and the smell of blood had drawn.
Yes, that would work. These humans knew how to battle against those who shared their form, but what about those who did not. With a thought, it called out to the surrounding ruins. The howls and cries that answered brought a smile to its inhuman features. Sometimes the simplest creatures could make all the difference.
'You hear that?'
'I hear it, Juvies on the way get ready.'
The Onyx braced for an attack from any bearing, checking all the angles they trained, experienced and had their enemy reacting to them. They had also made the same error that humanity had been making about their foe since the original Locust. Assuming the enemy would keep fighting like they expected.
The attack came not from ground level like it had when they had fought at the wall around New Ephyra. Instead this new threat came from above and below.
Some Juvies jumped from rooftop to rooftop. Before flinging themselves down on top of the Humans below with ear-splitting cries. Others burst from drain covers or broken sewer lines. Skittering from cover to cover. Before giving into their instincts and charging their opponents. Most were killed before they got near the Onyx.
But enough attackers throwing themselves at an opponent would overwhelm any defenders. With the rest of the unit battling the bulk of the Juvies. There was no one able to stop eight of the new and near rabid attackers from reaching the Bar where Emmerich and Day were sheltering.
Day's Lancer killed the first few as they crossed the street. The DeeBee was little help as the creatures closed. Its outdated pacification programming left it at a disadvantage. It was trying to aim at targets that refused to move like its programming was configured to predict. Adding to the issue, it was still trying to aim its fire to intimate or maim rather than kill.
As they reached the windows. Day changed to her Gnasher and set to work using the shotgun's spread to kill the first pair that entered. At this distance the DeeBee's attempts to scare the creatures stopped. They were close enough now to be considered a threat.
The machine fired bursts at the Juvies . Most of its rounds went wide but the amount of bullets soon made up for the machine's faults. Whilst they were only clipped and staggered, it was more than enough for Day to finish them.
'Do not resist. You are responsible for yourself and your actions. Your infractions have been noted. Surrender to the COG.' The Deebee's response to the oncoming attackers was to play every line it knew whilst firing into the oncoming attackers.
With the first half of the attackers down it killed another Juive that leapt into its line of fire. The next two however reached it whilst it was trying to reload. The DeeBee paused for a split second. Its AI was trying to sort a course of action. Suddenly it resolved the problem.
Its arm snapped out, striking one of its attackers. The Juvie's head went back with an audible crack that set Emmerich's teeth on edge even as the creature fell silent. The second Juvie got around the DeeBee's now open guard and latched onto its back. With the DeeBee now helpless to strike it, the gaunt creature pulled and yanked at its head.
'You are damaging COG property desist immediately.' The DeeBee said. The Juvie did not understand the words and had no reason to care what the sounds the automaton made. It was just something it wanted to break.
'Alert this unit is in distress. Requesting assis-ss-ss-' The DeeBees head was ripped from its shoulders and the Juvie beat the torso with the now detached part.
Day ducked into cover as she saw the fallen machine's torso had begun to emit a glow and heard a building whine. Whilst the DeeBee had not been programmed for combat. It was still running the operating system for a unit enforcing martial law.
The moment that the damage to the DeeBee crossed a threshold its AI determined the threat was too great and executed its final process. The power cell in its back surged with energy and overloaded. The Juvie still lost in its blood thirst. Spent its last moments rejoicing in victory. Right before the DeeBees self-destruct tore it apart with the blast of its own body.
Day kept her Gnasher up and swept the room, looking for the last Juvie. She kept her gaze moving from one side to the other. The only warning she had was the shout of alarm from Emmerich mixed with a shriek before it slammed into her from above.
The force of the creature hitting her back knocked her over. Before she could reach for her knife, its clawed hand found a joint in her side armor and slashed into her flesh. Howling in pain. She struck back with an elbow that knocked it off and kept the creature back long enough so she could roll over and grapple with her attacker. The feral thing attacking her began trying to rip into her front now.
It was a brutal fight Day, and the Juvie exchanged blows that would have killed normal humans. This fight between the augmented human and the rabid Swarm was more a brawl than a duel. Each clawing and striking at the other with brutality. The Juvie managed a hit to Day's head, dazing her for a moment, but that was all that was needed. Its arm drew back, ready to slash down and cut under her helmet. Where it's mind told it the false flesh of this being would be soft enough to cut.
The first bullet struck the Juvie in the shoulder. The round blew a hole the size of a grapefruit ripping the flesh away right down to the bone. The force of the impact knocked it off Day to the ground. Before it could recover its limited senses, Day added her armored boot to its head for good measure. The creature shook with rage and howled, preparing to renew its attack once more. The next set of rounds struck home. The Juvie fell to the ground, becoming still.
Day rolled back onto her front and pulled herself towards the counter. Behind it, Emmerich was standing Snub in hand. His body was shaking like a leaf in a storm, but the pistol and the hands holding it were steady as any she had seen for a while. Whether it was adrenaline or training, keeping his hands steady, she couldn't tell.
The pain would have been unbearable had her armor's Stim system not activated upon detecting her body's trauma. The stuff trickling into her bloodstream was good for stopping the pain and stabilizing her wounds. But she needed to be up and ready for any other threats that might come their way.
'I'm going to need your help here,' she grunted between gritted teeth. Stim or no, there was still a chunk of her open to the air and it hurt. The words broke whatever state Emmerich's mind had been stuck in.
Realizing he had been standing watching her crawl over to her, he tried to jump over the counter. He lost his balance part way over, unused to the weight of the armor and landed on his back, winding himself.
The fall saved him from the large bolt that struck into the counter. Its path carried it through where he would have been standing had he crossed the counter properly. With its tip embedded into the counter, there was a single beep before it exploded.
'What the hell was that!?' Emmerich cried out as he shuffled on all fours towards Day. She had turned from the counter the moment she had heard the impact and now lay behind an overturned table. Shouting a warning to the others of danger.
'Torque Bow! Repeat Torque Bow just missed Bauxite! We are taking fire!' She recalled the moment the bolt had impacted and racked her mind for where it must have come from, 'Structure opposite the Bar! They must be inside the line'
Once she and Emmerich were behind the relative safety of the table and their attackers had lost line of sight, she relaxed momentarily,'Must be the Hunters that have been after you. Looks like they want you dead real bad.'
'What? How do you know they only want me? I know you've all said they've been following us, but. What if they thought you were the one coming over the counter?' Emmerich said quickly as the adrenaline raced though him.
'Because even if they can barely see us, they can tell the difference between our builds. Nice landing by the way.' Day said.
Emmerich winced for a moment as he remembered the only reason he was still upon Sera was that he had fallen over the counter.
Day noticed his discomfort and tried another explanation to take his mind off the fall, 'They could have hit me from that angle too. I was on the ground and looking the other way and they still went for you.'
'They really want to kill me.' The realization seemed to knock Emmerich's train of thought again for a moment. Not good. She needed to make sure he stayed focused on now. So he wouldn't freeze up again.
'I still need an assist here,' Day grunted.
'Oh right. Yes, what do I need to do? Do you have a bandage? I know some basic First aid,' Emmerich offered.
'No need. Back plate of my armor there's a flashing button, I need you to press it.'
'Okay let me see.'
Emmerich leaned over. There were several small controls and indicators, but one looked out of place. It was a small pulsing button. He pressed it in immediately, a sharp sound like a valve opening sounded and Day jumped before relaxing.
'There we go. Should be ready to move in a moment,' the strain in Day's voice easing.
'What was that?' Emmerich asked.
'Quick shot of Stim to get back on my feet it'll help with the pain now and help the recovery long term.' She recovered her Gnasher as she spoke, checking the action and reloading.
'3-2, Sit-rep.' Figueroa's voice came through Day's helmet.
'Bauxite is unharmed. I'm Tango-Two. What is the situation outside?' Day asked, looking out through the window.
'We've had it worse 3-2. Stay down, we'll clear up out here.' Figueroa responded.
Outside, the situation was not as bad as could have been, but that was by a thin margin. They had killed most of their attackers. But if they stayed still the Scion's Dropshot would kill them. If they tried to move out in the open, then they became exposed to the Hunters and their Torque Bows.
'Squad hit that Scion on my count. Three. Two. One.' At Durham's command squad two popped out of cover at once, weapons raised and fired at the Scion.
Most of the rounds struck the armored pauldron on its left shoulder as it raised its arm to block the shots.
But enough landed home that it staggered from the pain. In the few moments it was exposed, a figure rushed towards it. Ducking a blind swing from the towering brute. the charging Onyx tagged it with a frag and rolled into the cover. The beast let out a roar of fury that was cut off by the detonating grenade.
What organization the common Swarm had until that point died with their Scion. As their link to the Swarm frayed from the loss. The rest threw themselves at the Onyx line with reckless abandon and were killed in short order as they rushed forwards.
The hunters lasted longer fighting back with Boltoks and Torque Bows. Seeing the battle turning. A few Hunters threw smoke grenades before trying to rush the Bar but were torn apart in a crossfire. Others tried to keep firing from the windows. The Onyx opted to clear them out with Frag grenades. Including those seized from the fallen Swarm. The explosions collapsed the derelict building with them inside.
With the battle over the street became still. The platoon swept the area before reforming.
'Good to still have you with us, Day. How are you holding up?'
Day turned to see the rest of squad three approaching the Bar that remained at the center of the platoon's guard formation.
'I've been better. Did you beat any of the Swarms Archery club this time?'
Hickman gave a relaxed shrug. 'Sorry to say it seems they weren't interested in a head to head this time. So we changed the event to the Grenade relay right after the shot at our little pistoleer over there. They caught everything we threw into the windows for them.'
Off to the side, the so-called pistoleer was hyperventilating now. The adrenaline must have worn off. Despite not being in one of his better moments, most of the Onyx were glad that he had acted to defend himself and Day.
'Sir, are you alright?' Myers' voice cut into Emmerich's thoughts like a battering ram. How long had he stood there? Had they been talking to him and he'd failed to notice? Think! Respond to him, you moron.
'I have to say to Lieutenant that Old Ephyra is not as relaxing as I hoped it would be.' Emmerich said. His breath steadying.
'I'm afraid the situation has changed somewhat from our estimates,' Myers said unhappily
'We're not still not getting a Raven out of here? Are we?'
Myers shook his head, 'No, not with the current situation. I'm afraid but we can proceed on foot from here.'
'Very well I'll ah. Just finish catching... My breath,' Emmerich said, swallowing again.
'Take your time. It's your first fight, the shock is still working its way out.'
'At least you managed not to piss yourself,' Hudson called out as he entered the bar.
'Stow that language, Specialist.' Myers said, interposing himself between Emmerich and Hudson. 'Given his prior actions and his rank, I expect you to treat the Governor with the respect he deserves'
'My apologies, sir.' Hudson gave an exaggerated salute. 'Superb marksmanship. How close were your sights to Day, anyway?'
'Sights?' Emmerich looked around with confusion on his face. 'I... I don't remember. It all just happened so fast.'
Hudson nodded, 'It happens but that's what the HUD is for. The reticle helps a lot when you're on autopilot.'
'Reticle?' Emmerich looked around with confusion on his face. 'What reticle?'
There was a pause and those Onyx not performing other duties paused. Looking at Emmerich like he had asked the dumbest question that any of them had ever heard.
Houston lowered his arm and looked at Emmerich for a moment. 'The one on your HUD.'
'HUD?' Emmerich shook his head, still not understanding the question.
'You have your Tac-Suite turned on, right?' Hudson asked, growing more concerned.
'I've got this armor.' Emmerich gestured to his vest. That now caked in a layer of grime and dirt despite the short time he had been wearing it, 'And that would be it at the moment I'm afraid.'
'Chen? Myers asked, looking at one of the Onyx. The others followed his gaze.
'We were trying to head out quickly and I didn't think he would need to use it. So I didn't turn it on,' Chen said.
Hudson choked for a moment, then started to giggle. Myers thought Hudson had lost his mind for a moment. As he rose to a chuckle before becoming a full-blown howl of laughter.
'You shot past Day with your MK1?' Hudson said between bouts of laughter.
'What mark one?' Said Emmerich.
'The MK1 eyeball.' Mason was laughing so hard he was nearly crying, 'Tell you what kid you got spirit. Hell you might even be worth keeping around in case you pull something like this again. Oh. By the Allfathers I needed that.'
Huson turned to leave, spotting Day off to the side with squad three. 'You hear this crazy little terrier Day, he could have hit you.'
'But he didn't,' Day responded.
'He shot right at you with iron sights only.'
'He didn't miss,' Day interrupted.
'But-' Hudson tried again.
'Did. Not. Miss.'
'What if he had hit you? I know he said he was Shock Snub trained. That's a whole different package to lethal.'
'Weapons are near the same. The cartridge is the only thing that's different. Besides, he didn't miss.'
'Again with the miss thing,' Mason gave the word air quotes, 'So he hit the Juvie and not you, what's the big deal.'
Day gave her wounded side a few experimental movements before judging the wound good enough to move. She stood and collected her Gnasher from the table where she had been sitting. She gestured to the wall where the Juvie had been killed.
'I said he didn't miss Not that he missed me.'
The Onyx in the room turned, looking at where the Juvies holed corpse had fallen. True to Day's word there were six holes in the body. But none in the wall behind it. An air of silence descended on the room as they looked from the corpse near the wall to Emmerich and back.
Myers broke the moment of stillness, 'I hope you all plan on meeting the standard set by the Governor. So far this brief trip has become a lot more than we planned for. So keep ready and stay sharp night's going to fall soon and I think we would all prefer to be out of the old city before then.'
Renewed focus came over the Onyx. Some had judged this mission and their VIP as not worth their time now with a battle behind them and Emmerich's actions gaining him a small measure of respect. They were all reassessing those thoughts.
Myers turned and nodded to Durham, who set about checking on the platoon whilst Myers returned to check that Emmerich was fine after the battle.
'How many of those were there? Where did they all come from?' Emmerich asked, looking at the corpse.
'Most likely the Pickers from this area, sir,' Myers said with a nod.
'Pickers? You mean the people that stayed in the ruins when the city was built?'
'Yes sir. It would explain their numbers given the old city must have only been breached a few days ago,' Myers said looking around.
Emmerich had stopped listening and had once more become pale. The realization finally struck him.
'I... I shot someone,' Emmerich uttered softly.
'Sir?' Myers asked, worried about the change in tone.
'I shot a citizen. Or a former citizen. What have I…'
Emmerich's hands flew to his mouth. Running into the bar's restroom. He tore off the helmet and brought what little breakfast they had given him in the shelter. Figueroa gestured to Spencer and Hickman. Who walked over. One helped him through the moment whilst the other policed the door.
'He's going to be alright?' Hudson mumbled, appearing back at Myers' side.
'Didn't think you would care? Taken to him already? Myers asked.'
'Nothing like that but… The Kid has spirit, at least. He could have tried to hide under the counter and let that skinny over there do to Day what it did to the DeeBee. He almost got a Torque bolt through the chest for his efforts.'
'Specialist Hudson you keep talking and I'll have to order you checked for head trauma,' Myers said, folding his arms.
'Hey. Hey,' Hudson said, holding up a finger, 'I'm still me. Besides managed not to piss himself after his first fight. Puked yes. But at least he wasn't wearing a full helmet when he did.'
'Unlike some?'
'That. Never. Happened.'
'As you say Specialist as you say.' Myers' helmet hid his smirk.
