[X] The Drawbridge Control
You spend another second looking through the lock, and when you were sure that no one was going to walk up, you slowly open the door. The hinges of the door squeaked ever so slightly as you gently pushed it open, but not loudly enough to attract any nearby attention. Out of habit, you lean out from the door frame to get an even better look at the hallway.
Again, you couldn't see anyone approaching. It was strange, not seeing a guard around every corner. But the more you thought about it, it probably wasn't abnormal that there wasn't anyone here at this time. While it was hard to see the sun through the snow, it couldn't have been more than midday by the time you entered the fortress. Everyone was probably at their stations on the outside, looking out at the snow covered hills. After all, this fort was to stop people from coming through. All of their strength was focused on keeping people out, but if someone like you happened to sneak in, there wasn't much to worry about. While you did run into two men back at the mess hall, they were either on break or just slacking off.
Looking down the halls, you wait another two seconds before heading out. Not wasting a single moment, you take the hallway to your right where the man had said the Drawbridge Control was located. Out of the three possible options, it was arguably the best one. Cutting of the head of the snake was a basic tactic that's worked in your favor before. After all, how useful were the Overseers after you branded Campbell? They were still a thorn in your side, but they were far less observant afterwards. But as much as crippling the Overseer's helped you, that kind of tactic wouldn't work here.
It took time, days of it, for the Overseer's to fall from grace completely. You didn't have that kind of time here, you had minutes at most to cripple an entire fort. With that kind of thought, the Armory seemed like one of the best choices. Destroy few weapons, or lock the soldiers out of the room entirely and they'll never be able to keep the Shepherds out. That is, if the Shepherds get in in the first place. You can't take a fort from the outside. You need to get in.
From your own experience, you know that the greatest strength a fort has is keeping people out while you remain safe inside its walls. The Shepherds might be the greatest fighters to ever exist, but that doesn't mean a damn thing if you were out of range from anything they could throw at you. All the Feroxi have to do was carefully aim arrows and spears and the Shepherds will fall eventually.
That's why you were slowly making your way down the right hallway. Robin gave you the order the sabotage the fort's weaponry so that it would be a one sided fight. But even if the Feroxi were armed with just their fists, they could still inflict some serious damage. Even if they didn't have weapons, they more than likely had numbers. With the Drawbridge control being run by you however, it was a completely different story. You could open the doors leading into the base, allowing the Shepherds to come in completely unobstructed. And if you were lucky, maybe you could 'accidentally' lock any remaining soldiers inside. All that stood between you and completion of this goal was the possibility of a few doors, a short walk and maybe having to fight through a literal fort load of soldiers that probably wouldn't take to kindly to your presence.
Why do you always get the easy jobs?
The interior of the fort was exactly how you expected it to look like from the outside. Perfectly shaped walls with no decoration, wet floors from snow that managed to get tracked in from the outside. The only thing special about the hallways was a set of lamps that were placed on even intervals down the hallway. They were simple lamps with metal frames and glass housings. They provided just enough light for you to see each and every brick that lined the floors. Given how your very presence cast a huge shadow on the ground, you doubt the lamps were set up with the singular purpose of lighting a dark hallway. Given how battle hungry Chrom has made them out to be, the lamps were probably set up so that people marching through the interior could see assassins like yourself.
Out of habit, you stop next to the lamp. You quickly glance around to make sure that no one was even remotely close. Again, your luck held. You quickly take the glass housing off the lamp and blow out the candle. Instantly, the small section of the hallway you stood in fell into darkness. The other lamps tried to compensate for the disappearance of their brother, but in the small where you stood, it was complete darkness.
You quickly put the glass housing back on the lamp before dropping back into a low crouch and continuing on your way. Just to be safe, you repeat the steps you did with the first lamp with the next, and the next, and the next, any lamp you passed was quickly put out. Soon, your work could be seen by anyone walking down the hallway as the route you traveled down now only existed as a dark, shapeless mass. It was kind of fun forcing a base, even a small part of it, into your element. It would make everything so much easier should the need for escape arise. After all, how many people can see in pitch blackness? Well, you could, but you didn't have that ability right now.
After another minute of walking, and an extra couple of seconds spent blowing out a few more lamps, you finally get to something promising. It was the end of the hallway, but instead of stopping it spiraled upward in a circular staircase. Looking up from the bottom, you can see the light of the outside coming out from a small opening of an ajar door. You could also see shadows shift through the light along with the sound of metal hitting against stone and the barks of a commander's orders. You couldn't see the inside of the room, but you would bet your daily elixir that this was the Drawbridge Control. Reaching behind you, you grab your crossbow off your belt as you slowly make your way up the stairs. Taking careful, measured steps to avoid making the smallest noise on the wet stone, you quickly find yourself at the top. The top of the staircase was a huge platform like structure, giving the space for at least five men to stand in full armor with all the personal space they would need. But instead of men standing guard, there were three barrels. Curiosity overwhelms you, causing you to take a moment to investigate them closer. All three of them were dry as a bone, but the red discoloration of the wood and the pungent smell of alcohol was all you needed to know about what they once held. There were several lids lying next to the barrels, waiting to be nailed down and used to seal their compatriots once more. You look at the door of the Drawbridge Control, but then you do a quick mental measuring of the barrels. You could fit in one of those, or someone else could. It wasn't as big or appropriate as a dumpster, but they would do if things went badly.
Tearing your eyes away from the barrels, you focus all of your attention on the door. With it slightly open, you didn't need to risk going up against the door to look through the lock. Positioning yourself just on the edge of the doorframe, you lean in as much as you dare and take in everything that the small crack allowed you to see. You see a large open room with windows allowing the three men inside to look down over the entire courtyard and by extension the fort itself. It was laid out like a control room back home. A singular control panel that circled the entire room. It was covered in levers and wet, overused papers that probably told what each of said levers did. In the middle of the semi-circle, there was an open split, creating clear halves between the two sides. In this open split, a metal tube was built into the panel. It rose up and out to just about shoulder height. As it came up the tube folded outward, almost like a microphone. Hopefully it was just used for announcements, or just music.
There wasn't anywhere to sit in the room, so the three men had to make due with standing. Two of them wore similar sets of armor that you saw the men in the mess hall wear. But the difference between those men and these was that these men had their full set on. Chainmail shirts and steel framing underneath heavy slabs of steel that covered their chest, legs, feet, arms and head. They looked like walking sentinels with a red undercoating. The man in the middle however, was clearly the superior of the three. His armor was lighter, and less widespread than his compatriots, and his red undershirt had lines of gold. He didn't have a helmet, but you don't think you can see a haircut that screamed military more then this man's. You liked the man in the middle instantly, not for his haircut or his stature. But for the fact that he was only a step away from the door. Easy pickings, at least as long as he doesn't move.
The floor was covered with snow that managed to get in from the outside, but the three men on guard seem to be completely at ease. A cold breeze flows in through the windows and through the small gap in the door. It chills you to the bone but you save your energy and force yourself to remain completely still. The two soldiers were busy wiping down the control council with what looked to be dirty old rags. Apparently it was cleaning day or some sort of inspection. The man on your right starts to get lazy, and the commander in the center snaps his head around "DID I SEE YOU SLACKING!?"
Instantly, both soldiers stand up straight before going as stiff as a board. The one on your left is the first to speak "No sir!"
The commander waits for moment, letting the men enjoy their newfound positions "Good," he says after a while "The state of this room is absolutely pathetic!" the commander spit out "Be thankful Captain Rami has better things to do instead of disciplining you maggots. And since I'm giving you the grace of identifying all of you under the same reached tittle, again I find myself asking, where are Lennart and Rinus?"
If they were the two guys back in the mess hall, in a dreamland leaned up against a chimney.
The two men share a look that you barely manage to catch.
"They went to the privy, sir." the man on the right says.
You couldn't see the commander's face, but you knew when someone was pissed. The commander forced himself to control his anger with several deep breaths "And how long ago was this?"
Another look between the two men "Just before you arrived, sir."
"… I've been observing this station for an hour, and they have yet to return?"
"…"
"Yes sir."
A silence descends between the three men. It lasted a few seconds before the commander broke the silence "All four of you will be working in the frost pits for the next month. I hope the drinks were worth it."
With that, he turns around to face you. Your training and experience cause you to snap your head back just as the commander turns around to face the door. A quick breath of relief escapes you. If you were a second slower he would have seen you. You press up against the edge of the doorframe, just out of sight of anyone walking out of the door. The door squeaked slightly as the commander opens it, the wood grinding against the snow slightly. You put away both of your weapon before crouching down on the balls of your feet. You take a deep breath and tense. A lifetime of training runs through your mind in an instant, allowing you to get into the position that would offer the most explosive power with the least chance of causing a sound. The muscles in your leg, shiver in anticipation, like a grave hound about to be let loose for its first dog fight. As soon as someone steps through that door, every part of you would move. The commander steps out of the doorway, and you spring into action.
His eyes widen as he sees you rush forward, but you were too close and too fast. Your left hand goes straight for his mouth, blocking a scream of warning. As soon as your fingers clasp around the commander's mouth, you push, forcing him to move with you. The two of you go straight backward, just out of visual range of the now open door. While you move, you spin around the commander. Now that you were behind him, your right hand snaps into action. You loop it under the commander's right arm and across his throat. With your right arm blocking his throat, you left lets go of his mouth and pulls his left arm behind his back to an armlock. As soon as you get your hold in place, you squeeze as tight as you can. The commander struggles, but you've taken down hundreds of men with this hold. The commander might have been a titan of a man to deal with in open combat, but with your speed and the element of surprise, you had him.
The commander shudders, desperately trying to breath, then goes still. He goes limp in your arms but you catch him just before he hits the floor. You hold him in place for a second so you could listen to the two men still in the room. When you only hear the angry grumbling of guilty soldiers, you pick up the commander before throwing him over your shoulder. He weighed more than the average city guard from back home, but that was probably because of the armor. Keeping a hold of him with your left hand, you crouch again before taking a few steps toward the door. As soon as the door handle was within reaching distance, your free hand grips hold and you close the door as quietly as you could. Once you hear the sound of wood hitting again metal hinge, you know that you were free to work.
The commander on your shoulder snores softly as you carry him across the room, and to the barrels. As carefully as you can, you take the commander off your shoulder and place him feet first into the barrel. It's a tight fit, but you manage to get him into the barrel by forcing his knees close to his face. As soon as he was in, you pick up a random lid next to the barrel and loosely place it over the sleeping commander's barrel. You don't have a hammer to put it in completely, but it's the best hiding place you can ask for right now.
Quickly, you get back to the door but since it's closed this time you have to make due with the lock. Through the small hole, you can see the two men busy at work cleaning the council. They aren't saying anything to one another, opting to work in silence. Probably of fear that the commander might come in at any second for a surprise inspection. Both of them had their backs to you, but if this turned into a two on one fight, you might have to resort to some less than pleasant methods of taking them down.
You push on the door ever so slightly. The movement of the door causes both soldiers to go rigid for a second but they return to their work as quickly as they could.
"Commander." says the man on the left.
Good, they thought you were the commander. Let's keep them thinking that. You look down at the water covered, snow framed floors. A silent grimace escapes you. Snow, one of the worst things for any assassin. A step that would normally be silent would cause a loud crunch. It makes it a pain in the ass to sneak up on anyone who actually bothered to listen for the little sounds. But at least there was only two of them.
You take a step in the snow, and your foot makes a soft little crunch that neither of the men react to. You take another step forward, and the same non existent reaction escapes the two men. So far, so good.
As soon as you think that, the man on your right starts to turn towards you. Throwing caution to the wind, you do something that you probably shouldn't do to what were supposed to be potential allies. You spring to your feet, and rush forward to the man on the right. You close the distance and before the man has time to even blink at your presence you slap your palm over his face. Leaving him no time to move, you force his head down on the control console.
Hard.
The metal lets out a loud clang as its forced against the wood of the control panel. The man's neck jerks badly when you force his head down. Even with the helmet protecting him, your attack sends his head slamming around within the metal case. He was unconscious before he even hit the floor. You make the mistake of watching him fall down, and something hard connects with your jaw. You spin with the blow, lessening whatever damage you could before steadying yourself. You look up just in time to see the second soldiers follow up attack come straight for your chest. You quickly slam your right elbow against the metal protected forearm of your attacker. Your bone rattled as it connected with tempered steel, but it managed to divert his attack far to the left. With the armor weighing him down, his off target punch caused him to over extend his attack.
A brief memory of Vaike making the same mistake flashes through your mind as you copy the move you used during your battle with the axe-wielder. You spin around the armored man and you quickly wrap your right arm around his neck and your left hand goes out to grab his left arm. It was the same move that took down the commander, but here, your enemy knew exactly what was going on and you didn't have any element of surprise.
He rips his arm out of any hold that you might of had on it. His head jerks backwards immediately afterwards, slamming the back of his head against your mask. The blow connects hard against your mask and if you didn't have it, you might have staggered back. But the blow only hurts a little bit, allowing you to remain where you were and keep your arm over his neck at the same time. Given that both of his arms were still free, he reals both of them back, intending to hit the metal tipped ends of his elbows against your side. In retaliation, you kick his knee from under him before forcing him down atop of you. The action surprises the man, and he can only take hold of your arm as the two of you fall like board game pieces. The snowy ground offers no cushion as your back collides with its stony surface. The armored weight of the man comes down atop of you before you can right yourself in any way.
The blow forces all of the air from your lungs. You ignore the pain and the blackness slowly enveloping you as you focus everything you have into this strangle hold. The man tries to force your arm off his neck with one hand as he reverts to his previous tactic with the other. Pain shoots through your side as metal, and barbarian muscle smacks into you. The blow hits just below the ribs, probably bruising something and hurting like hell. He hits you again, but this time his strike has far less power. Hoping against hope, you put the last of your strength into pressing your right arm against his throat. Another blow shoots pain through your side, but it was merely a last ditch effort as the man goes still. You hold your position for another second before pushing the man off you. His armor clatters against the ground as he travels the short distance but you don't really care. You were alone in the control room, with a bruised side as your reward.
Dragging yourself to your feet, you limp to the control panel. Your eyes glance over each of the papers, but apparently they were just reports, not operation manuals. You start sifting through the papers, hoping one of them holds the answers you're looking for. But your search is cut short as someone says "Mason. Mason, Garrus? Anyone? Can any of you up there hear me? I heard some crashing, is everything alright up there?"
The voice came straight from the metal tube at the center of the control panel. You disregarded it when you first saw it, thinking that it played music or something. But apparently, it was some sort of phone that allowed people from somewhere around the fort contact the control room. You glance down to the unconscious forms of the two men and back to the tube, and a single thought runs through you.
Oh crap.
The person on the other end of the tube wouldn't wait long, you had to do something. If you answered, they might not recognize your voice and realize something's wrong. On the other hand, if you don't say anything, they'll definitely know something's wrong. Looking around, you could see yourself hitting every lever in the room, opening every gate in the fort before finding a way to get out yourself. It might doom the Shepherds more than it will help, but it would be the best that you could do. Hopefully, it will be enough.
You were right next to the phone tube, what will you do?
[] Answer the phone, it would be better to just take your chances.
What will you say when you answer the phone?
-[] Write in
[] Don't answer the phone, just pray that you can do enough before you need to get out of here.
How do you escape?
-[] The way you came in.
-[] The open window
