Tirraru: Farthest reaching planet 980 F.S.C. #21341-1. Established outer-planetary casing swiss model circular openings allotted for agricultural and planet survival. WONG influences and advancements in technology have begun assembly on a second planetary casing for both defensive and expansive purposes to Tirraru's populace.
... These are its final days of construction.
?How goes things, Ford?? site analyst Bruo asked.
?We're several days past schedule, but for the better. The additional time spent reformatting specifications to accommodate the diversities of JECO mecha units has proven most invaluable.? Ford said over his control panel in a very shaded, computer-lit room.
?Excellent. No doubt this second shell will improve the planet's longevity.? Ford aspired.
?With full operative control over both casings this is the first time we'll be able to manipulate the sunlight distributed to the planet by either allotting or denying shell shade. It is a revolutionary week indeed, for Tirraru.? Ford said with a hint of fear.
?You are right, overseer.? a mechanistic voice boomed. Ford and Bruo both gasped. ?This is a very important week for our beloved planet.? there in the darkness, outlined only by the lighting of the construction monitors, an enormous and evidently muscular man did approach them; a beaming red dot phasing in and out of dim red, to powerful red, dominantly where his face should have been.
?I-Ironeye...? Bruo mumbled, more to himself than anyone. Ford, and anyone else for that matter knew more than well who Ironeye was. Bruo was just shocked that he had come here personally, despite sending him to check on Ford for him.
?Things look more than proficient, Ford. But we are past due. I would like an explanation.? The armored man with the stop light face did pause, towering over the two men.
?Our mathematicians needed time to reconstruct transport lanes and ports to fit JECO units, Sir. We had intended for this to be a shell controller, first and foremost.? Ford explained nervously.
The red dotted face man glowed a blood red that painted over even the white lights of the computer screens, but he remained calm in composure. ?You received notification very early that this project would help to colonize the populace of the planet. What type of authority did you expect to govern the millions up here, overseer?? he asked, pacing over to a scale model of the project and reaching an armored hand to it and stopping only just before touching, but it was because Ford had retorted.
?The expenses would be astronomical to those wishing to make new residency here; far more so than to live on the first shell. I assumed--?
?You assumed, wrong.? Ironeye interrupted with a stouter red light from his blackened visor.
?Please. Ironeye.? Ford pleaded.
?Increasing production time for changes which should have been there in the first place. I expect more, of the men overseeing this project.? Ironeye left the module and returned to the two men. ?But despite these setbacks, Tier Two still looks to be the defining change to this planet. But it is your duty, to see that I do not have to visit you again, Ford. You have two days.? Ironeye turned, and left the computer room. Automatic doors seemingly ready enough since they did open and close giving his departure. Ford and Bruo sighed in unison, Ford moreso.
?I can't believe he came here.?
?This is far more dangerous than I could have predicted. Wong obviously has him on edge. And we haven't even heard from her yet, and this construct is riddled with her technology.? Bruo explained.
?I know. I know. This is her shell more than ours. And that's what scares me the most.?
They both gradually looked to the main monitor, showing the main loading and unloading terminal: Wong Lobby. A testament to hugely congregational zones and importantly centering around the first piece of imported plant life: The Wong Christmas Tree. A hundred foot tree surrounded by a cement ring of seats. Banners, ribbons, and party favors were strewn all over this room, long papers and wrappers layering the sparkling, mirroring floors with garbage that comes with the construction team, and leaves with them. An eerie time to be in the Second Tier of Tirraru, so close to Grand Opening; so close to never being this empty again.
The starlight outside was calm, masking, not unlike the constant blackness that accompanied it. If anyone would have been watching a certain sector very closely, they would have seen three more stars shine briefly. Then again, in another place.
It was a JECO's jets, blasting in the distance and approaching the newly constructed second tier. A burgundy unit, armed with a repulsor rifle and strapped ammunitions belt. It's search eye scanned the outer tier.
?Security systems are on, but not operational. I haven't been read yet, but if I am they'll treat me as a fritz on the board.? a woman's voice came through the comm on the pilot inside fully suited for space. Her green eyes sharpened on her target. ?Now, how will I break in??
The JECO was temporarily focused on by the dim red beams of the security system before being dropped due to the constant scanning reboot the system was currently going through. This let her slip all the way through and cling onto the shell itself right next to what read: Docking Bay 711.
The metal fingers of the JECO clenched and released accordingly in her suit's crawl down and into the shade of the nook that shuttles would be parking in. Of course, it allotted perfectly for a JECO. Once she reached the end of the docking bay, her JECO crouched, and powered down.
From the top of the head, a circular port unsealed and she climbed out. A black slimmed space suit with a white specialties lining ran all down her slender form and during her free float to the unboarding of passengers terminal. Affixed laser guidance tracks, dotted accordingly for subtlety while considering safety of observation.
Hacking into the terminal panel, the black-suited pilot convinced the new mechanics that a test mode was being initiated, which made her opening of the door remain off the open terminal access grid. The hissing of air-locked chambers called to the open space region she was at and she was soon stepping in open doors. Nothing was more aggravating to the ears than a sealing air lock. But after it, always came pure silence. Silence you can only get, and feel in space. There was nothing like it.
?Hn.? she grunted, pushing off from the zero gravity hall and to the end of it where she exited the air lock. Immediately after the door zipped shut she discarded her helmet, showcasing a short head of red hair. She drew her pistol.
?Man, you're a natural with these modifications.? a blond-headed man said on a grated catwalk high over a docked JECO suit.
?Thanks Young. I've had experience with this class JECO.? a man came sliding out from underneath the extended arm of the unit, surrounded in wire and hanging computer pads. A dark head of black hair was appropriately ruffled.
?Don't be so modest! This kinda work's anything but easy. I'd have still been stuck on the ground mobility repairs if you hadn't come by.? Young said, crouching over him to better see how he operated.
There wasn't much to see. His typed in robotic operations to commence soldering, adjustments, and crane in the appropriate parts. What Young hoped to gain out of watching him couldn't be obtained. The feel and understanding made his calculations far more accurate than any combat-lacking engineer. ?It's nothing.?
Young came to stand, grabbing the railing and letting out a soft whistle. ?You must've seen plenty of action wherever you learned to do that. I hope to be a JECO pilot one day. Especially now, since Tier Two hopes to capitalize on their involvement with the space program now more than ever.?
?Hm?? he stopped reconfiguring the arm specifications to look at him.
?Let me get your name. When I make it big as an ace pilot I wanna look you back up.? Young looked down to his engineer jacket, the patch on the breast read 'Wentley.' ?Wentley? Is that what I call you?? grinning as he looked back down to the man.
He put the keyboard down and held out his hand. ?Tobias Wentley.? as he was pulled up rather suddenly.
Both of them turned suddenly to a rumbling coming from the end of Cargo Bay T66.
An explosion out of control put the newly installed safety systems to the test, appropriately activating gravity to prevent oceanic conflagration. The flames changed appearances drastically, and countless men had come running with extinguisher cannons. Ironeye walked beside site analyst Bruo on the outskirts of this panic.
?A bug in the system?? Bruo suggested.
?Intruders. Run a cellular scan from Docking Bay 659 to 801.? Ironeye ordered.
?Sir? A cellular scan??
?We can't very well run a heat scan, can we Bruo.? holding his wrist behind his back, and walking into the mass of men fighting to put out the fire.
The men had begun to spread out, navigating flame engulfed hallways one after the other until they were met with gunfire. Crippling them at the thighs and sending them clasping blood-spouting flesh.
?WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!? word spread to the men quickly.
?Hey, something's going on over there!? Young said, waving him on as he grabbed a repel cord. ?Come on!?
?Hmm.? the dark-haired man shut down the JECO and joined him down his own repel cord, adopting a brisk pace to reach the commotion.
The two men soon met their backs to the wall with the others, a mere hallway down from the gunfire.
The dark-haired man made a quick peek down the hall while Young grabbed a panicked man's shoulder.
?Hey, just what's going on down there??
?A rebel infiltrator! We think it's just one. But there could be others spread throughout the Tier!? a nervous man said.
More gunfire, from both sides. Considerably more firepower coming from the military staff joining the collection at Docking Bay 701.
?Cease fire.? Ironeye called, and was obeyed.
Young and Tobias both looked at him.
Silence throughout.
?Identify yourself! ... Who's back there?? he called.
More silence.
?Go ahead and tell me who you are. You one of WONG's lackeys? The cell scan identified you as a bioroid.? Ironeye educated.
?...? the red-haired gunman down the hall sighed. She had been made so soon. But this didn't change the plan. She readied a smart grenade.
?You had better tell me. You don't want me to have to come back there and fetch you.? Ironeye kept chatter up while he waited on the security capture to render. Fuzzy, less fuzzy, even less fuzzy, clear picture.
Ironeye softly gasped. ?... ? -- ?So. You're a CType.? he called out.
?... Corea. What are you doing out so far from your home? Isn't there a man you should be looking after?? the emotionless red eye of his mask looked out for her, and sure enough, she rushed out to see him, anger evident in her face. And out with her charge, she tossed the smart grenade, buzzing out into a crowd of Tier Two technicians and silencing them indefinitely.
?She's engaging us. Don't be afraid men. She is alone.? Ironeye said, drawing his giant's knife and walking over to meet her.
?What do we do, Tobias??? Young asked.
?Stay down. She reads a laying down position as surrender. Your life will be spared.? he said, peeking around the corner seeimg gunmen all around them.
?What? We should fight!? Young insisted.
?No. You're going to be an exceptional pilot, aren't you Young? You're not going to be able to do that if she kills you. And if you pick up a gun, she will.? he said.
?But, What are YOU going to do???
?Don't worry about me. I'm going to end this fight.? he stood and ran into the smoke cloud from the smart grenade.
Around Corea men were dropping with one shot each. Clean kills, mostly headshots. Ace gunsmanship and easy enough targets until the red stoplight subtly began to glow from behind her.
?Hn!!? Corea turned suddenly, avoiding the wide whisp of a giant saw swiping at her. And then another, sending her on the retreat, backpedaling.
?Where is he, Corea? Where you are, he isn't far behind.? swinging that knife into another miss, but an anticipated one, so he could shove her to the back wall. She grunted out when she collided, and several soldiers saw it opportune to shoot her. A wall full of bullets, and a laying down bioroid frozen in a pose with her pistol, still smoking from the barrel, showed what had happened before even the bodies dropped of the would-be killers.
?I got her!? a soldier yelled, ?Oomph!? as he was clocked by Tobias, catching his rifle before the man could fall unconscious with it.
?I always did enjoy a fight with you, Commander. You've outlasted me longer than any other of Wong's.? Ironeye congratulated Corea, who was far too busy shooting soldiers with a worried yet serious face.
'This isn't good. I'm almost out of ammo, and there's still plenty of gunmen. If it comes down to it, I'll just take down as many as I can.' Corea thought. ?You're finished.? she said, shooting two precision rounds at him, which indented his armor at the forearm where he had risen it to protect his red robotic eye. Corea's gun slide was back, and the chamber was empty; the whole thing, depleted. Bullets began to leak through her defense now, and one nipped her arm. In her retreat back to the docking bay hall, she got two more bullets; one in the shoulder, and one crippling her at the leg.
Ironeye's red eye gazed on emotionless. ?Is this it? Is this the battle you don't make it home from?? he asked more to himself than anyone. ?Hold your fire.?
Ironeye held up a hand and the circular walkway to all the other docking bays became quiet again, save for his heavy thunking space boots going down that hallway. Corea had readied two more smart grenades in the darkness, but before she could clamp down on them, her wrists were grabbed tightly, one each to Ironeye's clutches, nearly breaking them; certainly stopping her detonation of them.
?Trying to light us up? If you want to die so badly, have a real soldier's death.? Face to face with the Red eye. Prying the grenades from her hand and tossing them down where the fires started, effectively reigniting them. He walked back out from the shadows with her as the explosion went off and tossed her to the floor before all the soldiers who took aim.
?Fill her with bullets. Let's see how funny it is when the nanomachines can't keep up with her dying.? he rose his hand for the fire order.
A gun cocked behind Ironeye.
?This has gone far enough.? the dark-haired man said, a gun in Ironeye's back.
?Hm?' Ironeye looked behind him, and tilted his head in such a way as to say he was smiling.
?Tobias! What are you doing? You'll throw your life away!? Young called out.
?Hm? Hahahahaha! Bruo! Run a personnel check for technicians under Tobias, will you??
?Yes Sir. We have a Tobias Wentley on record. Eyes: Brown. Height: 5'10?. Hull Specialist Team--? Bruo was interrupted by more of Ironeye's laughter.
?Well. I don't have a doubt in my mind Tobias Wentley is tied up in a broom closet somewhere. What we have here gentlemen, is a special guest impostor. None other than the Palliator.? Ironeye enlightened his men.
?Any more harm comes to Corea, and your outer space playground gets shut down, Ironeye.?
?Hello Dyarhk.? Ironeye was still looking back at him.
?... Dyarhk.? Corea held onto her bullet wounds as best she could, a shake here and there, watching him with one eye squinted. She was surprised he was here.
?You know me so well? I would sooner die than have my new toy stripped from me?? he asked.
?This has gone on long enough. We're leaving.? Dyarhk said.
?I'm afraid you can't do that. You're going to have to kill me. MEN! Take aim. If I go down, you are to cease fire immediately. Otherwise, prepare to shoot. You hear that, Dyarhk? You're going to have to kill me.?
?...? Dyarhk clenched his teeth.
?HAHAHA! This is why the sight of you with a gun is so hilarious. OPEN FIRE!? he gave the order, and the bullets began to one-by-one pop around her. Ricocheting the ground, then another got a little closer. But she would not remain that fortunate. Bullets did begin to hit her. Waist, stomach, and chest, each with a bullet, two in the chest.
?COREA!? Dyarhk called out, flinging the rifle down to run past Ironeye, who watched very still. He ran and dove over Corea who was now showing blood at the mouth, but those dimly opened green eyes focused on the figure shadowing over her.
The hand of Ironeye rose up, and the barrage of bullets had stopped. Ironeye looked on, bringing his hand back down while he watched silently and in a weird way, respectfully.
?Corea! Corea!! Stay with me! You can't leave me, remember?? Your mission is to stay with me! You can't quit now!? he hollered into her face, keeping it from fading into that forever sleep.
?I-I'm sorry... I failed.? she hushed out lovingly to him.
?Negative! Your still breathing! And you're gonna keep ON breathing! Do you hear me?? COREA?!?
?I'm sorry...?
?COREA!!!?
?Ford. I want you to call a med team. Get them over here immediately. We have a dying bioroid that needs attention.? Ironeye said coolly, never taking his red light off Dyarhk and the woman he cradled.
?Excuse me, Sir?? he asked, suddenly pained in the deepest part of him. A bloody hug of steel, clenching a part of him he had never felt before. He looked down, seeing Ironeye's armored fist had shot clear through his chest cavity. He gurgled out, before ultimately falling dead on his wrist.
?Bruo, you are now the new project leader. Call a med team, immediately.?
Bruo nodded quickly, and saluted just as quickly, before running over to a docking bay phone.
?T-This is new projects leader Bruo. We have an injured at Docking Bay 701. Require assistance immediately. ? he went on with event specifics, and further directioning and explanation. But all of it was shut out while Dyarhk repeatedly stroked Corea's face; keeping her emerald eyes open.
?...Dyarhk?? Corea whispered.
?They're coming, Corea. I'm not going to let you go. I'll never let you go.? he said up against her face, tears flowing.
?Permission to say something personal, Sir.? she sluggishly spoke out.
?Save your energy, dammit. Don't talk!? he pleaded.
?... You. were my best assignment.? unable to smile, so her eyes longingly did so for her. This in-turn, only produced more water works from the man who held her up. The med team had just arrived while Dyarhk saw her to a freeze slab that begins work right away on ceasing death's progression with rich proteins. He watched them run her off. All the surrounding men stood in awe, they thought she was going to die for sure.
?She'll make it.? Ironeye said.
?Grr ? Grrr!!!? Dyarhk turned and swung a powerful punch which clapped caught into the hand of Ironeye.
?Save your strength. I briefly considered knocking you out until she had healed. But I would think you would want to be there for her through the entire ordeal. This entire facility is new and not yet open to the public. I will assign you a quarters. Now GO!? he pushed Dyarhk, who snapped out of it rather quickly, turned, and chased after the med team.
After some time, a soldier approached Ironeye. ?Sir? If I might ask, Why are we helping the enemy??
?No. You may not ask.? he said, walking away with a look of anger in his red light.
... These are its final days of construction.
?How goes things, Ford?? site analyst Bruo asked.
?We're several days past schedule, but for the better. The additional time spent reformatting specifications to accommodate the diversities of JECO mecha units has proven most invaluable.? Ford said over his control panel in a very shaded, computer-lit room.
?Excellent. No doubt this second shell will improve the planet's longevity.? Ford aspired.
?With full operative control over both casings this is the first time we'll be able to manipulate the sunlight distributed to the planet by either allotting or denying shell shade. It is a revolutionary week indeed, for Tirraru.? Ford said with a hint of fear.
?You are right, overseer.? a mechanistic voice boomed. Ford and Bruo both gasped. ?This is a very important week for our beloved planet.? there in the darkness, outlined only by the lighting of the construction monitors, an enormous and evidently muscular man did approach them; a beaming red dot phasing in and out of dim red, to powerful red, dominantly where his face should have been.
?I-Ironeye...? Bruo mumbled, more to himself than anyone. Ford, and anyone else for that matter knew more than well who Ironeye was. Bruo was just shocked that he had come here personally, despite sending him to check on Ford for him.
?Things look more than proficient, Ford. But we are past due. I would like an explanation.? The armored man with the stop light face did pause, towering over the two men.
?Our mathematicians needed time to reconstruct transport lanes and ports to fit JECO units, Sir. We had intended for this to be a shell controller, first and foremost.? Ford explained nervously.
The red dotted face man glowed a blood red that painted over even the white lights of the computer screens, but he remained calm in composure. ?You received notification very early that this project would help to colonize the populace of the planet. What type of authority did you expect to govern the millions up here, overseer?? he asked, pacing over to a scale model of the project and reaching an armored hand to it and stopping only just before touching, but it was because Ford had retorted.
?The expenses would be astronomical to those wishing to make new residency here; far more so than to live on the first shell. I assumed--?
?You assumed, wrong.? Ironeye interrupted with a stouter red light from his blackened visor.
?Please. Ironeye.? Ford pleaded.
?Increasing production time for changes which should have been there in the first place. I expect more, of the men overseeing this project.? Ironeye left the module and returned to the two men. ?But despite these setbacks, Tier Two still looks to be the defining change to this planet. But it is your duty, to see that I do not have to visit you again, Ford. You have two days.? Ironeye turned, and left the computer room. Automatic doors seemingly ready enough since they did open and close giving his departure. Ford and Bruo sighed in unison, Ford moreso.
?I can't believe he came here.?
?This is far more dangerous than I could have predicted. Wong obviously has him on edge. And we haven't even heard from her yet, and this construct is riddled with her technology.? Bruo explained.
?I know. I know. This is her shell more than ours. And that's what scares me the most.?
They both gradually looked to the main monitor, showing the main loading and unloading terminal: Wong Lobby. A testament to hugely congregational zones and importantly centering around the first piece of imported plant life: The Wong Christmas Tree. A hundred foot tree surrounded by a cement ring of seats. Banners, ribbons, and party favors were strewn all over this room, long papers and wrappers layering the sparkling, mirroring floors with garbage that comes with the construction team, and leaves with them. An eerie time to be in the Second Tier of Tirraru, so close to Grand Opening; so close to never being this empty again.
The starlight outside was calm, masking, not unlike the constant blackness that accompanied it. If anyone would have been watching a certain sector very closely, they would have seen three more stars shine briefly. Then again, in another place.
It was a JECO's jets, blasting in the distance and approaching the newly constructed second tier. A burgundy unit, armed with a repulsor rifle and strapped ammunitions belt. It's search eye scanned the outer tier.
?Security systems are on, but not operational. I haven't been read yet, but if I am they'll treat me as a fritz on the board.? a woman's voice came through the comm on the pilot inside fully suited for space. Her green eyes sharpened on her target. ?Now, how will I break in??
The JECO was temporarily focused on by the dim red beams of the security system before being dropped due to the constant scanning reboot the system was currently going through. This let her slip all the way through and cling onto the shell itself right next to what read: Docking Bay 711.
The metal fingers of the JECO clenched and released accordingly in her suit's crawl down and into the shade of the nook that shuttles would be parking in. Of course, it allotted perfectly for a JECO. Once she reached the end of the docking bay, her JECO crouched, and powered down.
From the top of the head, a circular port unsealed and she climbed out. A black slimmed space suit with a white specialties lining ran all down her slender form and during her free float to the unboarding of passengers terminal. Affixed laser guidance tracks, dotted accordingly for subtlety while considering safety of observation.
Hacking into the terminal panel, the black-suited pilot convinced the new mechanics that a test mode was being initiated, which made her opening of the door remain off the open terminal access grid. The hissing of air-locked chambers called to the open space region she was at and she was soon stepping in open doors. Nothing was more aggravating to the ears than a sealing air lock. But after it, always came pure silence. Silence you can only get, and feel in space. There was nothing like it.
?Hn.? she grunted, pushing off from the zero gravity hall and to the end of it where she exited the air lock. Immediately after the door zipped shut she discarded her helmet, showcasing a short head of red hair. She drew her pistol.
?Man, you're a natural with these modifications.? a blond-headed man said on a grated catwalk high over a docked JECO suit.
?Thanks Young. I've had experience with this class JECO.? a man came sliding out from underneath the extended arm of the unit, surrounded in wire and hanging computer pads. A dark head of black hair was appropriately ruffled.
?Don't be so modest! This kinda work's anything but easy. I'd have still been stuck on the ground mobility repairs if you hadn't come by.? Young said, crouching over him to better see how he operated.
There wasn't much to see. His typed in robotic operations to commence soldering, adjustments, and crane in the appropriate parts. What Young hoped to gain out of watching him couldn't be obtained. The feel and understanding made his calculations far more accurate than any combat-lacking engineer. ?It's nothing.?
Young came to stand, grabbing the railing and letting out a soft whistle. ?You must've seen plenty of action wherever you learned to do that. I hope to be a JECO pilot one day. Especially now, since Tier Two hopes to capitalize on their involvement with the space program now more than ever.?
?Hm?? he stopped reconfiguring the arm specifications to look at him.
?Let me get your name. When I make it big as an ace pilot I wanna look you back up.? Young looked down to his engineer jacket, the patch on the breast read 'Wentley.' ?Wentley? Is that what I call you?? grinning as he looked back down to the man.
He put the keyboard down and held out his hand. ?Tobias Wentley.? as he was pulled up rather suddenly.
Both of them turned suddenly to a rumbling coming from the end of Cargo Bay T66.
An explosion out of control put the newly installed safety systems to the test, appropriately activating gravity to prevent oceanic conflagration. The flames changed appearances drastically, and countless men had come running with extinguisher cannons. Ironeye walked beside site analyst Bruo on the outskirts of this panic.
?A bug in the system?? Bruo suggested.
?Intruders. Run a cellular scan from Docking Bay 659 to 801.? Ironeye ordered.
?Sir? A cellular scan??
?We can't very well run a heat scan, can we Bruo.? holding his wrist behind his back, and walking into the mass of men fighting to put out the fire.
The men had begun to spread out, navigating flame engulfed hallways one after the other until they were met with gunfire. Crippling them at the thighs and sending them clasping blood-spouting flesh.
?WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!? word spread to the men quickly.
?Hey, something's going on over there!? Young said, waving him on as he grabbed a repel cord. ?Come on!?
?Hmm.? the dark-haired man shut down the JECO and joined him down his own repel cord, adopting a brisk pace to reach the commotion.
The two men soon met their backs to the wall with the others, a mere hallway down from the gunfire.
The dark-haired man made a quick peek down the hall while Young grabbed a panicked man's shoulder.
?Hey, just what's going on down there??
?A rebel infiltrator! We think it's just one. But there could be others spread throughout the Tier!? a nervous man said.
More gunfire, from both sides. Considerably more firepower coming from the military staff joining the collection at Docking Bay 701.
?Cease fire.? Ironeye called, and was obeyed.
Young and Tobias both looked at him.
Silence throughout.
?Identify yourself! ... Who's back there?? he called.
More silence.
?Go ahead and tell me who you are. You one of WONG's lackeys? The cell scan identified you as a bioroid.? Ironeye educated.
?...? the red-haired gunman down the hall sighed. She had been made so soon. But this didn't change the plan. She readied a smart grenade.
?You had better tell me. You don't want me to have to come back there and fetch you.? Ironeye kept chatter up while he waited on the security capture to render. Fuzzy, less fuzzy, even less fuzzy, clear picture.
Ironeye softly gasped. ?... ? -- ?So. You're a CType.? he called out.
?... Corea. What are you doing out so far from your home? Isn't there a man you should be looking after?? the emotionless red eye of his mask looked out for her, and sure enough, she rushed out to see him, anger evident in her face. And out with her charge, she tossed the smart grenade, buzzing out into a crowd of Tier Two technicians and silencing them indefinitely.
?She's engaging us. Don't be afraid men. She is alone.? Ironeye said, drawing his giant's knife and walking over to meet her.
?What do we do, Tobias??? Young asked.
?Stay down. She reads a laying down position as surrender. Your life will be spared.? he said, peeking around the corner seeimg gunmen all around them.
?What? We should fight!? Young insisted.
?No. You're going to be an exceptional pilot, aren't you Young? You're not going to be able to do that if she kills you. And if you pick up a gun, she will.? he said.
?But, What are YOU going to do???
?Don't worry about me. I'm going to end this fight.? he stood and ran into the smoke cloud from the smart grenade.
Around Corea men were dropping with one shot each. Clean kills, mostly headshots. Ace gunsmanship and easy enough targets until the red stoplight subtly began to glow from behind her.
?Hn!!? Corea turned suddenly, avoiding the wide whisp of a giant saw swiping at her. And then another, sending her on the retreat, backpedaling.
?Where is he, Corea? Where you are, he isn't far behind.? swinging that knife into another miss, but an anticipated one, so he could shove her to the back wall. She grunted out when she collided, and several soldiers saw it opportune to shoot her. A wall full of bullets, and a laying down bioroid frozen in a pose with her pistol, still smoking from the barrel, showed what had happened before even the bodies dropped of the would-be killers.
?I got her!? a soldier yelled, ?Oomph!? as he was clocked by Tobias, catching his rifle before the man could fall unconscious with it.
?I always did enjoy a fight with you, Commander. You've outlasted me longer than any other of Wong's.? Ironeye congratulated Corea, who was far too busy shooting soldiers with a worried yet serious face.
'This isn't good. I'm almost out of ammo, and there's still plenty of gunmen. If it comes down to it, I'll just take down as many as I can.' Corea thought. ?You're finished.? she said, shooting two precision rounds at him, which indented his armor at the forearm where he had risen it to protect his red robotic eye. Corea's gun slide was back, and the chamber was empty; the whole thing, depleted. Bullets began to leak through her defense now, and one nipped her arm. In her retreat back to the docking bay hall, she got two more bullets; one in the shoulder, and one crippling her at the leg.
Ironeye's red eye gazed on emotionless. ?Is this it? Is this the battle you don't make it home from?? he asked more to himself than anyone. ?Hold your fire.?
Ironeye held up a hand and the circular walkway to all the other docking bays became quiet again, save for his heavy thunking space boots going down that hallway. Corea had readied two more smart grenades in the darkness, but before she could clamp down on them, her wrists were grabbed tightly, one each to Ironeye's clutches, nearly breaking them; certainly stopping her detonation of them.
?Trying to light us up? If you want to die so badly, have a real soldier's death.? Face to face with the Red eye. Prying the grenades from her hand and tossing them down where the fires started, effectively reigniting them. He walked back out from the shadows with her as the explosion went off and tossed her to the floor before all the soldiers who took aim.
?Fill her with bullets. Let's see how funny it is when the nanomachines can't keep up with her dying.? he rose his hand for the fire order.
A gun cocked behind Ironeye.
?This has gone far enough.? the dark-haired man said, a gun in Ironeye's back.
?Hm?' Ironeye looked behind him, and tilted his head in such a way as to say he was smiling.
?Tobias! What are you doing? You'll throw your life away!? Young called out.
?Hm? Hahahahaha! Bruo! Run a personnel check for technicians under Tobias, will you??
?Yes Sir. We have a Tobias Wentley on record. Eyes: Brown. Height: 5'10?. Hull Specialist Team--? Bruo was interrupted by more of Ironeye's laughter.
?Well. I don't have a doubt in my mind Tobias Wentley is tied up in a broom closet somewhere. What we have here gentlemen, is a special guest impostor. None other than the Palliator.? Ironeye enlightened his men.
?Any more harm comes to Corea, and your outer space playground gets shut down, Ironeye.?
?Hello Dyarhk.? Ironeye was still looking back at him.
?... Dyarhk.? Corea held onto her bullet wounds as best she could, a shake here and there, watching him with one eye squinted. She was surprised he was here.
?You know me so well? I would sooner die than have my new toy stripped from me?? he asked.
?This has gone on long enough. We're leaving.? Dyarhk said.
?I'm afraid you can't do that. You're going to have to kill me. MEN! Take aim. If I go down, you are to cease fire immediately. Otherwise, prepare to shoot. You hear that, Dyarhk? You're going to have to kill me.?
?...? Dyarhk clenched his teeth.
?HAHAHA! This is why the sight of you with a gun is so hilarious. OPEN FIRE!? he gave the order, and the bullets began to one-by-one pop around her. Ricocheting the ground, then another got a little closer. But she would not remain that fortunate. Bullets did begin to hit her. Waist, stomach, and chest, each with a bullet, two in the chest.
?COREA!? Dyarhk called out, flinging the rifle down to run past Ironeye, who watched very still. He ran and dove over Corea who was now showing blood at the mouth, but those dimly opened green eyes focused on the figure shadowing over her.
The hand of Ironeye rose up, and the barrage of bullets had stopped. Ironeye looked on, bringing his hand back down while he watched silently and in a weird way, respectfully.
?Corea! Corea!! Stay with me! You can't leave me, remember?? Your mission is to stay with me! You can't quit now!? he hollered into her face, keeping it from fading into that forever sleep.
?I-I'm sorry... I failed.? she hushed out lovingly to him.
?Negative! Your still breathing! And you're gonna keep ON breathing! Do you hear me?? COREA?!?
?I'm sorry...?
?COREA!!!?
?Ford. I want you to call a med team. Get them over here immediately. We have a dying bioroid that needs attention.? Ironeye said coolly, never taking his red light off Dyarhk and the woman he cradled.
?Excuse me, Sir?? he asked, suddenly pained in the deepest part of him. A bloody hug of steel, clenching a part of him he had never felt before. He looked down, seeing Ironeye's armored fist had shot clear through his chest cavity. He gurgled out, before ultimately falling dead on his wrist.
?Bruo, you are now the new project leader. Call a med team, immediately.?
Bruo nodded quickly, and saluted just as quickly, before running over to a docking bay phone.
?T-This is new projects leader Bruo. We have an injured at Docking Bay 701. Require assistance immediately. ? he went on with event specifics, and further directioning and explanation. But all of it was shut out while Dyarhk repeatedly stroked Corea's face; keeping her emerald eyes open.
?...Dyarhk?? Corea whispered.
?They're coming, Corea. I'm not going to let you go. I'll never let you go.? he said up against her face, tears flowing.
?Permission to say something personal, Sir.? she sluggishly spoke out.
?Save your energy, dammit. Don't talk!? he pleaded.
?... You. were my best assignment.? unable to smile, so her eyes longingly did so for her. This in-turn, only produced more water works from the man who held her up. The med team had just arrived while Dyarhk saw her to a freeze slab that begins work right away on ceasing death's progression with rich proteins. He watched them run her off. All the surrounding men stood in awe, they thought she was going to die for sure.
?She'll make it.? Ironeye said.
?Grr ? Grrr!!!? Dyarhk turned and swung a powerful punch which clapped caught into the hand of Ironeye.
?Save your strength. I briefly considered knocking you out until she had healed. But I would think you would want to be there for her through the entire ordeal. This entire facility is new and not yet open to the public. I will assign you a quarters. Now GO!? he pushed Dyarhk, who snapped out of it rather quickly, turned, and chased after the med team.
After some time, a soldier approached Ironeye. ?Sir? If I might ask, Why are we helping the enemy??
?No. You may not ask.? he said, walking away with a look of anger in his red light.