"maynard just sucks nuts"
-Montaro
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| Part 2 of Nightmare above Dylar | | | Author: | | | IP: | 24.66.17XXXX | | Date: | 07/24/00 11:07 | | Game Type: | Starcraft | | Labels: | none | | Report Rating: , # of Ratings: 1, Max: 8, Min: 8
Lifetime Rating for [LoR]-Napoleic: 7.3333 |  |
The CWS Avenger was in a high orbit over Dylar IV, one of the main bases of power of the Confederacy. The Battlecruiser was low on supplies: Emergency compressed air cannisters, foodstuffs, and emergency repair crews, (They had mostly been evaporated by that damn carrier as they tried to batton down a loose outer plate). It was here that it was to refuel.
Matt Harmon, the lead mechanic of the yamato drive, scowled impatiently.
"Jeezus where the hell is that thing?"
"Dunno boss, guess it'll get here when it gets here", replied his second in command and best friend, Travis Bouten.
"Well goddamn I don't know how they think that beast is going to fire without it's actuator. Fucking skinnies just had to hit that. Jeesus!"
It was obvious that he was very upset by the lack of an actuator, but that was his way. He cared about his job, and he took a lot of pride in it, and when he couldn't do it, he got frustrated very quickly.
"Okay mate, well take it easy. You know it'll work out in the end."
That's Travis, he was always laid back, a balance to his boss's fiery temper.
Colonel Regehr sat back in his chair contentedly. As cheif intelligence officer, his work was brief, but very exciting when it did come. The ghost sipped some lemonade as he rifled through his files. He thought back to a week ago, as he partook in his most dangerous and important mission yet...
The ghost slipped quietly through the corridors, eyes ever alert and aware. The strange technology was unnerving but he kept his cool. His paces rang out on the hard, purple flooring, but he knew only he could hear them. The activated cloaking device at his waist would damp down any noice he might make. As he drew closer to his target, he slipped a lockdown shell into the C-10 and chased it down with 9 other normal shells. His weapon was the latest in technology, and he was confident that it would be able to see him threw any trouble. Any trouble...
"Heh," he muttered to himself, "Almost as if I don't know what trouble there will be." But he knew, he knew exactly what was ahead.
He rounded the final corner before his destination. He was on a balcony, overlooking the Protoss high command. Flanked by dragoons, a high templar hovered just before the main control breaks. It was his psionic powers that directed the Carrier, as it's interceptors tore into the crippled Avenger, a kilometer away.
"You think your hot shit, don't you bub. Sitting there all pretty, all happy, just blowing my shit away. Without a care in the world eh? I'll give you a care!" murmered Regehr, as he slipped another lockdown shell into the cannister.
Twin sounds of a vague, electrical hissing noise, sounded to the right and left of the templar. It glanced around in bewilderment, then began to gather its energies for a psionic storm.
About 100 metres away, Regehr grinned at the locked down dragoons, then set his remaining eight shells to work. He saw the Templar preparing to storm, so he quickly lobbed a gas grenade to the right. As it exploded in fumes, blue lightning crackled impotently about it.
"heh, sucker,"
Then his gun went to work.
The High Templar tried to run away, but an explosive shell impacted it's legs. It was no longer able to hover, after expending it's energies with a storm. Another shell impacted its khaydarin amulet, then another it's breast plate. As it's blue blood began to seep out it collapsed to the ground. 4 more shells struck it before Regehr, satisfied, vacated the premises.
"You really ought to have some bourban and a cigar, after an operation like that," said Commodore Kohl.
"No thanks sir, lemonade, and maybe some nice soft cookies. Oh I'd kill for a nice warm soft cookie right now"
"Haha, ok I'll see what I can do, now that we're clear of the worst of it. Looks like that Carrier won't be bothering terran space for a while. They're damn lucky they knocked out the actuator before we knew they were there."
"I'd say we're damn lucky we knocked out their templar before he knew I was there..."
"Ahh, good point Regehr. Now if only our luck will hold...?"
Regehr caught the hint and scowled, before returning to his lemonade bliss.
Lueitenant Hautamaki was having a hard day. The blasted shuttle was late, the comm station was a disaster area, and he was short an emergency repair crew. He really felt for the poor guys too. Emergency repair crews were usually chosen for their stupidity and expendabilty. The retards, malcontents, and basically anyone who couldn't even qualify to be a marine, qualified to be an emergency repair crewman. Like everything confederate, the name was propaganda bullshit. They should be called suicide repair crewmen. It was their job to don faulty, unreliable zero-g space suits, float to the outside of the battlecruiser, and attempt to repair vital parts, in the middle of a battle. Robots could be used, but this was a handy way of getting rid of society's unwanteds. The survival rate was less than 2 missions.
Lueitenant Hautamaki, the head communication's officer, flipped open channel 3:
"Where the hell are you for god's sakes? We gotta get this crate ready for combat by next week!"
"Look on your radar jackass!" came the terse reply. This concerned Nic greatly. That tone was not very calm or collected at all.
"What the fuck radar do you think we got up here? This bad boy is falling apart!"
"Oh my god, buddy, there's a swarm headed right at you. Haven't you been filling the escape modules? Your all gonna die!"
"What the fuck! Oh shit... this ain't no prank is it?"
"No, get the fuck outta there, the scourge are about 10 minutes away!"
"Aww great... well thanks for the heads up asshole!"
Hautamaki flipped on channel 9, which broadcast to the whole ship.
"This is not a drill. Zerg swarms incoming, all crew evac to the nearest life raft. I repeat this is not a drill."
Crew Cheif Harmon's head snapped up.
"Shit, now I'll never that mofo repaired. Come on boys, we're checking outta this dump!" He signalled to the crew to follow him, as only the commanders actually knew where the escape pods were, in case of emergencies. The closest life boat was one deck down, but fairly close. As they arrived at the scene, all the mechanics in the area gathered around.
"Ok, we're doing this properly. Petty Officers first!"
"What about you sir?"
"I gotta organise this zoo, you go ahead Travis. I'll see you on Dylan old friend."
The two clasped hands, then Travis was swept into the stampede of petty officers running for their lives. Harmon bawled out directions, and managed for the most part to keep the crew organised.
Corporal Bussman was one of the 500 marines on board the Avenger.
"Ok boys, knowing confederate policy, there is not going to be enough room for us. So we're going to have to make some room!" He hefted his rifle and began loading up a clip.
"Stow that weapon soldier! There will be room for everybody. Mutiny is inconcievable!" The sergeant bawled out. In this particular barracks were 20 marines under the sergeant. The barracks were lined up along this hallway. All 500 marines were cramped into a tiny area along the loading deck.
"Bullshit, we're expendable and you know it. I'm not going to wait for my death, I got more kills left in me."
"Soldier I am ordering you to put down that weapon. When it's our turn to evac, an officer will retrieve us."
"You can wait for him then!" Something had snapped in the conditioning. He wasn't an ordinary marine, he was far too intelligent to be a grunt. However he was part of a government experiment to see if you really could make better officers by bringing them up in the marines first. They hoped his conditioning had been sufficient to quell his intelligence until they deemed him fit to command. They were wrong.
Shane "Vega" Bussman cracked his rifle over the sergeant's head and signalled to the marines, "Come on boys, there's a life boat waiting for us!"
They looked uncertain, hesitant, but Shane's charisma finally galvanised them into action and they sprang up and followed him out.
"Fuck I don't know where the evac is" He murmered to himself. Instinctually he grasped the necessity of making it seem like he did, for the good of his men. He thought of them as his men now, oddly, and he felt responsibe for them. He also felt it was wisest not to let the other marines know about his mutiny. Him and his crew were in it for good now.
"Oh my god!" Commodore Kris Kohl murmered. His beloved ship was lost. He couldn't believe the injustice of it, and a white hot hatred awakened within him.
"Come on sir, I'll escort you to the escape pod."
Quietly, but but with steel, "No."
"Sir? We've got to go sir."
"No, no, Im staying here. There must be something I can still do. Some strategy I'm not seeing"
"Sir, there's nothing. This ship is not in fighting trim, we've got to abandon her."
Kris walked over to the view port, where the zerg were just becoming visible.
"Here they come" he said it with a ghostlike smile
"Guardians too, looks like they want to take the planet as well."
"Sir, we've got to evacuate the ship."
"No you go on ahead without me. I will figure something out. There must be a way."
"Sir, I won't leave you. You must come!"
"Leave me Colonel, or die with me."
"Very well then. I'm not going to get myself killed. See ya Sir. It's been great under you." Hoping that show of callousness would bring his commander to his senses, he left for the nearest escape pod.
"Ok men, I guess the ship pretty much knows whats up. Let's get outta here ourselves." Hautamaki flipped off channel 9 and ran for the nearest escape pod. As he left though, he could hear something behind him. He turned around and went back, only to see Channel 6 buzzing. He flipped open the switch.
"Sir, Hautamaki here." Channel 6 was the private channel from the bridge.
"Tell our boys not to get into the life rafts. The scourge are taking them out! Our boys are sitting ducks. Tell them to launch the life rafts but not to get in them."
"Sir yes sir!" Hurriedly Hautamaki flipped open channel 9.
"All crew this is an emergency announcement! Do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT get into any life rafts. The zerg are destroying them, their nothing but coffins. Launch the life rafts, but do not get into ANY! I repeat:..."
Harmon turned white with rage, guilt, and helplessness. His best friend, probably a victim of a scourge he never saw, while he was still out here, perfectly fine. The remaining crewers, the lowest ranked, looked up at him expectantly.
"Well than what the fuck are we supposed to do?" He screamed at the speaker.
"Umm, sir, I believe he said to launch--"
"Shut the fuck up bottom feeder. I heard it!" Inwardly he thanked the pimply teen, he had momentarily forgotten. He ran to the remaining pods, launching them, taking grim satisfaction that the scourge would kill themselves pointlessly on them. Thinking quickly he decided the safest place would be the innermost bowels of the ship, in the supply hold.
"Come on boys, this is no place to be. We'll be the first to go once the scourge get past our pods. We're going to the middle." With that, he led the way.
"Sir, do you know where your going?"
"Of course I do, be quiet private."
"But sir, that guy said that the escape pods were getting all killed and stuff!"
"Its just a trick. They're trying to keep us off. You know how these confederates work!"
Kohl sipped the half empty glass of lemonade dejectedly. His most loyal crewmate had left him. This was surely the end. He had warned the crew, but now what? He had never felt so out of control of the situation. What to do?
He finished the lemonade. That's when it hit him. This self pity was not helping anyone or anything. Regehr was right, he had to get out of here. No wait, Regehr was wrong... but there was a rightness about it. He had to act, yes, that's it. He had to act. First, he had to retake command of the ship. He signalled the Communications officer again. Please god still be there. Yes!
"Sir, Hautamaki here." What the fuck kind of name was Hautamaki anyways? Oh well, no consequence now.
"Tell the crew to meet in the supply area. Light up the way. I want all crewers to be able to find their way there. We're going to make it through this!"
Actually he had no doubt at all that they would all die, but he at least thought they had the power to choose their own end. He headed down there.
As the message rang through the corridors and the lights signalled the way, Harmon smiled to himself. He was right after all.
Bussman held up a fist, and as one the platoon came to a halt behind him. So far he managed to hold on to their loyalty, he hoped he could make it last. After the latest message finished playing, yellow lights turned on, signalling the way.
"Let me think here. I guess they really are losing pods. Either that or it's a trap. Lock and load boys, we're doing this the cautious way."
Hautamaki turned off the transmitter and left the area. All the other communications boys had already left for the life boats. He could only hope at least some of his friends got the message in time. Following the lights he set up, he began the long trip to the supply hold.
* * * * *
The Commodore surveyed the survivors. 3 gunners and the pilot had followed him here, and he confided in them his true thoughts, mostly because he felt he needed to. As a result, they became all the more loyal to their commander. They were just impressed that he stayed behind to help out the crew.
In addition, there was some of the mechanical crew. About 30 of them, under Crew Cheif Threadkell had made it. There was also a few comm guys under Hautamaki, and the Supply officer.
"Freeze! Hold it right there! Yeah all of you. Nobody move!"
Shane "Vega" Bussman, with his 20 marines, called out the commands as he and his men filed into the room, C-4 carbines levelled.
"You, what the hell is going on here!" he motioned to Kohl.
"What do you think your doing Corporal? This is my ship. Put down those weapons."
Some of the men lowered their guns, but none would relinquish them.
"Hey dipshit, we're all in this together. Get a grip!"
Threadkell yelled out.
"Shut up! I want answers. Where are the other marines?"
"They got onto life boats and perished" said Hautamaki.
The other marines looked at Bussman suspiciously.
"Oh they did did they? Am I to take it these are the only survivors then?"
"Yes, all survivors were to come here, and you were the last to arrive." answered Kohl.
"Very well then, what's going on?" As he said that, he too lowered his gun, as did the rest of his men.
"All of the people who got onto escape pods are now dead. The zerg seem to be after the planet mostly. A Confederate fleet will arrive to repel the attack shortly. At that time we will be rescued. All we have to do is survive until then. Chan, what supplies have we got?"
The supply officer glanced down at his list before starting.
"Air for two hours. About 10 gallons of water. No food. No ammo. No repair supplies. Basically nothing."
The hold was dead silent. A few feet shuffled. The men glanced nervously at each other.
Kohl finally broke the silence.
"Ok let's discuss options. As long as the life support generators are on, Air won't be a problem. Food, well, we can go for a few days without. Water, water will be a problem. We'll have to ration it off. You marines will have to defend us if we're boarded. You mechanics will have to do what you can if the ship comes under fire. Hautamaki, get in touch with Tarsonis if you can. The rest of us will look for more supplies."
*Crang* *Crang* *CRANG*
"We're taking fire sir!"
"Yes I can hear that. Where is it?"
"Sounds like the forward laser battery" replied Threadkell.
"Ok let it go. You mechanics, start sealing this place off. Noone's going anywhere, so let's reinforce it." Ordered Kohl.
"With what tools? How the hell are we supposed to do anything?" Harmon was not at all happy with this turn of events. Of course the zerg would finish off the wounded Battlecruiser.
"Let's go get your tools. Come on, we're all in this together, remember?" Bussman raised his weapon and signalled his men, glad to be able to do something to help.
"Ok, you marines escort the mechanics back to their deck, but come back straight away."
"Right!"
"Goddamnit, now what can I do? I can't get to the comm deck, it's too exposed to fire." Hautamaki paced the confined area dejectedly.
"Hmm, theres a communicator in here ain't there. Can't your rig it up somehow?" asked Chan.
"Heh, its only for this ship, but I may as well try."
With a grim determination, Hautamaki began pulling apart the short range comm and attempting to coax a little more range out of it.
Bussman followed Harmon nervously, gun at the ready. He didn't think he'd see any zerg, but he was still seized with trepidation. They managed to make it to the mech deck all right, and the Harmon directed his men to grab vital supplies. Welders, spanners, propane tanks and the like were picked up and stowed. Meanwhile the Marines fanned out to protect them.
"God I wish a we had a medic," wispered one to another.
In about 15 minutes Harmon signalled to Bussman that he was ready.
"Ok back to base men. Keep your heads up!"
They had just left the room when they heard it. A low, guttural sound. Only Bussman, who had been in combat before, recognised the noise.
"Hydras! Move move move!"
Suddenly the grotesque creatures scittered into view, spines flying. Like hornets they buzzed towards the men, then tore through them at high velocity. C-4 rifles opened up into the terrifying beasts at the end of the corridor. With sinister snarls they advanced, preparing to use their long scythe-like forelimbs to rip apart the terrans. Several of the men lay on the ground screaming in agony with hundreds of spines protruding from their bodies, raising sickly purple welts all over them.
Harmon grabbed up a weapon from a fallen marine, directing his men to do the same. As the rifles began to fire in more and more numbers, the hydras were driven back.
"Come on guys, we gotta get outta here. Leave the dead and wounded, there's nothing we can do for them." Shane snapped another clip into place and led the shell shocked men out of the area.
"Please don't leave me! I'm only 17, I don't want to die!" The hideously wounded kid was the same who had reminded Harmon at the escape pods.
"Sorry kid. Sorry." Harmon really was sorry, as he pointed the muzzle of the gun at the kids face, and squeezed the trigger.
"How the fuck are we going to live through this?"
* * * * *
"Ok whats our losses?" Called out Bussman, as soon as the men had moved out of the area.
"I lost 4 mechanics." said Harmon. His face was ashen with grief at the horror he was unprepared to witness, but his jaw was set stubbornly.
"We lost 5 Marines too sir." said Lee, the other Corporal in the platoon. He deferred to Shane anyhow, even though they were of the same rank. He sensed the inner greatness, as did all the others, of Shane "Vega" Bussman.
"And we only took out 1 hydra. But we busted 3 more up pretty badly. Either we'll make it back to the base safely, or we'll be hit by much bigger numbers of Zerg. Pray for option 1. They won't make the same mistake twice."
With that he started the men on their journey once again.
"You makin any progress there Hautamaki?" Asked Kohl expectantly.
"It's real hard without any equipment, parts, or time sir, but I'm doing all I can."
"Maybe I can help out." Said Chan, "Whaddaya need?"
"Well, some pliers, clippers, wires, mostly. The problem with this thing is that it's only wired to send and recieve to this ship. If I can rewire it and get it a larger power source, I might be able to reach Dylar IV."
"Ok I'll see what I can find you," replied Chan.
"Hey, we can look too." Said Kohl, motioning to his new friends. As they rummaged about through the crates, names and hometowns were passed around.
"Kevin Quong, New Vancouver, Tarsonis" The pilot was extremely young, but gifted for his age. He said little, but his words carried a weight beyond his years.
"Larry Ruffin, I'm from Tarsonis Prime. Man I got a wife and two young kids there. I can't die in this flying casket." He was the eldest one there, nearly 40 years old. That he had survived as a gunner so long was a testament to his skill.
"Arik Cardenas, I'm from New Texas, on Chau Sara. Guess it ain't there any longer though. Fucking toss." Normally a happy go lucky kinda guy, he was short on jokes under these circumstances.
"David Tang, Hinter, Mar Sara. Man this sucks. I just wanted to be a frieken prospector. Why the hell do you gotta have military service first?"
"Lets just find that stuff and help Nic out here." said Kris.
"What was that?"
"What?"
"I think I hear something Sir!" said Lee in a wisper.
"Quiet it down a bit Linus. Get ready, pass the word." replied Bussman.
"Pass the word, get ready for an attack"
Down the line it went, and all the marines raised their weapons fearfully.
After about 5 minutes, the men started to relax a bit. Nothing seemed to be happening after. Nobody heard any more noises. The men came to another 4 way juncture, and Harmon motioned straight ahead to Bussman, who nodded as he continued on. They were nearly back.
Suddenly a terrifying screech echoed through the halls, and little zergs came bounding towards the party from all sides!
"Zerglings! Everyone back to back, don't let them get close. Use your spanners if you have to!" Shouted out Bussman. The corridors were wide enough for men to walk 4 abreast, which made plenty of room for the zerglings to advance. As one the rifles opened up into the lings, stopping the front row short, but did little to slow the mass. From behind, the zerglings leaped over the corpses of the fallen. It was mere seconds before they were in close, and the screaming of wounded men competed with their harsh shrieks.
Bussman found himself at the head of the group with the only gun. He fired in a wide spray as the mechanics to his right and left drew out spanners and pipes. They seemed insignificant when looking at the long talons and fang filled mouth of the horrifying creatures before them. After downing only 1 ling, he was pounced upon and his rifle skittered away. Long gashes were opened up just below both shoulders, and the ling's eyes seemed to glitter just before it lowered it's head to administer the fatal bite. Just then, a spanner struck it on it's side, and, balance thrown off, it rolled to the side. "Vega" whipped out his long combate knife and began to stab it as another mechanic grabbed his rifle and fired wildly into the mass of advancing zerglings. The tide was unstoppable however, and the spanner wielding mechanic cried out in fear and pain as another zergling lept atop him. Bussman scrambled to his feet and began to run back for another rifle when he felt a crushing weight on his back. He was pinned and could do little but wait for his death, when suddenly the weight was jerked off him. Standing before him was a ghost, lead pipe in one hand, smoking C-10 in the other. He grinned death's grin as he turned towards the lings.
"Bring it on bad boys! You think you're all that! I got all that right here!"
He needn't have bothered. After brutally mauling the 3 mechanics with Bussman, the Lings advanced. The Ghost was surprisingly big, and more surprising still, moved with a catlike grace and speed. His Cannister rifle popped off 10 shots in rapid succesion, reducing the lings to bleeding husks. More and more lept over them however, and the screams ringing throughout the corridors did little to encourage.
"Fuck, time to go!" spat out the Ghost as he dropped his empty rifle and grabbed up a spanner. He turned towards the rest of the party, which was mostly overrun with zerglings. Back to back, as Bussman ordered, a few pockets of resistance held out. Bussman snatched up another rifle and ran over to help out his men.
Harmon hefted the rifle uncomfortably when he too heard the screeching.
"Aww fuck, now what?"
Then they rounded the corner. He was caught right in the middle, in a tight pocket of men. The marines moved to the right and left, firing at lings approaching from both sides. Harmon also moved over to help them with his own gun. Mechanics stayed in the middle, pulling out spanners and pipes to help if they could. Behind them a few trailers were also caughtm with Lee at the very back. Linus'll hold em, thought Harmon. In what seemed like mere seconds the lings were upon them. Leaping into the marines at 40 miles per hour they toppled them over then attempted to bite or gouge them to death with a sickly array of fangs and sickle like claws. The Mechanics hefted their weapons heroically, attempting the bash the lings into submission with the blunt weapons, but they were having little real effect. Harmon lept on top of a nearby box, where he managed to fire without being to bothered by the swarm of creatures all around. The bullets managed to stop the lings without too much trouble, it was the fact that there were always 10 more behind the one you dropped that was the real problem. The lines collapsed under the weight of the fallen bodies and gore. Red blood soaked the corrider and bits of bodies littered the passageway. Never had anyone experienced such a sickening, primal fight for life. Each man became a single, desperate animal, trying only to outlive the next few seconds. Tears rolled down Harmon's face as he shot wildly, one second blasting a ling, the next, putting an old friend out of his misery.
Linus Lee, the Valkyrae as he liked to be known, was in a heap of trouble. With 4 marines he was in charge of keeping the column together and moving. Now he was in charge of protecting it's flank.
"Ok men, 2 kneel ahead of us. Always shoot for the closest ling. Let them by, don't let yourself get tackled."
With that, the four of them simultaneously squeezed their triggers, unleashing a hail of bullets down the corridor. The walls splattered with the blood and carapace of the lings as the bullets splashed home with grotesque thuds, but the lings were scarcely deterred. Their dead were merely trampled underneath by the ravenous horde. Like a wave, the lings broke over the grim warriors. It was impossible to avoid being tackled in the close quarters, and the lings began their revenge, eviscerating the men. Lee, kneeling before the marines, was lept clean over. The lings did not seem to perceive him as a threat, because he was not standing up. This didn't last however, as he sprayed bullets into the face of an approaching ling. At first he was able to stem the tide a little, and the tackled men behind him were saved by the brutal pounding of several mechanics with heavy tools. Suddenly a ling pounced on him. Around him, the mechanics were fleeing for the center, where a better resistance might have been made. He found himself utterly abandoned. He grasped the forelimb of the zergling and braced his hand around what might be considered it's neck. It's jaws snapped as he wrestled with it, but it's single, brutal claw drew closer to his breast.
"Let's talk about his!" He begged in his most urgent tone.
"I don't want to die!"
his wailing seemed to have no effect on the killing machine. The sickle like abomination settled upon his heaving chest, and he gathered himself for his final effort. Muscles straining against the beast, he attempted to throw it to the side, but it set it's feet apart and with maniacal determination, slowly but surely pushed the claw downwards.
"No no no!" he screamed in fear and agony as his ribs were slowly separated and his lung was slowly punctured. His eyes squeezed shut, then bulged open, and the lights of the corridor swirled before him, growing brighter and brighter till all else was drowned out, and his chest gave one last heaving sigh.
"Come on Marine, we're going to get outta here." It was the ghost, beckoning to Bussman.
"No, I can't leave my friends. We're all going to make it!
Hey!" He called out at the top of his lungs. This way, come on!"
"..ey.." Harmon turned towards the sound. There was Bussman, with a ghost. They were waving at him to go to them.
"Hey, this way, This way boys! We got an escape route!"
He lept down from on top of the box and signalled to the few remaining marines and mechanics still alive. All had C-4's by now, and were engaged in brutal close combat consisting mainly of shooting the lings off your friend as fast as you could, then hoping the favour would be returned.
The men, back back, began a fighting withdrawal. As Harmon approached Bussman, he saw him and the ghost engaged in holding off lings. Bussman, wielding 2 rifles, was a spectre of death, raking down lings left and right. The ghost was even more impressive. With smooth, measured strokes he smashed and zergling that got close with a pair of pipes ripped out from the walls.
"Come on, with only two ways to get at us we'll be safe in one corridor." said the ghost.
Back to back, the men stood thier ground. The lings could only approach from 2 sides now, and with 8 men firing, the corridor's were saturated with fire. In another 15 minutes, it was all over.
"Dear lord, that was horrid." exclaimed Harmon.
"Let's not talk about it." Replied Bussman.
"Come on, we're almost there."
Fully 200 dead lings were scattered about the corrider, along with all but 10 of the men who had set out. By now they were so soaked in blood and so covered with wounds it was impossible to tell who was marine and who was mechanic.
Kris Kohl's hand went to his mouth when the survivors staggered in.
"Dear lord, what the hell happened?"
"Zerg on board. Got to seal it off."
In walked Regehr behind them.
"Regehr! You're here! I thought you died on an escape pod!"
"No sir, I couldn't possibly leave you."
"Why you hoser! I'm so glad you made it. Looks like you came in handy too." said Kohl, eyeing the bloody, zerg covered pipes.
"Heh, Im the hoseriest hoser who ever hosed a hose. Now could someone hose me down?" replied Regehr with a grin.
"Sorry, water is very limited" said Chan with a frown.
"I got some clean uniforms though, here, pass em around."
"My god, Linus! Where is Linus?" choked out Bussman.
"I'm sorry sir, I saw him go down. He died heroically."
"Good god! Not him too. We've got to get out of this coffin. We're all going to die here."
"No we're not" said Harmon with conviction. "We'll weld this place shut. Nothing will be able to get to us. Come on boys, let's get to work."
Though they were all soaked with their own blood, none complained about getting to work right away. They had changed. Noone was afraid, noone was dissident. After that they were nothing but grim, determined animals. Determined to survive, and avenge the brutally murdered.
"Is there any lemonade?"
"No Regehr, sorry. No cookies either."
"Pshaw, what kind of supply hold is this?"
Soon all the men were changed into clean clothes and had wiped off the blood and guts of the battle. The leaders had gathered into a corner to talk things over while the marines and mechanics went to work welding and barring the way shut.
"Ok, what are our options? What is left to do here?" asked Kohl.
"Well we can hold out for maybe another 2 days, depending on how bad the zerg want us. They boarded the ship for one of two reasons. They want us, or they want the ship." said Regehr.
"Can we even leave? Is it even possible? I think the only thing we can do is die here like rats." said Harmon dejectedly.
"Sure we can leave. We can seal off this room and blast clean. The Battlecruiser is comparmentalised. Even if everything else is destroyed, this area can survive." that from Bussman.
"Right, and I have the codes to self destruct the rest of it, but I can't ensure our safety. Besides, any chance we'd have of being rescued would be much slimmer. Furthermore we'd be cut off from life support and power. I don't think we should consider that option right now." said Kohl.
"Oh, then what are you saying? We stay here and rot? Or wait till the zerg come and get us? What other options can we consider?"
"That's what I'm asking. We aren't blowing up the Avenger just yet."
"Hey I'm getting something. I got Dylar!" Hautamaki exclaimed happily. "Come here, listen up!"
"...zerg...ing... help... please god, we're all going to die!......... Everywhere... bloody... overwhelmed...oh my god...NO!...NOOO!!....AARRGH!"
The men stared at the receiver with wide eyes.
"Mother fuck."
"Just our luck..."
"Oh dear lord, now what?"
"Ok people, that was a distress signal to Tarsonis I'll bet. We'll be saved for sure, they can't refuse that." Kohl looked around hopefully at the grim faces of the others.
"We can just hold out here. It'll be fine!" he tried again.
"Nobody's buying it boss." Bussman scowled in disgust.
Suddenly the lights dimmed.
"Oh fuck, they got the main power." Harmon ran a hand through his hair worriedly. "That about solves it, we got to get out of here. No sense in staying. We get to pick our fate. Personally I'd rather not pick death by zerg."
"No, no, we can't blow up the Avenger. There's no way! The Avenger is our home! We can't leave her!" Kohl cried out in protest.
"Im sorry sir, we got no choice. Punch in the codes, we're cheking out of this coffin."
"But we'll just be floating in empty space! There's no point in blowing it up!"
"He's lost it." Said Harmon to Bussman. Bussman nodded as he grasped his knife.
"Look, sir, you've got to get us out of here. Your the only one who can." Bussman pressed the knife to Kohl's throat.
"You're threatening me? But, why?"
"Hey, it don't matter. I know the codes." Regehr said to them, as he stood beside a com port. "There, that should do it. We got 10 minutes."
"Hey everyone, we're separating from the ship, and blowing the ship up. Finish what your welding and then hold on tight. We're going for a ride!" called out Harmon.
*Clang* *Clang*
"Sir, they're trying to bust in!" a mechanic called over to Harmon.
"What?"
"The zerg! They're busting through my job!"
"Fuck, grab a weapon! We've got a fight on our hands!"
With a screeching sound the metal ripped clean and hydra's leered at them from the crack. They were answered with bullets, as the men desperately opened fire. Spines flew back in return, puncturing skin and flesh, and creating ugly purple welts. Men screamed as they were hit, but the crack of the door was a mass of red as hydras were cut down by bullets.
"Come on, we got to seal that or we'll be doomed when the ship explodes!" called out Regehr. Harmon nodded as he passed his rifle over and grabbed a sheet of metal. He sprinted over to Regehr and the two hefted it, preparing to place it over the hole under the cover of the rifle's fire. Suddenly a spine struck Harmon in the leg. Then Regehr was hit. The devious hydralisks had guessed their plan and aimed to stop it.
Kevin the pilot, along with Larry, David and Arik grabbed up the plate and pushed onwards. Using it as cover, they managed to make it to the hole and put the plate over it. Of course, as soon as they set it down, it was pushed away by the hydras. Using rifles and all their might, they managed to discourage the hydras and begin welding the plate on. It was only after the danger had passed that they noticed the spines covering their bodies. The angry welts spread as they moaned in pain, writhing on the ground, their adrenaline spent.
"Sir, I'm glad we helped sir." Was all David could choke out, before he passed out.
"Cover them with blanket's who else is gone?" ordered Kohl.
"A better question is who else is left." Said Bussman.
"Me, Regehr, Shane, You, sir, Chan, and Nic." said Harmon.
Then the ship began it's destruct sequence. All around them they felt the vibrations as the ship exploded compartment by compartment.
"That puts paid to the zerg anyways." said Bussman with a grim satisfaction.
"Yeah, but my beautiful ship. Ahh, It's over now. Let's just try to survive the next few days."
Soon it was over, nothing remained but the 6 men and their improvised escape pod, floating through space, alone.
"What do you suppose the afterlife is like?" Asked Hautamaki, making conversation. They sat on boxes in a circle. Chan had opened one of the air cannisters and it was creating a nice breeze.
"I dunno man. Nice conversation topic." said Harmon.
"I always imagined it was like dreaming. Just never ending dreams until the end of time."
"You are dreaming. Once the brain is dead, it's impossible. There's just black nothingness." grunted Bussman.
"Thats a horrible notion. Don't any of you think there's some other world we go to?" asked Chan.
"Heh, I'm an atheist. Anyone who saw what I did would be."
was Bussman's response.
"I just can't accept the notion of black nothingness." Said Hautamaki.
"Then don't. Nobody asked you to." replied Regehr.
"Ugh can't we talk about something else?" asked Kohl. "When we get rescued, I'm going to find the biggest ass brothel and erase all memories of this experience!"
"Here here!" echoed Chan.
Suddenly it began to grow very hot inside the module.
"Hmm, thats strange" said Kohl. Then they realised the problem all at once.
"Oh my god, we're reentering!" cried Hautamaki.
"Oh jeez, time to find out if my boys did they're work!" exclaimed Harmon.
"Everybody grab something. This is going to hurt!" Said Kohl.
There was about 30 seconds of terse silence as they plummeted towards the ground. The atmosphere of Dylar IV is extremely dense and filled with hot, rising gasses. As a result, terminal velocity was not actaully fatal. People, in the proper suits, had been known to survive extremely high drops. When the pod did land, they could tell by the rocking motion that they had landed in water.
"Phew, that was a close call. Well we're all still alive. Thats a good sign at least." Exclaimed Kohl.
"No wait, look down!" said Harmon.
"Water, the crash sprung a leak." Bussman muttered, disbelieving.
"Why the fuck does this shit always happen to me! Does the world not want me to live? Am I supposed to die? Argh this is always what happens to me. It pisses me off!" Regehr paced the narrow confines ranting.
"Well I guess that seals it, we really are all going to die." said Harmon.
Even Kohl nodded his head.
"Can you guys help me find that leak? I don't want to drown to death. Thats a horrible way to go. Not drowning."
Hautamaki pleaded with them, his wide eyes imploring them not to give in.
"What's the point? We may as well drown." That from Chan.
"Here," Said Harmon. "Here it is", he pointed at a loose plate. He broke out a welding iron and sealed it shut.
"Thank you. Thank you." Hautamaki sat back down nervously.
The faces of the men were masks of grimmness. All had accepted their fate. They knew that when the air ran out they would suffocate to death, far away from any hope of being saved.
"I can't take this crap any more. This is bullshit. I don't want to wait to die. I can damn well go right now!" Chan sloshed about in the ankle deep water. "Drowing ain't so bad. I'm just using up air anyways. That's it." Nobody made a move to stop him. He dunked his face into the water and held it there. Thirty seconds passed. Then a minute. Then he jerked his head up, gasping.
"Shit, fucking fuck shit. I can't do it. I can't hold myself down there." His eyes looked up at the men around him. They seemed to be asking for something. Bussman was the first to nod. Then the others caught on. Clenching their jaws, they nodded.
Chan put his head under the water, and they stepped on his back and shoulders. Thirty seconds passed, then a minute. He began to thrash under their weight. Every muscle heaved as he tried to fight free. In another thirty seconds it was over, he stopped moving.
Hautamaki's shoulders began to heave as he looked down at the corpse. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the body.
"It's ok. He's dreaming now. Happy dreams." said Shane, putting his arm around Nic's shoulders.
"Dear god, is that what's to become of us?" Harmon looked around at the others.
"He said 2 hours worth. That was for 60 men. Now there's 5 of us. How much time does that give us?"
"Don't look at me, I hate math." said Regehr.
"Here, I'll do it." Kohl took out his note pad and began scribbling down numbers.
"24 hours. We got a day."
"Any hope of the Confederate's coming within a day?"
"No, none. We really are screwed." Kohl looked down dejectadly.
"Hey Hautamaki, what about the comm? Is that thing still alive?" asked Regehr.
"Nope, it was wired to the Avenger. No power now. No nothing."
"Oh no?" Asked Regehr. "Then what's powering the lights?"
"Hey now that's a thought" said Harmon.
"Yeah can't you reroute the power to the comm?" Asked Bussman.
"I can try," Said Harmon. "Here, take one down."
They stood up prying at a light. It was useless, it was protected by a steel cage.
"Goddamnit I'll show that mofo cage!" Said Hautamaki, galvanised into action. He grabbed up a gun and started battering the cage with the butt.
"Here gimme that. Let a Manly man handle it!" Regehr snatched up the gun, and, with his massive arms heaving, dislodged the cage and pried off the light.
"Hah, good work Regehr!" Said Kohl. "Come on Nic, you can do it!"
Hautamaki looked up at the wires leading to the light.
"The comm is over there and light is up there. I need more wires."
"Here" Harmon passed him a handful.
Carefully wrapping them together, Hautamaki strung the wires to the comm. Taking out a little screwdriver, he took off the top and began connecting in the wire. Every eye bored into his back and the wills of each man was bent towards him, wanting him to succeed, willing it to work. Finally he turned towards them
"Here goes nothing."
"..................................pssh................pssh......................................pshhs..............--" then the lights went dim.
"What the fuck! It should work!" cried out Hautamaki. Bussman was the first to see.
"Say, I don't suppose this wreck is bouyant, do you?"
"Umm, no. It is just a big hunk of steel. There's probably loads of wreckage on the outside pulling it down."
"I don't suppose that the comm works too well half a click under water, do you?"
"Oh my fucking god. Your right. Oh dear lord, it's over now. Fuck we should have gotten out when we could!" Kohl cursed himself for not thinking of it.
"Fuck we could have been in the middle of nowhere or right beside a goddamned beach. FUCK!" Harmon yelled.
"Take it easy boys. We knew we were going to die..." With that Regehr grabbed his knife and stabbed himself in the eye. His corpse toppled over to splash into the water.
Shaken, the men were silent.
"And then there were four..." murmered Harmon.
Hautamaki moved over to open the other cannister.
"What time do you suppose it is out there?" he asked.
"Oh I dunno. Hmm, what time was it when the zerg attacked?" asked Kohl.
"Oh I know, the shuttle was about a half hour late, so I guess that means it was 03:30."
"Probly been about 8 hours since then, I'd guess." put in Bussman.
"Which makes midday." Finished Hautamaki.
"Yeah, midday." added Kohl, his voice trailing off.
"Hey, I got a plan!" said Harmon. "We can make this thing bouyant and float to the surface, we just gotta use all the air."
"Hmm, we may as well. And if it don't work, we just suffocate faster. Sure let's do it." said Bussman.
"Ok, I agree then." Said Kohl.
Hautamaki was already turning on the other cannisters.
"How will we know if it's working? We can't just look out and see can we?"
"Thats a good point. May as well just wait till we're on the verge of death, and then open her up." said Harmon.
"Very well then, let's go for it."
While they awaited the end, Kohl took out his notebook, ripped out all the pages, and made cards from them. Though they were shabbily done, they had great fun. Laughter could be heard inside the module. Then it was stifled, the men feeling that they had insulted the memories of Regehr and Chan. Their bodies began to stink, but the four grew used to it.
After another few hours, the small area began to become stuffy. The four noted this with trepidation.
"We can't allow ourselves to pass out, or it's over. Wait till you absolutely must fall asleep, then we'll break out."
said Kohl.
Another hour passed before they decided to go.
"I just want you guys to know, whatever happens, I love you." said Hautamaki. They nodded in understanding.
"Yeah, we are all real close now. Here's hoping we make it." Said Kohl.
"Ok Matt, bust us out." Bussman urged.
"Here we go boys." Harmon took out the welding torch and began prying off a plate on the top of the compartment.
Water began to seep in.
"Shit, that ain't cool" he said.
"Weld it back on, quick!" screamed Hautamaki. "I don't want to drown!"
"It's too late little buddy. Maybe we're near the surface and we can swim for it."
"Yeah, thats not much pressure. Go for it." said Kris.
"Ok, everyone get ready to go. Take your last breaths." warned Matt.
Then he pried off the plate and water rushed in. They stood to the side until it filled up, then bolted for the opening. The clear air was visible. They could make it after all! Shane and Matt took off for the surface. Kohl made to go, but got his pants stuck. Frantically he motioned to Hautamaki. Nic pried free his clothes, then pushed him clear. Kohl gave him the thumbs up as he swam for the surface.
Breaking clear, the three men cheered wildly.
"Yah! We made it! Amazing!" Cried Matt jubilantly.
"Oh sweet, we are the luckiest guys alive!" sang Shane.
"Wait, where is Nic?" asked Kris.
As one they dived down to see him. He almost made it, but his limp form started to sink back down. Together the three grabbed him and bore him to the surface.
"Speak to me bud!" said Kris. "My god, he died for me! I got stuck and he saved me. Dear god. Not him too!"
"No, he's not dead! Wait!" said Matt. He bashed Nic in the chest. Nic sputtered out the disgusting water.
"Thanks guys. Ugh that was the worst feeling I have ever felt. Drowning totally sucks ass!" Then he cracked a smile and they cheered.
Looking around they saw a floating pipe which must hace broken off the wreck. They grabbed onto it and began to paddle towards the sun.
Eventually they would make it back to land, where they would meet a Confederate rescue team and be ferried back home.
Hope you liked it. Please comment, trying to break my 19 comment streak here ;)
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