The Narukh'za patrol lay dead and still at the ground, surrounded by Kirin's squad. The faint engines of the Wraiths weakly fend off the silent surroundings. Kirin and the others went down from their Lancers to check the dead bodies. "Well, look at that. Your first kills" Kirin puts her hands on her hips and sighed. "Most of the recruits will get their kills way later, which might become difficult. The Narukh'za is becoming more aggressive than ever" She said as she stares into what seems to be the leader of the patrol. They were looking at the bodies, as if they're mourning them. until the leader's radio went on. The person behind the radio had a worried voice and was asking about their situation.
Sterling picked up the radio. "We've found a small Zakana, we got it so don't worry. We're proceeding" She used her voice to trick the person with a fake response. "R-Roger that... Wait, was there a female in the patrol?" They heard the person whisper but they let it go. "Wowow!!! Sterling is so cool! We can totally cover our actions with her! So very stealthy!" Chirlin was amazed.
Sterling gave a slight smile. After a while, Kirin ordered them to ride their Lancers. "I hope you don't regret killing them. Because we are sure to kill lots of them later on" Kirin said. "That's what being a soldier is about, right?" Chirlin said. "Yes, but most tends to forget and lose themselves. They are devoured by their own thoughts and become a liability" Kirin sighed and ordered them to follow. Marve caught up quickly.
After a while, they managed to reach their vantage point safely. They hid behind a dune and Kirin started scanning ahead. The activities inside the outpost are still calm. "Great. Looks like they bought your response, Sterling. Good job" Kirin smiled. She went back on scanning the outpost ahead. Most of the soldiers are walking about, guarding the area, watching the working soldiers, you name it. Kirin focused to the right, their tanks are lined up. Their guns are pointed up. "Great. Looks like those tanks are under maintenance. They are unmanned" There were mechanics fixing certain tanks which brought her new strategies.
Kirin looked for the rest of the outpost. There were absolutely no reaction to what happened. "Great. We should occupy the space where they keep the tanks and they will never be able to get any armor" Kirin nodded and faced the squad. "We will silently head to the tanks, and take out any enemies around it. Then we can go loud right after" The squad nodded in response. "I want you to get used to shootouts. If things get out of control, I can just banish them with my eyes" Kirin winked. The squad gave a disappointed look.
"Are you sure about this? They are too many. Even if we get some kills, they will outnumber us" Marve complained. "Like I said, I want you to get used to shooting real enemies. I didn't say clear them all out" Kirin replied. "We will not be able to shoot if we're under heavy fire" Marve said. "Oh come on. We're supposed to be special forces, not frontline troopers! Obviously we're not going to sit still and hold position, we're going to find a way to split their line of fire" Kirin scratched her head. "I get what's she's saying, but I'm not that confident to pull off some 'special forces' tactics yet" Sterling said.
"That's why we're doing this right now. You'll need to learn to move around and evade your chasing enemies, and at the same time, pick them off one by one"
Kirin looked back ahead. As she was tracing their path towards the tanks, she saw a small black tower on the corner. It doesn't have any cover, the platform is exposed and the guard standing on it. She looked to their left and saw the same tower. She then faced the squad. "Marve, you stay here and watch both towers ahead. When we are in position, I will signal you to take them out. Sterling and Terra, you will head west. Find cover and don't ever move until Marve takes your tower out.
Once done, you will silently go in and take out any enemies and move into a safe location, give me confirmation then wait for my orders. That goes the same for us. Niela and Chirlin, you're coming with me to the east. Everyone got that?" Kirin asked and they nodded.
"Oof. Almost forgot..." Kirin went to Marve and pressed the button on its right side. The Silverline lit up. "That button makes it silent, it reduces your penetration as much as it reduces the noise, but it's not like you're going to shoot a tank, are you?" Kirin giggled slightly. "When we are in position, take out both towers, doesn't matter who to shoot first, either way, both of them needs to be taken out. Once clear, we will go in. You watch our position and report for anything that enters the outpost, alright?" Kirin patted his back. "Alright..." Marve nodded.
"Alright, let's get moving. Don't worry about being seen right now, no one is watching in this direction. Pretty careless of them" Kirin said. With that, they separate ways. Sterling and Terra went to the left, crouching as they do. The three on the other side did the same thing. Marve slowly rises up to the top of the dune and watches ahead with his scope. Just like Kirin said, there was no one watching their direction. "It looks easy to infiltrate. But to completely secure it will take a lot of effort. We are greatly outnumbered" Marve mumbled to himself. He saw multiple soldiers at the center of the outpost doing their tasks, completely unaware of their presence. "We're here..." Sterling radioed. "We're in position" Kirin followed right after.
"Also, you don't have to worry about your flashes, it's modified along with the silencer, your gun doesn't flash" Kirin told. "Oh, that's convenient" Marve replied. "Yes. We're both in position, no eyes on the towers. Take 'em out now" Kirin signaled and Marve aimed at the left tower. He carefully aligned the center of his reticle at the head of the guard. Holding his breath, his gun steadied pointed at the guard's head. Not wasting any more time, he pushed the trigger and the Silverline fired with barely a sound. The guard's head bursts with blood as he falls dead. He quickly faced right and shoots the other guard.
"Both towers are gone" Marve took a deep breath of relief. "Confirmed, well done. Sterling, Terra, proceed. Enter the outpost silently, clear your position of enemies. Don't go loud unless you have to. Once clear, wait for my orders, copy?" Kirin commanded. "Got it..." Sterling replied. "Alright, move!" Kirin gestured the two to follow her. Watching every direction, they slowly approach the outpost and hid at the bottom of the tower. Kirin used her eyes to see through the tower. "Only three guys at the tanks. Let's take them down..." Kirin then moved with the two on her tail.
They kept themselves low. Moving away from the tower, they saw six Scourge tanks parked in two rows. Scourge is a main battle tank developed by the Narukh'za. Wishing to steal the blueprints of Arkula's Pura, they have deployed spies to infiltrate the Arkula. They disguised from totally altering their skin colors to changing their voice. This didn't work out well as Arkula had a superior technology that eventually exposed the spies. They had hints of the blueprints nonetheless before they were kicked out of the Arkulan territory.
"The second tank on the first row, there is one guy doing the tracks. Next in the first tank in the second row, on its left, they're facing away from us. Last one on that shed" Kirin pointed to a small shed of what seems to be their maintenance shed. "Niela, you take out the one at the shed. Chirlin, you can wait here, or if you can find a way, take out that guy on the left"
"I will deal with the one on the front. Don't forget to press your buttons if you want to use your guns" Kirin reminded them before they separate ways. Among the three of them, Chirlin had difficulty taking out her designated target.
This didn't stop her, however. She slowly approached behind the said tank and peeked. She saw the back of what seems like a male mechanic. Their height differences are a challenge. "I could try to kick his knees so I can reach his head. Or I climb up the tank and do a jumping strike!" She whispers to herself. Before she knew it, her heart was racing. Her excitement of finally being able to act as a soldier outside her games has faded. "I... I could die if I fail..." She gulps.
Bringing all her fears for a second, she swallowed them all and shook her head. "I can do this!" She encouraged herself. She peeked again to make sure the mechanic is still there. "Still there... Okay..." Confirming the person was still unaware of her presence and is still facing away, she slowly approached behind him. She thinks a lot of ways to take the enemy down, but climbing up the tank and stabbing his neck is what she can think the most.
With that in mind, Chirlin looked to her right, at the tank. "Um..." She examined the tracks of the tank. The wheels are somewhat difficult to step on, it will be impossible to climb up to the top with her body without making a noise. "Grr..." She started biting her thumb, looking down to the tracks and up to the tank. After a while, the mechanic crouched down, giving her the opportunity.
"Let's see..." The mechanic faced and examined the tracks of the tank he was fixing and started mumbling under his breath. While he's busy, Chirlin quietly walks closer. She raised her right hand with the Resolver. Gritting her teeth, she throws her hand down, slamming the bottom of the handle of the gun down at the mechanic's head.
He grunted in pain as he falls to the ground. Without giving any seconds to react, Chirlin hits his head again. She looked around with pure adrenaline, her heart beating fast. She saw his tools next to him. She scrambled the tools and got her attention to a screwdriver. She quickly grabbed the tool and turned around.
The mechanic was still on the ground, checking his head. Chirlin grips the screwdriver tight with both of her hands and aims it towards his neck. The moment she thrusts the tool, the mechanic looked up to her. His eyes widened in shock.
Surprised to see a child, and a thing stuck in his neck. "D...Die..." Chirlin shivered, the look he gives terrified her. Not showing any reaction, Chirlin pulled the tool away and stepped back, breaking the mechanic's stare, and started choking. He quickly put both of his hands on his neck. Chirlin stood up and watch the mechanic squirm on his own pool of blood
Chirlin gulped. The sight was nothing compared to what she used to see in her games. Pure blood of a person is pouring right in front of her, and that person slowly meeting his death. Seeing him struggle, guilt and fear embraced her thoughts. She killed a person, with her own hands. A person she doesn't even know. A person that someone looked up to, and someone who is dearly loved by those who are close to him.
His fate as a Narukh'za was cruel, the army could have forced him to join. No consent, and with severe consequences if non-compliant. So how if he's innocent? His only job is to fix their war machines, with no combat experiences? Joined the army just so as to keep his family safe, away from the harsh punishment of the Narukh'za?
And there she is, she had his own tool dug in his neck and bleed, she killed him just so they can continue with their own goals. HE had goals too, and probably for the best for his loved ones too, she is uncertain. But, how if he's just like the rest of the army? Cruel, blood-thirsty beings that have refused to understand human emotions? Is she supposed to feel this way, then? Perhaps it's right for them to go through this, after all. No guilt, no doubts, no holding back, just kill, for what they did to millions?
The mechanic's head blows and bursts out blood. His body lies soulless in front of her. "Holy shit, kid!" She heard Kirin's whisper and raised her head. "Hey, hey, lower that thing now" Kirin reached for both of her hands and put them down. Only by then, Chirlin realized she had her hands up in the air, gripping the bloody screwdriver, ready to finish the mechanic.
"Shit, I..." Kirin crouched and shook her a bit. "I didn't... know you're actually going to..." She stumbles on her own words. She took a deep breath and placed both of her hands on Chirlin's shoulders. "Are you okay?" She asked. Chirlin took a second to reply. "Y-yeah..." She nodded. "You were staring at that guy..." Kirlin looked behind her and then glanced at Chirlin. "I know what's up, Chirlin. I have seen those kinds of looks before"
Chirlin lightly gasped. "Numerous times, actually. I will never forget them" Kirin sighed. "Kid, I hope now you truly realized what's going on. This is no game anymore like I told you. You may know the purpose of a soldier, but you have never experienced them, until now. We're killing real people here, and I hope you know why already" She said. "It's because they're bad... W...what else is the reason?" Chirlin asked. "Yeah, they're bad. But we don't fight because we hate them" Kirin shook her lightly. "We fight them because we want them to change! That has been our goal this whole time! To unify us!" Kirin smiled a bit.
Chirlin stood in silence, listening carefully to her words with a slight surprise. "Arkula has been trying to convince the Narukh'za to stop their hostility towards their own kinds and to allow themselves, even just the civilians, to come back, not to Arkula, but to our homeworld Kryok" She looked up the skies. "This planet, where our kind has finally flourished, had peace. We slowly recovered from that grim history" Chirlin noticed her distant look and a sweet smile.
Despite her glowing eyes, it was a pleasant sight to see regardless of the situation. Then her smile changed as if she's suddenly in pain. "But as we're finally having a steady life, some people just became discontented. From small complaints... to treason" Kirin sighed deeply. "Anyways, let's keep going" She pats Chirlin's left shoulder and stood up. "You weren't like this when we took out that patrol. I know we're both surprised" She turned away and looked around.
"It's because, this time, you had to do it your own. And you know that you are certainly the one who sent that person to his death" Kirin turned around to look at her. "Let's go..." She then called ahead. "Terra, Sterling, status" "We are clear". Terra's voice came. Confirming the other side's situation, Kirin looked around for Niela. She saw her approaching. "It's done" They exchanged nods and gathered. "We got this area. That means no tanks for them" Kirin then opened a feed to Terra and Marve's suit. Her helmet projected a small holographic screen, showing Terra's video feed.
"Alright, we're also cleared here. Here's the plan. I will plant bombs on the tanks. We will lure them into the tanks. Once they're in, we will detonate" Kirin said. "Bombs?! When did we have bombs?" Marve shouted. "There are a lot more things you haven't found out with my eyes yet" Kirin replied.
On the other side, Terra and Sterling looked at each other worryingly. "What? Will your eyes produce bombs?" Terra asked. "Exactly!" She nodded and everyone was surprised. "As I told you, combat efficient and convenient" She said. "You didn't say anything about convenience" Chirlin scowled. "I did!" Kirin laughed a bit.
"They modified these eyes so they can materialize items. Of course, I can't just make anything. They had some kind of blueprints or data or whatever in these eyes that they can materialize" She explained. "That's so cool!" Chirlin's eyes widen in amazement. "I can produce for about five bombs before it gets dangerous for me" Kirin added. "What's gonna happen if you push it?" Chirlin asked.
"Highest chance, my eyes will explode, blowing my head. Or release chemicals, just like what happened at the Shuttle. A lucky chance, it will just shut down for a while, dealing no harm to me but blindness. Either way is bad so I gotta play safe" Kirin explained.
"Ahem. Anyways, Terra and Sterling. Advance ahead and find a way to destroy any of their depots. If we succeed, this should blow damage to their logistics in this area" She said.
"Assuming they just recently expanded here, getting this job done should also lessen their armors present around here. It will be easy for our nearby base to handle these ridiculous expansions" She added. "We shouldn't have let them settle here in the first place!" Marve said. "Then our goal of reuniting our kind is gone. We let some of them settle back here at Kryok, but we also agreed to fight any attempts to overpower us" Kirin replied. "If they are still thinking of overwhelming us by taking advantage of our offer, we will have no choice but fight them until they're out of Kryok" She added.
"Enough chatter. Terra, Sterling, proceed with your mission" Kirin commanded the two and cut the feed. "Alright, let's do this" Sterling said to Terra. She nodded and advanced together.
Ahead of them is a group of small buildings, seemingly the barracks and some other kinds of buildings of the outpost. "Huh, I wasn't expecting them to build something without having it colored black and red" Sterling said as she looks at the buildings. They were olive green instead of Narukh'za's theme. "Let's stop over there" Sterling pointed to their left, behind a small barrack. Terra hid behind Sterling. "Hmm..." Sterling peeked. There were about four buildings ahead of them, with two more behind them that she saw through the windows.
"Do they always color their stuff red and black?" Terra asked. Sterling looked back at her. "Have you not seen them in the news or the internet? They have everything in dark colors. No one knows the reason behind this, but I can only assume that it's to match their appearance after living on a dangerous planet" She answered. Terra nodded. "I think so too! And to also appear as the bad guys!" She smiled.
"I guess you could say that. But remember our war with the Krygstek, everything they build is colored silver. Our forces faced nothing but silver robots. The colors don't look evil, but there weren't different with the Narukh'za. They are as dangerous as them, both will absolutely bring out their best weapons at war without any limit" Sterling said.
Terra scratched her cheek with her index finger. "If... we somehow become an ally to them, do you think Lonara will try to enforc our law about balancing armaments?" She asked. Sterling thinks for a second. "You guys have tried thinking about that, right? But the Narukh'za just can't be convinced yet, so the thought just faded" She replied. "I-is that so?" Terra asked.
Sterling gave a slight chuckle. "It's a surprise that I know much more than you, miss". Terra felt embarrassed and looked away. "Look! We can move now" Sterling waved her hand to gesture her to follow behind.
They stopped behind another barrack. The busy people ahead are now more audible, the shouts of commands and stomps of working people now fill the once silent surrounding around the two.
"They are far too many, are you sure we can get out of here alive?" Terra asked with a slightly shaking voice. Sterling slightly frowned. "I believe we can if we believe in ourselves. But I do think this is ridiculous for a first-time mission for us" She replied. "One of us can die easily in this goddamn first mission" She added.
"So we have no choice but to believe in ourselves, huh?" Terra slightly giggled. Sterling nodded and looked up to a window. Numerous Narukh'za soldiers are walking about. Most of the soldiers were carrying various equipment and crates.
"Terra, they are packing A LOT!" Sterling said. "Oh my..." Terra gasped. "Almost all of them are carrying weapons around" Sterling continued to look around for a few seconds before crouching back down. "It makes our visit even more worth it. They are already arming to the teeth" Sterling thinks of something.
"I saw a large building across the road. I think it's safe to assume that's the headquarters of this outpost" Sterling faced the wall and pointed slightly to the left. "Kirin wanted to be loud? We're going to do it with as much damage as we can" She nodded to Terra with confidence. "Let's do it!" Terra cheered quietly.
Sterling moved on the other corner to their left. "Up ahead, I think that's a depot!" She said. Terra moved behind her to see. The building is smaller and bulkier compared to the barracks and has no windows facing their direction. "Can we go there without being seen?" Terra asked. The distance between them and the depot is slightly far.
Sterling slowly sneaked ahead and peeked to the left. The soldiers' path doesn't lead to the depot and appears to be past the depot and a barrack next to it. But they can see them sneaking towards the depot whenever. "Too many, we will be out in the open far too long for us to be seen. It's dangerous and not worth the risk. We don't even know if its door is open" Sterling shook her head.
"We need to think of something" Terra said. Sterling went back to her side. "We can ask for the other guys for distraction, big enough for all of them to look away" She said. "Oh..." Terra then proceeds to pretend to think of any idea, but is actually has no hints. "Um... guys? Can you hear me?" Sterling speaks out while looking down at her suit.
"Yes, I can hear you this whole time, Sterling. I will ask Marve about it" A voice feed projected in front of her from her helmet.
Back at the dunes, Marve is quietly observing the busy roads of the outpost. The line of work comes from a building to his right, ahead of the parked tanks, going through north, and disappearing behind a barrack. "Marve, how are you up there?" Suddenly, a voice feed projected in front of him, taking him by slight surprise. "I'm doing fine" He kept his cool.
"They are very, very busy. I can't see at least a person slacking" He expressed his fascination. "That's the Narukh'za for you. They are not so different from the Krygs. Both are serious when it comes to war, and have a lot of passion for amassing ordnance" Kirin replied.
Marve slightly sighed. "Someday, we will need that passion, you know?" He said. "True, and that's not an uncommon thought nowadays. The Zakana are rapidly evolving in these past years, the evidence and observations are as clear as the Earth's blue skies and they told all of that to the public" Kirin replied. "I mean, we already have the Krygs to our side. But defending our homeland isn't enough. If we are to extinct the Zakana, we will need the countless numbers, the vicious and terrifying power of the Narukh'za. With all of that, we can do the extinction without breaking our own laws" She added.
"By the way, Sterling is asking for a distraction. I will add her up here" The feed then made a short stutter. "Here's Marve, explain your plans" Kirin said. "Marve, can you see us from here? I'm waving a bit" Sterling asked through the feed. "Uhhh..." Marve moved his Silverline in Sterling's direction. "Uhh... I can't find you anywhere" He said. "We are hiding behind a barrack. And there is a depot ahead of us. But we can't sneak up ahead without being seen. We need any kind of distraction to draw their attention away. We will try to find any large weapon to bust down that headquarters and blow up the depot right after" Sterling explained.
"Marve, you see that tall building? Just near the turn" Kirin asked. Marve focused back to the center of the outpost. "Yeah, I can see it" He replied. "That's their headquarters. Perhaps you can shoot one of the windows? That should totally draw their attention" Kirin asked. "Good idea, but be quick on whatever you're planning. Doing that is already going loud" Marve warned. "Thanks"
Sterling and Terra then ready themselves. Kirin also readies for any reaction near their area. Marve carefully aims on a window of the headquarters, relaxing his breathing and steadying his aim.