I Scrambled, to my Feet, I Saw, the two Combine, Seemingly Conversing about which way they Should go. before I Could Hop down, a System Notification rang In My Mind,
[Attention! A new quest has been Added To your Quest Board.]
[New Quest: Escape the Antlion Den.]
[Additional quest, objective, Complete for additional rewards.]
[Side objective: Kill the Hive Guardian.]
Oh, fantastic. As if regular Antlions weren't bad enough. Now there's a guardian to deal with too. This day just keeps getting better.
I leaped down, onto the sandy stone floor, and made my way over to the two Combine soldiers, who seemed to be Conversing about which way they Should go, as I got closer, one of them turned their head, over to me,
"Oh look, your pet is following us," the rifle-holder muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
C178, Glanced over at me, then back At C40. "First, of all, it's not my Pet! Second of All, eh... and What's wrong with that?"
C40 rolled his eyes. "What's wrong with that? How about the fact that it's an Unknown Alien Creature? Ever think it might turn on us?"
"Gosh, you're So annoying!" C178 shot back. "Look, it's been pretty chill so far. Maybe it's on our side."
"Or maybe it's lulling us into a false sense of security," C40 replied, his grip tightening on his rifle. "I still don't trust it."
"Do you trust anything?" C178 asked with a hint of exasperation. "Look, we're stuck down here. We need all the help we can get. If it wants to tag along, I'm not complaining."
C40 snorted. "Fine, but if it so much as twitches in a way I don't like, I'm putting it down."
I rolled my eyes—or rather, my optical sensors—and let out a series of mechanical chittering sounds
"You guys done?"
C40 grumbled something under his breath but didn't argue further. "Let's just hope this isn't a mistake."
"Come On, let's Take...This tunnel."
The rifle holder then pointed at a random tunnel and proceeded to March Down into it.
C178 and I looked at each other.
C178 Shrugged and began to follow Him down into the tunnel, I followed suit.
"I'm Sorry But he is like this All the time, you'll get used to it I'm sure he'll Come around,"
C178 kept talking, his voice a bit softer now. "You know, C40 has been through a lot. Seen things that would make most people break. He's just... cautious. Doesn't trust easily."
" So, if he seems harsh, just know it's his way of keeping us safe. But hey, I'm glad you're sticking with us. We could use the extra... legs."
In a triangular formation, C40 took point while C178 walked beside me. Our footsteps reverberated through the twisting tunnels,
After meeting Some Dead ends, Steep Inclines, and Black Pits, we finally arrived at another large chamber. Before us lay a four-way tunnel entrance, offering paths straight ahead, to the left, and the right.
We Stopped Midway, the rifle holder raising a hand as he Looked Around.
"Wait...Do you hear that...?"
C178, Looked Confused before he Suddenly tensed Up.
"Shit... Looks Like we have Company, Look!
We All turned, and I began to Hear the Sound of low grumbling, accompanied by heavy Clobbering Steps that began to get closer and closer,
out from around the corner, a large imposing shadow cascaded, Along the wall Then Suddenly, An Antlion worker emerged, Looking quite Aggravated,
I Looked At it, Sighing in relief
"Oh... Phew, I thought we were going to Have to fight an Antlion guard Already... that would have been a Shit show..."
We watched as the Singular, Antlion worker, was Furiously pounding at the floor at us, it then lurched, its back as its Mouth began to gurgle, but before it could Shoot its corrosive Spit at us, we all watched a hulking 8, foot tall Figure Emerged Ramming the Antlion into the Wall, Killing it Instantly.
"Dammit, I Jinxed it!" I cursed.
The Antlion Guard emitted a deep, ominous growl as the limp form of the worker dropped to the ground with a disturbing thud. The creature pivoted, its massive legs stirring up dust clouds as it approached us. casting a menacing glare around with a snarl of frustration, it Suddenly Picked up in Speed, Charging Directly towards Us, exiting the Tunnel Like a Runaway train.
As if by instinct my legs moved on their own, and I leaped out of the way Safely landing a Feet Away. I watched as the Antlion Guard Kept Running heading directly toward the two combined Soldiers.
"oh shit..!"
The one holding the Rifle, Quickly Gets Ready to move, C178 follows.
"Dodge!"
They both Swiftly Roll out of the way, As the Antlion Guard Rams itself into the wall, Causing the room to Shudder.
C40 comes out of his roll, kneeling as he Aims toward the Antlion guard's Exposed Back.
*Bam Bam Bam Bam Bam!*
A Burst of Pulse Rounds Erupts out of his rifle Accurately Hitting the target, the Antlion guard Barley Flinches lets out a Roaring growl as it becomes even more enraged, it turns, getting Ready to Charge toward
"Stay On your Toes, this thing is a Tank!" C40 Shouted, standing up getting ready to dodge again, continuing to Fire.
*Bam Bam Bam...Bam Bam!*
C178, Weaponless Didn't have Anyway, to Hurt the Alien, he Shouted While trying not to Get Caught in the crossfire.
"We can outmaneuver it! Keep Shooting While I Distract it!"
C178 ran over and began to Wave his Arms while yelling At the Alien.
The Antlion Guard let out a rumbling Huff, as it Turned Charging towards Him.
he manages to Roll out of the way Avoiding being Rammed into, but Fumbles On his exit Falling on His Ass.
"Ah Fuck!" he says as he Scrambles to get up, by the time he does it's Almost too late, the Antlion guard has turned around Slamming its legs into the Floor as it began to Charge once more.
"Not if I have Anything to Say about it! I muttered as With a Quick thought I Locked onto the Antlion's Side And unleashed a barrage of Pulse gun Fire.
*Vrrrh-Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat!*
The rapid bursts of energy struck the creature, causing A small spray of Green Blood to explode out of its Side, "yes! Must have Hit a Weak Spot, not so Tough now are you!"
I watched as the Antlion Guard let out a pained Rumble, thrashing wildly as it raged like a bull, waving its head around in pain.
"Move! Keep your head down!" C40 Shouted as A new Cell Was loaded into his Rifle.
C178 got to His feet and Rushed Almost slipping as Streaks of Light Whizzed by, safely getting away.
C40 raised his Rifle once more,
"Just-"
"DIE!"
I Shouted as the Arc projector Began to Activate Emitting a low, ominous thrum that grew louder with each passing second. Electrical energy crackled along the length of the projector's "barrel" At the End of it, the Circular emitters Around the Lens began to Spin As a blinding arc of pure energy that cut through the air with a sizzling hiss. The bolt of lightning was a vivid blue, almost white at its core, surrounded by small dancing tendrils of electrical discharge.
As the lightning bolt struck the Antlion Guard, the point of impact exploded In a Shower of Sparks The creature's exoskeleton glowed incandescently where the bolt made contact, the intense heat and energy searing through its tough armor.
The Antlion Guard let out a final, guttural roar of agony as the electricity surged through its system, lighting up some of its internal structures like a grotesque X-ray
It Was Dead before it even Hit the ground. The Antlion guard Finally Collapsed as the Residual Charge left its body and Into the Floor. The glow from the lightning arc faded, leaving behind charred and smoking wounds on the Antlion Guard's exoskeleton.