Underground in a tunnel a group moved. The ground shook, shaking dust loose as they walked. Leading the group was the VIP for their mission. A slime in a suit was the best description for them. Both literally and figuratively.
The group was made up of both the Instructor and Veteran flanking the VIP. The robed figure, and a normal looking fellow just behind and the short green elder at the back.
They walked silently following behind until they came across a small room. The robed figure stepped in first to check the area, behind them came the Veteran. With a wave of their hands the rest of the group entered.
"Can we contact the ship?" Spoke the leader of the group, the man everyone came to call Instructor thanks to a certain captain.
"Give me a few minutes to connect." The robed figure said as they began to fiddle with a computer terminal. The group settled themselves in as Instructor looked to the Senator.
"You seem rather calm." Especially with how CHET was full on invading. This was not ignored by the group. But, for various reasons none of them bothered to bring it up. The Senator looked around, evidenced by the little beady eyes that were integrated into his body looking about.
"Indeed. Rather, this only proves how valued the information I have is."
Ears perked as the Senator went on to explain.
"I recently came upon information. Information that could very well lead to open war Between RON, DEPP, and CHET. Do you remember a decade or so ago? Operation Pheonix Fall?"
Nobody spoke. Though, whether they understood what it entailed or not nobody knew, but uncaring for if they knew or not the Senator continued.
"Operation Pheonix Fall, was a joint operation between our nations. DEPP is known for their mecha tradition and standing atop their military structure remain so called God ranked pilots. Pilots that could easily wipe out entire battle fleets on their lonesome.
Of course, DEPP is a totalitarian regime with military backing. The political leaders in charge of the country became afraid of a certain young talent. At the spry age of thirty a man managed to achieve the legendary God rank. Such was his potential that the politicians in DEPP feared his popularity and power amongst the people.
They coordinated with CHET and RON to kill him in a three-way ambush."
Averted eyes, knowing looks passed between the group. It was common for strength to give you nothing, but misery. Especially a bright young star.
"What isn't talked about, is a rumor that the operation had another purpose tacked on. Specifically, the death of the Forsaken Prince."
Another round of glances shot out.
"The Forsaken Prince had formed the plan, but apparently his own father, the emperor feared his might as well and worked to make the victory as phyrric as possible with RON's backing."
"That's still not near enough to spark this kind of retaliation, no?"
One of the fellows in the corner spoke up. Out of the group, he seemed the most normal.
"You would be right, but… I have information that the Forsaken Prince may in fact, not be dead, nor the target of the assassination."
Instructor sighed. "Which means they are going through all this trouble to capture you and your data?"
"Yes. Exactly it. I imagine they've heard of your prowess and decided to simply go all out."
None of them swore as they continued working. Frankly, it seemed… normal really. Each of them was a veteran in some way and recent events had them re-evaluating their lives.
"I have a connection." The robed figure spoke up. Breaking the tense silence.
"Good work V-"
The cloaked figure held up her hand. "No, call me Exile."
"Taking after our Cap, eh?" The Veteran said with a hum.
"Aspa is already going by Instructor, and I have no attachment to my old name. So, call me as I am. Exile." The robed figure, Exile said. Her skin was a darkish hue, covered in pale scars from head too foot. A particularly nasty one ran its length down one eye. As she finished speaking the intercom crackled to life.
"This is Helmsman, I repeat, this is Helmsman attempting to contact the guard team planet side, please reply."
"Instructor here. The VIP is safe and sound. Also, how is Rettas doing?"
A beat passed with silence. Just a single heartbeat, but the tension ratcheted.
"She was ambushed by Gene Soldiers."
Just those words made the smoking guy nearly inhale his cigarette.
"Is she okay?" The instructor tried to keep the worry from his tone, but the concerned glances were evidence of his failure.
"She managed to escape, and from the broadcasts we were able to ascertain that she massacred them. They've regrouped with the main forces and are acting as support for when she shows back up, but for now she is out."
"Out?"
"Unconscious likely. Doc says her vitals are fine, but I imagine the damage to her body was, extensive from the reports I've heard."
"Shit…"
Nobody knew who spoke up as they looked around. The Veteran got up and walked to a door at the side leading to a restroom. Minutes pass as information is relayed and Instructor informs Helmsman to their current status, including the information they overheard. By the end of the report Helmsman was noticeably upset.
"The mysterious backers haven't even made their move yet either…"
He lamented.
"Oi! We got a problem in here!" The Veteran came back, less disturbed and more just, annoyed. Instructor hung up as they made their way into the bathroom, leaving the normal guy and the short elder alone with the senator.
Inside the restroom were bodies. Rather, they looked to have been stuffed inside a ventilation shaft or something. Only being spotted by the Veteran as he went in and smelled something funny.
"So? What do you make of this instructor?"
He didn't reply, instead he noticed Exile shaking.
"This may be bigger than I thought it would be."
she said with a shaky breath.
"These people were killed with Guild methods."
The Veteran paused.
"You mean those stuck-up shits?"
"Yes. The wounds make it fairly clear. Do you think the senator knows them?"
Turns out he did. The bodies belonged to some of his contacts meant to meet him here. Once more the group was centered in the room. Considering what was happening.
"Why would they be here Exile?"
Instructor asked her as they settled.
"I imagine, it's because of the Captain. I assume if the mysterious backer wants her blood like she assumed then the guild may have been hired to secure a sample."
"Makes sense." The Veteran said, but sans cigarette. "Rather, I can't imagine being in her shoes at this moment. Gene soldiers, an army, Guild spooks, and those weird mutant things. Honestly this feels like too much." He continued with a gruff voice.
Everyone agreed, but Exile spoke up.
"If anything, this proves following the Captain was a smart move."
She got strange looks at her response, even Instructor did as he regretted dragging them into this massive conspiracy.
"Ah, I suppose none of you know who I was? Not even Instructor really knew who I was. In fact, we met shortly after I was exiled. In a way, he gave me the confidence to keep stepping forward."
She took a moment to let that sink in.
"My mother is the head of the Guild."
A round of coughs echo out. Even the senator looked shocked.
"The Guilds original purpose was to give our people a way to earn money in the only way we could. Through killing. It eventually expanded into a multi-system wide organization for assassins. Naturally, as the organization expanded our numbers grew, and the original purpose became… blurred.
Our people were soon abandoned and forgotten. I wasn't aware of this, until it was already too late. When I confronted my mother about it she told me it was the will of another. It was then I learned the rise of the Guild, and my mother's incredible gain in prowess were linked.
Someone had been backing us. Now, seeing Guild assassins here convinces me that those same backers must be trying to get at the Captain."
"And your plan then?"
The Veteran asked.
"I don't really know. I never had the power to do much of anything, but… If I can achieve the power necessary, I think I'd want to get a proper answer from my mother."
The group fell silent until the Veteran laughed.
"You can call me Veteran. War's all I've known since I was a kid. I'm nothing special, never was really. Just had the devil's luck."
Everyone looked at the newly dubbed Veteran with wide eyes and confused gazes.
"I joined this little crew cuz Instructor here shared a drink with me once. And maybe helped me out in a small brawl."
Instructor snorted. Knowing that it was hardly just a small brawl.
"Well, primarily I joined this little group because I had nothing else going for me. I never thought things through and just kept accumulating money, until one day I found a girl. Seemed fine, yea? Well, my last job went as badly as you'd expect. Even had to fake my own death for the bounty before I could retire.
Except, within a year of settling down the girl finds some young kid and tries to kill me. Blows up my house and everything!"
He laughs, but everybody could feel the soul crushing pain within.
"I thought I was dead, wish I had, rather, I survived and was ready to just let it happen. But, I guess I couldn't stop. Next thing I know I'm murdering my way through a horde of gangsters while half dead before getting somewhere safe. Then I learnt the girl took all my savings and gave it to her little boyfriend.
When I heard your little pitch for giving me power, well… I didn't see any harm in trying. It didn't matter either way to me."
A quiet fell again as Veteran lit another smoke. Eyes bore into the third member of their group. He barely spoke, if not moved. A small character. A short green man that looked positively ancient before his awakening. His younger years had come roaring back as vitality filled his frame now.
He looked around, clearly aware he couldn't just pass it off.
"I spent my whole life building up my family. Devoting everything I was for my wife, my children, and my children's children. Apparently, that wasn't enough for them. The youngest daughter in the family was betrothed to a family I knew had a good history, in fact I was friends with their patriarch.
I won't go into detail what I had to pull to make it work, but… The girl went and found a boyfriend that promptly destroyed her betrothed's family. The kid was strong, obscenely so, but he wasn't strong enough to handle the whole planet's ire. Or, even if he was, my family wasn't. I tried to kill him, but in the end, he turned my family against me.
They crippled me and left me for dead. I never lived for myself. Always living for others. I knew Instructor, or rather met him in the period when he was moving around. He trained with a number of my descendants, and we struck up a sort of friendship despite our age differences.
When he called out to me, I was contemplating just ending my life and letting it be. Simply dying in seclusion felt preferable to trying to restart. I am after all an old man. At the time I hadn't worried much if it would work or not. Now though, I think I'll go back when I'm strong enough and checking on them, and after that? Maybe doing something I've always wanted to do. Get revenge maybe have a few mistresses, enjoy life. I mean, I already feel decades younger already!
So, just call me Elder. Some of you already do, and I'm fine with that."
Everyone shared a short laugh at his words and agreed before looking to the final man that shrunk under their gazes.
"I aint special alright!? I'm just a normal guy. Rather, Instructor here kicked my ass as a kid. He'd always find me and 'spar' with me the sadist. I had no plan whatsoever to join your little pirate crew, but back home I had the feeling someone was trying to kill me, and I fled.
I just want to survive, right? Maybe earn a little and go back home. Anything wrong with that?"
A few chuckles passed.
"Norm sounds about right."
"Sure, fine, whatever."
Their little meeting done they took a moment to understand each other. Plastering their images into their mind. The tired and grizzled Veteran. The scar covered and battle worn Exile. The once defeated, yet hopeful Elder. The normal everyday man Norm, and finally… Instructor. The man who once was so driven by his goals, now a calming presence. To those that knew him before, it was odd. Strange even. Still, it was yet another miracle brought forth by the odd person, their captain, Rettas.
A question they all asked, wondered, even if they wouldn't voice it was… What was it she sought? Why was it she pushed herself so hard? What was her endgame, her goal? And how was it she walked so calmly towards it. Unknowing what the future may hold, yet strangely certain of it.
A round of sighs filled the room as they had the same thought. As they lamented their own lost youth, and also enjoyed the fire she represented. As one they made a consensus. They couldn't stay here, not much longer. They'd already wasted too much time-sharing stories. They'd been acquaintances, but never had they truly shared their problems. Their losses.
Even if not all of them were honest about it.
They continued crawling in the tunnels. Keeping eyes and ears out for noise or disturbances but finding none. More bodies were discovered as they went. Evidence of systems being tampered with was obvious. Yet, none of them knew what to do with that knowledge.
It wasn't until they arrived at a hatch leading up that they fully understood how bad the situation was. Soldiers were moving through the streets gunning down anyone in their path. Tanks and vehicles rumbled past ignoring obstacles in their path as they crashed through them. They moved carefully between streets and alleys. Occasionally getting rid of groups with a grace and speed only allowable by their decades of experience fighting and killing.
They moved with purpose, slowly making their way to a safe location the Senator had somehow set aside. Nobody expected much from it, but eventually the worst happened. A grand net was cast. Slowly, but surely it was being drawn in and as it would happen to be, they were in the center.
There was no escape as the group prepared to burst out. Except, in the moment they prepared to push through the earth shook. A blast of ki ripped out and tore the net asunder. Bodies were thrown about like dolls and groups of soldiers minced by the sheer velocity of the object hitting them.
With a single glance they spotted it. The figure caused a panic as it grabbed tanks and flung them like a child would toys. As limbs were ripped off gene soldiers and used as clubs. As bullets impacted them, yet simply rebounded off with little evident damage. Energy beams splashed off their form like water off a duck's back.
Rettas was awake, and very clearly angry. Her aura bleeding out promising a violent and cruel death. The party glimpsed her, and that single glance horrified them, and also… Imprinted upon them who their captain truly was.
Her body drenched in blood. What remained of her tattered clothes barely stuck to her. Skin burnt away in various parts revealing the pulsing muscle underneath. Even her face, almost a mask as the flesh was scored away. Revealing the fangs of a beast hidden within.
She moved like a predator on the hunt. Her flesh squirming as it healed with every breath. Her heartbeat echoed out like a drum as she moved. Her eyes glowed a bloody red, even as it became evident that they saw little if anything. A simple brush of their ki showed that her ki was bursting at the seams. Her vitality was still absurd despite looking like she was at death's door.
The whole invasion force seemed to be moving to contain her and failing as she moved and attacked wherever she pleased. Nobody thought she would fall. She was an incarnation of vengeance, hatred given form. A tiger pouncing on her prey with impunity.
Naturally, it was then that a new variable was introduced. All around sprinklers and systems activated. The many tampered systems acting as one. A strange pink mist sprayed out filling the houses and streets. On instinct the group held their breath, and moved to protect their charge as the mist closed in.
At first, nothing happened. Yet, as the mist lingered the sound of bones crunching echoed out. Corpses stood back up. The living mutated, and even the gene soldiers changed and altered into horrible monstrosities. It was then a burst of ki echoed out.
It was heading towards the endgame. Instructor grit his teeth, clenched his hands. He felt it when they clashed, as Rettas ripped and tore through them. A woman he considered a daughter. Someone that gave him a chance to achieve his true wish. That showed him the path he had to walk.
"Watch the VIP, I'm going to see if I can help." He expected them to stop him. Which was why he didn't lash out when he felt a hand pull him back. He turned and saw the hand belonging to Elder. He glared but held his tongue. Waiting for his reason. His excuse.
"Give her a few minutes to fight on her own. Give her a chance to grow and when she needs help, swoop in. She's not at the end of her rope yet."
He closed his eyes. Suppressed the urge to simply charge out and exhale. When they next opened there was a glint. A vicious light in those eyes as he gazed at his student, his daughter. Waiting for the moment he needed help. After all, he was her teacher first. Father second.
And, it was what she would want.