“They always speak of duty but never of brotherhood. They always speak about how we have fear but never how we embrace it. They always speak of our deeds and victories but never of the bodies and rubble, we leave behind. They don’t truly know us and we like it that way.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDJlbjOCDM
-Major Winston Anderson, 1st Crow Brigade
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJ6WRJPmvw
140, 2432
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WdSp63Dio
HS “Carakon”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqmc8lF0OQ
Hubion system
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxZR4S9Yst
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwm1osTSwv1
“Damn those primates to all the hells!” the Ship Master hissed, his hands clutching the sides of his command throne, “How dare they desecrate our crown jewel?”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjYR0b56hHU
“Perhaps the information we got was false.” his first officer said, “I told you he wasn’t trustworthy.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqCPD4S6WS
The Ship Master gave him a deadly glare, “Watch your tone, Rarkan. He is the reason we still have a chance against these apes. Did you forget the truth he showed us?”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWQtjoWIaW
Rarkan mumbled something under his breath. Indeed he did remember. Just like everyone else. The stranger refused to give his name but he gave so much more than that. He showed them the truth about the galaxy and the truth about the humans. How they would exploit them, corrupt them, and eventually destroy them and their entire race and history. Their ambassadors did nothing but spew lies and fill their heads with false hopes and ideals. The monarch was right to order their execution.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0rOFXrgXc
“Be that as it may, sir.” Rarkan said, “It doesn’t change the fact that we are losing this war. Our fleet has been decimated, our bastions and colonies taken, and our forces are in shambles. Even the jewel is burning. No single weapon can change this.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYnEwr1LwK
“This is only the beginning.” the Ship Master hissed, “Soon, the tides will turn and they will be the ones who face annihilation.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoWWbiNniBb
“This is still-”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkUEidE8the
“I will not hear any more of this! Go make yourself useful and interrogate the female. Perhaps something can be gleaned from her.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ89GvWG9am
Rarkan hissed and turned, whipping his reptilian tail as he walked off and called two guards to follow him. He contemplated the situation as he strode down the hall. On one hand, this was complete insanity. On the other hand, if what the stranger said was true, they could save their world and be free. But it was all so… sudden and strange. None of it felt right. But Rarkan wasn’t one to disobey the hierarchy.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdtVljyhi0
“Wait here,” he told his two guards and they stood alongside the two others, who watched the door.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCt2lIT8ZQP
The room was dimly lit and empty. Except of course for the human that hung on chains wrapped around her wrists. Rarkan put on his dark visors and observed the female. Relatively fresh scars were visible on her legs and back. Her short dark hair was messy and dirty, and her eyes were closed as if asleep. Tattered clothing covered her more private parts and Rarkan mused at the notion that had he been human, he’d probably mate with her.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVmNI8D80hW
“Wake up.” he said as he grabbed her cheeks, “I know you can hear me. What did my men ask you? What did you tell them?’
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKziYILu21P
She didn’t answer. She didn’t even open her eyes. This angered Rarkan, who slightly dug his claw into her cheek.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4W6UFhltHC
“What were you doing here? Who are your masters?”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7nrivOanc
Again, she said nothing and Rarkan cut the side of her face down to her jawline. This didn’t seem to bother her and she remained as motionless as ever.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmQPsyZMaG
“Do you think this makes you strong? That because you don’t talk, you are fierce? Anyone can take pain. But are you willing to die?”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTaxqgSypz
Rarkan pulled out his service knife and brought the edge below her ear. But just as he was about to make the cut, noises came from behind the door. A distinct sound of falling bodies could be heard and this made his heart race and his cold blood boil. Turning around, he called out to the guards, and when no one answered, the woman wrapped her legs around his throat. Rarkan thrashed around and cut her with his claws but both stopped moving as the door opened.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRIE08EtSrD
"Praetorian." the woman said in awe and disbelief.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLmt7oATrt
It was the last thing Rarkan heard before his heart was pierced. The Praetorian cut the woman down and helped her stabilize herself. She had to crane her head to look into his masked face. While she was certainly tall for a woman, she was nowhere near his size. His whole body was covered in thick, jet-black armor with a smooth and dense defense mesh on the joints. This confused her, however, as she realized he wasn't as big and armored as the Crimson Knights and Raiders that she was used to seeing.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6C4wpxfpHW
"They sent the Phantoms?" she asked.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozk4Ofq02t
"No, just him." a voice spoke from the doorframe nonchalantly, "And us. Name's Han."
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcqI3sN7kG
Four more figures entered the room, each with a distinct ensemble of the Terran Crows.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkVTpS7RqiT
"Infiltration Specialist Natalia Pavlov. Lieutenant Gabriel Morrison, 9th Crow Brigade, we're here to extract you." the group leader said.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCAr409btse
Natalia smiled grimly, "Took you long enough. We have to go, now."
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Y9GMJj5cJ
"Not until we find the bomb. I have Beta and Gamma searching-"
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf69ncoevwd
"Call them back, the bomb is not here."
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0WK31aS0c3
Jack frowned, “What d’ya mean?
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYu58CDC47
“It’s not on the ship, they-”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9krAKTRWX3
A tremor cut her off and the team struggled to regain balance. The Phantom held Natalia upright as the others grabbed the pipes on the walls. Red light flared in the halls and loud alarms sounded all over the ship. Hubions ran frantically, some didn’t even notice the humans standing behind the corner. Those that did, we either killed or ran away. The ship’s security force struggled to hold its ground as hull ruptures kept spreading. Jack gave Natalia a mask to cover her face up and they all began running toward the hatch they entered the ship through. More and more Hubions appeared, but most didn’t pay the Crows any attention as they tried to save their own lives.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ35jvz7Cbdo
“Beta-1, Gamma 1, this is Alfa-1, situation report!” Morrison shouted into his comms but no response came, “Wingman Alfa, do you copy?”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8ZwDMrByXX
“This is Wingman Alfa, you need to hurry, the whole ship is coming apart!” the pilot said on the comms.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15s9l29Qon
“Roger that, Wingman, we’ll be there soon!”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73pqoOseVj
“For fock’s sake, this is messed up!” Jack shouted as he ran, “They blew their own ship!?”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISQfKXWC8u
“Looks like it!” Han said.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkZuIYOIaR
When they got close to the hatch, the ship shook violently again, and Natalia and Jack lost their footing. The entire vessel tilted forward and the two Crows were about to fall into the newly-formed chasm. In a split second, the Praetorian grabbed them both and threw them at the hatch ladder. They climbed as fast as they could and narrowly managed to get on board the Raven before another part of the vessel burst open into the vacuum of space.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcJ8cRvy1s
Natalia sat down, exhausted and panting, “Thank you.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ59dERUxzys
“Thanks, mucker,” Jack told the Praetorian, who didn’t seem to react.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb6GIA33MZI
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLuv6OR8m6
As they flew away from the Hubion ship, Morrison kept trying to get into contact with Beta and Gamma. Time and time again, he received nothing but static. After calling the frigate to confirm his suspicions, he took his helmet off and lowered his head.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLh6BtNB3w
“They’re dead. Beta was in the cargo bay, Gamma was heading to the command bridge. Both of them blew up along with the engines. It’s like the bastards planned for it. But why kill their own like this?”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKpbYIUCh6
“Well, I’m pissed as fuck!” Han shouted, “Those pricks made me waste my BFB charges!”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpNmauxsbhH
Everyone on board, including the Praetorian, turned to look at him. He looked back in confusion, anger, and annoyance.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8vwRZD5kuC
“What? I had them shipped from Mars, they weren’t cheap.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsSlXgU62m1
Morrison shook his head, “I’ll get you more. For now, we have to get back to the Dark Bird and figure out what to do next.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjMehB7dkK
“Hubion Prime,” Natalia said.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpMHRBmCjV
“What about it?” Jack asked.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vWkLSNhGA
“The bomb is there?”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpR6xPxq1p
“How do you know?” Morrison asked.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFYPSi7tFS
“There’s nowhere else they would put it. Calinola is under siege and Hubion Prime is the only planet still not under compliance in the system.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1FqYZir2ck
“And dozens of thousands of troops, including Praetorians, are concentrated around the capital.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTOITCQKq4W
“They’d blow their own bleedin’ city?” Jack asked, “That don’t sound like ‘em.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdjWxAv2G5
“Whatever they’re planning, it’s on Hubion Prime,” Natalia said, “And we need to get there.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLQvsB1BuV
“And if it’s another trap?” Bruiser asked.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLAfXZ0FYZ
Natalia paused for a moment and looked at the Praetorian, “Let’s hope he’s as good as we think he is.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiATuhgPxL
— — — — — — — —
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoN84ogIo6
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbVEDu5I66
142, 2432
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1wWmWaoK3
TVV “Dark Bird”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKS92LkhV3Z
Above orbit of Hubion Prime
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlCCxuo0Zth
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3opCnJA7V
“The plan is set.” Morrison said, turning on the holographic display, “Marshal Evans and General Parker aren’t willing to pull their forces back. They’re under the impression that the Hubions won’t commit to bombing their own capital. This means it’s up to us to find the bomb and whoever got it there. Luckily, we have a lead.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4inM9qq61
The hologram flickered and an image of a Hubion appeared. He had dark yellow scales and wore orange cloth with jewelry and religious symbols. Han squinted his narrow eyes at the alien.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8wdidsiwuZ
“Who’s that?”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXkbHqnzDE
“Karafan Hon’Dal’Tar,” Morrison answered, “One of the monarchs of Calinola. He fled the capital several days before the assault began and is currently being held by the TGFA.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GWpA0JSER
“They close?” Jack asked.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLtR3BJPyqg
“Relatively. There’s a series of towns connecting to a large compound. There’s a surprisingly high amount of Hubion presence in the area, however. Most likely his followers.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAh4Wzvc7l
“What’s the plan?”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVo4p0tZK4u
“We’re going to go down there, link up with the TGFA, get Karafan, and get answers. So suit up, the bird leaves in ten minutes.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkWPT881xu
Each squad member went their own way to prepare. The only one who didn’t move much was the Praetorian, who simply sat in a corner and waited. Bruiser was much the same and the two men looked like they would get along, at least on paper.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE0JWTg6PDB
“I know you’re not here to help us,” Bruiser said, “I personally don’t care what you do. But don’t mess with my brothers. I will kill you if you do.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTQT615zfXZ
The Phantom slowly moved his head toward him and looked him in the eyes. It was hard to read his expression behind his mask but Bruiser knew exactly what he was thinking. No promises.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTxOsfYr2zK
Jack walked past the armory and glanced over at Natalia, who was redressing her wound. Her left side still looked bad despite the drugs she’s taken. He could see the scars covering her bare back and couldn’t help but admire the woman not just as his senior but also as a fighter.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJEMG3rHQyr
“Do you need something, rookie?” she asked without turning around.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzRZ3AkC3R
“No.” he replied, “Just lookin’”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5x3cifkDAI
Natalia smiled, “Rude to stare at a lady, don’t you think?”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPW0NGV6Gh
“It is. Lucky for me you ain’t one.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvRkNVv2gn
This made her laugh and she turned around, tightening the bands around her chest and upper back.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbV1HDtDGsf
"First assignment?" she asked, to which Jack nodded, "Hell of a start, I'll give you that."
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp3fd0v4VPa
"What was your first?"
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtRLlAoGuH6
"Assassination. It's where I got this," she said, pointing at a scar on her right shoulder.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQMZ1wLtHh
"Damn. Gotta get me one."
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCN1fjd0Vpf
"You don't. Trust me, they won't do you any good. All they are is a reminder of my incompetence. If you survive for twenty more years and get no scars, consider yourself a god."
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6LZ69qIzBQ
Jack laughed at that, "Thanks for the advice."
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPYxikrQ1S
He walked back down the hall and stopped when he saw Han's foot behind a corner.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6f2j3cwUZ1
"How much?" Jack asked.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQspWEYUHt
"Most of it," Han said and paused, dramatically looking at the ceiling, "Okay, all of it. Didn't know you were into older women."
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPZxSCJH3k
"Shut up," Jack said and walked off.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqgGXH1O47s
"Hey, there's nothing wrong with that. I don't like used products myself, but whatever floats your boat."
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiTw2R6HCd
This kept up for the next ten minutes until they got on board the Raven and made their way down to Hubion Prime. Han kept making jokes to fix the mood, as he put it, even managing to make Bruiser crack a smile. Only two people on board weren't in high spirits. The Praetorian and Morrison. While the former was nigh impossible to read, the Lieutenant wasn't. The loss of two squads affected him more than he thought it would. But it wasn't just that, it was the way they died. Nothing pointed at the Hubions being this suicidal and self-destructive. It wasn't normal.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJ2LSREkh2
"Hey, LT," Han called over, "Wanna hear a joke?"
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4X3EDzIVrL
"I'll pass."
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8jiB2IjDlO
"Come on, your depression is getting contagious. Two aliens walk into a bar-"
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzel7M1P6MI
"Brace!" a loud voice boomed as the lights turned red and the craft shook.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp6j3a9N812
Explosions filled the air as the pilot tried to dodge the missiles that came at him.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtfSb69K5Ai
"What's happening?!" Morrison asked, his hands gripped tightly around the handles above him.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡycakVzJnZP
"Enemy anti-air! They just appeared below us! I'll try to-"
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWmkfvyzikK
Her voice cut off as a missile hit the bottom of the Raven, blowing off a piece of the hull as well as the cockpit. The craft plummeted into a dense treeline and most of its passengers were knocked out cold. When Morrison woke up, he found himself laying on his side with his waist uncomfortably tied to his seat. His vision was blurred and all he could hear were static and high-pitched sounds. The air bit his throat and lungs as he gasped for air and he fell on his back when he cut his seatbelt. As his sight slowly steadied, he saw the Praetorian lifting and carrying his squad members out. Bruiser was already outside when he came back for Neils and this gave him some relief. The next sight, however, did not.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡghNqTqXDNb
"S-Sir?" Han grunted and Morrison turned his head to see him.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvrBFmdMW7
His eyes were fixed on the metal spike protruding out of the specialist's gut. The blood turned his jet-black suit into a dark crimson and the bottom of his unmasked face a glistening red. Morrison tried to crawl to Han, to help him however he could. Han merely smiled.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWrxWWg4djG
"Well, this sucks," he said as he laughed, "The bastards made me miss my punchline."
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZjXYaF6bC
"I’ll get you out,” Morrison wheezed and the Praetorian lifted him up and carried him away, “Stop.”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2B1GzLAoej
Soon after they both got to relative safety, the Raven exploded. Pieces of burned metal flew in all directions and some lit a few of the surrounding lime-colored trees on fire. The squad barely got to its feet. Jack tried to help Natalia while Bruiser was balancing himself with a stick. Morrison walked up to the Praetorian and punched him in the jaw.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM3YZcKXD0E
“You could have carried both of us. You bleedi-”
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PuCLDywvy
A gunshot cut him off. The super soldier pulled out his hand cannon and fired it at a Hubion, blowing his head off. He fired three more times before gesturing to the others to move. The three of them ran as quickly as they could through the woods. Bruiser didn’t see the Praetorian anywhere and assumed he had gone in a different direction. This changed when a Hubion’s chest burst open next to him. These aliens were everywhere, Jack thought. If they were to survive, they needed help. But luck was not appearing to be on their side. When they got out of the tree line, bright lights nearly blinded them as they stopped in their tracks. They steeled themselves for the worst when a woman shouted at them.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8v7nz0ybvl
"Get down!"
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vbVamYKeK
The squad did so immediately. Bullets and lasers blitzed over their heads, killing the Hubions behind them. Grenades exploded and the screams of dying aliens filled the air. After several minutes, everything stopped. Soldiers ran to and past the injured Crows. The woman walked closer to them and Morrison could distinguish her features more clearly now. Her blond hair was tied into a bun on the back of her on top of which was a dark green helmet. A matching uniform adorned her body and a mark of two crossed bayonets with a black cross was plastered on her chest and shoulder.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDrkVF3n56
"Are you the Crows?" she asked.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJV4FSQa7sO
"What gave us away, sunshine?" Jack asked as he was helped to his feet.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPMhJWkS5DQ
The woman smiled slightly, "I'm Captain Helga Braun, 4th Greencoats of Kaiser Army."
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6hA09Jru2y
"Lieutenant Gabriel Morrison, 9th Crow Brigade," he said, "I won't waste time, Captain. Where is Karafan?"
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WLtesNbqA
Helga nodded, "I thought you might ask that. I'll take you to him. Your men can get patched up at the med-block."
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgeQf7raF4
Morrison and his squad followed Helga to her MUV. The Greencoats took them to a small abandoned town two clicks away. Dozens of soldiers stood on watch all around and drones flew through the air and scanned the surroundings. Armored vehicles and roadblocks were placed on almost every street and at least two marksmen stood on every roof.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJdNVrjB0o
"Quite a base you have here," Morrison commented.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7jLXiAlUi
"We've been attacked several times in the past three weeks. Two days ago they started firing blue rockets with white particles coming off of them. Ring a bell?"
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7yxjbBsZf
"Should it?" Jack asked.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhdBnUL3tKY
"Those things blew your Raven. I thought you might know. What about you, Praetorian?"
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTAfRR3uxS
"He don' talk much."
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOxILVmcRfM
"Funny. Those Raiders rarely shut up when you get them going."
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqad67JOCH
They stopped at a large gray structure with Kaiser emblems hung on its walls. When they got inside, Jack, Bruiser, and Natalia followed a medical officer toward another part of the facility. Morrison and the Praetorian went to the basement with Helga. At and around the entrance stood a dozen guards clad in denser armor than what they had seen outside. Helga issued them orders in German and the three of them walked into the dimly lit room. In the middle of it was a Hubion tied to a metal chair. His fancy clothes were torn, his jewelry was nowhere to be found, and his face looked like a Rhino ran over it.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEQVu30O7O
"Can he still talk?" Morrison asked.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaTK1dHlsp
"He can," Helga answered, "Though he doesn't say much. Recently he's been repeating the same thing."
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnOp25VXsvr
"What?"
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g5U9kL60I
"The truth will call," Karafan wheezed out between coughs and grunts, "Answer it."
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdB9slT30fz
Morrison walked closer and grabbed him by his throat, "Who will call? Where? When?"
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdENlVMvIk
Karafan didn't answer. All he did was give a crooked smile when a small device on the table glowed and rang.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxznxcisMeT
"Answer it." he wheezed again.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7doWMb0mnJ
"What is that?" Morrison asked Helga.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrY21MMoeLQ
"I don't know. He had it on him, we thought it was some kind of communication device. But we never got it to work."
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FrRu5O7yt
The Lieutenant took the device and felt its almost nonexistent weight in his hand. His eyes widened and then frowned when he recognized what it was.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeCgHEfbrnW
"This is Bae'Kloren technology," he said and turned to Karafan, "Where did you get this?"
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡli8zq69tmP
"Answer it," the Hubion monarch repeated.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrVXWYPJza7
Morrison looked at the device again. Only a single white orb flashed in the middle of the bright purple circle. He pressed it and a small crisp holographic projection appeared in front of it. It displayed a sharp but deformed figure that glared at Morrison, who stared back in confusion, fear, and surprise.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs84A6BmAy5
"What is that?" Helga asked as her face mimicked the Lieutenant's.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlVLLYeQEt
Even the Praetorian was unnerved as he took a step forward and tilted his head.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XaUmUmMPB
"Greetings once more, marksman," the creature said in a devilish and raspy voice.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrp7IvGN9a
Morrison threw the device onto the ground and stomped into scrap with his heel. His breathing was rapid and his heart raced like never before. Sweat poured down his forehead as he paced with his hand pulling his hair.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPDxMLe3bm
"No," he said in a fit of rage, "No. No. This is not real. He is not real. He's not here! He-"
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfD704lET0a
His words were cut off by Karafan's dry and painful laughter. Blood oozed from his twisted mouth as his one good eye met Morrison's.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTto3PqfBR
"Now you see, fool," he taunted, "The truth is-"
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKUEXEd9ei
He didn't finish as Morrison returned the favor and blew a hole in his head with his sidearm. Guards hurriedly opened the door, their guns raised and pointed in all directions. Helga halted them.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGhG11q8Dw
"Lieutenant," she said, "What was that?"
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡseRrlNtEob
Morrison didn't answer. His eyes were still fixed on the alien he killed and his heartbeat didn't slow down. Eventually, however, he lowered his gun and turned to face Helga.
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogCGwCGxdZ
"A failure," he said as he sighed, "My failure."
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ5GAjkNnXf
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIsKYhOHcY
End of Part 3
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG5hWNnTirP
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmA78dKueIt
Thank you very much for reading
If you'd like to support me and my work feel free to upvote, follow, and check out my Patreon where you can get access to early chapters, a private Discord server, a chance to commission, and even influence ongoing stories: patreon.com/SimpleWrites
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe4PsCVXzjf
486Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbKmZdSqAmw
