Caught in helicopter searchlights, the mammoth creature swayed back and forth like a snake dancing to a charmer's tune. Hudson saw two helicopters in total, hovering in-between the four pillars and dangerously close to the swaying tunnel dweller. Suddenly, the creature swung its head and connected with the closest helicopter. It spun out of control before crashing into the walkway, bringing two pillars down in the process.

Hudson turned to Echo who was looking on without a flicker of emotion.

"Was that yer dad's helicopter?"

"No, I can hear him speaking to me ever so faintly."

The second helicopter fired a missile that hit its target perfectly. There was barely enough time for Hudson and the others to take cover as the creature exploded, sending blood and guts raining down on the area.

"That's one way to get rid of them." Hudson remarked.

"We need to reach the top of the pillar." Echo said, breaking cover to have a look around. "Once we're there we can get on the helicopter."

"Why can't he pick us up down here?" Hudson asked.

"Come and have a look for yourself."

Hudson surveyed the area, but what he saw made him fear for their chances of escape. Some of the smaller buildings were sinking into the sand, while more creatures had popped up, spitting their green goo in every direction.

"We won't last long with those things spitting at us." Hudson told them.

"Any suggestions?" Kessel replied, firing shots at anything that came within spitting distance.

Hudson only took a moment to think of a plan. There were several small metal sheets amongst the rubble. Easy enough to carry, but strong enough to protect them from the green goo being spat by the creatures.

"Take one." Hudson ordered Kessel and Echo.

"What for?"

"We can use them as a shield while we run for the pillar."

"Nice one, old man." Echo replied.

With Echo in the lead, and DIY shields in hand, they plodded across the uneven ground, nearly being sucked in by the sandy whirlpool that was slowly forming to swallow the base. Hudson heard clumps of goo thud against the metal sheets, but they did their job, protecting him and the others until they reached the stairs that led up the closest pillar.

Tired and out-of-breath, Hudson forced himself to take the first step of the stairs, but he did not look back as he scaled them. He was too fearful of somehow giving the nightmarish creatures hope. They were slowly slithering up the stairs, clearly hellbent on capturing the trio who dared dream of an unlikely escape.

"Do these stairs ever end?" Kessel moaned.

"Shut up and keep climbing." Hudson bawled.

Echo was first to reach the ladder that would take them to the top of the pillar, but instead of starting her climb, she inexplicably somersaulted backwards over Hudson's head and landed behind him with a thud. There was no time to turn around before he felt the cold steel of her blade pressed against his throat.

"What the hell are ye doing?"

"Drop the pistols.” Echo ordered.

“Are ye crazy?”

Kessel then aimed his handgun at Hudson. “You heard her. Drop them.”

Confused with the development, Hudson heard the chopping of rotor blades from above. The helicopter was obviously waiting at the top of the pillar to pick up the survivors. Hudson was beginning to doubt he would be among them now. Left with little choice, he dropped the pistols on the ground. Kessel quickly picked them up and then awkwardly tossed them over the side.

"Where's Captain Gilda?" Echo snarled, still holding the blade to Hudson's throat.

“Gilda’s dead. I'm the captain now."

"You're a liar."

"Go to hell."

He could hear Echo's sinister laugh inside his head. "You're probably wondering what's going on."

"It crossed my mind." said Hudson, trying to remain characteristically cool in a hopeless situation.

"It's simple. My father, boss of the Red Ghosts wants every member of Viper's Fist dead."

Boss of the Red Ghosts?

Echo's shocking revelation knocked Hudson for six. He had no idea Raven was connected to any mercenary group, never mind the Red Ghosts. The unexpected development left him stunned.

"Why does Raven want us dead?"

"I don't ask questions. I simply follow his orders."

"Like a mindless drone."

"Don't be cross with me." Echo replied. "I'm leaving you here for those things to strip your flesh."

"That's the thanks I get for busting you out of that prison."

"You're the captain, aren't you? I want to ensure you suffer the most. Who knows, those things might eat the others first. You'll be trapped in one of those shells for weeks, maybe even months."

Others?

As Echo talked, Hudson began to wonder if Squad B were still at the top of the pillar, waiting for the right time to strike. If Bry was indeed lying in wait for an ambush, he would have to pull it off soon. The sea of creatures were only a few platforms away now, ascending to where Hudson, Kessel and Echo stood.

"This is goodbye then." Hudson said to Echo.

"I guess it is." Echo smiled before turning to Kessel. "Make sure he stays down here until the creatures reach him. Once they've encased him you can follow me up."

Echo put her sword away and started in the direction of the ladder. She had only put her foot on the first rung when Kessel gave chase and pulled her back off. She violently shoved him away. They argued for a few minutes before Echo got back on the ladder and started climbing. Hudson guessed the argument was about Kessel being left behind.

The whirlpool down below was engulfing everything now including the creatures. It would not be long until the last two pillar went as well. Hudson knew he had to get away from danger but with Kessel still holding him at gunpoint, and the relentless creatures still slithering up the stairs, there was little hope of escape. Kessel was pacing the platform now, constantly turning his attention to Echo as she climbed the ladder. An idea formed in Hudson's mind. A plan to manipulate the merc. Yes, manipulation was his only hope.

"Ye do realise we're gonna die up here, don't ye?" Hudson said with a genuine hint of concern in his tone.

"Shut up."

"Are ye seriously not gonna question Echo's motives? She should be down here too, but instead, she's got ye babysitting me until those things come. What if ye get hit with that green stuff?"

"Danger comes with the territory. I saw the boss's message. He was quite specific every one of you should perish, with the worst death coming for Captain Gilda. Well, he's already dead so you're him by default."

"None of that matters, By the time she gets up top, ye won't have time to reach the helicopter. They won't hang about for ye either."

"Oh, they'll wait. Echo would never leave me behind so keep your mouth shut."

"Ye sure about that?" Hudson said, hoping the amount of treachery involved in a merc's day-to-day existence would act as a psychological weapon against his captor. "That's Raven's daughter climbing that ladder. Once she's safely onboard the helicopter there's nothing stopping them from leaving. Look at what's happening down there. Do ye really think they'll hang around waiting for some random merc?"

Kessel repeatedly looked up at Echo on the ladder. Then he turned back to Hudson with a face like thunder.

"I told you to shut up."

"It's your funeral, buddy."

Kessel carelessly took a few steps forward to get a better view of Echo, but his mistake was like an invitation to a gleeful Hudson who seized the opportunity to escape by grabbing the handgun and attempting to pull it away. The merc recovered quickly, and both humans struggled for possession of the weapon. Hudson knew whoever came out on top would have a chance to save themselves. Whoever lost would be left to die.

"Let go." Kessel barked.

"Not a chance."

Both men fell to the platform, and Hudson felt a sharp pain in his shoulder as it slammed against the caged metal. The gun skidded away from both men, but Kessel managed to free himself from Hudson's grasp and then grip him by the throat with his padded red gloves. Hudson was too busy fighting for breath to stop the merc from pulling him over to the railing. The pressure on his back was unreal as Kessel continued to slam him against the railings. Hudson feared the pressure would send him right through the railing and down into the ravenous sinkhole, so he tried to fight back but his rival was too strong and continued trying to push him over the side.