34. Hazard: Converging

The next morning we all set out to buy proper equipment for ourselves with the money earned over the past two days. Going through the numerous stalls of the island we found some truly lethal weaponry. After the first few stalls my eye caught something I couldn’t resist. A Mk 48. A thirty caliber monster of a machine gun weighing in at eleven kilograms while loaded with a one hundred round belt. Absolutely giddy with joy I didn’t even bother going over the weapons strengths or weaknesses. If it was good enough for navy seals, it was good enough for me.

The next purchase was made by Bishop finding a SCAR-H CQC variant. The rifle packed enough punch to drop most horrors we’d encounter. Even though it traded recoil control for the power of its cartridge it wouldn’t make a difference in his well trained hands. With an underbarrel grenade launcher attached as well there was little he wouldn’t be able to deal with.

Strider found himself a Mk 14 EBR. The battle rifle came with a fire selector allowing full automatic fire should the situation became desperate. With a togglable sight varying between one and four times magnification he stood ready to support us from the rear with highly accurate and punishing fire.

Flux being the last to find a replacement weapon settled with a FN P90. The compact personal defence weapon held fifty armor piercing bullets being spat out at nine hundred rounds per minute. With a FN five seven pistol thrown in with the deal the twenty round capacity pistol firing the same ammunition would make sure Flux never lapsed in putting out fire.

With the remaining cash we bought a week's worth of food and ammo, protective equipment such as gas masks, rubber undersuits and general survival equipment. Prepared for the raid we met up with Sparrow who already had everyone rallied for a briefing. From Artur and Lewis’s report mercenary activity seemed to pick up in the area.

Handing out the experimental protective head bands intended to keep psionic forces at bay we integrated them into our helmets before setting off. With our group leading the mercenaries followed close behind and a little further back Sparrow and the rest followed our footsteps. With Flux on point we followed him to an objective unknown.

He walked forward with absolute purpose refusing to stop for any break or reason. Cautiously navigating the carnivorous forest being sure not to disturb the plant life he navigated a minefield of tears without issue as if they were in clear sight. A treacherous path filled with fluctuations of acid pockets, gravity shears and void pockets that should have seen at least a few of us perishing to the zone was navigated with ease.

Unquestioningly we followed him deeper into the twisted grove. The trees became more active and warped. Some growths began to seek us out as prey preventing any pause in our march. Not even corrupted flesh walked through this place. With guns up we came to a small clearing where Flux stopped dead in his tracks for a moment before lying on the ground. Following his lead we laid on the ground as he indicated Strider to come forward with his rifle.

“They beat us to it.”

Looking over Strider spotted two machine guns could be seen set up in the only two windows of a concrete structure alongside a set of train tracks leading into a tunnel sealed by massive metal doors which radar antennas could be seen over. Inspecting the area ahead fifteen mercenaries could be seen patrolling or guarding the building. Relaying the message back to Sparrow saw her return an attack order on her signal.

Setting up in the undergrowth analyzing the building promised a tough fight ahead of us. If the machine guns were left undeterred we’d all be cut down in this field. If the mercenaries outiside the building made it to good fighting positions we’d most likely be facing the same result. Without smoke cover the assault would be that much harder as well.

Going over a plan of attack between us we came to a grim realization that we wouldn’t get this done without casualties. Who fell though would be up to individual skill and we knew we had what it took to survive the stresses of battle. Checking the machine gun was primed by pulling back the bolt slightly to reveal a bullet Strider held his sights over one of the machine gunners.

Not a word needed to be said. Today would be the start of another desperate firefight. Something we were all so familiar with. It was something we found strangely calming at least before the air was laced with bullets. We all trusted each other with our lives working in perfect cohesion. With cover from the other teams we had no doubt we could take the point.

Even if we didn’t make it into the special forces community we knew deep down we could perform at the same level. After all the things we’d seen through the wars we fought the end of it all today would just be another day doing what we knew best. With a nod to the others signalling we were ready for whatever would come our way we laid in wait for the first shot.

A shot cracked out. A mercenary fell. The machine guns ripped around with one silenced by Strider instantly, the other suppressed. Laying down a blanket of fire Flux and Bishop charged forward joining the offensive. The mercenaries were cut down in droves leaving only nine remaining in the field though more poured out from the building.

Firing in short bursts back to back the gun roared as accurate fire cut the grass, occasionally accompanied by a puff of red. The belt running through the gun ended with a click. Ripping the machine gun open carefully inserting a new belt slapping it shut and ripping back the bolt the machine gun came to life anew.

Another few bursts I launched up from the ground into a run. The gun under my arm I continued the dead sprint until a burst of fire came my way. Diving down the bipod instantly found dirt to dig into as I turned the gun on my aggressors. With another few bursts Flux and Bishop found themselves charging up once more catching up with me before Bishop slid to a knee firing to the left.

“Targets two hundred meters bearing two seven five!”

Ripping the gun around again saw another burst in the direction of the new contact forcing them down. Shortly after Flux called out another group to the right moving for a flank. Firing another barrage caught two of the five men running to get round our cover leaving them pinned. Firing at the previous group the belt flicked up towards the breach before clicking again.

“Reloading!”

Slapping in another belt gave me a moment to analyze our situation as Bishop unloaded his magazine to make up for my lack of fire. Nearby a small team of our mercenaries moved through the field quickly trying to support our position. Drawing fire away from us saw Skippy shot through the head and lifeless on the ground.

Pulling back the bolt again firing at enemy positions gave the mercenaries much needed relief. Moving up again Sandworm took a round in the arm sending him to the ground crawling for cover. Further over Artur could be seen dragging Lewis into cover as Sparrow desperately fired to save Collette and Benedict as fire traced their heels.

Continuing to fire regardless of the damage I could be doing to the barrel I did what I could to give them the cover they needed. The mercenaries piled on throwing the weight of fire in their favour out in the open. Another belt running dry I loaded the last one not in my backpack as Bishop slapped me on the shoulder to get my attention over the gunfire.

“Fucking hustle we’re moving!”

Breaking over cover first followed by Flux who took the lead we charged towards the concrete building over the kill zone. Covered by Striders accurate fire and concealed by the surrounding chaos Flux immediately threw himself through the door. The moment he entered the building it erupted with gunfire as Bishop entered next to support him.

Rounding the door frame myself Flux had already dispatched four of the mercenaries holding the building as Bishop nailed the last one before Flux took a burst. Charging upstairs Flux cleared the machine guns as Bishop followed up Flux’s unrelenting assault. With Bishop securing the door down the hall I set up on one of the machine guns in the windows to fire into the backs of the remaining mercenaries.

With outside the complex clear we set up ready to breach the door way onto the metal bridge above the railway. With everyone ready to go Flux charged through first followed by Bishop, me then Strider. Coming through the door we saw another twenty mercenaries holding in wait as we appeared on the bridge. Throwing ourselves off the ledge behind the carriages forming lanes in the tunnel I found myself winded in mid air.

A bullet found its mark though the chest plate did it’s job. With everyone else pinned at the door it fell to us to clear the tunnel. Preparing to fire Flux was grappled and thrown down one of the lanes of carriages not under fire as a mercenary yelled at him while I fired at the hoard further down the tunnel.

“Oh you little fucker I’m going to enjoy this. Should’ve finished me off before I got these upgrades fuckhead.”

Rounding the corner Flux fired an entire magazine from his pistol as the mercenary advanced on him wearing an exosuit with four containers around his waist. Though the gun was pointed at his head every round flew wildly off course ricocheting off the surrounding carriages. With the pistol empty Flux drew a knew as the mercenary picked up a section of the rail as a massive metal rebar.

“Lets see how you deal with this motherfucker.”

Swinging the rail with incredible force at waist height Flux barely managed to roll underneath as it flew overhead. Closing the distance with his knife he found no weakness in the mercenaries armor as he dropped the rail to start grasping for Flux. Eventually his efforts were rewarded taking Flux hold in his iron grip by the throat slowly crushing his neck.

“Should’ve run when you had the chance you dumb bastard.”

Abandoning the gun I left Bishop and Strider to deal with the threats out front as the life ebbed from Flux’s eyes. Charging forward the mercenary turned his head just enough to see me as I tackled him to the ground releasing Flux from his grip. Getting to his feet the mercenary just started laughing.

“What you think I felt that? I’m gonna enjoy breaking every bone in your body.”

Laying into the mercenary trying to find some weakness in the suit saw no result as he kicked me back into a carriage with shattering force. Reeling my head lulled to the side as he tore a structural metal rod from the eroded concrete below skewing me to the carriage. Blinding pain shot throughout me in an instant through the daze as the firefight continued throughout the tunnel.

Turning his attention back to Flux he desperately fought back against him looking to end the fight as quickly as possible. The pain began to fade slightly as shock set in. A pool of blood was already forming at my feet. Looking over to their duel all Flux could do was dodge and weave hoping there was some weakness in his armor. Observing his attacks it seemed he found it.

Concentration failing I saw what he kept slashing at. An armoured cable running up his back from the pouches on his waist to his arms. Delivering precise strikes the cable rested without damage while the mercenary went to grapple him once more. Getting frustrated with his acrobatics he managed to throw Flux to the ground as he writhed free.

Seeing the desperation of the situation I took hold of the rod skewing me to the carriage. Every fibre cried out to stop but I continued to double my efforts on the rod. Driving as much strength as I could muster under the severe blood loss the rod gave way with a wet tearing leading to ears ringing from the pain. Looking up from the ground forcing my body to a knee, then on one foot then two I stood stumbling against the carriage with the bloodied rod in hand.

Blood poured from the lethal wound now nothing staunched the flow. Putting one foot forward the light began to fade, another step took my focus further from this world. Looking up the mercenary had Flux on the ground as he rolled away with sparks being thrown off the rails with every strike of the new rail he’d torn up.

Eying off the cable running up his back I stumbled forward leading into a walk, then jog, run and sprint. Charging forward with whatever life was left in my body the sharpened end of the metal rod penetrated through the cable, his armor and flesh. The forces provided by his suit immediately went haywire distorting his armor and body threatening to crush or tear him apart as it fluctuated. His tortured screams rose above even the ferocity of the firefight as the gravitational forces sheared him in half crushing sections while ripping other parts off.

With my arms caught in the field they too were lost with the mercenary amplifying the already lethal blood loss. Sitting up to see my decimated body Flux stumbled over to desperately stop the bleeding even though we both knew it was futile. With everything in the world fading away an angelic tendril leaded down the tunnel calling for me.

Parted from my dying body it collected me trying to drag me deep into the depths of the facility going deep beneath us as it tried to tell me the truths of the universe. It’s songs sounded so sincere and pleasant soothing even the worst of what I just endured. However in just a moment I caught a glimpse of the abyss it dragged me down towards.

A never ending darkness threatening to consume me and everyone who died in this place. Desperately my mind searched for anything that could resist the tendrils grasp. A pile of bodies further down. Some dead mercenaries. Attempting to channel any control I had left I found the songs turning to screams as I ran through the last memories of those who were still dying in the tunnel.

With their souls being carted off as a camouflage I somehow avoided the attention of the singularity to reside in the tunnel emanating in the dead bodies and pools of blood that began to saturate the concrete floor. Anchoring myself to this place trapped in darkness as the tendrils ripped away other lost souls what was left of my mind held on to the slither of hope that the survivors would be able to destroy this influence.