Turaspeir Squad to Command, we are in position. Jack radioed to the orbiting ship.

After they had all managed to get across the gorge, the squad had quickly made its way across the second mountain and had taken cover in a small alcove about three hundred feet from the factory entrance.

Understood Turaspeir, you have full operational command. Commence you mission. The return orders from the ship were short and sweet. Even while they were still training, Command would always guide them step by step. Apparently, graduating into a full unit meant that Jack would be in command, even if it was only his second ‘real’ mission.

Alright squad, listen up. Alexander, I need you to pull a sweep of the area and make sure that no other guards are hiding around corners or something. Jack began, while he is doing that, I want West to ensure that everyone within range is topped off on their personal shielding unit. Once we go underground, we will only have whatever lighting is available. No natural light to draw from down there.

On it. Warren replied.

Wanting to see the field for himself, Jack quickly formed a thread of Light between himself and the overhead Vixen. As the drone did a single lap around the mountaintop, the two men were able to see the fighting in the far-off distance. While it was too far to see how the fight was going, they were at least able to verify that the enemy was suitable distracted.

I only count the two from before. Warren reported after finding a spot to land while still remaining hidden.

Great. Jenkins, I want you to take a crawler and make some noise. If you can get one of the guards to follow it away from the door, even better. Neilson, if he can get the second one away, how sure are you that you can shoot the first one?

I’ll put my load directly in its eye, Serg. She replied, If he cant get the other one away for long, I suggest that we let Alexander take a crack at it from the Vixen.

That may have to be the case. If this goes sideways, I need you two to be able to take out the second guard. This area is way too open for us to get caught in a brawl with these things.

From the back of Jenkins armor, a crawler drone detached itself and began to make it’s way toward the target. When he thought it was close enough to do the job, Jenkins fired three rounds into his targets chest before instructing the drone to turn and run.

Instantly enraged, the guard screamed and tore off in the direction of its attacker while the remaining Raak’Shee remained, staring dumbly into the glaring snow. Before he could work out the reason why his partner would run off in that manner, a bolt of red light sunk into the alien’s eye.

The Raak’Shee chasing Jenkins’ crawler heard its fellow guard cry out in pain and spun back to charge the door. The creature screamed as it pumped it massive legs through the snow, head lowered, and weapon drawn. Finding the corpse, it spun frantically in search of a target. Even without knowing this species, Jack could see the madness clouding the creatures thoughts.

Neilson, one more shot. Jack sent, getting worried that they would be seen.

Can’t draw a bead. It is moving too erratically. Cecile replied.

Can you see its eyes?

What?

Can you see its eyes? Jack repeated hurriedly.

Yeah?

Good.

Casting his vision into the spectrum of Light, Jack found Cecile and tied in with her vision. Standing from behind his cover, he raised the weapon and focused on the other point of view. He would have to be quick, if the creature spotted him and got in close… there was no use thinking like that. It was time to act.

“Bob, activate laser sight.” As the sights came to life, he remembered lessons that had been drilled into him since he first learned what an Optic was. Better yet, since he first learned what his potential was. Through his own eyes, he could barely see the red dot on his target’s chest. But with Cecile’s help, he was able to watch as that sight moved closer and closer to his targets eye.

No sooner was his shot on target than the Raak’Shee saw him and screamed in rage. Out of time, the Optic set the rifle to automatic and squeezed the trigger.

Time seemed to slow as the massive beast started to run but was interrupted by a torrent of gunfire directly into its brain. Still watching through both angles, Jack watched as it started to close the fifty-meter gap with seeming ease. Before it could even make it five steps however, its legs were lost and its forward momentum brought it face first to the ground.

You see this shit? Alec said, this is what we get for having a damned mountain base with a door in the attic!

Yeah, but if this were a normal situation, we would have an aircar that could land right there… ten steps from the thing. Dave countered, I’m just impressed with Jack’s shooting. Unless your name is CC Neilson, you don’t see shots like that every day.

Good thing I was using her eyes then.

That’s cheating. Warren said, And kinda hurtful. I had a Vixen right there; you can’t use it?

Who says I didn’t? Jack asked. Besides, the cameras on those things are far less sharp than her eyes.

Yeah, whatever.

Approaching the door, they were dismayed to find that it did not lock from the outside. A point that Alec used over and over to explain why this mission seemed to be going further and further off the rails.

Would you just shut the fuck up? Nessa exclaimed, look, I understand that you like to complain, but you are just going to have to shut up for this one. If you had a single brain cell firing, you would recognize that it makes sense for the emergency exit to only open from the inside.

Which doesn’t help our mission at all right? Alec shot back.

No, of course not. However, some of us were given the key.

Oh really? And who would that be?

Me and you, you fool.

Oh damn, it appears I left this magic key up on the ship. He replied, patting his armor like he was looking for a wallet, What ever will we do? Sounds like a scrap to me.

Oh just move. She growled, shoving the Dragoon away from the door.

Grumbling curses in a language none of them understood, Nessa drew a hilt from her belt and brought it to life with a thought. Without looking back at her squad mates, she slammed the weapon into the doorframe and began to cut.

So when you said you had the key, you were just being a smartass? Alec remarked, standing way too close to her for comfort.

No shit sherlock. And when I say that you have one as well I mean those punch blades you had the quartermaster add to your standard loadout.

How do you know about those? He didn’t tell anyone!

I didn’t, until you just said something. She laughed, stepping away from the smoldering doorframe as placing her weapon hilt back on her hip. But I know you, and I know that you would never allow yourself to be protected from long range only. After our last mission… well let’s just say I understand why everyone would want some up close and personal firepower.

Hold up on the chatter guys. Jack interrupts, Command, this is Turaspeir, we have breeched the door and are requesting permission to begin infiltration.

Copy that Turaspeir. You are a go for infiltration. Secure the factory if possible, destroy it if not.

Dropping Command from his communications, Jack looked at each of his soldiers. They were about to dive into the belly of the beast. It wasn’t the first time, and it damned sure wouldn’t be the last. They were soldiers; Human soldiers with the capacity to control Light itself. And for the first time, Jack was truly terrified about what that would mean in a place of darkness.

Alright guys, is everyone ready for this? He asked his squad. Even though he asked the question, he knew deep down that he wasn’t. Last time he led a mission into enemy territory, he’d lost a friend. Would it be the same here?

I don’t rightly know that we have a choice. Dave said, stepping forward and grabbing the handle of the freshly severed door, But, for what it’s worth, I am.

Agreed. Alec said, a sentiment that was echoed from soldier to soldier.

Well then, let’s get moving. Neilson and Alexander, the line is left open to you. If anyone comes up on our backs your job is to kill them quickly. If you cant drop them, then let us know that we have company. Jack explained, simultaneously questing out with his senses into the cavernous factory below for any source of sight that he could find.

Unsurprisingly, more than a few security cameras were scattered around the facility. Their lifeless eyes didn’t provide the same feeling as seeing through a living being, but they were far more numerous and allowed him to scout ahead without putting anyone in danger.

With a grunt, Dave pulled the nearly useless hunk of steel away from the frame and stepped wordlessly into the tunnel below.