Part 8 - Crimson
So, I expect the main database is down that lift, right? Two Fist asked the tech, who nodded, obviously in fear for his life.
And of course, it wont be undefended, will it? Two Fist enquired, the faceless dome of his helm contriving to seem menacing.
I
I dont know
The tech stammered. Im just a sys-admin. I dont know anything about security. Thats Crimsons role
oh
. Damn
Crimson eh? Scarlet said. Isnt he like the big spymaster for Longbow?
Yes, I think so. Two Fist said. Could be tricky. Id like to see what we are up against first if possible.
Why not access the security video footage? Chaos Agent asked, looking around at the various cameras that were scanning the area. The emergency sirens had died down to a dull whine now, and emergency lighting had come on, harsh and bright.
Sounds good, but how are we to do that? Two Fist asked. Chaos agent gestured to Helioss, who grabbed the tech around the throat with one massive hand, lifting him clear off the ground, leaving him gurgling and chocking, futilely beating his fists on Helioss bulky arm.
Im sure the tech can reroute video footage to this security console here. Chaos Agent continued. He gestured to the machine beside the lift. If he wants to live, of course
The tech nodded frantically and Helioss released his grip, sending him clattering to the floor. He dragged himself up and scurried to the console. After several minutes of frantic tapping some grainy footage appeared. It was of a man dressed from head to foot in red leather. He moved like a panther and radiated power. Four longbow commanders surrounded him, dressed in the stylised armour and flowing golden capes of the elite Ballista class. They were speaking, but no sound was coming through. At a glare from Chaos Agent he fiddled with the console a bit more, attaching some wires in new combinations, and sound suddenly came out of the speakers.
I want this base locked down tight! Crimson was saying, for it could be no one else, in that outfit. Looks like we have had some intruders. I spent far too long in that Arachnos prison, time for some payback!
Uh, towers one and two are down, as are our seawall defences. One of the Ballistas said.
And our Chasers are destroyed. Casualties are high. Another chimed in.
No matter. Crimson said firmly. They have not yet faced us in battle. These foul villains will fall. No Ziggurat for them. I want them wiped off the earth for this atrocity.
This should be entertaining. Lady Doom said, still carrying her spherical burden. Obviously poor Crimson hasnt faced us before. I hope he has a good mediporter.
Okay, down we go. Two Fist said, leading his troops into the lifts, leaving the prideful boasting of Crimson echoing out into the corridor behind them.
The lift ground to a halt suddenly, the lights going out. Trapped in blackness, apart from the flickering fire of the auras of power surrounding the Demons, the silence was suddenly overwhelming.
Looks like either main power has gone in the lift or its an ambush. Atomic observed.
Ambush Id guess. Kitty said. Main power is probably under the base, safe from our assault.
Get us linked to the security cameras for the other lifts. Two Fist ordered, and the technician obeyed hurriedly, quickly bringing up a view of the other two lifts on their lifts view screen. Both were packed with heavily armed Longbow.
We want sound again. Two Fist demanded. After a moment, they had it.
Theyve captured a technician and are headed for our main databanks, according to security footage. A Longbow Officer was saying. Crimson doesnt know what hes getting into. It looks like its Demons and Vengeful Spirits. We have to stop them now. The damage is already too great to allow any further chaos from this.
Interesting. Two Fist said. Well, time to ambush our ambushers.
The Longbow assault team smashed through the doors of the lift using a portable jackhammer. The door crashed into the back wall, spraying sparks, and then the interior of the lift was riddles with bullets and flame and exploding grenades, turning it into a ruin.
Ok team one, move in. The Longbow Officer commanded, gesturing his squad forwards into the dying flames. The lift looked like a colander, it had so many holes in the metal walls, and the floor was melted and sagging. One section of wall was gone completely, blasted away by grenades. But there were no bodies. The Officer stopped, confused.
Hmmm, our surveillance indicated they were in this lift. Where the hell are they?
Here. Was all two Fist said, crashing through the metal of the ceiling. The grating drove down into the Officer, shattering him underfoot, and his arms swung out in a broad arc, his whirling hands of doom sending Longbow flying. Helioss jumped down then, smashing and tearing, while Chaos Agent vaulted out onto the other Elevator roof, supported by Atomic, who flew over to join him. The Longbow within began firing wildly, bullets ripping through the roof and out up the shaft, some ricocheting wildly and injuring their own, but Chaos Agent, imbued with unholy speed and agility by Atomic tempest, easily evaded them all. He grabbed for the lift cable, and with an almighty wrench tore it apart. As the lift plummeted he leapt back to his own lift, delivering a final blow to the broken Officer, who was struggling to rise.
Helioss hurled the last Longbow out of the lift into the blackness of the shaft, and there was an almighty crash as the Longbow lift hit bottom, followed by the smaller thump of the thrown Longbow.
So much for that ambush. Two Fist said with satisfaction. No one ever thinks to look up in a lift.
Scarlet dragged down the cowering scientist, and with the press of a few buttons the ruined lift began to descend.
The doors slid open with a hiss. The Demons fanned out into the main room of the underground Longbow laboratory. Awaiting them at the top of the stairs was Crimson and his four guards.
Huh? Crimson said, momentarily worried. Two Fist? Ive heard of you. Gathering his courage he forced a grin. Still, taking you down will be a real benefit for all mankind!
Enough talk, you Longbow lapdog! Two Fist answered confidently. This base has been earmarked for destruction by Lord Recluse. Everyone in it will be purged!
Bring it! Crimson said, adopting a martial arts pose. The Ballistas began radiating shimmering bubbles of force that overlapped to form an almost impenetrable shield.
Lady, you stay here and guard the tech and the payload. Two Fist ordered Lady Doom, who nodded. Vines burst from the metallic ground and wrapped around the tech, pinioning his arms and legs.
He isnt going anywhere. She answered with a grim smile.
Two Fist thundered across the ground, metal melting into a boiling sludge underneath his feet. Atomic granted him the incredible power of speed and he rammed into the overlapping force fields with great force. It shuddered, and he was thrown backwards, crashing to the ground, splashing molten metal everywhere. Helioss leapt at the barrier, hammering it with a massive knockout blow, but only succeeded in breaking his fist. Rolling away in pain he barely dodged a volley of deadly force bolts that were hurled by the Ballistas, sizzling through the air like blue lightning.
Chaos Agent watched the fighting with a smile. He knew that sometimes brute force was not the way forward. Hidden from view by his manipulation of energy he glided forwards. Meeting the barrier he sank his awareness into it, quickly sensing the ebb and flow of the force, attuning his energy field to match it. Passing through untouched he focused his energy until it was a ball of burning fury, then released it at the nearest Ballista, hands shooting forwards. The Ballista screamed, staggering back, and the field shattered. Chaos Agent was hurled back by more bolts of force, but with the field down other Demons sprung to the attack. Kitty swooped over the fallen Ballista and unleashed her Dark Servant. It struck home with a soul-draining chill, striking again and again with darkness. Loosing a lance of purest blackness she sent it sailing down, piercing the chest of the fallen foe, who writhed one and then was still, vanished under the cloak of night the servant was radiating.
Helioss ignored the pain is his shattered hand and leapt forwards, thundering a punch to one Ballista, sending him sprawling. Then he was suddenly enveloped in a cool glow, and found his next blows passing harmlessly through everything. Im trapped in some kind of energy field! he panicked.
Two Fist staggered upright, only to be leapt upon by Crimson. Several blows in quick succession hit his stony hide, and were amazingly painful, rock ships flying. Two Fist was driven back, an experience he was not accustomed to.
The mighty Oni belched flame at one of the Ballistas, setting his cloak alight, and as he staggered around Scarlet unleashed her own darkness, hurling him down. As he struggled Atomic flew in, and gathering her might, unleashed a massive cloud of dangerous gamma rays and beta particles. The very air ignited, and the Ballista fell, not rising again, burned beyond recognition.
Watch out! Helioss shouted, but he was too late, as the remaining two Ballistas unleashed more bolts and Atomic was sent flying. Then Chaos agent was up, raining blows on a Ballista, who vainly tried to defend himself, but as the bows rained down his defences became weaker and weaker, until a blow slipped through and smashed bone.
As that Ballista fell Helioss found himself free of the field and rushed to the aid of Two Fist. Throwing a blow at Crimson he was rewarded by a mighty kick to the ribs that sent him flying. Two Fist tried to capitalise on the distraction but even though his legs were covered in boiling mud and metal Crimson was fast and dangerous. Dodging the blow he struck out again, and Two Fist fell.
The last Ballista let out a cry, as Lady Doom sent out a flurry of vines that entangled him and then conjured a series of barbed thorns that pierced flesh and lacerated internal organs. Oni finished off the crippled Ballista then raced towards Crimson, belching flame.
Youre finished now. Two Fist grated, regaining his feet as Crimson belted him again. Crimson ducked and Onis fire wreathed Two Fist, before Oni himself disintegrated in a pillar of fire, returning to whatever fell dimension had spawned him, as Crimson struck out with his fists, delivering a deathblow.
Helioss staggered Crimson with another hefty knockout blow, but he recovered quickly, and Helioss was driven into the floor by a massive kick. Two Fist seized his change then, and grappled Crimson, holding him tight in still-burning arms. As Crimson struggled, doing damage with kicks and gouges Two Fist leaned closer, until his head was right by his ear. I hope you have a good hospital
he whispered, and then flexed his mighty arms.
Crimsons eyes bulged wide and there was a snapping sound as his back snapped, and then he was gone, only a fading after-image remaining as the mediporter kicked in.
That should put him out of action for quite some time. Chaos Agent laughed, helping a shaken Atomic Tempest to her feet.
And he does not suspect our real purpose, unlike those Longbow in the lifts. Two Fist said, striding over to where the tech was imprisoned. The vines snaked away, leaving the now weeping technician huddling in a ball. Two Fist wasted no time on soothing him, and merely hauled him up with one hand and carried him to the computer databanks by the far wall.
Which one is the main terminal? he asked and when he got no answer asked again, punctuating his demand with a savage shake.
That
that one
stammered the tech, pointing.
Disable the firewall. Two Fist ordered, and thrust the tech against it. Barely able to see through his tears the tech did as he was ordered, inputting several command codes. When he was done Two Fist turned to him and spoke some quiet words.
As we said, well spare your life. I suggest you start running though, in twenty minutes this base will be reduced to ashes. That should be enough time for you to get clear, if you are quick. With a push he started the tech moving, and after a few seconds the tech began to run for the lifts and was soon out of sight.
Behind Two Fist, Lady Doom had set the sphere she had carried down, and it had opened up to reveal a cylindrical bomb, set with a twenty-minute timer. It was a new light-yield low radiation nuclear device. A small, several hundred yard circle of devastation, with radiation dropping to harmless levels within minutes. A technical marvel from Aeon labs. As Two Fist withdrew his memory stick and inserted it into the console he heard the click as the bomb was armed.
Data transfer complete! the console announced. Longbow files reprogrammed. Two Fist then pressed a few more buttons. Data uploaded. Access key obtained. Personnel files transferred. The console intoned.
Job done. Two Fist said with satisfaction. Now we go
As the Arachnos flier took off, the sky was suddenly filled with a wall of light, as the island of Agincourt was obliterated by a huge blast. The flier pitched violently to one side, and then, as the mushroom cloud of smoke and flame died down, righted itself and continued on its way to Grandville
