You pack your lunch in that bag too, Gray?
Its 2 a.m. at the old Carlisle Foundry. Captain Shwan and The Gray Huntsman have just fought a tough skirmish with the Malta Group. A large Portal Corporation style dimensional portal thrums in the center of the foundry floor.
Off to the side, Gray sits on the remains of a Zeus Class Titan; and rummages through his pack. Shwan stands nearby.
Yeah, I always brown-bag it when Im on patrol. Im on a fixed income, you know?
No, I didnt know that.
The War Department gave me a check for sixty five years worth of back pay when I showed up last year, but thats it. Unadjusted. I gotta be careful with my money.
The Huntsman reaches into the bag and takes out a sandwich. He tosses an apple down to Shwan.
So I pack my lunches. I went down to E.L.I.T.E. there in Atlas Park and signed up for their Keep Em Flying program. They give me a stipend for my gear and my ammo. Otherwise, I couldnt afford to do this. Although, I met this guy, Saul who gave me a card and said
Wait, they give you a stipend for ammo?
Sure, some of those specialty rounds are what four or five bucks a piece maybe? You fight one zombie horde or alien invasion or one of a hundred other crazy things happen in this place every day, and all of a sudden youre worried about how youre gonna pay your electric bill. Nobody can afford to pay for that out-of-pocket
You pay for that out-of-pocket?
Silence.
Jeeze kid. Well go down tomorrow and fill out the paperwork for you. Of course, thats providing we dont get killed tonight or end up stuck on the other side of that time portal.
You think thats a time portal Gray?
I know thats a time portal Shwannie. Whats taking them so long?
Backups in the works.
The Huntsman removes a flask from his hip pocket. He takes a nip and tosses it to Shwan.
I hope they bring a med-kit. Hey Shwannie, you know about the Houses for Heroes program, right?
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Well, backup is en route. Were still pretty thin, so theyre sending a couple reservists: Angel Guard and Brimstone Blaze. Were you able to figure anything out Gray?
The Gray Huntsman stands at a console attached to the portal. I dont think I know those fellas. Wait a minute
Isnt Angel Guard that kid from the Junior Captain Shwan Fan Club? He won that promotion they ran, so they made him an honorary member of Hero Dawn Reserves.
What? No!
Well, what am I thinking about then?
I dont know Gray. I have no idea what youre thinking about.
Gray turns back to the console. I dont really know what Im looking at here.
Angel Guard and Brimstone Blaze reporting for duty sir!
Gray turns to face the newcomers as Shwan fills them in on the situation.
Angel Guard is a younger man dressed in black and sporting a beret. The overall look is reminiscent of the Guardian Angels safety patrol group. Brimstone Blaze is wearing black BDU type pants, a white t-shirt and a black bandana. Both men are carrying assault rifles.
At ease Angel. We got a call that the Malta Group was assembling stolen Portal Corporation technology at this location. We arrived to find this and witnessed several Malta operatives stepping into the portal. We need to go through, take a look around and assess the situation. You have anything to add Gray?
Yeah. The portal is stable, so coming back shouldnt be a problem. Weve got an unknown force on the other side; and theyve had plenty of time to regroup. Expect it to be hot when we go through. Whats wrong with your leg Blaze?
Blaze clears his throat. I had a fight with some Freakshow tonight. Ionia checked it out and said Im duty-ready.
Shwan continues the briefing. Blaze, youre going to hold the position here. Anything could come through that portal, so stay sharp. Grays on point. Angel Guard and I will drop smoke to cover you.
The men move to the portal. Say when, Gray.
Gray reaches into his pack and comes out with two metal spheres, each about the size of a tennis ball. He stands stock still and then takes in a deep breath followed by a long exhale. Angel, do you still have your club decoder ring in case we need it?
Say again?
Nothing. Go!
Shwan and Angel Guard pitch their smoke grenades through the portal. Gray follows up with his seeker drones. He draws his pistols and, for the second time tonight, steps forward into the unknown.
"What did he say about a ring?"
((Here's something that I wrote some time ago. I'll post more if there's interest. -Doc))
All Im saying it that I think its time you upgrade, Gray.
The Hero Dawn base. Captain Shwan and the Gray Huntsman have pulled the overnight watch. The two stand in the groups armory. Its gear check time.
Look at what youre carrying around in that rucksack. Youve got mines, those little gas bombs, robot drones state of the art gear. But, you choose to arm yourself with a those busted-looking old revolvers. You need a couple 9 millimeters. Something more reliable with a higher shot capacity. What the hell else you got in there? Is that a coffee grinder?
Well, I like fresh brewed. The Huntsman finishes with his gear and shoulders his pack.
Ive had those pistols since before you were born kid. Trust me. Theyve served me well; and I know them like the back of my hand.
The room falls silent as Captain Shwan finishes assembling his assault rifle. The two make for an odd scene with Shwan in his next generation powered battle armor and the Huntsman in his vintage circa 1940 gear.
How many hairs do you have on the back of your hand, Gray?
God damn it Shwan. Why am I always drawing duty with you? Huh?
Id rather pair up with that rat guy who ate my shoe!
He ate your shoe?
He ate my shoe; and he was better company than you are.
Hey, I dont make the schedule. If you have a problem, you can go
Shwan is interrupted by a computerized voice over the PA, Incoming Alert.
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The communications room is lit up by a large wall-mounted video monitor. On the screen is an imposing man in a red three-piece suit.
Our duo stands side-by-side in front of it.
Captain Shwan, this is Agent Crimson. We have a situation. Our mutual friends have been busy helping themselves to the contents of a certain Portal Corporation warehouse. I dont know what they have in mind, but they are building something in the old Carlisle Foundry in Boomtown. It is imperative that we find out what they are doing and shut them down. Time is a factor.
The screen goes blank as Shwan begins typing at one of the computer terminals. All of our folks are tied up, so it looks like its us.
Sounds good, Shwan. Ionias next on the list, so Im gonna wake her up to babysit the monitors.
The two then move in unison to the teleporters.
You know what I dont get, Shwan? That guy has to lead off with This is Agent Crimson every time. What do we talk to him three or four times a week? Does he think we keep forgetting who he is maybe?
Captain Shwan glances back with a grin as he steps into the teleporter and disappears.
The Huntsman draws his .45s and steps in behind him.
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The scene on the other side is chaos.
Captain Shwan stands on the side of a doorway. His assault rifle is deafening as he fires down the hall. At least a dozen muzzle flashes answer from the darkness.
Ambush. Malta knew we were coming.
The Huntsman quickly moves to the doorway opposite Shwan.
You think so? Jeeze, they shot me Shwannie.
They just winged you. Reloading.
The rattle of Captain Schwans assault rifle is replaced by the staccato of the Huntsmans pistols.
Winged means shot. Reloading.
Well, of course youre reloading
Jeeze, now? You gotta start in with that now? The Huntsman reaches into his backpack. Who wants coffee? This is taking so long; I figure weve got time.
Shwan fires off another volley.
Hey kid, the key is to hit what youre aiming at. Maybe you wouldnt need so many rounds
They keep reinforcing, jackass! We dont have time for this, Gray.
Gray twists the top of his coffee grinder. Covering fire!
The Huntsman pitches the cylinder deep into the hallway. Cover up!
The explosion rocks the building as shrapnel flies through the doorway.
What do you think? Its my own blend.
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Shwan peers down the hallway as the ringing fades to silence. Lets move.
Hold on kid, Im bleeding pretty good here.
Well, dont you have a med-kit in that pack of yours?
Pfft. Who needs a med-kit?
You do Gray. You need a med-kit. Can you think of a better example of someone needing a med-kit than you right now?
Do you have a med-kit Shwan?
Yeah, but it only works on me.
Just help me tie this around my arm please. Do you mind? Thank you!
A low thrumming begins from deep within the foundry.
Break times over Shwannie. You go left. Ill go right and well meet up wherever that noise is coming from. Divide and conquer right?
Thats not what that means, Gray.
The Huntsman is already gone.
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Gray Huntsman works his way quickly through a maze of corridors. Its getting closer now. Louder anyway.
Three quick shots and the Huntsman drops a Malta patrol in their tracks without breaking stride.
Its funny how they always travel in threes.
Coming to the main foundry floor, he sees a large metallic circle with a shimmering curtain of energy at its center. A squad of Malta operatives stands at its base.
They built a portal.
Several figures step into it as Gray begins firing.
A few fall to the floor near the portal. The rest are gone.
The Huntsman suddenly spins around raising his pistols. He is standing face-to-face with a Zeus Class Titan, a hulking assault robot used by the Malta Group. The sound of its plasma cannon cycling up is unmistakable.
Click Click Click Click. Empty!
As the Huntsman backpedals, the titan lights up in a hail of bullets.
It collapses in a heap as Gray looks up and spies Captain Shwan hovering near the ceiling on the opposite end of the work floor.
Our heroes meet at the center of the room.
What happened there, Gray? Did you run out of ammo?
Thanks for the assist, kid.
Anytime, pop.
Its your decision Shwannie. Do we pursue or wait for backup?
"We wait. Im calling it in right now.
Shwan keys up his radio communicator. This is Shwan, we need backup at the Carlisle Foundry. Couple bruisers and at least one techie. Oh yeah, bring a med-kit.
You might want to think about upgrading, Gray.