Hydra Heart

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter 29: Gun Bar King

"So, Vesta, are you going to give a speech or what?" Shay asked.

Priscilla egged her on as well, "Yeah, aren't you the head honcho?"

Vesta was distracted by the sunset. She grumbled dismissively at them.

Priscilla got serious again. "Give us a speech, please."

Vesta sighed. They moved to the precipice overlooking the KCD base. "Team, I thank you for being here to help with my quest. I know not what lies behind those doors, but I know that..." She tapped her foot. "We will kick some ass. Some ass that we have all been waiting to kick. Protect yourselves and each other. As we march in, dwell on the state of the world. Let the bitterness energize you."

"Like coffee!" Priscilla interjected.

"Exactly," Vesta said, nodding. "Priscilla, can you give us a minute?"

He stepped away. Shay tilted her head.

"Just..." Vesta handed Shay a pistol. "Remember what they took from us."

They motioned for Priscilla to follow them in. Vesta turned and began to scale down the valley slope, trying to stay out of sight as much as possible.

There was very little open space to cover. Almost immediately, Shay, Vesta, and Priscilla were in front of a guard, covering one entrance of the massive, asymmetrical complex. He drew his weapon, but Vesta had the element of surprise. After the fact, she realized Priscilla was unarmed.

"Take this," she said, handing him two clips and her fifth pistol.

"Thank you. Stay sharp," Priscilla said. He placed himself directly next to the door, lifted one foot in the air, and then jumped through. Shay and Vesta had no time to be impressed. They readied their weapons and looked around. Two of Vesta's pistols fit together as one unit, to serve as a makeshift rifle. She held it steady in her hands.

Shay held her pistol the way Vesta had taught her. Vesta noticed her shaky hands and drew closer to her. The two went back to back.

"I won't let them," Vesta assured her. Then, Priscilla popped back from the other side of the door.

"Bad news," he said. "We'll have to find another spot, I can't open it." Just then, two groups of soldiers came from either side.

"Look," Vesta pointed out. "They left the door open behind them. This way!"

Shay fired at the three on her side, making them take cover but not landing any hits. They proceeded, following Vesta. Shay kept close to Backlash.

Vesta reflected a few more bullets, taking out three soldiers. They moved up, but before they could enter the open door, they were shot at. Some soldiers, wise to Vesta's power, were firing down the hallway from behind cover.

"Priscilla, go find our escape, or cause some problems if you can." Vesta ordered. "Shay, I'm going to try something." She withdrew her boomerang and threw it in the direction opposite of the doorframe. She rushed into the corridor, ducking to avoid the heat. Then, she felt Backlash (the object) get caught on Backlash (the power), and she held it there. She directed the energy of the boomerang to her enemies, with a little extra SOLE. It toppled their cover and knocked them over.

"Shay, follow!" She dashed inwards, going in to finish the job. The soldiers got up, and withdrew stun batons. With a closer look, she could see that they were sporting heavy body armor. They were more than prepared for Vesta. But, they weren't ready for Shay.