Run Away Mad Dog

CHAPTER VII: Attack On The Eclipse

24/11/2037 Hectors Eclipse Base

Scarlett stood atop the fortified walls of the Eclipse base; her eyes fixed on the ominous figure of the Vulture as it disappeared into the forbidding bushland beyond. It was a sight that sent a shiver down her spine, a chilling reminder of the immense power that wasn't supposed to existed in the world.

With a composed demeanour, she raised her forearm and tapped the control panel embedded in its surface. The screen brightened, illuminating her determined face. It was time to give her soldiers their next command, to set them on the trail of the Vulture and the young girl it had taken.

"Track them, find them... and bring the girl back alive. Kill the Vulture if need be," she commanded darkly. Her words were cold, devoid of emotion, mirroring the icy resolve in her eyes.

The two tall, robot soldiers flanking her on the rooftop straightened their backs, responding to her directive. Sending out a distorted sound through their helmets, they swiftly retrieved their guns, which magnetically clung to their armoured backs. With a resounding thud, their boots stomped against the ground as they launched themselves into the air, propelled by their cybernetic enhancements.

The soldiers soared high into the night sky, their figures silhouetted against the moonlit clouds, before gracefully landing on the other side of the walls with a loud crash. Their boots sank into the cold, muddy ground outside the base, their arms swiftly retrieved their weapons from behind their heads, cradling them against their chests. Without hesitation, they opened fire, unleashing a barrage of energy-based rounds into the direction where the Vulture had vanished.

The air crackled with the sound of energy bolts ripping through the dense forest. Trees trembled and quaked as the powerful projectiles tore through their trunks, causing some to collapse with a thunderous crash.

Others burst into flames, casting red-hot embers high into the sky, before descending like celestial rain onto the frozen earth.

Scarlett knew that her soldiers' assault was not likely to bring down the Vulture. It was a warning, a declaration of their relentless pursuit. She wanted the Vulture to be always aware that it and the child were never safe, that they would be hunted relentlessly until their capture or death.

A triumphant smile curled on Scarlett's lips as she watched her soldiers march resolutely into the dark forest, disappearing amidst the towering trees. The satisfaction of taking action, of setting her plans into motion, filled her with a sense of purpose. With her resolve firm, she decided it was time to descend from the rooftop and face the scrutiny and judgment of her superior.

As she made her way down, descending the steps to the lower levels of the base, anticipation filled her mind. The hunt had begun, and fear was not in Scarlett's heart, but she was acutely aware of the potential damage to her reputation. She would go to great lengths to maintain the high respect she had earned. Following the concrete path, she returned to the laboratory where Hector's robot stood by the entrance. Its metallic fingers were intertwined behind its back as it stood guard over the crime scene.

Upon spotting Scarlett's approach, the robot turned and raised its arms inquisitively, its screen projecting squiggly lines that attempted to emulate a face. Hector's voice echoed through the air, filled with urgency and confusion.

"What... happened?!" he asked, seeking answers from Scarlett.

Maintaining her composure, Scarlett held her pistol firmly in her hand and approached the robot. Her gaze met the screen, unyielding and focused.

"It appears my suspicions were correct. The Vulture desired the girl and stopped at nothing to achieve its goal," she calmly replied. "It struck again and again until finally succeeding."