The Helldiving Knights

Chapter 4 Standby

Nemesis and Tahimik exited Pelican -1 and walked up to a short platform elevator. The platform rose up to the main area of the Super Destroyer with a seamless transition. Small cannons fired bursts of confetti around the duo, illuminating the room in specks of rainbow coloured paper. Nemesis shook his head and placed his index finger and thumb between his eyes. Tahimik sighed and patted him on the back. The pair approached the monitors below the wide screen television. There they opened the stratagem menu. Nemesis scrolled through all the options but one stood out to him, the symbol was that of a helldiver with a gas mask, perfect for him. Before he purchased the orbital gas strike, he wanted to ensure he had the proper funds. Surprisingly he had been paid far more than usual for the mission. It seemed that because he and Tahimik had managed to both slay a Terminid titan, destroy multiple nests and exposed a hidden cavern containing an entire terminid hive. Nemesis finalised his decision. He decided to purchase an orbital gas strike permit, an eagle airstrike permit, and a recoilless rifle permit so that he could officially own one, as opposed to the one he picked up on the last mission. With his funds mostly depleted he entered the viewing deck and awaited Tahimik who was purchasing his stratagems. The red knight had decided to save up his funds for the famous eagle 500kg permit. In the meantime, he chose to purchase a railgun permit as well as an orbital laser permit. With their stratagems selected the knights decided to drop into another mission. Tahimik waved over all the mission sites before finding one that he and Nemesis agreed on. "Launch an ICBM". Tahimik punched the mission selection and held out his hand to Nemesis, who shook it. The two walked up the separate steps to the hellpods and readied themselves. However, something halted them. The PA system released an announcement. "Allied destroyer joining mission, arrival immediate", it said. Tahimik looked to Nemesis who seemed as confused as he did. A light started to flicker on their forearm screens. The knights opened their screens and to their surprise they saw an old friend. "Good morning comrades!" The man said joyfully. The knight was adorned in cybernetic advancements, his armour was grey and red with golden accents. "It can't be, Jiron is that you?" Nemesis asked shocked. The cyborg knight tilted his head. "Oh, come on Nemesis am I really that forgettable?" Jiron joked. Nemesis rolled his eyes. "Cousin, where are you?" Tahimik asked, turning his head to look outside the super destroyer. Jiron placed a hand behind his neck. "Well, considering I just finished training, and I saw that the two of you could use some assistance I thought I'd tag along. And uh, look to your left." He grinned under his helmet. Nemesis turned around, there he spotted the super destroyer, hovering in orbit next to them. He read the large, bold yellow writing that lined the front side of the spacecraft. "SES Wings of Freedom", Nemesis read aloud. Tahimik looked back to his screen and at Jiron. "Nemesis and I are about to initiate a helldive, you gonna join us?" He asked. Jiron shook his head and glanced down before looking back up at the screen. "I've got some stuff to work on up here, but when I'm ready I'll dive down with you. If you need me immediately, just call in an SOS beacon," he said. Tahimik gave a slight nod and shut off his screen before walking up to his hellpod once again. This time he locked his feet in and descended into the glorified tomb. Nemesis saluted Jiron before he to shut off his screen and entered his pod. "Good luck," Jiron whispered as the bright blue light of the screen faded and he was left standing alone.

Tahimik and Nemesis selected their stratagems and weaponry before initiating their dive. Alarms blared on the SES Spear of Democracy as the two hellpods were launched at sonic speeds to the surface of Meridia waiting below. Jiron watched from the bridge of his super destroyer as the duo descended towards a living hell that awaited them. He watched the pods tear through the atmosphere like they were pins through paper, and flames scorched their metallic sides. Moments later, the knights disappeared into a mass of dark clouds that blocked out the sun. Jiron stood back, waiting, taking a moment to sink it all in. His eyes wanted to swell up, but he wouldn't allow it. It hurt him dearly to know that his family was likely dead, that he didn't get the opportunity for his parents to meet their grandchildren, for him to grow a proper family, to be happy! Then to all the other Aussie Knights who weren't frozen, they were all long dead now too. The truth took a toll on Jiron's mind, burdening and breaking his psyche. He placed a hand on his head and leaned against the glass, massaging his storming headache.