Altiris Knights:The Fall

Chapter 18:Valaeon's Retribution

"Everyone stay away for your own safety!" Kirtan ordered, as he and the survivors were swarmed by officers, personnel and civilian contractors. "Deila, Exaera, we need your help", he called, as the crowd subdued, with the help of the senior officers. The twins went aboard the ship, into the main room, where Orkala, Kaira, Pyros and Maior were restrained with metal, to avoid their zombified bodies attacking them.

"It appears that the infestation has developed into a new form. Uriak Reapers can pass the infection along to healthy hosts, turning them into uriaks. But all the signs indicate that this transformation is reversible. Their main bodies are still intact, just covered with uriak growth. Your light wielding may be what they need", Kirtan explained.

"No promises", Deila said, as she and Exaera unleashed a wave of light, burning off some of the growth. They struck again. All the while, the uriaks shrieked in fear and pain, and beneath the burning growth, their hosts' bodies cleared. The rest watched in awe, as the sisters destroyed the growth bit by bit, and at last, Maior, Kaira, Pyros and Orkala ceased struggling against their restraints, as the last of the uriak growth burned away. They lay limp, their breathing uneven. But they were now free of the infection.

The rest cheered, and the sisters were thanked profusely. "They shall need to stay in the hospital for at least a day, so their condition can be monitored", Exaera said.

Once the four were delivered to the hospital, the rest started planning strikes on uriak battle groups, and raids were sent out to different locations, along with a scouting mission to Xaraeon, to analyze the progress of the main growth.

...

Kyma, Merela, Valaeon, Freya, Rohalla and Reala, along with Virneas, Eruma and Unzelar, who had fully recovered from the uriak infection that had claimed them earlier, were dispatched to Alegard, this time with a strong escort fleet, comprised of Alliance, Kryva and Helkaites ships in equal numbers. The former 7 trainees were overjoyed to be reunited with Kyma and each other, after not seeing many for several years. When Kyma introduced Merela to them, they were equally enthusiastic. With greater numbers, the trainees' morale was significantly higher. Valaeon was especially affected, after being the only survivor, when Kelta, Zaeron and Erjana were killed by the mysterious wielders.

"There seems to be an outpost of some sort", Kyma said, as their ship carried them down onto one of the buildings. Merela took out her binoculars, and looked where Kyma pointed, seeing a makeshift tower, along with smaller buildings, also lightly constructed, and different weapons. Spread out through the camp were uriaks, Reapers and even humans.

Valaeon took out his own binoculars, and focused in on two of the humans, in particular. "Those two fought me, Kelta, Zaeron and Erjana. I shall take them myself", he said, drawing his captured energy staff, keeping his pistols in reserve.

"Not without us, you are not. And anyway, we can not just rush in. There are 9 of us, and seemingly at least 30 of them. Not to mention the heavy weapons. We need to attack from several axis, with air support", Merela said.

"Virneas, Rohalla, attack from the ship. Freya, Reala, from the left. Eruma and Unzelar, from the right. Valaeon, you are with me and Merela. Virneas and Rohalla, be ready to call for reinforcements. You attack first. We follow suit", Kyma instructed.

Virneas and Rohalla got into the ship, and took off towards the unsuspecting enemy. They took them by surprise, destroying some of their buildings and weapons, along with 4 standard Uriaks and a Reaper. The rest sprang into action, racing towards their positions. Disoriented by the aerial strike, they were ill prepared to defend. Valaeon blasted several with his pistols, and Eruma unleashed a rain of earth and ice shards, all the while suppressing any elemental retaliation with mind wielding.