Altiris Knights:The Fall

Chapter 20:A Temporary Setback

Under the guidance of Akron and Altora, the 10 Knights spent several days mapping out the entire network of basins throughout the temple and the rest of the underground uriak layer. Then, they made holes in the ground over each chamber that contained a basin. That operation took another month, during which they were frequently attacked by groups ranging in strength. Their best estimate was 40 basins in total, along with another chamber, deep underground. The fleet was split into 6 groups, each of which would monitor the nearest holes over the basin chambers, to be able to get the team out if necessary.

They encountered several challenges during the process, besides the uriak attacks. Having caught on to their plans, they were frequently able to repair some of the holes, at least to a degree. And now, the weather was turning against them. With the vegetation sparse, and the dry season approaching its peak, the temperatures forced them to wear protective equipment to stay functional, and even then, they had to work in shifts, to avoid dropping of exhaustion. Due to little moisture, the ground became harder to work on, forcing them to expend more energy, which left them ill prepared to repel uriak attacks. Even with various engineering equipment, their progress had been slow. Without the fleet, which had also taken casualties, they would have succumbed long ago.

And yet, as the month came to an end, the operation had been completed. They were now ready, after a week of rest, to proceed with the systematic destruction of the basins.

"We are ready to begin. Everyone is to stay together. Under no circumstances, should anyone separate from the group. Numbers are critical. We will be facing monstrous resistance the entire time. Our best chance is to face them at our strongest. A team of 10 Knights and 12 Commandos is better than any sub group of the team in question. As soon as we secure the explosives, we get back to the surface, and finish the job with orbital bombardment. Let us begin", Erizan said.

They got to work, dropping into one of the chambers on ropes hanging from a troop carrier. The chamber was completely empty, and even the space outside of it was quiet.

"It's as if they are luring us in", a Commando said, tightening her grip around her weapon. "Of course they are. Creepy as hell", another Commando replied. "Quiet", Akron said. "They are coming", he continued. "Erean, help me", Irma said, bending light around them. Catching onto her idea, Erean wasted no time, turning them invisible. And not a moment too soon, as a group of uriaks entered the chamber, and headed to the basin. Erizan covered them with a mental cloud, putting in just enough energy to subtly alter the uriaks' intentions, but not enough to risk them noticing the disturbance. They were grateful they did not have time to place the charges, but the risk of them separating, while they could not see each other, was high.

They watched as the uriaks moved around them, backing away when they approached, barely daring so much as a shallow breath. Several times, the uriaks turned in their direction, sniffing the air, trying to detect anything out of place, but Erizan's mental cloud kept them safe. They knew they could take the uriaks out without too much difficulty, but it would cost them precious time, and risk attracting attention from more of them. That could ruin the whole operation. They were left to balance on a knife's edge, always at a major risk to slip.

They all let out a deep breath, as the uriaks finally retreated from the chamber. "No time to waste", said Erizan, muffling his voice with his glove. They placed the charges, thankful for their silence, and once Irma and Erean turned them invisible, they moved on, maintaining their cover. For the next hour, they worked, pausing when necessary, to wait a group of uriaks out. In that hour, they covered 8 of the 40 chambers.

Suddenly, a group of uriaks appeared in their path. Fighting panic, they retreated, slowly, into an adjacent room. Reaza barely avoided bumping into an uriak on the way. The group of uriaks entered the room as well, forcing them to escape to a corner. While all the uriaks were turned in the other direction, Irma and Erean took off the invisibility, to make sure everyone was still with them, before restoring it, just as a Reaper and a corpse-like creature turned in their direction. They took a few steps forward to investigate, but Erizan's mental cloud ensured they did nothing beyond that. It was, however, a sobering reminder that things could go wrong any moment.

Thankfully, the exit was open, and they filed out, inches away from some of the nearest creatures. They continued on, and reached the 9th chamber, only to discover it teeming with uriaks. They retreated to an empty corner, just as more uriaks, some of them Reapers, entered the room.

"Those are not uriaks. They are humans", Oreon whispered. "No way. Why would anyone ally with them? What do they think they can accomplish? As soon as we are out, the uriaks will just turn on them, too", Kilea questioned. "There were some cases of their alliances on Alegard and other planets. The game has just went up to another level", said Irma.

The humans got closer, and one of them faced them, startling them. Her hand hovered over the hilt of her weapon, as her eyes stared right at them. They came closer, raising their other hand, as if trying to tear through their veil of light. Another joined her, followed by the rest.

"They know we are here", whispered Qirzan. "Impossible. They would have already raised the alarm if that was the case", Erean countered. "Perhaps they are lulling us into a false sense of security", a Commando suggested.

They stayed silent, as the traitors examined their position, unbothered by the noise the uriaks were making behind them. Then, one by one, they peeled away, except for an older woman, seemingly in her 70s. She smiled slightly, and covertly traced a symbol with lightning.

"That is Judeor's family crest, the main banner of the Alliance. She is a spy", Erean said. "She could also just be pretending. Let us stay focused", Rokal said. At last, the woman moved away. They watched as she was apparently asked as to any disturbances. Through his enhanced hearing, Erizan was able to assure the others they were safe. At last, they filed out of the room, leaving them alone. Once the charges were placed and disguised, they moved on as well.

They encountered no more problems after that, covering 25 more rooms, leaving just 6. It was then, that an alarm was unexpectedly triggered.

"Not now", Oreon cursed. "They must have discovered our charges. We have to get out now and blow them while they haven't removed all of them", said Kilea, and contacted the group of ships above them, which had been following them the past 4 hours.

"Get us out of here. They caught on to us." Within moments, ropes were dropped to them, and they were pulled out onto the surface, where the cool night air greeted them. Erizan pressed the controller, and explosions rocked the underground temple, as many chambers collapsed in on themselves, and the basins shattered, as the dark green liquid in them spilled all over the floors. 30 of the 34 they managed to rig had been destroyed, while the other four were spared. Even worse, the liquid that spilled began transforming, turning into more uriaks of all kinds.

"Blast it. They are coming out", a Commando cursed. "Admiral, light them up."

The fleet and the team opened fire on the collapsed chambers, killing many creatures, but still more came at them. Ground troops and vehicles were deployed, but even then, the uriak tidal wave was relentless. Many of them were killed immediately, and many vehicles were destroyed.

A greater uriak attacked the Commandos, taking out two of them, and killing a third as he managed to land a few shots on it. The rest gunned the uriak down, but the damage was done. The uriaks rushed in, eager to exploit the opening. Four more Commandos were killed, and others wounded.

Kilea cut down several Reapers and other uriaks with her sword and the raw energy flowing through her. Oreon took out two winged uriaks with fire balls, and Erizan, Altora and Akron destroyed several vines, combining their mind and earth. Reaza burned a group of uriaks with a blast of green fire. Qirzan electrocuted a swath of uriaks, which were shot by the remaining Commandos and ground troops.

At last, with the aerial bombardment, the uriaks were driven back, though not before more casualties were sustained.