Altiris Knights:The Fall

Chapter 21:Battle of Laakeir

Once they made sure all the uriaks were far away, the team was deployed back into a standing chamber, from where they proceeded onward. 

The hallways were eerily quiet, even more so than usual. And now, the basin chambers were more spread out, and their path was often obstructed by traps and rubble. Only with Akron and Altora's earth detection, did they manage to avoid all the traps.

"Finally, another basin chamber", Akron said, directing them to an adjacent room, only to find it blocked off by rubble. "Damn it. We should have pursued them immediately", Qirzan said. "That wouldn't have done us any good. The uriaks would have still enjoyed a vast numerical advantage, and ground troops would not be very effective in such a closed space. We would only have taken devastating losses", Oreon replied.

"Sir, you should take a look at this", a Commando said to Erizan, pointing to what seemed to be a mechanical clock of some sort..

"A countdown. But till what?" Erizan wondered. "I think I know what", Altora said, pointing to something that was far more disturbing. A section of the wall was filled with small dark green pouch like objects, each of which was shrinking and expanding steadily, and emitting an uriak like odor, and dark green mist. 

"Once the hour passes, these things will burst out of the pouches, and will be looking for us to infect. Uriaks, but much worse. Parasites", Kilea said. The sound of clapping reached them, causing them to jump in shock.

"Congratulations, Knight. Indeed, these lovely things, as you put it, are parasites. I would suggest you don't stand so close to them, but it matters little. Even now, in their dormant state, they are already analyzing your features, and in a little under an hour, they shall hatch. And then, they shall stop at nothing to find and infect you. It is painful to watch, and painful to feel, really. I must say, your deception had been quite effective. You planned this operation well. But now, the end has come. Thus, I shall extend a formal invitation for you to join us. You shall never have to worry about uriaks again", said a human voice, one of those they encountered before.

"How do you know? Once all of us are gone, they shall turn on you, as well. What is so valuable about you that guarantees your safety, once your objective of galactic domination is complete?" Reaza inquired. 

"Our objective is not galactic domination. It is far simpler. All we want, is for all of you to migrate away from some of the planets under your control. Then, we can have peace", the human said. "Liar. We know that is not your true goal. Otherwise, you would not have attacked the Republic. You want more than some planets", Reaza accused. 

The man responded with a grim smile. "Then a mercy kill is the best I can do for you, I am afraid", he said, as long spikes slid out of his fists, and an uriak like skin shield enveloped his face. Without warning, fire and other elements, along with etheron, launched at them from all sides. Erean blocked a few attacks with a shield of light, and launched an energy beam at an uriak, killing it. Reaza ducked under an etheron burst and engaged in a fierce duel with one of the human uriak hybrids. After a brutal exchange of blows, she came out on top, only sustaining a moderate injury to her non-dominant arm.

A Commando was not so lucky. She took down two uriaks, and severely injured a hybrid, but her foe retaliated with etheron and lightning, overwhelming her armor, frying her alive. Altora staggered, as the first hybrid drove his sword through her back. 

"You should have accepted my offer", he hissed into her ear, before slitting her throat. 

Qirzan unleashed a torrent of lightning, and Erizan released a mental wave, knocking their foes off balance. Akron channeled earth energy in a wave, disrupting them further, and a concentrated storm of plasma bolts, fire, light, dark energy, ice and lightning drove them back.