The Blades and The Gauntlets [Vi x fem!oc]

Chapter XXII: The Blades and The Gauntlets

The metallic scent of rust and damp air filled the narrow passage as Vi moved through the ventilation system, her gauntlets scraping against the metal walls. The enforcers behind her moved cautiously, their footsteps echoing faintly. It was a maze of intersecting tunnels and conduits, every turn a potential ambush point. But her focus was razor-sharp. She could feel every creak of the metal beneath her, every faint vibration. Zaun was alive around them, and it didn't want them here.

"Keep it tight." Vi whispered, her voice low but commanding. She glanced over her shoulder at Caitlyn, who was a few paces back. Her eyes were alert, her grip firm on her rifle. She nodded once, a silent confirmation.

The path ahead forked, one tunnel leading downward, the other curving to the left. Violet paused, her fingers brushing the rough metal as she considered their options. "Which way?" one of the enforcers asked, her voice muffled by her mask.

"Left." She said, her tone allowing no argument. There was something about this place, a sense of familiarity mingled with dread. She couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.

The enforcers moved as one, disciplined. Every step forward felt heavier than the last. She couldn't ignore the nagging thoughts, the faces of people she used to know, the ghostly memories of another life. The thought of Mila slipped into her mind, unbidden. She pushed it away, hard. This wasn't the time.

They rounded a bend, and suddenly, the tunnel widened into a large, open chamber. In the middle was a towering mechanism crackling with unstable energy. Its base was painted with glowing markings of pink and blue, casting a ghostly glow on everything around it.

Vi's eyes narrowed as she scanned the scene, taking in every detail. At the base of the structure, a man was entwined, barely moving. His body was lashed to the mechanism by thick cables, and his skin was streaked with sweat and grime. But he was alive, barely.

She took two steps towards him, and he coughed, his head almost completely submerged in the toxic fumes of the Grey. They ran forward, trying to detangle him, but just as they reached, a whirring noise was heard, followed by dolls hanging on loose rope, each dressed like a member of their team.

The plushies moved around them, before settling in the middle of the room, swaying from side to side.

"Get him out and question him." Caitlyn ordered and they got to work. They were as careful as they possibly could be, cautious not to drop him further in the mist. Soon, he was heaving on the side of the room, his eyes bloodshot red. One of the officers shined a flashlight in them, then passed him a mask to breathe.

"Thanks. I thought I was a goner." He said, once more nearing the mask to his face and taking a deep breath.

"You're Smeech's man." Violet spoke, her eyes darting around the room.

"Was." The man answered, trying to get rid of a pink streak on his face. "Not anymore. Name's Heenot. I..."

His speech was interrupted by a sneeze, making the officer turn back in disgust and continue inspecting the ventilation system.

"Oh, I decided it was time for me to retire."

"Looks more like someone decided to retire you." Caitlyn spoke, matter-of-factly.

"Yeah, well." Heenot coughed out. "Timing was never my strong...." Another sneeze followed. "Sorry it's... It's the Grey. It gives me the..." He stopped himself, trying to hold in another sneeze and failing.

"Tell us how you wound up here." The blue-haired girl said, brows tense and finger on the trigger of her gun. Violet looked at the other enforcers, not used to the sudden aggression with which Caitlyn was interrogating him.