Slingers (The Slingers Trilogy, Book 1)

Chapter 13

Nolun didn't quite know what to make of the sight in front of him. The mysterious figure which had emerged from the ship that had landed was ominous to say the least. He was walking towards them, and was staring them down with the expressionless mask that took up most of his face. The figure slowly drew the sword that he had sheathed from behind his back, the metallic sound echoing throughout the canyon. Once the blade was fully revealed, it appeared to be made of the same material as the GDF's rifles, which confirmed even more in Nolun's mind that this mysterious figure was the work of the Federation. Nolun gripped the strap which held the bag that was carrying the Piece. Bunker spoke up and muttered over to the both of them. "Andress, take the other Piece. I'll hold him off." Andress looked up at him with fear in her eyes. "B, no. It's too dangerous. We don't know what this guy is capable of." Bunker looked down at Andress with an assuring and slightly sad smile. "Those things are more important. I'll be fine." Andress grabbed his arm. "No! I can't leave you again!" Nolun looked confused. "Bunker's right! We need to go!" Andress looked up at Bunker, then took the bag off of his back and ran off towards the base with Nolun. The masked figure looked over at the pair of them, disinterested in Bunker, and began to walk towards the both of them. Bunker pulled out his gun and fired off a few shots above the figure's head. The figure didn't flinch, but he did stop and turn around. Bunker gritted his teeth and clenched the gun. He pulled the trigger again, spraying a hail of bullets at the figure. What he saw he couldn't believe. The figure seemed to be moving fast enough to block each individual bullet with his sword, even cutting some in half. When Bunker stopped firing, he was suddenly in front of him, and the sword flashed again, cutting across Bunker's faceplate, shattering the glass, and sending shards into his face, making him cry out in pain. Bunker kneeled to the ground, and the masked figure looked, unflinching, as he aimed the sword at Bunker's neck, and brought the blade down.

The guards at the Nementia mining station were going berserk. They had to deal with the GDF in their airspace and assuming control of the entire operation, the Resistance engaging the Federation's ground forces right in their backyard, and there were reports of soldiers infiltrating the mine itself and destroying the lift. And no one knew where Mr. Hendro was. The station was full of guards shouting in comlinks, watching security screens, and deploying troops. Then, there was a knock at the door. One of the guards stationed over at the door noticed this and keyed the intercom to the outside. The guard station could only be opened from the inside for security reasons, so each person on the base had to input a DNA access code. "Who is it?" The guard asked. "It's me, Hendro." The guard looked shocked. "Mr. Hendro? Are you alright?" "Yes, yes, I'm fine. Now just open the door!" The guard saw that he had put in his DNA code. He checked the security camera outside of the guard station, but saw it was malfunctioning. It happened all the time, and he had already input his code. He opened up the door, and saw something he didn't expect. Two blonde twins, a boy and a girl, one carrying a large shotgun, and the other holding a pistol to the head of Hendro. The rest of the security guards turned around and saw the group. The girl yelled out. "Nobody move, or the boss man gets it!" The boy nodded and smirked. "I'd listen if I were you. Now, drop your weapons." He motioned his shotgun, and the guards put their rifles and pistols on the floor. The boy moved up to the guard manning the main console. "Now, lower the lockdown on the main hanger." The guard looked at him, scared. "W-Why? It's not big enough to land a ship inside..." The boy raised an eyebrow. "Whoever said we were landing something inside?"

Nolun's boots crunched against the hard gravel of the planet's surface mixed up with the dug-up crystals. He was running hard, with the bag hitting his back with every step he took. He could hear Andress right behind him, carrying the container holding the second Piece on her back. He felt bad leaving Bunker behind, but it was what he wanted. They had to get away with this. But...did he really want his life on his conscience? Before he could really contemplate his life choices, Andress shouted behind him. "Nolun! Above you!" Nolun turned his head upwards to see the masked figure dropping down from an overhead cliff, his knee extended. Before he could even react, the knee came in contact with his nose, knocking him back and off his feet. Nolun could both hear and feel the crunch. When he staggered back up, his nose was bleeding, and the figure's sword was at his throat. He felt a warmness where the point was touching, and noticed the blade was enhanced with a plasma cutter on the lower half. If that thing hit him, it would slice through him like butter. Nolun closed his eyes, and felt a shudder, but it wasn't a blade. Andress had shot her rifle, which directly ricocheted off of the figure's mask. It looked back at Andress, then spun around and kicked Nolun back, leaping at Andress. He brought his sword down, but strangely enough, Andress brought up her right hand to block. Nolun was shocked. What the hell is she- Then instead of Andress's arm coming off, a metallic clang could be heard. Metal against metal. She pushed the figure back, making him skid backwards. He raised his sword in a combat stance. Nolun looked over at Andress's arm and instantly understood. Andress's glove and sleeve had been shredded away due to the sword, and it revealed a gleaming metallic arm. She's a cyborg... The masked figure didn't seem to be perturbed by this, as he knew where not to strike this time. He would not miss. Andress looked down and noticed blood on the sword. Her eyes widened, then filled with rage. "COME ON! DO IT!" She yelled at the figure. He ran at her again, and sliced downwards, cutting...right across Nolun's chest. The scream he made was silent, but he knew that he had managed to reach her in time. He fell on the ground, now bleeding profusely from two different areas. Andress looked down at Nolun, shocked. The masked man looked at the two of the, like observing two dying animals, which distracted him from the object flying down at him. It landed in between him and Andress, and Andress stepped back, the impact kicking up dust. She looked when the dust cleared, and saw a black coat spread out on the ground, and two black iron swords raised in either hand. The figure stood up and raised his head. Then, without turning his head from staring straight at the figure, he muttered a single word to Andress. "Run."