Artificial

Mortal

Operator Velox

I stand guard at the door while Evo dons his DRAGON armor. Apex drops from the roof, landing silently.
"Ayala was right. This isn't a full blown invasion. It's merely a raid team. They never intended to take the base."
"Yeah," I reply. "They intended to slaughter the young and weak."
I clench my fists.
He puts a hand on my shoulder.
"Keep calm, Vel. Don't go dying in the pursuit of retribution. We still have a war to fight, this is but one battle."
"Yeah, it's just so ... aggravating."
He nods to someone behind me, then picks up his rifle and walks toward Ayala. I feel a heavy arm wrap around my shoulders.
"I know, babe, but keep a cool head. We'll get 'em."
I slip my arm around Evo's waist.
"I know."
We join Apex, Ayala, and the rest of the defense forces behind the garage, where we bailed out Evo from those heavies.
Ayala sits on Riot's shoulders, addressing us from atop the towering soldier.

"Operators, Recruits, Staff. You knew what you signed up for. You knew Argus II was where we trained the best, and you knew it was only a matter of time before we got hit.
My Operators: Evo, Velox, Reach, Riot, Shockwave, and Apex. You are the best of the best, a product of both ruthless training, and personal mentorship. You survived my anger, and thrived off my love. I expect nothing less than absolute perfection from you on that battlefield, and I know in my heart that you will deliver. Protect those weaker than you, and eliminate those who seek to use their strength for evil.
To all of the Recruits, this is trial by fire, but I want you to know that we have your back. We are not throwing you to the wolves. The wolves are here, on our turf, and we're gonna kick their asses all the way back home. That being said, now is your chance to prove yourselves. Now is your chance to stand out, and to show us that you belong here. And to the other Staff that have shown up in our hour of need, I do solemnly thank you for your bravery, and we will do everything in our power to keep you safe." She leaps down, and readies a light machine gun.
"Now, let's go make a stand."
The crowd cheers, and we follow Ayala into the courtyard, where we watch two dropships swoop low and begin to land in the forest. Ayala stands in the center of the yard.
"Riot, if you will?"
Riot removes a rocket launcher from his back and hands it to her, and she crouches on one knee and places the weapon atop her shoulder. Riot warns us not to stand behind her, and we crowd around at either side. As the first dropships lands, she pulls the trigger, and a high-speed rocket shoots from the barrel. It strikes the ship directly in the cockpit, drives through for a second, then detonates the entire craft in a massive fireball. She leans left, and flaming metal shard flies past her. She looks at us and raises her visor, revealing a wide, snow-white smile. Behind her, the dazed survivors of the blast disembark and scramble for cover.
"Let's go show them how the IAF Marines do it!"
Ayala lowers her visor and leads us into battle. A war cry fills the air. More ships begin to land deeper in the forest that surrounds he base.
Boost.
Yes, Velox?
I'm gonna circle around from the back. Gimme a boost?
You know it!
I feel stims flow into my system, and the rush of power that comes with them. I join the war cry as I sprint forward across the battlefield.

I see a gun barrel poking out from behind a tree ahead of me, and alter my course. I come in from the opposite side and dropkick him in the head, knocking both of us off balance. I tuck myself into a ball and roll, then spring up and pounce on my stunned victim. I retrieve my combat knife from its sheath on my shoulder and slash open his throat.
As he bleeds out, a bullet slams into my side, and I tumble off of the soon-to-be-corpse.
Ah fuck, I think I broke a rib.
Sorry, love, but that's the price of high mobility. Less armor.
Yeah, I know. Can you give me something for the pain?
Sure, sweetie.
Thanks. Much better.
I open my eyes and see Evo standing above me, firing his Omni-Rifle. As another Marine drags me away from the line of fire, I watch him protect me. He fights like a beast in his DRAGON armor, shaking off hits like they're nothing as he slays soldier after soldier. Suddenly, a sniper rifle bullet strikes his visor, right between the eyes. He stumbles back, then flicks the flattened metal off of his face, and resumes firing his rifle. He's invincible.
Talk about making a girl feel safe.
No kidding. I'm jealous.
What are you talking about? I protect you!
Of course, love! I never meant to  you weren't protective! But, it's not like I can cuddle with you after a mission.
Yeah. Sorry, I really am flattered, but I don't swing that way. That, and you don't really have a body for me to cuddle.
It's okay, I understand. Hey, this Recruit's trying to get your attention.

"Oh shit, sorry I was talking with my AI. What did you need?"
"I asked if you're hurt," a steady male voice responds.
"Yeah, I think I broke a rib."
"Alright, let me sync up."
He taps the side of his helmet.
"Yup, I see it. One of the lower ones, on your right. Let's fix that, yeah?"
"Please."
He reaches into his bag and retrieves a syringe, topped with a long, thin needle.
"Ok, this needle is filled with nanobots that will—"
"Kid, I'm trained as a medic, just stab me already," I interrupt, pointing to the fabric below my chest plate.
The needle glides through the Kevlar, and I can feel the pain fading.
"Give it a few minutes to solidify, and you'll be good to go."
"Thanks, kid."
"No problem," he says, then turns to another Recruit. "Hey, Eight-Seven! Come cover this Operator while she heals!"
"I'm on it!"
She runs up to me, wearing recon armor with a hood, and wielding a designated marksman's rifle.
It occurs to me this is the first time I've seen her face. She's pretty. Curly auburn hair, clear blue eyes, and a very symmetrical face with a clean jawline and high cheekbones. Looks like she could've been a model if she didn't join Force Recon.
Quit talking about yourself.
Shush, you. She looks good.
"Oh, hi Velox!"
"Hey sweetie, how have you been?"
"Great! I'm the top shot in my class, thanks to Evo. They're training me to be a sniper."
"That's awesome! I'm so proud."
"Thanks, I—wait, hang on."
She shoulders her rifle, perfectly emulating Evo's shooting style. I watch as she takes in a breath, then slowly releases it. She fires three shots in rapid succession, and when I look back, three enemies have fallen.
"Damn. You sure took after Evo."
"Yeah, he's sort of like a big brother to me."
"What about your big sister?"
"Ah, don't worry Vel, I remember. You want some gummy bears?"
She flashes me an immaculate smile, and we share a laugh.
"Maybe later."
"Okay! How're you holding up?"
"Just about combat ready. Cover me, I'm gonna go get some payback."
"Can do," she replies, a confident smile crossing her face as she takes aim.
I take off sprinting into the forest. Every time bullets start to fly my way, Eight-Seven sentences them to death. I see Evo up ahead, still advancing like the juggernaut he's become. Suddenly, a hail of lead begins pelting him, slowly pushing him back with the sheer amount of bullets flying his way.
I kick up to top speed, and slide to a stop behind the gunner, who has the belt-fed weapon resting on a fallen tree. I put him in a headlock, and snap his neck with a quick flick of my arm. I take hold of the machine gun and begin shredding the advancing Saclarians from behind. I'm able to take out half the push by the time they fall back to take me out. I duck down to dodge the incoming fire, and try to run, but find myself surrounded. I draw my pistol and start firing, ducking between trees to avoid getting shot.
I need assistance.
Notifying nearby allies.
Almost immediately, I hear footsteps behind me.
I whip around and aim my pistol.
"Jesus Christ!" Ayala cries.
"Sorry, you got here so fast, I thought for sure you were an enemy."
"You didn't think I'd leave you hanging, did you?"
"Of course not."
"Good. Let's kick some ass."
We fight back to back, covering each other with a fiercely protective instinct. Together we bring down the Saclarian forces in clusters, until I hear an odd whistling. Ayala throws me into the dirt, and I look up and watch as a rocket explodes at her feet, sending her flying. Smoke rises from her scorched armor. She isn't moving.