The Collapse

Chapter 26: Regroup

"Roger that. I'll relay the orders," Vanessa replied to her mini-radio, then clicked it off. She rejoined Alder, who was covering the perpendicular alley. "Em -- Command says we got a new objective: first, we link up with the rest of Tornado unit. Then we're going after an old radio caster station where the Legion's made their HQ." She spoke brusquely. She was wary of Alder after seeing what he was capable of, as she didn't know if he was naturally savage, or if that was just a side effect of the Enigma enhancements. Either way, Vanessa knew she had to watch him so he didn't lose control again.

Alder nodded. "I got point," he replied, moving down the street with inhuman litheness. Vanessa sighed and ran after him, before slowing herself down. Slow is smooth, smooth is fast, she reminded herself of her training, shouldering her laser rifle. It wouldn't do to leave 1-3 leaderless just because she got careless.

The duo finally reached the main street, where the soldiers of Tornado 1-3 were still engaging the enemy. A firm line of red bodies blockaded the road, whooping and hollering in a frenzy. Rising above the chaos of battle, one cry became overwhelming. "Kneel before our lord! Kneel! KNEEL! KNEEEEL!" The chant rose from the defense, growing more powerful with each moment.

Vanessa realized that the crazed soldiers hadn't seen them, and took advantage of their ignorance. She plucked a fragmentation grenade from her belt and pulled the pin, waiting three seconds before throwing it just in case they tried to chuck the explosive back.

An ear-rattling explosion racked the streets, ripping the center of the berserker's defense apart. Alder took that as his cue to charge headlong into the ranks, hacking this way and that while his rifle spat fire. However, one soldier -- a big, muscled brute who was clad in crude iron armor -- broke out of the throng and started for Vanessa, a homemade melee weapon taking the form of a pick in hand.

Vanessa panicked. She was never the bravest officer in the RS, nor was she the most cowardly. But watching that barbarian march unceasingly towards her, knocking anyone out of the way no matter their allegiance, was too much for her nerves to bear. She fired her laser rifle haphazardly while backpedaling rapidly, before tripping over a broken slab of concrete and knocking her rifle away. 

Vanessa fumbled for her sidearm, drawing it right as the flat of the pick smacked her face. She cried out in pain and tumbled to the side, narrowly avoiding a splintering stroke of the blade. She landed on her back, and the pistol slid out of her hands, clattering across the broken pavement. The brute had raised his pick again, a sadistic grin on his face, but before he could bring it down, a revving noise sounded. He froze, and began to turn when his head vaporized with a boom, spraying Vanessa with gray brain matter and gore.

Alder's green bulk appeared, pushing the headless body out of his way. His face, weapons and power armor were covered in blood, and his helmet hung by his waist. "Orders just came over the radio. You're pulling back, and our arty's gonna pound this area." Alder said in an anxious voice as he hefted Vanessa to her feet.

"Wait, wait. Slow down. Why're we retreating?" She asked in a suspicious voice.

Alder opened his mouth to reply, but he was cut off by a roar coming down onto the battlefield.

"BROTHER!  Where art thou, brother?!"  A crazed voice echoed down the streets, freezing all who heard it.

Alder hefted his ECR and pointed to the source of the taunt as he set off towards it. "That's why."

Vanessa raced to catch up to him. "Whoa! You can't just go off and find some psycho who wants to pick a fight." He didn't respond, and Vanessa grabbed his shoulderplate. "Hey! You are a part of this unit now! What is so important that you have to fight this guy?"

Alder paused and glanced back at her, then continued his march. "Personal business," he rumbled.

"Not. Good. Enough."

He whirled on her, throwing his armored hands in the air. "Why not?"

"Because I want to know who is so important, you have to abandon the Sentinels — abandon me." Vanessa knew she sounded pathetic, but she didn't care. He probably thought that it was just a one night stand, but to her, he meant so much more than that.

Emotions began playing out over Alder's face — emotions that had been suppressed until now. He turned, but not before Vanessa saw a glistening tear roll down his cheek. He spoke in a soft voice, and the answer stunned Vanessa to the core.

"That's my brother."