Incipience

Chapter 9 pt 2

Rombag and I take the lead. Our sloppy formation is far from the first thing on our minds at the moment; vengeance is. The Alphas are arguably the most tight knit group amongst the cadets seeing that there are so few of them, so it's no stretch to say that the determination behind their stride stems from their desire to avenge for their fallen friends. While the Quinzentenians didn't make any kill shots, they most definitely ruined their athletic careers. Their lasers were strong enough to penetrate the armor lining our limbs, so they were able to cut through tendons and muscles. I doubt they'll ever move the same again.

I know Rombag is eager to get to our destination because that's where N'vizwei and Xiomoazi are. I don't know what all of their relationships are, but I know they're close enough for Rombag to be moving with this much urgency. It doesn't take us long to get to the Beta's route. Rombag pauses us a few corridors over.

"Cadets, I am lead to believe that the Beta team is unresponsive because they have either been captured, severely injured, or killed," Rombag says softly. "You know what you're dealing with now, so stay on your toes and watch your partner's back. Act accordingly and do what you have to. If it's them or you, choose you."

The four other cadets glance at their partners before giving Rombag a firm nod. Looks like the two of us are together, not that any of the others would be able to keep up with our commanding officer.

I look up at Rombag and arch an eyebrow, "Partners?"

If I didn't know better, I'd think that sound that just came from Rombag was a laugh. "Let's go, cadets."

And that's all the call to action we need. The six of us take off down the corridor. Rombag rounds the corner first, their long legs easily carrying them ahead of us. This time the Quinzentenians don't wait for us to get comfortable before firing. Thankfully, we're prepared for their assault and react accordingly.

Just like last time, they make a headshot for our commanding officer. Rombag sees it coming and funnels the momentum from their sprint into a diving roll. In one swift motion, Rombag rips a patch off of their uniform and throws it. Suddenly there's a bright spark followed by a loud cracking noise. All seven of the Quinzentenians slowly come into view. Their facial expressions scream confusion. By the looks of it, they weren't expecting the Inovarians to have any tech to disable their invisibility cloak. 

I don't hesitate to take advantage of their state of perplexity. I raise my blaster and fire at the closest Quinzentenian. Had my target been a second slower, they'd be out a kneecap. Much to my irritation, the Quinzentenian has almost unreal reflexes that allow her to evade the shot. She narrows her eyes at me in a menacing glare.

If I had a drop less of the vengeance coursing through my veins right now, I can confidently say that I would've looked to run away. Alas, these people have cut down my teammates mercilessly and are currently standing between me and the only person who can help me figure out what's going on with my body. There's no way in hell I'm backing down or losing.

The woman I shot at charges first, soon followed by the rest of her teammates. Rombag quickly fires a laser at her, which she flawlessly volleys over. Rombag intercepts the Quinzentenian's initial attempt to get to me, but she still manages to slip by. I narrowly miss her with another laser and make to try again when the Quinzentenian throws a knife at my hand. The blade cuts a gash across my wrist, effectively making me let go of the blaster. Rombag makes to help me when another Quinzentenian attacks them. Looks like I'm on my own here.

Despite my momentarily split attention, I'm able to dodge the knife aimed for my head. My eyes narrow in irritation. I was aiming to demobilize but she's obviously going for kill shots. Bold of her to assume that I'd be taken out so easily.

The woman continues her barrage of attacks without a moment's relent. It takes a while for me to understand her fighting style, but the second that I catch onto her pattern, I start fighting offensively. Before long, the two of us are trading blow for blow.

The Quinzentenians are natural acrobats from what I understand, so it makes sense that they incorporate so many flips, twists, and turns into their fighting style. Thankfully, the style I've been developing over the past few weeks is very similar so I'm able to keep up without a problem. The Quinzentenians are light on their feet and have this certain fluidity in their movements, but I have more stamina and a body that heals its own wounds within seconds. It's not much of a surprise that the scuffle only lasts so long.

By the time I have the Quinzentenian in a chokehold, Rombag is finishing their own fight, too. Rombag fires off lasers into both of the Quinzentenians' knees. Their amethyst eyes roll back for a moment and that's when I know that the two are down for the count. I do my best to ignore the cry of agony coming from the alien in my arms as I loosen my hold on her.

They started this I remind myself. She wouldn't be in this position if she didn't board this ship to attack us. She made her choice and now she has to live with it.

That's what I repeat to myself with every blow I land and every injury inflicted.

I take a moment to notice that it's just Rombag and I against the other five. The Alphas, much to their credit, put up a good fight, but these aliens are physically superior with much more training on their side. If it weren't for my abilities, I most definitely wouldn't be able to keep up with them—well that and if I didn't have Rombag on my side.

A third party looking in would never be able to guess that two of us get into a fight—both figuratively and literally—every single time we see each other by the way we're working together. It's astonishing how effortlessly we block, deflect, and deliver blows for one another. No words are exchanged and yet we're moving together like cogs in a machine.

It takes what feels like eons for the seventh Quinzentenian to finally drop. For a moment the corridor is still. I do my best to catch my haggard breath, choosing to focus on it rather than the symphony of low moans and cries coming from both my enemies and comrades.

I know I shouldn't be surprised by Rombag's lack of fatigue, but to see how unfazed an individual can be after a firefight of this degree is truly amazing.

"The fight isn't over yet, soldier," Rombag comments. "We need to secure the lab and get the captives to safety."

"Aren't we going to wait for backup?"

Rombag gestures to the unconscious bodies littered at our feet, "they are the best your barracks have to offer and the other soldiers on the ship are busy tying up loose ends. We either wait for them to get to us or risk acting too slowly for Xiomoazi and the Betas to get help. Do you want to take that gamble?"

With a shallow breath, I square my shoulders and look to my commanding officer. A sudden wave of determination washes over me. I quickly pick up my fallen blaster and take a step forward.

"Let's finish what they started."