Chapter 27: Head on.


There was near silence for a few moments as the leaders of the Red Fury team stared at their objective, one Gina Lythe who was gazing longingly at her husband. The beat of combat boots on the deck filled the air, the rest of Carlo’s team piling out of the ship and taking up poor positions around it. Michael smiled, on the verge of crying for joy. There wasn’t time for that though. They had to move quickly, and everyone involved knew it.

“Hey buddy, let go of the lady!” Freya threw the stock of her rifle into her shoulder, lining up a kill shot just in case things got ugly. Fortunately for Nathan, he complied with her request and rolled off of Gina.

“…Gina!” Michael ran to her, offering a helping hand as she struggled to stand. The shackles she wore were very constricting, so much so that she could barely move her arms.

“Michael, you came!” She smiled, genuinely happy for the first time since her capture.

“Yeah,” Michael started, “we couldn’t just leave you here. Besides, the girls missed you.”

“Darn right they did.” Freya said with a smile, motioning Carlos to help her restrain the EAP officer. It was only when she got closer that it dawned on he who she was dealing with.   “…Wait… You’re Nathan Leviticus, aren’t you? What the hell are you doing up here?”

“…Do I know you?” Nathan asked in return.

“No, but I know you, Lieutenant Commander. Or at least I heard the rumors before I left the EAP.” Freya helped the man stand, Carlos keeping his aim steady on Nathan for safety’s sake.     “But you still haven’t answered my question.”

“Does it matter? You’re here to rescue this woman, right?” Nathan jerked a thumb toward Gina and Michael.

“That’s right.” Michael nodded. “But if there are any other POWs here…”

Nathan cut him off. “There are, but it would be suicide for you to just go in with guns blazing. The security around the prison block is air tight, and even I can’t just walk in there freely.”

“He’s right Michael…” Gina spoke softly, her voice shrinking a bit at the mention of the prison. “There are at least sixty guards there. You’d never make it…”

Carlos suddenly grit his teeth as a sudden realization hit. “If there are that many guards in the prison block alone, why aren’t there any here?”

Freya nodded, heading toward the door that Nathan had brought Gina in from. She stopped at the doorway, peeking out to check for guards. “Clear, but we’d better hurry.”

“They’re all congregating in the central areas. This hanger isn’t that close to the important parts of the base.” Nathan shrugged slightly, trying to figure out what to do next. Getting shot wasn’t in his plans, but the next few minutes would tell.

“I see.” Michael nodded, quickly understanding what Nathan meant. “This area is just for prisoner transfers then. Why would someone of your rank be managing that?”

“I don’t have time to explain that. If you’re going to go, I’d suggest doing it soon.” The EAP officer shook his head, a bit aggravated that they insisted on asking so many questions.

“We’re going all right, but not before you tell us. Something’s a bit fishy about all this.” Michael glared at him slightly, not budging an inch.

With a heavy sigh, Nathan finally gave in. “…Something got stolen from this base, under my watch, alright? I’m pretty sure you know what I’m talking about, since Red Fury was in that area at the time.”

“…That transforming MF?” Freya questioned. “Just what else is going on here?”

“Look, I want you to come with us, Lt. Commander.” Carlos spoke in a convincing tone, trying his best to persuade him. “It’s clear that you know a lot about what’s going on up here, and we could really use that information.”

“No. I’ve got to stay. I’m pretty important up here, and going with you would just put you all in even more danger. It’s tempting, but right now I just want you guys out of here. Whatever distractions you have running, they aren’t going to last much longer.”

“Important, huh?” Freya asked with a dubious glance. “Come on. We’re wasting our time Carlos.”

“…She’s right.” Michael mumbled, “We’d better hurry. I don’t think it’s wise to leave those two hot heads alone for too long.”

“Here.” Nathan said, reaching into his pocket and taking out the key to Gina’s shackles. “I was hoping to get her out of here anyway, but this is much better than where she was headed.”

Carlos took them, tossing the silver key set to Michael. “Alright, everyone back on the ship. We’ve got to clear out, and soon.” Several of the men kept their weapons trained on Nathan, quickly moving back into the borrowed vessel.

“…Nathan… Thank you.” Michael quickly undid his wife’s restraints, freeing her from the steel chains.

“Not a problem. Now get out of here while you still can, Mr. Lythe.” The man turned, noticing Freya about to pass him. “Hey, I know it’s strange, but could you knock me out? Just having me sit here while you guys leave isn’t going to pass well with my superiors.”

“Sure. It’s you’re concussion, buddy.” Freya took the barrel of her assault rifle in hand, swinging it like a bat into Nathan’s temple. There was a sharp crack of metal hitting skull, a fair sized bruise beginning to grow on the now unconscious man’s head.

“Freya, come on!” Carlos shouted across the hanger. The Lythe’s were at the drop ship’s hatch, standing next to Red Fury’s leader and waiting for her as well.

“...Right.” She shrugged, making a dash for the ship.



Appolus’ fury had only grown with the destruction of Dark Cross, the remaining Night-Wings scattering as he rushed them. One wasn’t fast enough, one of its legs caught in Stricken’s God Hand. Appolus yanked the machine closer, crushing the limb before bisecting the MF. Kicking the remains away before they exploded, Stricken was about to chase down the few remaining MFs when Carlos voice reached his ears.

“Appolus, we’ve got our objective and the Y-Light is inbound to pick up Michael and Gina, so pull back and help cover us. I’m pretty sure Jessica doesn’t want this thing any more damaged than it already is.”

“…Damn it…” Appolus grunted at the mention of his partner. Stricken turned, leaving the few Night-Wings alone for now. They formed up, a bit apprehensive about chasing the fear inspiring MF after its display of power. Orders, however, were orders. They dived after Stricken and the quickly retreating drop ship, only to encounter the Y-Lights cannons. The MFs lit up like stars as they exploded, a calculated barrage of laser fire tearing into the already broken squadron. Appolus only shook his head, guiding Stricken through the asteroid field as Jessica’s ship made its way into the wastes.

“So, was it really alright for us to just leave him there?” Freya asked softly as she finally settled into her seat.

“I can’t say for sure.” Carlos answered honestly. “For all we know, that man could have been lying through his teeth to us the entire time. In any case, I’ve got a bad feeling about that base…”

“Yeah…” Freya nodded in agreement. “Something bigger than that prototype we fought is going on in there, or at least that’s the feeling I got from what Nathan was saying. Time will tell.”



“…Well, that worked out better than I had anticipated.” A man dressed in what appeared to be a high-tech stealth suit entered the hanger, wearily eying the unconscious form of Nathan Leviticus. He sighed and shook his head at the sight, moving to collect the hidden recording device he had placed on the Lt. Commander. “I’d better pass these along. I’m sure that Command would just love to hear what you said down here.”

Nathan moaned softly, rolling onto his back as the man tugged on his ID tag. A wafer thin slip fell into his hand, the recording device no bigger than a small coin. He stood, pocketing the device before leaving his mark to recover alone. His task finished, Clive slipped an earpiece into place before tapping it. “General, I’ve got something I think you should listen to…”