Spiral Knights: Equis Orders

Depth 19

Cradle

Dimensional Facility

As the motley group walked out of the containment area of the facility, Twilight looked at the yellow knights. All were wearing the same colors, with the only difference being their armor. Some were wearing brigantines, others a flak jacket, others a culet. All were carrying a shield with the logo of the spiked crown. Varias noticed Twilight studying the logo and whispered to her.

"Those are the Recon Rangers. They''re the best of the best, often compared to Rhendon's Scarlet Scouts. They get to do the fun stuff."

"Define fun." Twilight whispered back.

Varias said blankly, "The very deadly stuff is what the Rangers call fun."

"I see. What's the dragon doing here?" Twilight replied. "At least, it looks like a dragon."

"It's not a dragon. It's a Drakon-Class Battle Sprite. Battle Sprites are used by knights who have obtained the qualifications to boost their combat prowess. There are three types, Drakon, which is pure offensive, Maskeraith, with uses toxins and subterfuge, and the Seraphynx, that is mostly support-oriented. Chase's is Level 100, meaning He chose his ultimate skills. I'm surprised at the bond they have!"

"Wait. Swords up, knights!" Chasehassen suddenly whispered.

A patrol of Mecha Knights walked by, accompanied by a Darkfang mender. The first Mecha knight noticed the Knights, and went to investigate. It's head was promptly knocked off by Chasehassen's Leviathan Blade. The second knight tried to draw its sword, but Chasehassen cut one of it's legs off, the pulled out a Master Blaster, then shot it in between the eyes. The Mender tried to run, but a few shots later, it disintegrated into purple smoke. Chasehassen smiled.

"All Clear. Let's keep moving."

Dimensional Facility

Warmaster Druset's Office

"WHAT!!!"

The small Darkfang thwacker cowered in fear. "I said, Warmaster, the test subjects..."

"I KNOW THAT! RECOVER THEM AT ANY COST! UNDERSTAND?" Druset screamed with rage.

"Yes, Warmaster." the Thwacker replied, shivering from fright.

As the small Gremlin left the office, Druset scowled.

"Those Iron invaders think they can make off with my offerings to the great King. Well, they have another surprise coming. He pushed a small button on a console. Below him, a massive map of the facility, lay before him. He smiled evilly.

"Those Iron Invaders have another thing coming!"

He pressed a button on a radio.

"Scull, is the ambush ready?"

"Yes. The courtyard is secure. They will not escape."

"I'm counting on you to see to that."

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Dimensional Facility courtyard

As the

"There's the elevator. Let's move." Varias yelled.

As the knights boarded the elevator, Chasehassen promptly boarded last, with his shield up, and as he boarded, several large girders fell, linking the elevator to the skies above. Twilight and Raibow promptly fell down from exhaustion, warranting a few laughs from the Recon Rangers.

As the elevator started to ascend, the Recon Rangers, tired from the battle, sat down and broke out some rations. Chasehassen just walked over to Varias and smiled. Varias grinned.

"So, where exactly is this taking us?" Twilight asked, half-asleep.

"Like I said back in the facility, Twilight. Our home away from home. The city of Haven." Varias said, with a smile.

Dimensional Facility

Warmaster Druset's office

"YOU HAVE FAILED, SCULL! YOU LET THEM ESCAPE!" Druset screamed with wrath and pure anger.

Scull cowered. "I'm sorry, sir."

Druset scowled. "That will not suffice. GET THEM BACK!"

Scull nodded. "Another thing, Warmaster."

Druset frowned. "What now?"

Scull paced, than stammered. "T--t--they took the data from the transporter. Without that data, we can't rebuild the machine. We can't recreate the data, let alone try to pull more of those creatures through. They also stole the codex with all of the readings for the first test. Without that, even if we were to rebuild it, we would have no way of knowing how much power to send through it at any time."

Druset motioned with his hand. A red Lumber construct, with the head on fire, carrying an axe, and severely damaged from battle, walked in. Druset made another motion, and the axe swung down. Scull's head dropped to the floor, before the rest of his body disintegrated, along with his head. Druset scowled.

"You have failed, Scull. You pledged to not let them escape. They succeeded in doing so. Now, may your spirit find rest. Good job, Ironwood Sentinel. Leave me."

As the Sentinel left, Warmaster Druset frowned. He pulled up the videotape from the cameras around the facility. He saw the knights battle their way in and out. But her recognized one in particular. He scowled at the footage of Chasehassen.

"That knight killed you. I will avenge him, brother. Warmaster Seerus will have his REVENGE!" Druset screamed.

Elevator

As Chasehassen slept, he felt a chill, even through his Ash Tail coat. He frowned, adjusted it, and looked at Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle sleeping under a blanket given to then by a Ranger. He smiled.

"I'll protect you two. Even if I die, I won't let anything hurt you." he whispered, and he fell back to sleep.