Gears Keep Going... Even If They have To Stop

After seeing the brumak standing in the middle of town, I expected it to notice me right away. But it didn't, the thing didn't even appear to be moving. Ignoring the fact that missiles weren't raining death down upon me, I ran for the nearest building. I reached it no problem. That immediately sent up a red flag. Nothing is ever that easy for me. The house was too small for me to go in, but the cover felt better than standing out in the open.

Hell, the fucking house was so small, I was taller than the first floor!

I put my back up to the house and stepped over to the side to peer down what appeared to be a main road. I poked my head out to find it deserted. The street had rubble strewn about from small explosions, frag grenades most likely. Some carts, that held once ripe and delicious fruits and vegetables, were destroyed and the produce rotting. A few corpses littered the street. I counted at least ten to fifteen ponies and one grub from what I could see. The ponies were a mix of the different types. Giving the roof tops a good once over, and making sure there weren't any far away sniping positions with a view of the street, I moved around the house and onto the street.

I moved slow. My retro was pointed out from my hip. I swept it back and forth as I kept my eyes open for movement. I usually try not to look at dead bodies, as to not get the image burned into my head, but I couldn't help but look. They were all so small, so... helpless. From the direction the bodies were splayed, they were trying to run away. I shook my head, trying to get my focus back on the task at hand... but I couldn't look away. For the first time, in a long time, I felt saddened by death.

Ever since Rebecca... Died, I've tried to block out all the death, and pain around me. And so far I had succeeded. When someone in the squad died or got hurt, I just let the others handle it while I provided cover. I even started to resent people when they died. I think... that was because they got to take the easy way out, while I still had to fight, bleed, and protect all of what we held dear.

Who am I kidding... I wasn't fighting for anybody. I was a errand boy for Hoffman. All of Black squad was. That's all we did, was go out and retrieve some data from old buildings, and intel from locust computers in the Hollow. Sure, some of what we got was important. But I think most of it was for the scientists at Azura. Hell, the old man probably doesn't even know that place exists.

I suddenly felt a very cold, very wet, sensation on my left cheek. It made me realize I've been standing out in the open for a while now. Shaking my head, and cursing myself for letting my mind wander like that, I looked up. A massive wall of dark grey clouds was rolling over the town fast. No storm moving that fast is good news.

"Razor hail..." I said while furrowing my brow.

I started jogging down the street, a light drizzle had started. I needed to find cover before the storm let loose. I had to jump over debris and bodies as I went.  I stopped when I reached a junction in the road. Ahead of me was an ally, to my left the road seemed to just connect with another street. The road to my right was for about a hundred feet before connecting to another street.

I looked to the left, then to the right. There weren't any distinguishable facts about either direction. Fifty-fiftying it, I went left. About halfway down the street, I started hearing gun fire. I slowed down to a walk, and aimed my retro in front of me from my hip. Worst comes to worst, I can just bust in a wall to get away from the hail. If some locust come at me, I need to be able to react. Suddenly, the sound of wings filled the air. I ducked myself into the ally to my right, and put my self up against a wall.

I looked up to see a few of the, um... pegisi, I guess? Anyway, a whole shit load of them were flying out of the clouds above the town. Then the sound of gun fire filled the air. I saw the beautiful sight of burning bullets from a few mulchers fill the sky, along with a few boom shots. I saw smoke trails from hammer bursts and lancers as well. The pegisi dodged as best they could. Doing flips, dives, barrel rolls, and the like.

But there is no dodging a fire barrage like that.

The sky filled with cries of pain and death. Crimson blood started to fall with the rain. The bodies were spiraling down, that is, if there was enough of a body left. Bits and pieces were falling down all over the place. Not long after the pegisi started to get slaughtered, a carriage came down and a bright purple... Shield. Grew into existence from the carriage to cover the town. The bullets were being stopped alright, but the boom shots and constant mulcher fire was taking it's toll. Where ever a boom shot hit, a few cracks spread out. They mended themselves soon after. A little bit after that, the gun fire ceased.

The sound of heavy boots walking on the cobble brought my attention away from the sight. Peaking my head out far enough to see. Three Therons were walking towards my position. Bringing my head back fast, I hoped they hadn't seen me. They had torquebows. I don't like torquebows. Not. One. Bit. I'm not afraid of them, just don't like them.

I pressed my back against the wall and held my breath. I didn't hear their usual taunts or they're movements quicken, which means they either didn't see me, or they're smart. God I hope it's the later. I felt my heart leap into my throat as the thumps of their boots grew closer. Then one of them came into view. I pressed my back  harder against the wall. The second and third followed behind right next to each other. They all walked past the ally without a glance. I waited a few seconds before exhaling slowly from my nose as relief flooded my body. My heart descended as my body relaxed.

I closed my eyes and leaned my head forward as I took a few calming breaths. I reopened them with a ferocious look on my face. I slowly moved away from the wall. I looked to the left at the therons walking away. I looked to the right. Clear. I looked back at the Therons.

I need information, but I need to do this quietly.

Therons are the hardest to get information from, but it's possible. Just takes some... creativity.

I put my retro up on my back and pulled my shoulder blade out with my right hand. I slowly walked out of the ally, giving a  glance to the right. I then turned to the left. The Therons were still walking down the street, their boots making a loud thumping noise as they went.

Perfect, that will make sneaking up on them easier. I thought with a smirk on my face.

I started to move at a measured pace. Slow enough to where I wouldn't alert them, but fast enough to catch up. When I was about ten feet from them, the sound of gun fire opened back up, followed by a very loud 'POP'. All three Therons stopped, and looked up. I took the opportunity.

I went into a run. The Theron on the left brought it's head down and started to turn towards me. I body checked that mother fucking asshole into the leader. I stopped myself after hitting that one. The one to my right let out a hiss. I turned, he was raising his torquebow. It pointed straight at my face. My eyes widened in surprise. I slapped it out of my face with my right knife wielding hand. It discharged over my shoulder and out of caring range. I cocked my left arm back and then punched that fucker right in the face.

A satisfying crunch reverberated in my ears as the Theron was sent flying away. The bolt that went over my shoulder detonated. I turned to look at the other two, who were now scrambling to stand a good ten feet away. One was starting to stand, the other was on it's hands and knees, dazed. I flipped my knife around to hold the blade and cocked my right hand back. The one standing turned towards me, hissing. I aimed, and threw my knife. The knife flew true and went into the gap in it's helmet and stuck into the bastards throat. It gurgled, dropped it's bow, and fell to the ground grasping at it's throat.

I then focused on the Theron on the ground. It was still on the ground. I smirked and ran towards it. When I was close enough, I jumped forward into the air and delivered a flying peoples elbow. A loud crack filled the air as it's spin broke. It' let out a pained hiss and struggled for a second, then went limp. I rolled of it and stood up.

I was smiling so damn hard right now.

Then the sound of a ticking torquebow caught my attention. I looked back over at the Theron I had punched. It was in a crouch and aiming a glowing torquebow at me. My reflexes took hold as I jump rolled out of the way. I heard the sound of the bolt fire, and hit flesh. I hit the ground and rolled upright. I looked over where I was once standing. Then the bolt exploded, followed by a shower of blood.

He shot the Theron I elbowed.

I so wanted to break out into hysterics right there. Instead, I drew my gorgon, and emptied the clip into the Theron's chest I punched while it was reloading. The bullets torn through the armor and sent blood spewing out. The Theron gave of a loud hissing yell as it fell to the ground. I quickly reloaded, and looked around for anything checking out the ruckus. Nothing moved except the falling rain and the two Therons rolling on the ground. I snorted.

I'll explain why this is so funny to me.

Locust, who love to fight in close quarters, just lost a fist fight to one COG soldier. Therons, the best of the best, just got laid out, by one COG soldier. Given, I am amazing, but it always tickles me to beat Therons to bloody pulps in close quarters. It's an achievement, I admit. Usually it'll take one normal squad to take down a small squad of Therons in close quarters, with heavy loses on the COG side.

...

I just realized I'm bragging to myself.

...

Okay, the moment has passed. Back to work!

I went over to the Theron I shot and put away the gorgon to free up my hands. I got over next to it and stopped. I looked down at it. It was wheezing. I reached down, knocked it's helmet off, and grabbed it by the throat. I lifted it off the ground with a grunt and held it up to where we were at eye level. It's feet dangled a good foot off the ground. I brought it's face close to mine. It's black eyes stared back. It tried to growl, but it came off as a gurgle.

I chuckled and smirked. I grabbed it's chest piece with my other hand and moved the previous to grab it's back. I lifted it higher to grab it's leg. I then lifted it up, then dropped to one knee, and broke it's back over my knee. It tried to scream, but it just spewed out blood. I let go of it's body and let it fall to the ground. I stood back up and spit on the body. I turned and walk over to retrieve my knife from the body of the other one I killed. I stopped half way...

And realized I was suppose to keep one alive.

"I enjoy killing grubs to much." I groaned out as I brought a hand to my face.

I shook my head and removed my hand. I walked the rest of the way over and yanked my knife out with a squelch. I wiped the knife off on my pant leg and put it back in the shoulder sheath. I started walking back over to where the Therons emerged, I pulled my retro out as I walked. The sounds of gun fire still rang out all over the place. I looked up expecting to see the beautiful sight of a fire fight, but there wasn't one.

That's weird, I wonder if those ponies gave up or chose a diffre-"GAH!"

Pain exploded from my left thigh. I stumbled a bit as I reflexively I reached down. I felt something sticking out of my leg. I immediately pulled it out, fearing that it was a torquebow bolt. I ripped it out painfully,  threw the thing away, and threw myself to the right. I landed hard on my chest. I quickly tried to stand, I pulled my right leg up first keeping my weight of my left leg till it could heal itself. Once on my feet, I turned and aimed my retro towards where the Therons laid, expecting one of them aiming a Torquebow at me.

As I spun, I got really dizzy. So dizzy, I almost fell down. I stumbled a bit and ran into a building to my left. My vision blurred, and I got really tired all of a sudden. I shook my head, and grit my teeth. Poison. I reached down with my left hand, stuck a finger in the wound, and ripped it sideways.

I grunted as the pain cleared my vision. I refocused my attention and looked around the street for my attacker. All the Therons lay motionless, and I saw no one else in the immediate vicinity. I pulled myself off the wall, and brought my retro up with both hands. My mind was getting foggy and sluggish. It was making it really hard to think straight.

I saw a shadow move to my left, I turned my head to see something dart down the ally I hid in earlier. I think its the same one at least. I shook my head again and ran after it.

"BOOOOMMM!"

My eyes grew wide.

CRACK. PSSSHHHH. BOOM!

I went weightless for a second.

Then I crashed through something solid.

I landed hard on my back.

I couldn't feel anything.

I tried to move.

Couldn't.

Tired.

Can't sleep. Need to get up and...

And...

I need to open my eyes.

Can't.

Who's laughing?

Sounds like...

A boomer.

That's not good.

BOOM!

"Wake up. You are needed."

Who... Where...

"WAKE UP!"

I awoke with a start, my eyes shooting open. I was greeted with darkness, and pain. So much goddamn pain. Steady cold droplets of water plopping down all over my body. I tried moving my arms, my left was pinned under something. My right was free, I started to feel around. I was definitely under something. But how did I get here? What happened. I started to panic. I thrashed, and screamed.

Then I felt a... weird, cold sensation travel from my spine outward. It felt good. Calming even. I stopped thrashing, and relaxed. The pain began to slowly ebb away, then I heard words echo in my head.

Calm down. It's alright. Think. Breath.

Taking a few calming breaths, I began to calm down even more

Ok, yeah. Think. What happened? Something shot me with a poison tipped bolt. I saw something move and chased after it. Then I heard... a... boomer. It shot at me, and the shot knocked me into... a building or whatever. Then... it must of brought the building down on me. That explains why I'm stuck. Now.... to get out of here.

I took a few more deep breaths. I maneuvered my right arm to find what was pinning my left. I felt like wood, a support beam? I pushed up on it, it lifted right up and I moved it to my side. When I moved the beam a few pieces I guessed were sheet rock and insulation tumbled away, revealing that it was now nighttime. I slowly sat up. I got a little dizzy from the movement, but the sensation from before kicked in and I felt fine.

Okay, what in the hell was I drugged with?

Do not worry. Quickly, you have somewhere to be.

I quickly stood up. I looked over my left shoulder and saw that my longshot was still there. I then checked the side holster for my gorgon, yep still there. I looked around and saw my retro laying under a small pile off debris about a foot from where I was sitting. I picked it up and gave it a once over to make sure it was still in working condition. Everything checked out.

Y'know. For being blind sided by a boom shoot and having a house fall on me, I'm doing alright.

You don't have time for this you must move, you have to get there, you are needed.

I quickly made my way out onto the street. A few new craters doted the street and a dead boomer laid just down the street, along with a few grubs, and a combination of different ponies, all of which were wearing either blue or gold armor.

Go to your right, now.

I turned right and proceeded down the street. The sound of gun fire, although lessened, still filled the air. I reached the end of the street I was on.

Go right, run.

I turned right and broke into a run. I could see gun fire in the distance, along with a bright purple light.

Faster!

I ran as fast as I could. I had to jump over a mess of bodies and giblets as I ran. The purple light in front of me dimmed, and a few bullets started to fly around me. one glanced off my left shoulder brace.

You must get there! NOW!

I don't know how, but I started to run faster. The gun fire got louder. I could make out some sort of barricade down the street. I could also see the brumaks head form here. Along with the rocket launcher on it's ba-

That is of no concern! You have things to do, get there and help them!

I was fifty feet from the barricade now. I could make out the shapes of a few ponies and some of those dog things. The barricade seemed to be made up of a few carts and wagons. I started to worry about how to get over the wa-

Jump it!

I was now ten feet away, and the locals had taken notice of me. Most of them ran, some of the dogs held their ground and howled at me while drawing their crude weaponry. I forcibly shouldered my way past them,. Once I was past them I jumped on top of the barricade then jumped down, I looked up...

Locust... so many locust....

There had to be at least twenty Therons. Two boomers were firing from the steps of a building in the center of clearing. Three grinders were firing from the top of the stairs. The brumak seemed to be... sticking half way out of the top of the building? Overturned carts and crudely built cover littered the area.

I looked clear across, what I'm calling town square, to see an armored Kantus jump over the barricade as well. I felt my heart pump faster. My eyes dilated. The Therons took notice of me.

"Ground walker!"

I... I... Can't take on that many! There's no way! Not by myself! I need to get ou-

Kill them.

I growled and brought my retro up to bear as I ran forward.

"GGGRRRRRRAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

I opened fire on the closest group of Therons. The bullets tore into the first two, one fell as the others' head blew open. I continued my assault on the others, I got one more down and few shots into another before they all took cover and fired back. I threw myself behind an over turned cart and put my back up against it. Bullets began tearing into my cover. I blind fired the rest of my clip over the top. I heard a pained yell as my gun clicked.

I quickly reloaded. While I was reloading, I heard the fire of twin gorgon pistols, and loud raspy laughing. I took a quick peak over the cart to see the Kantus killing the Therons on the other side of the square. The Therons were firing back and yelling in their rough English about a traitor. The boomers were concentrating their fire on the Kantus and the grinders were still firing over the barricade. I decided to capitalize on the distraction, seeing as they seem to have forgotten that I was here.

I switched to my longshot. I turned and rested the barrel on the cart. I quickly targeted one of the boomers and shot him in the head. A nice shower of blood shot out as the round went through the back of it's head and out the other side. The Therons then seemed to remember I was here and opened up fire on the cart. I reloaded my longshot and switched back to retro. The fire abated for a second. I stood and zeroed in on the closest Theron. It was running towards me about to jump over my cover. I jump rolled backwards as it pulled itself over my cover. I opened up on it's legs as I stood. I saw it's knee caps give almost immediately.

I rushed over, putting my retro on my back in the process. I caught the Theron mid fall. I quickly flipped it forward and grabbed it's neck and squeezed. A few bullets were already being absorbed by my new sponge. I pulled out my gorgon and surveyed the field. A few Therons remained, the other boomer was dead, and the Grinders were making their descent from the stairs. The two of them were firing at the Kantus.

One was coming towards me, I'ts mulcher smoking. I tightened my grip and took aim. I moved around the cart quickly and opened fire on the few remaining Therons. I sent half the clip into a Therons head, who peaked over it's cover. The rest of the clip went into an advancing Theron. It fell on it's face. I reloaded, and noticed that the rest of the Therons near me were also advancing on me firing all of their clips in to my sponge.

Perfect.

I stepped backwards a ways, feigning retreat. There were five of them in total coming towards me. I fired two more clips at them as they jumped from cover to cover. I kept moving backwards. Then, they all jumped from cover, guns blazing. I smiled. I let go of the Theron in my grip and quickly grabbed it's back plate. I then put my gorgon away and grabbed a grenade. I slammed it on the back of it's neck, and kicked it forward.

It collided with the front two of the group, and exploded. I quickly pulled out my retro and headed to an over turned cart to my left. Half way there, the grinder let loose on me with it's mulcher. I felt a few rounds enter my side as I made it to cover. I threw myself onto the ground as more mulcher rounds tore into and through the cart. My retro bounced out of my hand as I landed. The mulcher rounds were tearing into and through the cart above my head. I kept flat to the ground and covered my head with my hands. The Grinder began yelling as it continued firing at my position.

Thankfully, not long after that the fire stopped. I quickly pulled myself up to my knees and pulled out my two remaining grenades. I looked over what was left of the cart, the Grinder was walking towards me while waiting for the mulcher to cool. I stood up and ran to the left I tossed both grenades at the beast as I ran. One hit, and bounced off, a Theron that was standing up. The other landed next to the Grinders feet.

I pulled out my longshot as the grenades went off. The Theron was obliterated, the Grinder stumbled backwards. I skidded to a stop, leveled the longshot in my hands, and aimed at the Grinder. It's face and chest were bloodied, it's trade mark helmet had come off. It was looking straight at me with a death glare. it was starting to wind up it's mulcher. I hit the zoom button and aimed for it's head.

"Grin-"CRACK!

The bullet hit it's mark, rewarding my eyes with a shower of gore.

"HA! Take that fuck-face!" I lowered my longshot and flipped off the Grinders corpse as it fell to the ground.

I put my longshot back on my back and pulled out my gorgon. I started looking around for more Therons. But there wasn't any left standing. I heard the screaming of the armored Kantus. I looked over to see it covered in blood and it had one leg on top of what was left of the other Grinder. It had it's arms outstretched and was screaming at the sky. I started to look around for my retro. I spotted it over by the torn up cart where I fell. I jogged over to it and picked it up. I turned back around to face the Kantus. It had stopped screaming.

It was staring right at me, and I stared back.

We stood like this for a bit. The only sound being that of the rain and the movement of the locals on the other side of the barricade. I took a quick glance at it's hands to see that it's gorgons were gone. The armor on it's body was dented and broken in some places. It also seemed to be favoring it's left leg. On it's right some armor plates were missing. From this observation, if we go at it, I have a chance at winning without any explosives, seeing as I'm out of grenades.

But... it did start killing it's own men. So, I might not have to fight it after all. Either way, I think it's time I left.

I kept my eyes on the Kantus as I took a slow step backwards. I took another slow step and began turning around. The Kantus seemed to visibly relax as I turned around. I began walking towards the barric-

You will wait here.

I went to keep walking, but something stopped me. I tried walking forward again.

NO. Wait here!

A small headache formed in my head. I shook my head and took two steps forward.

No! You shouldn't be able to fight it! How are you fighting it!?!

I took few more steps forward. As I did, the pain in m,y head kept getting worse. I kept walking forward despite the pain.

NO! WE DEMAND YOU STOP THIS INSTANT!

A voice started screaming in my head, and the cold feeling faded away. All the pain from before, accompanied by the pain from my new injuries, returned. I dropped my retro as I gripped my head in both hands. I started screaming and feel to my knees. I suddenly felt something trickle down my throat, and I threw up. I retched three times. When I was done, the pain in my head had receded to a dull throb, the rest of my body still felt like crap though. The puke was a bright blue.

It would seem, that the mind poison has worn off.

Mind poison? The fuck do you mean!?! You... were that voice I heard when I first woke up, weren't you?

Yes, now... I'm going to restart the poison. This will hurt.

Just as the voice finished, the pain in my head returned full force. I regripped my head and screamed again. I felt the same cold sensation as before, but this time as it spread, so did the pain. My entire body felt like it was being encased in ice. I felt dizzy again. My vision started to blur and blacken. My throat was burning from my screaming as I lost the energy to scream. I felt my hands fall away from head as I started to fall forward, the world dimming from view.

I then felt... warmth.

It came in pulses, slowly replacing the cold in my body. I felt my body lift off the ground on it's own. I heard the voice screaming in frustration and cursing from the back of my head. The warmth started getting stronger. Then, with one final pulse, it left my body. I fell a short ways onto my feet. I stood there, gasping for air. All the pain in my body gone. I heard a slow hiss from behind me. I quickly turned around to find the Kantus standing there.

Holding my retro.

I was about to lash out and grab my Retro, but the unthinkable happened. It stuck out it's hand holding my retro, and held it out for me to take. I stood there for a second, staring at the Kantus.

"Taaakkke weapon. We musssst leave noooow." It hissed out.

I furrowed my brow, and scowled at the Kantus. I slowly reached out and grabbed my rifle. It let go as I took it.

"Why are you not killing me? You had the perfect opportunity, why help me?"

"Quessstion later. We must leave." It said as it turned away from me.

The sound of wings filled the air again. It walked over to the barricade and climbed over it. After a second, I walked over, and went over as well.