Heralds – Chapter 1: The Arrival

“Vanguard, Sir,” a voice crackled over Ekert’s comms. “We’re about 5 minutes out from initiating the final gravity-jump to the Polaris sector.”

“Good work, Captain,” Vanguard Ekert replied, trying towards the entrance of the U.F. Herald of Warfare, his models’ ‘private’ ship. “You and your crew obtained us right here in good time. I’ll guarantee that goes on the report once we get again. See about getting you a pair additional go away days earlier than we get shipped out once more.”

“We go the place you’re wanted, whenever you’re wanted, Sir,” the Captain replied, although Ekert may hear the small hope within the girl’s voice on the probability of even an additional shore day.

“It might’ve solely taken us every week to get out right here to Polaris,” Ekert mentioned, “However we’ve been on deployment after deployment for greater than three months now. We may all use a break.”

“True,” the Captain mentioned. “The missions have been nice expertise, and the crew have gotten just a few wonderful talent engrams… however… yeah. House can be good. Tim began kindergarten this final week, and his rattling father received’t even ship me photos. Asshole. No concept what I noticed within the man.”

“Abs like chiseled stone, and a jawline that would minimize bolstered protium?” Ekert mentioned with a chuckle. “Fairly positive that’s the way you described him to us.”Ne/w novel chapters are revealed at novelhall.com

There was a second – then two – of silence earlier than the comms crackled again to life. “Responsible as charged, Sir. And, I suppose, he’s… round extra for Tim.”

“Captain… Sandy,” Ekert mentioned. “I do know the previous few months…”

“No want, Sir,” Sandy mentioned earlier than Ekert may proceed. “That is what I signed up for. Knowingly. Even obtained my very own ship out of it. And a greater crew than I may’ve ever hoped for. The bucket-heads we have now to ferry round aren’t so dangerous both.”

“Ouch, Captain,” Ekert mentioned. “Bucket-heads? As a lot respect as I’ve for the GDF infantry, my unit is on a barely completely different scale right here. Not less than name us chromes-domes, metal-heads, or shelled-hobos.”

“Hah, understood, Sir,” the Captain mentioned. “I’ll move that on to Jitzer when she broadcasts the bounce.”

“5 minutes?”

“Lower than that now, Sir.”

“Bought it, we’ll be prepared,” Ekert mentioned. “Unsure what sort of drop we’re taking a look at once we get there, so commonplace orbit. Get the Phoenix and Drill each prepped. We’ll determine which we’re taking after our sensors have carried out a sweep.”

“Preparations already underway.”

“Ought to’ve recognized. You don’t want me telling you do your job.”

“No, I don’t,” the Captain mentioned. “However you’ve been doing it for close to on 4 years now. Sort of gotten used to it and your gravely voice.”

“Previous canine and outdated habits,” Ekert mentioned.

“Positive factor, Vanguard Grampa,” the Captain mentioned, voice going from informal to skilled in just a few phrases. “Grav-jump announcement will come ten seconds earlier than we hit it. Be certain that your individuals are prepared.”

“Roger,” Ekert mentioned, ending his dialog with the Captain and turning his consideration to his environment. His unit – his Heralds of Peace – had gone quiet when he’d begun speaking to the Captain, and all seemed expectantly his approach. Every an elite in their very own proper, they stood – or sat – on the prepared of their custom-made and particular person Private Interface and Reinforcement System Armor. With their PIRSAs enhancing the attributes and appearing as extremely cellular weapons platforms, evaluating any of them to infantry was like calling a dragon a pet, and hoping it could roll over to let any person scratch its stomach.

Then once more, the final dragon they’d handled again on Rodikon – Shit, was that already a yr in the past? Or is it two now? Possibly I’m the one who wants some go away… – may as effectively have been a pet for all of the battle it managed to place up in opposition to them. Ekert’s Heralds of Peace didn’t get referred to as in for small issues, in spite of everything.

“Nearly there?” Ekert’s second-in-command, Corporal Cool requested. Sitting on the bolstered bench in his PIRSA, with one hand absently rubbing a material down the barrel of his six-foot-long PUNCH sniper-rifle, the person was the embodiment of his identify. Calm. Cool. Collected. All issues that made him superb at his job as their scout and ranged injury supplier.

As for the remainder of their unit – or their get together, as some folks referred to as it – Ekert took a quick second to evaluate everyone’s standing, each visually and thru the unit-interface in his HUD.

Cool was, after all, in prime form. His personal well being and his armor’s have been topped off, as have been his vitality reserves and ammunition counts. In fact, a bit of vitality may produce ammo as wanted, however the man knew higher than to enter a mission unprepared. As for the black armor itself, Cool had changed the cape he used to put on – Model is vital, he at all times mentioned – with the small jump-pack capacity he’d picked up on the final mission. It will assist in positioning and motion, although it nonetheless wouldn’t make him the quickest on the workforce.

No, that title belonged to Jackal, the unit’s speedster and close-range damage-dealer. The place Cool’s armor was tight and compact, Jackal’s was downright glossy. Micro-jet nozzles and quick – however extendable – vi-blades have been the one ornamentation on her in any other case easy armor. Each have been capacity engrams she’d gotten early on of their unit’s profession, with the primary upping her dexterity-focused construct to the following degree, whereas the second supplied a dependable backup if something occurred to her weapon of selection. Mentioned weapon of selection, a pair of ominous, stylized katanas – blades glowing with purple flames – presently rested within the sheaths throughout her again. Her Delight and Pleasure – their literal names – have been an absolute terror if she obtained into melee vary. Which she at all times did.

He’d been attempting to persuade her to select up a ranged capacity – even when it was only a handgun engram – to spherical out her skillset. There have been loads of monitored and itemized dungeons on registered worlds they may run to get her one, however she wasn’t . Admittedly, having a ranged choice would include penalties – because of her superior PIRSA class – which was the one purpose he hadn’t pressured the problem with an order. That, and he or she simply did a lot single-target injury with these swords they’d discovered from the dungeon-bust, he couldn’t argue.

Minor complaints apart, her readings have been all inexperienced – Jackal was prepared.

Which took Ekert’s eyes to the following in line. Nearly the exact opposite of Jackal, Salvo was their group’s backup tank and rubbish man. He took care of the smaller trash, which left Jackal to give attention to any greater threats. Standing in his PIRSA that was no less than twice as extensive as the remainder of them, the person’s armor sported tons of endurance and power, however subsequent to no dexterity. He wouldn’t transfer quick – for a PIRSA – however with the weapons he had at his disposal, he didn’t want to maneuver a lot, although his goal would positive need to. Not that they’d notice that simply from taking a look at him, the one seen weapon he carried strapped to the again of his waist. A machete-like Ripper – a chainsaw sword, for all intents and functions – didn’t appear to suit the juggernaut’s motif.

Ekert really hadn’t even seen the person draw the Ripper in months aside from to verify it nonetheless labored. It was solely a last-resort choice anyway. Because of getting a top-tier Folded-SpaceStorage – or FS Storage – capacity, all of Salvo’s most important, ability-weapon engrams have been safely hidden from sight. And he had lots. Arm and leg-mounted mini-missile launchers. Shoulder-braced, rotary mini-guns. Twin-grenade launchers. Plasma-flamers. Burst-needlers. The listing went on. And on. And on.

Ekert scowled as he reviewed the ammo depend for every of Salvo’s weapons. Seventy-five % for nearly all of them aside from the missiles. A fast ping went to Cool let the Corporal know to deal with it earlier than they dropped. This wasn’t the primary – or seemingly the final – time they’d be bringing it up with Salvo.

One final glare in Salvo’s path – the person flinched, seemingly realizing precisely what was up – and the Vanguard moved his consideration to the group’s precise tank. Ward wasn’t what most individuals anticipated after they considered the PIRSA assigned to tank roles, however no person who’d seen him – and his armor – in motion can be upset. Not like Salvo, Ward’s PIRSA wasn’t massive or cumbersome as compared, becoming someplace nearer to Cool’s. Comparatively compact, it boasted a stunning quantity of dexterity for a tank-class armor. Much more surprisingly, Ward had leaned heavy into psychological stats.

Why had he carried out this? Easy, Ward was a barrier specialist. 4 small, sphere-shaped drones orbited him even now – and he had half-a-dozen extra in his FS Storage when he wanted them – that have been the prime manifestation of his engrams. Every in a position to produce highly effective limitations with a number of features for his allies, Ward was very explicit about protecting his group secure. Giant-caliber pistols sat on every of his thighs – repeating hand cannons he referred to as them, or RHCs – and a standard-issue assault-rifle engram have been his most important weapons of selection. He hadn’t invested lots into injury output, and it was the one actual ‘weak spot’ he had.

As for Ward’s vitals, most have been in fine condition, however his armor was sitting at round ninety %. That man had a behavior of prioritizing his teammates over himself, even when his nanite swarm may deal with the repairs with a minor funding.

Yet one more fast ping from Vanguard Ekert – this time to the ultimate member of the workforce – to see to the armor, and he reviewed their medichanic’s standing.

Because the sixth, and presumably most vital member of the unit, Dawk sat in her matching black PIRSA, with solely a white cross on her shoulder signifying her function. On the alternative shoulder, she after all had their unit’s brand – the white silhouette of a four-armed man in a gown sitting cross-legged, a unique firearm in every of his fingers. Compartments for additional nanite swarms – each for PIRSAs and the individuals who wore them – together with additional vitality cells folks may siphon, bulked up her chest and higher arms. On her again, much like Cool’s bounce pack, Dawk carried her two assist models, Ruff and Skwak.

This complete unit is horrible at codenames…

Whereas Skwak supplied the unit with highly effective PIRSA-enhancing buffs because it flew close by, Ruff centered on debilitating debuffs on their enemies. Extremely cellular, with its canine form, it wasn’t as quick as Jackal, however the smaller dimension and sensor-jamming expertise made it arduous to maintain monitor of.

Dawk solely had a standard-issue pistol and rifle for injury, with most of her consideration and talent upgrades centered on her nanite swarms. Wanting over her specs, she was after all able to go.

That simply left Vanguard Ekert himself, and he did a fast test of his PIRSA by means of his HUD. All programs have been inexperienced, with ammo and vitality ranges capped off. He had his personal RHC on his left thigh – a three-barreled monstrosity he’d picked up greater than thirty years in the past when he was nonetheless a cadet on his first dungeon run. A single pull of the set off would set these barrels spinning and spitting hard-energy bolts like they have been going out of fashion. A chronic burst was arduous on his vitality reserves, however there was no arguing the outcomes.

Resting on his hip above the pistol was one other dungeon-find, this one a straight-edged blade that seemed to be little greater than a hunk of steel welded to a grip. Not less than, till he fed it some vitality, which introduced the ravenous nanite swarm throughout the blade to life, coating the steel in what seemed like a black flame that ate something it got here involved with. A horrible weapon to make sure, however once more, he couldn’t argue with the outcomes.

In addition to his most popular sword-and-pistol type, Ekert – codenamed Veil – had a top-quality FS storage himself, primarily as a result of he’d been round so lengthy he’d been in a position to improve it a number of instances. In there, he had a veritable arsenal of weapons to depend on, although he not often used them if he didn’t need to. Easy was higher, and attempting to juggle a dozen completely different preventing types… effectively… he was too outdated for that. However, if worse got here to worst, it was higher to have them – together with the flexibility that gave him his codename – and he refused to go in unprepared.

Lastly, his evaluate carried out – notes added to his HUD for suggestions to the group later – he addressed Cool’s query. “We’re sub-four-minutes out from the final gravity bounce to the Polaris system.”

“At all times takes the Captain so lengthy to search out the rattling G-spot,” Salvo mentioned. “Possibly she wants a hand to…”

“Don’t even hassle,” Jackal mentioned. “She’s shot you down quicker than a newb in a dogfight the final 4 instances you’ve requested her out.”

“I’ve obtained a brand new plan,” Salvo mentioned. He twisted a bit of after which slapped his personal ass with the steel clang of protium on protium. “She likes bodily guys. I’m bodily. And who can say no to this ass.”

“You’ve gotten an ass like a cinderblock,” Jackal mentioned dryly. “The one factor it’d activate is a sledgehammer.”

“Possibly she’s into toys.”

“Guys,” Cool interrupted. “The Vanguard was talking.”

“Ought to’ve referred to as it,” Ekert mentioned, and earlier than anyone else may argue, the PA system within the nook of the room crackled to life.

“That is cockpit to… ahem… chrome-dummies,” a snarky voice mentioned. “Maintain on to your britches, bitches, T-minus-ten to G-spot.

“9. Eight…”

“Chrome-dummies?” Ward mentioned, shaking his head, as everyone took a seat and rapidly buckled in. “I’m gonna put curry powder in her brown sugar. That’ll present her.”

“5. 4…”

“You’re an evil mastermind,” Jackal mentioned flatly.

“She places it on cereal. Are you able to think about?” Ward countered.

“Two. One…”

“Okay, that’s evil.”

“Geeeeeeeeee-spoooooot!”

With the declaration, the entire ship bucked and rocked, components of it seeming to stretch out, whereas others collapsed inward. Even the Heralds of Peace of their PIRSAs weren’t proof against the unusual results of gravity-jumping, although mercifully it was extra visible than bodily. None of their inside organs obtained squished or pulled aside, although for just a few lengthy seconds, it positive felt like that.

After which, simply as rapidly because it began, it was carried out.

“Awwww, now I want a smoke,” Salvo mentioned.

“Standing?” Ekert requested, already unbuckling.

“Inexperienced throughout the board,” Cool mentioned, confirming what Ekert was seeing in his personal HUD.

“Count on a drop within the subsequent jiffy,” Ekert mentioned, on his toes. “As soon as we verify what the scenario is with our personal scanners, I would like us boots on the bottom ASAP. Final-minute prep begins now. That features ammo and repairs. Cool, be certain it’s dealt with.”

“Yessir,” the person mentioned, standing and turning to look straight at Ward and Salvo.

“Buuuuusted,” Jackal mentioned quietly.

One eye on Cool getting the opposite two so as, Ekert did a ultimate, fast run-through of his personal programs. Sure, the readouts confirmed all the pieces in prime situation, however like he’d mentioned to the Captain – outdated canine, outdated habits.

He’d had his PIRSA for close to on thirty-five years, getting it promptly when he’d turned of age. He wasn’t some type of prodigy or something. Nope, completely common, if considerably… unstoppable. As soon as he put his thoughts to one thing, it obtained carried out. And proper now, his thoughts was on ensuring his system was correct.

Opening and shutting one first after which the opposite in fast succession, he monitored the nano-musculature reinforcing his physique. Response time was fluid and easy. Verify. Subsequent got here small, fast hops on his toes from one foot to the opposite. Leg programs have been all so as. A couple of fundamental stretches examined the motion ranges of the armor – one thing he was at all times impressed with contemplating it seemed prefer it was strong, although that wasn’t fairly the case. As a substitute, the nano-swarm modified connections on the fly, stretching and reinforcing as wanted.

For him, it may act like a thick liquid throughout his physique, doing nothing to restrict his actions. To an enemy, it’d be a B-Rank go well with of protium composite, practically indestructible to something beneath his Rank.

With the bodily test on his PIRSA full, he moved subsequent to its sensory suite. Several types of imaginative and prescient flicked in entrance of his eyes, whereas automated detection programs fed him data on the room round him. Most of it was ineffective – little particulars he didn’t want like air stress, variety of screws within the bench, ambient temperature – however it labored easily. Subsequent was the prediction modeling system, phantom photographs of the others within the room shifting forward of them.

One other uncommon engram he’d gotten in one in every of his earlier years, the talent couldn’t precisely predict the longer term, however it positive did a great job trying to. Mixed together with his personal years of expertise and a little bit of time observing an opponent, he was assured in his capacity to take down practically any enemy with it.

Confirmed, programs inexperienced, he instructed himself. That simply left the others to…

“Vanguard,” his personal comms lit up, the Captain talking in his ear. “You must come as much as the bridge, Sir.”

“One thing occur, Captain?”

“Afraid so, Sir. We are able to’t discover the spaceport,” the Captain mentioned.

“Can’t discover?” Ekert confirmed, although he already knew what that meant. “Particles subject?”

“Some, however not sufficient for the complete station,” the Captain replied.

Not sufficient? The spaceport was taken? That was practically unprecedented. The assets wanted to steal a complete area station that wasn’t supposed to maneuver was not often well worth the achieve.

“There’s one different factor,” the Captain mentioned. “And that is the half you want to see for your self.”

“On my approach, Captain. Ekert out,” he mentioned on the personal comms, then opened a channel as much as his unit. “Bother already,” he instructed them. “Captain wants me to see one thing, so I’m heading to the bridge. Assume we’re going right into a shitstorm.”

“Understood, Sir,” Cool mentioned. “We’ll be prepared.”

Ekert nodded at his troops, banged the door-release button to their prepared room with the underside of his fist, then walked by means of the heavy, steel door after it slid open. The Herald of Warfare wasn’t a pleasure craft, the halls slim sufficient Salvo needed to retract his PIRSA when he needed to maneuver from the unit’s ready-up space to the remainder of the ship. In his lighter PIRSA, Ekert didn’t have that drawback. The truth is, he’d advanced his PIRSA precisely in that path as he’d progressed in his profession. Any time he needed to transfer round with out it was a second of weak spot.

Could possibly be why my spouse left me. Or perhaps it was the fixed deployments. The anger points. The alcohol? Or, the entire above.

The listing of his flaws continued as he stalked down the corridor, protium boots silent on the steel grating of the ground just because he didn’t need them to make noise. By the point he reached seventeen separate – and equally seemingly – causes his marriage had failed, he arrived on the bridge. Huh, the stroll normally solely obtained him to sixteen causes. Slowing down in my outdated age?

“Permission to enter the bridge?” he requested into the comms as an alternative of attempting to reply his personal query.

“Granted,” the Captain mentioned instantly.

One other mild smack of a button beside the door, and Ekert left the cramped corridor to the roomier bridge. A small walkway prolonged immediately forward of him to the universal-plotting system, a flowery identify for an area map, if anyone have been to ask him. On both facet, in lowered sections, flight and assist crew manned two stations on both sides, readouts flashing on their screens.

Thanks for the technical marvel of his PIRSA – virtually magic, actually – the data on their screens immediately filtered into his HUD although he wasn’t attempting to learn over their shoulders.

He didn’t like what he ‘noticed’, and it simply made him choose up the tempo.

Previous the map – which presently displayed a 3-D mannequin of Polaris-3, and the Herald’s approximate location to it – Ekert joined the Captain and her proper hand on the viewing deck. Giant sufficient for the three of them to face by facet, the deck was flanked by the 2 officers’ chairs, although neither sat in them. As a substitute, they stood ready for the Vanguard, trying down on the world beneath them.

From the experiences, Polaris-3 was a rocky planet, completely barren in locations. Water lined a couple of third of it, normally within the type of giant, remoted lakes. There have been no seas or oceans, and the climate was typically dry and windy. Vegetation and animals alike had discovered to dwell with it, although it definitely wasn’t a straightforward life.

Besides, trying by means of the thick, bolstered glass rated to take fifty-mil cannon-fire and chuckle prefer it tickled, he couldn’t see any of these issues.

Why? As a result of the complete, rattling planet was lined in storm clouds. Lightning flashed practically continuously inside, and complete sections of it twisted like a whirlpool on a continental scale.

“Nicely, shit,” he mentioned.