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"I know some of you just arrived here, but believe me the sooner you learn about this place, the longer you can survive here" said Captain Steele, his voice echoing through the mobile construct as it rumbled out of the citadel.
The team assembled was an intriguing mix of fourteen individuals, each carrying their unique strengths and vulnerabilities.
Among them were four space knights, each bearing the emblem of their distinguished rank. Other than Captain Steele, a battle-hardened crescent moon magus whose seasoned gaze swept over his team with an unspoken promise of steadfast leadership, the rest were at the new moon level. The driver of the construct sat with his hands glued to the control panel, his eyes unwaveringly watching the path ahead. The remaining two were yesterday's survivors, although only new moon magus level, they were equipped with long-range weapons and made-shift armor created in the citadel.
Next were Atlas and three others, each a rag-tag crescent magus. Their hands gripped similar weapons tightly, their eyes hinting at the diverse array of skills they possessed, ready to be unleashed when the moment called for it.
One blonde-haired woman, a fierce-looking half-moon realm magus, and the strongest man within the group, a full moon magus with dark skin and unerring silence. His quiet observation masked the formidable power he held within.
Other than Emery himself, and Wex, the tooted half-moon magus. The final three were new arrivals, with Silo among them, his face twisted in obvious annoyance at being included in this mission.
"This going to be a quick in and out supply run so I need you all to understand the plan," Captain Steele continued, his words hanging in the air as the mobile construct picked up speed, marking the commencement of a daunting mission.
As the briefing carried on, the sudden alarm from the driver cut through the ongoing chatter like a blade. "Hostiles detected!" he shouted. His warning elicited immediate reactions, and all eyes shifted swiftly toward the window. The view outside was a chilling sight. Thousands of orcish figures gave chase, their relentless pursuit seemingly unfazed by the monstrous machine they were after. Despite their intimidating numbers, none were able to match the blazing speed of the mobile construct.
Recognizing the trepidation stirring among the group, Captain Steele flashed a confident gesture. His voice, steady and reassuring, filled the compartment, "Dont worry, this juggernaut is not only highly durable, but it also runs at 200 miles per hour. An amazing product invented by Master Borin."
Emery recalled the brief introduction he was given about Master Borin earlier. A prisoner, like them, but with exceptional skills. He was a master blacksmith and inventor, and his creations were the lifeblood of their survival on this harsh planet.
This supply-run mission, other than the task given by Master Flemming, was undertaken primarily for Master Borin. To gather the resources the inventor needed to continue his invaluable work.
Despite the sudden onset of anxiety, the group understood their roles in the mission. Their lives and the lives of all those in the citadel were intertwined with the success of their task. And so, with a reinforced resolve, they braced themselves for what awaited them in the unforgiving terrain of the alien planet.
The frenzy escalated outside, the sea of orcs swelling in the wake of their formidable vehicle. The driver's voice cut through the chaos, "Too many obstacles ahead!" The shout echoed in the metal confines, galvanizing everyone into action.
With surprising agility, Captain Steele climbed to the vehicle's roof and activated the mounted turret. Energy bullets fired, searing the air with their intense heat, as they cut through the horde of orcs. The juggernaut surged forward, leaving a trail of crushed orcs in its wake.
The ride was bumpy and jarring, the vehicle lurching with each orc it ran over. Minutes turned into an eternity before the driver's voice echoed once again, "We are diving in! Hang on!" The command was followed by a sudden change of direction as the vehicle hurtled into a cave opening at full speed, leaving the pursuing orcs behind.
As they navigated through the labyrinthine caves, the ride turned into a harrowing, high-speed chase. Emery observed numerous Dreadspinners, the monstrous spider-like creatures, skittering around their path. Yet, the juggernaut didn't falter and continued its plunge deeper into the subterranean network.
The vehicle would periodically re-emerge onto the surface, only to dive into another cave at the first opportunity. It was a strategy that seemed perplexing until Atlas explained, "We aren't driving through the caves because of the orcs. It's to hinder the dark elves from tracking us"
After more than three hours of driving and covering almost 500 miles from the Citadel, the tense silence within the vehicle was finally broken by Captain Steele's stern voice,
"We are near, Be prepared!" His words resonated within the group, priming them for the upcoming task, their faces lit with a mixture of determination and anxiety.
The juggernaut began to decelerate, its monotonous rumble transforming into a low growl. Atlas unbuckled himself and stepped outside, scanning device in hand. He waved the device around, its pale blue screen flickering with changing numbers and graphs. After several tense moments, he pointed towards another cave entrance, a small, innocuous-looking hole in the rocky landscape.
The vehicle swiftly entered the indicated cave. It dove deeper, threading through a network of narrow tunnels that seemed too tight for the hulking vehicle. Yet, somehow, it powered through, stone and gravel crunching beneath its tires. A few hundred meters in, they found a natural chamber. The vehicle halted abruptly, its lights illuminating the rocky walls of the chamber.
"We can't go any further with the juggernaut. From here, we continue on foot," Captain Steele declared, his voice echoing in the cavernous space.
Staying true to the initial plan, Captain Steele and the three space knights would guard the entrance and perimeter, keeping an eye on the tunnels for any signs of danger. The rest, a group of ten, would go deeper into the cavernous labyrinth under the leadership of the dark skin full moon magus.
With only thirty minutes allotted by Captain Steele for this exploration, the group wasted no time. Their preparations were swift and efficient, every action underlined by a sense of urgency.
It began with Atlas scanning and mapping the labyrinthine tunnels, the device emitting a soft hum that echoed eerily off the walls. With the path charted out on his device, he turned to the group and gestured with a determined nod, "This way!"
They moved into the cavern, their footsteps muffled by the damp, cool air. The cave was dark, the only illumination came from their handheld lights and the strange shimmering dust that clung to the stone walls. The particles danced in the beams of their lights, creating an ethereal spectacle that momentarily took Emery's breath away. Despite the inherent danger and the unfamiliarity, he couldn't help but appreciate the raw, untouched beauty of the place.
The group ventured deeper, passing several offshoots of the main tunnel. Atlas led them unerringly, bypassing each of the branching paths with practiced ease. He pointed out subtle markings and strange odors that indicated the presence of Dreadspinners, a creature they had been explicitly warned not to engage with. A place he told them not to enter.
As they reached a fork in the path, the full moon magus decided to divide the group. Atlas was assigned to accompany him, along with three others and Silo among them. Emery found himself in the remaining group, led by the blonde half-moon magus, accompanied by Wex, the tattooed half-moon magus.
"Let's go double speed" commanded the female magus, her voice echoing down the tunnel. Their pace quickened, the urgency of the mission fueling their steps.
Within minutes, they arrived at their destination. The cavern opened up into a larger space, revealing an unexpected sight. To Emery's surprise, it was an orc breeding lair, eerily reminiscent of the caves he had encountered on Nexus planet. Yet, this lair was different – there was a sense of ancientness, that filled the air.
The female magus was a little anxious before she looked toward Emery and said "You! the apothecaries, you lead the way!"
x x x x x x x
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