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69: The Abyss's Edge
The familiar abyss, the infinite darkness and echoes of voices, filled his senses. The voices, however, were muffled; angry and incomprehensible. He’d been here before, he knew it, he just couldn’t remember when. The abyss seemed to notice his presence and, shedding its neutrality, began crushing him. He pulled out his handgun, a pointless attempt to ward it off, but it continued its egress as if he weren’t even there. He pulled the trigger, but it felt stuck, and when he did manage to press it no shot rang out.
Read more…68: Shifting Sands
Basil stood on the Arkepellian shore; the unusually quiet docks to his left, the vast empty shoreline to his right, and island inland turning to hills and dense forests to his back. Lamb had requested to meet with him earlier, but as he waited, he found himself revisiting his trek up a few days prior. Miles Barker, a former officer in the Arkepellian Navy, hadn’t left much of an impression the few times they’d spoken.
Read more…67: Gold Crowns and Lead Rounds
Gnats and mosquitoes hovered millimeters off of Basil’s face, the swarm shifting as he ducked below some foliage. A branch tugged at the rifle slung across his shoulder, and as he turned back to free it, he saw Matilda - Queen of the Redcaps - swatting at her head; no PDA energized electrons to force the bugs away. “You know, the hat would really be doing wonders to keep the bugs off ‘ya.
Read more…67: Gold Crowns and Lead Rounds
Gnats and mosquitoes hovered millimeters off of Basil’s face, the swarm shifting as he ducked below some foliage. A branch tugged at the rifle slung across his shoulder, and as he turned back to free it, he saw Matilda - Queen of the Redcaps - swatting at her head; no PDA energized electrons to force the bugs away. “You know, the hat would really be doing wonders to keep the bugs off ‘ya.
Read more…66: Domum Illuminati
Basil and two maintenance drones pulled Spiro in a wheelchair up the last of the spiral staircase. Spiro’s expression made it clear he wasn’t enjoying the act of being helpless, being pulled up steps he couldn’t climb under his own strength due to his injuries. Basil felt he should say something, remind his friend he was glad to help him, and that there was nothing to be ashamed of about not wanting to re-open freshly treated wounds and bleeding to death.
Read more…65: Old Friends and New Allies
“When ACE dropped the bombs, they told me they could see your face and mantle at the same time. Is that true?” Aurora sounded hesitant as she spoke, asking a question she likely knew the answer to. “Probably, if that’s what they saw.” Aurora looked discomforted. “Don’t ever do that again, you can never do that.” Concern crept into Basil, but he tried playing it off with a shrug and a joke.
Read more…64: Ripples of the Butterfly
Spiro looked on at Basil’s apparent suicide attempt. He was about to say something, but was interrupted by the unmistakable roar of an Elthrice craft traveling at high speed. He strained his head to look upwards, but realized he felt oddly dizzy - probably the blood loss. He glanced at Lamb, who looked terrified. Perhaps the first time seeing an Elthrice craft, in the midst of a firefight no less, would be rather unsettling.
Read more…63: A2 Prologue
Gina winced as the light shimmered off the waves, cutting at her eyes. “Can this thing go any faster!?” she yelled, barely audible over the ancient Amigosian engine, which seemed to groan in displeasure. “No, and they outnumber us one hundred to one. We need to turn back now!” shouted Turner in defiance. “We’re an extraction, not re-enforcements. We just need to get to the docks before the bulk of the turncoats do!
Read more…62: A1 Epilogue
Basil held down the trigger until his gun ran empty, jumping back in the driver’s seat as everyone climbed into the truck’s bed and cab. Bullets flew in their direction, but the truck roared to life all the same as they sped towards the south gate; Weston’s men opening it as he approached. “Go!” commanded Edwards as Basil began slowing down by the gate, leaving the rest unsaid and Weston to meet the same fate as his twin.
Read more…61: The End of the End
Shots rang out as an Amigosian truck crashed through the gates. “Shit!” Basil exclaimed, running off the balcony and knocking over weapons as he scrambled to grab the right one. Spiro had leveled his rifle, resting it on the balcony’s railing, but Basil quickly shoved past him and aimed his sights at the moving vehicle. The RPG, makeshift as it was, deafened those on the balcony; truck erupting in debris and flames as those rushing out of the now wrecked vehicle were gunned down by the guards on the walls.
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