Chapter 1: Critical (#5)

Lariat activated his pulse sword. The central monitor was saturated by the intermittent glare of the volleys. In between flashes, deformed shadows moved, and although the Aimex units filtered out the outside sound, the howls and moans seemed to penetrate the armor by sheer primitive force.

"Aicom, change the light filters. I'm blind." He gripped the control stick tightly; a part of him didn't want to see what was out there.

"At your command, Captain."

The volleys were softened on the screen, and the image cleared. In front of them stretched a horde of crazed beasts, many already torn to pieces by the covering fire; mutilated bodies, the remains of the creatures spread across the snow, which was stained red like the most savage and festering expression of death. A sea of still-living jaws behind the piles of corpses threatened them. There were dozens, maybe hundreds, and there was no escape: they were surrounded.

"Move out of the elevator or we won't be able to receive reinforcements. Move!" Lariat ordered.

The Ariake forces moved out of the illuminated perimeter as the elevator descended and the gates began to close behind them.

A beast jumped toward Lariat's Aimex with its jaws open, aimed directly at his left arm. He caught it in mid-air with his free hand, closing the Aimex's fist around its neck, and with a quick twist, he pierced its skull with the pulse sword. The weapon went through bone and tissue as if it were butter, the electric hum resonated as it came out the other side, and the energy boiled the creature's blood.

"Come and get me, you vile beasts..." he growled as he lowered the sword's power while pulling it out. "Aicom, reduce all system power by fifteen percent; we didn't leave with a full charge, and this could be a long one."

"At your command, Captain. I recommend seeking cover among the buildings; remaining surrounded is a critical tactical disadvantage."

"Plot the route."

A rudimentary map appeared on the monitor with a blinking red line. The radar barely showed the closest ones, but he knew there were more: eyes shining in the gloom confirmed his suspicion.

"All units, follow the route. Clipper, cover the rear."

"At your command, Captain," Clipper responded. "Numerous enemies, ammo at half."

"Hold steady. We must clear a path for the reinforcements."

In a corner of the main monitor, Gina's face appeared. "Captain, reinforcements in ten minutes. Major Frida is on her way with the Dolmen troops."

"Tell that tadpole to hurry up, or she'll only be coming to collect scrap."

The transmission was cut.

"Five targets at seven o'clock," another voice on the intercom warned, through the static.

Lariat turned. The silhouettes advanced slowly, crossing piles of corpses, too confident in themselves. He fell back with his sword raised, approaching a building.

"Captain, I'm detecting a massive heat source approaching between structures... imminent danger..." Aicom's voice distorted through interference. "...It's huge... Captain, look out."

The shout hung in the cockpit.

"Clipper, respond," Lariat ordered, but he only received silence.

"Vital signs are online," Aicom reported. "Pilot's probability of unconsciousness: 90%."

Lariat gritted his teeth. If he turned his back on the beasts, it would be his end.

"Aleph, Clover, go for Clipper. Delion and Baldur, with me. Silver, protect the elevator."

"Aye," they responded in unison.

The beasts in front of him stopped just outside the reach of his sword. It wasn't fear; it was... waiting. A cold sweat ran down his back.

Aicom's voice, full of urgency, interrupted him. "Abnormal surface tension detected, impact in 3... 2... 1..."

A thunderous crunch behind him. The building collapsed as something colossal rammed it, launching the Aimex against another building like a toy. The jolt would have broken his neck if he hadn't been securely fastened. The cloud of snow and soot covered everything.

The intercom filled with static.

"Injecting adrenaline," Aicom announced with a hint of urgency. "Emergency recovery in progress."

Lariat opened his eyes. The beeping in his ears didn't conceal the dull roar of the ground trembling under his feet. His heart was racing, and he could clearly hear the blood flowing in his veins.

"Aimex status." He asked in a voice that was more of a groan.

"Significant damage to the fuselage, coolant system leak, affected joints, 30% power loss."

"Raise headlight power and filter smoke."

The system revealed an impossible silhouette in the haze: an omega-grade wolf-type beast. It stood enormous among the debris, resting its front paws on the steel and concrete remains, with huge steel bars stuck in its flesh that were unable to slow its advance. Lariat's sword, by his side, looked like a pin.

"Where the hell did that come from...?" he whispered.

Gina appeared on the monitor again. "Captain, Dolmen team will be up in two minutes."

Before Gina disconnected, Lariat interrupted her, saying: "Send a missile team. We have an omega."

She paled. "Right away."

The thermal reader allowed him to measure it: it was even bigger than he thought. His pulse quickened; for the first time, his hands trembled on the controls.

"Aicom, maximum power."

"At your command, and... be careful."

Lariat smiled with a hint of irony. "If I survive, you and I have a pending chat."

"Good luck, Captain," Aicom said, with an unexpectedly suggestive nuance.

Lariat pressed the intercom, almost shouting: "Ariake, everyone attack! We're killing this thing today!"

"Aye, Captain," five voices responded. Clipper was still unconscious.