Ancient Research Facility
Offshore, West of Ossyria
24rd April 2042
0110 Local Time

The astropath was huddled in the cockpit of the ship, his gnarled hands once again hovering inches from Lieutenant Gemina’s. She braced herself for the mana surge as once again the astropath worked his magic. Frost began to form on the hem of his robes but he took no notice. It was common for astropaths to show residual powers from their previous jobs and Naz’s astropath was no different.
“Zero Alpha this is November One, over.”
“November One this is Zero Alpha, over.”
“This is November One, we have a change of situation, over. I repeat, we have a change of situation. We have encountered hostiles. Possible links to Grid 033/092.”
“Roger November One, primary objective is the same. We have currently no Intel on possible hostiles in the area so proceed with caution, over.”
“This is November One, we have also taken casualties. I repeat, we have also taken casualties. Four personnel have been killed, over.”
“Roger November One, primary objective still the same, we will bring in reserves to reinforce your position. Two Maple Strike Units will be assembled. Time of arrival to be announced, report back in an hour, over.”
“Roger Zero Alpha, this is November One, out.”
The mana pressure fell as the link was disconnected. Gemina went back outside, leaving Naz to converse with his astropath. The objective was still the same – to find the fifty odd base personnel and evacuate them. Four Information Systems Squads and an Inspection Detail. Outside the weather had died down slightly, the harsh torrents of rain turning into a light drizzle.

High above the landing pad, hidden within the shadows of the generator spires was a lithe figure. Slowly she shuffled along a support girder, her slender hands pulling herself along. She wore a specialised turquoise wet suit that not only camouflaged her person but also regulated her body temperature. As she reached the end of the girder she tapped her tiara, causing a visor to slide down.
“This is Fox, I count eight intruders in the open, with several others either inside the building or on one of the transports. I estimate twelve in total.” She whispered, her throat microphone capturing the vibrations and transmitting them.
“Okay Fox, from your vantage point, can you identify them? Local intelligence puts them as one of the Guilds in the Expedition Sect. Possibly the DeathDealers, DarkDragons, OutCasts or ShadowSquad.” Jackal replied through the earpiece.
“No, it couldn’t be anyone from the Expedition Sect. OutCasts are engaged in a turf war against SonicTeam. ShadowSquad was disbanded a few weeks ago after going into bankruptcy. DarkDragons were assimilated into the WindWalkers and the DeathDealers were banned.” Coyote interjected.
Fox gripped the edge tightly as she increased the magnification of her visor. Every time she did that it felt like she was accelerating right into the target. She strained her eyes to see in the oppressive darkness.
“No good. Too much light deflection. The storm’s electrical disruptions are messing with the equipment.” She reported back.
“Wait, what did you say before?” A new voice asked.
“Wolf, I said: Eight in the open, probably twelve.” Fox repeated, taking the time to pull her wet hair off her face.
“Lucida’s tail! It’s the MSND.” Wolf exclaimed.
“How do you know? Can you be certain?” Coyote muttered.
“Their modus operandi is quick insertion, a team of twelve: Pilot and a CO leading a squad of ten. Fifty mesos says that one of their transports is a flyer.” Wolf elucidated, followed by the sound of typing.
“Yes, you’re right. Dark Lord we’ve got the fething Maple Special Navy Detachment on our hands!” Fox cried out loudly.
“Don’t worry, Jackal and I can delay them.” Wolf assured her.
“Fox, withdraw immediately, our goal hasn’t changed.” Coyote ordered, an authority in her voice that was rarely present.
Silently the figure high above the landing platform melded back into the shadows like she was never there.

Maple Logistics Authority
Ludibrium, Ossyria
24rd April 2042
0255 Local Time

The holographic display pulsed gently, its contents mirrored in the eyes of the personnel examining it. Through the command centre’s reinforced windows was the interior of hangar SG-06, a massive area containing four D77-TC Pelican Dropships and four F-99 Thunderbolt heavy fighters. Two of the dropships were taxing out and having pre-flight tests conducted. The intercom crackled and informed that the Maple Elite Strike Units were entering. Colonel Marche DeQuincy stood back from the console, glancing at the door.

With a rather informal yet disciplined air, the units Zeta and Lambda trooped inside, lead by the famous Sergeant Ganzicus. Helmet nestled under his shoulder, he saluted crisply to the Colonel and turned his attention to the holographic display spread out before him. The rest of the entourage lined up inconspicuously behind the sergeant.
“Sorry we’re late colonel, department munitorium gave us the wrong flight. So what’s the agenda right now?”
“Okay, the Logistics Authority lost contact with this ancient research station out near Ossyria. Formally known as Grid 033/092, this research station has been an invaluable resource to us for the past decade. We lost contact at 2233 hours, right after a code vermillion had been sent out. We suspect that a possible power hungry guild has located this artefact and attempted to obtain it for themselves. We’ve ordered the Maple Special Navy Detachment 303 to investigate and conduct a rapid rescue. But looks like we were right. They encounter hostiles and took casualties. And that’s when we bring in you guys.”
The sergeant’s fingers danced across the keyboard and the aforementioned Grid 033/092 was magnified on the map. Statistics materialized above the pulsing figure but the lieutenant’s gaze was fixed on the structure itself.
“For a research centre, it’s pretty small.. Sir.” A voice pipped out. Ganzicus turned to the soldier and then looked at the colonel for an explanation.
“Well, Steve,” Marche started, noting the name on his tags, “what you see now is only about a third of the overall structure. Encompassing over one hundred floors, this centre was sent to the depths of the ocean almost half a century ago. My guests here can explain a bit more than I can, they were there when it happened.” He explained, gesturing to two shadowed figures standing at the back of the room.

The two figures stepped forward and inclined their heads in respect. They were definitely the look of old grizzly veterans. One was a bow master and the other a night road. Both were female. The bow master glared at the upstart soldier.
“Right, I’ll keep it short and sweet for you. Go back forty-ish years ago. Me and Gav here were on a mission to eradicate the notorious Dark Apostles from Ossyria. Wasn’t really official but they were doing some experimental projects on monsters out on a hidden research base between Ellinia and Orbis. It was tough and a desperate fight. We were swamped with all strange types of monsters and it drove some of us mad. We lost over fifty good citizens out there but we managed to take them down. A concentration of magic sent shockwaves down into the seabed and a fissure took that forsaken building down. I thought that was the last of it.”
“Now even hell itself spat it out. Be prepared you young bloods, even with all those technological developments, the only sure way to kill some of them is kiss of a cold hard blade.” The night road added, sliding her dragon caesar out of its sheath. With some pride Ganzicus noted that not one of his squad even battered an eyelid.

Colonel Marche cleared his throat and thanked the two guests for their insight before returning to converse with Sergeant Ganzicus. In his mind he was glad that he had requested the MESU Lambda and Zeta. From the Logistic Authority’s databanks, these fine soldiers show finesse and tactical skill although their mental health was a minor problem.
“This was the last transmission that we received from the Navy Detachment.” He informed the onlooking squads, keying in codes into multipurpose console. The audio projection of the conversation materialized in the air and the Colonel pressed play.

Verbal transcript recovered from servitor recording module Zero Alpha

[White noise segues to sounds of rain and wind, indistinct conversation for three point six five seconds]

[Voice (i)] Zero Alpha this is [words drowned out by piercing scream]

[Zero Alpha] Unidentified call sign, this is Zero Alpha, say again your last over.

[Silence with subtle background noise]

[Voice (i)] Zero Alpha this is November One, radio check over.

[Zero Alpha] November One, I hear you loud and clear.

[Voice identified as Lieutenant Gemina DeQuincy]

[Gemina] This is November One, we have a serious change in the situation. The lockdown doors have been breached –from the inside. There.. there appears to be something in here with us. Wait.. wait..

[Pause of unknown duration. Possible link disruption]

[Voice (ii)] Imppala! Imppala! You miserable son of a bain I’ll kill you. Dark Lord, I’ll [words obscured by gun fire]

[Gemina] Medic! Over here. Aliyah to your left! Suppressive fire on that [words drowned out by feral roars]

[Voice (iii)] Corporal! Dark Lord, Jenkins! [words obscured by gun fire] took Jenkins!

[Pause of six point seven seconds. Astropath injured?]

[Feral roars fade away with subtle background noise]

[End transmission]

Sergeant Ganzicus paled slightly but he was not the only one. The playback had been so real that almost everyone in the control room had stopped what they were doing and turned to the console. Only the two veterans were still impassive. The Colonel momentarily turned away from the squads to recover. When he turned back, his face was as serious as ever.
“That’s not all. Listen carefully as I rewind it back a few seconds before the end.” He muttered gravely, manipulating the controls on the console. Steve steeled himself for the playback, as did others in his squad. All they could here was the fading of the feral sounds and ambient sounds. Slowly the Colonel turned up the volume.

“…still…do I…see…me…like this…”

It rewound and played again.

“Are you still following me? Do I have to scream? You see it too? For me it’s always like this.” A voice rasped, before a final, sickening crunch.

Silence once again as the recording stopped. Everyone’s faces were no better than before. Ganzicus cast a worried glance at his troops. They looked weak now but he knew from experience that they would get the job done. Colonel Marche DeQuincy saluted them and a service man opened the door.
“Gentlemen, the clock is ticking, find out what happened to the Maple Special Navy Detachment 303 and secure the survivors.”
If there are any

______________________________________________

A Quiche Lorraine for anyone who reads. Because I’m feeling nice.
Thanks for reading.

FEAR Prologue: Ambient Wonder
FEAR Chapter One: Trace Amounts
FEAR Chapter Two: Opening Suite