Chương 53: ****Sneak Peek**** Ch. 3 Re - First Encounter

[1st FLOOR] [BOSSES: 3] Everyone moved wide at Jacob's command, fearing he saw something the others didn't. Once everyone got clear, he made sure to give a simple demand.

"Eric," said Jacob just prior to Stefano appearing.

"Stop." The blue light of a new arrival blinded the squad, much to the chagrin of Eric. And to a stunned Jacob, it was a gentle deceleration as opposed to what he expected. Eric knew that a Gatherer unit wouldn't have made it considering how far back Stefano was from landing. Phil would've gotten angry, but he would've made it. But a Gatherer unit? It had to be a fluke.

"I thought the first floor didn't have Bosses left?" asked Stefano. His triumph over Eric was quietly celebrated as they ventured further into the Dungeon.

"There aren't. The exit bosses were long defeated. Now there are only the hidden ones left. And we would rather they stay hidden," said Jacob.

"Because they are stronger?"

"Yeah. It's why they are still there. Rather not poke the bear. Just because we can do something, doesn't always mean we should. I've fought one of them before. Before the last reset. They aren't easy and Frame ranks don't matter when facing them."

"What was it?"

"He doesn't like talking about it," said Phil.

"Just stay close. I got you."

"Yeah, no offense, rook. You're pretty useless right now," said Eric.

"None taken, sir. I'm aware that the capabilities of an outdated unit aren't up to par," said Stefano.

"I wasn't talking about the mech." Stefano ignored the comment. He just needed a chance to prove him wrong.

"How did you land, by the way?" asked Jacob.

"It looked like you were going to crash through."

"I knew I didn't have long. It was something I had seen once before, from a classmate." He was referring to the only pilot that he knew was better than him. He wasn't going to name her as being compared to her was a never ending battle. She had the looks, skills and brains. She was, in various aspects, what Stefano wished he was. What he was planning on becoming. She was an A list celebrity to his childhood actor, on course for his breakout.

"It was dumb," said Jacob.

"I'm impressed you did it, but you have fuel. Don't overdo it."

"Yeah," said Phil.

"You need enough to get home. Don't forget."

"I will keep that in mind. Thank you," said Stefano. Another nice thing about modern Frames. No fuel needed. They had energy that recharged when they were on stand-by. Still, getting a Frame required more FIL than anything else. Maybe he could print one in the Dungeon, though if he managed to get enough FIL. All it would take was a simple repair bay.

"Remember," said Jacob, addressing the team.

"Just because we're on the first floor, doesn't mean you get to underestimate anything. I'm not talking about you in particular, Reyes. Just a reminder to these guys."

"He means Eric," said Phil.

"Shut the hell up!" said Eric.

"Just don't get in the way, rookie." The walls that surrounded them were almost claustrophobic. They were wide enough for a formation, but too narrow for wide movements. The ceilings themselves gave a sense of being trapped, too low for any real vertical movement, but just high enough for lateral thinking. It was the perfect set-up for someone with a Vanguard Frame. Everything upfront with no risk of getting flanked from the sides. Stefano's Gatherer mech was slightly smaller than the rest of the squads.

He'd be more nimble than Phil's mech, which was very much his only way of navigating the floor itself should a fight happen. Stefano flicked the switch on the switchboard above his head. The screen hummed with green light to peer through the darkness of the first floor. It gave a few more meters of vision that he otherwise wouldn't have had. Small motes of light illuminated certain sections when the maze branched to different areas. It shone just enough so that a choice of where to veer to would be made.

The map on the bottom of his screen filled with breadcrumbs from where he dropped the pin upon entering the first floor. Little yellow dots on his map with no clear details, it at least was very useful on the first floor maze. The formation the squad had was simple but highly effective for their make-up. The Vanguard at the tip with both Beast Frames at either flank. Have the Vanguard soak up damage while the two DPS mechs cleaned up. On single enemies, it would be a cakewalk. Especially on this floor.

A group would require precise coordination. The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Stefano was in the rear of the diamond formation. He went through scenarios in his head on where to backfill if needed. If Eric moved up, he'd rotate left to cover the flank. If Phil moved up, he'd move closer to the center. He ran various scenarios in his head. Each possible encounter on this floor of known enemies. Through it all, he found it strange that he was calm.

He felt he should've been freaking out. The unexpected message from his deceased father had rattled him to his very core. And yet, the stillness of the darkness and the fact that he was in the thick of it gave him a sense of purpose that helped push any distractions into the back of his mind. Phil's sensor was sending pings ahead of them. A bright light that shined from his mech and out in all directions. A light trail that hugged the walls and ceilings.

It passed harmlessly through his squad, refreshing his map with each burst. It wasn't long before Phil's sensors picked up movement. The dots on his map would scan green if it was someone he had on his contact list. Yellow if it was a stranger with unknown intent. And red, for one of the Dungeon's various defenders. Three red pings highlighted his map and he came to a stop.

"Three," said Phil. He forced another pulse to confirm after his six second cooldown.

"And they are getting closer." The squad stopped. Stefano could feel his breath quickening. Sweat was beading down his face as he waited for the next order.

"Kabal Sentries," said Phil.

"Alright, here's the plan," said Jacob.

"We'll take out two and back up Reyes for three. Better to help him get his first kill over and done with."

"Now?" asked Stefano. It was like Stefano blinked and his heart was moving a mile a minute. His heart thrashed against his chest in a sprint. His hands held harder on the throttles to keep them from shaking. He wasn't expecting to actually be forced in the confrontation, now. He thought he was going to be in the back line. Reinforcing. All the scenarios in his head that he worked through evaporated into smoke, unable to recollect what he would've done in this scenario.

"Yeah. Don't worry. We got you," said Jacob. Both Beast Frames lowered to the ground. Phil's inventory drone hovered over the air, meeting Phil's outstretched hand so that he could pull from his inventory. The drone warped and contorted as Phil pulled from what looked like a tear in reality. Out came a physical ballistic shield. Phil slammed it to the ground, caking up sediment as he readied the barrier. The drone floated back to his back, awaiting further instructions.

The stillness in the air as the preparations completed, stirred Stefano into action. The motors on the mini-gun attached to the Gatherer's shoulder stirred to life. He calmed his breathing, having done this thousands of times. He hummed a tune. His favorite melody from the Earth data banks. The Kabal Sentry came into view, fuzzy green on the night vision of the Gatherer. It was a shiny metallic eye that floated in the air. Then the other two came into view.

Gaps in their plating shifted and moved as they danced in the air. Their eyes glowed red and without warning, they fired a beam. Eric pounced first, hurtling his Frame towards the one that fired, disintegrating a beam sized hole on the wall and scorching the edges. Stefano recognized where that shot was meant. It was meant for him. He kicked himself as his training kicked in, remembering that Kabal Sentries aim for the weakest unit.

Stefano launched himself to behind Phil, the beams from the other two Sentries grazing his armor. [Damage Sustained] [Integrity: 90] More beams pounded against Phil's shield. Each one crackled with energy before suddenly stopping when met with resistance. A clashing of metal on metal rang through the halls and two sentries fell. Phil lifted the shield and angled himself away from the line of fire. Stefano panted, pulling in as much air as his lungs could take.

The sensor on his helmet alerted him to the increased use of oxygen. Another rookie mistake. Sweat hit his eye and he groaned in pain. He had forgotten to remove the helmet once inside the Dungeon as the air itself was breathable.

"Dang it!" yelled Stefano on the comms.

"You alright?" asked Jacob.

"One sec," said Stefano. With one eye open, he rolled the throttle and slammed the pedal. He pushed the thrusters to the right, slamming against the wall. Phil took a wayward shot meant for Stefano.

"What's the hold-up?" Stefano couldn't register who said it. He fumbled with the safety locks on his helmet, disabled them and threw the helmet behind him. He rubbed his eye with his sleeve and forced them open.

"Rookie mistake," said Stefano. All the thoughts in his head vanished, and he was present in the moment. Instinct and training took over. He slammed both pedals and flicked the thrusters, cartwheeling into a runner's pose. A sprinter about to take off. He launched himself off the ground, his hands and feet moving faster than his mind. Stefano launched himself over Phil, using the top of the shield as a catapult, centering his target and firing his mini-gun.

The sentry fired a beam that Stefano deftly dodged with a roll. He twisted the joystick and angled to the wall, using it to push himself faster still. The mini-gun didn't stop firing, but it wasn't doing enough damage. Another beam grazed the armor. [Damage Sustained] [Integrity: 75] Stefano closed the gap, landing atop the metallic eye and spring boarding up and over. At the same time, he unlocked the pick axe from the holster. The sudden acceleration sent the weapon up and out of its holster.

He snatched it from the air as he descended. The pick end pierced through the metal and it slammed hard onto the ground. The Sentry sputtered, fighting to free itself. The plating shifted and contorted, turning without turning to aim at Stefano. He picked up the handle and raised the sentry above his head, before slamming it down to the ground like a hammer to a nail. It burst open, its pieces scattered throughout the floor. Someone whistled on the comms.

"Okay," said Eric.

"I take it back. He's not bad."

"I'll say," said Jacob.

"And you were somehow second?"

"Yes, sir," panted Stefano.

"I'd love to meet who was first!" said Jacob.