Post

Jezabelstien wrote:

"Send word salvation has come."

Mikhail's head throbbed as his gut ached, a deep dryness sat in his mouth as his seat lurched upwards, dry eyes opened to the chrome-covered metal arm pulled the walker's frame back into shape and Mikhail was left to stare at the gunmetal grey wall marked with a dozen meter tall 'Receiver Bay 02'.
"Quantum tunnel contained, recall successful." was announced by a dull deep synthetic voice, followed by a light pleasant chime and a further announcement, "Mikhail Vethrenia to debriefing."
Mikhail left his hat upon his leather chair, "How is it looking, Dolly?" he asked as he trudged angrily towards from the control room, "Actuator Damage from lightweight penetrators, main armour intact, all systems report green."
"They knew right where to hit us..." Mikhail mumbled as he opened the side door to reveal the sterile metal catwalk with an unwelcome figure stood upon it.
"Mikky, Mikky, Mikky." The raven haired man spoke with his gravelly tone, "What are we to do with you?"
Mikhail stared intensely, burying his wanted response deep, "I was ambushed and overflight..." was all he could out before the man wrapped an unwelcome hand about Mikhail's shoulders, "Think about how this looks, Mikky... your little toy broken, so much wasted power on the recall and worst of all, you didn't recover the replicator."
"Push off, Bennet, Your intel was wrong." Mikhail stated as he shoved his way past, Bennet shook his head as he followed and spoke, "You have this fantastical beast, this Urban Pacification Walker, yet it seems the urban remains unpacified and it lacks the capacity to walk."
Mikhail turned about, "You want miracles, beg your god, you want results, give me what I need." he retorted with a focused gaze, "So if you ha..."
"You Have what you need, Mikky." Bennet interjected firmly, before his tone shifted to a faux friendliness. "But this is not up to me, I'm merely... a concerned stakeholder."
Mikhail took a final look at his machine, the enormous quadruped walker still leaned to one side in spite of the many heavy arms that held it, forming a dejected reply "Yeah and you can shove that concern where it belongs." before he walked away along the catwalk, through the sliding silver metal doors and into the deep barren corridor.
As soon as the door shut behind him, he let loose his anger, slamming his fist right into the hardened metal wall with a calamitous blow, mild indentations left from his gloved hand, Mikhail took several deep breaths before slow steps approached from down the corridor.
"I reviewed the footage." the old man spoke softly, "You encountered the swamp witches."
Mikhail turned to face the old man, long white beard narrowed with age, a dark green Kjanu uniform from ages past, a chest emblazoned with a dozen medals and two score ribbons, he walked with an ornate gilded cane.
"Swamp witches, General?" Mikhail inquired as his rage subsided, "What the hell do you mean?"
"Exactly that, Colonel." the general replied, "A sect of some religious tomfoolery... they've been a pain." he stated with a hint of frustration.
Mikhail casually walked up to the general's flank and spoke, "They had anti-armour projectors and aim to match, overflight didn't see them coming."
"If all goes well, you'll have your... revenge soon enough." the general nodded after his reply and continued his slow walk down the corridor.
Mikhail watched for a few moments before Bennet emerged from the hangar, Mikhail narrowed his eyes, turned away and briskly departed towards the debriefing.