• Date: January 22, 2183


  
• Time: 7:50 AM


  
• Location: Teleporter Chamber Entrance


  

  Unseen to the naked eye, the Ghost stalked the Kaynians from a distance as he approached the teleporter chamber entrance. Four guardians stood watch, their stances firm and their eyes vigilant.

  {Four contacts ahead of us.}

  'I see them.'

  Heeding his eternal servant's warning, Tale began to move toward the entryway. While observing the guardians, he knew chaos would erupt when the first shot was fired. The Kaynian ship violently shook as missiles and anti from the drone craft squadron bombarded the port side and starboard side. The lights flickered as the Kaynians struggled to defend themselves, but with the bridge terminals disabled, they were helpless.

  {My master, we have to hurry.}

  'Understood, best we get going...'

  '...Sarroth, create an illusion to distract the guardians.'

  {Understood.}

  Hedding the command of her master. The blade spirit created a semi-perfect replica of the Ghost's power armor before sending it toward the entrance. It didn't take long for the four guardians to notice the intimating illusion of the operative, or as they called him, demon.

  ''What the-''

  ''By the Betrayer...''

  ''...It's the demon!''

  ''Open fire!''

  Taking a deep breath, Tale aimed his energy beam rifle at the panicking Kaynians, notably the two near him. Meanwhile, the guardians busied themselves with the illusion by opening fire at it. Instant-hitting energy beams impacted the illusion but did nothing other than pass through.

  'Let's begin.'

  He whispered before he fired at the first alien, which nailed him in the head, cracking the passive energy shield before melting through the faceplate. Afterward, he would aim at the second guardian before opening fire, sending another powerful energy beam. However, this time, the beam punched through the chest plate instead before dropping dead.

  ''Wait a minute...''

  ''...That's an illusion!''

  ''Over there! The energy beams came from that direction!''

  Realizing where the energy beams came from, the remaining guardians aimed and opened fire. However, unbeknownst to them. Their unseen foe has already taken a new position. Thus, when they unleashed a barrage of energy beams at the suspected location, they failed to notice any of their shots hitting something.

  'Though similar to the ones I fought during the First Contact War...'

  '...These Kaynians are more aggressive.

  Tale commented as he took the right flank of the guardians before opening fire. Honing in the first alien combatant, he pulled the trigger, firing another energy beam that shattered the energy shield and pierced through the shoulder.

  ''By the Betrayer's name!''

  Shouted the last guardian as he saw his comrade thud to the ground lifelessly. Seeing where the energy beam came from, he opened fire and miraculously impacted the operative's magic shield.

  'Shit!'

  Tale thought as his magic shield flickered to life. Quickly aiming his weapon, he fired at the last remaining Kaynian, hitting a headshot. The guardian thuds to the ground as its red color and lights turn gray.

  {Well done, master.}

  The blade spirit complimented as she saw her master's marksmanship after ten years without any range weapon. Moving forward, the Ghost placed his hand over the terminal to access its systems. Allowing Sarroth to materialize before hopping off his hand to open the entrance.

  {Okay, this should be a piece of cake...}

  {...Done!}

  The blade spirit exclaimed as she opened the entrance. Dematerializing, she returned to her master's armor. Then, as the sealed entryway opened, they would be greeted by a sea of alien hostiles.

  {That's a lot of Kaynians.}

  Indeed, there were a lot of Kaynians present in the teleporter chamber. But for now, they hadn't noticed his presence, and at the far end of the chamber, Tale saw the Kaynian Lord barking orders to his subordinates. Moving forward, he placed himself behind a cover before aiming his weapon. He needed to cleave his way to the crowd of guardians and farers to escape.

  ''Then we better reach that teleporter...''

  ''...Sarroth another illusion.''

  {Of course, master.}

  The blade spirit created another semi-perfect replica of the Ghost's power armor and sending toward the crowd of Kaynians. Of course, the guardians and farers immediately noticed the illusion and pointed their rifles and pistols at it.

  ''The demon has escaped!''

  ''Inform the lord!''

  ''All able arms! Open fire on the demon!''

  Taking the bait. The guardians and farer present fired their weapons at the illusion, but the energy beams harmlessly pass through. Meanwhile, Tale took the opportunity and opened fire at the Kaynians. Two unfortunate guardians met their end as energy beams cracked their shields before punching through their armor plates. Moving forward. Another energy beam would punch through a Kaynian Farer's head, blasting it clean off.

  {Good shooting master.}

  Sarroth complimented as the operative moved toward a new position to fire upon. Leaping to a floating platform, he aimed at the masses of hostiles firing on the illusion. Firing his weapon, the Ghost shot at a group of four guardians. Hitting two birds with one stone, the first energy beam fired impacted a guardian square in the chest before over-penetrating and hitting another in the stomach. Both died instantly, as Tale aimed the last two guardians before firing two more energy beams at each one, killing them with a headshot.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  ''Halt! It's an illusion!''

  The Kaynian Lord barked out, and his troops immediately stopped firing at the illusion. Of course, it did not take them long to realize their adversary was above them.

  ''By the Betrayer, the demon is above us!''

  ''Redirect your fire!''

  ''The demon is up there!''

  Immediately, a hail of energy beams peppered the platform where the Ghost Operative was supposed to be. However, little did they know their opponent had already left, letting the energy beams they fire hit nothing but air.

  'Good, they're preoccupied, now's my chance.'

  Pointing his weapon, Tale unleashed a barrage of energy beams at the unsuspecting guardians. Nailing three Kaynians in the chest, cracking their shields. Then, he turned to his flank and fired at two more, hitting a headshot on both of them.

  {Master Tale, watch out!}

  Sarroth warned as a warlock unleashed a psionic beam at the Ghost's current position. Immediately, his magic shield flared while the invisibility magic placed by his eternal servant was no more. Afterward, every Kaynian combatant saw his silhouette and opened fire.

  'Sarroth, barrier now!'

  Thinking quickly with her magic, the blade spirit conjured a powerful magic barrier blocking the energy beams of the Kaynians.

  {It won't hold for long, so whatever you're doing, you better make it quick, master!}

  Pointing his weapon, Tale fired a barrage of energy beams at the Kaynians with the help of the aiming software on his power armor. Then, he proceeded to fire like it was a shooting gallery. Firing at anything that moved or fired at him. This was now a do-or-die scenario. Tale needed to kill a lot of Kaynians before the magic barrier fell into pieces.

  ''Curse you, demon!''

  ''We can't push forward!''

  ''Keep firing!''

  Receiving the fury of the sole demon. The newly established firing line couldn't shatter the magic barrier placed by their foe's ally. Despite the odds, they were making progress as the barrier steadily weakened, showing signs that it wouldn't hold much longer.

  {My master, the warlock is preparing for another attack!}

  The warlock was recuperating his psionics to aid his fellow Kaynians. Charged up another attack before firing a potent psionic beam, which cracked the magic barrier immediately upon contact. However, the Ghost wouldn't be outdone as he dodged the incoming psionic attack by rolling.

  ''The barrier is down!''

  ''Kill the demon!''

  ''Charge!''

  Instead of firing their weapons from a distance, the guardians charged toward the operative with their bayonets. Closing in, one guardian thrust his rifle's bayonet but missed as the barrel of his rifle was caught by Tale's hand before receiving a mean headbutt.

  {Incoming!}

  Sarroth warned as a hoard of guardians with bayonets charged. Picking up the fallen guardian's weapon and imbuing it with magic, Tale dual wielded both energy beam rifles and started firing while under fire. Within seconds, bodies began to drop to the ground as the fierce but stupid charge of the aliens was subdued.

  ''Okay, that should distract them for a while...''

  ''...Sarroth, I need you to teleport- Argh!''

  Cutting him off was an energy saber making contact with his shoulder, dropping the other energy beam rifle he carried. However, instead of cleaving through, it was stopped by his magic shield. Immediately, Tale would retaliate as he activated the bayonet of his rifle before giving a mighty thrust at the newcomer. Meanwhile, the Kaynian Lord dodged the incoming energy beam rifle before slicing it in two.

  'Damn it...'

  '...Sarroth, sword!'

  {Understood!}

  Letting go of the sliced energy beam rifle, Tale summoned Sarroth on his right hand. He grasped her tightly before slashing at the lord, but his attack was blocked, leading to a clash of swords.

  {Incoming!}

  The blade spirit warned, but it was too late. The psionic lightning made contact instantly and caused the Ghost to crash to the ground while his magic shield flared.

  ''Argh!''

  Grunting in pain. Tale's body endured the psionic attack but without any means of dealing with the Kaynian Lord and the warlock. Things were looking dire at the moment. Luckily, someone took out the alien magic user, and a loud bang echoed throughout the chamber. Thudding to the floor. The warlock was dealt with swiftly by a four-gauge buckshot.

  [Sorry we're late Ghost...]

  [...We had some issues hacking the Kaynian teleporter systems to get here.]

  Announced an A.I. in the comms of his power armor. Looking at the teleporter with increased magnification, Tale saw three armored silhouettes. These Ghosts had different weapons: the one to the left had an MK23 Double-Barrel Shotgun, and the right had an MK20 Anti-Material Rifle. Lastly, the one in the middle carried an MK12 Battle Machine Rifle.

  ''Hold on, Ghost. We're coming to get you.''

  A familiar voice echoed in Tale's comm. He knew who his rescuers were: Sword and Shield.

  'Commander West?'

  Springing into action, the newly arrived Ghost Operatives sprinted toward their downed comrade. The close-quarter specialist immediately took the lead and blasted his way with his shotgun, sprinting forward full throttle with a complete disregard for his safety.

  ''More demons!''

  ''Quickly redirect- Ack!''

  ''Here they come!''

  It didn't take long for the Kaynians to notice the newly arrived operatives and aimed at them. Energy beams raced to the charging Ghost Team as their reactive energy shield protected them while they closed the distance.

  ''Nomad, clear them!''

  The long-range specialist shouted over the shared comms as he took position and prepared to fire at the masses of Kaynian combatants. Following his brethren's advice, Nomad, the close-quarters specialist, lunged forward and delivered a swift kick to the face of an unsuspecting guardian. The kick, infused with psionics, generated a shockwave that launched the Kaynian.

  {Impossible, was that magic?}

  Mesmerized, Sarroth contemplated the unfolding scene before her. Never had she thought of other Ghosts other than her master to possess magic, and yet here was one, proudly displaying it.

  ''Ha! You Kaynian bastards! Take some of this!''

  Nomad shouted as he engaged his shoulder-mounted third arm system, firing a single rocket at the hastily formed firing line of the Kaynians. The eighty-four-millimeter rocket made contact with its targets and exploded. Then, a shockwave blasted away any combatant near the blast radius as the close-quarter specialist engaged with his shotgun.

  ''Bishop, give Nomad covering fire!''

  The commander ordered, and then a loud bang echoed as the other Ghost, Bishop, sniped a Kaynian Farer in the head, but the round over-penetrated and killed another. Afterward, he aimed at another set of targets before he opened fire and unleashed a hail of twenty millimeter-depleted uranium rounds at the Kaynians. Each time he fired his weapon, the dust and air around him shifted as the rifle had a kick in it.

  'Nomad and Bishop?'

  Tale observed as the two rivals fought side by side and tore through the Kaynian forces: he failed to notice that the Kaynian Lord beside him had recovered.

  ''If it's the last I do, you, demon! And your brethren will perish in this frigate!''

  The alien lord shouted to his hated foe. Meanwhile, Tale turned around and saw the Kaynian brandishing an energy saber. Of course, he did the same, wielding his weapon ready to strike.

  'We'll see about that...'

  '...Sarroth get ready!'

  {Understood, my master!}

  With a sudden burst of speed, Tale lunged forward, his sword slashing through the air. Clashing blades with his adversary would erupt, resonating throughout the teleporter chamber. Sparks flew as the two warriors exchanged a flurry of strikes, each testing the other's skill and strength. Tale's agility allowed him to evade his opponent's heavy blows, darting in and out of reach. Meanwhile, the alien lord relied on the durability of his armor and energy shield to weather the incoming assaults.

  'Tricky bastard...'

  '...Alright, you wanna see what I'm capable of? Then let me show you!'

  Seeing how defensive his alien foe was, the operative executed a series of faints before delivering a precise strike that shattered the passive energy shield.

  ''Gotcha!''

  Seeing the shield shatter before him, Tale pressed the advantage by delivering blow after blow, making the Kaynian Lord grunt under the impact. However, it wouldn't be long until the lord counterattacked with a sweeping arc of his sword, compelling the Ghost to parry.

  ''Die demon!''

  The Kaynian shouted as he prepared to deliver a powerful punch imbued with psionic. Having parried his opponent's attack, Tale was surprised when the alien lunged forward and threw a punch that launched him.

  ''Argh!''

  Grunting, he crashed harshly to the floor as the psionic attack left a powerful impact that bypassed his magic shield. Pain erupted on his chest as his ribs were cracked and his lungs weakened by the attack.

  {Get up, master!}

  Sarroth exclaimed through telepathy magic, but it was too late as the Kaynian Lord placed a foot on Tale's chest. Raising his weapon, the lord prepared to deal the killing blow. However, a hail of fifty caliber rounds denied him by hitting his energy shield and throwing him off balance.

  ''I got your back, Ghost!''

  Tale's rescuer shouted as he engaged with the alien lord, firing a full burst, which shattered the passive energy shield.

  ''YOU DARE!''

  The lord shouted as he used his psionics to pull the Ghost Commander toward him. In return, the commander allowed himself to be pulled as Kaynian Lord swung a predictable slash, which he dodged by teleporting behind.

  ''Right behind you.''

  The commander stated as he emerged from behind, drew his combat knife, and drove it into the lord's skull. Afterward, he took out his weapon, allowing the alien's body to thud as its colors turned gray.

  ''Good riddance.''

  The commander remarked as he holstered his combat knife on his hip, then shifted his focus to the incapacitated Ghost. Meanwhile, the blade spirit was in utter shock as she witnessed the teleportation magic used before her.

  {Master Tale, that Ghost he-}

  'Used magic, I know. But right now, our objective should be to survive. We'll inquire about it later.'

  {Understood.}

  Ending their conversation short, Tale saw their rescuer approach them. To him, the ease with which this operative employed teleportation magic indicated that much had changed. It seems like things have improved not just technologically but magically as well.

  ''Come here, kid, let's get out of here.''

  The commander offered a hand, and Tale accepted it, getting back up. He nodded at his superior. However, cutting their interaction short, several energy beams impacted their energy/magic shielding. The two Ghosts began their retreat, with Tale leading the way due to his lack of a ranged weapon, while the commander grabbed his rifle and fired back at the Kaynians.

  [All Ghost Operatives fall back! I repeat! All Ghost Operatives fall back! Commander West has secured the Ghost!]

  The same A.I. from before relying on the message as Nomad, West, and Tale made their way to the teleporter for extraction.

  ''Bishop! Covering fire.''

  The commander shouted through the comms, and the long-range specialist obliged by firing his MK20 Anti-Material Rifle in rapid succession. The twenty-millimeter-depleted uranium rounds fired would kill every guardian or farer that received them.

  ''On it, commander.''

  Bishop stated as he covered for the retreating operatives. Meanwhile, Tale and Sarroth could only watch as their rescuers bore the full force of the attack on their behalf. As of right now, Sarroth's magic was almost at its lowest. All due to the amount of magic she had used to awaken her master, assist him, and attack the Kaynians while on the frigate exhausted her reserves.

  'Are you alright, Sarroth?'

  {I am fine, my master. I merely exhausted most of my reserves while on the ship, but I shall recover...}

  {...Discovering that your kind had been using magic before our return raises questions I intend to ask them.}

  'I see.'

  Upon receiving confirmation from his companion, Tale sighed, realizing that the magical abilities possessed by their rescuers were something he hadn't anticipated. Meanwhile, the battle continued as the Ghost Commander and the close-quarters specialist reached the teleporter and secured their position.

  ''Merci, get us out of here!''

  [Understood, commander...]

  [...In three...]

  [...Two, one...]

  [...Initiating!]

  To Be Continued.