T'salas's look of joy at sliding down the cable to the hover car ride moments after Alec glanced at her. She turned and made eye contact with him, and then Maywil in turn, and her expression became that of a child realizing the seriousness of a situation. None could reach out to affirm their soon-to-be loss with Leana and provide comfort, so they settled for soldierly nods. This part of the ride would not take long, but none could look ahead to check their progress. For that, they relied on Preacher. The android tracked electronically what they could not. This time, they dared not hack the train for fear of alerting the Baron.
Preacher was near the front of the hover platform and they held out thier hand with a signal to the ones behind. After the gesture, the winchcoil cables were detached, and the platform began to slow. It still sped forward with incredible momentum, caught in the slipstream of the train. Now it was T'sala and Mawil's turn to take action. From the back, they pulled levers that released a small parachute from the back of the hover-lift. It was another calculation of Preachers and was just enough to release them from the slipstream of the train without fully slowing their momentum. Now they could rest in the shadow, according to all sensors and radar the Baron would be using to check for trouble. At this point, Leana would be entering the security protocol exchange that needed to happen live. It was a final defence to ensure there was a human operator who was friendly to the Baron, so the shield-repellers could be let down, and for minutes, the gate was susceptible.
It wasn't a long amount of time for an army, but it was just enough time for a bomb. Then the wall would be opened wide for the waiting army of Teretha rebels that lay in hiding just outside of sensor range. This would also keep them safe from the explosive energy of the train. As Alec considered this part of the plan tucked behind his protective cover. He had considered long and hard the different options for them, but came up with none. He always knew a livewire switch could be possible, and he knew they would handle that when it came. To have it biologically locked was a work of maliciousness that could have only been crafted by Zelsim before her passing. From the grave, this woman was a thorn in his side.
It was at least ten minutes before Preacher gave his next signal. Alec took inventory of his revolver and Aamaranth. Three vials left. He looked up from the glowing fluid to meet equally purple-hued skin. T'sala was considering him with seriousness. She spoke in Teretha handspeak, "When it's gone?"
Alec gestured back, "I'll find more; they will have it all there. That man thinks of it all. If saving the children didn't draw me, he knew that would. He does not hope, he plans for many outcomes." The handspeak was awkward to convey the concept, but he felt their circumstances allowed her to frame it as he meant it.
She signed back. "Then we know we are different. We do hope it gives us life beyond survival." She looked from Alec to Maywil and the other Teretha hiding behind their covers. Then, she tapped her bicep in the same place where Alec's small bandolier of Aamarath vials was strapped. "Measure it well, you brought them hope. Now be the banner and lead us, 'lost warrior". She smirked with the last one. Alec smiled in kind, but in his mind, he was once again considering the possibilities of his death and how, in his current mindset, it had become entirely unwelcome. This desolate planet had somehow made his entire world change.
BOOM. The shockwave came shortly after the deafening sound. It pushed on the cart even more, and Alec felt the hot waves pass his metal enclosure. Debris even at this distance caused a clattering noise above them, and none dared move an inch out of their protection for fear of being pummelled to death. Preacher singled again, and Maywil and T'sala pulled their remaining levers. Large metal hooks attached to chains dropped to the ground, searching for purpose with sparks and clamouring. The sound was luckily lost to the noise of the explosion, and Alec felt their hover-lift dramatically slowing. Soon, it would come to a halt, and the sprint to the Baron would begin. They had as much time as it took them to fire up the Rift for reinforcements to ensure that was impossible. It wasn't much time. With any luck, the explosion would impact the station's ability to function.
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As the clattering of debris slowed to a stop, the hover lift drifted silently in the smoke until it bumped into the broken remains of the train. Around them, sirens were blaring, and silhouettes of soldiers and Mecha-men were scrambling, calling orders, dealing with injuries or battling fires. It was Smudge, the grounder boy, who gave the next signal. He held the pistol Alec had gifted him tightly and motioned seriously to the small incognito group. They followed him in a single silent line, not up into the base but down into the gap under the train's track. There was a small access hatch here that led deeper into the mechanics of the station.
Behind them, the sounds of soft Teretha footfalls grew to a patter rivalling the falling debris from just moments before. The soldiers looked above for more of the falling rocks and parts of the soldiers and the wall, not realizing the more deadly force was just behind them. Gunfire, Energon, and brutal cries of both victory and pain exploded like the train striking the vulnerable wall. It faded quickly as Smudge took them without hesitation down the service tunnels.
They did not see anyone. All must have taken to the surface out of fear that the explosion would destabilize the station and cause a rift storm. They were most likely part of the larger battle now. Every once in a while, they would hear the sound of footsteps above them. Alec could tell by the sound of the boots that the numbers had been reinforced already, probably to the maximum holding capacity. The sounds went the opposite way of the group silently infiltrating the station. Smudge paused only once to waive three of the Teretha, and Maywil left at a fork with himself and Doc. They were headed to the power centre of the station. Alec led the other group with T'sala, Preacher and the three remaining Teretha. They were headed straight for the platform and ramp. T'sala would use the bloodfire rifle to target essential parts of the loop-like structure that supported the Rift. It would be on Preacher, Alec and the others to protect her while she did.
Maywil and T'sala exchanged weighted looks. "Maywil, I will see you on the other side of this." The 'I Will' was emphasized as an order. It seemed to snap Maywil out of the stupor she was in. T'sala continued, "There are many who are counting on us. Leana's sacrifice means more with every life we save." Maywil stood tall at this and singled out her warriors. She tapped elbows with Alec and T'sala before leaving.
Alec watched the group go for a second, then used his augmented memory to recall the route quip that Smudge had uploaded with the help of Smudge. He headed off down their intended path, and the group followed in silence. After a few minutes of walking, they heard the chatter of Maywil's repeater echo from a distance away. They turned a corner, and the tunnel ascended up a small service ramp. The night desert sky was full of a bright crescent moon and spots of shining stars. Alec took a breath and reached into his pocket. He felt a vial rolling around in it. He pulled it up to reveal the few remaining drops of the Teretha Aamaranth that had him dancing wild and free. He tucked it in with the remaining four. He had a minor amount of his last pure Aamaranth from remaining in reserve mode. The annoyance of that paid off as he was able to push all the remainder into his focus and switch the vial down to three and a drop. Hopefully, it would be enough. He drew his gun and started up the ramp.
