The Earthworm's Hole

The Hot Gates

- What's it like to be a supersoldier? - asked Nick.

- Feels supersoldiery. - jokingly answered Rico.

- I can't imagine how terrifying it is to confront Muta-Rats and Molants. I mean, those things are two times bigger than you! And you're like two times bigger than a normal human! - said Nick, looking at Francesca.

Scar quickly picked up the signs and started laughing.

- Are you seriously in love with the commander? - he said, giggling like a little girl.

- Uh...Is it that obvious?

- Dude, just letting you know, but, she is a tough woman. She doesn't care about relationships. - he looked at her and then back at the puny human. - Look, she lost a lot. We're her third squad. All the others got munched by the Mutas.

- I can't imagine how bad the whole thing is. Yes, I've lost people too. But having to do the same thing all over and over again, knowing that you lost your friends to the same thing. It must be harsh. - added Nick and then gazed at the beautiful leader.

- Just, don't keep your hopes high, okay? - said Scar.

- Yeah, thanks. A lot.

- No problem. - Scar bumped Nick's shoulder.

- Ouch. I really don't wanna be facing against you. You'll turn me into a human smoothie.

Scar and Rico started laughing wholesomely. Pablo put a barely visible grin on his face. Francesca heard everything, but she didn't get into the conversation. She was too busy looking at the Holomap. It was showing different coordinates everytime. All their equipment was breaking down.

- That damned storm. - she mumbled under her breath.

- What was that sweetheart? - asked Rico.

- Nothing's working.

- What? Is that something that surprises you?

- No, but. Ugh, we need to get to base fast. We're in uncharted territory. I don't know what horrors are stalking us.

- Don't worry honey, we'll fight off everything this new World has to throw at us!

The Armour on her body was thighter than usual. She couldn't breathe. The air was thin. No oxygen was entering her lungs. She fell to the ground. Suddenly she was underground. Her ears were screaming. They almost could deafen the actual screams in the background. The mission was a no go in the very first place.

A group of Molants had breached the perimeter near a mining colony. The massive moles were eating everyone left and right. The use of explosive weapons and electronics was prohibited due to a gas leak. It was total darkness. The fangs had a natural night vision, gifted to them by their genetically enchanted eyes. She stood up, with sword in hand, and started walking towards the screaming. She was in some sort of a small cave, which soon opened in a massive cave formation, housing a small city of sorts. The screaming was becoming unbearable. The smell of agony, despair and pain was intorelable. What was she doing there? Her whole squad was wiped out in seconds. The love of her life was between the casualties. The Goddess in black armour was just standing on the edge of the rock, looking down at the dying people. She couldn't do anything to safe them. Soon the screaming went down. She dropped on her knees and started crying. The ground beneath her feet started rumbling. They were coming to get her. The armored beauty didn't want to run away. Suddenly, someone grabbed her and dragged her back into the small cave. She saw the gates to that district closing. She saw the Exitium button being pressed. And after that followed an earthquake, fire and ringing in the ears.

A hard slap woke her up from the trance. The sss was surrounded by her fellow teammates and the two newcomers.

- Are you okay? - asked Rico.

- Yeah, yeah. I just...fell down.

- For a solid hour. Quite the fall, if you ask me. - jokingly noted Scar.

- I'm fine. Where are we?

- While you were falling, we finally got a transcription from the Base. They've breached the offender's battle lines. They think we're close nearby, but I cannot say exactly how close we really are. Nothing works and the fact that we're low on gas doesn't help me with conserving what energy we have left. I've send multiple distress signals, but the comms went out again. It's that damn storm up above. It drains the power and life of this beast - explained the driver, named Stan.

Stan was a normal human. He was exceptionally good at his job, which is why Francesca chose him over the other, enhanced choices. His old age didn't stop him from being as efficient, as his passengers. The Boar was designed to be piloted by one person, everything else was automated. There is a built in mini SMR (small modular reactor) for times like these, when something is messing with the electronics. It produces around 50MW, which is enough to sustain the tank's electronics for up to 5 years if used only as a mobile base. If it needed to travel on it's electrical engine, it would last around 2 years. It's weaponry is entirely made off energy-based weapons, which consist of one Ultracannon, capable of destroying anything in a radius of 100m. The range is unspecified, as it never was used for larger distances than 1km. It also carries two plazma-guns, firing 1,500 rounds per minute. They are favoured by most of the Boar drivers, since they almost certainly get attacked from close range. The tank also has an EB, capable of electrifying everything biological and non-biological in a radius of 20m around the vehicle. The armour is strong enough to withstand multiple Ultracannon shots. This 150 tonnes Behemoth is favoured as the best means of transportation, fire support and assault in the entire Taenarius.

- Okay, good job Stew.

- I hate this nickname.

- Oh, c'mon. You make awesome mushroom stew, Stew! - laughingly said Francesca.

- If we get out of this pickle, I'll cook you several metric tons of it, Fran. I'm hoping that now you're awake, we can orient better. I've never been good at geography.

- We should get going. - said Scar.

The others nodded in agreement. They helped their leader on her feet.

- Okay people, let's go home!

The weather was worsening by the second. The muddy terrain was making the traversal really difficult. The vision was no exception. The massive lights on "The Mole Killer", as the squad called their Boar, were enough to illuminate every single corner of The Underground, but were useless against the conditions that were present at this moment. Finally, after scalling the biggest hill they've ever seen, they laid eyes upon a horrifying battlefield, layered with corpses. The God Gates seemed untouched. Massive craters from artillery barrage What probably used to be barricades, now looked like rubble, drenched in human remains. The field was filled with destroyed machinery and equipment. They approached the massive vault door. It seemed intact at first, but as they got closer they saw a gaping hole. Stan precisely managed to drive through the "small" hole. Everything was destroyed. All the passengers of "The Mole Killer" were looking at what used to be their home. They didn't know how far down the creatures got, but if they were able to breach through the God Gate, nothing will be able to stop them down the narrow corridors. The Boar turned left at the direction of the massive armoury. Everything looked pummeled. No signs of life. Francesca tried contacting the HQ of Taenarius, but alas. They reached their destination. With grief they looked at the torn appart hangar doors. The Boar was too big this time, so they had to leave it's safety. Everyone grabbed a gun. Greg put his Dad's .300 riffle and grabbed a more modern gun. He didn't like them, because he didn't feel like shooting an actual gun, but in this case, he needed one. More because of the lack of ammunitions for his rifle, than for his safety. They got out of the metal beast and proceeded into the darkness of what once they called home.