Risen: Shatterverse - The God War

To the Spire!

The base was literally buzzing as we made our way to the muster point.

"Remember, it's the Indurance that'll be providing cover and emergency extraction, so don't lose your terran beacons," I said as I heard the extra space gate activate with a rush of light and sound. All around us, the rest of the Risen ground force flowed in the same direction, each of them as grimly determined as we were.

"She's big enough that she can hold us all, even the Vanguard transports, but she'll bug out if Chohawk thinks our position is compromised. We will get just the single rally call and just the one chance to exfil. I definitely don't want anybody left behind so stay tight."

"Copy that, boss." "Copy, Two." "I'll be right beside you, darlin'." "I'll be on your six, Two."

Hannibal had set up the muster point basically like a train station. There was a large gathering area that funneled into a platform. There the transports, a series of Type 4's that we had assembled to take everybody, would be lined up like the cars in a train, or a subway, nose towards the gateway. Once the unit that was matched to a specific transport was called out, that transport then moved up to the platform and waited long enough for the unit to board before moving straight into the open gate.

Once past the gate's threshold, the transport fleet would wait until all of the transports from all the muster points reported in extra space. Then the transport holding Hannibal and Nah'tem would lead the way to the exit point, calculated by Lux to open near the largest amount of cover, the graveyard.

But not right away: Hannibal had to wait for word from Vuto that the fleet had reengaged the gatherers, which were no doubt waiting for them. Only then could we roll out with the Collector's attention elsewhere.

Of course, that wasn't to say the powerful alien couldn't split its attention between two attacks. It had easily done so before. We could very well be walking into a fight where Garolan was waiting on us with everything it could cobble together to kick our ass. From Collectorverse Risen, to Golem, Virtual Weapons Platforms, and sentinels; the t'sang had its whole universe it could throw at us with a snap of its ethereal finger.

As we moved into the open gathering point, I took a quick look at the jumpsuit I was wearing. Crafted as a bio-support layer, it was close fitting without hugging me, breathable and comfortable. It would also seal wounds, if the armor was compromised, apply pressure to keep the body's fluids circulating properly and help the suit regulate the body's temperature. And, since my passenger had a hand in designing and implementing the bio-support layer, I knew it would be paired perfectly to my armor's functions. Not that my neoshell body needed all that shit, but it would be handy for the girls and Siofra.

Sliding out the metal rectangle holding my armor and weapons systems, I placed it firmly on my waist. A thought later and I was encased in the variable matter armor that could theoretically withstand a blast from the Vanguard's Sun Cannon. It certainly proved effective against all manner of sentinel attacks, from the wind sentinels' electric shock assault to the stone sentinels' spikes of doom.

"You're the tip of the spear, Specialist," Hannibal's voice said in my ear. "You and the Vanguard's Ingahn'var unit will hit the ground first and secure our LZ, with the Ascendency Rangers coming in tight on your heels."

"Copy that, General," I sent back as the girls, Siofra and Naveaia also sheathed themselves in their white, with black and silver trim armor.

"Archangels," a voice rolled over the muster area and the original Type 4 slid up in front of the platform. A knife hand to direct everybody forward, we were smoothly slipping through the Risen around us to climb onto the platform, a single grid of metal and plastic, and step into the transport. Where we found Hannibal, Nah'tem and a small squad of mixed Risen and terran soldiers already waiting for us.