Durgama Takeover

Captain Antonio Svaseri of the Titanium Grievance had been away a long time. Fifteen years in the deep void asteroid belts, with nothing but the crew and constant risk of silent, crushing death in the dark. Fifteen years was a long time, but this wasn't a fight over some dark rock, or fringe world. This was Corregidor, his home, and Concilium, arguably the heart of human society. And the aliens had dared to come here, to bleed Corregidor, leave her corridors open to the void. The Grievance had plotted a course at maximum burn once word had come, and Antonio had pulled a dingy suit of red battleplate from his locker. Fifteen years was a long time, but some things you don't forget...

Raveneye Orbital, High Orbit, Concilium Prima

The fire-team moved swiftly and silently through the corridors, alert for any sign of movement. Captain Antonio followed behind a pair of Brigada from the Grievance, while the remainder of his team followed behind. There were other teams from the Grievance aboard, most having infiltrated the station days prior, before the Nation had secured the central and stern defense guns. Reports had the aliens confined to the bow half of the orbital, and so Antonio had brought the Grievance in close to unload his more valuable troops. The ship was now at full burn, heading to the edge of the system to stay alive.

"Scanner detects em-sigs ahead, boss," the lead Brigada said, coming to a halt and raising his fist.

Antonio took a breath as his fire-teams halted and sought cover. His tactical HUD showed a smattering of unidentified em-sigs ahead, too few to represent a full force.

"Looks like a lighter force, boss. Sigs aren't indicative of powered armor, and there are too few of them to be a full patrol. I'm betting these are our friends from Dawn that have been hitting the starboard battery last few days."

Antonio nodded.

"Left team, push forward and see if you can get some visuals."

"Got it, boss."

Antonio watched the icons of his EVAder and Jaguar fireteams creep forward on the left, obviously moving carefully and keeping cover. A lifetime in the Nomad fleets taught one certain skills they never forgot.

"Contact left, looks like some Varangians, probably a patrol from Kosmoflot. We're engaging."

"Copy that," the captain replied. "Brigada, let's push up."

The armored fireteam moved forward, eyes and rifles up. The high-pitched while of the EVAder's spitfire was easily audible to their left.

"Target down," came the comm.

"Good copy. Set a perimeter left and hold for my word."

Klik-klik came the affirmative.

"Hey boss, I've got movement ahead. Looks like a flank of a mixed team. I'm going to try to drop a couple before they spot me.

Antonio nodded as the lead Brigada hefted his HMG. The heavy THUMPTHUMPTHUMP of the weapon sent bright tracers towards the Ariadnan troops, who immediately returned fire. Rounds pinged from the Brigada's armor as the exchange continued for several moments.

"Targets down, boss, but I'm a bit beat up. Looks like one of them winged my gut."

Before the captain could respond, the chatter of weapons fire came from the left.

"Captain, we're taking fire left!" The EVAder's return fire echoed over the comm.

One EVAder's icon winked red as his vitals went haywire.

"Shit, Andre's down, I'm taking heavy fire!"

Antonio panned his tactical view around.

"Alguaciles, push to support the EVAders, see if you can get the medic over there."

As he finished, Antonio saw the second EVAder's icon flash red. A muffled grunt was audible over the comm.

"Shit," he thought, "this is going sideways fast.

Another heavy gun opened up, this time right in front of Antonio. The Brigada immediately returned fire with his HMG.

Kosmoflot was pushing it's advantage.

"BRIGADA!" Antonio roared into his comm. "We need to take the momentum back! VENGEANCE!"

Both his teammates joined his roar, sprinting forward. The HMG soon joined, venting its fury into the enemy.

After a moment, the HMG grew quiet, replaced by the gently clinks of reloading.

"Right side clear, boss."

"Good job, boys. Let's see if we can force a crossfire to help the left out."

"Rodger that boss," the Brigada crept forward.

"I've got eyes on another Varangian across the way."

The HMG opened up once more, bright tracers cutting across the captain's vision.

CRACK

The lead Brigada's head snapped back, fragments of red spraying backwards. He crumpled to the ground, blood quickly spreading across the deck.

"SNIPER!"

"Hang back boss, let us see if we can clear that sniper!" The Jaguars were clearly mid-sprint, Antonio looked over to watch their icons illuminate as they opened fire. The return fire from the Kosmosoldat was audible, but so was the high-pitched SHHHING of a blade opening his armor.

"We're ok on the left, boss!"

CRACK

Another icon flashed red, then disappeared, this time it was the Alguacil with the missile launcher.

"SNIPER'S BACK!"

Before Antonio could react, a blood-chilling roar echoed down the corridors.

"What the hell is that!" Cried one of the Alguacils, blazing away with his combi for a moment before his icon dropped off the HUD with an audible splatter.

"What was that? Anyone have eyes?"

"No! I don't see any- HOLY CRAP!"

Another Alguacil dropped.

"We're coming to you! Hang on!" Antonio and the remaining Brigada turned to rush towards the Alguacils.

"Negative boss, whoever he is, he's pulling back."

"WHOEVER HE IS" The Jaguars were nearly incoherent with fury. Antonio was glad he had several walls between him and those killers.

"THEY ARE OURS"

The captain heard the tell-tale HISSSS of a smoke grenade, followed shortly by panting over the comm.

"I HAVE HIM HE IS MINE"

Shotguns echoed through the station.

"COMBAT GLORIOUS COMBAT"

Antonio caught the other Brigada's look, and shrugged.

"They're good at what they do.

The Jaguars roared with triumph.

CRACK

Another icon winked out.

"Let's go get that sniper."

The Brigada nodded and raised his rifle once more.