F-33: Downpour Duel
The downpour on Planet F-33 seemed to intensify, the rain hammering the roof with relentless fury. Kal crouched behind cover in the corner of the barn, scanning their weapons through a narrow gap. "Apex Industries laser rifle." The silent beams were terrifying in the vacuum of space, invisible without dust to trace their path—lethal and unseen. But this was F-33. Outside, artificial rain mingled with chemical fertilizer gas. In this soup, high-powered lasers scattered light, halving their power and revealing their trajectories like neon signs.
That meant stepping out would work. The math checked out.
"Plenty of odds in our favor."
I grinned, placing a hand on my cover—a massive steel feed mixer, probably five tons. The old me couldn't have dreamed of it, but now? I dropped into a squat, coiling my muscles like springs. First time unleashing full power since swallowing that black stone.
"Hrah!"
Boom! With an explosive roar, the house-sized steel hunk rocketed into the air, spinning like a cannonball straight at Alpha team.
"...?!"
Their eyes bulged. "Dodge! Scatter!"
They flung themselves aside. That was my window. I kicked off the floor and charged. A wall blocked the way—we'd snuck in quietly through the vent before, but not now. Crash! I punched right through it.
Target: outside the barn, into the pouring rain.
Splash! Splash-splash! I sprinted across the mud-churned fields. Behind me, Alpha's shouts and pounding footsteps closed in. Fast. Augmented humans, as expected.
"The ship's already seized by the other code teams—no escape anyway! Surrender quietly!" Alpha's voice nipped at my heels.
Far enough. I skidded to a halt in the middle of a cornfield and turned slowly.
Alpha, Bravo, Charlie. The three hounds panted, encircling me. Alpha glared over his visor.
"Got some body augmentation? Output's abnormal for Federation surplus military."
I shrugged. "Been bulking up lately."
"More nonsense."
"Just facts."
Alpha tsked, irked by my attitude. "Whatever. I can't fathom the stupidity of fighting despite the overwhelming odds."
"Stupidity? Nah, looks winnable to me." I pointed at the thick rain sheeting from the sky, then jabbed at their laser rifles. "You think those toys work right in this weather?"
Alpha glanced up briefly, rain pelting his visor. He snorted and unceremoniously chucked his rifle into the mud.
"Spot on. But don't get cocky."
He dropped into a stance. Red steam vented from his suit's back; all three bulked up unnaturally.
"If I relied on some puny gun, I wouldn't bear the name 'Code: Alpha.'"
His fist clenched, heat and pressure radiating. Bravo and Charlie drew combat knives and knuckles.
I smirked. "Only sensible thing you've said."
I balled my fists. Close-quarters in the rain—soldier's comfort zone.
"Come on."
No signal needed. Before raindrops hit the ground, four shadows collided.
Kr-boom! Air tore with a shockwave. Bravo, the brute, lunged bear-like first. "Gotcha!"
His massive arms aimed to crush my waist—hydraulic hug to snap my spine. I didn't dodge. Stepped in, slamming my shoulder into his chest plate. Thud!
Bravo's eyes widened. Size gap was laughable, but I didn't budge. He staggered back—a two-meter giant reeling. Charlie exploited the gap, high-frequency vibro-knife snaking for my neck.
Shiiik! Deadly—grazed flesh would molecularly disintegrate. But the blade's arc was crystal-clear to me. I tilted my head. It whispered past my ear, shearing a few hairs. Nothing more.
"Wha...?"
Charlie faltered; Alpha's fist rocketed from the front. No ordinary punch—supersonic, shockwave-packed killer straight.
I slapped it aside left-handed, snagged Charlie's wrist right. Attacks and counters tangled in the mud. Muck flew, rain sprayed. Their combo was flawless: Bravo pinned with power, Charlie stabbed gaps, Alpha finished. Battlefield-honed.
But.
Slow.
I slipped through like a fish. Pre-Eve gift, I'd struggle to track them—first clash would've pulped me. Now? Raindrops hung frozen; their suit muscles twitched frame-by-frame.
Charlie's blade eyed my eyeball—precise, vicious thrust. Dodging, a stray thought hit: Oh yeah, came for beef for Eve.
In that 0.1-second head-turn: But security tripped, can't grab cows now... lasered ones?
The blade grazed my cheek, stinging shallow. Snapped back. Focus. Enemy ahead.
Playtime over. "You first, biggest pest."
Squeezed Charlie's wrist. Crack! "Gaaah!" Suit gauntlet crumpled, bones pulverized. Knife clattered. Hoisted screaming Charlie, hurled at charging Bravo. They tumbled tangled. Formation broken.
I launched at Bravo mid-air twist, full-power axe kick. Heel smashed his helmet crown. It caved; his head plowed into mud.
"Bravo!"
Alpha raged in. Too late—fight decided. His kick targeted my ribs. Caught the leg, suplexed him earth-shaking. He bounced, vomiting blood.
Crushed fallen Charlie's chest, strolled to Alpha.
"Hah... hah..."
Alpha staggered up, helmet shattered, face exposed, suit sparking rags. He stared in disbelief.
"Impossible..."
Apex elite, trampling losers—now crushed by a retired grunt, 3v1, raw power.
"Not bad. Guess your suit buddy's done."
I wiped cheek blood. Sincere. To him? Worst insult.
"Not bad...?!"
Eyes rolled back. Shame snapped reason. "I'm... Alpha! Vanguard of humanity's pinnacle, Apex...!"
Trembling hand drew red ampule—unstable berserk booster, trials unfinished. Jam it, lose mind, become monster—but kill me.
"I'll... kill you...!"
Needle pierced neck. Before serum spread—
Click.
Cold metal cut the rain. Alpha froze. Black muzzle stared him down. No fancy laser or plasma—rusty, faithful powder pistol.
"Unlike your pricey toy you ditched, I'm broke."
Casually fingered trigger. Alpha's pupils quaked. "Wait—"
Villains and heroes wait. I'm trash.
"No hobby for that."
Bang! Crisp shot. Muzzle flashed red. Spinning bullet pierced rain, drilled Alpha's forehead dead-center. Head snapped back.
Smoke trailed in rain. I muttered, "Old guns are reliable."
> [System normalized. Liftoff preparation complete.]
Three cows over my shoulders, I trudged back to the Night Raven. Mud-caked and sore, but steps light.
"Nahibi! Eve! I'm back! Where you at!"
Post-battle hero with meat. But inside...
"...Huh?"
Jaw dropped at the scene.
"Wh-what the hell!!!"
Ship was a warzone. Walls pocked with forced breaches, corridors corroded pockmarked by acid slime. Apex suit scraps everywhere. Eve's door ripped off, flung far.
"You slime!!!"
Nahibi oozed from Eve's room, smug eye-smile. [Oh, back? Late.]
"Late?! Look at my ship!!"
Trembling finger swept the wreckage.
[That?]
Nahibi tentacle-waved casually. [Bugs swarmed. Lasers, bombs—messy. But relax. Guarded Lady Eve without a scratch.]
"Guarded?! This is guarded?! Turned my ship to rags?!"
Fury boiled; jabbed Nahibi. "Trashed it handling lowly pests! Know the repair grind?!"
Nahibi bristled. [What?! To the top hero guarding the Queen—watch your mouth! While you played outside, I soloed four teams!]
"Who played! I risked my neck too!"
[Shut it! No thanks, just grief! Held back so much! Caught 'em!! Clueless!]
We snarled, spit and slime flying. Captain near tears over bills vs. sulky monster guard craving props.
Then.
"Nom."
Happy munch from the room. Heads snapped.
Munch-munch. Gulp.
"Mmm?"
Eve, healed and feasting Nahibi's gift, beamed full. All faded away.
"...Haa."
Sighed deep, shoulders slumped. Nahibi awkwardly lowered tentacles.
[Ahem. Anyway... let's launch.]
"Help fix first, damn slime."
[Fine...]
Rarely argumentative, Nahibi followed.