Hive Escort: Clash with the Watchdog
The Hive transport convoy consisted of four massive transport helicopters, several combat helicopters for escort, and a swarm of drones. Each transport heli was more than twice the size of a Nexus, with enormous propellers mounted front and back—their weight causing them to sag slightly downward. The sight of all four lined up in a row was truly spectacular.
As I joined the convoy, a voice came through the comms channel.
"You're the pilot Hermann sent, right? I'm Dickens, captain of the transport team. Nice to work with you. I hear you're some freeloader crashing at the Nest lately?"
Nest? Must be what they called Hermann's base. I gazed out beyond the landing pad at the vast facility sprawling like a gigantic munitions factory. Light snow flurries made the already barren structures look even colder.
"To be honest, even if Hermann specifically recommended you, it's still scary. The last four convoys got completely wiped out. But I'll trust you."
I maneuvered my Nexus forward, listening to the captain's voice laced with forced calm masking his anxiety.
Thud-thud-thud-thud—
The helicopters on the ground spun up their rotors in unison and lifted into the air.
"Commencing 'Hive Transport Mission' now."
Hive Transport Mission. So that was the name of the device I'd found underground. I'd thought it looked like a beehive at first glance—turns out great minds think alike.
Clank.
Cables dropped from the transport helis hooked onto my Nexus's shoulders. It was a three-hour flight to the research complex via mobile hangar, but flying the whole way in the Nexus would just waste fuel unnecessarily.
"Stand by for immediate action if needed. We're heading out."
With me ready, the convoy set off toward the research complex.
Long before we reached the research complex, I was on high alert, scanning the surroundings. I could have just zoned out, but linked to the Nexus, the fog in my head had cleared completely. With my mind this sharp, how could I just sit idle?
"Descending underground now. All four transport helis drop low, escorts with two helis and drones..."
But no attacks came until we arrived. Reports said anything entering the area got hit immediately—why the quiet today? I stood guard at the pit's edge, watching the convoy haul the Hive up.
"Good. Linking the four transport helis now. Activating systems..."
The Hive emerged from the pit without a hitch. The building-sized machine dangled from the four massive helis, hoisted into the open air. By now, that unidentified weapon should have shown up. For a mission that claimed three mercenaries, it was suspiciously peaceful.
"Huh, nothing happened. Lucky, I guess?"
If anything, the lack of action felt off—slightly unsettling. I could even sense the captain's bewilderment through the comms.
"Well, no issues means good. Head back fast."
With return the only task left, the convoy moved like it couldn't wait to leave, as if expecting the unknown weapon any second.
"...Hold position."
And it wasn't just paranoia.
"Something on radar."
Thinking you're the lucky exception when everyone else got wrecked? That's the height of complacency. Naturally, the Watchdog was still lurking near the research complex. Its pattern was just a bit off today.
The convoy halted, all eyes upward.
"Hostile confirmed. That must be the unidentified weapon that's been hitting our convoys."
First impression: it looked like a submarine. Unlike the sleek Nexus, this thing was bulky and sluggish. Its alien body twisted with bizarre limbs, like some extraterrestrial war machine hovering silently at higher altitude, boosters glowing blue. Graceful yet ominous.
It's watching us like a hawk.
I stepped my Nexus forward, shielding the convoy.
"We'll pull out as fast as we can, Rabe. Cover our rear."
The captain led the convoy onward. I smirked inwardly at his words.
That thing isn't even glancing at the convoy.
Instinct told me it was focused solely on me. Why? Had I been the target all along? Maybe wiping those convoys was just bait to draw me out.
The convoy moved off, but the Watchdog didn't react. We just stared each other down, locked in a standoff.
Can I wait for them to escape and slip away after?
No. It was waiting for an opening. Turn my back, and it'd strike.
Been a while.
Once the convoy was far enough not to get caught in the fight, I switched boosters to cruise mode and charged.
Fwoosh—
The fragile balance snapped. The enemy moved too.
"...?"
I furrowed my brow as it vanished in an instant.
What the hell speed is that...?
Sonic boom detected. Sensors clocked it bursting past Mach 2. No human could survive that. I'd never considered unmanned Nexus-level machines.
Unmanned Nexus are clumsy. Obvious downgrade—no reason to use them.
In the game, they were just cannon fodder. But this Watchdog moved like no fodder I'd seen.
Focus on keeping up, like always.
Max output cruise mode. Energy drained fast, but I wasn't planning bursts anyway.
Pew-pew-bang!
I tracked its movements. Unknown blue projectiles spewed from its barrel with a weird sound.
What're those? Lasers?
Fire rate said rifle. Laser rifle. Never appeared in Metal Frame. Laser tech wasn't practical—mostly solid projectiles. Rare lasers were experimental gimmicks with crap performance.
I'd allowed a few in my Nexus loadout. The shots hit in rapid succession.
A white flash seared my mind.
"......!!"
Head burning, I gripped the controls. Durability dropped 30% already.
Damage is insane!
Not experimental toy levels. Clear tech gap.
I gritted my teeth, pushing the Nexus harder.
Can't get hit. Can't tank multiples.
Pew-pew-pew-bang—
It widened distance fast, blue flames pouring from its streamlined gun, tracking me smoothly.
Bang, bang, bang!!
In cruise pursuit, I burst repeatedly to its blind spots. High-G maneuvers slung my body sideways.
It backed off to create space; I'd cut turns and stick close. Near, far. Near, far. We spun like waltzing in the sky, trading shots.
Bang! Bang!
My hand cannon spat fire. Slow projectiles made hits tough without prediction.
Should've brought a submachine gun.
Weaker impact, but easier hits. Steady damage could've downed it quicker. Too late now—barely any intel on this thing.
Beep, beep!
Energy low warning blared in the cockpit.
Hover to recover quick, but...
That'd make me a sitting duck. One volley from that laser, and I'm rags.
But I twisted my lips into a grin.
Keep backing up like that, and it won't know where it's headed.
To counter fast-maneuvering foes beyond your aim speed: limit their options. Force them into a predictable path. That's why I tanked hits to chase in straight lines, overwhelming its focus.
Vrrr—Boom!
Bigger, thicker blue beam from its left arm. Long delay let me burst-dodge easy.
Rifle on right, sniper left, looks like.
No close-range arms. Mobility advantage for ranged focus.
But constant backing funneled it into an alley.
Bursts circling, missiles restricting—herded like prey into a trap. Flanks blocked by intact buildings.
Thud!
Dodging my hand cannon, it slammed into a building. Half-embedded, speed dropped.
It broke free and climbed, but I'd preempted that—already higher.
Alley dead-ended in a building wall.
Could burst-turn and cruise out.
But too late. Distance shrinking fast. It reversed at standard thrust; I chased at max.
Its normal reverse matching standard Nexus max output is weird.
Thoom—
Finally, negligent rear guard slammed it back-first into the dead-end building.
Side boosters flickered blue—prepping burst.
But I'm faster.
Crash!
Full throttle, I rammed the Nexus into it with everything I had.