P R O X I M O

This was the fifth time I had to deal with a rebel incursion this week. It was becoming unacceptable. Their liberties were stretching too far and wide within the outer sectors. They didn't fear us enough now–not without our leader roaming our streets with death in her every step. 

It had been days since my last conversation with Scorpion–she had promised me the return would be soon.

I punched the inside of the fusion craft as we approached yet another rumoured hideout for weapons and arms vehicles. If we didn't put out these viruses they would grow... and soon they'd have means to pose a threat to Division 52's entire operation.

"3 minutes out, sir." A member of the personal guard informed me under an armoured mask.

It was common now–the need for anti fusion plating and Vanguard armour. It shouldn't be.

"Consider anything moving hostile." I murmured, glancing at my wrist holo for the tenth time in the past hour. Scorpion had gone dark and my patience with her was running dry.

We were trying to run a damn empire here and it was crumbling without the steel grip and presence she commanded. I didn't want to target Makayla Xavier for the fallout but my mind was starting to add many things up that compromised our leader–

The craft dropped before my thoughts could turn more lethal.

Our guard started clicking guns and slotting magazines into place. I dropped a nod to the most lethal people in the city.

"No survivors." I stated.

Then the craft door opened and we dropped to the ground in force. Four other crafts circled on standby but we wouldn't need more than the men we had. In red and black we marched in unison to the bustling street. Civilians scrambled out of the way as the Division prowled towards a wide building fitted into the street discreetly.

My bioscan flashed red in my eye identifying a weapon signature from a hooded civilian. I whirled from the group faster than he could react and ripped him off his feet. My exo-suit under my armour picked his weight up like it was nothing. He squirmed in my grip before I sent a fusion round through his head.

The crowd screamed and divided before our target and it fell into chaos.

Weapons signatures flashed all over my eye before I called out the order.

"Cover! Hostiles!"

Our group rolled off their feet and took position in varying defence. They honestly thought they could simply pick off our best in guerrilla warfare ambush. I snarled as guns flashed among the running crowds and hit other civilians.

I pulled a hand to my wrist.

"Aerial cover, target ground shooters!" I snarled.

The fusion crafts above us circled more quickly and targeted weapon signatures.  But too many people still pushed and shoved between them. They were using human shields now. Worthless sacks of oxygen. 

"No clear shot yet, sir." The pilot calmly told me.

I swore and switched to weapon and heat signatures on my rifle. They glowed in hot colour before I picked off the hostiles quickly. My men joined in and effectively ended them with superior fire and accuracy.

"Stand down!" I told the air support. "There's too many civilians." I growled.

I stood once the last coward dropped and the screaming became more distant. We rose as one behind crates, walls or land vehicles. I flicked a wrist up and circled my hand. My guards surrounded me and took all angles.

I stood before the metal doors of the dirty building. I dropped a nod and the guard placed thermal charges along the doors. They retreated quickly and I was about to blow it when headlights flashed down upon us suddenly.

Two of my men dropped from fusion rounds before I ripped another guard off his feet and behind a land craft.

"UNDER FIRE!" I roared at the crafts above us. But a rocket launched from a rooftop I couldn't pick out and a craft took the hit, spinning into another and exploding into a building. 

I snarled and pulled the pin back on my rifle scanning the rooftops. It was a damn ambush. We walked into a setup.

Another two rockets flew through the air and took out our remaining crafts into bright explosions. I drew my fist up and threw it forward.

"Hold the line!" I snarled down our guard comm.

We had already propped guns on any cover we could get–but that wouldn't stop a rebel missile if they knew we were coming. Not even vanguard armour would stop it. 

I stared down the deserted street now littered with bodies and burning cars. Then the rebels emerged from the smoke. A wave of them armed to the teeth and so very heavy in number. I had not prepared for this. Units would not come fast enough for this kind of force. 

My men knew this too.

"Prox–I think we fucked it this time." Kartuga stated grimly in my ear.

I glanced down the line at the ten men and women that despite their skill–would not win this fight.

"It has been a god damn honour. I know I will see you all in hell–" I told them darkly, looking back to the wave of approaching rebels, "–but let's take a few of these assholes with us." I growled.

Shouts of agreement and more colourful words responded to me. I took aim down my sight ready to make the call. It would be a last stand. So be it–

Without any warning the lights from every building, every piece of electronic equipment went dark. I froze in position unable to make out any signatures not even my own laser sight. The blackness took out every window light and street light. Even my wrist holo went dark.

"Proximo?" A guard asked unsure.

Nothing for a heartbeat. A breath. Until two missiles broke through the silence flashed over the rooftops and hit the ground where the wave of rebels began. A bright white explosion of fusion and fire took the street. 

I stared in disbelief and confusion.

"Is that ours?" Mackenzie demanded.

But I had no answer for her. Not until an infuriatingly familiar voice came over the open line.

"Sorry I'm late boys and girls. The air traffic was a nightmare."

"Scorpion?" I cut out in realisation.

Her answer was another two missiles hitting targets we couldn't see on rooftops. Then a combat jet flashed over our heads and I grinned despite it all. I heard the remaining shouts down the streets and signalled the guard. We would clean up the rest.

We rushed the street without any holographic or laser sights at all. Old school was sometimes the best there was. I tossed a crypto grenade before the world became flashes of white in the night.

We emerged from smoke and fire like ghosts in the dark and hit them point blank with bullets or blades. They barely had time to get to their feet or help comrades. We were lethal and brutal.

It didn't take longer than minutes to clean the streets. Then the combat jet dropped from the sky and took to the ground with a wave of wind. I set my rifle over my shoulder and signalled for the group to take a defensive position.

The hatch dropped before us and the woman in billowing crimson swaggered down the ramp herself with two guns strapped to her hips and a smirk on her face. A blonde woman that looked nothing like royalty was at her side and equipped like she knew how to use the many blades strapped to her chest and the automatic gun over her back.

"You're late!" I said by way of greeting.

"You're wasting time!" She dismissed right back before securing my forearm against hers and flashing a critical glance around the burning street. "What have you done to my city, Proximo?" She tutted, without letting me answer.

Despite it all. It was damn good to see her again. Death incarnate included.

The guard was similarly inspired and dropped to knees with fists on their chests. She walked past them all as Makayla gave me a knowing smile and winked. I returned it briefly before hefting the gun on my shoulder and taking her right hand side.

"Our intelligence led us to that building where we think–"

"Oh we'll soon find out won't we my dear Second." Scorpion drawled. "Give me that."

She took the detonator from my hand without delay and blew the thermal charge. The door exploded inwards and she drew two fusion pistols with the casual grace of ballroom dancing. I chuckled at her back.

All my doubts over the weeks melted away when those burning gold eyes found the streets of Merridian again and she took her rightful place. They wouldn't be crossing us again. Not after the news that the Queen was firmly back on the throne again.