Chapter 5.
The rest of the walk back to the tower was uneventful, the company not being met by anymore Chimeran dropships, or any ambushes.
As the company got ever closer to the tower the soldiers got more and more light into their eyes, and when they made it around the final corner and the tower entrance came into sight they were greeted by several allied Hybrids, the creatures running forward and covering the rear as the weary soldiers slowly made their way forward.
Signs of combat could be seen, more Chimera had fought here in the time the company had been gone, but it appeared the defenders had won, the bodies of several more Chimera around the area indicating that it had been a fierce fight.
The entrance they had come from had two elevators, one massive one for heavy equipment to be hoisted up, and another smaller one meant for infantry. X-Ray 4 watched as several Chimera waved for the Sabertooth tanks to move onto the elevator platform, X-Ray 4 noting that the Stalker stayed at the entrance.
He looked around more, seeing that several of the other Chimera that had been with them were also staying behind to defend the entrance, only fifteen or so still staying with the company, the soldier feeling relieved to see that the Type-2 was still staying close to him.
The elevator was too small to hoist up the entire company at once, so most of the American company went with the tanks, X-Ray 4 noticing that the Captain and the other wounded had finally woken up.
He also noticed that the Hardfang was among them, and she seemed to be interacting with one of the Rangers she had saved earlier, Osborne, if he recalled correctly. A call from the Type-2 had the Hardfang turn and start making her way back, but she turned back when one of the Rangers yelled for her, the Hardfang promptly catching a small can thrown by the Ranger.
She turned around and quickly made her way back to the elevator that X-Ray 4 and the Type-2 Hybrid were in, along with the rest of X-Ray team, Sergeant Hale, and the British soldiers.
As the Hardfang got into the elevator X-Ray 4 could see what she was carrying, a C-Ration metal can, and it looked to be a meat ration, based on what X-Ray 4 could skim off the writing. With the Hardfang now in the elevator the Hybrid at the controls activated them, the lift lurching up.
The room below quickly disappeared from view, along with the rest of the American company. As X-Ray 4 watched them disappear he realized he should have gone to some of the soldiers to ask for some rations.
He had already eaten most of his rations, along with the rest of his squad, and he wasn't sure if the option to resupply was going to come any time soon.
His squadmates seemed to also have the same thoughts in their mind, X-Ray 6 speaking up. "Sir, are we able to hook back up with that Ranger company? We could use some more ammo and supplies."
X-Ray 1 looked over his squad, taking stock of their situation, and the British could be seen doing the same, and they seemed to be in even worse shape, the months long conflict draining their resources down to almost nothing, some of the men greedily wolfing down some food offered by their comrades.
He then turned to X-Ray 4. "Well, Corporal, are we able to get back to that company?"
X-Ray 4 was not expecting the question, turning to look at the soldier in confusion. "Sir?"
"You've had more contact with these creatures than anyone else here, that Type-2 especially seems to have taken a liking to you. We're in uncharted territory, and you're the only one here who has any understanding of what's going on. So, are we able to get back?"
X-Ray 4 turned towards the Type-2, silently asking the question.
"Yes, we can take you back to your company. You will have time to rest and regain your strength, the tower is locked down and there are guards stationed at every entrance."
X-Ray 4 leaned up against the wall of the elevator upon hearing that, the constant alertness and adrenaline from the combat slowly fading away, leaving him tired and weary.
The other soldiers could also be seen relaxing, the men grateful to still be alive after all the combat they'd been through.
The Type-2 even seemed to be relaxing too, X-Ray 4 opening his eyes and looking over when he felt her move closer. He watched her turn around and slowly lean back towards the wall, letting her heatstacks slowly lean up against it.
X-Ray 4 had seen how the enemy Steelhead from earlier had recoiled when it landed on its heatstacks, the devices seemed to be a weakpoint for the Chimera, and when he thought about it it wasn't very surprising, it probably didn't feel very good to have massive implants in your back get shoved around.
He was pulled from his thoughts when he felt the Hybrid slowly push her arm closer to his. He could feel the Hybrid's body heat bleeding through his suit, slowly warming up his arm, and it was then he realized just how cold he was. A shiver went through him and he looked up to see that the Type-2 had been watching him.
She moved to get up off the wall, pushing her arm past his to push herself off the wall, but just then the elevator slowed down, jolting to a stop. She looked at the door for a second then back to X-Ray 4, staring at him, then drooping her head and letting out a grown, proceeding to push herself off the wall and head towards the exit.
The rest of the group was also leaving the elevator, and X-Ray 4 found himself at the head of the group, standing next to the Type-2.
They were greeted by a group of Advanced Hybrids, the creatures standing guard over the entrance. They shared a quick conversation with the Type-2 before parting to let them pass.
The elevator had taken them to an area with three passageways, and the Type-2 made her way to the one furthest to the right, the group quickly following along.
As they walked down the hall, it didn't escape their attention that a small group of Advanced Hybrids had formed up behind them, and just before they came up to another intersection another group came up from the side, proceeding to turn in the direction they were going.
X-Ray 4 was keeping pace with the Type-2, or, more accurately, she was slowing herself down so that the soldier didn't have to jog to keep up. He looked ahead at the Advanced Hybrids, then behind, seeing that the other soldiers were also glancing around at the Hybrids.
He turned to the Type-2, speaking in a low voice so the group wouldn't overhear them. "Are they following us?"
She glanced at him for a second, perhaps wondering why he was speaking in a low voice, before she turned around and looked at the humans behind her. She thought for a second before she turned back around, speaking in a whisper too. "We are near the Queen... the Angel is what you call her I believe. The defenders are here as a precaution."
X-Ray 4 nodded. He knew there were likely none in their little group, or in the American company they'd rescued who would want to try to harm the Angel, but the Angel did not know that. He wondered if he would even see the creature again, considering he'd almost ended its life earlier.
He grimaced a bit as he thought about it, knowing that if he hadn't missed his shot he would have doomed everyone, the Chimera in the tower, the Americans and British attacking it, and this Type-2 that had saved him countless times now.
So much had happened in so little time, he was barely able to wrap his head around it, and he had a feeling it was the same for the rest of the soldiers in the tower, likely several of the Chimera too. Command likely had no idea what to make of it either.
His thoughts were confirmed as their walk brought them to a massive hanger, the group seeing the American company, most of the Rangers were just milling about, but X-Ray 4 was able to see the Ranger captain along with several other officers standing off to the side, with three radio operators near them.
He could tell they were frustrated, and as they got closer, he could hear the radio operators constantly asking for information to be repeated, and getting grainy, distorted audio in return. The thick shell of the tower appeared to be very good at blocking radio signals, and it was making coordination hell for the human soldiers inside it.
The Ranger captain noticed them coming closer and he gave his radio to a nearby officer. "Wasn't expecting to see you guys again, what're you here for?"
X-Ray 1 walked towards the captain, nodding at him. "Our unit is low on rations and equipment, do you have anything to spare?"
The Ranger captain pointed back towards where the Sabertooth tanks were idling. "Those tanks are crammed full of food and ammo, feel free to help yourself. You Brits can go along too."
The soldiers began to head towards the tanks and Rangers, X-Ray 4 looking back behind him to see that X-Ray 1 and Lieutenant Cartwright were staying back with the officers, likely trying to coordinate and get in touch with command.
The American company already appeared to be settling down, many of the soldiers were getting supplies off of the tanks, or setting up defenses in the area. Some Hybrids were mingling in with them too, and X-Ray 4 could even see that a few of them were given some food rations.
The group was quickly spotted by Osborne, and he made his way over to them. After a quick greeting and being told what they were here for the Ranger led them over to a nearby tank where boxes were being taken off.
"We loaded these tanks up heavy before we shipped out, we've got plenty to spare. There's ammo off in the boxes on the right, I believe you Brits use the same caliber our Carbines do so you won't have a problem with ammo. The boxes on the left have got a shit ton of C-Rations, canned crap it is, but it's better than nothing."
X-Ray 4 had no need for ammo, he still had several magazines of ammo for his Fareye, not that they had any Fareye ammo anyway, so he went for the food instead. The Type-2 was still following along with him, and he could see she was eyeing the boxes eagerly.
None of the boxes had been opened yet, and when he looked at them he could see they were nailed shut. He sighed and pulled out his knife, preparing to wedge it into the lid of the box, but he was stopped by the Type-2.
