TBoB - Book 7 - Chapter 74 - Last Stand (Patreon)

I really hope you enjoy this one guys, I think it's a fitting end to the arc. Let me know what you think.Even though Macy had managed to strike a blow against the Gene Tender, the creature had no intention of giving up without a fight. 

The swarm surged, causing the burrow exits to bulge from the pressure of hundreds of Antithesis trying to squeeze through at the same time; Some of the entrances even exploded outwards, throwing debris and Antithesis corpses everywhere but opening up access to the far wider corridors beyond, allowing far more Antithesis to pour into the fight.

“I guess they’re emptying the hive in an attempt to save this fucking thing,” I muttered, before turning to the moose. “There’s no way they can keep this up for long. Although the shatter storms should take care of most of those fucking things, I want you to maintain suppressing fire on the Antithesis pouring out of the hive. I want to keep the number of Antithesis that get to the fight down, so the Tender can’t hide.”

As the moose turned I slipped around what remained of the squad and positioned myself on the far side of the purifier so I could keep an eye on the Gene Tender’s defences without having to worry about getting in the way of their fire. 

The relentless barrage from Bear Force One was stripping the lesser Antithesis away from the Gene Tender’s protective curtain faster than they could arrive, so I figured it was only a matter of time until we found an opening. I was confident that a second shot from the UHR would finish this, or at least strip the Tender’s defences away so we could strike, so all we needed to do was wait for them to cool down. 

Before that could happen, the ground began to shake so violently that I was nearly thrown off my feet. Rather than stumble about, I scrambled up onto the purifier’s hover platform in order to regain my footing before glancing around for the source. It didn’t take me long to find it.

The ocean floor just outside of the hive buldged and small fissures appeared in the ocean floor. Finally, after three or four heaves the ground broke apart and the snake head burst through to the surface.

“Motherfucker. Don’t you ever give up?” I snarled as the oversized monster swept its gaze over the battlefield. “Sharron! Macy! Push the Tender. It’s on the defensive, so if you can get past its guards you should be able to deliver a lethal blow! Leave this fucking thing to me!” I shouted before grappling closer to the snakehead. 

What are you doing? Nyx asked.

“I’ve been fighting this thing from a stationary position because I knew that if I ever got hit by its breath weapon, it would be game over,” I explained. “However, it hasn’t spotted me yet, and the fucking thing is slow, so instead of going on the defensive like last time, I figured it would be a better idea to get in close and outmaneuver it. I’m pretty sure I can stay out of the way of its mouth long enough to set up a killing blow.”

And how are you going to do that?

Instead of replying, I immediately switched to the command network. [Spooky, I have a new target for the UHR once its cooldown cycle finishes,] I said.

[You don’t want to fire on the Tender? Finish it off?] Spooky asked.

[I do, but if this fucking thing gets involved, it might pressure us enough to allow the Tender to reset its defences, or find a way to weasel its way out of here. Just give me a heads up before you fire,] I said. [I also want you to target the hive with the Shard Storms and all tertiary cannons to keep the Antithesis from reinforcing the Tender, and in order to give Macy and Shannon an opening they can use to pressure the Tender. If they haven’t finished by the time I take care of this fucking thing, then we can readjust again.] 

[You’re the boss,] Spooky replied.

As we talked, the Snake-Head spotted me and started turning its head my direction, slowly opening its massive maw. Since I didn’t want to risk getting hit by its oil spray, I disconnected the anchor, interrupting my current zip so I could launch it at the creature's far side, cranked up the torque, and engaged the winch. 

Even with the increase in speed, I was just barely able to avoid the creature’s opening salvo, which tore up the terrain behind me. As soon as I hit my destination, I turned, and instead of aiming the grapple at something in the surrounding terrain, in order to keep the Snake-head occupied, I fired it at the back of the creature’s neck.

The creature immediately began to thrash about, but I didn’t let that deter me, and I engaged the winch. 

Even though I was thrown about a little, I still managed to land boots first against the back of its neck. Rather than detaching the tether, I left it embedded in the creature, using it to keep me securely in place as I slipped the axe off my back. “I know that you’ll regenerate from anything I can do to you, but I don’t need to kill you, just delay you,” I said, chalking up on the axe. “That, and make this fucking hurt!”

The axe crackled to life, the blade burning crimson as I brought it down on the back of the creature’s neck. Even though I could only swing using one arm, the axe bit deep, effortlessly cutting through the Snake-head’s flesh. 

I knew the creature had incredible regeneration; however, I don’t think I really appreciated it until I pulled the axe back and saw just how fast the wound closed. I could literally see the flesh knitting itself back together in front of my eyes.

There was no way I was going to let that happen, so I began swinging wildly, bringing the axe back and forth through the creature’s neck, cutting deeper and deeper. The creature was several feet thick, so I wasn’t doing a ton of damage, but it definitely felt good after all the shit this thing had put me through. 

[Boss, the UHR is ready to fire,] Spooky declared after a couple seconds of constant cutting. 

[Then give me a second to get clear,] I replied. [I’ll signal you when I want you to fire.]

I disengaged the grapple and pushed off from the creature, turning so I could find something to grapple to when I heard Macy yell. “The Tender slipped through! Watch out!”

Time seemed to slow down as I turned, just barely catching sight of the Tender in my peripheral vision, shooting towards me, mouth wide. My brain jumped into overdrive, and using the command network I went through hundreds of scenarios. It took nanoseconds for me to realize that if I dodged, the chances of us catching this thing dropped immensely, so I made a decision. Instead of grappling away I calculated where it was aiming, twisted my body to try minimize the damage as much as possible, and raised the axe to attempt to block the shot.

Not that it mattered. The Tender fired the spike with such force that it went straight through the axe’s handle before punching deep into my abdomen. The pain was immense, even with the pain dampening, but I couldn’t afford to worry about that right now; The creature was still coming straight for me, Talons outstretched. 

Just as it was about to hit me I reached out, almost on instinct, grabbed what was left of the axe, and brought it down directly on the creature’s face. It managed to sink it’s claws into my shoulder in exchange, causing my arm to go limp, but I achieved what I’d set out to do. I’d brought the thing to a momentary stop. 

Before it could strike again I threw out my arm and engaged the grapple. I didn’t aim, because I didnt’ care which dirrection I fled to, just that I got as far away as possible.

The instant the anchor locked into place I engaged the winch and sent a broadcast a single word over the command network. [Fire.]

 I didn’t see the rounds as they struck, but I felt their impact. They dug straight through the Snake-Head before impacting deep in the hive, probably near where the creature’s roots were. Just as I disengaged the grapple the shockwave caused by the impact caught up with me and sent me tumbling away.

After the worst of the turbulence passed, I used my one good arm to slowly turn myself over and look atht teh aftermath of the attack. 

The Snake-Head had been nearly cut in two, the railgun rounds hit it in the middie of the back and bored through the creature as it had ripped deep into the hive. I didn’t see any sign of it recovering so it’s possible they’d destroyed the connection, but then again it might have just taken so much damage it would take a while for the regeneration to catch up. 

More importantly it looked like one of the rounds had winged the Gene Tender. 

Well, I say winged, but the truth was even that glancing blow had completely maimed the thing. All it’s limbs on the right side, including it’s wings, had been ripped off, it’s torso had been ripped open. 

Even though it was greviously wounded, the thing paddled around feebly with its remaining limbs, trying to escape. I considered pulling out my rifle and finishing it off, but it was obvious it wasn’t going anywhere and I was so exhausted after that short engagement that I wasn’t sure that I’d even be able to aim properly. 

“Hey Nyx, I think I might need medical attention,” I muttered as I floated gently towards the ocean floor. “I’m not feeling so good.”

I’m not surprise, you experienced extreme trauma. Again. I could go over all the different medical utilities you’d need to just survive, I suspect you’d just tell me that you don’t care about the details, and to deliver whatever you need in a single package. Nyx said

“Please and thank you,” I muttered. “Before I pass out from the pain, if possible.”

Don’t worry, I can apply it for you. Your armour has been so thoroughly shredded that there are plenty of places that I can attach the auto injectors. You’ll probably need surgery to remove the spine embedded in your side though.

“As long as I can do it later,” I replied tiredly, before gently landing back first on the ground.

“Holy shit Evelyn, are you okay?” Sharron asked as she ran over. “You look like a mess.”I turned towards her and smiled, not that she could see it through my helmet. “I’ll be fine after a quick cocktail full of esoteric super drugs,” I said. “Instead of worrying about me, you should finish off that fucking thing before something happens. It’d suck if I nearly died, again, for nothing.”

“You sure you’ll be okay?” Sharron asked again.

“I”m better than okay,” I replied stupidly. “I’m victorious!”She just stared at me for a second, before turning towards our crippled foe. “That might have been the worst one liner you’ve ever delivered,” she sighed.

“Yeah, but I survived, so I’ll have plenty of other chances to deliver even worse ones later,” I said. “So look forward to that.”She sighed. “I guess there’s a downside to everything,” she said. “Now heal yourself up before something happens.”I just smiled stupidly. “Okay!”