Valeria grinned before taking a sip of her coffee. Adrenalin junkies were always after the next big adventure or event that would give them the rush they needed. She was the same way in a cockpit and she missed it dearly. Her boss had promised to get her into the simulator next week to see how her reaction time was now that the prosthetic had completely healed. First, she had to handle this mess.
“Alright. There is a small ammo lab in the next district over that houses a depot in the back. Apparently that depot is a research and development section in disguise.” She said while picking up her tactical vest from next to the couch.
Unclasping the bandolier from the back she dropped the plate carrier to the floor with a thud and removed the belt of shells for her pistol. Her pistol’s holster already carried twelve rounds, but the added belt which she fed around her waist carried another twenty-four.
“If anyone asks, you’re a mercenary working for the Pilot’s Union.” Valeria said, removing an ID card from her bra and handing it to her gung ho comrade.
“Don’t ask me how, but they forged your credentials. Even if the city guard swipes that ID you’ll show up.”
Corvus nodded and slid the piece of plastic into one of many pockets on his vest.
“Lead the way. You know this city better than me.” He said, checking his rifle as Valeria did her pistol.
“C’mon boy.” Markham said, whistling once.
Feron bounded from his position on the couch and to the door. The mechanical dire wolf which stood at waist level to Valeria exited first, followed by Corvus. Valeria swiped her keycard as the door shut and the lock blinked red twice. As her apartment door shut it metal rods snapped into place and it was secured.
***
It had been a trap. Upon arriving at laboratory, Valeria and Corvus had come under fire by hired hitmen wearing Pilots Union colors. They were currently behind a dumpster with one of the lackeys Feron had managed to grab and drag over. His razor-sharp teeth and mechanic jaws bit down surgical precision as Corvus opened fire with his assault fire, suppressing the bandits into their own cover.
Valeria could hear the bone start to break in the bandit’s arm as she cocked the hammer on her pistol and placed it to her forehead.
“Name of your employer or you’ll end up with a fancy arm like mine.” Markham asked.
The woman at her feet spit at the dog who increased the pressure of his grip minutely, making her scream in pain as the bone was slowly crushed.
“Don’t make me ask again.” The redhead pilot said.
“Go to hell, bitch!”
Valeria didn’t even have a choice in the matter. Feron clamped down and shattered the bone and severed her arm. With a sigh she pulled the trigger and splattered the woman’s brains all over the grimy brick wall.
“Well this is just wonderful. Feron says the City Guard has been called in response to gunfire. We need to get out of here.”
Barking twice to his master, Valeria spun around and cocked her pistol. As two thugs came around through the alley behind them she fired twice, fanning the hammer to squeeze off two rounds in rapid succession.
“They’re pushing for us, Corv-“
Her sentence stopped as a stray round pinged off a nearby rusted hover car and dug its way into the woman’s chest. The mercenary ejected a magazine from his rifle as sirens from the patrol ships echoed in the distance.
“Go.” Valeria said, huddling behind the dumpster, blood running down her mouth. “Feron managed to remotely hack the plans. Go turn them in. I’ll deal with the guard. You’re too new. He’ll guide you to safety.”
Corvus took the bloody device from the woman, who was desperately trying to prop herself up against the wall. Her pistol had fallen between her legs, her human hand covering the wound in her chest.
“GO!”
Feron barked and nudged Oleth to run before taking off down a nearby alley way. The mercenary took off after the dire wolf, looking back only once. The City Guard arrived, immediately opening fire on the Guild Personnel who had stayed in the area.
“We have wounded!” One of the guards yelled.
“Get a medevac unit inbound. Corporal, can you keep her alive?” The Sergeant asked.
“I can certainly try.”
“Name—Valeria von Markham. Union Pilot. Been on leave for over a year due to physical injury.” The Sergeant said aloud.
Fresh blood ran down Markham’s chin as the Kingdom guard applied fresh pressure to her wound. Her vision began to fade.
“Stay with me, darling.” The corporal said.
“Stay with me!”
Everything went black.
801 Words - Corvus has what he thinks are the plans - Valeria will be taken to the hospital under Kingdom guard. You two are free to continue.
The City Guard on Cevanti are similar to Minority Report's police--