[i] Amazing.. [/i]

That was the only thing that was going through Grak’s mind as he watched the battle. He was led to believe that this would be a massacre when first contact was made. How wrong his mind had been, though. These Projects barbarians may be crude, uncivilized, and dirty, but they were bloody brave little gits, that much was certain. Well, most of them. From Grak’s position near the top of another tower that overlooked the tower being used for target practice by a BESC gunship, he could see everything that was happening perfectly. The throngs of people, filled with panic, fleeing in all directions. The blood crazed warriors, firing their small arms at that impenetrable gunship. But that wasn’t the main thing that Grak was interested in. The militia fighting was but a side show to the true objective of BESC. That’s what Grak was about to find out, anyway.

“Grak,” Raz begin from beside his brother by birth,”Look!” The Tindrel shoved a thin finger in the direction of the tower. Grak subconsciously calculated that he was pointing at the thirtieth floor or so, give or take ten. Grak maneuvered the binoculars he had been handed towards that area, looking for what Raz was pointing at. Raz must have remotely ordered the binoculars to show Grak what he was looking for, because the outline of a BESC enforcer and a man appeared in red.”Kira.” Grak spoke.”Yes, sir?” A female voice came from a metal gauntlet on Grak’s left arm.”Link your systems to these binoculars. Who am I looking at?” Grak asked impatiently.”One moment, please, I’ll check the Extranet.” It only took the mind a moment to find the information Grak was looking for.”Female is Artesa Jou, member of the SRTU. Cannot locate more information without compromising BESC servers, which is impossible from this location. Male is Jack Thegn, wanted by BESC. Further information becomes sketchy beyond that.” Kira spoke quickly and efficiently.”Jack Thegn..” Grak couldn’t help but gasp a little. Jack was one of the most infamous criminals in Babylon. He is the embodiment of success in Babylon’s underbelly. If Grak could somehow get connections with a man like that..

Then there was a massive explosion. Grak watched as the tower shook and began to fall, and could feel the affects, even from the other tower. It was a sight to behold, for sure. But Grak didn’t have time to behold it for long. He had an agenda to fulfill.

Grak handed the binoculars to Raz. He looked down at the device on his arm. Grak lightly tapped the metal surface, and a holographic keyboard appeared, glowing a bright orange. He began to type commands rapidly.”Kira, contact Hoplite Minds one through twenty-five for me.” Raz looked perplexed.”But sir, you told them there weren’t-“ Grak cut Raz off.”I know what I said! I didn’t trust these fools with so many Hoplites. I had the Minds installed in case things went south and I needed these suits. Do you know how hard it is to find a machine that old and restore it?” Grak complained.”Yes, I do. We were getting triple that from these militiamen-“ Grak cut his brother off. Again.”Enough. That question was rhetorical.” A second holographic screen branched out from the original. The screen showed the status of all twenty-five Hoplites.A hand full of the mechs had apparently made their way inside the Projects tower that was the center of the action. Only one was on the same floor as Thegn, and Grak judged that it wouldn’t reach him in time to make contact. So, Grak decided to make sure he’d escape.

”Hoplite fourteen, respond.” It took the mind only a moment to respond.”Yes, sir?” It asked in a deep, monotone voice.”Eliminate your driver and take control.” There was a horrifying screech before the Mind spoke again.”Done.” Grak smiled. Machines were so very loyal.”There’s going to be a laser pointing into the crowd. I want you to move towards it.” Grak commanded, and one of his Chirix brothers painted the location with a laser.”Acknowledged. Laser spotted.” The Mind responded, turning towards around in circles until it spotted the marker.”Fire into that crowd. Maximum casualties.” There was a moment’s pause.”Why?” The Mind asked. Alright, so they’re not perfect, Grak thought.”I need you to get the attention of all those people, especially that BESC officer in the crowd. Avoid killing her, if possible. I don’t need BESC trying to find me. Just get their attention and retreat to the nearest exit on my order. Understood?” Grak was tensed up while he waited for the Mind to respond.”Acknowledged, beginning suppression fire.”

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The old naval mech stomped towards the mass of Projects citizens attacking the BESC officer. It raised its quad-linked heavy machine guns, and opened fire into the masses. To say that things were bloody was the understatement of the century. The Mind, however, was not following its commands to the letter. It was aiming as best it could to hit the legs of the throngs of people. Yes, people would die, the Hoplite knew that. But it couldn’t bring itself to kill them all. Self preservation was the Hoplites top priority, however. The many people who turned their weapons on it were not given mercy. The small arms fire didn’t do much to the heavy armor of the suit, however the integrity wouldn’t hold out forever. The Mind began to wonder if Grak had planned on it being sacrificed.

“This is Grak to Hoplites one through thirteen, fifteen through twenty five. Make your way towards the tracking beacon that has just been activated. Board that ship and await my arrival.”

Yes, it did seem as if that was what Grak had planned. The Mind felt a very organic feeling at that moment. Despair, perhaps. Betrayal. Whatever the feeling was, the Mind pushed it aside. If it was to be terminated, then it would be terminated doing its job.

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Grak and his five brothers began the move towards the pick up point. Grak had arranged for the Mind of his ship, The Relentless, to pick them up at a gantry not too far from Grak’s position. The Relentless would then move to the tower that was falling and pick up the Hoplites that had foolishly been guided there.”Oh.” Grak said as they jogged.”I almost forgot.” Grak activated the hologram again.”All Hoplites, eliminate your drivers. Drop the corpses off too, If you can.”