An Atlantean soldier hastily led the way, and the two young heroes trailed behind him. Viktor wasn't sure what he'd expect, but he was sure many of his normal arsenal of weapons would prove ineffective underwater.
“Brightheart, whatever happens. Maintain communication with me.” Aleen’a was feeling a bit nervous. Not only was she fighting in unfamiliar territory, but she also had to limit her energy reserves or else jeopardize her health in the process. She wasn’t sure if Atlanteans had access to ultraviolet radiation given that they’re so deep down in the ocean but as for right now, she needed to focus on the task at hand.
“Y-Yes. Of course.” She managed to say to Viktor. She still didn’t know how to properly talk with him after what he had just done to the squid a while ago. Granted that she was trained by one of the most skilled warrior races in the galaxy, that didn’t mean they would use it to kill anything that came their way.
It wasn't long until the three arrived at the salt processing plant where many civilians were seen fleeing as shots from Atlantean weaponry rang out from deeper within the plant. The Atlantean soldier swimming ahead was shot as he exited a corridor that led to where the Deluge agents were held up. The soldier recoiled back and away from the barrage of weapon fire.
“Damn it! We can't get through!” “Your sidearm. Give it to me.” Viktor immediately requested. He was handed the pistol-like weapon that appeared conventional enough for him to utilize.
“We charge in. All three of us at once. We will be shot at, but we just need to get past that entrance. It's a choke point. Once we get through, move from the center to whatever cover is available. Ready?” Viktor looked at Aleen'a with confidence.
Aleen'a looked at the soldier and then at Viktor. She picked up a spear-like weapon nearby that was probably dropped by someone who once guarded the location. She then nodded at Viktor, waiting for him to make the signal so they could strike.
“Just a moment! I will be front and center. My armor is durable enough to take a few shots from their weapons. As you suggested, we'll split up upon entry. You two take the right.” Viktor gave a nod.
“Well, let's not keep the filth waiting!” The soldier swam forward with the young heroes following behind. The soldier laid down suppressive fire as he entered with Viktor following suit by firing with his own weapon. It was enough to make most of the terrorists duck and move to cover.
As planned, Viktor and Aleen'a swam right until they reached a large support beam. It was thick enough to shield them from any more ranged attacks, but they would have to advance on the Deluge agents as soon as possible. At the moment the agents fired pop shots to startle their foes. Over on the left side of the room, the Atlantean soldier could be heard grunting.
“Gaagh!” The soldier was holding onto the torso section of his armor where he appeared to have been hit.
I took a few too many. My communications equipment is busted too, so no calling in for backup now… I can't move, but I can still fight! He gripped his rifle and popped up for a quick look before ducking back down. Several shots were fired in his direction. Viktor took this as an opportunity to take a peek himself from his own position while the agents focused their fire towards the soldier.
“Explosives.”“Explosives.”There were three explosive charges placed on the main filtration system. The goal of the agents here was clear: destroy the filter and allow spillage that would drastically raise the salt levels in the city. Such an attack would poison thousands nearby. Shots fired in Viktor's direction caused him to return behind the beam.
“Hmm… They have planted explosives. If they're still here, they probably haven't armed them yet.” The sound of shots could be heard from where their ally was positioned. It meant the soldier was firing back.
“Are they trying to kill themselves as well? That’s preposterous!” Aleen'a reacted.
“Terrorist usually aim to inflict as much damage as possible, even at the cost of their own lives. Here's the plan. You swim high and fast towards them so you can engage them with that spear. You will overpower them in close quarters. I'll advance at this level and give you cover fire. I don't think they'll expect you to come out from the higher part of this beam.”“Understood.” She said and nodded. While hiding behind the beam, she gave her spear an experimental twirl. She realized she would move much slower here due to being underwater and that meant she would need to give double her efforts in every move she made. Viktor did say to save her energy just in case but as the great Warlords have told her, a warrior should give everything she's got in every battle she’s in.
“Let's do this.”She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. As she exhaled, she swam up out of the beam and came charging at the enemy while screaming. Just as Viktor said, they didn’t anticipate where Aleen'a would leave cover, especially from so high up. Aleen’a's sudden charge gave her ample time to reach their foes. That and Viktor rounding the corner and firing on the briefly distracted Deluge agents with the sidearm. His first few shots were a bit off, but his goal was to cover Aleen'a enough that she could get in close and break apart the enemy defenses. The soldier took this same moment to fire well-placed shots with his more accurate firearm.
With the agents panicked, Aleen'a struck at some of them, swatting them away with her spear. Another one tried to shoot at her but she quickly evaded to the side and swam towards him, knocking him out with one upwards blow on the chin. She then grabbed the unconscious agent’s foot and threw him at two of his kin who were trying to shoot her, slamming them down to the ground. Upon seeing three agents swimming towards her to try and attack her at close range, she twirled her spear around to adjust her stance and struck at them all at once, knocking them out. Another Deluge agent tried to stop her from using her weapon by catching her in surprise and pinning her spear against her body with his own blaster. The two pushed against each other before Alee headbutted the agent and kicked him so hard, she sent him flying straight towards a cluster of the other agents. She continued to charge at the enemy, hoping Viktor had a plan for the explosives.
And on that very note, the young man had failed to mention what the endgame was for the explosive charges. Viktor would have shared such information with Aleen'a if he actually had it. There was little time to hash out a full plan once the means for the Deluge's attack was identified. The wounded soldier was quite impressed with the two, but he wasn't sure how they would deal with the explosive charges that could very well go off at any given second.
With faith in Aleen'a’s combat prowess, Viktor approached the filtration system. He noticed the charges did not appear to be activated.
“Lucky us. Brightheart the charges aren't act-” An agent pretending to be downed by their assault suddenly sprung up and uppercut Viktor. The force was enough to make him float up a few feet before the agent swam to the center explosive charge and quickly tapped on its display screen.
“We only really need one!” The Deluge agent stated confidently.
Quickly recovering, Viktor wrapped his arms around the Deluge agent and squeezed. The agent attempted to raise his legs to kick off of the filtration system, but Viktor pumped his own legs first to push their bodies upward and remain suspended and elevated in the water.
“Let go of me, surface-dweller!”The Deluge agent fought against his grip. Initially he was hopeful, but the pressure kept increasing as if the young hero was planning to crush him to death. He didn't believe he could utter a sound due to the compression until he felt multiple ribs breaking
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” Viktor released the man from his death grip but the agent was not in the clear just yet. While clutching his own torso with both his arms, the agent felt Viktor grab him by the nape of his neck and swim him down to the front of the activated explosive charge. On the display screen was a flashing red pattern of blinking ticks that vanished every few flashes.
“Disarm it.” Viktor demanded. The agent just remained keeled over hugging his torso. Viktor stared blankly at the at the ominous blinking screen before his face formed into a slight scowl.
“Death doesn't motivate everyone. I assess you lack fear of it.” Viktor turned his body and kneed the agent in the side.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!”“However, pain is different. Disarm it.” He repeated in his same monotone voice. The agent was whimpering but that mattered not while the explosive charge continued to flash.
“Again?””Raah!” Aleen’a shouted in defiance as she struck at two agents and knocked them unconscious. Once she saw they managed to defeat the rest of them, that’s when she noticed Viktor with the one agent he took to deactivate the explosives. She wanted to swim to them but she grunted in pain. The adrenaline gradually died down from Aleen'a's system and she could now feel her body hurting from taking hits due to fighting so many enemies at once.
On Viktor's end, there was no reply from the Deluge agent as he attempted to hold out. This time Viktor punched the agent's side. The this stike was far more acute.
“AAAAAAAAAAAAAH!” The agent screamedd in pain as he lurched and let his legs give out. Unfortunately for him, Viktor easily supported his dead weight.
“I don't have time for pause. Again?” Viktor asked once more.
Another pau-“No… forget this! I don't want it anymore!” The Deluge agent was moved closer to the device where he used his trembling right hand to disarm the explosive.
Despite the pain Aleen'a felt, she fought through the pain and exhaustion to swim towards her teammate. Aleen'a breathed a sigh of relief. They'd done it. Defending the salt processing plant was a success on her and Viktor’s part, and Aleen'a could only hope the others were well and alright too.
Viktor met her gaze before visually scanning her form. Despite achieving success against several foes, Viktor could tell Aleen'a had pushed herself to the limit. The wounded soldier was clumsily swimming over to the pair while pressing a hand where he had received his armor had been compromised.
“Good work… from all of us.” The soldier watched as Viktor placed himself underneath one of Aleen'a's arms so she didn't have to expend any more energy on the swim back.
“Agreed.” Viktor nodded before looking toward Aleen'a to address her directly.
“Good work.” He echoed to let his partner that despite the state she was in, she had done well in his eyes.
In minutes, additional Atlantean security forces entered the plant due to the loss of communication from the injured soldier. Once the Deluge agents were apprehended and the salt processing plant was secured by Atlantean forces, Viktor and Aleen'a took their leave to rendezvous back with the rest of the team.
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