#survival log

Well, turns oit there's a whole webcomic with that premose on webtoons called Survival Log

Havent read it yet, but delighted someone out there had the vision to make something i only shitposted about lmao

What had felt like a silent eternity had only been a short 30 seconds. Wick had turned to again see the damage Selene had beautifully inflicted on Sleen.

His head was slumped back, a squelching cracking couplled with the clicking of his neck vertebra had sent chills down Wick's spine. Something he hadn't felt in years since coming to Earth.

"y00010101-u th-111100101nk....that w-1010110101ll...st-01010101p.....", as his head lowered down, the open wound had healed with the skin tones of the guards he had killed, replacing his once beady drown eye with a pale blue one from one of his unwilling victims, "mmMMMMMEEEAAAAARRRRRAAHHHH!", he fury was now boundless.

Tightening his grip on his combat knife, he knew this would be a death worth fighting for. "You! El Nino right?!". He called out to Alejandro, not knowing his real name.

El Nino was readying himself for a fight, he looked to Wick. "Si?!", he gruffly responded.

"You're unarmed and have no armor. There's a agency heading out this way. I would hate to know they've captured another Astartes. Traitor or not ....You must return to your master....", Wick had noticed Alejandro's willingness to help, assuming the old man who had intended to purchase him was his handler. "I shall finish this myself."

The sound of the helicopters from the foundation had become audible, like the looming moan.

With a nod, Alejandro knew that Wick's observation was reason enough for him to safely return to Señor Mateo. "Adios cuervo....", he bolted to the garage entrance to warn Señor Mateo.

It was just Wick and Sleen now.

His two hearts were steadily beating, he knew this was the moment. He put back his helmet, a dark knight ready to slay the beast that has been plaguing the innocent for years. Now manifested in its full hideous form.

"GANGWAY!", suddenly the scraggled battlecry of Gus had interrupted the blast of a bazooka missile heading straight towards Sleen's chest, blasting a sizable hole of gore and wires.

Although still very much alive, Sleen was now very much in a lot of unimaginable pain.

Wick, nearly feeling like he's just had a heart attack that stopped one of his hearts, turns around to see the rest of the gang. "BILHARD!"

"It would be a failed mission without you.", he sternly replied with a sly grin.

"I say we let the foundation handle that walkin junkyard! Let's make like a tree a leave!", Gus enthusiasticly loads another shot.

Joe, sensing the foundation is already close, "hey uh can your buddy here take the shot? Because we should have been GONE by now.".

Moors giving a fantastic grin, "No worries.", he presses a button on his belt, sending a signal to Tulio in the transport bus.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Staying behind has proven to be a rather interesting decision for Tulio, holding a camera, he records the various people leaving the facility in a haste, including the rich patrons who had been doing some under the table dealings. "Oooooh Señor Governor of Texas, yous 'bout to get famous.", pointing to a set of other of Sleen's patrons. Recording not only evidence of what had been happening but plenty of black mail material. He then notices a familiar vanta black truck. An inconspicuous one that wouldn't have been traced back to anyone...but the Guadalajara cartel. "What the?". His phone begins to ring, picking it up, he can tell it was from a 'Tio 'Teo', "si?", he answers the call.

"~Ah, buenas noches pollito. I would suggest you leave as soon as possible. I can imagine your mama would be very upset with me if you are taken away forever.", a grandfatherly voice emanated from the phone.

"What the? Tio?! What are y-", the call abruptly ended. As Tulio contemplated this warning, he had noticed that there had been helicopters and trucks heading this way, one of which was dangerously close to the bus. Thinking fast, he sent a distress signal to Moors via labeled button on the dashboard. Clicking it had activated a rather strange means of cloaking. The entire vehicle itself had crudely cloaked itself as a mock-up of the same transport vehicles as the facility and question. ".....Moors you have to be fucking with me ...."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

With the gnashing of scrap metal and rising of slithering cables now moistened with the blood of what likely was 20 security guards. Sleen attempts to crawl towards the others. He lets out a long mechanical hiss, ladened with an industrial chemical smell, not too dissimilar to diesel. "W1111CK!!!! 111'M C0000101M1111IN6 T000 666R1100100101N41010101". What was ever left of Sleen, had be silenced, now only leaving behind a mechanical fury.

The gang were locked and loaded, ready to take their shots, if only if it were to make for more time of Tulio, "Aaaaany second would be optimal....", Moors groaned impatinatly.

Sleen crawling, leaving long gashes in the pavement of the garage, lunges forward, as if time had stopped......only to repeat the glorious 'divine hand' that had blinded Sleen's eye before, now came in the form an anti-tank missal, bullseye.

It was Tuilo, "HEY!!! THIS TRUCK IS AWESOME, MOORS YOUS A SPARE TRUCK????", filled with the gleeful adrenaline of pressing a big red button that just so happens to launch an admittingly, "pretty cool" rocket.

Moors stood there slightly puzzled, grateful, but puzzled. "Wait a darn minute, I don't recall putting that missile in the truck...", he grumbled a bit to himself as the other quickly scramble on to the truck.

Gus nudged his shoulder, "aw shucks, you 'meber that time back at Tulsa? Lets just say 'dem fed boys won't miss a genuine Class A, United States produced Anti-Tank missile.", he grinned.

Moors paused for a few seconds, "Oh the one with those pair of twins? You better be calling them occasionally, I distinctly remember one of them fancied you.".

"Y'ah mean Gwenny? Oh sweet gal passed a bit ago sadly, her sister Jennet doesn't seem to mind", Gus over the years has had a few moments that most men would be jealous of. If their charm consisted of being one of the most resourceful preppers and alien experts.

"LETS MOVE IT FOLKS, MISSION ACCOMPLISH IF WE GET OUT OF HERE NOW!", Bilhard waved for the others. Like a trained team, all members of this reluctant rescue mission got into the truck safely, packed in like sardines but better in the truck than running on foot. Moors headed to the driver's seat, "pardon me", as Tulio made space for him, moving to the passenger's seat.

The truck revved it's engine, burning rubber as it speeds up from the underground garage and into the Nevada desert. Nearly scraping two of the facility's containment units and a few members.

"STOP RIGHT THERE IN THE NAME OF THE SC-", just before facility guard could finish, a loud roar admitted from the garage again, Sleen was down but not out. Suddenly, priority had shifted the more immediate threat. "ALL UNITS TO GARAGE, AN ANAMOLOUS ENTITY HAS BEEN SPOTTED!", calling on the radio.

The truck was now father away from the site, seemingly out of reach. Wick looks to the camera system, looking throughout the horizon for Selene's headlights....she has escaped....but now she and Wick were separated...."....Au revoir, mon clair de lune."...he slumped down in his seat, not excused but deeply heartbroken, with the hope they will meet again. He looks to Bilhard, almost like a child who had been picked up by his parent's from school for causing trouble.

Bilhard's expression hadn't changed from the stern he has had the time being. "It is good to have you back safely, but you have a lot to answer for Wick. Insubordination, risking the existence of Fort Dorn, embarrassing the Imperium with perfo-", a light tap on his shoulder had just about paused his grilling.

"Give the boy a rest, he's learn his lesson." interrupted by Sten, who could see the stakes for Wick were particular.

Giving the situation some thought, Wick had recklessly acted out of something most Astartes struggle to obtain in its most sincere form....it is not part of the codex, but it is part of something that had been buried in many of them....before their changes.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back at the Los Vegas strip, a lone Alpha Legionnaire waits nonchalantly for someone to finish their call. As a distraught business man hangs up his phone, sweating at the thousands of dollars he had lost in the night's game and passing by him as if the nearly 7ft tall marine was invisible, the marine gently squeezes himself in the cramped booth, shuffling through his little bag. Pulling out a $1.25 for the call, waiting for someone to answer the line.

"Hello~? Robertson residence, this is Susan speaking", a friendly coo gracefully cracked through the old booth's reception.

"Hello honey? It's me, Alphie, I am so sorry I didn't get back to you last Thursday (this was 3 nights ago) guys at the office convention got me all tangled up in a fine mess. First, Robert, you know from accounting, had forgotten his medication at the hotel, then that Fredrick convinced us to take a short cut, obviously we wanted to grab a burger out of town and before you can say "gadzooks", we all got in trouble with some roughhousers from the Tap co. operations team from Maryland. What a bunch of rascals. Again my sugar booger I'm so sorry I didn't get back to you.", he assured his wife.

"~Oh sweetiepoo, don't worry I understand. You go on such long business trips take such a long time. I am just happy your safe. Oh by the way, Billy has a soccer game this Saturday, and Milly has that science fair project she's still working on, I'm helping her out but I can't for the life of me remember where I put that darn drill.", Susan replied.

"Oh I believe its in the garage, my toolbox should next to the tool cabinet, anyway, I heading on the first flight home in the morning pumpkin, tell the kids daddy's coming home.", 'Alphie" joyfully responded.

"Oh that's wonder dear, have a great flight sweetie~kisses.", as his wife hangs up the call, a sigh of relief hisses from his lips. "oh thank the throne, I get to go home. Better pick up a gift or two for the kids. Oh almost forgot, thank goodness they didn't take this", taking out a large golden wedding band and placing back on his finger, he strolls back to one of the casinos to pack up for the trip back home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back at Gus's hideout, the marines get situated with their gear. Some preparing to say their goodbyes.

Wick giving Tulio a gentle handshake, "It has been a pleasure getting to know you and the others back at the casino. I'm certain they will find worthy enough replacements for me and Selene.".

"N'ah its ok amigo, besides, I am pretty sure the casino is already making some changes to the performance roster as we speak. And don't worry about Selene, I'll see if I can recontact her and you two will be in Paris in no time.", Tulio assured Wick.

"Now that your little tantrum is over Wick. You will return back to base, where you will have debrief with Aldercon. I am certain he would like to have a long conversation about your.....behavior.", getting back to business was something Bilhard had a near artistic talent for. He hadn't forgotten why they had come to Los Vegas to begin with. Wick, was more than prepared for his dressing down.

"Oh all right, its not like as if 'grilling' is going to solve anything.", Wick smugly replied.

Cahrilo quickly interjected as he had finished loading the bus with the rest of some items, "Oh, you mean the 'Hot Box'? Nope, we fixed that weeks ago, it's working up to 200 degrees now.".

The solemn realization that the dressing down he had hoped for is starting to sound like as if he was going to be dressed down like a Sanguinalia Day goose. ".....goodie.....".

Sten and Toke had just finished loading the truck, Cahrilo was checking on any new issues before heading down the road, Moors and Gus were having their own personal discussion a little aways from the bus, clearly it is a bit tense and quite. As for Joe, he was gathering some items Gus let him have; Clothes, important extraterrestrial meteorites (funky looking rocks) and a book written by his favorite science fiction writer Juelz Vern. He seemed a bit lost, not even sure what to do.

"Joe, are you ready to leave with us?", Sten asked him from the bus.

Joe was theoretically free for now, "....um...how well hidden is this place?", he asked with feigned curiosity.

"Outside from the world's most out of place concrete wall, its non too out of the ordinary from an abandoned military facility...", Toke peaks from the back of the bus.

Contemplating this, he nods his head, "Ok then, I guess I coming along."

Later as the bus heads up to the surface and prepares to drive off, Gus has a few parting words of wisdom for the squad.

"Gentlemen! It has been an honor to have y'all by my side in a intergalactic shootout in Vegas! Moors, have a safe drive, and remember, THE LONG ROAD TO THE STARS WILL ALWAYS GUIDE Y'ALL!", shouting with joy and enthusiasm, he takes out a kazoo to give the team a send off, playing the X-Files theme. Tulio, reluctantly standing next to him, wondering if Gus will give him a ride back to town.

The team waves Gus goodbye, Moors remorsefully having to respect Gus's wishes to stay in Nevada. "Gus, please be breathing next time I get you.", whispers like a prayer under his breath.

Joe, Wick, Toke and Sten had watched Gus from the back monitor as his continued playing until the sounds of a plastic kazoo faded quickly. "Quirky fellow ain't he?", Joe loudly thought.

"Yep", Toke dryly commented back, "Well, mission accomplished, I wonder how the lass and lad are doin?"

Sten, relieved that the mission had been finished within the week, he couldn't help but feel there was still something waiting for them back in Pine Hills. "Toke, remind me to brief with Fjord on what we had witnessed, if these humans have been using Astartes in such ways.....perhaps Aldercon may have some insight on it."

A somewhat gentle yawn aminated from Cahrilo, "I have to say that wasn't as bad as I imagined, but this is surly something for us to keep tabs on, right Bilhard?", nudging him in the shoulder.

Bilhard, stoic as usual, had nodded in agreement. "Yes. This mission has highlighted a concern of a few others back at base.....what is happening away from our sight....if others are in the same situation...the foundation's unexpected entrance was too close for my comfort...someone must have alerted them....but how...", his thoughts were racing, already attempting to put the pieces together. How did this underground gladiatorial ring go wrong in all the right ways for them? Who contacted the foundation.....he glanced at Joe...who never mentioned which chapter was he from. There had been cases in the past that corrupted marines looked identical to uncorrupted ones....was Joe one of them? If so, why hasn't he strike yet? If not...why keep it a secert?

A peaceful silence had creeped with the bus. Everyone deflating from the insanity of the past two nights.

Suddenly a little hiss of a sigh slide out from Joe's lips, "....I wonder what's playing on the radio...", he looks to Cahrilo who was next to a radio, turning it on to the local news.

"This is Maggie Hines with Los Vegas's 108.6 VOICE OF VEGAS live at the Paris Casino, with the recent disappearance of the two leading roles of headline performance, now canceled until further notice, we're here live with a ugh Mr. Green? Was that right?

"Oi dats korrect Miss Maggie, i, Gazzlegotz Green, will be replac'n Mr. Sleen, 'oo i 'ad no involvement ‘n his kurrent…ugh 'displosalment' so ta speak. I shall be headlin'n a new produktion, i kalled it "Gork an’ Mork on ice: Da Thrillsation uv da WAAARRRRRGGGG. It will be a musical performance start'n some bill'n performaz ya see. It will have passion, drama an’ most importantly, a propa an’ meaningful message.", an unfortunally familar voice had graveled its way into the once peaceful silence

"Wow that sounds epic! I can't wait to see it, ladies and gentlemen this sounds like its going to be a blast. Several of the old production's teams has signed a Hollywood contract for their show will be moved later to Anaheim, California later in the year. This has been the latest in 108.5 VOICE OF VEGAS."

*click*

The squad stayed silent.

"WAS THAT A FUCKING OR-", Moors shouted from the driver's seat.

"JUST DRIVE!" all shouting in unison.

End of Log 30

As the fighting continues, Bilhard and Cahrilo were just wrapping up their fight with Pinky, who became bored of fighting two opponents.

"Oh come boys, do SOMETHING interesting!", as he swings tirelessly.

"YOU'RE THE FOOL THATS USING A HAMMER, FIGHT LIKE AN ASTARTES YOU COWARD!", Cahrilo shouted attempting a side sweep.

The crowd was going wild, oblivious to the events occuring outside of the area. As for Sleen's patrons, they had begun to suspect that their host has been gone for far too long.

Señor Mateo had become worried, he had not seen Alejandro for sometime, and he had not appeared in the ring fighting the other 'steers'. ".......Jose, come here.", he motioned to his translator to come closer.

Across the room, another set of watchful eyes are observing the unease. "....oi, lades. Me finks we shood be leavins.", Mr. Green thoughtfully warns his escorts. Both of them mischievously smile, in a few seconds Mr.Green's entourage leave quickly.

Seeing Mr.Green leave, confirms Mateo's concerns. "Donde estas Alejandro.....", he whispers listlessly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As the duo storm through, looking for the others, Moors attempts to track the group's missing gear. "Come on now....it's got to be hear somewhere.", Moors grumbling to himself.

"Say Moors, ain't dat one of ours?", Gus, who has strapped himself on to the side of Moors' terminator armor, points to a seemingly normal marine with iridescent teal colored bits of armor. The marine was looking around, frantically looking like he was looking for a place to hide.

With a confused tilt to his head, Moors was surprised to actually see an Alpha Legion Marine in the flesh. "Well well, ain't that something......you can even find them here...filthy traitors.....", preparing his drill, Moors stomps in the direction of the Alpha Legion Marine.

Gus looks to Moors' helmet with a side glance, shrugs, "hmm, guess not.", cocking his pistol just in case.

The Alpha Legion Marine was looking back and forth, suddenly stopped a blank wall. From a distance, Moors and Gus could see he was hitting the wall...as if he was finding a hollow spot. Stepping back, ready for a running start, he roundhouses the false wall. Landing with a heavy thud, looking up at his handy work and celebrates by raising his arms up.

The childish scene was awkward from Moors' and Gus's perspective.

Getting up and leaping into the hole, Moors conspicuously follows him, peering into the hole, the duo could see that somehow that marine FOUND the room that kept every marine's gear and equipment. Including their own.

Eeriely organized, the room looked like a lab, many of the pieces of armor that had been stripped from other Astartes were mounted on a wall. There weren't many, but many too much. The weapons had been laid out based on size. Personal items had been kept on boxes, hastily recorded with sharpy and a rough description of their previous owners.

The alpha legion marine was rummaging throughout looking for something. Watching him intently as it almost seemed as if he was ignoring the large yellow colored Terminator suited marine with a scraggly old many just hanging from his back. Gleefully, he takes out what looked like a leather satchel, walks to the wall where the pauldrons were mounted, thought about his choices.... nodding disapprovingly.....turns around to see Moors and Gus.

".........", he silently he stared at the both of them, he slowly walked away, trying not to acknowledge them, simply walking away with his satchel. Leaving the both of them in the room.

"Good gravy with biscuits, what do you suppose was that all about?", Gus looked at Moors. As for Moors, he strangely didn't have the heart to attack him for some reason. As if he wasn't a true threat...at least for now.

Looking around the storage room, Moors could pinpoint where their gear had been placed, still in tact. "Good, we have the stuff, let's warn the others.", Moors turned to Gus.

Another beep came from Gus's equipment, "Ooooowwei, we better getta upon outta here cus they comin in FAST!".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back at the garage, Sleen had been determined to hold on to the sports car.

Resorting to using his combat knife, Wick strikes the hydrologic wiring connecting the various parts of Sleen's mechanical arm, but nothing was was working, for every cut place and new set of mechanical augmentations grew over.

Likely because of Sleen's injuries, the augmentations kept healing over and over the body until had grown over cancerously.

Alejandro was pulling with all his might,ll through Sleen off balance. Only managing to mangle his arm to the point it is loosely attached.

The loud screeching of Sleen's decimated voice box eoch loudly throughout the facility.

Altering nearly every member of security, the roar could even be hear from the arena.

The rest of the gang almost stopped mid fight from the reverberation of the roars.

Everyone had stood silent.

This was the final straw for Mateo. It was clear that something was genuinely wrong. He stood up, and looked for an emergency fire alarm. Walked up, pulled it, and signaled the rest of his gang to make a quick getaway.

The other patrons were scrambling, they had no idea what was going on.

The sprinkler system went off, as the crowd leaves hastily, an emergency message does of:

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM HAS BEEN ACTIVATED. PLEASE MAKE YOUR WAY SAFELY TO THE DESIGNATED EMERGENCY EXITS." The automated message blared out, a lighting system had gone off to alert the audience where to safely leave.

The rest of the Marines had noticed even the locked sliding doors were now open.

"Come on lads! We have to find Moors!", Sten alerted the others. While they finished off the rest of their opponents.

"Hey what about that slimy traitor with tattooed arms?", Joe asked worried, the traitor in question was the Alpha Legionare who had slipped away from the fight as the chaos marines had decided to stay.

"Forget about him, we will seek him later!", Toke landed a final blow.

The arena had begun to fill up with water, the fight between Bilhard, Cahrilo and Pinky had abruptly ended.

"Oh poo! This RUINING my visage!", he frustratingly flipped whatever was left of his messy, greasy hair. He propped his hammer head down, climbed on the handle, jumped off and waved. "Chao you corpse emperor losers!", making a rude gesture with his fingers and running off.

Bilhard and Cahrilo do their best to jump out of the quickly flooding arena. Narrowly escaping.

They caught up with the rest to look for Moors and Wick.

Running down the hall, they could see that the security guards were running in a much more different direction.

"what in the-", Toke exclaimed quietly but as he did he ran straight into the cold, hard chest plate of Moors' terminator armor. Falling back and landing on his back, he was out for the count.

As the others could see Toke on the floor and looked up at the Terminator Armor with Gus hanging from the back.

"Oh howdy do! Sorry 'bout cha friend. Hehe", he chuckled.

Bilhard somehow mastered a smile on his heavily bruised face, "It's about time! Have you retrieves the gear?".

Moors lifts the bags he's gotten plus items that hadn't been collected by the other chaos marins. "I also took a few extras, also we need to hightail it out of here. That facility we've been borrowing from is coming here too."

Joe clicked his teeth, "Fuck, they're always around aren't they". More or less feeling inconvenienced than genuinely worried.

"Where's Wick, shouldn't be be with you?" As Cahrilo asked, another roar emanated from the floor above them.

Sten looked at Joe, "Are there OTHER obstacles we should be concerned with? That sounded dangerously close to a Hellbrute.".

Joe thought about that, "no...but only one way to find out. The sound is coming from the garage area just about this floor."

Bilhard shaking his head in agreement, "Well then, let's get a move on!", he picks up Toke, "Lead the Moors, we're bare here.".

A voxed chuckle comes out of the helmet, "not completely bare!". He shows that in the extra bags there were extra weapons, whether being from previous Marines or not. "How's about we get Wick and get out?"

~~~~~~~~~~~

The battle of the car garage has ramped up, Wick and Alejandro have been trying to loosen Sleen's grip on the car. The security guards had a new dilemma; shoot the 'steers' or shoot their own monstrous boss.

Tearing and hacking away at Sleen's vice-like grip, Wick and Alejandro hadn't been a successful.

"It's no use! She'll have to get out of the car!", Alejandro strained to pry open the mechanical claw.

Wick attempted help him, with both lifting loosen the death grip.

Sleen ironically was not too focused on them anymore, for now the security guards have taken a judgement call to begin shooting at Sleen. With everything flying bullet failing to hit him where it would make any difference. "YOU FOOLS CAN'T STOP ME ANYMORE, LOSERS!", with the nub of his dismembered mechanical arm, the wires had begun to heal over and bridge the separated parts. The wires nearest a set of guards attack them, attaching to their limbs and pulling them towards Sleen. Their flesh being torn piece by piece as they're forcibly assimilated into the mess of flesh and metal.

Selene had tried to pull the car away from Sleen but it was no use. "WICK! Where are the other keys?!", she shouted, practically reading both of their minds.

He quickly looked to keys that had been left in his hands, he could see the fob of another one of the speedier sports cars. "El Nino! Do you see another one of these vehicles!?".

Alejandro peaked over the claw, none behind Sleen, "No!", he glanced over and saw one just a few cars away. "There! Head to that side of the garage!". He attempted to rip the hydrologic tubing attached to the fingers of the claws, one was about to detach the claw from the car.

Wick had taken Selene quickly from the car, heading to one and only getaway car.

Looking over, he could see his prey escaping, no longer capable of being reasoned with, he sluggishly lubbers towards them, now incumbered by his sheer mass. Alejandro notices his movements, "RUN CUERVO!", he is able to tear off a chunk of the car, throwing it at Sleen's hunched over head.

Another terrible roar reverberated throughout.

Wick quickly found the car, "Head out as fast as you can! Don't look back mi amor.", the saddened echo in his voice was hard to miss. Selene had given one last kiss, turning on the car, the engine roared loudly.

Sleen turned to see that Selene was getting away, reaching out again to pin the car down.

From the rearview mirror, Selene could see the claw coming down, but just that moment as if it was instinct screaming at her, she checked the glove compartment and found a gun. Such convenience could be deemed as divine intervention, some would say an unfortunate blessing of the second amendment for this one special moment. Likely, the owner of the car was just careless.

She picked up the gun, the carelessness of the owner had already left the gun loaded, she turned and took her shot. As time slowed down, the bullet had dodged ever signal possible obstacle, like a hand guiding the bullet, so small that it wasn't perceivable. It's target, right into Sleen's uncorrupted eye. As the monstrous criminal turned his head to hear where the shot had come from, he could see the stoic yet satisfied smirk of Selene, who had finally taken her revenge.

Target hit.

Hitting his eye directly through his eye socket, traveling through the brain and right out the back. He stops as if someone had pulled his plug.

Wick, marveling at the marksmanship, turns to see that her car had ready gone. He could take a deep breath knowing she was heading to safety.

Victory was something she would have never imagined feeling in her life, but the bitter weight of leaving Wick behind had quickly soured the moment. What was supposed to be a smile had pulled down, she had no idea of Wick was going to be able to escape and find her. Through the rearview mirror, she could see the facility in the distance, but she could see helicopters coming in from the distance. "oh mon dieu, s'il te plaît, sors de là mon amour.", she uttered to herself. Wick knew she was safe, but was he and the others ready to escape?

End of log 29

The five, unfortunate, and reluctant Astartes...armored with nothing but their fists and civilian clothing....were now in the middle of a mini coliseum.

"....so....this is it. This...is what these mortal value us as....", Bilhard growled.

An enormous TV screen slowly descends from the high ceiling.

As the lights flicker on, Sleen shows up on the feed. "GOOD EVENING FREAKS! I see you've finally made it! Let's check out your competition! Shall we?"

A large door elevates to the several chaos marines that were originally being held. Although most of them have removed what they could of their armor, some were now equipped with makeshift weaponry. Truly something post apocalyptic in aesthetic nature.

In the middle, there was only one who had worn the bare minimum of protection, wearing a traditional luchador outfit, with reds, blues and whites adorning the mask...was El Nino.

Towering over most of the other Marines, something unusual for a first born marine.

He stood out from the team, raised his handa up, and the crowd cheered. He roared as if he's already won. He looks at the group, with a menacing glare.

Something was different about this Khornate fighter. His bravado had substance, his stance had a purpose....he was lucid.

"Damas y Caballeros! Tonight! You all about watch the bloodiest show on earth!", as he boomed his voice to the mysterious crowd of dubious patrons, he than points to Bilhard.

"And you! 'Toro'! Are about to feel my fists! For I EL NINO, shall bestow the THUNDER!", he then proceeds to flex, posing for the crowd. As he turned around to make sure everyone had a fantastic view of his rippling muscles, a conspicuous set of markings could be seen on his back.... healed markings that once formed the sigil of Khorn...

Bilhard, who had never met this shocking eccentric chaos marine, was understandably confused. "........what in the..."

Sten looked to Bilhard with a cocked brow, "It is no surprise that it would be a World Eater would be the head participant of this....".

"He's showing too much personality that's for certain.", Joe commented.

"NOW! It would not be fair to have such 'honorable' brawlers UNARMED AND UNARMORED!", As he points to more MadMaxian wears. Armor and weapons flashed from scrap metal, old car parts and broken industrial grade machinery. Unwashed to boot.

"Well ....it is more than what many of our enemies were willing to give I suppose.", Toke mumbled, he looked at El Nino....there was genuinely something off about him..."aye, Sten....do you suppose you could take a peak man? See what's making him tick?".

Sten had closed in on El Nino the second he saw him, ".....he.....is doing all of this on his own...chaos has....left him?"

Through Sten's eyes, the chaos marines in the back were merely a mess of darkness and depravity....El Nino was a void in that mess....not a light, or a dark emptiness....but a blank space amongst them....as if he was his own presences.

As the gang reluctantly head to their "generously" given gear, their mind had become riddled with questions....one had remained the loudest....

"where the fuck was Wick and Moors?", Bilhard grumbled as he grabbed what looked like trashed power fists, likely from another unfortunate victim from battles prior.

Sten seeing what little this terrible gladiatorial battle had to offer, he had a feeling their luck was about to change, "hmm...I sense not too far."

"NOT YOU LOBO! You are fighting in the ring with me!", El Nino growled.

Sten was to fight El Nino the way he wanted to fight him; Honorably through lucha.

~~~~~~~~~~

Outside, a set of guards were peacefully keeping watch. Making sure no law enforcement or border patrol officers would come snooping around.

One guard, a rest position was staring off into the evening desert landscape of Nevada.

The other however, was a little more jumpy. "Hey....dude....Pete...."

Rolling his eyes, "what Kieth?"

"It....it happened again....my cousin-", a loud moan from Pete erupted.

"-for FUCKS sake dude....for the last time there's no such fucking things as aliens.", Pete argued.

"But seriously man! My cousin TOTALLY saw one this time! He was driving his truck out in stretch and saw those running light critters! He almost died bruh!", Keith excitedly shouted.

A deep breath spewed from Pete, "your cousin is a desert hick from Arizona who's favorite candy is fentanyl man, get your cousin some help or something that shit is sad a-", suddenly, the headlights of a truck coming towards them.

Raising thier guns. The truck slowly pulled up to their side.

Two men were sitting seated, both wearing rather unrevealing uniforms.

"ugh, hi..ugh... we're here to deliver 60 cases of Snack Cakes?", the driver was doing their best not too look at the guards in the eye.

The two guards began to inspect the truck, "...we didn't get any notice about a snack truck did we Keith?".

Keith inspected the passenger seat, a potent oder of BO emanated from the open window.

"Howdy do!", it was Gus. The driver, Tulio.

The guard stared at Gus, "...bro....why do you smell like shit?".

"Well I was about to ask you the same question! Only instead of shit, it's 20 volts!", the second the guard was about to call for backup, Gus hits him with a high powered taser to the neck.

"Hey what the-?!?", the second shouted but Tulio had swiftly hit him the chest.

"....GUS WHAT THE SHIT MAN?!", the calm demeanor Tulio had put up quickly shifted.

Gus on the other hand was jittery and giddy like a school kid. "Alrighty! Moors! Wick! Show time!", knocking on the back wall of the truck.

"This isn't part of the plan Gus!", Tulio shouted.

"It is now!", he giggled as he prepared his gear and bullet proof vest. "Here! This will protect you from their mind probes!", Gus handed Tulio a small plastic Grey Alien with a little sharpie marked symbol on the back of its head.

"....gringo loco...", Tulio breathlessly muttered.

A loud crash of metal bending had erupted from the back of the truck. A set of thunderous foots steps crunches the dry, sandy ground.

"Gus...you did it again.", Moors voice emanated from the vox transmission of his terminator armor.

Gus, giving his maniac, ear to ear smile. "Juuuuuust like Topeka....", Gus had been referring to an incident where he and Moors had invaded a previously secret government facility.

Tulio looks at the armored Moors, gives a whistle, and nods in approval, "Nice...hey how come you don't gots a beak like Wick's suit?".

A light chortle vibrates from the vox, "preference I suppose, now....let's get drilling.", Moors turns on the power drill on his suit and directly digs at the base of the entrance.

Looking around for Wick, Tulio looked both in the back and the skies for him, "Ugh, say wheres Wick? Wasn't he in the back of the truck?", he shouted over the loud drilling.

Gus has just finished gearing up, "took the back entrance! We're here to distract!".

"oh shit man...", the response was dry and tired.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sleen, huffing enough cigar smoke to choke a horse, was monitoring the fight below. "Hehehe.... ladies and gentlemen! Our first event will be a one on one fight with "El Toro" and the fan favorite, PINKIE!"

The second his name was announced, the Emperor Children marine, 'Pinkie', had begun to flaunt himself in such vulgar and sentimental ways. Gyrating his hips, having his long tongue feel his face for him and dancing for the crowd as they cheered.

"OOOOoooohhhh! It looks like I am about to get a little 'warm up'~", he hissed seductively at Bilhard. Giggling uncontrollably, "I hope you like 'em HARD and LONG!".

He takes out his favorite weapon, a makeshift hammer with pink and green sprayed painted imagines. Blood having already stained the bright neon coloring for being unwashed. Pinkie swung his hammer around like a baton, demonstrating an unnatural Grace to the depravity of what he was planning to do to Bilhard.

In the meantime, Bilhard, who has not been reluctantly labeled as "El Toro", likely a name that Señor Mateo had given him earlier, was stoic, focused and ready to lay a beating.

Raising both of his fists, slamming them together like a boxer, he was just waiting for an excuse to let what he knew was DECADES of frustration. "YOU WILL THE WRATH OF MY FISTS SOON ENOUGH YOU FILTHY DEMON!".

"Ooohh! A fisting?! Oh I like you already!", Pinkie filtered with him playfully.

"......I believe for the first time in my life am I.... reconsidering my decisions.", Bilhard had just realized what 'fisting' is in the context of earth slang.

Toke, who has firmly armed himself with not one but two smaller hammers, "Too late lad! I see you have never had to deal with Slenessh's grimiest?", speaking from experience, it was a bit of bad luck that he wasn't mathed with Pinkie for this fight. The best way to deal with them, is to defeat them quickly and efficiently.

Two things Bilhard likely knows.

"Hmf, I've dealt with plenty scum like him!", stomping towards Pinkie, ready to fight, Bilhard begins to focus on his strategy against his corrupted opponent.

A referee shortly appears, surprisingly unshaken at the two towering men about to begin this tournament of horrors. "Alrighty! Listen up. Fight hard, fight dirty! The crowd loves it. Oh and Pinkie please don't violate the guy afterwards at least kill him before you rape him ok? It scares off the paying customers.", speaking with such chilling nonchalance.

Pinkie gave a sickening smile, "Oh stahp it! You know much they love an after show!", he licks his lips, just fantasizing what is going to do if he wins.

"Right...have fun boys", running as fast a possible away from both of them.

Without even the courtesy of a bell, Pinkie landed the first hit with his hammer, sending Bilhard off his feet.

Stumbling a little, there was no time to recover as the chaos marine was mercilessly swinging and landing several good hits.

Bilhard, kept his ground and covered his face and head. "YOU COWARDICE-", the heavy concrete of the hammer head landed on his arms and shoulders.

The chaos marines and Pinkie, were cackling.

The other were shocked to see that the fight truly was supposed to be a dirty fight. As they were about step in a make it an even fight, the projector screen with Sleen's face appears.

"ah ah ah, NO TAG TEAM MATCHES ALLOWED.", he presses a button and a silent dog whistle a of sorts chirps throughout the ring.

Every marine, had come to a stand still from the shrill blasting.

The pain was especially brutal for Sten and Toke, their hearing was twice as powerful as the rest of them.

Pinkie on the other hand, didn't seem care, "ew, such an annoying sound....", he genuinely wasn't effected.

Blocking his ears, Bilhard tried to see his opponent who was just unblaikingly glaring at him, waiting for him to stand up.

The noise itself stopped, "Now, let's get the show rolling!", Sleen roared in the speakers.

Right on que, Pinky swung again, however Bilhard had dodged. Weaving way from the next heavy hit, he successfully lands a punch to this opponent's bare pectoral, knocking him off temporarily off his balance.

~~~~~~~~~~~

In a hidden room, Sleen watches from multiple cameras, his patrons now watching from the box seats near the arena. "Hehehe....looks like bird boy isn't coming back after all....too bad....so sad....", he turned around practically growling in delight.

Selene, who was now forced to wear another outfit Sleen had chosen and sadly with few bruises. She sat there silently, fuming with rage a deepened sadness....where was her crow?

Heavy stomps headed to her, Sleen grinned his toothy ugly grin, "Awww what's the-*hack!*-matter?...don't like the pretty dress?", his now clawed finger headed to under her chin.

Her resolve was breaking, for a single tear slid down.

Sleen took this a sign that he was winning his little mental war against Wick..."hehehe... FINALLY...you get the big picture.".

Suddenly, a small beeping had interrupted the scene. "What the?...", he trumpled to the monitors.

His curiosity had turned to fury.

Wick, in full Raven Guard armor, was standing in FRONT of one of the cameras in front of the door.... staring it down as if he knew Sleen was looking.

"ggggrrrrraaaaAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!", he stomped quickly to the door, with his enhanced arm, he decimated the door, but no one was there. "WHERE ARE YOU!!!!! I KNOW ITS YOU!!!!", huffing and heaving, he breathlessly turned around. He slowly walked back, "Looks like I'm gonna have to mo-".

Selene, was gone.

The only thing left, was a black feather.

"-.....no....nnnnnNNNNNOOOOAAAAARARRRHHHHHHHHH FIND THAT SLUT AND HER FREAK! KILL THEM BOTH!", at this point, he was frothing at the mouth, he slammed the monitor system, putting the whole show on autopilot.....

Where things were about to get a lot more.... interesting.

End of Log 27

The scenic route had calmed the tension between Fjord and Ronnie. The two were discussing on Fjord's misadventures with me in town. I was just simply listening quietly, just giving myself time to think a little.

Walking down the thicket, the smell of wet pine needles had resurrected a recent memory of mine...the first time I saw an Astartes....that....horned one. It's been surreal to see how diverse these guys are so far....but it makes me wonder what else I don't know about their lives...maybe something I shouldn't know.

"-and then, she opens the air lock, and BAM the alien gets sent into space! Man, you really ought to watch it like man. It's a classic.", Ronnie had just finished explaining the whole plot to Aliens, Fjord was listening intently.

"Ay, sounds like a brave guardsman, this... Sigourney. Hmmm...", I've always found it interesting that somethings tap into the minds of others as either fiction or real.

This whole experience has been so unreal, ever since that day....why did it comeback to the very same spot? Considering what has been going on, did grampa have anything to do with that horned Astartes?....or was it just a freak encounter....

Fjord raised his head up, sniffing the air a bit, "ah we're here. Almost in the same spot too.", as the three of us emerged from the tree lining, we were more than 'in the same spot ', we somehow ended up right on the same patch of concrete wall where Fjord was hit with those huge guns.

"I see they have yet to patch up the wall...Ha, laziness I suppose....or everyone is dead.", Fjord casually stated.

"Dead?!", Ronnie exclaimed, "W-what do you mean dead?".

Fjord tilted his head to him, "Well for starters lad, Imperial Fists never leave a job undone. Secondly, for the job of an Imperial Fist to go ud-"

Suddenly, a familiar shout echoed from the other side of the wall.

"PASSWORD!"

Fjord knew exactly who that was, and he was going to take his chance, he gave the both of us a mischievous grin. "YOUR MOTHER!", he heartily shouted.

Ronnie just stood there in amazement. "bruh... really?"

I for one was expecting another shoot out, "if anyone takes out a gun, cover your ears."

"wait they're pack heat??", Ronnie snapped his head towards me.

We could hear the scuffled stomping of metal boots, momentary labored huffing and the unfortunate clicking of someone loading a firearm. I look up and see the world's grumpiest looking mask I have ever seen, it practically had a permanent frown. "WRONG PASSWORD YOU SON OF A- ohh it's y-WAIT WHY DO YOU HAVE TWO OF THEM NOW!?!".

"Oh hey, nice to see you again, please don't shoot us again.", I give a friendly wave hoping he recognizes us from last time.

I could see he was looking at all three us, flabbergasted a bit. ".... DOES ALDERCON KNOW YOU'RE HERE!", he shouted back.

I look to Ronnie to see his reaction, he seems to be getting exited about the situation, a bit scared but he's perked up.

"damn, th-thats a huge gun...", he looks to Fjord's utility belt and sees his piece. "Oooooh...what caliber is that?", he sheepishly asks.

Fjord looks to Ronnie, "ugh .75 I believe, some use bigger shots for bigger targets-", he shoots his head to the fist, "-Ugh no he doesn't know! Surprise visit really!", I could tell the unexpected visit was going to cost us.

The guard was pacing back and forth, grumbling to himself, "ALRIGHT! BUT IM ONLY LETTING YOU IN BECAUSE YOU AND YOUR HANDLER HAVE A HOSTAGE!", he then disappears back from the top of the wall, thudding down the stairs.

Ronnie looked at the both of us, "What the? Hostage??? You guys tricked me or something?!"

"No no, let him think that, just don't make any sudden movements, comments or anything. These guys are like the jughead's back at Tallimook? Yeah, think that but way more serious.", all us then turn our heads to a near seamless door appear at the base of the wall.

"Come on. You will be escorted to Aldercon himself.", he turns to somebody out of our line of sight, "Search the new comer.", is the three of us reluctantly walk through the door way, two other Marines, one blue and another yellow one are standing guard with him.

"Well well well, I had heard that there was a handler chosen after all this time, which one is it? The female or the male?", the blue one coldly asked. "Hmf, the female most likely.... considering the Astartes." The yellow sneered, Fjord had mentioned to me that his group of Marines had always been seen in a bad light...it makes me wonder what is the reality of Space wolves in that case.

Fjord understandably gave a low growl, "you'll show respect for my 'handler'.....", I could practically see his hair stand on end.

Ronnie stuck to me like glue, "dang, this is some intense shit. Also why does one of them looks like Big Blue?".

The one with blue snapped his head towards us, "That showboating fool?! An absolute disgrace to the Ultramarines! Instead of seeking the rest of his chapter, he's gallivanting around....the Codex does NOT allow for such a grievous waste of time.", he groned.

"Hey man c'mon, he's saving lives and stoping some serious crimes in Philly. Shits serious down there. At least he's helping.", I guess Ronnie was a fan of Big Blue than.

I turn to Ronnie and whisper, "please this isn't a time to be brave, these guys are the real deal. Like straight from...where ever they're from.", unlike Fjord, I couldn't read these guys for the life of me. Whether it be their helmets or cadence in their tone....these guys were scary.

"How would you appreciate your soldiers in your homewold's army doing the same thing? Would that not be subordination?", doubling down on his opinion.

"Oh come off it! Besides, we need good rapport with the Earth mortals, I'm certain your primarch wouldn't be too upset about it. After all, he is probably enjoying his new found purpose.", the guard retorts. "Now move it.", returning to his gruff demeanor.

Motioning to the both of us, Fjord turns to us and nods, "do not worry, I'm never out numbered.", shining a mischievous grin.

I genuinely felt safer knowing that at least. I turn to Ronnie to see he was looking around cautiously. "Lorey, did ...did you go through here?"

I shake my head, "no, we went over the wall actually. That's what that big hole was."

"Speaking of which lass, you fists forgot that hole in the wall or something? Or were you all finding a nice frame for it?", he chuckled.

The two fists look at each other with shock, I guess from their perspective there was any hole.

As we walk to the other side, we can see that there was a little more activity than last time. More Marines were walking around, just tending to their own chores and such. There was that friendly marine, Sha'kal, monitoring a group of them, it looks like they're doing some military exercises. As we pass by I could see he glaces back, that smile beaming like always and a friendly.

Funny enough, the other Marines saw that, glanced at our direction to see who he was waving at. One stopped as he was jogging, causing a domino effect while the furthest in the back made a sudden stop.

The both of us winced a little, "Oops, sorry!", I had to apologize.

"Hello Lorey, it is a pleasure to see you and Fjord again! Oh and don't worry, they're fine! Right gentlemen?", as he addressed three of them on the ground getting up, groaning from their own pile up.

Ronnie's eyes were wide open, if it was anymore hammed up he'd rubbing his eyes. "Woah...I...ugh...I thought-".

"That they were all in mechanical suits? No you're half right but that's all muscle down there.", personally, I was enjoying the view.

"...yeah....ugh...they're...huge...all of them...", he glanced at Fjord who waved back Sha'kal, he started to put the pieces together. He leans to whisper, "Are these guys like....super mutant government experiments or something?".

The guard fist snaps his head to him, "Watch it mortal! We're angels of the Imperium.".

"...no idea what angles these guys have seen but ok go off.", Ronnie grumbled.

Off into the distance, Aldercon had finally arrived to the surface from another entrance, he was out of his big, bulking yellow armor and into something more akin to a standard military uniform of a high ranking officer.

"Miss.Drake! I see you have breached our agreement in a record time of 70 hours, 20 mins and 48 seconds. Hmf, calculations correct as always.", he didn't seem too angry but that snide comment of his was a good sign he wasn't too pleased. Makes sense.

He marched right up to Ronnie, immediately intimidating him. Looking at him up and down like newly recruited meat. "....Stand up straight, boy! James has relayed quite a lot about you so I expect the best out of you. So far, you have the stance of a slacker, but I can you have guts, a newly acquired chip on your shoulder to boot .... likely grieving for someone's loss, my condolences....., yet James has told me you have the qualifications of a team leader. Good. Now then.....Miss.Drake why have you breach our agreement in keeping our existence safe?". The stoic tone in his voice was giving me the strangest sense of anxiety...than again.

"It seems we may have a... situation on our hands....one of the rangers from my work place was....killed.", I would imagine the next thing was going to happen was some semblance of a report, hopefully I'm not one filing anything.

Ronnie within every word Aldercon commanded he had stood straight like a soldier, at first it was an immediate response in fear until he heard Jame's name. "Wait hol'up you know James?", he looked Aldercon in the eyes, which was considerably a big mistake.

The Ronnie's colors flushed from his face with a shift of Aldercon's eyes. His knees even started to shake a little.

"....Yes....I do know your boss James. Like Miss.Drake, he was my handler when I had first come to your world.", the look on Aldercon's eyes was one of hatred or anything truly malignant, but it was akin to being starred down but a large animal.

I put my hand on his shoulder. "It's ok Ron, he isn't going to do anything. These guys have a ....rather complex life, trust me they're serious for good reason. But they're not going to hurt you. I promise.". The look of worry on Ronnie's face was telling.

Shaking his head a little, Aldercon than turns to Fjord. "Don't you think you're out of my line of sight fuzzball! That stunt of yours with the law enforcement officer could have cost us.".

Fjord gave an awkward smile, he knows what he did. "Hehe... At least I missed?".

"Come, I believe we need to register our.... reluctant new mortal here.... considering he works close with you and James, I believe it would be wise to have.... extra eyes.", he turned around, heading towards the same entrance we had gone in before.

Loosening up a little now that Aldercon wasn't looking at him, Ron let out a heavy sigh of relief. "Bruh, Lorey...how does he know James?! What the hell is a handler? A-and-", he stopped mid sentence and saw the training group from earlier, it seemed that that were now just taking a quick break and tossing around what looked like a huge football, but I could tell it looked HEAVY. I could even hear the impact of the ball hitting there palms from all the way where we were standing.

I turn to see what he was looking at, "aw, they know how to play football."

The wheels in Ronnie's head were definitely turning, "Lore...these are built different... aren't they".

"yeah, they' are....they definitely are....", I responded.

"......why do....we feel like they're....ugh...", Ronnie couldn't find the words to say without them likely sounding insulting.....but it was probably the same thoughts as me.....

~~~~~~~~

Later, heading down into the fort, I could see Ronnie had begun to feel a lot more awe struck rather than worried.

"Daaaang this place is huge! It's like some secret government agent kind of shit.", his head was looking at pretty much all the same things I had been looking at.

The bustling construction on some of the walls have moved on to other parts of the underground fort.

"Now, 'Ronnie', what you see here has no affiliation with any of your planet's government agencies, national administrations or any corporate or political group. We are our own governing body here.", Aldercon concluded stoically.

The tilt of Ronnie's head was hard to miss, "I'm sorry...did you say 'planet', like....y'all from outer space?".

I remembered that Fjord would sparingly allude to them coming from some other world but to actually be confirmed this by Aldercon is definitely a little bit more heavy. "Ugh, can you better explain that actually? I think this is the first time I'm hearing this too.".

His eyes shifted to view both of us individually, like a mounted camera, he let out a heavy yet strangely gentle sigh for a man his girth.

"If you two will make the assumption that we as the Astartes, warriors and guardians of the Imperium are ....as some would understandable consider us...."aliens"....as per the definition of 'someone from a different/foreign land'....you both would be correct... however -", he leans over the both of us, shadowing us like a great wall.... probably comparable to the fort's concrete wall outside.

"-we....are human.....not Xenos....do you understand me?". His stare would burn holes into our brains if he could....

I nodded my head, I look to see Ronnie nodding his head as well....

"Good...now.... about that rouge marine....", he concluded.

End of log 26

The gang had been running through the facility for some time now. Sten taking deep wiffs of the air and order to find Selene.

"She going in a different direction, but I think she has already been apprehended.", Sten huffed as he is leading the way.

"How are you certain that mortal hasn't been killed yet?", Bilhard following close by, "our first priority should be finding the rest of our equipment. We don't want it getting it into the wrong hands".

Joe, who preemptively decided to join them, was in a rather calm mood. "Ah good times, but this is a piece in comparison to the-"

"Joe, you wouldn't happen to know where they keep personally item would you?", Bilhard curtly while interrupting him.

"oh, well unsurprisingly I don't know. However if I had some idea...it will be where there are more guards. Or at least two guarding the door.", his rationalizing wasn't completely out of line.

Suddenly, the wall just around the corner had closed down, blocking the way to that particular hall.

The gang stopped.

"....did ....that wall just appear out of nowhere?", Toke had thought out loud. As the group continued, another hall had closed up.

".....they are leading us....", Bilhard stoically answered. Thinking fast, Bilhard looked for a way to avoid the next possible obstacle. He could see there were several doors, he quickly walked up to one and punched a hole through one of them.

It was a blank wall.

"By the throne! This is a maze of false ends!?", Bilhard shouted.

The others quickly checked the other doors. All false spaces of wall.

"Looks like we're being lead somewhere else....oh no...", Joe exclaimed quietly.

Sten turned to look at him, "What is it?".

"When I was transported here, I was blindfolded, but I could feel that it took a VERY long time to arrive down here.....but it was a straight trip down, then a few turns to the left, a right turn and a left....then I was plopped into my cell.....oh boy ....I think we fucked up the second we left through the guard's door.", Joe muttered to himself.

"What?! Why did you not tell us this before!", Bilhard shouted furiously at him.

"Well because I wanted us to get lost...... OBVIOUSLY I DIDN'T REMEMBER THAT SECOND!", Joe shouted back.

"Enough! There is no time to fight amongst ourselves. The scent is coming from the blocked hallway, if we all attempt to break the wall down, we can pass through.", Sten suggested.

The five Astartes prepare themselves to all simultaneously punch the wall down. With the first blows leaving a small dent.

"hmmm...again!", Sten directed.

Another set of blows began to make some progress, the indentation was getting deeper....but it was not relenting.

"What the hell is this metal?! It's like it keeps stretching forever or something!?", Cahrilo pondered.

As soon as the wall was so close to giving way, the air vents had released three times more of the knockout gas had fumed in.

"LOCK IT UP AND HOLD YOUR BREATHS!", Bilhard commanded.

The Astartes now we're working overtime with limited air, the metal had finally begun to give way. With the final blow leaving a sizable hole as big as Toke's fist, the plumes of gas had flowed out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The facility was on high alert, five Astartes have seemingly escaped and avaided capture to this point.

Sleen, who had been watching the camera footage along with Señor Mateo, and several other mysterious patrons. Was starting to become impatient.

These patrons had come from various origins around the world. All upper elites with dubious dealings and businesses.

Sleen was grooling with frustration, the mechanical augmentations that now have begun to physically hurt him, but not as much as his frustration. "What is with these freaks?!?", he moved around like an angry animal.

Señor Mateo wasn't too unimpressed, he whispered to his translator, not even bothering to give Sleen any semblance of polite interaction.

"Señor Mateo askes if this is part of the show, Sleen..... don't look like it.", as the translator looks to him with a suspicious glare.

Suddenly, a chance to be a complete douch had sprung, "AH! Yes, you can place bets on who gets to be captured first! *Twitch and coughs violently* After all, what's a little preshow before the main event! Now place your bets!", some of the patrons had gave permission to give large sums of money, one.... was saving his pot for later.

"Oi! I bet those krumpin tinmen ar gointo escape! Ha! Ain't dats right ladies?", Mr.Green was amongst the patrons, referring to his two female escorts, who both were very happy to just have such a generous and gentlemenly boss.

"mmhmm, I think your right Mr.Green", one giving him a rub of his shoulders.

"Mr.Green NEVER loses a bet.", one addressed Sleen directly, practically challenging him on Mr.Green's behalf.

Sleen turns violently towards the laid back businessman, who has been looming in the corner. "What...did yo-", suddenly, a muscular hand, grabs what was still left of flesh on Sleen's face.

"OI! Yous respekts my ladies! Miss.Blu and Miss.Yellah getz to doz wuts dey wants!", almost crushing Sleen's head. He finally let's go as a warning.

The others had known about Mr.Green's unnatural luck streak. Everything from investments to just making simple, inconsequential guesses....Mr.Green....somehow could make it happen. Those who had bet against the Astartes were now becoming a little bit unsure of their decisions.

Sleen, practically smelling that he's losing money no thanks to Mr.Green, "ALL BETS ARE FINAL FROM THIS POINT! Let the games... begin!", he turns back to the cameras and sees the gang running down a hall ...one that he had been trying to avoid. "DAMNIT!"

Mr.Green was chortling so hard he nearly fell out of seat. "YUZ BLOCKED DAT WRONG WAY! HHAHAHAHAHA!", his cackling was contagious.

Although all bets were final, it was still interesting to see Sleen become more flummoxed.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Running down the halls, the Astartes head towards what looked like a large, open room....only to find a dead end with on door.

"....well...might as well lads...", Sten turned quietly to Bilhard.

With an affirmative nod, the group casually head towards the door. Turning the nob, the door had lead to the holding cells they were in previously.

"rerraaaaAAAAAAHHHHH!", a loud thunderous scream from Bilhard let out, "RUIN PRIEST WHAT MADNESS IS THIS?!?".

Sten too was mortified, how could his senses lead him a stray.

The sound of a little wheerling motor had erupted the silence.

It was an RC car with a piece of Selene's clothes on it. As the little, inconspicuous toy car zoomed into one of the cells, leading to the still open wall behind the cell.

"....well....looks like we never had a choice....at least this time it was kinda fun.", Joe shook his head in mild disappointment, as if the whole escape hadn't met his expectations.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Astartes were more than royally furious at the whole situation. What level of absurdist intelligence did mortals on Earth have that could have bestest the Emperor's finest?

Apparently, three AAA batteries, a motorized toy car and the knowledge two of five were the equivalent of bloodhounds.

The five enter into the dim, dark hallway of the entrance. They could all begin to hear a large crowd, cheering just beyond the hall, a light was just a bit yonder.

Sten, still feeling the sting of being deceived, was still anticipating the next move. He could sense multiple thoughts and minds just beyond the light.

As the blinding light revealed a sizable crowd of people. It was like a tiny colosseum from their perspective.

"WELCOME TO WRESTLE-TON! Where CARNAGE meets ENTERTAINMENT! Tonight! We have an incredible assortment of fighters!", it was Sleen on the intercom.

The crowd roared, and the others weren't sure how they were going to escape.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Viewing several trucks heading to the underground facility, Moors and Gus were making final adjustments to his power armor. As for Wick and Tulio, both had just come back from the airfield where he had originally left his power suit.

"don't worry man... you'll get fly boy some other time....you ready for this?", Tulio nudged him a little.

Wick was pensive about the plan, he knew if anything would go wrong, it could mean that not only would his fellow Astartes would suffer, but Selene would likely suffer an even worse fate. "yes. Moors, is everything ready?"

Moors chuckled a little as he had modified his armor to fit a set of miniature guns, a spraying gas, an electric disrupter on to his helmet, and a special drill, turning it one with an intense enthusiasm.

"Haha! This will be just like the good ol' times", Moors looked at the drill whirling.

Wick, knowing damn well this isn't going to be close to anything the two of them had experienced, "You are not planning on drilling through someone are you?"

Moors looked at Wick, "Oh no I'm just hoping to make some holes ......"

"right.", Wick shot him a look.

End of log 25

In a dark, makeshift medical room, a doctor had been meticulously constructing a device for mobily assisting a very, impatient patient.

"gGAHA! WOULD BE CAREFU- *COUGH COUGH*", Sleen may have come out of Wick's grip miraculously alive......but not unharmed.

His collar bone, left shoulder, three of his vertebra and his arm had been severely damaged from his last encounter with Wick. Having been crushed and thrown into a metal carrier with the speed of a moving car.

Now, metal extension to his whole body has covered all his extremities, forming a powered exoskeleton over what is usually a stout, unathleticly flaccid body. However, it was now a permanent part of his body, keeping his ribs and spine from collapsing in onto his organs.

"I-I am sorry M-Mr.Sleen, i-its just that this is a relatively new medical device. Or at least n-new to me...", the doctor was attempting to figure out the foreign mechanics of this device, completely unknown to him. "...it's so...so..".

"Alien? Yah. *COUAGK*", a wet, mucusy cough croaked. "Mr.Fe really has some *couack* nice...toys...hehe.... he's outdone himself", he tests out the metal exoskeleton like brace on his shoulder and arm. Moving it with an auditable revving of gears and motorts. "Heheh.", he looked to a metal table next to him.... grabbed it, crushing it in his hands like an empty can. "Hehehe.... haven't felt this good *cough* since that time in LA....hmm....are you doing?", he turned menacingly towards the doctor.

Stuttering in fear, "I-I ugh believe so, but I m-must warn you. All of this...is linked into your brain M-Mr.Sleen....if anything happens, you will severally damage yo-", Sleen leaned close to the doctor's face, growling at him, "...j-just don't do .... anything reckless?", the doctor's eyes locked into Sleen's now cold, soulless stare.

A sickening smile creeped ear to ear, "Reckless? Me?....nah.....", his eyes trail over to other parts. Some miscellaneous bits that look like they're used for fighting; drills, mechanical claws, what looks like a gun rail, "maybe....I should be a little more..... prepared", his grin had grow more toothy, as the cogs in his brain were turning, the unfortunate doctor had figured out what Sleen was thinking.

He had no choice.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Trapped in a clean but bare room, Selene had stayed in a corner. Her make-up running down her face, now with bruises on her body. She had felt hopeless, "oh mon corbeau, where have you flown off to...", she had muttered to herself.

She knew Wick was likely preparing to rescue her...but it was only a matter of time.

A few knocks at the door had startled her, her head shot at the direction of the door. Shaking in fear if it was Sleen again.

"Disculpe señorita, espero que se encuentre bien.", a gentle voice, finally.

The door had locked open, as the door creeped open, it was Señor Mateo. "I...hope you do not mind my poor English. My...ninos are a still helping me learn.", he greeted her with a friend smile. "oh tu pobresita, that fat man has hurt...did he not?".

Selene was prepared to fight back, she has been bruised but she wasn't beatin yet. "If you lay a hand o-", she could see Señor Mateo's hand raise.

"no no. I just do not like when a man...hurts a woman.", with a snap of his finger, his own personal physician comes in with everything to tend to Selene. "I do not a plan to harm you....I had heard the screams....".

Selene was understandably hesitant to let the physician near her, worried if he was doing to put her under or drug her.

Mateo could see her reluctance, "Senorita, it is ok. Doctora Jaun will not harm you.", as he stated this, Doctor Jaun has taken out a pair of gloves to examine any possible injuries or bodily harm to her.

The situation felt strange, why was Señor Mateo being so kind, was he the next.... client that Selene was going to be forced upon?

Señor Mateo simply gazed at her with a stern but soften look of concern, "I have never understood....why men like Sleen must hurt their ugh..... prettiest girls....it is...not like as if any real harm shall come to that....caracol.....but is it because of your ferocity? Your origins? Maybe....I do not know.....to my knowledge....true caballeros do not lay their hands on any women....ugly, fat, old, young, beautiful....none....our Virgen María was a woman...thus...no woman... should be harmed...evil women yes....but women...no.", he had paced around the small room as if he was lecturing her.

"...why...why are you... doing this?", she looked to the doctor who had found a significantly deep whelt on her arm. Wincing in pain, her eyes glanced over to the crack of the door, hunched over, just barley comfortable enough peak from the head of the doorway, there....her eyes met.....

...with 'El Nino'.

Her blood ran cold, eyes widen in horror at the looming monstrosity in white, red and blue at the door.

Covered in gnarled angry scars, 'wires' hanging from the back of his head, his crimson, blood shot eyes meeting hers.

What had made the whole ordeal even worse was his grin. Jagged, sharpen teeth, from ear to ear.

To poor El Nino, he didn't mean any harm at the moment. However, as he had gotten so use to his adoring fans accepting his grotesque appearance, he had forgotten to the average viewer....he was a monster of a being...no matter how 'healed' he has become.

Señor Mateo has noticed her expression, turning to the door, "Ah Alejandro! They you are. Come and greet the nice young lady....", he had motioned for Alejandro to simply crack the door open, he could barely fit through the doorway.

Selene turned to Señor Mateo, holding back her fear of what he had planned for her. And if it involved his own personal Astartes.

"...why...", she looked at him.

The soft smile he had on his face dimmed somberly, "I am here to ... apologize on Alejandro's behalf....I have been informed by Sleen that you and one of the 'steers' are.... intercoursing? Si?".

The questions had ran through her mind like bullets, "....a-apologize for what?", she asked cautiously.

A deep, regretful sigh flew from his mouth, "Because.... Alejandro will kill your 'steer', I had been a paid a considerable amount of money to make sure of that....it would not make me a good business partner...not to... comply.". Although Mateo had shown a deep remorse for what he accepted to do......El Nino had reveled in the idea.

"Hehehe, sorry nina....your bird's wings-", as he tried to cram himself through the doorway, crushing it in his grip,"-are going to be clipped.", a devilish grin had creeped across his face. He felt nothing.

The fact he could fight, be appreciated for it and kill any loyalist Astartes found was already the closest thing to paradise in his mind.

The tears flooded through, and as the physician finished, all Selene could do was sob. She knew Wick was strong, but was he physically capable of handling what she could only comprehend....

As a true monster.

"I could simply take you off of Sleen's hands...it is the most kindness I will be able to grant you....but you will have to comeback home with me, to Guadalajara. After all, you do not have any choice...... staying with Sleen.... could be...a problem.", there was an air of malicious intent in the whole ordeal; the physician, the conversation of chivalry, the apology....was it all to truly display cruelty?

"I will give you until the end of the match, to make your decision.", motioning to his physician and Alejandro to leave.

As the door closes, Selene wipes her tears. Remembering what she has gone through most of her life by this point, hopelessness washed over her like a heavy blanket. Wiping her tears away, she had lifed her head.

The door.

It wasn't fully closed....thanks in part to the enormous hand mark left by Alejandro.

"......une évasion", she whispered to herself. Slowly, she checked if anyone was passing by. Hearing carefully for any footsteps down the hallways.

Slowly opening the door, she peaked over the corner.

And bolted to down the hallway as fast as she could.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

At the holding blocks, Sten could suddenly sense Selene was on the move. Practically hearing her heartbeat and smelling her presence.

The only problem? She was heading into the wrong direction.

Sten stepped over to Toke's cell wall, banging it lightly to get his attention.

Waking up from a nap, the sudden banging had gotten his attention, "aye?"

"we must make haste, that girl Wick was with may be unknownly heading to danger.", Sten had shot to Toke's brain with his psykic transmission. "I will alert the others.".

Toke, rarely having to experience Sten's psykic communication, shutters from it. "Aeecchh, got it...but how do you recon we escape?", whispering a little to make sure none of the guards hear him.

"I'm not certain yet....but I fear in spite of the timing, we do not have much time.", Sten turned his head towards Cahrilo's cell and relayed the same message. Lastly he relayed to Bilhard, who had been quiet this whole time.

After a few minutes pensively waiting, the plan commences.

Sten, drops to the floor with a loud, audible thud.

"HELP! SOMEONE HELP! MY BATTLE BOTHER ISN'T RESPONDING! SOMEONE GET HELP!", shouted Cahrilo.

One of the guards would begrudgingly came over to his cell, "what the hell do you want?!".

With tears in his eyes, "Please help my battle brother! He hasn't taken his medicine! He need it or his hearts will stop! Look!", he points to Sten's cell.

Sten was unresponsive.

The guards from earlier cautiously check what was going on. Seeing Sten, motionless on the floor.

"Hey! Get up freak!", one of the guards yells at him. "oh shit come on! You can't kill these guys with a 16-wheeler but a fuckn bad ticker can?! Hey! Get the doc here now!", as he commands this request, one of the guards calls up on the walkie.

The chaos Marines across the room had become interested in what was unfolding.

Bilhard was next.

He violently shakes and screams in his cell, making for a fantastic impression of someone having a seizure.

"OH WHAT THE HELL?", the head guard quickly steps over to Bilhard's cell.

One of the more reluctant guards unlocks Sten's cell, pointing the gun at him while cautiously approaching him. Hoping this wasn't some cliche trick.

Poking and prodding the barrel of his gun at Sten's shoulder, he could see how firm the shoulder muscles on his back were. "Woah... getting punched by these guys must feel getting hit by a fright train.", two other guards come into the cell. Unsure of what to do, they tried carrying Sten by his arms.

The head guard was still dealing with Bilhard, "QUIT FUCKING SHAKING YOU BIG BASTARD!".

His assistant was right behind him, "Hey come on man! He's having a seizure you got to give him some air and space! Seriously man, my cousin had them-" as he removed Bilhard's muzzle....

Bilhard stopped, looked him dead in the eyes, and spat on his face.

"AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!", suddenly the smell of acid burning the guard's face had sizzled in the air.

"HOLY SH-", the head guard had been given an extra helping of acidic spit to the face and neck.

"HA! I have been waiting to do that!", after hours of silence, Bilhard had finally broken free. Taking a few shots at the harnesses, he lets himself free, heading straight to Cahrilo.

Across the block, the chaos marines were reveling and cheering the escapees, more so out of morbid amusement than anything.

The three guards in Sten's cell has noticed the commotion, as soon as they had been distracted, two of the guards had felt a bone crushing pressure on their ankles, Sten had grabbed on to the both of them as he was laying down.

Lifting up and tossing one against against the wall and the other on to the electric bars.

The third had taken out his cattle prod, as soon as he was about to land a hit, Sten had quickly turn around, grabbing the guard's wrist.

Roaring like a beast, his golden eyes practically burning into the guard's soul.

Trembling as he now was looking at something closer to animal than a man.

Sten had yanked the prod from his hands and tossed him out of his cell. Running to Toke's cell to let him out.

"Wait Sten! Let's get Joe out of here two!", Toke looked up above his own cell, Joe had been quietly above them, simply hearing the scene. "HAHA! Come on lad! We're heading out of here!".

Joe had peeked his head and looked around, hardly believing this was actually working.

After Cahrilo had gotten free, he headed to Joe's cell to free him.

However, just as few seconds of victory has lead to an alarm being set off. The sound of metal doors in the back of the cell rooms had opened. The chaos marines had stopped making noise and began walking through the doors.

"What the? What's going on?", Toke had stepped out, the two Space Wolves look to what looked like an exit BEHIND their cells.

They couldn't help but feel there was an extra purpose to those doors.

"we must head to the guard entrance, those doors must be a trap.", Sten growled. He knew something was off.

~~~~~~

Selene had been running down different hallways to find the exit, or at least a hiding spot, but there was nothing but different rooms and holding blocks. As the alarm blared above her, she could feel that something was happening. "I have to get out of here.", she thought to herself.

She was only able to find one open door, 'Back Stage Entrance', this had to have felt like a well planned nightmare. She slowly goes through the door into a dark, dimly lot room.

There was nothing, inside.

She knew better. No one is that foolish to go into an empty dark room.

She turned to leave but a hideous surprise had been waiting two inches away from her face.

A large, gun barrel... pointed to her face.

"Hey there, my little pigeon.", Sleen, who has modified himself to a semi-mechanical monster...only leaving his pale, sallowed face, showing what humanity he had left. "Your little flying rat's friends are costing me a pretty penny in henchmen......so here's the deal....you are going to wear the nice, pretty dress I picked out for you ....and you're going to get a front row seat....to watch Wick....and his pals be beaten to horse glue....*click*", his threat was very much real.

"espèce de cochon inconcevable......", was all she could mutter.

Sleen's sick, twisted chuckle creaked from his throat, which was now a tangled mess of tubes and wires. "Yah still sound ....so cute when you insult me....", guess he found out what cochon means.

End of log 24

Back at Pine Hills, me and Fjord were preparing for a quick trek around the mountain range.

I had become infamous in the local outdoorsmen shop in town over the past few years. With every visit, I would make a small bet on my own survival on the local bulletin board. The shop owners have had to state warnings to certain folks that betting on me is a losing bet.

Everytime I comeback, at least someone loses a few bucks.

But today I wasn't in the gambling mood. Neither was the store owners, who were close friends of my grandfather. As I was browsing for new equipment or anything else we needed in terms of gear, Fjord was exploring the store with me.

He stuck to me like a holster, it was a strange for me considering prior to my ex and afterwards I had been single for the longest time.

It was.... refreshing to have a companion to say the least.

We head towards the gun displays for some extra arrows for my bow. I used a standard lightweight hunting bow. It was a small thing but practical for long treks.

Doug, the owner was looking at the both of us curiously, "I see you moved on to bigger and better 'things' I assume, dear.". He was referring to Fjord.

His ears nearly visibly perked up. "Ugh?"

"Oh, he's a friend, he'll be staying with me for a while.", a while it seems could be until I'm on my death bed considering how old Fjord could actually get.

He looks down and smiles a little, "yes, my name is Fjord. Pleasure to meet you.", he shuffles his shoulders a little. Likely flexing his broad frame.

"Hm, pleasure to meet yah, Lorey my condolences by the way. He was an honored friend here ...", Doug let out a deep sigh. "I assume the usual?", he goes to a corner of the display case and brings out a box of specialized hunting arrows. "Honestly even if they discontinue these there'll still be enough for you to buy for the next years. Most folks use guns and ammo.", he showed a large wall of different hunting rifles, guns and replicas.

"Hmf, I've seen bigger. They're delicate pieces aren't they lass?", nudging my back a little.

I look to the wall, "yeah, at least I can find and reuse my arrows."

A gruff huff from Doug let's out like a frustrated hog, in spite of his friendship with my grandpa, he wasn't too keen on my preference of weapons. Just that good ol'merican love for the Smith & Wesson I suppose. "Bigger egh? You from the fort up north?".

Fjord, a little distracted at the wall, glances down at Doug. "Oh no, I am part of a squadron but I'm not from around here.", he than glances over to the target wall. Seeing targets of bears, deer, wolves and a masked man with a gun. ".... interesting selection."

I gather my arrows, but as I pick some of them up, I noticed a Wonder Mart logo on the box, just poorly stuck on. "... they bought this brand too?", pointed at the sticker.

Doug glared at it, "yeeeep. They've been here, they pay well too actually. The store owner actually did a partnership ship mostly because so many folks buy here. I get a few deductibles from purchasing at Wonder Mart for doing my part. So it's a win win for me. Hehe.".

"....you might want to see this than.", I take out my phone and show the picture of McGregor's property. "They're sabotaging the farms now, the egg box was smashed up.".

Doug's mouth drops agape, "well I'll be damned!? You've shown this to McGregor?".

I shake my head, "no not yet, I'm waiting to see if I hear some more complaints. I'm not sure if it was a disgruntled employee or something management directed, so I'm not saying anything yet."

"well now....I'll sure ask around than. I'll bet I can get a few tips too.", Doug pondered.

"well thanks for the help", I nod.

Me and Fjord look around the store a little more, collect a few more items for the trek and pay for the items.

Entering the car, the both of us try to figure out what to do next.

"hmmm, I say we head to the fort lass, than we set up the cameras the way Aldercon wants. Just to be safe.", Fjord suggested.

I can't argue with that logic, after all.

"Yeah, he may not like our joke plan too. Better stay on his good side.", I start the car and head back home where we can gear up.

After an hour or so, he head inside and get the gear ready. "You're going in your armor I assume?", I ask Fjord.

"Yes I believe so lass, remember that traitor marine from your facility's camera?", Fjord had just reminded me of that footage....this may actually be a better opportunity to place more eyes in the forest.

"actually.....you've just gave me an idea....we can use the cameras in more harder places to place them, seem of we find anything else and just tell Benedict the footage got lost.", it's closer to stealing and lying but it's the lesser of two evils in our case.

Fjord's chuffs a little, probably feeling very clever to have inspired me. Which is a fact. "Hehe, I see we have a mission, I'll go and put my armor on.", he headed to the garage where he had left his things.

It has passed maybe a few minutes and I have already finished getting on for the smaller essentials, it was now time to get the bigger stuff like a tarp and some rope. As I head to the garage and just as I was about to knock...

I hear Fjord... praying? It was in a language I couldn't recognize at all....I stood there listening to it, then the clicking of what I assumed is him equiping those big, metal plates for his armor. Than just him stomping a bit, likely taking a step or two.

*knock knock*, "Hey Fjord, you doing ok? May I come in? I just need to get some things.", he opens the door and see him in full armor again.

It had been a days or so that I have seen him without his armor, he looked massive in it. In fact I had completely forgotten that this was his norm.

"Ah hello lass, are we almost ready?", he glinted a smile.

I smile back, "yeah, just need to prep a few more things and than we're all set. Speaking of which, let's check that box the other guy gave to us.".

He nods at me, at first he had readied himself to come through the already small doorway, until he had realized he was a little too big to fit. "oh, hehe, right. I can grab the items here and we look at the supplies outside, no?".

"yeah, hold on then.", I press the garage button, as the door opens, it revealed someone was at the opening.

Waiting just outside the garage door.

It was Ronnie. Just standing on the little slope leading down the hill.

"Hey Lorey.......", he wasn't surprised or shocked. In fact was worried me the most is that he looked like as if his suspensions were confirmed.

As for the both of us, I could hardly imagine the look of shock on both our faces. Feeling like we've been caught in the act.

"ugh.....Ronnie....I ...ugh...I can explain....", I genuinely had no idea how to explain this situation nor how I was going to convince him not to ask anything more about this whole..... situation?

I could see Fjord's hair was standing on end, but I could feel he was conflicted about having to choose to attack Ronnie or risk having his cover blown so easily.

Ronnie walked up slowly, his face stoic as if he was putting a front of confidence, but his movements betrayed a level of caution often seen in the field: it's the stride of someone heading directly to danger without wanting anyone knowing they're scared shitless.

"so.....that explains a lot....", Ronnie casually pointed out. "So......which one are you?"

If I could see from a fourth perspective, I was sure both me and Fjord had tilted our heads in syncly. "I beg your pardon lad?", Fjord asked carefully.

"...which one...of those metal men....are you?", Ronnie's expression hadn't changed, but the assertion in his tone said otherwise. "Are you the one....who's been attacking people? Hmm? The one some of the families around town have spotted in the campgrounds?"

Ronnie was interrogating Fjord? Did he not recognize the armor from the videos, he should be smarter than that.

Or was he so afraid of Fjord that all he could think about is what he is capable of.

This wasn't like Ronnie at all, he was usually more laid back than this .....what happened recently?

Ronnie turned to me, "....well ....Lorey, which one is he?", the stoic expression on his face soften to seek reassurance from me.

"Ron, he is one of the trio that walked passed the cameras, he isn't the one that killed the campers.......", it was than I realized something, Fjord's armor was covered in teeth, patches of pelts and runes, could it be something had developed back at the station? "Ron....what happened?"

Ronnie gave a sadden huff, it's....one of the volunteers.........Carly...she....she was heading to the ridge with one of the new hire, Conner......she was attacked, Connor said it was one of them.", he pointed to Fjord, glaring at him. "Said it was greyish, with fur, and claws....just like Fjord's ...armor....she was sent to the hospital and....she didn't make it", he stared daggers at Fjord.

This was horrible, the fact that Carly was attacked had made my heart crash right down to my stomach. There was no way another Space wolf was here, even if there was, why would they attack Carly of all people?! She wouldn't hurt anyone, this had to have been attacked by one of the 'corrupted ones'.

"I assure you, Ronnie....I am the only one of my pack here for the moment.....I am sure there is a good explanation for this...", Fjord was doing a much better job at keeping his composure.

I shake my head in disbelief, "Ron, he's been with me the whole time. Tied to the hip practically, when did this happen?".

He looked at the both of us, "this morning.....". I could see his shoulders and chest moving up and down even faster. "...rrrrrrRRRAAHHH!", he suddenly jolted at Fjord his a closed fist and landed a blow on to Fjord's chest plate.

With an audible cracking of broken finger bones.

Tears rolled down his eyes, but I doubt it was from the throbbing pain of his now broken fist. He lifted his damaged hand off of the plate and it had left four little blood smears.

Fjord hadn't reacted at all, but he felt for Ronnie. "...lad....I'm sorry.....w-we...will investigate this murder......I swear it....also....I'm... certain you have have broken yo-"

"I FUCKING KNOW THAT MAN!", Ronnie yelled at him, cradling his hand.

I was getting too old for this level of bullshit, I calmly head to the first aid kit, take out some wood scraps from the tool drawer and go straight to tending to Ronnie's hand.

"Ronnie.....what do you always tell me when I loose my shit....and jump to conclusions.....no matter how terrible shit gets?", I ask putting a disinfectant on his now swelling knuckles.

He was shaking in frustration, honestly I commend him for that considering he just raw punched an Astartes in the chest without any hesitation....it's either bravery or something else....

"......n-never...lose y-your cool....w-when you know....t-theres two sides-AH-", he flinch as I had probably touched a tender area, "-of the same story....".

I nod my head, "yes... because the truth?", I look to him eye to eye.

He looks at me, his gaze soften at little, "...is just hiding under the surface....". He lets out a heavy sigh, looking at his wrapped up hand. "Lorey....what the hell is going on around here?", his question felt very vague....

I look to Fjord, "....I...think we may need to tell Aldercon about this.....".

His expression says it all, "....I believe so.... maybe he will be a little bit.... willing?".

Ronnie looked at Fjord, "what the hell are you talking about? Willing for what?".

I could feel he still didn't fully trust Fjord anymore, but I'm certain he didn't have much of a choice. "Willing to let you....know about ugh...well...all of this.", I point to Fjord, than some of my gear. "....we were going to place cameras around the parts of the mountain the team hadn't placed yet.....it's for that guy, Benedict."

The stern face loosen to a face of realization, "....that Gabe Newell looking guy?.... Lorey yah know he's fucking weird right?". It was as if all his anger had just evaporated, as if the tension broke with some shitty joke.

"yep.....he literally accused Fjord of being a space dogman.", he look at him....dead in the eyes with no change in tone.

He looked to Fjord, who had given an awkward smile, "if it will make you feel better, I did find the accusation very upsetting.", obviously he was lying.

Suddenly, Ronnie was chuckling to himself, "....man...I cannot be this dumb, there ain't no way it's the same guy.....but...what Jeff had said about you....is that shit true?", his seriousness came back but just barely.

The smile had shrunk a little, "...I threw his vehicle at him...yes....".

Ronnie was piecing things together, "aight...fine... Lorey just please tell me what the hell is going on?".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It had been an hour after that whole Punch incident, as the three of us trek down the same path as before.

"How are you doing there, Ronnie? You're hand still hurting?", he turned over his shoulder to see Ronnie still looking at him with a slight glare.

"ya...I'm fine....", he curtly answered.

I couldn't help but feel the tension between the two of them hadn't changed much, "ugh hey Ronnie, I have this ointment the other space marines had given me and Fjord, maybe it will fix your hand a little?", I take out the healing ointment, it was a heavy metal tin with wording I couldn't recognize. "....hmf, I wish I can read this...".

Fjord than stopped a little to look at the tin, "it says 'Lubricant', it think it's the other tin, lass.".

"oh, one second", I rummage through the bag again and find another tin.

"Ah that's the one.", Fjord cooed.

Ronnie was still emotionless, probably thinking the same thoughts as me earlier this week. "Man come on, they speak a different language too?".

"Yep, different cultures and everything.", I open the tin and the strong, musky, and shockingly bitter smell of the ointment hit out nostrils. "Holy shit what the hell is this?!"

"Ah fuck no! It smells fucking foul man I ain't putting that shit on m-AHOW FUK!", Fjord had gently grabbed Ronnie's arm, had already stuck one finger into the ointment and gently spread it under the tourniquet.

"there we go, it should be fine in a few hours, heals everything from most infections to broken bones.", he grinned a little at Ronnie.

However, Ronnie was skeptical, "are you telling me this is some miracle cream or something shit?". He looked at Fjord than at his arm.

As it turned out, it was healing rather quickly.

"yo...this is something freaky shit.", he could even move his fingers a little bit now.

"Let it rest, it should be better by the time we head to the Fort.", Fjord turned and began walking ahead.

Ronnie's head shot up, "Fort?! The fuck these are in a fort for?".

I shake my head, "well it's what they're use to. They're more comfortable in a military environment, so...they make do.", I motioned to him to hurry a long.

He stood there speechless, "....this better not be some secret underground government bullshit...we already work with that kind of shit.", he sounded upset but he was still willing to accept some of this new insanity.

"Well, let's just say, the government doesn't know about them....much.", it's all I could reasonably state.

End of log 23