BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM - Chapter 881: Lucius rescue operation (10)
Caiden, with Lucius on his back, and Becker, hurried out of the tunnel from which they had entered, their steps echoing in the pitch-black void.
The darkness seemed to press in from all sides, creating a suffocating cloak that tested their resolve.
Electricity wasn’t running in that tunnel anymore.
After what felt like eternity, a glimmer of light signaled the end of the tunnel.
As they emerged into the open, the scene that greeted them was nothing short of apocalyptic.
The prison was surrounded by destruction. Buildings and bridges had collapsed, reduced to smoldering ruins.
Fires raged unchecked, casting an eerie glow over the landscape, while explosions thundered in the distance, sending shock waves through the air.
Chaos was a visceral manifestation of the battle that raged around them.
The air was thick with smoke and a burning acrid scent, making it difficult to breathe.
Becker scanned the area, assessing the situation. It wasn’t long before he spotted a group of 20 clones engaged in a fierce battle.
A wave of enemy troops threatened to overwhelm them. There were simply too many opponents for them to win.
Becker didn’t even know how twenty people kept hundreds in check, but there they were.
Erik’s clones were strong, and if it wasn’t for the brain crystal rifles, they should have dominated the battlefield.
Scary. It was scary, even for Becker.
Without hesitation, the ex-general dashed toward their position.
<I need to help them…>
Besides, it wasn’t like he had an alternative. That was the only way out of the prison; they had to reach the clones to get out of the area, and since Lucius was in no condition to run or fight, they had to clear the way.
The ground trembled under the force of the explosions, sending clouds of dust and debris into the air.
The sound of gunfire and the clash of weapons filled the air.
As Becker neared the clones, he could see the determination etched on their faces, even as they struggled against the tide of enemies.
Even though they were formidable fighters, Becker knew overwhelming odds could bring down even the mightiest warriors, so he needed to hasten.
Becker launched himself into the fray. His wind sword cut through enemy soldiers’ ranks. Each swing brought death to one soldier.
Becker was like a desert demon, a manifestation of the winds and of the death they brought with them.
Turning into wind himself, Becker only manifested his hands, which moved from one place to another as if being teleported.
In truth, it was simply Becker’s body that formed and reformed in different parts of the winds that were howling through Fasard’s streets.
The clones, buoyed by Becker’s arrival, redoubled their efforts, their attacks becoming more coordinated and effective.
They started pushing forward and forward, but that was only because Becker killed many. The enemy troops, caught off guard by the sudden surge of resistance, faltered.
Becker and the clones combined their strength, causing the enemy ranks to collapse and the soldiers to retreat.
As the dust settled and the echoes of battle faded into silence, Becker turned to survey the aftermath.
There were only fifteen clones still alive. He walked toward them while Caiden approached the group after having seen the battle from afar.
“What’s the situation?” Becker asked.
“We killed a third of the blackguards. The remaining ones are still locked in fights. We didn’t lose sectors next to the prison, but most of the outer ones were decimated.”
The clone looked at Becker, then at Caiden, and then at Lucius.
It had Erik’s memories; for him, that man was as much his father as it was for Erik.
The clone was on the verge of tears, while those around them wore gloomy faces.
Then they noticed the two missing legs, and anger surged.
One of them even turned into a thaid, startling the general, and released a pained shriek.
Soon after, hundreds of these shrieks resounded from afar.
Maybe the clones decided on a signal that made them easily understand how the situation was. The clone then looked behind; Richard was nowhere to be seen.
“Where is Richard?” the clone asked.
“He stayed behind to help us escape.”
“What?”
“Do I really have to repeat myself?”
The clone’s hands were clenched. “Give me a minute,” he said to Becker. He took out his radio
and then contacted the command center.
“This is team 14. The target has been secured. He is wounded and can’t walk. Richard Stone has been captured or killed.”
Noah didn’t have time to reflect on Lucius’ health.
“What do you mean, captured or killed? FUCK! Bring Becker over the radio.”
“Yes, sir,” the clone said, giving the device to the ex-general.
“What the hell happened?” Noah asked. He was tired, nothing was going as it should have been, and now Richard had been captured.
“Two particularly strong Blackguards attacked us; Richard stayed behind to allow us to take Lucius outside. I will be honest; I want to go help him.”
Noah thought for a second. “You can’t. The situation is a mess; reaching Sector 1 won’t be easy, and we need you to act as a spearhead. Otherwise, Lucius will die there.”
“You expect me to leave one of my best friends behind?”
“No,” Noah said. “My spy is still safe inside the prison; he will monitor him, but now the best thing to do is to send the clones. If Richard is still fighting, they will surely be able to help
him.”
“Those guys were strong,” Becker said. “Even I was having trouble.”
Noah sighed. “Listen, Armand. You know well that Erik is your only chance to destroy the blackguards; if Lucius dies, I won’t guarantee you he won’t try to do something crazy. No. I know that; I’m his clone, after all. Grazing New Alexandria and Fasard to the ground just to reach Volkov won’t be something he would need to think twice about.”
He paused. “Keep Lucius alive; I will take care of Richard.”
