Dream|12
Fragments of a scene run by quickly...too quickly for detail. But the pace is hectic, flashes of gunfire and red paint meeting orange, two Tribes locked in ferocious combat. In a situation like this, Gale shows no signs of the level-headed strategist. He only allows himself enough time to reload his weapon and continue his assault. The skirmish against the Maribel is rough--the other Tribe seem to outnumber the Embryon two to one.
But one thing seems to be missing. No one has taken their demon forms yet. But on closer inspection, there is no sign of the Atma marks anywhere, on anyone. A quick glance to the dream's Heat and Argilla reveals that their eyes are flat, emotionless gray...fitting for their blank, unresponsive expressions.
Finally, Gale happens to glance up after reloading his gun. A heavy pipe above them, wisps of steam wafting from around the bolts securing it to the wall.
Keeping low, he begins to move backward while returning fire. "Pull back," he says to his comrades.
A few curious glances among themselves.
"We will lose ground," Heat says dismissively.
"Pull back." Gale glances behind them, to where Serph is, using a low, half-ruined concrete wall as cover. "There is another option. One that can secure the perimeter immediately."
Serph hesitates, returning fire to the Maribel in the narrow hallway. The bodies of the Embryon far outnumber those of the Maribel. He finally nods, running to place himself further away as Gale and the others provide cover fire. Slowly, steadily, they move to join Serph, until they are all behind the mounds of sandbags about thirty feet from their previous position.
"Did you see the large pipe above the Maribel position?"
Heat takes only a moment before realizing that Gale is speaking to him. "Yes. What about it?"
"It carries the hot water into this building. Can you shoot it with your weapon?"
"Of course." Heat only looks to Serph for approval before waiting in a lull of the Maribel gunfire to raise his grenade launcher, firing directly at the pipe before ducking his head again.
An explosion. The sound of rushing water. Screams that either died or became distant as the Maribel ran to avoid the boiling water.
Silence.
Argilla looks to Gale, her expression vaguely registering surprise. "They're gone."
"That was the intention, was it not? It will buy us time to regroup with the main force and then proceed to take the rest of the building."
Serph stands up, still keeping a cautious eye on where the Maribel once stood. He then turns to Gale, only speaking two words. "Your name."
"My name is..." Gale pauses, as if he isn't sure how to respond. A name is on the tip of his tongue, and he wants to say it, but as soon as it comes it flutters away again. Instead, another wants to take its place.
"Gale," he finally responds. "My name is Gale."
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*Gale is still asleep as the dream ends...but a faint smile can be seen on his face. It is a fond memory...the day he found his Tribe.*
But one thing seems to be missing. No one has taken their demon forms yet. But on closer inspection, there is no sign of the Atma marks anywhere, on anyone. A quick glance to the dream's Heat and Argilla reveals that their eyes are flat, emotionless gray...fitting for their blank, unresponsive expressions.
Finally, Gale happens to glance up after reloading his gun. A heavy pipe above them, wisps of steam wafting from around the bolts securing it to the wall.
Keeping low, he begins to move backward while returning fire. "Pull back," he says to his comrades.
A few curious glances among themselves.
"We will lose ground," Heat says dismissively.
"Pull back." Gale glances behind them, to where Serph is, using a low, half-ruined concrete wall as cover. "There is another option. One that can secure the perimeter immediately."
Serph hesitates, returning fire to the Maribel in the narrow hallway. The bodies of the Embryon far outnumber those of the Maribel. He finally nods, running to place himself further away as Gale and the others provide cover fire. Slowly, steadily, they move to join Serph, until they are all behind the mounds of sandbags about thirty feet from their previous position.
"Did you see the large pipe above the Maribel position?"
Heat takes only a moment before realizing that Gale is speaking to him. "Yes. What about it?"
"It carries the hot water into this building. Can you shoot it with your weapon?"
"Of course." Heat only looks to Serph for approval before waiting in a lull of the Maribel gunfire to raise his grenade launcher, firing directly at the pipe before ducking his head again.
An explosion. The sound of rushing water. Screams that either died or became distant as the Maribel ran to avoid the boiling water.
Silence.
Argilla looks to Gale, her expression vaguely registering surprise. "They're gone."
"That was the intention, was it not? It will buy us time to regroup with the main force and then proceed to take the rest of the building."
Serph stands up, still keeping a cautious eye on where the Maribel once stood. He then turns to Gale, only speaking two words. "Your name."
"My name is..." Gale pauses, as if he isn't sure how to respond. A name is on the tip of his tongue, and he wants to say it, but as soon as it comes it flutters away again. Instead, another wants to take its place.
"Gale," he finally responds. "My name is Gale."
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*Gale is still asleep as the dream ends...but a faint smile can be seen on his face. It is a fond memory...the day he found his Tribe.*