Stalker

Altas

"That one."

"Are you sure?"

"You can feel it."

"You sound certain."

"Being a part of you does that."

"Very well."

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Fog. Thick. Despite his unnatural augmentations, Altas' vision was quite limited by it to such a point that he had to detect his foe through his… other senses.

He rested on the edge of a small snowy cliff, a Stormhammer at his side. It was dim, the fog blocking most of the light with it. Most people wore the standard Tribesman armour, to combat both the enemy and the elements, yet Altas wore simple civilian clothes.

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The smaller Peltast, bearing the markings of the Blood Eagle, fired from his Stormhammer, sending a blue disc crashing into the larger Hoplite, who wore no widely known symbols. In pain, the Hoplite fell to his back, and dropped his own Stormhammer. It slid down a small crevice, out of reach. He withdrew a Chaingun from his armour, and fired from his supine position.

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"Do we even know who he is?"

"When's the last time you've questioned her word?"

Are ya sure yer not just a Diamond Sworder in disguise?

"Probably is."

Hush! Concentrate.

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The Peltast flew into the air, dodging the clumsy volley of bullets. A second disc crashed into the Hoplite, ripping pieces of his armour off, and throwing the Hoplite's gun arm into the snow. He raised it back up in time for a third disc to rip into his body.

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"He's dying! Get a move on!"

"Quiet Ajax!"

"Do you want her tearing us to tiny fragments of energy, Gyl?"

"Not yet. He needs motivation for our future plans."

"He won't HAVE anything to motivate him if he bleeds to death!"

"Soon."

"Maria should've just done this herself!"

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The Peltast settled down on the ground. The Hoplite tried to reach for his communicator. The Peltast laughed and kicked it away. Through his faceplate, the Peltast let out a wide grin.

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"Damnit, save him!"

"I am. More than he realises."

Altas picked up the Stormhammer and, without taking aim, fired a quick shot into the fog.

"That's it?"

"Expecting something more glamorous?"

"Yes Ajax, learn to enjoy simplicity."

"I wanted one of Maria's light shows."

"I'm sure you'll get one from her soon."

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"Now, your punishment" the Blood Eagle said.

"Butcher! Murderous coward!"

"I will enjoy this."

The Blood Eagle leapt up into the air, his thrusters boosting him. He swung a new weapon out, a Plasma Gun.

"Muahahaha!"

The mouth of the Plasma Gun seared with energy in prefire.

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"Now."

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The disc slammed into the Peltast, utterly destroying his armour. The Plasma Gun flew upward with his now detached arm, firing heated balls of energy, slamming perilously close to the Hoplite. The gun arm fell beside him, firing the heated balls beside his head. The snow melted around him from the heat. The Hoplite withdrew his own Plasma Gun, waiving it around, trying to find an enemy in the dense fog.

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"Now what?"

"Now we save his life."

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The Hoplite suddenly felt weak. His head collapsed to the ground. Must sleep, he thought.

A man emerged from the shadows. He had short blond hair and green eyes. The eyes glowed fiercely, almost illuminating him.

"You…"

"Stay still. Don't speak."

He fetched the hand communicator, calling out for aid. He came back a moment later.

"I assure you this will only hurt for a moment."

He knelt down and placed his hands palms down near the fatal wounds. A steady green glow emitted from them. The man clenched his teeth as the wounds began to close. As they began to seal, he stopped.

"There. It would be quite unconvincing if your armour was blown to bits, and yet you retained no injuries, now wouldn't it?"

He stood back up, and walked away into the fog. Before he left visibility, the man called out:

"Who are you?"

"You will find out soon enough."

With that, he disappeared into the shadows.

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Resting atop the small cliff, Altas opened his eyes. He stood slowly. A loud wind signaled the arrival of the medical team for the man.

"He took the image to be real I hope?"

"Yes."

"Hey, how's about we get off this rock. Maria'll be wonderin' why we're so late."

"Our job is done. Let's go."

With that, the green eyed man changed into a swirling mass of green light, shooting off into the sky.

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