Chapter 234 - The Rat King (Conclusion) (1/2)
[Eastern Sh.o.r.e of Loki: 1945 Hours]
The tall girl tripped over her hair for the 5th time in as many minutes. She was slowly gathering firewood, a slender hand held her hair to one side while trying to move about in a robe that was too large. She stacked the wood on the beach and then attempted to knot up her hair that hung to the ground. After three large knots, the long silvery tresses were still pa.s.sed her knees.
”Good enough.” She smiled widely before stumbling over the staff that announced her as a mage. Covered in sand, the mage sat up carefully and pointed at the stack of wood. It immediately burst into flames.
The thin girl shivered slightly and gathered her robes around her shoulders. ”I don't remember this place being so cold.”
[Guild HQ: Loki: 2000 Hours]
Jun Li stared at the large Holo map visible over the conference table. Three different areas were blinking. ”This means that there are three separate incursions?”
Deidra was sitting between Vooni and Shae at the conference table. ”Yes. I will respond however you wish, or not at all if you wish to concentrate on the Nether.”
Semmi studied the map while she considered their responsibilities. ”Nix is the Breach Commander for Oasis and Colonial, we should handle this in his stead.”
”I agree.” Sharl pointed to the southern area that was highlighted. ”This seems like another Izzin Breach, I'll take a team there.”
”I'll take Zeta team to the north, that's where Alpha team took on the Vampire right?” Banzi gestured toward the point just east of Isla'Fairbal.
”Fine. That leaves Alpha Team to head into the Nether.” Jun Li turned her eyes toward Deidra, ”how will they find him?”
”I'll send you directly to Breach Commander Mtui, he is already devising an extraction strategy.” Deidra didn't hide the surprise she felt at all the activity. Were they getting ready to take Oasis?
Jun Li nodded. ”I'm going to stay here and oversee the operation. All decisions will go through me.”
While they were speaking three more blips appeared on the map. Pon cursed loudly. ”Those are on Loki!”
”It's fine.” Jun Li stood and moved toward the door. ”Send the away teams on their missions.
/Alliance Command: Jun Li: Preliminary alarms indicated three sizeable incursions on Loki.
[Sub-Commander Sulane] You will take half of the Pillar Guilds and head North to the Vo-Tech. Scout the area and eliminate all forces.
[Sub-Commander Gideon] You will take the other half of our Alliance and head to the western sh.o.r.e, take whatever actions you deem suitable.
/Alliance Command: Jun Li: Captain Locas, you will stay with me and the remainder of our Inferno Forces to defend the town.
/Inferno: Locas: Understood!
Sasi watched patiently while the yellow-eyed rat left Nix's cell and scurried toward the barred door. It crawled easily through the bars and then disappeared before disappearing in a small cloud of smoke. ”That was one close Nix!”
Your Taxidermy Skill has improved to 50.
[New Skill learned: Advanced Rat Mannequin]
Nix nodded from his bunk, bathed in sweat he staggered to the bucket to drink the last of his water. He drank the tepid water down while considering what he saw. Rat animation worked similarly to the Winter Sparrow, it didn't have the refined control that the sparrow had and its vision was poor.
The room adjoining theirs was also dark, it was another cellblock with a few prisoners. These prisoners were manacled to the walls and in much rougher shape. Through the rat's eyes, he was able to see a glimmer of light down the hall, that must be where the guards were stationed.
Nix looked toward his companion who was sitting on her bed. ”You okay Ducky?”
”I'm fine Nix. Keep it up!” Ducky seemed to be gaining confidence as the minutes pa.s.sed, the conversations she had with the Qi family put her in good spirits.
”Yep.” Nix eyed the last four rat Mannequins that he had. The Qi family had killed all the rats in their cellblock. Sasi even smeared rat blood on the floor to attract more from the next area. There wasn't going to be any more Rat Mannequins after this.
[a.s.semble an Advanced Rat Mannequin?]
”Yes.”
[Advanced Rat Mannequins require 4 target creatures.]
Nix muttered a curse, that was the rest of his rat dolls. ”Of course they do. a.s.semble Advanced Rat Mannequin.”