Attack Protocol Fifty-Four

(Pre-Judgement Era)

(New York, USA)

(10-12-2013)

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Three armored Protectorates trained their rifles at the mist in front of them. They are standing on an alleyway sandwiched between two tall brick buildings. Both establishments were two-storey high, housing tenants who have retired into deep sleep hours ago, unaware of what was happening outside their apartment. Darkness had covered the cloudless night sky where the moon shone brightly.

"Soulbrothers," Called one of the Protectorates in a digitalized voice disguised by his headgear's voice filter, making him sound hoarse. "It would be better if we retreat and fight another day. This is way out of our league!"

"Do I hear cowardice, Brother Pudgestone?" Another Protectorate asked, Kinetic Rifle aimed at the shadow covered in the veil of mist that seems to pour out of the sewers underneath.

Tension was thick in the atmosphere just like the mist in front of them. Muscles twitched in anticipation as the Soulbrothers aimed at the shifting figure, fingers inside the trigger guard of their weapons. They shared the same color of brown eyes that glowed from within their eye lenses, indicating Arcane power at work. The hum of their armors and the sound of their plated joints moving sang as one as they shifted uncomfortably. Adrenaline rushed through their veins and their mind yelled to fire at the enemy unknown, yet the Protectorates suppressed themselves-a discipline they learned from the Angels who have trained them back on Heaven. Not yet, they thought. They watched patiently as the enemy slowly materialized itself from the mist.

A vicious ugly creature greeted their vision. Their HUD chimed in warning as their targeting scanners locked onto the Hellspawn's head. Its slimy body stood on hind legs. Sharp bones protrudes out of its hands, acting like a bladed weapon. Its mouth revealed a display of bloodied sharp teeth and long serpentine tongue. It does not have any eyes, save for two holes just above its mouth that somewhat acts as its nose. It sniffed in the air, nose moved just as expected. It was blind which does not surprise the soldiers of God. They took a step back quietly, rifles still aimed at the enemy.

"Port Arms, brothers and open fire!" Another Protectorate ordered. The name 'Spartan' was imprinted on his left blue shoulder plate.

Muzzles flashed in white light as bullets flew towards the Hellspawn, perforating the Demon's body with concentrated kinetic force. Each hit forced the Demon to take a step back. Each bullets that impacted itself made the creature cry in a disturbing voice. The Demon leaned forward and made a sprint towards them. Parts of its slimy liquidous body fell to the pavement, twitching in a disgusting way as it tried to crawl its way back to the host but it suddenly went dry after three seconds or so. Unfortunately for them, the Hellspawn reached Spartan with its bladed left arm raised. The Protectorate did not flinched nor moved. He did not showed any signs of fear. Instead, he let his training take over him as he cocked back and launched the butt of his rifle at its face. Activating the bayonet on the muzzle of his Kinetic rifle, he thrust it at the chest of the Hellspawn without hesitation and ripped the enemy open. After a couple of blasts, the Hellspawn finally fell backwards, dead. It twitched as life bled away from it.

In the distance, they could hear muffled growling. Sillhouettes of not one, but dozen or more Hellspawns pierced through the mist, revealing themselves.

"More of those buggers." Spartan remarked which earned glances from Pudgestone and a Protectorate designated as 'Boogey'.

After a few seconds, their leader descended from the sky in a bright light. The winged robotic figure is still illuminating as she approached the trio. She glowed brighter for a brief second and it dissipated in an instant. Her subordinates didn't look back as she joined them.

"Welcome to the fight, Sergeant-Commissar." Spartan acknowledged. She was now on her Human form; armored in Praetorian Battle Gear, the same suit the Protectorates wear but she is helmetless.

"It's the Swarm of Pestilence Unbound." The Commissar said. The designation 'Vengeance' was imprinted on her left black shoulder plate. Her eyes, as expected, glowed in brown. "Enact Attack Protocol Number Fifty-Four."

"Yes." Was their reply as they started firing at the Hellspawns. Vengeance joined them, firing her own rifle.