Chapitre 26: Skirmish Begins

"Which scientist exactly?"

"I really can't remember his name… Oh, he was famous for some paper on mushrooms."

"Dr. Wolfe Stein!?"

"Yeah! Stein. That's him. Anyway, he was one of the scientists who oriented us to the suits."

Matt stepped away and deactivated the hypnotism. Alexis finished her preparations and led Matt to the location of the skirmish. However, during the walk, he was mostly focused on trying to figure out what was going on. These suits weren't normal. There was no lore in the game about the suits only their abilities. However, what Matt couldn't fathom was why a microbiologist was working with 'space metal.'

Unless this isn't metal at all, but a metal based living organism. However, it is a grade three lifeform. Whatever this is can't simply be some tough bacteria. The other possibility is that they are made from the corpses of a grade three alien. Rather than inefficient level, the notification specifically said inefficient skill. This means that whatever genetic material was contained in the suits wasn't something that possessed DNA but rather a different type of code.

DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid was theorized to be specific to Earth. If life existed outside of Earth, it would need to have almost identical conditions as earth to form DNA. It was more likely that the specific materials that composed the double helix would be different in other life forms based on the composition of their home planet. Based on his knowledge of the game and the logical progression, once he reached level ten in DNA absorption it would allow him to absorb genetic material from non-carbon-based life.

'Wait, is Dr. Stein the person called Shephard? No, that's probably not it. Whoever Shephard is wouldn't have revealed themselves so easily. But it is possible that they were there to meet me on purpose. Perhaps they wanted his opinion on me. It is likely that Stein has a high position in their faction.'

"Earth to Matt, do you read me?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry Lexi. I was still thinking about Dr. Stein. It would be great if I could meet him. Is there any way you can pass on the message to him?"

"Hmm once I get promoted, it shouldn't be a problem."

"I knew I could count on you."

"Okay, be quiet now. We're about to enter the staging area. Once our group is sent down the lift, the monitors will track us. I'm the leader of Second Strike squad so there will be a monitor specifically following me."

The two of them stepped out of the turbo lift and entered a crowded room. There were many people here, soldiers and scientists alike. Everyone wanted to see this grand event. There were not many incredible things happening on board the USS Odyssey, so the annual skirmish was practically a large sporting event for the crew. There would even be a compilation created at the end that was posted on the database.

Near the sealed blast door was a group of people wearing the same suit as Alexis. After they arrived, she waved Matt goodbye and walked over to them. They began discussing something between their communication devices as the monitors started switching on. The front two were the largest and centered on Alexis and the other team's leader.

Although there were twenty-five positions for members in the teams, they weren't completely filled and it would also be too many people for the skirmish. Instead, only ten people were chosen to compete. To be fair, the bottom ten of the First Strike squad were chosen to compete against the top ten of the Second Strike squad. Matt was able to get a good spot to watch before it officially started. Many people here don't see each other often or want to socialize before this event.

The couch Matt sat in only had room for two, but he gave off the aura of someone that didn't want company. This did not stop Scorch from sitting down next to him. At first, he was surprised to see him, but realized that people were walking around with drinks and realized that he was probably working. Scorch didn't say anything and silently sat, waiting for the event to begin. Matt was not about to be the first one to talk, so the two just sat there in silence.

The lights began to dim in the observation room and the blast doors opened to let the team through. Once they entered through the doors, they shut behind them. The remaining monitors finally turned on showing various locations in the skirmish area. There were eighteen smaller monitors and twelve of them were hallways. The other six were specific locations that had some sort of important structure. At each location was a keypad that activated or deactivated the structure.

In order for Alexis's team to win, they had to take out the 'invaders' while protecting the various checkpoints. If the invaders managed to disable four of the six points or defeat the defenders, they won. This test was likely to take several hours since they wouldn't blindly rush forward to the objective. Alexis's team split off into five groups of two. Meanwhile, the invader's team split off into three groups of three and the leader by himself.

Matt thought that it was a strange tactic to leave someone by themselves. Having four groups to Alexis's five would seem to be at a disadvantage, but they had an additional person. Also, the invaders only needed to control four objectives to win. The leader of the invaders still hadn't left the starting area but seemed to be giving commands to his team. Alexis and her squads were already caught by the hallway monitors. Three of her groups were going to the same location while the other two were heading to a different objective.

Once they arrived at the objective, they immediately opened up the panels on the wall and various guns were exposed. Matt understood now that they were aiming to arm themselves. The invaders seemed to predict this and chose not to go there specifically. However, he wondered how they were supposed to win versus weapons. That is when he noticed that the weapons did not have any ammunition. While monitoring that, there were various shouts and exclamations.

Matt quickly turned his attention to another screen that had a group of two facing off against a group of three. Although the defender's team was strong, they couldn't beat the number disadvantage. They were forced to retreat. Instead of chasing, the invaders simply began the process of taking the objective. Once they were certain no one was coming, two of them split off from the group and disappeared from the monitor's field of view.

Meanwhile, on Alexis's monitor, she was seemingly giving commands while hiding in a small dark space. The ventilation shafts seemed to be accessible and she was taking advantage of it. One of the objectives was suddenly populated with the two from before and it seemed to be the one Alexis was monitoring. As soon as they approached, she and her teammate stealthily left the vents and approached the two from behind. Alexis quickly dispatched one of them and placed the locks around his wrists signifying his elimination.

However, her teammate wasn't as lucky. He was taken out by the invader instead. The two captured members were left unconscious by the manacles leaving Alexis and the invader to fight head-to-head. While they were analyzing their opponent waiting for an opportunity, Matt saw one of the teams with guns leave the formation and head toward Alexis's objective. This seemed like an obvious thing. Both teams would summon reinforcements at this point.

However, at this time the leader of the invaders finally took action. Instead of reinforcing any specific group he went straight for the objective no one was protecting. Alexis eventually started her fight with the invader. They were exchanging moves flawlessly. Alexis had the slight advantage in skill but the man was probably twice her weight. The crowd also noticed that the man seemed to be holding back on purpose. He overheard the talks and Scorch finally spoke up.

"It seems your partner is too focused on herself. The invader's leader simply delegated and ordered his team around and is now able to take advantage of the situation."

Matt didn't respond but looked at all of the monitors and began to consider something. Two teams with guns were heading toward the objective which seemingly was needed to load the guns. One of the teams with guns was heading toward Alexis to reinforce her. The remaining team was trying to take back the objective that was already taken but the lone invader was able to use a stalling tactic against them.

This was looking like an easy win for the invader team. Matt was frustrated. No matter how much Alexis trained, she didn't seem to have a handle on leadership. She was a good leader in her own sense; however, the leader of the invader team was simply on another level. He seemed to predict everything that Alexis would do and counter it flawlessly. At that point, the leader single handedly took an objective without resistance. Matt decided something at that moment and hoped it would work.

L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS
Pill_Guy

What the hell is Dr. Stein making in his lab! I suppose we can call it Dr. Stein's monster. If these suits are already so strong without any extra parts, imagine how strong the real exoskeleton combat suits are.

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