Path of the Hunters [PART 3]

"Understood. I'll let you know when we're ready for extraction."

"Good luck everyone. You're going to need it. Also, if you point us to where the kid is, we can tell you what you're going to have to go through, and at least help you plot the best course to the kid."

"Got it. Okay, guys. Let's move out." The five stepped out of the craft. Cross gave them men inside a thumbs-up. "Good luck."

The ODSTs nodded as Katherine waved and the hatch shut, with the ship fully cloaked and running silent, it left with almost no sound.

"Okay, let's move in. Kane, take point. Crescent, cover the rear. Nova, you're center." With their formation set, they moved down the small path through the containers.

When they reached a crossroad, they stopped, hid behind a corner. "Baudoin Patrols," Kane said silently. "Three on the left, five on the right."

"Sol, you and I'll take the right. Kane, take the left... Now." The three moved swiftly, Kane tossing blades into the heads of the three on the left, Cross and Sol firing accurate, silent shots from their guns at the other five. The group quickly moved to the other side of the crossroad.

The com in Cross's ear crackled to life with the hushed voice of one of the ODSTs, "Ok, we're in position. Man, this place is crawling with rats, if you know what I mean..."

Another one chuckled quietly, "Hoo-rah."

"Well," Cross said into the com. "It's a good thing the cats're in the bag, if you know what I mean."

"Hoo-rah," Sol said, grinning.

"I've got a lock on their location." He looked around the bend, towards the lighthouse. "There's a gray buildings, about 15 meters east of the lighthouse. We're about 30 meters away, right under the crane. It's a jungle on the way. Think you can help mow it down?"

"Shadow Squad, report." Ordered Katherine.

"This is pelican four-zero-niner, we have a visual on the building you speak of. Looks like Fort Knox from up here boys, and there's plenty of people between you and there."

"One here, nice and cozy over here, I got a bead on two dumbasses havin' a smoke." Replied the first.

"Two here," started the second, "Can't see much from here besides Cross and Co."

"Three here, I can see the building, and 409 is right, looks locked down pretty tightly. Lord I'm glad I'm not you guys."

"Four here, I got three squads I can see from here not too far from you Cross. One's heading in your direction as we speak."

"We'll take out that squad. Once we're clear, can you handle the other two?"

"Negative, too many. I'm counting at least ten per squad, and they're too tightly grouped for me to take them out. I'd recomend sneaking around them." Replied four.

"I 'ave a suggestion," Crescent spoke up. "There is a safe spot just between the second and third squads. We can sneak behind the first squad as they are walking away, and slide into the spot before we are noticed."

"Sounds good," Cross said with a nod. "Thanks anyway, four. We're gonna try sneaking around them all. Radio silence until I give the OK."

"Affirmitive."

"On your go, Crescent..."

Crescent waited for the right moment... Then moved, the rest of the squad following. They moved silently, keeping to the shadows, sliding by the first squad, and into the safe spot between the latter two.

"...All clear," Cross said into the com. "We are now directly in front of the building, 10 yards away. How's it look to you guys?"

"I'll repeat myself," started the 409, "Fort Knox. Place is locked down tight. I can see plenty of guys inside of it. Looks like they're keeping an eye on the entrances, but thermal can only give me so much detail."

"I'm with 409 on this one. They turned it into a fortress. I'd recomend giving the other three a moment to reposition so we can provide sniper support." Stated Three.

"Got it. Let me know when you're ready."

[I am...]

"Affirmitive. Repositioning." Came in Katherine.

The pelican flew off to pick up the other three snipers.

"Three here, all clear, I don't see anyone approaching you. I'll keep an eye out."

A couple of minutes later, the ODSTs sounded off.

"One here, I got north side."

"Two at south."

"Three's covering west."

"And Four's here at east."

"Alright, we're set." Came in Katherin. "Ready when you are."

"Understood."

Nova sighed. "It's probably a crew of Laroches, guarding the house. That must be why there's only Baudoins out here."

"If it is," Cross said. "Then we'll have to be extra careful. Nova, don't do anything reckless. We need you to haul Elesis out of there."

"What? She's got two legs that ain't broken."

"She's unconscious in there, otherwise she would've burned the place to cinders."

"...Good point."

"Okay, we're ready, here," Cross spoke into the com. "Let's do it."

"We can't do anything for fear that they might hurt her. Our hands are tied here. Perhaps a couple of strategic flashbangs could distract them long enough for you all to get in there and cause some havoc?" Came One.

"Negative, flasbangs are loud and bright, that'll wake up the whole damn base..." Came Two.

"Guys, I just took out my third rooftop sniper, they're going to get suspicious here in a moment, so I suggest you people hurry up." Came Four.

"How do the ground squads look?" Cross asked his team.

"Still tight," Kane responded. "We move on my go... Now."

They quickly moved to the building, taking out the two sentries at the door. Moving inside, Sol sniped another three in the entrance hall, then replaced his dead clip with a fully charged one.

"They're on the top floor," Crescent said, tossing a blade at another, killing him. "Looks like all the Laroches are up there."

"In other words, watch your backs." Cross led them upward, a long trek up three stories.

"Thanks for the distraction." Came One.

"Let'em have it!" Came Two.

The four snipers did their duty of taking out anyone they missed or in front of them. The hard sound rifles passing through the walls with ease.

"Like shootin' fish in a barrel." Chuckled Three.

"Just don't shoot the herring...Aah!" Cross narrowly dodged a knife that came at him through the wall. "MOVE!!" The team moved rapidly through the building, now dodging knives coming at them from virtually all directions, taking out anyone that they saw, leaving the rest to Shadow Squad.

Finally, they came upon the room Elesis and the baby were, and burst into the room. Inside they saw a single Laroche-the leader-holding a knife at the neck of the helpless child.

He looked between the girl and the hedgecat that had him at gunpoint. "...We can nego--" Before he could finish, an energy bolt ripped through his head, and he fell backward, dead, the knife fell harmlessly away from the two hostages. Sol holstered his smoking gun, and his expression lightened.

"Papa!" the child called jubilantly.

"Yue," Sol said lovingly, pulling the girl into a warm embrace. "I'm so glad you're okay."

Cross and Nova rounded the room to Elesis, who lay unconscious on the bed, and examined her. "...They sedated her," Cross said.

"From the looks of things," Nova noted. "this guy was about to rape her. Sick bastard." He then pulled the echidna girl easily onto his shoulders.

"Hostages safely retrieved," Cross said into the com. "Mission accomplished. Ready for extraction."

"Hussle up to the rooftop, 'cause you done shook the beehive!" Came in 409.

"You got hostiles swarmin' all over the damn place! Get your buts up there!" Yelled One.

"Got it! Let's move, now!" With Nova and Sol holding precious cargo, Cross, Crescent, and Kane had to pick up the slack for them. Thankfully, they were on the top floor, so they only had to go one more floor up to get to the roof.

"We're here!" Cross said once they reached the roof. They were still fighting off enemies and dodging knives that came out the floor. "We need evac, now!"

"Hang on boys!" The pelican swerved in, the nose-mounted high-caliber gattling gun rattling to life and suppressing the enemies below them long enough for it to park at the edge of the roof. "Get on, now! I'm not gonna stay here all day!"