Path of the Hunters [PART 3]

Aurélie rose. "Kane, go and wake up Crescent. We should find Elesis."

"Alien technology, huh?" He held the weapon, examined it for a moment, then shrugged. "Eh, artillery isn't really my thing. Have anything a bit more compact?"

*

Kane nodded. "I find it amusing she would still be asleep like this."

Nova laughed. "She sleeps about as hard as Elesis does, so yeah."

The black wolf chuckled. "Oui. Then, there is that." He walked left the hall, heading back up to the barracks.

He pulled out the silenced pistol from ODST and switched it for the fuel rod gun. "That's about as small as we got. It has an integrated scope for people that have helmets with built-in hud.

He held the gun, but sighed. "I guess I'm just jaded, when it comes to weaponry. If I'm not holding my guns, it just doesn't feel right."

Trip smiled, laying his head on Sunny's shoulder. He'd stopped being surprised by how gentle her hands were. Her snappy voice only made him smile. "All right, let's get the fuck out of here."

"I try not to get attached to my weapons, just a class of weapon. Like the long-ranged weapons. Those are my favorites merely because I am an exceptional shot."

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The doors to the mess hall opened to reveal five Spec-Ops elites walking in and making their way to the serving area. Not one of them acknowledged the people there.

Aurélie lifted a brow, watching them as she nuzzled her daughter. Odd... Most others on this base seemed companionable... And less creepy.

"...Whoa." Sol eyed the new entrees. "Those guys sure look different."

*

"I'm more of a mid-ranger. I like precision, but I also like to get up close and personal."

Katherine popped up. "Yep, Sangheili, otherwise known as 'Elites'. They're a proud warrior race and very effective soldiers. Some of them are skilled enough to equal a Sparton II. As such, they are very deadly and effective soldiers."

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"I'd recomend preparing for all ranges, even the ones you're not effective at." He reached out and tossed Cross a carbine and a battle-rifle. "The carbine is a single-shot highly accurate weapon. The battle rifle fires a three-shot burst and is also highly accurate. Both are good at mid to long ranges."

Trip burrowed his face into Sunny's shoulder and the lab shrugged. "Who cares? They ain't our priority."

She looked around, half-expecting to here Star's voice, letting her know how impressed she was by the big word. Her shoulders slumped a bit when she remembered that, no, Star wasn't there.

"Let's just go," she muttered.

"No one seems very fond of them," Mani noted.

"It's like they all suffer from 'Book Cover Judgement Syndrome'," Sol added.

"Anyway," Nova said. "Sunny's right. Let's leave 'em to our own schedule."

*

"Oh, don't get me wrong." He tested the feel of the weapons in his hands, starting with the battle rifle. "I'm good at long-range. Sol's better, but I'm still an effective sniper." He then switched to the carbine. "Also, I like single-shots, but I can work an multi-burst. Bottom-line, I'm pretty versatile."

Katherine shook her head, "No, it's because A: They were once part of a religious fanatical conglomeration of various species in which its leaders declared humans scum and lead them on a genocidal campain against us; and B: They stick to their own kind. All of them here are here to regain their lost honor through combat or die trying, which will have them regain their honor anyways." She looked at them. "Such an unusal culture..."

---

"Feel free to look around, we got weapons and equipment here, find something you like, feel free to test it out. Firing range is that door down there." He gestured at a door several meters away with a sign above it reading 'Firing Range'.

"Wow... Well, that was useless knowledge. Ey, Trip?"

"I thought it was cool," he said quietly.

"...pfft." She started out of the room, shaking her head.

Aurélie smiled, amused. "So."

"Sunny's right," Nova said. "They don't concern us, nor does their history." He stood, shifting Dart into a comfy position. "C'mon. Let's check the kids in with Elesis."

"I'm with ya," Sol said, standing. "I just feel weird around them."

"We'll make introductions later," Mani agreed, standing. "We have more important things to do."

*

"Thanks. I'll probably just fix up my guns a little, but I'll give it a shot."

"I'd recomend investing in some of this equipment. Never know when you'll need a portabl shield or a gravity left that'll get you to a normally inaccessable location."

Aurélie nodded, shifting her hold on Aurora. "Bonne."

"I just hope they haven't gone exploring," Mani said.

"Yeah," Sol agreed. "especially since Yue's notorious for that. It's about the only trouble we have with her."

*

"Oh, I'm sure. A shield would be nice, yeah. But, as far as weapons go... I'll at least test some of these out." He took the carbine with him to the firing range.

"Do hurry, you people set up a rather strict time frame. Speaking of which, I gotta get my armor on. If you need anything, Katherine will help you." With that, he jogged off.

Amused, Aurélie followed Sunny out. "Let's see if they 'ave."

Nova sighed, following Aurélie out, followed by Sol and Mani. "Just what we need, a manhunt on a munchkin. Especially since she gets into the damndest of places."

"Tell me about it," Sol said. "I wouldn't be surprised if she somehow got to the firing range."

"Oh, God, please, Sol!" Mani said, hand over her heart. "Do not tempt Murphy..."

*

After firing some rounds off of the carbine, he went back to try the battle rifle. Two-handed weapons weren't really his thing, but they were actually kinda fun to shoot.

When he returned to his booth, his eyes widened at the sight before him. "Bang! Bang!" Yue shouted, pointing her fingers at the target, as if she were holding a gun.

Katherine was standing there, looking at her. "Well, she's an interesting one..."

"We all know what 'appens when you do," the dog murmured.

"What's a firing range?" Trip wondered.

"Here's to hopin' you don't find out 'til your older. Much older," Nova said.

"I hope she's at least with someone," Mani said.

*

"Yue!" Cross said, picking her up. "What're you doing here?" There was no point asking how. He'd already gone through that.

"This place is cool!" The girl responded brightly. "Just like the video games!"

Trip's tails flicked. "There's Elesis," he murmured, pointing.

Elesis turned to them, and ran up, panting. "Oh, thank God! Now I've got some backup!"

"Yue off exploring again?" Sol asked.

She nodded. "I dunno how she does it, but she does! You guys have any idea where she could be?"

"Hmm..." Mani turned to Sol, a bit of venom in her eyes. "Why don't we ask Murphy, huh?"

Sol shrugged sheepishly. "Uh, firing range?" Aw, man, I'm in for it, now...