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On the Rim, Ch 52: Claw Does What He Does Best

2020 copyright comidacomida

The research station's intelligence was good and the security team located the pirate base with little issue. It was a small, squat, fortified position in the middle of a gorge situated amidst the irregular terrain in a long stretch of scrub land. Not only was the Cytkus' direction to the base accurate, but they had provided the team with a detailed work-up of what to expect, and that mean that Captain Archibald led the group into range for attack from the perfect angle.

The lack of tall trees or earthen ridges meant that there wasn't a lot of quality cover for a fire fight, but there were enough large bushes that the attack team was hidden from view, and that provided the Captain a chance to plan out the encounter. He went with the tried and true method, which Claw liked just fine. The Dog gathered everyone close together and spelled it out. "Grizz and I are going to hold the line here. Even though the foliage here isn't enough to stop a pulse round here's enough here that we can shift position and keep them guessing."

He motioned to the single tree visible for a hundred years, a medium sized acacia that looked like it could provide at least partial cover. "Missy... I want you setting up over there-- that'll give you a good position for crossfire when the pirates mount a counter attack against our position."

Claw considered it a good spot considering the limited options. He was also able to guess the Dog's position for Jackal, the obvious choice for the other forward position. The Badger was willing to guess that the Captain would have the recruit set up on the small rise to the south of the buildings. He was surprised however when Jackal spoke up first, beating the Dog to the punch. "I can take the rise over there, Sir."

The Badger couldn't object to the offer considering he'd been considering it himself. "It IS a solid spot... just make sure you're laying down to make yourself a small target... I'm not carrying you back home if you take a hit."

Captain Archibald silenced him with a glance then looked back to the Human kid. "Alright. I only want you picking off strays and keeping the frontrunners from our position. No heroics, you got it?"

Jackal nodded. "Yes, sir, Cap'n."

The Dog looked to Claw next. "You think there's enough cover for you between here and the back of the base?"

The Badger identified a path that would keep him out of view of the defenders. "Sure is, Cap'n. Just say the word."

Rather than say anything, Captain Archibald simply nodded, and motioned two fingers in that direction; it was the only command Claw required. The Badger moved quickly and quietly, sliding between clumps of bushes as he drew closer to the pirate installation; it helped that they barely had anyone on watch. He carefully made his way around the base until he was barely a stone's throw from the easternmost building and he waited. He didn't have to wait long.

Claw had counted six in total by visual observation, but he could smell a seventh, and moved forward with the assumption that there were eight just to be on the safe side. The moment the gunfire started he clearly heard the sound of at least two charged shots hitting home; assuming they were well aimed that brought the number down to six-- but the Badger wasn't an optimist so until he could see the bodies he moved forward still expecting eight. He reduced the number himself as the door on the south side of the building in front of him opened; Claw was right there to push one of his plastisteel cyber claws into the back of the man's head the moment he emerged.

From his new vantage, Claw was able to get a better view of the fight on the opposite side of the encampment. A loose line of pirates had gathered to face off against Cap'n and Grizz; two of them had already fallen and, as he watched, a spray of small arms fire from the north winged one while a well placed shot from the ridge to the south knocked the combat helm off another, sending the man tumbling to the ground. One final pirate standing on the front line turned to run... right toward Claw.

The Badger didn't get a chance to tackle him since he was the target of four capable gunners and he fell before he could even get back to the building. Claw was so focused on the front lines he barely heard a pirate coming at him from behind. Spinning around at the last minute, the Private got his arms up in front of himself to block a dented machete. His assailant, a short, spindly little Asian Human fought in a frenzy, combining speed and surprising strength, forcing the Badger to take a defensive stance, and didn't relent... until Roscoe jumped in from the side, latching onto the man's forearm.

Once his foe was distracted, Claw finished the confrontation decisively, balling up his cybernetic paw into a solid fist, and rendering the pirate unconscious with a single haymaker. Roscoe concluded his own attack and happily padded off toward where Missy was approaching slowly, smg at the ready. The Captain and Grizz were likewise on the approach, moving in formation and providing cover for one another as they surveyed the scene. Having already caught his breath, the Badger kicked open the door next to which he stood and did a quick scan of the single-room interior. "Clear."

The rest of the group methodically surveyed the rest of the base, clearing each building one by one until they were able to confirm that the pirate presence at the base was eliminated. At that point, the mission turned to salvaging supplies, equipment, and weaponry; there was a lot of all three. Once the group had determined their spoils, Cap'n called everyone together and did a quick readiness check; not only had they cleared the base smoothly, but there were no injuries reported.

Jackal, who was the last to join the group, had gathered together bodies and prisoners. "Sir? We have three hostiles still alive."

Claw extended and withdrew his cyber claws several times as he spoke. "If these guys are attacking that research station then they're part of a bigger group... better not let em go back alive."

Grizz nodded. "We can put em down, or send em to the Cytkus-- may as well let THEM deal with this scum."

Cap'n knelt down, inspecting the prisoners. "No... it's not our place. We're not mercenaries and we're not hired killers."

Claw snorted. "Except we were hired to kill these guys?"

The Dog shot him a dirty look. "We're doing this in the hopes that we can save Ben."

The Badger didn't relent. "We can't save him. He's dead already. We're doing this because you think we can bring him back t--"

He was only a little surprised when the Captain surged toward him, paw leading the way. Claw didn't bother dodging, accepting the punch right on the end of his muzzle. It was a solid blow, and it blurred his vision for a moment, but he remained where he was. The Dog's hackles were up, visible above the lip of his armor as he growled. "We're removing a threat, and the Cytkus are providing us assistance in return. That's all, Private."

Claw felt blood leaking out of his nose but he didn't bother to reach up and wipe it away. "Yes, Sir. Sorry, Sir."

The Dog turned around and headed toward the equipment the group had gathered. "We'll carry it all back. Leave the pirates but take everything-- whether they live or die is entirely up to them."

Claw just couldn't keep his muzzle shut. "Except the guy on the left... he's gonna bleed out before long."

Grizz sighed dejectedly off to Claw's left, but the Captain didn't respond at first. Kneeling down, the Dog gathered up several weapons and began strapping them to his body. Only once he was loaded down did he turn around, looking straight at Claw. "Then bandage him. We'll bring him back to base for Doc to look at."

The Badger didn't much care for that solution. "Sir, I--"

Captain Archibald's expression grew grim. "That wasn't a request, Private."

Sighing, Claw moved to comply with his orders; sometimes he wished he was better at dealing with people but, then again, he realized, in general people were assholes, and dealing with them the least amount possible was usually the best plan of action. He had the pirate field dressed well enough that he wouldn't bleed out before Doc could look at him, but, as Claw found out, he was also expected to carry his share of the loot. It was going to be a very unpleasant hike back to base.