He squeezed the trigger but instead of the creature's head being turned into mist a blue layer covered the helmet as the bullet impacted then it disappeared. But the helmet was damaged, severely as a chunk of it covering the creature's eye flew off. Underneath as it looked back at him after having its head pushed back it was just as much bird beaked underneath the mask as he suspected.
The alien jumped back letting go of the blade that Steel was holding onto. Steel fired three more shots in quick succession, his hand ringing in pain from the recoil. But instead of dodging or taking the attack head on. It used its blade to deflect the first two shots. Then when the third came around it had figured it out and the bullet came back.
Steel was both shocked and awed that the alien was able to easily deflect the bullet back using its blade. Even more so that it aimed the bullet back right at the gun. He would be more impressed if it was not for the fact that his new sidearm was flying through the air. The gun had been 'shot' out of his hand.
But this was a fight and he had to focus. He tossed the blade to his dominant hand and got ready for an exchange. They circled each other. The creature glanced at his other sidearm but ignored it. Steel was armed now and that was all that mattered.
As they were circling Steel caught sight of an Osprey out the hangar door passing by. In the distance various different fighters were shooting at each other. The whole ship shook and that was the signal they were both waiting for.
The alien jumped forward and Steel countered all its attacks redirecting them or blocking them. Staying on the defensive and waiting for an opening to land a critical blow. The exchange lasted until the ship was almost in orbit. Then the alien screwed up.
It overexerted its reach. Steel's arm snaked forward with a speed that surprised even him and a second later the alien screeched in surprise and pain before jumping back. Leaving its arm still flying in the air.
Steel caught it just on instinct alone and looked at the alien before the entire ship tilted and almost like the fates willed it. The ancient craft slid out of the hangar. Steel cursed and jumped out after it, glancing one last time at the alien. Managing to see a blue shield cover it while its one remaining arm held its last sword and Steel's revolver.
But now he had a new problem: he was free falling to the planet's surface. It would not have an easy solution. But first, he had to get to this ancient attack fighter.
Which he did. Using the air and currents he glided right to the cockpit. A sword in one hand and an alien hand in the other. As soon as he was in the chair he closed the cockpit lid and then turned on his comlink. A cacophony of noises assaulting his ears.
He ignored them for now. As he was reentering the atmosphere. He needed something and he needed it quickly.
The craft was not like any human model. Instead of a stick to control the direction the nose was pointing. There were two balls with prints that looked like hands but were far different from any human hands.
After a moment and a deep breath he brought his hands to them… nothing. Maybe he could-
[ALERT! BROKEN THROUGH 250 POINT MARK!]
[NEW ABILITY CREATED TO ASSIST NANO USER!]
[Ability: Bioelectric Control
Option 1: Can absorb electricity up to a certain amount.
Option 2: Can convert most forms of energy into bioelectricity.
Option 3: Can discharge bioelectricity.]
"That works!" He yelled in surprise before he channeled his new ability discharging energy into the metal balls he was touching. He was right, it did work… partially. The ship started coming to life before shutting down again.
He did it again, this time maintaining a constant stream. It immediately became apparent that this would become a headache and cause a strain on his body. But he did it anyway.
Then the way to fly this craft entered his mind. As some sort of piloting display pulled up in his mind. But it looked similar to the nano system's own format. A mystery for later.
It was controlled through bioelectric control. Whatever species built it could control their bioelectricity at will or with some practice. Now he could fly it but very sloppily.
"Umm… This is Cadet Steel to Border of Downfall or Corporal Tani, I am out of the mystery ship and in an unknown assault craft where am I landing this?" Steel's message caused a ruckus as there were celebrations and laughter over the comlink.
"Cadet Steel, this is Captain Mendez. The Border of Downfall is flying over where the base was set up. You can park that thing in our hangar. Was the mission accomplished?" The captain asked, silencing the line.
"And then some sir. I apologize for being unable to talk. I was having a difficult time with this alien and I needed to focus on fighting it. I have the footage to prove how tough of an opponent it was." Steel answered, a little too tired for formalities.
"We know Cadet Steel. Bird's Nest and some of your squad fought the same alien. It seemed to be their commander."
"Understood sir. I am flying in now sir. What is the situation with the battle?" Steel asked as he flew the ship towards the hangar where he could see a flurry of action. As well as people making space for him to land.
"Three of the Union cutters were destroyed before they retreated. The federation lost plenty of troops and small craft but they got away with a Victorium dropship as well as a few bodies of the Victorium. The Victorium for the most part trounced the federation and our fighter ships in the space battle, they then just now warped away with their prize. That entire space craft." The captain then went on seeming proud, "We on the other hand managed to fend them off. The rest of the ships have minimal damage. But we sustained the most. We will need some repairs before we warp away. Some lives lost from all the ships, unfortunate but unavoidable in a battle . We actually believe we had the least amount of casualties."
Steel nodded in understanding while he landed the ship. He opened the canopy and jumped out of the cockpit causing the light in the ship to disappear. As soon as his feet touched the deck he felt the world spin. Dizziness?
One of the deck engineers caught him while Steel steadied his feet. Another crawled up to look in the cockpit. Steel shook his head as he shook off the sudden nausea that had come along.
"Hey how did you fly this thing?" The engineer asked in surprise from where he was looking into the cockpit.
"With great difficulty. Hand me that sword and the hand." Steel nodded to the engineer and he looked back into the cockpit before pulling out the two items Steel mentioned.
"Is this an alien hand?"
"Yup, cut it off a tough opponent I wasn't able to kill. I need to report to the captain." Steel responded before taking both from the engineer. He then jogged to the bridge, touching all his pockets to make sure the alien did not damage anything else that he had on him.
When he arrived at the Bridge there were signs of damage and an entire console was destroyed. Captain Mendez was talking with Sergeant Cornwall at the war table. Steel walked up and saluted.
"Drop formalities Cadet. What did you manage to get?" The captain waved off several officers. He actually had a bandage on his forehead, it looks like he was injured.
Steel set down the alien hand and sword on the war table before he started emptying his pockets placing the data collection devices down. "I also retrieved a spacecraft and the ship schematics of the larger ship. Oh and…" He brought his hand up to his helmet and tapped a button. Turning off his recording device. "I recorded everything from when I first stepped in the abandoned research vessel to now."
Cornwall frowned and nodded, "umm… did you cut this off the alien that managed to slip past the others?"
"Yes sir. Unfortunately I lost the battery, my knife, and the alien took my revolver." Steel reported. He needed food and sleep, the adrenaline was starting to wear off and his entire body was hurting.
"Hmm… it is fine. All of the things you retrieved will be moved to Nightfall of Requiem. So will the mecha you modified and the vibrational scanner. It is the same as all the Victorium bodies and Victorium tech. Go get some sleep and rest, as soon as we have pulled up all stakes the Border of Downfall is heading to the Talus System for repairs and a quick break from action." The captain waved off Steel.
Steel gave a slight nod before he walked away. He really needed food and sleep. He would catch up with the rest of his squad afterwards.