[dcs_p]”I’m not sure what to think of it. But as clumsy and slow as these battle armors
can be, I recommend we cover each other’s back until our own backup arrives. If
that man has any explosives, we could both die if we’re not careful.” Jasmine
reasoned.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]”I dunno, but get yourself into that Longinus armor now. There’s no use waiting
around for him to return before you take some kind of cover.” Ryan concluded.
Grabbing the briefcase, Jasmine slid into the metallic suit of armor. Lowering it
over her body, she strapped herself in and manually sealed its armor barrier.
Though the Longinus was a smaller armor than some, it was more than big
enough for Jasmine’s small frame. She could keep the briefcase against her
lower chest and stomach without any discomfort.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]”Line up behind me, and we’ll use some tactics similar to what you suggested
earlier.” Ryan said. “You’re not bad if this is your first time using the armor.
Thats a tactic we use occasionally, but only in extremely cautious situations when
we have lots of time.”[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]”Well it just seemed logical. So are we expecting backup of any kind?” Jasmine
probed.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]”There are two more of my men on their way up here now.” Ryan said. “They
are wearing cloaked Purifier battle armor suits. They should be very helpful to us
if that commando returns to try and steal those plans.”[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]”I have no doubt he’ll return. I just hope we can survive long enough to deliver
these secrets. They are extremely important to both of our units. It would be a
shame to do all this work and then lose them.” Jasmine explained. She was
beginning to feel woozy, and wasn’t sure how much longer she could stay
conscious. “One thing’s for sure, I hope those Purifier boys arrive soon. I don’t
know how much longer I’ll be among the living.”[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]Mark Hendrik and Steve Callaway walked up the library’s only stairwell
cautiously. Though intended to be more agile than other battle armors, the
Purifier suits were never designed for climbing stairs. While trying to move
quickly, the pair concentrated mostly on covering one another as they made their
way to the third floor. Though they were both veterans of battle armor
experiences, they had never used such stealth in all their military experience.
As they reached the first floor, the two power-armored men encountered their
first library visitors, an elderly couple. Because the Purifier armors were using a
chameleon-effect camouflage, Mark and Steve first confused and then frightened
the pair. After jumping to the floor instinctively as the armors walked nearer, the
couple looked back as the two men trod past, beginning to move up the next flight
of stairs.[/dcs_p]
[dcs_p]As Mark neared the fourth flight of stairs, he detected movement of an extra
body somewhere on the floor above him. While his logic told him it was probably
a civilian, his instincts warned him as his body involuntarily shuddered. He took a
precautionary aim with his single weapon, a powerful assault laser. Tracking the
figure on his viewscreen scanners by its movement, he watched it pause near the
top of the steps above them. Whoever this individual was, they must have heard
the metal clang of the battle armor’s feet.[/dcs_p]