Limping Home

[Omegarex24]

For several hours, Darktide flew low over the ocean, headed back towards CEEHQ, smoke trailing from its damaged body. Ben had been unable to raise anyone back at base, probably due to a combination of radioactivity and general damage to the communications array, although that changed once the ruins of the west coast came into view. A faint, garbled transmission came through over the radio. After a few seconds of fiddling the the console (which mostly consisted of Ben smacking it a few times), the signal became clear enough to understand.

"Darkt..you copy? This is CEE...Q, come...over."

"This is Darktide. I'm currently on an eastbound vector, headed for HQ. Enemy target has been confirmed neutralized. Repeat, I am on an eastbound vector, headed for HQ. Enemy target has been confirmed netralized."

"Rog...Darktide. Landing beac...tivated. Fire teams have ... mobilized. Request damage...date."

"I'm pretty beat up. NXT has been fully compromised with over 80% damage to external armor frame. Multiple sub-systems have been taken offline. I'm just glad this thing can still get airborne."

"Acknowledged. Recovery...on stand by. Just bring 'er in...and slow, over."

"Roger. Darktide out."

The mammoth machine continued on its flight path, heading towards home. Ben knew it would be a while before Darktide was fully operational once more. At least Cerberus and Lenneth were still up and running.

[Omegarex24]

-Several days later-

"How's the repair work coming," General Williams asked Natalie as he stood, overlooking the wreckage left behind after the battle with Blaradon.

"We're still trying to clear out the ruined sections of armor and circuitry before we can even attempt a repair job. The AI program is a little on the fritz, but otherwise it's still functional. We're looking at a month or two, tops, before we're even remotely close to operational again."

"Alright then. And the other project?"

"I've got teams experimenting with the portal technology with some of the data sent over from Imar and RNT. Things are still a bit hectic right now though. I'm not going to be able to make those patrol runs in Lenneth at the moment."

"We'll manage with Cerberus for the time being. Getting our forces back to full operational capacity and getting this portal to work are our top priorities."

"Of course. Um...how's Ben doing? I haven't been out of the shop since he came back."

"He's doing fine. Still resting up in the infirmary. Nothing serious," he said, noting Natalie's expression, "just some cuts and bruises from being knocked around in the explosions."

"Oh, that's good then."

"You should probably go see him. I'm sure it would make you both feel better."

"I've gotta work on this though. I..."

"Don't make me give a direct order. You could use a break. You haven't been getting much sleep lately."

"I'm fine, really. It's just..."

"We still have two perfectly serviceable machines in the hanger. If the need arises, we can still send Ben up in Lenneth. Darktide's controls aren't all that different. But what we need right now is our top engineer and mechanic up and running as best she can. And if you don't take a break, you're of no use to anyone, yourself included."

"I suppose."

"Trust me. We've all been through a lot lately. Take some time and get some sleep. There will be plenty of work for you to do later. Go on, take a break."

Natalie stood there for a moment, as if trying to make up her mind, then looked General Williams straight in the eye and nooded. Williams smiled, seeing that he had reached her and turned to make his exit.

A few minutes later, Natalie left the hanger herself, headed for the infirmary.