Story Havoc Rain 1985

[Pacificus]

The fortress dungeon of Baal, a vast subterranean complex beneath the Cascadian Mountains. An ancient hellscape the size of a city. This sprawling underworld is estimated to contain hundreds of miles of tunnels, some high enough to build a skyscraper within. Its chained and cursed caverns, built by a long dead civilization, are said to contain wonders, mysteries and creatures of unfathomable horror. Its only entrance, the legendary Gates of Thunder have been closed since time immemorial.

Outside these intimidating doors, bathed in the bright light of a midday sun stood those who would dare to open them. The modern mercenary army, “Aquila Invicta''. Assembled before the doors, their war machines rumbled in their hundreds. Thousands of battle-hardened men and women. Some seeking fortune, others adventure. All sought the prestige to be the ones to conquer the world of Illustris’ last unexplored region and to-date, biggest mystery.

Tanks, armored personnel carriers, trucks and highly specialized pioneering equipment were lined in rows, a respectful distance from the Gates of Thunder. Quartermasters frantically ensured the distribution of supplies. Technicians conducted their final procedures upon their equipment with almost religious reverance. Unit leaders marshaled their forces into their pre-planned positions.

Before the doors, at the head of the miles-long convoy, a single humvee sat surrounded by various leaders of this armed expedition. Papers and maps were laid upon its hood as several outstanding individuals debated.

Dr. Fulbright. PhD. (archeology) adjusted his too-large coveralls. A man well past his forties, with every year of toil apparent upon his aged body; but his demeanor had not been lessened and his energy was focused. He studied data sheets laid upon the vehicle. A calloused hand held an ancient book; its pages yellow, but remarkably intact.

Across from him was Mr. Tanaka, a civil engineer. He hunched over a map, appearing deep in thought. He was the youngest of the 4 who stood at the head of the convoy. He was prim and proper, his hair appeared as though it had undergone the same detailed inspection as the blueprints of a suspension bridge. A cigarette hung from the corner of his mouth.

In the middle was Major Tambor. The storied leader and the founder of Aquila Invicta. His demeanor was casual as he listened to his subordinates on this expedition. Quite the opposite of the fiery and ramrod commanders often told of in folklore, he stood at ease with his arms crossed, as if this was all formality. Behind him stood his adjutant, young Captain Amelia Anson. She stood straight and stiff, contrary to her superior. Her green fatigues her spotless without a single crease upon them. Her cover was drawn low to shield her eyes from the sun, covering most of her pale face. She held a clipboard with a thick stack of paper, occasionally, she drew from it and presented its contents for the Major or the doctor, or Mr. Tanaka.

“Seismic readings are inconclusive. I have no way of validating this map.” Said Mr. Tanaka, “there is something unaccounted for in the shale that lines the mountain. I have never seen anything like it.”

Dr. Fulbright held up the ancient book he cradled. “The ancients have written nothing of what lies directly beyond the gates. The translation of the Gates of Thunder does say that it once was guarded. By who, or what, it does not say. The ancients who built them were known to tame dragons. It is possible that a wyrm or drake was left in defense.”

“Is it possible for one to still be alive? These gates are older than any ruins I have ever encountered.” Said the engineer.

“That depends upon a number of variables. The Atilla expedition 13 years ago encountered great fire drakes when they opened the tomb of the Hun. They had subsisted on roots and natural gas pockets until the tomb was unsealed. Then they subsisted on the, ah, expedition.” the doctor let that hang for a moment. “It is your call, sir. Though, if I know you, and I do, you have already made it.”

Major Tambor let slip a grin. “I have.” he said. He plucked the cigarette from Mr. Tanaka’s mouth and snuffed it with his foot. He prompted his adjutant and she handed him a radio. “Aquila Actual, Door Knocker 1-1: Execute.”

As soon as his thumb lifted off the transmit button, the convoy roared to life. An engineering vehicle, an M60 with a massive 150mm howitzer trundled past and stopped in front of the door. The barrel elevated as the commander closed his hatch. With a resounding BOOM! The cannon fired and the high-explosive projectile exploded against the gates not a moment later. The explosion bored inward and rubble came crashing down around the gates. As if, blown off their hinges, the doors collapsed inward into a cloud of dust. An all-consuming darkness lay beyond.

“Aquila Actual to all units, Forward unto the breach.” He ordered.

In unison came the reply over the battlenet, “MORIOR INVICTUS!”

 

[Pacificus]

The Thunder Gates disintegrated as they collapsed inward. Not one mourned the loss of the intricately designed and ancient structure. Immediately after the gates of the fortress were brought crumbling down, excavators descended upon the entrance to clear the debris. Pioneers and armed soldiers navigated the rocks to enter the caverns beyond. Their task was to scout the space beyond. Their metal helmets had bright flashlights affixed to them. Some of the pioneers carried large floodlights that illuminated great swaths of the cave. Soldiers walked beside them with bayoneted rifles raised.

The space immediately beyond the entrance appeared empty, but the mercenaries remained on alert. Grabbers, dormant dragons and giant spiders had stolen away a number of their peers in the past.

The expanse was a great hall. Dusty air circulated and mixed with the outside for the first time in centuries. Great columns of neo-gothic design rose high to the ceiling and extended out beyond the range of the scout’s flashlights. Their stone was perfectly smooth and preserved. The floors were less well preserved. Rocks and stalactites littered the floor. Rock, dust and dirt filled every niche of these ruins.

A soldier stood at the base of a column, the light on her helmet shined upwards as she studied the stonework. Corporal Eliza was a veteran of 4 other expeditions with the Aquila Invicta. Her carbine was lowered, but at the ready. Beside her, an archeologist knelt on the floor, recovering stone samples.

“I expected more gold. Herc, why ain’t there any gold?” She said to her companion.

“You expected gold? In a prison fortress?” scoffed the archeologist, Hercules “Herc” Henson. “Don’t tell me that I need to explain why a prison does not have gold detailing to you, Eliza.”

Herc was also a veteran, and practically the ward of the corporal. The two joined at the same time and had been teamed up more often than not. Herc had a sharp tongue and a habit of attracting trouble. Eliza lamented how she always found herself tasked alongside the ornery junior archeologist.

“I can’t keep doin’ this, Herc. I joined to find gold, and we ain’t found shit but dusty ruins. The payout from that magic rock we found last time was nice, but is it too much for a girl to ask for something shiny?” She said.

“You joined to grave rob.” Herc implied, but made it sound like an accusation. He did not take his eyes off his precious samples.

Behind them, a narrow path had been cleared by the excavators. Two jeeps drove through; the light vehicles navigated the rocky floor quickly. One bore a mounted spotlight that illuminated the entire hall once it was ignited. The other had a mounted .50 caliber machinegun.

“Contact front!” someone called out. The soldiers turned their attention down the length of the grand hall, and raised their weapons. The shadow of bayonets occasionally caught the light; imposing knives that stalked forward. The light shined down to the end of the hall to illuminate a monolithic structure. It appeared to be an embattlement. The hall split into 2 paths at perpendicular angles that lead around it. The structure stood right at the splitting of the crossroads. It was imposing and clearly made to withstand the blows of ancient siege engines. Its sheer sides were topped with man-made spikes. Ancient ballistae could be seen raised above and behind them. But they were unmanned and abandoned. So too was the entire structure.

The cause of the alarm was a shape on the wall. It appeared to be an out of place boulder, but it bulged and convulsed, then finally slithered out of place. Once on the ground, it unfurled like a bat. It had four legs that ended in wicked claws, a long neck and a short snout. Its skin was the same texture and color of amalgamated stone. In all, it was a fear inspiring creature, the size of a city bus. The probing soldiers immediately shot at it.

At first, it was the marksmen. They made single probing shouts that ricocheted off the creature's evidently tough hide. The creature let out a high-pitched screech, more reminiscent of squealing brakes than an animal of nature. It charged at the intruders.

The sound of gunfire filled the hall as the creature entered into weapons envelope. After the marksmen came the line troops and their semi-automatic carbines. They fired with spartan disciple, combining their fire into a rapid fusillade. Their fire was punctuated by the heavy staccato of the .50 caliber machine-gun. Its recoil caused the little jeep rock sideways. Its heavy rounds flew towards the creature, staggering it when they impacted. The beast shrugged off all else.

Herc stood closely to Eliza, peering over her shoulder as she poured fire onto the beast.

“Corporal, that is a corpse-feeder. Its hide is as dense as steel. Your rounds are not going to be effective.” as if to punctuate his point, Eliza scored a direct hit on the corpse-feeders head, which had no effect.
“What the hell are you still doing here!?” She shouted at him, while changing magazines. “Researchers report to the rear, when in contact.”

“I can take care of myself.” Herc insisted. “Besides, the sappers are here.”

Just as the creature was about to crash into their line, a heavy weapons team barreled into the fight. A fearless trooper with a flamethrower rushed in and doused the creature in a thick stream of burning napalm. The cave walls were now brightly illuminated by the flickering of flame. A cheer rose from the riflemen as the creature bellowed and was driven back. In an act of careful coordination and expert timing, a trooper with a satchel charge rushed forward and threw his explosive charge at the creature. The explosive detonated after impacting the creature's long prehensile neck and severed it.

The concussive blast was amplified in the relatively combined space. Troopers were knocked to the ground. Debris and dust were shaken loose and fell as well. Some impacted the shaken mercenaries, causing injuries. Such weapons were rarely used for this exact reason.

The corpse-feeder moaned gutturally as it collapsed into a smoldering heap. Its head was entirely obliterated. The mercenaries recovered from their shock quickly, and began celebrating their first victory of the expedition. Like a hunter on safari, the trooper that dealt the killing blow, crouched next to the corpse-feeders corpse as a photographer set up to take a photo. Several of his comrades joined him, shoulder-to-shoulder.

A disgruntled Corporal Eliza dusted herself off after picking herself up off the floor. Bits of rock, fell from folds in her fatigues. Beside her, Herc gawked at the kill.

“Looks like the sappers save recons ass again.” The flametrooper said as he walked past her, wearing a cocky grin. He was in the process of lighting up a cigarette, despite the highly volatile weapon he bore. Once his back was turned, Eliza made a crude gesture with her left hand.