Chapter LXXIX: The Scorcher Burns

The Radar X-19 facility was aflame. A large Hind helicopter, armed with deadly rocket pods and a fast-firing 30mm autocannon, circled over the facility. It had unloaded its lethal payload at the poor stalker and merc outpost below. All that now remained of them was an assortment of bloody chunks, scorched armour and bent-up weapons. Another helicopter appeared from the north, this time another legendary Soviet era chopper, the cargo-hauler Mi-8. From it, squad of heavily-equipped men in red and brown uniforms descented. They quickly moved through the blasted yard, executing the few survivors screaming for help.

Dimuha observed the scene through the scope of his rifle, his mind at boiling point. Vityukha placed a hand on his shoulder, their long friendship having made him capable of reading Dimuha's thoughts.

• Nothing we could've done for them. If we attack now, the Hind turns us into minced meat, Vityukha said, his voice full of compassion.

• I know that, far too well. Fuck, I wish I could carve each and every one of those damn Monoliths up, Dimuha swore.

• Hey, Valik, came a whispering voice from behind. It was Gleb Hawk.

• What is it, bratan?, Valik replied, equally quietly.

• You know, you're Valik Anti-Air. Could you, maybe, do your job and take out those choppers?

• Nah man, I left my Igla at home for this job, the former merc replied apologetically.

• You have an Igla back home? The fuck?, Stepukha interjected.

• Quit the chatter urods, or that chopper will serve us some prime maslinas. Now, Dimuha, what do we do bossman?, Micha roared, as quietly as he could.

• We need to wait for the chopper to leave, our guns can't really do shit to it. After that, we'll surround the place. Me, Micha and Vityukha will distract them while the rest of you swing back and attack through the back entrance, Dimuha explained. Seryoga snorted at the sound of back entrance but was silenced by a murderous glance from Micha.

It did not take too long for the choppers to turn around and head north, the sound of rotors and engines growing more distant as seconds ticked by. Soon, all that could be heard was the slight howling of wind, the crackling of the fires, and the shouted orders of the Sin strike force. Dimuha looked at the squad around him. Everyone seemed ready, their rifles held close and their gear in order, their faces filled with grim resolve to see this through.

• Alright, let's do this guys. Remember, no one gets to the lab or we're done for, Dimuha ordered. Everyone nodded as confirmation.

The exoskeleton-clad commanders moved out first, the powerstate on the skeletons set to low to avoid extra noise. Dimuha made the last adjustments to the gas system on his rifle, making sure it would work well with the suppressor. The longer they remained hidden, the better. They soon rounded the corner and set their sights on the front entrance. A lone Sin guard patrolled there, his back turned to them. Micha's VSK rifle let out a small sound, and second or so later the guard fell down, hole in his lung, gasping for air.

• Good riddance, Micha murmured, and the three ex-bandits moved forward, rifles trained at the entrance.

Dimuha peered inside the walls as stealthily as he could. The Sinners had settled down, some praying and singing battle hymns, others patrolled the abandoned facility. A couple of them were piling up the defender's bodies near a large fire, looting them of anything valuable or useful. Their leader, a tall but skinny man in a exoseva, was observing the operations. A Sinner came and offered him a piece of bread, which seemed to rile up the leader. He proceeded to give the man a vicious beating, and begun shouting at the now whimpering fanatic. Others gathered around him, interested at what was happening.

• Dunno what the hell that was about, but this is our chance. Let's strike, Dimuha commanded and the three veterans sprang forward, guns blazing.

The Sinners were taken by surprise, three of their numbers falling to the concentrated fire. They soon collected themselves and ran for cover in the open yard, hiding behind crates and boxes for cover. Dimuha pushed onwards, swapping his SVDS for a Desert Eagle as the rifle ran out. Gunfire erupted on the other entrance as well, and soon the red and black coloured uniforms of Redemption came into view. The Sinners were surrounded, but they fought back like cornered rats.

Dimuha's behemoth of a pistol sent one of the SEVA suit zealots flying, and he closed in as fast as he legs allowed, striking another fanatic down with his black blade. Suddenly, numb pain struck his chest, a familiar feeling that set his insticts off and made him lunge for cover. No bullet had gotten through his exo breastplate, but there would be some pretty dark bruises underneath soon. Dimuha slammed another magazine into his rifle, when a spurt of gunfire and a familiar scream stopped him. He leaped from behind the crate and opened fire, killing the Sinner, but it was too late. Seryoga had rushed to help him, but the Sinner leader had shot him through the head. A streak of warm blood now stained the fresh white snow.

• You bastard, I'll make you regret that, Dimuha growled, firing his SVDS at the large man.

The rounds struck, but the leader managed to duck for cover despite them. Another Sinner rushed towards Dimuha, but Arthur shot him through the throat, the corpse tumbling down. Dimuha nodded to the Freedomer and continued to chase his adversary, who was now rushing for the Scorcher facility, clearly wounded. Dimuha stopped to takd one last look at his fallen comrade, filling himself with boiling rage.

• I'll avenge you, brother, Dimuha whispered and begun running once more.

Around the yard, the battle continued. Dimuha's men battered the bruised Sin strike force, the pincer attack having left them vulnerable. Gleb and Valik moving around as if dancing to a tune, advancing methodically and covering each other, striking down zealots left and right. Arthur, Leva and Stepukha rained down fire at a Sin squad, keeping them pinned. Vityukha and Micha soon rushed in on their position from behind, and in a brief struggle finished off the last squad, Micha's almost silent weapon being the main harbinger of death.

Dimuha kept up the chase, switching once again to his hand cannon. The Sinner leader turned to face him at the end of the hallway and raised his rifle, but Dimuha was faster. The entire magazines worth of the massive pistol struck the lunatic, and it was too much for even his mighty armour. He dropped to his knees.

• This changes nothing. We fall but others take my place. The Miracle Machine will burn the Zone, making way for the Purifier to cleanse the world, the leader gloated, looking up to Dimuha, madness in his eyes. The ravings of a dying man.

• Sorry to disappoint you, buddy, but the Miracle Machine is guarded by our leader, and if even our little gang of urods could beat you, so can he beat anything you sent there, Dimuha replied triumphantly.

• So you say infidel, but the world will remember us as the martyred sons of victory. Father Chernobog will remember Gula and his men!

• You're no martyr, you're a rabid dog. And rabid dogs get put down.

The slide of the Desert Eagle slid down, chambering a .50 calibre bullet. A thunderous shot rang out. The battle for the Scorcher came to an end.