Descent of the Reaper by J.N. Chaney & Scott Moon

Author:J.N. Chaney & Scott Moon [Chaney, J.N. & Moon, Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Variant Publications
Published: 2019-12-14T23:00:00+00:00

13

The Neverseen chanted and rhythmically shuffled their feet, sounding like an ocean wave breaking on the shore. It also had the effect of gradually moving the entire mob toward us. My focus had to be on the big baddie coming down the middle of the street, so large and hideous that it was sucking air into it with enough force for me to feel the draft. But I was also worried about becoming enveloped by strange and determined enemies.

“So far we haven’t been able to do much damage,” I said. “I’d like to call it a stalemate, but I think this thing might just be big enough to swallow one of us whole.”

“I volunteer not to be eaten,” Elise said.

Agitated, Brecken moved closer and closer to our line like he was going to get in front of us. “I don’t think this is the time for jokes.”

I could see his nervousness, and as much as he didn’t like it, I thought he was the type of person who felt obligated to be in the thick of the fight even if he clearly had less effective armor and weapons. The man had a large rifle, but it required a lever on one side to chamber each round. If our fully automatic HDK rifles weren’t having an effect, I couldn’t see what his weapon would do.

“Hannah, Bug—the two of you are going to have to step up. You don’t have weapon skills, but you have armor. Watch out for our hosts and shield them if you can. Especially from the mob that is surrounding us,” I said.

“Of course, brother,” Hannah said.

Bug made some kind of joke, but I ignored it.

When the Neverseen monster roared, I could feel it even inside of my armor. There was a smear of light that I suspected was it opening its jaws and ruining part of its concealment effect. The huge beast pushed off the ground and charged.

“X, what’s the chance my armor can withstand its bite?” I asked in a rush.

“It’s coming!” Elise shouted, firing her weapon into its flank.

“Reaper Cain, I strongly advise against this course of action, X-37 said. “I estimate its bite strength to be sufficient, if it catches you at an advantageous leverage point, to bisect you with or without your armor.”

“So, there is a chance it will hold.” I sprinted forward.

“What are you doing, Reaper Cain?” X-37 asked.

“I’ve got an idea.”

“Famous last words.”

I picked up speed, closing the remaining distance. Despite what I’d just said, my timing was off slightly. I did a stutter step, waited until it roared again, and then lunged into its jaws. Maybe I would’ve felt more confident if I could see it clearly enough to accurately gauge its size, but it was time to get busy with this thing.

I sprung into the air and crashed into its teeth, grabbing its upper row and driving one knee into its lower mandible. Something horrible happened then, something I hadn’t expected. Its tongue battered me like an enraged python on a suicide mission.

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