“Now for the hard part, getting over that bridge.” I said with a resigned sigh.

The bridge was the second part of the way to the last installation and it was well defended AND under bombardment by the Seraphs. It was a simple metal suspension style bridge but on it’s road was Lance armored vehicles parked as barriers while no less than twenty soldiers were in a shootout with the Seraphs flying in the sky nearby and throwing energy projectiles at them. It was not going to be a fun experience crossing this bridge.-

That said we let our shields regen before we got up from where we took cover and got to work. Mordy and Lil provided cover fire as we ran hell for leather onto the bridge and the soldiers took exception to that. I held up my left hand and used Phase lock to create a gravity distortion that yanked the soldiers off balance while killing the unlucky one I used it on. The Seraphs didn’t seem to care or even register that we were the enemies of the soldiers but simply added us as targets and let it fly.-

Balls and spikes of energy hurled through the air towards us while some of the Seraphs were sniped by Mordy and Lil joined us in gunning down the still disoriented soldiers. It wasn’t smooth fucking sailing though as the soldiers who weren’t yoinked by my bubble were opening fire on us. Even worse some of them had elemental effects on their gun so my shield and gun was shifting between shock, fire, corrosive and ice constantly making my damage inconsistent. Towards the end of the bridge we finally got a break as it turned out all the soldiers guarding the third installation had gone to the bridge to reinforce their buddies so the base was totally unguarded now.-

Well beside the two fucking turrets that is. Yes. Not one but two motherfucking turrets AFTER the slog to reach this place, I REALLY didn’t like Steele right now. 

“ENOUGH!” I yelled angrily as I Phase locked both of the turrets and crushed them in annoyance.

“Uh, you good?” Brick asked after my outburst.

“Yeah yeah I’m fine, just a little miffed at getting stalled like this. I am absolutely doing something about fighting in the open cuz this shit is just irritating.” I said honestly.

I was strong and really good at fighting numbers but the condition is that I have cover. No matter how good I am theres no avoiding damage when I am standing in the open with close to two dozen sights locked on me. If I had Lil’s powers this wouldn’t be a problem since I could just Phase walk to reposition out of the line of fire. And despite my regeneration and defensive traits making me able to tank a lot of bullets before going down they DIDN’T make getting shot any less annoying.-

I can and have ignored pain before in a fight but that didn’t mean I enjoyed it. The fucking opposite really, I hated being injured. A funny little conundrum isn’t it? I was addicted to adrenaline rushing through my body but hated getting hurt. My own paradoxical mindset aside we finally moved into the installation and set off the last of the relays and only had to go back to the main console to kick off the blockade on the Echo network. Once again this final installation had a red chest but it only had a set of four uncommon quality pistols that went in the “resale” pile of loot.-

I managed to nab a nifty 32,911 lifeforce from the soldiers on this last stretch which pushed my current stores to right at three quarters of a million units. Another two hundred thousand and I’d cross over into the million range. Just thinking about grabbing Lil’s powers finally had me practically giddy. Obviously I would still need another half million even after getting to a million but the point still stands. With the way back to the main base cleared out by us it was a smooth trip back and with a satisfying click of the enter button on the main consoles keyboard the Echo network was back in business.-

“There’s no time to consider “who betrayed whom” at this point. I know where the vault is and so does Steele. With the key in hand only the guardians of the vault are delaying her opening of it but they will fail in the end. I have sent the location of the vault to your echoes, when you find that albino bitch make it painful for me.” Tannis sent and I grinned.

“Can fucking do. You heard the lady, we have a vault to claim.” I said to the other who all nodded seriously before we headed out.

“You need to move fast. The lance are already well on the way to the vault with the key and if you miss this opportunity you won’t have another for two hundred years. I believe in you.” the “Angel” said seriously.

‘Really need to look into her once this is over.’ I thought idly before focusing on making it to the Catch-A-Ride outside the main entrance of the Lances fortress.

The Catch-A-Ride was guarded by five soldiers with one of them being an elite with a shield that was annoying to kill since he kept using the shield to stop us from shooting him down. Still we got him in the end by flanking his ass and putting him in a no escape situation. I gathered up the loot and we digistructed our rides before heading for the Salt flats that the vault was apparently at the edge of. –

“The echo network is back online! I suppose I have you to thank for this. If you need anything at all check the commerce grid. I’m sure there will be something for you there, partners.” Marcus sent and I just scoffed.

We passed through the gate leading to the Salt flats and soon passed the cave we used to enter the Lance base as well. Sand got kicked up as our vehicles shot over the land towards the small natural gap in the rocky edge of the Salt flats. When we arrived the place was crawling with Lance soldiers but plenty of boulders to take cover behind as well. I dashed forward ahead of my friends and drew out both my usual gun as well as the Chimera. Holding them up I fired both simultaneously.-

The shot from my usual gun domed an elite while the shot from the Chimera missed it’s target by a small amount making me frown a bit. I understood my mistake and readjusted though when I fired my next two shots from my guns. This time was better as I at least hit my target even if slightly to the left of where I had actually been aiming. I wasn’t used to dual wielding guns so my aim needed a little work with the gun used in my non-dominant hand. Still my [Gun mastery] Trait wasn’t for show and I was quickly getting the hang of it as we tore into these soldiers.-

Once these twenty seven soldiers were dispatched I ripped out the lifeforce and ignored the loot for now to rush towards the slope that ended in, you guessed it, a fucking Eridian cave. Why the Eridians had this fascination with caves is beyond me but I didn’t have the time to really study the area since the longer we took the closer Steele got to stealing what was rightfully ours, ironic given her name. It took me all of two seconds after we ran through the cave entrance for me to shudder as I felt that oh so lovely Eridium hum at the edge of my powers range.-

I didn’t even hesitate to begin drawing it out to me. Purple energy ribbons came from the walls, the pillars and places we couldn’t see and sank into my body like water to parched earth. I groaned in pleasure at the sensation while my friends looked at me in concern.

“Eridium, a natural stimulant to sirens. For me it’s like the most delicious food I’ve ever had as my powers convert it into lifeforce. This place is chalk full of the stuff.” I explained with a grin.

“Mind if I give it a try?” Lil asked curiously.

“By all means.” I said gesturing to the flows of energy snaking through the air towards me.

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https://www.pa treon.com/user?u=81578854#:~:text=pa treon.com/pa treon_loskro

_______________________________________________

Alexander Drake

Lifeforce: 871,995

Integrated Traits: [Gun mastery-Rare grade]X3, [Clever mind-Rare grade],[Enhanced senses-Epic grade]X2, [Demi-supreme body-Legendary grade], [Supreme armored hide-Epic grade]X2, [Energy projection-Legendary grade], [Superior vitality-Epic grade]X2,[Lesser dragon breath-Epic grade],[Regeneration-Epic grade]X2, [Disease resistance-Epic grade],[Amphibious lungs-Uncommon grade], [Thermal sensing-Uncommon grade], [Water resistance-Common grade],[Active camouflage-Epic grade], [Eridian engineering expertise-Mythical grade], [Efficient lungs-Rare grade]x2, [Fire resistance-Epic grade]X3, [Elemental body(fire)-Legendary grade], [Shock resistance-Epic grade]X4, [Energetic sustenance(shock)-Epic grade]X2, [Radiation resistance-Epic grade]X3, [Energetic sustenance(radiation)-Epic grade]X2, [Biometallic bones-Epic grade],[Elemental body(shock)-Rare grade]X3,[Quick thinking-Rare grade], [Minor spatial awareness-Epic grade], [Buzzaxe expertise-Uncommon grade], [Siren(Phaselock)(Altered)-Mythical grade], [Pugilist expertise-Uncommon grade], [Adrenal rush-Rare grade], [Mechanical engineering expertise-Rare grade]X3, [Gunsmithing expertise(degrading)-Common grade]X3, [Elemental body(Corrosive)-Rare grade], [Corrosion resistance-Rare grade], [Mechanical Savant-Epic grade], 

Stored traits: [Flame breath-Uncommon Grade], [Tinkering instinct-Rare grade], [Minor regeneration-Rare grade], [Superior vitality-Epic grade], [Omega body-Rare grade]X2, [Supreme Armored hide-Epic grade], [Hard bones-Rare grade], [Sword expertise-Rare grade], [Gun mastery-Rare grade]

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep