The creature fought a desperate rearguard action to keep the energy blade away from its body while it tried to escape. It’s fleshy body warped and elongated as it gradually wiggled down a tight hole underneath it. Eventually, it detached from the gigantic river delta tentacles that fed into the lake bed on either side, and completely disappeared. 

What followed was an enormous explosion from Carthage’ suit self-destructing, which forced a jet of superheated vapour back up through the hole and into the air above the lake.

[hr]

“We’re operational. The trees stopped moving just before that explosion. What was down there?” Knossos asked, helping 595 to her feet while he replied to Rareth. The Sacred Band were mostly looking out at the lake, and the giant plume of water.

The tree trying to bludgeon 595 to death had frozen in place, it’s tendrils loosening enough for her to slide right out onto the floor. She looked back at it; it had been an impressive specimen at the start of the fight. Now, targeted carbine shots from Nirann, still standing in the perfect centre of the group, had stripped it back to little more than a stump with a few core branches. They had held onto her for dear life, trying to choke their prey. But, they’d ultimately met their match in the Agent’s state of the art lightweight combat armour. 

“Nothing good.” Thebes responded to Knossos’ questioning out loud, emerging from the lake in a cascade of water with Carthage still tucked around his waist. “But we got her out.” Carthage gasped for air, then grinned wolfishly and athletically uncoupled from her team leader. “Cry your filthy heart out, you alien bastard!” She roared triumphantly, dacning ecstatically around in a circle before spitting a big wad of phlegm into the lake. She then grasped Thebes’ arm in a respectful gesture, and pointed at Rareth. “Thank you both. For saving me.”

Carthage’s olive skin was covered in exquisite skin art, from neck to toe. Her short dark hair had lain pinned to the back of her head but now hung in wet clumps to her forehead, ears, and nape. Her eyes were jet black and she wore a tight navy-issue crop top, shorts and sole-covers.

595 helped Dr Ngata back to his feet. “Thank you, for helping.” She said, by way of reconciliation. He nodded solemnly, dusting himself off. “I’m sorry - for earlier. You were right, i..-” 595 put a comforting hand on his shoulder. “It’s okay, we’re all okay.” She was still angry at the scientist, but had to be careful with her emotions in here.

“Show us the feed. I wanna see.” 595 called, striding back towards Nirann and the rest of their gear.