[h1]Fu Xuan, the Master Diviner[/h1]

[i][b]Alien Facility[/b][/i]

[hr]

Tch.

One does not have to be capable of seeing the future to know that conflict is inevitable in this situation. Approaching this base, well-guarded as it is, is both our objective and a surefire way to begin a fight.

The creatures patrolling this base, at first glance, carry with them an air of unpleasant familiarity. Given the warped features of the soldier that I have slain, the comparison to the Abominations of Abundance is perfectly clear when combined with their warlike and invading nature. Alas, that does not provide any further assistance in composing a strategy for our assault on the base.

It is far from the first time that I have led a siege, but it is admittedly more difficult to grasp the correct future in a situation where it is only Qingque and myself. Not that I fear potential defeat against these enemies, but selecting a future in which we meet success in or objective becomes more challenging, especially given the fact my sight is limited without the greater matrix at my disposal.

My head throbs once more as the Omniscia reaches towards the future. The ideal method is to attack where their defenses are weakest.

"Qingque, we will have to synchronize an attack in order to take them by surprise," I declare, "The patrol squad on the western side of the facility will change their patrol route in roughly five minutes, leaving a gap in their defenses we must capitalize on immediately. We shall be a strike of lightning that will split the stone."

We may not have the force of the Cloud Knights, but we will still succeed.

[@FujiwaraPhoenix][@Rune_Alchemist]

[hr]

[i][b]Ruins[/b][/i]

[hr]

The machine lurched from the twin impacts, nearly completely knocked off of its many feet and set hurtling sideways, slamming into the nearest ruin and causing concrete to split and tumble to the overgrown earth. It rocked for a moment, then managed to catch itself. Despite clearly having taken the blows, however, the strange robotic monstrosity seemed to have suffered no real damage, a shimmering light flashing around it briefly before fading away just as swiftly as it appeared.

Its response to the new threats, however, was immediate.

An emotionless, feminine voice emanated from somewhere deep within the machine.

"Scanning. Unknown Viral Agents detected. Sterilization in progress."

The multi-part head swung open, revealing a thin black spike. With a flash of blue light, it crackled with surging energy, feeding towards the tip and growing brighter and brighter...

The sound of the red-orange beam of light as it ripped through the air was disconcertingly like a scream.

[@Raineh Daze][@FujiwaraPhoenix]