The long, curving tunnels beneath the island made it difficult to stay unseen. After locating their enemies, the three of them retreated down the tunnel. Having the gearborn sense their arrival too soon could spell disaster for them. After ducking into a branching tunnel, they briefly discussed their options. There weren't many.
While aboard the gearborn ship, they had a massive area to fight in. In addition to this, there were so many gearborn that they got in the way of each other. These tunnels did not support either of those things. They were barely wide enough for two people to walk abreast.
That meant that at least one of them would be stopped from fighting, most likely. Vizim eagerly volunteered, but Red still didn't like it. However, they really had no other choice. The only other way into the caverns was through the massive sea grotto. But that place was surely crawling with robots.
In the end, they elected to use the age-old approach of having Derrin charge in, while Red covered from the rear. There was no point in pulling out any of their secrets just yet.
They paused for a brief moment, out of sight of the enemy. Derrin gave Red a curt nod, and then began sprinting down the hallway as silently as possible. It only took a few seconds for the gearborn to notice their approach. They turned, and one immediately drew a shockblaster.
Red raised his own weapon. Electricity exploded down the hallway before slamming into the robot's shoulder. The gun tumbled from its fingers as its entire arm sparked. The one benefit of fighting in long tunnels was that hitting targets became a lot easier with no place to hide. Not that the gearborn would in any case.
The brief moment of distraction was enough for Derrin to reach the enemy. His blade came out in a long arc that would have ended any human. However, even when injured, the gearborn moved far faster.
Its own metallic blade came up and deflected the blow. The other gearborn moved in to support their assaulted companion. In a three-against-one, Derrin would be in serious trouble in such tight quarters. Without a moment's thought, Red fired another shot down the hallway that struck another in the chest. The tin can let out a grunt of pain and drew his own blaster.
"So you humans are traitors after all. I knew we should never have allowed your wretched kind into our midst. All humans deserve nothing but the dirt."
A shot whisked down the hallway, and Red ducked to the side as it exploded against the cave wall. Bits of stone and stray electricity pelted his arm, but he ignored it. Drawing his other gun, he breathed, ensuring that he remained calm.
Derrin's fight seemed to be going well enough. While the gearborn had a numerical advantage, as well as physical strength, their sword skills were not as good. They fought with a mechanical precision that could be deadly to anyone less experienced in sword combat. Derrin was not anyone, though.
In fact, even with two gearborn against him, they were being pushed back.
Red knew that for the moment, he just needed to keep his opponent busy. Shots rippled across the space between them, but neither of them was able to find purchase. He did not want to accidentally injure Derrin in the crossfire, and it seemed that Gearborn was of a similar mind for its own allies. Instead, they were left at a stalemate, where they each used the other combatants as cover after they shot.
"For all that big talk, you don't seem to be doing all that well," Red called.
The sound of grinding steel answered, "You bastard human! I will be slow with your death."
"Why do all of you guys talk the exact same way?" Red coughed slightly, making his voice go very deep. "You Bastard Human! I will be slow with your death! I mean, come on, why can't you…shit…"
He dove to the side as the enraged Gearborn began firing like a maniac down the hallway. Rocks pelted him as the energy all rippled past. From his spot on the floor, Red could see the red eyes blazing within the robots.
If the tin can noticed him lying prone, it would be easy pickings. Nevertheless, this was as good a time as any. Red raised both of his guns and fired. One shot took the robot in the leg and another in the head. The gearborn collapsed in a smoking pile of iron and gears.
Red sighed, "They're always so teasable."
He turned back to Derrin's fight, which was already winding down. The injured gearborn had been eliminated, and its companion was desperately trying to stay alive. However, there were numerous cuts leaking black liquid out of the side of the robot.
"You aren't damn pirates," it cursed. "I see now. You're the Valencians."
"He's Montrelan!" Red called as he began strolling down the hall towards them.
"It seems we'll have to make adjustments accordingly."
The gearborn leaped backward and reached for something at its belt. Red didn't give it the chance. Whatever it was, they could not allow the robot to use it. He fired, causing it to freeze up for a moment. That moment was just long enough for Derrin to lunge forward and drive his blade through the robot's chest.
Its head sparked once, twice, three times, and then it went dead.
Iris fluttered into the hall a moment later with Vizim close on her heels. The summon seemed to study the fallen robots for a moment with an aloof expression. Then she vanished down the tunnel.
"Do you think it was trying to send out a message?' Red asked.
Derrin nodded. "It seemed like they thought we were pirates at first. When they realized otherwise though…well, it would be very helpful for their superiors to know of our approach."
"If they didn't hear already," Red muttered.
He glanced back to find Vizim trembling slightly. His friend stared down at the fallen robots in wide-eyed horror. There wasn't panic in his eyes, but straight fear. Red knew the sight all too well. It had been ever-present on Wale Port when the gearborn arrived.
It was the fear of the unknown. The fear of the demons in the night. The enemies of humanity.
Red opened his mouth to speak, and his head buzzed again. He winced slightly as words once again seemed to simply manifest into his skull from some unknown place.
"A Guardian must be willing to protect at all costs."
Why the hell did the voice keep coming back?
It took a moment for him to register that Derrin was speaking, "...go at once."
Red shook his head, trying to chase away the strange words that just didn't want to leave his brain. Derrin had turned and was already moving down the hallway. Vizim hesitated before sneaking past the fallen robots. Red only lingered a moment more. The words kept echoing back to him.
Was it getting worse the deeper he went?
It certainly seemed like it was. He'd deal with whatever the strange voice was after they dealt with the gearborn. For the time being, he just needed to keep his head up and stay focused on the enemies before them.