Easy Kill

I push the trolley loaded with the last of the poison filled canisters into the waiting monorail and the doors hiss shut behind me. As the monorail glides away from the hub, the canisters gently knock into each other, letting out a rattling noise. I double check the hoses that The Voice had supplied me with in order to hook up the canisters to the air vents. As I hear another rattle coming from the canisters, I can't help but repeat the question that I had asked earlier today.

"You sure that this is safe? The canisters are not going to pop or anything right?"

The Voice sighs tiredly, "Canisters do not pop. We have been through this before Transmigrator. You are perfectly safe. Even if the canisters sprung a leak, all you would need to do is activate the core and my power would immunize you to the toxin. Stop worrying over nothing."

"I would feel more secure if you had provided clothing that was more suitable, preferably something that included a gas mask or an oxygen tank." I protest.

The Voice rumbles in a slightly annoyed tone, "How is your current attire unsuitable? You are indistinguishable from a maintenance technician and the disguise has passed muster multiple times the past week. You had been openly modifying the air vents in full view of the actual sarcophagus technicians and not a single one has questioned you. I fail to see the problem."

I take another glance at the canisters before replying, "The problem is that I am now escorting a batch of lethal poison. Big difference from the past few days."

The Voice grumbles, "Stealth is our advantage here Transmigrator. No one but us knows the actual contents of the canisters and I intend to keep things that way. If a technician blunders into you outfitted in full NBC gear while setting up the canisters, what do you think will happen? Furthermore the toxin while lethal is slow acting. The aim is to flush Fate's lackeys from their den after all. They cannot flee if they die too quickly. You will have more than enough time to activate the core if required."

I play idly with the hard hat that had come with the technician outfit, grunting in acknowledgement. The Voice had a point, I suppose.

"Once the canisters have been set up, when will we begin the attack on Fate's base?" I query.

The Voice responds eagerly, "Immediately. I will remotely release the toxin from the canisters while you wait on standby. Once Fate's lackeys attempt to flee from the place of power, I will deploy the drones to track them and if necessary, slow their progress. You will then use the monorail to intercept them. Weakened from the toxin, they should not prove much of a challenge. You have the sling bag that I had prepared?"

"Yeah." I confirm, checking the said bag one more time. The stab vest and sword were placed in it to avoid detection until I was ready to make my move. No less lethal equipment this time. The Voice was not playing around. "No equipment upgrades? I could use a bit more firepower here." I remark.

The Voice rasps, "My resources, and most importantly, time is not unlimited. Setting up the hub as a place of power took a good deal of strength. I was then preoccupied with the production of the necessary building materials to make the changes needed to the air vents as well as the manufacture of the toxin canisters you see before you. While spawning all those items at the hub, I had been tightening my control over the sarcophagus's systems as well. Do be more reasonable in your requests of me."

Now I feel slightly bad. My part of the operation seemed simple in comparison, yet I still needed The Voice to guide me through it. I can't be blamed for that though. Previously I had never worked as either a builder or a technician and I naturally did not know my way around all the building supplies and technical equipment that The Voice had spawned at the hub. Nevertheless, with The Voice's guidance, things went more or less smoothly.

"I did manage to enhance the shin gunto however." The Voice continues, "I have copied the enchantment on Trietel's flogging rod and woven it into the sword. You will find an improvement in the blade's performance."

Well, at least that's something. The monorail comes to my first stop and I begin using the trolley to unload a portion of the canisters to be deployed. The Voice sends a signal to the monorail system, reserving the track my shuttle is on, allowing it to linger as I go about my business. With a heave, I begin pushing the loaded trolley deeper into the sarcophagus.

Not much longer now.

....

Last stop. Final destination. The shuttle has been completely emptied of canisters and I abandon the trolley at the monorail platform. I get back into the shuttle and wait for The Voice's next move. The Voice on its part remains silent, waiting for a reaction from Fate's base. I take the opportunity to retrieve the stab vest as well as the sword from the bag and get myself equipped. Soon, the monorail begins moving again. Looks like the plan worked. Fate's worshipers had chosen to flee instead of staying holed up to meet their end.

"Fate's lackeys are in flight, carrying the mystery item with them." The Voice reports with satisfaction, "The fools have chosen to make their way to the nearest monorail platform. They hope to use a shuttle to reach a medical station in time to treat their poisoning. I have diverted all other shuttles from that station am sending you directly there right now. Finish them."

I nod, stretching my muscles, "How many of these guys are there?"

"Around thirty, however do not worry Transmigrator." The Voice responds, "Not only are they dying from the toxin, I have dispatched the drones to soften them up for your arrival. Fate's lackeys shall prove no challenge to you."

If you say so Voice. I prime myself for action as the shuttle speeds remorselessly towards my target. In a matter of minutes, the monorail begins to slow and I see the platform in question drawing closer from the distance. I draw the sword and activate the core in readiness. The shuttle smoothly comes to a stop at the platform and the doors slide open.

What greets my eyes is a sorry sight. Amid the wreckage of the spider drones are the bloodstained bodies of several men and women dressed in plain white robes. Many of these men and women lie inert, having already succumbed to either their wounds or the poison. Those that still survive have protectively surrounded a coffin sized metal crate, no doubt housing the mystery mcguffin. They look up expectantly upon realizing that the monorail had arrived, clearly hoping that rescue is at hand. That hope leaves their faces when they see me advancing towards them with my sword drawn. Blood oozes relentlessly from the survivors' eyes and noses as their faces morph into a thoroughly crestfallen expression. Death will claim them soon, no matter what I do here.

The survivors weakly crawl towards me in a feeble attempt to protect the mystery mcguffin. I gently nudge them aside with my foot and make my way to the crate. Examining the crate, I notice that it has been tightly sealed. I don't have explosives with me now, so I will have to bring the crate back to the hub where I can take my time to deal with it. Hefting it up with one arm, I make my way back to the monorail, blocking my ears to the impotent curses uttered from the survivors and occasionally slapping one of them down with the flat of my sword.

Make your peace with your goddess. You lot will be seeing her very soon.