Shovels & Shotgun: Chapter 4

Chapter 4

The room lit up with a baleful crimson hue as Cici and the rest of the Irregulars opened fire. She could feel her longlas whining, it's barrel sizzling as she already pushed it with her makeshift cannon but she couldn't stop, not when faced with this demon. She knew her luck was horrible but she didn't know that it was bad enough that she'll face such a monster.

Clad in the defiled image of the Angel of the Emperor and just as every bit terrifying, the monster raised their arms and soaked up their shots. Even the super heated shot of her very own longlas could barely dent the beings armor but it was fine. They didn't need to get their shots through afterall, they just need to keep them occupied.

"Didn't we tell you we have this!" Bosco shouted as Charles shot forward, shovel in hand. With a mighty swing, the relatively tiny man sent the armored giant staggering, "Fall back!"

"No can't do Bosco!" Cici grinned as she set her longlas aside and pulled up her secondary, firing at the demons eyes which was easier said than done, "Us Irregulars? We stick together!" She shouted as the giant was knocked back down by the Ogryn.

"Damn it Cici!" Bosco shouted as a rueful smile stretched across their face, "Don't blame us if you can't keep up!" The ogryn laughed as he joined in, knocking the armored giant around. Hearing the demon's roar of frustration was like music to her ears.

"You heard him boys!" Cici cheered as she pulled her longlas back up with the barrel no longer glowing red, "Let's show them what we're made off!"

Picking themselves up, the Demon let out a howl of anger as they batted Charles aside and slammed their helm against the Ogyrn's face. Despite their face all but exposed and their mouth already bloodied, the demon was proving to be one tough son of a bitch. She could barely keep her bead on the one once they got moving, their sword a blur as they got the Bosco on the back foot. Charles would prove to be equally so as he rose back up and kept fighting.

She and the rest of the squad had to pause as Charles and Bosco stood toe to toe with the false angel. Their weapons a blur as they went at each other with a ferocity she could scarcely believe. It was almost unbelievable but she couldn't let her awe get in the way. Her fellow soldier needed her help and she wasn't going to be a burden this time around.

"Spread out!" Hassim shouted as he took potshots whenever he could. Tucking her rifle close to her chest, she ran opposite of Hassim, hugging the wall to keep as much space between her and the three. She knew well enough to get in between them was certain death.

Ducking low as stray shots flew her way, she moved to a nearby fallen statue and used it as covered. Training her sights at the giant, she gritted as the man just wouldn't stay still. It was frustrating being reduced to taking pot shots. The three were simply too fast, too strong but even a drop can turn the tide. Each stumble, each block they forced the giant to take was another extra strike for the duo. They were out gunned and way out of their depth but they still.

Breathing in deeply, she steadied her heart as she aimed behind the man and waited till she got her chance. Seeing the man rocked, she squeezed down on the trigger. Her gun bucked as a lance of light streaked through the room and splashed against the back of their knees.

Cici felt a grin stretch across her face as the giant staggered, forced to their knees as her shot burnt through the knee joint of their ridiculously tough armor. With one bad leg, they were a much easier target. "They were winning, they could actually take this man down!"

Now on the backfoot, the demon was now the one evading the Krieges shot. Each strike fluid, each shot precise. Seeing the man, no, this hero perform such a miracle had her heart fluttering. She had heard of tales of men and women blessed by the emperor himself but never did she thought she'd see one in action.

"By the Emperor, he's actually doing!" Bud cheered as the giant started to falter, their movement more sluggish as the blows from the mans shovel kept coming. However, her elation would soon turn to horror as a stray shot splashed over Charles shoulder.

Stumbling, the man caught on the swing of the giant's sword. Plate screeched as Charles was thrown away and slammed hard against the wall. "No! Charles!" She shouted as she got up from her cover, her heart seizing at the sight of them bleeding out.

Caught by surprise, Bosco didn't have time to react as the False Angel was upon him. Without his partner, the ogryn was forced to merely block as the giant picked up a second wind. Gritting her teeth, she jumped over her cover and ran straight for Charles.

"Don't stop firing!" she shouted as giant turned their attention to her. Bosco however was all to remind them that the fight was still on the Ogryn's shield slammed against them.

"Come on Krieger, don't die on me now!" She shouted as she slid to a stop before pulling out the squads Medi-kit. As she reached in the small bag to pull out the cogitator scanner, a bloody hand grabbed her wrist, "Damn it man, you're bleeding!"

The man however was insistent as he pushed her away before he ripped out the plate. She watched in muted horror as flesh slowly reknit itself as the man pulled out a fresh chest plate of all things…from somewhere, "How!?" She asked as they started patching themselves up like they didn't have their guts just inches away from spilling out.

The man let out a dismissive grunt as they tossed their trench gun at her. Clutching the weapon in surprise, she felt a warm glow spread across her chest as she held it. She could feel the warmth spreading in her hands as the weapon. Looking back at the man, she flinched back as they shouted angrily at her.

"Give you time?!" She shouted back incredulously before she turned back to see Bosco on the ground with the giant looming over them. Without a second thought, she broke off running.

She could feel her heart thumping inside her chest and the adrenaline pumping in her veins as she threw all her caution in the wind, "Oh no you don't!" She shouted as she pulled out a grenade from her belt, "Hey Big Guy! Shields up!"
Pulling the pin, she then threw it as hard as she could. As it tumbled across the air, she lifted up her gun before firing away. She nearly tripped as the gun bucked in her hands but her aim was true. Just as Bosco covered himself up with his shield, the solid slug struck the explosive, detonating it in a brilliant flash of fire and shrapnel.

The giant reared back as they clutched their face. Marching forward, Cici cocked her gun as she shouted, "Hey Asshole!" before aiming her gun and opening fire once more, "Get away from my friend!" Firing away, she marched forward, forcing the man off Bosco. She could feel the power coursing through the gun as it spewed lead down the range. The booming roar of her new gun snapped out her comrades as they fired with her.

The Ogryn was a bit dazed but they were made from sterner stuff. Pushing themselves away, Bosco got back to her feet and looked at her in surprise, "Dear Emperor" She laughed, as she stood side by side with her fellow abhuman, "Is this why your friend love this gun?"

Cocking her gun, she was pretty sure that she already shot way pass the amount that it carried but it was still going. It was a gun unlike she'd never seen or felt before. It even had her feeling like a million thrones, like she could take on the very world with it. She was definitely keeping this gun for herself.

"Among other things" The Ogryn grinned back as he spat out a bloody teeth, "Never knew I'll be saying this but ready to dance little missy?" He asked as he rolled his shoulder and raised his shoulder and raised his shield.

"Try to keep up big guy!" She fired back as she shot right into the frey.

Wiping away at the blood at their face, the giant roared as they swung at her. Leaning back into a slide, she watched in awe as the blade passed by over head. "Come on Asshat, can't catch a little mouse?" She laughed as she skidded to stop and fired a shot.

"You insufferable, puny, creature!" The giant screamed in rage as they raised their hands to block it, "I am Ras, Butcher of the Red Moon-! Gah!" What ever it was he was saying, Bosco didn't let them finish as they slammed right into them.

"What was that? I can't hear you over the sound of you whining!" She laughed as she flashed a smile at the abhuman. She never felt so alive! Still, she kept her breath steady as she stood behind Bosco and kept her eye on the false angel. Armored from head to toe in what looked like some Adamantine metal, this demon was a tough cookie to crack. Still, he had lost his helm exposing their mutated mug while cracks ran all over their armor. He was half way there but that armor was just blocking everything.

She could try to punch through it… but what if she didn't need to? It looked heavy, probably powered by servos as the knee she shot still looked mobile enough despite the sluggish movements. Could she trap him inside? "You wanted time? I'll give you time," She muttered as she dropped her long las to get as a much weight off her as possible.

"Hey Bosco, keep him busy!" Cici shouted as she circled around the giant, keep her eye on them, "I have a plan," She wasn't sure if it'll work but this was the best shot she'll ever have.

Lowering her aim away from their head, she shifted it to their joints. Elbows, knees, the shoulders and the groin, all were targets and her gun was just the right tool for the job. As Bosco grabbled with the giant, she blasted away.

The shot tore through the man's armpits, tearing through the servos and locking it in place. Turning to her in surprise, the giant's scowled with such loathing that she felt her knees lock causing her to stumble. Letting out a roar of utter hatred, they tore themselves away from Bosco and went for her. She fucked up.

She felt her heart race as she scrambled back, trying to keep distance but it was not enough. With her back against the wall, she did what any ratling would do in her shoes; She finally fought back. Refusing to back down, she rolled under their grab before blasting at their elbows.

"Cici!" Bosco shouted as they ran after her but he couldn't get him off. The giant was all over her as he started swinging away at her with murderous intent.

The whirring teeth of his blade carved through the solid rockcrete floor, leaving gouges with each pass as she slowly ran out of space to crawl away to. It was terrifying, her mind racing as even a slight misstep could have her torn to pieces or crushed beneath the giants boots but she refused to give up. She still had so much to live for.

Her family, her friends, her retirement, she can't die now. She needed to live! Taking advantage of her tiny frame, she rolled under the giants blow before smashing the barrel of her gun up against the back of their knees and squeezing the trigger.

The man let out a cry of agony as they knelt down, their knees ruined as blood splattered all over her. Fury quickly washed over the man's face as they whirred around and pulled out of their Bolt Pistol. Eyes widening, she tried to jump away but her leg all but turned to mist beneath her; She got tagged.

Blinding hot pain filled her mind as she stumbled bleeding all over the floor but lady luck was still smiling upon her. Flipping over to her back, she found the man staring at his gun as it refused to fire. Empty. By the grace of the God Emperor, he ran out of shells and she wasn't going to let this chance slip.

With a roar, she lifted up her gun and fire away, refusing to go down without a fight. The left legs soon followed then the left elbow. Their movement was but a fraction of their speed as they turned to face Bosco. Still, it was fast enough that the Bosco staggered back as a Bolt Gun crunched against their nose.

Turning around, the man then sprung forward and leapt across the air. Raising her gun in turn, she let out a wordless cry as she fired back. She could feel her heart up against her throat as her shot ripped through the air and whizzed passed their face. Each shot missed brought the man closer and closer as the world seemed to stop to a crawl.
[Parameter Reached]

She can't die now, not when she had just been noticed by the general. Not when her retirement could finally be secured. Yes, he wanted to be a hero but who wouldn't be in the service of the god emperor. Each of them were loyal soldiers and they will not abandon one another in the battlefield. She was going to live!

[New Party Member Available - Would you like to invite them? Y/N?]

Steadying her breath, she raised her gun up high and aimed even as her hand shook. Closing her eyes, she made a silent prayer before squeezing down on the trigger and letting the God Emperor guide her shoot. All she could remember after was a loud boom, blinding pain and the roar of blade coming to a stop.

[Y/N?]

The next time Cici opened her eyes, it felt as if she was weighed down by lead. Her limbs felt weak and her legs… numb. She couldn't feel her legs? Why couldn't she feel her legs. Ignoring the muffled cries from the distance, she forced her head down and gazed upon the blade buried in her right in the middle of her chest.

"Oh… that explains a lot…" she coughed before wincing in pain as she felt her innards shift as the teeth of the blade caught against her flesh. With shaky hands, she reached down the giant's clench fist but her fingers felt like jelly against their unmoving grip.

As she pawed uselessly at the hand, she heard a weak chuckle from down below. Trailing her gaze down, she found the cold hard stare of the scared man's remaining eye; Half their face nothing but mangled flesh and cracked bones that twisted and withered even as the light stared to fade away in their gaze.

"That was a good game little mouse," The man let a broken laugh as their eyes slowly started to close, "See you on the other side," They then whispered before finally, the last breath left their lips, leaving him a cold and dead corpse; One that she knew that she would follow soon.
"Fuck, I got caught," She rasped as she shifted, trying to find a position to that was comfortable; something easier said than done with the blade inside her. "Shouldn't have tried being a hero…," She coughed as the coppery taste of blood filled her mouth. She didn't want to go…

As she laid there in the slowly growing pool of her own blood, she heard the faint sound of foot steps heading her way, "Cici!" Turning, she found her squadmate all around her as they tried to cut of the giant's arm, "Don't worry, we'll get him off you! Just stay still!"

When did they get here? She should have heard them from a mile away yet here they were. They even had Bosco standing over them while they looked at her in shock. Strangely, she couldn't even hear the the lasfire as they shot at the giant's elbows. The sounds was slowly getting distant. Was this what dying felt like?

[Player has just sent you an invitation.]

She was certainly dying alright, she was seeing strange letters over her vision. It almost looked like the text from one of those advance battle simulation she once saw over at boot camp, the ones that the Tempesta Scion were privy too. Stupid jerks, why did they have be so good at their jobs? She could barely outshot most of them!

[Do you want to accept?]

Turning to her friends, she smiled as she told them, "Heh, I fucked up," Hissing out in pain as the hand was finally shot clean off, she watched as Bosco and Bud slowly eased it up but it was far too late. The sword was buried in deep and all the movement was causing her pain.

Finally, they stopped, leaving her be. She wanted to sleep right now. She felt so tired and cold. A nap doesn't sound so bad. Maybe she'd miss her own end.

[Y/N]

Looking down on the corpse, she then chuckled, "At least… atleast I got him," A corpse of a false angel and it was her kill. That should earn her a medal right? She wondered if her family would get benefits from the bounty? It'll definitely be big since this fucker was defacing the image of the Emperor's angel.

Sucking in the blood, she spat weakly at the corpse, "Fat fuck didn't die fast enough…" She trailed off as her eyes slowly shut close. Feeling a slap against her cheeks, she opened them up to see Hassim's face all twisted up with worry. He looked better with a smile in her opinion.

"Cici! Cici!" Hassim shook her as tears poured down his cheeks, "Come on you little shit, don't die on me now!" Everyone was crying right now, even Bud. She found herself smiling at the ridiculous sight. The man looked ridiculous as they bawled their eyes out.

[Y/N]

Frowning, she tried waving away at the letter in front of her eyes but all it did was have her arms flop about. It would have been better if she could die in peace but here she was, laying there while this most annoying light blinked over her face. No matter, it's not like the others could see.

Turning to her long time friend, she told them, "It's over Hasim," Inching her hand till she could grab their warm hands, she clutched them tightly. Her hands felt so painfully cold, like ice had crept up all over her body, "The… end of the road," She wheezed as she felt her heart slowly give out. It was almost over.

"Come on, don't say that!" Hassim replied as he held on, refusing to let go, "We'll get you patched up like always," The man told her with a shaky smile. She smiled back, comforted by the mans word. As much as she hated how he ran their team… he truly was a good leader.

As the world slowly faded away, turning to a morose gray, she saw at edge of her vision a golden light. Turning her eyes, she saw Charles standing beside her as immaculate as the day he first saw him. It was if the blade never touched him at all as his presence was shrouded with that familiar yet distant golden light. It felt so warm, it was if she was basking under the golden rays of the star shining over Ornsworld.
"I…" She tried speaking but it all came out in strangled croaks, "I… did good right?" she gritted out as she finally realized who she was in the presence. All this time and yet the bastard never spoke once about it. Certainly saintly material right there.

Just as she was about to let go and slip away in the darkness, he reached out and pulled off his mask. Kneeling down, she found himself staring at such beautiful blue eyes. They looked so warm… and so tired.

Reaching out to her hand, he then told her, "Yes Cici," before grabbing hold, "You did good."
[Y/N]

At his word, she felt her worries lifted. "That's good…" she then nodded as she stared up to the dark ceiling while the world closed around her, "Just going to close my eyes now and…" the last thing she felt as the world turned dark was her hands being guided to the light in front of her before the world turned bright.

-][- Welcome Charlotte Godoy, to Shovel & Shotguns. The Emperor Protects -][-

"Wha?"

-x-x-x-

"Ahhh!" Screaming, Cici jolted awake as she stumbled of her seat. Landing hard against the ground, she let out a groan as she nursed her nose. Why did she have to land on her nose? Feeling it throb against her fingers, she then blinked as she paused. Why was she face down?
"Sergeant Charlotte!"

Feeling for her stomach, she felt it as flat and toned as ever. Not a scratch not a bit of pain left in her as she scrambled up easily to her feet. She was alive? How, why? All these questions swirled around her head as she felt her body.

"Sergeant Charlotte Corday!" A harsh voice quickly snapped her out of her confusion as she stood in attention, "Is there a problem?" the voice asked as Cici turned and found herself staring at the diminutive Major Tanya yet there was something different around her. Looking up the woman, she found a floating name tag.

Major Tanya Degurechaff
Adeptus Militarum Officer

​Why was she here or the better question is…. Why was Cici here? "Where, where am I?" She asked as she looked around in confusion and instead of the ruined control room of the fortress, she found herself in the same tent from yesterday along with the same familiar faces. Even her squadmates were here and they were looking at her in confusion and concern. It was like she didn't die before them just minutes ago.

"Wait, why are we back in the briefing room?" She asked, bewildered at the turn of events. She… she died but she was now alive? This doesn't made any sense for her but here she was, as whole and hale as the day she was born. In fact… she felt better?

Scowling at her, the major gritted out, "Oh good, I thought you lost us their Miss Charlotte," Feeling the hair at the back of her neck stood up, Cici found herself straightening as the major glared daggers at her, "I don't know what malady afflicts you but if you interrupt me one more time, I will have you flogged. Is that clear?" the major hissed out.

"Y-yes ma'am!" She saluted, defaulting to her training. She didn't know why she was here and how she was alive but she wasn't going to question it. Did she just dream it all up?

"Now, back to your seat before I change my mind!" The Major then shouted as Cici bolted back to her seat. She kept quite even as her eyes saw all the names and colors floating around people names. She may be going crazy but she still have enough presence of mind to know that she should keep quite. Still, as much as she wanted to ignore it, a name draw her in. A name that she grown to love and hate in that fever dream of hers.

"Now if you could all kindly turn your attention back on the screen…" Turning her attention away from the major, she found herself staring at the Krieger who cheerfully waved back. Looking up their name, she only had question in mind right now. Just who was this man?

Charles-0412
Champion of the Emperor
Team Mate​

A/N:

Sorry for the delay. Messed up a bit with sleeping and probably will tomorrow. Is a bit shorter but it was as far as this scene could take it. I could try adding in a short omake in the end tommorow? We'll see. Next chapter is Lawman then a the Sunday Snippet then a single Seoul Kitchen before Frog.