Mech Online: Echoes of Steel 1 (Litrpg)

Chapter 9: Betrayed

Jack Cooper's fingers danced restlessly on the pitted metal of the mech suit's control panel, a dull clang echoing with each tap. His eyes, sharp and vigilant, scanned the dimly lit cavern that served as their makeshift command center. The underground community was usually a hive of activity, with survivors bustling about, scavenging parts for the mechs, or refining strategies to repel the alien scourge above. Today, though, an uneasy stillness clawed at the air, a silent siren that hummed a warning tune only felt in the marrow.
"Something's not right," Jack muttered, his instincts prickling beneath his skin like static. The others, mechanics, soldiers, and civilians alike, shared sidelong glances, a collective unease knitting their brows. They were used to the constant threat from outside, but this was an invisible specter haunting them from within.
Amidst the tension, Leo, the group's charming quartermaster, weaved through the throng with a smile plastered across his face, a beacon of nonchalance in a sea of furrowed expressions. With a laugh as hearty as the clank of mech armor, he slapped Jack's back, causing a jolt that rattled the pilot's frame.
"Loosen up, Jackie boy!" Leo boomed with a grin that showed all teeth, no guile. "You'll wear out the controls tapping like that. Need me to grease those gears for you?"
Jack managed a tight-lipped smile, suppressing the knot of concern in his gut. "Just trying to stay sharp, Leo. You know how it is."
"Sharp as a titanium blade!" Leo winked, then turned to distribute power cells to the mech pilots with deft hands. His movements seemed genuine, helpful, every inch the team player. He cracked jokes as he topped off energy reserves, his laughter bouncing off the walls and infusing a fleeting warmth into the cold subterranean chamber.
"Careful with those, they're not candy bars!" he teased Marlene, one of the newer recruits, who juggled a cell with nervous hands.
"Thanks, Leo. I'd be fried without you," she replied with a sheepish grin, relief washing over her features as she slotted the cell into her mech.
"Anytime! We've got each other's backs down here. That's how we survive." Leo's words, spoken like a mantra, reverberated through the room.
"True enough," said Jack, watching as Leo continued to move among them, his presence a soothing balm to the anxiety that had been mounting. What reason did they have to distrust one of their own, especially someone as invested as Leo? It was a thought that flickered briefly before being snuffed out by the shadow of doubt that refused to lift from Jack's shoulders.
"Stay sharp," Jack reminded himself, eyeing the cavern's entrances, the stored munitions, the faces of those he fought beside. Little did he know, the true enemy was already among them, wearing a smile and the mask of a friend.
Jack couldn't shake the unease that had settled in his gut like a coiled serpent. He glanced over at Leo, who was now tinkering with a power distribution panel, his hands moving with practiced ease. The man had been part of their underground bastion since before Jack had donned his first mech suit, yet now, something about him seemed... off.
"Need a hand?" Jack offered, an attempt to dispel the tension that clung to him like a second skin.
Leo shot him a grin, his eyes crinkling in amusement. "I've got it, boss. Wouldn't want you to break a nail."
"Ha-ha," Jack retorted dryly, but he couldn't help the smirk that tugged at his lips.
As he watched Leo work, Jack's thoughts wandered. Leo had arrived at the community shortly after the first wave of alien attacks, weary and with a story of loss that had resonated with all of them. His skills had quickly proven invaluable, and his wit had lightened many dark moments. But beneath the camaraderie, whispers circulated, murmurs of clandestine meetings and deals that didn't add up. No one wanted to suspect Leo, but trust was a luxury they could ill afford.
It was Zara who had first voiced her concerns, her keen gaze catching on the discrepancies in Leo's accounts of scavenged supplies. "He's up to something," she'd muttered to Jack, her brow furrowed as she observed Leo from across the room.
"Could just be stress," Jack had countered, though doubt gnawed at him even then.
"Or greed," Zara had concluded with a shrug, turning back to her tools.
Now, as Jack's gaze followed Leo's every movement, the pieces clicked into place. Leo's helpfulness wasn't just generosity—it was a cover for his access to every part of their operation. His jokes hid a seething discontent with being just a cog in their survival machine. And as the reality dawned on Jack, he felt the sting of betrayal like acid in his veins.
"Everything okay, Jack?" Dr. Hayes asked, noting his fixed stare.
"Maybe not," he replied, just as the lights flickered ominously.
In the dim, emergency glow, Leo's figure straightened, and he turned to face the group, an unfamiliar device cradled in his arms. In one swift motion, he ripped open a concealed panel and slotted the device inside.
"Leo, what are you doing?" Kai demanded, his hand instinctively reaching for his weapon.
"Upgrading our chances," Leo said, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, my chances."
The ground shuddered, and alarms blared, drowning out the collective gasp of the group. Screens flashed red with warnings of breached security protocols and system failures. Leo backed toward the exit, his movements fluid and confident.
"Lockdown initiated. Resource vault compromised," announced the AI Bot in its characteristic deadpan tone, which somehow managed to sound both informative and sarcastic amidst the chaos.
Aiden said, "Something's wrong. Jack watch out."
"Damn it, Leo! You're stealing the energy cells?" Ava's voice was sharp, disbelief lacing her words as she took a defensive stance.
"Consider it a severance package," Leo said, now at the tunnel entrance. "I'm done playing hero."
"Traitor!" Ghost spat, fingers flying over his portable hacking device in a futile attempt to override the lockdown.
"Sorry, kiddo, I'm not in the mood for a digital duel today," Leo taunted, stepping into the shadows. "Oh, and watch out for the Kraxorians; they'll be here soon to thank you for the light show."
With that, Leo vanished into the darkness, leaving behind a wake of shock and the echo of his laughter. Jack's heart raced, adrenaline pumping through him as he faced the unfathomable reality: one of their own had just delivered them a death sentence, gift-wrapped with a smirk.
Jack's pulse hammered in his ears, a relentless drumbeat that mirrored the chaos erupting around him. The underground haven they had carved out of the rubble of Los Angeles trembled under the weight of betrayal, its walls echoing with the clamor of panic and fury.
"Energy cells are gone!" Zara bellowed over the cacophony, her fingers smudged with grease as she frantically tapped at her tablet, attempting to assess the damage. "Our mech power reserves are depleted. We can't mount a proper defense if the aliens come knocking!"
"Which they will," Kai added grimly, his hand instinctively going to the holster of his plasma pistol. "Leo knew exactly what he was doing. Without those cells, we're sitting ducks for the Kraxorians."
Ava paced like a caged animal, her keen eyes darting from one screen to another, each displaying the same dire message: System Failure. "We need to move fast! Scout the perimeter, check for breaches... anything!"
"Guys, this is bad. Really bad." Ghost's usually playful tone had taken on a grave edge as he slumped in defeat next to his now-useless hacking rig. "He's locked us out of everything. Comms, security, you name it."
"Focus!" Jack snapped, the leader within surfacing as he scanned the room. "We can't afford to lose our heads. Evelyn, make sure everyone's accounted for and prepped for injuries. Ghost, work with Zara. There has to be a way to get some systems back online."
Dr. Hayes nodded, her expression calm yet etched with concern as she began organizing medical supplies, rallying her small team of medics with practiced efficiency.
Meanwhile, the Aiden hovered nearby, its lights flickering as it processed the unfolding events. "The likelihood of surviving an alien assault without the energy cells is approximately 17.33%, taking into account your human propensity for unpredictability."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," Jack muttered, but a wry smirk touched his lips despite the gravity of the situation. Even amidst disaster, the AI's blunt honesty was somehow reassuring.
"Leo didn't just steal resources; he stole hope," Ava said, her voice cracking with emotion. "How could he do this to us? To all the people relying on us?"
"Because he's selfish," Zara growled, slamming her fist against the metal surface of the command console. "He only ever cared about himself. We were fools to think otherwise."
"Enough," Kai interjected, his authoritative tone cutting through the turmoil. "We need to channel this anger into something productive. Leo's gone, but we're still here. We're still fighting."
"Right," Jack agreed, clenching his fists. "We've survived this long by being resourceful and sticking together. A backstabber won't change that. We'll reclaim what's ours and fortify this place until it's impenetrable."
"Damn straight," Ghost piped up, suddenly energized. "Let's show that turncoat what happens when you mess with the wrong crew."
"First things first," Jack said, locking eyes with each of his comrades in turn. "We secure our home, then we hunt down every last cell Leo took. We're not just survivors; we're warriors. And we don't let anyone even one of our own dismantle what we've built."
A collective fire ignited in their eyes, a silent vow passing between them. They would rally from this blow, stronger and more united than before. With a shared nod, they set to work, their resolve hardening like steel.
The Aiden chimed in, its light steady and determined. "Commencing Operation Reclamation. Let's add 'thwarting treachery' to our skill set, shall we?"
Jack paced the length of their dimly lit war room, where remnants of maps and holographic screens flickered with intermittent static. The group huddled around a salvaged table, faces set in grim determination as they brainstormed their next move.
"Okay, we patch up the outer defenses first," Zara suggested, her hands moving animatedly. "I can rig the mech sentries with motion-triggered explosives and give any alien scum a nice welcome party."
"Good," Jack nodded. "Kai, Ava, you two scout perimeter breaches. Plug up anything that looks like an invitation to those Xilion pests."
"Already on it," Ava replied, checking her sidearm. "We'll be ghosts out there."
"Speaking of which," Jack turned to Ghost, who was tapping away at a makeshift console, "Can you get into the city grid? We need eyes everywhere."
"Way ahead of you, boss," Ghost smirked, fingers flying over the keys. "And call me 'the Specter.' It's more enigmatic."
"Whatever floats your boat, Specter," Dr. Hayes chimed in, her calm voice a balm to the frenzied atmosphere. "I'm setting up triage stations. If things go south, we'll be ready."
"Perfect." Jack nodded. "And I'll start training rotations; everyone needs to know how to fight, or at least not shoot their foot off."
"Training?" Aiden interjected dryly. "Is this where I cite historical precedents of tragic friendly fire incidents for motivational purposes?"
"Maybe later, AI," Jack said with a chuckle, appreciating the bot's attempt at levity. "Right now, we need..."
A soft knock interrupted him, echoing through the tension like a pebble in a still pond. They all froze, weapons half-drawn, as a figure stepped from the shadows of the doorway. She was wrapped in a cloak of tattered fabric, a hood obscuring her features. Her stance was confident, yet non-threatening.
"Who the hell are you?" Kai demanded, his hand never straying far from his holstered pistol.
"Name's Raven," she said, her voice muffled by the hood. "Heard you folks had a bit of a resource problem. Might have a proposition for you."
"Go on," Zara prompted, wary but intrigued.
"Let's just say I know where your traitor friend is heading," Raven continued, pulling back her hood to reveal sharp, calculating eyes. "And I might also know the location of a certain cache that could solve your little defense dilemma."
"And why should we trust you?" Ava asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Because," Raven smiled faintly, "you don't really have much choice, do you?"
"Great, now we're taking advice from cryptic strangers," Ghost muttered. "Why not? Today's been bonkers anyway."
"Alright, Raven," Jack said decisively, stepping forward. "Share what you know, and let's see if we can't turn this disaster into opportunity."
"Excellent." Raven's smile widened, her eyes glinting with secrets. "Hope you're ready for a wild ride, then. Because where we're going, it's not exactly a walk in the park."
"Wild rides and no walks in parks?" Aiden said. "Sounds like my kind of strategic outing."
"Let's hear it," Jack said, the group leaning in, ready to embark on whatever madcap plan lay ahead.
The roar of Jack's mech suit filled the air as he piloted it through the debris-strewn streets of LA, the group in tow. His HUD lit up with warnings and schematics, a dizzying array of information only made navigable thanks to the dry sayings of the AI Bot.
"Left turn ahead," the Aiden chimed in. "And do try to avoid crushing that vintage car underfoot. I believe it was considered quite the collectible before everything went to hell."
"Appreciate the assist," Jack replied, maneuvering the metal behemoth with surprising grace. Behind him, Zara lugged a makeshift cart loaded with scavenged tech, her mech flexing with the effort. Kai covered their six, eyes peeled for any sign of the Zeraxian patrol they'd been dodging since dawn.
"Got movement," Ava whispered into the comms, her scout's gaze catching glints of enemy armor in the distance. "Looks like a Kraxorian Warrior squad big, ugly, and heading our way."
"Time to show off those defensive maneuvers we've been working on!" Zara shouted, dropping the cart and hoisting her plasma welder.
"Nothing quite like a field test to make things interesting," Dr. Hayes remarked coolly, prepping her med kit. Her hands were steady, her focus unbreakable even in the face of impending chaos.
"Ghost, we need a distraction," Jack ordered, his voice crackling over the comms.
"Already on it," Ghost's reply came, punctuated by the sound of clattering keyboards. "Sending them a little surprise. Now."
A series of explosions erupted among the alien ranks, sending scaled monstrosities reeling. It was the perfect opening. The group surged forward, exploiting the confusion with a barrage of firepower and strategy that belied their desperate situation.
"Jack, the cache location is thirty meters north from your position," Raven's voice directed through the chaos. "I suggest double time unless you want to become extraterrestrial chow."
"Lead the way," Jack retorted, charging the mech suit toward the coordinates.
They found the hidden cache exactly where Raven had described; a trove of energy cells, alloys, and vital circuitry. Small victories, each component a step towards rebuilding their defenses and reclaiming a fragment of hope.
"Okay, this might actually work," Zara breathed out, sorting through the materials with an engineer's eye. "These couplings? Perfect for the shield generators."
"Kai, help me load up," Ava called out, already stacking items with precision. "We can't afford to leave anything behind."
"Every bullet counts," Kai nodded, his disciplined approach ensuring nothing was wasted.
"Nice haul, team," Ghost said, a rare grin crossing his features. "Who knew getting backstabbed would make us so resourceful?"
"Adapt or die, right?" Jack mused, a wry smile creeping onto his face despite the tension that still gripped them all.
"Speaking of adaptation," Dr. Hayes interjected, "we should keep moving. There's no telling when those Kraxorians will regroup."
"Then let's not overstay our welcome," Jack decided, the mech suit powering up once more. With the precious cargo secured, they slipped away from the wreckage, their silhouettes disappearing into the dust-laden horizon.
"Today, we survive," Jack thought, rallying his spirit against the uncertainties yet to come. "Tomorrow, we fight back."
Jack's mech suit juddered violently as a barrage of plasma bolts rained down from the sky, the screeching hiss of heated air mingled with the thunderous claps of explosions. "Incoming!" Ava's voice crackled over the comms, her warning punctuated by the acrid stench of burning metal filling Jack's nostrils.
"AI, evasive maneuvers!" Jack barked, wrestling with the controls as the Aiden calculated their best shot at survival.
"Analyzing... Suggest a zigzag pattern," the AI said dryly, "unless you prefer a more direct route to oblivion."
"Zigzag it is," Jack muttered, pushing the mech into a frantic dance between salvos. Beside him, Zara's own suit mirrored his movements, the two mechs cutting swathes through the debris-littered battlefield.
"Kai, status?" Jack's voice was steady, but the tension wound tight in his chest.
"Missile systems down. I'm grounded," came Kai's terse reply, his voice laced with frustration. The soldier's resolve was palpable, even through the static.
"Ghost! Can you get us out of here?" Jack demanded, each step an effort to avoid becoming a crater.
"Working on it," Ghost huffed, fingers flying across his keyboard in the makeshift command center they had erected. "But there's enough interference here to..."
"Save it and just do your magic!" Ava interjected, her own scout vehicle weaving through the chaos with uncanny agility.
"Magic, right," Ghost muttered under his breath, "because that's totally in the job description."
A sudden lull fell over the field, a deceptive quiet that made Jack's skin crawl. Then the ground beneath them erupted, a Kraxorian Warrior bursting forth, its armored scales glinting menacingly in the dim light. A roar tore from its throat, a sound that spoke of bloodlust and fury.
"Unbelievable," Dr. Hayes breathed out, her medic unit taking a defensive stance. "They've learned to ambush from below now?"
"Adaptation isn't exclusive to us, it seems," Jack said between clenched teeth, firing a volley at the advancing creature.
"Guys, rally point!" Zara's voice cut through the chaos, her leadership instinct taking over. "We need a new plan, and we need it yesterday!"
"Retreat, regroup, revise," Kai grunted, falling back with practiced discipline. "Let's move!"
Pulling away from the onslaught, the group found shelter in the shadowy recesses of a collapsed building. They were battered, low on ammo, and the day's victories felt like distant memories.
"Okay, deep breaths," Jack started, his mind racing for solutions. "We can't outgun them, but we can outsmart them. Ideas?"
"Hidden tunnels," Ava suggested, her eyes scanning a crumbling map. "We stay off the streets, hit them where they don't expect."
"Distraction and sabotage," offered Ghost, a sly grin replacing his earlier concern. "I can mess with their comms, send them on a wild goose chase."
"Meanwhile," Zara said, "we fortify. Use what we've got left to strengthen our position."
"Exactly," Dr. Hayes agreed, checking their medical supplies. "We heal, we hold, we hit back twice as hard."
"Then it's settled," Jack said, standing taller, feeling the shared resolve solidify around him. "We're not just survivors; we're the resistance. And we're going to take back what's ours."
He looked at each of his comrades in turn, seeing the fire reignite in their eyes. Together, they would face the alien threat, confront the traitor, and reclaim their future.
"Let's do this," Jack declared, his voice ringing clear. "For Los Angeles, for humanity. We stand united, and we will prevail."