Kill the Numbers [Dark Data]

[Miranda Frost]

It had been too long sense the Terremoto had stretched its legs, evidenced by the amplifying noise of twisting metal with each step it took. The great machine had taken Miranda and her entourage of trouble makers off the main roads and onto the mountainside its giant, pincer-like legs shaking the mountainside with each step.  For a war-machine crafted in a world without roads, these ashen equivalents were a tad bit overrated for it. Terremoto climbed over the rocky faces with ease even if its occupants were in for a less than comfortable ride. Through out the walking fortress, its crew of two hundred men rushed through its corridors and passage ways, distributing the necessary equipment needed for extended period at battle-stations. By a quick glance one would possibly dismiss these rugged men with their tattered uniforms and strange tattoos and view them more as thugs than soldiers, however this couldn't be far from the case.

 Perhaps at one time these men were what the world had thought of them, but hard discipline can change any man. Miranda scowled at her view-port as the Terremoto slowly climbed over the mountain face, her crimson eye glimpsing the massive battle taking place. A tide of crimson stormed towards the castle ahead, where the Koopa army lay in wait. This wasn't right, what they were doing. However what was in this world? Light cant exist without darkness. To have one without the other would equal an eventual degradation to nothingness. Miranda sighed, standing from the chair she commanded the vessel from. This vessel was a siege weapon, not one that would do well in the front lines. To march this weapon through the front lines would give the Koopas too many chances to board.  

 Miranda would bring her hand up to the zipper of her coat, pulling it down as she slipped from its confining clutches. Despite her conflictions, she couldn't help but feel a sense of calm. She relaxed her jaw, her body slouching slightly as she hoisted the heavy coat over her shoulders. Reaching down over the crew operating the small communications trench, she grabbed the rusted phone that was connected to the loading dock, where Chief Weber and the other Blades waited on her word. 

 "Chief Weber, LadyFrost: Commence deployment operations. I will be arriving shortly."

" Chief Weber, Commence Deployment operations, Lady Frost, Aye. We will be awaiting your arrival"

 Frost scowled as she put the phone back into its proper space. There was once upon a time when she despised him, but everything terrible in the world happens for a reason. Her life was saved when her limbs were taken and brought outside the safe city walls to rot. Out there in the wastes she found salvation, here in the ashen she'd find redemption.

 Leaving the control room behind she'd climb down the nearby ladderwell leading to the lift she needed to take to traverse down the belly of the beast. Her eye saw through the winding metal walls and corridors, glimpsing at the gunnery crews as they loaded the main guns, preparing to bombard the Koopa lines.  The short ride wouldn't last as the metal cage of the lift sprung open for her, allowing her to step out on the steel deck of the loading dock.

The other blades were waiting, their vehicles already positioned and ready to go. It wasn't long before her men noticed her appearance.

 "Attention on deck!", one of the maintenance men would call out, everyone in the room snapping to a tight, rigid form attention. It's comical really. Miranda had gone so long without people from her world that she'd forgotten about this bit of treatment. 

"Carry on.", she'd say with a chuckle and a wave of her hand. With that they all returned to their work and Chief Weber approached her. "You're venturing out with them, M'Lady? I don't think that is wise."

"I respect your concern but It is misplaced. I need you in the control room, keeping this rust bucket from falling apart. Have the men commence fire on the Koopa lines."

"Koopa? M'lady?"

 "The turtle-like creatures holed up on the opposite side of the battlefield."

 "Commence Fire on the Koopa battle lines, Aye", the Chief would say, starting to walk to the same lift she operated moments before. Miranda's clawed hand would stop him, resting firmly on his shoulder. 

 "Chief Weber, the Raven of the Black Knights. It has a ring to it, wouldn't you say?", Miranda would state pulling the once concealed memory forward. Out of the thirteen knights that served Lucifer, this man was the fifth. Specializing in reconnaissance and espionage, it was surprising to Miranda to find him among these soldiers. He looked younger than she'd remember. Perhaps this was his position before becoming recognized? The Raven merely glanced over at her, his light blue eyes seeming darker now that his facade had been seen through. Miranda laxed her hand, allowing him to go silently before turning to her comrades.

 Everyone seemed to be in high spirits, claptrap doing his normal strange thing while Kuzu himself seemed more jittery than normal. She'd scowl at him as she approached. It would seem he'd taken some kind of drug or combination of drugs during his ride upon her vessel. She'd ball her hand into a fist but rather than slug him as hard as she could, she merely flicked him over the forehead as he spaced out. He snapped out of his twitchy trance to cup his forehead, stepping back against his vehicle.

 "Heeey Frosty, the hell was that for?"

 "You know damn well what that was for you bloodthirsty junkie.... and don't call me that again.. you can't call me that.", Miranda would say, her palm slapping the controls that operated the loading dock doors. The Terremoto would shudder, the symphony of cannons filling the structure. The crew assigned to this area took positions by the doors, lowering the boarding ramp via large hand cranks.  "Besides we have a job to do. Better hop to it Kuzu-boy"

"Whatever you say Frosty"