Sibling Rivalry

"Score for Void! I'm up one!"

Void turned only his upper body to look towards me, holding up one finger while he tossed the expended Leveller to the side, followed by the explosion of the Factory Strider in front of us.

"Where did you learn to count? We're even!"

I walk up to his side, my bolt pistol resting in my hand before jabbing his shoulder

"Besides. That shouldn't count. That Strider didn't even realize we were here."

He grabbed a grenade from his side, a small patrol approaching our position before resting the grenade at his side, "Still a kill, Goose. I'll surpass you before you know it."

"You wish."

I snatched the grenade from his hand, leaving his hand open as he reached for it again, too slow to try and retake it before I pulled the pin and hurled it like a softball straight into the patrol, scrapping each of the Automatons save for one, that was then quickly dispatched by Void's sidearm, eliciting a scoff from him.

"Thought you were above stealing, Goose," he crossed his arms and turned away, walking towards a medium-base counting two Factories, "Considering how much we hate thieves."

I walk to his side, holstering my bolt pistol and observing the small base, "It's only fair. You've thieved numerous kills from me."

A flare is produced from the base, the time for discussion cutting short as he had already called in an Orbital Bombardment to hammer into the base as I take my Maxigun off my back, one last check to ensure the belt is properly connected. Once I confirm the belt is ready to release a flurry of retribution, I take to a rock formation on the right, Void sliding to a formation on the left as I prep my Maxigun, gripping it tight.

Several dropships make themselves apparent in the air above the base, both by visual, and their blaring horn initiating the drop, just avoiding the bombardment that had razed the base by seconds, dropping in devastators, hulks, berserkers, and a annihilator tank. Void already releasing a Railcannon Strke to devastate the annihilator tank, the whirring of the laser piercing the air, before-

As quickly as the annihilator tank had arrived, it was dispatched into scrap metal, the after-death explosion staggering a few of the nearby devastators.

I take initiative and begin laying down fire unto them, suppressing their own frantic and desperate attempts at shooting while Void wrecks the higher-armored hulks, his job made easier by my Maxigun. Soon, the frantic laser bolts and garbled binharic screeches of the Automatons disappear into the wind, now reduced to heaps of metal on the ground. I throw my Maxigun over my back, before looking at my map, Void leaving the safety of his cover and walking to me

"So where now? We've cleared out just about this entire sector." Void crouches next to me, peering over to look at my map like a nosy child.

I swipe my finger across the pad, before enhancing the image of another base, likely housing supplies or even towers the Automatons use, before showing it to him. The base is roughly four-hundred meters west, covered by hills.

"We move there. We'll have plenty to scrap and sabotage. It'll pave an easier path for more Divers or even SEAF."

We both stand and begin walking, Void keeping pace as he rests an arm over my shoulders, speaking in a care-free, yet curious tone, "So, are we doing it your way, or my way?"

"The hills likely would allow them to have unimpeded view and vantage over us when we breach the base. One will have to stay outside and ensure none can intervene-"

Void releases himself from me and starts walking backwards, moving to face me directly, "Or, we can just raze it to the dirt. Easier, more fun, better for our streak." He shrugs, then turns and stretches his arms over his head, resting them behind his head, "And do you really think that I would be tactical about it? I'm trying to beat you, y'know."

I shake my head and scoff, keeping my current pace behind him.

"I suppose, you're right, little brother. But I have no promise that you will get majority of the heads."

He keeps walking, emitting a hum of thought, before turning around to face me while keeping pace, speaking "How about some fun? Whoever gets the most kills in the base, gets to pick our next challenge. No matter how stupid it is."

"...Define what you mean by 'how stupid it is'."

I speed up to walk beside him, turning my head to account for the change in position, as he does the same.

"Some fun! Could be more killing, maybe messing with Perma's many hammers... A dance battle-"

I side-step to get within proximity to clamp my hand over where his mouth would be, if not for the helmet he wears, my voice full of disdain and disappointment... Yet carrying the faintest undertone of interest,

"We are NOT doing... A dance battle."

"C'moonnnn, for me? For your little brother?"

He drops his arms to his sides, turning his body to walk in line and forward facing with mine, but his tone pleading as if it were for candy. As we crest the hill and view upon the base, revealing its factories, supply caches, and a Detector Tower, I let out a long sigh.

"Fine. I will do my damndest, then. I won't humiliate you or me with the idea of a dance battle."

We both prepare and load our Coyote's, before he prepares another Orbital Bombardment. "Then I'll just have to be double-damndest-"

He is cut off as I rest my hand over the stratagem, shaking my head.

"You wanted this, brother. Means no bombardments. Otherwise the scale would be tipped to your favor."

He clicks his tongue before sputtering his lips, disabling the stratagem as we then slide down the hillside to the base, already firing into the Automatons with reckless abandon, shouting and laughing. The Detector Tower having already sent out a distress beacon.

And without fear, we shall slaughter.