01x03 - Death in Downspire

[bunniefuu]

Our galaxy - humankind

colonized space so long ago

that no one remembers which
came first - civilization

or the corporations.

But a centuries-old conflict
between the Grotto corporation

and our mortal enemy
- the mega corporation

known as Helion -

has led to endless wars
and broken planets,

making life for most on Grotto
planets, known as homeworlds,

a living hell
of indentured servitude.

And I was no different.

My only way out was to join
Grotto's army - the Reapers.

The Resource Exploration And
Procurement Engineer Regiment.

Also known as
the Salvage Marines.

Where the hazard pay is high

but the survival rate is low.

I really believe
that this salvage

is gonna be
quite, quite lucrative.

And the squad leaders,
they're staying loyal

to the corporation?

And I don't believe
we have any on deck

with any pro-unionist leanings.

We still have
a job to do, Reapers.

The tug will recover us
if we clear this ship.

So fight, damn you!
Fight!

Jada!

You're gonna
be fine.

I can't catch my breath,
Sam.

Confirmation -
it's a Class 9 power cell.

Bag it!

Sam!

And in case you're wondering,
I authorized the procedure.

So you decided
to have her incur more debt

that she can't pay off
without signing up

for another term of service?

We all knew
what we signed up for.

It will be done.

You got a concussion, and
you're all messed up inside.

We finish this fight.
That's an order!

Better to shell it from space,
Sir. It'll cost way too many

lives to purge.

We're still within
our acceptable loss threshold.

Get it done.

There's a fortune waitin'
for us down there.

Yes, Sir.

Taggart!

So you work down here?
All alone?

I work up there
in the forge with everyone else

on the assembly lines.

It's not a glorious job
but it is an honorable way

to make a living.

Here. See?

Those pipes stretch out
in every different direction

across the entire city.

Bone worms.

Unstoppable scavengers.

You know, some people
say they can grow over

four meters in length,

and all from drinking
the sludge from broken pipes.

Things break down
and need to be replaced.

I don't understand.

It's kinda like life,
son.

Things break down.

Just like
the human body.

That's why you gotta
take care of yourself, Sam.

Remember...

The Grotto may grind you down,

they might even own your life

but they can never own you.

Attaboy.

Samuel Hyst,
when you provide a service

to the Grotto Corporation,
you are providing a hope,

the light, you are the magic!
You are the wheel.

You are providing
a chance at life itself

for billions
of civilians throughout the--

Hey, Sleeping Beauty?
It's time to move.

Tango Platoon, please report

to the terminal bay.

This doesn't get
any easier, does it?

She was so close, Ty.

She was almost out.

She died saving me.

She was a leader,
Sam...

and...
that's what leaders do.

Sacrifice themselves
for their squad, no matter what.

That's what
we have to do -

we have to watch
each other's backs.

We're our only family
out here in the void.

I would sacrifice myself
for anyone of you.

I'd do the same.
Without hesitation.

Without hesitation.

Just like Maggie.

Enjoy freedom, Maggie.

You've earned it.

Reapers, salute!

Sam, Sam, Sam.
How's my favorite reaper doing?

I'm doing fine, Turin,
what do ya need?

I'm just touching base,
that's all.

Oh, it's never
just 'all' with you.

Well, if you really wanna know,
I'm calling to discuss

that new piece of machinery you
got running down your spine.

Yeah, what about it?

Now that's an expensive
little piece of kit, isn't it?

Oh yeah, it is.

Huh. I thought I warned you
not to go racking up debt

while serving as a Salvage
Marine, didn't I?

No, I think you said
"Don't die."

Yeah, that as well.

Get to the point.

My point is, that
expensive piece of machinery

means you're gonna
have to spend a lot longer

as a Salvage Marine

and I just wanted to make sure
we was up to speed on all that?

Yeah, I'm up to speed.

Good, because I wouldn't want
your "poor family"

burdened with an insurmountable
debt now, would I?

You die, and your wife
would have to work

the hard labor camps.

Really appreciate
your concern, Torin.

Okay, mate.

No problem.
Catch up soon, alright?

You think you're so smart
with that little stunt you

pulled on Tetra Prime, don't ya?

Can I help you, Sir?
Oh, stop playing games, Hyst!

You knew.
There was nothing wrong

with going after those
turbines as ordered.

We thought the turbines
would be compromised.

Boss Marsters
confirmed it.

Just don't forget
who you work for.

Yes, Sir.

The Grotto
salutes you.

Pipe down.
Grotto corporation

has been on this rock
for the last three months

evacuating most of
the general population

with the exception of armed
gangs and the militia clans.

So, as you can imagine,
it's up to us to go down there

and clear everybody out,

demolish the city
so we can liquidate the assets.

We cleared out most of the
upspire so all we have to do

is dig deep

and push the Gangers out of
the sewer and the subsection.

Great.

You ready to get
down in muck and

get dirty, Hyst?

Our favorite.

Sam's, eh... never really
had the spine for sewers

or damp, dark places.

Well, hopefully that expensive
new implant you got

will give you the backbone
you need, Prybar.

You two are hilarious.
You guys write this

stuff together?

I dunno what grinds my gears
more, Prybar,

g*dd*mn refugees who are
too lazy join the corp-sec

or the ones who do
but turn on their own.

All these people want
is food and water, Tak.

If the Grotto went under, the
same thing could happen to us.

With everything we've done,
who are we to judge?

I'm surprised Grotto
cares enough

about the people down there
to hold off on the detonations.

Get real, buddy,
you really think Grotto

gives a sh*t about them?

If they could detonate it all
right now over their heads,

you bet your a*s they would.

He's right - the charges
have to be at exact right place

on the pylons under the spire.

Man, that sounds
complicated.

All right reapers,
pipe down. Let's do this.

Reapers, prepare for touchdown.
Good luck down there.

I look forward to spending
that bonus hazard pay.

Looks like they don't exactly
appreciate a good old-fashioned

military occupation.

I hope to sh*t those cor-sec
troops can keep that mob at bay.

This could get
real ugly, real fast.

They look more like
glorified security guards.

That's right, Hyst.
That's exactly what they are -

you'd do well to keep that
in mind. I don't want you

counting on them for sh*t
when it hits the fan!

Uh-hum.
And what about these guys?

Nice and easy!
Nice and easy.

Are they
who I think they are?

They call themselves
the Carrion Kings -

they are Grotto informants.
They're on our side.

They're gonna be our guides
into the Deepspire and beyond.

Stick together, boys.

-This way!
- Alright, Reapers.

Now, let's get up
there. Head on a swivel!

Let's move it!
Watch your step.

Okay, everyone.
Check your comms.

Aiken, copy.

Hyst, copy.

Alright, stay frosty.
Eyes front and back.

Safety's off, Reapers.

Looks clear.

I don't like this.
It's a choke point.

Doesn't matter
how many troopers we have

if they pick us off one by one.

As far as I'm concerned,
we're the assholes

wearing the body armor.

Understand?
Plus I got your back.

After that turbine
debacle on Tetra Prime,

this'll be a walk in the park.

Grenade!

Got an ambush!
We're being ambushed!

Hang in there, Sam!
The blast has penetrated

your armor.

Sam, stick with us.
You okay? Stay alive.

That led us
right into an ambush.

I say we k*ll that guy too.
Thanks for having our backs,

Sam.

Don't worry.
I got this, Sam.

You just sleep.

New plan.
We need Bianca.

We gotta get a real medic
over here.

What about the others?
What about Yvonne?

Logan?
Spencer?

They'll be fine.
Just rest, Sam.

Don't worry, Sam.
I got this.

Where's the medic?!

This is the job.

Hey.
Hey.

Where are we?

We got rotated to this
FOB in the metro hub,

two levels up from where we
were, for a few days of R&R.

That ganger nest dropped
more Reapers than just you.

Now your back route is blocked.
Marsters and Aiken are

trying to clear it now.

Command's trying to decide
what pit of hell they want us

to clean up next.

How'd we do?

Kade did just fine.

Tak got clipped early but
Tango Platoon held their own.

Others weren't so lucky.

Here.

Cor-sec got chewed to pieces -
60% casualty.

Between you and me, they had
no business being down here.

Agreed. Crowd control is
extending their usefulness.

Yeah, they're sending even more
down here to fortify the area.

So, we'll just be
moving down the line.

You are not moving anywhere.
At least not for a few days.

You're safe here.
Plus, your wounds

are superficial.

A few days of R&R, and I'm gonna
be stuck in this damn bed?

Could be worse.

Calling Sura.

I'm sorry.

There is
no connection at this time.

Great.

Feeling better, Hyst?

After what you pulled
on Tetra Prime,

I'll be keeping my eye on you

Enjoy your drink.

As far as you're concerned,
I am Grotto Corporation.

The next time you wonder

why Tango Platoon
are always put on sewer duty,

don't you forget
those turbines.

Hey Prybar, you've got
resting m*rder face!

That's the effect
Tyrol and Grotto have.

Gears and stars,
that guy still creeps me out!

Feeling home sick?

No, no, no, no, no. Prybar here
ain't Tyrol's pet. He's mine!

Uh, Bartender, can I get a round
of drinks for my friends and I?

This is Downspire, boy,
you barter by the drink -

I don't care if you're
Lord Vorhold himself.

Ooh-hoo!

I didn't come
empty-handed.

This here contains
two beta charge bricks,

and a whole toiletry kit.

Ooh!

I reckon... that will get me
a full bottle of booze?

Where'd you get
the extra toiletry kit?

Don't worry about it, Prybar.
Plausible deniability!

Damn!
That moonshine could

double as fuel for the fleet!

Don't forget:
one for the Stalker in the dark.

Come on now!

That's just a waste of booze!
Sludge or not.

She's not
the only one doing it.

The people here...
they even leave food behind.

It keeps... "them"
from getting too hungry.

Did she say "them"?

It's bad luck to talk about it.
Drink up and shut up!

Well, you heard the lady.

Objective:

continue Reaper advance

through Downspire tunnels.

Vacate all
sediments and colonies.

Beware hostile engagements
and malign forces.

In the center hub,

place charges at the base of
pylons for remote detonation.

Did he say 'anything'
or 'any THING'?

We've all read
the mission briefs.

We know what the risks are.
Let's just do this thing.

Them Reekers is hard meat.
We best step light

and bang it for keeps.

What he's saying is,
go in hot and hard.

Takeda, you two take
Vol down and tie off the line.

I want it set
in case of a hasty retreat

Copy that.
Move it!

Incoming!

Alright, Reapers.
Stay frosty!

- Don't rush it.

Nice and easy.
Nice and easy.

Check your corners!

Eyes open.

Are we sure this ganger knows
where we're going?

I think we've
been going in circles.

I don't know.
I think at this point,

you'll never find your way out.

We in Spectre territory now.

What is that - blood?
sh*t?

Both.

Okay, listen up. Cor-sec
is drilling down from the front

so, with some luck,
we can get there before them.

Everybody, rendezvous around
to the front and we'll beat them

there.
Let's go.

Marsters, I'm gonna take Vol,
and need a fire team

to flank their positions.

Alright.
Take one, two, three,

four, five.

You're with me.
Everybody else

with Vol and Aiken.

They'll circle around
and rendezvous at the

pylon chamber.

Let's move it.
We'll see you in the front.

Copy that!
Copy that.

Alright, people, listen up!
I want you to find a base,

patch and secure it.

Everybody else, pair off.
Engage at will.

Let's do this,
old pal.

It's a
goddam sh**ting gallery.

Poor b*stards were dropped
right in the middle of it.

With no support.

-Ugly sons of b*tches.
-You can say that again!

Hey...

let's try cut through
the shanties.

Rest of Tango?

They'll catch up with us
on the other side.

I thought you were
the adventurous one!

Okay, eyes open.

Easy does it, Sam.

Sam!

He got you real good,
didn't he?

I gotta tell you something, Sam.
If we don't make it outta here--

Hey, don't talk like that.
Hang on.

I blame all this on you.
You know that?

We should be
on Baen 6 right now,

relaxing in a bar!

So much for a surprise
blanky maneuver.

Got a whole lot more
of them coming in too!

Brace yourself!
This is our cue to move.

You still sh**t?
Absolutely.

I'll bracket him.
You grab the heavy

and drill him!

Come on!

You lot look like
you were handed your

first firearms yesterday.

Sir... we were.

Where's the rest
of your unit?

Your commander?

k*lled in descent, sir.
We never stood a chance.

We've just been hanging on
as best we can.

It's just
the three of us now.

You three join with us.

We'll move as a unit.
All in.

Hey kid, keep your
muzzle pointed down

or at least off of me.
And your finger off the trigger.

That's our target.

That's a whole load of salvage.

What do you see, Tak?

Some kind of, uh,
sewage channel?

Hate to be takin' a dip
through that sludge!

Yeah.
Alright so.

Now what?

Guess we settle in.

wait for the rest of Tango
with those charges.

Roger that.
Cor-sec, find cover.

Keep your eyes peeled.

Let's dig in over here.

Tango, Tango.

This is Aiken squad -
Hyst and Takeda.

We're at the rendezvous.

Awaiting further
instructions, over.

Tango,
this is Hyst and Takeda.

Do you copy? Over.

Tango, do you copy?
Over.

Steady.

Hold your fire!
It's Tango platoon.

I'm glad
to see you guys.

Still all in one piece,
I see.

Barely!

Good job, Reapers.
Hope you didn't have

too much trouble.

Nothing Tango Platoon
couldn't handle.

Right!
The four of

you, go stand point.
We're gonna set the charges.

Yes, Sir.

Boss? What do we do
about the Cor-Sec troops?

The more eyes we have
looking out the better.

Move it.

Alright, Reapers,
let's set up those charges now.

Move it!

I dunno about you guys
but I feel like

a sitting duck.

Keep it cool, man.

What was that?

I got movement.

Roger,
we might have company.

Hold the line, Hyst,
we need some more time

setting the charges.

Yes, Sir.

This is bullshit. Grotto was
supposed to update our helmets

with battle-grade night vision.
I can't see my own feet in this.

Kid, for once, why the hell
don't we have night vision

in our so-called
advance buckets, huh?

Don't you get it, boys?
we just ain't worth

the spend.

Sec is right. Grotto's not
gonna upgrade our stuff

unless it affects
the bottom line.

Maybe if we all die,
they'll replace the stuff.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.
What ain't broke

they won't fix.

Stand back!
Fire at will!

Mr Gaius?

Sir.

What is our status

on the mission in the wormhole?

Making progress,
Sir.

Reaper casualties are still
within our acceptable range.

Oh, that's good.

And the Reapers have just now
reached the pylon chamber.

Interesting. 'Cos I've just
learned that Helion

HAS received salvage rights
to the sector.

So make no mistake about this -
if we're not successful

with this campaign,

they're gonna rein it in.
They're gonna finish

what WE started,

and you will become
casualties.

I will not let that happen.
You know me.

I'm glad you said that
because if we fail,

it's not gonna be good.

For you.

Fire at will!

That qualifies you
for extinction!

> What is that?

Hold on tight, Reapers.
Spoke too soon.

We got a second bone worm
back here.

I repeat: we have
a second bone worm!

Die, sons of b*tches!

Go back!

Go back!
Take cover!

We need to go back.
There's too many of them!

Hyst,
what's the status?

We're gonna have to
fight our way out of here.

We'll wait here for the rest,
then punch our way out.

Copy that Sir!

..to protect ourselves

and our assets.

Especially the ones
we try to take power from -

sacrificed years of blood,
sweat and bone for.

Understood.

Hang on,
that's strange.

What's strange?

Well, there's an unusual spike
in Reaper casualties.

Well, that's a sign.

That's a sign
perhaps certain protocols

should now be implemented.

We gotta do what's just,
for the greater good.

Can I trust you
to action such protocols?

You know I will.

Takeda, Sek, let's get our
platoon leader back on his feet.

Copy that!

Hyst, come on.
Let's cobble a way out of here.

Hang in there, Mar!

What the hell
is going on down there?

Someone, patch me in
to boss Marsters now!

Yes, sir.

Marsters, we're losing
Reapers too fast!

Now, what the hell
is going on down there?!

We're looking at
a level 7 retention.

An invertebrate Phyla,
about 30 feet tall.

This is comin' trough
the sewage channel.

I don't have time
for this, Reaper! In English!

It's a bone worm!
A giant bone worm!

I don't care what it is!
But whatever it is,

it's compromising our mission.

If there's no Reapers left,
then who will detonate

the charges remotely?

We're in trouble.
What are you saying, guys?

I need you to send a Reaper to
detonate those charges manually

to be sure.

Come again?

I need you

to send in a member
of Tango Platoon

to detonate
the charges manually!

Now, do you copy?

Yeah, I copy that!
Ain't gonna happen!

They're gonna be k*lled
down here.

Start the evac,

and send some lucky
individual to the task.

But, sir, there's no reason
to waste a highly-trained

soldier to push a button.

The ore in those pylons
are too valuable to risk losing.

Take that!

That is a direct order,
Marsters.

I'll take full accountability
but I am not going to send

one of my platoon members
on a suicide mission!

Are you refusing
a direct order?

If that's my only option,
then yes I am.

I see.

Command,
activate Protocol 1138

and send a cor-sec trooper
immediately to detonate

those charges.

All his debts will be expunged,
as well as his family's.

Oh, Marsters?

Good luck.

Everyone, back away!
Back away from the pylon!

Right now, back away!

We need to get back to the
surface right now before this

whole thing comes down on us.

That's a direct order -
we need to leave immediately

-Where's Tak and Jada?
-They are unaccounted for.

You and Mar were the last
to leave the tunnel.

Hyst,
what are you doing?

I'm going back in.

It's a suicide mission, Reaper.
You'll die from falling debris.

-So will my friends.
-Your friends are already dead!

Then I'll join them!

Hyst!

You gonna leave him, Sir?

Tak...

Do you think anything
could survive that,

down in the Deepspire?

What happened
down there, Jada?

It was the bottom
of the world, Sam.

Long after we run out of
scrap to salvage,

there'll still be
things running around

in the shadows down there.

Reaper Tug, this is
Tango V-toll, I'm requesting

docking authorization.

I have some wounded marines
who need medical attention ASAP.

I didn't even see
Logan die.

But I could hear him.

He was roaring louder than his
flamer before they k*lled him.

I saw what happened
to Yvonne.

There was nothing
I could do.

What about Virginia?

They started
with her first.

"A life of adventure"
she said.

Remember?

But what
they don't tell you

is there's nothing out there
you could ever want to see.

Jada...

Excuse me.

Your friend is still
unconscious but stable.

You can see him now but...

you should know he's been
outfitted with extensive

jawbone replacements

which should assimilate
in just a few weeks.

But the trauma
may have caused

psychological damage.

Just keep in mind it's
a minor miracle the Reaper

health plan even covers it.

Thank you.

Oh, Tak.

He should be off the
ventilator in a couple of days.

There's a strong chance
he'll need long-term treatment

to rebalance his mental state
but, rest assured,

he's in the right hands.

And, he's still alive.

Thank you.

Marsters said we're
scheduled for shore leave.

That's good, Sam.

It's been far too long since
you've seen Sura, or your son.

What about you?

You're down in Baen 6 or...
you're gonna hop off

some place else?

Tak may not feel
like going down to planet

or seeing anyone just yet.

So, I might just
stay here with him.

I have a debriefing
with Aiken right now.

Sounds fun.

Yeah.

If he wakes up
before I get back--

I got this, Prybar.
Don't worry.

I'll ease him into it.

This is the job, right?

Sure... the job.

Transport to Homeworld,

Veya Nash and Baen 6

will depart in one hour.