Oracle boarded her ship, welcoming the familiarity of Crimson Shadow's smooth metal walls. She hadn't seen the ship in a little bit, and it felt good to be back where she knew her surroundings, even if it was a ship.

At least I know I can rely on you. She thought.

Oracle turned when she heard someone coming up the ramp. Mirage flashed her a quick smile as he came into the cockpit.

"You can wait in the back." She said.

"There's only room for one up here."

Oracle saw Mirage smirk from behind her.

"Aye aye captain." He said, turning and walking down to the belly of the ship.

Oracle then raised the ramp and lifted off, keeping the ship in stealth mode. It was then that she realized the ship had been in low power and stealth mode for more than a day now.

I'm sorry old friend. She said silently to the ship.

You deserve better.

It only took the pair about fifteen minutes to get to her home, and when they did Oracle took the ship out of stealth mode and landed it nearby.

Oracle followed Mirage out into the bright afternoon sunlight, and took the lead. She took off her helmet and allowed the scanner to identify her before they entered.

"Nice place." Commented Mirage.

"It's small, probably not what you expected." she said.

"I know you. You spend your money on weapons." He said.

"I didn't have a huge house either, I focused on my weapons as well. That and the care of my armor when it got too beat up."

"Yeah, same here."

Oracle made her way to the door and put in the code. The door slid open and she entered her armory.

"Quite the collection." said Mirage.

"You keep your older models?"

"Yeah." said Oracle.

"They're good weapons, there's no reason to get rid of them. Besides, I like the older Battlerifle models." She said, picking an old A-46 Battlerifle.

"They named these 'Peacekeepers' during the war." Said Oracle.

"They did their job well." Oracle said, her voice bitter.

"I'll take the rifles." Said Mirage, taking the weapon from her.

She knew he was attempting to change the subject. He hated talking about the war. 

Oracle nodded, then turned to the Sniper Rifles.

"I do have another one." Said Oracle, gazing at the other Nightfall Sniper on the wall in front of her.

The dim light reflected off the sleek black metal, glinting off of the scope.

"I know who this is going to." She said.

"Who?" Asked Mirage.

"Desertfox. I found out that he's wanted one for awhile, so why not give him this one?"

She carefully lifted it from where it hung on the wall, slinging it over shoulder. She grabbed the older Starfall model as well, along with a couple pistols.

Mirage followed her outside and into the ship, setting the weapons down carefully in metal boxes Oracle used to stash extra weapons and ammunition.

Once all of the guns were loaded Oracle went back for the couple frag and smoke grenades she kept hidden away deeper inside the armory.

That's when it all went to shit.

A sniper round hit the metal wall only inches from her right shoulder.

Shit shit shit shit. She though, sprinting inside the house.

"Get down!" She yelled at Mirage, tackling him to the floor.

Just as they hit the ground bullets began to whiz over their heads, eating up the wall above them, shattering glasses and the windows.

The two pinned Bounty Hunters were getting showered with bits of glass and wood from the cabinets that were being annihilated above them.

Oracle pressed her back up against the metal counter they were hiding behind, hearing the bullets pinging off of it.

"Got any ideas?" Asked Mirage from beside her.

Oracle looked around, and spotted one of the heavy metal crates that they were using to move weapons. They rolled on wheels, so they were easier to move... suddenly Oracle had an idea.

She grinned evilly.

This is going to be fun.

"See the crate over there?" She asked Mirage.

"Get behind it and push."

Mirage looked at her with disbelieving eyes.

"If you have any other less insane ideas, please share them." She said.

"Otherwise, get behind the box."

Mirage looked away from her and she swore she saw him smile. When there was a lull in the fire they dashed out from behind the counter and crouched behind the box, grabbing onto the lip and shoving it.

With their combined strength the managed to roll the crate to the bottom of the Crimson Shadow's ramp.

Bullets peppered the metal and hot the concrete around them. Luckily I everyone was at work, so no one would get hurt.

Together Mirage and Oracle boarded the ship. Oracle grabbed a pistol, made sure it was loaded, holstered it and grabbed three extra magazines before reaching for the A-46 Battlerifle and loading it in record time.

She felt a bullet ricochet off her ankle and cursed out loud, crouching behind the crate. Oracle sighted down the weapons scope and shot around the side of the crate, hitting the five soldiers leading the attack.

Five more filled that hole and they kept coming.

"The grenades! We can't let them capture them!" Yelled Oracle to Mirage.

"You're right." He said over the din of battle.

"I'm going for them! The guards are still far enough away that I can get into the house safely!"

"Go, I'll cover you!" Mirage shouted back, taking aim at the soldiers.

Oracle nodded, took a deep breath, and sprinted towards the house. Time seemed to slow as bullets ricocheted off the metal walls, and the sound of the soldiers shouting filled her mind.

She only had one objective: get to the grenades. Oracle made it into the house and down the armory, wrenching the door open and grabbing the container that held the explosives.

It wasn't as big as the weapons crates, and therefor it was easier to carry. She wasn't going to take it immediately to the ship, though.

She had a plan.

She quickly opened the box and grabbed two smoke grenades. Then she locked it again and picked it up.

Suddenly all of the gunfire was on her and she had to duck behind the counter again.

Oracle pulled the the pin on the smoke grenade and throwing at where the soldiers were gathered.

When she heard them coughing she got up and sprinted for Crimson Shadows, boarding it safely.

She dropped the crate at Mirage's feet and went to the cockpit, raising the ramp and lifting off. She winced as she heard bullets ping off of the ship.

Now I have to go get a new paint job because of you. She thought.

And you managed to damage the inside of my ship.

"You alright?" Asked Mirage, coming to stand beside her.

"I'm fine." She said, letting her annoyance creep into her voice.

"Time for a new paint job?"

Oracle glared at the controls laid out before her.

"Yeah." She said.

"And I'm not happy about it." She hissed.

She heard Mirage chuckle softly and return to the back of the ship.

Oracle dearly hoped that they weren't followed. That could spell disaster for the Rogues back at their camp.

They already know where we are. She thought.

It won't make a difference.

The fifteen minute trip back was tense, and Oracle had Crimson Shadow's plasma turrets primed the whole way back, ready to fight if necessary.

Once they got to the base and landed safely Oracle sat back in her seat, looking up at the ceiling of the ship. She and almost died today, and that proved that she and Reclaimer were now bitter enemies. He wanted her dead, and now she and the Rogues were being Hunted by every Hunter and soldier he had.

But I'm a force to reckoned with. She thought, standing, her form silhouetted against the glaring sunlight.

So come and get me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Action packed chapter! That was fun to write, this is so far one of my favorite chapters. Anyway, make sure to give me feedback. It's always appreciated!
~~Nightfury107