Ryders of the Forgotten Sector - Robot Arena

In a floating coliseum where cloned soldiers fight for the amusement of unseen masters, Captain Stevens—reborn from the memory of a long-dead warrior—searches for purpose beyond survival. Outcast veterans and forgotten rookies gather in the derelict Blue Sector, and together they form a team no one expects to succeed. But as new monstrosities called Interlopers rise from the depths of genetic nightmares, these wildcards may become the only force capable of defying the arena’s design…or dying spectacularly in the attempt.

The massive plateau out of the viewing port looked almost real, the sun hung low on the horizon, casting a welcoming over the simulated landscape. Captain Stevens the mech pilot stopped looking out over the battlefield to the task at hand. He was in his forties, or at least he suspected. He was a clone, a recreation of a man long since dead. This bothered some, but Stevens decided that an artificial life was better than oblivion and focused on staying alive as long as he could. This as no mean feat when he and those like him were literally designed to fight and die at the whim of their game master and the delight of spectators. He was a soldier of a kingdom that no longer existed and a proven mech combatant. He was strong of will and skilled with machines and well sought after for his skillset. Currently, he was out of a team, having lost his previous one. The spectators thought the fight a good diversion, but Stevens could not so easily discard of his former compatriots. However, that would have to wait as a solider without a fight in this place was worth nothing indeed and this was a world of worth or destruction.
He had heard of work in the blue sector of the station, a new team wanting pilots. He had first ignored this call but a strange message imploring him to take the chance had come to him. The work and position was needed and was hard to refuse…for long. The sector was small and forgotten, mostly comprising of rookies that have not been able to prove themselves and veterans the crowd had forgotten. This was normally below Stevens’ purview, but he decided he could no longer be so picky.
Captain Stevens walked through the sector, what there was of it. It was mostly consisting of places for trade, a barracks, various halls that housed hunting parties, and of course and a bar. Captain Stevens knew that no matter how small the sector, how pathetic the location…there was always a bar. He went inside and looked around, the place was mostly empty, the sole server talking to a portly man behind the counter. A figure waved to him from a table in the back. Captain Stevens nodded in return and walked to join them.
“Captain Stevens I presume?” The seated woman asked. “You are pretty much as described.”
“I try to be.” Captain Stevens said as he sat down. “I try to be fairly open and up front.”
“A solder of honor.” The woman responded, looking up at Stevens with an attractive face and warm smile. “I can respect that.”
“I was once perhaps.” Captain Stevens replied. “Now I am just a man of practicality. I was created as you were to be a soldier for spectators…I have the honor needed to keep myself alive, especially with the new gene beasts
“You speak so casually of the gene beasts.” The woman replied. “They get stronger and more cunning and we stay…decidedly human.”
“Fear presents itself when needed.” Captain Stevens replied. “But to fear before the battle is not needed. There is a new kind known as the Interlopers, a savage breed that are bigger, stronger, and most importantly…smarter.”
“Have you fought one?” The woman asked. “An Interloper?”
“One?” Captain Stevens replied. “They rarely travel by the one. Unlike the other gene beasts these ones seem to have social skills.
“But you have faced them?” The woman insisted.
“I have.” Captain Stevens replied. “It took all of my skill and the armaments of my Ryder to defeat them.”
“Quite impressive.” The woman replied with a perked eyebrow. “They have been denying us the feeds of the battles with them. The promoters are calling it a soft opening before the big launch. But the fact that you prevailed over some is encouraging.”
“The others with me didn’t.” Captain Stevens replied. “Are we here to discuss past battles are were here to talk about an assignment?”
“Both in fact.” The woman replied, gesturing for the server to bring them two beers. “My name is Commander Kress, as you are surely aware I sent out for you and other free agents.”
“I am.” Captain Stevens replied, accepting the beer from the server. “So, I am not the only one you hope to hire?”
“No.” Kress admitted. “There are two more. They are expected shortly, and my plan is for the four of us to get in on a battle within the week.”
“You are a bit young to be a commander?” Captain Stevens replied. “How did you get a team commission?”
“I have little knowledge of my past life, but I rose to the top rather fast.” Kress replied. “I have all the sills needed in my DNA, what I need is Ryder team experience.”
“So, you are a wildcard then?” Captain Stevens asked, taking a drink of his beer. “I would imagine first time cloned and they want to see what you can do.”
“Second time in fact.” Kress admitted. “My first outing was less than stellar. I still have access to make my own team, but I fear this is my last chance to prove my worth.”
“I have seen this more times than I care to admit.” Captain Stevens admitted. “They are giving you access to get a team, so you prove worth the investment of developing you. However, as to where you are forced to recruit…I would imagine they do not care all that much.”
“Well I look forward to showing you as well as them what I am capable of.” Kress said with a smile. “I do have some resources and they mean more here. There are good people her, unproven but with potential, and some that are proven but need a second chance.”
“Well I suppose we are made to fight and the opportunity to do so and gain glory is our call.” Captain Stevens replied simply. “Victory speaks as loud as actions in this place.”
“You are such a serious man.” Kress admitted. “So stark.”
“I am as they have made me.” Captain Stevens replied. “No more, no less.”
Captain Stevens wondered how much more idle banter he could take but was luckily interrupted as the door opened. Beyond was a massive man dressed in a leather jacket and flight suit. His hair was dark and longer than befitting a soldier. He immediately spotted the back table and stopped only briefly to flirt with the server before joining them.
“You would be Lieutenant Petrov?” Kress asked.
“I doubt you will find many this attractive in this sector.” Lieutenant Petrov replied with a grin. “At your service.”
“You are most welcome here.” Kress said with a nod as Lieutenant Petrov sat down. “Your skills tracking are legendary, as is your Ryder combat prowess.”
“I do not like to brag.” Lieutenant Petrov replied. “Though I suppose my past deeds speak for themselves.”
“Victories based on luck from brash moves.” Captain Stevens replied with a perked eyebrow. “The fact you aren’t dead is the real legend.”
Lieutenant Petrov laughed. “Says the man that was the only Ryder standing after his last mission.”
“Fair enough.” Captain Stevens admitted. “I suppose I have little basis to judge.”
“There is not much of a difference between my strategies and yours.” Petrov replied. “You are bold and unwilling to back down and I am eager for carnage. Both of us use our strength and skill to prevail no matter what.”
“Well as long as we stay alive that is the important thing.” Captain Stevens replied.
“I have done well so far.” Petrov replied, shooting a sideways glance back to the server, indicating that he wanted a beer.
The door opened again, the lights beyond interrupting the group. In through the door walked a tall slender woman. She was not dressed as the others in an outfit seemingly not fit for a soldier. She was dressed as a civilian with long black pants and a tight white tank top.
“Reporting for duty.” The girl stated. “I am sorry, I never really was good at salutes.”
“This is Rinka.” Kress replied. “She is our ops pilot.”
“I must ask why they chose to clone you?” Petrov asked with a grin. “I am very much not complaining but I have not seen many soldiers like you, you look like a model and not a warrior.”
“I am not a soldier.” Rinka replied. “I was a gamer back many years ago. I got so good at simulated battles that no actual soldiers could beat me. I suppose they thought that I would be good in a Ryder, but real combat…is different.”
“VR never feels like the real thing.” Captain Stevens asked. “The fear and risk give you an edge that cannot be simulated or recreated.”
“Well that proved correct in my first combat.” Rinka replied. “But I have been practicing and I am confident that I can do it now!”
“She’s…confident?” Lieutenant Petrov replied. “You must be joking.”
Kress shook her head. “You all are skilled but not the most ideal choices. I chose you all based on your skills and according to my simulations we are an ideal team.”
“Your simulations?” Captain Stevens asked. “You chose us based on some manner of algorithm?”
“It does make sense.” Rinka added. “Most people’s idea of a good team is the draw of the members. We are not famous…yet but working together statistically will prove better than other teams of our level.”
“I do enjoy a challenge.” Lieutenant Petrov replied. “But they got new beasts they are using, they are supposedly unbeatable.”
“They are powerful.” Kress replied. “But Stevens has survived them and his intel on them should prove invaluable. They are meant to be a challenge but if they cannot be beaten the then it will prove a rather boring season. Imagine this ragtag team is the first not just to survive but defeat them?”
“You make it hard to refuse.” Captain Stevens replied. “Even one as skeptical as me would be hesitant to turn his back on a chance like this.”
“Then is it settled?” Kress asked. “I am applying for combat in the morning and I would hope you would all serve with me.”
“You will have me.” Captain Stevens replied. “I shall be ready.”
“I would not miss this chance for glory.” Lieutenant Petrov added. “I am definitely on board.”
“I will come as well.” Rinka added. “I need the real experience.”
“Good!” Kress said with a nod. “I look forward to working with all of you.”
“Now I believe we should celebrate with beer and food before a mission.” Lieutenant Petrov replied.
Rinka stood as the server came by with another round and plates of food. Everyone took time to relax and get to know each other while enjoying the respite before hard training and an even harder challenge.
“Do you really think these two are our best options?” Captain Stevens said as he leaned in to speak to Kress. “A blowhard hotshot and a gamer?”
“Best options?” Kress replied. “None of you are the best options. You just are the three with the best skills and stats I have access to. Call it what you want but you guys are my best options as well as for each other.”
Captain Stevens grinned. “True enough that. I suppose we will find out two things.”
“And what would those be?” Kress asked.
“If we as good as we think we are.” Captain Stevens replied. “And not as bad as they think we are.”
“I suppose we will find out.” Kress said with a smile.

Within two days the group was given a mission. They were assigned to patrol an area of the simulated landscape that had not been used in some time. No one needed to be told that it was likely where the new beasts were and they set to work. Stevens climbed inside his Ryder. It was about six stories tall, well armored but still able to move. It had both close combat and long range weapons and was well worn and well tested. The crews that serviced it had done a good job and though it looked older than most Ryders he knew it could keep pace with any of them. He moved the controls, flexing the machines humanoid shape as both a test and a warm up. Petrov’s Ryder looked like it had most of t’s body replaced and likely was not comprised of much of the original structure. He seemed like he would sacrifice any part of his Ryder for victory and Stevens did not know if this was encouraging or not. Kress had a newer model which showed a replaced panel over the cockpit in the chest. Stevens imagined that one of the beasts got a lucky shot and took her previous clone out. Stevens tried not to think of the versions of himself that had been sitting where he sat. Thankfully he doubted he was replaced all that often. Rinka was in a new Ryder that showed no damage and little wear. Stevens wondered how long it would stay that way.
The mission began, and the group set out, surprisingly even Lieutenant Petrov, who drank much the night before was ready to go with little fanfare. The group moved swiftly over the barren terrain of the mountains onto the open areas beyond. Rinka proved fast over the terrain proving to be a natural at moving her Ryder. The group made the first hour of travel with little incident. There were smaller gene beasts and other obstacles but nothing really to reinforce the danger of their journey. Kress used it all as training, getting the team accustomed to working together.
After the second hour, the group came up to a small waystation. It seemed abandoned and so rapidly that there was still smoke coming from a few of the installations.
“Looks like another team.” Kress began. “Did they fight here and retreat?”
“I am seeing signs of recent Ryder movements coming in but not leaving.” Rinka reported.
“Then where are they?” Kress asked. “There are no beast bodies or wreckage?”
“The interlopers are smart.” Captain Stevens added as he moved his Ryder closer closer and examined the area for himself. “A smart predator does not leave the remains of his prey laying around. Whatever had happened seemed to have done so in such speed that little damage was done, then hid the remains.”
“Should we move on?” Rinka asked. “I don’t like it here.”
“I found the Ryder wreckage.” Lieutenant Petrov added. “Behind the hillside…of them, all disabled but still armed. There is some good weapons here.”
“This is a little too convenient.” Captain Stevens said as he looked around.
“Their loss is our gain, right?” Petrov asked.
“But they are piled u so we would be tempted by their weapons?” Captain Stevens asked, powering up his weapon systems. Also, if they wanted to hide them they did a piss poor job. They wanted us to find this…It’s a trap!”
“Interlopers!” Petrov replied, drawing a massive vibro blade from his back. “Do you think they are far off?”
“Unlikely.” Captain Stevens answered calmly. “They are still here.”
Without warning, several massive figures charged at the party from different angles. They were larger and more armored than any gene beast any had ever seen. They had the heads of wolves but the skin of armored insects with massive forearms and claws each several feet long. They seemed savage but moved in formation, showing signs of something smarter. Kress acted in a flash, moving to stand next to Rinka and form a defensive circle with the other massive fighting machines.
Captain Stevens drew his pulse in a flash, cutting into one of the Interlopers with a suppressive blast and following through to aim and hit another. He shot with frightening accuracy and only his skill and speed kept the Interlopers that came for him at bay.
Lieutenant Petrov took a step out for a little more room and swung his vibro sword in a wide semicircle arc. He went one handed with it and draw a pulse pistol out. He used the pistol to keep his attackers of balance and try to charge him. When they came in the found themselves at the mercy of his sword.
Kress activated her countermeasures and her shoulder canopies opened up to reveal short range smart missiles. The projectiles shot out as she drew a pair of vibro blades, her Ryder moving with frightening speed and accuracy and fighting all that came into range in fear of the raining rockets. She moved in an almost blur striking a pair of Interlopers, cutting into them not to kill but to render their attacking limbs useless.
“Get us more space!” Captain Stevens shouted to Rinka, who had not yet reacted.
“They are to aggressive.” Rinka admitted over the con. “I can’t-“
“Stop thinking about their attacks and do some of your own!” Stevens shouted, his voice cutting right through Rinka’s hesitation.”
Rinka snapped to work, lighting up a laser turret mounted on her Ryder’s shoulder. The beam was weak and unlikely to do much to them, but she had her own plan. Se shot at the ground, the laser shooting up a massive amount of dust that obscured the fight around them.”
“Switch to thermal imaging!” Kress shouted to the others. “We need to take down as many as we can before they adapt!”
“Rinka keep up the sandstorm as long as you can.” Captain Stevens immediately commanded. “Petrov see if you can figure out how to get us out of this area, we are pinned down here.”
The others took on defensive positions. The Interlopers had no real defense against the tactic and knew they had to find a way around it. The Interlopers clearly could decipher this strategy and would stop at nothing to get to them.
Kress seemed eager to prove that she was the leader she professed. She alternated between ranged and close combat, taking out interloper after interloper. Lieutenant Petrov was a wildcard, he was reckless but that also made it hard for the beasts to predict his attacks. Captain Stevens was no stranger to mass combat and had fought the Interlopers before. He knew that though they were faster than other gene beasts but still not as smart as a good tactician, at least not yet. He used his gun, not moving but making himself able to cover a wide range and nothing could get past it. Soon the beasts stopped coming, the remaining retreating to the massive rocks and hills around to hide and regroup.
“Will they return?” Rinka asked. “did we win?”
“They likely are sore that we withstood their trap.” Captain Stevens replied. “They are not used to the sting of defeat and that will make them bolder next time.”
“I will scan the area and find a place for us to fortify” Lieutenant Petrov added. “Rinka keep me on scanners.”
“That went better than expected.” Kress commented. “We didn’t use too much of our resources and no damage to report.”
“We were lucky.” Captain Stevens replied in a cold tone. “Though we earned a respite and should take as much of the equipment from the fallen Ryders as we can.”
“We are still a ways from the victory condition area.” Kress replied. “I think we can expect much more resistance.”
“You were right about this team.” Captain Stevens replied. “Our strengths and weakness work well together and we hit the enemy hard. We keep up this teamwork and we might yet prevail.”
“Then you admit my approach has merit?” Kress asked. “you seemed so suspicious of it before?”
“I am under your command.” Captain Stevens replied. “Doubt has no place on the battlefield.”
“You are a born and bred soldier.” Kress said with a laugh. “You are always so serious. Even when you say something encouraging, you follow it with something stark.”
“I never noticed.” Captain Stevens replied with a slight laugh. “I may be a man of strict temperament and resolve…but perhaps this mission, just proved the potential to be more interesting then it seemed.”
“I was right in contacting you.” Kress said with a smile. “I am sure there will be challenges to come…I am just glad you are along to help us overcome them.”
“We might all still die.” Captain Stevens replied. “But it will not be for lack of skill, or lack of trying.”
Kress laughed. “We should rejoin the others and try and get some ready to push on to the victory point.”
Captain Stevens nodded and followed Kress in her Ryder to find the others. There were no more signs of the Interlopers in the near vicinity. It never ceased to surprise him how easily something so big could hide. The interlopers were as powerful as he had seen them before and was glad to have done better. The group took stock of the new weaponry and headed off, moving in a path that was hard to predict to avoid an ambush.
“So, you fought these things before?” Rinka asked to Stevens. “What happened?”
“It was like what I imagined happened to the other Ryder party.” Stevens admitted. “We thought the mission was simple and our commander got overconfident. They took out two Ryders before we even knew what was happening. We were separated in the carnage and by the time I was able to fight my way back to the group they were all down.”
“How did you make it out alive?” Petrov asked. “A fight to the death.”
“That would have been glorious and if true led me to a better ranking.” Stevens replied. “It is simple triage that when none of your allies stands to make a retreat. I used some of my ordnance to launch me as far from the combat as possible.”
“You cut and ran?” Petrov asked in shock. “That does not seem like you.”
“As I said there was nothing left to protect.” Stevens continued. “My life and the state of my Ryder was paramount. But now I have a new squad and I will not allow you to fall.”
“Well that is encouraging.” Petrov admitted.
“He has not let us down yet.” Rinka admitted.
As the unit got closer to the victory area they saw two patrolling groups of interlopers around the area, they clearly knew that the area was important and were ready for action. Petrov was heavily armed from the other groups ordinance and moved in a blur, facing them head on and not allowing them to use their numbers against him. Whereas they had numbers, he had guns and armor. His barrage was savage like and shot through their defenses, cracking monstrous flesh and bone and sending the attackers flying. Kress watched his flank, using her vibro daggers on ay that survived and tried to get to Petrov, overwhelming defenses and crashing into beast after beast. Petrov stood his ground on the ahead of them, firing multiple missiles and explosives with deadly precision, alternating side to side, making sure to keep the seemingly never-ending supplies of beasts off balance. The interlopers fought valiantly but none seemed able to long withstand the barrage.

Petrov and Kress but two versus a hundred but for several moments they were like a defending army that would not fall. Though this was not to be absolute…as strong as they were, as strong their weapons were…nothing lasts forever. The interlopers were made for one reason and they would not back down, pushing on and on against the Ryders, even crawling over the down and wounded of their own ranks to strike at him. The pair fought with all of their might but there was just no end to them.

Just as the interlopers began to regroup and the ordinance began to run out, Stevens and Rinka charged in with their Ryders. Stevens managed to use the chaos of the explosions to get to a flanking position and attack the reinforcements. He used his rifle to disable every beast tat he could, making tm have to choose their taget and any that hesitated would suffer for it. One beast leapt over another of it’s wounded taking high to the air and baring its massive claws to come down onto Stevens. Rinka did not hesitate, leaping in the way, her Ryder taking the claws as they carved deep into the outer hull and into the venerable insides. Stevens stepped forward, blasting the beast free and supporting the damaged Ryder with his own. The interlopers fell back, regrouping and defending the last push to the target area,

Stevens set Rinka’s Ryder down down and looked over the damage, it seemed like one of the slashes literally went right through the protective hull and damaged the core. Lynx scanned the control compartment which was in a buckled area and things did not look good.  “Hang on Rinka, not much longer.”
“Steven.” Rinka said weakly. “There is not much time left for me, so you need to listen. I may just be a gamer, but this proves that I can fight without hesitation. I am done for, but I want you to win this. Make them want to clone me again, knowing that this strength is within me.”	
“Please you have to hang on.” Stevens begged. “I lost my last team, I will not loose anyone here!”
“It has already happened and will again.” Rinka commented. “I am a close and though I like being alive I realise that sometimes sacrifice is what must be done. That is the real difference between simulation and real combat. When it is not real there are no stakes, life is not worth anything. I think I can still move, let me blow my core and buy you guys a path to the objective.”
“Rinka.” Kress added as her Ryder and Petrov’s arrived net to the scene. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
“I want to die knowing my life meant something.” Rinka replied. “The time for hesitation is over.”
Rinka’s Ryder struggled to it’s feet, wasting no time and shambling forward. Most drivers would not be able to move so well with the damage but Rinka adapted faster than most. After a couple of shaky steps, she had it at a run and moved right into the fray where dozens of interlopers lay in wait. They were on her in seconds, covering her and starting to tear at her.  There were no fewer then twenty on her when her reactor blew. The remaining three Ryders barely managed to get for cover behind a rocky hillside as fire, scrap, and interloper parts shot out and rained form the sky.
Rinka was gone, no sign off her Ryder left.  Stevens looked up ahead seeing the interlopers that remained try their best to regroup.  The unit was still in it, they were still part of all of it. Stevens regretted losing another team member and was damn sure he was going to fulfill Rinka’s wish. They would succeed, they would prove not just themselves but her as well!
“The time for sneaking and planning is over!” Kress began, seemingly also reinforced by her teammates sacrifice. “We fight to the objective and let nothing stand in our way!”
The group of Ryders took off running, bearing the weapons they had left with deadly accuracy. The interlopers were still reeling from the carnage and struggled to regroup. The time for coordination was gone, the small trio focusing on savage combat for a mad dash to the finish. Gone was the bickering or the second guessing, replaced with fluid teamwork and iron clad resolve.  Soon they got to the target, formed up ranks and began to fire out at any beasts in range. Soon a light shone down from above, the weapons shut down and the beasts stopped.
“Amazing!” The voice of the announcer tang down. “Who knew that the underdog team of fallen veterans and rookies would prevail where others could not.  You have done well team. What can we offer you as reward?”

“Repairs, reequipping and reassignment to another mission.” Kress began, “We are sick of being underestimated.”
“Some good beer and good company would be nice to.” Petrov added. “But I am keen to fight more missions like this!”
“All shall be done and more!” The announcer replied. “We also an offer new recruits.”
“We would like another clone of Rinka first off.” Stevens replied. “Then we can see what we need.”
“You could have anyone.” The announcer replied. “Better, more experienced.”
“That is not how we operate.” Stevens said with a laugh. “We are the wildcards and that’s how we will stay!”