Space Odyssey: Spectre-Chapter 424: Demons or Oni

Chapter 424: Demons or Oni
Jace fired a single shot right into the large demon’s eye.
"Aargghh!" The demon screamed as its eyeball exploded and it reeled back. The shinobi was running through its legs as more demons came out of the portal. Turning invisible as she moved.
The large demon fell to his knees and Jace moved forward and kicked him in the chest. Sending the large demon falling back as a large cracking noise seemed to have broken something on the demon. Then as the other demons came pouring out of the portal something invisible, the shinobi, began slashing at their necks.
Jace stepped up onto the demon’s body and could feel the dimming electrical pulses through its body as it died. He watched as several more demons came pouring out. They were clearly more interested in spreading out than attacking them.
Jace looked at the portal and came up with an idea. He holstered his Pyre and pulled the stolen weapon from his back. Swaying slightly as a red laser bolt sizzled past him. The demon who fired it looked stunned that Jace dodged it even while focusing on the stolen weapon.
After a few seconds of tinkering he tossed the gun as it started making a humming noise into the portal. Then stepped off the large demon’s corpse and grabbed a demon’s gun barrel as he pointed it at Jace. He could feel his hand heat up as it went off.
But then the demon was flying through the air as an explosion partially came out of the portal. The demon flew right into the path of the shrapnel that was coming out and the demon’s screaming was cut off.
"They are spreading out and running. This is a new tactic. They usually try to immediately establish a base of operations." The shinobi pointed out as they watched the last of the living demons run into alleys and into destroyed buildings.
"Yeah... something seems to have changed. I am guessing it is because of my unit’s appearance. Come on, I should get to your commanders. I think we have to talk." Jace pointed out as he watched the red portal shrink. "Looks like throwing an explosive into the portal worked."
The shinobi appeared as she seemed to be having a conversation and then spoke, "the jamming went down. I was able to send word up the chain about what their tactic was this time." The shinobi told him as they walked back to the car.
Jace climbed into the back as he looked out at the area. "I am worried about what the demons are up to."
"Demons?" The shinobi asked as the driver backed up the car and drove around the larger demon corpse and over some smaller ones. "Is that what you call them?"
Jace shook his head. "Not quite. It is what the Xenar call them." Jace answered. "The Xenar are the alien species that live in this galaxy and predate humans. Not just the humans either the Victorium. Of course we all had different names for them but we recently discovered their actual name because a species neighboring the Victorium used to neighbor the Xenar."
The shinobi seemed speechless for a moment as she looked between him and the driver and then pointed at the driver. Jace shrugged, "it is not hidden or classified information. The information is offered freely, especially to a nation that is potentially going to end up as an ally of the Victorium."
"Did they have any useful information about them?" The shinobi asked. "The Xenar I mean."
"Some, which I will share with your commanders. Now how often does that happen?" Jace asked as the vehicle pulled up to the castle palace’s gates. Which began opening as soon as they pulled up to the gate.
"What? The soldiers scattering like that? Never. But I will say those Red Doors appear often. But usually when they attack the walls. This time was a bit different because of the way they went about the attack." The shinobi explained. "It is actually the reason for the majority of the damage in the city. They lob those doors into the city and let their Oni swarm us."
Jace watched through the window as they passed by a number of mechs and soldiers who were stationed in the area surrounding the palace. In the areas where there were supposed to be gardens. He frowned as he thought of the wasted resources that were being kept here for the ’commanding’ officers protection. It did not fit.
The car pulled around and Jace climbed out when it stopped in front of a set of steps that had a number of people waiting. He walked around and saw three people he could pick out as commanding officers while there were two people who were standing guard as bodyguards.
The one in the front was General Ken. He was in a camouflage uniform with the appropriate patches for a General of the Oda Imperial Military. But his uniform was damaged and it was clear his arm had been torn off recently during a battle where the sleeve had been bloodied.
The one to the General’s right Jace recognized from the intel package they received from the Oda Empire. He was the captain of the Fuji-8, Captain Miller. He was not in any uniform. Seems like they did not have enough to spare for one. Instead he was just in a simple shirt, pants, and a protective vest.
The last one that was to the General’s left was not someone he recognized. But he was not dressed like a soldier. More like a politician, probably a local politician. Jace was not as familiar with their medals or indicators so he did not know for certain.
"General Ken, I assume." Jace nodded at the center one as he gave a light bow, an informal gesture in their culture. He then looked at the captain, "Captain Miller, I apologize for crashing your ship. But I would blame the Oni as you call them. They hit it several times after we boarded it."
Captain Miller made a slight growling noise but stopped when he seemed to realize something. But before he said anything or the General did, because he seemed to be about to say something.
"I apologize I do not know who this is." Jace motioned at the third person who he had pegged as a politician.
"Planetary Governor Lee," The General waved his hand at the politician, silencing the man before he could even speak. "Major Jace, am I right to assume you recognized Captain Miller on sight?"
Jace nodded slightly, "that is correct. Perhaps we should take this to a more secure area. I have quite a bit to share and I also need a few things as well." Jace told them. The General nodded and then led the way up.
"What were you doing aboard the Fuji-8?" Jace looked at the Captain with a raised eyebrow. "Or can I not ask about that yet?"
"You can," Jace answered, "It was a special request by the Oda Empire. They wanted us to board the Fuji-8 to look for potential survivors. So that is the reason I was aboard your ship. Fortunately my people did manage to find a survivor."
"The weasel." Captain Miller scoffed. "Good thing you did not manage to get away. Weasel is a traitor. He offered up his codes to the Oni. I hope that little shit died in the crash."
Jace chuckled, "good news and bad news. The bad news for you is that no one died in the crash. A few minor and a few major injuries. The good news is that he should be held aboard my unit’s ship."
Captain Miller stopped and stared at him in shock. "How is that good news? Not to mention they use our specific genetic codes to launch attacks. Almost like a trojan horse. I would say that is a problem."
"Not quite." Jace answered with a chuckle walking past him. "Captain Solisa knows how to handle it. Especially since contact with me has been cut off. She would not even notify the Oda Empire that we found a survivor until we send out the evidence about who was responsible for the Fuji-8’s compromised state."
"That is..." Captain Miller seemed stunned. "How? What about the trojan horse problem?" Captain Miller asked in confusion.
"The soldiers in my unit walk around on the ship armed. I already warned them about portals. So Solisa should be aware of them and watch out for them." Jace told them with a chuckle. "Not to mention Captain Solisa has a grudge with these creatures."
"How is that possible? The Victorium have species that existed at the same time as the Xenar?" Captain Miller asked in shock.
Jace smirked as they reached the doors. "Nope, she was part of the Vexical Military before she joined the Victorium. I will explain a bit more inside." The politician seemed like he was about to say something. "Now then, let’s go and talk about how we are going to take Sakana Nine back."