Chapter 1: A Gathering Storm
Although the air held the sticky warmth of midsummer, Rain fell heavily down onto the Streets of New London, the thick grey clouds almost reminiscent of the London Smog in the clouds overhead. The rain pelted downwards relentlessly as the swathes of citizens in the streets below found shelter in old pedestrian tunnels along the banks of the Thames, or beneath some overhanging roofs of the grand Victorian era architecture that of which few buildings still held.
In the years following Earth's unconditional surrender to the Extra-terrestrial forces commanded by the mysterious Elders, The ADVENT coalition was established as a Puppet state of Government, primarily acting as the regional governors and pacifiers, Ensuring such a recently conquered planet would not surge to rebellion against their Alien masters. Indoctrination of Children throughout their education and widespread Pro-ADVENT propaganda were commonplace, as were the brutal beatings of civilians (or "Dissidents"by the ADVENT forces. Civil liberty was sacrificed for order and peace, said the propaganda.
Many culturally and historically significant structures, The Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge still stood, As well as the Tower of London, which was being utilised as an ADVENT Garrison. The City itself however had gradually begun to lose the cultural aesthetic in favour of more eloquent and fluid designs in the new financial district, resembling many other Occupied cities across the globe. Gene Clinics were popping up occasionally - said to treat disease while masking the Aliens' true
purpose.
A bolt of lightning struck nearby the city, followed by a rumble of thunder, setting many people on edge, many boats bobbed up and down in their moorings along the riverbank, while others slowly trundled up the river at high tide, likely bearing tourists.
Far disconnected from the hap-hazard nature of London's city centre, more towards a Residential area in New London's west side strode an all too familiar sight, yet it more-so didn't have a stride at all.
Slithering on a long, reptilian tail moved a Viper, an all too common sight in the Cities across the globe. A giant snake like creature, easily capable of crushing a man with their powerful tails, let alone their sharp fangs, and down a slight hill,
clutching a Plasma Rifle in her thin clawed hands. Accompanied by a pair of ADVENT troops at her side, they were gradually making their way to a small ADVENT research facility.
Unlike her typical brethren, her scale composition was somewhat darker than the typical yellow dominance of her kin. Her scales were a more orange tinge than yellow and gradually darkened as they reached closer to her spine, ending in an almost red hue. A crisscross of black scales ran down her back and tail, contrasting the colours a little further so the pattern looked like a mosaic of stained glass pieces.
With her hood flexing idly in the sticky summer rain, she couldn't have looked anything less than the predator she was, that didn't help put some kids at ease who were playing ball down a nearby alley, as soon as they seen her red eyed gaze notice them, they picked up the ball and started swiftly leaving - perhaps seeking more private sanctuary, away from the prying eyes of ADVENT.
The research facility down the road was rather nondescript as to its purpose, and was only loosely guarded, With the recent resistance strikes becoming marginally weaker and ineffectual over the passing few months, ADVENT could afford to lax
it's grip on some of its lesser important projects. There were about a dozen guards on patrol, guarding doors or on the roof, not including the viper, and a few were helping lift heavy crates into the facility, their contents
Viper herself seemed pleased as they eventually reached the Research facility, entering through the sliding doors that opened with a hiss, she seemed eager to get started.
Meanwhile, scattered whispers were mumbled amongst the series of alleyways, the light clopping of boots followed by a loud splash of water as a group of individuals slowly manoeuvred their way towards the research facility, at first glance, they could easily pass for normal citizens, a man in his late twenties who positioned himself on an old church roof that was a fair distance from the facility, yet well within sniping range.
The man was dressed in an old and patched black trench coat, with some tan coloured jeans, the trench coatwas unbuttoned, revealing beneath the patchwork Kevlar armour over a white shirt, scratched and with a few scorch marks on it, yet the symbol on the breastplate was unmistakable, the XCOM logo, With the a tell-tale motto that read 'Vigilo Confido'. A pistol holster, containing an old and out-dated .44 Magnum revolver was strapped to his leg, and he clutched a plasma Sniper rifle in his arms, aiming down the Advanced Scope towards the facility. Pressing a pair of fingers to his right earpiece firmly.
"Firefly-1-4, in position. Count 5 plus hostiles, ADVENT troops, standard issue, one officer on the roof. Unknown how many contacts inside" he spoke in a gruff voice that seemed to pretend it was professional, a bubbly voice of a young teenage girl erupted down their secure comn link "Was that Domino just then? Jeez he sounded like my uncle for a moment". The once drab and almost colourless conversation garnered a few chuckles from a couple of the team members, airing some of the pent upstress from the group's shoulders.
They had been prepping for this assignment for a few days, with the rookies more eager than most to get out there and deal some damage to ADVENT's forces. With the sombre mood aboard the Avenger following defeat after defeat, with the occasional costly victory over the past few months had weakened the troops resolve. Yet they were far from beaten, hitting any easy target by this point and coming out as a success was worth it, for the sake of morale and support from resistance cells.
"Can it Kitty, we all know you'd loooove to be that professional" called out an Japanese-American on their line, Jackie he was called, with a few of the older veterans comparing him to Jackie Chan - not that the whole martial arts vibe was helping, given he was the group's Ranger, his hand it resting on the hilt of his soft racking of a plasma rifle cartridge being loaded was heard in the background of their headsets.
"Roight chaps, this ain't gunno be easy, jus' listen to what the commander says and we'll be fine" sounded a north London voice of Chives - Firefly's team leader, and then there was Sam, silent as ever, a single tap heard from the radio, acknowledged.
A rumble of thunder from was all the encouragement they needed tobe wanting to get this over and done with. The rattle in their earpiece was heard as the Commander's Gremlin circled the raging storm.
The commanders voice came into clear view, ordering the squad into a crossfire position on the ADVENT troops outside, while also in at least partialcover, Chives with the most deadly close quarters weaponry was obviously going to be thefirst in
line - taking cover behind a large dumpster, while Kitty - their rookie and Medkit hauler was set within a reachable distance of everyone, While Sam, their techie operated there, in position to help if necessary.
While Domino was to drop the Officer first, while Jackie tossed a frag grenade under the truck. A few moments later, they were given the weapons free order.
The Viper inside the facility was busy studying the various Earth toxins recovered from a series of Earth creatures, utterly oblivious to the danger outside as she mixed a group of solutions together before a terrific explosion, was felt, the ground trembling with shock and the sound of smashing glass as the front windows had obviously broke in, naturally, the ADVENT forces jumped into action, as did she.
Snatching up her beam rifle into her clawed hands, and ensuring her armour clasps were fastened on tightly, she broke from the lab, the sounds of constant weapons fire filled her eardrums as she made her way through towards the front of the building - she couldn't even make it half way across the room - before a wounded ADVENT soldier stumbled in. Clutching a wounded arm that was hanging off by a thread and oozing orangeish blood from the door ahead of her, he had lost his rifle, likely it having backfired and ruining his arm.
The Viper on looked in somewhat shock; as the ADVENT trooper cursed in a gurgling tongue, before collapsing to the floor, dead. She dove behind one of the nearby pillars, her hands shaking slightly. She didn't understand the feeling as to why she was shaking, but a sickening knot in the pit of her stomach told her she would not live to see the sun rise again.
'Mother of mothers...hear my thoughts...' she thought to herself in a desperate prayer, her hands struggling to find purchase on the rifle's housing. 'I don't want to die...not this day...'. She shook her head in dismay, hissing
at her cowardice -in anger, yes, anger - gives you focus...she then stopped herself again, her gut wretched with doubt.
'They won't spare me...resistance doesn't spare...' She kept thinking to herself darkly, her hands quite noticeably shaking, trembling- she felt a merely of emotions, so much of it alien to her that she felt her mind would explode, she
couldn't focus, she couldn't drive her inner predator to the fore, she must have been hopelessly outnumbered.
She risked herself a quick peek with her red eyes, the narrow black slits looking towards the doorway that was riddled with plasma shots, as soon, a group of resistance fighters stormed in, checking the room. Her eyes snapped shut, pulling her tail behind the pillar, trying to hide her large frame behind it, she prayed they had not noticed her. Yet amazingly, it seemed so.
The leader was a stocky make, with a bald head and spoke like he was local. He was holding a few fingers to his earpiece "Central, Firefly-1-1, all twats who shot at us are neutralised, send the bird and the recovery boys". The big man furrowed his brow as he suddenly called out, much to her worst fears "Fan out; central says we still got an alive bugger in here".
Author's notes: Hello chaps, just going to say I had one hell of a time writing this first piece, and I'm excited for adding in more in the future. This is my first piece published so I'd like to know what you guys think!
