Captive Lieutenant

Chapter 1

By KatWarrior

Squad 7 normally fared much better than this on the battlefield. They were unique and they were gifted, and they were usually able to rely on the Edelweiss. This town, however, was not kind to the tank's bulky form. The streets were narrow, specifically the back streets and alleys where the Imperials had been smart enough to take refuge. This being the case, Welkin Gunther had decided to lead his squad personally rather from inside his father's tank.

The Imperials weren't able to use their tanks, either, but they had been occupying this small town for some time and so knew all of its hiding places and vantage points better than Welkin and his team could hope to. Several of his soldiers were already wounded.

"Incoming!" he called when a grenade sailed their way. Welkin and those with him scattered just in time to avoid being blown to pieces. A chunk of shrapnel whizzed by his ear, missing by mere inches. That was much closer than he would have liked. He peered around the building that he had taken refuge behind to see Rosie throw another grenade back while the smoke and dust from the previous one still covered her. Imperial screams followed. Welkin smiled. Good old Rosie.

The smoke cleared fully and Squad 7 moved again, firing on their lessened enemies. Much to Welkin's relief, the Imperials pulled back. It was then, however, that a different variety of grenade sailed from the top of a building and into the midst of the squad. Again he yelled the warning and his soldiers took cover. This explosive, however, did not release flame and destruction but instead gas. The bitter-smelling smoke immediately filled the air, and Welkin gave the order to pull out. He could barely see, but he stayed where he was until he counted all of his soldiers leaving the area.

Once his squad had cleared, Welkin began to run as well, but by that time the gas was taking effect. His vision blurred and went dark just before his legs gave out.

***

"Wake up, you Gallian filth!"

A gush of water that may as well have been ice all but shoved Welkin out of his comfortable unconsciousness. He gasped in shock as the bitingly cold deluge soaked into his skin and hair. Almost immediately he began to tremble as he lifted his head.

A group of four Imperial soldiers were before him, their gazes full of contempt. They stood in a sort semi-circle, and in the midst of them was the second detail that caught his eye. His uniform and personal effects were in a heap on the floor at the Imperials' feet. Four metal rods lay on the floor around his clothes, their tips buried in the folds of fabric. Rather than pondering this oddity, Welkin grew nervous. If his clothes were there, then…

Despite the blonde, tall Imperial who was coming towards him, Welkin was relieved to find that they'd at least left him in his dress shirt and boxers. It was minimal protection at best, but highly preferable to being completely naked. It was not until the soldier's fist was colliding harshly with his ribs that Welkin pulled against his bonds, his arms stretching painfully as his wrists were tied above his head.

"According to your tags, you're Squad 7's leader, Lieutenant Welkin Gunther." The man who had punched him leered down at him as he spoke. "We've been hearing a lot about you, and about how many of our comrades died at your hands." Welkin glanced up, staring into his captor's furious eyes. "Officially, we're supposed to interrogate you, but surely you'll understand if we take the opportunity to avenge our friends a bit."

"Don't get too carried away," a voice warned. It was a deep voice, and a bit gruff. It hadn't been any of the Imperial soldiers. All their heads turned and Welkin looked past them to a dark corner at the back of the cement-walled supply room. A broad-shouldered sat there on a stool, leaning against the wall. He had a nicely-shaven brown beard and hair that looked as though it was long but neatly pulled back out of his face. Welkin squinted. He'd seen a picture of this man. It was Radi Jaeger, one of Maximilian's highest-ranking officers. Why was he here?

"We need information," Jaeger continued, "so don't go making this too personal."

"Yes sir," the soldier agreed, though obedience was hardly in his tone. His cold gaze returned to Welkin. "You heard the general. We need information. It can be about your squad, the Gallian military, the Federation, anything. As longs as it's useful, your pain will be minimal." The soldier spoke with irritation. He was obviously counting on Welkin's lack of cooperation. Welkin had no intention of disappointing him.

"You should already know that I have nothing to say to you," the leader of Squad 7 answered, "and no matter what you do to me, that won't change." His tormentor didn't even bother to hide his eager smirk.

"You heard him, boys." The soldier turned around, facing the other Imperials who shared his expression. "Burn it."

Two of the others stepped forward, dousing the pile of clothing with a thick, clear fluid. Gasoline's distinct odor burned the inside of Welkin's nose. The other soldier struck a match and dropped it on the pile, and immediately the blue uniform was ablaze. Due to the cement floor the flame was stationary, but Welkin found no comfort in that. What he did find, however, was that the tips of the four metal rods were rapidly growing hot enough to glow red. His throat dropped into his stomach when he concluded what they must be for.

***

There was no time to waste securing a briefing room for this emergency meeting, so Squad 7 gathered in front of the Edelweiss. Alicia sat on the front of it, going over what had happened and listening for suggestions on how to rescue their commander. She prayed that no one noticed the trembling of her hands or how loudly her heart was beating. She feared for Welkin, but staying focused was the only way to save him.

"The Boss is pretty valuable to the Imps right now," Largo mentioned, his eyes focused on Alicia. Apparently someone had noticed. "I'm not saying that we should take our time, but I'm pretty sure he's still alive." Alicia cast the large man a grateful smile.

"The first thing we'll need to do is search the city," Alicia sighed when no other suggestions came up. "That'll mean splitting up, and the teams will have to be small. I know that's risky, so you'll just have to use extreme caution."

"I'll cover everyone that I can with the Edelweiss," Isara offered. Hans was in her arms, grunting softly in distress. A shy look came into her eyes; the one she had when an idea came to her that she knew others would find strange. "And… I think Hans could help us." As was expected, all eyes and heads turned to her. Even Hans gave an oink in confusion. Alicia waited, her heart pounding even faster.

"Porkavians have a good sense of smell," Isara continued. "If we go to where Welkin was captured, he might be able to give us a lead."

"Do you have something of the Boss' that he can use as a reference?" Largo's expression was skeptical, but his tone was hopeful.

"Welks keeps his sketch book in the tank," Isara murmured. "That should work."

"We'll try it!" Alicia declared, shocked at the excitement in her own voice. She blushed and cleared her throat. "I mean, it's the best idea yet." She smoothed out her skirt. "Squad 7, move out!"

To be continued...