AN: Revised, this notice will be removed in time.
This story takes elements of the Rise Of The Reds mod by SWR Productions, along with Shockwave units making appearances. You can find both on Moddb on the internet. Give them a shot, they're both AWESOME! (Those fricken combat cycles in ROTR though) Also, I'd like to give a great big shout out to Anime Borat for giving me a big helping hand with coming up with this fic. Thank a bunch dude!
Let us begin…
Crash course timeline.
2014: The First Global War on Terror ends. Europe is ravaged, China buries millions, and United States enters isolation. The Global Liberation Army is now defunct.
2015: China donates financial and infrastructure aid to the European continent to rebuilt cities that were annihilated by the GLA and clean rivers flooded with toxins left by the terrorists. US political parties are constantly bombarded with public outrage from the war. This year became one of the most active of the 21st century. The US began unprecedented reforms in several fields, and agreements with Mexico and Canada increase likelihood of US resurgence to power.
In Europe, the continuing reconstruction led to a new sense of European Unity as leaders came together to discuss the future. US forts would be taken over, and the military would be reformed radically. Separated only by nationality, not boundaries. Following years saw Europe become a fortress and the eventual withdrawal of Chinese forces. The European Continental Alliance was born.
Russia's unusual absence, save for the failed Baikonur Cosmodrome assault, drew the attention of the SVR and CIA. The investigations bring forth the revelation of Russia's leadership making deals with the GLA before the war. Weapons deals. The resulting intel leak was met with a violent revolt by the Russian people, who were joined by 90% of law enforcement and military forces. The revolt came under the head of Nikolai Suvorov, who eventually became the new president and create reforms in Russia. The large country entered prosperity under his leadership.
China was the best off. After the ECA began forming, China finally began its true celebration of victory and death of its hated foe. Parades marched in the streets of every city, recruitment skyrocketed, and songs of patriotic pride were sung across the land. China was recognized as an absolute superpower and the world's most patriotic country.
2016: By the start, the still rebuilding ECA and reforming Russia became the best of neighbors, trading and collaborating with one another. Suvorov was eager to redeem Russia to the world.
In April, America's alliance with its neighbors boosted the economy, leading to rapid recovery to strength. Mexico and Canada benefitted by governmental reforms and military influxes, respectively.
By June, China's populace calmed from their victory. 'Death of the GLA Day' is declared on the day it was defeated.
The four forces would later begin assisting in rebuilding the Middle East. By December, Israel asked for help in its own reconstruction events.
2017: The nations, who entered an as of yet, unofficial alliance simply called The Powers, all pitched in to fix the country. Leading to Israeli improvement, and growing inevitable outrage from Arab extremist populations who believed they should be completed first, (reconstruction there was over halfway done and still going.) This began to come under the overwatch of Syria.
Syria, at this time, was an Arabic superpower, described militarily, as the 'United States' of the Arab World. A large economy, a fearsome army, along with minimal incidents regarding the FGWT (First Global War on Terror) allowed the country to grow.
Peace talks began in November, seeking diplomacy. With Russia at the lead.
2017: The Powers broker a deal with Egypt, share a small amount of the cuts from the Suez Canal with Israel to help reconstruction. One Abaur al Reseph, the president of Egypt agreed. Small protests in Egypt erupt.
The Golan Heights is divided between Israel, Syria, and Palestine. In the meantime, Issues of Israelis in Palestine are quelled when the Powers give an order to remove them from the country.
Despite the relations Russia had with the Middle Eastern countries, some wouldn't wait. Groups like Hezbollah began their wars, but were forced to rethink their tactics after an unsuccessful attack on bases guarded by Israeli and Power soldiers.
By mid-2018, Russian-Syrian relations took a turn for the worse as the Arab country began to feel betrayed when Russia obviously supported both sides equally and not the Arabs more. Labels of Russia as a 'puppet appealing to Israeli interests' begin to flow.
Relations worsened, the Arab countries saw Russia as a means to an end, with Russia's help, Israel would be removed. But now that was truly not the case. In response to their growing anger, Russia appealed to the interest and beliefs of the people.
2018: The Syrian half of the Golan Heights erupted into violence as mobs crossed the border and attacked border side towns. A town named 'First' in Hebrew was there. A dark label given it was thought to be the first settlement to fall if war erupted. Russian troops there on guard duty encountered the mobs. In a brief clash, one was killed by a very unmistakable shot from the mob. In furious retaliation, the Russians mowed down the crowd, forcing them back to the Syrian sector. Fallout was bad. Very bad. Russia was labeled as 'murderer,' though the country was quick to point out Syria's failure to keep its citizens calm. The event was called the 'Golan Heights Massacre.'
2019: Things got worse, and Russian-Syrian relations looked like they would be a repeat of America and Iran. Skirmishes erupted. Suvorov talks his allies in to trying one more time to appease the Arab countries in 2022. Meanwhile, Egyptian soldiers and equipment begin to go missing without a trace.
2020: Egypt experienced a sudden coup by anti-Israeli extremists led by Rubi Sa-Amen, a respected politician. The president and his family barely escaped in time. Loyalists fled to the Canal and the ECA. The Extremists forced the Israeli workers at the canal out. Power airstrikes resulted to keep the president safe. Rubi became the new leader of Egypt, though experts agree a claim of a 'dictatorship' applied more to the name and not the actions. The Egyptian military is cut in half.
2022: Suvorov delivers his final peace speech.
2023: All is calm, no skirmishes, no riots, no meetings. Nothing. Arab bases are seen with virtually non-existent forces. The Powers enter a calm state of emergency. While Israel prepares for Yom Kippur. American and Chinese intelligence agencies send operatives into Syria and its allies to discover the reason for the quiet.
On the day of Yom Kippur, a bomb goes off in Red Square during a speech from Suvorov. In Syria, the Russian diplomats are publically killed, the leading individual being a friend of Suvorov. Meanwhile, the combined forces of Syria, Libya, Palestine, and Iran march into Israel through Palestine while the radical Egypt marches from the southwest. The Powers respond with forces travelling to Israel, Suvorov furiously declared absolute war on Syria and its allies.
The Second Yom Kippur War had begun.
Come mid-late of the year, the war enters a stalemate. Both sides seek means to turn it around.
2024: A young Chinese tank Sgt named Jié Jùn Qiáng volunteers with a force that discovers and heads off a major Syrian-Extremist tank offensive south of Israel. He and a few other tanks are all that are left. Remaining enemy forces are defeated after their commander is killed.
In late 2024, Arab forces begin to retreat and are pushed back behind their borders.
2025: Despite a now-calmer Suvorov's suggestions that the Powers should continue chasing the now retreating forces beyond their borders, the Powers elects to focus on bringing the Egyptian president back into power, lest another situation like the Korean Civil War begins.
In March, the Arab forces launched a massive bombing on Israel and borderline European settlements via supersonic rockets. They demand that if the Powers do not abandon Israel and allow the country to be removed, further attacks would commence.
A series of covert special ops strikes begin in Syria and Iran, bringing the rocket threat to an end in late August.
The Powers launch a massive retaliatory strike into Syria with the 'city-hopping' plan. Modeled after the WW2 island-hopping strategy, the Powers attacked only the strategic cities and bases on their way to the capitals of Syria and Iran.
In December, Power forces close in on Syria while Iran tastes war on its soil for the first time since the 70s. Egypt's radical government is defeated and Reseph is reinstated as president. Rubi is found and tried in Nuremburg.
2026: In May, Syria surrenders after the capital and its leaders are captured. Iran makes a desperate last-ditch rocket strike on Israel.
Of all things, the rocket was shot in mid-air by tank commander Hauptmann Aldrick Deidrick's Manticore super-heavy tank.
In September, Iran surrenders. Ending the Second Yom Kippur War. Its military defeated and its leaders apprehended. Sheik Ali-Shaheed, a rebel leader who opposed the Arab forces' plan to attack Israel becomes the new supreme leader.
2027: After peace reigned and reconstruction was near completion, the world was once again in peril as an old terror, the Global Liberation Army rose yet again, in Africa. Governments are destroyed and the GLA control an alarming section of the continent.
Despite superior forces, the Powers were forced back by a much more capable GLA force in Africa. Military leaders congregated to focus on how to deal with this new GLA.
2028: A series of uprisings across the planet in non-Power territories give rise to spread conflicts. The war carries on.
2030
It's been at least 15 years since the Global Liberation Army was pushed out of Europe by China. The USA, China, and other countries have been ravaged by the GLA's war for liberation, none more so than Europe, whose union evolved into a new power, the European Continental Alliance, a new idea of true European unity. But now, the world is in the fray again.
The GLA is back from the dead. They've been supported and revitalized, and is now once again threatening the current balance of power in the world. Their bases of operations located deep within the mostly anarchistic African continent, all but untouchable. From here, the GLA launch more campaigns in the more stable African countries while attacks are launched in the Middle East, remote Asian areas, South American rain forests, and elsewhere.
But unlike the FGWT, the world was ready.
The USA, Russian Federation, PRC, and the newly created European Continental Alliance, a new idea of European unity, came together before this, in a new alliance simply dubbed 'The Powers.' Aptly named due to each being a global superpower. The scars of the GLA war of before still fresh in their minds, each nation has put differences aside to stand side by side with each other against the new, far more dangerous GLA as the war began to rage. At first the GLA was winning, having the element of surprise, until The Powers reorganized themselves, and equipped their soldiers with updated weaponry and gained experience. Soon the GLA found itself on the run from the Middle East and Central Asia. Few areas outside of their African strongholds would harbor them, either for resentment or fear of the powers. Even Iran, who once had breathing room, was under pressure.
Despite this, the GLA is still more dangerous than ever.
Even in a good struggle, you must always be aware, for if you are not careful, your next fight could be your last.
Brussels, Belgium. Capital of the ECA.
Norman Fitzgerald, leader of the ECA, read the reports from the front in Tunisia, where Russian and European forces were beating down on GLA cells in the region, updates from Central Asia, whose countries were all but cleansed of the GLA by Chinese and Russian forces, and finally, status on the Mediterranean where US, ECA, and Russian forces brought ruin to GLA operations.
It was safe to say it was a bad day to be GLA. 15 years ago, the Powers were once divided by even the most trivial of things, giving the GLA an even greater advantage. Nothing more than bickering nations with their own views on how things should be done and old prejudices, America just bombing away, Russia always antagonized, the list went on. The First Global War on Terror changed all that, showing just how powerful non-state actors could grow and how futile it was to hold old grudges for so long. Now the nations were united, and were now finding GLA cells all over the world like white on rice. The intelligence communities working as one greatly helped the war effort. Methods helping snuff out those who had infiltrated The Powers. He received letters from Willie Bradford, the American president, Nikolai Suvorov, the Russian president, and Cheung Li, leader of China congratulating him on the successes of their cooperation.
'The Powers of the world joining forces to ensure no war like this ever happens again, truly marks the beginning of a new world order.' He once said at a press conference. Of course there was one thing that worried Fitzgerald.
What to do when the GLA was gone.
As in how to rebuild the regions left ruined.
It would come in due time, but as of right now, Norman was simply being a bit paranoid. Could anyone blame him? It was after all, a big issue. Cities needed to be rebuild after all this. And they had to do it in a way that would not entice more revolts. They had been successful after the FGWT, but you could never be too sure. His train of thought was broken when a knock came to the office door. "Come in." He said.
In walked Maximilian von Kuerten, AKA Wolfgang. A German general with a knack for combined arms forces, albeit being a rather difficult man to work with for high command. But something that made him good was his hatred for the GLA. When they ravaged his homeland, he was there when the GLA attacked Stuttgart, bringing a hatred of unforgiving passion for the terrorists. He led forces in the Tunisia campaigns, earning him the name "The Huntsman." This earned him notoriety among the GLA who promptly placed a bounty on him. Upon hearing this, he laughed, and said 'Good, zat means zey know I can hurt zem.' Norman speculated if Wolfgang were God, he would torment each and every member of the organization in the most painful and horrifying ways possible. Some would call this harsh, but such people never saw firsthand the atrocities the GLA committed.
"Guten tag." He said simply.
"How can I help you Wolfgang?" The Minister asked.
"Did you read ze news in Japan?" The German asked tossing a newspaper on Norman's desk. He picked it up and glanced at the headline. Wondering what had gotten the German's attention. It read 'Global Sensha-dou competition heats up! General public worries for safety of competitors participating in fights as battles get more and more explosive!'
"Those Japanese. What'll they think of next?" He said putting his hand to his forehead with a joking smile. Sensha-dou was a martial art involving tank combat, which really confused the hell out of nearly everyone in the world. It was restricted to females as a way to build up confidence and was limited to tanks from before the end of 1945, so mostly WW2 tanks were being used. The Europeans weren't very enthusiastic about this, especially Germany. Looking back, it wasn't hard to see why. China especially made a big deal about this, claiming Japan was trying to find a way around their Postwar Constitution.
Despite this, the sport found its way across the other countries of the world, of course allowing girls AND boys play. Russia, America, some European nations, a lot of countries followed the sport. As far as The Powers went, there was only one country that did not practice Sensha-dou, and that was China. The Chinese had a very different view on things with the military. Especially during the war. It wasn't hard to see why, they had a landscape near Beijing nuked by the GLA. It was still a lifeless waste. A reminder of their hated enemy and the value of unity and military. A militaristic pride began to burn brighter in the Chinese nation, and got bolder when the GLA were being vanquished. Basically they say 'If it's meant to be used in war. It should be practiced with for waging war. Period.'
There was a major world championship being held in Japan, with crews from all over the world going there. Last everyone heard, a no name school made it and won the national championships.
"Zere's a reason I'm telling you zis, I vas contacted by ze overseers of ze sport." Wolfgang said, gaining the Minister's attention.
"And?" Norman asked before taking a sip of coffee.
"Zey're requesting us to lend zem a tank crew to referee ze fights. Zey've gotten so dangerous zey fear zat a referee will be necessary. In fact, ze vant a very symbolic and recognizable tank… preferably a Manticore tank." The General hesitatingly finished.
"PPPPPPFFFFFFFFFF!"
After spitting his coffee out onto the floor, Norman looked up. "WHAT?! ARE THEY OUT OF THEIR DAMN MINDS?! A MANTICORE?!"
"Zat vas my reaction. In return, zey vill allow some of our tank crews to observe ze battles. Like VIPs. Manticore assaults against GLA armor columns have given ze tank great publicity. I'm pretty sure zey're zinking 'no one vould dare break ze rules vhen a Manticore is vatching zem.' That and they mentioned it would be a great PR boost." Wolfgang said.
"Well why not contact Russia and say 'Hey, fellow Russians. Would you be so nice as to send a Sentinel Tank here to monitor the fights so no one gets to wild?'" Norman said.
"Ze Manticore is more iconic. It symbolizes ze ECA's unity and advancement, as vell as our successes in ze SYK. Also, ze Sentinel Tanks are scary." Norman knew all too well that he was right.
The Powers had their own respective massive tanks. America had Mammoth tanks, equipped with experimental shielding technology rendering rockets useless. Russia had the amphibious Golem tanks capable of surviving in even the most inhospitable regions as in irradiated, or in this case, toxic. They also had the larger, morale shrinking Sentinels whose main cannon turned anything that wasn't another super heavy tank into a smoldering wreck. China had their fearsome and inspiring Overlords with their dual cannons and multiple accessories, and the Shenlong flame tanks reducing anything to slag and ash. Hell even the GLA had them, mostly refitted tank destroyers from the second world war to the cold war eras labeled Basilisk tanks.
But the ECA Manticore was THE tank.
Armed with dual 155mm cannons, a dual 30mm auto cannon turret, and long range dual rocket launchers, the Manticore was armed to the teeth. They're usually seen leading ECA armor divisions into battle. Its armor could care less about RPGs and small caliber weaponry. But should a weapon breach the armor, the Manticore has a lifesaver. Several orb-shaped robots flying around the tank at all times dispense a regenerative self-hardening nano foam to the tank as well as any friendly vehicles nearby. Sometimes the tank is fully repaired before the enemy has a chance to finish reloading. Its cannons made short work of even a fully upgraded Basilisk tank and its rockets are handy for swarms. Should infantry or aircraft come into play, the 30mm would deal with them. The tank also possessed an Electronic Voice Assistant to make recommendations and status updates for the crew, which also played a part to its procedures. The tank is computer-assisted. Navigation, secondary weapons, countermeasures, even an autoloader, the shells being too heavy for a man. Another not is the inside, designed by KMW, leather seats and other luxuries. With the Manticore, it's about convenience, not utilitarianism.
Some say you could literally live in the tank.
The tank proved itself in the SYK, fighting alongside the standard and heavy tanks of other Power forces. They often acted as tank leaders. Due to their presence, their image, and how everyone tried to kill it when it showed up.
The only disadvantage was its speed. Wolfgang has constantly complained about the need to put hydrogen fuel cells into the engine to help increase speed. Why it hasn't happened is anyone's guess.
"This is crazy. I'd understand a Jagdmammut. But a Manticore!?" Norman cried.
"Ja." Wolfgang said. Norman really had to think. He didn't want to ruin a good chance to expose tank crews to possible new experiences, especially right now. The GLA were getting bolder despite their failures, but this was a tall order. 'Oh ok, I'll just give you a tank to referee with for no reason,' he was thinking. 'Like hell I will.'
He pondered for a couple of hours, speaking with Wolfgang, who decided they'd call the academy representatives in Japan about this to try and change their minds. He tried and begged but alas the women were stubborn. So. Norman chose the next best thing.
"-and remember ONLY ECA PERSONNEL are allowed to operate the Manticore. Not your students. Not your mechanics. Not- even- the JSDF. If I hear about so much as a SCRATCH from one of you that is not caused from a fight, I WILL order the withdrawal of the tank. NO NEGOTIATIONS! NO EXCUSES! Do I make myself perfectly clear?"
"Yes Fitzgerald-sama."
"Good. Now then, its back to work for me. I have a terrorist force to fight. DON'T MAKE ME REGRET THIS." He said hanging up before the rep could respond. "Well we made a compromise. Now there's the question of how to get it there. We can't risk plane or ship. The GLA have been extremely persistant. That and which crew to send."
The two men pondered for a moment when Norman lit up.
"I have another call to make."
Kremlin.
President Suvorov looked upon Red Square, it was pretty quiet right now. Other times it's as loud as a parade. Before his presidency, there was a time when the streets were filled with angry citizens demanding a change in government. After the FGWT, CIA and SVR assets were investigating why Russia stayed out of the war. Turns out the leaders were selling the GLA weapons as a way to undermine other presences. All because of Russia's nearly decade long antagonization. When word went out to the people, they were FURIOUS and revolted, even the police and army were on their side. Suvorov became their leader, and after the old ones stepped down, then got killed in a firefight whose origins remain a mystery, Suvorov became the new president, turning Russia into one of the best places to live in the world. Now? There were no riots or protests. The people were happy. Suvorov grew so used to the quiet that he slightly jumped when a phone rang.
'ECA' The label said. 'Better answer.' He thought. "Da. President Suvorov here." He said.
"Hello Nikolai."
"Norman! How are you my friend?" He asked in a cheery tone.
"Eh… I've been better." Norman said.
"What is wrong?"
"Listen to this. You're aware of the Sensha-dou in japan correct?"
"… Da." Despite being in his nation, Suvorov honestly had no thoughts on the sport. But he'd be lying if he said he didn't enjoy seeing it on TV. His close friend, Cheung Liu of the People's Republic of China though, couldn't stand it.
"Well, they're allowing foreign soldiers to come observe the tournament, Wolfgang was contacted about it." Norman said.
"Da. Now that you mention it, so was General Aleksandr, although I'm not so sure it is very good idea. I don't think I want to know what they're thinking."
He could hear Norman shudder on the other end of the line, and heard a faint 'shit' in german in the background
Aleksandr is 'the illusive man with the gas mask,' rumored to have once been a highly gifted yet just as unstable child prodigy. This got the Federation's attention. He was given a position in the Advanced Weapons R&D corps, a secretive yet poorly funded research and development branch of the military from the Soviet era. After demonstrating his new tesla coil to Suvorov, he was promoted on the spot. He turned the branch into an exclusive, vital, yet cult-like group with a military wing. The Shock Troopers. Nigh inhuman warriors whose brutality was unrivalled in battle. He was also a military genius, winning a major victory against a force of the GLA's most fanatical fighters smack dab in an African nation as a scare tactic. Next, he tested his tesla weaponry in an operation to investigate a village in Tajikistan suspected of helping the GLA. The people were immediately hostile when the first shock troopers came to investigate and started attacking. The troopers reduced the village to rubble and ruin. This led to the issue on was how he was with people. He is said to be a highly unstable and wretched man behind that mask. A double-edged sword. So Suvorov was very VERY concerned with his presence in Japan.
And wherever Aleksandr went, his shock troopers were sure to be as well.
"Well here's my problem. They asked Wolgang to attend, and for one of our tanks to referee the fights."
"I see, what is wrong with that?"
"They want the tank to be a Manticore."
Suvorov jumped from his chair with wide eyes. "Chto?! (What?!) Why?!" He, like Norman, knew the importance of these tanks.
"They want a tank that will command respect from other crews like how players respect a referee."
"Why the Manticore!? It's risky, I would've understood if they wanted a Golem tank, a Sentinel, hell maybe even a Chinese Overlord if they had the guts to ask. BUT THE MANTICORE?! What are they thinking?! Especially with tankery students from all over heading to Japan to compete in the World championship!"
"I don't know, but they made an argument on public relations and publicity. It's either meet the demands or risk losing out on possible experience, especially nowadays." Said Norman. He did have a point, the GLA weren't letting up, even with the combined efforts of the Powers. Tank crews were especially vulnerable whenever the GLA decided to bring their own toys out to play. A tank competition, while not real warfare, may teach the crews a thing or two about war. "Da. Da you are right. I have already arranged for crews and their tanks to be sent. They're leaving Vladivostok harbor within the next two days."
"Perfect, that's where you come in for my plan. I was hoping you would allow us to send a train to Russia's eastern coast with the Manticore and other tanks in cargo to send to the Japanese mainland. It's a bit to ask for I know but I was hoping-"
"Da."
… "What?" Norman asked, making sure he wasn't hearing things.
"I said 'Da'. I will allow it, on one condition." Suvorov said.
"Name it." Norman replied.
"Once the train enters Russian soil, security teams are to board to guard the train alongside your own. Aleksandr will be heading out by train, we can place him with the Manticore. To settle more issues. We can have your crews and our crews, along with their tanks, on the same train. If anything happens I want to know about it." Said Suvorov.
"Of course! I'll begin the preparation immediately. First I must find the right crew. I'll notify you once it's been done. Thank you Nikolai."
"I await your word Norman."
Norman put the phone down. A train through Russia. It was the best viable choice of action to transport the massive tank without drawing too much attention and chances of interception by GLA forces was minimal as railways were easier to guard this far into Power territory. Now. Which crew to take? It wasn't long before Norman made a decision. "Come on Wolfgang, I know just who to talk to." He said walking out of the office. "Vha- hey vait up!"
Tank depot near Stuttgart, Germany.
"Wakey wakey Kraut, break time's over." Said a British soldier. Hauptmann Aldrick Deidrick stirred before rubbing his eyes.
"Ja ja I hear you." He said groggily. Today was a fairly uneventful day for the German tank commander veteran. Today was his eighth day in this depot. Where some of the ECA's armor is kept, ranging from the Gepard flak panzer to the Jagdmammut tank destroyer. He used to be a commander of the tried and true Leopard tanks until along came the tank of any commander's dreams.
The Manticore.
Being kept in one of the huge garages, the tank was as safe as a house. Aldrick was here along with his four crew members, a Frenchman named Edmond Devereux. Fond of making sweets and was awfully proper. Winston Cunningham, the Brit, an Italian named Affonso Eliodoro, and last but not least, another German named Erdmann Keifer, who was humorously dubbed as Arnold due to his appearance and voice being a close match to Schwarzenegger himself. These five piloted one of the ECA's rare Manticores, and they did a damned good job of it. So many kills they lost count. Especially when you consider their service in the SYK. The most recent battle they had yielded 100, most of them were those annoying combat cycles the GLA constantly launched at the tank. They also killed at least 5 of those Basilisk tanks the GLA had for serious firepower.
They all tended to wear their uniforms with the sleeves rolled up past the elbows. Though Winston always wore some silly vest for 'being prepared,' while Affonso was fond of his fancy Italian beret. Edmond wore one of those fancy French caps on his head all the time.
The previous battle reminded Aldrick of the time they charged a heavily fortified base with Russian Sentinels and Chinese Overlords to their sides. Aldrick never saw such 'fanatical and fearless warriors' scurry like rats before. The thought made him laugh. "Hey a commander. Here's a some of that a coffee you wanted." Affonso said handing him a mug.
"Danke. So, how many today?" Aldrick asked.
"I caught enough to a feed the whole a base." The young Italian piped. In his spare time, Affonso liked to fish, and he was a damn master at it.
"Save any for me Mario?" Winston asked.
"Ci signor, I saved a some for you at a the bottom of the bucket." The two laughed while Aldrick tended to his coffee. 'Finally. Some actual coffee.'
There were dozens of men and women clad in the standard issue blue camo fatigues they're issued at training, carrying guns, ammo, supplies, whatever. There was a possibility of a GLA offensive striking the nearby coast, so everyone was on their A game. "You really think that the GLA are gonna slip by our forces in North Africa?" Winston asked.
"It's the GLA, they're capable of almost anything." Aldrick said, reminding the Brit about their enemy's persistence and junk ingenuity.
"Here's a hoping we're wrong. I don't a want Europe to be a scarred again." Said Affonso. Heading to one of the vehicle assembly garages, they found Edmond sitting at a chair reading a newspaper. "Bonjour mon ami." He said looking up.
"Heya Edmond. How are you doing?" Winston asked.
"I feel like a moldy piece of cheese right now." He said.
"Thought so, you definitely smell like one. That's what happens when you drink real British liquor." Said Winston.
"Well you are, how you say, quite smelly yourself Mr. I can't cook!" The two began to argue as Aldrick spotted Erdmann. Aldrick groaned at the event his members were in. They always did this, just to drive one another crazy.
"Hey Arnold!" He yelled, failing to realize why Winston began laughing at the sentence.
"Hello commander! What's wrong, zey got you pushing too many pencilsa?" Erdmann asked.
"Hardly. Just the preparations for a possible attack is all. But right now, I'm coming to check on Arnold's brother. Can't let him get killed by his own tools."
"Ah screw you dummkopf!" The two Germans laughed before heading back to the team to talk about the war. By then, Edmond was back to his paper instead of arguing with the Brit.
"Sacre bleu!" Edmond cried.
"Vat is it?" Erdmann asked.
"Ze newspaper. Look at ze headline!" Edmond said. 'Global Sensha-dou competition heats up! General public worries for safety of competitors participating in fights as battles get more and more explosive!'
"Mein Gott! My grandfazer told me about when his own grandfazer told him when zey came out viz ze sport? Just ven ve zink Japan couldn't get veirder!" Erdmann said.
"It came out before they got a weird, Erdmann." Affonso piped.
"Oh come off you lot it's not that weird." Winston said.
"They make a pillows you can a have sex with." Affonso added. "Bloody hell!"
"You know, I heard zat a girl who was daughter of a legendary fighter brought shame to ze name for rescuing team members who were going to drown. It cost her ze match." Edmond said.
"Vell I'd like to meet zis girl und give her a damn medal. She made ze right choice." Aldrick said looking at the paper. The team studied the paper until a familiar little object came to them from above. "Hey. Is that…"
"Poldi!" Aldrick said. Poldi was a little recon drone that was the first step in smaller drone support for ECA spec op teams, but Affonso customized the little guy and refers to it as his 'pet.'
The drones are also solar powered, thanks to solar technology that Europe has been using.
"Well, the gang's all here. And it's our turn to go on patrol, so, lets-"
"ACHTUNG!"
Every soldier stopped what they were doing and stood at attention. This meant one of two things, there was a superior officer present.
Or an attack.