A/N: This is kind of a sequel to my other story Where the Future Takes Us this occurs ten years later. This is not at all canon considering Alistair and Alex aren't the only two wardens…*gasp* coming up with your own story and not following the game? Shocker well it is fanfiction so quit bitching. If there is any grammar or spelling errors I apologize, I have no beta. Enjoy!
Also, I do not have Mages, and chose to make spirit healers: doctors, or in Anders and Wynne's case a Grey Warden nurse/medic. Other mages could be in charge of heavy artillery or brilliant chemists (which is as close to magic as one can get in modern times…I guess).
Disclaimer: I own nothing…Bioware has the money I'm just a poor college kid. Though I think it's safe to say I own the idea of a futuristic blight...? Maybe? Title is inspired by Soldier Side which belongs to System of a Down and I do NOT own them in any sort of way.
"I want three teams of five scouting out the perimeter and setting up barricades," Alex ordered her team of Grey Wardens as they were all squished in her tent receiving their orders for the new mission. "Alistair and I will discuss last minute issues and decide what to do with the army once they arrive. Got it?" there were grunts of acknowledgment from the men who knew better than to question their Captain's orders, "move out then," Alex stated in a 'duh' tone clearly annoyed with the men she worked with – well Alistair was the exception there was little doubt in her mind that she would be dead if it weren't for him saving her ass.
"Seems a bit daft to secure and defend such an insignificant city like Lothering don't you think?" she asked Alistair leaning back in her chair until the front legs were off the ground.
"Perhaps, it has been said that thousands of years ago Lothering was completely destroyed by a Blight. I think that they don't want a repeat. Besides Lothering has become somewhat of an icon for all that it's been through."
"That may be, but compared to Denerim or even Redcliffe, this place is nothing. We should be evacuating these people and set up a defense for Redcliffe. But we have our orders, last time I checked it isn't wise to go against the Warden Commander." That much was true, as nice as Duncan was outside of his duties, disobeying direct orders was basically asking for a death sentence. Unlike the other armed forces, Wardens had their own rules and were deemed barbaric by others when it came to training. Both men and women were killed by the sheer intensity of the pre-warden training. And if one wished to back out, they also met death. For once, an individual decides to become a Warden, they are one until death or time frees them. A member on Alex's training squad decided that the risks were too great and wished to quit his training and return home to Redcliffe to his wife and unborn child. Duncan showed him no mercy and executed him on the spot only muttering a small apology. The harsh reality hit Alex hard and she knew from there on out her fate was sealed and understood the last of the Grey Warden motto: In death: sacrifice.
"You're thinking about her aren't you?" Alistair teased raising and eyebrow at Alex's silence a slight smirk playing at his lips.
"Actually no, I'm not. Besides which her are you talking about?" Alex responded with a cocky smile. Throughout the years as a Warden, Captain Cousland had been very popular with the ladies – at least those interested in other women. With her flashing white teeth, stunning blue eyes and confident smile, she could send hearts beating faster and even send strict Chantry sisters swooning. Her short cropped hair even earned her attention from those interested in a male companion for the night and tended to be sadly disappointed with the officer's true gender.
"I think you know who I'm talking about," Alistair said slowly watching the smile slowly fade and the mischievous glint disappear from his friend's eyes, "but since you weren't thinking about her it matters not," he hastily added not wanting to get on her notorious bad side.
"Great. Now I'm thinking about her. I just don't get why she left. We had a plan, but I guess me being a Warden was too much. But whatever," the sadness was quickly replaced by the authority act she used when it was time to be the captain she was, "send in Daveth, Nathaniel and that medic, uhh…Anders. Those three plus two militia men will take care of the Southeastern post with me. And before you ask, I only want Nathaniel on my team because I need a damn good sniper. I still hate his guts though." Her eyes darkened slightly before continuing, "Anyways, choose six men and guard the Northwestern area – by the Chantry – Two members on your team will aid in evacuation. I was informed that two C-130 Hercules' will be coming at fifteen-hundred hours. I want women, children and those in critical condition, bedded at the clinic, on them first. The clinic is full causing the Chantry to become a makeshift one. When the time comes talk to Wynne and get three nurses on each plane. Dismissed Lieutenant," with a curt nod Alistair turned to exit the tent before stopping in his tracks once Alex started again, "but yes, I think about her every day." Alex added softly before setting the chair in its proper position to study Lothering's layout once again.
"So let me get this straight. We sit out here for Maker knows how long until some fictional creatures attack?' Anders muttered as the team sat around their designated post. Anders was one of the newer members of the Grey Wardens on Alex's brigade only have been with her for a year and a half. The ex-fugitive was conscripted as a medic when he saved Alistair's life in a mini skirmish in Amaranthine. In some mysterious way, Anders escaped prison several times where he was serving sixty years for practicing medicine without a license along with malpractice. The police were less than thrilled when Alex claimed him for the Wardens, but they could not question her motives for recruiting the fugitive any further.
"Yes," Alex tersely replied not taking her eyes off her current task of filing magazines for her SIG Sauer handgun. "We're taking six hour shifts. So I suggest getting to know the others Anders that way you know if you risk being shot in the ass for excessive talking."
"Somebody's a little touchy," came the sing-song voice of Anders a goofy smile plastered onto his face, "come on Captain, what's wrong? Job too boring for you? I'll tell you what's boring. Solitary confinement. Now that's boring. You'd go crazy I tell you nothing to do at all! I used to get a rock throw it somewhere then go feel around for it. It was quite entertaining. Other times I –" he gave a yelp as a third party member pinched his ear.
"She only acts like this when I'm around" came a deep voice.
"Damn right. Now release Anders' ear," came Alex's terse order clenching her teeth in anger.
"Am I sensing some history between you two?"
"NO!" Alex and Nathaniel shouted synchronized. Placing the half full magazine aside Alex glared up at Nathaniel. "That bastard's father killed my parents, sister –in–law and my six year old nephew!" she roared stunning Anders, her tone clearly telling him that the story was not going to be repeated. "The only reason he's here because he's a damn good sniper I would've killed him along with his farther," she snarled going back to loading the last of the bullets.
When the news of Bryce and Eleanor Cousland's death reached Alex she became enraged and requested time off to hunt her parents' killer down. When she caught Howe the man was nearly dead by the time SWAT was able to pry the then new Warden off of the older man. As a soldier, Alex faced military disciplinary action while Howe went to court on four accounts of first degree murder. Found guilty he was sentenced to death and Alexandra Cousland, the youngest of her line carried out the duty by shooting him execution style – one bullet in the middle of the forehead. Even though the murderer was dead and closure was found, the emptiness in Alex's heart could not be filled and she buried herself in her Warden duties as well as trained her mabari, Jerry, to fight alongside her. But when Duncan placed Nathaniel Howe on her squad three years after executing his father, hell broke out and a new side of the cool, collective, and part-time serious woman emerged and to those around her, it was scary as hell. While a professional and somewhat mutual respect for the other formed, Alex was always put on edge when Nathaniel was around. His skills as a sniper were the only redeeming qualities of his surname.
"Ah...well have you guys seen these Darkspawn before? What do they look like?" Anders spoke up trying to change the mood as tension grew.
"No one really knows. There are drawings of them in some old Warden books but those are hundreds of years old" Nathaniel spoke up, "nowadays, they probably a zombie alien type thing, something out of a science fiction novel."
As if on cue a static radio signal went out and Alex replied asking for a repeat clearly flustered at the poor reading, before a response came shots were heard west of their position. "Shit. Howe, see if you can spot the leaders, take them out. Anders don't get hit you're the medic. Others prepare to shoot the shit outta them."
The sounds of gunfire confirmed Alistair's fears, the darkspawn were there already and the evacuation planes weren't! The two cargo planes that Alex told him about were at least thirty minutes away. . Once the citizens heard the shots, panic rose and spread like a wildfire, and the already challenging task now seems nearly impossible. But luckily critical patients, along with expectant and mothers with young children were prepared to board the planes once they touched down.
"Everyone remain calm!" he yelled through the bullhorn in the Chantry, "we have over three hundred Wardens and militia here. Us Grey Wardens have been specially trained to sense, locate and destroy darkspawn," even though they haven't been seen in hundreds of years "But you all need to remain calm or else things will become more hectic."
Lieutenant Theirin co-come in-n. The broken words came through his radio as the large mass of people started talking again though not as panicked. Alistair dammit! We took out scouts. I repeat they were only scouts. Planes should be there soon. And...I've been hit. Just saved a girl too and you won't believe who it is. 10-4. He stood there frozen in chock. Could it really be…her? After ten years and Alex's brooding could it truly be?
Twenty minutes earlier
Only scouts Nathaniel thought as he looked through his scope aiming for one. And boy were they ugly things, something straight out of a fantasy or sci-fi book or movie. His earlier prediction was right however, and they did look like zombie aliens with futuristic guns. The scouts were short (genlocks if he remembered correctly) and moved swiftly, the armor looked light and most likely a single well-placed round could take them out. Holding his breath he placed his index finger on the trigger and as he exhaled he slowly squeezed until his shoulder was jerked back by the recoil. Mere seconds later the gunlock was thrown back several yards due to the sheer impact of the bullet. The others barely seemed fazed as their companion was killed. Nathaniel noticed that their attention was else were, following them through the scope he saw two women: one a red head and the other a brunette, who was clinging a child to her breast, were struggling to make their way to the safety of Lothering as the scouts advanced on them.
"Alex!" he called out keeping the Barrette rifle trained on another darkspawn, "two women, one with child. They need help!" he pulled the trigger again and another gunlock was slammed yards behind where it originally stood.
"Daveth, Jerry with me! Rest of you cover our asses." Without wasting any more time, Alex launched herself over the temporary barricade charging over to where the women were with Daveth and her mabari close behind. "Jerry take them out! Daeth grab the brunette," raising her gun she shouted at the two women to duck before pulling the trigger releasing several burst of bullets killing two scouts. Sliding the last several feet she came up aside the red head.
"Don't worry ma'am. I'm a Grey Warden. I'm going to have to carry you out to cut down on the risk of you being injured or killed." Without waiting for a reply Alex scoped her up bridal style and began running back. Before she stumbled forward falling to her knees letting out a hiss of pain as a bullet from the darkspawn hit her in the arm. "Dammit," pushing up once again she continued to run, the adrenaline keeping the pain at bay until she made it back safely to the makeshift barricades.
"Anders!" she cried out still holding the woman in her arms, "check Daveth and the other woman when they come. I'm going to take her to the Chantry and find Wynne to take care of my arm since she's made it her job to personally tend to each and every one of my wounds," she gave a humorless chuckle knowing what exactly would happen when Wynne discovered the reason she had been shot in the first place.
"I am perfectly capable of walking sir Warden," came an Orlesian accent as Alex continued to walk towards the Holy building.
"Ah of course you are," Alex muttered blushing slightly as she set her 'damsel in distress' down. "We need to get to the Chantry, my Lieutenant should be there and so is my personal nurse that will check us over." When the shorter woman raised her eyes to try and peer through Alex's sunglasses, the Warden felt her breath catch as she stared back at Leliana Nightingale.
Alright! There's part one! This will definitely be a two-shot, and perhaps a three-shot but we shall see what occurs in the future. If you have something nice or constructive to say leave a review if not keep your thoughts to yourself.
In a futureistic setting, I'd imagine that Darkspawn would appear to be like aliens in sci-fi movies, games and even books.
Also I needed a last name for Leliana and I'm not creative enough to come up with one haha.
The SIG Sauer P226 and M4 Colt Commando are weapons used by many military forces throughout the world as well as the United States Navy SEALs, whom I have based the modernized Grey Wardens, well more of a cross between the Marines and SEALs with army ranking overall they equal one badass mother chucker. C-130 Hercules is a cargo/passenger transport aircraft used by the U.S. military.