In The Light Of Dawn
Chapter 1
Ash floated through the air as the sun shone through the partial breaks in the darkened cloudy sky. Amongst the destruction and sounds of battle echoing through the city, One girl, eighteen years of age, wandered through the ruined city trying to find someone, anyone that could help her.
" Hello? Is anyone there? " The young girls voice echoed through the empty ruins. As she called out, The girl noticed a shadow moving through the ruins. As she walked forward slowly and called again, A large alien charged at her from the shadows.
As it lunged at the girl, A tall woman in heavy armour charged at the alien with a large golden sword. Her armour was as white as pearls with red shoulder plates. She had long blonde hair that looked as if it was very carefully braided. After several minutes of combat, The woman managed to kill the alien. After cleaning her sword on a cloth, She turned to the girl and helped her to her feet.
" This sector was evacuated. What are you doing here? "The woman looked sternly at the girl. After a few moments of silence, The woman repeated her question with a slight tone of impatience in her voice. " I asked you what you are doing here. And who are you? "
" M...My name is Akira. Akira Tinada. I was trapped in a building when the attacks began. What was that thing? And who are you? "Akira looked at the woman curiously.
" My name is Joan. Joan D'Ark. I'm the Force Commander for PanOceania. You said your name was Akira Tinada? Your father was a Teutonic Knight. He was killed in combat a few years ago right? "Joan smiled slightly as Akira nodded. Joan sheathed her sword before turning towards the dead alien. " That is a Morat infantry unit from the Combined Army. They are a combined force of several alien races governed by an ancient, evolved, artificial intelligence. They basically want to kill everything. We never expected them to attack the capitol though. They have never come near Neoterra before. "
" Well maybe they are looking for something. Or maybe like you said they just want to kill us all. "Akira smiled as Joan chuckled.
" More than likely. They haven't seemed to search for anything but blood and combat before so i doubt they would start now. Anyway you should come with me. Our forward outpost isn't far and we need all the able bodies we can get. PanOceania may be the most advanced technological force in the known universe but we still need allies. I can train you if you like. You can become a knight like your father. "Joan smiled but Akira seemed upset.
As tears fell down her cheeks, Akira spoke softly." I miss him so much. I remember the day he died. I don't think I'll ever be-able to forget it.. The day he died was my birthday. He said he had a present for me but then the communication cut out. A few weeks later, A general from PanOceania brought us the flag my father used to keep tied to his belt. They said it was all they could find. " Akira fell to her knees and covered her face with her hands as Joan knelt beside her and spoke softly.
" That part is true. I gave them the flag after i buried your father. I was with him when he died. He was like a father to me. He was my mentor and my closest friend. He left your present with me until i could find you but finding you hasn't exactly been easy. I heard you left once you found out your father died. Where did you go? " Joan placed a hand on Akira's shoulder gently as she spoke.
Akira spoke softly, almost a whisper but could not stop the tears from falling. " I went to Acontecimento. I spent the last few years there studying jungle warfare and working my fingers to the bone. They taught me to hunt and survive but they wouldn't teach me about combat. They said I was too young. "
Joan smiled. " Well you might have been a few years ago but your almost a grown woman now. If you want to join the fight I'll happily teach you everything your father taught me. Once we get these aliens off Neoterra I'll even give you the present he left with me. But you will need to finish your training first. We have a lot of work to do so let's go. "
After a few hours of walking, and a few random Morat units interrupting, Joan and Akira arrived at the forward outpost. Before training could begin however, Joan told Akira to get cleaned up and get a few days sleep. After wandering through the ruined city, Akira didn't argue. Sleep and a bath sounded like heaven to her.
Akira had a long, hot bath before having something to eat and drink before asking Joan about her father. They talked about Akira's father for a couple of hours until Joan got called away to lead a charge against the Combined Army. Akira said goodbye before heading to bed for a few days of rest and relaxation.
Three Days Later
Akira had slept for the majority of the past three days. She had only really awoken to eat and bathe before sleeping again. After stretching slowly, Akira left the tent she had been sleeping in and looked around slowly once her eyes had adjusted to the morning sunlight.
All around her were soldiers rushing about in heavy looking armour, carrying standard issue Combi Rifles. After a moment, Akira noticed Joan walking toward her.
" Morning Akira. Ready to get started? " Joan smiled brightly as her long blonde hair waved freely in the morning wind.
" Your hair isn't braided today Joan. Do you only braid it for combat? " Akira watched Joan's hair flow freely as she spoke.
" Oh not at all. I brush and style my hair to fit my mood. Today I am in a rather good mood and so I am letting my hair flow freely. Now are you ready to begin your training? " Joan spoke calmly before Akira smiled and nodded happily. " Good. Your father's final wish was that I train you to wield two swords at the same time. You will be the first knight to use two blades. For now however you will hold the rank of Recruit. Until you complete your training and become a Knight, You will be required to assist the Knights and other recruits with tasks. Firstly however I want to teach you basic combat with a standard issue rifle. Come with me. "
Akira listened carefully and nodded before following Joan to the nearby armoury. After finding a spare Combi Rifle, Joan took Akira to the eastern defensive bunker to practice shooting.
" Now shooting isn't exactly rocket science but there are a lot of variables. The simple explanation is point and pull the trigger. However if you trained on Acontecimento, That explanation will feel a little underrated to you. So to explain it the same way your father taught me is going to be the easiest way. Firstly, Check your weapon to ensure it is loaded, the safety is off and that you have enough ammunition in the magazine to last you at least several bursts. Combi Rifles fire in three shot bursts so always make sure you have a full magazine. " Joan spoke slowly as Akira followed her directions and checked the magazine. After checking the magazine, Akira turned the safety off.
" Good. Now get a feel for it. Place the stock against your shoulder. Your free hand shoulder be on the forward grip. Now don't just yank on the trigger. Squeeze it with your index finger and use the other fingers to keep a firm grip. " Joan once again paused as Akira followed her directions one step at a time. " That's right. Correct your stance. Your stance is feeble. Firing that rifle will knock you off your feet the way you are standing. You are right handed yes? Put your right foot at shoulder width apart and move it backwards until your stance feels firm and your weight is evenly distributed to both legs. This will keep you planted so that when you fire your rifle, The recoil won't put you in the dirt. " Joan demonstrated the proper stance and waited for Akira to get it right before explaining the next step.
" Now for shooting at targets, Only aim directly at the target when it is coming straight at you. If the target is running sideways, You need to lead it. What this means is that you aim a few metres ahead of your target in the direction they are running in so that the bullet trajectory aligns with where your target is going to be instead of where your target already is. Make sure you account for wind as well. To get the feel of it, I had one of my engineers rig a Crabbot to act as a moving and non moving target. First we will shoot at non moving. " Joan took a small control device out of a pouch on her belt before pressing a red button on it. After a moment, A Crabbot crawled out of the outpost and stood perfectly still about fifty feet away from the bunker as Joan continued to speak.
" Now when your target is stationary or running directly toward you, Firing directly at them doesn't require leading. Keep the wind in mind but don't aim ahead or to the side. Keep your sights on the target and adjust your aim height to allow for the bullet to drop. Try and shoot the Crabbot. " Joan stepped back as Akira lined up the target. After firing a few three round bursts, Akira sighed softly as she realised that not a single bullet had hit the target.
" Don't be discouraged. Until your father taught me, I couldn't shoot straight either. Just take a deep breathe and concentrate. Practice makes perfect Akira. Keep trying. " Joan smiled as Akira nodded before aiming at the Crabbot once again.
After a few hours, Akira had managed to hit the target with a few bursts but her aim still needed a lot of adjusting. Joan smiled happily as Akira returned the Combi Rifle to the armoury and walked to the mess tent to have something to eat. After having some food, Akira left the mess tent and walked toward the nearby engineering workshop. Inside the workshop were a small group of engineers working on Auxbots. On the opposite side of the workshop stood a massive suit of armour that looked like it had wings.
" What is that? " Akira spoke softly and was happy to see that one of the engineers was paying attention.
" That is a Seraph. It is a TAG unit. Tactical Armoured Gear. That particular Seraph is being refitted to house a pilot inside. Normally Seraph units are remotely controlled but Joan requested this one have the pilot inside and account for heavy power armour. " The engineer spoke proudly and calmly as Akira sighed in wonder and looked at the Seraph with a smile on her face. The engineer noticed her smile and chuckled softly. " Don't even think about it rookie. No way are you piloting that Seraph. I saw you shooting that rifle earlier. You wanna be a TAG pilot then I suggest you get serious real quick. Learning slow isn't an option for TAG pilots. " The engineer tousled Akira's hair gently before returning to his work on the Auxbots. After staring at the Seraph for a few minutes, Akira walked to the armoury and found a spare Combi Rifle before looking for the control device that Joan had used to activate the Crabbot. Once she found it, Akira took the control device and walked quickly toward the eastern defensive bunker.
When she arrived, Akira looked around and noticed that there was only a couple of guards keeping watch so she activated the Crabbot and set it to attack mode. After following the steps that Joan had taught her, Akira walked out of the bunker and to an open area that was close enough to the outpost to get help if she needed it but far enough away that stray bullets would lose trajectory before reaching the outpost. After taking a deep breathe, Akira activated the Crabbot. As it charged toward her, Akira knelt down and opened fire. Two of her shots hit but did nothing to slow the Crabbot as it lunged at her with it's claws open.
Akira rolled sideways as the Crabbot slammed into the ground where she was kneeling before turning and charging toward her again. This time Akira ran forward and slid underneath the Crabbot as it lunged and fired up into it's underbelly. A shower of sparks rained down as the three shot bursts from the Combi Rifles shredded the Crabbot's light armour. As the Crabbot landed, A soft sparking noise filled the air before it turned and lunged again, This time latching on to Akira's leg tightly. After groaning in pain, Akira aimed directly into Crabbot's glowing red eye before firing several short bursts. As the bullets tore through the mechanical workings within the Crabbot, It released Akira's leg and collapsed to the ground before erupting in a shower of sparks for a moment before deactivating. As Akira sighed softly, Joan's soft voice called out from behind her.
" What the hell are you doing out here alone Akira?! No one leaves the outpost alone! " Joan spoke scornfully as Akira sat down.
" No one told me that before now and I wanted to train. " Akira looked up at Joan before sighing softly and pulling the leg of her pants up to reveal a large bruise on her calf.
" Akira this was very risky. What would you have done if a Combined Army unit came along? " Joan had a look of disappointment on er face but it quickly faded after Akira responded.
" Pulled the trigger. Learning slowly isn't an option. I have to get serious if I want to earn my father's gift and follow in his footsteps. I am not here to be coddled and treated gently. I want to be trained the same way everyone else here gets trained. Things like this.."Akira gestured toward the bruise on her leg as she continued speaking. " Is just a part of the process. If me getting serious is a problem for anyone then put me on a transport and send me away. Otherwise I want to train. " Akira looked up at Joan with ferocity in her eyes. Joan gasped softly as she saw the same ferocity that her mentor showed, Mirrored in his daughter's eyes perfectly. That same ferocity that drove him. That made him who he was. The ferocity that made allies rally to his side without question and his enemies cower in fear.
" You sound just like your father... He never let anyone slack off. You want to be trained like everyone else? This ground is for walking and fighting. You want to sit down then get back to your tent. Otherwise get off your ass and report to the armoury for outfitting. Your going on patrol with me in ten minutes. Move it. NOW. " Joan spoke with ferocity and force in her voice as Akira stood up and ran back toward the outpost without another word. As Joan turned to watch her leave, A soft voice came from beside her.
" I told you. You should have known my little sister wouldn't just sit idle. "
Joan turned to see who had spoken as a woman with shortly cut, Violet coloured hair appeared before her.
" I thought I told you to keep your stealth module deactivated around me. You know I don't like being blind to where you are Atavi. " Joan crossed her arms as Atavi giggled softly.
" Oh please. If you can't handle it than confiscate my module or suck it up princess. Now move your ass. Before Akira gets ahead of you. " Atavi spoke teasingly before activating her stealth module and walking back to the outpost in perfect silence. After a moment, Joan sighed softly before walking toward the armoury. When she arrived, Akira was already outfitted in light armour and had prepared a Combi Rifle and packed extra magazines along with a few grenades and some basic supplies. As Akira turned to leave, She saw Joan walk toward a nearby sword rack and pick up the same long golden sword that she was wielding when Akira had met her. After sheathing the sword and attaching it to her belt, Joan picked up a Multi Rifle and left the tent as she spoke. " Move it Recruit. We have a big area to patrol. "
" Where are we patrolling Joan? " Akira spoke calmly as she followed Joan out of the tent and toward the western entrance to the outpost.
" We are going on patrol in the business district. It hasn't been fully evacuated yet and we have received reports of Morat units in the vicinity. So keep your head on a swivel and stay focused. I'll have your back and I need to be confident that you will have mine. Knights look out for not only each other but everyone else in the unit as well. You want to be a Knight then make sure you can live up to it Akira. " Joan spoke calmly and reassuringly before Akira nodded.
" I will become what my Father wished for me to be. I won't let him or you down Joan. I promise. " Akira smiled as Joan tousled her hair and walked out of the outpost calmly.
Once they had entered the business district, Joan pulled a small headset out of one of her pouches and put it on her head. " I'm picking up movement ahead. Eyes open Recruit. "
" Yes Ma'am. Eyes open. " Akira breathed slowly and looked around carefully for a moment before she spotted a Morat unit out of the corner of her eye. " There! "
Akira aimed and opened fire as the Morat unit charged toward her. As it lunged forward with it's claws, Akira fell backwards and fired directly into it's chest. As a fountain of blood poured over her, Akira rolled to the side before the Morat unit crashed into the ground with a thud. As she stood up, Akira spoke softly. " That... seemed a little too ea..." Akira stopped speaking as the Morat unit stood quickly and spun around. As it spun it closed it's claws into a fist and slammed it into Akira's side. The force of the strike lifted Akira off her feet and threw her through the air for a few feet before she slid along the ground and groaned painfully as she looked toward the Morat unit.
As Akira raised her rifle, The Morat unit roared loudly and charged. This time, Akira took a grenade off her belt and pulled the pin. As the Morat unit lunged and snarled, Akira tossed the grenade into it's mouth and lunged to the side as the Morat unit once again crashed into the ground before the grenade went off with a loud bang.
Blood and chunks of flesh flew in several directions as Akira stood up and dusted herself off before stretching slowly. " I'll admit it... That really hurt. "
" Now you know why Knights wear heavy armour. Morat units hit like a Jotum on a bad day. Our heavy power armour lessens the impact but nothing softens the pain. You'll get used to it eventually. " Joan smiled softly as another roar echoed from nearby followed by a high pitched scream. " Let's move! "
Joan ran quickly toward the source of the scream and as she rounded a corner, Saw a Morat unit tearing chunks of flesh away from the body of a young woman.
As the Morat took hold of the young woman's head and tore it away from her body, Joan raised her Multi Rifle and opened fire. The bullets of the Multi Rifle pummelled the Morat unit as it turned and roared before charging toward Joan. As it lunged at her, Joan dropped her Multi Rifle and drew her sword in a clean upward arc as she lunged forward. Seconds later, The Morat unit fell to the ground as it's head rolled toward Akira.
" Fucking purple blooded squids. Damn it. " Joan knelt beside the young woman and spoke softly. " May the gates of heaven be open to you so you may rest in eternal peace. "
Joan sighed softly as she stood up and walked back to where she had dropped her Multi Rifle. After picking it up, Joan turned to face Akiya. " Let's keep moving. There are still more people out here. We can't afford to lose any more people. "
" I'm right behind you Joan. " Akira nodded and smiled before running to catch up with Joan as she turned and continued walking down the streets of the business district.
After a few hours, Nightfall was quickly approaching.
" Get your tactical light out and attach it to your rifle. We need to keep moving. It will be dark before we make it back to the outpost so we will find somewhere to hole up for the night. Patrolling in the dark is too dangerous. " Joan spoke calmly as she scanned the area for a defensible position.
" Why is it so dangerous at night? " Akira looked toward Joan after activating her tactical light.
" Humans can't see in the dark. " Joan spoke softly before locating a place to stay the night. " That building over there has a panic room on the third floor. No signs of life. We can stay there for the night. "
" A random building happens to have a panic room? " Akira spoke with surprise and disbelief in her voice before Joan spoke again.
" This isn't a random building. This is the Neoterra Executive Offices building. The Neoterran government uses this building for file storage, meetings and corporate protection in the various panic rooms throughout the building. " Joan walked calmly toward the building and walked inside while looking around cautiously.
After a few minutes, Joan and Akira had located the panic room and ate some rations before laying down to sleep on the cold concrete floor.
The Next Morning
Akira awoke suddenly as Joan placed a hand over her mouth and motioned for her to stay silent as the sound of deep growling and loud footsteps echoed from outside the building. As Akira sat up, Joan whispered as softly as possible.
" Stay quiet. There is an Avatar outside. We have no way to fight it. If it hears or finds us we will not survive. Stay down and follow me. " Joan quietly moved over to her Multi Rifle and picked it up before slowly moving out of the panic room and to a window overlooking the street. There in the middle of street, Looking around slowly, Stood a Combined Army Avatar. It stood as tall as the Seraph unit Akira had seen in the engineering workshop in the PanOceania outpost.
The Avatar was a frightening sight. Armour plates covered the majority of it's body except for it's chest and back. Exposed muscle strands weaved across it's torso. As it stomped it's way through the street, Joan signalled to Akira to move. Akira nodded before moving carefully and quietly over to Joan and kneeling next to her as a loud mechanical noise echoed through the street.
" I know that sound. We need to get out of this building. The street is about to get very messy. " Joan looked around quickly and spotted an emergency exit.
" What do you mean? " Akira followed Joan through the exit as she spoke.
" That was the sound of a PanOceania Jotum. They are big, heavy and cause a lot of damage. We do not want to be around when it clashes with that Avatar. This building won't stay standing for long. Keep it moving Recruit. " Joan ran quickly down the spiral staircase that led out of the building's rear emergency exit.
" Are Jotums as powerful as Seraphs? " Akira spoke softly as they ran across the street away from the Neoterra Executive Offices building.
" Seraphs are currently the most powerful TAG unit we have. Seraph pilots aren't just extremely well trained but they are very strategic and very precise. Jotum pilots tend to be the shoot first and ask questions later type. Jotums don't require as much pilot input as Seraphs so piloting them requires less... well... " Joan stopped speaking as she thought of what word would fit the description.
" Finesse? " Akira smiled as she continued following Joan.
" Exactly. Jotums are the battering rams of PanOceania. Thus we let battering ram type people pilot them. It's easier that way. But Jotum pilots tend to make a big mess when they are deployed so we like to give them a lot of breathing room in a fight. If we turn left here we can get back to the outpost and avoid the Avatar and Jotum clashing. We can deal with any infantry as we go. " Joan turned a corner and ran down the street toward the outpost.
After a few moments, Akira and Joan had left the city and were within sight of the outpost. As they continued running, A huge crashing sound echoed from the city. When they turned and looked, Akira and Joan saw the Jotum getting slammed into the Neoterran Executive Offices building and watched as it collapsed on top of the Jotum. A massive cloud of dust and debris erupted from where the building was standing as it came crashing down on top of the Jotum.
" How sturdy is a Jotum? " Akira turned to look at Joan as she spoke.
" Well... The pilot will probably feel that in the morning. If he hasn't been torn apart by infantry yet. And if the building collapsing didn't totally crush him. Jotums are built solid but aren't indestructible. " Joan smiled before turning and continuing to run toward the outpost. As they arrived, Akira saw a woman with shortly cut violet hair walking toward her.
" There you are! Where have you two been? You were due back from patrol yesterday! " Atavi spoke with concern in her voice and had a look of impatience on her face as Joan spoke.
" We were too far out to get back before nightfall so we holed up in the Executive Offices building. I wasn't exactly expecting an Avatar to come stomping through the area. " Joan stretched slowly as Atavi spoke.
" You took my sister on patrol knowing that you wouldn't get back before nightfall?! What were you thinking?! You should have come straight back once you knew it was going to get dark! " Atavi had a look of frustration on her face as Akira spoke softly.
" Sister? I don't have any sisters. At least not any that I have ever met. " Akira looked at Atavi with confusion on her face as she spoke.
" We have never met before now because I have never been able to visit. Being an Indigo Spec Ops Operative doesn't come with holiday time. " Atavi giggled softly. " Since we are meeting for the first time, I am Atavi. It's nice to see you little sister. " Atavi smiled brightly as Akira smiled nervously before looking at Joan.
" She is not lying Akira. Atavi is your elder sister. " Joan spoke calmly before walking toward the armoury as Atavi hugged Akira gently.
" So Akira... Where have you been since our father died? I heard you spent some time on Acontecimento? " Atavi spoke softly before Akira nodded and spoke.
" Yeah. I spent the last few years on Acontecimento studying survival and working. The jungles were very unforgiving during my survival training. " Akira spoke softly with a smile as Atavi giggled softly.
" I imagine so. No wonder Joan thinks you can be a Knight. Acontecimento troops are deadly at the best of times. I am however, Surprised that you weren't recruited into the ASA. " Atavi had a look of confusion on her face before Akira explained.
" They said I was too young for combat training. They only gave me basic training. Survival and firearms. I wasn't allowed to learn anything else before I left and came to Neoterra. I was hoping the Capitaline Army might have a place for me but I didn't get the chance to go to the recruiting office before Joan found me. " Akira smiled after she finished speaking as Atavi tousled her hair gently.
" You'll find a place here in the Military Sectorial Army. The Knight's aren't just an army of people. They are like a family. Every Knight looks out for one another. Being a Knight isn't easy though. Not only do you have to choose which type of Knight you want to be but you also have to be prepared for what being a Knight means. Knight's live and die as a single unit. A single wall of indomitable will and strength. Are you absolutely sure that being a Knight is what you want? " Atavi spoke calmly before Akira nodded.
" Father wanted me to become a Knight. He wanted me to follow in his footsteps and I fully intend to. " Akira spoke with determination in her voice before Atavi smiled and spoke softly.
" Well if your heart is set on being a Knight, I won't try to change your mind. Now go and find Joan. I am sure she has some tasks for you. " Atavi smiled as Akira ran off to find Joan. After watching her little sister leave, Atavi giggled softly and walked towards the Outpost's Spec Ops tent.
Akira's training begins as new friends and lost family enter her life.
Is this the beginning of a new life for Akira?
Read on to find out!
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