The streets of Brest bustled with Allied Peace Keepers rushing to their destinations in every which way. Most of the citizens were either packed in groups or hurried to where they wanted to go by their selves. And why not? The place was corrupted to the brim with gangs, thieves, and most of all, renegades. Tanya didn't fret though. She was trained to handle these kinds of situations. She's survived more treacherous findings in one day then most soldiers have in there entire service.
You imagine it, she's wrecked it. Hammer tanks, rouge Guardian tanks, V4 rocket launchers, Dreadnoughts, Apocalypse Tanks, bullfrogs, Tsunami Tanks, King Oni's, the works! And most recently: the airport bathroom. She likes meat loaf but meat loaf doesn't like her back. She almost felt bad for the one who would have to unclog that unholy mess. She's seen less destruction after blowing up a super reactor, and that was no overstatement.
As she walked casually to her destination she remembered the last conversation she had with her dad yesterday.
"Dad, is this you finally?" Tanya asked, tired of waiting on the phone though secretaries to talk with her father.
"Tanya! Honey, where are you? I have everyone looking for you! We're all worried!" He said, sounding scarred half out of his mind.
"I can't live in America dad. The last president was a Japanese android and tried to have both us and the Soviets wiped off the face of the Earth. I just wanted to say that I love you, and tell mom not to worry about me. She's got enough problems already and I don't want me missing to make her condition get worse."
"Tanya Isabel Adams! You return to the States this instant!" Her father shouted in the phone.
"Sorry daddio, I've got a plane to catch." She hung up.
Back in the present, Tanya approached a hotel with a vacancy sign outside. A couple of gun shots stirred up a crowd of robbers picking at a car in the hotel's parking lot. They took the stolen tires and car doors with them as they scurried about, trying to find shelter from the shooter.
Tanya readied her Black Buzzard custom pistols in her hands as she hooked around the corner to meet the perpetrator. The shooter was a Peace Keeper who messily wore his ripped uniform and scratched up body armor. He lowered his Grummoud-8 pump action shotgun and she lowered her pistols in realization of allegiance.
"What's your malfunction soldier," Tanya asked the Peace Keeper, trying to understand why he would fire on civilians.
"Those few have always been getting on my nerves," He answered as he took off his helmet, "I didn't hurt them though."
He was a normal looking Spanish male with a short, poorly groomed beard and shaggy black hair. In the state Europe's been in for the last few years, protocol was not exactly top priority. Hell, she was surprised he was even wearing a uniform.
"Right, just try to refrain from firing that thing at night, okay baby? A girls gotta sleep."
She said turning around to continue her walk into the hotel.
"Wait!" The soldier shouted, holding a hand up in front of him, hoping that somehow it'll make her turn around.
"What?"
"Can you sign my calendar?" He said pulling out a folded up calendar from one of his ammo pouches.
"Why would I sign it? I'm an American Commando sweetie, not a movie star. Although I did take acting lessons."
"But you're the one featured in the calendar."
"Oh. Well in that case I- wait a minute! I didn't agree to any calendar! This is bogue!" She looked at the pictures in the calendar and scoffed when she understood what was going on, "Warren," She growled, "That two timing fake. Well that is the last time I participate in a platoon water balloon fight!"
"What about the pictures of you in dresses?" The soldier asked pointing to March, June, and September.
"We dated for a bit. Are you happy you questioning conquistador?"
"Not until you give me your autograph." He said presenting the calendar and pen.
"Fine I'll sign the thing. What's your name?"
"Captain Antonio Vasquez."
She put her signature on the cover's left corner and handed it back to him, "Now if you'll excuse me, I gotta book."
"Whoa, your not going to stay at that hotel, are you agent?"
"Why? Are the bathroom's covered in peep holes?"
"Well that and you could just stay at the Allied base on the outskirts."
Tanya felt like she should fight it but she decided to follow him, "Ok, take me to the base."
"Far out! Let's go!"
He gave her a tour of the base as he showed her around. It wasn't a big base, but it had the essentials.
"The power plants over there give this city the only life it has, a few attacks badly damaged one and left some people in the dark until our engineers repaired it. The barracks are only in basic clearance, so don't expect anything rad in there. Your lucky you found me you know." He commented.
"Oh really?" Tanya asked sarcastically.
"Shya! I've been her since the Soviet take over and after. Now I just help with keeping the peace." He made a peace sign with two fingers at her. She did it back and smiled.
"The defenses have been salvage a bit to save for rebuilding the city itself. Until the Allies can resupply us then it would be a no-brainer. But I'm guessing that Europe's no on the top priorities. Maybe if the politicians lived in these people's shoes for a second they might change there minds, you know?"
"I hear ya man." She said, trying to get familiar with the place.
After the tour they went to the mess hall to get some food. Tanya got a bland meal of soup and crackers while Antonio got a pork chop with mashed potatoes. They found an empty table and dug in.
"You know Captain Vasquez, I have to say, I'm starting to like Brest."
"I like breast too." He said agreeing.
"Yeah," She said crossing her legs to get ready to eat, "I mean this place is so chaotic. There's so much danger here. It's kind of cozy."
"Oh, you mean the city. I thought you were talking about…never mind. But if this is cozy, then I don't want to know what makes you uncomfortable."
"Spiders." She said nodding, "I've never liked them much." She started drinking her soup straight from the bowl.
"So miss Adams," Antonio said between bites, "What brings a high ranking official like you to a rural place like Brest."
"You really want to know?" She asked.
He nodded.
"I'm here on a top secret mission only know by a few people in the world. And if I told you, I would have to kill you, slowly."
Antonio's eyes widened. He nearly choked on the mouth full of pig. She sounded serious,
"Uhh, lets just change the subject then," He said after swallowing and chuckled nervously.
"Ok, What is a Spanish soldier doing in France before the war started?" Tanya asked, spinning the noodles in her bowl with her fork.
"It's a bit embarrassing but, I got on the wrong truck and ended up in a different platoon. Can you imagine being in a group of people who don't speak your language?"
"Do I!" She shouted, spiting a couple of noodles at Antonio's face, "Oh, sorry."
He wiped his face off with a napkin as she continued, "But have you herd of a giant concert in 69 called Woodstock? Let me tell you, I was wasted, the players were wasted, everyone! There was a huge smoke cloud that just hovered right above all of us. I was told that I wasn't even saying words half of the time!"
"Wow. Is this band Woodstock really that good?" He asked fascinated.
"No, Woodstock was the name of the event. There were like 30 bands and it ran for about four days. Don't you have concerts in Spain?"
"Yes we do, but not 30 bands at a time, you Americans have enough time and money to do things like that. We actually prefer being active in Spain."
As they talked a young British tank commander approached the table. He had long hair and a good sized beard. Along with the glasses he looked like he belonged in a singing circle more then a military base.
"Oi lad, found yourself a lady mate?"
"What it is, Jonny!" Antonio greeted then turned to Tanya, "This is Jonny. But most of us here call him Wacko."
"Nice to meet you." Tanya said, hold out a hand for him to shake.
He shook it rapidly. When he removed his hand, a mess of oil and grease covered Tanya's entire hand, "Oh sorry lass, I was fixing up that blasted cage of a Guardian out back."
"It's ok. I was done eating anyway." She said cleaning her hand with a few napkins.
"Say lass, would you fancy an air biscuit. It would do the baker proud."
"Uhh, ok sure."
"Alright, here it comes." He held onto the table with both hands as a loud trumpet-like noise filled the area around them. Jonny pushed hard enough to leave a wet note at the end. Antonio was in an up roar of laughter as he pounded the table.
"That's just gross." Tanya said holding her nose and waving the air away from her face.
"Get it, air biscuits!" Jonny said laughing, "Oh! Smells like a baker's dozen in there. Guess I underestimated the furnace." He stood up, holding the bottom of his pants like he was carrying something in there.
"Oh hey Jonny," Antonio said once he settled down, "Is there any new bounties in the bulletin today?"
"Bulletin?" Tanya asked confused.
"Yeah, we work off of bulletins and whoever feels up to the challenge they go and do the job then get paid. It's more of a motivator then anything." Antonio answered.
"Aye. There is a new one up. But it's a sticky wicket. The main hideout of the gang of misfits that's been causing organized troubles in this place have been spotted. Seems they have bought out a few red weapons and would do the city good to lose them. A rich factory owner is willing to pay for the job. Why? You're not planning on taking the bat and making a swing are ye?"
"Hey, I've dealt with a war here. A few thugs with AK's are a push over." Antonio said with the utmost confidence.
"Aye, then good luck to ya lad. I gotta book. Nice seeing you lass." He said, about to shake Tanya's hand again.
She flung her hand away, hoping he wouldn't drench her in sludge, "Uhh, let's just wave goodbye." She said waving her hand.
He waved back and left to go finish the job he started with the tank. Once Jonny got out of ear shot, Antonio was entranced in a panic.
"What's wrong Tony? You look like the pork chop is going for seconds."
"I'm not sure I can do the job alone." He said in between pants and wiping sweat from his forehead, "During the war I was stuck in the barracks. I'm only a captain because I hide in a basement and waited until the Soviets drank themselves silly to call for back up. I can only thank god for vodka being so powerful to hammer people up in a few sips."
"Hey, hey." Tanya said giving him support, "Don't worry. Here, I'll tell you what: I'll help you with the job and you can keep the reward."
"Really? Wait, what's the catch?"
"I can't have myself being seen around the Allies for long. If word get out to the Americans, I might be sent back."
"Why?" He asked puzzled.
"Like I said, I'll have to kill you."
"Right, ok. Fine. It's a deal, ha."
"Kicking!" She yelled standing up to get prepared, "Alright! let's shake it baby!"