Disclaimer: I do not own Hero: 108.
October 2017 - November 2017:
Kowloon took a deep breath. It had been about two, maybe three, weeks since First Squad had been captured. They had reported Kowloon's interference with their mission, but had also admitted that he was the one that should deserve the credit for saving them. However, Kowloon had decided to own up that it was actually thanks to Lin Chung that the cart was even delivered and the information was given to him to get them out.
The Commander had seemed pleased with this, while Woo just seemed utterly confused with what had happened.
Over the past few weeks, Yan Ching's reports had become more and more frequent, and it had been obvious that the Warlords were slowly starting to crumble at the seams - not only because of Big Green's interference, but the money needed to put down increasing numbers of rebellions was going in the wrong people's pockets. The older Warlords were not happy.
Now, Commander Apetrully had called First Squad in once again, and Kowloon was afraid of the consequences. Mystique Sonia was the last one to enter the room and close the door. The Commander wasted no time.
"There has been several skirmishes on the edge of the borders." The Commander reported. "There are a number of small villages there with rebel groups forming. Apparently, they took the idea from Big Green." Kowloon raised an eyebrow at this. It was hard to think of Big Green as a rebel group, but not that he thought of it…maybe so.
"There is a Warlord base there, but no clear leader, and the place has descended into anarchy. They have no way of communicating with Capitol, and they are desperate from a lack of supplies. The villages have been taking the brunt of that result. Therefore, I am sending you with several carts of supplies for the villages, as well as with the order to stop the skirmishes and try to shut down the Warlord base."
They nodded.
"Good." The Commander leaned back. "Gather your things. You leave at dawn."
Kowloon shivered at the morning air. He couldn't understand how leaving at dawn was such a good idea. But, then again, the Commander had been the one to put him in First Squad, so maybe he shouldn't judge. He looked at the others - they were barely awake. He grinned as they headed forward, the carts behind them being dragged by Rhinos.
Within a few days, they had reached the start of the cluster of villages. From what they were told, the village in the front was the gathering place of the other villages. Rebel groups were already waiting for First Squad, their shoulders tensed with worry as they scanned the horizon for them.
As soon as they landed, the Peasants approached the wagons and started distributing it amongst them. Some of them took sackfuls and ran off back to their villages to share. Kowloon had to admit, he was impressed with how selfless and sharing they were.
Their leader walked forward, bowing low. "My name is Ming. I thank you for coming over and helping us."
Kowloon nodded, unsure of how to reply. "We were told there was a Warlord base?"
Ming nodded, and gestured for them to follow him to a hut in the centre. The four of them sat down. "There was another base, not too far from it, but it has shut down quickly for some reason. Prisoners were escorted to the base we are talking about. But a few weeks ago, we received an anonymous tip to rescue the prisoners. We did. My son was among those who had escaped. After that, we don't know what happened, but the corpses of one of the men escorting the prisoners and the leader of the base was found in the main room."
Kowloon faintly noted how the others looked slightly sickened at the thought, but he nodded. "Continue, please."
"We got a picture of both, and then one of my men mentioned that the man escorting the prisoners looked familiar. We spent a few weeks locating his mother, who then came over and confirmed it was her son." He then paused. "I know this might be a bit demanding, but is there anyone amongst you named 'Lin Chung'?"
Kowloon turned to the others, but they were tense and their eyes were wide as they looked at Ming. "Um, yes. Unfortunately, he is currently out on a mission."
He hoped he hadn't revealed too much. Although the Peasants seemed friendly, desperation could force a human being to do anything that they wouldn't have done in their normal lives. Ming nodded as if he understood, and then continued. "The deceased's mother mentioned him and how he was at Big Green. Poor thing didn't even know her son had died."
Kowloon wanted to snap at him. So what? They needed to find out more about the skirmish, and this interrogation/story-telling was currently fraying his already frayed nerves. He didn't know if they were to be trusted, and it was in his nature to be cautious of anyone that he didn't know for more than a few months.
Ming finally continued. "After that, the soldiers got desperate - according to our sources, their communication was destroyed, and to get to East Citadel, or, at least, to the nearest Warlord base, they would have to go through us, and our letting their prisoners go made them worried. The leader was the one we watched out for. Now that he's gone…they still have much more advanced technology, and are demanding more and more resources than we can manage. They don't even eat everything - they eat only what they like."
Jumpy crossed his arms. "Bad…soldiers…"
Ming smiled faintly at this. "Which is why we were so relieved when you arrived. We have a plan to take down the base, but we need help. And according to Commander Apetrully, you four are the best that Big Green has to offer."
Mighty Ray nodded proudly.
"Good. I will brief you on the plan. We attack tonight, if you are not too tired?"
Kowloon shook his head with the others. Like the others, he knew that the adrenaline would keep him wide awake the whole night.
Ming clapped his hands together. "Perfect. Here, let us get you settled down. You can speak to the man, Jin's, mother."
Kowloon held his breath. He had been given leadership of one of the rebel groups, like the other three. His group was supposed to wait until Jumpy's group infiltrated the power source. It was risky, but with Jumpy, it would be easy to scale the tall wall and get to the other side.
He waited.
Mighty Ray's group then created a diversion, and a light flashed from a tree nearby. Kowloon beckoned to his soldiers. It was time. Without hesitation, he sprinted lightly over to the backdoor, where Jumpy's group was letting him in. They sprinted along, using the rebels' hard earned knowledge of inside to run around.
Kowloon briefly wondered why they didn't do this before they arrived, and then reasoned that morale had been low, and, from what he could see, Mystique Sonia and Mighty Ray were leading the battles, taking out the most soldiers. The rebels only knew how to wield basic weaponry, but it was not enough against more skilful warriors.
He stopped in the corridor, looking at a large crowd of soldiers. His eyes narrowed, and he looked at Jumpy. Jumpy nodded as his group took over, providing cover for Kowloon's group to use another route to where their weapons and intelligence was stored. He saw the door and beckoned the others, kicking the door open. His eyes gleamed as he noticed the many many weapons there. Smirking, he split the weapons amongst the group, instructing them to find the other groups.
Kowloon grabbed a sword for himself and grinned at the weight. Perfect.
He charged forward, helping Jumpy's group, who had already armed themselves with better weapons than their pitchforks and torches. Kowloon's grin grew wider. Perfect.
The morning bore victory to the rebels and, as a result, the Peasants. Ming had been grateful - he and the other villagers had offered the land that now once again belonged to them again for plantation and crops. Kowloon had accepted the offer thankfully - Commander Apetrully was going to be thrilled that they now had land to use to plant more crops.
Waving goodbye to the villagers, he and the others headed back to Big Green with the Rhinos. However, along the way, he could only wonder what was Lin Chung's relationship with Jin. His mother had declared that the two were best friends. But if they were, why were they on different sides of the battlefield?
Was Lin Chung involved with his death? Had they even recognised each other?
Kowloon shook his head to try and rid himself of these thoughts. He looked back. The rest of First Squad were chatting animatedly. He hesitated, before deciding to join in on the conversation.
Though at first awkward, the conversation became much smoother.
Kowloon grinned, feeling positive for the first time since the Warlords took over Hidden Kingdom.
