Chapter 10 – The Valley of Decision
Operation Lancet was going without a major hitch. The doll, called HVT Aux, was still relatively hidden. No commanders had seen her, nor had any of the communication staff picked up any SF chatter about her. Ursula was busy, insanely busy. In the few days since the start of the operation, she had participated in two support operations and even had the chance to lead a strike mission. Bryant was equally busy.
However, during his scant downtime he assisted Kalina in organizing the logistics of the entire operation. It was a nightmare, and Bryant was out of practice. Thankfully, he and Kalina did more good than harm. It was during these moments of downtime that Bryant focused his efforts on hunting down his enemy.
His progress was hindered one day by a phone call. The voice was twisted and garbled, but familiar. "Bryant. You've been busy. Good to be back, yes?" His 'mysterious voice' once again was talking to him.
"Better than, ya know, dying." Bryant said quietly.
"I have some news for you, Bryant. A mission if you will."
"Thanks, but not interested." Bryant said and turned back to his monitor.
"But I think they might be." The monitors in the comm room flickered. Several portraits appeared in place of Bryant's searching algorithms. Each one wore a stunning red Griffon and Kryuger jacket. Among those portraits were Helian and Ursula. "They will be in grave danger, unless you act."
Bryant was silent. His mind raced as he began planning communications and organization for some calamity, but his heart kept screaming to end the call and continue his personal search. He took a slow breath. "What do I need to do?"
"A large SF force is currently moving on an intercept course for the main base for this operation." Bryant's heart skipped a beat. He felt cold, and his hands began to shake from the nerves. "And, before you say anything: they are hidden quite expertly. I don't think anyone in the camp has any way of finding them."
"Bullshit! That's….that's not…" the memories began flooding back to him. He brought a hand to his mouth to keep from vomiting.
"I'll send the current position of the enemy. They'll attack at nightfall, so you'll have to stop them soon. Good luck, Commander." The power cut to the room for a few seconds. When the power returned, everything was back to how it was before the call. Kalina hurried into the room.
"Commander! We've got bad news!" Bryant looked up at her, still trying to hold back the panic. "We've lost contact with the FOB. We're completely in the dark."
"We…we should have details on the enemy forces causing this." Bryant managed. He was still hunched over. He used the data-table in the center of the room for support. Kalina nodded and shakily pulled up the enemy movements. Several fodder-class SF dolls were listed. Bryant and Kalina carefully went over the list until they reached the bottom.
At the bottom of the list, there was a list of siege weaponry and other gear that SF was carrying with them. Among the list were things that Bryant and Kalina still had nightmares about. Stolen military hardware, a custom-made Manticore tank designed to eliminate hardened targets and cripple Ringleader operations.
Simply put: this mechanical beast could destroy dolls and render them unusable. Any doll destroyed by that thing would cease to exist. Nothing could fix a destroyed digimind or neural cloud. Tears began welling up in her eyes. "Commander, what do – "
Bryant made some muffled sounds and dropped to his knees. In ten hours, the forward base would be completely destroyed, and everyone there would die. If he could just hold out till sunrise, they might be able to get a message to the base. But that would mean someone would need to hold off that monster. It was certain death for any team involved. Any doll that took the field would be wrecked beyond repair. "Kalina…can we still contact Shield Two?" He said quietly. Kalina nodded and quickly searched.
"I-it's faint, but yes." He nodded and slowly rose to his feet. His knees shook as he opened the line.
"Shield Two, this is Commander Bryant. There is an SF force heading towards the base for Operation Lancet. We've lost contact. You are the only team that can respond quickly enough to help them." The line crackled with static for a moment before SKS's voice was heard.
"…acknowledged. What are…your orders?" Bryant looked down at the table. He felt like his heart was tearing. He couldn't find the words. He couldn't do it. "Sir?"
"I'm on my way to the forward base now to alert them to the danger. Please go to the coordinates I'll send you momentarily." He could barely cough out the words. "I'm authorizing the use of specialty equipment: you might be fighting in the dark."
There was more static and the sound of movement. "Anything else, sir?"
"SF has stolen military hardware. We think it's a Manticore." The activity stopped and the line was silent. Bryant couldn't hold back the tears anymore. His voice quivered as he continued. "We need you to hold out until sunrise…just…until…" He cut the conversation short and slammed his fist against the table. His heart broke. He had just sent those dolls to their deaths.
Kalina stood in silence and waited for the commander to gain control over his emotions again. "I just got them back…" he muttered absently. "I just got them back, and now they're going to die." Kalina put her arms around him and shook her head.
"They'll be fine. She'll be fine. Just wait, everything will be fine."
A lie. But one that Bryant wanted to believe desperately.