Chapter 11: Marching onto the Beach

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Army Dock Base, Early Morning

Miller opened his eyes slowly, almost fearfully. When he found himself staring up at the roof of his tent he sighed and started to sit up. Realizing he was being held by Kyrra, he stopped and examined the situation. The sun hadn't risen yet, but he could hear the sound of soft footsteps outside. A quiet patter on the walls of the tent told him it was lightly raining and the smell he could catch with his heightened senses told him a fog lay over the Docks. With trained precision he removed himself from Kyrra's embrace and got fully dressed in his armor before leaving the tent without a sound. As he made his way toward the shore line he found he was correct. There was a light rain falling while the world was blanketed in white. He took a deep breath and ran his hand through his hair as he reached the water. Standing just out of reach of the dark fluid, he peered into the mist and looked for the hulking outlines of the carriers, but the fog cut vision after roughly twenty feet. Giving up on the search he turned back toward the tents and began to walk throughout the base. Many people were awake and softly working on preparing for departure. The cheetahs and dragons softly padded about the camp speaking with the human troops and examining some of the strange devices they had. Miller even saw one cheetah archer holding a sniper rifle to his shoulder. Looking over the soldiers that were out and about he saw no weariness, only what appeared to be fear and anxiousness to get going, but he knew most of the soldiers, like himself, received little to no sleep at all that night. The only relaxing feeling that morning was the chilly air and that the drive to return was gone, but it was replaced with a drive to destroy Mike and his minions.

'Were all pawns,' Miller thought as he examined a soldier cleaning his assault rifle. 'What is this all about? Are we simply being used to play a giant game of chess?'

"Morning Commander," a voice cut through Miller's thoughts. Turning to the voice he found Lance dressed in a fresh military camouflage uniform.

"Morning Lance," Miller replied with a nod of acknowledgement. Without a word, Lance joined Miller as he toured the base. "Lance, I want to ask you a favor," Miller said as they reached the end of one makeshift pier. Lance looked at him with a raised brow. "I asked Jeffrey to bring a special gun from my main home. It the rifle I used for countless assassinations." Lance nodded, piecing together the request. "I want you to have it; God knows I won't need it." Miller explained as he looked at his hands and flexed them into fists.

"That's not a request," Lance replied watching Miller closely.

"Lance, you're a sniper," Miller continued. "I want you to do just that. The carriers will be out of sight of shore, but that rifle will allow you to count the hairs on Mike's chin." Lance nodded again. "Stay with the ship, use that rifle to cover our asses." Miller turned toward Lance and sadly looked him in the eye. "I fear we're playing right into Mike's hands. He has an ace up his sleeve and we haven't driven him to draw it, so I fear he may not until we're all in. I enjoy a good card game, but I feel the stakes are getting to high." Miller placed a hand on Lance's shoulder. "The request is simple," Miller whispered as he leaned in and whispered something into Lance's ear. Lance nodded solemnly.

"It will be done," He replied. Miller gave a half-hearted smile.

"May your aim be true," Miller muttered as a siren went off. The sun's rays hit exploded over the horizon, barely cutting through the mist over the ocean. The Camp exploded into chaos as everyone rushed to life and gathered their things. Everyone was prepared to show their final hand in the game of life. Everyone was praying for two aces in hand.

Dante's Freezer, Mid-Day

Mike stood watching Malefor practice with a large two-handed sword. He scoffed at the beast. 'If only you knew how pathetic you are," Mike snickered to himself and smiled. He turned his head and peered up at the sun. "The sun appears so close and there appears to be no obstacle, but this land remains frozen and cool." He wondered aloud. "Such a strange planet these beasts live on."

'But it is the perfect quarry for our army,' a dark voice muttered into Mike's mind.

'Your army, my Lord,' Mike replied with a smile.

'You are our champion and general, therefore; it is your army as well,' the voice chuckled.

'You give me excess praise, my Lord,' Mike spoke humbly. He could feel the voice's owner roll its eyes.

'Either way,' the voice switched subjects. 'The resistance approaches. Be prepared.' Mike smiled in response.

"Oh? They're finally moving then? Wonder what took them so long." Mike began to laugh. "I wonder if they know what happened when they left Warfang?" His laughter grew into a terrifying and sadistic giggle that would frighten even a god. "Let them come to their death," He called into the wind with a smile. He turned to the fog that was rolling toward the island and laughed. "You're too predictable Miller." He looked back down upon Malefor and sneered before turning back into the castle and disappearing into its bowels.

Malefor turned back to peer at where Mike had stood. Finding him not there he let a small smile touch his lips. "He's a fool if he believes I was unaware of his surveillance." Malefor sighed and rolled his shoulders. He looked toward the sun and shook his head. Slowly, he began to walk to the battlements. He passed many of the demons Mike and he had created as he made his way to the top of the wall. When he reached the highest point he rested the blade against the stone and leaned on it as he peered out at the fog that slowly crawled toward him. 'It's no surprise that the humans are helping them, but I've seen the power of Mike's weapons.' He thought troubled. 'This will be an interesting event. I fear however, I will not survive this final battle.' He smiled. 'I've waited so long for death; I pray the Ancestors will forgive me.' He looked skyward and smiled. "Today is a good day to die." He chuckled.

Aboard the U.S.S. Dragon Wing

Miller watched as the soldiers rushed around on the deck. Many were preparing the plans for the coming mission and others were doing their best to stay out of the way. One carrier had gone to the south side of the large island while the other went to the north. The Destroyers then split into two groups with one going east and the other west. Miller sighed as he turned from the bomber and headed to the front of the ship. He walked with a measured step and pace, looking over the soldiers as he passed. The Mists had been split throughout the ships under Jeffery's orders and the plan was to regroup at the keep gate. Henry was on the East Team, Jake the West Team, Black the North Team, and Miller was with Lance on the South Team. The Guardians were split similarly throughout the ship with Brutus on the East Team, Incendiary on the West, Spray on the North, and Spaz on the South. Spyro and Cynder decided to split between the East and West Team so that Spyro was with Brutus in the East and Cynder with Incendiary in the West. The plan was to wait until Brutus had the sun behind him before he struck; when he would retreat the sun would just be setting. Once the sun was below the horizon, Incendiary would roll in. Using binoculars, Brutus would wait for them to look over their shoulder before opening up with everything the destroyers had. With this done, the North and South Team would charge into the fray. The timing would have to be perfect however, because if they jumped too early, the enemy troops might spot them coming before they were fully engaged and be able to redirect and perform better. Miller took a deep breath as he reached the edge of the ship and peered into the fog, looking north.

"Not much of a view," Lance said through the earpiece. Miller nodded slowly.

"Be sure to use the inferred on the scope, it should allow you to see the target through the fog." Miller could hear Lance yawn on the other side of the communications unit.

"And don't fall asleep either," Miller said quietly. Lance responded with an affirmative grunt. Turning around Miller looked to the top of the captain's tower. He couldn't see it through the white blanket over the boat, but he knew that Lance was posed there watching and waiting. Miller began to pace the length of the large ship. He felt it necessary to remain in human form until absolutely necessary to do otherwise. As he walked along the edge of the boat he looked at his left hand and watched as a fireball formed in his palm. He gently lobbed it over the side of the boat as he walked and watched it dissipate before reaching the water. 'I'm stronger now,' He thought to himself. 'I fear it's all for naught though.' The foreboding of the coming battle was weighing heavy upon his mind and he knew it was a burden upon every. He looked back toward the sky. "The fog may hold for a few more hours," he muttered. "It'll give us a good cover until we attack." With that in mind he ended his pacing and returned below deck. It didn't take Miller long to reach his room where he found Kyrra laying in the bed waiting patiently. He peered at her for a while before turning and going to the desk. Retrieving a pen, paper, and envelope; he began to write. "Kyrra, I have a favor that I must ask of you," He broke the silence. Kyrra jumped at the sound and looked away from his hand to his face. His face was unreadable and she didn't like that.

"What is it?" She asked cautiously. Miller sighed as he put down the pen. Without looking at her he began to speak slowly.

"I am a hitman, I'm employed to take lives, but today," he paused, "today, I want to save them. The favor I ask will be a great one, but I request that you do it. Once the attack is fully underway I know Mike will strike out at the ships in an attempt to guarantee we can't retreat. I ask you to remain on the ship and aid in its defense. Not only do I ask, I beg of you to stay upon this ship. We have not known each other long, but," Miller finished placing the paper into the envelope and sealed it. Putting it into one of the draws he turned to her and looked her in the eye. "But, I feel I have fallen for you. I desire that you do not join in this fight and that you stay upon the ship. So, please, my love, do me this one favor." Miller begged. Kyrra stared at him, she couldn't respond. Looking into his eyes she could see his desperation. She sighed defeated, something told her if she didn't agree and do as ask, he would just find a way to force it.

"Alright," she muttered softly. "I'll do as you ask." Miller lunged at her and embraced her tightly. They remained like this for several second before Miller sat on the bed and the two lay beside each other and waited.

Aboard the U.S.S. Sunset, East Team

Spyro stretched his wings and felt the pleasure of the joints popping. With a shake he looked at Brutus who stood like a statue staring toward the island that hadn't appeared in sight yet. The Sunset was a larger than average destroyer armed with experimental weaponry and held enough firepower to be considered three destroyers in one. Along with it in the East Team was the U.S.S. Sun Stalker, who was another experimental destroyer, but unlike the Sunset, it was more like a battleship, taking heavy amounts of punishment, but delivering hell in a volley. It was decided that these two ships would best fit the first strike because they wanted to do as much damage as possible in the first run. Alongside these two ships were thirty war ships constructed by the Moles. Spyro looked over the ships that sped along the water toward Dante's Freezer. The East force was the smallest group, but it was set up to pack the strongest punch. "I hope that human knows what he's doing," Spyro commented to Brutus who grunted before he replied.

"That man has a strange air about him. I believe he is well accustomed to formulating plans, but regards himself unworthy to lead. Maybe a failed mission might bring him to this?" Brutus looked up to the darkening sky as he thought. "I'd suggest listening to him, but be prepared to act in regards to failure." Spyro watched Brutus quietly before nodding.

"Are you ready for this?" Spyro asked as he looked back towards the island.

"As ready as I'll be," Brutus sighed. Spyro smiled.

"Have faith Brutus, the Ancestors will watch over us tonight." Spyro smiled as the sun touched the Eastern Horizon. "Look, Dante's Freezer is in range," Spyro's smiled dissipated. "Just like planned." Brutus took and deep breath and rolled his massive shoulders, his armor clinking and casting spotlights generated by the falling sun.

"Today will be a good day to die, no?" He asked the open air. Henry smiled grimly as he approached.

"We can either open fire here or wait until were closer and open fire both as we approach and fall back," Henry commented. "Either way, we need to attack at the same time." Brutus nodded in contemplation and looked at Spyro.

"The latter seems better an idea," Spyro said. "It may undermine the plan however if we continue to attack from this side when the West Team goes in, therefore we should probably go with the first choice." Brutus growled quietly as he steadied his feet.

"Sound the attack Spyro," He said. Spyro tilted his head back and coughed out a fireball that over one hundred feet into the air and exploded in an almost firework like display. With this signal the sun had set halfway. The dragons reared up and began to cast long range attacks on the island. The effect was barely visible, but those watching and keeping time could see the attacks exploding on the battlements and striking down the demons upon them. The volleys continued as the sun fell and the ships began to reverse their engines and fall back out of range. A single rock flung from a trebuchet hurled over the water at them as they fell back. Brutus quickly blasted it into dust with a smile.

Aboard the U.S.S. Skinner, West Team

Incendiary stood upon the destroyer watching the sun set behind the island and listened close. Cynder was using her shadow ability to cloak the ships until it was time for their assault and allowed them to grow close to their target. As they stood watching the sun fall, they felt the air became still and sound of the waves disappear. Everyone was focused on the sun. "You guys ready?" Incendiary asked Cynder and Jake. Jake nodded quietly fiddling with his gun impatiently.

"Are you?" Cynder returned the question as she stretched like a cat.

"Well enough," Incendiary responded with a popping of his neck. The air became chilled as the wind from the fog to the south pushed past. Then, as the sun dropped to half way, giving the island a wondrous outline, the air exploded with noise. The sound of the East Team raining elemental fury was amazing and almost awe inspiring, but they waited patiently for the silence. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the silence arrived. Upon this silent draft, the West Team opened fire. The sound of the dragons taking flight and gunfire launching while the winged creatures fired their elemental specialties was almost deafening. The transport shuttles struck the beach as the dragons soared overhead. The doors opened and the combined ground forces erupted onto the beach and charged the gate. The demons upon the battlements attacked, just as planned, took a second to respond. This second allowed the combined army to reach the gate and blast it open. They poured into the fort and began to cut their way in.

Upon the Eastern Front

The East Team returned swiftly with the destroyers opening up heavily on the island as their transports poured their troops onto the beach. Brutus and Spyro swiftly blew through the gate in the east wall and the soldiers flooded into the fort. It was chaos, but not the chaos that was planned. The demons hadn't reacted in surprise as they thought would have. Nevertheless, the combined army pushed onward.

Upon the Battlefield

As the chaos ensued upon the East and West fronts, the generals of the combine army hung back prepared to cast out the shield when the bombers passed. As planned they heard the massive engines approaching and watched as the hulking planes flew overhead and dropped their payload. Swiftly the barriers were cast and the bombs struck. The carpet covered a small section of the island, but signaled the landing of the Northern and Southern teams. Dropping the barriers the East and West teams rushed onward through the smoke. Other than the minor chaos, everything was going according to plan.

End Chapter

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May your God(s) grant you bountiful treasure.