Disclaimer- I do not own Roughnecks, I am not making any money off of it. It belongs to Paul Verhoeven. And the book Roughneck is inspired by belongs to Robert Heinlein. I only own the plot, and few Oc's littered in the stories. If I did own it however I would finish it, and there would be a second season... maybe.
So without further ado, I present to you chapter 12 of Shooting Stars. Enjoy.
"You poor, poor boy." A voice whispered in Carl's ear, sending shivers down his spine. Opening his eyes he gasped. As he found himself back in his home town of Buenos Aires on the night it had been attacked. Fires raged everywhere, smoke filled the sky, off in the distance he could hear the all to familiar gunfire.
Panic started to creep to creep into his mind, as he looked around. No, he thought, I don't want to be here, I want to get out of here. I want- no, no, I got to calm down I can let her get to me. I can do this. He thought. Closing his eyes, he placed his hand on his chest and took a deep breath. Opening his eyes, Carl looked around once more, looking for the source of the voice.
Even if he already knew whose voice it was. Just like every night, every night for the past two weeks or so. The Queen would enter his dreams and torment him with visions of things to come, of things that have happened. The bugs invading Earth, his home town being attacked. Of many more cities being overrun.
"You poor boy." The voice whispered again.
"Why do you say that?" he whispered. Carl had long since given up looking for the Queen. He knew she wouldn't really appear in his dreams.
"Why not?' she asked, as Carl headed down the street.
"Just because you tell yourself that you can block me, that you can ignore me, and yet you haven't even tried. Is it because... perhaps that you wait to hear what I say? Even though you'll just deny it? Or are you simply too weak?" The Queen teased, but Carl still did not respond.
"Ironic, isn't it? You spent all that time pouring your heart out to your comrades, and yet you still haven't told them everything, have you?"
Silence.
"Boy, ignoring me is futile, blocking me is futile. The only way you will be able to ignore me is when you're awake, the question is why do you try to sleep when you know I'll always be waiting?" The Queen sighed, sounding amused.
"I wish to sleep, knowing you'll be here and I know I'll be able to block you. And," Carl added. "When we do find you we'll destroy you."
Laughter echoed all around him, as he said this. Carl gritted his teeth trying to fight back against the anger he felt.
"I must admit those are some brave words, dear boy. And I will commend you for your courage. But it will all be in vain I hope you know, for when you and your friends do confront me, I'll pick you off one by one." The Queen vowed.
Carl was silent, his fists clenched.
"But maybe, if you're a good boy, I'll let you choose who will die first. Maybe I'll make you watch as I kill off, Rico, or maybe Dizzy. Mmmm how does that sound? Or maybe you'll do the smart thing and surrender and join me? And if you do I may spare your precious friends life."
"Thank you for the offer." Carl said after a while, taking a deep breath. "But I think I'll pass, and I think I'll end this conversation now." Carl said, closing his eyes, and managed to successfully block the Queen from his head.
Well, Carl thought, wincing as pain shot through his skull. That was a rather successful, if not rather painful. Now hopefully I could get a decent nights sleep from now on. Nodding to himself, as he leaned against the wall, and closed his eyes.
Rico sighed in relief as he looked down at the completed pile of paperwork. Standing up he stretched, as he looked to Zim. The older man glanced at him from the corner of his eye, before returning to his own work. Rico didn't need to be psychic to know that the sergeant was still furious, and he knew whatever he said to the older man would only make him madder.
Stifling a yawn Rico pushed the thought of sleep from his mind, and glanced down at his desk once again. Noticing his empty coffee mug, he quickly picked it up and headed for the door. When suddenly he heard, 'Will Lieutenants Rico and Walker please come to the briefing room.'
Suppressing a groan Rico placed his mug down, and headed for the door. Zim chuckled as he followed close behind.
"Excitement never ends, eh, Lieutenant?" he said, as Rico merely shook his head.
Upon entering the briefing room Rico suppressed the urge to groan again, there standing on the other side of them room was Lt. Walker. Oh, boy," Rico thought. If it isn't one thing it's another. Rico nodded to the older Lt, who merely looked in his direction. Tearing his eyes away form Walker he took a seat across from him, as the doors slid open once more and the Commander of the Roger Young stepped in.
The older man narrowed his eyes, as he looked to Rico. Great, he thought darkly, as he crossed the room. Looks like I got to contend with a green Lt. Just what I need at a time like this. Tearing his gaze away from Rico, he nodded to Walker.
"As you might have heard." He started, hands clasped behind his back. "There have been reports that the bugs are taking New York City. As we speak the city is being evacuated. But," he paused, looking to Rico, then to Walker once again.
It was then that Rico noticed the name stitched about his right breast pocket. Richards. Richards narrowed his eyes at Rico but said nothing. As you might have guess Bugs are making things quite difficult, and to top it off there are rumours of a Brain Bug somewhere. Now I know of your squad Lt. Rico has dealt with Brain Bugs on numerous occasions, correct?" Richards asked.
"Yes sir that is correct." Rico said, dread forming in the pit of his stomach at the mere mention of Brain Bugs, and tried not to glance in Zim's direction.
"Well normally I would tell you that your mission is to track down the Brain Bug, and destroy it. But unfortunately, this time that is not the case. Our science division wants you to capture it."
"Capture it?" Walker spoke up.
Commander Richards turned to Walker, and raised an eyebrow at him. "You heard correct, Lt Walker." He said. "Your squads are to bring it back here for study. Apparently the eggheads in the science division want to unlock all its secrets. Frankly I think capturing one of those things is pointless, and if it were up to me I'd tell you to blow that damn thing to pieces. But, sadly I'm not the one in charge. You'll leave at 0600 hours, dismissed."
Rico and Walker watched as Richards left before looking to each other. "Well Lt Rico it looks like we got our work cut out for us." Lt Walker said, placing a hand on the young Lt's shoulder. "Let's just hope that Lt Razak was right about you."
Narrowing his eyes at him, Rico watched as Walker left before turning to Zim. And for once in the brief while he had known the drill sergeant, both in and out of Basic Training the older man actually looked worried. "I don't know about you sergeant," Rico said, heading for the door, his heart pounding in his chest. "But I got a bad feeling about this."
"I know what you mean, sir." That was another thing, getting called sir, was something he was probably never going to get used to.
"For all we know is that we could have a repeat of what happened on the Valley Forge on our hands." Rico nodded as they headed towards the barracks. Coming to the barracks he walked in, the lights suddenly coming on.
"All right Apes up and at 'em, we got ourselves a mission." Groaning the remaining Roughnecks slowly, and somewhat reluctantly dragged themselves out of bed. A few of them stared at him with bleary eyes, while others had a hard time keeping their eyes open.
"So what is this mission, and is it something we can do a man short?" Doc asked, running a hand through his hair.
Rico bit his lip, his thoughts going back to Dizzy. God I hope so," he muttered, everyone stopped in their tracks, and looked at him.
"You hope so?" Max spoke up, raising an eyebrow. Rico sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Our mission is to capture a Brain Bug, a live Brain Bug I might add." Rico said, watching as the blood drained out of every ones face.
"A-and where is this mission going to take us?" Higgins asked, camera in hand.
"New York."
Silence filled the room now. Swallowing Rico looked around the room, every single one of his troops were staring right back at him, fear shining in Max and Higgins eyes, while Goss and Doc looked to Rico.
"You have got to be fucking kidding me." Gossard muttered.
"You think after what happened to the Valley Forge they would think twice about keeping live on the ships. Especially a Brain Bug," Doc muttered.
"I know how you all feel," Rico said, as he turned to walk away. "And if I had my way we'd be killing the over-grown, bloated grub. But none the less suit up and meet at the ship in ten minutes." With that he left, Zim trailing close behind. "And no sergeant," Rico growled, glancing over at the older man. His eyes a blaze. "I will not be pulling a stunt like the last time, so you don't have to worry about that."
Higgins groaned, then yawned as he struggled to put his power suit on. One hour, only one hour of sleep he managed last night, after being in the training simulator with Zim. A shiver went down his spine, as he thought back to that, he had to say that he hadn't done as well as the Sergeant had expected. In fact he had done down right lousy the first few times through. And unfortunately for poor Higgins, for every one of his failures Zim would take it upon himself to tear him a new one.
And every time he did Higgins couldn't help but wonder how Dizzy and Rico got through Basic Training with him breathing down their necks. It wasn't that he didn't like or respect the sergeant it was just that... Well he found him down right terrifying. Tucking his helmet under his arm he followed after the others, while suppressing another yawn.
A small, shiver ran down his spine, as he passed Zim, and entered the transport ship. The sergeants cold brown eyes fixed on the reporter. "Higgins," he murmured, stopping him before he sat down. "When the fighting starts I want you to put that camera down, and your weapon up."
Swallowing Higgins turned to Zim. "D-don't worry I will, besides I left my camera back at the barracks. So no worries." He lied. That and you already screamed at me enough for a life time. He thought, and sat down.
"Check his head for bumps." He heard Max mutter to Doc. "Paperboy left his camera behind.
Strapping himself in, Higgins groaned as he fought to stay awake, which was pretty hard to do. Maybe I should try and not think of sleep. He thought. Nodding to himself he looked around the cabin. Next to him sat Gossard, who looked lost in thought, next to Goss sat Carl, who, since confessing what was going on with him actually looked better than he had in a long time. Like he had actually gotten a decent sleep.
Lucky guy. He thought, and continued to look around the cabin. Across from Carl was Rico, who was staring down at empty seat where Dizzy usually sat, next to him sat Zim, who was looking right back at him. Swallowing thickly Higgins gave him a small wave, which was ignored when Zim turned to Gossard who had asked him something Higgins didn't catch.
Turning away from the two Higgins then turned to Max, who sat with his arms crossed and head down obviously asleep. Next to him was T'Phai who was having a conversation with Doc about something or other. Sighing he let his head fall back against his seat, staring up at the ceiling, he couldn't help but think back on all the stuff that had happened in only a few short months.
First the Bug Queen had escaped to Earth, something nobody had expected to happen. What followed next was the destruction of Rico, Dizzy, and Carl's home. Next... Higgins felt his throat tighten as he thought back on it. Next had been the death of their old Lt. Jean Razak, who to Higgins had been very much like a father. Though not too long after that Rico had stepped up as Lt of the Roughnecks. Much to the surprise of everyone else. Then shortly after that was the fall of the Valley Forge.
At this Higgins had to wonder what else would happen before the confronted the Bug Queen and put an end to this war, who else would die fighting the bugs, who else would lose their homes and families to the bugs? Higgins immediately thought about his family, and shuddered before putting that thought from his head. When suddenly something struck the transport ship. Oh no, he thought, sweat beading on his forehead. Not this again. Gritting his teeth, he braced for impact, wishing just once that they could be in a ship that didn't get struck down by enemy fire.
Suddenly as quick as it happened the crashed, Higgins cried out when he was nearly thrown from his seat. His grip on his harness tightening as he waited for the ruined ship to come to a stop, which it finally did. Sighing in relief, Higgins looked around him, seeing the same relieved looks on the faces of his comrades. Undoing his harness Rico stood up, and exited the ship after a few words, the rest of the squad following suit.
"I'm beginning to wonder," Max spoke up. "If any of these flight jockies ever passed flight school. Because this is just getting fucking ridiculous."
"Zip it, Private!" Zim snapped. "You should be lucky that you're on the ground, in one piece."
Gritting his teeth Max nodded, stepping out of the smoking corpse of the transport ship they were greeted by the all too familiar squawk of a Hopper. Looking up, the Roughnecks saw several of the brightly coloured bugs flying towards them. Off in the distance Higgins could see two more transport ships plummeting to the ground, and hoped that whoever was in those ships made it out okay. When suddenly Rico gave the order to open fire on the Hoppers. Tearing his eyes away from the ruined ships Higgins opened fire. And much to his surprise managed to bring down not one but two of the Hoppers down. Smiling to himself he opened fire again, managing to hit another one, but only managed to take its right wing off.
Squealing in anger the wounded Hopper dropped to the ground a few feet away from Higgins, making the reporter jump slightly. Squawking again it closed in on Higgins, when suddenly the wounded Hopper was blown away in a spray of green blood. Nodding his thanks to T'Phai he got to his feet once more.
Unfortunately no matter how hard the Roughnecks tried to deal with the airborne threat there was always another Hopper to take the place of its fallen brethren. And to make matters worst Warriors and Ripplers had soon joined the fray, as Higgins looked to the west. It would only be a matter of time before the squad was outnumbered. When suddenly something slammed into him from behind, knocking his morita from his hands.
Getting to his feet, he reached for his pistol, as the Warrior closed in on him, its jaws narrowly missing his leg, as he fired on the Warrior. The first shot struck its beaked head, but little damage to the creatures nearly impenetrable exoskeleton, just as another Warrior sneaked up on him from behind. Hands trembling Higgins fired on the first Warrior again, this time catching it in the eye, causing the first Warrior to take a couple steps back, green blood pouring from its injured eye. That's when the second Warrior lunged for him, grabbing his leg in its jaws, and lifting him up off the ground.
But that Warrior was quickly dispatched by Gossard, who handed the reporter his morita before taking out a few more Hoppers that had been closing in on them. Higgins winced as he looked down at his leg. Thankfully he didn't suffer much damage, looking up he leaped out of the way as another Hopper swooped down at him. Squawking the Hopper swooped down on him again, but this time he was ready. Raising his rifle he fired on the bug. Taking it down, Higgins watched as the Hopper dropped to the ground, dead. Before looking to the others, thankfully no more bugs came at them, leaving them in complete silence. And that unnerved Higgins far more than he care to admit.
I guess I now know how Lt Razak felt when it was quiet like this. He thought, as he looked to Rico, the Lt took a couple steps forward, before turning to Carl.
Carl closed his eyes, before looking to Rico and pointing east. When something suddenly slammed into Carl from behind, pushing himself up Carl looked behind him as the lone Warrior advanced on him again. When the bug was suddenly blown away by Max. Sighing Carl got to his feet before looking to Rico, waiting for him to give the order.
"You all right, Carl?" Rico asked.
"Yeah," Carl murmured, picking up his rifle.
"Then lets move out," Rico ordered. "The Brain Bug won't wait around for us for too long."
Higgins followed after the Roughnecks, sorrow filled his heart as he looked all around him, in the distance he could hear the screams and gunfire, his heart sank, wishing that they had stopped the Bug Queen before she reached Earth. Then maybe they wouldn't be watching innocent people being killed, and peoples homes being destroyed.
Then maybe Razak would still be alive, shaking his head, Higgins ran to catch up with the rest, in the distance he heard the familiar howl of a Warrior. Jumping, he looked around, finding nothing he continued on. When suddenly as Warrior tackled Zim. Reacting quickly Higgins immediately opened fire on the bug, green blood splattered onto Zims face and chest as he rolled out from beneath the lifeless body of the Warrior.
Wiping the blood from his face, Zim looked to Higgins. "You alright?" the reporter asked, spitting Zim nodded. "Then we should probably continue on, before more come." Higgins said, looking around once more.
Walker groaned, wiping bug blood from his face, and his mood was not improving as the day went by. The moment they came to the city they had been swarmed by bugs. In the past hour or so he lost two of his men to Hoppers, another to the Ripplers. And to make things worst they were no where near where the Brain Bug was said to be located. Looking up he watched as plasma fire streaked through the sky. Taking down another of their transport ships, the burning remains of said ship crashing a few feet away from his squad.
And to make things even worst for them was the ground was beginning to crack, a sure sign that a Tanker was about to make its presence known.
"Fall back!" He shouted, as the Tanker emerged, sadly one of his troopers had gotten too close as the Tanker began to spew flames, completely engulfing the poor trooper. Walker grimaced as the trooper screamed, stumbling a few feet before dropping to the ground, dead.
Tearing his eyes away from the charred corpse to the Tanker, as it took another lumbering step towards his squad. "Open fire!" He shouted, when his troops were a safe enough distance from the Tanker. Troopers fired on the massive bug, but were having no such luck in injuring it as their bullets ricocheted off the Tankers armoured body.
And to make matters worst they had no plasma grenades to help them. Walker bit back a curse as the Tanker took out two more of his men. And in the first time in his life he wondered if this was it, if this was the end of the line for him, and his squad.
When something whizzed past him, hitting the Tanker, the massive Bug howled before exploding, the remains of its massive head raining down on the troopers. Turning around Walker breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Rico's Roughnecks approach them.
"Sorry we're late," Rico sighed, saluting him. "Bugs were holding things up for us. Looks like you've had your hands full with them as well, as well as losing a couple of troopers yourself. Anyway, any idea where we should look next, Brain Bug can't be that far away.
Sneering Walker took a moment to glance at the rest of the Roughneck. How lucky, he thought darkly, eyes flashing angrily. Must be nice to have not lost a trooper yet. While I've lost half my squad already, isn't that just fucking peachy. "You're right Lt. Rico." He said, after a while, turning to look at the rest of the squad. What remained of his squad looked to him, fear shining in their eyes.
God only knew if they would make it out of there alive. "From what the Intel has told us the Brain Bug will be a couple clicks north from here."
Nodding Rico's eyes suddenly widened, turning around to follow the young Lt's gaze, his own eyes widening when he saw what Rico saw, and felt his heart sink. Because heading in their direction were a hundred or so Warrior bugs, a few Ripplers soared through the sky, along with a few Hoppers.
"Yessir the fun never ends." He heard Gossard mutter, as he raised his rifle, the others following suit. Walker smiled in satisfaction as bugs dropped left, right, and centre, when he heard someone cry out behind him.
Glancing behind him he saw the tech, Gossard stumble, a Rippler barb protruding from his shoulder. Grimacing Gossard stumbled again, and tripped, knocking that useless, to him at least, reporter Higgins down. Causing the boy to drop his camera. Walker suppressed a grim smile as the lens to the kids camera shattered. Pushing Gossard off of him, Higgins reached for his camera, not seeing the Hopper closing in on him, until Zim pushed him out of the way, the Hoppers stinger catching him in the chest. Knocking the old man down. Hissing Zim clutched at his bleeding chest wound, glaring at a visibly shaken Higgins from the corner of his eye before getting to his feet, and opened fire on the bugs again.
Forgetting about his broken camera Higgins raised his morita and fired, green blood stained the ground, and as soon as it had started it stopped. Looking around Higgins lowered his morita, when Zim spun around to face him, dark eyes narrowed.
"Higgins," he snarled, getting in the boys face. "Care to tell me what that sorry display was?"
Swallowing Higgins took a few steps back. "S-sir I was just-"
"Just what, Higgins?" Zim snapped, seething, causing Higgins to take another few steps back from the Sergeant. "You know I know you're a reporter, but not I'm beginning to think that you're nothing more than a liability, seems to me that I've just wasted my time trying to train you. I-" Zim was cut off as Higgins slammed into Zim, knocking him down. As two Rippler barbs whizzed over them, embedding themselves into an abandoned car a few feet behind them.
Surprised Zim looked to Higgins, the young man smiled sheepishly, and help him up as Doc took the remaining Rippler out. "I know I'm not the best trooper out there." Higgins said, "but as some one who has had far more experience you should know to watch your back, or else those barbs would have ended up embedded in your back, Sergeant."
Raising an eyebrow Zim watched as Higgins walked past him.
Dizzy sighed before tossing her pillow to the floor, before sitting up, and running a hand through her hair. How many more days until she could get out of here? Oh yeah they had told her she would get out sometime tomorrow. Which was good because she had wanted nothing more than to get out of here and back out on to the battlefield, and fight those damned bugs.
But while she was here the nurse happily provided things to keep her preoccupied. But even then she would find herself worrying about the others, hoping that no one else had gotten killed. Pushing that thought from her head she lay back down, and stared up at the ceiling. Her thoughts going to back to last night when Rico had told her that he still loved her, and she rolled her eyes. Sure she loved Rico, true but now her love for him was simply the type one shared between friends.
But oh how she had once yearned for him to say those magnificent words so many years ago. But as time went on, and things worsened back on Earth her love for him slowly, and surely began to fade, even as she shed her tears after rejecting him, after he finally confessed to loving her back. But as time went on and her wounds healed her love for him had long since faded. But much to her surprise her love had returned tenfold, but not for Rico. Dizzy smiled as she rolled on her side, wishing she hadn't thrown the pillow to the ground, as she reached for it.
Hugging the pillow to her chest, she closed eyes. Her grip on the pillow tightening as she thought back on that day, when she knew she had fallen in love again. Burying her face in the pillow, she thought back on that night when Gossard had come to her when he heard her crying in the night, and when he had come to her aid, sure Rico might have done the same, but Gossard... Gossard had listened to her, despite her attitude when she had been hurt, despite what she had told herself she was falling in love with Jeff Gossard.
Grinning she turned onto her other side, her smile immediately disappearing as Rico suddenly appeared in her thoughts, making her heart sink. He had said that he stilled loved her... what was she to say to that? Dizzy bit her bottom lip, as she thought about how she should tell Rico, tell him that there was someone else she was in love with, she knew how he was going to take it, and he sure as hell wasn't going to be happy. Maybe, maybe she would find away to keep him out of the loop, or maybe keep it a secret, but she knew she wouldn't be able to keep it a secret for long.
It would be a matter of time before he found out. And then what would happen? Rico was by no mean a violent man, at least not to humans. Sure he would no doubt be unhappy about her relationship with Gossard, if he ever found out that is. Pushing these thoughts aside Dizzy grabbed one of the books she had been reading, and turned to the page she had dog eared. Sighing she lay back down and began to read.
Rico growled as he scanned the horizon, growing more and more frustrated with every second that passed, and it didn't help that whenever he looked to Carl for help, the blonde boy came up with nothing, and had seemed a little distracted too, which also worried him.
"Maybe there is no Brain Bug?" Max pondered, standing next to the Lt.
"Wouldn't be the first time that Intel has been wrong." Doc piped up.
"Maybe..." Carl trailed off, brow furrowed in concentration. "Maybe we should try Central Park, god knows it would probably be able to hide that fucking Brain Bug."
Raising an eyebrow Walker piped up. "You know he does have a point that Brain Bug could be there, perhaps we should try there, Lt Rico?"
Tearing his gaze away away from the horizon, Rico turned to the rest and nodded. "Move out!" Rico ordered, his heart thundering in his chest. More than eager to get this mission over and done with, and get back to the Roger Young. Maybe get a few hours of shut eye, or some chow. Or maybe find time ti visit with Dizzy, if Gossard didn't get there first, Rico frowned at that thought.
Granted he never really had a problem with Dizzy and Gossard's friendship, sure he had become just a tad jealous about them back during the Pluto campaign. But things were quickly smoothed over as time progressed, but now the more time the older man spent with Dizzy, the more it made Rico uncomfortable, jealous even.
Maybe it was just him be a tad too paranoid, but it seemed that every time he saw Dizzy and Gossard together she seemed happier with Gossard, than she had ever been with Rico. Of course Dizzy was known to be a flirt, and she was usually friendly with everyone, usually."
"Rico!" Sgt Zim called out, as they came close to their destination, pushing those thoughts aside Rico ran up to where the Sergeant was. Rico's heart stopped, when they finally reached Central Park, Rico could see several Warriors, and Fire Fries milling about. And he knew without a doubt knew that the Brain Bug was in there, he didn't need Carl to tell him that.
"We move out," he whispered, eyes narrowing in concentration. When Lt. Walker placed a hand on his shoulder, eyes fixed on the area before them.
"Maybe we should split up? Might be faster that way." Walker suggested, Rico nodded, then checked his morita's ammunition.
"But before we do that we should take out some of the bugs here.
Nodding Walker turned to his troopers, and proceeded to give them orders, as Rico turned to the Roughnecks. "Okay, here's what we are going to do, first we're going to take out the bugs near the entrance then," Rico scanned his troopers face, each and everyone of them staring right back, waiting for his orders. "We are going to split up, teams of three, they will be me, T'Phai, and Doc. Higgins, you and Brutto will go with Sgt. Zim. Gossard you and Carl in one group, you'll join Walkers unit."
"Sir! Yessir!" They shouted in unison, before moving out. No one seemed to notice that Carl was lagging behind.
Your squad mates are fools, a voice whispered in the back of his head, Carl gritted his teeth, and tried to ignore it. As soon as they enter the park my minions will be all over them before they can even scream. Won't it be magnificent? And what is ever more magnificent is that you won't be able to do a damned thing about it! Though it is a shame Carl Jenkins, I could have saved you.
Carl seethed, his grip on his rifle tightening, ignoring the look he got from Gossard, as they moved out. Now why would I want to be saved by the likes of you? Carl thought, his lip curling in disgust. So I can be your puppet? How about you go back to cowering in fear, and get the fuck out of my head! His thoughts were soon disrupted by the howl of a Warrior, looking up he watched as one of the Warriors advanced on Walker, before it was blown away by Gossard, who took a moment to glance back at Carl, concern shining in the older mans eyes.
Before turning to Walker, who also looked in Carl's direction, eyes narrowed. Swallowing Carl picked up the pace, trying to catch up with the others. Just as two Warriors emerged from the trees behind him. Only to be taken out by two of Walkers troopers.
"Are you alright, Jenkins?" Zim asked, eyeing the blonde boy suspiciously. Carl nodded and looked down at the fallen bugs, then back to the others, just as the rest of the Warriors advanced on them.
"Open fire!" Rico shouted, raising his rifle Carl pulled the trigger, and watched as bugs dropped dead left and right.
"Jenkin's watch out!" Gossard shouted, slamming into him, knocking him to the ground, as the Warrior advanced.
Thankfully Rico quickly dispatched it, before it could do any harm to Gossard. Pushing himself up, he rejoined the fray, opening fire he took out a couple of the Fries before they could get to Doc. Then as soon as it began the battle was over, silence prevailed once more.
Glancing at the bodies Carl slowly made his way over to where Gossard was standing. "You okay?" he asked, looking down at Gossard, who was preoccupied with watching Doc bandaging up his arm.
"Yeah just a scratch, nothing new. The question is," Gossard turned to him frowning. "Are you alright?" he asked.
Swallowing Carl nodded, adverting his gaze.
"Bullshit." Gossard muttered, and stood up.
Carl watched as Gossard moved to walk past him, Gossard then looked at Carl from the corner of his eye, while Carl turned away. "But I'll let it go... for now." He muttered, and walked off, leaving Carl alone with Doc.
"You sure you're okay?" Doc asked, looking up at Carl, who swiped the sweat from his eyes, and nodded. "It's her, isn't it?" Doc asked, as Carl moved to join Gossard, and Lt. Walker.
Carl narrowed his eyes, ignoring the look he received from Walker.
"Looks like it's easy going from here on out." Walker muttered, looking around. "So I suggest we move out, unless Private Jenkins wants to delay us any further for some reason." Walker said, looking at Carl.
Shaking his head Carl turned away from Walker, and Gossard and looked towards the park, they were close, he knew that it would only be a matter of time before they found the Brain Bug. Of course once the capture the Brain Bug things would not be easy. Carl sighed, and glanced to Rico who looked at worried as he felt.
"All right let's split up, the sooner we find this Brain, the sooner we can get out of here." Rico said.
Carl swallowed again, his grip on his rifle tightening, as he walked behind Gossard, the older man glancing in his direction before turning away.
Rico bit down on his lip as he looked down at his rifle again, heart thundering in his chest. "Anybody aside from me think that capture this thing alive is a very bad idea?" Doc asked, looking around.
"You are not alone, I too am apprehensive about this mission." T'Phai said.
Rico nodded but didn't say anything as they moved out. There was no doubt that the Brain Bug would know that they were coming, and he knew that the bugs weren't going to make it easy for them. And what if they couldn't capture the Brain Bug? Rico's brow furrowed as he looked around. Then he guess they would have to kill it, sure it was what Rico signed up for, but those egg heads in the SD would definitely not be happy.
Rico suddenly jumped as a few Rippler barbs whizzed past him, narrowly missing his leg. Looking up he saw twenty or so Ripplers flying over head. Opening fire on the Ripplers he quickly leaped out of the way, as one dove for him, that was quickly disposed of by Doc.
Green blood splattered the ground as the Rippler came to a stop a few feet from him. And to make matters worst, Warriors were soon joining the fray. Rico cried out when a Warrior slammed into him, its jaws closing in on his abdomen, and swung him around like a rag doll. When the Warrior was blown away, Rico grimaced as bug blood splattered on his face, quickly wiping it away he nodded his thanks to T'Phai, who helped him up.
"Are you all right?" T'Phai asked.
"Yeah I am, we must be getting close, the bugs are pretty intent on not letting us go any further." Rico muttered, half to himself, half to T'Phai.
"I agree." T'Phai said, looking around. As Doc walked up to them, dark eyes narrowed.
"I got a question." He said, scanning the treeline for any sign of any on coming threats. "If we are unable to capture the Brain Bug. Do we kill it?" The older man asked.
Rico smirked as he looked to Doc. "That was what I was planning. If we are unable to capture it we kill it. Frankly if it were up to me I'd just kill it and be done with it."
"Me too," Doc muttered.
The trio looked up as plasma fire streaked through the sky, off in the distance they could hear the howl of Warriors in the distance.
"But if we're done sitting here gabbing." Rico said, reloading his rifle. "I suggest we move out."
T'Phai and Doc nodded, and followed their LT.
Higgins screamed as the Warrior advanced on him, when Max took it out. Zim suppressed a sigh as he watched Higgins scramble to his feet, brow furrowed. What Rico had seen in the kid he would never know, hell he was pretty sure he didn't want to know. All he knew was that the kid was a liability. And it didn't help that no matter what the situation was he was more intent on video taping than taking down the bugs, and it was only a matter of time before he got himself, or someone else killed.
Seething Zim watched as Higgins reached for his ruined camera. Growling under his breath he walked over to the boy, shoving him out of the way. Aiming his rifle he fired, smirking as the camera exploded into a thousand pieces. Wide eyed Higgins turned to Zim.
"I don't know what Rico, or even Jean saw in you, Higgins." He muttered. Their faces inches apart, Zim smirked when he saw the kid turn pale. "But I'm getting real sick of you endangering the lives of the others."
Swallowing Higgins took a step back. "Sir I-I'm-"
"What? Sorry?" Zim snarled, eyes burning. "What a fucking surprise that is, you're always fucking sorry. Every single goddamn mission we go on you always have that camera with you."
"B-but I'm a reporter I-"
"We don't have time for this!" Max cut in, stepping in between Zim and Higgins, eyes narrowed. "In case you haven't realized this Sergeant but we are in middle of a mission. And the longer you nag at Higgins like some friggin' house wife the less likely the chance we are going to have of catching that Brain Bug."
Zim's eyes narrowed as he turned to Max, the two stared at each other for a moment, before turning away from the boys. When there was a howl of on-coming Warriors. Spinning around Zim's eyes widened as a Warrior closed in on him, only to be blown away by the very person he had just yelled at, Higgins.
Blinking Zim looked down at the dead Warrior, then to Higgins, disbelief shining in the Sergeants eyes. When there was another howl, looking up the trio saw several Warriors heading in their direction. Higgins wiped sweat from his forehead as he took aim at the bugs, and fired.
Carl groaned, eyes closed, next to him sat Gossard. "You getting anything, Jenkins?" he asked, as Carl opened his eyes, and nodded. Without a word, Carl pointed straight ahead, blue eyes narrowed.
"We're close, real close." Carl muttered. Gossard swallowed as he looked to Walker, who kept looking straight ahead.
"Are the other groups close by?" Walked finally asked, looking over his shoulder at Carl. Carlo nodded.
"Yes, Lt Rico's group is close."
Nodding Walker turned to face them. "Then I suggest we move out, before anymore bugs discover we're here."
Nodding Gossard and Carl stood up, and began to follow Walker, every once in a while Gossard would glance around at their surroundings, so far no bugs had come to greet them so to speak, he really didn't know whether that could be considered good or bad.
Good because it meant they would have no trouble getting to the Brain Bug. Bad because it meant that the bugs could have been planning an ambush. Which would be great! Gossard thought, tensing when he thought he heard something. Only to see a terrified looking dog dart from the underbrush, blood coating its fur as it darted into the bushes again.
Followed by a terrified yelp that was cut short, tensing the three of them looked to where had disappeared. Raising their rifles, when a lone Warrior stepped out from the shadows, the bloody remains of the dog in its jaws. Without a moments hesitation they fired on the Warrior, taking it out at the legs. Inching closer Carl pulled the trigger once more, killing it. Then silence once again fell over the three, Carl looked around, then headed for the clearing, and growled.
There sitting surrounded by bugs of all sorts, was the very creature they had been searching for all along. The Brain Bug. Gripping his morita Carl slowly made his way to the bug, ignoring Gossard and Walkers whispered pleas to come back. When there was a howl, followed by several Warriors charging towards him. Gossard cursed under his breath, as he ran down to where Carl was, Walker close behind, firing on the advancing Warriors.
Warrior bugs were dropping dead all around him, but still he paid no heed, his eyes focused on the retreating Brain Bug. Firing when bugs got in his way. Cursing when he saw the Brain Bug retreat, or rather it would have, if someone hadn't fired a rocket, cutting it off from it's escape, howling in rage the Brain Bug turned to face its attackers.
"Carl!" He heard someone yell his name. Followed by someone grabbing his arm, and pulling him back, growling he spun around to face who had grabbed him. Seeing Rico he immediately stopped struggling.
"Well we found the Brain Bug, question is how do we capture it" he heard Rico mutter. "Anybody got any tranq darts?" He said out loud, letting Carl go.
"I've got a few to spare Lt," Gossard said, walking up to Rico. "But the question is, Lt, how are we going to transport it out?"
Rico bit his lip as he thought about it.
When Walker spoke up."I've got a transport on the way to help with that, now can we hurry up before more bugs come? I would like to get out of here in one piece."
Nodding Rico loaded the tranq darts Gossard had given him into his rifle, taking aim he fired on the blubbery mass that was their target. Smiling when they hit their target. The Brain Bug howled and slowly began to stop moving. But the Warriors still advanced, enraged at the humans for attacking their Brain, the Roughnecks were only too grateful that no fliers were present as they were dangerously low on ammo.
When there was an explosion, sending several bugs flying. Looking up Rico couldn't help smile when he saw Sergeant Zim and the other join the fray.
"Glad you could join us, Sarge." He greeted, leaping out of the way of the attacking Warrior. Before firing.
"Couldn't just leave you to clean up this mess." Zim smirked, and let loose another plasma charge. Smiling as bugs flew in every direction, the smile soon disappeared when a warrior snatched Zim up in his jaws, acting quickly Rico dispatched of the bug, and ran to the Sergeants aid. Zim groaned and winced before Doc joined them and began examining the older man.
Standing up he turned to Rico. "He's all right, got a couple of broken ribs nothing too serious. Nodding his thanks to Doc, Rico then turn his eyes to the sky as relief washed over him and the rest of the troopers as they saw two transports inbound.
"Troopers!" He shouted, "We are leaving!" Smiling in satisfaction as he watched several of them move out, taking out several of the remaining bugs as they advanced.
Rico gasped as another Warrior came at him, only to be blown away by none other than Carl. Smiling to his friend, Rico gave the area once last glance, before watching as the Brain Bug was loaded onto the transport ship. While the Roughnecks and what remained of Walker's unit filed into the other, most of them relatively unscathed, Rico then turned to Zim who eyed him before cringing in pain again.
"Today was one hell of a day, eh, Sarge?" he said, placing a hand on the older mans shoulder. Zim nodded, sweat pouring down his face.
"You can say that again, Lieutenant. Hell sir, next time someone tells us to capture a live Brain Bug, remind me to shoot them in the face." Zim said, Rico chuckled.
"I hear you there, this mission had to have been one of the hardest missions I've ever had."
Zim nodded, and closed his eyes, times like this made him think that he was getting too old for this.
Dizzy smiled as she saw Gossard walk into the Med Bay, his arm bandaged. "Well, well, look who finally found the time to visit me, let me guess another mission?" she teased, as he sat down beside her.
"Well that is what we signed up for... well most of us at least. How are you doing, Diz?" Gossard asked. "Not driving the medical staff too crazy, are you?"
Dizzy shook her head and smiled. "No, I have not. So tell me," She said, inching closer to him, a small smile on her lips. "What was today's mission? Did the bugs hit anywhere else?"
Gossard nodded, and ran a hand through his hair as he leaned back. "New York." Dizzy cursed under her breath and turned away, sorrow shining in her eyes. "W-we managed to save it, or course." Gossard said, placing a hand on her shoulder, feeling his heart sink when Dizzy turned to face him, unshed tears in her eyes. "Oh Dizzy." He cooed, wrapping his arms around her slender frame as she cried into his chest.
"Hey, it's alright we'll get through this, we'll find the Queen Bug. And when we do we'll crush her." Gossard told her, smashing his fist into his palm, a smile on his face.
Sniffling Dizzy wiped at her eyes and looked up at him, wiping at her runny nose, and gave him a small smile of her own. "I-I know, Goss and I'm sorry i-its just-" she trailed off, feeling ashamed, her face burning hot. Placing a hand under her chin, Gossard forced her to look at him, using his thumb he brushed away the tears.
"I know, I know how you're feeling." He whispered. Their faces inches apart. "I know you're scared, and sad that all this is happening."
Dizzy sobbed, and looked into his blue eyes burning into hers, as their faces inched closer and closer. "I know you're sad about what happened in New York-"
"And I know New York won't be the only city to fall, Gossard how many more people will die before we find the Queen?" Dizzy asked, tears had long since stopped streaming down her face, as she clung to Gossard.
Gossard puller her closer, resting his chin on top of her head, his eyes closed. "I wish I knew Diz, hell, I wish I knew where the Queen bitch was so we could end this before more lives are lost." Sighing he pulled away to look in her eyes once more, those beautiful blue eyes he had admired ever since he first met her. The more Gossard had thought about it, the more he realized that he loved her from the moment he first saw her. She was strong, beautiful, and kind. Among many other reasons, sometimes he had wished he hadn't pushed her away that time on Zegama Beach.
Pushing those thoughts from his head Gossard smiled. "And when we do come across the bug Queen we'll give her hell."
Dizzy smiled, a small little, as she looked right back at him. "And when we do," Gossard continued. "I'll do everything in my power to protect you."
Dizzy's heart thundered in her chest, her hand resting on Goss' cheek. "You always were such a sweet heart, but you don't need to protect me, Goss. I'm a big girl." She told him.
"Maybe I want to protect you." Gossard said, "Maybe I want to keep you safe."
"Why?" Dizzy whispered, her eyes sliding closed.
"Because I love you, Diz."
Dizzy's heart stopped for a millisecond. Smiling she felt her cheeks heat up, moving closer to him until their noses touched.
"I-I know it's probably too soon to have said that. I mean... you barely got over Rico, and here I am confessing my feelings for you-"
"Gossard." Dizzy sighed, pressing a finger to his lips, and rolled her eyes. "Just shut up and kiss me." She trailed off, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling his close.
Gossard smiled and moved to comply their lips brushing ever so slightly, when something caught his eye, that caused him to pull away abruptly.
"What-" Dizzy started to ask, but stopped when she looked to where Gossard was staring, and groaned when she saw Rico head in their direction.
"Hey Diz." Rico greeted when he was close enough. "Goss you're here... again." Rico said, his smile slowly fading.
"Sure am LT, unless I'm needed else where?" Gossard said, and motioned to stand up. When Rico stopped him.
"No, no it's safe to say we're off duty, just found it odd that I find you here again when I thought you'd be tuning up the marauders." Rico said, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Hey what can I say?" Gossard said, shrugging his shoulders and smirking." Diz has far more personality than any piece of technology."
Rico grinned as he plopped down in the seat on Dizzy's other side, his gaze fixed on her. "I'll agree with you there, going to be glad to have you back, Diz." He said, reaching over and ruffling her hair, much to her dismay as she swatted Rico's hand away.
"You and me both Lt, going stir crazy in here, and my trigger finger itches like hell." Rico chuckled and leaned back, arms crossed behind his head.
"So, uh, did Goss tell you what we brought back with us?" He asked.
"Souvenirs?" Dizzy joked.
Sighing Rico shook his head.
"Then what? Not another pet I hope Higgins and Sparky are more than enough." Dizzy teased, reaching for her glass of water.
"Brain Bug." Rico said, frowning.
"Correction," Gossard, also frowning, eyes narrowed. "A live Brain Bug."
Dizzy sputtered before looking to the two of them. Looking incredulous. "A what?!" She screamed, startling the other patients and medical staff. Goss cringed as Dizzy looked to Rico, anger shining in her eyes.
"Yeah that's pretty much how I feel, Diz." Rico said, running a hand through his hair and smiling sheepishly.
"Who's idiot idea was that?" Dizzy asked.
"Not mine that's for sure." Rico said as Dizzy rolled her eyes at him.
"Well of course it's not yours, Dumbass," she snorted, and slapped him upside the head. "I'm going to venture a guess, and say that the Science Division had something to do with it."
Rico and turned to Gossard, brow furrowed. For the entire time he had been sitting here he had yet to see the older man take his eyes off of Dizzy, and that worried him. Pushing those thoughts aside he turned back to Dizzy, and smile as he stood up.
"Well I would love to stay and chat some more but I got work to do and Goss," he said, turning to him. "I'm going to need you to check on the marauders, we don't know when we'll need them. But I would like to make sure they are in working order."
"I'll get right on that Lt." Standing up, and glancing to Dizzy one final time, before leaving her and Rico alone.
Sighing Rico turned to Dizzy, leaning over her he planted a kiss on her forehead, much to the annoyance of Dizzy, who swatted him away. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay Dizzy?" he whispered.
"Yes Rico you'll see me tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, and the next day. Hell, you'll probably see me long after this war is over." Dizzy told him, as she lay down.
Smiling Rico watched as Dizzy slowly drifted off to sleep, unbeknownst to him that it was Gossard that was one her mind.
Hoooooly hell this chapter was a bitch to write. In a good way I mean, though 18 pages... Think this might be my new record. And now I'm gonna spend what's left of the day relaxing, cause my back hurts. Anyway enough complaining you know what to do R/r please. And with that this is Black Jack signing out.