Chapter 26
2015, a year flew by in a heartbeat. Tensions grew as all sides prepared for an imminent conflict, waiting for the first bomb to drop. Each side had made its preparations for war. The WPA had trained Miyoti into a swift, ruthless killer. The United States focused all their resources into military research, and occupied countless cities in France. Lastly, Zerstorung had prepared his latest piece of technology, the Reaper, and had a large count of them at his command. With all these steps towards war, it was only a matter of time before the fighting would break out.
As any other day would be, the team of mercenaries were huddled around in the lobby making small-talk to pass the time they used to spend killing.
"Something must be going on, they wouldn't just start setting up bases around here for no reason," the soldier said.
"I sure hope so, this routine is starting to get old- fast, if we have to wait another seven or eight years to start fighting again after this one I'll be pissed," the sniper said.
"Look, I doubt things will repeat after this fight since, hopefully, we'll land a big enough hit on that bastard he won't be back!"
"Let's say he sticks around even after the fight subsides, whats to stop us from hitting em again once we shoot that tin can out of the sky?"
"Chances are the boss will find some reason not to attack, as usual."
"If it means taking him out of the picture, I'm sure she'd be up to it."
"She takes an opportunity when she sees it, like when she sent the last little man to his death in a vain attempt at victory," the heavy said.
"Whatever happened, for some reason we couldn't just bring him back to life like we always did back at RED whenever we'd die."
"Speaking of that, I'm still trying to work out what he used to inhibit the revival serum we tried using to bring the boy back," the medic said.
"Y'know she probably sends the kid in constantly because if any of us go face to face with the wanker we stand a chance of being dead, permanently, assuming he's the one behind it, and if that kid is the only one who can finish em off why waste us?"
"I wouldn't be surprised if he was working on something to counteract that serum of yours, doc, so that we'd stay down," the soldier said.
"Oh I'm sure you're right soldier, but I cannot be positive yet that he has the ability to mass produce such a thing, or if it is limited to himself," the medic replied.
"What I want to know is when we get to start the fightin', all this talk is givin' me a headache," the demoman said.
"With all these men in uniform running about the streets we're bound to see some heads cracked sooner or later!" The soldier said enthusiastically, after peering out the window.
"They've been here for about a year now, probably had to do with that saucer they recovered not too long after that piker ran in here and got his ass handed to him trying to get at the boy," the sniper said.
"Say where is the kid anyways?"
"Somewhere on the seventh floor, he actually talks to the people down there."
"Words in that we've got a few choppers, those guys will be piloting em."
"Since when did Mann start making choppers?"
"They didn't, we bought em off the states, considering they're the only ones allowed to build so much on their military after all those treaties, with Russia being crippled after that first attack back in 03'."
The group continued their conversation, while a short distance away Boris and his peers within the encampment made preparations for the conflict to come.
A small crowd of soldiers gathered around a portable television, keeping an eye on the steps being taken towards another conflict with Zerstorung.
"Tensions are rising in Europe as The United States continues its occupation of France, Germany, and Spain. Some cities have begun rioting in protest, though America promises it will pull out as soon as they confirm the absence of a possible threat," the television went on in the background as they discussed the issue.
"I'm sure glad they haven't started any shit over here," one of the soldiers said.
"On the other hand though, it would provide some action around here if they did decide to riot..." Boris replied as he made his way towards the group.
"Last thing I want to do is start a fight with civilians."
"If it was a riot we wouldn't be harming them, perhaps some beatings but it'd be quite tame."
"Look, all I want to do is get out of here, we've been stationed in this place for over a year now."
"That's probably a good thing, most of the action will be around here considering the WPA's major presence."
"Explains why we're so damn close to em, so are we helping them or?"
"I honestly do not know, but word is that as long as they're fighting our enemy, they're allies."
"Makes sense, what are they like anyways?"
"Their top men are mercenaries that used to work for RED, and then there's some kid who they've been training to kill Zerstorung."
"How are they in a fight?"
"They haven't seen one in quite some time, but from what I remember of the past wars, they do a damn good job."
As the two continued their conversation, the television blared once again.
"Breaking news from Scotland, a large fleet was spotted not too long ago heading West; it's presumed they've attempted to remain hidden by jamming the radar systems of a large section of Scotland and the UK, though were spotted easily by nearby lighthouses. As of now the ships have left Scottish waters and are believed to be heading towards the United States. It's no question that they'll be met with heavy resistance should they be hostile."
Boris turned to the screen upon hearing the recent report.
"There isn't a doubt that those ships are Zerstorung's. Though what bothers me is why they weren't attacked due to the 'no response shoot on sight' rule pretty much everyone has adopted since Zerstorung's first attacks," Boris said.
"Maybe they were just being chicken shits, the only superpowers as of now are France and the States, so I'd think if they struck those things they'd turn their asses around and land in Scotland."
"If it wasn't for being charged with 'crimes against humanity', I wouldn't be forced to serve under such a blind country."
"Hell, just be happy they didn't kill you on the spot. The normal sentence for that shit is hanging or a firing squad."
Boris prepared to reply when the television drew his attention.
"Mere moments after reports came in of the approaching fleet, the United States has responded by dispatching its own fleet with the orders to shoot on sight; hoping to avoid any possible conflict on land."
"I don't see those things taking more than a day to land, then we'll see something go down for once," Boris said.
"Well we sure as hell won't be seeing any of it, if what you say is true then they won't bother sending us back."
"We'll see our day, don't-" Boris stopped once he heard a faint roar, walking outside to investigate.
"The hell are you looking at?" One of the soldiers stepped outside with him, soon seeing the source of the sound.
Several helicopters departed from the rooftop of the nearby WPA building, heading East.
"Do they know they're going in the opposite direction of the conflict?" The soldier said.
"I have a bad feeling they know something we don't; the lot of you stay put, I'm running in there to get the word, I know a few of them," Boris said, racing towards the building as a small crowd formed watching the helicopters vanish into the sky.
Boris disregarded the intercom at the front door and bolted into the building, noting that since the elevator was probably used to reach the rooftop, it'd be a better idea to take the stairs than wait for the elevator to return. Upon reaching the eighth floor, he realized the only person there was the demoman, lying on the floor asleep. Boris quickly shook him awake.
"Who huh what- what 're you doing 'ere lad?" The demoman asked.
"I wanted to know why your colleagues departed so soon after news of that fleet broke." Boris said.
"My memories a bit blank, but I remember somethin' about buying the lad time to do something important..."
"Think damn you, what was he supposed to do?" Boris asked frantically
"Ah..something to do with that flying scrap metal, spose' to blow it up I think."
"You mean Zerstorung's space station? How does he plan on destroying it, or even getting there?"
Another roar was heard above, signaling another departure.
"That must've been the lads chopper."
"What?"
"Heh, Now it's clear, they sent the lad alone to Atlanta to jack the craft they were so hyped up about a year or so back."
"He plans to waltz in there and just fly it out of there?"
"From what we've heard, Melody worked something out to have that thing pieced together and ready to go a few months or so after they ripped it a new one."
"Why couldn't they have sent it over here?"
"Too suspicious and what not, so they left it in the base."
"Wait...Back to what you said about 'buying time', you're implying that he's planned an assault that the WPA has known about yet refused to divulge the intelligence of?
"All I know about that is they think they saw em landing not too far off from the border, so they're thinking that he's using that fleet to take the mass media coverage while they're starting the real attacks."
"Then why didn't you go with them?"
"Too drunk, but now I'm fine, until I get another bottle."
"Follow me, I'll bring you back to the base and we'll ride in ourselves."
"With what?"
"We've got a few helicopters in there, I just need to convince the others that what you say is true."
"Well I ain't got no proof of what I say, so we're gonna have to wait till the lads see em on the news."
"Whatever men I can convince, we'll take."
"And what are they gonna say when you ride off in their chopper?"
"Hah, I'll just take it, not much they can do aside from open fire."
The two chuckled as Boris called the elevator from the rooftop, only several floors up, and ascended to the bottom floor, the demoman alongside him.