Welcome back to another chapter of: Digital Riot finally stopped playing Fall Guys and actually decided to update for once. After losing numerous times, I'm ready to come back to Odyssey. Sorry for the wait. I know you've been waiting for me to get off my ass and finally update this story, and here it is. Truth be told, the reason I haven't updated in almost two weeks is because I've been busy with a few other projects. I'm trying to focus on too many things at once, I've got a teaser for a new story out, and I have "Terrible Writing Advice". So from now, I'll try to focus on only one thing at a time. Not only that, but this chapter was really difficult to write for some reason. I've had to completely re-write it three times. Not fun at all.
We've gotten a lot of reviews in the past week, despite me not posting anything. A few of you guys had a pretty interesting analysis of the magic in my story in particular. It's great that this is coming up now, considering that we are in the beginning of act 2, and I still have enough time to flesh out the magical system even more, so I'm glad that I'm getting some feedback. As to the individual reviews, I don't want to try and answer each and every single review in the A/N's of this chapter, because then the authors note would be too long. So instead I'll do it in a separate chapter dedicated to answering each review. I'll probably title it "Update 2" or whatnot (As of yet, I don't know what to title it as I haven't written it down). But either way, that's where I'll respond to the most recent batch of reviews
Though I'll sum up what most people are trying to say to me, "Digital Riot. You didn't really think out the magical vs technology bit of your story too well. Did you?" The correct answer to that is, "no I didn't". That's lack of foresight on my part, awful planning and preparation to introduce the main functions of magic, and just general ignorance. Completely my fault, but there's still a saving grace to it as, as I said, we're only in the beginning stages of act 2, and we have many more chapters to go before the closing act. So I'll do my best to correct what needs to be corrected, and I'll try and communicate with you guys more frequently. Thanks for the reviews, I really appreciate them for this reason specifically as they help to highlight the flaws in my story. Once again, thanks for dropping a review. With that out of the way, I present to you Chapter 25. Enjoy!
The Pentagon, Virginia
"President Carter, glad you could make it!" Said General Greene, "We have quite the update for you about the goings-on in Mysterium."
"Lay it on me," Carter said, leaning forward.
"I know you may not like this, but Brigadier-General Jefferson and I have agreed to change Warplan Angel-"
"What?"
"Listen, it was too much to ask for. Realistically speaking we could only facilitate about a quarter of what the plan demanded, there was no way it was going to end in any sort of operational success."
Carter sighed, "Fine. What was changed?"
"Before I tell you that, I should tell you what remained the same. Angel-Citadel is still underway, as normal. 'Baker' Company of 1st Battalion are currently en-route into Iscariot territory. A few of our soldiers have managed to set up checkpoints for escaped slaves and runways to return to Ithaca, the boys call it 'The Underground Railroad' for obvious reasons."
"Good, is it a morale boost?"
"Indeed. Seeing the face of happy and grateful refugees helps encourage our soldiers to keep fighting, but I'll talk more on that later," Green laid out a sheet of paper in front of the President, that he took in his hands to observe. Flipping over the manila envelope was a huge list of military-jargon, strategic names, and bureaucratic documentation.
"What's this?" Carter asked, a bit fearfully. The huge pile of bureaucratic mumbo-jumbo scared him.
"NATO restructured Ithacan command in Mysterium. They needed to adapt the command structure if they ever hoped to win the war. As such, Jefferson was promoted to Rank OF-7, Major General. He'll be in charge of every battalion and division going through the portal starting now."
"Fair enough…"
"With the change of leadership, we've established some new departments in the Citadel. Ithacan High Command, with Jefferson in it, has been grouped into MOCOMM, Main Operations Command. MOCOMM will handle all operations based in the continent. Logistical, Navigational, Tactical, and Emergency Commands have been organized and report to MOCOMM, and even smaller command centers report to them."
Carter flipped through the pages, landing on one with the picture of an M1A2 Abrams, though it looked like a heavily modified version of it. A woodland camouflage wrapped around the hull of the entire vehicle and most of the TUSK armor was missing. The hull of the tank was tighter, more compact, and sleeker. A very modern design for the hull, in comparison to the previous models, "About this?"
"That used to be Project SRMBT. Special Region Main Battle Tank."
"I've never heard of it before. Sounds interesting."
"When the Gate in Ginza opened, Japan ran into many of the same problems we did in regards to armor. The tanks they used were too heavy to drive around in most places and had to be used in a primarily defensive position, and above all, they consumed too much fuel," Jefferson told him, "The US Army and the JGSDF initially collaborated to develop a lighter and more effective main battle tank in the Special Region, with the Abrams as the basis for a chassis. But, the Saderans surrendered before the research was finished, and our attention was turned to the war against North Korea."
Carter nodded his head in understanding, "The JGSDF pulled out of the project and since they isolated the Special Region from the rest of the Earth, we pretty much gave up. The project was revitalized as soon as we went through the portal, now it goes by the name of MMBT, Mysterian Main Battle Tank. They've stripped it of most of its shaped-charge protection, and instead wrapped it in an aluminum and depleted-Ekron coating that can effectively deflect charged-Ekron magical fire."
"They've tested it already?"
"Yes sir. In the areas surrounding Minerva and Ithaca, we've gotten a few dragon shells and some magical equipment used by Iscariot soldiers. The Falkish deal is working out, they've told us that depleted Ekron can be used to shield against magical attacks. Ekron dies after five years of usage, and loses the magical property that allows it to manipulate the matter around it. Depleted Ekron is still effective at deflecting, or even reflecting magical attacks, according to the Falkish anyway."
"Good."
"The result so far is a tank that is about sixty tons. We've widened the tracks so it won't sink under the soft ground, and added a forest camouflage to the outer aluminum shell to blend in with the terrain. It's faster, lighter, and well suited for the Mysterium climate. It can drive through the forest with ease, and it won't crush the roads it drives over. Less weight means that it doesn't consume as much fuel, and if we can get the Army and Marine Corps to approve, it'll go into production."
"Beautiful, absolutely beautiful. Where are we getting the depleted Ekron from?"
"The Falklands are shipping it to us at a pretty hefty price, though considering the costs of the operation otherwise, it's a price we're willing to pay."
"About the changes to Angel itself?"
"We've started drafting up new plans. As we speak, Ithaca is mobilizing an air assault force to take down strategic positions. Coal mines, major farms, iron mines, docks, they will be bombed with multirole fighters. We'll starve them out," Carter had a pleased look on his face from that statement. But the smile soon vanished when the next statement came, "The only problem being that many of the objectives are located in neutral countries."
The President lowered his eyebrows in confusion, "What do you mean? Why do we have to go into neutral countries?"
"The Iscariots get their supplies via a vassalage system. Subservient empires and kingdoms mine for resources and ship them to the Empire, sometimes they even give soldiers to Fargo. They aren't at war with us yet, but attacking one will provoke most of them into joining the war against us."
"So you need my confirmation to begin the strike?"
"Indeed."
"Right…"
Buffalo's wheels drove along a relatively unknown path, slowly making its way through the continental forest and hills. The trail leading from Minerva to the Eastern territories of the Iscariot Empire. In the heyday of the Empire, it used to have thousands of carts and carriages going to and fro each day. Now, the only visible passengers were a few lone mule-pulled carts carrying small amounts of produce.
"…The war's killed the economy in the Empire," said Filo, after they passed a farmer who had stopped along the path, looking at the vehicle passing them, "This place used to be a major route, Imperial caravans would harvest the crops in Minerva and take them to the Eastern Cities. But now that Minerva has it's independence, and most of the southern continent has aligned with Ithaca, this road isn't as important."
"Will there be any Iscariots along the route?" Hezekiah asked, "Surely, there'd be a patrol around here?"
"Not until we enter Iscariot territory. There's a major fortress down the road, three hours away as the crow flies. It guards most of the Eastern territories and Astchester."
"The entirety of Baker Company is making it's way to the Eastern territory, if the fortress presents too big of a risk, we'll do what we do best and blow it to kingdom come," Kovic said, looking up from a map of the region.
"Hell yeah! Nothing says 'peaceful research and expedition' like bombing the shit out of a major military fortification!" Jay chuckled. Jay was reintroduced into the rest of Misfit after being released from the hospital in Ithaca, getting burned only a little bit by the gas during the first attack.
"Look, the time for peaceful reconciliation is over. This is a war now, and we can't go back. As far as the fortress goes, if we can't avoid it, we're demolishing it."
"You underestimate the fortress, it won't be so easy to tackle it. Iscariot fortifications are notoriously difficult to crack," Filo told Kovic.
"Nothing that a Bunker Buster can't penetrate, I'm sure."
"You'll see when we get there…" Filo said, looking out the window of the vehicle. Amongst Jay being one of the new passengers, Yuri and Gabe were there too. The VIPs that the whole operation was centered around. They were silent, bewildered by what was going on around them, and not understanding the language being spoken between the soldiers.
"What's up with them?" Q asked, motioning her head towards the two children. They looked pale almost, hiding behind their arms away from the other soldiers. They looked even more frightened once they found out that Q was talking about them.
"They're scared. You have to understand that for the past month their life has been a balancing act between life and death."
"Poor kids, they don't deserve to be wrapped up in something like this."
"It wasn't our choice…" Filo said to them.
"What do you mean? Wasn't it you and Cathy who made the decision?" Hezekiah asked.
"No. It was-" Filo stopped herself short, "Well, you don't need to know that. I'm sure he's spoken to you Hezekiah, you would know who he is."
Hezekiah raised an eyebrow, trying to think back to who she could be talking about. The only Mysterian native he met and knew well was Filo herself, there was of course Wendover and Ann but that was only for a brief period. And they were hostile generals, they wouldn't be working with Filo…
The only person he could think of was…
'Nah, can't be,' Hezekiah thought to himself, shaking his head…
The Buffalo drove ahead of the rest of Baker Company, at the front of a convoy of trucks and other vehicles. The road was sturdy and wide enough for the rather large vehicles to drive through, without blocking the opposite side. It was clearly a major artery of transit, going straight to Astchester and the Eastern Territories of the Empire. The roads had long and deep ruts in them, from decades of cars driving through them.
Baker Company was traveling North, leaving NATO dominated Serenity River Valley, and into the contested borderlands. The terrain here was changing, as the road took them further uphill. The soft, sloping hills and mountains covered in trees, were softening out here. A few bluffs and lakes dotted the landscape, with lazy rivers snaking through the terrain. In the horizon to the North, the silhouette of large mountains dominated the landscape, miles away. But for now, the land was relatively flat and smooth.
In the Falkland dialect, this land is called "Sudlikstal". The "Southern Valley", in English. These were the plains between the hills of the Serenity River and the northern highlands. But the Iscariots call this place, "Grensgebet". In English, The Border Lands. This is the place where Iscariot expansion was halted time and time again for centuries. Pirates, bandit fiefdoms, and rival kingdoms. This place has been a thorn in the Iscariots side for centuries, most of it even used to be a Falkish Colony a few centuries ago. But only after the Iscariots won the war did they manage to conquer Astchester and the Sudlikstal area. Granting them access to the fertile land that dominated most of the territory, the ore-rich Eastern territories, and the major population center of Astchester.
Though, the Iscariots found the area difficult to control. Old Falkish fortresses were converted into Iscariot Imperial Command Centers to keep the local population in check. But now that the tide of the war was against the Empire, rebellion was common and fringe groups took the opportunity to establish independence.
Baker Company drove along the road for nearly two days, surprisingly uninterrupted, arriving close to the Iscariot border just before midnight the next day. The forests here were thicker, the and the mountains that stood in the horizon previously, stood tall here, a beautiful sight for the eye to see. Their snow-capped peaks stood high and mighty over the surrounding terrain. To the soldiers, they looked similar to the Rockies or the Alps, both in height and in their shape. On the other side of this mountain range was the city of Astchester. But in front of them, a massive fortress that guarded a valley pass through the range.
"Stop the convoy!" Kovic said. The trucks slowed to a halt in the road, dark forest surrounding them on both sides. The only light source was that of the moon, illuminating the entire region a blue aura to it. To the East of the convoy lies a major river that cuts through the middle of the valley. The valley being the only possible route to Astchester from the Southern Valley and the Serenity River, the Iscariot fortress guarded it. It was still a good twenty miles away from Baker Company's current position, but even still it was massive to the eye…
Hezekiah was able to see the fortress, it's build was sleek and rigid. Built out of an ore of some sort, that gave the building a reddish-ish color, even in the blue hue of the moonlight. Located uphill, the Fortress had an easy line of sight through the entire region. Though Baker was safe as their vehicles hid behind the tree cover.
"So…that's the fortress?" Kovic asked Filo, who nodded her head, "Right. There's no other way to Astchester, we'll just have to roll straight throu-"
"Not so fast. It isn't as easy to crack as you think it is." Filo told him, " The red color of the walls is due to the Ekron layered on top of the stone. It casts a defensive shield around the building."
"Really?"
"Indeed, any projectile incoming will be vaporized before it made contact with the brick," Said Filo.
"If that's the case, why didn't the mages in the Imperial Army use the Ekron to shield them from our attacks?"
"That's because Ekron becomes more powerful as more of the stone is gathered in one place. The mages can't carry the amount of stone needed to cast an effective defensive spell. So they focus on light, charged energy offensive spells. But here, layered on a fortress… there's enough of the ore to stop an entire army in its tracks."
When Filo finished speaking, the air around a section of the fortress erupted into a vibrant red light. It was the shield. A projectile of some sort must've too close, must've been a birdstrike of some sort…
"You see?"
"I do. Shit!"
"There is one weakness, however. Due to the shield being cast around the fortress, it prevents all matter from going in and coming out. That means that while the shield is up, they can't shoot back!"
Kovic nodded in understanding, "Interesting."
The Citadel, Ithaca
Type: Main Command Center, Military Fortification
Population: 55,000 (Soldiers), 20,000 (Civilian Personnel), 5,000 (Volunteer emergency forces)
Red crosses adorned the shirts of human workers that patrolled the streets of Ithaca. The small tents have been constructed into temporary housing made of wood and cloth. Each of the 'homes' arranged into blocks, laid out in a grid formation. The streets have been cleared, and dirt roads lie crossing throughout. The first signs of development were showing themselves, and progress was finally being made. Humanitarian workers wore protective coveralls. Face masks and face shields. They gave out medicine and food to the populace. The Influenza outbreak was getting under control, with the infected haven been quarantined and treated.
The presence of soldiers had increased in the area, light vehicles ran patrols through the streets, with the NATO forces acting as law enforcement. They too wore some of the protective equipment the Humanitarian workers wore, face masks and shields protected them for the most part. The sectarian and cultural tension between the multitude of different species and races was still high, though violence was rare. People of the same culture were housed in the same sections of the city, with small communities germinating in the urban environment.
It was quite bizarre for the Earth-bound humans as they walked through Ithaca. From walking amphibians and reptiles to insects and elves, and especially mammals. The various different species gave a unique culture shock to the soldiers, almost like visiting an alien world full of intelligent and sentient life. Ithaca was indeed that new world…
But the main sight throughout the growing village was the Citadel. It stood like a giant over Ithaca. The walls of the fortress stood taller than any other building by far, a monolithic structure. The walls of the fortress sloped at a 50-degree angle, built to resist the cannon fire that the Iscariots possessed. The walls were lined with depleted Ekron, giving the wall a dark purple color. The depleted Ekron able to absorb charged Ekron fire.
It was one of the many invaluable sources of knowledge that the Falkish gave the Ithacans. That was the way the Falkland Commonwealth built their own fortresses. Ekron died after four years of use but charged Ekron can be instantly depleted after exposing it to an electrical charge or exposing it to extreme heat. Falkish engineers scaled the walls of The Citadel using rope as they placed large squares of Depleted Ekron on the fortress, using tools to bond them to the concrete wall.
Occasionally the residents of the developing city surrounding The Citadel would take a look at the structure, observing the construction crews scaling the walls, the giant cranes that stood tall lifting impossible objects into place, the tethers keeping the workers grounded to the wall as they put each of the squares in place.
The only problem with this was that importing this much Depleted Ekron was expensive, and although the Commonwealth was willing to bargain for the price, it still was an insane price to pay for defense. But Ithaca was to be the iron fortress that kept the portal safe and the Ascension Base on the other side. The only link between Mysterium and Earth had to be defended at all costs, a hostile army moving to Earth would only spell disaster. As such, High Command felt the price was worth it. Anything to keep the people in Florida safe.
Further south, construction of a port was underway with wooden planks being moved into place. The sails of Falkish cargo vessels and Galleons rose almost as tall as some of the antennas that dominated the Citadel's Command Center. Elven and Reptillian sailors unloaded their precious cargo to ship to Ithaca, taking the manufactured goods from Earth, in a mutualistic tradeoff. When the ships were ready, they raised sails and departed on their journey hundreds of miles into the seas. Being the primary naval power on the continent, the Commonwealth Navy was welcome to be sheltered in Ithaca. They kept away pirates and protected the entire bay. Merchants and sailors from all over the continent had taken notice of the Commonwealth and Ithacan presence in the area, and rapidly the Serenity Bay area became a trading hub. The giant island that ran parallel to the coast was settled by a few merchants who decided to stay.
All told, things were going good for the Ithacan Civil Command. The Flu outbreak was coming under control, the population was growing with more pro-Ithacan refugees, and the Fortress was as strong as ever. But as for the Ithacan Military Command, things were different.
'Screech!' The residents of Ithaca looked up as the scream of jet aircraft blazed through the sky. Four aircraft had just taken off from the landing strip within the walls of the Citadel and were off to complete an assigned mission in a faraway land. Fighter-bombers, Two F-16s, A Eurofighter Typhoon, and a Rafale.
They were loaded with bombs. Hanging under the craft, ready to be dropped on any given target. But they weren't normal bombs…
After about three hours of flight, the jets came within range of their target. A sprawling city deep in the Iscariot territory. A city so vast that it could rival some of the major cities on Earth. Populated with close to a million inhabitants.
On the ground, the Iscariots quickly tried to get dragons into the air, knowing exactly who the aircraft belonged to. The dragons, however, were far too slow, they would never be able to catch up to the jet engines of the fighters. The civilians were sheltered indoors, the entire city under lockdown. If the fighters were here to drop bombs, the Iscariots wouldn't be able to effectively target them. So the Iscariots on the ground braced for the worst…
Yet. Nothing came. Until they looked up to the skies. In the wake of the aircraft, hundreds upon thousands of small leaflets fell to the ground, fluttering in the skies. Making their way slowly to the ground.
The aircraft egressed away from the city, back to their base. Their mission completed for the day. As the city eased out of lockdown, and a tentative first few steps were made. The civilians noticed one thing immediately, the NATO leaflets. On the face side, was a map of the continent, drawn in a cartoonish style. The southern and eastern parts of the continents were shaded blue, with a white compass rose overlaid on top.
The words, 'WE SURROUND YOU.' highlighted in a large bold print. Arrows pointing from the blue shaded region, towards the center of the continent, shaded red and with the imprint of the Iscariot Shield over the region. The message was clear…
The sun was setting over the forest, though the sky was still a bright azure blue. It was getting darker. Too dark for comfort. The soldiers had to go in and then go out. Search and destroy. They had no idea how they would get back to Ithaca, nor how they would complete the objective. But so far, they've got a rudimentary orientation.
Sherman's radio showed up in the corner of Eden's vision, the HUD displaying a minimap of the field. A virtual world with him in it. Scott's location was highlighted with a giant blue marker, though the NATO force would have to find a way to traverse the environment to get there. The compass that tracked Eden's head told him that they were traveling true North. His vital signs monitor seemed normal in the corner of the HUD. The dark world he traversed in turned into a green field, through the Infrared vision
'Just like a video-game' Eden thought. Eden personally thought it was amazing to wear the mask, the augmented reality certainly helped Hazard to keep their wits about the environment. And the vest made carrying the equipment on his back easier with the powered spine. All told, Eden felt that High Command's decision to arm the soldiers with the MTPS was one of their best. And here they were field testing it for them, in a task to exterminate a bunch of insects.
Along with the MTPS, all of Hazard carried insecticide. A large container full of potent gas, that would kill even a human if enough makes it into the lungs. Let alone the ants it was specifically designed to target. If anything, it would almost be overkill if used in a concentrated amount…
With that, a few soldiers in the task force carried M252 mortars to shell the hive they came across. Despite the wreckage of the vehicles in their platoon, most of the equipment was salvageable. A few of the soldiers even stood behind to try and make radio contact with Oracle Six.
The voices of the soldiers came through the radio of the suit. Giving orders, taking notes. They were getting closer to Sherman's location. Possibly, the location of the Huntsman hive. The forest seemed to grow around them, the pines and maples of the landscape were like an impossibly thick wall that prevented movement and vision. Hiding things in their shadows.
[Hazard Actual] "We're less than fifty meters from the target. Eyes out for anything. Spread-out, the buggers can't swarm us if we stay focused."
Sherman's voice filled Eden's ears. Eden looked through the visor of the mask, straining to find anything slightly aloof…
"ROOAR!"
The squad of soldiers halted in their tracks. Their guns pointed at whatever the hell was making that noise. Eden's eyes were wide, as his hands shook. He could barely steady the rifle. He felt his heart pounding against his chest, he could hear his own breath against the mask.
[Hazard 2] "What the hell is that thing? It sounds like a bloody lion!"
[Hazard Actual] "Whatever it is, if you see it, shoot it. This animal managed to flip a four-ton vehicle! Danger alert is off the charts with this one! Remember the flashlight."
Eden felt the flashlight embedded in the vest of the suit. It felt pathetic to even try. As if a stupid flashlight was gonna hold back a giant ant the size of a tank. When Eden saw the thing, he was going the empty the entire magazine into it. That was the only way it could be stopped.
One of the soldiers ahead thought he saw something, the German Marine motioning the other soldiers over. Nothing…
"ROOOAR!"
Louder this time. Whatever it was, it was definitely closer. Eden had to fight the urge to get closer to the other soldiers, bunching up would kill them, they had to spread out so the buggers couldn't swarm them.
Silence swept over the forest. The radio dead silent. A cold nervous sweat had taken to Eden's forehead, his knees felt wobbly, his arms were heavy. He couldn't be nervous, he was trained in one of the most elite institutions in the world! The British Royal Marines! Why was he so nervous?
"ROOOOOAR!"
Eden found out why. In the Marines, they teach you how to fight humans. Humans were predictable, humans were normal. Eden could easily wipe the floor with another Human, he knew how to take down even big guys. And even if he couldn't win a fight with his fist, a bullet would certainly do the trick. Animals were an entirely different ballpark. And those were just the ones that lived on Earth. These… aliens, were terrifying. If anything else could describe them. Eden didn't even like the bugs on Earth, he hated finding a spider in his bedroom. Much less an ant the size of a truck.
The sound of a heavy and thunderous 'Thud' came through the mask and into his ears. Eden knew it was getting closer. The thuds getting louder and closer… until…
"FUCK! BEHIND US!"
Eden turned around to see through the night vision, something charging at them from behind. Quickly he dove for cover, as a giant Huntsman emerged out of the shadows, dashing towards him! Trying to target him solely. Eden managed to get away from the path of the Hunstman in time, but it swung its head to try and inflict some damage. Eden felt an extreme blunt pain hit him from his side. He tried to yell but found himself paralyzed. He was lifted up and quite literally thrown into the air, his body flying straight into the trunk of a tree. The air vanished from his lungs, and he felt a tremendous pain in his chest. An almost crippling pain at that. The entire event happening too fast for Eden to catch on.
"ALERT! MAJOR LACERATIONS, DETECTED! BLOOD LOSS DETECTED! AUTOMATIC MEDICAL SYSTEMS ENGAGED!," The voice of the suit yelled out. Eden was temporarily drawn back into the world surrounding him, as he sat against the bark of the tree, in pain unable to do much.
The beast had chomped down on him, using its giant mandibles to throw him off to the side like a doll.
"BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!"
The rifles fired upon the creature that got him. The soldiers unloading their magazines straight into the skin of the beast. Eden caught a look at the giant that had thrown him, and it was huge. He had never seen a Rhino up close, but he figured it was about the size of one. A large tan colored head, with huge mandibles that could easily break through any metal or armor plating. Horns over its head. Thick and powerful legs, six of them to be exact. Like a true ant, it's body was broken into three segments. The mid-section carried the same long 'Praying Mantis- like' insect arms that the smaller Huntsmen had, though it seemed to be smaller in comparison to the rest of the bug.
The platoon desperately tried to shoot it, but the giant Huntsman just would not die. Multiple bullets pierced the armor, but it kept trucking! The Huntsman charged at another soldier, using its mandibles to try and grip the man, though the soldier ducked in time to miss the worst of it.
Finally, a bullet straight into its head caused the Hunstman to freeze, and collapse straight to the floor. Letting out one final, painful, screech as it died…
[Hazard 2] "Holy shit!"
[Hazard Actual] "Eden! Jesus, he's still alive! Eden!"
Eden could barely see Cato and Sherman, "Eden, are you alright?" Said Sherman as he lifted his own mask off to look Eden in the face, "We've got zero casualties, except Eden. He's just a little bruised, right?"
Eden slowly nodded, holding a thumbs up. Panting after getting slammed in the chest by a two-ton insect. He felt a sharp pain in his side as he tried to stand up, right above his kidneys. Figuring he must've been sliced by the mandibles of the bug. Though not a major bruise, it could be enough to put him into a bad situation if he wasn't careful. But aside from that, an oozing pain was felt on his left shoulder where he had hit the tree.
Attempting to stand once more, Eden succeeded. Slowly but surely pulling himself up, "Can you walk?" Asked Sherman, looking his squadmate over once more. Eden nodded, standing tall on the sole of his boots.
"Good, no more surprises Hazard. Always watch your six. We're closing in on Scotty's location," Sherman said, checking his own HUD, "He's somewhere down this hi-"
"We've found the entrance to the hive!" The voice of a Bundeswehr German came through Eden's earpiece. Sherman moved his hand to signal Hazard to form on him, as they moved towards the location. Just beyond a wall of trees, the relatively flat terrain gave way to a hill-side, a descending slope going straight down.
At the bottom indeed lay the entrance. A giant, dark, hole in the middle of the earth. Displaced soil and rock surrounding it, forming an impressive anthill in the side of the terrain. Tunneling into the dirt and rock of the hill, hundreds of small huntsmen scuttled on the floor into and out of the entrance. They carried massive rocks, the remains of dead animals that fell as their prey, chunks of dirt and plant matter continuously hauling them into their underground hive. Two of the large, Rhino-sized Huntsmen guarded the entrance. Obviously, the larger ones were drones or sentinels of some sort while the smaller ones ere ordinary workers. Smaller entrances lay around the terrain, small enough for a human to crawl through.
"Bloody hell, there's no way we'd be able to get into that!" Cato said, gazing down upon the entrance of the hill, "For each one of us, there's at least twelve of them. We'd need air support to even put a dent in them."
Cato was right. The entire extermination task force was made up of less than sixty men. But their only way out of the forest was destroyed, and contact with the Oracle Six wouldn't be possible until the threat was eliminated. The only way to go was forward…
"The big fuckers must be sentries. They're the ones that guard the hive's territory. We must've walked into one of the paths they take to patrol the territory," Said Scott, "When our transport was ambushed, it was one of them that flipped our vehicle over. We drove too far into their land. The little ones are still dangerous if they try to swarm us. One-on-one, we could take them though."
"They're big ants. Individually, they are stupid. It's only as a hive are they truly capable of doing great things," Eden told them.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"We stand back and pick them off from a distance. We have rifles that can shoot at ranges longer than they can respond to. If we can mow down enough of them, it'll cause the entire hive to retreat indoors. We block off the main entrance and pump the hive full of gas through the smaller routes. After they start suffocating, we go inside and finish the job."
"Solid plan. We've got explosives, we destroy the main entrance and force them underground," Scott said, "It's the execution part that bothers me."
The soldiers readied themselves to start firing at the entrance of the hive. The mortars were put into position with a high firing arc, the soldiers' rifles aimed at the convoy of insects that swarmed the hill. All they needed was the signal to fire, and the hive should come crashing down.
"3…" Sherman counted.
"2…"
"1…"