Chapter 117: Weiswolf, part 1.
Weiswolf, 11:15 am
Captain Oscar Hammel was observing the view from the top floor of the tower that dominated the fortress, the unit's W-0 Headquarters..
Damn ... Unit W-0 fights in London, Sophie is in Britannia to work on I don't know what project and I'm standing here twiddling my thumbs.
He thought, depressed.
"I see you down in the dumps, captain." A voice told him.
He turned, meeting Claus's eyes.
"At this time I would rather be in London, intent on fighting the invaders, rather than here in Weiswolf twisting my thumbs." He stated.
"It is actually frustrating ... To sit idle while the others get busy." His interlocutor admitted.
"Exactly! I feel totally useless in this circumstance ... "
Claus snorted.
"Well, we can do something good ..."
"Oh yes? And what?"
"Neutralize any maneuvers ..."
"Ah, don't tell me about them! This story made me paranoid, I see an enemy in every person!"
"The same goes for me ..." As he said it he took on a bitter air.
"The upside is that the attacks by the maneuvers seem to have stopped."
"For now ... But in my opinion they just decided to adopt a lower profile."
"Definitely. The initial attacks only served to create panic and uncertainty among the population. From now on they will act in the shadows, like ghosts. "
Oscar nodded.
"We can't trust anyone… Anyone can be under their control, even the two of us. If we don't keep our eyes open we risk ending up like General Smilas ... "
He clenched his right hand into a fist.
"If only you had moved before ..."
Claus swallowed inwardly. If Oscar had found out how things really went he, Leila, Akito and Shin risked getting into trouble. Surely he would accuse them of being puppets of the reptilians, and have them executed.
"I'm sorry… Unfortunately Olivier was faster than me. Otherwise Smilas would still be alive. "
Oscar let out a sigh.
"The vase is now broken, and there is no point in crying over the pieces. The only thing we can do is continue the fight against those monsters, so as to drive them off the Earth and ensure that Smilas did not die in vain. "
As he said this he thought about Smilas' funeral, which took place on December 28 last.
Flashback starts
Paris, December 28, 2017, 9:15 am
A hearse was crossing the streets of the European capital, between two wings of crowds standing on the sidewalks, behind the safety stands. All the spectators had a sad expression on their faces, some women even cried silently. Various European and British television crews followed the vehicle's journey, as well as some helicopters also belonging to the main broadcasters. Obviously, strict security measures had been taken to prevent any attacks by the aliens or the manipulated. The airspace around the city was guarded by fighters and helicopters of the European aviation, soldiers and policemen guarded the streets, snipers were stationed on the roofs of the buildings, secret agents were infiltrated in the crowd, the same vehicle was escorted by four SUVs and by two trucks loaded with soldiers, ready to take action in case of problems. At one point the vehicle reached the Place de la Concord, where a group of European officers, led by Leila, Shin, the Grand Duke of Euro-Britannia Henry Highland, the first imperial prince of Britannia Odysseus and even Kyoshiro Todoh, representative of the Black Knights.
This is where my father was killed 12 years ago ...
Leila thought, saddened.
"Are you all right, Leila?" Akito asked her.
"Yes do not worry." She replied, smiling at him.
"Smilas was kind of a mentor to you, right?"
"Yes, Prince Odysseus. What I am now I owe to him. "
That is to say a lying killer.
"Smilas was an excellent general and leader for Europia ... He proved it by fighting the aliens and expelling them from the continent."
"But the islands are still in their hands ..." Oscar objected.
"We will take them back. The expansive wave of aliens has been stopped, now it's time for our counterattack. Shin answered him.
Meanwhile the hearse had stopped. 6 soldiers took over the coffin, wrapped in the European flag, and carried it to the stage. After a while Leila and the others also went up, with the girl positioning herself in front of a podium on which stood a forest of microphones. Before starting her speech, she carefully looked at the square, crowded with people and staring at it anxiously or sadly, as well as the inevitable cameras broadcasting the ceremony worldwide. She let out a sigh, took a look at the sky (covered with gray clouds) and began to speak:
"We are gathered here today to pay our last respects to Gene Smilas, a respectable man and a great general, who has dedicated his life to fighting the enemies of his homeland, yesterday the British and today the reptilians. A successful fight: now the continent is free from invaders. And soon they will also be expelled from the islands. We have Smilas to thank for this, him and all the soldiers who died in the victorious battles we have fought. However ... "
She paused.
"However, the enemy managed to get to him, treacherously killing him. Now it is up to me ... Indeed it is up to all of us to continue the struggle he started for the salvation of mankind. I, myself, have full confidence that if everyone does their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best decisions are made - as they are made - we will prove ourselves capable of defending our planet, riding the storm of war and survive the threat of annihilation if necessary for years. Either way, this is what we will try to do. The United Republic of Europia, the Grand Duchy of Euro-Britannia, the Holy Britannian Empire and the Order of Black Knights, united in cause and needs, will defend their homeland to the death, helping each other as good companions with maximum strength. Even though half the world has fallen under alien rule, we will not give up or give up. We will go on until the end. We will fight in Europe, we will fight on seas and oceans, we will fight with growing confidence and with growing strength in the air, we will defend our world at any cost. We will fight on the beaches, we will fight in the landing places, we will fight in the fields and in the streets, we will fight in the hills, everywhere! We will never give up! "
Loud applause rose from the crowd.
"Sure, she's good with speeches." Todoh stated.
"Not only in those, I assure you." Shin answered him.
The man of miracles turned to his interlocutor. It still made him strange to see a Japanese (albeit an honorary British) elevated to the commander of a British squadron. However, he preferred to avoid comments on the matter.
"That girl has exceptional skills… With a single militia she has put us Euro-British in trouble. Imagine now that she will lead the entire European army against aliens! " Henry said.
"And not just the European army ... Our army will also be happy to cooperate with you in the war against the reptilians!" Odysseus stated.
The Grand Duke nodded, then said:
"It is a pity that the emperor is not present."
"It's for security reasons, I've already explained to you. He sent me here in his stead. "
"But you are the heir to the imperial throne, aren't you at risk too?"
"If the aliens want they can reach me and hit me anywhere, either through a direct attack or through the use of maneuvers. The killing of Smilas and the elimination of the great eunuchs proves this. "
And then even if you die, he can replace you with the second prince, Schneizel ...
Thought Oscar, warding off saying it.
He then turned his attention back to Leila, who continued to harangue the crowd.
"I can assure you, citizens of Europia, that Smilas's death will soon be avenged! The aliens wanted to demoralize us, break our will to fight! But this will was strengthened! They thought we would give up, but they will soon learn that humanity will not capitulate now or ever! "
A new roar of applause followed this sentence.
"A very exceptional girl, right, captain?" Esdeath asked him, standing next to him.
He turned to look at her: the woman, the youngest European general, looked at the blonde maid with eyes full of admiration.
"Yes, that's right ..." He replied.
End of flashback
From anonymous officer of the armed forces of Europia to leader of the nation ... You have come a long way, dear Leila.
He thought, adjusting his glasses.
