And here I'm again, with another chapter of The Will of Resistance. We're gonna pick up at the moment where we last stopped, so right after Number 16 pulled the trigger of his sniper riffle. What will happen next? Read to find it out. But before, reviews.
To ATP: Well, yeah, I know. I went too much in Hollywood-style movie, where Humans are able to easily beat back alien invaders and everyone live happily ever after. And when it comes to these 100-200 years…I realized it after I posted the first chapter.
Now, let's go with the story.
Chapter 12
,,On the run"
July 11, 2150
15:32
UNSA HQ Conference Room
Pina and General Secretary ended shaking their hands and looked at each other.
"I promise, that once we return back through the Gate, we will do everything to help you make my brother and father pay."Pina said.
"I greatly thank you for this."Volgradov said."Now, as everything is over…"
Bullet flew through the window and shattered it. Everything happened in a matter of seconds, as few seconds earlier, Pina was talking with General Secretary and before she knew, he was falling on the floor, his head missing and blood splattered on Pina's face. Everyone watched this happening in shock and disbelief.
Dora quickly grabbed Pina and got her to the ground behind the table. Falmartese and Great Five leaders followed suit.
"Sniper!"Dora exclaimed.
Another bullet flew through the window and hit the floor, literally exploding. Ester looked at the headless body of General Secretary.
"Holy shit, they just blew up General Secretary!"Suvi said.
"They are using explosive bullets!"Yuko said."One shot and you'll be gone before you know it!"
"Just keep your heads down!"Ester said."Yuko! Can you locate the sniper?"
Yuko nodded and slowly but shortly, looked over the table trying to locate the sniper. As a sniper herself, she had her eyes sensitive for every movement.
Finally, she saw movement in the building on the other side of the street and a light reflecting in riffle's scope. She quickly hid her head back, as sniper fired at her and barely missed her.
"In the other building."Yuko said.
"Is there a way to take him out?"Ester asked.
"I don't think so. He has us pinned down here."the Japanese said.
"But I think that we know a way to do it."Lelei said.
Next, out of nowhere, Tuka materialized a bow in her hands. She looked at Lelei and nodded. The two stood up.
"What are you doing?!"Dora exclaimed.
But instead of answering, Lelei said a spell and soon, a shield appeared in front of her. Several bullets hit it, exploding and not doing anything to her. Enemy sniper finally stopped firing to reload and it was now Tuka's turn to act. Elf stood up and aimed her bow at the light in snipers scope.
Number 16, on his end, was actually really pissed by that blue haired. What was that shield she used? But honestly, only thing he cared about was if this shield could be broken. But now, he had to reload as all his bullets flew out of the clip. Without taking his eye away from the scope, he took out the empty magazine and reached the one laying next to him on the table.
But before he could, an arrow fired by Tuka reached him, pierced through the scope and sunk in his right eye. His lifeless body fell on the floor.
In Conference Room, everyone stood up and shook themselves from dust. Bozes helped Pina, as princess was still a bit shaken by the death of General Secretary she just witnessed. His blood was still covering her face and her clothes.
"Your Highness?"Bozes asked, seeing empty look Pina had."Your Highness, please, say anything! Respond!"
"I'm…fine…"Pina said, her voice still shaking."Are you alright?"
Bozes just nodded.
Ester looked at General Secretary's body. She shook her head. It seemed like Security Council and General Assembly would have a lot to do.
"Someone was hurt?"Ester asked.
"No."President Moa'Likra replied."I'm fine. Hemilin, Kalisa?"
"The same."Tertan head of state said.
"Me too."Shakayan queen added.
Suddenly, the door opened and Matriarch Novit, accompanied by two UNSA Marines entered the room. She couldn't believe in what she was seeing. The same was with soldiers.
"What happened here?"one of Marines asked.
"There was a sniper."Ester said."He killed General Secretary, but Tuka took him out."
"Nice shot, by the way."Yuko commended the elf.
"Elves never miss."Lelei said.
However, this short moment of calm was quickly interrupted, as numerous explosions could be heard coming from the city. Ester looked through the shattered window and saw several fireballs rising over the streets of Geneva. She bit her lip. It seemed, that they get in the middle of terrorist attack on the city.
"Come on, we need to take you to safety."one of Marines said."We will take care of General Secretary's body later. Move!"
Everyone listened and soon, leaders, White Squadron members and Falmartese were running down the corridor and towards the stairs. Marines were in the front, preparing for any kind of bad surprise awaiting them. Fortunately, nothing like that happened and they reached the main hall of the building.
"Ester!"Penny called as she approached her sister.
Before anyone could say anything, the two hugged.
"I'm happy nothing happened to you!"Penny exclaimed.
"The same."Ester said, ending the hug."But we can't talk now. We need to get the hell out of here as fast as possible."
More explosions could be heard.
"Seems like the party is not stopping soon."Rory said.
"People are dying there and you call it party?!"Dora shouted."For fuck's sake!"
Penny looked at the Great Five leaders and noticed something.
"Where is General Secretary?"she asked.
"He got decapitated."Ester replied.
"Wh-Wh-What…?"shaken Penny asked.
"Just stop talking about it."Yuko said."First, we need to get them out of here."she added, pointing at Falmartese.
Before anyone answered, the door to the building slid open. Marines turned in that direction to take out the attackers, but instead, they saw a squad of six ICTA agents accompanied by two androids.
"Are you alright?"Sanjrani asked.
"Most of. Pina got splashed with General Secretary's blood."Ester replied.
"Anyway, what the hell is going on?"President Nequxorop asked.
"Numerous Holy Order agents suddenly revealed themselves and started firing. We have dead civilians and military personnel. Reinforcements are coming here form France, Germany and Italy as we speak."the agent said."But because of my orders, I have to get you out of here. Let's move."
Ester looked at her group. Dora, Yuko and Suvi looked battle ready. Pina still had this somber face she had when Volgradov died, while Bozes held her to stop her from falling on the floor. Penny was clearly scared. And Lelei, Tuka and Rory seemed to be battle ready too. She sighed and turned back to Sanjrani.
"Okay. Let's go!"she said.
ICTA agent nodded and his group followed him, his agents and androids. After leaving the building, they looked around, but there were no enemies in sight. Marines led Great Five leaders to their dropship, which was waiting in the HQ's courtyard.
Sanjrani went to one of his armored SUVs and opened the trunk. From there, he took a bunch of AR4 assault riffles.
"Take these."he said to White Squadron."We don't know what will happen."
The four nodded and grabbed the weapons, as well as several magazines to be sure, that they have ammo.
"Inside!"Sanjrani ordered, opening the SUV door.
Falmartese and Penny quickly made their way inside, while agents, androids and White Squadron scanned the area, waiting for enemies to appear. Fortunately, none of this happened. Next, they entered the cars too. Convoy then moved out, leaving the UNSA Headquarters behind.
Three vehicles started moving down the streets.
"Where are they even coming from?"Bozes asked.
"They probably somehow learned, that all Great Five leaders will be in Geneva today. They probably wanted to cut off the head and make Holy Order's job easier."Ester said."But now, let's focus on getting out of Geneva!"
Sanjrani nodded and turned to them.
"I just got information from spaceport."he said."There is dropship waiting for you there. If we reach spaceport without surprises, you will be free to go."
"At least something."Suvi said.
SUVs made their way down the streets, looking around. Suddenly, streets became fully empty, as people just disappeared. There and there, they could see bodies and burned wrecks of cars. At one point, they passed by burning store. City truly started looking like a warzone.
"And to think, that just few minutes ago there were crowds of people…"Tuka said.
"It's always like that, when war comes to your city."Rory stated."By the way, how agents of Holy order appear out of nowhere just like that?"
"They were always good at agents and spies games. Even during SetDef times."Ester said."Last time Geneva became a battlefield was in 2100, during UNSA-SDF War. It looked almost identical."
"At least this time, they haven't took over the AATIS."Yuko added.
Three vehicles then made their way towards the Geneva Highway. It also became empty, as only abandoned cars were being visible there. Because highway was over the city's level, they could see numerous bullets flying in the air and fighting that spread around the city in matter of minutes.
"Shit. It seems critical."one of agents said, driving one of the SUVs in the front of the column.
"True is true."one of androids said."Never expected this to happen."
"Agre…Agre…A…"second android said.
Agent looked behind him.
"Mike?"agent asked, looking at the android.
Machine then started shaking. Soon, second one followed it's tracks. Agent bit his lip, don't knowing what was happening. Suddenly, androids' eyes changed their color from blue to red and looked at agent. He then knew what happened.
Man tried to reach his gun, but was stopped by one of androids. Machine squeezed his hand and pulled, literally tearing the bone inside. Second android grabbed agent's head and broke his neck with one, swift move, while first android grabbed the wheel. Next, second android opened the window and threw the body out.
In Sanjrani's SUV, everyone watched dead agent flying out of the car and under their wheels, which they felt, when car jumped. Next, much to their shock, the SUV now controlled by androids made a sharp turn and crashed into another SUV. Both vehicles crashed into the barrier and flew over it, falling into the Geneva Lake.
"What just happened?"Pina, which regained herself, asked.
"Seems like somebody hacked the androids and took out our escort."Yuko said."Clever bastards.I would do the same."
Falmart natives looked at her.
"What? I'm a hacker, so that's my job."Yuko replied.
"Screw that. We just need to get to spaceport."Sanjrani said.
He looked into his mirror. Soon, he saw a vehicle following them. But much to his relief, it turned out to be Chakdrik All-Terrain Armored Personnel Transport, or ATAPT-7 in short.
"Well, seems like Chakdrik sent help to us."he said.
But soon, he had to rethink this statement, when much to his shock and horror, the ATAPT-7 opened fire at them. Lasers were falling at behind and in front of them, almost hitting the vehicle. Fortunately, SUV was faster.
"What the hell?!"Dora exclaimed."Why are Chakdriks firing at us?!"
"Maybe Holy Order agents took it over?"Suvi proposed.
"Who cares!"Ester said."We just need to get out of here!"
However, this wasn't given to them.
As SUV was driving, with ATAPT-7 following them, the explosives attached to the Geneva Highway's supports were activated as SUV was driving over them.
"I have bad feelings…"Penny tried to say.
Shew as cut off by the explosives, which were detonated in the same moment they were driving over them. SUV was shaken and soon, it was falling down into the pit in the highway. ATAPT-7 was as unlucky and started falling too.
"Hang on!"Ester exclaimed.
SUV then hit the ground.
Later…
Pina's POV
I didn't knew how long I was unconscious. But when I opened my eyes, I saw that I was laying on the ground, while next to me, our transport was laying among the rubble, with it's armor twisted in various shapes. I tried to looked around, but my whole body was feeling pain, like Flame Dragon would hit me.
"Where are everyone?"I thought.
I then heard a noise. When I looked in it's direction, I saw two figures moving towards me. One of them kicked piece of metal and looked around.
"Well, you found something?"first figure asked in language I didn't know.
"No."second said in the same language.
His eyes then looked towards me. I could see that he had a smile on his face.
"Well, well well."he said."I think we have someone surviving."
"So maybe we should take advantage of the situation."second said.
I felt fear taking me over. I didn't even cared about Volgradov's blood still on me. I just tried to stand up and run, but I just could move a muscle. I watched them approaching me. They had weapons pointed at me.
"HAAAAA!"someone exclaimed.
Suddenly, I saw Dora stepping from behind the vehicle. She charged at the two enemies and before I knew it, she grabbed the weapon of one of them and twisting his arm. Next, she fired at second one, killing him. She then grabbed one of her knives and slashed first enemy's throat with completely emotionless face.
"Your Highness!"Bozes said, as our group appeared next to me."Can you stand up?"
"Yes…"I replied."What happened?"
"Seems like Holies mined the highway. We came out of it alive, fortunately. But not without a scratch."Ester said.
"Yeah…"Yuko replied, keeping her arm."I think I broke something."
Our escort's agent then joined us too. So it seemed, that we were all alive. At least something.
"Okay, spaceport is just ten kilometers away from here. If we keep moving, we might get there before enemy catch up to us."he said.
"Can you fight?"Suvi asked Lelei, Tuka and Rory.
"I still can use my magic."Lelei said.
"I have my bow."Tuka added.
Rory just smiled, as she untied the ribbon and took off the rag covering her axe. Ester, Dora, Suvi, Yuko and Sanjrani also had their weapons. Only defenseless people were me and Bozes. However, it changed fast.
Dora grabbed weapons of the dead enemies and gave them to us.
"Take these. You might need it."she said to us.
"But…But we don't know, how to use it!"Bozes exclaimed.
"Okay, How To Use Assault Riffle 101."Dora stated."First, you place the flask on your arm. You look down the sight. And then, you pull the trigger. If you stop firing, that means you're out of ammo, so you have to take out the empty magazine and place second one. Understood?"
We both nodded and did what she said to us.
"Good. Take several more magazines with you."Dora said and gave more of these small boxes to us."We can go now?"
"Yes. Follow me."Sanjrani said.
Soon, we were again on our way, this time on foot, trying to reach our main goal: spaceport.
Half an hour later…
Group made their way down the street, looking at the scenery around them. Numerous groups of civilians were running terrified, while burning cars and buildings marked the area. It was truly hard to believe, that Geneva became full-out battlefield in so short amount of time. And how much destruction was already made.
"How could they work so fast?"Lelei asked.
"Holy Order agents are masters of disguise. You don't know that a person is HO agent, until it will reveal itself."Ester replied."This is why before we react with full force, they can do whatever they want."
"Last time they did so much damage was in Fez several years ago. Local authorities had to clean everything for over a month."Sanjrani said.
Right then, another group of civilians appeared in front of them, running in their direction.
"Okay, just keep calm…"Ester wanted to say.
She was however stopped by sound of laser gunfire and numerous running civilians fell on the ground. Next, group of Holy Order agents, both Humans and aliens, appeared up the street and continued to fire.
"Shit, everyone hide!"Sanjrani ordered.
Everyone hid behind some wrecks and buildings, while running civilians passed by them. Pina and Bozes watched them running with concern. Now these calm people they saw earlier that day were looking the same as on the recordings from Terhis City. It seemed like war always can reach you, wherever you are.
"Fire!"Ester ordered.
She leaned from her cover and fired at the enemy agents, which for a moment were stunned by this. This made two of them fall on the ground, with blood stains forming round them. But they managed to quickly shook themselves from this short lived shock and jumped behind covers too. Now, it changed into full scale position battle.
Tuka also leaned from behind her cover and fired an arrow, which suddenly turned in the air and hit enemy behind the car wreck.
"How do you always hit!"Yuko asked, screaming through the gunfire.
"Elves never miss, remember!"Tuka shouted back.
"Good for you!"Penny replied.
Dora and Sanjrani then leaned too, firing at some enemy agents which tried to run towards them. Tuka fired another arrow and took out another agent. Soon, enemies left their covers and started withdrawing. This let Falmartese and UNSA chance to take them all out, as soon, all enemy agents were laying dead on the streets.
Group then approached the dead and looked at them. Falmartese were surprised to see, that some of them are in fact Nashini, Chakdrik and also some other Resistance races.
"Why are your allies on their side?"Rory asked.
"You really thought all everyone would like to join the Resistance?"Dora asked."Thanks to occupying numerous planets, Holy Order got their hands on a lot of populace. And adding their propaganda, they managed to brainwash a lot of them to serve them."
Sanjrani, meanwhile, reached his communicator and started talking with one of his agents. After few seconds, he nodded and turned to the group.
"Okay. The dropship is waiting on the spaceport."the ICTA agent said."However, the area around spaceport is filled with enemies."
"What with the reinforcements?"Ester asked.
"Allied units are moving into the city and slowly pushing Holy order agents out of more important parts. Everything might end pretty soon."he said."And I have some bad news too."
Everyone in the group looked at each other.
"Just tell it."Suvi said.
"You can't get back on Eisenhower."Sanjrani said.
"What?"Dora exclaimed."Why?"
"There was a traitor in the crew. So there is possibility, that there are more."the man said."So before they make sure there are no more of enemy agents, you have to stay on Earth."
"So where do we go once we reach spaceport?"Bozes asked.
"We're gonna worry about it later."Ester stated."First, we need to make it there."
Everyone agreed and group was on the move once more. This time, they tried to keep an eye on every corner, so to not be surprised by enemy agents.
"Seems like our way tot he spaceport might be pretty easy."Suvi stated.
But what actually turned out, was that their way won't be as easy.
After walking around six hundred meters, the wall of building in front of the group literally exploded. From it, came two metallic figures, in form of hacked C-8 Heavy Androids, armed with smaller versions of M222 miniguns on their arms. When they saw them, they turned in their directions.
"Hide!"Sanjrani ordered.
Machines then started firing their miniguns, throwing pieces of concrete into the air. Falmartese and UNSA quickly hid where they could, right when wave of bullets passed by them.
"How do we deal with these things?!"Yuko exclaimed.
"We need to do it somehow!"Sanjrani said.
Right then, Dora looked at Pina and Bozes, which were hiding behind the pile of rubble with her.
"You two!"she shouted.
Two Knights looked at her.
"You will do it!"White Squadron second-in-command stated.
"We?"Pina asked."How?"
"You have laser riffles! They are the best weapons against the androids! They can melt through their armor and wires!"Dora explained."Do it on my mark!"
Another wave of fire came from the side of the Heavy Androids. Soon, they stopped, as they had to reload.
"Now!"Dora exclaimed."Before he reload!"
Pina and Bozes quickly looked over the pile of rubble, doing what Dora told them. They put the flasks on their arms and looked down the sights. Next, they pulled the triggers and emptied their magazines at the two machines. Soon, they were reduced to only piles of sparkling metal and wires.
"Wow, that was nice as for the first time."Yuko stated.
"Yeah, you nailed these androids."Suvi said.
The two looked at each other and reloaded. However, they put them upside down and Dora had to correct it. Next, without saying anything, they were on the move again.
The way towards the spaceport took them pretty short time. However, once they reached it, they saw numerous Holy order agents engaged in fire fight with UNSA Marines and Swiss Army soldiers defending it. Group again hid behind the wrecks and between buildings, watching the fight taking place.
"Move, move, move!"Holy Order agents commander ordered.
Group of four his men left their cover and started running through the open street, but were immediately cut down by fire coming from the spaceport.
"Seems like this fight is the hardest."Pina stated.
"True. Holies for some reason focused on the spaceport. But why?"Ester replied.
"Is that important why?"Rory replied."We should just fight them and ask questions after this is over."
"Yeah, so go and take care of them yourself."Dora stated.
Rory just smiled. She stood up and looked at her weapon.
"If you say so."she stated.
And before anyone could say anything, she rushed towards the firefight taking place.
"You had to say it?"Sanjrani asked.
"Easy, she will handle herself."Ester said."Trust me. I saw her in action."
Rory, on her side, just run through the street, passing by the broken cars and piles of rubble, until she jumped up and fell on unsuspecting Holy Order agent, impaling him on her axe. This brought attention of the others.
"What the hell?!"Holy Order Chakdrik asked."Fire!"
He turned towards Rory and fired a series at her. However, Demigoddess started spinning her axe, blocking the fire, much to agent's horror. Next, she jumped towards him and sent his head flying away.
Other agents stopped paying attention on UNSA Marines and Swiss Army soldiers, firing at Rory. But Demigoddess was doing almost impossible, evading bullets and lasers with ease, from time to time jumping towards certain agents, slashing them into pieces and cutting their limbs off.
"My arm!"Holy Order Human shouted.
"My legs!"Holy Order Nashini said.
All the time this was happening, Rory was maniacally laughing, making agents cver down in horror. How couldn't they kill one, simple Human girl?! Why?!
Agents leader grabbed his communicator.
"Bright Back, this is Crios!"he said.
"What is it? Have you captured the spaceport?"Bright Back asked.
"No, we have a problem."Crios replied.
Rory then smashed another enemy agent with her axe and turned her attention to Crios. Much to his surprise, he noticed that he is the only one still alive.
"You bitch!"he exclaimed.
"What the hell is going on there?!"Bright Back demanded.
Demigoddess jumped towards him and evaded his bullets. Right when she was next to him, she took a big swing aimed straight at Crios's arm. Agent didn't even felt the blade of the axe slashing through his body and sending his arm flying away.
"Respond, Crios!"Bright Back shouted.
"While attacking spaceport"Crios replied"we encountered a number of UNSA Marines and Swiss troops. And…"
He then stopped for few seconds, as he saw Rory lifting her axe up, with creepy smile on her face.
"…a girl with giant axe."Crios ended.
"What?!"Bright Back exclaimed."Say it again!"
But before agent could reply, Rory swung her axe and smashed Crios into bloody pulp.
All the while Sanjrani and the others watched this fight with dropped jaws.
"And I thought she showed best of her in Italica."Ester stated.
"Never underestimate a Demigoddess."Lelei said.
"Remind me to not make her angry."Penny said.
"Anyway, we have free way to go."Snjrani said."Move!"
Group then quickly ran towards the spaceport. Ester, in the meantime, stopped and looked at Rory, still standing over the dead body of Crios. She then noticed bullets literally falling out of Rory's body, as well as laser traces disappearing.
"Everything alright?"Ester asked.
Rory turned to her and smiled.
"Yes."she said and followed the rest of the group.
Ester didn't thought twice and joined her. Soon, they were all inside of the spaceport, accompanied by a group of UNSA Marines and Swiss soldiers.
"Guessing everything is under control?"one of Marines asked.
"You could say it like that."Sanjrani replied."And how is the dropship?"
"Waiting. Just go in that direction."Swiss commander said, pointing behind him.
"Thanks."Sanjrani said.
Group then made their way down the corridor and reached the place where dropship was waiting. They quickly ran towards it and got inside, as the door behind them started closing. Next, they sat on the seats.
"Everyone alright?"Ester asked.
"Yes."Tuka replied.
"Yes."Lelei said.
"Could be worse."Rory stated.
"We're…fine."Pina said.
Sanjrani, in the meantime, went to the cockpit, where pilot was making every procedure needed to take off.
"Where do you want to go, sir?"pilot asked.
"To the backup location."Sanjrani replied.
Pilot didn't needed to be told twice. He nodded and took off, leaving behind the battle torn Geneva.
Meanwhile…
As this was happening, battle started to die down. Remaining leaders of Great Five watched Marines and Army soldiers taking care of remaining enemy troops, which now were divided into several encirclements. Reinforcements which came from Germany, Italy and France quickly took the situation under their control. It could be said that battle as quickly as it spread around the city, as fast it came to an end.
However, this wasn't the reason the leaders were called back to the city.
"Let me go!"a certain Chakdrik colonel exclaimed.
He was led in front of the leaders and forced to kneel in front of them. He looked at them with his ant-like eyes.
"Well, well, well."President Nequxorop said."Isn't that colonel Naxar Uhike?"
Uhike looked at him and scoffed.
"You really wanna play the quiet one?"President Moa'Likra asked.
"Yes, and what will you do about it?"Uhike replied.
"Colonel."Matriarch Novit said.
Colonel looked at her.
"You Glorious Majesty."he said.
He then saw disgust forming on Matriarch's face. Of course, only he could recognize it, as for the others, it wasn't as visible.
"We would suspect everyone for commanding this attack. But you?"Matriarch asked."How could you?"
"It's simple."Uhike replied."I wanted to get my hands on these bastards from the other side of the Gate! For what they done to my family!"
Seeing that colonel becomes more and more aggressive, his guards hit him several times with flasks of their riffles.
"Stop."Queen Kalisa ordered."So this is why you allied yourself with Holy Order agents? And sent that APC after them?"
"Yes."colonel said.
"And what about this whole attack on the city?"President Nequxorp asked."And assassination of Volgradov?"
"It was their initiative to make chaos and make the job easier. I just wanted to get those from the other side."
Leaders shook their heads.
"Many innocent people died today, colonel."Matriarch said."And it's all because your selfish reasons. You brought shame on all Chakdrik race."
"Your…"
"Silence!"Matriarch Novit ordered, raising her voice first in her life."You are traitor which cooperated with the enemy! Because of that, only thing you deserve is death!"
She then nodded to the Marines guarding Uhike. They put him on his legs and led to the wall. Next, they aimed their weapons at him.
Soon, there were two gunshots and colonel was no more.
Two hours later…
Dropship was slowly flying over the German countryside. It's been two hours since they fled Geneva and by this whole time, they were watching the news on their hand terminals. They felt relieved, when they saw that situation was pretty quickly under control and after one more hour of fighting, city was quiet again. Numerous medical teams were let into the city and started patching up the wounded, while engineers and other units were clearing the streets from the rubble and wrecks.
And to it, the assassination of General Secretary left a gap in UN and UNSA command structures. Elections on new GS were set to start in around a month, when everything was taken care of.
"Well. I never expected our stay on Earth to be so crazy."Suvi said.
"Yeah. And I think I actually broke my arm…"Yuko replied.
Meanwhile, everyone else were keeping quiet, not knowing what to say. Especially Pina and Bozes, after they saw what happened in Geneva. Dead people on the streets. Burning vehicles and buildings in ruins. And headless body of General Secretary. That was one of more macabre things they saw in last few days.
Ester looked on the screen on dropships wall. And noticed something familiar in the landscape.
"Wait. Dora, do you feel that this area is somehow familiar?"she asked.
Dora looked at the screen and narrowed her eyes.
"Yeah, when you say this…"Dora said.
Suddenly, it hit them.
"Dortmund!"they both exclaimed, bringing attention of everyone.
"What?"Pina asked.
"Dortmund!"Ester replied."Home sweet home!"
"Wait, really?"Penny asked.
"Well, yeah. It was supposed to be our backup location for you to stay, if something would happen in Geneva."Sanjrani replied.
"And where exactly do we have to stay?"Lelei asked.
Only response she got was ICTA agent's smile.
Not long after, machine started to touch down. When it finally landed, it's back door started to open and screens were turned off.
"What are you planning?"Dora asked Sanjrani.
"Surprise. Especially for you."agent replied, pointing at Penny and Ester.
Two sisters just tilted their heads.
But everything was explained, when they left the dropship and saw that they are standing next to a simple home in the city's suburbs. But for Penny and Ester, this home was something more.
The door opened and a man, around his forties, went out of the house and looked at the assembled group. He was accompanied by a woman, around three years younger than him, with long black hair going down her back. Seeing them, Barkhorn sisters smiled.
"Mom! Dad!"Ester exclaimed and rushed towards the two.
Falmartese were watching this scene with interest, as they walked to them, as Ester and Penny hugged their parents.
"It's so good to see you."Ester said.
"For us too."her father said.
"We heard what happened in Geneva."her mother said.
"Easy, we're okay in most part."Penny replied.
Meanwhile, Sanjrani approached the happy family.
"Thank you for cooperation, Mr. Barkhron."he said.
"When it comes to my daughters, I can do everything."Mr. Barkhorn said.
Ester and Penny looked at their parents with confusion.
"What?"Ester asked.
"After I heard that you're gonna come here"Sanjrani said"I came to your parents and talked with them. They quickly agreed to give you a shelter, if situation would get out of control."
"Actually pretty good idea."Dora said."Who would suspect that a group of people from other world would hide in suburban area of German city?"
"That's one of the good points."Sanjrani said."We were sure that Holy Order finds out about them, so we needed to have place to hide them."
Sanjrani then looked at his watch.
"Anyway, I will be going now."he said."We still need to make sure everything has cooled down and there will be no more risk with Holies attacking you."
Agent saluted and returned to the dropship, which took off and flew into the distance, leaving the group alone.
"So, why won't we go inside?"Ester and Penny's mother asked.
Everyone in the group nodded their heads and woman led them inside. There, they were greeted by a pretty comfortable inside. In the back of the living room, house had the door leading to the garden.
They were led to the kitchen, however, where Ester's mother started preparing tea.
"By the way, I think we should introduce ourselves."the man said."I'm Daniel Barkhorn, Ester and Penny's father."
"I'm Clara Barkhorn."the woman said."It's really nice to host you here."
"The same. I always wanted to meet Estie's parents."Yuko said.
Daniel then looked at the Falmartese. Pina and Bozes were a bit nervous because of what happened in Geneva and meeting Ester's parents.
"And who do we have here?"he asked.
"Let me introduce."Ester said."These are Lelei La Lalena, Tuka Luna Marceau, Rory Mercury, Pina Colada and Bozes Co Palesti. They're from beyond that Gate on Angier Prime."
"Oh, really?"Daniel asked, raising his eyebrow."So I see you was pretty busy in Special System, Estie."
"When duty calls…"Ester summed.
She then looked at Yuko, which still kept her arm.
"Where is our first aid kit? Yuko probably broke her arm."Ester asked.
"In the storage."Clara said.
Her daughter nodded and she, as well as Penny and rest of the White Squadron, left the kitchen. Meanwhile, Falmart natives sat down at the table together with Clara and Daniel. Water for the tea was already getting ready in the teapot.
"Well, well, well."Daniel said."Seems like my daughter made herself many friends since she was sent to Special System."
"And while girls are gone, we might as well talk a little."Clara said.
Lelei, of course, translated to Tuka, Pina and Bozes.
"Yeah, you could say it like that."Rory said."I actually liked her from the beginning."
Clara and Daniel risen their eyebrows, but didn't said anything. They just looked at the people in front of them.
"Ester is pretty competent soldiers, that's what I have to admin."Lelei said."She showed it numerous times since I met her."
"This is how it is, when your child goes the same way as you in your life."Daniel said.
"Wait…You were soldiers too?"Tuka asked, when Lelei translated.
"Yeah. We served in European Union Joint Military Marines Corp."Clara said."And that's where we met for the first time."she added, grabbing her husband's arm and put her head on his shoulder. Just looking at this scene, you could tell, that these two were truly loving couple.
"We also took part in several EUJM operations, such as Havsadra Intervention of Sevran War. But everything needs to come to an end."Daniel summed."We finally left the military and joined the civilian life."
"And what are you doing now?"Bozes asked.
"I started my own florist shop, while Daniel works in local car workshop."Clara replied.
Pina then looked in the direction, where Ester and the others went.
"And, if you don't mind."she said."You really are okay with your daughter fighting on the front lines of war with Holy Order?"
The couple looked at each other and then back at her.
"Honestly, we were opposing this idea in the first place."Clara said."We feared, that something wrong will happen to her."
"It's understandable."Rory said."I think all parents fear losing their children at war."
"But after thinking about it a while longer, we just had to agree."Daniel continued."Ester was just too keen on doing that. And honestly, now, after seeing and hearing about what she done after ending the academy, we're truly proud of her."
In that moment, Ester and the others returned to the kitchen. Yuko now had her arm wrapped with bandage and stiffened with a piece of wood.
"And how do you feel?"Clara asked her.
"Much better."Yuko replied.
"Sorry that we don't have any bone-gel. It would make it easier."Daniel added.
Yuko just waved her not broken hand.
"Nah. After going back to Terhis, I will request one."she said.
"What is bone-gel?"Lelei asked Ester.
"It's like bio-gel, but instead of making your limbs grow back, it makes your bones regenerate immediately."Ester replied.
Teapot then started whistling, signaling that the water already started to boil. Clara stood up and started preparing tea for everyone.
"So, we have o stay here for some time?"Tuka asked.
"Yeah. Until Sanjrani will make sure we're safe here, we will be going back on Ike and then on Angier Prime."Ester replied.
"Where do we have to sleep?"Lelei asked.
"Well. We already talked it through."Ester replied."Me, Dora, Yuko and Lelei will sleep in my room. Rory will sleep in Penny's room. Tuka, Pina and Bozes will sleep in the living room."
Suvi frowned.
"Wait, what about me?"she asked.
"You will sleep in the shed in the garden."Ester replied.
"Wait, what?!"Suvi asked."We didn't talked about it!"
"We just don't want you to sexually assault anyone during sleep!"Dora stated."I'm sure you could do it without any remorse, right?"
In response, Suvi just smiled and got lost in her thoughts.
"When you put it like this…"she said and laughed creepy.
Others just risen their eyebrows and decided, that they shouldn't even ask Suvi about anything more.
"Okay, you sleep in the shed."Clara said."I won't tolerate any sexual assaulting in our house."
Suvi just hung her head.
"But I must warn you, that this house might be…haunted."Ester said, blinking to the rest of her family and Dora.
Falmartese, Yuko and Suvi looked at her in confusion.
"Haunted?"Lelei asked.
"Yeah, is sometimes think, that my father's ghost walks around the house."Daniel said.
"You can sometimes hear footsteps at night."Clara added.
"Or as something fall on the floor."Penny said.
Everyone looked at each other. Rory then stood up.
"I think I might go and see this room I have to sleep in. Which one is it?"she asked.
"The one with mane name on it."Penny replied.
Demigoddess nodded and went in the direction of stairs. She walked up them and looked in both direction of the hallway. She then noticed the door with Penny's name on it. Without waiting, she walked there and grabbed the handle.
Immediately feeling something strange. Something even too familiar. Like she already felt it. Like it was…someone.
She quickly pulled the handle and opened the door, revealing the room you could expect after stereotypical otaku, with figurines, manga and posters on the walls. Now Rory understood, what she felt. And why aura Penny was giving was so familiar.
"Hardy is here…"she thought.
She then returned back to the kitchen, with a bit worried expression, getting confused looks from everyone.
That night…
As the night fallen over Dortmund, everyone already fell asleep. Suvi, of course, took a blanket and, as Ester told her, she went to sleep in the shed, what of course still wasn't cool in her opinion.
Pina suddenly woke up in the middle of the night. She looked around and saw Bozes laying on the floor next to her. Next, she heard grumble in her belly.
"I might as well eat something…I hope Daniel and Clara won't be angry about it…"she thought.
Princess quietly stood up and walked to the kitchen, where she saw a bunch of apples in the bowl. She took one of them and started eating. Air suddenly became a bit colder, as she noticed.
"Why is there so cold now?"
Footsteps could then be heard. Princess listened closer and heard that their coming from upstairs. She left the kitchen and looked up the stairs, but didn't saw any move in there. So she just returned to the kitchen.
A man was sitting at the table. Pina noticed, that he had a cane in his hand. He go mustache on his face and pair of glasses. And most notably, he was giving a strangely blue glow.
Man then looked in princess direction and smiled under his mustache. Next, he put his finger to his mouth.
"Shhhhh."he said."Don't tell them."
And before Pina could respond, man slowly started to fade away, like he was never there. Seeing this, princess left the apple and quickly returned back to the living room and got into the sleeping bag she was given.
By the next few minutes, she was still thinking about the ghostly man she saw in the kitchen.
XXX
Well. There it is I guess. Not the best chapter, I admit it. But I somehow wanted to get that part with Falmartese being on the run from enemy agents trying to get them. Anyway, I will do my best to make the next chapters better and on level of chapters before this. And also, now you know why Uhike didn't crossed with the others.
But now, trivia:
AR4-American assault riffle produced by Steel Arms Fabrications for US Army and adapted by UNSA in 2099. Since then, it became the base weapon of UNSA Army and Marines Corps, as well as UNSA Fighter Infantry. It's being slowly replaced by newer AR9.
ATAPT-7-Chakdrik armored scout vehicle capable of traveling in every terrain. Vehicle is produced by Xoria Motors, one of better vehicle producers in Chakdrik Collective. It's armed in 30mm laser cannon and two anti-tank missiles. It quickly got sympathy of Chakdrik soldiers and is also produced as licensed version in United Shakayan Kingdoms.
C-8 Heavy Androids-another of C-series of androids, these machines serve as the heavy soldiers, armed with new incarnation of famous M134 minigun. They can withstand major bullet fire, but as every android, their main weakness are lasers and energy based weaponry.
Anyway, this is gonna be it for now. See you in the next one.