Advanced Wars: Chaotic Ultimatum

Chapter 1: Recon Duty

Grit was bored. Ever since Black Hole had pulled back he had been happy that the war was over for now, but Olaf seemed sure that they would return. Paranoid as ever, he kept Grit on recon duty, watching the ocean every day. Why was it his job to do this? Grit was discontented with having to get up early each day to sit in a base on the coastal peaks, watching for the Black Hole army.

"I can understand Olaf's worries. We never did find out what happened after that Flak character fled out of Orange Star's land, but why is it my job to do these things? I'm a master of long range weaponry, not a master o' recon." Grit sighed and looked at the sun rising over the mountains. "I suppose I shouldn't be feelin' sorry for myself though. He may have me sit here all day looking for nothin', but he has Colin scalin' the country all day, checkin' to make sure there's no Black Hole slime in it. Poor boy, he admires Olaf so much he doesn't argue with even the most outrageous orders." Grit sighed and thought about taking a nap. "If Olaf is really so worried about Black Hole, then I wonder why he isn't doin' anything but makin' us do his work."

"Oh really Grit? You think I'm being lazy?" Grit jumped in surprise as Olaf's face appeared on the huge screen to his left. "I've been gathering all the Intel I can on Black Hole from Orange Star. Not that I needed their help, but the important thing is that I've been working hard, while you sit here and nap while you should be watching for enemy forces!"

"Easy my bearded leader, how am I supposed to know what you're doin'?"

"That's just it; you aren't, unless I feel like telling you!" Grit rolled his eyes.

"Olaf, I just don't understand you. Black Hole isn't goin' to jump on us. If they come we'll see 'em, even if we don't have recon units and towers and bases all along this coast."

"Grit you slacker! Don't question my methods! I am your leader, and I know what I'm do-" Suddenly a red light started flashing, and an alarm sounded.

"Well I'll be, it seems you were right for once Olaf. Even if it isn't Black Hole, somethin' sure snuck up on us pretty darn quick! Lemme' see what we got here." Grit looked through the binoculars, peering at the sea, and there, right on the horizon, was a black ship. As it got nearer Grit saw there there was more than one. Hundreds of ships were sailing across the sea, and that wasn't all. Grit saw copters. And then bombers and jets. And transport ships. The entire Black Hole army was coming.

"Olaf, we have a situation! The Black Hole is approachin'! This is the biggest army of them I've seen in all my time as a CO!"

"I was afraid this would happen. I'll contact Colin and tell him to move his troops toward the coast."

"No, wait Olaf." Grit looked through the binoculars again. "They aren't comin' toward us directly. They're movin' farther West…Olaf, they're goin' toward…Orange Star. Olaf, you don't have the right communication tech with you to warn Nell and the others, but I do. If they capture Orange Star, we're next. You contact the boy and tell 'im to move towards Orange Star, I'll contact Nell and tell her what's goin' on."

"Grit…oh never mind, you're right. Contact Nell and Colin and I will move towards Orange Star. You contact them and then follow us as soon as you…Grit, look out!" Grit turned to see one bomber flying straight toward the base.

"Oh no…I have to hurry." Before Olaf could respond, the signal was broken. Grit ran over to the console and began contacting Orange Star.

"This is Nell. Is that you Grit? What is it?"

"There's no time Nell. Black Hole is back again, the entire army is movin' toward Orange Star. You have to prepare yourselves! Colin and Olaf are movin' along the land route to aid you. Send a distress signal to Yellow Comet and Green Earth soon as you can! Goodbye Nell." Once again Grit ended the transmission before a response. The screen flashed back on.

"Grit! What are you doing? Get out of there now!" Grit turned to the window to see the bomber almost upon him. Grinning slightly he turned back to Olaf.

"Olaf…it's been an honor bein' a CO under your command. You've been harsh at times….but a good commander. Goodbye sir."

"Grit no! you still have time!" The bombs dropped, and Grit smiled weakly one last time as they hit the base. "GRIT!" There was an explosion, and static. Olaf looked down at his feet, as he realized how hard a worker Grit had been. He'd always seemed lazy, but his skills had saved them many times, and he cared about human life more than any of them. Slowly, Olaf looked up at the flickering screen and saluted.