Disclosure
by Chaoseternus
The Truth Is Out At Last, Are You Ready For It?
Chapter 20 African Exclusion Zone, Land Seized by Joint US/UK Task Force"You got a bug problem m'am"
"Ah, stow it trooper!"
Rico grinned, his SAW spitting leaden death into the form of the demon that was trying to breech this section of the battleline. Of course, bullets were unlikely to kill something this size, but all they had to do was delay it long enough either for one of the Council teams to appear or for somebody to show up with a rocket launcher. Such minor damage as having your body spread halfway across Africa could kill even the hardiest of demons, something they had been quick to learn and capitalise on.
Of course, it was far easier when it was just one demon trying to break through, not a small horde assisted by a small group of fanatics, but the job just sucked some days and you had to live with that, or not, as the case may be.
He frowned, this particular demon didn't want to die and there was no sign of the council team or a missile team, it might be time to do something. rash.
Pausing a moment to wipe the sweet from his brow, he was already hating the hot African days, especially having to fight in them, he dived across the line of hastily dug foxholes, heading for the top of an overhang which, if he was any judge, the demon, mister black scaled big and ugly, would soon pass under.
He waited, slipping a full magazine into his automatic weapon, then the demon reached the ledge and he did something real rash. He jumped onto its back.
The demon naturally didn't like this, and attempted to throw him off but Rico wasn't having none of it, his SAW was already pumping rounds into a small area of the things armoured carapace, creating a small hole into which he dumped the last of his grenades. Then, he jumped off, running back for the friendly battleline with bullets and other things splattering into the ground all around him.
He glanced behind as he dived into the first foxhole, turning just long enough to see the creature collapse to the ground, smoke billowing from its form.
Good, that was one down. Now he just had twenty lesser demons and about thirty fanatics to kill.
He blinked, and apparently a flying dragon to kill too. Lovely.
London Exclusion Zone, Royal Army Controlled, Barely.Lucien grimaced, his rifle hanging uselessly, ammo less at his side as he raced further and further away from the battlelines. He was of no use back there, not now, not without any ammunition, or even any grenades. It wasn't as if anyone back there had any ammo to spare either, not till the Paladins dropped in with extra supplies and reinforcements, but they weren't expected for eight hours. No his best option was to join up with a Marine unit that was forming up on the hostile' side of the battle.
And try desperately hard to ignore the signals over the radio, the call for ammunition, the withdrawal of the artillery units either bingo shells or under heavy fire, the collapse of the outer defensive perimeter.
Too many units tasked elsewhere, too few ready to protect the capital, but then, when did the brass ever give you force enough for the task at hand? You always had to make do with what you had; unfortunately it looked this time like the other guy might just win this.
Colorado Exclusion Zone
"Shit," the grizzled sergeant cursed, hand instantly slamming on the mute button for his radio, but it was too late, he had been spotted.
The shadowy form twisted, moving towards him and Master Sergeant Banner cursed, his machine gun spitting leaden death uselessly at the incorporeal form. Spotting that it was doing no good, he turned, intending to run back to, well, wherever the frontline was now. He rather suspected there wasn't much of a line anymore, these terakens had just torn it apart in an orgy or killing, taking an ear of each person they killed, it was almost as if they were being paid by the kill, not by the day.
He stopped suddenly, the Old Soldiers friend tingling at his back. He turned, warily, gun raised and ready. The shadow assassin was... solid. Very solid, and looking like black marble.
Banner didn't even consider his next move, he just raised his weapon and fired, cursing as the statue was merely chipped by the bullets. Well, fine, if his gun wasn't going to destroy that thing, some C-4 certainly would, preferably before the damn thing got itself shadowy or whatever you call it again.
Or he could gape soundlessly at the young lady with the flowing white hair and the feet a full five inches off the ground. Damn, he had seen many strange things this day but flying women?
"I believe you were about to blow our 'friend' up?"
Banner warily watched the intruder, which side was she on?
"Oh, pass code Blue Four, authenticate Lima-Lima-Bravo" Banner raised a shocked eyebrow, she knew the right codes, but she looked to be one of them
"President asked for me, names Willow" Banner grinned as she, somewhat evilly, chuckled, "I'm just your friendly neighbourhood Deus Ex Machina"
Well, he thought to himself, if she is genuine, then this should be fun. Best stay with her, to ensure her safety, and of course, to ensure her unsafety if she is working for the other side
To: Supreme Allied Commander, France
From: PMOUK
Priority: Flash Traffic
Re: Tactical Authorisation
Authorisation has been released for FIVE, 05 Tactical devices in the One, 01 to Five, 05 Kiloton range to be deployed.
Use as required, but consider usage carefully as each use will require a Board of Inquiry to be formed after the fact. I would remind that under nuclear deployment laws, haphazard use of such deployment carries the death penalty.
Be wise and good luck.
PMOUK
Despite the desperate efforts of the Secretary-General, the UN collapsed today as the final ten members pulled out, citing corruption, the successful infiltration of the UN, widespread abandonment by officials employed by the UN and a lack of trust. The UN is now officially the largest international organisation to have collapsed in the months since disclosure, joining a long line which includes several overwhelmed Aid Agencies and a large number of multinational businesses
Martial law restrictions were lifted in several cities today, including San Francisco, Seattle and Denver as the Pentagon frantically races to reinforce the garrisons at Cleveland, Colorado Springs, Africa and assist our allies at London, all of which have come under heavy attack over the last few days
The FBI today confirmed the arrest of General William Devereux by Special Agent Hubbard today, the senior officer of the army unit deployed in New York. Whilst the exact details of the charges have not been released, it is rumoured that Devereux was involved in several breaches of Federal Law and possibly several Geneva Convention violations
Italy confirmed the results on the recent referendum regarding Italy's future in a Post-disclosure world, the results were close despite a record 89 turn-out at the polls. 29 voted for Italy to form its own Space Navy, followed by 31 to join with Stargate Command, and 35 to join the Royal Space Service. That distinction may become moot as rumours continue to circulate that future plans involve a merging of Stargate Command and the Royal Space Service
To: Flying Officer Hodges, Acting Commanding Officer 177 Cobra' Squadron RSS
From: Commodore Peters, RSS Thundersdawn
Priority: High
All surviving personnel are to report to Colonial Military Command, planet Freedom for retraining. Squadron will be converting to Viper VIIIs. Replacement personnel will join you on site.
Remaining Lancers and dedicated support equipment are to be signed over to stores, ready for reissue.
A Paladin has been assigned as Squadron Support craft and is en-route to your location.
Colonel Philips, For Commodore Peters
