Welcome back, loyal readers, to my haven in the crashing planes of our warping reality. Out of the chaos I have pulled this story, forging it into what it is now with sheer will and mental force (as well as a great deal of typing). I apologize most profusely for the length between updates, but between my other life, school and a new computer, it has taken awhile. I sincerely hope the next chapter will not take so long. Perhaps Sly will topple the League, and I can guarantee someone will die by the end of the chapter.
John Friedricks had been a member of the Order of the Serpent for a long time. He had been slated for the kill team assigned to Zhaov before he broke his leg in a training accident shortly before the decided date. He was glad he had been injured after the report came in on what that ex-communist freak had done to the rest of the team. Now he was pulling sentry duty in one of the many hidden alcoves in the OS base exterior. He began patting the pockets of his green uniform for his smokes when he heard a strange noise.
WHUMP, WHUMP, WHUMP, it went at high speeds, getting closer every time. Friedricks looked up to see several black shapes on the horizon. He'd been through basic training, but couldn't quite make out the things because of the failing light.
Olaf Oriksson was a bad man. He'd been a mercenary sniper in Africa for years, killing and fighting for who ever paid him the most. Finally Vladimir Zhaov had approached him with an offer to work permanently for his forces. With the money Zhaov offered, Olaf had joined in a heartbeat. Now he was being lent to Xavius, his unparallel skill with a sniper rifle about to be put to use. He checked his watch again, counting the seconds until Operation Mongoose began properly. The last minute ticked away and he picked up his rifle and took aim at the fool that was squinting at the helicopters.
Friedricks finally made out the shapes, spinning around to warn the rest of the Order about the approaching helicopters when the bullet slammed into his chest. Hans Verport, another Order soldier witnessed this and fled into the complex. First a security alert that Tex had decided was dangerous enough to have the non-combat personnel evacuate, and now a sniper. He hit the alarm button, but by then it was too late. The first two assault helicopters flew low up to the base, raking it with gatling fire, killing several sentries. The following helicopters were filled with troops, who immediately began making combat drops from the helicopters to the base.
Grey and Carmelita approached the old mine the local had directed them to. They were mostly quiet on the trip, both angry that the fools from the local police refused to help them. Carmelita fidgeted, barely keeping her infamous temper in check. Grey was more serene, but a look into his eyes would have shown his anger as well. They had considered calling off the investigation, but decided to check out the biker hangout themselves, hoping to find Cooper and with him, a link to the Obsidian League. Suddenly Grey swerved off to the side of the road into some underbrush, and just minutes after several helicopters flew over the road.
"What was that!" Carmelita shouted as the car swerved aside. "There shouldn't be more than a prop engine plane around here, much less several helicopters that didn't look commercial."
"I don't know why those helicopters are here," Grey replied, "but they are headed for that supposed biker hangout. Now, I'm not familiar with American biker gangs, but I don't think military helicopters usually go after them. This is definitely worth investigating, but I think we should do it on foot."
"If it leads to catching Cooper, then I'm up for it. I am sick of chasing that stupid thief all across the globe!"
Sly, Murray and Bentley listened to Tex's grim warning and then rapidly began planning their escape if the facility was really being attacked.
"There are security personnel scattered in strong points across the facility," Tex said, wincing as he tried to rise. "I won't be leaving this place, but maybe I can help you escape."
"I don't completely trust you. All your evidence is good, but it could easily have been tampered with or changed. I never quite trusted the Obsidian League either, but they were willing to help find out who killed my friends." Sly turned away from Tex and towards his friends. We'll do some more research on the Obsidian League, but before that we have to escape. You said you could help us?"
"Yes, take the door my men and I came in through, and then take a right down the first hall. You'll see a door with a code panel. Type in 3-7-3. That will open a secret door elsewhere in the base." He rapidly gave instructions to the door as the sounds of fighting grew louder and more violent.
At least forty soldiers disembarked from the helicopters. They met minimal resistance as they cut down the remaining sentries. Then they used satchel charges to blow open the doors to the base from sentry alcove. Using discipline and tactics that would impress most militaries in the world, they blew through several doors that had been sealed to cut them off. The first Order of the Serpent soldiers they encountered were quickly smashed by the superior numbers and equipment of the silver-faced, black-garbed soldiers Xavius had sent. Only after the first OS guards had been smashed did the Obsidian soldiers hit real resistance.
Sgt. Yorin Velstater stuck his MP5 around the corner and fired blindly.
"What was that for sarge?" asked Mitch Carter, a newly recruited thug taken from the recent Joliet break-out. "It's not as if you gonna hit anything. Those Order bastards have set up a pretty tight barricade here.
"Just keeping them honest," the sergeant replied, "but yeah, I'm not likely to hit anything. This facility was designed for a fight like this, and there's no other way to continue on that we've found. There are teams trying to cut through, but that could take awhile, and state governments only stay bribed for so long." Velstater sighed, thinking that his squad was in for a long hard fight. They couldn't rush the barricade around the corner, that would be suicide. He'd just have to wait until some heavy weapons were brought up.
"What are you gentlemen waiting around for? There's too much to be done to just sit on your tails." The soldiers spun around as they heard a low, raspy voice that gave even the most hardened soldier goosebumps. A large figure had moved up behind them, silent as a grave despite his size. The soldiers had heard of this man. He was Xavius's personal killer, and rumors abounded about his origins. Little was known except for that he was one of the most vicious creatures any of the thugs, soldiers and mercenaries had ever known in any of their checkered career. "Well, if you brave boys can't be troubled to deal with that barricade over there, I guess I'll have to do it myself. Anyone got a flashbang?" Corporal Tharee took one out of his pack and slowly and shakily gave it to the man. "Might obliged. Now stand aside sergeant, and let a professional do his work."
"Y, y, yes sir," Velstater quickly stepped away from the corner. The figure smiled a toothy smile that made Yorin's knees go weak, and pulled the pin on the flashbang grenade. He threw it expertly, bouncing it off the wall so it his in the middle of the long hallway, halfway to the barricade. Exactly as it went off, he moved like a bolt of lightening around the corner.
"Think that guy can handle it?" said Carter. "He was real intimidating, but is he the real deal? Not every story I've heard about him can be tr" Carter's question was cut short by a rattle of machine gun fire, then screams. Lots of screams. A pistol barked twice, then went silent as the soldiers heard a ripping, cracking sound. Something flew down the hallway, and the soldiers hit the deck, assuming it was a grenade. As they looked up, they realized it was not an explosive device, but a green-uniformed arm.
Carmelita and Grey approached the mine on foot. Grey had produced a compact black pistol from his suit jacket, while Carmelita stuck with her trusty shock pistol. When Grey had proposed stealth, Carmelita realized that with a small army attacking the old mine, it was probably the best bet. She had been dubious about his attempts with stealth in a business suit, but he had shed the jacket and tie. She had almost hazarded a joke about his hated silver-screen clone, but decided to be slightly tactful. The moved in a wide arc, approaching on the left of the mine. Grey held up his hand for a halt, then moved on into a collection of rocks. Just as he stepped up to a large boulder, a black-uniformed figure with a silver face mask came around the corner facing Grey. He stepped back and reached for the automatic pistol at his belt.