Reason to Live
Chapter 7: Der Name ist Vater (His name is Father)
(Frederick's P.O.V)
"Frederick! Frederick! Get up!"
"What? WHAT?"
"The agency's under attack!"
"What?"
April 28th,
Social Welfare Agency,
0700 hrs
"Where's Koch?"
"They've gathered in the Cafeteria!"
An unexpected attack; this is what they're up to. As recovered, Padanias had been gathering all possible units and resources they had from all around Rome. Now it all makes sense. They planned on shutting down this place for good. I was woken early in the morning by Henrietta. Her P239 pistol is armed and ready as she woke me up. After I got on my feet, I grab my Mauser pistols and Koch's given SG551 Rifle. No time spared because after I exited my room, 5 guys armed with AK-74s and AKMS is already waiting for us. Henrietta taken care three of them while I killed the rest. The next thing we do is head for the cafeteria. Hope everyone's OK.
(Claes' P.O.V)
It's been a long time….a very long time since I've used my pistol. Rico, Angelica, Triela, and their handlers is holding off the Padanias as best as they could. Frederick's handler is here, but he isn't here. Henrietta is getting Frederick out of his bed. I'm surprised even after that huge explosion near the indoor shooting range he's still able to keep his eyes shut like a baby. Just hope they'll get here on time.
"Rico, keep firing!"
"Triela, hold them off!"
"Angelica, cover me! I'm changing magazine!"
"Where's Frederick?" We managed to barricade ourselves in the cafeteria using tables, chairs, anything that can be use for cover as waves of Padania fanatics and grunt tries to charge us with their weapons. Laying suppressing fire, advance, suppressing fire, advance….these guys are trained
Maybe we should've been killed by the last attack. Lack of ammunition amongst us gives us a huge disadvantage; not to mention, my lack of skills with firearms. I don't know if I ever held one…or even use one. I do remember some, but not all. But luckily, thanks to Frederick and Henrietta, we're saved. Their room take-down is a magnificent sight for sore eyes. While Frederick kicks the cafeteria door open, Henrietta charges inside and lays suppressing fire as Frederick un-tuck a grenade from his belt and throws it towards the crowd before he unleashes burst shots towards the remaining survivors as Henrietta moves in closer towards our position and gives us relief.
"Where have you been Henrietta?" Ask Triela as she vaults the table
"Sorry, it took quite some time to wake brother up."
"Henrietta, where did he get those grenades?"
"He got it from one of the dead Padanias, Koch. He said it will prove useful."
"Well, it sure does."
(Angelica's P.O.V)
Now that the operatives has gathered, Marco and the rest of the handlers discusses on what to do. Jean suggests that we should split up and deal with different threats all around the agency. Jean, Rico, Marco, and I will try to clear the indoor firing range; that includes the Armory as well. José, Henrietta, Hillshire, Triela, Koch, and Frederick will move on to Section 1's offices and clear the offices and the lab; as well as the Intelligence Department and the Research and Development sectors. Claes will be escorted by us as we lead her out of the Agency and into the parking lot; the extraction point where our Government Helicopters would pick the Staffs of the SWA we manage to rescue.
"All set?" Jean asks as he inserts a new magazine to his pistol
"Everything's good to go brother."
"Alright, let's kill them all!"
As the teams were divided, we split up and head towards our current objectives. Jean thought about going to the Armory and grab Rico's MG3 Multi-Purpose Machinegun before moving to a vantage point to clear the way to the parking lot. It is all set. We move in as fast as we could; using as much training we got as effective as possible as we converge towards the structure ahead of us. Those who tried to stop us eventually met their end by Rico's, mine, or the handler's shots.
"'Mess with the best, die like the rest', they say." Comments Claes as she watches us tears the whole Padania defenses like paper through water
Reaching the door, we hug the wall as we stand guard close to door. The funny thing is that…none of those Padanias thought about retreating despite their loss. Also, there's not even one backup unit spotted. This door looks almost like it hasn't been used for months.
"Angelica, open the door."
"Ok, Marco!" I move up slowly and cautiously as I step forward facing the door. Taking a deep breath, I kick the door open and found no one's there except….
"CLAYMORE! ANGIE, GET AWAY!"
Then everything seems to turn into a haze….everything turns fuzzy after the explosion. My ears rings as pain engulfs my body as small iron balls smashes through me, sending me back a foot or so. My body feels numb as I lie there covered with blood. Marco? Where are you?
"Angelica! Angelica! Can you hear me?" Marco's calls can be heard, but it is covered with the sounds of my ears ringing
"Marco…"
"Angie! Hang on!" Claes and Rico rushes to my location soon afterwards to check and see if I'm ok
"You're alright, Angie?" I nod slowly trying answer Rico's question
"Damn Padanias! They've booby traped this place!"
"Marco, stay here if you wish. Rico and I will continue."
"What about those booby traps? You can't go charging into booby trapped areas or doors!"
"There's nothing we can do about it! We'll try to find alternate ways to secure this area. Let's just hope José's team doesn't experience the same thing as us."
(Henrietta's P.O.V)
Corridor to Corridor, room to room, men by men. Everything is chaotic. Padania managed to hold themselves up with hostages; mostly cleaning staffs, but some are from the Intelligence Department or the R&D sections that're unlucky. Most of the staffs managed to take care of themselves with pistol they often carry. Priscilla, Ferro, Olga, and Amadeo were able to hold themselves as they try making their way out of the building. We're there as a relief to them while they make their way out. Frederick mostly engages targets ahead of us or laying covering fire as we commence room take-down. Triela covers our six so none of them shock us from behind with full auto fire. Her shotgun makes quick work for them. José and I handle the assault. Both of us lead the room take-down, and hostage rescues. One thing for certain, Frederick will never engage first hand incase hostages are in the room. He'll shoot anything that comes up to his face.
"This must be the Office. Henrietta, get ready for room take-down."
"Yes, José!"
We line up in a single line with José leading the rest of us and me trailing right behind him. Slowly, he moves closer to the door with his pistol ready. Taking a deep breath, he faces the door and kicks it open. There's no sign of them around the room. Everything seems clear until….
"SHIT! CLAYMORE!" Within my own reflexes, I leap from my position and close my eyes; pushing José aside from harms way just as it explodes
"HENRIETTA!"
(Frederick's P.O.V)
"Henrietta! Hey, hang on!" We break our single line formation and gather around Henrietta who's badly torn up by the explosion. Left knee amputated
"Henrietta! Henrietta!" José's panics as he held Henrietta in his arms, hoping she'll open her eyes
"J-José….."
"Henrietta……"
"Are……you OK?" she asks in a painful voice
"…I'm fine…"
"Really? That's good…" Well, at least it's good to know that she's still alive
"José, we'll continue on. You can stay here if you feel like it."
"Ok, Hillshire. Continue with your mission."
Now that the assaulter's down, its time for me to move into the spotlight! I rush into the room, firing rapidly at almost anything that has weapons on. Hostages are taken care by Koch and his H&K Mk23 pistol. Triela and Hillshire takes care the rest of the Padania survivors, and the hostages as they cover our backs.
We continue wiping the rest of the Padanias in the Office room; pushing them away from this room through a different door. A shriek of MG3 Machine Gun is heard through the windows of the Office Room. Looks like Rico and Jean has just finished their objective and is currently laying covering fire for our staffs to be evacuated. Koch's radio said that MP Reinforcements is expected to assist us. I bet the press had smelled this from long ways off. Maybe I got to see it on the news tomorrow: 'Social Welfare Agency Attacked by Padania Terrorists! Children Panicked! Majority of Staffs Killed!' I can bet that will appear on tomorrows headline and this month's 'Times' magazine.
"Frederick! They've retreated through to Corridor 5!"
"They're probably retreating towards the back gate. It leads straight to the back alley."
"Let's get them before they get too far and escape!"
Lastly, we were faced once again by a door which leads to Corridor 5 of the Agency. This corridor is just 'corridors' which leads straight to the back staircase. There are a few rooms, but those rooms are usually used for storage.
"Ok, get ready for take-down!" commands Koch as we start lining up in a single line formation. This time, I lead the charge
"Ready Frederick?" asks Koch who're right in front of me; away from the single line formation
"Ready."
"Remember Frederick, watch for Booby traps!"
I kick the door open and return back to cover. No explosion, no traps. Returning to my assault position, I spot him; spot the bastard; the 'wanted' Terrorist we've been after for so long standing in the corridor, smiling vigorously. It didn't take long for me to notice he has a small trigger in his right hand…..and it didn't take long for me to notice there's two Claymores positioned facing the door…facing ME
"FREDERICK, LOOK OUT!"
Then, almost seemingly like a flash, Koch pulls my Jacket's collar, switching his position with mine. And before I knew it, Koch's body was sent flying backwards; away from the door as a loud bang occurs by the door
"KOCH!"
(Triela's P.O.V)
My attention is quickly diverted towards Koch, Frederick's handler after he received the blast from the Claymore AP mines. Frederick's already there; holding his tears as he shakes Koch's lifeless body many times, hoping he'll open his eyes again; hoping he's still alive.
"Koch! Hey, get up! Don't joke around now, get up! Get up!"
No replies came from him. He's gone; and we'll never see him again….
"No….Koch….." Frederick stood still; eyes still on Koch's shattered body as he picks up his rifle "He was like a father to me….."
"Frederick….." I approach him slowly as Hillshire watches my back. Groups of Padanias gather behind us with their weapons ready; trying to force us into surrendering
"You…you all…." A small voice came from Frederick as he clutches his rifle
"Frederick…."
"You Padanias….you all…."
"Frederick…are you….?"
"BASTARDS! I'LL KILL YOU ALL!" Pushing me away, he turns around and handles his rifle one-handed as he mow down the whole group before they could return fire. The wanted terrorist fled soon after he received two shots on his right arm
"YOU'RE NOT GETTING AWAY FROM ME!" As soon as he said that, he took off to kill the man
"Frederick! Stop, this is not you!"
I follow him as fast as my feet can carry. Frederick's fast and agile with his new body. His strength is immense as well. As groups of Padanias appears to engage him and covers the wanted Terrorist, Frederick finishes them off with a full auto fire from his rifle while screaming to relief his pain. The last in line is brutally killed by Frederick using the butt of his empty rifle. His face is severed from the constant hits from Frederick's rifle after his fall. After that, he continues pursuing him, killing everything that tries to stop him.
"I'll kill you! I'll kill you all! I'll kill you all! All of you….! All off YOU…! ALL OF YOU….!"
"Frederick, stop! This isn't you! Stop it!" My voice can't reach him as he continues the slaughter through the bloodstained corridors
He didn't stop when he's dry on ammo. No. He drops his rifle and switches to two of his Mauser C96s. After that, he drops both pistols and grabs the AK47 from one of the dead Padanias and continues the massacre; staining the corridors and the stairs leading down with blood from persistent Padania defenders. Those who choose to surrender, ends the same way as those who fights. As we reach towards the back gate, a red Ferrari awaits the wanted terrorist for his escape. He manages to vault into the Ferrari; under heavy fire from Frederick and his current AK47. The vehicle speeds off, and Frederick wastes no time to get on the alley and fires his weapon simultaneously; trying to kill him.
"Why don't you just die? Die! Die! DIE! DIE…!"
"Frederick, STOP!" I leap up to him and embrace him as the car sped away. His firing and his berserks stops….it was all over
"Please, Frederick…..stop….this is not you, Frederick. So please….stop…." embracing him as tight as I could, I hope for him to calm down. My tears starts running down my cheeks; as though I can feel and understand the pain he's having
Frederick fell on his knees afterwards; still in my embrace. He drops his AK and fell on his knees, sobbing. Still embracing him, I kneel down and place my head besides his so he could feel me breathing. It was all over for that day. Frederick's berserk wraps up the assault with the retreat of the remaining Padanias. Frederick kept on mumbling about how he thinks about Koch. Koch is more than a handler to him. He's more than just his friend. Koch is like his father. He had lost his real father and his whole family once; now, he had lost one of his closest aids as well; his handler, Koch. Back then, Claes was traumatized and shocked by the death of Raballo; her handler. She was in such a state that even the Agency can't do anything to return her as an active operative. Instead, she was shifted as a subject for experiments by the R&D department for Cyborg development.
'Will Frederick end the same way?'
The loss of Frederick's handler crushed him. He had lost the ones he loves once; now he lost it again. After the attack, the Agency plans to give Koch a proper burial in Rome's cemetery this upcoming Sunday. Before that time, Frederick has been in his room polishing and cleaning his guns. He has isolated himself….
I don't want Frederick to end the same way as Claes…..
I don't want him to end that way….
I don't want him to be like that….
I must do something…..but what?
I….never want to lose him….