Unmei Force Shattered Heroes: Dark Day Tactics
Chapter 2: The Looming Threat
The coalition army began to make their way to the north of the continent, intent on finding more survivors, which are likely to be more grateful than the ones in Freehaven, as they drove up on a large city, which seemed to be quite intact compared to the rest of the ruined landscape, as exploration teams were sent out with suitable escort units trailing behind, as they reached the depths of the city with little difficulty, as the leaders began to search the city together.
"We're here." Brenner stated.
"There are still some buildings standing. Maybe the people survived too." Will answered back.
"At first glance, this city seems extraordinarily well preserved." Lin agreed.
"With this kind of environment, as long as it has not been carefully ransacked by raiders and hostile forces… there is a high possibility of a sizable survivor community here." Reisen theorized. "It seems that our hunches has led us well… all that's left is the reception of the survivors."
"Hopefully, we will not have any trouble with them." Weiss hoped.
"Alright. Spread out and look for survivors." Brenner ordered his men, as Reisen and Weiss did the same, as the entire group spread out to cover every building and street in the city one by one. "Move slow and easy. I don't want anyone to mistake us as raiders."
Reisen and Weiss decided to stick together in one of the groups, as they began to look around one of the abandoned buildings. One of their men pushed the door open, expecting a surprise, only to be greeted with utter silence. Reisen then gestured for the group to spread out and search every floor of the building, as Reisen began to climb the stairs to the next floor in the building.
As Weiss covered Reisen's back, the two of them slowly walked across the corridor of the building, as they suddenly heard the sound of clattering metal, causing them to whirl around towards the source, as it came from one of the rooms on the far end of the corridor. Reisen and Weiss traded a look at each other, before they slowly moved into the room that the sound came from, as they found that it was a storage room.
"Whoever is in there, come out slowly." Reisen called out into the room. "We are not here to invade this community. We are looking for survivors who have gathered themselves here, in order to get in contact with them. We assure you, we do not come with malicious intentions."
There was no response, as Reisen sighed gently, and slowly prepared to lower her rifle on the ground, as Weiss stepped back to avoid being seen, as she slinked into the shadows to partially hide herself.
"Listen, I'm going to disarm myself slowly. When I lower my weapon on the ground, could you please come out quietly?" Reisen asked gently. "I'm about to do it, so I ask that you trust me on this."
Reisen then slowly leaned down to drop her rifle on the ground, before she then slowly rose back up on her feet, as she had her hands to the side, in case it was a hostile encounter, so that she could draw her side-arm quickly, although she kept her hands loose.
There was only a moment of silence, before someone showed up behind one of the crates, as it was a young boy, who was covered in dirt all over his clothes, and a bandage across his cheek, as he looked at Reisen with an uneasy look in his eyes.
"You're… you're not with the bad guys?" The boy asked gently, as Reisen kicked the rifle away to make her point.
"No. In fact, we just cleared out a raider camp along the way here. They will be reeling for a long time after the raid destroyed most of their supplies." Reisen answered back, before she then gestured for Weiss to show herself. "My name is Major Reisen Inaba of the Opalide Army, and this is Lieutenant Colonel Weiss Schnee of the Emerian Army. We are here to assist you in these trying times."
The boy looked at both Reisen and Weiss for a moment, before he then breathed out in relief.
"I'm glad that there are still good people here… Dad said that the entire world went really bad after the entire world was hit by the big rocks…" The boy stated. "And then Dad… he was just gone, and no-one would tell me where he went. Dr Morris took good care of me, and treated me like a son like the rest of the other children."
"Dr Morris?" Weiss asked.
"Yeah, he's the elected leader of New Wolfington, this city." The boy nodded back. "He's really benevolent, and managed to keep us together no matter how hard it might be."
"Would you take us to him? We need to talk to him about the current situation. We require his aid for something of our own." Reisen requested.
"Of course, you're not bad people, so I can help you get to Dr Morris." The boy nodded back. "Please help us all, the bad guys have hurt so many people for selfish reasons."
Weiss could only sigh at how terrible the boy's life was in this world, as it strengthened her resolve to make the raiders burn for their repugnant actions.
"Do not worry. We will ensure that these monsters will never have the ability to cause more misery and suffering onto the innocent." Weiss assured the boy with a warm smile.
The boy then led them out of the building, across the street, as Reisen quickly gestured to the men ahead of them to move aside and let them through, as they reached a large abandoned hospital, as it seemed that Brenner's Wolves had made their way to the building as well. The soldiers covering the entrance of the hospital saw Reisen and Weiss with the young boy, as they let the group approach them.
"Who is this kid? You found him in the city?" One of the soldiers asked Reisen.
"That's right. He's leading us to be the leader of the community here." Reisen nodded back. "I suppose that Captain Brenner is inside the building as well?"
"Yeah. Come on through, best to get the boy back to his people, so that we can help prove the case that we're here to help them." The other soldier stated, as the soldiers moved aside to let the group enter the building.
They moved through the hospital, before they bumped into Brenner and a small handful of his men, as the boy hid behind Weiss, as if afraid by the amount of soldiers around him.
"It's alright, they're with us." Weiss assured the boy.
"Captain Brenner, we have managed to find a young survivor here, who is willing to take us to where the rest of his people are." Reisen answered back. "I suggest that we should leave our men behind and let the boy guide us through this hospital."
"Hmm… Alright, if you trust this boy, then so will I." Brenner nodded back, although he seemed fairly reluctant, before turning to his men. "Cover the hospital, I doubt that we will be without any trouble soon."
The soldiers crisply saluted, before they joined their comrades outside the hospital, as the boy quickly moved in front of the group, as he led them towards a large gate that led into a city sector that was barricaded by makeshift walls of metal and wood. When they approached it, they were greeted by the guards atop the gate, who aimed their weapons at Reisen, Weiss and Brenner, as they quickly raised their hands to prove their intentions of peace.
"Wait! Wait!" The boy frantically shouted, moving in front of the group. "These are not bad people! They managed to bring me back here safely, and they said that they're going to take care of the bad people!"
"Huh, they brought Caron back here?" One of the guards remarked, as he lowered his rifle. "Get Dr Morris! He should talk with them!"
"Already a better reception than last time, isn't it?" Weiss told Brenner, who merely nodded back, as the guards lowered their weapons, and the group were finally free to lower their arms as well.
After a while, a brown elderly man stood before them, looking fairly casual, despite being dressed in a white coat, as he had white hair and a short beard, as well as brown eyes.
"Hello! I say, you three there! Can you hear me?" The man greeted them.
"Dr Morris!" The boy exclaimed with joy. "I managed to bring help to our people! These heroes, they're going to-"
"Slow down there, little fire-cracker." Morris laughed heartily. "You seem like you have struck gold, ohohoho!"
"A man who jests… Although it is better than a person who discriminates." Reisen bluntly stated, much to Brenner's irritation.
"Now then, may I get to know you, sir, and your fine ladies?" Morris asked them.
"I'm Captain Brenner. I lead the 12th Battalion of the Rubinelle Army." Brenner introduced himself. "This is Major Inaba from the 7th Battalion of the Opalide Army, and Lieutenant Colonel Schnee of the 9th Battalion of the Emerian Army."
"You don't say! Why, that's simply marvelous!" Morris remarked, as he lit up with glee. "Welcome, Captain Brenner, welcome! It is a great honor to have you here! Although I may not know your fellow comrades as well as I do as the Rubinelle nation, I'm sure that they are women of moral fiber like you as well."
"You flatter us, it is our duty to uphold a fair order in these dark times." Weiss answered back. "Do you speak as the leader of the people here?"
"Oh ho ho! I guess you could say that. I told them I wasn't really the man for the job, but they chose me anyway." Morris chuckled lightly. "I used to be a resident… but now I'm a PRESIDENT! Oh ho! Oh ho ho ho ho!"
Brenner didn't seem to be fazed by the bad joke that Morris made, as Weiss even winced slightly at the joke, while Reisen sighed.
"Dr Morris, I would like to say that this joke, while decent, isn't exactly as funny as you make it seem." Reisen bluntly stated. "Jokes aside, we would like to request food, medicine and munitions. Due to our large composition, we consume many resources as a result. We understand that this might turn you from the deal, but we offer back a guarantee that we will assist you on your development here. We will lend our engineers to help progress your society, and we will provide insurmountable protection against all those who seek to exploit you."
"Oh ho, you drive a hard bargain, young Major!" Morris exclaimed with surprise. "As for supplies, eh? Well, you see…"
Suddenly, the group heard the sound of gun-fire, as the boy, Caron, began to cower on the ground.
"Oh no, they're coming… Not again… Please, no…" Caron whimpered.
Morris looked at the terrified boy, as he was about to crack a joke, although he knew that it wasn't the right time to do so.
"Get Caron back inside, the poor boy needs someone to take care of him." Morris spoke with a serious tone, as the guards opened the gates, and helped Caron inside, before turning back to the group. "Any chance that your men are giving you a twenty-one gun salute, eh, Brenner?"
"Those weren't my men. Or at least not those nearby." Brenner remarked. "I think that your young friend got the right idea. I suggest you make you and your people scarce, Doc. This could get ugly."
"Major, we got raiders incoming fast!" Reisen heard from her comms. "We need to prepare to fight, before they manage to get into the city! What's your orders!?"
"Stand by for further orders." Reisen stated in return, receiving an affirmative from the other side. "Captain, we need to gear up for battle."
The trio immediately exited the hospital, as they boarded their vehicles, as they headed for the army camp they have made nearby the city, quickly setting up a war room to prepare for the battle ahead, as all commanding officers were present inside it.
"Intel reports that the raiders have regrouped to attack this city." Lin started, making symbols of the area map. "They're tenacious. I'll give them that. Stupid...but tenacious."
"Stupid can still kill you, Lin. Let's move out!" Brenner remarked, before he then noted that there was a unoccupied factory in the area. "An unoccupied factory… Perhaps…"
"Sir, we're being hailed by Dr Morris of New Wolfington!" One of the Rubinelle comms officer shouted. "Should we patch him through to you?"
"On the double." Brenner firmly ordered, as the communication was established with Morris. "The nearby factory seems undamaged. Can we get it up and running?"
"Oh yes, it works. And that's a FACT! ...Get it? Fact? Factory? ...Ahem!" Morris answered back cheerfully. "Countless automated weapon factories were built during the Great War. But I'm sure you are more familiar with that than I am. If you have the materials, you can use them to produce units."
"Such factories exist?" Weiss questioned.
"Do you not know much of the history within the Great War?" Lin asked back.
"Unfortunately no. However, the notion that there are automated weapon factories that can be used to our advantage… It helps greatly with the war effort on our end." Reisen answered back. "Tell me, Dr Morris, is it possible that we can take control of those factories for ourselves?"
"Well, assuming that you have a few computer whizzes with you, you can most definitely make use of them." Morris responded back. "We just need someone to capture them. If you do so, we will turn control of the factory over to you and your men, so that your men can get to using them. We will also provide you with what few troops we have."
"Save your men. We are sufficient enough to face the raiders. There is no need to thin your own militia to aid us. We insist on that, as a sign of goodwill." Weiss responded back.
"Oh ho, you really are confident on beating back the raiders then!" Morris remarked with some awe. "But your kindness is really appreciated, Schnee."
"At the risk of sounding ungrateful, why are you doing this?" Brenner asked Morris.
"This is no ordinary band of soldiers you command, Captain. Am I right?" Morris asked back, respect in his voice. "Stories of Brenner's Wolves has spread across this ruined land. This world is destroyed, yet you devote yourself to helping survivors. The people of New Wolfington saw fit to trust me. I hope I can trust you, and your new allies."
"I'll do all that I can. Now get to safety. There isn't much time." Brenner told Morris, before cutting the connection. "Major Inaba, do you have sit-rep?"
"We possess several squads of infantry at the ready, as well as a mix of vehicle units." Reisen answered back. "However, the enemy also has a sizable force of their own, with a higher number of vehicle units, especially tanks, artillery and recons. We cannot win a direct fight against them."
"What's your take on this, Schnee?" Lin asked Weiss, who nodded back.
"Considering that there are several city sectors ahead of us, we can make use of them." Weiss answered back. "By capturing them for our own use, we can provide ourselves with means to produce resources that can be used in the factories, in order to construct the units required for battle from them. It is for that same reason that I request that an infantry unit is to immediately capture the factory while the capture of the city sectors is underway. All other forces are to act in defense of the capturing effort, with the main objective to stall for time, and blunt the enemy assault. Does my plan leave anything out?"
"No, it seems that you understand the importance of resources needed for the factory." Lin answered back. "We should make use of this plan, Captain, it's our best shot of ensuring proper victory."
Brenner nodded, before the army immediately formed two companies, as one composed of infantry escorted by bikes and recons to perform the capturing required, while the other unit was made from the other vehicular units, to face the raider force head-on.
The latter company already engaged in battle with the enemy, as squads of tanks were trading fire with each other, as Brenner's units managed to push the enemy back slightly, damaging the enemy tanks, and destroying some squads of their recons and bikes, which hampered the raiders' ability to harass their infantry, although it did leave lasting damage on Brenner's own tanks.
"It seems that our own tanks have sustained enough damage to warrant a retreat. We will pull them back toward ally-occupied bases, so that they can be repaired and restored back to full strength." Lin stated. "Lieutenant Colonel, if I may ask, if your men could continue the push."
"With pleasure." Weiss answered back, before she immediately communicated with the tank squad leader. "1032th, 1033th and 1044th Atlas Squads, your orders are to engage the enemy vehicles in battle. 324th Firestorm Brigade will provide supporting artillery fire."
"Read you loud and clear, princess!" The tank squad leader exclaimed, before he then looked through the periscope of his command tank, as the enemy was in position ahead of them. "You heard the Schnee, time to wreak hell on these bastards!"
The tanks immediately began to fire in lines, as the tank shells battered the land before them, as the raiders were being destroyed by the dozen, due to the extra fiery powers from the Fire Dust loaded in the tank cannon rounds causing the enemy armor to melt from the resulting flames, while the artillery were loaded with Wind Dust shells that caused their blasts to be far larger in blast radius, as the resulting gusts flipped raider vehicles over, making it easy for the tanks to finish them off.
Meanwhile, the infantry company managed to capture the nearby city sectors, and the abandoned factory, as the results were reported to the officers.
"This is Reika Squad, we managed to capture Sector D! Engineers are currently creating a supply line to the factory in order to supply it with resources!" One of the soldiers reported to Reisen.
"This is Walker Bravo Squad. We have confirmed the capture of the factory. Our engineers are currently activating the factory systems, and we have confirmed the deliverance of resources from nearby city sectors. We will move to the production of weaponry as soon as possible!" Another squad captain reported to Weiss.
"How is the repairs for the damaged Rubinelle units?" Reisen asked Brenner.
"They're working fine, thanks to the capture of several nearby sectors. Your engineers are working on them quite efficiently." Brenner responded back. "It seems that with the use of the factories, we can even stand to replenish some of the expended manpower in this battle."
"About that. We request that the use of the factory be used by the Rubinelle forces for the time being." Weiss stated. "We are certain that we have enough manpower and vehicles to handle the next few fights without any risk of wearing our units down. Our main army is also spreading out to create frontline bases, so that aid can be provided whenever it is needed."
"So that explains why you have only a small size of units to join in our skirmish through the land." Lin remarked. "You have left the main force at your bases, in order to protect from invasions, and also prepare for any decisive battles that might come up soon."
"This doesn't even warrant a battle." Weiss scoffed harshly. "The raiders cannot hope to cause considerable damage to us, much less even hope to endanger us. It will only be a matter of time until the raiders are routed."
"Even so, we should make use of the factory. Order the factory to create some armaments for infantry squads." Brenner stated back.
The factory immediately went to work on that, as the raiders were being destroyed by the combined firepower of the allied forces, before the last of their units were wiped off the area.
"Your road ends here, Beast." Brenner growled, as reports of the raiders' retreat reached command.
"'Beast'? Is that what you call the leader of these raiders?" Reisen asked Brenner.
"Indeed, these raiders are part of a group that I have had the displeasure of knowing." Brenner answered back. "They were formerly part of the Rubinelle Army, before they turned into the savage raiders we constantly fight at every point across the land. They were led by a former sergeant who was known to be bloodthirsty in war. I suppose that he turned feral after the chance was given to him by this disaster."
"A dog that bit the master's hand, hm… No wonder these raiders have no care about human decency." Weiss answered back.
"Captain Brenner? Ladies?" Dr Morris contacted them, as the group turned their attention to the comms. "I'm afraid you'll have to return the units you produced. Automated units only function near the factory where they were made. Stay too far, and you'll be left with useless lumps of metal!"
"Then it's a good thing that we only produced infantry. Surely guns like these wouldn't become useless since they are not built with electronics?" Reisen responded back.
"Oh ho, that's a smart way to go about it. Why yes, it's possible to keep the armaments you produced." Morris stated. "Still, I doubt that guns will be the only thing you'll use the factory for, so just keep it in mind that the vehicles are automated, and thus will become useless if they leave the area."
"Is it possible to modify the vehicles, so that we can make manual use of them?" Reisen asked back.
"Well, if you're happy to sacrifice a few eggs to make an omelet, so to speak, it's very much possible, although it's far more costly than you might think. It requires a complete overhaul of the entire vehicle to even make it work at its proper level." Morris explained.
"A net loss is better than full abandonment of the forces here." Reisen answered back. "We'll keep your words in mind when we make use of more factories along the way."
"Now, where were we?" Brenner stated. "Dr Morris, you seemed like that there was a problem with your resources, before you were interrupted by the raiders."
"Before all of this, I worked as a medical researcher. My days were spent running small rats through large mazes. When the world was destroyed, I dug out of my ruined lab and made my way here. There were so many sick and injured people... I just did what I could." Dr Morris explained.
"Yeah, Dr Morris really helped us out!" Caron exclaimed, as there was the sound of startled people, as Morris even was heard stumbling over. "Ms Inaba, Ms Schnee, are you there?"
"We are. Are you alright? We managed to drive the raiders away." Weiss told the boy gently.
"That's great! I knew that you could do it! Now we don't have to worry about being miserable much longer!" Caron remarked with glee.
"Alright, little Caron, I believe that I should talk to these good men and women for a moment." Morris said. "Anyways, I didn't even run my people through a maze! Oh ho ho ho ho!"
"That's a joke in bad taste, Doctor." Weiss sighed.
"Well, laughter is good for you, you know. You should try it." Morris replied back.
"As a medical student myself, I can second that notion." Reisen answered back. "But that wasn't a joke to laugh at. It was just… chilling."
"Oh." Morris deflated.
"But your efforts are at least benevolent." Lin responded back. "I can say that out of all of the survivors that we have met, you have a much better reception of us, if only because of the rumors. Some among our people could even call you a hero."
"Well you shouldn't make me out to be some kind of hero." Morris answered back. "I was a selfish man. I entered medicine to satisfy my curiosity, not help people. I'd never even seen a patient before the meteors struck. I guess such situations teach you what really matters, eh, Captain?"
"Even still, curiosity is not the worst reason to engage in medical science." Reisen answered back, assuring Morris. "In the end, your intentions were well, and you didn't resort to any inhumane methods to do your research. I say that you are certainly a better researcher than a good amount of people I know."
"Oh, I'm surprised to hear that. But I fear that we have other, more pressing issues to discuss. With your people and my people combined, we have several hundred mouths to feed. However, our supplies are running lower than a snake in a wheel rut!" Morris responded back.
"A shortage of food is hardly a joking matter, Doctor." Brenner remarked.
"I don't think he was trying to joke, Captain." Weiss piped in.
"No, I wasn't trying to make one." Morris stated. "Anyways, I think I know how to solve our little problem. But I will need your help… Come to our little city, and we can discuss it."
"As you wish." Reisen stated. "Come on, we should hear what the good doctor has to say."
The officer immediately made their way to New Wolfington, taking along their second-in-commands as well as Will, who insisted on visiting the community, finding Morris in one of the buildings, as they sat down on a large table.
"Oh ho, you have a new friend with you, and a young passionate boy at that!" Morris remarked. "What's your name, my boy?"
"It's Will." Will answered back. "I'm just simply tagging along with Brenner's Wolves… as well as the other battalions."
"Tell me, my boy, do you know why it is dinosaurs became extinct?" Morris asked Will.
"Huh? No, but I bet Captain Brenner does." Will remarked with confusion.
"Not likely. Lin! Front and center." Brenner turned to Lin.
"There are many possible explanations. I assume you're referring to the meteor theory?" Lin answered.
"Oh ho! Right you are. The theory states a meteor struck the planet millions of years ago. The impact caused megatsunamis upward of 300 feet in height to sweep the globe. The shock waves spawn earthquakes reaching 12.0 and 13.0 on the Richter scale. Pieces of the meteor ignited global wildfires, causing enormous devastation... Dinosaurs, without the benefit of fireproof surfboards, were ill equipped to survive." Morris explained.
"That's a better joke, but not by much." Weiss shook her head. "Either way, the dinosaurs, who were considered to be the kings and queens of their eras, were rendered helpless to become extinct by the resulting atmosphere changes."
"But we survived our meteors." Will stated.
"That's only because the atmosphere wasn't drastically changed as a result of the meteor-fall, due to the smaller size of the meteors." Reisen argued back. "We survived also because we have counter-measures to sustain our survival, although these do not involve any fire-proof surfboards."
"Can we move this along, Doc? What is it you want to tell us?" Brenner asked Morris.
"Yes, of course. Meteors...dinosaurs...cockroaches... Oh yes! The clouds of ash! That's it. The ash blocks out the sun, which of course means that plant life withers and dies." Morris stated.
"And thus we need to find an alternative way in order to create and maintain the crops that will nourish us?" Weiss responded back. "You did say that you had a way to solve this issue."
"If we can get the automated crop factory running, we'll have as much grain as we want." Morris responded back.
"Automated what…?" Brenner said.
"A factory with an environmental system designed for the cyclic cultivation of genetically…" Morris was about to blather on.
"Whoa! Spare me the scientific mumbo jumbo. You're giving me a headache. Cut to the chase, and tell me what I need to know-no jokes, no science. Clear?" Brenner answered back with a firm tone.
"Yes, of course. Ahem. If we can get the systems running, we can produce food. We won't be able to sustain a population of millions, but we'll be able to feed New Wolfington. I trust that was clear enough. Oh, but there is one thing I worry about…" Morris stated.
"What's that, Dr Morris?" Will asked the doctor.
"Hmm, I wonder…" Morris hummed, before turning his eyes to Will. "Yes. Let me ask you a question, young man. Do you believe in evil? The kind that revels in the destruction of the world and of mankind with it? The kind of evil that thrives on the pain, suffering, and sorrow of innocents?"
"Uh…" Will blurted out, before Reisen stood up.
"I do, and I have met so many beings that have fit the definition, and all of them have been slain at the hands of our army." Reisen answered back. "Dr Morris, I feel that you are hiding something from us. Is there a force that you feel like would have any more malice than the raiders themselves?"
"There is a man that existed within the science community of this world, who is considered so… unethical, that his very existence was considered the taboo of science." Morris responded back with a serious tone. "If he still lives to this day… I sincerely hope that none of you will have to ever meet him at all."
"We will keep that in mind." Weiss stated. "Tell us where the automated crop factory is…"
After getting the location of the automated crop factory, which was east of New Wolfington, the armies began to move out towards the location, as they managed to reach a nearby area, before they were stopped by the reports of unidentified units ahead of them.
"Status report, Lin." Brenner ordered Lin.
"Unidentified units in the field, sir. They're ignoring all communications." Lin responded back. "I am certain that they are not affiliated with either of our allies, due to the different composition of their equipment."
"Indeed they're not." Reisen answered back. "Let us make preparations… in case these strangers are hostile to us."
"I don't think that we have that luxury anymore." Weiss urgently declared. "The unknown units are heading towards us, and they've proven their hostility by attacking the nearby scout units. We managed to pull them back quickly, before further casualties resulted.
"Then we'll do the same. Move out!" Brenner ordered, as the army units moved into formation to prepare for the incoming attack, as the officers retreated to the nearby army camp, in order to relay orders to their troops.
The two sides immediately began to clash against each other, as the infantry divisions of the coalition army immediately went towards the nearby towns and cities, in order to capture them for a supply of resources, which was needed for the factory nearby the allied base.
"Damn, these guys are really fighting hard…" One of the GHDF tank captains remarked, as he watched as the fighting managed to result in allied casualties, as the enemy forces moved with cohesion and skill that made the raiders they fought before pale in comparison. "We're really going to need some help against all of this."
"Yeah, tell us about it!" One of the bike squads remarked, as they managed to swerve out of the way of an incoming bombardment from the nearby enemy tanks. "Who are these guys? They seem more like dangerous mercenaries, or even an evil army made for world domination!"
As the fighting continued in the center of the plains, and the cities and towns were captured and secured for the factory, which was already producing light tank units and recon vehicles to the battle-front, one of the GHDF comms officers received a unknown signal.
"Commander!" The comms officer called to Reisen. "You should listen to this! We managed to tap into enemy communications momentarily."
"Is that so?" Reisen remarked, as she moved over towards where the comms officer was, as she put on the headset connected to the radio device, as the signal began to decrypt itself.
"...Tee hee hee! Is it OK, Daddy?" A peppy female voice was heard, sounding like it came from a kid that was barely old enough to be called a child.
"Of course, little one. Play to your heart's desire. Do remember to record the battle, though." A male voice was heard, as it sounded like that the man itself was like a snake itself, with how his tone was drawn out and low. "I must know how each soldier fights… and how each one dies."
"Father, I cannot condone this. I can see no reason for us to attack these people. It is meaningless-" Another male voice rose in protest, this one from a young male who is at the age of young adulthood, sounding fairly empathetic as well.
"Meaningless? Whatever are you babbling about? Is there a more meaningless expenditure of energy than life itself? I think not!" The old male voice remarked, with an undertone of disgust, although his tone did not change much.
"Come now, Cyrus, Father is right, although our opinions of life differ." Another male voice was heard, as Reisen's eyes widened, since it sounded almost exactly like Richard's own voice, except it seemed to be younger by a few years. "Don't fret over the lives of these soldiers, my naive brother, their lives are given purpose in our actions. Be glad that they're not part of Father's… experiments."
"Even so, I…!" The voice that was Cyrus complained.
"If you would excuse me and Cyrus for a moment, Father. It seems that he needs to be reminded of a few things." The young male voice interrupted. "Come now, Cyrus, it would be best that we let little Penny and Father do their work. Besides, it's not like we have purpose here. I wished that I would have been the one to lead the men against these brave legends, but Father's orders are absolute… unless you want to end up like poor Lutaria."
This seemed to silence Cyrus for a moment, before the older voice spoke.
"You know better to draw attention to that incident, Mars." The older voice warned the younger voice that was identified as Mars.
"Hm, just giving Cyrus his reasons to know this place." Mars stated, before there was the sound of footsteps that were getting gradually further away.
"Get 'em! Get 'em! Boooom! Tee hee!" The young girl declared with innocent glee in her voice.
Reisen quickly moved to cut the connection, before there was the sound of harsh static, which made her wince, almost causing her to throw the headset on the table, before he then heards Mars's voice again.
"Well, well…." Mars remarked with a sweet tone. "It seems that someone has been snooping around on our little family talk. I assume that whoever it was that ordered such an action, is listening right now? I would hate to have to get my men to scorch this area for whoever did this, but Father can do far, far worse."
"Who are you?" Reisen growled back.
"Ah, so the perpetrator reveals herself." Mars responded back, chuckling in a low tone. "Welcome, little fly, to my web. Who do I have the pleasure of speaking with at the time being."
"I am Reisen Inaba, Major of the 7th Battalion of the Opalide Army." Reisen answered back with a firm tone. "I demand that you explain why your soldiers are attacking our men."
"Inaba, hm? Strange, that name seems to tingle my mind slightly. How interesting." Mars remarked. "Since you're such an interesting specimen, how about a little trade then? An answer for an answer, a fair trade, is it not? And I assure you, you won't find your answer until it is far too late. Or perhaps it is better that you're ignorant to it, so that what comes next is far less despairing."
"I won't be so easily broken, nor will I yield to your demands." Reisen harshly refused.
"Oh, is that so? And if I were to tell Father about your little presence here, 'Major'? I do wonder what he'll do, once I tell him that there are unknown specimens within Brenner's Wolves. I even begin to wonder, are you actually from this planet, Reisen Inaba, or are you extraterrestrial?" Mars answered back with a smug tone. "Let me answer that for you, Father will most definitely focus his entire efforts on your capture, Reisen Inaba. You and your band of men and women will be rounded up as test subjects, to be subjected to the most immoral of experiments. You see, Father is a very curious man, and he is also a man with a thirst for knowledge. He will do anything and everything to learn how a being ticks, including live dissection of them."
Reisen then suddenly recalled Morris's words, becoming silent, realizing that the 'evil' he was talking about was exactly the scientist that he was hearing over the communications, the 'Father' of Mars himself.
"I assume from your silence that you clearly understand the stakes here, Major." Mars answered back. "All you have to do is answer this question: What is your intention here? Are you expecting to find a world that you can easily conquer for yourselves, a world you can exploit, or are you here for more… questionable reasons? Any answer you give, I will take for granted, although it's best you don't lie to me. I will be able to tell from how you act from this point on. But if you tell the truth, I give you my word that your identities as extraterrestrials will be 'unfortunately' withheld from dear Father."
"We have come here in search of a lost friend." Reisen stated, being vague as a cautionary measure. "Why do you wish to communicate with us on even terms? You stand to gain much from engaging us."
"Because I knew the art of war far better than my Father, you see. I am built for war." Mars stated, chuckling lightly again. "It would be a disappointment if my Father were to ruin my own observations of you. Like my Father is doing with the people in this world, I am doing the same to you, although I make no provocative actions… yet. I want to see what kind of military strength you have, so that I can prepare a proper battle the next time we meet. I sincerely wish for a battle that will be considered one that defines history."
Reisen was left baffled by Mars's motivations, as Weiss then began to notice Reisen over by the comms, as she turned her attention towards her partner.
"And as promised for the answer, I will tell you exactly what is the purpose of this little attack: A diversion. A diversion from what exactly? It shouldn't be hard to tell with your intended destination." Mars continued.
"...No. You've intended to destroy the automated crop factory?" Reisen remarked with some horror in her voice.
"Father's choice, not mine. As much as it is a waste on the logistical side, considering the current situation, he believes that it will induce great adversity amongst the population." Mars answered back. "Did you not believe me when I said that you are best not knowing? Still, if you think you can grasp this vain hope and steal it from the jaws of defeat, then know that there is still time, although little it might be. Time's ticking, little rabbit, better get your fight done quick, while there is still a factory to save."
Reisen then put down the headset, as she slumped against the chair, causing Weiss to rush over.
"Reisen, are you alright? I heard a little about the current situation." Weiss said to Reisen. "Are you still alright to lead?"
"There is no choice. We need to end this farce of a fight as soon as possible. How much of the enemy force remains?" Reisen remarked, as she rose from her chair.
"Most of them have been destroyed, with small amounts of casualties from our force." Weiss responded back. "We're finishing the destruction of the remaining hostiles."
"Do it fast." Reisen remarked, as she rushed back to the war table. "All units push towards the enemy, we have an urgent situation at hand."
"Urgent? How so?" Brenner asked Reisen.
"This entire force has been a diversion by the enemy. They have intended to destroy the automated crop factory we have been vying for." Reisen explained. "We can't afford to be delayed any longer. We need to break the enemy force ASAP."
The allied units immediately went into full assault against the enemy forces, before they noticed that there was enemy reinforcement coming their way, as they found that it was several squads of heavy tanks, as well a single large tank that could be considered to be a battleship on land with the size of the cannons and the amount of turrets on it.
"What the hell is that!?" One of the tank squad captains from the UUF squad exclaimed, referring to the massive tank.
"I think that it's a-" Another tank squad captain remarked, before his entire squad was annihilated by a single shot from the massive cannons of the large tank, leaving only the flaming wrecks of the destroyed tanks.
"Oh gods, it's an apocalypse on wheels!" A recon squad captain remarked with utter fear.
"Damnit, we can't hope to face that in the open field…!" One of the GHDF tank captains remarked. "Pull back! We need to make a tactical retreat, and make repairs while the enemy force cannot pursue us for a while!"
The reports of the massive tank reached command, as they reacted to the new development exactly as is expected.
"A tank that is the size of a battleship…" Reisen remarking, biting her lip in worry. "This does not bode well. We can handle the heavy tanks with proper planning, but the massive tank will be a problem, especially when it caused the destruction of a tank squad with a single shot."
"Bring us to speed, Lin! Give us what you have on that monster." Brenner told Lin hastily.
"I'm sorry, sir. Our database has no intel on that tank." Lin answered back.
"Tch, this does not bode well." Weiss answered back. "Unless we can find a suitable countermeasure to the enemy super-tank… forget trying to break through their lines, they'll destroy us in a matter of time."
"That is a… war tank." Isabella's voice was heard, as the officers turned around, to see that the young girl was standing at the very door of the war room.
"A war tank?" Brenner asked back.
"Compared with standard tanks, it has vastly superior armor and firepower. It is currently the most powerful ground unit in the world today." Isabella explained.
"Then do you know any means to stand against it? We can't hope to simply lure it into the range of artillery, and hope that the bombardment will even faze it, if your words are true." Reisen asked Isabella.
"...I don't know." Isabella answered back.
"There has to be something." Weiss pressed Isabella. "If a war tank is considered to be the pinnacle of ground combat, there must be something that has been made as a counter to it. You seem to have a good knowledge of the military forces here. Are you sure you know not much more?"
Isabella could only respond with silence, before one of the head engineers rushed into the room, looking fairly frantic while panting for air.
"Commanders, the factory just received some sort of update from a foreign entity!" The head engineer rapidly stated. "Somehow, whatever the entity was, it was benefiting us, by sending us blueprints to create 'anti-tank units'. It seems that they're built with armor-piercing rounds made for bombardment. Perhaps they'll be able to handle the situation at hand here!"
"Wait, that's right… Anti-tank units will prove to be very effective against the war tank." Isabella stated, as if she recalled something.
"That's impossible… Could it be that some other unknown faction saw this kind of situation and decided to give us an edge? It doesn't make proper sense…" Lin remarked, before she then saw the stiff expression on Reisen's face. "...Something's the matter, Major?"
Reisen began to recall what Mars's intentions with the group was, as she had strong suspicions that Mars was the one who transferred the blueprint data towards them. She debated between revealing him to Brenner's Wolves, or leaving it be, considering that she didn't want to cause doubt by telling them about the eccentric enemy officer.
"...It's nothing." Reisen responded back. "We should make use of those anti-tank units. Send orders to get them produced at maximum efficiency. We cannot afford to lose time, with the enemy forces approaching. Order all infantry and light-armor to retreat from the battle-front. The tanks will engage in diversionary tactics to ensure the war tank does not reach our defense lines."
The anti-tank units were produced in time for the enemy armor to reach within range of them, as the large vehicles began to fire their deadly ordinance right into the enemy tanks, as the heavy tanks were severely damaged by a single barrage, while the war tank was showing considerable damage from the same kind of attack. With the allied tanks constantly interrupting the enemy's attempts to attack the anti-tank squads, the enemy units were annihilated quickly, as the war-tank was destroyed, leaving behind a massive wreck, much to the celebration of the allied forces.
"It wasn't a walk in the park, but you're right. We won." Brenner stated.
"It's fortunate that whoever aided us, gave us the means to defeat our enemy. Question is… who could it have been?" Lin remarked. "It doesn't matter. With the enemy forces taken care of, we should immediately head for the automated crop factory. If Reisen's intel is to be taken seriously, we might have an issue on hand already."
Reisen remained silent, as the army moved onto the automated crop factory, along with Dr Morris tagging along in order to help check the factory itself, as they found that the factory seemed to be intact, which gave the officers a foreboding feeling.
Lin and Dr Morris immediately headed into the factory, as Brenner, Will, Reisen, Weiss, Keiji and Ydine were left outside to discuss the matter amongst themselves.
"You said that you managed to find out that the enemy is targeting the automated crop factory." Brenner told Reisen. "Did you manage to find that from the intercepted communications?"
"Indeed." Reisen answered back. "What's more is that an officer of the enemy themselves managed to catch onto the intrusion themselves. He seemed to be more interested in us, rather than the entire factory, saying that the intention of the army is to sabotage the factory, which they have likely succeeded, if there is no enemy presence here."
"What? That's terrible!" Will exclaimed.
"Any kind of heartless enemy would always find a way to bleed their enemies dry. It is a tried and true tactic that made even the greatest of armies crumble." Keiji growled, shaking his head. "I suppose that whoever these people are… they do not work for the best intentions of humanity."
Soon, Dr Morris and Lin returned back, as the both of them seemed to be fairly down at the situation.
"What's the word, Doc? You and Lin give that system the once-over?" Brenner asked Morris.
"Yes, well, hmm... I've got some good news, and I've got some bad news…" Morris answered back.
"The system's useless. The factory has been destroyed." Lin bluntly stated, much to the group's dismay.
"As expected, the enemy managed to achieve their goal without fail…" Reisen sighed with a deep frown. "I should have realized that raiders are not the only issue here."
"Don't beat yourself about it." Ydine answered back. "It just proves that there's scum even worse than the raiders lurking around here. We'll make them pay for this atrocity."
"What do you mean, destroyed? Do you mean we can't repair it?" Brenner answered back.
"That would be quite difficult, I'm afraid. The factory was extremely sophisticated. The components needed to repair it are not likely to be found at the corner grocery." Morris explained, before he then turned to Weiss, who was about to say something. "Before you offer some generosity on the situation, I doubt that you would have the exact materials that could be used to repair the system, since they are very specific. No amount of jury-rigging might work here."
"That's terrible, Dr. Morris. What are we supposed to do now?" Will remarked with horror.
"I'm afraid I don't know. And to tell the truth, there's something else that truly disturbs me…" Dr Morris answered back.
"There is? What?" Will asked back, curious about the answer.
"It appears the enemy's goal was to destroy the factory all along. If we had gotten the factory up and running, we could have solved our food-shortage problem. We could have lived here peacefully. What did they gain by destroying our factory? It's as if…" Morris stated, as his expression darkened.
"It's as if they wanted us to all die." Lin finished the dreadful thought without any fear in her voice, causing the entire group to be in morbid silence.
Reisen thought back to Morris's words about the immoral researcher, and then back at Mars.
'Why would a fragment of Richard willingly work alongside a villain terrible enough to subject humanity to extinction?' Reisen thought to herself. 'There has to be a deeper meaning to all of this… Even if he is but a fragment of himself, barring malice itself, no part of him would ever go this far. Unless this is not Richard's fragment… merely a twisted facsimile of it, like what Gus faced before… But even so… I felt Richard's spirit through the words of Mars…'
"Hey, over here!" One of the soldiers remarked, as they led the officers towards a field of yellow and blue flowers, whose pigments were dulled by the environment around them.
"Well, look at this…" Will remarked.
"Flowers. They're quite beautiful, aren't they? But there's something odd about them…" Lin added, observing the flowers carefully.
"Whatever you do, don't touch those flowers!" Morris exclaimed.
"Doctor Morris?" Reisen asked back. "What seems to be the issue here?"
"Pardon me, Lin and Inaba." Morris stated. "But I must ask you both a personal question. Are you over twenty years of age?"
Lin and Reisen looked at each other for a moment, unsettled by the odd question.
"...Maybe. I'm not as young as Isabella, but... Are you implying something, Doctor?" Lin asked back.
"There has to be a meaning behind that. I'm above that age, right within the 30s." Reisen answered back. "Do these flowers contain some sort of pathogen that is known to infect people of a certain age?"
"You catch on quick, Inaba!" Morris lit up, before he then began to pull out a set of pictures for the officers to look at. "Have you heard of Endoflorescens terrbilis virus? It's common name is Creeping Derangea."
The photo seemed to depict a picture of a young boy who was covered with the same flowers, as there were stems curled across his body, and roots that were settled in his necks and other parts barely seen in the photo.
"Oh. Look at that. How pretty." Lin remarked, before she then got a glare from Reisen.
"Lin, I think that you have gotten a very wrong impression of that." Reisen remarked with a deep scowl. "This is not some sort of harmless affliction. The way that the roots have taken into the body, and the presence of flowers everywhere on his body… not to mention the hints that his insides might hide a more terrible image."
"That's right. The flowers aren't decorative. They're the result of a parasitic virus. And there is nothing beautiful about them, Lin. This boy is dead." Morris remarked with a serious tone.
"So you're saying… that these flowers are the very life of the young child, extracted and squeezed from his body!?" Weiss exclaimed with horror at the terrible scene.
"It acts like a parasite, but it spreads like a virus. I don't claim to know how it works, I just know that it does. Since the meteors fell, I've buried many victims of this scourge." Morris explained.
"Goodness, I can see all of the horrid details with my own eyes… all of the long roots embedded deep within his skin, as well as the bulging leaves… I think that his entire body was turned into a pot of flesh for these flowers…" Ydine realized, as she held back the urge to retch."Urk, this is just as terrible as the scenes of war I see every day."
"Young lass, please! Stop talking about it!" Morris told Ydine. "Curiously, the virus seems to only infect young people. You're in the right age range, Will, which means you're at risk. If you meet anyone suffering from this, you must stay away! Is that clear?"
"Oh yeah… It's clear…" Will stated.
"Surely, there has to be a way that we can cure this…" Keiji remarked, before turning to Reisen. "Major, if you could-"
"Out of the question. Considering the desolate environment here, as well as the unknown and lethal nature of the virus, using standard means without proper equipment will only aggravate casualties, even resulting in a considerable number of deaths among the survivors we will get in contact with, if we become symptomless carriers of this virus." Reisen furiously denied.
"Starvation, raiders and flowers that kill you. Gotta love this place." Lin sarcastically scoffed.
"The world's certainly not making it easy for us, is it? But we can't give up." Brenner stated.
"As long as there is life, there's hope." Will agreed.
"Exactly." Brenner nodded back.
"Then we should immediately head back and plan our next course of action… we will survive for the time being, but we will need to find alternate means of procuring resources, or else we'll start to suffer from the deficiency." Weiss stated.
The officers immediately made their way back to New Wolfington, in order to help the community of survivors at the time being, as well as decide the future plans of the army.
Term of the Chapter: Light Tanks
The Atlas Divisions of the UUF are renowned for their light tanks, which are considered to be powerful for their designations. Loaded with fire-Dust rounds that can wreak havoc on the enemy, they are capable of harming even heavy armor with indirect blows, and capable of breaking stalemates with their weaponry. On the side of the UGF, the Kotetsu Tanks, made as a lighter variant of the Scarlet Tanks, are built with mobility in mind, made with rapid-fire cannons rounds that are meant for the rapid destruction of enemy infantry and light armor, rather than proper ground vehicle battles.