Unmei Force Shattered Heroes: Dark Day Tactics
Chapter 9: Heroes Return
The command room was silent with a tense atmosphere, as Weiss was pacing about the room with a worried expression on her face, a fist pressed against her mouth as further proof of her worry. Reisen could only watch, as the news that they have been receiving lately has done little to improve army morale, with the fact that the looming threat of the incoming NRA troops is still evident, and there has been news that other settlements have suffered the same fate as the village they found earlier. Meanwhile, Lin and Will entered the room, expecting news from the two commanders.
"Any news recently?" Will asked back.
"There has been none that would help raise our spirits. The NRA has been active in the nearby areas, and there has been intel that the NRA main force is still hot on our heels." Weiss answered. "We don't have time to settle down until we are sure that we have enough distance between us and them to resupply ourselves effectively… and that's not accounting with what is going on with the Creeper."
"That reminds me… what of the cure?" Lin asked Reisen.
"It is working fine, but there is still a considerable way to go before the cure can be of reliable effectiveness. We have entered the second testing phase, and have gotten a few positive results, and at worst only a handful of infected." Reisen stated. "That means that you shouldn't have high hopes for it, until there is news otherwise…"
Suddenly, Gage burst into the room with Tasha, as the latter seemed frantic.
"Greyfield has found us. Recon units report a large enemy force approaching from the southeast." Gage informed the group of the bad news.
"This is a long way to come just to wipe out our merry little band." Lin stated. "Will must have really ticked him off earlier."
"Let's not point fingers, Lin, we are all in the same boat here." Weiss scolded Lin with a deep frown.
"He won't stop until he's destroyed every last Lazurian. I think he's kinda crazy." Tasha stated.
"It goes beyond Lazurians now, he wants us all wiped to the last man, woman and child." Reisen answered back. "His insanity and ego will not allow him to settle with anything less. That is both an advantage and a disadvantage in different ways."
"Any farther north and we'll be swimming. We're out of places to hide. Commander? What are your orders?" Lin responded back.
"What can we do? We make a stand here and hope for the best." Will answered back with a firm tone.
"They enjoy many advantages in manpower, weaponry and experience, even if they are all only slight edges, thanks to the support of the Emerian and Opalide armies. They can fight the NRA on even terms. But those of the Brenner's Wolves are at a disadvantage. If we fight, even a victory will be costly." Lin stated.
"I know, Lin. But we don't have a choice." Will answered back with a glare.
"No. There is a choice." Tasha stated, stepping forward. "Hand us all over to Greyfield."
"Out of the question! You're our allies. Our friends. We would never do that!" Will exclaimed with denial.
"It's your best option. Greyfield is obsessed with Lazuria. Once he has us, he'll likely back down long enough for all of you to escape safely." Gage responded back coolly.
"What about it, Lieutenant? I bet you thought of this a while ago, huh?" Tasha asked Lin.
"I considered it." Lin admitted, much to Will's appallment.
"Look, Will... I mean, Commander. We're grateful for all that you've done for us. You taught me that every nation has its flaws. And you taught me that there is some good in Rubinelle. Don't worry. I've had a good run." Tasha declared calmly, as if she was at terms with her impending fate.
"I'm ready." Gage merely stated with a slight nod.
"Tasha! Gage! No! This is madness!" Will exclaimed.
"Will, listen-" Tasha tried to say.
" No! I won't listen! We're not doing this! Captain Brenner saved your lives. He would never hand you over to Greyfield, and I won't do it either." Will declared. "We live together and we fight together. And if we die together, so be it."
"Are you sure?" Gage asked back.
"I'm sure. But that's not going to happen. Greyfield isn't going to beat us." Will answered back. "Not as long we work together to drive him back. If Lin says that we have a chance of winning, then I'm sure that we can make it happen."
"Well spoken for a commander of his men, Will." Weiss remarked with a proud smile. "In respect of that, we will not back down either. That madman Greyfield will learn that even though we are cornered, it is to their disadvantage."
"Do you not have a opinion in all of this?" Tasha asked both Weiss and Reisen.
"Will is a commander for Brenner's Wolves. We have no right to decide for him when he is capable himself." Reisen answered back. "But even if he did reluctantly allow it… neither Weiss or I will condone it. This only serves as a detriment. As I said before, Greyfield will not rest merely because you sent your heads to him on a platter. He literally threw ICBMs to end Captain Brenner, that is proof enough how far he will go to destroy anything he perceives as opposition. Backing down only makes us weaker."
"...You have a point, Major." Lin admitted. "In that case, if that is your decision, Commander… Then we will follow you."
"Thank you, everyone." Will stated, before Dr Morris entered the room.
"Oh ho! Sorry to interrupt, but I have to speak to the good Lieutenant and Major right now! You too, Will." Morris stated.
"This can't be good." Lin stated, noticing the concerned tone in Morris's words, as she, Will and Reisen followed him to his lab.
"I've finished screening people for the Creeper, and the results are disheartening…" Morris stated. "From all of the people present within our little regiment, there is… well, it's better if I separate us into groups. Among Brenner's Wolves, there is a 50% infection rate, among civilians and soldiers alike. As for our dear allies, the Opalides and Emerians? Well, I'm shocked that they have a low infection rate, bordering at 20%, but I suppose that is because of your improved welfare standards."\
"20% is no matter to underestimate… I doubt those figures will stand for long." Weiss remarked with an uneasy tone. "Reisen, do you have any clue how this virus spread so quickly after just recently knowing of it?"
"The key-word is knowing. We only learned about the new variant when we arrived at the village." Reisen explained. "The truth is, ever since a few weeks ago, the first ones were infected with this new variant unbeknownst to them. From there, it spread so far because we were unaware of the fact."
"And the new virus variant now spreads with less evident symptoms." Reisen argued back. "I will have to double the efforts for finding that cure, even if it means creating a struggle for a deficit of resources. The cure stands as the first priority at this time."
"This is not what we needed…" Will remarked with a sullen expression.
"It doesn't matter, we have to make the best of what we have." Weiss stated. "Will, board your tank, you must be armed for the battle to come, since even the main base will not be safe when the NRA arrives. If the enemy sends their full force at us, we will need to respond with all hands as well."
The officers immediately moved out of the camp, all in their respective vehicles, as the main allied force formed near the edge of the cliff north of their base, with several platoons of units setting up position at the west as a pincer attack force, as the recons began to report both enemy ground and air forces arriving.
" ...I knew we were outgunned, but this is absurd. First the meteors, then the virus, and now this." Lin remarked, hearing reports about the enemy force. "I've had better years, I'll tell you this much."
"At least Greyfield's guns will be quick and painless. Unlike the Creeper…" Morris's voice was heard in the allied channels.
"No! What's wrong with you! Stop talking like that! We still have hope. We will find a way to win." Will exclaimed.
"Alright, we have a proper lay of the land." Weiss stated. "It also seems that there are comm towers here. I think that the more we take from the enemy, and to our use, the better our odds of winning this battle are, with less casualties."
"With the tactical benefits of a boosted comms system… the battle may turn to our favor." Reisen stated. "All infantry squads, your objective is the capture of the comms tower. Do not engage enemy forces unless it is unavoidable, let the main armored forces handle the enemy. All anti-airs and missiles, prioritize the destruction of the enemy bombers, as well as their copter escorts. The more of the enemy air-to-ground capability we neutralize, the less difficult the ground front will be. As for the tank-destroyers, attack any enemy forces that engage with the vanguard, provide them with support fire."
The main force began to carry their orders out, as the missile units and anti-air perched themselves on the east side of the cliff, as they began to lay down fire into the skies, as the approaching NRA air-force was buffeted by the attack, as several fighters and copters were shot down by the flak and anti–air missiles being fired at them, as the bomber sustained severe damage. That however, did not prevent what remained of the force to fight back, as the rockets hit the side of the cliff, taking parts of it out, as several unfortunate units were caught in the blast, consigned to the fate of falling into the ocean.
Meanwhile, the ground force, led by Will began to engage the NRA vanguard tank squads, as armor clashed with armor, with Will's tank scoring several impressive kills, while his fellow comrades helped to break down the enemy line, all while the tank-destroyers providing indirect covering fire to assist their efforts, as the infantry began to invade one of the NRA-occupied comms towers, to partially mitigate their advantages.
"Alright, the time is right…" Weiss stated, before she then switched channels to speak with the western force. "All pincer-units, engage the enemy! We have the right opportunity to strike a heavy blow!"
However, when she received silence in response, Weiss began to feel a sense of unease, as she spoke again. "I repeat, all pincer units, engage the enemy! The NRA are vulnerable at the moment! We need your aid to destroy the enemy forces."
"Shut up! Just shut up!" A desperate male voice, which sounded like a civilian was heard on the other side, as the channel was forcibly closed from the other side, much to Weiss's disbelief.
"Hey, respond! RESPOND!" Weiss exclaimed. "This is Lieutenant Colonel Schnee! I demand an explanation for all of this! This is not the time to be fighting amongst each other! Is the commanding officer here? What is going on!?"
Weiss kept on trying to contact the western force, all with failed attempts, before she then heard reports that the main force were suffering casualties.
"...This can't be happening…" Weiss grit her teeth, before she opened a channel to Will. "Commander Will, we have dire news, the pincer unit is not responding to any hails, they are ignoring all orders!"
"What are they thinking?! We're in the middle of a battle!" Will exclaimed back, before there was the sound of muffled explosions for a moment.
"Perhaps we weren't as secretive about this new problem as we believed…" Weiss stated. "The people are terrified. I think they're looking for someone to blame… And it might be all of us."
"Open a channel! We have to talk to them!" Will exclaimed.
"We're not going to be able to do that. Any direct attempts have been shot down." Weiss answered back. "...They're not even willing to fight… I think that this news has completely shattered their morale. We will have to fight until we find a possible way to rectify this…"
The main force began to continue fighting without the aid of the pincer unit, as the capture of a comms-tower helped to alleviate the disadvantage that the main force was suffering against the enemy, although they were still taking heavy casualties as a result, as Will's tank took a few large hits, and Tasha's fighter squad was down to a few pilots.
"...I might have an idea." Weiss stated. "Commander, there is a comms tower that is within range of the western front. If you can head for it, we can use it to broadcast your words to them. You will have to allow the others to fight in your stead… but I'm sure that it's a gamble that we have to take, or else we'll start losing this fight."
"That's perfect! Hang on, I'll get there immediately." Will stated, as he turned his war-tank around.
"You heard the lady, cover our boy's back!" One of the tank squad captains exclaimed, as he fired into the enemy formation. "We gotta hold on until we can get the help to really come!"
As Will began to approach it, he suddenly noticed that there was a jeep next to it already, which confused him.
"Wait, someone's already there? Who is there? I should tune into the comms channel to see what's going on…' Will stated, as he did so.
"My eye! It's watering! I'm gonna turn into a plant any second now!" One of the Rubinelle soldiers in the force exclaimed. "I'd rather get shot than have that thing take me!"
"It must be the Lazurians! We never should have trusted them!" One of the older citizens blamed.
"Ha! You blame us when your own leader is trying to kill you?" One of the Lazurian soldiers retorted back. "We should never have joined you!"
"That's right! You never should have joined us, losers! It was bad enough when we had these useless civilians to deal with!" Another Rubinelle soldier mocked.
"Don't call us useless, you gun-toting warmongers! You're the ones who dragged us into your stupid battles! You should have left us in peace! Now I'm gonna catch the Creeper and die!" Another civilain argued.
"CEASE THIS NONSENSE AT ONCE!" A familiar voice shouted with harsh force through the comms tower, as it was heard through the entire western front.
"...Wait, that voice, is that… General Forsythe!?" Will stated. "But I thought that he was…"
"...Huh?" One of the Rubinelle soldiers blurted out.
"...Who the hell are you!? What's your problem, you old fogey!?" One of the civilians shouted.
"Don't insult our great General, you wretch!" A Lazurian soldier snarled. "...Sir, is that really you? You're really not…"
"Look at all of you, squabbling amongst each other like spoiled children over a piece of candy! I say, this is utterly shameful of all of you, especially at times of need like this!" Forsythe exclaimed. "You lunge at each other's throats, because you believe that the blame of this virus lies at the feet of another party. The enemy is right at our doorstep, and you tear at each other for such a terrible reason… Do you not care about how those fighting now are thinking!?"
"Forget this, man! I'm outta here!" One of the Rubinelle soldiers.
"...You intend to abandon your own allies?" Forsythe asked back with a dangerous edge to his words.
"I mean that I'm gone! I quit! Presto! Poof! See ya later, chumps!" The Rubinelle soldier exclaimed. "I ain't going to lie my life in the hands of an old fogey, especially the one who has been fighting us all this time. I'll take my chances on my own!"
"If that is what you intend, then I have no reason to argue against you. But what do you hope to do? Greyfield will not show mercy and compassion like your commanders did. He will line you up to the firing squad to die, and he will not think any more of it as pest extermination." Forsythe argued back.
" ...It's better than staying here." The Rubinelle soldier answered back.
"If that is what you believe, then I will not stop you. So long as you do not hinder the others, you are free to leave if you wish. However, I will not abandon a single person among all of us. Confused and angry you all might be, a good man does not stand by and allow others to fall into utter chaos. A general leads by example, and I intend to do exactly that. All those who will fight alongside me, do not give up hope. I believe in the hope that the good people in Brenner's Wolves have already been progressing towards a cure."
"General…" A Lazurian soldier remarked.
"Although I have lost the right to lead, when I left what remained of the Lazurian Army to be captured and almost executed by the NRA, I can at least still be of use, by at least rallying you all to fight the enemy that comes." Forsythe answered back. "I'm an old man, I have participated in many wars against Rubinelle, and I have stood victorious in many battles that I have taken command of. However, I will not discount the fact that our victory came at the cost of lives from both sides. Good men have died on the line of duty, and I respect their resolve to fight for their own country and their own values. My hands are as stained as those under my command, and I will not excuse myself for all of the fallen Rubinelle officers and soldiers. However, believe me when I say this, I intend to atone for my sin, by putting my talents to your use, so that you can all survive to see a better future, one that I lost the right to see after all I have done. We must unite together, and set aside our differences. We have our grievances, and I understand that words alone are not enough to heal the rift. However, there is a light of salvation before us, and we must fight together to grasp it, to spare us from the fate of death. Even a young boy is willing to lead men into battle, in order to protect those who cannot. Such resolve cannot remain unaided. Whatever reasons you have to fight, stand your ground and repel the enemy. Fight! Fight to live another day and a chance for hope!"
"...General, we're with you!" One of the Lazurian soldiers declared with passion. "Come on, all of you, let's get moving! The General threw himself down to our level to motivate us! If he's going to fight, then as what remains of the Lazurian Army… we're going to follow him to the last man, whether the path ends in heaven or hell!"
"Good god, no wonder General Forsythe is such a legend…" One of the Rubinelle soldiers remarked with awe. "...Screw it, that man is right, we may not fight for him, but we're at least fighting for our own, and so are the Lazurians. This Creeper nonsense can wait until we've got the time and place to worry about it! Alright, General, let's do it! We're going to let you take command, just make sure you get those NRA bastards a great blow!"
"Yeah! We're with you too! Let's take him down!" One of the civilians remarked.
Will watched, as the western front immediately began to move forward, as the various forces began to move towards their respective targets, as the anti-air and missiles began to bombard the approaching enemy air-force, while the ground forces began to attack the NRA armor together with the main force.
"...General, thank you…" Will stated. "...I'm glad that you're really not dead. The Lazurian people need a person like you."
"...Ah, you must be Will, the one that Mars said, was the current commander of Brenner's Wolves…" General Forsythe remarked. "I'm truly impressed that a young man like you could be able to fight the NRA on fairly even terms in the last few battles. It's proof that you are indeed Captain Brenner's successor, as he was to his own father."
"It wasn't just me." Will admitted. "Major Inaba, Lieutenant Colonel Schnee, everyone else, they all supported me, and helped me fight off the NRA. They deserve as much praise as I do, if not more, because of how much help they brought with them."
"And humble as well. Very well, this old man will fight with his best to ensure that none of your resolve will go in vain." Forsythe answered back.
Will then turned back to the front, as he opened a comm channel to the officers.
"Reisen, Weiss, Lin! You won't believe this! General Forsythe is actually alive!" Will exclaimed with joy. "And he's even managed to get the pincer unit to start cooperating and help us fight back the enemy!"
"It can't be…" Lin remarked with shock. "He was said to be… wait, then that Colonel from before…"
"...I had a feeling that he was lying about something." Reisen stated. "I held my suspicion for it, and I believe this confirms it… General Forsythe's death was a lie to keep the NRA oblivious to his escape. No wonder Keiji noted that the fleeing jeep was suspicious."
"This is good news, with the help of the General, we can easily persuade the remaining Lazurians to work alongside us." Weiss stated. "But first, let us beat back the enemy together!"
The allied forces began to rendezvous with each other, as they began to assault the NRA force from both flanks, racking us serious casualties on the enemy side, as with most of the comms towers in allied control, the enemy were annihilated without any further allied casualties.
"We drove them back!" Will exclaimed. "...Lin, Reisen, what's the possible ETA on enemy reinforcements?"
"They're half an hour away." Reisen stated. "We crushed the first wave of the enemy force with such precision and speed that they didn't have time to get a second wave in time to follow up on it."
"Then we have the time." Will stated. "Everyone, regroup! Regroup and repair what you can! We're not going to back down, even if it means we have to fight the entire NRA army just by ourselves, because we got back-up of our own!"
"Wait! Commander…" Lin stated, as she intercepted enemy communications. "The enemy appears to be retreating…"
"...Everyone, make a gradual return to base. I don't know if this is some sort of ploy, but we can't let ourselves get surprised." Will stated, finding the enemy's retreat mildly concerning.
The allied forces retreated into the allied base, as the officers gathered in the war room, to discuss the latest development on the combat situation.
"...What the heck happened? I thought that we were going to have to deal with more of the NRA's forces…" Will stated.
"I may have an idea. We intercepted some enemy communications as they were retreating. It seems there was some unforeseen event that demanded their full attention. I even confirmed it with Major Inaba on the way, the orders are genuine, even if they are not from Greyfield's mouth." Lin stated. "We captured a number of soldiers from the first wave while both sides were retreating. Let me talk to them. ...And if that doesn't work, I'll have Gage talk to them."
The officers then headed into the brig, where they found the detained NRA soldiers, who were being fairly cooperative despite the reputation of their leader, as one of the sergeant majors began to spill the beans to them, with Gage accompanying Lin by her orders.
"I don't know what happened. Some urgent order came in and told everyone to pull back." The NRA soldier stated. "Bush league, if you ask me. We were about to steamroll you guys… even if you did get us good with that pincer attack."
"Save the commentary. Why did you pull back?" Gage asked coldly.
"Not sure. I heard rumors that the rear guard had rebelled against the admiral. My guess? They sent frontline units back to put down the uprising. Last I heard, things were getting out of hand pretty fast." The NRA soldier responded back.
"It seems that your army is not as cohesive as it seems at first glance. I'm betting that there is a possible chance of civil war at the rate you're going." Reisen stated. "So much for having the upper hand. You might have the men and the fire-power, but your morale is more broken than ours, and that ended up in this situation."
"...Hmph, I doubt that your troubles with the NRA are over yet." The NRA soldier scoffed. "What, you ain't heard about the disease?"
"You mean Endoflorescens terribilis?" Weiss stated. "Or the more common nickname, the Creeper?"
"Yeah? Well, we call it the Green Thumb, and it's spreading like wild-fire. Folks are scared, panicking even. They were starting to desert even before that last battle. Greyfield is executing anyone who catches it. He says they're weak and they deserve it." The NRA soldier exclaimed back. "High spirits? Ha! We don't know if we're gonna get shot or have plants explode outta our heads."
"That must be why they withdrew... This shows there is always hope, even in the worst situations!" Will exclaimed.
"The same virus that almost caused rebellion in our ranks ended up saving us. ...Huh. You know what? Life's a funny thing." Lin responded back.
"...If you want something to comfort you and your men, we're making a cure for Green Thumb, as you call it." Reisen stated. "We've managed to make proper progress towards the cure, and it will be a matter of time until we have the vaccine ourselves. And then, reproducing it will be a easy task to do, with all of the help we have."
"Wait, you ain't pulling my leg aren't you, you really have a way to cure that stuff!?" The NRA soldier exclaimed with surprise.
"If you promise to cooperate, we will have you and your men fast-tracked to getting a dose of the vaccine." Reisen bartered. "We hold nothing against you, as it's just a matter of fighting for what is yours, which I assume is enough rations and money to last your life. You can have it here if you play nice."
"Damn, you drive a hard bargain… but then again, with that madman on the other side… The choice is already made." The NRA soldier responded back. "Better to live a prisoner that is kept properly fed with hope of not being turned into a living plant, than to either suffer that fate, or get thrown into the firing line for that piggy of an admiral."
The officers, along with Tasha and Gage then headed to Dr Morris's laboratory, as they encountered General Forsythe, who was actually moved into the lab, in order to be examined thoroughly for any traces of strange physical conditions that might have a connection to his sudden reappearance.
"Ah, you're just in time." Morris informed the officers. "As per your requirements, I've checked the good General over carefully. Other than having the standard wear-and-tear at his age, he's as fit as a whistle, oh ho ho ho!"
"So you are saying that nothing had happened to General Forsythe?" Gage asked back.
"Other than being a little shaken after what had happened, the doctor is right." Forsythe answered. "I am indeed safe and sound, back with my men."
"General… you really aren't…" Tasha stated, as her voice was shaking with relief and she was holding back tears.
"I'm sorry that you had to suffer the lie of my death, Tasha." Forsythe answered back. "But it was a necessary measure. I had to keep myself hidden among the survivors of this continent, so that Greyfield does not kill me."
"You said that you would have taken responsibility for the war… what happened, to have forced you to leave your men behind?" Gage asked the General.
"Alas, it wasn't initially my choice." Forsythe sighed. "You see, the few moments before Brenner's Wolves stormed the head-quarters. Mars himself appeared in it, and hood-winked me before any of you could even realize it. From his account, my men did a valiant job trying to stop my kidnapping, but he took them out. He said that no-one has died as a result of his escape, although I am unsure of how true that statement is."
"And I assume that you and Mars escaped the head-quarters on a jeep?" Reisen asked.
"That is indeed correct." Forsythe nodded back. "The next moment I came to, I was laid on the seat of the jeep, and Mars himself was refueling it. He realized that I was awake, and decided to explain what went on. He stated that he convinced Colonel Grenwild to make a false claim of my death to throw Admiral Greyfield off my trail, and that he has gotten me close enough to a settlement where I can mingle among, never to fear being hunted down by Mars. When I asked him the reason he did so, he stated that I was far too 'intriguing' to him to die a martyr, and so asked me to keep living, for this world needs 'men of your caliber'. After that, he wandered into the waste-lands himself, and left me the jeep to drive. After that, I did what was asked of me. You then came upon me on the way to the village. I shudder to recall what I heard about that village, and it has reinforced my doubt in distrusing my benefactor."
"And who was he?" Weiss asked back. "...Is he the father of Mars?"
"Only by title, he claims it as such." Forsythe admitted. "I must apologize if I have little for any of you to go on with. But that is all I know. That man has kept me at an arm's length about anything involving him."
"Well, at least that means that we can rely on your help to get the Lazurians to fight alongside us." Will stated, before putting a hand out. "I'm currently the commander of Brenner's Wolves, since the Captain himself is in critical condition. I would like to ask if you could help us defeat the NRA and bring back peace for everyone."
"I would be honored to work alongside anyone who fights for a good ideal." Forsythe responded back, shaking Will's hand with a gentle smile. "You have this old man's help."
"Ahem, now that we have had a great reunion to lift some of our spirits', we should get to the more pressing matter." Morris interjected with a gentle cough. "I have the final test results. I think it's best to tell everyone at once. The infected will be quarantined while we look for a cure. Those who aren't infected yet are free to stay or go as they see fit. I hope this doesn't plant a ...SEED of dissent! Oh ho! Oh ho ho ho ho…"
Tasha could only scowl, while Gage was left silent, as even Forsythe was shaking his head, as the allied officers remained tersely silent.
"...What? You're not laughing." Morris stated.
" ...Thank you, Doctor." Will stated.
" But seriously, I am concerned that this could cause much unrest among your troops." Morris responded back.
"We have already dealt with that, after what Forsythe had done." Weiss stated. "But if there needs to be more speeches to persuade the people to not turn on each other, Ydine and I can do exactly that. We can break the news well enough for them to get the best outcome of this discovery."
"That reminds us… Who among us are infected?" Will asked. "Do I have it?"
"Let's see... Nope! You're as healthy as a horse. Maybe I should get you some hay! Oh ho ho ho!" Morris stated.
"Let's not make more jokes, Morris." Reisen stated. "I can confirm that everyone else but Lin is un-infected, I have checked the results. The only reason that Lin's result is not decided, is because I haven't gotten them yet from the tests."
"What is your plan, Will? If you stay here, you will most likely contract the virus, and so will the rest of you." Morris stated.
"I'm not going anywhere, Doctor. I command this unit, if in name only. I will face the risk along with the troops." Will declared.
"Blast! I thought you were going to say that! Under normal circumstances, a doctor would never allow a patient to take such risks." Morris exclaimed.
"I'm sure that Will's determination is not to be underestimated. Someone will have to lead, and Will's our best choice. Besides, he is an officer like us, he understands the importance of facing the same danger together." Weiss stated. "I'll make sure that Will doesn't get close to the infected, and ensure that his risk of infection is almost zero."
"That's right, there is no point in my survival if I lose all my friends." Will agreed.
"Lin… you have been awfully silent." Reisen told Lin, noticing the lack of dialogue from the lieutenant. "Could it be that you know something that I don't about your result?"
"Reisen… are you scared?' Lin asked, as Reisen stiffened slightly, as Will turned around with a slightly concerned expression, while the other officers looked at Lin also. "Are you scared of the Creeper taking over your body? Of those flowers blooming? What if there is no cure? What if we all suffer that fate regardless? I know a lot of ways to die, but having flowers burst out of you... If you aren't scared of that, Reisen… then I don't know-"
"What instigated that belief?" Reisen asked forcefully with a glare in her eyes. "If there is truly no cure for it, then I'll settle with the second best option as a delaying-agent that can slow down the progression of symptoms long enough for a better method to be made. Don't tell that you're-"
"Reisen, I... I talked to Dr. Morris. I have the virus." Lin admitted, much to everyone's horror.
"...I don't think that we should be here, Gage." Tasha remarked, seeing that the situation was turning bad.
"...I agree." Gage answered back, as he left with Tasha and Forsythe.
"Oh, Lin! No!" Will stated.
"...That can't be…!" Reisen remarked, before turning to Morris. "Dr Morris, did you intentionally withhold her results from me!?"
"...I'm sorry, Major, but I did. It was her choice." Morris stated. "...I believe that she wouldn't want to be a burden to you all."
"That's not…!" Reisen growled, as she curled her hands into fists with an angered expression.
"Are you sure you don't want to leave? No one would think less of you." Lin stated. "Please, Major, Commander, don't throw your lives away for me."
"...I will find a cure for you, Lin. I will not accept your death… I cannot…" Reisen seethed, before she then left the lab. "...Forgive me, I need to clear my head."
"Reisen, wait-" Weiss exclaimed, as Reisen pushed past her, before she then turned to Lin. "...Lin, don't give up hope, we'll find the cure for you, just… just do your best to hold on."
Weiss then followed after Reisen, leaving Will, Morris and Lin as the only ones in the lab.
"Lin, I won't run away. We will find a cure. I have hope in everyone, especially the Major." Will told Lin firmly, before he then left too.
Outside the camp, Weiss caught up to Reisen, as she was worried about her partner.
"Reisen, are you alright, I know that this is terrible to you… but you can't let it affect your judgment this much…" Weiss warned Reisen.
"...I know… But I can't let Lin die. It may be my pride speaking, but after what I have done back when I was with the Lunarians... "This is what I must do. I cannot allow her to die… I refuse to abandon any of my men or allies to this disease. We are so close to a cure… we just need a bit more time to make the cure… I have to hurry…"
"Don't push yourself, Reisen… you are also needed to fight off the enemy hordes as well." Weiss responded back. "Without you, we might not even be able to handle what might come. And you might even end up infected yourself if you grow careless."
"I know… But like Will has said… I can't avoid taking that risk." Reisen answered back. "...I promise you though, Weiss… This virus will not be the end of me. Even if I am to be dragged down by it, I will make the cure work until I am bed-ridden."
"Don't say that! There are many people who are counting on you! Especially me, are you really going to-" Weiss shouted with outrage, before Reisen walked over and placed her hands on Weiss's shoulders.
"...I know that… And I understand that your mind is as unchanged as mine is." Reisen answered back. "...Sorry if I went overboard… I'll do my best to keep myself safe, while ensuring that the cure can be completed as soon as possible."
"...That's all I need from you, Reisen. Please, don't devalue your life before others." Weiss nodded back with a relieved smile.
They soon returned to the camp, as they found that Lin and Will were looking for them already.
"I heard from one of the captured NRA soldiers that there is a town to the south that is said to contain a method to cure the Creeper." Lin stated. "The town's name is called Salvation, although I doubt there will be any right at the village. It's doubtful that there would be a cure, if we don't have , with all of the medical researchers working on it."
"But it's our best hope. If there is even a chance that there is a cure there… We might be able to stop the panic before it even gets serious." Will stated. "We're heading there."
"Very well. We'll get the troops to start recon over there, and move our main force to be in range of it." Reisen nodded back.
The allied forces began to head for the town in question, as they seemed to have no clue where it was, before they then found that there was a trail of smoke in the distance, as the scout units headed over there.
When the scouts arrived at the source of the smoke, they found that there was the same unidentified force that the group had fought with on their escape from the NRA, as there were corpses of countless infected civilians within the burning buildings, as if they were purging the virus from the village itself.
"Sir, we have unsettling news, the unknown force is present here as well." One of the scouts reported to the officers. "...They seem to be disposing of the dead corpses of the village civilians which are infected for some reason. Something doesn't add up here…"
"You're right, it doesn't." Weiss stated. "We have to engage the enemy forces before they leave. Who knows what they might have in their hold? It might even be the very thing that we have been looking for."
The main force began to move towards the village, as the vanguard reached the outskirts, with Will's tank leading them, before they were intercepted by the village loudspeakers, and the unknown force spotting them.
"Well, well, it seems that you have come here as expected." Mars's voice boomed from the speakers. "I should have expected that the rumors of a cure would have had you all chasing them down like a dog for a stick."
"Were you the ones responsible for all of this!?" Weiss exclaimed with anger.
"The slaughter, yes. The rumors, no. Those rumors were of their own making." Mars answered back. "Although, I should tell you that those rumors are merely words, nothing more. There is no cure here, and believe me, if there was, I would have thoroughly eradicated it as per my father's orders."
"Wait, the infected… don't tell me that they made those rumors…" Reisen said, realizing the reason why Mars's force was burning the village down.
"Why, it's to increase their numbers. Not as if they were intentionally trying to spread their green sorrow to others. They merely wish to spread the word for their cure, the religious worship of a worm." Mars remarked, before he snorted with a condescending chuckle. "See, this is why religion has no value in a ravaged world. They fill people's heads with superstitious nonsense, and make them do abnormal things that would be considered anathema to all forms of common society. Although, I do have interest in how they form the casus belli that causes religious wars to spark through the ages. It would be better if they have been all wiped out, they have become nothing but rabid beasts who lash at anything that threatens their 'savior'. Even caused me a minor problem when they shouldn't. So it was to the fire for all of them with their twisted religion."
"And now you intend to finish what your sister started." Reisen remarked.
"Actually, no. Unlike Tabitha who derives her fun from dismantling anything that gets in her way with excessive power, I prefer to play the long game." Mars responded back. "Besides, considering that you might have already gotten General Forsythe back, you can believe me when I say that I can be charitable if it favors. And it would be a shame if I let you all come here with nothing to say of it."
"What are you implying then?" Lin asked.
"Simple, I'm offering you exactly what you have come for, the cure for the Creeper." Mars stated.
"You're bluffing, there is no possible way that you possess the means." Lin answered back. "Even if you did, it would run counter to your principles."
"But do you know what my principles are, Lieutenant?" Mars asked back. "I offer your generosity and you all find it so out of the blue? Well, I can't fault that. It's not like I'm offering it to you on a silver platter. No, you're going to have to earn the right to get the cure from me. If you can beat the forces that I have here, then the cure will be delivered to you, no tricks involved."
"And what do you gain if we lose?" Weiss asked back carefully.
"Why, you'll all be destroyed of course, that's how war works." Mars casually declared. "Brenner's Wolves will be finally taken out, and there will be nothing left in my father's way. And I do wish to tell you, you really don't want it to come to that. What he envisions for the world, is a future that is both short and ruthless, and it ends with the death of everything on this planet, except for himself and his progeny of course."
"War… you said that it was your purpose a while ago… this is why you are doing this?" Reisen replied.
"Of course, my entire purpose revolves around war. You'll learn why eventually." Mars stated. "For now, I suggest you ready yourself, I'm not going to give you all much reprieve before the fighting starts."
"Be careful, we shouldn't underestimate him. If he has such a large force, and he has proven to be more tricky than he seems at first glance… then he will make this fight easy." Reisen stated. "I suggest that we carefully read his movements and counter with the right tactics."
"I'm afraid that will do little good, when he will make use of the missile silos in the area." Weiss remarked with a worried tone. 'He's already got a few under his control, and he is likely not going to spare any effort in using them to blast out forces away. We have to make use of the nearby silos, and even the odds. One thing for sure, there will be heavy casualties either way."
"We can't afford to let them get the advantage. Everyone, don't move recklessly!" Will exclaimed.
The allied forces began to move carefully, as spotters helped to keep track of the enemy-occupied silos, so that they could quickly predict the trajectories of the incoming missiles, and mitigate losses with a well-timed warning to the troops. The infantry squads quickly scrambled for the nearby silos, as they made sure that they could access the controls.
As soon as both ground forces began to clash, the missiles started to fly across the battlefield, as the ballistic weapons caused tremendous damage to both sides, as tanks were blown to pieces by direct hits from them, and even the shockwave was enough to cause damage to the other tanks as well, and any infantry unlucky enough to be in the explosive radius were given a fiery death. Even disregarding the missiles, Mars led his troops well, as he managed to take a unit each time he lost a unit, ensuring that the battle was always at even odds.
"Not bad, not bad, we both know what the winning moves are here." Mars stated. "It's going to be a very bloody battle with all of the missiles destroying squads by the dozen. I wonder how this will end, whether my forces will give out first, or will it be yours…!"
"I won't give in to this easily!" Will shouted back, as he used his war-tank to destroy the opposing war-tank, blunting the enemy offensive greatly, before a missile blast shook his tank greatly. "You might have forced this battle into a mess of missiles, but we can still win this, as long as we keep a focused offensive."
"Yes, yes!" Mars exclaimed with glee, which unsettled Will. "Show me, kid! Show me the depths of your tactical genius, show me how you use your men like extensions of your own will to soundly crush the enemy! Show me the power of your leadership!"
The allied forces began to advance, as the allied missiles began to assault the enemy silos, weakening the enemy missile capability, before several tank squads stormed what remained of the enemy missile silos, effectively ensuring the allied victory.
"Alright, now then, let's wreck these bastards, now that they can't blast us with more missiles anymore!" One of the tank squad captains exclaimed.
The allied forces rallied together, before they crushed what remained of Mars's forces, as the last tank was destroyed, and what dredges remained of the infantry fled the field, knowing their defeat was decided already.
"Well, it seems that the battle has been decided." Mars stated. "I will throw in my surrender for this battle, and follow my promise as intended. Very soon, you will see that there is a rig heading towards the direction of your camp. I assure you, there are no explosives strapped to it, or even infected people inside of it. It's just the skeleton crew… and the formula to the cure that you have been waiting for."
"...Before you leave… Why did you offer us the cure? Wouldn't it have been better if you left us weakened?" Reisen stated. "You would have easily crushed all of us in a few battles, with the virus sowing discord and panic amongst our rank, and disrupting our morale. It is not becoming of someone of your mentality to discard such an advantage."
"Well, let's consider it as an act of honor and equality. When the time comes, I want you all to fight with your best, no virus interfering with the battle, and nothing stopping you from using all of your power to crush me." Mars answered back. "Unlike my sisters, I don't have to follow my father's word down to the word, as long as the spirit remains and the results are satisfactory, he could care less if I went down and shook hands with you. For now, I shall retreat. Until we meet again, wolves of hope."
As Mars said, a rig eventually arrived at the allied camp, as it was carefully watched by every military unit in the vicinity, as the frightened crew of the rig stepped out, with their hands raised as a sign of surrender.
"Don't shoot us, we're just here to keep the commander's promise…!" One of the crew exclaimed. "The formula is inside!"
Reisen led a small squad into the rig, as they checked the entire vehicle for anything suspicious, only to find none, and collect the Creeper cure formula inside of it. When Reisen went outside, she examined the formula carefully, before she then reached her conclusion.
"...It seems genuine. Most of the chemicals used correlate with the ones that we have inducted into our prototype vaccine." Reisen announced. "If we were to use the missing ingredients, we might potentially have the cure made."
"That's great news, Major!" Will exclaimed with joy. "With this, we can stop the Creeper before it claims many of our men's lives!"
"Reisen…" Lin stated, before Reisen walked over, and nudged the jacket on Lin's body slightly, revealing that there was a green diamond-shape mark on her left shoulder.
"...It seems that you're developing into the late stages." Reisen stated. "...But don't give up hope, Lin… There is still time yet to save you. As long as we administer the right cure, the infection process will reverse itself, and you'll be healthy once again. It's a good thing that you haven't progressed into the visible stages, those are considered to be critical, if not terminal cases."
"Reisen, Commander… Are you trying to prove something? I know I asked Will to be our commander, but this is beyond duty. It's suicide." Lin stated with a worried tone. "No one doubts your commitment or your courage. Go, Will. Go. Walk away and don't look back. We'll be OK."
"OK will not settle with me. Captain Brenner will not wake up to see most of his own downed by the Creeper." Reisen answered back. "...Please, Lin, you can't give up yet. The cure is in reach for us. We can still save you. Brenner wouldn't want you to end up like this."
"I'm not staying here to sacrifice myself, Lin, or to be...noble or make a point or something. I'm staying here to help. Where there's life, there's hope. I believe that. And if I run, I... I take that hope from everyone. Does that make sense?" Will added himself, with a hand to his chest.
Lin looked silently at both Reisen and Will, before she then sighed deeply. "It seems that Brenner has you pegged from the start, Will… and you are allies far better than we deserve, both you and Lieutenant Colonel Schnee." She admitted. "I won't ask again, and I'll try my best to hold onto hope. After all, Brenner is getting far better these days… he might even wake up before we defeat the NRA."
"Don't worry, he will make it." Reisen nodded back.
Term of the Chapter: Battle-Copters
The Swiftwing attack helicopters within the UUF force are known for being capable of laying down heavy vulcan-fire across a large targeting area, making them specialized in dealing with enemy infantry. On the other hand, the Miha-24 helicopters, which are used by the UGF, are known to carry various forms of rockets, with only a pair of machine gun mounts, making it a specialized unit for destroying enemy armor, and the destruction of enemy key structures.