Author's Note:
plasma123fire here! I am back with another chapter! As stated in the previous chapter, this chapter is the second part of chapter 8. So, you can say it is chapter 8.2. Where it would be about the before launch, the aftermath of the mission, an insight on the mysterious blue haired girl, and a follow up to present of the RDA's mass deployment. I will answer your reviews at the end of the chapter. As always leave a review, a follow & a favorite as it gives me a lot of motivation into writing this story!
Continuing with the story…
Chapter 8.2: Construct a Hypothesis III Part 2
"Patience is the companion of wisdom." - St. Augustine
While the RDA Task Force is busying slaying goblins. At the same time…
Somewhere on Alnus Hill
Random Hill
06h30
Rory Mercury is seen on a hill, sitting on her legs, looking out to the rising sun. Praying. She is doing her usual routine morning prayer, where she prays to her god, Emroy - God of Darkness, War, Death, Violence, and Insanity. Sometimes she receives a divine message from him, about something she must do or be aware about. This peculiar message strikes her interested and worried.
Darkness…
The darkness was everywhere, wherever she stands. Almost like a dark black mist. It enveloped the entire environment. She sees she was in her usual attire wearing her proud gothic dress and wielding her mighty axe. Walking around, she stumbles upon bodies and bodies of civilians, soldiers of all kinds, both JSDF and from the native kingdoms of the Special Region. There were monsters as well. Some identifiable, while others never seen before. The bodies made up the ground and seemed endless as she continued to walk, looking for clues on what could have happen.
[Squish, squish, crunch, crunch]
[Squish, squish, crunch, crunch]
The sounds of the corpses being stepped on as her red boots landed on them echoed throughout the dark misty environment. The rotting smell of the various decaying corpses suddenly attacks her like no tomorrow. But she withstands it, as she is used to death. In fact, she was Death itself. She was the Grim Reaper of this world. Bringing death upon those she deserved it and attending the funeral and ceremonies of the recent decedent. She ponders as she walks endlessly amongst the corpses.
"Why do you want to show me this, my lord? What is this purpose? What is this vision about? An upcoming blood bath? Why don't you answer me? IS THIS YOUR DOING? DAMMIT, ANSWER ME!" shouts Rory Mercury in no particular direction, frustrated.
[HELP ME! SOMEONE HELP ME! THE IRON DEMONS ARE HERE!]
Rory Mercury turns around to the source of the screams. She sees a little girl of no less than 10 years old, running towards her direction. She immediately picks haste and runs to aid the girl as well. The visibly injured girl stumbles on her feet and lands face first into the ground, Rory Mercury now standing in front of her, try to console her.
The little girl now sitting on her bottom, cries out and starts to cough out blood.
"There there, I am the Apostle for Emroy. I will assist you. You seem badly hurt. Where does it hurt, are you sick?" says Rory Mercury to the little girl, in a motherly tone.
The little girl does not answer and continues to cry. Rory Mercury tries again, but no answer. She tries to touch the girl, but her hand just goes through her, as if she is a ghost or if Rory Mercury is a ghost to her. Inspecting the girl's condition thoroughly, she sees the girl has some blisters over her face and has some white foam or drool coming from her mouth.
"A disease outbreak? I never seen such a disease nor symptoms before. Though, the only disease outbreak, I experienced first-hand, where I got eaten by a minotaur." Thinks Rory, as it sent shivers down her spine, and made herself feel disgusted at those memories.
[CLANK CLANK CLANK]
[STOMP STOMP STOMP]
[CLANK CLANK CLANK]
Upon hearing the sound, the little girl stood up immediately, and started to run. Screaming for help and that the iron demon is going to kill her! Rory Mercury ponders for a bit.
"That clanking sound so familiar. Iron demon, does she mean a- "
Out of the dark mist in front, a few meters from Rory Mercury. Come out a-
"DROID!?"
That metal abomination, I killed so many in my leisure, when that tin can allowed me too. He said, when he has some spares and if she wanted to fight against something. I could always just ask, and I was given a prompt reply, always ending in yes. Tin can…
[A superficial image of General Kalani appears in her mind, as she gets pissed off at]
Back to reality or the vision, she is having. She stands in battle stance and questions the droid, as she blocks it's view from the running little girl.
"Droid, are you the one killing all these civilians, the JSDF and all those unidentifiable monsters!?"
It does not answer her. The droid armed with a hip-fired M.2 Browning machine gun, belt-fed by a large ammunition backpack, lifts the gun. A laser sight activates from one of its shoulder mounted sensors and takes aim at Rory Mercury, or so she thinks. It fires at her, a succession of .50 armor-piercing incendiary (API), M8 rounds at her. Rory Mercury sprints at hit, and out of reflexes, tries to block the bullets, and takes a strike at the attacking droid. But she just flies through it.
Shocked as she realized that everything is like a ghost or she is a ghost to them. She looks in horror, as the rounds that was fired at her. It didn't hit her, it went through her as if she was not there, and it hit the running child. The child was shot at by the droid. The droid continues to fire at the now collapsed child, landing hits for around 5 seconds. The child was reduced to a bloody mess, with weird white clumps amongst the blood.
"Why Emroy!? Why are you showing me this, the droid belonging to the RDA, are the good guys? They are working with the United Nations from the other side of the GATE."
The droid walking to the dead girl now, sends a beam of green light at the corpse. Scanning it, like appraisal magic, that the apostle has seen before in this world. On a loudspeaker, the droid projected a sequence of words, that Rory Mercury could not hear properly nor make out. It was muffled to her ears.
[THREAT TERMINATED. AREA CLEANSED. UPDATING OBJECTIVES]
…..
[OBJECTIVES UPDATED. INFECTED ORGANISM DETECTED. TERMINATION IMMEDIATE]
The droid turns around towards Rory Mercury, making its usual clanks and stomps. Rory Mercury looks at it as she stands up, in a now passive position as knowing she won't be harm, nor can she harm the droid. She observes. But immediately the droid unleashes a massive barrage of bullets at her. Now caught off guard, as she feels the pain of the hot lead bullets travelling at 928m/s piece through her body. Now pissed off at the turn of events, and that her gothic priestess attire is now ruined. She charges at the droid, biting her pain as the bullets continued to pierce her. She launches a succession of slashes at the droid, knowing it can't compute fast enough to her godly speed. But it did and it surprised her. Now in a vulnerable position, the droid bashes its gun at Rory Mercury, sending her flying it's a heap of corpses.
Dazed, she tries to get her bearings and sees that she got burying in a heap of corpse, trying to find a way out, she gets the shock of her live. In front of her face, is herself, but the one she is seeing is dead, with a gunshot wound to the head. Startled, she turns around and sees Itami, Lelei, Tuka – all her friends, dead in front of her with gunshot wounds to the head, in this heap of corpses.
"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON! THIS IS NOT FUNNY EMROY‼"
She immediately busts out of the heap of corpses and notices, she is now on a large hill of corpses of her friends, herself and everyone she ever knew in her 961 years. The droid at the base of the hill, spots her and starts to viciously climb the heap, quite quickly. Looking for her axe, she could not find it. Now resorting to something she would regret, despite this being a vision. She starts to pick up the corpses of her love,Yōji Itami and starts chucking them at the droid. Hitting the droid with a couple of them, and sometimes missing. It still continues to climb.
Preparing to yeet another dead Itami. The dead Itami suddenly spoke to her.
"Hey Rory, why didn't you save me like you suppose to? Why didn't your blood pact with me, work as intended. Rory?"
Disbelieved, she drops the supposed corpse of Yōji Itami at the base of her feet.
"WTF! Aren't you dead?!"
"Rory….Rory…Rory…" replies the dead Itami to her, as he crawls to her and starts to grab her skirt and trying to pull it.
"Itami! Even if you are dead or not dead, you can't do this now, we can always do this later…!?" blushes the Apostle of Emroy.
[Rory…Rory…Rory…]
"Wait what is that voice, is it who I think it is!?" says Rory as she turns around and sees…
All her friends, Lelei, Tuka and now herself!?
They are all crawling towards her and starting to pull at her. Trying to pull her down towards them.
"Rory…Rory…Rory…"
"Rory, why didn't you save me? Why did you let us get killed? Are we not your friends?"
"Rory"
"Rory"
"Rory"
"Why didn't you save us? We all died because of you!" shouts all her dead friends at her, while staring to savages rip her apart like feral dogs.
"Wait, what? What happened? Explain to me what I did wrong that lend to this?" as she cries to her friends in distraught.
[YOU DIDN'T SAVE US‼]
Hands went on her face, which lend to darkness.
Rory Mercury suddenly wakes up, then all she hears is –
[BATA BATA BATA]
[RATATATATATA]
[BATA BATA BATA]
[RATATATATATA]
The sounds of helicopters echoed throughout her ears, as her eyes discovered, she was in a battlefield. In an open green field, there were trenches everywhere, as she sees JSDF and RDA armored vehicles plow through the fields and move towards the enemy trenches were, barrages of bullets and magic attacks attacked the armored convoy. Before being…
[VNNNGGGGG]
[VNNNGGGGG]
[VNNNGGGGG]
Fighter jets fly pass, dropping bombs over the enemy trenches, destroying them completely. Overwhelmed on what is happening, Rory Mercury speeds off towards the enemy trenches trying to figure out, who this enemy is. Once she makes it into the trench. She sees bodies on hooded figures wearing a golden dragon's eye medallion. Trying to peak into the hoods, was no avail as it was just darkness. As she was further investigating, trying to figure out where their weapons were, a hooded figure was laughing at her.
"Oh, you are so blind. The end is near. The Redemption for US has arrived. Take the fruit of our endeavors!" laughs the hooded man at her, as he raises his bloody old hand to her face, shooting a magic bolt at her. Naturally she tries to block it, but the dark mist envelopes her as she does so.
The dark mist takes her to various places, green forests full of live and peace, that was suddenly turned into wastelands in a flash, with huge vehicles that will rival the great size of the flame dragon, eating away the dirt and rock of the land. Mining and destroying the landscape. Factories that now covered entire landscapes, once full of life and biodiversity. Spewing out war machines of all sorts, hundreds of tanks, droids and aircraft zoomed past the landscape. The dark mist continues to take her to cities and towns being destroyed by flying fortresses, beams of light and falling stars from above. Entire countries and kingdoms ending in flashes as mushroom shaped clouds formed on their surfaces.
The mist takes Rory Mercury to an exotic landscape, where large floating rocks can be seen, and a floating kingdom above, in the sky. The Kingdom of the Valkyries, the race that came from the GATE and aided the Gods and the mortals of this world. They fought against the demons and won. They are said to be residing in their floating homes, in peace until the world needs them again. Rory Mercury who now discovers, she is floating and flying about, sees a lone RDA SA-2 Samson, flying through and exploring the majestic floating rocks, before being struck down by a bolt of lightning from the flying Valkyries above. The scene suddenly changes to a massive air battle in the kingdom of the Valkyries, JASDF and RDA forces are neck and neck with the Valkyries. As the scene continues to transition towards the sea as a large fleet of steel naval warships dotted the entire surface. There were so many, that Rory could not identify who the ships were from. The ships fired and attacked another enemy fleet of equal size. Magic and missile attacks was exchanged from both sides, with never ending onslaught.
The dark mist now takes her to the dark continent, the homeland of the demons. The homeland seemed to be in destruction as well, where the demon villages were pillaged and attacked. The men were killed. The children and women enslaved and raped. The evidence of magic attacks, swords, arrows and bullet shells littered the landscape, as well as hot scorching earth in the form of large craters. The scene continues to transition to Japan, where monsters of all sorts was destroying the country, hundreds of men, women and children were killed. Soldiers from all sorts of kingdoms from the Special Region is seen, indulging themselves in the luxuries of the other side of the GATE. Old Imperial Flags and foreign flags from the Special Region is seen around the Japanese's home world. Famous cities from their world- Berlin, Washington DC, Paris, London, Moscow, Beijing, London, Dubai, and Cape Town are seen showing the flags of the old Saderan Empire strongly. The dark mist final dissolves and takes Rory Mercury to a throne room, where she sees her female companions - naked and straddling the person sitting on the throne. There on the throne, sits the Demon King. He chuckles at Rory Mercury as she stands before him.
"You have failed, Apostle of Emroy. My allies and I have conquered both worlds. Your ignorance was gullible." Says the Demon King as he uses one of his four arms and grabs Lelei La Lena closer towards him, fondling her and the other Tuka Luna Marceau.
"NEVER‼‼" roars Rory Mercury as she jumps and flies towards the Demon King. As she slashes at him, the vision ends. Rory now sees herself exhausted and lying on the grass of the hill she was on. Panting. The sun was now fully risen, indicating to her it was around 08h00.
She closes her eyes once more, and curses her God, Emroy for being a bastard and not being clear on this. That he should just go straight to the point and not be a pervert. As why did he depict Lelei, having large assets than her! She knows that Lelei gained some weight because of Hardy's gluttony and that Lelei went on a diet afterwards. But still, it was so irritating to her! She can depict the faces of Hardy and Emroy smirking at us, the very minute.
"Huuuuuuuuhhhhhhhh‼‼‼ SO ANNOYING‼‼" shouted Rory as she dusts herself off and picks up her battle axe.
"Mmmmmm, I wonder what is for breakfast? Where's that otaku now?" says Rory Mercury as she dashes off back to Alnus Hill as the morning bugle call was sounded throughout the base.
While Rory Mercury was experiencing her divine message…
Alnus Hill
RDA Alnus Compound
Temporary Command Centre
07h45
[NB: The command centre is similar to NASA's White Flight Control Room prior to STS-114 in 2005. Except for the computer displays to be the holographic interface as depicted in the Avatar movie]
The sounds of computers beeping can be heard alongside, numerous keyboard clicks. The Temporary Command Centre was created for the RDA's operations in the Special Region while the construction of Hell's GATE is being completed by many construction drones and droids. It should be up and running for human occupation and usage by the time of the RDA's mass deployment.
Large overhead flatscreen monitors are showing the CAM footage of the RDA's Task Force and droid units. As well as their life readings. RDA personal at the control panels were disgusted at the sight of what the goblins did to the females, while listening to the conversations of the task force to the hostages.
"The reproductive nature of the goblin's is very aggressive and disgusting." Says a communications operator audibly to everyone.
"No shit sherlock. Those guys are ruthless, I pity those that get attacked by them. I rather get eaten by lions then being attacked by them. Disgusting creatures." Replies his control panel neighbor to him.
[ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT EVERYONE. PLEASE CALM DOWN. I AM HERE NOW.]
The sounds of the Administrator, Parker Selfridge walking into the Command Centre can be heard as he shouts aloud to everyone. He walks to his Commander-In-Chief's desk where General Kalani was sitting at. As soon as General Kalani sees him, he gets up and lets his superior sit down.
"Alright everyone, I heard we found survivors, is there a problem now? Is the extermination going well? Kalani, what is your analysis?" asks Parker to the super tactical droid standing next to him.
"Affirmative, according to my analysis and the changing situation now. Our men might be ill-equipped for the upcoming objective now."
"What do you mean ill-equipped? We have the very best men in this task force. These men were ex-Special Forces! As well as your droids in having special programming. They are using the best guns as well! That can't be ill-equipped." Asks Parker in shock to his droid general.
"I do not mean that our forces are lacking in any equipment. There may be outside interference of this mission. As according to my earlier calculations. This was supposed to be a normal search and destroy mission to the goblins, with the possibility of hostages at 11333 to 100. According to one of the hostages, specifically this female wolf humanoid."
[The droid points his finger to one of the screens showing Luna's face in one of the bodycam footages]
"All the hostages, her sister and herself were former adventurers, mages and people with a large variety of powerful skillsets before being captured by the goblin vermin."
"So, what about it? How does it affect us in our capabilities? You mentioned she has a sister? Where is she amongst the current hostages. Is she dead already?"
"Negative, administrator… She is not dead; she is being held by the goblins in a sacrificial ritual of sorts… The team is going to rescue her and the other remaining hostages now. It affects us, as the adventurers were led into a trap of sorts by an unknown magic guild by the name of the Hydra's Eye… Our team could be led into a trap as well."
"The Hydra's Eye huh? That name does not appear in any of our Special Region data bases. Are we sure she is not lying to us? Even if it is a trap, our task force can handle it."
"Lying is uncertain at this point. However…Her description of the magician's attire of this organization matches perfectly with the mages that attacked our first Special Region convoy a few months prior… I was there to witness it."
"What makes you sure general?" asks Peter concerned now.
"Hostage Luna mentioned a gold medallion in the shape of a dragon's eye to be the identifying factor of this magic organization… It is the same medallion, I retrieved on the supposed corpse of a mage that escape by unknown means…."
[General Kalani shows a hard tablet with the picture of the dragon's eye medallion to Parker Selfridge. Parker inspects it]
"I see, so what does this entail now? Is this going to be a problem?"
"The problem is that we-"
[WE HAVE A SITUATION! I REPEAT WE HAVE A SITUATION!]
[MAN DOWN! MAN DOWN! I REPEAT MAN DOWN!]
[I LOST CONTACT WITH 2 SCOUTS, I REPEAT LOST CONTACT]
[Task Force is taking heavy fire; I repeat heavy fire]
[Multiple goblin units are approaching their position. I repeat multiple hostiles inbound]
Multiple RDA personal were scrambling on their computers, trying to communicate and assist the task force with every possible way.
"WHAT'S WRONG, WHAT'S HAPPENING! DID THE TEAM FAIL THEIR OBJECTIVES?! DID THEY GET ATTTACKED! IT'S FRICKING GOBLINS! WE ARE NOT DEALING WITH GODZILLA HERE‼?" orders Parker Selfridge around the Command Centre as he got up and looked at the overhead monitors in sudden shock. Everyone was standing out of their sits and looking at the onslaught of attacks on the overhead monitors.
The whole Command Centre saw their task force getting attacked by what appears to be hundreds and hundreds of goblins of various types and the use of magic as well. Lightning magic electrocuted men and droid alike to death and a burnt crisp, hundreds of bullets were fired at the green humanoids as they fell down dead. The people at the control panels started to pray for their men's safety as they continued to break free from the goblin's trap and rescue the remaining survivor.
"Kalani! Why are the goblin using lightning magic! I thought you said that only shamans can use magic, and only the green type of magic!" screams Parker at his droid general pointing his finger at his red optics. "I am losing men out there, thanks to your miscalculations!"
"Negative, administrator… The probability of the goblin specie using magic outside their own magic alongside their weak mental capabilities is 10003 to 1… However according to new data now" The droid general walks to one of the overhead monitors. "The goblins seem to possess an ability to be able to use any type of weapon given that they have experienced it before and were taught. The goblin type that is using that lightning magic is the goblin lord - the king amongst the goblins, according to my databanks. However, the magic he is using is not genuine, it is not coming from him despite being more intelligent that the average goblin."
"Then where is the magic coming from, we need to take it out, to ensure our men's safety!" says Parker as he sat down in his chair again with his hands over his head in deep stress before looking back his droid advisor.
"It is coming from the sword - a magic tool that enables the user to use any sort of magic if the attribute matches the tool's own attribute. It seems that when the sword is used for magic, it sucks out the life force of that female type wolf demihuman, whom I assume is the sister of hostage Luna." monotonously says the droid as on one screen, Luna's sister screams in pain as the goblin lord uses lightning magic at the RDA Task Force.
"Then where did that goblin get the sword, its not like you can loot it from someone so casually."
"It can from there - the outside interference. Operator, zoom into the bottom left of screen 3 at 300% magnification right before the sudden goblin attack." Orders Kalani to one of the surveillance operators.
"On it, commander." Says the female RDA surveillance operator as she types into the console as series of codes and keys.
[The third overhead monitor zoomed out and covered the entire overhead monitors and zoomed at the designated area. It depicted a hooded figure with a gold dragon's eye medallion.]
"The Hydra's Eye! So, it was those people who planned all the damm goblin attacks and gave the goblin's their weapons and magic knowledge."
"It is not certain at this stage, but it is a very convincing factor at this point administrator, we need to be weary of this organization in case it impedes our progress in the Special Region."
"Yes, of course…"
[Chief, transmission in bound. It is from the Task Force]
"Let it through, Kendra." Spoke Parker Selfridge to his surveillance operator.
Kendra Midori is a brown-haired human female of Japanese descent. She works for the RDA as a resource officer and surveillance operator. During her young life she focused her entire scholastic career on the hope that one day she could travel to Pandora or the Special Region. In the future, she would arrive on Pandora after her experiences in the Special Region as a highly trained RDA resource officer specializing in the terraforming of biocompatible ecosystems. Her lifelong mission is to study methods to modulate the atmosphere of Pandora, one day making the atmosphere breathable for humans without inhibiting the indigenous lifeforms. She has level 4 security and weapons clearance, giving her limited command of security personnel.
Now playing on loudspeaker-
[Big brother, this is Romeo Echo Alpha, requesting Bulldog, I repeat, Bulldog. Hostages secured. Throwing beacon. Mission critical. We have men down, I repeat men down. Mission critical. Over]
The whole Command Centre pauses for a moment in silence, waiting for their Commander-In-Chief to give them the go ahead.
Taking a deep breath, knowing what he is going to do. As by them using the ICMB they have built in the Special Region, by sneaking parts in parts for rockets to launch satellites and space probes, would get a lot of attention from the JSDF and the international community on the other side of the GATE. Oh, all the paperwork and explaining I must do.
"General Kalani, I authorize the launch of the Jericho ICBM. Initiate Operation Freedom Shield. Disable all communications with the JSDF and put this Command Centre and RDA facilities in lockdown, until we have sorted out our explanations with the JSDF."
"Affirmative, Administrator.", Kalani then proceeds to give out his order at the Command Centre's personal at their respective panels.
"Initiate Operation Freedom Shield. Permission to launch granted.
Authorization code- Sierra-Lima-Alfa-Yankee-Echo-Romeo-3-3-9"
Various Control Panel Staff were typing in their keys and controls, as the whole Command Centre went into full down as well all the RDA's current operational facilities throughout the Special Region. Lockdown sirens were then blared out throughout the compound and resonated around Alnus Hill and the RDA's remote facilities. Communications with the JSDF were soon disabled as well, as many tried to contact the RDA. Confusing a lot of the JSDF personal and native population as they went scrambling for shelter from the sound and a possible impending attack from somewhere.
"Saber 1, this is Big Brother, launch authorized. I repeat launch authorized."Spoke Kendra into a radio to contact the launch team before proceeding to contact the Task Force.
[Romeo Echo Alpha, request acknowledged. Missile launch in bound. ETA 5mins. Get out of there boys. Over]
5km away from Alnus Hill
In some dense forest
RDA ICMB Launch Site
In the dense forest by a small clearing, lies a small team guarding a RDA MZKT-79221 with a SS-27 ICMB equipped with a repulsor warhead. The radio operator their receives a message from Command.
"Captain Hale! Message from Command. Remote Launch Authorized. Coordinates Received. Permission to launch?"
Another operator by the ICBM says out aloud, "ICBM live and loaded, ready for launch."
"Roger, Permission to launch."
"In"
"3"
"2"
"1"
"Launch"
At the click of a button, the SS-27 ICBM equipped a repulsor warhead, broke free from its launch vehicle and blasted off into the Special Region's upper atmosphere, breaking the sound barrier with a BOOM before heading to its coordinates by the red beeping beacon in Mountain Range of Ice and Snow.
[WWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHH]
The sound of the ICBM blasting off echoed throughout the forest and scaring away animals and people alike.
The people in Coda Village, Italica and many nearby towns and villages stared in awe at the launch of a rocket, and the trajectory of it as it left a trail of white smoke so early in the morning as the Men in Green usually do it at night, this was entirely new to them and the rocket did not come from Alnus Hill as well. As the rocket was flying past Niveis Village, the people who were rebuilding with some RDA construction workers and droids looked in awe at the rocket flying above them. But the RDA personally knew what it was and what it will entail. The destruction of the goblin vermin.
Alnus Hill
JSDF Base
5 minutes after launch
JSDF personal were scrambling at their communications panels trying to contact the RDA but no avail. They were trying to contact the RDA as sirens were blared through the base and hill, scaring both JSDF staff and the native population. Their radar as well detect an unauthorized missile launch, 5km from their base. Luckily for them it was not heading their way. The JSDF personal was trying to calm down the population to the best of their abilities, saying it was a test, so no worries for them. So, they hoped.
General Hazama was sitting in his office, with his hands over his head in tiredness.
"Huh…. what are the RDA up to now? My life is so busy now. Oh, all the paperwork and explaining I must do later to the higher ups. At least the siren is off now." Thinks Hazama in deep thought as the sirens went off.
Suddenly bursting through his office door, surprising him off his chair a bit, was his assistant and if you can say sometimes, his partner in crime- Akira Yanagida in his wheelchair pushed by the Warrior Bunny maid Delilah.
"Hazama, I bring urgent news from the surveillance team, one of our spy satellites detected and found the trajectory of the unknown and possible RDA ICBM missile launch. It impacted somewhere in the Mountain Range of Ice and Snow, near the newly discovered Niveis Village. Sir, if this was a nuclear warhead, it would have endangered those civilians there! What happens if the news crew or the government gets a hold of this information!"
General Hazama takes out his notepad and starts to write down a few notes before speaking to his assistant. "I understand Yanagida, was communications with the RDA's compound on Alnus Hill been established? Do you know why it was blocked when the ICBM was launched. It is such a coincidence. What was the damage of the ICBM and what did the ICBM attack? There is no record of large monsters in the region there."
Akira was looking nervous with sweat droplets forming on his face before speaking, "Communication have been reestablished, but the compound is still radio silence. I am merely speculating - but I think the communication was blocked as the ICBM must have been carrying some sort of new weapon and that the RDA didn't want us to know about it. The damage done by the ICBM was MASSIVE, it literally caused an extinct volcano to become active again for a mountain, tons and tons of volcanic ash was erupted into the atmosphere because of this. The location of the attack was an extinct volcano according to the geographical location and coordinates from the satellite, Hazama."
"I see…" says General Hazama before puffing out a deep breath.
"Yanagida, I need a jeep to the RDA's compound now, as well as that otaku, Yōji Itami and his gang. I need their input in this situation. Do you know where he is?!"
"Ummm, actually I am not sure…?"
[Meanwhile]
Itami and his gang was in the mess hall, enjoying their breakfast, paying no attention to the sirens as they knew it would be fine and dealt with. Yeah, Itami's habits…
They were waiting for Rory Mercury as they were eating their breakfast. Both Lelei La Lena and Tuka Luna Marceau were sitting side by side with Itami, their husband and "father" respectively. Itami still in the back of his mind, doesn't properly consider that Lelei is his actual wife as in his mind she is still too young, despite being legal now…
As they were happily munching on their bacon and egg breakfast, while Tuka is having her usual cereal and fruit, Rory Mercury bursts through the cafeteria doors and "assaulted" Itami for not waiting for her like usual. Poof
"Itami! Why didn't you guys wait for me‼‼" spoke Rory as she starts to playfully hit Itami in the arm.
"Rory, your prayer took too long, the rest of us wanted breakfast. You can survive without food for years; you are an apostle. You have regenerative abilities…" replied Itami in a calm manner.
[Both Lelei and Tuka nod in agreement to Itami's statement as the Apostle of Emroy was pouting in annoyance]
"Huh, ok fine. But I am going to eat all your breakfast." Said Rory Mercury as she quickly ate the rest of Itami's food up, leaving him foodless and dumbfounded.
[The whole group now starts to playful fight with each other]
While the whole gang was bittering around, they fail to notice Akira Tomita waiting at the mess door to speak to them.
"Ahem"
[The whole group still continues to playful fight with each other]
"Ahemmm?"
[The whole group still playful fights with each other]
[FIRST LIEUTENANT YŌJI ITAMI‼ GENERAL HAZAMA WANTS YOU IN THE COURTYARD! ALONG WITH YOUR FRIENDS AS WELL‼ HUMPH!] shouts out Tomita as he then barges out the mess hall angrily.
The whole gang looks at each other with a "Whoops, sorry we didn't notice you there" expression.
[The scene changes to Itami, his gang alongside with General Hazama and First Lieutenant Yanagida in a Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck. General Hazama is seen driving the jeep to the RDA's compound on Alnus Hill.]
The jeep stops at main gate of the RDA Alnus Compound, where droids and SecOps soldiers are seen walking on top of the concrete wall, and about the complex doing their various duties. A guardsman by name of Cheevers, armed with a TERRA I assault rifle, walks up to the jeep alongside two other SecOps soldiers who are armed as well.
Specialist Cheevers is a SecOps soldier stationed in the RDA Alnus Compound in the Special Region. Cheevers wears boots, pants, and arm armor from the Warthog set of armor, along with modified chest armor and a Centurai Armor helmet/exopack.
By the driver's window now, Cheever politely asks General Hazama, "Morning General, great start to the morning with all the sirens and what not. What can I do for you today?"
"Morning Cheevers, I would like to speak to your commanding officer and the administrator. I have urgent business."
"Right away sir."
[Two security SCOUT droids with a K-9 unit and a metal detector, walked past Cheevers, scanned and checked the vehicle before giving a thumbs up to Cheevers]
"Alright General Hazama, you are cleared to go to parking bay B-3. Any deviation will cause you and your occupants to be arrested on site. Do you understand sir?"
"Understood"
"Have a great day sir, Commander Falco will be waiting for you at the parking bay." "OPEN THE GATE!"
The main gate of the RDA Alnus Compound, opened, allowing the JSDF Jeep to move through and drive to their designated parking bay. As they were driving, Itami could help but ask the General, "So why do you need our help? I thought it was enough for just you guys to handle meetings and talks with the RDA higher ups here? Why us"
"Itami, you and your gang are needed as we suspect the RDA is up to something not good. They could be testing illegal weapons here in the Special Region. One of our satellites detected a land-based ICBM launch 5km here and it impacted in the Mountain Range of Ice and Snow, near the newly discovered Niveis Village and the nearly constructed Hell's Gate. So, since you are close to the natives here, I would like your advice and their input on the situation. We don't know if this upsets the gods or nature here. But we do know they recently they went exterminating goblins and various monsters in the areas around Alnus Hill and Niveis Village."
"Understand General"
Lelei walks up to the drivers compartment and asks General Hazama, "The security here compared to the JSDF's own is quite extensive and tight. Those automated turrets are tracking our every movement ever since we appeared near this compound." Pointing towards the extensive wall turrets that is tracking the vehicles movement. The wall turrets Lelei was pointing outside the windshield was the MBS-22A Sentry Gun.
The MBS-22A Sentry Gun is the turret of choice for perimeter defense on Hell's Gate and all the RDA's facilities and compounds in the Special Region. Its primary function in the Special Region and on Pandora is an automated perimeter defense sentry gun. Situated on towers around Hell's Gate, this weapon can defend against both air and ground attacks at up to 488 meters. It will be proven remarkably effective against predatory creatures such as wyverns that stray too close to the base. The weapon uses a tri-rail system, much like the MBS-9M Hydra, that incorporates three barrels in alternate uses to allow each barrel to cool momentarily. The MBS-22A features 20mm ball-bearings or needles as ballistics, firing at 6000 rounds per minute collectively (2000 rpm per barrel). It also has a selective fire control that when commanded via remote control, can fire either sequentially, in pulses, or single barrel automatic. Quite impressive weaponry in the Special Region, Pandora and on Earth.
"Better not stray from course, General Hazama." Spoke Rory Mercury as she licks her lips in delight at Itami.
Tuka now worryingly asks "I mean, I never been here before, but is it alright in bringing Rory here? The RDA is still quite weary at her, especially the robots around here. They seem to avoid her a lot." As looks out of the window at the robots moving about and not paying attention to them, especially the Apostle of Emroy.
"Weeeeelllll…I did destroy a lot of security droids in sessions before when I felt like killing something…." Said Rory Mercury innocently to everyone.
"ROR-" said Itami before being interrupted by his superior.
"We have arrived. Commander Falco is waiting for us." Spoke Hazama.
The Mitsubishi Type 73 light truck is seen driving into its designated parking bay where Commander Falco is seen with escorts armed with RDA standard issue rifles and Viper Armor. Falco helps everyone gets out the truck before introducing himself to Itami and his gang. Hazama and Yanagida have spoken and seen Commander Falco before so no introduction was needed for them.
"Howdy everyone. My names Karl Falco, Commander Falco. I am in command alongside Kalani around here until Colonel Quaritch arrives here. I am sure you want to speak with the administrator, so follow me."
Commander Karl Falco is a brown-haired human male and a lifelong navy officer who has fought with honor and duty without ever being truly rewarded for his efforts. Throughout his distinguished military career on Earth, Falco saw combat in numerous conflicts during the 21st century. These were often short, bloody clashes against rogue governments, terrorist factions and the Arachnid War in Japan.
Upon retiring from the service, Falco received several citations for leading his troops into dangerous front-line confrontations. As with many commanders, Falco is now employed by the RDA through the corporation's ever-expanding private security force. When Falco won the assignment to the Special Region and in the future, Pandora, it was like hitting the jackpot. He is currently one of the highest-ranking security officers stationed in the Special Region (and in the future, Pandora) second only to Colonel Quaritch. His rank of authority is the same as Kalani until Colonel Quaritch comes through the GATE. In the RDA command structure, Falco aims to skim whatever he can from a world on the other side of the GATE or a planet teeming with abundance; standing in the way of this, of course, are the native population, the Apostles of the local deities and the Na'vi on Pandora respectively. Falco embodies "might makes right," believing a bigger AMP suit grants him moral authority. He is someone who should not be taken lightly.
The gang and company make their way through the RDA Alnus Inner Compound, through varies hallways and rooms before arriving at the Administrator's office, Parker Selfridge's office.
Alnus Hill
RDA Alnus Compound
Administration Building
Parker Selfridge's office
08h30
Parker Selfridge is seen sitting in his executive leather office chair, by his grand yellow wood desk, seeping on his morning expresso with skimmed milk as he fills out paperwork for the RDA's High Council and general tasks and logs. The Droid General, Kalani is seen by another simple wooden desk on the other side of the room, sitting on a simple metal chair while multitasking through his work. Going through a hard tablet, doing simulations in his neural interface and writing out reports and tasks on the computer, he is plugged into. He is currently connected to the RDA's on-base supercomputer. Hundreds if not thousands of calculations, numbers and bits are going through his head at the every second.
"Damm, droid. Why do you have to be so sophisticated to be able to do lots of things at once. I wish I also had a supercomputer plugged into my brain. I could get all this paperwork done in seconds. But I need to keep my posture, JSDF command is going to come any second through that door. Ummmm." Thinks Parker to himself.
As if on cue, the door suddenly opens revealing Commander Falco, his escorts and the JSDF visitors. Falco's escorts leave the room, while Falco goes to his respective desk on the other side of the room. The room is a square shape, Parker's desk is at the opposite end of the doorway, while Kalani and Falco is on either of room respectively.
"So, what can I do for you today, General Hazama? I am sorry for the siren earlier this morning, we were running auxiliary tests on our generators. I do apologize for the hassles you had to do to get here and the things during the siren." Spoke Parker calmly as he intertwined his fingers on the desk. The two other commanders paid no attention to the group whatsoever.
General Hazama then walks up to Parker's desk and slams a pile of papers on it, "I see, then how do you explain this then!", "Our radar and satellites detected an authorized launch of a rocket in the area, let alone an ICBM? Are you guys planning to go to war with nuclear weapons or something! What are you guys doing!"
"I see…how do I explain this?" says Parker sarcastically to Hazama and everyone.
"Well you better explain to us, Parker. We got all the facts and information here." Replies Yanagida on his wheelchair as Tuka was pushing it around the room towards Parker's desk.
"Itami, what are nuclear weapons?" asks Lelei to Itami curiously.
"Ummm, a super dangerous weapon that should not be used here. That's all." Says Itami to Lelei.
[In the background, Parker is discussing with Hazama and Yanagida about the situation and the involvement of the ICBM launch, while Rory Mercury was biting her fingers in annoyance at the droid sitting nearby]
"I understand" as Lelei attention is now directed to the complex and colorful holographic displays by the droid general as he is looking through them. Having the ability to sneak up on people with ease and having super keen eyesight. She spots something quite interesting. There on one of the holographic displays was a graphic simulation of the whole Special Region from space, the area above the realm of the gods. It shows a globe with various dots or objects orbiting around it, a white line would be seen coming from one of the objects and travelling in a curve like manner, following the curvature of the globe and landing in some area on a continent, making a fiery explosion animation at the end. While others are just a straight white line, hitting an area on a continent, with the same animation at the end as well.
The droid is seeming to be looking at a picture of a sword like object in the center display. As she walks up to the droid, all the other displays change to something else that she can't understand, there was too many graphs and numbers moving about. It really confused her, without understanding anything at first. But she recognized the sword though. The sword for the Apostle of Palapon. "Where did the RDA get a picture of it? It was meant to be lost in time. Only drawings and descriptions of it remain?" thinks Lelei. The droid gets up and greets her.
"Archmage Lelei, it is great to see you at this time at the compound. First time you are here, I assume. What brings you here? Another question on scientific knowledge. I am afraid I am quite busy with urgent calculations now. But I think I can spare some processing power to answer yours." Spoke the droid in his robotic voice.
Lelei nods in a greeting, before replying, "Yes, this is the first time I have been here. The technology is vastly different compared to the JSDF's own. Such advancement. My question is what was the simulation you were running? Why were there explosions from the objects in space to the ground here? How did you get a picture of the sword of Palapon?"
The droid pauses now and calculates an explanation. "Those simulation were of weather satellites and their possible trajectories if they lost control of their orbit around the planet. We still don't know whether gravity works the same here as on Earth hence why some trajectories look very weird." The droid general hides the fact that those were simulations of orbiting weapons platforms being constructed by the RDA and their simulation data of attack sequences on key locations and targets.
"I see you understand what this sword is. It was recovered during one of our expeditions in the Mountain Range of Ice and Snow. The artifact has not arrived here yet but will soon. It would be nice if you could please explain more of it."
"Yes, I would like to. Thank you."
"Ah Kalani, I see you are up now. Can you please explain our JSDF guests on the purpose on our ICBM launch?"
Kalani walks up towards the desk of Parker and stands by him like his advisor. "Affirmative"
"Greetings General Kōichirō Hazama and First Lieutenant Akira Yanagida of the JSDF. I can assure you all, that the purpose of the ICBM launch was to help us - ensure the complete eradication of the goblins in the Mountain Range of Ice and Snow."
"No, there was no nuclear warhead on board as per agreement with the Japanese government and the United Nation Security Council. There were no civilian casualties as well" spoke the droid robotically.
"I can assure you Hazama that this droid is not lying." Spoke Commander Falco as he got up from his seat and walked over to Parker as well.
"I see, even if it was used against goblins. The unauthorized launch of a rocket let alone an ICBM is accountable and can be charged. It could have endangered the natives and JSDF aircraft and equipment in the area." Spoke Hazama to Parker.
Itami now walks to the group of executives, "Ex-excuse me. But by exterminating the goblins, doesn't it upset the law of nature around here and cause a lot of more other monsters and bandits to roam around? What happens if media gets a hold on this? Wouldn't they complain they we are killing "human like" creatures and could a violation of Geneva and International treaties? I mean it is good that we are killing them, right girls?"
[The group of girls, nod is agreement]
"I wouldn't want to be caught by goblins" spoke Lelei
"Same" agreed Tuka
"I mean, they are disgusting vermin. I could always just kill as much as a want. But their blood is fatty and oily, ugh!?" replied Rory Mercury in disgust.
The Super Tactical Droid proceeds to point his metal finger at Itami and all the other JSDF members, "With regards to the accountability and charges, it was I must admit - unfortunate that the launch was unauthorized. The Resource Development Administration can organize a compensation of sorts. I could as well, once manufacturing lines are up and running in a few months, send out a company of SOUT units under JSDF command. Or we can deploy our naval fleet into the Avion Sea and assist the JMSDF in their expedition, while conducting our own respectively. If monsters and bandits were to rise in the region. They will too suffer. I still do think that it is right that we stat to eradicate the goblin vermin off the face of this planet. According to one of my sources from the Japanese Light Novel- "Goblin Slayer", I can accurately calculate this is indeed a wise decision. General Hazama, do we have a mutual agreement on the accountability and adequate compensation? "
General Hazama goes and proceeds to shake the droid's robotic hand in agreement, "I see, it can be up for negotiations and the decision of JSDF High Command and the Japanese Diet, Kalani."
"I am sure of it, General Hazama."
Commander Falco coughs up a bit before speaking after the droid, "Now that is sorted, with regards to the whole media and the whole upset of the law of nature. Media can be sorted. We can keep the ICBM launch a secret from the general public and we can publish the goblin hostage rescue and eradication to the news. It would bring great feedback to the JSDF and RDA expedition in the Special Region."
"I see, but what was on the ICBM? Our satellites have shown an extensive amount of damages and volcanic ash in the atmosphere. According to mapping data, that ICBM explosion caused the extinct volcano to become active or at least temporary. Can you offer an explanation to this? By using your weapon, don't you think you are angering the gods and laws of nature here?"
"Umm, tha-" spoke Commander Falco before Kalani interrupts him, "General Hazama, that is not of your concern, on what weapons were used during the goblin eradication. What matters, is that our weapon reacted with some type of local mineral or substance inside the volcano that caused such a chain reaction. The weapon would not naturally yield such destructive power, in this scenario it acted as a catalyst to something bigger."
"Yes, speaking about that now, the Administration plans to send in GIS and Resource Teams to the site once the lava cools down. We can report back if you like on our findings." Spoke Parker to Hazama.
"Yes, that will be fine. Rory Mercury. Did the ICBM, the RDA used upset the gods or caused anything to harm the law and order of nature around here?" asked Hazama to the Apostle of Emroy.
"Give me a minute while I contact the gods."
[Rory Mercury closes her eyes and becomes frustrated at what the gods were telling her. She is pouting in annoyance as they talked to her.]
"General Hazama and Administrator Selfridge, the gods were surprised at the weapon used. They are curious what will now happen in the future, now that the entity known as the Resource Development Administration has crossed over from the GATE."
"I understand. Our respective High ups can sort out the rest of the detail and negotiate over the illegal launch of the ICBM." Said General Hazama.
All the commanders in unison, agreed to General Hazama's statement.
As they all started to leave, General Kalani stops Itami's group and asks, "First Lieutenant Itami, is it possible for me to borrow your friends once the survivors of the goblin rescue arrive here in Alnus Hill? I have some questions to ask of them, and I am sure the other scientists as well."
"I think, it would be fine. Girls? Are you fine with helping out the RDA for the rest of the day?" asks Itami as he looks over to the girls.
"I am fine." Said Lelei in her usual voice.
"Me too!" said Tuka excitedly!
"As long as I get to destroy some robots, then I am fine." Said Rory as she slyly threatens the super tactical droid.
[Affirmative, said the droid general in acceptance to their answers as the group leaves and catches up to General Hazama and First Lieutenant Yanagida]
A few days prior to the Resource Development Administration's Goblin Eradication Programme
Falmart
Glass Peninsula
Harbour
09h00
A large trading ship can be seen docking into the harbour. If you take a good look at it, you can identify it to be a literal clone of a Oneraria class merchant ship of the Roman Empire in 79 CE. But it has its unique features that differ it from the original. There are magic crystals attached to the various sails of the ships, that help generate or guide wind towards them, making it move much faster through the water. What makes it more different that the usual Roman era ship or even from the Saderan Empire's own fleet of warships, are the additions of cannons or a type of armament similar in appearance to cannon. Though on closer inspection, it seems the amount and arrangement of cannons are for defence purposes rather than naval warfare. Ships who have such weaponry on board that the mighty Saderan Empire does not have, are said to be from the Avion Sea.
As the ship's crew were unloading their goods and exotic items to be sold at the local guild and market in the Glass Peninsula, a black hooded figure - female in stature walks down the wooden plank before tossing a bag of coins to the ship's Captain in thanks for the voyage. The hooded figure makes her way to the local guild to collect information and a way to her next destination, her next adventure. Local guilds have taverns inside them as well, so collecting information should be fine.
As she walks through the coastal city, people were happily doing their daily necessities, and having fun at the same time. Children of all races were running around the streets, not minding anyone, especially the angry shop keepers as they knocked some things over or took an apple. Men, women, the elderly were enjoying all their peaceful lives as some worked, went shopping or just enjoying the coastal breeze and view. Until…
[BOOOOM, CRASH, BAMMM]
[EVERYONE RUN FOR YOUR LIVES, A MINOTAUR HAS ESCAPED ITS SHIPPING ENCLOSURE‼]
[AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH‼]
[RRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOAAAAAAARRRRRRR]
People of all sorts, were running away from the rampant monster as it started to swing its stone club onto people and buildings alike. The minotaur, standing 4 meters tall with white foam drooling out of its mouth with red eye continued its onslaught in a crazy manner, occasionally running into buildings mindlessly or hitting trees, inanimate objects and people alike.
[Mommy, I can't run anymore! Help me! Please carry me‼‼]
A little girl who was holding her mother's hand, shouted in distress as her hand slipped and she tumbled on the ground in pain and exhaustion.
[Victoria! Noooooo‼‼ I am coming‼]
The mother turns around and starts to run towards her daughter but then bashing through a buildings, as it starts to crumble, came out the vicious minotaur. He has traces of smouldering flesh and blood dripping from its mouth, mixing with its white foamy drool as it drips onto the dirt ground, staining it. The monster turns and takes a look at the young girl in front of its eyes. He starts to reach out to grab his next meal. Young children and babies are always the favourite meal of minotaurs, as it helps them keep stimulated and fertile. They have a habit of kidnapping women from towns and villages when they have the chance.
The young mother ran with all her might and grabbed her daughter behind her while shouting, "Victoria get behind me now! I will protect you. Run when I tell you, no matter what happens to me, just run! Victoria do you understand!"
"Mommy!" cries Victoria with tears running down her eyes as she holds onto her mother's arm.
The blood raged minotaur starts to reach out his muscular arm to the frightened pair with hungry eyes.
"To anyone out there, please help us! Soldiers, guards, adventurers! I beg of you! Anyone please help us. The God of Light and Order, Zufmuut, please protect my daughter with your light and power if I die today. Please protect us. Protect my family…" prays the young mother silently in her final moments of life.
[FFFFFFFFFFFFLLLLLLLLLLLLAAAAAAASSSSSHHHHHHHH]
[SSSSSSSSSSSSSSWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHH]
[PPPPPPPPPPPPPPPIIIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNNGGGGGG]
In a flash of bright light and a massive swoosh sound of a sword. The minotaur's arm was suddenly cut clean off. Making it wail in pain as it stumbles backwards onto its bottom, as blood with strange white clots spewed out of it like a waterfall. As the dust clouds from the sword attack settled down, on top of the minotaur's fallen arm, stands a young hooded figure.
The mother and child baffled at what happened and that the minotaur was on the floor in pain, they asked- "Who are you?"
The young hooded figure took off her black cloak and gracefully flung it into the air in style. What the cloak revealed to them, shocked them to their very core. There stands a young girl with beauty that can rival the high elves of the forest, with blue hair and red eyes, wearing a blue dress fit for a noble woman or priestess, a gold arm band on her left arm. She holds a blood red demonic sword in her right hand – the cursed Blood Sword of Diva.
The angelic girl replies to the shocked pair –
"My name is Mabel Forn"
"I am the Apostle of the God of Light and Order, Zufmuut"
"and I am here to save you"
Author's Note:
Man, that is another extremely long chapter, more than 9k words. I will have to unfortunately split up this part into two pieces as this would be too much for you guys to read. With this part done, the next would continue with Mabel Forn's appearance and situation in the Glass Peninsula as she starts to make her way to Alnus Hill, then back to the aftermath and report of the goblin eradication by the RDA in the Mountain Range of Ice and Snow. The Imperial Remnant's reaction to their failure in the goblin uprising and to the present before the RDA's mass deployment and the Fourth Battle of Alnus Hill. The third being the Arachnid War in the past.
I will try to upload the third part as soon as I am finished writing it, my birthday is coming up in a few days and my lecturer's at University decided to bombard us students with tons of holiday homework. So maybe I could uploaded 1-2 chapters in a few weeks. Maybe I could upload a gag chapter in a couple of days that is not related to the story. Dunno. Yeah so much work… I will answer all of your reviews in the next part, as I am so tired at the moment and I think this chapter could answer some of your questions and theories already as I have been planning this plot and story for a long time.
Anyways, enough of me. Stay safe out there! The world is a mess at the moment!
plasma123fire out!
