Chapter III:
In less than an hour, the inhabitants of the border town gathered in the "Central Plaza", waiting for the answer that the "Witches" had about that mysterious message that was on the local radio. Kevin and Nazz looked at those who were about to become refugees. The blonde cheerleader grabbed her katana and let out a sigh that was lost in the frigid air of the day, while the redhead noticed the girl's concern.
- They are afraid that they won't see their homes again.- Said Nazz and that caught Kevin's attention.
- Do you think so?.- He asked and she nodded her head.
- There is no doubt: If that boy said that the "Shadow Neuroi" have been attacking the nearby villages and towns, in addition to looting the fields and burning the crops, then it is obvious that they were looking to take all the resources available to them such as food, medicine, weapons and ammunition. The classic pillage carried out by invading armies after defeating their enemies. The Persians did it in the Greek Polis of Asia Minor, remember. Especially those that revolted against King Darius I by asking Athens for help to fight the enemies. It all ended in failure and they were punished for revolting.- She told that historical reference to the red-haired man.
- I remember that anecdote, terrible and more than that was the beginning of the "Medical Wars".- Said the redhead, who stood up, leaving behind the seat they were in and from there he looked at the cheerleader.- Let's just hope they don't lose anything. A lot of blood has been spilled in the last few days.
Nazz was silent when she heard that, but Kevin was right. Many had already paid, with their lives, for maintaining the integrity and future of the countries that were in the hands of the Kankers. The girl turned and gazed at the picture of devastation left in the town: Their homes were, in their entirety, destroyed, while some buildings remained standing, holding on as long as they could. The acrid smell mixed with the water used by the firefighters to extinguish the fires was nauseating, to the point of nausea, so the change in the wind direction allowed them to take a breather.
- Nazz, look, here come Double D and Eila.- Kevin pointed out and from there they went towards the square, where they would meet to discuss the matter that was going to take place.
The group gathered near the remains of an old local market. There only ruins remained of what was once an area where agricultural products from the region were sold under a local and small economy for its inhabitants. Now there was rubble and remains blackened by the fire of the fighting and bombing suffered at the hands of the enemy. In the distance, an explosion was felt and a column of smoke rose through the air, black as night, taking with it the memories of what was a peaceful village where they only wanted to have a future.
- The message we have deciphered reads as follows- Eila showed the results of the work done by her boyfriend and her, holding up a series of sheets of paper they used at Police Headquarters- "To all citizens of the towns and villages bordering Orussia...".- She began to read it, letter by letter, word by word, one step at a time. He was taking his time although he did not want to put his friends on the spot, for it was to them that he was telling the deciphered message for fear that there might be some trap or deception that would lead to panic.- "It is necessary that you evacuate immediately for West Suomus and North and East Orussia. The situation is untenable...we have...- At that moment, the silver hair stopped, behind him, a group of civilians were approaching to hear what he said, so Double D, Kevin, Nazz and Mio went towards them.
- Please, keep your distance, we will communicate the message soon.- Asked Major Sakamoto but she noticed that Eila was going towards the citizens of that town to talk to them.
- Eila.- Called her boyfriend softly.
- Trust me. I know what I do.- She asked, after taking his hand and with that she received an affirmative nod from the intellectual boy.
His boots touched the stone floor of that Market and he stopped in his tracks, contemplating the faces of the civilians and other characters that were there. A whole "melting pot" of ages and social positions. He closed his eyes and was rearranging everything in his head. He needed a few seconds, so he took a deep breath, the cold air entered his nostrils, freezing, for a few moments, the interior until it warmed up and came out in the form of mist that was lost in the distance. The explosions, produced by enemy bombardments, were felt closer and fear was growing among the inhabitants.
- Miss Juutilainen, what is going on? Did you manage to decipher the encrypted message?.- Asked the Mayor, who was with his family and could see the fear in his eyes.
She knew she had to be honest. A leader must be honest if she wants to win the hearts of her people, to move them, but here, in the current context, it was like playing "Russian Roulette", so she decided to put all her cards on the table.
- Ladies and Gentlemen - She began to speak to them in a neutral tone, moderate but in which he tried to keep calm in the face of the prevailing tension - Yes, the message has been deciphered - He said and there were some murmurs and even some small shouts of victory, however, all these were muffled, they were drowned out by the hand that the girl raised before them, asking for silence.- But still, there is something you should know.- She said and with that he raised the papers that he had in his hands. He cleared his throat and began to read them aloud.- "To all citizens of the border towns and villages: The "Military High Command" has ordered a mandatory evacuation to the West. We lost the Capital a few moments ago. Our troops fought bravely to the end but the enemy has outnumbered us and we have had to evacuate the civilians to the West, to the Coastal Cities, as well as in Orussia, where the Imperial Government has installed its Headquarters in the North to protect the oil fields and industries that were taken to the East. At this time, we request all possible help to fight the invaders and protect the waves of refugees that have been mobilizing these last days. Please, as you go west, be careful, the enemy is still advancing and they will plan, sooner or later, to take over the coastal areas.
May God be with you and long live our beloved Suomus homeland".
That was touching but when Eila stopped reading and looked towards the civilians, many were worried. Some began to ask questions about how they were going to survive those roads to the West if they were in enemy hands and it was then that fights broke out among them, however, the girl asked for silence and when she got it, with difficulty, she could begin to speak.
The fall of the Capital of Suomus was a beneficial blow for the Kankers, since they now had an important economic, military and industrial bastion for their armies and in the midst of the advance they were making, Marie was observing the results obtained, reading the reports provided by her henchmen and the ranks of prisoners of war who would be destined, as slaves, to work in the manufacture of weapons for their armies.
The girl was on the outskirts of the capital city, where she finished reading the reports delivered by her "Agents" and from there she set her eyes on the interior of Suomus, while in Orussia the campaigns to seize the East continued.
- I want you to send this report to my sisters Lee and May.- Suomus is already ours. I want our armies to attack, in a synchronized way, the capital of Orussia and thus we will obtain the oil fields together with the industries that were moved there and...- She did not have time to finish her work, one of her henchmen pointed to the skies and she saw a "Drone" of the "Predator Class" coming down to her, delicately until it was face to face with the dark blue hair.- What kind of news do you bring me?. I hope it's interesting, I'm getting fed up with this damn cold," she asked, with a serious tone and, to her luck, the lackey displayed a screen, in which a series of visual data were loaded, resulting in a video showing the arrival of a certain group of "Witches" to that place and where they had a combat against their "Advance Forces" in one of the villages.
Marie was silent and cold when she noticed the person who was fighting against their hosts, using a sword and "Magic", so she felt her heart renewed but, somehow, she turned off all trace of warmth, becoming icy cold and from there she decided that she would not repeat the mistakes of the Past. She ordered her "Agent" not to show her any more of that content and after her screen turned off, it turned to the West, while she was analyzing the possibilities and the distance that separated them from each other.
- So Double D is heading with those idiots towards a safe place with the refugees. Well, it will be a good "hunt", since the plan is still working, the resistance in Orussia will fall and from there we can take the East, so I see no harm in going to "visit them", she said to herself, while she turned, again, to her people and gave them a new mission.- A group will come with me to the West, while the rest will join the hosts that are marching towards Orussia. When they have taken the last areas under the control of the Imperial Government, we will meet in their Capital to unleash the final offensive against the East, so be prepared. In a few days we will be celebrating our victory.- She asked, as a commission and after seeing that her lackeys were going to comply, she went to the aforementioned address with an important "Battalion" that escorted her, as well as her "Personal Guard".
Meanwhile, in Romagna, the news of the victory over the Kanker in Karsland had gone viral throughout the region, so Eddy and Francesca went to meet Erica, Ed and the other members of the "Squadron" at the borders, where they had previously been fighting and watching that the "Shadow Neuroi" did not cross them. They both flew in that direction, the wind from the Alps and Apennines was blowing against their faces, while they were holding hands. Since the last few days, they had become an inseparable couple. Who would have thought it? The one who always orchestrated and planned the biggest scams in the Peach Creek neighborhood was now someone different and fighting for the Future of Humanity.
It was a change that cost and a lot for the short young man. No one could do such a thing overnight and it took several events to mark him in his before and after.
- Look, there, Eddy.- The black-haired Italian pointed to the North and could see a bright spot that was getting bigger and bigger.
- That's them. I recognize them.- The boy understood and together they flew to that area.
The reunion included hugs and tears, especially Ed with Eddy, as he thought he would never see him again. Francesca went with Yoshika, Lynne, Perrine, Charlotte, Mio and Trudie, while Sarah and Jimmy went with her older brother.
- How nice to see you again, my friends!.- Exclaimed Francesca, "How are things going over there?
- The entire national territory of Karsland is now free from the presence of the "Shadow Neuroi", including its Capital, Berlin.- Erica informed her friend.
- It must have been a bloody and merciless fight. Even here we received reports that the fighting was very serious and there was even talk of a retreat.- Eddy pointed out.
- Of the first thing yes, it is true but the second never took place, the Armies of Karsland fought with us and we were able to expel the enemy. That had been the work of the Kanker and their cyber attacks to cause fear and confusion among the people. Fortunately, we were able to capture their infiltration equipment, as well as documents that they forgot or tried to destroy.- Said Commander Wilcke, and in the midst of the festivities, she asked for the attention of those gathered there.
- Is something wrong, Commander?.- Asked Eddy.
- Well, to begin with, the situation is not here, but in Northern and Eastern Europe.- Emphasized the redhead, who took a few seconds to articulate the words in her sentences, "Recently, in Berlin, we discovered that the "Hives" used by the Kankers were designed a long time ago, when their grandfather lived and worked clandestinely.
- How did they discover it?.- Francesca wanted to know.- I thought they had appeared when they made that call with that device in Peach Creek when they were going to be taken to court.- Asked the black-haired Italian.
- Unfortunately, we had that theory in mind until recently, but that was not the case: The "Hives" were already prepared, equipped, just like the "Shadow Neuroi" Armies, who were, so to speak, "hibernating" until they were the ones who woke them up. They only needed that communications device and to hear the voice of the granddaughters of Dr. Reginald Kanker to take action.- Continued the young redhead, seeing images of times past, in which the aforementioned scientist worked tirelessly on his "Magna Obra".
- And we were living with a madman who sought to conquer the world before our very eyes.- Sarah froze.- Why didn't anyone do anything?. The police should have been alerted at that time.- She asked, and Minna agreed.
- It is true but, coming from his position as one of the best scientists of the "Warlock Project", it was for sure that he would let him pass without paying for his crimes.- Emphasized the redhead and from there they felt an icy tension before them.
- Is there anything else in those documents they found?.- Eddy wanted to know, breaking the silence.
- So far only that and added that he had also created that "Predator Class Drone" with which he caused us interference during the Battle of the North Sea, when they attacked Brittania.- Said Trudie.- On the other hand, we have received news that the Capital of Suomus has fallen into enemy hands and that Orussia is still resisting everything it can to prevent them from reaching the East, where their most desired objectives are.- Continued the dark brown-haired Lieutenant from Karsland.
- It is clear that they do not intend to rest until they obtain the oil fields and industries. They are obsessed with it.- Said Sarah, crossing her arms.- They just lost Karsland and they are still pursuing their main objective, I don't understand them.
- Karsland or not, the Kanker are still very dangerous to Humanity and to themselves.- Minna said to the redhead.- Even if they have lost one extremely important stronghold, the enemy will always seek to take others and cause as much death and destruction in their path for their pursuers to come. It has always been that way in history.
- I see.- Ed's younger sister understood.- But what are we going to do?.
- What we will do will be to support Eila and Sanya's group, attacking the Armies going towards Suomus and Orussia to destabilize the fronts. We will be their "Eyes in the Sky" and with that, once they have liberated those countries, we will meet here and then we will go to Brittania to discuss the last attack: Liberion.- Said the Commander, leaving everyone surprised by such an announcement.
- Could you tell us about that?.- Jimmy asked but the redhead shook her head.
- Not for now. The best thing would be for you to rest a little, we will be quite busy for a few days with the surveillance and attacks against the enemy hosts, but I promise you that, later on, you will know it.- She concluded and they went to the headquarters installed in the Capital City.
Returning to the border region, the column of refugees, protected by the "Squadron" of Eila and Sanya, had set course for the North of Orussia, where they would have to cross the territorial limits between both nations and be able to reach the safety offered by the Imperial Government. In the distance, explosions and gunfire could be heard echoing until they were lost in the confines of the rural areas. The columns of smoke rising from the villages that were attacked by the enemy, in addition to the stops they made, as other contingents of civilians and military joined them to take them to the other country along with the rest they were given to recover and eat well, as the cold continued to hit the region without showing any retreat.
The Sun did not seem to shine, it was as if it was "afraid" to appear and give some natural relief to those who had just lost everything in their villages before the unstoppable advance of the "Shadow Neuroi". While Double D watched from the ground, Sanya and Eila flew over the area to scan the perimeter and make sure it was safe to continue the march.
- Here they come.- Said the boy in the black cap, while both friends landed with their "Striker Units".
- How is the road?.- Asked Major Sakamoto.
- So far, everything is clear.- Reported Sanya.- But I have a hunch that this may be a Kanker plan to ambush us, so we'll have to keep going. We still have a few kilometers to go to Orussia, so we will have to continue and, if we continue at night, we will have to stop in the woods, where the trees will be very helpful to camouflage us from the air patrols.- Added the albino with a serious tone.
- Couldn't we stop in the villages that haven't been attacked yet.- Kevin proposed.- It's not that I'm afraid of the woods at night, but it's an ideal place for the "Shadow Neuroi" to find us. This is not like in the times of Ancient Rome where they would set up fortified camps and wait for the enemies to come, now it's the opposite, even in the hills we wouldn't be safe.- Said the boy with the red cap.
Sanya thought about it for a while until she finally came to a decision.
- You are right, but we will stop in the villages for about two to four hours, nothing more than that, without attracting their attention. Remember that they have set up "Checkpoints" along the roads leading to the border. If we destroy them, we can take all these people to Orussia.- Said the girl, and her plan was not bad, on the contrary, it would be perfect for the roads to be clear of enemy presence.
A few kilometers from where they were, May's advance party had located a series of traces on the route they were advancing. One of the footmen scanned the ground and was able to recognize the path they were taking, so he passed the results to the dark blue hair, who remained on top of the platform that carried her.
- Hmmm, perfect, let's pay them a "visit".- She asked, showing a sinister smile on her face and from there they restarted their march.
[Well, well, it seems that a possible confrontation is coming in the middle of the exodus. Will they be able to face Marie's Forces? Will they get what they are looking for? We'll see in the next chapter.
I send greetings and thanks to all of you, my friends. Take care and I wish you an excellent start to the weekend].
