AN: Welcome everyone to Chapter 2. This one is about double the word count of the last one, primarily because I kept having trouble finding a good place to stop. So One think I want to say is whenever ~~ appears it's a POV shift. I usually have the first words be the persons name unless I'm trying to hide who it is.
Also this is my attempt at Halo UNSC Ship girls, because why not. Blame Cleric Pink, they put the idea into my mind
The Promise Of Dawn strode forwards, cradling in her arms the small and fragile form of her commander. The medics had quickly come to the decision that they couldn't heal her, and they were unwilling to risk bringing her inside of the Promise as they didn't know what that could cause. As she reached the pelicans doors she'd walk in a lower the Commander onto the floor allowing the medics to continue to watch her.
The chat with the Janitor had revealed alot of the local situation. And far more pressingly, the location of the nearest hospital alongside the identity of a last resort. Someone only known as Panacea, according to Mister Lyon she could heal anything.
Once the rest of the ODSTs filed on the Pelicans would lift off and fly towards the Hospital, that was when she noticed the person watching. A teen, if promise had to guess, who was presently hovering over the school. As the Pelicans flew on wards the flying woman would begin to follow, Promise would breifly consider deploying Longswords but decided against them. They wouldn't be useful in this situation, besides she only has two fo them. They needed to be used carefully, she's already deployed far to much in her eyes.
If she lost the ODST she currently has out she'd be down to one last ten man squad and a six man platoon command team. Which would be wholly unacceptable, ODSTs are too important to throw away willy nilly. Bringing them out in this numbers must be avoided at all cost in the future, she didn't know if she could replace them if one died.
Hmm. This girl is fast, thought Promise who was watching what seems to be a normal human fly at around eighty miles per hour. With a silent message the Pilots are ordered to speed up the Pelicans to see if she can maintain pace with them. The girl quickly fell behind as the Pelicans accelerated, while the girl put up a valiant effort she quickly disappeared from sight of the Promise.
She glanced down to see the various automobiles the trio of pelicans screamed over, with the people within stepping out looking in confusion. She also saw a few phones being brought out, but see had assumed the local population would rapidly learn of the situation. Be it from the government or the local populace itself.
The rest of the flight followed a similar vain, though they gained an extra follower. A man with a spear and shield, interesting. Obviously those weapons have to be some how effective in a combat situation for him to wield them? He's also flying, which would make two people flying today. Is man not supposed to be grounded with out the support of vehicles? When did that change?
However the second flying person soon fell behind as the Pelicans trumped whatever sorcery these people were using. A few minutes later the pilots reported we were soon to arrive. With a silent command from the Promise of Dawn, the ODSTs made ready to land and the Promise likewise grabbed the rifle slung on her back.
It was a lovely weapon in her eyes, adorned with her name and with her hull number FFG-320, designed to look somewhat like her old hull from before her scuttling. Within it's rifling it housed her primarily weapon, one single firing 65P8V1 Magnetic Accelerator Cannon. It was a breech loader which mean every time she fired it, it took a few seconds for another round to be loaded in and once one factors in the massive amounts of heat the gun expelled? It took time for her to fire a second round.
Reut Zohar decided she was overworked and underpayed. She had decided that long ago, about two days after taking this god forsaken job at Brockton Bay General Hospital. Why she thought moving to *Brockton* *Bay* of all places was a good idea was beyond her, but she was here. And despite it's man flaws; the nazis, the dragon made of rage and hate, whatever Coil's goons were doing to name a few, it had one major advantage. It was the cheapest city in the US to live in! A plus that was earned through the deaths and suffering of many people but a plus none the less.
Callous reasons to live in the second worst city in the United States aside, she had managed through some very clever negotiation and gas-lighting on her part to get placed in the lobby. Which generally let's her take a break from the constant work one has as a nurse in the city.
She felt her phone vibrate, and took it out to check who had texted her. It was a text from her brother, it was a very simple message, but highly concerning from someone who was a PRT Trooper stationed here at Brockton Bay. The Message simply read: "PRT is mobilizing, something is heading to the Hospital. Get Out"
Before she had a chance to react a deafening loud sound came from outside, the roar of twelve hyrbid fusion drives unbeknownst to her. Everyone looked to the doors, the windowed glass on showing the bright flares of light of whatever was outside. Then the door was kicked open as several heavily armed and armored men violently entered the room. With weapons raised they would advance forward quickly, one would bark "Everyone hands up and on the ground. No one move"
Reut flinched when she heard the voice, by god that voice. It didn't even sound human! Their was no emotion in it, nothing. The damned computer in front of her that took five minutes to boot up had more emotion then that voice. Further look at the men quickly made her notice other things, they moved... Weirdly.
One of the things Reut was trained in was Physical Therapy, more specifically she was trained in how to teach amputees or people that have suffered severe trauma how to move and use their limbs properly. To say less words, Reut knew the human body and how it was supposed to move. Including the minor and subconscious movements that the human body does; like the chest and stomach moving as a human breathes, slight hand movements, the like. She didn't see anything from them, it was an odd thing her mind noticed but it was something she noticed none the less. Minds wander when in peril or something like that.
She quickly raised her hands as one approaches her, with it's weapon pointed square at her chest. The Soldier or the asshole with a gun aimed at her(AGAH) was wearing a full suit, not a speck of skin was shown with even the face hidden behind an opaque helmet. AGAH would speak at this point, "You. Contact the Head Doctor and get them down here now. We have injured personnel and the require healing."
Reut quickly considered her options. Option A) She deny this and annoy the guy with the gun or Option B) She brings down her hated boss to act as a potential sacrificial lamb and get the asshole with a gun to no be aiming at her. It wasn't a very hard choice. Picking up the phone next to her computer she says "Doctor Richardson? Yes, you have a guest here asking for you. PRT if I had to guess."
With a quick affirmative from her boss she put down the phone and said "She's on her way. Is their anything else you'd like?". She assumed no because he didn't respond, however four more men would enter carrying someone on a stretcher theses ones armor would have red decorations on it including red crosses. Medics then.
Reut was unable to see who exactly was on the stretcher as the figure had a surgical mask covering her face and a tarp covering the rest of the body. Though to be honest she was trying to limit the reasons the person in front of her had to pull the trigger.
She did not intend to die in this shithole of a fucking city. No Sir, not today not tomorrow no never. Much less to what seemed like a black ops group, they might kill her then have what ever handler they got remove all traces of her existence.
She really really was not payed enough for this. She's gonna ask for a raise.
Governor Neal Warren was most certainly not a morning person, which really sucked considering his job often required him to wake up as the sun rose, usually far earlier. However so far being woken up at 12:30 was a first for him, and not a first he wanted to repeat any time soon.
Groaning he walked into the meeting room and sat down at end of the table. Arrayed already was... an interesting sight. It wasn't often that the National Guard was here for a meeting, Warren doubted it was a good sign for him. The first words out of the Lieutenant General's was commanded the New Hampshire National Guard, merely confirmed this.
"Sir. There's a situation in Brockton Bay." The Lt. General said. Warren sighed, of course it was Brockton Bay. Knowing he wasn't going to like this the Governor leaned back, really wishing he'd grabbed some coffee. With a hand movement the Lt. General is motioned to continue, he looks weary as he does so.
"At 23:30, oh uh 12:30, three aircraft were detected above th city of Brockton Bay. Two began to circle the city while a third held position over what is now known to be Winslow High School, Eye witnesses from PRT ENE have reported these craft look nothing like any know aircraft. After about five or so minutes PRT ENE requested airborne assests, we currently have no proper Air-to-Air assets but a call went out and 22s from Langely and 15s from Seymour are going to be launched. We have AC-130Ws, uhh they're 130s with Air-to-Air abilities the commander at Newton has already offered to launch them. Also both Fort Dix and Fort Detrick have reported willingness to assist but it'll take awhile for them to reach the city"
Well the good news, is that Warren no longer needs coffee. He is fully awake now. Leaning forward in his chair he asks, "So then... We have a force of unknown people in the city. What are they currently doing, and do we know anything about them?"
"Well a man by the name of Wright Lyons called the BBPD stating that he had been grabbed by some of them and brought before they're leader, who he claimed was a young woman who he's 'pretty sure' she's a parahuman. They said they're part of something called the UNSC an-"
Warren cut him off at this point, "UNSC? Like United Nations Security Council?" He couldn't think of much else the UNSC could be. He highly doubted it was the United Nations Statistical Council or the United Nations Staff College. But if it was the Security Council the US is a member of the Big 5, one of the permanent seats in the council. No way in hell this force could exist without the US knowing and he highly doubts the US would ever let such as force be deployed within it's own borders.
Then general hesitated, "Possible? We don't know, Mister Lyons however said their gear was weird. Looked highly advanced, his own words. But that is besides the point." Well the goods news is that the President should be waking up by now, he'd need to talk to him. And every governor nearby.
"Activate the National Guard, what are the unknowns doing now?"
The General swallowed and suddenly looked very nervous, "Well you see...they've taken over a hospital. We believe they are after Panacea, Mr. Lyons say they left after he told them what she could do."
The room grew very still. "Fuck. Okay, I have calls to make. General me and you are going to have a long talk after this, now go. Get the National Guard moving and inform Dix and Detrick we accept anything they can send. Dismissed"
The roar of his bike was the sole comfort he found in this situation, though he would never admit it. Armsmaster was concerned, very concerned. Thirty-One armed individuals sporting armor that frankly looks tinker tech, along side three aircraft that are so advanced they can only be tinker tech. The only saving grace to this situation was that the gangs were being quiet, but well that may be because news of the National Guard being on it's way. The gangs know in a fight against a proper army they would lose.
Word from the console was that they might be here for Panacea which can not be allowed, ever since her trigger fatality rates in Endbringer fights have lowered by 32%. Making a hard turn he would arrive on the Hospital St, which would mean he's merely moments away from the Hospital.
He'd open a connection to Dragon, the Canadian Cape was currently enroute with one of her Cawthorne models. "Dragon, this is Armsmaster. How far out are you" It would only take a second before the voice of his fellow tinker would respond "I'm still fifteen minutes out, also I don't know if ENE has got the word yet but National Guard troops from four states are en-route and Army Companies have begun moving. From what I've heard the President has been briefed on the situation."
"Good." Armsmaster replied "Very good. I'm pulling into the Hospital now, I want you to watch from my helmet and get anything you can from it."
A short affirmative from Dragon and he pulls up just behind the PRT/SWAT barricade that surrounds the Hospital. Hoping off his bike he walks towards where the Strike Commander was standing. His name was Octavio Hermando if Armsmaster remembered correctly, "Commander Hermando, report have they done anything?"
The Commander gave a quick salute before stating ""We have about Fifteen of these 'ODSTs' out-"
Armsmaster would interrupt "ODST?"
The Commander nods "Yes Sir, they have a symbol on the shoulder. A Flaming Skull over something, underneath it is big letters is the ODST. Above it is the word 'Helljumpers'. On the other shoulder they have the an Eagle with it's wings spread open and the acronym 'UNSC' under it. We have no proof of what UNSC means however rumors are starting to spread among them men."
Armsmaster, who had been looking at the 'ODST' who had stationed themselves outside the Hospitals doors near their Aircrafts, glanced down curiously at the commander "What are the rumors?"
Hermando looks down slightly before looking up and saying, "Well sir. Some of the men believe UNSC might stand for United Nations Security Council. Which if it does...does not mean good things"
Armsmaster nods along slightly, "Very well. What are they doing currently?"
The Commander turned and pointed to the building, "So far we have confirmed thirty of these ODST as well as two others, One is officer of some sort it looks and a possible Cape and the Second is a complete unknown they seem to be an individual on a stretcher of some sort. Currently they've spilt into three groups; Around fifteen of them are arrayed outside the hospital and are standing guard, ten are inside the lobby with the officer and seem to be keeping the lobby under control, and the last five have gone inside. Two seem to have broken off as Velocity reported seeing what he said was a 'Sniper Duo'. The unknown individual has been taken deeper into the facility and we are currently trying to get access to the CCTs inside. Also we've lost eyes on the Pelicans, radar down at Newton has lost them as well. Our current assumption is that they're hiding among the towers in downtown, we got street cops looking for them."
Armsmaster nods. "Very well, has a contact been attempted yet?" When the Commander responded with a no, Armsmaster continued "Very well. I hope negotiators are on station."
The Commander looked up and nodded "We have the best Negotiators of the PD here. They're preparing to call the lobby. Also I got word from Dauntless, Glory Girl is angry but he is trying to delay her long enough for New Wave to arrive."
Armsmaster Sighs "Alright. take me to the command tent, I'd like to listen in on the talks." The Commander nods and leads him into the a large tent that had been set up. Inside a mess of computers sit at a large desk in the center with a phone in the center, wires tangle outwards to various other computers and generators.
Armsmaster would hear the whirling of helicopter blades and then he'd hear over the radio "Company C from 1st Battalion of the 20th Special Forces Group has arrived, they'll be taking up station along side PRT/SWAT Forces at this time. Company A of 2nd Battalion from the 20th is eta five mikes."
Not responding he looks to the Negotiators as they dial in the number to the Hospital lobby and place it on speaker.
The UNSC Promise of Dawn had thought this situation was spiraling quickly, luckily the doctor that had come down had been more then willing to assist. But now they had forty-five people that are cowering and afraid, and the nurse who seems to be trying to get a nap in. Her head would snap over as the phone of the lobby began to ring, she pointed at it before telling the nurse to pick it up.
The nurse slowly picked it up before listening for a moment before holding it out and saying "It's for you ma'am"
The Promise of Dawn stalked forward and grabbed the phone placing it against her ear. "Who am I speaking too?"
A heartbeat later a voice would reply "This is Dixon Chambers, I'm a negotiator for the Brockton Bay Police Department as well as the rest of the organizations arrayed outside. I am to communicate with you and try to deescalate the situation. Firstly may I know who I am speaking too?"
"I am the UNSC Promise Of Dawn, FFG-320, Formerly Apart of Task Group Tarantino." She replied, looking out the glass doors to the line of men who had formed up in response to their arrival. "I am operating under orders of the UNSC and must state you are interfering with a UN Military operation"
"May I ask what those orders are? If we knew perhaps we could assist in some way, I'm sure there must be a more efficient way to complete your orders without taking a hospital hostage."
"The orders are classified, but we are attempting to ensure the survival of someone. Someone that was attacked and badly harmed by an at this time unknown group of individuals, we are ensuring the assistance they need is given and then we shall fade away" She answered, trying to avoid giving away to much while giving enough to get them to not attempt to storm the building. "We mean no harm to the individuals inside this building, but if need be we shall ensure no one will pose a threat, if that means we have to hold here till the doctors declare them safe then we hold here till then."
"I see. You take the safety of your men very seriously it seems, that's admirable. However this is the largest hospital in Brockton Bay, you taking over is causing patients to have to be taken to far smaller and worse equipped Hospitals. Likewise several times now we've had to turn back arriving ambulances." The Negotiators countered
"So. What do you suggest we do then? I am not leaving till my personnel is safe. Any attempt to forcibly dislodge me will end poorly for your men."
God she is so in over her head, this entire mess was just spiraling out of control. Why couldn't the commander have been awake when this mess started? She's just a Frigate, she wasn't meant to lead operations. She just wanted to safe the Commander and then realize she couldn't and then freaked out. But all will be fine if they can find that damned Panacea person, the ODST had three men searching the building for her.
Once she is found a way this whole damned mess can be fixed, she can get out. Hide out somewhere, RTB the ODST and Pelicans and then take her Commander to her house...which she doesn't know where that is. She's sure she can find a good cave or something.
She listened to the Negotiators as they responded, "Since you stated earlier that once your personnel is healed you would leave, I have to ask what you were doing here in the city in the first place? Especially at a High School, which you were spotted being at before coming here."
Now this was a question that'd she would have problems answering. Because frankly, how did she explain that her commander was a fifteen year old girl that I found shoved into a locker covered in...well alot of things.
She had to find a way to not give away to much, while also making them seem like the guilty party. What to say? What to say? God damn it now she wished she had an ONI Attache on board, they knew how to gaslight. What to say?
Hmm. She had an idea, and she didn't even need ONI. "The personnel who was assaulted was attacked and kept their it seems. I will not know anything further till she awakens at which point I will make all attempts to gain justice for this heinous act."
This would hopefully work to get them not look to closely at that. Last thing we need is them finding out her commander. It would not due for that to happen at all, she was confident she could best near any force on this planet.
Though that nearly was the big one, she didn't know the full extent of the capabilities of the planet or the strange abnormal humans who seem to be able to fly? and why strangely dressed individuals where evidently flying? That didn't even include the man who decided the best weapon to bring when faced with thirty people with guns was a spear of some kind. At least the woman with the American flag bandanna at least used guns, the Promise has only ever heard of three groups who could effectively use Melee weapons where; Elites, Brutes, and Spartans. She felt they didn't require elaboration.
The Negotiators had been silent for a while now, almost thirty seconds. Interesting. Perhaps my slight omission of the truth was helping. Now she just needed to ensure the commander was healed quickly and then we could exfil.
Hmm. With a silent order five of the ODSTs in the room moved, they headed further into the hospital they were to located and secure that girl they were told about. Panacea, however the hospital staff have had time to hide her if she was even here.
If they found her good. If not, we'll be here for far longer then She'd like. The Negotiators had been silent for a while now, curious. Tentatively she'd ask "Are you still receiving me?"
The Voice of Chambers would respond, "Yes we are. We are attempting to get into contact with someone who maybe able to help your... personnel. A Cape by the name of Panacea, she would be able to heal her with a mere touch. If that is permissible we'd like to try and get her to you so she can heal your personnel."
"I doubt your just going to send her by herself. I will accept, and you may have six to ten men escort her in. Ensure they will not do anything dumb, I will not hesitate to kill them if they prove themselves to be a threat" She offered, shey had no doubt that the elite of the ODST would have no trouble dealing with whatever rabble they would send to be the escort for this Panacea if the need arrives.
Panacea didn't even know Green Berets were apart of the National Guard. She thought those would be active forces only, but apparently two companies were based out of Massachusets and Rhode Island, it might explain why they got here so quickly. From what she overheard at the command tent a group of fighters from Florida were supposedly ready to take off soon which would be useful, no one knew where those aircraft these 'ODSTs' used had gone. Leading theory is that they're hiding among the towers and skyscrapers of downtown, blocking them from being seen by radar. She thinks someone is going to look? She doesn't know specifics however.
Her mind was wandering again. Because frankly, she's scared. Terrified even. She'd been in positions against far more powerful foes, the Endbringers come to mind, however she was never in the line of fire with them. Always at the back, usually a medical tent or something similar. Now? She was marching into a hostage situation with a group of ten Green Berets arrayed around her for an escort.
Against them was a group of over thirty complete unknowns, beyond some basic information Dragon and Armsmaster were able to get from their armor. They speculated that some sort of Titanium alloy or something was used. Admittedly she doesn't know a lot about metals, however wasn't Titanium supposed to be very very dense? Shouldn't that also make it heavy?
It didn't seem to bother them however, they moved lithely. They screamed well trained as well, Amy had been near enough military trained individuals to spot it quickly. They barely glanced at the group as they approached instead keeping their focus on the barricades, which either meant confidence or foolishness.
As they arrived at the front doors, they slid open and revealed the hospital lobby room. Which had a group of six ODST soldiers and a group of twenty or so civilians. Along side them all, standing in the center is the one who was in charge of all these soldiers. The supposed Cape. The one who called herself the Promise Of Dawn.
The first thing that struck her was she wasn't wearing a mask. Nothing hid her face, despite the clear fact that it would be very possible for her to do so as everyone working for her had a helmet which completely obscured their face. She studied the woman she was approaching, she was more on the pale side of things with curly red hair cascading down her back, she was of average height not particularly tall but she had an air of authority around her that made her seem bigger then she actually was. She wore a pristine white officers uniform that had several medals and awards on her left breast, two platform like tings were connected to her back and sat to her left and right, lastly Panacea could just barely make out the stock of a rifle of some sort on her back.
Committing her image to memory she approached and held out her hand in greeting saying "I am Panacea of New Wave, I am here to heal your injured man."
The Promise nods and takes her hand and breaths in to speak. But the second the Promises hand touches Panacea's, the later fell to her knees as pain flows from her head like a man was taking a hammer and repeating hitting her in the head with it.
Numbers, words, names all flash through her heads. She was able to pick a few up as it all flashed through; Shiva Missiles, Command Bridge, Hanger Deck, Gun Batteries, Personnel quarters. All of it flew through her mind and pain countined to lace through her as instead of showing her the image of a body her power granted her the layouts of...something. Some kinda of construction, labeled the Promise of Dawn. Rought pulling her hand out of the Promises hand she falls backwards and comes back to reality.
The Green Berets had raised their rifles at her condition, and the ODSTs had responded in kind. Promise looked at her in confusion, and the civilians were cowering even more now.
Amy Dallon looked up at the UNSC Promise Of Dawn, a Paris-Class Heavy Frigate she remembered from the layout she had seen, in fear.
"You're not human"