Chapter 25: Loyalty
[Vale, Fort Amada]
"Is she awake?" The questioner was a tall older man in a nice business suit. He had no head facial hair to speak of. His eyes like his voice were cold and commanding.
The nurse seemed conflicted on what to do. She was in conflict with herself, should she follow orders or her heart? She didn't even come up to the man's chest with her small stature. Elissa, as her nametag read was a quiet soft spoken girl and never really stood up for herself in her life so when she finally answered the fear was evident in her voice "Sh-e is sir but she needs rest. I can have you informed when she's capable of answering your questions"
The man moved past her "Not necessary" he answered.
"Mr Wait! She's in no condition for an interrogation; any amount of strain or stress could be fatal!" Elissa called, chased after the man.
This area was completely different from the med-bay Bravo had visited under the 'care' of Peach. It wasn't a lone room where multiple patients were placed. This was part of the groundside western wing of the fort. Only a convalescent in critical health was brought here where they had their own personal rooms. The hospital was large, over four floors and an approximate seven hundred rooms.
"I have absolutely no intention of showing restraint to a traitor" he told the nurse before turning to a similar dressed young man who had a short buzz cut "Cole lets go". They excused themselves from the kind nurse.
The medical staff made way for the imposing characters as they transversed the hall ways with a sense of purpose and authority. They said nothing to one another while they walked, preferring the silence. These two were members of the Military's disciplinary division. They acquired evidence for the military court or if it's severe than the council. The MDD was best known for their excellent information gathering skills and inner core corruption. Doctors watched the men with a mixture of resentment and curiosity. After all what would these two agents be doing in a hospital?
They stopped at an elevator. The elder pushed the button and patiently waited for the doors open. He was use to this. After fifteen years of doing this it had almost seemed like it was the same exact routine every time.
Cole was not as calm as his peer. His posture was stiff and his eyes weren't focused, the elder took notice. "This is your first case kid so I don't expect much from you. Just hang back and watch for now"
DING
"Yes Sir"
The elder rubbed his face in frustration "Cut the 'Sir' shit boy, you aren't a soldier"
He blushed at being reprimanded by his superior. This was indeed Cole's first assignment in the MDD. He had transferred here from the Navy after a crate fell, caused by a violent storm, had pinned his leg against the hull. It had taken hours to free it and there success meant nothing in the end, the accident had cost him his leg. The new prosthetic was a painful reminder that his Navy career was over. "Yes s-Alright" The elevator ride was quiet.
They arrived at the fifth floor and elder got out first leading the boy. The fifth floor was urgent care, it dealed in patients who needed to be under constant supervision. The hallways was bustling with people but their target might as well had a big red x on her. Two hunter class soldiers in their heavy white armor guarded a single door with most defiantly more inside. The hunters observed the two as they approached making Cole feel immensely uncomfortable.
"State your business" boomed the higher ranked one.
Cole followed his partner's example and went to pull out his wallet just to fumble with it and drop it on the ground. The elder didn't try to hide his dissatisfaction while he showed his id to the guard. Cole cursed quietly while he tried to bend down on his cane to retrieve it. He was ashamed as he failed to grab the just out of reach wallet.
"Here" The other hunter offered Cole's possession back to him. He snatched it away from her without a thank you. He hated the pity people showed him. She nodded to him out of respect which he ignored. He knew she wouldn't have done either if he wasn't crippled.
The one in charge looked over their Ids before handing them back to the MDD agents. "Go ahead" They moved past the two hunters and into the room.
If it could be described in one word it would be 'sparse'. It was completely empty besides the bed, medical equipment and single chair. There wasn't even a tv or table inside. The spartan furnishings were like that for a reason, most of the patients on this level required nothing because they we either dying or a vegetable. Another three hunters were inside.
They directed their attention the bed in the middle of the room and its occupant. She looked like a mummy. Her entire chest was wrapped with bandages along with her leg, arm and the top half of her face leaving only everything under her nose visible, the wound had to be somewhere on her face because they hadn't shaved the hair on her head which framed the side of her face.
The chair screeched loudly as the elder intentionally made the deafening sound while pulling the chair up to the bed. He sat down and cross his legs in way that Cole noted made him look like an asshole. Cole himself just stepped back.
The middle-aged man cleared his throat and began "Private, can you hear me?". The girl showed no signs that she was even awake. "Since we are in this fine establishment you can call me Mr. Cross, I'm with the MDD." When he got no response he continued "You know why I'm here"
The bandage body mad no movements to show it had heard him. If it wasn't for her breathing through a machine or the heart rate monitor one would assume it was a corpse.
"You've got quite a bit of shit Private, did you know treason alone means death in the Headhunters. Of course you do you took the oath. But in your case this isn't some small thing is it? No, we have multiple charges that could land you right in death row" he said with a smile "I guess you could call me your personal grim reaper"
The patients head looked in his direction "The grim reaper is supposed to be scary" she mocked with a strained voice "I'm the reaper" Cole took a step back and the guards hands found their weapons.
Cross wasn't fazed. He smirked in her face "Since I got you talking how about answering a few questions for me hmm?"
"Shoot"
"You were the first one into the mansion?" he asked
"Correct"
He scooted forward closer so he was right next to her face "Must have been a lot of opposition"
"Correct"
"And you just walked right through?" He questioned
She shook her head at that "incorrect" she answered "I ran"
"Cute" He stood up and paced around the bed watching her head follow the sound. All of these questions were pointless. There was only one he really needed "You made a decision, a momentous fucking decision. A decision that severed all ties with your kingdom and put your loyalty into question." He seethed "Why did you assist the war criminal Erwin Rommel?"
"…"
Delta Four,Patch, twenty hours ago]
Erwin ran his hand down my back "Your bleeding!" he yelled just as I was getting comfortable in this weird reunion. He let go of me and I fell into him not able to support myself.
"That I am" My mind was racing, I was worried little about my injuries. What the hell was I supposed to do now? I couldn't, no I wouldn't kill my own father terrorist or not. If my comrades were to come in now though we'd both be dead. "You need to leave"
He stopped what he was doing to give me a sad smile "To where Julia?" Yes where Julia? "This place is surrounded and the escape tunnel was sealed off after my family left" Oh so it's just me he abandoned? No, can't have a fit right now.
But he was right. Outside Vale's finest killers were on their way to kill my daddy dearest. Killer's I called brothers and sisters. Speaking of which I wonder what my other siblings are like. Focus! Ok so place is surrounded got that. What else is there….surrounded!
"We are surrounded!" I cheered
My father gave me a weird look "Are you ok, Julia I think you've lost too much blood"
Maybe I was a bit loopy "Shut up and listen! Outside are some of meanest, most blood thirsty, highly traine-"
"I get it" he deadpanned
"But past them…." It didn't take him long at all. He was indeed a man of much knowledge; yep my dad was a super smart terrorist.
"The marines" he breathed. He looked proud that I was more than just some stupid grunt. To clarify I am a grunt just not a stupid one. Then his eyes got sad again, who has daddy issues here me or you?! "Julia I can't. My place is here, plus if you aided me than you would suffer severe punishment as well. I know it won't be the easiest thing but you need to le-"
"Screw you!" I interrupted "I've lost one man that I really cared about today but at the same time I found out I wasn't alone in this world. You are coming with me, no arguments"
"Julia…"
"No!" I yelled, my voice getting hoarse from not being used to being used this much "Look I'll go halfway with you then we can split. They will think that I chased you."
His face scrunched up as the thought about it. We were wasting time! Finally he let out a sigh "I have a feeling that if I refuse then you will just drag me out of here"
"Affirmative" I doubt I could walk out of here by myself
"…Lets go Julia"
I beamed and made to lead but ran into a little legs might as well been useless, they were almost all the way numb. That was bad. I needed medical attention soon or I would bleed to death. "Erwin….Could you help me" he nodded in understanding. I draped my arm behind his neck and he wrapped his around my waist.
"To think my own daughter would turn up and try to kill me" he laughed while helping me to the door. It was defiantly a very unique way to meet. "You're very beautiful; I see a lot of your mother in you."
Hearing him say that felt a lot better than it should in our current situation "Do you tell that to all you're long lost children?" I asked
"Just the pretty ones" he answered as descended the stairs. I cringed when we past the mangled body of one of his own "Unfortunately I see a lot of me in you as well" he said in a quiet voice. I would have never done it if I hadn't been like I was. I took pride in my skill but I didn't believe in making the enemy suffer. "You could of have been so many things….why would you want to involve yourself in this nasty game?"
Why I joined was simple "I was an orphan. I was nothing to people." I remembered my days with Jayden "When I put on the uniform I felt like somebody, I wasn't alone at first….I had a friend named Jayden. He didn't make it…"
"You have a brother named Jayden"
"Yes remind the daughter that she's the only one you left" I growled. I almost took my words back when I saw his face. Good I hope you do feel bad. "We shouldn't go that way" I pointed down the tunnel I had come from "They were closing in when I left and judging from the lack of gunfire I'd say your men are dead"
"We will take one of the east tunnels. Their objective is mansion; they won't worry about anyone escaping with the marines surrounding this place"
I didn't tell him that we were used to the White Fang thinking like this. A lot of the time we just formed a staggered circle around the area. 'They are hurting though, at least five of us were down' I thought…..Five.
We hurried or more like dragged in my case down the bendy tunnel. It was impossible to see the end to tell how long it was because of the shape causing me to worry if he could break out in time. The Spec ops above us were almost certainly already clearing the forest for stragglers so as not to get shot in the back when they stormed the mansion.
I took the time to take a good look at my father who I had never met. If it wasn't for his knowledge of my mother I would have never believed him, we looked nothing alike. His hair was red mine was black, he was short and I was tall. The only thing we had in common was the eyes and it wasn't like it was a rare or unheard of color. I had no great fuanus qualities like nightvision, powerful scent, super hearing. If he hadn't said that one name I would of treated like any other White Fang member, I shuddered at the thought.
We didn't talk. There would be time for that when he went to prison for the rest of his life. Our conversations would be limited to the time they gave us and probably never face to face but still I had family, someone who shared my blood. That was something I grew up thinking was impossible.
"Stop" declared Erwin "If we keep going like this you won't live to see the next twenty minutes" We needed to go! No matter how right he was! He didn't look like he was going to budge on this one though.
'He is well versed in Vale equipment' He found the claps for my chest armor and he pulled it over my head. I realized this was about to get awkward….
[VS Clod v Rickets, Vytal coast]
The ninety five thousand ton Valean destroyer class battleship parted the sea around it like the god of the ocean it was. With a length of twelve thousand feet it was truly a sight to behold blazing at a speed of twenty eights knots. It was equipped with a four main weapon emplacements that exceeded twelve inches with a multitude of smaller ordnance and small arms. The twenty inch armor had yet to meet a foe worthy of piercing it yet.
Captain Makeckenny with His hands tight on the wheel watched from the bridge of his mighty ship as the Grimm monarch tore into the home he had sworn to protect. His ship was heading straight towards the creature that had drawled its ire.
The top half of the grimm was completely covered in white shell carapace. Every time the monarchs swung it many limbs the landscape itself was changed. "Your orders Sir?" one of his crew asked.
He turned the wheel hard to the side bearing all of the ships teeth on the grimm. "Tell the all weapon crews to fire at their discretion" his voice was calm "Let our furry rain down upon it"
"But Sir their might be civilians in the area!"
He just continued to watch the grimm tear into the small city "Dust help them"
Master Chief Click, the fire control of the Clod V Ricketts men got the green light from the captain and he turned to his team "MAIN GUNS READY!" He screamed causing the veins to pop out.
The two barreled twenty inch cannon on the bow of the ship turned to take aim at the massive squid like creature causing destruction, the smaller eighteen inchers on the back took aim as well. The monarch had no idea what the shit storm that was about to hit him.
Time seemed to stop and all was quiet as the weapons all stared down the grimm. "FIRE!" The Clod v Rickets roared its rage in a deafening drum.
[Delta Four, Patch]
'Ouch!' He stabbed something of a shot into my leg after he finished and yes I do mean stabbed. A warm feeling spread from the area where before there had been none. It travelled through my body restoring a lot of my motor controls. "An adrenaline shot, I work late a lot."
"Ah" I said while throwing my under shirt back on "We've wasted a lot of time"
"It was necessary" Came the reply. He offered his hand to me which I accepted. Not a hundred percent but I was feeling they lot better than before. Thank you wonder drug.
I motioned for him to stay back while I climbed the ladder first to make sure it was clear. They were rusty as hell and looked like they were going to snap in two any minute. I pulled myself up with strength I hadn't had before and pushed open the concealed man hole.
No noise or people greeted me. Not alive anyway, a squad of White Fang lay scattered around the exit. 'Wonderful' so much for them not coming through here already. I got out slowly making sure not to make any noise that would alert a passerby of my position.
The mansion was just visible through the tangled branches of the forest at about three hundred yards. Not very far at all, I couldn't make out any visible movement or noise around it so the HeadHunters were already searching…
I flipped my hand up to Erwin cringing at all the noise he made on his way to me. He was absolutely a tactician and not a soldier. I helped him up when he crowned the manhole. My hands were under his armpits supporting him when I felt it. I hesitated
The HeadHunter did not. I pulled us behind makeshift dirt cover when he started to pepper it. My handgun was in my hand by instinct when I went up to try and return fire. His dead aim had me putting my head back down.
"Come out with your hands behind your head!" I had used that one quite a few times myself. Lure the frightened enemy out with a possibility of survival and then shoot them dead. I went to go up and again only for bullets to fly right over my head 'That's not going to work'.
Erwin was angry, probably thinking he had just doomed his daughter. 'It's not over yet old man' I thought while looking around 'Maybe'. Dirt fell across my face as he showed no restraint for his former friendly.
I crawled over to a dead White Fang and riffled through his pockets. Finding nothing I move the next to find him empty of anything useful. The third though…
Pulling the grenade off his belt I turned to Erwin "When I say run you run!" When he looked like he was about to argue I countered "My chances for success are a lot better if you aren't here to get in my way!" It was the hard truth.
He nodded grimly.
"Get ready…." I listened to where the gunshots were coming from and gauged the distance "GO!"
I chucked the grenade over our cover. The shooting stopped and we were on our feet before the grenade hit the ground. I rushed my comrade before he realized the foul play, I hadn't pulled the pin. He was getting up the ground and raising his gun to shoot when I had made it to him. My left hand turned the barrel away while my other grabbed the stock while I tried to push him on the ground.
Crucial mistake, the bigger Headhunter didn't go back much before overpower me and pushed me back. This wasn't like the little spats that Three and I got in to, this was to the death. I asked myself before I threw the grenade if all of this was worth saving a terrorist just because he was my father.
Damn right it was.
Our little power struggle for the gun led to me being slammed up against the tree. My grip on the gun was faltering, he would win this and I would die. Unless I ejected the mag like so.
My thumb pressed down on the magazine eject and I just barely manage to squeeze off the round in the chamber before I lost my purchase on the gun. He slammed the stock in the side of the dace knocking me to my knees. I pulled out my machete as quick as I could.
He was faster. I moved my head back when he swung but still felt it make contact with skin. I stifled my groan of pain as I brought mine up to parry his downward slash. The blow was stronger than any other I had ever blocked. I wonder if this is how it is with the people I had killed. His free faster than I could trace with my eyes took hold of my wrist while he slammed the other into my elbow. The break was instant. I didn't have to try to stifle anything this time, the cry was as loud as it was sharp and it was all mine. My machete dropped from my hand uselessly.
He booted me to the ground without a moments hesitation and plopped down on me before I could sit up. He was going to do to me as I had done the first faunas I had killed and stab me straight in the face. With both hands he went straight down, my one hand not even slowing him down a bit. I moved my head just as the blade sank into the ground next to it.
I had a new dilemma now. He took the blade that was still in the dirt and pulled to the side with intent of doing what I had too had done to so many others. It really was like I was fighting a stronger version of myself.
It was almost impossible to halt his arms. I pushed them away with my fading strength slowing his progress very little. I looked up at the man or the reflection of myself. I felt the fear of death I had instilled in others. I felt the blade bite into my neck.
Everything was going black. My strength would fail me in the next few moment and I would die. The great Headhunter Delta-Four would meet death by one of her own. Right after I had met my father, I had so many questions to ask him.
"GET ON THE FUCKING GROUND!" I heard right before I lost it. The loud and rough marines had finally gotten on my good side for once in my life.
[Vale, Fort Amada, Present time]
"Do you sympathize with the White Fang?"
"Have you read my job description?" she answered
Cross wasn't amused "Well I can tell you something that I DO know. You WILL attend a court martial hearing in the sometime foreseeable future and until then you WILL be an inmate in the Jones correctional facility where you will rot until your done justice." He smiled cruelly "And by justice I do mean execution. Enjoy your time in this hospital Private; it'll be the only commodity you will get for the rest of your short life" If she was frightened by anything he said she didn't show it. Cross got up from his chair "Where was the rest of your unit when you 'heroically' charged in.
"Ask them"
"I did" Now this got a reaction "You know your brothers think really highly of you Private, I'm sure any one of them would die for you. And let me tell that they couldn't believe it when I told them what you did. They laughed it off even until I showed them the evidence and they told me some very interesting things"
"…"
"I cannot for the life of me wrap my head around it. The loyal soldier Julia Snow, veteran of Ruben field and the numerous other engagements she took part in, Possessing an outstanding record that could rival most who've been in their whole adult lives. Why would she ever aid the man who killed her teammate Leo Sanchez?"
This is how he operated. He would find something that pulled on their heart strings and pull, unwinding their whole façade. He was very sure of his capabilities even when dealing with a Headhunter.
"Your guess is good as mine"
It wouldn't be a fast process but he would get the job done in time "Well Ms. Snow it has been a pleasure but I think we should call quits for today" he explained while putting his suit jacket back on "I'll see your lovely face tomorrow….well half of it" Cross and Cole excused themselves from the building. Cross would quiz Cole on their way back to the station to see what he had learned.
The room returned to its original uncomfortable silence. Hours ticked by but nothing seemed to change until one of the head guard outside came in and said those inside:
"Our shift is up, get the barracks and some rest because we switch back eighteen hundred hours"
The guards were more than happy to leave their baby sitting job with the Headhunter. They pilled out of the room as the new guards came in. The new guards were completely identical to the old guards in their white uniforms but one.
The chair once again scraped the ground as some turned it the opposite direction and set in it reverse. He just like all the others wore the all-white but the difference was on his head. Instead of the visored riot helmet he wore only the black balaclava with a very intimidating looking gas mask.
"What did you tell them?" Asked Bravo