A/N: I'm back. No excuses really. Just taking my time to find out how I'm approaching this.
Am I winging it? Yes and no.
Special thanks to all those that have been keeping with this story. You the real MVP.
BBTDC will be updated in a couple of days as well but I wanted to work on this first.
Chapter 5: Assistance
*Undisclosed location*
The red lights of countless alarms blared through the base. Technicians and engineers scrambled in preparation for launch. A large craft was moved into the main hanger bay, a V-shaped VTOL aircraft that was masterfully and carefully crafted to exact specifications capable of holding up to twelve people in the cargo bay and a single pilot. A tall man rushed across the hanger dressed in a grey jumpsuit and wearing a pilot's gasmask and helmet. Large capital words in white paint spelt out "BIG SKY" across his helmet. He entered the craft and began system checks before activating the craft.
"This is Big Sky, Skyranger is prepped for take off."
On the other side of the base, five soldiers rushed from their tight bunks into the main armory, quickly gathering their gear as they slid on their winter gear which consisted black balaclavas, green combat helmets, tactical visors, and green, bulky tactical armor which proudly displayed their country of origin on the back; Denmark, America, Nigeria, Spain, and Poland. Three grabbed the organization's staple rifle: the H&K G3, complete with armor-piercing rounds. The fourth member grabbed an M40A1 before wrapping white tape along most of the weapon. The fifth grabbed an M249 SAW before running to join his comrades. They sprinted along the control room before entering the Skyranger single file. After a few minutes, the sniper turned her head towards her partner.
"Hey Achim, do you know why we're taking so long?" She asked with a bored tone, her Spanish accent overshadowing her English.
"If you don't know Marta, then how should I know?" The Danish man replied in a gruff Nordish accent.
Under the hanger, Dr. Vahlen stared at her newest experiment. The man wore little armor, a sleeveless tactical vest and BDU pants with armor plating. Dr. Vahlen recorded her notes while her sight was fixed on the man.
"Now please, it may feel stiff but before you go I would like for you to attempt it one last time."
The man sighed but nodded as his body stiffened. With a loud grunt, Vahlen gasped before smiling and took down her notes.
Tsukune let out an exhausted sigh as he pressed his back against the building. A whole open street waited to be crossed. He could hear more footsteps up ahead. The gunfire from Trojan had long since ceased. He closed his eyes as he thought about it. They were all gone. Sergeant Kail, those two soldiers from Charlie, just about everyone in Yankee platoon...gone. Tsukune swallowed hard.
Ichio covered their rear while Guatia and Ashton kept watch on their escorts. Ashton's bleeding arm had been bandaged and now could only carry his sidearm.
The Yokai V.I.P.s were grouped in the middle with the ice woman carrying the Succubus while the Vampire always stayed in front of them, reinforcing her standing as their commander. Kurumu turned to Moka, seething through her teeth as Mizore encased her wound in a block of ice.
"This is ridiculous, Akashiya...we should be plotting to escape from these vermin! We should be calling for our comrades! Your forces! Not playing as helpless damsels to these weaklings!" Kurumu growled. Mizore spoke up.
"While I do not agree with these actions, they are our only option. Look at the big picture, if we call out for help, they'll execute us on the spot. Plus your wound is getting worse and our transportation isn't enough to get you to someone in time. I'd rather not see any of us die."
"None of this would've mattered if we had been given someone that knows what they're doing instead of...this." Kurumu glared. Moka bit her lip as she felt her eyes water.
"You're right, Kurumu...this was my first mission. Just oversee the town and keep it safe. But no, I failed and now a lot of lives have been lost. Blame me if you must but I will not allow you to suffer and die here!" Moka cried out. The soldiers around them looked with confused eyes. But Tsukune still kept watch. He had heard her though...something welled up inside him. It was an...unfamiliar feeling.
Suddenly, his senses went into full alert. His body jumped to the side, taking cover as an ice kunai struck the corner of his wall.
"We've been spotted!" Tsukune called out. His team went into action, Guatia ran past Tsukune across the open street and slid into cover. He brought his weapon about and fired a suppressive barrage. "Ashton! Get everyone across the street! Me and Guatia will cover, go now!" Ashton nodded and gestured for everyone to follow him. Three more ice kunais struck Guatia's position as Tsukune popped out and saw the ice woman's position on top of a building. He pulled the trigger and fired. Ashton and Ichio led the group across as the ice woman dove into cover. As they ran, Mizore lost her grip on Kurumu. She hit the ground hard and gasped in pain as the ice around her wound broke apart. Tsukune's weapon ran dry as he cursed to himself. He looked onto the street to see Kurumu laying on the floor while Mizore tried with difficulty to pull her up.
Kurumu could feel Mizore's tugging as she tried to lift her. It was of little use, the pain prevented her from standing and each time she got up, she only fell. Kurumu could feel it in her mind, they were going to leave her there. She knew they would. She saw them running but only Moka turning around to come back to her.
"Selfish...humans…" Kurumu thought with anger. However, a strong grip grabbed her arm and she was lifted off the ground. Her surprised look went into shock as he turned to see the human, Aono was his name, lift her up and carry her with Mizore. She felt his breath grew ragged as he inhaled sharply. He yelled to the other human who spoke into his radio. A few seconds passed as a barrage of ice kunais hit the ground all around them. Suddenly, she could hear this low pitched growl in the air. It began to grow louder. She looked into the sky and saw two silhouettes that were heading right for the building. Her ears nearly blew out as machine gun fire ripped through the air and shredded the roof that the ice woman had taken position on. The planes screamed through the sky over them and turned away, moving out of sight. Aono advanced into the cover of the alleyway, carefully moving her with him.
Kurumu heard him yell to his comrades, she assumed he ordered them to keep advancing. The human with the rifle turned and his eyes grew wide. She followed his eyes and was shocked. An ice kunai stuck out of Aono's side, blood staining the icicle. He shouted again and the soldier nodded. Her mind was swirling as she felt her anger begin to give way to confusion.
"A human...put himself in the way of that ice woman to rescue me...how is this possible?" She stared at his face, his clenched teeth and sweat making his locks stick to his forehead. His eyes hardened with determination. The eyes of this man, she could read it straight and clear. He would not rest until they were all safe.
Every single one of them.
The Skyranger silently flew through the harsh blizzard winds as it circled the area. The Skyranger came in carefully onto a small park as the back ramp began to open, letting the cold air and snow into the compartment. The ramp fully dropped, revealing two soldiers on both sides of the ramp, covering their comrades as they stormed out of the Skyranger. The Polish soldier scanned the area before putting his hand to his radio.
"This is Sergeant Iwo, main LZ is clear. We will advance and rendezvous with Gold Delivery." He spoke in a slight Polish dialect.
"Copy that Strike One, get them all home safe by any means necessary." Bradford replied. Iwo nodded and looked towards the team.
"I'm going to need Marta and Achim to remain here and cover our exit. Ndulue, Drew, and and Edmound I'm going to need you three with me."They nodded and moved past him. However, the one named Edmound was stopped with a hand on his shoulder. He looked at Iwo with a questioning look. "I know what has been happening and I want to say...take it easy. I don't want anyone getting killed and I'd rather not see your own body rip itself apart." Edmound shrugged off the hand.
"Don't worry about me. We hardly even know it's going to work." Before Iwo could respond, his radio started to go off as a voice came through.
"This is Specialist Guatia, I am apart of a group of survivors from Yankee platoon. We have priority V.I.P.s and our extraction cannot get us out. Requesting assistance from any available forces." Sergeant Iwo grabbed his radio and began to speak.
"Specialist, this is Sergeant Iwo, commander of Strike One. We have extraction available at Grayson Park and are now attempting to move to your position. We'll come find you and escort you here."
"Affirmative, we are at least two miles southeast and are moving there now. We'll try to meet you in the middle." The link was cut and Iwo looked at Edmound.
"Well, let's get moving then." Iwo jogged ahead to catch up with the others as Edmound looked at his arm. His skin seems to move as it began to turn dark green and harden. Scales lined down his arm as his nails extended into menacing claws. He drew his sidearm and smiled.
"Looks like it works."
***Status of Yankee Platoon Fireteam...***
Corporal Tsukune Aono: ACTIVE
Corporal Ashton Dragnet: WOUNDED
Specialist Guatia Hernandez: ACTIVE
Private Ichio Kuzika: ACTIVE
Private Gregoir Joshua: K.I.A.
***Status of Yokai Escorts...***
CO Moka Akashiya: ACTIVE
Mizore Shirayuki: ACTIVE
Kurumu Kurono: SEVERE
A/N: I worked on this all night after so long of trying to figure out a direction.
But here it is.
You may now crucify me.