Episode 0-5: Oh, So That's How it Is
"When you said to get us close, I didn't think you'd force us to go high!"
The aircraft's ramp opened. The high altitude and the wind and the sounds of the engines blew in my face.
"Don't worry about me. Worry about how you're gonna pick us up."
"Of course I'd worry about you! I'm not gonna allow this if you're just going to be a splat on the ground!"
"Buddy, listen." I hefted the parachute and stood from my seat. "I'm not going to do this stunt if I was a wee bit of a pussy. And either way, you already allowed this the second you sent us this high up in the sky."
"Goddamnit you're starting to sound just like her."
"Just like who?"
"Happy hunting pal!"
Right.
I faced the open ramp in front of me. I looked at the sky and what was below me. Yeah, that's high. Wasn't scaring my ass though.
I would've been the last one to jump if there were other people with me. But since this is a solo rescue mission…
I did a somersault and dive bombed straight into the fray.
13:19:23
Six
Rhodes Island
The Ark
I put down my Pip-Boy, resting my wrist. I sat on my seat, waiting. Damn. How long is she going to take?
For minutes, I was in her office. Hamboning, whistling. Was about to tune to my radio too.
I was about to touch her trinkets on her desk until I felt a presence behind me. The sliding door opened, I turned to see Kal'tsit entering. Thank god.
"What took you so long?" I voiced my thought.
"I was telling off the Doctor to not send a rescue squad for the mission." She marched to her side of the desk. "Instead, I told him to send a rescue squad for another mission."
"Didn't you just negate what you said?"
"No. I told him to not send a squad for your mission." Dr. Kal'tsit replied.
"Oh okay. Wait, my mission?" I repeated what she said. That just clicked in my mind. My mission?
"Did I stutter?"
"No, not at all. Ma'am." Good God, force of habit.
She rolled her eyes at me. The doctor then spun her laptop that she brought with her to face me.
"Your mission: Is to rescue Recon Squad 0-3. Who are located at the very south of this coast."
She showed me a world map of Terra. At the very south of Ursus, nearing the border of Chernobog, lies the blip of my destination.
"Recon Squad was not only securing and scouting the area, they were also security to Karlan's trade envoy. 8 hours after their arrival at this location, they were attacked by a Rusthammer invasion force during the diplomat's conference. Right now, they are holding out against the attacking enemy. The Rusthammers haven't broken their line of defense yet, but we are learning that a larger enemy force could arrive soon."
"Rusthammers? That violent raider gang spread across the wastelands?" I've heard of them a couple of times. Unfortunately, never had the opportunity to have a meet and greet with them personally.
"Those Rusthammers." Dr. Kal'tsit confirmed.
"What made them go and attack this small-ass town?"
"That I am not sure of. Should you get the opportunity, you may ask any leader you encounter there." Like I'll be able to figure that out. Then again, my Pip-Boy exists. If it's comfortable enough, maybe it'll let me see who's in charge immediately.
I didn't know who I was going to rescue exactly. So I voiced my thoughts. "Who am I supposed to help save, exactly?"
She didn't answer, instead she typed a few keys into the laptop and showed the screen to me again. I saw the list of members, so Reserve Ops, other members of the medical department and apparently-
"I'm not saving him."
Of all the fucking people…
"You are, and that is an order." Dr. Kal'tsit retorted.
"So you're ordering me to march off to my death by saving him?" I pointed at the screen.
"If he reacts violently, I'll be the one to handle it." She reassured. Like hell it did.
"Hngh, as if he'll let me save him." Good Lord, Dr. Kal'tsit knows I boned his sister, doesn't give a fuck that he hates me and she wants me to save him.
"If you're worried about your personal matters, you can put it aside."
I sighed. Shit. "I'll think of a way to talk through to him."
"Good." She typed a few more keys and showed the screen again. "Right now, we have an experimental aircraft available for you. The other standard issues are being used right now, and speed is of the essence."
Experimental aircraft? You have to realize, aircrafts in Terra are already experimental. If the whole country saw a Vertibird they would lose their minds pondering over what it was. Dr. Kal'tsit was calling Rhodes Island aircrafts as standard issue. So what makes this one stand out from the rest?
She showed me the image of said aircraft. And holy fuck…
"How fast does this go?"
"You can arrive at the site in approximately 50 minutes."
So, 654km away. And my ETA is 50 minutes. That makes it…
"What the, that baby goes 400 miles per hour…"
"That's barely the minimum speed."
"Barely? Holy shit, Kal'tsit–"
"I told you to always call me with my title."
"Whatever, you better let me have that thing at my disposal after this mission."
"That isn't my call to make." Damn.
"No. Dr. Kal'tsit, you have to understand–"
"And you have to understand that we are running out of time." She interjected. "Going back, this aircraft will be your in and out of this mission. You are going to bring home the recon squad in this. You have the authorization to shoot on sight. Any questions?"
I raised my hand. "Yes?"
"Who else is going with me?"
"Nobody." She said plainly.
"What?"
"It's just you."
Holy shit, how high was I? That altitude has got to be at least 26 thousand feet. And I was dropping fast. Heh, in another time I would be shitting myself because I never experienced falling from heights. Fortunate for me to have useful gear, my helmet especially. Vacuum sealed, installed a modified rebreather to work in tandem with the gas mask. More than fit to work with high-altitude drops. God, I love the Elite Riot Gear.
Passing the clouds, I could see the wasteland that is Ursus. And below me is a medium sized town that has a very decent naval port. At the center was the source of the fighting. Apparently the recon squad and the town's guards are working their best to repel the enemy, but the sheer number of enemies are slowly overwhelming them.
Dr. Kal'tsit didn't say where I could land, so I'm left to make that decision. I searched around trying to see where most of the enemies were pouring in the town so I could drop behind them and tear their backline apart. Also dropping into the fray directly or behind the safety perimeter that the town has set up is not going to be efficient.
And I need to make myself look like I was saving his ass. Or else he wouldn't bat an eye at me.
Worse, he's going to fucking deafen and kill me with his cane.
Ah well, dropping further. 19 thousand feet.
13:29:05
Six
Rhodes Island
The Ark, Helipad
Good lord, look at these people lining up. There's like 3 more aircrafts about to depart, and 3 squads lining up and doing roll calls. Meanwhile I'm by my lonesome here, going to war as a one-man army.
Eh, not like I'm gonna complain.
I was waiting on my side of the helipad for the Pelican to start preparing for dust off. Yup, they gave the thing a name. Dropship Operator Carrier or the D-OC. Or as they called it, the Pelican. Instead of lame rotors, these babies are equipped with jet engines and propulsions. As if these hunks were deployed ahead of its time here in Terra.
Man, I have to ask Dr. Kal'tsit where they get these treasures.
Oh, and when they hauled the Pelican out, the pilot gave me a box labeled B312. Inside was a bunch of gun parts and a roll of paper. I didn't check it yet, but it was probably an experimental firearm. Neat.
Here I was, sitting as the Pilot was just about to finish preparing for takeoff. Since they barely tested and utilized this thing ever, they had to remember how to prepare and how to operate it. Sure it only took 15 or so minutes but y'know, not everyone can remember and take in information about how to fly a futuristic aircraft within 5 minutes.
Lava looked at the man sitting on the bench a helipad across from her. He seemed to be inspecting the contents of the box he's been given before closing it again and looking at that advanced aircraft he was likely to board.
"Oi… Lava, you ok?" She heard a voice. Turning to who it was, her expression didn't change.
"Oh, Kroos. What is it?" Lava asked.
"Nothing. You seem to be staring nowhere." The orange-haired Cautus stated.
Lava turned to the masked man again, before turning to her book. Then the man, then her book. Then the man. Then to Kroos.
"Do you know who that guy is?" Lava asked Kroos, who looked at where she was looking. Despite her closed eyes, her expression seemed to recognize the man.
"Yup. That's Six. The new guy who joined two weeks ago I think. He was part of the operation I was in last night." Kroos explained.
"Really?" The hold on her book lowered a little.
"He practically led us and charged us to battle. Hell, he even stayed behind and held off Reunion from overrunning the boat we were in."
Lava listened, and almost didn't believe Kroos. Almost. "That guy? You're serious?"
Kroos just shrugged. "What? You want my report?"
"N-no. Just…"
"You can't believe it?" Kroos asked Lava.
"Yeah… hard to believe it." The Sarkaz rubbed her nose.
"Neither did I. Then we waited until he and the two high-ranking squad leaders returned." Kroos began to observe the armored lone man too. It was hard to understand what he was currently feeling with how still he was. Kroos was observant, but not everyone was perfect. She would've thought along the lines of him feeling solemn.
Except she didn't confirm anything, because she didn't want to. Along with the fact that they had to go when she saw a glimpse of their team moving up to the aircraft.
"Oi, Lava. Let's go." She tugged on the purple-haired Sarkaz whose eyes were still fixated on the man beginning to stand up too. The aircraft before him roared to life as fire lit it's engines.
Before they headed into the aircraft, they heard a voice coming from his direction.
"Hey, Kroos right?" Both Lava and the aforementioned Cautus turned to the man himself. "Good shooting last night."
Kroos smiled. "Thanks!"
"And good luck to your team." Six said before scooping up his gear and heading into the aircraft's troop bay.
"You too..!" Kroos returned the expression as his aircraft immediately lifted off the pad before throttling toward another direction.
"Look at that." Lava muttered.
"Yup, let's go." Kroos finally stepped into the aircraft, and so did Lava before she gave the aircraft Six was in, one last stare.
14:19:24
Six
Rhodes Island
Somewhere in the wastelands of Ursus
10 thousand feet. From here I can see the city even more. Well it's not even a city, it's a decently-sized town. I also happen to have a good look at the town's state. Toward the north, or where the entrance to the town was supposed to be, a lot of the buildings have been seized and damaged already. So now, how far has the enemy pierced through?
Viewing the damages… barely scratched the surface. Good, means Rhodes and the others must've held them off well. I got a view of how large the enemy force was. By my count, not as big as I imagined. Though it's still a fairly large amount.
Fortunately, I found my spot on where to drop and land. Not that far from their backline, and it's miraculously untouched by the raiders.
Hope that farmhouse is abandoned.
7 thousand feet and dropping. I needed to drop faster. I straightened myself and forced my momentum near the drop point. The wind was blowing faster and faster. How am I not falling faster? I'm carrying pounds of equipment and yet I'm not falling like the brick I'm supposed to be.
6 thousand. The numbers dropped faster.
5 thousand.
4 thousand. The gap was still high.
3 thousand. Now I'm closer.
Before it reached 2, I pulled the chute. The momentum pulled me backwards to the point I would've spat out my lunch. I got ahold of myself and aimed at the back of the–
"The fu–?" The wind suddenly changed direction and pushed me faster and lower. Towards the farmhouse's roof.
"Oh God, oh fuck..!" I tried swerving elsewhere, but I was falling faster than I could turn. "Shit!"
CRASH!
I plowed straight through the roof. The parachute got caught and snapped from my back immediately. I yelped as I fell to the ground full of hay. Face first.
"Guess I fell pretty good…" I mumbled to myself as I slowly got on my knees. I looked around, I was in what seems to be a barn. Or a garage. One that was filled with hay and stables. No signs of life around. No lights either, the only light source was the hole I made above. There was a door to my right–
–Said door suddenly bursts open. As a woman and a little kid emerged, seeing what the commotion was about. Whatever the woman spouted, it was Ursus and I definitely cannot understand a single word. The kid looked intimidated, I don't blame her. My armor is intimidating and the fact that I look like someone from an Ursus battalion would put any Ursus civilian on their knees shivering.
I held a palm out. "Easy, easy. I mean no harm."
The woman kept yelling and pointing to the barn door. The kid cowered behind her leg.
"Look lady," I said firmly. "I don't want no trouble. But can I use your 2nd floor or your rooftop?"
I kept my hands up, nowhere near the weapons I had on me. She stopped yelling, but she didn't lower her guard.
"Hey, I apologize for busting your house open. But right now, I need the high ground. I don't wanna hurt anybody, and I'm not from Ursus if that's what you're saying."
I backed up from them even more to show that I am not a threat. The woman stared at me blankly.
"Ok you don't speak Eng–I mean, Victorian right?" I asked. She shook her head.
"But you just responded, that means you understand at least a little bit right?"
She nodded.
"Then I'll make this clear and simple. Me, go on your rooftop? I won't hurt anyone, and I'll leave you alone." All this raising my hands is getting me tired.
She stared at me again, possibly contemplating before giving me an answer. Before long, she looked up at me. Standing aside with her kid. Looks like she's letting me pass.
"Thank you." I said before I ran up and went past them. Took the stairs, and checked for a window that led to a rooftop. Soon enough, I found one that led me to the highest point of the farmhouse.
I drew my sniper and aimed towards the direction of the town. The Rusthammers look far ahead from me already. Already past 1.5 kilometers. While I do have a sniper, I'm certain the travel distance won't even make it due to my current elevation. If I was on a taller hill I would have better odds.
If I can't take potshots, then I better get a close look at my enemy.
Zooming in with the scope, I got a better idea on what gear they had on them. From the lowest budget mercenary gear to large guys with large hammers. I don't see a caster among them, but they might be up ahead. I'm assuming their siege and assault guys are over at the front lines. Hopefully being dealt with by Rhodes Island and the town guard.
I holstered my sniper and got down from the farmhouse. It's a long trek to enemy backlines, better get going now.
14:35:50
Recon Squad 0-3
Rhodes Island
Southern coast of Ursus
"Instructor Dobermann! I'm almost out of ammo!" Catapult yelled, as she reloaded another grenade into her weapon. Her cover was being assaulted by multiple projectiles, Arts or crossbow bolts. No matter what it was shooting at her, she's pinned down on her position.
Dobermann, the woman Catapult was referring to in question, heard her warning. She turned to the city guard beside her. "Do you have any remaining ammunition?"
Her loud voice garnered a head shake. Precisely saying 'no'. All Dobermann could do was suck in a breath. "Damn it."
Dobermann turned back to where Catapult was. "Operator Spot!"
"Yes Instructor!" The furry lad with the shield responded. Who was beside the doorway that Catapult is cowering beside.
"Our positions won't last much longer! We need to fall back from this house! I need you to shield Catapult as soon as I give the signal!"
"Roger, Instructor!" Spot saluted her instructions. Dobermann on the other hand pressed on the radio on her left shoulder.
"Nearl?" She began.
"I hear you, Instructor Dobermann." A deep voice of a woman responded from the other side.
"Can you create a distraction that can take the heat off of us?"
No response. More and more projectiles fired at their position before there was a nearby mortar explosion.
"I'm ready Instructor." Nearl said from the radio. "On your go."
Dobermann quickly acknowledged and gathered the attention of everyone near her. "Everybody, when I say 'go', we retreat from this house! Clear?"
"Yes ma'am!" The nearby city guards responded.
With a pause, Dobermann prepared her legs and her radio.
"Nearl, GO!"
As she said so, everyone in the vicinity got on their feet. Spot shielded Catapult as requested, the multiple city guards holed with them trekked down the stairs faster than she could count. As they poured out of the house, a large radiant light emerged from the warehouse to their right. Immediately, every enemy fire was targeted towards that direction.
As Dobermann and the rest ran out of the house and into the streets, she could see Nearl running out of the warehouse as well while the enemy continued suppressing fire. Thinking the threat was still present. Dobermann's group and Nearl regrouped midway, running to a safer backline. Where the other Operators and guards were stationed at.
"Thank you, Nearl." Dobermann said as they slowed to a halt.
"No problem." The Radiant Knight replied, before turning to the Operator handling communications. "Sitrep!"
She immediately got a response. "Command says reinforcements are already on their way, should be near!"
"How near?" Nearl reiterated.
"Any moment from now!"
Nearl nodded, relieved about the new set of information received. "Everyone, hold positions! Backup is almost here!"
The whole group consisted of the city/town guards, Recon Squad 0-3 which consisted of Reserve Op Team A6, Dobermann, Nearl– who is leading the squad, Perfumer and Silence acting as the squad medics, and Karlan Trade's chairman who were accompanied by his bodyguards. There were also minor Rhodes Island Operators, but the necessary bulk was there.
They held up on a small road between two buildings. The front part and entrance to the city/town is already razed to the ground, and there's no recapturing that unless backup comes in. Their current position is already fortified and prepared should the enemy choose to push on further.
By Nearl's order, the Operators and town guards were preparing for the enemy to come charging in. Most of the Sniper Operators' crossbows were raised and ready. The Defenders stood firm and resolute.
It felt quiet, but it wasn't.
They stood there, waiting. The sounds of the town being attacked were drowned out by the anticipation.
No matter what comes, they should be ready. No, they ARE ready–
"INCOMING!"
Before anyone else realized, chaos ensued. Two large explosions appeared, destroying the two houses they fortified. Sending everyone in the area to the ground when the shockwave hit.
Everything and everyone was in disarray, as the enemy Rusthammers were seen advancing in-between the large flames. Nearl shakily got to her feet, her shield on her left as she used it to guide herself up.
"Everyone, get up–!"
A bird squawked. As a lone Rusthammer member rushed towards the group with a machete, until a bird rammed into his face. Groaning and falling backwards from the impact.
A lot of eyes followed the bird, as it swiftly but graciously landed back on SilverAsh's shoulder.
His commanding but charismatic voice boomed. "Everyone, regroup and retreat! Anyone who can assist, retaliate!"
He pointed his cane again as Tenzin–his bird, began to fly. Across from them, Rusthammers started emerging from the flames. Majority of them ignoring the worthless heat since the large defenders lead the way. Their looted shields raised as the backline full of other infantry was waiting for the clash.
Rhodes Island and the town guard however, were falling back even further. Majority of the forces shaken up, injured, or unable to help in the fight as the only one holding the line was SilverAsh. Who, despite his efforts, cannot beat the shields with a bird.
"Mr. SilverAsh!" Nearl yelled, trying to get his attention. SilverAsh on the other hand, was preparing to raise his cane over his head. Said cane was starting to swivel with a gray aura, along with the wind around him starting to blow. The wind felt sharp, like a bunch of papercuts happening all at once.
Before SilverAsh could've brought down the cane, and before the whole platoon of enemies would have marched further, a loud gunshot rang out of nowhere. The sharp sound suddenly keeping everyone on their toes, if they weren't already. Almost everyone paused, looked at exactly what happened. Only to see one of the defenders fall limp and break formation.
The Rusthammers couldn't even react properly as another barrage of gunshots came and dropped more of the enemy by the second.
"Who the…?" Dobermann muttered as she picked up where the firing was coming from. Directly behind enemy lines.
The enemy formation had already broken up, scattered, as a lot of them started panicking. Others desperately trying to regain their formation, but to no avail. One by one, their fellow Rusthammers were dropping like flies. Every minute, the source of the gunfire came closer and closer.
"Take cover– GOWOUAGH!"
"Get down!"
"Where is it coming from?!"
Rhodes Island and the town guard halted their retreat, as they watched the enemy numbers slowly dwindle. A lot were dropped on the ground, the rest scattered and scrammed. The whole squad and the others approached the line where the bodies started to increase. As the smoke from the fires that burned their position were still obscuring the area behind it.
Sure enough, they could see something moving behind the smoke. A figure slowly walking, and emerging out of the dark cloud. An armored man wearing a trench coat. Green, brown and armor plastered across him. While his helmet resembled that of an Ursus guard. He gripped a long-range weapon, similar to what a Laterano sniper would wield. Except this had brown and desert yellow camouflage covering the whole body. There was another weapon slinging around him, strapped across his chest.
The red visor glowed, as the man stood atop a mountain of Rusthammer bodies. His gaze was intended towards them, the Rhodes Islanders.
One by one, each Rhodes Island Operator was surprised and in awe of the man. The recruits wondered who it was and if he was an Elite Operator. The ones who've worked long enough in Rhodes Island were relieved at the sight of who it was.
Then there's the one who immediately grimaced at the sight of the man.
"Hold your fire!" The newcomer yelled. "I'm blue!"
He slowly made his way down the corpses. "You're Recon Squad 0-3 right–OW!"
The man was instantly cut off when a bird collided so hard with his helmet, that he fell to the floor.
"Mr. SilverAsh?!" Nearl and Dobermann cried out, as the rest of the Operators and town guards were very confused.
The tall white-haired man grits his teeth. "YOU AND I HAVE UNFINISHED BUSINESS SIX!"
Author's Notes: I'm bound to retcon a few things written in the earlier chapters, particularly because I've spent my off-time building up other chapters, the characters, and future stuff I plan for this story (and also because the final version of the documents got removed by the website).
Rereading the earlier chapters of this story, I really feel how weak and lacking some other story elements are. Stuff like Six's sarcastic mannerisms (that I plan to build upon and likely change), making a fuss about Rhodes Island's policy on genocide (it doesn't matter since different planet means different rules), character dialogue and inconsistencies. That doesn't mean I plan on rewriting these parts in the future, I'd rather keep it as is to remind myself and leave it as a reflection of how I've grown.
I haven't been writing as of late because I just don't feel like it (+ college), mostly my writing was developing Six and other elements in this story. As of now, I'm just trying to clean up my backlog and hopefully publish the rest of Episode 0 of this fic. If you have any questions, I'll either reply in PM or answer it within the next chapter.
...
To Gonsmoss: People in Arknights don't exhibit much of an animal's primal instincts (although there are rare occasions), even then their intelligence is not equating to an animal so Animal Friend wouldn't work unless you have a brain of a mutt.
To AvirRapter: Unfortunately, Six ran things differently during his time in Lungmen. Hopefully I can get to writing these sections completely.
To FriendlyShadows: Nope. Six was sent here alone entirely.
To A Ham in Space: Perhaps. I might limit their interactions since I do not play R6S.
To kerrowe: Gonna retcon 4 years into 2 years only. I've already set up a timeline for myself that way I can align my story with the lore proper.
...
Guess that's most of what I'll reply to now.