Invasion of Ice

12 April 1963
Albany, New York
United States

The capital city of New York, Albany, had fallen to the Wehrmacht forces before the end of March. Their earlier successes had led them to advance past the Hudson river. However, the American offensive had begun at the beginning of April causing breaks in the Wehrmacht lines and pushing the Wehrmacht back. In spite of American hopes, Wehrmacht technology outpaces the American military. But the American industry shows their ability to replace planes, ships, and tanks lost in combat with spares being sent off up north into Canada. With the American offensive in full swing, the Wehrmacht makes preparations to fall back from the city and areas to avoid encirclement. The militarist faction, in spite of wanting to have a proud victory, sees the reality on the ground and is able to get a withdrawal order from the aging Hitler.

"Wo in dem Teufel ist unsere militärisch Bestärkung!" (Where in the devil is our reinforcements!) An Oberst demands his second in command, an Oberstleutnant. The Oberst of the Grenadier-Regiment 209 of the 58. Infanterie-Division has been made aware that they're being surrounded by the Americans in Albany. They have been bombed by missiles for several days in spite of the risks of taking on civilian casualties. And no sooner did the Americans begin to initiate their insertion tactics via the paratroopers and insertions by the 1st Cavalry Divison and 2nd Armored Division. "Wir sind von diesen elenden amerikanischen Tiere eingekreist werden!" (We're about to be encircled by these miserable American brutes!) He continues.

"Aber Oberst, wir haben Befehlen von Germania bekommen. Wir müssen Rückzug der Front und zusammenschließen wieder mit unserer Truppe, nach wieder machen einen direkten Angriff gegen der Stadt Neu York." (But Oberst, we have received orders from Germania. We have to pull back from the frontlines and reconsolidate our forces to try again a direct attack push into the city of New York.) The Oberstleutnant expresses his worries. The Oberst sighs as he sits on his chair.

"Ich weiss nicht was unseren Führer will! Zu Angriff die amerikanishe Linie oder fallen zurück?" (I know not what our Führer want! To attack the american line or fall back?) The Oberst contemplates. "Wenn wir die Stadt aufgeben müssen... was werden von unserem Stolz sein?" (If we have to abandon the city, what will be of our pride?) The Oberst conetmplates. He lays his head on his temple. "Habe ich nicht mit dem Wehrmacht über dreißig Jahre gedient...gerade meine Position gibt zurück zu dem Feind ab. Nein, wir müssen hier und Kampf bis unserem Tod bleiben, wenn wir müssen." (I haven't served with the Wehrmacht over thirty years, just to hand my position back to the enemy. No, we have to stay here and fight till our death, if we must.) The Oberst continues. "Sie sind Weggetreten." (You are dismissed) The Oberst dismisses the Oberstleutnant. The Oberstleutnant salutes him before leaving and steps outside of the Oberst's roomand walks through the hall of the Albany city hall.

He stands just in front of the window where the moonlight dimly lights the dark hall. He knows not when the blackout has to end as dark and unlit halls are good to avoid American bombs. He looks out of the window and sees parts of the city and land bombed by American bombing raids. The siege of the city has been the same for several days, with bombings and artillery shots from the Americans as the Wehrmacht holds steady. "Ich wünsch diesen Krieg wird bald Ende." (I wish for this war to end soon.) The Oberstleutnant thinks to himself. He shifts his perspective from the background to the foreground of the window and spots a curious image standing just behind him, he turns to check and sees nothing behind him. "Nervtötend." (nerve-racking) The Oberstleutnant sighs in relief, "Soll meine Fantasie sein." (Must be my imagination.) The Oberstleutnant tells himself. But he doesn't get another chance to be in relief as a blade pierces him through the heart from the back. He gasps softly for air, unable to say anything. The blade is pulled out of his chest and the Oberstleutnant collapses forward.

"One down," The assailant, Big Sister, flicks her blade to remove the blood. "That should take care of the last of them in this building. Necromantress, Atlantis, and Green Goblin have taken out all of the other guards in the building, and Pink Flamingo has already taken care of the guards in the courtyard." Big Sister thinks to herself, walking down to the Oberst's quarter. Parts of the building, she hears gunshots being fired sporadically from different parts of the building. "Must be them taking out the last of the survivors. We have to do this quickly and leave before reinforcements arrive."

"Halten! Halten! Arghh!" An Unteroffenzier cries out as he is bayoneted through the chest and brought down by an SS soldier of the SS 9th Panzergrenadier Eis Division.

"Ein SS Soldat, gegen uns?! Warum?!" (An SS soldier, against us? Why?!) Another Unteroffenzier said as he is stabbed through the chest by a spearhead. His compatriot who saw what has happened is shot in the head by a revolver. The remaining squad members of the Wehrmacht defending the hall call in for reinforcements as a firefight ensues between the Wehrmacht against a small detachment of six SS soldiers along with four other foes. The battle is a one-sided fight as the attack came more as an ambush, soon the ten wipe out the Wehrmacht squad along with other reinforcements.

"That should be the last of them," Atlantis comments as he pulls out his sword from a dead Hauptmann. "We should regroup with the leader soon."

"Sister should just be about done now," Necormantress responds. "I was hesitant in using these SS puppets that were in Esdeath's unit because they might be trouble to control, but they responded well with basic commands," She continues. "Makes it easy for me to use them since they also have no qualms in killing their own." Necromantress continues. They hear footsteps and orders being shouted from the distance. "More are coming."

"We can never catch a break." Atlantis transforms into his suit of armor. All eight ready themselves to fight against Wehrmacht reinforcements.

In another section of the building, Wehrmacht soldiers who were on sentry duty or asleep moved to inspect the commotion. A detail of fourteen moves through the dark halls a couple equipped with a box light moves up front, lighting the way for their comrades.

"Schneller Männer schneller, es gibt eine Chance die Amerikanischen sind attacken uns!" (Faster men faster, there is a chance the Americans are attacking us!) A Hauptmann tells his men. "Halt!" The Hauptmann raises his hand. The Hauptmann aims with his MP-40A3. "Auf die Wand." (On the walls) The Hauptmann directs his men to the wall.

"Was?" (What?) A leutnant asks, clenching closely his MP-40A3

"Schritt schnell, jedoch behaltet euch auf die Wand," (Move fast but keep yourselves on the wall.) The detail continues to move, sticking close to the wall. As they move the fire of an M16 rifle intercepts them and the Wehrmacht detail responds with their MP-40A3 and the G3 rifles.

"How many are there?" The captain asks.

"Fourteen from my count." Green Goblin tells. "I could use my strings to yank their firearms." Green Goblin states with confidence.

"You could but you would also be shot up into pieces." Pink Flamingo shoots down his decision. "Situation like this calls for greater firepower." Pink Flamingo equips a smaller attachment to her weapon. As the Wehrmacht continues returning fire Pink Flamingo dives in headfirst and lays flat on the ground across from the fourteen Wehrmacht soldiers. The Captain and Green Goblin give covering fire from the Captain's M16 rifle and Green Goblin's M1911. "With this much action, it will be over in a sinch." Pink Flamingo thinks to herself, just before opening fire. She lets loose a barrage of bolt-like energy projectiles at a rate as that of an MG 3 the machine gunners use wiping out all fourteen quickly as they tried in vain to scramble. "That's fourteen dead." Pink Flamingo stands up proudly and turns around. "See what I mean, situations like these call for greater firepower. Ha ha ha!" Pink Flamingo boasted. Neither the Captain nor Green Goblin was surprised by her boasting. Green Goblin and the Captain raise their firearms in the direction of Pink Flamingo and fire a shot. Behind Pink Flamingo a lone Wehrmacht soldier collapses who initially survived Pink Flamingo's multi-shot attack. "The hell was that?! You could've killed me, you bastards!" Pink Flamingo becomes irate at the two for firing at her direction.

"What's there to complain about?" Green Goblin responded. "If you weren't so boastful then you would've seen you left a couple alive." Green Goblin walks up to Pink Flamingo and pats her head.

"Don't touch me." She smacks his hand off her head and uppercuts his abdomen, Green Goblin collapses forward in pain.

"If you two are finished we should get going. This building is pretty much all but wiped soon by the Army." The Captain orders the two to end their bickering.

The Oberst turns around from his chair. "Was ist passieren? Sind die Amerikanischen Angriffen jetzt?" (What's happening? Are the Americans attacking now?) The Oberst states with anger and annoyance. In the stead of the Oberstleutnant is a lone figure with long black hair and a black trench coat with a katana drawn out and with death written in her eyes. "Was, wer sind Sie!" (What who are you!) The Oberst calls out. "Nein, un...unmoeglich" (No, impossible) The Oberst thinks of his last thoughts, not of his family but that of the assailant's speed, something that he'd never seen before and never see again.

"You're done." She launches herself, raising her weapon cut down the Oberst. The Oberst draws out his pistol but it was in vain. He was cut down diagonally, blood splattering the window, walls, and ground. Big Sister flicks her blade and sheathes her sword back. "That's another position down. I hope this would be enough to turn the tide," Big Sister exclaims to herself. "Esdeath... just where could you be hiding on this planet?" Big Sister leaves the room.

13 April 1963
Portland, Maine
United States

Esdeath walks through the city of Portland. The mildly busy streets lay quiet as the Wehrmacht had taken control of the city along with other ports they've taken, replacing the law of the American Constitution with that of the Reich. But daily life continued as normal for many, instead of working and serving their own countrymen, many also serve the Wehrmacht soldiers as paying customers.
Days prior, Esdeath had arrived at the city a day prior after much fighting. What Esdeath had noticed, but also has begun to loathe, is the bland architecture of the city and the surrounding cities and suburbs like it. Something that has put Esdeath off, bland in comparison to the grander of the Reich. Even the smallest towns and cities of Europe have more life to them, something Esdeath enjoyed destroying, rebuilding, and destroying once more.

"Such soullessness found in this area. If I have 50 Reichspfarring for every American home I see that is a copy of the last then I would have enough to supply my divisions here and back in the mainland with enough munitions and supplies to last them a campaign... and then some." Esdeath mentally thinks to herself. "But with soulless architecture, I should be arriving at the correct place to speak with Generalleutnant Curt Siewert," Esdeath stops before the building. "If anything, this must be the building." Esdeath steps inside the building that was the city's city hall. In it, she saw the usual guards guarding the hallways in their woodland Flacktarn pattern that covers their blouse, as those in the frontline wear the full blouse and trousers on top of their uniform. Esdeath's division, as well as those of the German SS, still wears the uniform and camouflage design of the Erbsenmunster pattern. But Esdeath herself still insists on wearing the field grey uniform for herself and her soldiers. The sight of Esdeath in the building is a clear sign for many of the guards, they escort Esdeath to the office of Generalleutnant Curt Siewert, Esdeath is then let inside the office. "Heil Hitler, Generalleutnant Curt Siewert." Esdeath salutes.

"Heil Hitler." Generalmajoir Siewert salutes to Esdeath and the two lower their hands. "How are things settling with your 9th SS Panzergrenadier Divison?" Generalleutnant Siewart asks.

"The men are settling themselves alright. Some have already begun to mingle with the locals," Esdeath opens up. "So, Generalleutnant. What is it that you want to speak with me?" Esdeath asks. "Because I rarely ever speak with Wehrmacht officers who are below my rank."

"We are of equal rank, SS-Gruppenführerin Partas." Generalleutnant Siewert corrects Esdeath.

"Right-right." Esdeath complies but with an uncaring tone. "Now. What is it that you want, Generalleutnant Curt Siewert." Esdeath asks Generalleutnant asks once more. Generalleutnant reaches into the desk drawer and pulls out a telegram from Germania.

"You were in radio silence for the past four days while making connections to the Wehrmacht lines and pushing back UFN soldiers." Generalleutnant Siewert hands it to Esdeath. Esdeath reads the telegram and slowly changes from uncaring about what the telegram says to anger. Generalleutnant Siewert sees how Esdeath is becoming irate from the telegram. Her face tells it all and she demands an answer. "From what has been ordered, SS-Gruppenführerin. We've been ordered to pull from the front with the recent American counteroffensive." Generalleutnant recounts what the telegram states.

"Do you think I don't know that Generalleutnant," Esdeath replied with irritation as she folds up the telegram, keeping her anger down and making herself appear reasonable. "What now, Generalleutnant?" Esdeath asks, staring directly into Generalleutnant's eyes with that of how one is annoyed. "How long do we have?"

"This order was issued the day prior to yesterday. We have to pull our forces back... both Wehrmacht and German SS." Generalleutnant Siewert tells Esdeath. Without saying a word Esdeath walks up to Siewert's desk and places the telegram on his table and walks up to the window. Generalleutnant Siewert takes a closer look at the folded telegram and picks it up, its cold to the touch.

"I've been on this boring and soulless continent for almost three weeks. While you, your men, and the rest of the general staff that has been assigned to the American front have been playing conservatively," Esdeath turns around, facing Generalleutnant Siewert. "This leads the enemy to take advantage of our stagnant lines on their home territory leading us all to rout," Esdeath continues. "While your men are out there giving their lives to hold the front from the barbarians," Esdeath walks up closer to Generalleutnant, stopping a mere foot from him. "You and those men of Germania are nothing but twiddling your thumbs whilst contemplating defeat. Was what I said true, Generalleutnant?"

"If that is how you see things, SS-Gruppenführerin," Generalleutnant Siewert takes a step back. "But these orders are direct from the Führer himself." Generalleutnant Siewer continues. "I myself disagree with this order. But with this counteroffensive... it appears to be mildly reasonable." Generalleutnant Siewert finishes. Esdeath, tired of speaking with Generalleutnant Siewert elects to leave. Esdeath hears from the distance of artillery fire.

"I see," Esdeath speaks firmly. "Now, Generalleutnant, I will be taking my leave. I elect to disregard the order from the Führer. I've already followed the Führer's orders once and it led me here. Away from my original objective. Retreating now while the enemy is attacking us is a disgrace, even if it's by the Führer himself." Esdeath tells Generalleutnant Siewert. "If you want to complain to the Führer of me disregarding his orders, do it. I don't mind. But let me have some fun before you and the rest of those generals in Germania begin to drag me out of here," Esdeath grabs the door's handle. "Oh and Generalleutnant. Just note, that in the end. Fortune favors the bold. But nature favors those who adapt and overpower their enemy. So, as you and other Wehrmacht Heer generals watch from the sidelines I will be winning victories for the Fatherland. Now, farewell Generalleutnant." Esdeath opens the door and leaves the office. As Esdeath walks through the halls a thought comes to mind. "So the old geezer is losing his mind. If himself from twenty years ago were to see this then he would have shot himself right on the spot!" Esdeath walks through the halls and her aura of annoyed irritation by the Führer's orders is felt by all she passed by.

"With this Warhawk in our midst, we might achieve victory." Generalleutnant Siewert thinks to himself. "But seeing how she progressed since the forties, the way she is now would lead her to total destruction." Generalleutnant Siewert retires. "Should Germania be made known of her actions and insubordination?"

Hours later Esdeath and her 9th SS Panzergrenadier Eis Division, along with Heer auxiliary elements, begin to march forward to halt American progression and to push back their advancements. She and her units move forth to the frontlines of western New England.

15 April 1963
South New Hampshire

In the woods of New Hampshire, a militia group stakes out and set up an ambush for an incoming Nazi column that occupies a major highway that leads west. The Minutemen have been called up to arms once more after over 187 years of being disbanded, the Minuteman has been called forth once more to defend their homeland from foreign invaders and anti-American ideals. Behind one of the trees on a stretch of an abandoned road, the militia of over two hundred members prepares an ambush. Behind a treeline, a young man of college age writes a letter.

"To my dear beloved Sandra," Johnny begins to write as he holds a small photo of his fiance. "I hope these letters have reached you and I hoped you've made it safely to your family." He continues "I wish that we would have the chance to officiate our marriage after my proposal to you. But I know that once the Nazis leave our country I will fight further to make sure that our future children wouldn't have to live in fear of these bastards." He thinks further. "The Minutemen of New Hampshire have already begun to disrupt the German supply columns. Just you wait, I will be marching home again to great and hardy cheers." Johnny finishes his letter and puts the letter and photo in a coat pocket.

"Everyone, here they come," The leader of the Minutemen whispers as the militia gets into position and ready their M8 Garand and M14 rifles. Outside of the grey uniforms and spring flecktern uniforms, one color they spot is outside of the norm, long blue hair. "Quick grab the super bazooka and aim for the frontmost vehicle." He points to his anti-vehicle member. He aims his M20 Super Bazooka at the frontmost vehicle, a Panzer E-50. He fires his shot at the Panzer E-50, and an explosion occurs but the tank remains unharmed. The tank turns its turret and fires a shell in the direction of where the rocket came from. A couple of the Minutemen are killed by the shell fire. The Minutemen and the Nazis begin a firefight. The Nazis step out of their Hanomag trucks and SPZ Kurz APC as they take defensive positions against the Minutemen ambush. Despite having number superiority the Nazis begin to lose numbers. But there is one figure they have not taken into account for.

"Na, erwartete ein Hinterhalt." (Well, an expected ambush) Esdeath spoke to herself as her men are drawing the Minutemen's fire. "Weissschnabel!" Esdeath spoke out the name of her ability and created a row of iceles between her men and the New Hampshire Minutemen. In less than a second of their creation, she unleashes a barrage of ice, killing and wounding several of the Minutemen. The younger members try to turn and leave but are encountered by a thick barrier of ice that came out of nowhere that's over fifteen feet high in their eyes that span almost as long as the column is but no farther than the thirty years they set themselves to set the ambush. "Jetzt, Angriff und lassen kein Leben bleib!" (Now attack and leave none alive!) Esdeath orders her men for the attack and the 9th SS Panzergrenadier Eis Division begins to make their attack. The young and untrained American Minutemen, with nowhere to escape, are put to the slaughter as none were spared some try to plead but are cut down by German bullets. Despite having done similar hit-and-run attacks against the invaders, they've underestimated the expertise of the 9th SS Panzergrenadier Eis Division. After the massacre was finished, only a handful of the two hundred who set out to sabotage the Nazi column survived and are brought forth to Esdeath.

"SS-Gruppenführerin Partas, haben wir entdeckt, dass diese Partisanen aufgegeben haben." (SS-Gruppenführerin, we have found that these partisans have surrendered.) An SS-Hauptsturmführer reports to SS-Gruppenführerin. The Minutemen look up and see Esdeath standing before them. Her presence sends shivers down their spines.

"My-my. I admired how you folks try to fight," Esdeath walks up to the kneeling partisans. "Albeit, kind of pathetic like." Esdeath squats infront of Johnny, keeping her legs closed. "Tell me, Partisan... did you think this would work?" Esdeath asks. Johnny remains silent. "Do you have a name?"

"It's Johnny," He responded. "And we intend to stop you krauts from killing and pillaging these united states. Though you may have won, us Minutemen will fight tooth and nail." Johnny continues as it catches Esdeath's curiosity.

"Ohh, is that so?" Esdeath asks. She stands up. "Then I suspect you don't mind dying then," Esdeath turns around and looks back. "Unless you have a woman waiting for you?" Johnny reacts as he looks up. "So you do," Esdeath continues and faces the men once more, some have the same reaction as Johnny has. "I see. Well, that's just too bad."

"SS-Gruppenführerin, was sollen wir mit den Partisen machen? sie sind die einzige Überlebenden." (SS-Gruppenführerin, what shall we do with the partisans? They're the only survivors.) The SS-Hauptsturmführer asks for an order. After hearing what her underling has asked for Esdeath simply chuckles. The surviving Minutemen, softly chuckle along, but all is no longer fun and games as Esdeath ceases her laughter.

"Survivors?" Esdeath asks rhetorically. "What survivors?" Esdeath's comment shocks the surviving Minutemen. "Erschieß" (Shoot to kill) Esdeath orders as she turns around and walks away. The Minutemen try to cry out for mercy to Esdeath but their pleas are never heard as one by one, they're shot. "Well, I guess Johnny won't be coming home." Esdeath speaks to herself. With a snap of her finger, the ice walls she made dissolve into powder and command her men to regroup and to continue forth, with the dead and wounded being brought back.

16 April 1963
Western Massachussets

A squadron of Bell UH-1 Iroquois of the 5th Cavalry flies high through the skies of Western Massachusets. Their engines beat through the skies in tandem as if the sky itself is making a heartbeat like that of a human's. In one of the UH-1's a young black man sits alongside his squadron and begins to think to himself about what to write once the US is liberated from occupying forces and he returns to his parents and siblings.

" "As we ride in our Huey's to drive back the Hun... we see ourselves as victors against the literal incarnate of racist men. We, of the 5th Cavalry, who are the first units to desegregate in the year after Eisenhower was elected, fly through" No, no, no. That won't work. If I had only my pen and book." PFC Solomon thinks of what to write once he gets home.

"Hey, Lang Hughes, what are you thinking of now?" A white squad member asks, using his nickname to catch his attention. "Just what are you thinking? Are you still thinking of becoming a writer?" He asks with a loud tone as the helicopter engines are loud.

"After my contract is up I'll start writing a book and have it published. I haven't thought of what genre to write! Perhaps a memoir or two?" PFC Solomon responded. His squadmates laugh.

"Lucky for you, I have no clue what to do when I get back," Anther one of Solomon's squadmates, with darker skin than Solomon himself, comments. "Perhaps I might make a career of this. Hell, even they might let me eat in the same spot as the white folks!" He comments further. Solomon understands and mildly chuckles. He looks back out and spots a large floating ice crystal he hasn't seen before. Some of the pilots following from the rear spot it and react immediately to save themselves in the nick of time as the large ice crystal explodes sending ice shards flying that penetrate metal. Two of the Hueys crash as many begin to make an emergency landing with the wounded being left behind.

"Everyone out! Contact! Contact! Contact!" The company Major orders his men out, specifically those who aren't wounded from the first strike. The Hueys land in a circle on a clear and grassy field as they begin to face heavy gunfire. The first of the men jump out and hit the ground as they actively try to avoid cover. "Solomon! Get over here!" The Major orders. Solomon crawls close to the ground with his M16 in hand and crawls close to the Major, laying covering fire. "Come in base camp, come in base camp!" The Major shouts at the microphone part of the telephone of the radio. "We have made contact with the enemy and are in need of reinforcements!" He shouts further. "We're about fifty klicks from camp. We need air support!" He looks up and sees the Hueys leave but another two are shot down and crash before or on their fellow soldiers. Yet, none of the Hueys could leave as the remaining are shot down by a barrage of ice and explode in mid-air. "How is this possible?" The Major muttered.

"~Copy that. How far are you? Over~" The communications officer from the base responded.

"We're about fifty clicks east of the base in northwest Massachusetts! Nowhere near the drop point! All of our horses have been shot down! I repeat all horses have been shot down and we are facing heavy fire! Call in air support on sector Alpha! Danger close! I repeat danger close!" He shouts out. Two more Hueys, carrying rockets, arrive to provide cover. They fire a few rounds of rockets and a round of napalm at the Germans but as they start their strafing run and they too have been shot down.

"~Orders received. Air support is on the way! ETA five minutes! Over!~"

"We don't have five minutes. Our men are dropping like flies! Over!" The Major passes the radio along to Solomon. Then a figure is seen rising through the treeline, floating like an angel. Esdeath takes flight once more.

"Tch. Typical. This is what happens when you have no combat experience, you'll start dropping." Esdeath speaks to herself. "Well, time to end this," Esdeath points her right index finger to the sky and does a circular motion creating above her a cloud of frost that is a quarter of a mile in diameter. Her men fall back from their position, the Americans thought they were slowly gaining the upper hand but the storm cloud above is a different sign.

"Take cover!" The Major yells out. The white frost cloud begins to rain down over the Americans with icicles that pierce through many. Esdeath merely laughs as the Americans run helplessly for cover in their downed helicopters or anywhere else but it's all futile. Esdeath turns over and spots the reinforcements called in earlier. With a snap of her fingers, Esdeath creates a row of ice shards and launches forward, destroying the incoming air support.

"Hm. This is all fun and games. But we'll soon see how they'll fare with me." Esdeath speaks to herself, smiling manically as she goes on and letting loose for once in almost twenty years.