Chapter 49: Red Alert! Red Alert!
Note: Readers please listen to Red Alert 2 Grinder while reading this
It's not long after we reached our cars in Noire's multi story car park, and it's not long after that before the cars took us to our drop off point. As we drove together and I looked at the people that would go with me, I didn't see fear nor nervousness, I saw determination and confidence. We knew exactly what our objective is and we intend to do it: Take down the 2 enemy nukes.
We have now left our vehicles and they have managed to drive away. And so this is it, it begins being as they can't take us out by conventional means, they now decide to try and use nukes at us. I hope we can succeed again; all we can do is our best.
"OK, so far so good, our EMP have knocked out their mind control facilities as well as their power in their bases, they don't suspect a thing. Good luck guys these nukes need to be taken down, fortunately there is a truck nearby, your HUD should tell you where it is. The truck is full of soldiers; they're probably dropping them off so they can do their patrol. Try and get the driver to give you a lift if possible, otherwise if you can't just kill them all, they can't know who you really are." Uni informed me, via mind talk.
"You got it. Thanks Uni." I reply to her.
I then talk normally to my group.
"Follow me guys let's hitch a truck and return to base, this patrol sure is hard work." I suggested, deliberately pretending to be a Leanbox soldier.
"Shake it baby." Tanya replied doing a distinctive laugh.
We marched fairly quickly towards the truck which wasn't hard to find. There's nothing fancy about it, it just looks like a military one and it's green with the Leanbox logo on it. Just as Uni said some troops are getting out from the back of it along with a few dogs, which appear to be German Shepherds. As we stare at our possible ride, Amy then approaches the driver.
"Excuse me, would you mind giving us a lift back to base? We've been patrolling all day and we need to get some rest." She asked politely.
"Did you find any Lastation soldiers?" The driver spoke in a cocky voice.
"No, I doubt they've sent any out." She replied casually.
"Damn right they won't, they know we'll kill them if they do, heh heh our busty blonde Lady Green Heart, have got us some new Titans that should be coming here, they'll make short work of anything Lastation has; that is if they survive our two nukes which I can't see happening." He boasted only to laugh afterwards.
He then lets us board his truck when it's cargo has left.
"I can confirm that there are a few Leanbox robot soldiers marching towards the bases, we have reason to believe they are the Titans, if you can, try and learn what you can from this guy and get any schematics of this new weapon. We need to know everything about these robots." Uni informed us via mind talk.
Way ahead of you Uni, I then ask the driver as he takes us back to base.
"OK from what I've heard they're built by a company called Hammond Robotics. Hah hah and I thought Lastation would be the first to use robots for war, not that it'd be a problem considering the anti-robot weapons we have back at base. I've heard they're very powerful, they're able to withstand serious punishment and some are pretty agile too. I heard they carry these massive machine guns and can fire laser blasts from its hands. Of course it's piloted by our special pilots that are capable of jumping in the air and running on walls and such. That's all I know about them, you can find more information about them in our supply area back at base." The driver explained.
"Ah good, he's provided us with some info on the Titans, there's a building in the nearby base full of explosives and launchers and such, along with the schematics. It's not well guarded but from what we've surveyed I don't think you'll be able to get them without incident, you'll probably have a fight on your hands, but nothing you can't handle." Uni informed us via mind talk.
I thank her by mind talk as the driver talks some more.
"Yeah I heard the Lastation army wasn't much compared to our larger army, I bet they were trembling in fear being as how close to their precious capital city we are. That Black Heart girl has gotta realise by now she can't win, I bet they're begging her to surrender hah hah, victory is so close we can almost taste it." The driver spoke with pride.
As much as I hate to admit it, being how proud I am he does have a point, the Leanbox army is at our very doorstep and even though we all firmly believe we can win, we can understand why others would disagree. Still I wonder if he realised that Leanbox have yet to actually defeat us, let's not forget since the start of the 7th generation twice they have invaded, and twice they have failed. I'd ask if he knew that but I don't want to arouse suspicion.
As if on cue we arrive at the base. The base looks pretty basic, there are concrete walls and barbed wire fences along with machine gun nests, and some strange looking towers for protection which I can only guess from playing video games are Tesla coils. Yet for some reason there are no gates, or anything that is anti-air. There aren't even any tanks or many vehicles apart from trucks and the occasional patrol jeep with a mounted machine gun. As for the buildings, most of them are tents and huts like some prisoner of war camp, but there are a few buildings which consist of supplies like Uni said, but also for healing wounded troops as well as a canteen along with another building, which I wouldn't be surprised is the brain wash facility. The entire complex is guarded by a good number of guards armed with rifles who are accompanied by a few attack dogs as well.
Although I clearly overestimated their base, I realise now that they relied heavily on the fact that no one from Lastation would come here due to their brain wash facilities.
My 10 person squad then automatically follows me to the supply building in this base, we exchange greetings to various patrols that pass by us and it's not long before we reach there.
We then enter only to find a small room with two doors that require a password to enter, along with a window that overlooks the entrance and a few seats. My guess is there's usually a queue in here to request for special fire arms and equipment, for certain missions approved by Vert herself. Like before Amy approaches the guard that stands behind the window, the guard was initially reading a gaming magazine from Leanbox advertising the latest Titan Fall game, but being as he knows there are 10 people in here he puts the magazine away, ready to deal with us.
"Excuse me Amy here, Lady Green Heart requested us personally to sabotage some Lastation vehicles and wishes us to use the explosives we have at our base, can we have some please?" She asks politely.
The guard frowns with concern as if she's messing him about.
"Lady Green Heart herself informs me if she wishes for any explosives to be granted to anyone here. Today she specifically requested for me not to send any out, she hasn't authorised any sabotage missions today." He said with traces of irritation in his voice.
"You don't understand; Lady Green Heart has spoken to me personally today." Amy pleads.
"Yeah yeah and I am the Elite. I'll phone her myself." He replied with much scepticism.
He then gets out his phone only to realise that due to our EMP his phone doesn't work.
"What's up with my damn phone, I charged it an hour ago and what's with the power cut?! OK well until I can get confirmation from Lady Green Heart herself I cannot give you the explosives, so you'll have to wait until I can get my phone to work." He spoke.
Great, that's just great at that rate it'll probably take some time before he works out his phone will never work again. It'll probably be even more time before he gets a new phone so he can call Vert.
The fact that their power is down, their brain wash facility is down and their phones no longer work; all at the same time is a double edged sword. While this makes it easier for us to do our mission without suspicion, what if that very fact does cause suspicion? Sure power cuts can happen by themselves but every phone in a given area to not work at all? I do have concern that they'll probably put two and two together.
I must focus now, we have to take out the nukes without arousing suspicion, and at least we have done our best to do so without incident; we'll have to convince them that us defectors caused their phones to die along with their power.
Though right now we are halted on our goal, we need to access the supplies but he won't let us in. By the time he is able to phone Vert the nukes will probably be unleashed. I guess we have no choice but to announce our defection and to then kill him, to ensure our cover stays solid. Out of instinct Amy then speaks:
"You know something I can't lie to you: guard of this storage so we'll tell you the truth. We're behind the power being out and all the phones being dead." Amy confessed casually.
"What? But why would you do this to our glorious nation? Is this some kind of stupid prank? stupid girl what has gotten into you guys!? He yelled with anger.
I can sense the rage inside him, as he loses it.
"Because we wish to defect to Lastation. I'm sick of the bullying your leader does, picking on Lady Black Heart and I intend to steal all of your explosives and blow up your nukes before heading over to Lastation where they'll welcome us with open arms!" I answer deliberately yelling.
"How did you even "kill" our phones and our power!?" He bellowed with shock.
"Let's just say you won't live to find out." Tanya replied in a sexual tone.
Before he could do or say anything else we shoot him down, relieved the window was not bullet proof we manage to kill him.
"I knew it was going to happen, still well done for keeping your cover, the guards in this base are alerted, they'll eventually come for you but they still think you're from Leanbox. The EMP certainly has disabled all of the electronics in your area, there's a door breach by the dead guy for the entrance to the explosives, find cover if you can they have dogs." Uni informed me via mind talk.
I thank her via mind talk as we have already found what little cover we could, out of instinct I get out my knife and slash the window. Thankfully due to the universe I'm in, all of the glass from the window falls down. I quickly go through the window and hide.
"Guys I broke the window take cover behind here. I'm going to open this door." I call out to them.
I look to see our Leanbox allies charging towards me, ready to leap through the window. Meanwhile Landon and White head to the door in an attempt to cover me, while Tanya hides around the entrance.
It is now a couple of the guards charge in, guns blazing but they quickly get shot down by us. They even send in a few dogs to try and maul us down, but they too get shot by Haruka's shotgun. I guess I can feel relieved in knowing their fire arms skills are as good as mine. A couple of guards try and peek around the door in an attempt to shoot us without being exposed, but we just shoot through the wall and that was enough to kill them. By now I've broken through the door into the warehouse part with little effort.
"Guys you need to try and get in the warehouse part now as quick as you can, the enemy is gathering around outside. I think they intend to shoot the wall and blow the room up with grenades." Uni informed me via mind talk.
I like how she's a very useful ally, I'm very proud of my youngest sister. I then lead them through to the storage area. While it's nice I can see in the dark thanks to my special visions, I'm not sure if my team can. After all thanks to the EMP, plus the fact that the storage building has no windows, I'm sure this place would be pitch black to them.
"Guys are any of you able to see in the dark?" I ask them.
I learn that only our Leanbox sniper squad can't see in the dark, but the rest of us can.
"OK, you and Tanya come with me to find the stuff, Landon and Haruka I want you to guard the entrance, let them come in here then ambush them, the rest of you stick with one of us. OK?" I ordered pointing at White.
They all obey.
Me, Tanya and White follow Uni's instructions as to where the stuff we want is, which don't take long at all. I can't help but feel amazed at how Lastation has these satellites, which are able to track everything that goes on in Leanbox, and to zoom in such detail that they know where anything and anyone is. I love Lastation technology it's so advanced. I pick up the schematics, White picks up the anti-robot weapons, which are basically glorified rocket launchers while Tanya picks up plenty of C4.
As we head back to the rest of our squad, it is then we hear a lot of gunfire which appears to come from outside. After a while of hearing different bullets being fired, I then hear the sound of pins being pulled from various grenades as well as them being tossed. After a few seconds I hear lots of loud explosions.
"OK guys they're all in the entrance now about 50 of them or so. They are sending in their dogs through the warehouse, careful guys they're onto you." Uni said through mind talk after which I thank her.
The sound of barking and hearing them move forward quickly like tigers confirms this, but we just manage to shoot them all dead. A few of us try to mimic a dog mauling us to death, to lure them into a false sense of security. After a few moments I hear footsteps from the soldiers, as they try and enter the warehouse. Some are only armed with M6D pistols and a flash light.
We let them come in as they look around, they're unable to spot us but after a short while of hopeless searching we shoot them all down.
"Nice, ok there are still a few more of them outside thinking they have you surrounded." Uni informs me by mind talk.
"Thanks Uni." I replied by mind talk.
I use hand signals to White to use her new anti-robot weapon against the enemy waiting outside. Just one rocket was all it took to take out the enemy group.
"OK I have some good news and bad news, the bad news is that you've alerted the enemy, there are loads of patrols on their way to stop you including a couple of Titans. The good news is they don't suspect this to be a Lastation attack, try and keep your cover and with luck you won't have to deal with any patrols. There is a truck nearby you can use, to enter the base of the first nuke." Uni informed me through thought.
"OK guys the base is clear, White distribute the anti-robot guns; we're gonna need them. I'll take you to a nearby truck. Tex I propose you drive." I ordered.
They all obey and so they follow me.
Note: Readers please listen to Red Alert 2 Power while reading this:
As we rush to the truck I find myself feeling less grief than before. While it is tragic we have to kill these troops as well as their dogs, along with my Leanbox friends killing their own. At least it's not as many and my Leanbox allies have volunteered. I realise now that maybe I believe the end does justifies the means, if I have to kill these troops to ensure they don't launch a nuke at us, so be it. If we have to kill all of those troops in the last battle to protect Lastation so be it. If we have to torture the hell out of Plutia to bring her to justice again so be it, at least I can get some satisfaction from seeing that evil witch suffer.
I then notice how no one in my unit feels tense or worried even now, in fact they are still determined and ready. I also notice how eager Tanya is to destroy those nukes, as she's constantly chanting her new found stick as we got in the truck. It's also nice to have found that my three friends are actually very good with their weapons, likewise with me and White. How awesome that despite not using those weapons before, we use them with ease could this be video game magic?
Immediately Tex drives away from the base, as a former soldier of these bases he knows the area like the back of his hand as he drives along the route. I look around to see what sort of terrain, only it's nothing breath taking. There are plenty of trees in fact I feel we're driving through a forest, there's not even a road just a dirt track wide enough for two vehicles. Speaking of which; we're the only ones to be driving towards the nuke base, while there are plenty of vehicles driving away from the base. This must confirm our enemies being aware of our presence as defectors.
For a short while I see the same scenery, but then I see us cross a small wooden bridge over a canal and there we see: the base that holds one of the two nukes we need to take down. From where we are we see the usual stuff: walls, Tesla coils and machine gun nests, along with plenty of guards and guard dogs. While there is no gate there is a check point that we have to go through, it is then as I look at the outside of the base, I notice something towering over the area: a nuke, we've got to take it down. At a certain point our driver deliberately stops and mimics trying to start the truck again.
"OK guys this place like before is not heavily fortified, but it's more so than your previous base. You'll have to go in the front door, if the guard can let you in great, but I doubt she will. Being as how she's ordered by someone called Commander Buster not to allow anyone in the base, because some defectors are on the lose. They know of what you lot did. If you end up having to engage, then you can shoot the barrels that are near the buildings which are full of troops. That and there's no vehicles here should make it easier for you. Try and be as quick as you can guys, as one Titan is heading towards this base." Uni informed me.
"What about the Jin Dynasty group do you know where they are?" I ask her via mind talk.
"They are in the area but nowhere near your targets, they're in a VTOL so they could approach the bases at any time, but don't worry I'll be able to give you advanced warning." She replied.
I thank her as I then turn to the others to discuss the plan. I was actually thinking the same as her; I guess great minds do think alike.
"OK guys Plan A is to talk our way in, the story will be that we're here to inspect the nuke, as we have reason to believe the defectors have already sabotaged it, and we have authorisation from Vert. I doubt it will work so we go to Plan B which is just to break through the front gate and take out the nuke and everyone inside, do you all know what to do?" I ordered.
They nod and we were about to head to the checkpoint when a guard runs towards us, he then approaches our driver.
"Hello, we couldn't help but notice you're having trouble with your engine, I can take a look at it if you wish?" The guard/mechanic asked.
"Thank you but the engine is perfectly fine now, I dunno what happened back there." Tex replied.
"Excellent. OK I'll head back to the checkpoint, was you after speaking to the guard?" He asked us.
"Yeah as a matter of fact we need to enter that base it's urgent." Our driver replied calmly.
"Good luck with that she's been ordered not to allow anyone to enter." He laughed.
"Well we'll have to see it's pretty urgent." Our driver replied.
"Goodbye." He said in a friendly manner.
After waving to him Tex drives off towards the checkpoint, where the female guard approaches and she doesn't look happy at all to see us.
"Why are you here? I thought the guard told you we're under strict orders not to let anyone in." She asked with much irritation.
"I'm assuming you're aware that we are under attack by a bunch of rogue Leanbox troops, yes?" He asked also irritated.
"Yes, that is why we can't allow anyone into this base before they are confirmed to be killed or captured." She explained.
"But that is why we're here, we have reason to believe that a bomb has already been planted on the nuke." He explained frantically.
"OK I'll call them so they can check the thing." She said as she got out her phone.
"No you don't understand we need to…." Tex spoke with frustration.
There's no talking to her, she's already talking on the phone, by which point they won't find a bomb, and that will probably mean there's no way a bomb could be there. Then they'll probably start to get suspicious. We have to act quickly, under the guise that the bomb could blow up any second, and we know where the bomb is, we just drive through the checkpoint smashing through the gate and guard hut, leaving the building crushed as the walls topple over.
Tex heads straight for the nuke which upon closer inspection, is surrounded by concrete and metal walls as well as catwalks that surround the thing. Despite him going there at top speed the guards still shoot us inside. Eventually one of the wheels get shot causing the tyre to puncture stopping the truck in a swerve. After which they stop firing at us but they do move closer to the truck. I then notice on the catwalk a muscular short blond woman with a large womanhood standing there. She wears a tank top and combat trousers and boots, she carries with her a futuristic sniping rifle and a megaphone which she has in her mouth.
"What in Gameindustri do you think you're doing? Don't you idiots know that you cannot barge in like that? I demand an apology and an explanation to what you're doing here now! I want the driver to get out and explain themselves or we will open fire!" She ordered aggressively.
She must think there's only one person in this truck, Tex then gets out with his hands up. While I recognise it's for the best, I hope he can get out of this alive, I worry that he'll get shot down, he doesn't have as much health as me, White and Landon and his friends.
"Commander Buster! I apologise for ramming through the checkpoint but this is an emergency: a bomb has been planted on this very nuke!" He explains.
"We've have already inspected the nuke countless times, where do you suspect it to be and how do you know where it is?" She replied with much irritation.
"It's on the war head; we know because our friends wanted to defect and blow up a nuke, I was in on it but I decided to grass as I cannot betray my country, please you need to find it and defuse it for the sake of all of us." He pleaded.
"We already have checked the warhead and we couldn't find any bombs." She explained.
"That's because it's in a hidden compartment." He begged.
"Son, there are no hidden compartments." She growled.
"Well I thought it was in a hidden compartment, it's in….oh I need to show it you, so I can get it out." He said feeling like he's being told off.
"You know what, considering how we've searched the war head, and you can't even tell me where on the warhead it is. For all I know you could either be lying to me, or it's just unfortunate that there is a bomb, but you don't know exactly where it is. I tell you what I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and you can have a look up there, but if there isn't a bomb and you can't say where by showing us, you'll have a lot of explaining to do son." She snapped.
"Uh oh, I fear they may find you lot out now, I hate to say it but it won't be long before the nukes are launched. The Titans will be here real soon. I think you may have to go loud now, I see more troops surrounding your truck, in fact some of them carry launchers." Uni warns me with much concern via mind talk.
I agree, I don't like how Tex is going to separate from the rest of us if he was to go up there and check the nuke. He could even die, we can't waste any more time trying to blow up the nuke without engaging them, but what to do? If I step out and confess we could all get shot, or at the very least arouse suspicion as to how we manage to take so much damage. It was then our driver said something.