Chapter 10
1 hour later…
I watched in tired silence as an RSO truck drove past.
We were cleaning up the whole mess. The Rangers and Andrew's team had been busy, inspecting the losses and fixing stuff up. In total, we had 0 fatalities (I can't wish for anything better), but there are some Rangers with bullet or shrapnel wounds, and many of our remote-controlled vehicles have been destroyed. Now, we've rang the Oarai Blue Collars (the student-workers), and are cooperating to restore damaged facilities and cleaning up the enemy remains.
Beep! Hardcore Mission: Alisa's Rage, completed. Reward: Heavy Sci-Fi Sturmmann Assault Suit x1
I raised my eyebrow. Heavy Assault Suit? Sounds interesting.
I stood, and walked behind the command station. Looking around and seeing that the coast is clear, I extracted my award.
What I got confused me: after the light died, all I had was the design of an Iron Cross etched into the back of my hand. But as soon as I started to think of how to activate the mech, the emblem gleamed a brilliant white.
Suddenly, I was encased in a blinding whiteness. All around me, I can feel matter shimmering into existence. When the light died, I tried to see anything different. Nothing, or it seemed so at first. When I lifted my gun, I almost didn't recognize it.
Instead of the MP-41, I now held something that would've passed as a railgun. It had a stock and body similar to the Stg 45, only much bigger. It was long and wide, covered with protrusions and attachments of all types. Instead of a magazine, it had what seemed to be a battery of some sort. The muzzle was like that of an AK-47, but it had a bayonet fixed to it, a reddish-colored blade that revolved on its mount. And where a scope should've been, a black camera-like device extended from the upper side of the rifle. As I watched, a light on its side came on, and suddenly, my faceplate (I only realized I had one until now) lit up and started to display all types of parameters and graphics and characters. Then, a pair of retractable earphones closed over my head, and sounded.
Armor system activated.
MP-100 Semiautomatic Laser Rifle: Ready.
T-10 Heavy Shock Rifle: Ready.
MK-7 Wrist Electromagnetic Pulse Autocannons: Ready.
Eye Lasers: Ready.
Chainsaw Blades: Ready.
S-5 Hologram Shield: Ready.
Defensive Shock System: Active.
Absorber Power Core: Ready.
Jetpacks: Ready.
Back-mounted Armament Systems: Ready.
Multipurpose Filtering System: Active.
"System." I said, "bring up a 3D model of the mech."
The system obeyed, and the model appeared in the center of the screen. Using my mind to control the system, I checked out the mech. I was stunned.
The mech resembled what people would expect a WWII German Super Soldier to wear. It was 3 meters tall, and 1.2 meter wide at the shoulders. The metal was entirely gray, with a magnified version of the M40 for a helmet. The faceplate was a gas mask, but the eyes gleamed bright red due to the implanted lasers. A series of interlocking iron plates, fashioned to resemble a German officer's field jacket, ran down the body of the mech, and a piece of armor on the arms, resembling an armband, bore the Oarai logo, formed of what the system referred to as "altered colored steel". The chest was another conundrum of steel plating, with a hexagonal power core situated in the center and multiple small, round protrusions all over the torso. The arms were a bit longer than the torso, and held most the armaments: each of the wrists concealed 3 20-mm EMP autocannons that can be extended in emergency, and the left hand had a retractable chainsaw blade, while the right arm had a large, square device built into it, which I was informed to be the S-5 Hologram Shield. I activated it, and the device whirred. Seconds later, a glowing red, slightly curved, rather thick cuboid of light shimmered into existence. It extended a few flaps, also constructed of light, and shielded my suit entirely. After disarming the shield, I proceeded to analyze the mech. Where the upper and lower half of the mech connected was a belt of steel, covered with small round bumps. Multiple iron flaps extended from the belt, protecting the legs. All the mech's joints had curved iron plates for extra protection. I turned the model, and saw what I can only describe as an iron enigma, with the only recognizable parts being 2 jet thrusters and 4 metallic wings as well as a huge backpack and another rifle slung across the backpack in the center. I could never manage to describe the awe this suit inspired, but all in all, it was an AMAZING suit.
I grinned and deactivated the mech, and strolled off to find my crew.
Several minutes later…
"Could this be what God means by 'hard work pays off'?" I heard Andrew wonder out loud. I was wondering the same thing.
We've met up and discussed about our mechs, because it turned out that everyone got a suit for himself. John's suit was the heaviest, with thick armor and a super-large machine gun. But for some reason, Hank's mech was more Soviet-looking, with what resembled a ushanka, rather thick, olive-green armor, and a gun that resembled an AK. Lucas's mech was English-themed, another puzzling event. Gabriel's mech had the biggest jetpack and a large assortment of air-to-ground, as well as a set of mechanical devices all around it that is apparently designed to act as a factory and base for small attack drones. Fidel's mech looked suit for a partisan, with high agility, mobility and exceptional camouflage capabilities, as well as the unique Acid Cannons that nobody else had. Andrew's suit was, needless to say, American, with missile launchers, a rifle like an AR-15, and strong air & AA capabilities. In short, everyone's suit had their strengths.
"I forgot something." I said, as everyone was deactivating their armor. "Andrew, you can guess what it is."
"Of course." He grunted, "to have a little chat with Saunders."
Several more minutes later…
"Alright, we set to go?" I asked.
"Sure." Andrew grinned.
Since Alisa gave us a nasty night with her thugs, it's been decided that we should give her some proper intimidation too. So, we've decided that we'll fly our new mechs to their Academy Ship, testing out its weapons in the process, and demand that Kay give an explanation. We chose a section of the ship's stern next to some hills, to make sure nobody will notice. We've also decided to take a B-17 from the U.S Air Force Division with us to get them here to see all the evidence.
"LET'S GO!" Andrew yelled as he leapt off the deck. I followed suit. As we plunged down, I activated the Jetpacks. Instantly, I felt the wings expand and the jolt as the engines roared to life, propelling us across the sea. The B-17 followed behind us, its engines rumbling.
"OMG! This is SO COOL! I've always dreamed of having a mech!" Andrew yelled into the microphone in enthusiasm.
I wasn't that obsessed with how cool this is, and was checking out our stats and coordinates. The suit could keep up cruising speed in flight – the speed we are at now – for 20 consecutive days, but I just wanted to feel safe. I also checked out the Back Mounted Armament Systems. In general, they're a large collection of different weapons, either on robotic arms or mounted on stands, from saws to explosive rockets to smoke launchers to flamethrowers. This was the system that truly made the mech a multipurpose one, apparently.
30 minutes later…
"Target ship, up ahead!"
I looked ahead. Sure enough, the USS Washington loomed just 2 kilometers away. I sped up, and passed Andrew, landing behind 2 large buildings that covered my frame. I bent down, and pulled Andrew up before deactivating my suit. Instantly I shrunk back to human size, and my weapon became the original MP-41 again.
"I hope I won't have to draw our base card." I sighed, flexing after the long trip.
"Yeah, obviously. Piloting this suit is quite draining." He agreed. "Now, let's get moving, shall we?"
Another 20 minutes later…
"You sure that's their school?"
"Dead sure, bro." Andrew replied, looking at the building complex ahead. "Let's move out."
We drew our submachine guns and marched up to the gates.
The guards on duty looked at us and stepped back in shock. Then, one dude drew his nightstick and pointed it at us.
"Don't advance!" He yelled, "or-gah!"
I drew my Luger P08, and with a single shot, snapped his nightstick in half. Then, I stepped up to him and gripped his neck.
"You have no chance of stopping us. And we aren't school shooters." I said, "Now, open the door and let us in, or I'm just going to blast it open anyway."
I pointed at the C4 strapped on my belt, and the guard winced. He reluctantly motioned to another of his peers, who pulled out a card with shaking hands and scanned it on the gate. It opened swiftly.
"Good." I released him, beckoned at Andrew, and we walked away into the compound.
One of the guards looked at the two figures. "Somebody, call commander Kay."
…
"How do we look for Alisa?" I asked quietly.
"Dude, American cops check from door to door until finding their target or clues." He whispered back, "we can try the same thing."
"Good idea."
And so, we approached the first building. I pulled off my fabric gloves and slipped on a new pair, made of "soft steel": flexible as cotton, but durable and hard like steel. Getting rammed by my fist now would pack a bigger punch than getting hit by a speeding motorbike. The door wasn't locked apparently, but I rammed my fist into it. The handle deformed completely from the impact and broke free, skittering for 3 feet before stopping. We pushed the cracking, twisted double doors open, and were faced by a hallway full of Saunders students staring at us in a stunned-terrified fashion. I couldn't blame them: an armed Nazi soldier and U.S Army trooper showing up in your face by slamming a door down and seething with rage isn't a pretty image.
We moved down the hall, scanning every face, but none were recognizable. I sighed.
After checking the first floor out, we proceeded to Sublevel 1. It was a labyrinth of hallways, filled with more students. As soon as we emerged though, all it took is a glance to scare the daylights out of anyone. They parted – wise choice – and let us pass, but that didn't help much until I noticed someone in the crowd, a young girl in a green helmet. Helmet-chan, Eileen.
"Hey, you, the one in the green helmet." I said, and a ripple went through the Saunders girls, "get here, I've a few questions."
Shaking all over, Eileen stepped toward us and looked up at my face.
"Eileen, nickname Helmet-Chan, Alisa's loader. Am I correct?"
"Y-yes, sir." She stammered.
"Where's your tank commander? I need a few words with her."
She didn't seem very willing to answer.
"Make it quick." I lifted my MP-41.
"At-at a meeting with Commander Kay and a few other tank commanders, at the tank garages. Kay got a phone call saying you entered the campus by throttling the guards," another wave of whispers and frightened looks, "and she's calling up the few best to figure out what to do."
"Well, lead the way." I grumbled.
…
It was much more efficient with Eileen guiding us. We went back up, passed several buildings, and the majestic tank garages came into view, rows of hangars stretching far and wide. We passed a few and stopped at a building similar to the command station at my airfield, only with just 2 stories.
"They're inside." Eileen said.
"Good. Now, why don't you go in and tell them that we're here and we wat to talk something out. If she asks who we are, tell her my buddy here is called Andrew."
She nodded and slipped in. A few minutes later, she came back out and motioned for us to go in.
The meeting room, situated at the center of the building, was pretty much what you would expect of a command office. The commanders sat all around the desk, looking at us with different expressions: Naomi was as stoic as always, Kay was pretty surprised and a little bit scared, as well as curious. Alisa looked…well, like Hitler when he heard that Steiner didn't attack.
"So," Kay started, "can you explain what this is about?"
I saluted first. "Commandant Kay."
"My situation first," Andrew cut me off, "after you left to get the files you talked about, Alisa yelled at us for 25 minutes."
"Really?" Kay looked at Alisa.
"Well, what's wrong? Boys can't be let into tankery! They'll disgrace the whole sport!"
"Shut up, you." I growled, "I haven't mentioned what you did to Oarai yet."
"Well?" Kay asked.
"Last night, a group of 250 mercenaries, wielding WWII and Vietnam War-era U.S weapons, attacked the Oarai air base by glider-borne and airborne troops. They also have multiple vehicles and heavy armaments at their disposal, including M2A1 and M5 Stuart light tanks, V100 Commando and M20 armored cars, Super Bazookas, and most notably, 2 M10 Wolverine tank destroyers." I stated, "Fortunately, we were able to intercept certain transmissions and set up defense prior to the assault, which was the main reason we successfully avoided any casualties. However, there is still quite a lot of wounded undergoing treatment in Oarai. Here are the transmission scripts we intercepted." And I put the case full of God's intel on the table.
A silence followed my report. Kay was pale with shock, and it only seemed to get worse as she read the telegrams, Naomi looked only rather disturbed – which, with her personality, meant she was seriously shaken up. Alisa slumped down in defeat.
It took a whole minute for the Saunders commander to look back at us.
"I-I'm sorry, but even if this intel is true," she said, "It can only prove that she had wanted to do something like this, but the attack that took place isn't necessarily her-"
"We seized multiple armored vehicles from the enemy undamaged." I cut her off, "Quite a few of them bore your school's emblem. We have a B-17 to lift you to Oarai to see all the physical evidence."
The Saunders commander thought about it.
"All right. Take us there, then."
And we led them out of the building complex, pushing aside all the students who had gathered to try and figure out what is going on. But as we stepped out of the building's door, something nagged at the back of my head: somehow, Alisa seemed too extremist, and besides, not saying anything for defense doesn't seem like her…
And that's when something tapped against the back of my head as well as Andrew's.
I looked back, and it turned out to be-
A Colt 1911 pistol. Held by none other than Alisa.
She grinned at us with a maniacal look.
"ALISA!" Kay yelled, "put that down!"
"Who the hell are you, to command me?" Alisa growled, "Louis, Andrew, I don't know why you weren't killed in the attack, but since you came," a devilish grin crossed her face, "you'll never see tomorrow's dawn."
"Oh, wouldn't we?" Andrew said, nonchalantly. "Well, what about this?"
We stepped back, and rolled back our sleeves to display the design that controlled the mechs. His was a circle with a star in the center, similar to the U.S Army emblem.
Alisa laughed, "and what is that supposed to do?"
"Students, stand back." I said, and we pressed our emblems.
A brilliant white light shone over where we stood, pushing the students away. When the light died, I was once again suited in the steel machine that defended me from all light weapons. I can hear the girls yelling in shock through the headset, but that isn't what bothers me now. For some reason, my visor displayed Alisa as 'mental controlled'. I primed the MP-100, and an inhuman growl came from Alisa. Then, a sphere of red mist drifted out of her head, forming a cyclone the size of a bungalow in the air. The girl slumped to the ground, unconscious.
"Who-who are you?!" Andrew stammered, aiming his AR-15 Heavy at the entity.
"I was doing so well with jacking the body and using it as a disguise." A voice, dripping with malice, growled, "and you too not only spoiled my plans, but busted my cover!"
"You deserved it, monster." I snapped back.
"You will never succeed in taking boys into tankery!" it roared, "I will be behind everything pulling the strings against your favor! And should you win, well, I'll kill you personally then! You are nothing, Louis, compared to what I am! You are doomed!"
"You dare threaten my buddy?" Andrew snarled, "well, eat this!"
He made a slamming gesture with his left hand, and a long iron barrel locked into place. He lifted it, and a deadly stream of flame gushed from the muzzle, right in the face of whatever is speaking to us. At the same time, his back rocket launchers fired a barrage of explosive warheads at the center of the blood-red funnel cloud. Both attacks struck home, and the monster howled in pain. My MP-100 burst into action, sending traces of black energy into the air. The creature purred in rage, and fired two beams of yellow lasers at us, but we activated the mech's absorption core and drank the beams' energy, our weapons glowing brighter and brighter. Seeing no damage dealt, the monster ceased the assault.
"Until next time." It hissed, before turning into a streak of light and vanishing on the horizon. My jetpack roared, as if willing to give chase, but I knew that whatever that was, it's gone. At least, for now.
I raised my middle finger in the direction in frustration, deactivated my assault suit, and looked around. Everyone was staring at us in wonder and awe, with the only exception being-
"Shit. ALISA!"
I ran up to the figure now laying on the ground. She was deathly pale, and her breath was unstable. I gripped her wrist, and was terrified to find the pulse to be only vague.
Kay looked like she wanted to do CPR, but I waved her off. Then, I rummaged in my backpack and pulled out a small case, inscribed with the blue words 'Instant Recovery'. Inside, a syringe held something that glowed like sapphire. I pulled out the syringe, jammed the needle into the girl's neck, and pressed down hard on the piston. The drug flowed into Alisa's neck, and she shot up, nearly banging her head on my helmet, breathing rapidly.
"Ah-hah-gah…"
"You better?" I asked.
She spluttered, and looked up at us with teary, shocked eyes. A small "Thanks" came out.
"It's fine. By the way, how did that thing get to you?"
She sighed. "We'll talk when I come around, OK?"