Pigeons. A common sight within urban cities and rural communities. Peaceful and friendly birds that won't bother anyone in their lives. Elderly people enjoy feeding these birds as a pastime, enjoying their company. Pigeons are smart birds much like Crows and Ravens. They are able to remember things and different locations. Their homing instinct allows them to return to their home no matter how far the distance. Pigeons also served a purpose during wartime as messenger carriers. Braving dangers of artillery fire, arrows, and birds of prey, they ensured the message was delivered no matter the cost. Sometimes a nuisance for most when their droppings land on peoples' cars and other things. In short, Pigeons are a common and mundane sight for all people in the city.
However, there is a special population of Pigeons that possess an enigmatic power. A power none in the world has discovered. A complete enigma none have solved or identified its cause. Soon, this power would make itself known to the world and shake its foundations down to its core.
Chernobog. A City of the Ursus Empire bordering the Yan-Lungmen border. Now, it is a city of Anarchy. Reunion has stirred an uprising within the city. Chaos and mayhem consumed the city. Reunion militants and rioters fought against the Ursus Guard. Blades clashed, arrows shot, and Arts casted on both sides. The Ursus Guard was determined to defend the city from the Infected Terrorists. On the other hand, Reunion was hellbent on capturing the city to tear down the Ursus Monarchy. The fighting was fierce and any civilians, Infected or not, were caught in the crossfire. Ursus civilians were slain by the Reunion militants for their persecution of the infected, whether they are infected or not. Riots formed in the streets and civilians desperately attempted escaping the city, causing stampedes and trampling others underneath their feet. Fires scattered all over the city, burning buildings to rubble. Arsonists threw molotov cocktails into the buildings and the Ursus Guard. Anarchy has truly consumed the city.
However, in the midst of all this chaos, an elderly Liberi woman was casually walking down the ruined streets. She was seemingly ignorant of the chaos and madness that swept the city. Wearing a babushka scarf and a long sleeve flower dress, she walked with a cane and carried a large sling bag full of bird seed. Two Pigeons perched on her shoulders, watching the anarchy with uncaring eyes. Up above, a large flock of pigeons followed the woman. Circling above the city skyline, they waited for the old lady to feed them delicious seeds. Some of the flock were in other parts of the city, perching on statues and looking for anything edible to eat. Despite the fires and violence, the pigeons perched on ledges and other statues as they watched the city's descent into more anarchy.
Unbeknownst to the city's occupants, an invisible aura began covering the city. The elderly lady soon sat at a nearby bench in a park. She opened her sling bag. Taking a handful of seeds, she scattered them on the ground. The flock landed on the ground and began feeding. The lady smiled and continued feeding them. More pigeons flying over the city joined in. The aura expanded more until it encased the entire city. Soon, weird things began happening on Chernobog.
On a street far from the park
A Rhodes Island operator squad was exfiltrating through Chernobog's ruined streets, avoiding Reunion patrols and Ursus guards. Any patrols that stumble upon them must be fought quickly before they could inform other Reunion squadrons. Unfortunately, not all things went smoothly. A large Reunion patrol found them and it was led by one of their ringleaders, Mephisto.
Amiya, Dobermann, the Doctor and the operators prepared themselves for battle. Mephisto and his squadron did the same. Before any fighting happened, an invisible wave washed over them just as a couple of pigeons perched on a lamppost. Suddenly, both parties felt calm and weapons were lowered.
"Mephisto, that's your name right?" The Doctor asked to which Mephisto nodded, "For the good of both of our squadrons, how about we settle this in a civilized way?"
"In what manner should we settle this, Doctor?" Mephisto asked. Both Reunion and Rhodes Island were confused on what the two were doing.
"We'll settle it through the world's oldest game of chance." The Doctor said with the Rhodes Island operators looking at him with a dumbfounded look, "Rock-Paper-Scissors!"
Both parties looked at the Doctor with a look that said "WTF?!". They looked at Mephisto who smirked in amusement. Both squadrons waited for his response.
"Very well, I accept!" Mephisto said, which had both squadrons looking at the other in confusion, silently and wordlessly asking what is happening to their leaders, "What do you wager?"
"If I win, Reunion will have to let us go for today." The Doctor said as RI operators looked at him as if he lost his mind, "If you win, we'll go with you willingly as captives."
Amiya and Dobermann were shocked at what the Doctor said. He was risking their own lives and safety on chance. The rest of the RI operators silently agreed to each other, wondering if his cryosleep had made him mad.
"Fine by me." Mephisto accepted. Both the Doctor and Mephisto step forward until both are at each other's faces. The Doctor held out his fist as Mephisto did the same. Both squads looked at the two taking it seriously.
"Ro!" Both said as they threw fists down.
"Sham!" They threw their fists down a second time. RI and Reunion held their breaths as they anticipated who would win the game.
"Bo!" The Doctor and Mephisto threw their fists a third time, showing what they threw.
The Doctor threw rock and Mephisto threw scissors. RI operators breathed a sigh of relief as they wouldn't be captives.
"Rock beats Scissors!" The Doctor said, softly pounding his fist against Mephisto's, "Rhodes Island wins today!"
"That you did." Mephisto calmly said, gesturing to his squad to part, "As per the wager, Rhodes Island gets to leave today. But know that I, Mephisto, will claim victory next time we meet!"
"Looking forward to it!" The Doctor said, gesturing for the squad to follow. He waved goodbye to Mephisto, "Till next time we meet!"
"Till next time, Doctor!" Mephisto waved goodbye to the Doctor as if seeing off a good friend who came by to play.
The Rhodes Island squad soon left the street and made their way to their evac point. All while this is happening, Amiya was mentally processing what happened before her. The other operators also shared her same thought. The Doctor and Mephisto decided their fate on Rock-Paper-Scissors. Knowing Mephisto, he wouldn't do something like that at all. He prefers to torture his victims than letting them pass peacefully.
"Just what is going on?!" Amiya thought, looking at the Doctor who casually walked with hands in his pockets, "Something strange is happening today… I'll have to report it to Dr. Kal'tsit as soon as we get back."
Amiya contacted the other squads to check in on their status. To her surprise, other squads reported similar events much like hers. No casualties in all squads in the city. They reported resolving the conflict with Reunion squads through games. One reported to have played Poker three rounds of poker. Another reported to have played football with the Reunion squad they were facing. And another reported Nearl arm wrestled a Reunion Defense Crusher and won said match. All of this strangeness would just have to wait back in the landship.
With her thoughts sorted out, Amiya, the Doctor, and her squad continued their exfiltration out of Chernobog. Hopefully with all squads in one piece.
In a school within Chernobog
Zima, Gummy, Rosa, and Istina are Ursus students that formed the Ursus Student Self-Governing Group or the U.S.S.G for short. They and other Ursus students are trapped within the school due to the Reunion Uprising. All of them are Infected and they are most likely left for dead due to their status. All of them are also starving and what food they have left is being rationed between the students. Their metaphorical prison was broken open by Reunion Militants and what they brought with them was what they currently needed the most: Food.
For whatever reason, they said all students must compete in a team sport. The winning team gets first pick on the food and the losing team gets second pick. At the end, both teams would get to leave in one piece without strings attached. The chosen sport was baseball and all students were taken to a nearby stadium for the event.
And thus began the most intense baseball game in Ursus. Both teams played fiercely with competitiveness and determination to get first pick on the best food. A Reunion Militant umpired the game and two Reunion Casters commentated as the rest watched on the stands, munching on popcorn and hotdogs while drinking soda. On the roof and lights, pigeons perched on top. They watched the match and ate floor popcorn from the bleachers.
After a few hours and a couple of innings, The U.S.S.G and all who sided with them have won the game. As promised, they get first pick on the food and they choose the tastiest food. They ate like there's no tomorrow, filling up their stomachs until they're full. Soon, they got to leave before waving goodbye to everyone as the second team filled themselves with food.
"It was a strange day today…" The U.S.S.G students thought to themselves, having to compete in baseball to get first pick on the buffet Reunion brought. Something is strange indeed when terrorists suddenly become nice and help you out of your problems. Indeed, today is a strange day in Chernobog.
They heard Rhodes Island was in the city helping civilians evacuate the city, an opportunity for salvation. Not wasting a moment, the U.S.S.G hurried to find and meet up with a squadron for a chance of a new beginning in their lives.
Back at the park
More pigeons flew to the park as the old lady kept feeding them. Soon, the sounds of chaos and battle died down and the city became silent. The anarchy that had once consumed the city has disappeared and peace has returned to Chernobog, if only temporary. The lady smiled as peace and quiet graced her ears, continuing to feed the birds. A few Reunion and Rhodes Island squadrons passed by her and waved hello to which she returned the gesture. Some young people wearing school uniforms asked her for directions, asking if any Rhodes Island squads passed by. She kindly told them the direction they were heading. They thanked her and swiftly left the park like they were late for a tour.
"Youngsters today are always trying to get somewhere fast…" The lady grumbled to herself, throwing another handful of seeds to the birds, "Life should be enjoyed slowly. Appreciate the little things and enjoy the simplest of pleasures. Nowadays, youngsters can't enjoy some peace without making a ruckus."
She sighed to herself as a pigeon perched on her hand, pecking the seeds in her hand. She patted the pigeon gently on the head and in turn, the pigeon rubbed its head on her hand. She chuckled to herself; Enjoying the company of pigeons. As the bag began to run empty of seeds, she sighed to herself. She stood up, picking up her cane, and looked up to the large flock of pigeons that gathered.
"Come along now sweeties!" The lady called out to the pigeons in the park, "Time to fly off to a new city! Bring peace to all in this world!"
The pigeons took flight. The flock flew all over the city to search for food and some flew to a new city, Lungmen, for food. Even as a part of the flock left the city, the pacification aura covering the city held firm. Unfortunately, it was a temporary measure. Once the pigeons leave the city, violence and chaos will engulf the city once more. But the lady merely pressed onwards; Continuing to foster the growth of her beloved pigeons and the peace they bring to the world. When her eventual passing comes, her granddaughter will take up her mantle and uphold the legacy of their family; To spread peace and end all wars in Terra.
Rhodes Island Landship
After the somewhat calm and chaotic evacuation in Chernobog, all squad operators were left to ponder over what just happened in the Doctor's rescue operation. Everyone thought what made them calm and play games with the Reunion squads. When they entered the city, all were tense and psyched up for the operation. Afterwards, in their evacuation, they suddenly felt calm and peaceful. Any Reunion squadron they encountered were also calm and peaceful, not even drawing their weapons. They resolved their conflicts through various games like cards, sports, riddles, and any recreational activities. As a result, there were no casualties and waved goodbye to Reunion like two friends going back home. In short, it was a weird day for all RI operators.
In a conference room, Kal'tsit, Amiya, and the Doctor gathered for a discussion. Kal'tsit wanted a full report on the events that happened in Chernobog. Amiya recounted everything in full detail on what she experienced first hand. The Doctor added a few details of his own, recounting what he saw. In the end, it left Kal'tsit confused like Amiya did.
"So you're telling me…" Kal'tsit held her forehead in disbelief and exasperation, "The Doctor and Mephisto played Rock-Paper-Scissors to settle the conflict. Waging your safety, the Doctor and Mephisto played one round and won. Afterwards, both parties left in peace without any casualties."
"Yes, Dr. Kal'tsit." Amiya confirmed, "As stupid and incredulous it is, that's what happened. You can ask the other squads and they will tell you about similar events."
"I can attest to that as well." The Doctor said, "During that time, I never feel stressed or violent. It was as if something was suppressing any negative emotion I felt. Both Rhodes Island and Reunion felt the same thing."
"Because both squads couldn't fight, we have to resolve it in a civilized manner." The Doctor continued, "It was only after we left the city that I was able to feel stressed. Also, the weapons both parties carried suddenly decayed or malfunctioned."
"How strange." Amiya said, looking at her hand, "What happened to the weapons may have also affected Arts. When I tried casting Arts, nothing happened as if I didn't possess it."
"Did you notice anything in the city when this happened?" Kal'tsit asked
"There were some pigeons perching on the lamppost." The Doctor described, "It was something I noticed all over the city. Unusual but it was something that seemed out of place for a city in anarchy. The U.S.S.G also said the same thing, saying pigeons were perching on the stadium and ate the food the Reunion militants consumed during their baseball game."
Kal'tsit pondered their reports and was also confused. Never in her long life could understand how the mysterious negative thought suppression and pigeons were connected. As she pondered, the Doctor switched on the Conference Room's TV. The channel it was on broadcasted a news station covering the Chernobog incident.
The headline read "Chernobog disaster resolved peacefully?". The news broadcast showed footage of the event captured through drones. The footage showed Reunion militants and the Ursus Royal Guard playing games, sports, trivia, riddles and other recreational activities like Rock-Paper-Scissors. All of the Ursus Royal Guard had lost the games against Reunion and promptly left the city along with their men. They also showed the various ringleaders participating in recreational activities.
Mephisto challenged an Ursus captain in a chess game.
FrostNova wielding her Arts in an ice sculpting contest.
Faust shooting targets in an archery contest.
Patriot arm wrestling an Ursus captain.
W playing an intense Rock-Paper-Scissors match with Adanachiel.
The Sarkaz Centurion also arm wrestling an Ursus Lieutenant.
Crownslayer in a game of darts with a RI operator named Chard.
Big Bob competed in a series of Lumberjack sports against an Ursus Sergeant.
Mudrock also in a sculpting contest using clay and marble.
Lastly, Talulah was in an intense dance-off against an Ursus Commander. Talulah danced with the grace of a ballerina and the Commander danced with swift movements as they did the Kazotsky Kick dance.
The news anchors commented on the ridiculous and unconventional way of taking the city. After Reunion won every game, the Ursus Royal Guard left the city, grumbling to themselves. Both sides didn't receive casualties and the city now belonged to Reunion. Yet, in every footage, pigeons were always seen perching on different points watching the events or pecking food off the ground.
The sight of Reunion and Ursus Guards taking sports and games very seriously was an amusing and unusual sight. The news also showed the Rock-Paper-Scissors game between Mephisto and the Doctor.
Kal'tsit's eyes twitched to how ridiculous the event happened. The meeting ended and the trio went back to their usual duties. The Doctor heads off to rest and sleep off the stress in his room. Amiya went back to her office, administering Rhodes Island and managing the Operator Squads. Kal'tsit questioned the squads who volunteered in the operation and got the same answer from Amiya and the Doctor. They all suddenly felt calm and resolved the conflict peacefully through non-violent recreational activities.
This was a mystery Kal'tsit can't ignore but she would have to wait for another time. The meeting with Wei is coming up and the Chernobog Incident drove waves of refugees into Lungmen with potential Reunion soldiers hiding amongst them. For now, this mystery is left unsolved for her and the world.
A/N: This is a short chapter based on SCP-514. A flock of pigeons that generate an aura of peace that suppresses negative thought and emotions and destroy weapons. If this idea interests you, feel free to adopt it.
Just something I want to write out of my head while working on the next chapters for this story and others. The next two chapters will be a continuation of a previous chapter and a new faction.
Here's a hint: "The mind is quicker than the eye."