"I said hold it still damn it!" Alan straightened himself to stop shaking, He was holding his rifle above his head and shining the flashlight downward into the engine of the half-track. Dom expressed his annoyance when the light stuttered around.
"Diagnoses?" Lance Corporal Dylan Mandamin, 25, A Trooper from Alpha stood nearby at a set of scavenged tools. "You too retarded or what?"
"We got Lit up by a .50, You wanna try a miracle?" Private Markus Raine, 22, another trooper from Alpha shot back. He was watching down the street as their fellow soldiers continued to clear up the misunderstanding.
"The one time we try to move this bitch we get a good ol' case of Blue on Blue, not even stopping to ask if we're green." The Lance Corporal complained.
Two explosions went off in rapid succession and Alan flinched as a bit of debris clunked off his helmet.
"Fuck, I can't see, hold it still."
"A brick hit him what do you want?"
"I want a hammer,"
"you sure you can fix this thing?"
"Not a fucking chance."
"Then what the Fuck are we doing?"
"Trying to look busy in case the LT comes by,"
Alan Tuned out the arguing Troopers, turning his attention to the nearby entrenchment, made from some fallen bricks and a concrete barrier. A Guardsman armed with an LMG configuration of his rifle called an RPK, continued to watch down the street. Looking around the street further he saw some civilians watching with mild interest. One of them armed with an Ak, tried to shoo them away from the scene.
Beyond that, he saw one of the culprits, but at least this one saw who they were. An Infantryman sat behind a Browning machine gun, This machine gun hadn't shot and was the one to signal to stop shooting.
They were somewhat safe in an area like this, Armed civilians or militias fought either side or a specific group. Tired of Having soldiers running through their living rooms or shanty towns they began policing themselves. The Civilian militia outnumbered the Surviving Army and met the Europeans in equivalence, in the numbers game anyway. The groups that would fight alongside them were low, while the opposite faction didn't reveal themselves until the most inopportune moments for the Troopers.
As the crowd dispersed Only one remained, A girl around his age stared on. eyes darting from one end of the convoy clearly looking for something. Then glanced at him and he gave a simple nod.
Hearing a clang he looked back at the engine and saw Dom hitting a .50-shaped hole in the Gearbox.
"This fuckers dead, not gonna lie." Markus thankfully gave his input.
"no shit shut the fuck up before I kick your ass." Dylan sighed as he handed Dom a wrench. there was a clatter and Markus angrily stared back at Dylan.
"I'm going to touch you,"
"I said shut up Private,"
A commotion got him to turn around again. The girl was surrounded by two guardsmen. A sudden movement brought his attention beyond the half-track
"Lance Corporal Dylan, Congratulations, You are being promoted to Corporal," Ben Exclaimed as he walked past.
"wha- who- Where's Warren?"
Ben pointed behind him and they all looked. "Right there" What they saw gave everyone pause, Being supported by another Trooper not of their squad, was Corporal Damien Warren 25. A missing Leg And both arms cut off at the elbow. bandaged with bleeding stunted at most.
"what the fuck happened to him?" Dylan ran over to the Corporal as the other Trooper brought him to the back,
"The Cluster bomblets he found didn't like his existence"
Alan heard a yelp behind him and once more peeked. In time, he witnessed the Guardsmen pushing the girl into an Alleyway.
Alan lowered his rifle and stepped away from the working troopers. after a moment of consideration, Alan began walking to the alley.
"Alan, bring the light back" An annoyed Quebecois accent reached his ears, and it went ignored. "Alan!" Dom who had been standing on a chair to see inside looked out to find where Alan had gone, "Damn, he's the only one with a flashlight,"
Taking long steps toward the Alley the three disappeared, Making it just in time to catch the threatening words from the guard.
"My Brother died trying to protect you people, And you killed him. he's dead because you fucks don't know who the good guys are." in his hand, he held the struggling girl, the Parka she previously wore discarded somewhere. "Now I'm gonna make sure you people pay," The Other guardsmen, who at this point had been watching standing to the side saw Alan and stepped away.
Before the first guard could do anything further "Private!" Alan yelled down the dark alley, "Get back to your patrol route, or do you want me to beat you for dereliction of Duty!"
The man stopped and straightened, turning around Upon seeing the armour of a Shock Trooper all semblance of the previous attitude drained. holding his hand behind his back, his rifle hung from its sling.
"Sorry, Trooper I'll get to it, Sir," His fear stemmed from the General giving Shock Troopers the authority to punish soldiers who didn't listen due to a string of desertions. Corporals and Above were able to determine how severe the punishment was.
The Men ran past him and assuming he'd gotten to them, began patrolling around the convoy again. When they disappeared Alan walked toward the downed Girl and kneeled to her level as best he could. some of her clothes were ripped in areas and he grabbed her face and, using his other hand pulled up his rifle's flashlight.
Her eyes widened for a moment at the rifle barrel. it was close enough to her face where the light would do its job but not in her face to where he would be pointing a loaded firearm at her. Her eyes looked into his as he inspected the wound on her cheek. Hazel eyes, long and slightly tangled orange hair, under a puffball hat.
Concluding other than her winter wear she was fine. "Minor bruising, other than that you Green?" Lowering his rifle, he thought the question confused her.
"uh,"
"where'd they put your parka?"
"um," after a moment she pointed above. Alan craned his head upward seeing a bright orange Parka stuck onto a bit of rebar. upon further inspection the rebar was to a half-collapsed building, the only thing keeping it from further destruction was the other building it was leaning on, which was also almost collapsing.
"Do you have a spare at home?" he asked seeing it may be a little dangerous to climb. She nodded.
he stood back up, "what were you doing alone here?"
She seemed to get her bearings and remembered something. "I was looking for my younger sister, have you seen a kid around yay high?" she lifted her hand around his waist level.
"no, but I could help you until you leave the area," he offered a hand to help her up. She took it and she got back to standing level.
"I- thank you" She shivered and held herself as a gust of wind hit them.
Alan observed the fact it was extremely cold outside. He had a quick Idea. reaching up to his cloak he untied the string holding it to his neck and took it off. he turned to the civilian and wrapped her in the piece of cloth.
"thank you," she repeated.
"move," He said and she began walking out into the street and he followed. There he saw Dom and the two Alpha members holding a blowtorch to the engine, Dom was likely using the blue flame to see what he was doing.
"Thanks again for helping, I guess."
"just doing what I can,"
"No, you see, If it..." Trevor paused, Reconsidering the suggestion he received from the child next to him. Turning back to the burnt-out remains of the Abrams. "Yeah, I see what you mean,"
"If it got hit from the front the crew may have lived," a Short girl with Orange hair wearing a fur hat said next to him.
"And because it got hit from the top the crew didn't have much of a chance, I see." He had been conversing with this child who had asked what had taken out the tank he was standing by. his suggestion had been an Anti-tank missile, hers was a rocket from an RPG to the top of the turret. the more he looked at it, the more obvious it got.
"How- How do you know this, kid?" his question garnered silence.
"Ronnie" a voice off to his left yelled. A blur ran past him and took the girl into its arms. At this point, Trevor realized it was another girl.
Alan took the spot next to Trevor and stared at the burnt-out Abrams, eyes going from the open driver's hatch and scorched and open blowout panels, the commander and loaders hatches sealed shut. The fact that it hadn't crashed completely into the building in front showed that the driver clearly made it out.
"When did we lose this one?" Alan asked, ignoring the two girls, the youngest of the two receiving a scolding.
"day six I think," Trev glanced at Alan and had to do a double take. "Where's your rag?" the cloakless trooper pointed a thumb at the two civilians.
"Some guardsmen were messing with her and threw her parka away, its cold so I let her borrow my Cloak,"
"fair enough,"
"we're gonna have to carry our shit to the next Supply point, good thing it's only a click out from here,"
"were out of a shelter too,"
"ahem," the trooper's attention turned to the two behind. "I just wanted to thank you one last time, and..." she paused, "I've only ever heard terrible things about the expeditionary army, and it's nice to see not all of you are bad,"
"doesn't cost anything to be nice," Trevor explained,
"so, uh, Bye," she said and turned away, quickly walking away.
Alan turned back to the tank and started to examine the heavily battle-damaged Main Battle Tank more. The emblem of a white star inside of a square indicated this was a part of the Minnesota Armoured Battalion that accompanied the once massive army. The scorches on the side signaling the crew was likely cooked after the ammo went off-
"She didn't return your rag, Alan."
"damn it," his eyes searched down the street and didn't see the two.
"Hey, at least it was lost to a good cause," Trevor laughed, pointing to the Abrams bustle rack "So that has some fabric for a new one, and you're a little girly, knowing how to sew and shit,"
"Hey, it's a useful skill asshole," Alan saw what he was referring to, the fabric, it had an odd look to it. stepping closer he clambered onto the wreck and upon picking it up he realized it was a thermal masking tent, at least a small bit of it that hadn't burnt away or been perforated.
"you got enough for another blankie?" He asked as Alan tied the roll with a spare rope, which he also looted from the basket.
"Yeah and then some..." Placing the roll onto his back he inspected the inside of the Abrams, and he saw why the commander, loader and gunner didn't make it out. The ammo door was halfway open, likely in the middle of closing when it went up. "Trev shut up,"
"let's go," Alan jumped down after that, and the two walked back up the convoy.
"Fuck, I woke up in a weird position, all my bones hurt" Trevor's complaint made Alan raise an eyebrow.
"Dont go all rigor mortis on us already old man,"
"I'm Twenty-seven and the only motherfucker with a degree of medical training, It's the fucking straining from constant climbing,"
"And you call me a nerd when your over there copying a skeleton" Alan hit his shoulder,
"I'm not the Cannibal" Trevor slapped the back of Alan's helmet.
"I'm not a bitch," Alan returned the gesture.
"Your a fucking Stereotypical Alcoholic Indian" A jab at his side.
"You Gave me That first Whiskey mother fucker," Alan sending a punch to the Troopers helmet paused after that.
They stopped bantering as they entered the cone of light from a streetlamp above, Alan held the feeling of being watched, his eyes darting from building to building, not being able to spot what he felt may be a great danger.
"Hey, I think somethings-" There was a whizz and a thud, a warm liquid spraying Alan in the face.
Alan's thoughts raced as adrenalin gave him the awareness needed to comprehend the situation. A muzzle flash in a distant window gave him the bearing he needed.
"Sniper!" He yelled at the top of his lungs, grabbing his friends Alice webbing he dragged him behind a parked truck to his left. "Medic on me!" he inhaled to give another Order, "Riflemen, Return Fire, third-story apartment building one fifty meters due west!" Using his hand he signaled nearby Soldiers to return fire, Those who heard his command got into position and started firing up at the building.
Another shot from the Sniper hits its mark and a Guardsman falls.
"He's moved, Third floor, far right!" A Trooper yells.
Another soldier, likely the medic he asked for slid to a halt next to him and patted his shoulder
Alan shifted to hand Trevor over to the Medic and the Guard Medic sighed heavily.
"Sir, have no clue how to fix this," The man said behind him, He took a glance at Trevor and he saw the damage, Looking away he saw his friend's helmet lying on the pavement nearby.
Eyes moving across the street he saw another Riflemen holding a wound on his chest. Letting his friend lie on the ground he grabbed the dog tag, He didn't need to rip it off due to the state of his head.
Then grabbing the Medic by the shoulder he blocked him from the sniper's view as Alan stood and began moving. As he made it halfway Luck graced him once more as Another shot hit his helmet at the perfect angle.
Falling to the ground Alan continued to lay. Having fallen behind a concrete barrier on the sidewalk he saw he was in cover for the moment. His mind felt muddled, he could not think straight. The Medic grabbed him by the shoulder and dragged him deeper into cover.
"You fat fuck" At this Alan started to push himself into the barrier to help the medic.
Two hands pulled his head upward and into the Focused face of the Medic.
"Got some guardian angel watching you Corporal?" Alan pulled a hand up to his face and saw something enter his vision. The more his head recovered, the more he started to recognize the Kevlar fibres unravelling from their shape. a piece of Composite plate fell and he began to comprehend how close that bullet was to making sure he held the same fate as Trevor.
Rearranging his thoughts he put his mind back on track, his head hurt.
"Get on that Casualty!" Alan pointed off to the downed man across from him and Alan stood once more, hiding his body against a structural post.
Another hand held his shoulder, tilting his head to see who it was he recognized First Lieutenant Anders. his gaze holding a questioning look.
"Third Story, Still watching this street, moves every shot."
Anders nodded and ran out to the barrier, set up his rifle and took aim. Alan set up next to him. A shot rang out and a trooper flopped to the asphalt.
Anders saw something Alan didn't and fired once. lowering his rifle, "Corporal get your team to storm that building, I'll watch the windows." He Ordered.
"Sir," Alan stood and ran toward the Half-track "Grizzly on Me, I have Positive ID on Sniper!" at his word six troopers of varying squads followed.
"Come on, the more you lift the easier it gets." A Grunt motivated Komodo, They were standing around while the Recruits were tested. Komodo was attempting to pull himself up and was on his third rep.
Reggie nodded in satisfaction at the Progress Komodo had made, he could respect the kid's motivation. His attention went to Peep, she had already been training before joining up.
Then there was Korek, The Soldier, it's clear he'd trained before and this was becoming more apparent as the man lifted himself up without using his Aura.
"You know, I expected someone like you to be all inked up." Komodo strained. Reggie took notice, The Uniform he was issued revealed his arms.
"Tell us about what you did in the Penal Unit?" A Grunt asked.
Korek pulled himself up "Let's see," he thought, "Patrolling for Grimm, Putting down dissidents, and Burning deserters alive." The soldier dropped down.
"Neat," Kerry said off the the side.
"When will the Evaluation be done?" Korek asked, and Reggie pulled out his scroll.
"Like seventy minutes ago," Korek crossed his arms. despite the mask He saw the questioning look. "Hey the ladies wanted a show can you blame a man for providing?" he laughed.
Korek sighed and pointed off to the side, "Someone has been waiting for me for like... a few hours, is it good if I leave?"
"Yeah go ahead baby kicker, well see you next time we need muscle,"
"Baby kicker?"
"You kicked that huntsman's ass and he was half our age, Baby Kicker!."
"Right," At this Alan continued to walk out. Grabbing his things before leaving.
But before he could leave a pebble hit the side of his head, turning to the culprit he saw a familiar short White Fang grunt.
She motioned for him to come closer, and curiosity getting the better of him, he wandered over.
"So I can leave too?" The Ram received a nod "Cool,"
When Alan reached the short one she motioned to hold his arm out. Doing so she grabbed it and wrote something down. Confused he saw 'Number for my boss' and a winking face accompanied by a scroll number. His eyes went back to the short Grunt seeing her take a step back and immediately jump, disappearing out a window on the second story, narrowly missing a catwalk.
He stared up at the open window for a moment.
Deciding to ignore the display of agility Alan thought leaving was a good idea. Walking toward the broken door, it is held closed by a chair. Another Grunt sat on the Chair and saw Alan approach, sitting up he moved it and the door slowly opened on its own.
Exiting the warehouse he walked just before the exit to the alley and began to take off the White Fang Uniform. Eventually, he put on his undershirt and wrapped the upper half of the uniform and shotgun in the hoodie. As he moved to take off the mask he turned to see Peep watching him awkwardly.
"What?" He asked as he removed the mask, Her eyes glanced up at his face and a curious look adorned hers. Eyes noticibly hanging on his scar.
"You look way younger than I expected," Alan shrugged and placed the mask into the hoodie.
"Hm, I'm not that old."
Alan started to walk out of the Alley, Carmine did something simpler to hide the uniform, Wearing her jacket over the longer coat.
The Ram followed Alan "So, What do you do outside of being Evil?" The question made Alan smile at how straightforward she asked it. quickly hiding his mirth.
"I, uh..." He thought for a moment, Finding an answer in that moment, "I'm an Instructor," He answered as they walked up to a traffic light, A few cars passed by.
"hm, What kind of instructor?"
"Why are you suddenly so curious?"
"I just want to know okay?"
"Fine, I helped a few young huntsmen in combat training." Employing the fact he did indeed train some newer Troopers, Including Amin, and then there was Ruby and now Jaune. The light turned Green and they walked across the street.
"Is that why you didn't kill that Beacon Student?"
"Sure,"
"Well, Crap I didn't expect Baby Kicker to not be a complete asshole,"
"Hm," At his 'Hm,' The two turned in different directions and silently departed.
After about a few city blocks Alan found Goodwitches Car parked near the convenience store. From the front windshield, he saw she had fallen asleep at the wheel. Alan sighed as he looked over to the convenience store, He was a little hungry and felt a quick snack would help.
The elevator dinged like always and opened to reveal Alan wearing a T-shirt, his hoodie wrapped around A newly acquired shotgun and a White Fang uniform
Taking powerful steps, he made it to Ozpins desk in no time
"Those guard numbers are stupidly low," Alan complained, His worry about the state of the Vale wall guard had grown significantly since coming to Beacon.
"Yes, I see that,"
"is there anything you can do about it?"
"Yes, with the attack on the armoury and my suggestion, I can convince the council to increase funding."
"Ozpin" Ironwood began "you know you can ask and Atlas can help with the security of Vales defences," He suggested.
"But my worry is for the people, It makes them uneasy when they see an army outside their windows," Ozpin explained. Alan found that stupid.
"who would see an Army on the walls. The cows? or the rich people in the north?" Alan countered.
"What-" Ozpin thought for a moment. Opened a map of Vale, and sighed.
"See? to the south is fuckin Warehouses and fields of crops, Up north is mansions then offices, The East is blocked by Beacon."
"He has a point, The people of Atlas feel safe when a Knight or two is patrolling,"
"That's Atlas, what of the people of Mantle?" Ironwood silenced at Ozpins quip.
"Sir, I've seen people adapt to things like that, Eventually in Yellowknife despite the severe dip in population civilians lived on, while two forces tore each other apart in their living rooms," Alan thought of another point. "Besides, won't People want more security after this, Like you said,"
Ozpin sat in silence as he thought.
"Besides, this allows us to deploy an asset," This gave Ozpin pause.
"What kind of asset?" he asked, breaking from his thinking.
"Because of how early some of these operations are, they dig into my work schedule. So I have asked one of my top scientists to deploy a special project, one that could monitor The Corporal's missions while we are asleep or otherwise."
"That would be smart,"
"So what do you say?" A moment of silence as Ozpin pondered the offer.
After finding what he wanted to say, "It won't be too hard to convince the council, and this agreement would give time for the Guard to grow in numbers and to be trained and refit"
There was a notification on the large monitor. Seeing the names The Headmaster quickly shooed Alan away, "General, It seems news has reached the council, do you want to sit in on this and give your input?"
"Certainly."
At this, Alan placed the mask on the desk and silently walked away toward the elevator. The doors closed. leaving Alan alone in the elevator. Alan needed a nap.
Later
"Damn it!" Amin Yelled as he chucked the Game controller out the window. he received annoyed glances from Yang, Ruby and Jaune. "I'll go retrieve it," He quickly said after the expensive game controller disappeared into the outside.
Weiss watched on from the couch in the common room as Amin lost seven times in a row then proceeded to throw his controller out the window. It was some four-player fighting game, and Amin was clearly not having fun at all.
As the Private left, she decided to head back to her team's dorm and study to pass some time. Standing up she said a quick goodbye and started her way back. But upon walking past the Troopers dorm she heard some music playing
"O-o-o-oa-oa
O-o-o-oa-oa-a"
It was oddly upbeat, and curiosity got the better of her.
"So come and dance to the beat
Wave your hands together"
"Come feel the heat forever and forever
Listen and learn it is time for prancing"
The door was slightly ajar, stepping closer she slowly swung open the door.
"Now we are here with Carameldancing"
"Dance to the beat, wave your hands together"
It was dark but what she could see made her slightly concerned, The Corporal's scroll illuminated him with a myriad of colours. Alan was lying face down on the floor, All of his armour equipped. Because of her mild concern, she walked closer to the Trooper.
"Come feel the heat forever and forever
Listen and learn it is time for prancing
Now we are here with Carameldancing"
The song started to fade as she stood next to the now apparently sleeping Soldier.
"Oh, you're asleep," she whispered mostly to herself. The scroll's low battery Icon appeared so she decided to leave. But as she was about to turn around-
"Was," Jumping back slightly at his simple word, she calmed herself.
"Sorry for waking you," She apologized as Alan rolled over to stare at the ceiling. his one-hole mask revealing dark circles under his eyes. He took his silent scroll and closed it.
"It's alright, what time is it?"
"four Pm, are you having trouble sleeping again?"
"Something like that,"
The Heiress had a realization, she had the opportunity to ask a question her team had been wanting an answer for.
She lowered herself and sat next to the Corporal. His eyes glanced at her as the silence grew.
"I want to know something, and Answer truthfully," Nodding his agreement, she thought about how to word it.
"Alan, How old are you?" Deciding to be blunt about it
"I don't know,"
They stared at each other for a moment.
"Are you eighteen?"
"no, I'm..." He paused, Trying to remember what the average age was for a trooper his rank. "Twenty-five..."
Weiss sighed and flicked his visor down. "Answer me truthfully"
"Fine, Yeah, I'm like... Eighteen and a half," he said, raising the armoured visor back up.
"Good, that's All I wanted to know,"
"Really?"
"Yes, we all want to help with whatever you are going through, starting with you being honest with us."
"Okay,"
"That's it?" She questioned his response.
"what"
"I expected a little more resistance to our help,"
"I'm Retarded, not Stupid, Weiss," He said confidently.
"Ugh, Corporal where did you learn such bad language?"
"My Brothers, The Corporal before me, Some kid who shot at me with a slingshot that one time," he remembers that day. He was still a guardsman when a Local used a slingshot to send snowballs at Mach Jesus into his helmet.
She sighed and turned to the open doorway, "Well, Everyone is in the common room, and being cooped up in here doesn't sound too fun,"
"Fair Enough,"
Shining his flashlight into the room where he last saw the sniper, revealed the man lying on his back. A puncture in his chest showed Anders had hit him in the lung.
"Secure this floor," Alan ordered.
"Sir," Dom replied and sent a hand forward, taking the men of Alpha with him. That left him and Ben in the room.
"I'll watch your back." Alan heard, Moving forward he stepped up to the still-alive Sniper, he was holding his chest, and bleeding out fast. Seeing his hand was keeping him from complete blood loss he moved past to let him bleed out and moved to the man's rifle, It was an SVD rifle. Alan noticed an object wedged into the hole in the stock. It was a small book.
"Sir, this guy keeps a diary on his rifle."
"Read it and give me a report,"
"On it." Letting his rifle hang from its sling he picked the Marksman rifle from the floor and dislodged the booklet. gently placing the rifle down he inspected the outer cover of the book.
Then he finally opened it. It revealed a picture of a Shocktrooper, a red X in Marker crossed out his picture. He recognized him.
Master Corporal Lee Davis of Second platoon. Flipping another page he saw 1st Sergeant Alex Peirce, of Third Platoon. Also crossed out but with a black marker. and then Alan realized this was a hit list. These men have been dead for about a week now.
"Uh, sir I have some important shit here," Alan said as he switched to another page and that gave him pause. It was Trevor. Private First Class Trevor Stephen. Switching one last time he saw himself. a picture taken when he was at that hotel. Standing over a bleeding and scalpless officer. Alan didn't doubt Dom or Ben were in here somewhere. Another factor worth their attention was the pages in the book, It wasn't makeshift, they were printed, and laminated, bound together with a paracord. Possibly the only thing makeshift about it.
Passing the book to Ben who started to flip through it Alan walked over to the sniper, crouching down to him he began rifling through his belongings. Finding nothing but more ammo and two markers, he looked at his face.
"you speak any English?"
He received an angered stare. Alan looked for any markings and found only a black cross.
"Finish?" He asked, "Karelian?"
"Suksi vittuun!" He cursed in his language. "I hope... you find... happiness..." He wheezed "only for it to get ripped away," Saying these words between strained breaths.
"fair enough" Alan pulled out a knife from the sniper's belt, It was a double-edged fighting knife with a hand guard that formed into a pair of knuckle dusters. "Nice knife,"
Alan flipped it around, held it in a reverse grip in his left hand and stared at the sniper, The Man's eyes steeled and awaited his fate. The Corporal held it to his throat and stared directly into the man's bright blue eyes.
"Aapidingwaami," His words held no emotion as he watched the man slowly lose consciousness. "Fall asleep, you won't see anyone you hold dear again," Once he deemed the perfect moment the Corporal pulled the knife toward his right shoulder and watched his life fade completely.