6 September 1097
Picale's Mansion
Eliaz 'Blitz' Kotz
I can't help but let out a deep sigh of relief. Cohen and Alexsandr are wounded but in stable condition. The Rhodes Island Operators are in great condition. We survived a bug horde straight out of Starship Troopers and we now have air support.
Frost and I are the only ones on Team Rainbow who aren't wounded. Exhausted as hell, but nonetheless in perfect combat condition. I wish the same could be said for Ash and Tachanka.
Glancing towards the two I can't help but smile slightly. The two of them are passed out while leaning against the collapsed pillar. This has to be the first time in these last six months that they are sleeping. With Cohen constantly worrying about what to do next and who to trust and Alexsandr who is constantly on guard duty…
I should teach them how to relax once in a while and take things slow before they work themselves to death.
Although their wounds are nothing to smile about. There is shrapnel stuck in Cohen's hip and gut, she would need surgery to survive that. She would be fine for a couple of hours before her wounds start to get serious.
Alexsandr on the other hand…his entire leg is torn to shreds. It's like the shrapnel specifically targeted his leg. Unfortunately, his leg needs to be amputated and that means he will no longer be active for combat…which means he will have to retire from Team Rainbow…
Don't think about that now. Be optimistic. Be the goofball everyone knows me for. They don't need to see me depressed…
I should probably go and check up on Picale and the villagers. See if I can go and help them.
Moving out of the courtyard towards the main mansion entrance I can't help but glance at the dozens of craters that litter the surrounding area.
Those gunships really went all out. Too bad it almost got us killed…ugh but who am I to blame? At the end of the day, they did save our lives.
"Woah…" I look around the inside with star eyes. This place is massive. There's a giant grand staircase in the middle of the room. Infected people are against the left side of the room and non-infected on the right side…guess segregation is common here.
I wave at one of the guards calling him over. "Hey bro, sorry to bother you. But can you please direct me to Lady Picale. I need to speak to her."
The guard gives me a small smile before throwing his thumb over his back while pointing towards the grand staircase. "Yeah no problem dude. She is in the old master's bedroom…oh yeah sorry you don't know the layout of this place."
He rubs the back of his head sheepishly before continuing. "Just go up the stairs and turn right. She is in the tenth room on the left side…just look for the massive golden door. Trust me, you won't miss it."
I thank the guard and move up the stairs. I noticed that the railings are made out of pure gold…Jesus. Just how rich is Picale's family?
Moving down the corridor I see various rooms that are occupied by the town's villagers and infected. Children embrace their mothers, clinging to them because they are afraid. The father's standing near the doorways ready to defend their families with their lives. The elderly barely holding on…
"What a fucked up situation this turned into…" I mutter to myself.
After another minute of walking, I finally come across the master bedroom, and true to the guard's word, it is impossible to miss. And the door is also made out of gold…
Really? Do the people on Terra mass produce gold or something, because this is just unbelievable?
"Shiza" I mutter while slowly pushing the massive gold door open. "How the hell is anybody supposed to open this." After putting my last remaining stamina into the door it finally heaves open.
"Blitz…what are you doing here? Is there something I can help you with?" Picale asks me while looking slightly concerned as she stands next to a coffin on a table. It must be her father who is in the coffin.
Come to think of it. Picale looks so much more timid than compared to yesterday. Yesterday she was prepared to chop us to pieces with her giant axe…but now she looks like a girl who simply doesn't know what to do.
"I just came here to check on how you were doing and to tell you that reinforcements are almost here," I say while putting my shield down against a fancy-looking table.
She leans against the wall and closes her eyes for a moment. "I am doing fine for the moment…as for the villagers, they are a bit anxious due to the constant explosions coming from those two aircraft outside."
It's true, even I am a bit on edge from the constant firing of the autocannons from the gunships. And the Danger Close air support from earlier really shook all of us up. My fingers have been a bit twitchy since that encounter.
"And then there is the rest of Long Springs…or what's left of it. I don't know what to do now. Those mutated creatures overran the entire town, destroying everything in their path and the aircraft are destroying what's left in pursuit to kill said creatures." Picale rubs her eyes with her fingers for a moment before continuing.
"And I don't even think I can repay you and your friends for helping me and for helping to protect the villagers…and then I most likely have to repay the owners of those aircraft for saving everyone."
Picale is clearly in stress and is close to having a panic attack…I can not let that happen, especially now of all times.
Moving up to her I place a hand on her shoulder. "Hey Picale don't worry. You don't have to repay us, I promise. And as for this unknown organization, I am pretty sure they are reasonable people and we will be able to work something out with them…just don't lose hope."
Picale gently sacks her shoulders, clearly relaxing. "So this is your old man huh?" I ask her while looking at the coffin that is also covered in…gold. Jeez at this point you can repay them with all the gold around here.
She lets out a soft sigh as she runs her hand across the casket. "Yes, he was a far better person than I was and that coward brother of mine."
"Hey, you aren't a coward Picale. Today's events further cemented that. You stood with us against the horde. You helped protect everyone in this town." I say to her so that she can calm down.
"Thank you, Blitz, but I unfortunately will never live up to my father and family's name. He saved all the infected townspeople; he built the infected quarters for them. He made it so that noninfected and infected don't interact just to prevent violence."
That last part sounds like segregation…I shouldn't say anything about it right now. "Your father sounds like he was a wonderful and caring person, and I believe you are just like your father. Helping all these people here."
For the first time today, Picale let out a genuine smile before it turned into a frown. "Thank you…I just don't know what happened to my brother. He was such a sweet boy. Always helping everyone and playing with the guards…did the years he spent in Columbia change him?"
"That is very likely Picale. People can change in a single day, and a couple of years is a lot of time. People can become monsters due to the slightest inconvenience."
"I guess that's true." She forms her hands into fists causing her knuckles to turn white. "But for all the damage my brother caused, he can not be forgiven. I have but no choice but to kill him."
"Uhhh are you sure Picale? He is your last family member…" Wow, things took a drastic turn.
"Yes. And I do not care. He is ultimately the one who started this whole mess. He is the reason half of the town is dead and he is the reason why what is left of my town is now being turned into craters!" She exclaims with a look of bloody murder on her face.
"Okay, okay I know this situation is bad. But it is never the correct option to let your emotions take over. Just take deep breaths and let's go outside to catch some fresh air and calm down." I say to her hoping that she will calm down
"Hmph! Fine" She huffs and walks towards the large golden door that leads to the hallway. She is still clearly pissed off. I can't say I blame her.
I pick my shield up and follow behind her. And with ease, Picale pushed the golden door open as if it was made out of carton. The door that I struggled to open and she just swung it open.
This world is really unfair.
As we move down the hallway towards the staircase a couple of Picale guards form up behind us and start following must be Picale's protection. Although I can't see how a woman…walking juggernaut like Picale needs protection and her guards are also walking juggernauts!
"Uhh hey Picale. We might-" As I was asking her a question the ground slowly started to rumble. The walls of the mansion started to shake causing everyone who was taking shelter in here to cower.
"Wh-what's happening!" One of the guards following us exclaimed in panic.
"Why is the ground shaking and what is that noise!" The other one says out in a panic. Their animal ears easily pick up sounds and noises that regular humans can't hear.
Upon focusing my ears, I hear a faint humming noise. The noise is growing louder by the second and as it grows louder, the building starts to shake more. It almost sounds like massive engines.
"Blitz! I need you outside now, you are not gonna believe this." Frost says to me over the radio.
"Picale, we need to go outside now." We started sprinting down the hallway and the grand staircase. Our footsteps echo across the marble floor as we burst through themain entrance and finally exited the building.
Immediately I noticed something was wrong.
It was the giant shadow that was sprawled across the ground in front of me.
It was the eerie silence as we all looked up into the sky to search for whatever produced the earthquake and giant shadow.
It was the owner of the loud humming noise.
It was the giant fucking spaceship hovering a couple hundred meters above our head.
"What is that?" Picale finally breaks the silence while looking up at the spaceship with wide eyes.
No one answers her.
My eyes were currently busy studying every single detail of the spaceship in the air. It has three giant engines that are burning blue flames. The ship is colored a dark metallic grey. Hundreds of lights are on the hull of said ship.
The same logo that is on the gunships is on the side of the ship, way at the back. But only this time it is way larger. 'UNSC' sprawled out underneath the logo.
At the front of the ship in giant letters is the word 'Gomorrah'. Gomorrah must be the spaceship's name…so in other words it is UNSC Gomorrah.
So is this our support? Can't lie…I am a bit excited.
While everyone outside is busy staring at Gomorrah. She decided that she was not gonna be hovering above our heads and be idle.
Gomorrah started rotating a couple of degrees left while hovering in place. Out of the top side of the hull, dozens of turrets started to emerge. All of them pointing at the horde that is currently being held back by the two gunships.
And in an instant, the silence is yet again broken by the main guns of Gomorrah. The guns started opening fire and unleashed hell onto the giant horde.
Massive fireballs and dust clouds started filling our vision as dozens upon dozens of explosions started erupting in the remnants of the town. And it just didn't stop.
The echo of the guns and sound blast of the explosions. The tiny shockwaves that pass through us. The smell of blood, dust, and the complex, indescribable smell of explosions fill my nostrils and the nostrils of everyone outside.
The two gunships started pulling back from the main event. Content with sitting back and letting the spaceship have her course of destruction.
Only one thing crossed my mind.
We shouldn't piss these people off. Under any circumstance.
Looking over my shoulder, I see Ash and Tachanka who are still passed out against the pillar due to blood loss. Shit…they need medical attention ASAP.
"Picale gather your guards and just be on the lookout for anything suspicious." I tell Picale while trying to tone out the constant explosions in the background.
Picale nods her head. "Okay. Me and my soldiers will patrol the mansion and I will notify you if I see anything." With that she and her guards took off to patrol the surroundings of the mansion.
Frost walks up to me with a tired expression. "This is one weird fucking day Blitz." She points at the spaceship. "I mean. What. The. Fuck."
"We have been trapped on this planet for the past six months. We met different species. Different cultures that appear primitive. A deadly disease or infection that slowly kills someone in an agonizing way."
Frost stares into my eyes with a look that just screams 'Wake me up right now'. "And now we have fucking aliens bombarding the horde of mutated fucking animals." She says in a voice that is way too calm.
"I know Frost. I just stopped thinking about it. At least it can't become any crazier than it already is." I say while letting out a small unsure chuckle. "Hehe…"
Not even a second after those words left my mouth a fighter jet screamed over our heads with a loud screech before dropping a bomb. And in the next moment, a massive wall of fire sprung forth.
"You just had to open your mouth Blitz…and are they dropping napalm!? Why the hell are they dropping so many bombs? What caused their war doctrine to be so destructive?"
Frost let out a frustrated sigh as ten more fighter jets screamed over dropping more napalm on the horde….or what's left of it.
The heat from the napalm in the distance caused the surrounding air to become unpleasantly hot.
"Hey Frost. I recommend you take five. Maybe go check up on everyone and see how they are doing?" I ask her, hoping that she will take my advice and do something to distract herself from this weirdness.
"Yeah, yeah. I got it." She starts walking over to the entrance of the mansion.
I turn and stare back at the scorched earth that is unfolding in front of my eyes. Another couple of planes sweep in to drop off their payload. "Jesus. This is a bit overkill, I'm starting to feel sorry for the fuckers."
Upon closer inspection of the planes flying overhead, I make out that they look like Stingrays? That is one weird design for a plane. The B1 and B2 stealth bombers from America look more…practical than these Stingrays.
Scanning the sky for more 'Stingrays' I spot hundreds of black specs in the sky. Everyone is at a different altitude, if I have to guess I'll say that there are around 20 bombers at every hundred meters in elevation…in other words…
There is a hornet's nest of bombers in the sky with their queen here hovering above the ground.
"Since Ash and Tachanka are wounded and out of action. Frost suffering from mental exhaustion, it is my turn to make contact withthe UNSC forces and seek orders from them since we are now for the time being under their command." I mutter to myself while grabbing the radio off my harness.
"Now what is their frequency again…"
Grabbing my combat radio from my harness I quickly tune into the correct frequency "This is Operator Blitz to any uhhh UNSC forces in the area, do you read me over?"
After a couple of seconds of silence from the radio, I finally heard a reply. The voice sounds cold, stern, and heartless. Reminds me of my drill sergeant back in boot camp in Germany.
"This is Captain Granite of the UNSC Gomorrah. If I am not mistaken I am supposed to be talking to a person with the codename of 'Ash'." The voice replies without a hint of emotion.
"Uhhh yeah. I am currently speaking in her stead because she is currently unconscious due to blood loss I believe. Are we going to get medical support over here?" I ask while glancing towards the Gomorrah.
"Affirmative. The main marine detachment is en route via Pelicans and will arrive at your position in eta two minutes. There are combat medics among them who would be able to assist you until we set up a medical tent. How many wounded do you have and what condition are they in?"
Damn. Didn't know we were getting marine support. Are the UNSC marines the same as the American ones? Or are they the same as the British Royal Marines?
Looking toward the pillar I scan the various people prop up against it. Ash and Tachanka are critically wounded. A couple of the Sarkaz Mercenaries are also in critical condition. The rest of them are suffering from exhaustion.
The soldiers on the wall looking at the onslaught are in fighting condition. Rangers who is standing with the guards on the wall is also in good condition. The same could be said for Franka and Liskarm since the two of them are arguing about something.
I have no idea about the civilians inside. They all looked all right to me, but that means that there could be something wrong with them that I don't know about.
I reply back into the radio. "We have a couple of wounded here that are in critical condition. The civilians on the other hand are unknown. They seemed to be in good condition to me but I could be wrong over."
"Affirmative Blitz. We will transport the critically wounded to the medbay onboard the Gomorrah where they will receive further medical attention. I just have one question for you Operator Blitz."
Thank God Ash and the others will receive more help…I wonder what question he has for me?
"What exactly is your question Captain?"
"Are you human? Not the Terran definition but the homosapien one? And do you come from the 21st Century Earth?" The captain asks.
The moment I heard those words, my body instantly froze. Wha-? How does he know about Earth? And that we come from the 21st Century…Are they also humans?
After a couple of seconds of stunned silence, I finally respond. "Uhhh yes Captain…how did you know? Are you also from Earth? Are you here to save us? When did we get spaceships?"
I bombard him with questions, yet the Captain simply replies in his emotionless tone.
"Your questions will be answered later, Blitz. All that I can say right now is that we have a very confusing situation on our hands over here. Just follow our orders for the time being. Captain Granite out." And with that, the Captain cut the connection.
"Shit. I need to tell Frost that the UNSC is human and also comes from Earth."
She should be in the Mansion if I am not mistaken. I started walking towards the Mansion and couldn't help but notice the sound of explosions…or the lack of them.
Seems like the bombers have completed their bombing runs and the UNSC Gomorrah is finished with her saturation of the area…Jesus, I wonder in what state they will be in. Or if there is going to be a town left.
In the next moment, the ground started shaking yet again and the sound of dozens of jet engines filled my ears. Looking towards the roof of the Mansions I spot dozens of small olive green spaceships flying over it.
The errr…dropships didn't move far overhead before the giant thrusters at the back of the dropships turned downwards and a dozen dropships started their slow yet fast descent toward the massive courtyard.
The giant jet engines caused dust to be thrown everywhere and caused me and a couple of others who were outside to cover our eyes. "Fuck, sand and dust is really starting to piss me off."
The moment the dropships touched down and their rear ramps opened. A dozen soldiers who are also dressed in some futuristic olive green combat armor emerged from the belly of the beasts.
The soldiers wasted no time in securing key positions around the mansion. Different squads and platoons started jogging towards the wall and took positions there. Others secured the dropships and a platoon went into the Mansion to secure it from the inside.
Oh no, the civilians, Frost and Picale are going to be in for a surprise.
Seeing one of the soldiers walking in my direction I copy him and move to him as well. He might be the CO in charge of these soldiers. After we get close to each other he grabs my shoulder and pulls me close and shouts in my ear.
"Hey! Are you the Operator with the codename of Ash?" He shouts in my ear since the sound of the Dropships' engines is filling the area.
I shout back into his ear. "Negative! Ash is currently unconscious and requires immediate medical attention. There are also others who are critically wounded. Including another human."
"Copy that. We'll load the humans into the Pelicans first and send them to the Gomorrah for medical attention. After them, we will send the Xenos!"
Xenos…oh no. Don't tell me they are that type of human.
"uhhh Affirmative! Could we move inside the Mansion to discuss this further!? I can't hear you over the….ummm Pelicans!"
The soldier gripped my shoulder and squeezed it. "Lead the way soldier. We'll be right behind you."
With that, me and the CO as well as other soldiers moved into the mansion to get out of the miniature dust storm created by the dropships…that are called Pelicans.
Hopefully, I can finally get some answers from them.
Entering the mansion again, I am met by the sight of a couple of UNSC soldiers setting up a table in the middle of the room. Seems like they have chosen the mansion to be the field HQ.
"Okay, I need everyone to gather around the table now. That includes you, Blitz." The CO ordered.
Looking closer at theinsignia on the combat armor on his shoulder I can make out the shape. It looks like a seven-leaved clover…meaning he is a Lieutenant Colonel. And the other soldiers around him are possibly other officers.
As we gathered around the table a couple of familiar and unfamiliar faces entered the mansions. The Rhode Island Operators were the first to enter and move to the table.
The looks on the soldiers were something. They looked at Franka and Liskarm with mild curiosity and caution. Rangers on the other hand… they looked at him with hatred and disgust. Not even trying to hide their scowls.
That confirmed it. These guys are extremely xenophobic and racist towards anything that isn't human…or human enough.
"I'm sorry. Can I help you three?" The Colonel asked the three of them.
I had to give it to him. He is doing a fantastic job at controlling his anger. He seemed ready to just shoot the poor old wise lizard on the spot.
"Ahhh yes. It is quite obvious that you and your soldiers are preparing to go to battle here. Me and my other two companions here would like to offer our help to you. And before you decline our offer I have to inform you that I am extremely familiar with the terrain around the area and that Rhodes Island would be indebted to you." Rangers spoke while ignoring the looks of hatred he was receiving.
"So you are Rhodes Island operators huh? You are lucky that we need Rhodes Island's help with some personal matters later on…So I'll swallow my pride for the time being and accept your help."
"Much appreciated." Rangers responded ever so calmly.
The main door swung open again and Frost walked in while being accompanied by a woman dressed in a black skin tight uniform. She has amber eyes and white hair. There is a pyramid insignia with a eye inside on the left side of her uniform.
The two of them were talking as if they were best friends. The unknown woman smiling while looking down at Frost and Frost looking a bit more clamed downed.
"Its been a pleasure talking to you Frost. Unfortunately I have to get back to work." The unknown woman turned and looked at the Colonel who was staring at her with even more hatred.
"Ahhhh Lieutenant Colonel Charon. Glad I found you." She turns her head towards the Rhode Island Operators.
"Oh my. I didn't expect you to play friendly with the Xenos" She says while keeping her eerie smile.
"What is a Spook doing down here? You weren't part of the briefing." Charon responded.
The spook simply shrugged and stopped next to Charon who was shaking with anger. "Well you see. The Admiral and the others at the top got into a pretty big argument. Apparently, it wasn't very smart of the Admiral to you know…send an entire frigate planet side. And exposing our existence. So a compromise was made. They send me here to establish diplomatic relationships with the local errrrr lord here and keep our presence a secret."
"Fine, whatever spook. Just go and do your shit and leave the rest of us out of your mind games." Charon responded with venom in his voice.
"Okie dokie. Does anyone here know where I can find whoever is in charge of this town…. oops sorry. The town doesn't exist anymore hehe." She laughs while mocking the fact that an entire town was razed to the ground by their forces.
Now I understand why Charon hates this woman. She is disgusting.
"You can find her on the second floor to your right on the left side of the hallway. Just go through the big golden door on your left side miss." Rangers responded to her calmly.
"Thanks a bunch, Rango." She starts walking off while waving her hand over her back.
"She just not just called Rangers Rango…and I have so many questions Blitz," Frost whispered into my ear next to me.
"Me too Frost, we just have to wait before we can get some answers."
"Fucking ONI bitch." Charon said quietly but loud enough to hear while staring at the woman walking up the stairs.
"Okay, this is going to be our plan of action."
Author Notes.
Okay sorry it took so long for this chapter.
I didn't know how to write it and I am currently struggling with family issues which is fucking draining me.
I don't know how long it will take to write the next chapter. Sorry.
Again leave suggestions that can improve the story and my writing.
Untill next time.