13 hours ago, F.O.B.
G.o.D. Squad headed to one of the V-22 Ospreys stationed in the hangar. The sounds of the engines started to ignite little by little as the pilots noticed the members coming aboard. All ready to take off for their mission as they sat down in the seats with their parachutes on their backs.
"Alright, get in. Are you all set?" Walter asked.
"Ready," Berat said.
"Set to go, my man," Berat replied.
"Si, standing by."
"Same here."
"We're on time, OK?" Ji-ae said in a coarse tone.
"Good to hear. Now, you know the drill. Get to that stadium, get the so-called Navigators to safety and if necessary, crack some Zloc and Marine skulls apart. They all knew the risk that some heavily-armored sons of bitches with gear up their asses would come one to smoke 'em up, yet they still did it."
"Hey, there's always the saying; mindless fear is greater than mindful fear...or something like that," Mehdi replied.
"No time for novelist crap. Courage or not, they're idiots to the end." All members chuckled in response.
"Well now," Walter then grabs a walkie talkie communicator and presses a button, "we're set, all ready to fly-Oh hold on, there's something else."
They all noticed the one who made Walter interrupt his call to the pilot who is about to take off. It was Sylvster himself in the flesh.
Perhaps some encouragement needed?
"Ugh, did we miss something, Mr Walker?" Ji-Ae asked, still with a coarse tone.
"Nothing, I just wanted to say some words before you head off to your heroic mission."
"Oh, with pleasure, man," Walter said.
"So anyway, you already know how much this mission can mean to us, even though the previous one was already a job well done. And despite what happened with...a certain someone, I still hope for the best on these coming days for us."
"But, don't you think that Alien girl wants nothing but peace in her mind?" Valentina asked.
"...Valy, you already understand that when it comes to things beyond our wildest thoughts, they always need caution. Who knows what she can hide?"
"Always remember to never underestimate the unknown, Sly."
"And what do you exactly mean by that, Valy?"
"...Just get on in what you were trying to say." Celina looks with her eyebrows drawn together while Berat can only look away from what was said.
"Where was I...Oh yeah, there. Step by step, by ensuring that the path of victory is ensured, the path for salvation will be closer than ever. You know how pleasant salvation can be for the common folk on this planet."
"What about the common folk of other planets? Exclusive much?" Berat said. Sylvester groaned a bit from his words yet remained still as always.
"Look, all that we know about foreign species that we, again, for the first time here, we encountered them in the flesh, and it's like we expected from all the TV shows and movies we watched as kiddies. And even still, they got our sorry asses kicked. And...honestly can't speak for much of the rest." The others can only look with locked glances, some murmur to each other and one, at least Walter, looks away with not a single expression in his eyes, as it doesn't bear anything for him to care about. "But again, the same could be said for our own people on this planet, every now and then. You know the drill. But the point remains the same, our mistakes when we were at each other's throats, there was still a glimmer of managing ahead. And on and on, until we achieve a state of full unity."
"What if we don't?" Ji-ae asked.
"Just keep on," Sylvester said with a smirk, Ji-ae grimaced in response. "And if we don't keep that?
"Just keep on." Ji-ae leaned closer. "Now listen up here you-"
"Just keep on."
"Just what the hell, asshole?! How can you expect us to believe that uttering such simple words would even make something worth out of this?! Like, is your throat-"
"In every moment of ourselves, we took the worst hits we could imagine in any form, either through weather, the environment, the animals, weapons, experiments, and the sort. But let me ask you, for all that destructiveness and, perhaps, the wickedness behind them, the fact that you and you and you and you and you and especially you, are over here listening to me speaking in the flesh to hear about what you need to know about this makes it clear. Just keep on."
Silence entered the room, with the team only looking at each other without the murmur, everything about what Sylvester said, what he stated, what he believed. Was it all part of his mystique? Or perhaps a shred of what lies inside of him? Walter sighed in response while Ji Ae, Mehdi, Celina and Berat looked back at him.
You and your bleeding heart, as if we need those at all.
Our survival was possible all thanks to that? Can't say I disagree, honestly.
Okay, Mr Rousseau.
That's a good reason why we follow you, my colonel.
After some contemplation over his words, Walter stepped and looked at him, now looking at him while he rolls his neck and sighed.
"With all due respect, Sylvester, we lost a handful of the best already. But if anything else, you can count on more to come if that's what you believe."
"Whatever it may be, the notion is one not to be underestimated," Sylvester replied. Walter scoffs in response while looking at his team.
"In any case, until the next life?"
"And the next ones after that? You're damn right I'll see it. Now move it out, it's time for your time, people." Walter smiled as he turned around to wave his hand at the pilot, who by his signal started to ignite the rotors of the Osprey. Right when they reached the maximum speed to lift off, Walter exchanged glances with Sylvester one more time before the door closed down and the Osprey flew away towards San Diego in order to accomplish the mission.
Sylvester only looked at the vehicle flying away at a long distance, all while he slightly smiled at it, yet he slowly nodded at it.
"Godspeed to us all..."
Present time
"Hey Sly," Jackson says as he looks at Sylvester who was staring in blank space of the Chrome Copter. He does not answer his call until he turns around twice and stutters a bit in what to say.
"Oh...yes Jack?"
"You alright, man? It seemed like there was something going on inside of you. Or I'm just overthinking a whole lot."
"No, you're right...It was back before they left."
"Oh yeah. Something that ringed your mind?" he asks while he holds one of the M4 rifles in his shoulder.
"What Valy said. Something about never underestimating the unknown, that I thought that's what I was doing with Amira."
"That Valy, she sure knows her cryptic responses," he quips.
"Well, it's not just that. There's also something deeper beyond what she said. At first, I thought she only referred to the Zlocans we were facing. At this point, we could say that even in their current stage, we're most likely even have a small percentage of how predictable they can be."
"To be honest, I can't see anything wrong with that. As long we can teach our arts of counterattacks," Jackson replies with a sly smile.
"Yeah yeah. Yet, I felt something else..."
"Oh really?"
"Nah, I'm just joking with you."
"Boy, you ain't tricking me with the oldest trick of all books. "
"Sneaky ass." Jack starts to chuckle too as he looks at Sylvester, who does not have an idea of what he is going on about.
"Is there something extra funny about what I said?"
"Oh no no, man...but she does," Jack says as he nods with his face in the direction of someone else that he is pointing to. Sylvester does so, it turns out to be Amira, with a slight smile on her face.
"You read it all, didn't you?" Sylvester asks.
"Well, I got too curious," she says sheepishly as the rest of the crew chuckles at her too. Sylvester shakes his head as he chuckles too. A little bit of fun from them indeed, perhaps sorely needed.
"Yeah yeah..." Sylvester then stands up as he approaches near the cockpit where Seiner is piloting the chopper, manning it as the usual business.
"Do you see something resembling a stadium, boy?"
"Negative. We're still a few kilometers away from the city. Maybe a few more."
"Mmmm, keep on going then. But we better hurry or else-"
"They die? Yes, I get it mate. The less worrybug you are, the better the situation and you know it." This prompts Lucy to shoot a scowl on his face as she hears the response. "Ok, forget what I said...happy?"
"As long as ye can be, boy," Lucy says. After that, Sylvester's pocket shakes, which makes him reach it with his hand. It's the phone ringing. He then presses a button and puts it near his ear.
"Yes? Oh, you mean the news? Oh damn...thank you, Major, I'll do it right away." Sylvester hangs up the phone as he scrolls across the phone until clicking on a news app. It has a headline which says:
"An Address to the nation and the world by President Hernandez."
This makes Sylvester's eyes widen as he leans again to the cockpit of the chopper. Seiner, however, grimaces at the sight of the Colonel.
"No time for some rant, use the chopper's board to connect with the broadcast of the news. It's very important for you to hear it."
"Oh, the president?"
"Well no, the head of the WWF...Of course, it's the president."
"Upping the competition, aren't you...alright then." Seiner then presses some buttons on the board of the chopper. After a few moments of silence, the speakers start to transmit audio coming from Sylvester's phone. So far, only murmuring in the background is heard, with some loading their cameras and some military officers in the back, waiting for the arrival of the president.
"This better be good to hear. From a good authority figure for once I hope," Andrei quips. Sylvester can only groan slightly before turning back to the cockpit of the chopper. After moments of silence pass by, a figure appears, revealing a middle-aged dark-skinned woman dressed in a red suit, and greying black hair. Sylvester smiles as he sees her come to the stage of the press briefing room of the White House.
"My fellow Americans, allow me to gather all your attention in regards to the events that ocurred in our nation and around the world. This is to address not just all American soldiers and citizens stuck and suffering under the occupation of the Zlocu, as well as the soldiers currently on the battlefield near home, but to all the same ones around the world. These days and weeks have been hugely difficult for us to bear, seeing every inch and part of ourselves being struck down and seized away by the prying force. Families, friends, co-workers, all separated at the hands of these very hands. And it comes with my utmost regret, that some who were responsible for such actions - the ones who are said to be dealt with swift- were done at the hands of members of our own species. And most especially from most of our own countrymen who betrayed all values the nation stood for in favor of a system that they believe could benefit from it.
"The nation has suffered enough strife and bloodshed ever since the tragedy of 2020 and 2021 when the nation fought among themselves in the most reprehensible, bloodiest ways we've never seen since 1861 and 1964, all because of the National Restorationists and even conservatives' refusal to accept the changing times. Times in which unity and prosperity are awfully needed in a time of division, instead of hatred and suspicion, something the most extreme ones operated with that mindset. Scars made by either a force from the outside or even ourselves have proven part of the best of our people could endure every inch of violence, terror and death. These elements have always tried enough to shatter the spirit, our spirit, their spirit."
As she goes on, Seiner looks at something from afar as he continues to fly. He smiles as he taps on Sylvester's shoulder to let him see what he saw.
"And yet, for every destruction an enemy has brought to both America and the world, a common trait was there to help us see what is to be done to set things right. Those who have tried to stir hatred and destruction to those who don't believe their mindsets never thought of the one thing that could strike them down, a message from their victims. It is determination, a push forward to take back what was lost. To show that every part of hatred and violence and disinformation that they transmit will be fought back. To ensure that all values we stand for are upfront and relevant and make it safe and peaceful. It is not just the spirit we Americans fight for, but the people of the world as well. To work together for a better tomorrow for all people who deserve a better life and future. It also comes to head to all potential Alien races out there if they exist, if they try to cross our boundaries just like the Zlocu wanted, then we'll resist too. But if you're one for peace, then we can come together in open arms for the creation of a new era for us all."
"Alright, we're almost near fellow teammates, get ready!" Sylvester says he heads back to the door where he has his bag while the other members gather their weapons to start their battle, still with the speech on air.
"And as of now, we've received news of new major victories across the world, ranging from L'Aquila, Vancouver, Belo Horizonte and now one of our own, San Jose. All thanks from certain people who, by courage and valor for their own brethren, managed to push back against the tyranny of the Zlocu and the traitors of our precious planet. They are still on the battlefield as we speak, pushing forward against our enemies who threaten the peace. "
The chopper, still on stealth mode, approaches the stadium, with most Zlocan and Renegade Marines lining up in a circle as they observe the other prisoners apart from the Navigators. Sweating, bruised, cuts on certain parts of their bodies, all sort of injuries covers them. All while O'Ellis holds his M9 pistol near one of the Navigators.
"We still do not know the secrets the Zlocu can hold. Will they have a weapon capable of striking at our country or any country? That, we do not know. But that does not matter, because as long as it kills millions of innocent lives, it means a blow for all of Humanity. So I ask you again, soldiers and civilians from both America and around the world, when everything seems hopeless and that nothing will be done to solve it, then just remember these words to know what to do: Just keep on. That is all you need to know and you will know that you will come through. Let all the trapped innocent people and loyal soldiers that you will be there for them. For their safety, their health, their spirits."
"Alright...drive us closer, I want to hit that bastard with my rifle," Sylvester growls as he loads his rifle.
"Be careful, Sly," Jack replies.
"I'm always careful..." The chopper lowers to get closer to the stadium, O'Ellis approaches Walter while looking down from the injuries he sustained and the trauma that happened from Mehdi's death.
"I'm sorry that you had to barge in here uninvited...but at least we'll show our deluded countrymen to open their eyes and see the truth."
"Fuck off..."
"And I'll make sure it'll be pretty enough for them to see." O'Ellis aims his gun at Walter's forehead, all while the cameras are recording it from other stations that are not airing the president's press conference.
"Let us pray for the courage, heroism and valor that fill their spirits with determination to come out alive, for us all, for all living beings deserving better. And to those who attempt to think twice in joining the other side, remember the brethren you grew and know what is the cause that is worth fighting for the most. Remember your own origins and know what to truly fight for, so we can march onward to salvation."
Sylvester readies his rifle as Logan and the others ready to begin their assault on the stadium, Seiner included as he presses some buttons which lead to a screen that says: "Autopilot-mode: Engaged. Defense protocol: Active." He then exits the cockpit as he too prepares for the incoming battle.
"You ready for this, mates?" he asks. His teammates nod in unison as they get ready.
***
"Let this be the moment where all of Mankind knows what to truly fight for, my fellow men! They shall know the true glory of the savior that is the Zlocu!" O'Ellis says as his finger rests on the trigger of the gun.
***
"Let this be the moment where all of Mankind knows the true path for a better future. God bless you, and God bless...Humanity."
Sylvester presses the trigger from his rifle, the rifle fires the bullet from a long distance above the stadium. It is headed in O'Ellis direction. And just when he is about to pull the trigger to execute Walter, the bullet penetrates his temple, passing through the skull, until the bullet exits on the other side. This expels large chunks of crimson liquid from the impact as this causes him to drop to the floor, his gun being fired into the ground.
"What the hell?!" a Marine exclaims as he tries to see what just happened. But before they can react to anything, they see blaster fire coming from above as they're gunned down. As most disperse from the mayhem, the Inquisitors stay still from their positions where they observe from afar as they look at the sky. Yamja in particular smiles widely from something she sees.
"So she's back again...sweet Ammy..." she whispers as they see the heroes landing on the ground.
"Good luck. Let's get them all," Sylvester says as he loads his rifle to provide more support from the chopper above. Back on the ground, each hero looks on the stage of what is happening, analyzing what to do next. And next, they see the Inquisitors on sight approaching them.
But they, particularly Amira, no longer show the same hesitation and fear they've shown before back in Beagle base. Instead, Amira draws her light blade in combat and points it straight where the Inquisitors are, all with a scowl on her face. Logan readies his fencing stance as he, Tany and Lucy cover her back against the incoming enemy troops. All while Jack, Andrei, Malak, Seiner and Eddie help rescue the navigators and G.o.D Squad by rushing towards them.
"You better be ready," Logan says. Eyes on the objective, and a chance to prove himself once more alongside his teammates.