[Val Verde]

[December 2019]

—

[Thermal confirmed. Large group. Sending data.]

[Confirmed. Continue observations,] I ordered as the truck lurched to a stop. [Everyone stay frosty.]

At the base, I stared into my optics as I switched my view over to command mode. The map enlarged, giving me a detailed view of what was going inside the old ruins.

There was two hundred and twelve people inside. Another segregated group of people were spotted in a separate area of the base.

It was possible that they were the hostages. There was a lot of missing people report. Especially in the northern regions.

Data gathered from scout drones, and other instruments. Tools that would have been helpful in keeping my children alive. More then once we found ambushes, and hidden lairs.

The truck ride was up was worse as there had been no repairs since the American invasion. The roads had deteriorated further. The memories however, stayed fresh.

The Mourning Mountains grew ever taller as we drove up what was left of the main roads. Time, and neglect, had not been kind to them.

I hoped that my children stayed calm as we got closer. Many of the Jade Falcon’s elites had been present that day. Survivors one and all.

“How about we alter plan B? We can add it onto plan A. Mortars. Then have the main squad push in, and let the other squads play on the outside,” Candice suggested. Our commander grade helmet's let us plan basic manuvuers in augmented reality.

The base, the surrounding region. They showed up in orange wire frame. I could share this map with Candice, and the two of us poured over the data gathered by the scout teams.

I heard the newest version of helmet computers could do far more. Real time updates and the like. It was wishful thinking that we could spare the cash. It would make strategic planning easier.

“A full frontal assault?” I whispered as I fell into deep thought.

“Or… we can do a plan C…” Candice offered as she switched to a tried and true method of the Jade Falcons. Mortar. 3 pronged assault.

Three pronged assault. With other fireteams performing overwatch.

“Since there is a chance its a trap, or rigged to blow… lets not take chances,” I suggested. I dragged our last three EMP drone onto the center of the building.

“Pricey,” Candice replied and I could see her raised eyebrow despite the helmet. The drones were not cheap, but then again, this was more then just about money.

“Worth it for those hostages,” I said as I tapped my communication and selected my command staff. They had a job to do.

—

The night slowly crept up for Juan.

His footfalls sounded heavy on the cement floor. His partner, Carlos, yawned. They walked around the hallway for the thousandth time today.

“This gig sucks, man,” Carlos complained as he adjusted the rifle strap on his shoulder.

“Better then losing a thousand to Martin again,” Juan rebutted as he gave his long time partner a chuckle.

Carlos frowned, but he took the chastising with a grunt. Juan was mouthy, but he had often lent money when things got tight.

Juan just wished he didn’t have to lend money so often.

“Read them and weep! Three of a kind ladies!” Martin’s voice bellowed as the pair entered the room.

The happy man slapped his card hand onto the table, revealing a triple set of threes.

Carlos cursed Martin with his mind, body, and soul.

Juan simply sighed as he walked around the central table and towards the stack of water bottles at the end.

With a tired sigh, he cracked open the seal. As he raised the bottle the contents exploded. Water gushed all over him as the building itself rocked.

The foundation shook, which was scary as they were currently underground. Dust and grit fell from the ceiling.

The whole crew stood up. Those who were sitting, quickly went to gather their weapons.

The situation became worse as Juan felt every hair on his body rise up.

Then everything went dark.

He could hear Carlos swear above the din of others.

Juan felt fear crawl down his spine as he dug out his phone. There was no reception here, but there was the occasional WiFi signal via satellite.

He let out a breath as his hands molded around the small rectangular object. He pulled it out, and tapped the home button.

Nothing.

Juan heard someone swear and then a small item clattered onto the cement floor.

Juan held the power button. Maybe he had left it off?

[Thump]

Everyone swung around. Or at least he assumed so by the way he heard boots squeak as the dozen men in the room moved.

[Thump][Thump][Thump!]

It was getting closer.

Juan felt his palms become slick with sweat. He readjusted his grip on the gun as they all stared at what he hoped to be the door.

[THUMP!][THUMP!][THUMP!][THUMP!]

Was there more then one? They sounded heavy, sorta like Bane when the titan of a man ran.

[Ratatatatata!]

That was definitely a sound he recognized. Gunfire.

[Krak!][Krak!][Krak!]

Return fire from an AK. An AK like the one he was holding, and all the guards here had. Some had found different guns, but most stuck with the cheap and reliable Russian gun.

Then it appeared.

Red eyes that pierced into the dark.

Juan didn’t know who fired, but everyone emptied their magazines into the doorway.

Three people around him screamed and fell from either return fire, or friendly fire.

Juan shook as he reloaded. He saw the sparks of bullets hitting, but bodies didn't spark. Human's didn't spark.

The eyes grew brighter and moved. It walked into the room.

[Thump][Thump]

Oh gods. There was more of them.

A second burst of fire finally allowed Juan to see what they were facing.

A man. In heavy military armor. He had seen a few suits years ago.

Anti-Infantry gear, designed to withstand anything up to heavy machine gun fire. Or even anti tank weaponry. Like Iron Man.

The invader moved and waited until they were ready, and then they opened fire.

Inside the confined room, the deafening roar of their two guns made their presence known. A rapid burst of bullets, and energy bolts outpaced the basic AK rounds. The heavy guns let loose a blinding flash of light as they emptied themselves across the room.

It became a light show as the various weapons discharged. For a few moments, the world was bright again. Juan could see the two firing at them.

Juan blinked. The world slowed down.

He felt weak as he didn’t have the strength to move. When did he fall over?

He needed to get up. He HAD to get UP!

The last thing he saw was the eyes of the two soldiers. Bits of his life flashed before his eyes. His family. His ex-fiancee. His daughter that looked so much like his mother…

—

The two soldiers surveyed the room.

Their helmet’s high end optics let them see the absolute darkness. In case of insufficient light, their helmets could also compensate. An emitter would then flood the area with infrared light.

The hiss of the second soldier’s cooling weapon, a Z-6 rotary blaster cannon, was the loudest sound in the room now.

The first soldier then dropped his empty belt of ammo. He reached around and pulled a fresh belt from his backpack. With practiced ease the HK121 got reloaded.

Satisfied, the two turned around, and left the dark room.

In the hallway, another two soldiers stood guard. Overwatch in case someone came running to support the group of invaders inside.

“Clear,” the first man said, and then they moved forward.

Each room was to be checked, and cleared.

Hostages were optional.

————

Chapter 06: Wrath of Val Verde