Hell Scyth
Rock Hard, Dead or Alive
I thought that since I've put a bunch of work into this one, I'd put it up. (still working on the last novel I placed up, which was Samurai 2020, and Experiment: Earth is the only one left to be refurbished before going out). As usual, I welcome any comments made about this, but keep in mind I've already written more than 60 pages worth (at 10pt) of this novel. So for a change, I put this one up simply for your reading enjoyment (that's if you decide to read it).
Because its in already, I've skipped the part of the opening, gone the next two, jumped to a critical point, and then stopped. If YOU want to read up and find out what's happened, you can either e-mail me or wait till I finish this and get it published.
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IRON SOUL
Cry of the Angels
SECTION 1: Reflections
PART1
1910 Hours, August 29, 2280AD. Unknown Location.
“Prepare those guns! That things coming closer!” Came a shout.
“Contact is now within 1300 metre radius!” Came another.
David continued to run down the hallway towards the command deck. Usually someone would have stopped him, but now they were all too absorbed into their work to bother stopping him.
“We have a system failure at grid 4 and 7.”
“Then fix it! We have to get ready for that thing.”
He slid between a group of people hurrying by, a tech squad by the look of their blue uniform. It was chaos everywhere and it had been like this ever since that ‘thing’ had landed. Everyone remembers that day.
Around a year ago, a massive metallic asteroid crashed into the surface and from it arose a machine like creature standing at 35 metres tall. It was the first contact between humans and aliens and, unlucky for the humans, it was a hostile encounter. For a year it rummaged around destroying cities and ‘practicing’ with the many troops and armoured infantry sent to take it down.
You would think that after this long, someone would have lost by now, and by the way things were going it would be the humans that lost. Yet the creature only destroyed what apposed it. Occasionally assaulting a city or town. But for the rest of its time it explored the surface as if looking for something.
“Contact is at 1000 metres!”
“Then unlock the safeties on all Zeus Anti-Matter cannons, charge to 75%.”
David opened the door leading into the command deck that overviewed the majority of the HQ. He run up to the window and looked down. Then he saw them. Three large machines built to combat the alien threat. David wanted to see this more than ever because inside the red machine was his father, Samuel Riley.
The three machines were known as Battle Suits. They stood at around 34 metres tall, shaped to resemble a human figure with a design like gladiators armour. Each had a large energy weapon that fired out a concentrated particle beam (or laser) carried in the right hand, a small cannon mounted on the left shoulder equipped with anti-matter missiles, and titanium thick armour. There was also a tritanium (an advanced metal of titanium) combat dagger. They were the first built.
Apart from the red suit, there was Fredrick Salvatore piloting the green suit. And in the blue suit was Richard Jacob. These three were the best the earth had to offer. Showing the highest potential and most likely to defeat the alien threat.
“Its now in combat radius!”
“Fire artillery! Launch all missiles from bays A to H. Full Charge to Zeus’s and fire on my mark… MARK!”
A burst of cannon and missile fire erupted and in the dark distance explosions erupted. It was difficult to see far since dark clouds obscured the moon and a storm brewed in the distance. But when the artillery hit something, the light that emitted from them illuminated the massive creature. It slowly approached. It had no weapon. It fought only with its hands. Then it leaped high; crossing a great distance and landing only 50 metres from wear the three suits stood.
The combat was immediately underway. The three pilots taking no chances and attacking with everything they had. The storm had picked up and lightning flashed behind the clouds. Lighting up the scene temporarily. David observed the creature. Its metallic armour had small open sections of what looked like visible flesh and muscle. It had been long aware that this creature was an advanced life form, but now David had seen that reality with his own eyes.
Suddenly a suit crashed into the wall, shaking the foundations. David fell forward onto the window. He was lucky that it had only cracked and not broken. The suit stumbled to get up, but the creature had landed on top and began to rampage it. It grabbed the dagger weapon and stabbed it into the chest, piercing the armour and causing it to combust around the opening. Earth’s first hero had fallen.
The green and red suit still stood and fired quickly to destroy the creature. But it took most hits and charged. David gasped as his father was knocked away. Was this the end of him? The creature went up to him and went for the dagger to finish him, but before it could happen the green suit had leaped on top and began to stab into it. The creature flung him off and took the dagger out. Went over and stabbed it into the arm of the suit, pinning it down. Then it began to tear away at the front to get to the centre. David’s father stood up and took aim. He wanted to stop it, but was not quick enough. The suit piloted by Fredrick was torn open, and the laser weapon taken and fired inside. Destroying it.
David’s father fired again and again but to little affect. The creature charged him and stumbled slightly. It was weakening from the attack. Perhaps they were doing damage. His father took advantage of this stumble, grabbing his dagger and attacking right after he fired his missiles. The creature stumbled onto the ground and fell. It took time to get up, but before it made it right up, David’s father had stabbed the weapon into his back. A large flash of lighting came down, striking the ground mere metres from where they were. Both of them struggling to gain advantage. But the creature overpowered and flung his father off, making him land hard.
His father tried to stand up quickly, but his suit seemed to have failed slightly. But so did the creature. It could barely move, and as soon as it reached his father, it fell into him. Some people in the control room began to stand and seemed to be smiling. But David sensed something they hadn’t. It wasn’t victory just yet. It couldn’t be that easy. And it wasn’t to be.
The creature glowed brightly, blinding others. And when the light had died down, it had David’s father in its full grip. But the light had begun to engulf him. Something was happening, but David didn’t know what. There was a scream that echoed loud. David cupped his ears to block it, but the sound remained. He looked around at others in the room, but they seemed unaffected. Why was it only him that could hear it? He looked back out at the scene. His father’s suit was fully engulfed in light and the creature seemed to be morphing around him as if merging with him. David watched in awe, gritting his teeth for the sound to go away. Then it left just as his father’s suit was fully engulfed.
Outside, the lightly glowing creature floated above the ground. Its form changed to something more thin than before. Its design had changed. But this time you could see its eyes. Small slits near the head that glowed. And they looked right towards David.
Suddenly it did something unheard from it since it had landed. It spoke.
“You have proved yourself worthy of battle. But your race is still far to inferior. So I will give you a chance to prepare.” It lifted higher into the air. Lightning barely missing it. “Prepare your race well for in 25 years I shall return once more. But it wont be a test that time. If you ignore this opportunity, then you will all die. You have 25 years right from now.”
The noise came back again. Something of a mix of screaming and crying at the same time. David fought against the sound and watched up at the creature as it began to speed off towards the stars. Finally he let go of his fear that kept him from moving and screamed himself.
“FATHER!”
Part2
0320 Hours, June 29, 2305AD (62 Days till “Invasion Day”). Peterson Hill Military Academy, Sleeping Quarters D1-D34. (Academy Code: 32PS-2C)
David woke up immediately in a hot sweat. He breathed heavily as he stumbled from his bunk and over to the small bathroom. He only just made it in time to throw up inside the toilet bowl. He suspended himself over the bowl for a while before forcing himself up to wash his mouth out at the sink.
“He bro’. You okay there?”
Jeff stood at the doorway, squinting at the light as he rubbed his eyes. He yawned slightly as David turned to face him, rubbing his forehead as he did.
“Yeah. Just got a little sick.”
Jeff laughed a bit. “Ah. The price you pay for partying too hard.”
David turned around again and splashed some water on his face.
“Are you sure your alright. You look a little more than just sick?”
“I’m fine. You just go back to bed.”
Jeff shrugged then exited the doorway to sleep. Jeff was one of David’s best friends since the academy. He had a childish attitude. Was always getting into trouble. Overdid things at parties. And almost every time David saw him down at the park, he was with another woman. But apart from that, he was a reasonably and mature man. At least what you’d expect from a 32 year old.
Even though David was one year older, Jeff always seemed to act the boss. Being the big brother for David. He always looked out for him and helped where needed. Of course this sometimes led to him getting in trouble. But this didn’t bother David too much.
He stood at 2.31 metres, brown hair and eyes, a couple of freckles, a stern posture, and well built. He was also one of the fastest at the army campus. In some ways, he was opposite to David.
David was 2.23 metres tall, dark blonde hair, slightly green eyes, moderately built but he was not too fast on his feet. In most fitness tests, he’d come around 34th out of the 42 people in his unit. But he made up for this with endurance. He was able to keep at something for hours on end before giving up. He was almost better than George Hoffman (nick named ‘Hoff’). One of the highest ranked members in his unit.
David walked slowly back to his bunk and slumped down on it. Sitting at the edge. He recalled the party. He had probably drunk too much. And eaten a few things he shouldn’t of. But his head didn’t ache too much from being drunk, so that wasn’t the reason from throwing up. He knew the reason for it happening. The excessive partying mixed with the same dream he’d been having for weeks now. That’s what caused him to be sick.
The dream however wasn’t fictional. But based along truth. Though he knew that it must be distorted after almost 25 years, he recalled each event that happened that night. The thunderous storm. The fighting. The creature. His father. Even the words that were spoken, word for word. They were words that everyone knew of, and remembered as their warning.
The creature had warned its return in exactly 25 years. Giving humanity a chance to prepare itself for the inevitable attack that would come. An alien army capable of destroying our world. But humanity was confident. For 25 years we had been preparing for it, and technology had advanced so far with the entire Earth united as one. To think of it. Thanks to that creature attacking and leaving the warning of attack. Humanity united as one to fight against the attack. Not a single war between mankind had broken out for all these years. It was like a goodwill gift left behind for humanity to take and use.
Humanity had an army that spanned the entire globe. Army Head Quarters were placed at most world capitals, and each was stocked with its own large army. But to maintain such a large force takes a lot of effort. So two of the greatest generals in the world were placed in command of two main armies. Commander Timothy Davison was placed in charge of the Naval and Air force. Commander Xavier Vestock was placed in charge of the army, which involved the majority of one of the humans’ greatest weapons since the creature attacked. Battle Suits of different sizes and shape, but each still resembling that of a human in ancient armour. Siege Armour, which were practically tanks that could walk. Sometimes they could even fly. And finally there was Combat Armour. These were the smallest. Standing only around 10 metres. But they usually wielded massive chain guns and missile launches. Sometimes with energy weapons, like particle guns or plasma cannons.
Though the ground force had the majority of these, Siege Armour was modified for the Air force, and the Navy had Combat Armour. This evened out the control of these, keeping balanced control with the two generals.
David was enlisted with the Air force. His unit specialised in ground operations though, but were trained for covert paradrops. They had a large unit of 42 lead by Lewis Newman. Nick named ‘Lewy’. Their group was slightly mixed with skills. Some were better at the covert stuff. Like explosives, technical or scouting. David was fairly good at the scouting aspects. Being a top aim with a rifle. He wasn’t too bad at technical stuff and he could defuse a bomb. But out of the 10 other aspects, these were his only good traits.
He laid down on his bunk and pulled the sheets up. Making himself comfortable. His gut had settled now. But the dream still bothered him. He only started having it a few weeks ago. But it was beginning to get more constant. And there was only one logical reason he could think of for it. The very day that the proposed invasion to occur was three months away. Close to only 72 days. He knew the dream would become more constant until it finally happened. He tried to forget the thought, and eventually drifted off to sleep.
PART 3
1215 Hours, June 29, 2305AD (62 Days till “Invasion Day”). Peterson Hill Military Academy, Sleeping Quarters D1-D34. (Academy Code: 32PS-2C)
“Hey, bro’. Wakey, wakey.”
David groaned and pulled the sheets higher up.
“Don’t make me force you up.”
“Go away.”
“Ha. Feeling a bit hung over are we? Don’t worry. I knew you would and made you some of my secret, “Hung Over Relief” recipe as well.”
David groaned some more. So Jeff pulled the sheets down and tried to force him to sit up. David fought back and shoved him off, before pulling the sheets back over his head.
“Damn it David. Get the hell up!”
“Piss off.”
“Argh! Fine. I’ll leave it here for when you’re ready. But don’t blame me if you fail the exams today.”
The mention of exams was enough to stir David from his sleep. He had forgotten all about them.
“Shit. What’s the time? I can’t be that late.”
“It’s already 12:15. I’d get moving if I were you.”
“Why didn’t you wake me earlier?” David asked as he picked up the odd coloured liquid Jeff left him.
“I did. But you tried to bite my arm off.”
“Yuck! What the hell did you put in this thing?”
“Four raw eggs, some tomato sauce, clove of garlic and about half a packet of N-Ergie.”
“It’s awful!”
“Yeah, well it got your taste buds working didn’t it? And you’re obviously awake now.”
David flipped his legs over the side of the bed and rested on the edge before hoisting himself up. He rubbed his eyes and groaned a bit more.
“Oh stop groaning ya’ pussy. And get moving. You now only have twelve minutes to get ready.”
“Ah shit. I’m never going to do that again.”
Jeff left the room as David went off to the closet. There wasn’t enough time to shower, so he just changed his clothes into a sports outfit. Just some shirts and a tank top really. He walked back into the bedroom. Stared at the drink. Then bravely drank the rest. He then hurtled out of the room. Almost tripping over himself as he did. As he did he almost ran into some people walking by. Three girls laughed at him as he stumbled by. He blushed slightly.
“Really. From now on I’ll never party that hard.”
He knew he was lying to himself. He’d told himself numerous times before not to over do it. But each time he lost himself and ended up feeling sick in the morning. He remembered a time where he didn’t even wake up in his bed. He woke to the sound of a garbage truck trying to picking up the garbage from outside the base. He was lucky he woke up before they reached him. He found two of his friends past out not far from him, except they were smart enough to choose some bushes.
It was funny to think that on a military campus, you’d see order and not people past out from a long night. And in all respects, you wouldn’t. Most people tried not to act too stupid at the risk of getting in trouble from one of the campus commanders, or worse, the Drill Sargent’s. Lucky for David. The Drill Sargent that was taking the test was a fairly calm woman. And to the eyes of the males of the unit, a very beautiful one. And David wasn’t afraid to admit he was fond of her. But it was against regulations to date your commanding officers. At least in most circumstances.
David finally emerged into the area where the exam was taking place. Jeff stood around casually talking with Trevor and Peter (also knows as Lucky. No one knows why we call him that, but he doesn’t complain). It seemed the Dill Sargent wasn’t here yet.
“David. Glad you could make it.” Said Jeff, half laughing.
“Hey… everyone.” Panted David.
“Heard you took the big dipper last night, eh David.” Said Trevor.
“What? Big dipper?”
“You know. The massive tub of beer.”
David looked puzzling at Trevor as he recalled the previous night. But when he tried, all that came back were the memories of the dream. He shook his head.
“Nope. Still have no idea.”
Trevor laughed. “Whoa, you must have been really wasted!”
Peter started to laugh with him and Jeff almost followed. David began to laugh too, but with a slight look of embarrassment on his face. Suddenly there was a loud, booming voice.
“Alright you maggots! Get your arses in line now and get ready for the exam!” The voice was not the usual one they heard in the morning. This one was strong, firm, and very demanding.
They each quickly turned to see the Drill Sargent and upon seeing him they immediately formed in the line with the others. Rather than their normal Drill Sargent, there stood a very large and agitated looking man. He was stocky, well shaved, short military cut hair, cargo pants tucked into his boots formally and a rainbow of colour on his left chest were his medals were.
“Stand up straight!” They all did so. “STRAIGHTER!” They stood up as straight as possible. “Alright. My name is Sargent Hoffa, and since your usual trainer is sick today, I will be giving you the exam. And I expect 100 percent from all of you! Understand?”
They all replied, “Yes Sir.”
“Good.” He began to pace up and down the line, eyeing up everyone. Looking for signs of weakness. “Now. Listen now and listen hard. Because I WILL NOT repeat anything I say to you now. I want all of you to give me three laps around the oval, head over to Section 5 of the obstacle course, and then head down to the creek where you will trek up that until you reach the lake! Did you all get that?”
“Yes Sir!”
“Oh. And you’ll do it all carrying a large pack which is allocated just over by the gym. Head there first!” He stopped pacing at the end of the line. “NOW MOVE IT!”
Everyone immediately took off, some almost tripping over themselves as they did. David stumbled slightly as he charged off with the others to the gym. Peter was next to him.
“Well David… You regretting the Big Dipper now?”
David didn’t answer, he just groaned and pressed onward. The Gym was in site. Most had already grabbed their packs and run off. The packs were almost fully loaded, as per standard. They would have contained anything from medical and food supplies, weapons, ammo, equipment, tents, extra clothing, drinks, etc. And this made them very heavy.
David hoisted his up onto his back and strapped it on. He almost collapsed under the weight, but managed to reagin himself. The pack would have weighed at least six kilograms.
“Now I regret that Big Dipper.”
Peter had already taken off ahead. The only two still with him were Hutchison, Jeremy (“Dozer”) and Warren (“Wazza”). He was five meters ahead of them when an announcement came over the loudspeaker. It sounded just like the same Drill Sargent.
“A note to the unit currently taking the exam, you have one hour to complete the task. NOW KEEP MOVING!”
David groaned some more. Sargent Hoffa was a classic, stereotypical image of a Drill Sargent. He was strict to the max, always seemed angry, and tended to lose his temper.
David has reached the oval, mostly puffed out. He only had to do three laps, which wasn’t too bad. The oval was quite small, maybe on 100 meters long. It was the obstacle course and then the distance between that and the creek that would take the time.
Section 5 was one of the toughest courses. You had to climb over large walls, go under razor wire, climb rope, jump gaps, swing, slide you name it. Section 5 was everything put in one. And at one section it suspended itself 12 meters above the ground. And with the pack, it was going to take him at least half an hour to do it.
He completed his third lap and charged off. He had caught up to two others. One was Lucas and the other was Dredge.
“Hey David. Whoa, you aren’t looking too good. You feeling alright.” Asked Dredge.
David looked at him and checked himself.
“Everything seems in order.”
“You sure?”
“I’m fine. Must be a little extra exhausted from last night.”
“Okay then. If you say so.” He looked ahead and shook his head. “There’s the course. This should be fun.” He laughed sarcastically.
“That isn’t funny.” Replied Lucas.
They all came up to the course and began to climb up a wall. They hopped the side, crawled awkwardly through a narrow trench, and then half-slid down a steep hill. The next part was tricky. They had to scale up another wall, which connected to ropes. From there you crossed a long suspension bridge and went down the other side by attaching a grapple to your safety belt and swinging down. Which sometimes, if timed incorrectly, ended in hitting a tree.
“I really hate this part. The ropes always just that harder to get onto when your on the wall.” Complained Dredge.
“Yeah, but it sure beats climbing up that pole and shimmying across a rope to get to the wall.” Said Lucas.
“Nah. I think that’s even harder yet.”
“Do you ever not complain?”
“Ha, ha. Not really, no.” Laughed Dredge.
David joined him in laughing as he lurched up onto the rope and began to climb.
“Don’t look down ladies. You might feel a little sick.” Laughed Dredge some more.
David shook his head and wiped some sweat off his face.
“It’s quite humid out today, ain’t it?” He said.
“Not really.” Replied Lucas.
David wiped some more sweat off his face and looked up at the sun’s light shining through the tree branches. He peered at the rope and shook his head some more.
“I’m serious here, David. Are you sure you’re feeling alright?” Prompted Dredge.
“Will you stop asking that? I’m fine.” Snapped David.
“Just checking, just checking. No need to get angry.”
They finally reached the top of the climb and began to slowly cross the bridge. The bridge wobbled around and bounced as they crossed it. David peered down at the ground below and shook his head again. He looked at the sun again, but this time seemed dazzled by it’s appearance. He wiped his face and continued to walk along. Dredge and Lucas had gotten ahead and were getting ready to mount the grapple and head back down. Then David’s feet gave away under him. He fell onto the bridge and rolled back over. He was very close to the edge. He panted hard and wiped his face some more.
“Damn it’s hot!”
He began to unbuckle his shirt with one hand as he reached for his bottle with the other. He popped its top with his teeth and tried to stand, but he almost fell over again and dropped then fumbled with the bottle. He hesitated and tried to grab hold, but it was falling to the edge. He reached out, almost lunging for it. The bottle tumbled out of his reach as he sweared at it and lunged completely, but now he was far too close to the edge. He collapsed over the rope and fell over the twelve-meter high bridge.
“DAVID!” Screamed a voice.
David’s mind froze completely. The heat he felt went, all thoughts disappeared, and the bottle he held seemed to be no longer there. His eyes were open in shock and terror as his body gave way to gravity and hurtled towards the earth. He hit the safety net hard and bounced high, landing again and then bouncing once more, tumbling as he did towards the edge. He bounced again and rolled off the net, hitting the ground.
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...The Sargent grabbed a radio and gave the message to all the commanding officers. The message seemed to not even be needed as soldiers looked up at the bright light that seemed to tear apart the sky as it pierced the atmosphere. It hurtled down with a red spire of twisting flame trailing behind it, and within a few moments it striked the obelisk, crushing it beneath its speed and weight.
The shockwave it produced tossed a sandstorm 100 feet into the air that swooped across the field, blinding all soldiers. Some got ready to shoot immediately, but they were ordered not to fire through the sand. The thermal images they had showed the object was completely inactive, and satellite images showed no more activity.
The sand cleared and people became far tenser. They held their position, trying not to move too much. It was staring to get difficult to maintain their own position. Soon enough, someone would make a mistake.
Finally, the object showed activity. A single hatch opened up from the side of the twenty-meter object. And from it, emerged several sixteen-meter tall machines, each armed with their own weapons. They eyed off the human force, the slits where their eyes were glowing a brilliant crimson, their armour plating matching the eye colour. They carried a large staff weapon with an axe tip in one hand, and a small blaster in the other. Another one emerged from behind them, this one with golden plated armour. It, like the others, had a skeletal look to it. And by the looks of how the others moved out of its way, it was in command.
It raised its weapon and in a sarcastic and metallic tone, it spoke, “Sorry we’re late.”
SECTION 2: Invasion Day
Part 1
1918 Hours, August 29, 2305AD (3 minutes ID). Unknown location, Military operation surrounding alien threat.
“OPEN FIRE!” Came a shout that erupted a mass thunder of guns and cannon fire that lit the area with a blaze of light and sound that would level a small city.
From the target zone, the eight alien machines leaped into combat, firing off at the human forces that tried to shoot them down. Within the first seconds, one alien had taken enough hits to be shot down, but the others had escaped unscathed by the assault. They made a counter attack and brought down a set of tanks. Another of them fell to the attack, but managed to fire off a large cannon before it went down. The shot from the cannon blasted away a large group, along with two Siege Armour’s known as Goliath’s. Luckily, one managed to remain operation and return its fire to the enemy.
The orange armoured unit darted around and took cover against the upturned Goliath. A Battle Suit carrying a rocket pack shot down another alien, which was pulled away behind the Goliath just in time to avoid some artillery. An alien began to try and revive the fallen one as the others charged up and over. They destroyed the wounded Goliath and took aim at the reserves that compiled of extra ammunition, medical supplies, food and water. They set it alight and managed to get away with it.
A few battle suits charged into close combat and they fought on with three others, as the other two kept moving onward. The one that was reviving the fallen bolted around the other way leaving its dead comrade behind. Artillery fire erupted around it, almost sending it flying through the air. It fired at the Artillery, but couldn’t make a perfect shot until finally, it managed to hit one and destroy it.
The suits in combat with the other three tried frantically to destroy their enemy. One suit was ripped in half with the aliens weapon and finished off with a stab. The alien machine whipped out its gun and prepared to fire, but was striked straight through by a bolter cannons round. It was torn perfectly from rear to front. It fell to the ground and perished.
The other two fighters managed to bring down one alien, but were defeated by the other. The golden plated alien was too strong and destroyed them both efficiently. It immediately proceeded to the others who were trying to gain advantage. As it did, it seemed to loose focus on the battle. Within another minute, three more objects crashed onto the surface, and emerging from them came three more full squads, just like the first. The alien refocused in time to be slabbed several times by a Battle Suit.
The battle was getting close to defeat for both sides. The wrong move and it was over. The aliens were taking cover behind their pods because the artillery fire had become more direct and was striking too close for them to run. They had to rely on the only squad that was close enough to engage.
From the first squad, stood only one more alien machine, which slowly crumpled to the ground as a barrage of fire striked it. It gave way and exploded violently. There were now only three squads left, each with eight in them. Out of the human forces, just over half remained. Not far from the battle, a large squad of jets flew in to provide air support for the ground forces. They had seven F-12 Fighter jets, and eleven AS Bombers, nicknamed ‘Black Angels’.
The still attacking squad managed to get up to the front lines and started a harder assault on the troops there. They were smart, they knew that the artillery couldn’t harm them due to the risk of injuring their own. The only thing that was holding them back was the Siege Armour and Battle Suits that continued their barrage on the advancing enemy.
The two-trapped squads spotted the oncoming aircraft and opened fire. The jets streamed in and let loose a cloud to make it harder to get a shot. After that, the bombers dropped their payload, which remained accurate because of thermal technology. They had little chance to avoid the attack. By the time the smoke cleared, there were none left alive. The final squad saw the situations and became fearful enough to fall back. They were losing and they knew it.
The squad leader seemed to lose focus like the first and shortly after, more pods dropped. Once more there were only three. But emerging from one of them was a different alien. Inside was a massive tank like machine that had to have a much larger pod to keep it inside. It moved slowly, but to make up for speed, it carried a large array of weapons to fight back. The artillery changed focus and fired a salvo. The machine took each shot and remained on its advance. It fired and brought down half the artillery squad.
From above, the bombers made their assault on the machine. It fired at them, along with some extra fire from a squad. Five bombers were blown away, but the rest managed to drop their payload. The machine took the blows from the bombs, but managed to keep moving. Damage was evident, yet didn’t seem to have done enough to stop it. The only good was that the bombes had killed off most the squad with it.
Back at the front line, the advancing squads made their way through another unit, destroying everything there was. They approached another reserve and began to target it. From within, however, Two Siege Armour’s emerged and blew three aliens away. They changed their assault stance and quickly attacked the armour. They were losing their forces quickly to the humans, and the stress to gain an advantage was being shown in their now slightly sluggish efforts.
Some soldiers were wondering why they hadn’t simply attacked with a massive assault. They may have had a larger chance then, but instead they attacked in small assault groups. The only thing they seemed to had made the right decision about was the huge tank-like machine that had survived yet another payload from the bombers. The aircraft retreated away, their bombs and missiles expended on the assault. In a short time though, more were going to arrive to replace them.
On the other side of the massive sand hill, a squad of helicopters had made their way and deployed reinforcements. Along with them were two of the best Siege Armour’s the army had. The UI2000 Rolling Thunder carried twice the firepower of the second largest, the Goliath. Its armour was reinforced with two layers of tritanium, including an iron cannon. They made their way slowly up the hill and towards the top. Along side were four more battle Suit’s, a small squad of tanks, and vehicles carrying infantry.
Back on the front line, the enemy tank had taken out the remaining artillery, and another two squads had been deployed. There were about a quarter left of human troops to defend against the enemy, and they were getting weary of fighting against the impossible enemy that continued to advance upon them. Finally the Rolling Thunder’s emerged atop the hill where the artillery was and opened fire. The aliens had no chance against them. The tank took the hits from one and exploded away into nothing. The squad that was nearest was obliterated, and the remaining two that had avoided the salvo were shot down.
The newest squads made their way back to the pods for cover. They prepared to make a long ranged assault, but within twenty seconds, the Rolling Thunder’s had their weapons fully recharged. They fired away at where the enemy took cover and destroyed the pods. After that, the new air support arrived and finished the job.
The soldiers waited for more to come. But after a minute of nothing, they immediately celebrated. The truck that the bloodied sergeant was near oversaw the ship. It opened once more and a single object came down.
He radioed across to all surviving units to prepare again. The soldiers readied as an object descended and smashed to the ground. Its hatch opened up and from it emerged a different alien. The pod it had was unique to the others. Its shape was more angular and it had an alien detail to it. Recognisable to human culture, was the skeletal images pictured and the demonic twists that showed souls burning in hell. The alien slowly moved out, extended its black jets and ascended 100 feet into the air.
The new threat was more skeletal to the others, but had large plates extending from the shoulders. It’s armour plating was more detailed for that of a warrior. Its evil eyes were no more than glowing slits of rage. The order to open fire was given and everything fired at the target. From what they saw, almost everything had hit. Finally the order to cease-fire was given and the smoke aloud to clear.
When it cleared, the creature was revealed. It appeared to have taken barely any damage at all. It’s evil look showing no mercy for those that had fired on it. The demonic look striking fear into all those that gazed upon it. Suddenly, it began to glow brilliantly, blinding the soldiers who began to open fire once more.
From a location more than one thousand miles away, back at Peterson Hill Military Academy. A man called David oversaw the carnage on the TV. Amazingly, the truck was still broadcasting the events. Suddenly a loud scream erupted in David’s and everyone else’s ears. The noise was a mix between crying and a scream of pain. The noise toned down and David managed to look back at the image. He heard a voice through the screams. A familiar voice that reminded him of someone he knew from his childhood.
“Beware…For I am the Dark Angel… And I bring your end…”
Suddenly the voice was recognised in David’s ears. He snapped to attention to and fought against the pain in his ears and cried out.
“FATHER!”
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Part 3
2144 Hours, August 29, 2305AD (6 hours 2 minutes ID). Naval Command-ship, “Thunder Torrent”. 10 Miles off coast of Dublin.
The huge naval ship, Thunder Torrent, held its stance as three of its W2-Wing Lords, an aerial type of Siege Armour, returned from their flight. All three were battered and bruised from the battle at Dublin. One of them seemed so damaged that it seemed like it would collapse from the damage taken soon enough.
From the control deck of the massive ship, Naval Captain Brenton Hues surveyed the landing deck before him. He was a mid-aged man with blonde hair, which showed some silver streaks, either from age, or stress. His eyes were plastered a grey colour that showed his adverse attention, but also his tiredness. He furrowed his brow in annoyance because only three of the Wing Lords had returned from the battle.
He cast a look towards the direction of Dublin and the huge cloud of black smoke that loomed over the area, before redirecting his attention to his first mate, 1st Lieutenant Janet Lindsey. A woman only two years younger, brown eyes and light brown hair with her fringe dyed red. Her slender body and pretty face was a remarkable disguise for her tenacious attitude and ferocity.
She noticed the Captains annoyed look and immediately deciphered why he was mad with a quick glance at the light smoke emitting from the deck below.
“It is war. You can’t expect everyone to return safely. We should be grateful that three made it back.” She spoke as she began to jot something down on a notepad.
“I realise that Lieutenant.” He almost began to say something else, but decided not to get her started. If he even showed a single sign of moaning, she’d tell him off. And though he was the ranking officer, the Lieutenant retained a slight command on him, and he’d rather not embarrass himself in front of the other crewmembers.
“Sir!” Came a voice. “Sir, we just got word in from the High Command of Naval and Air Operations.”
Captain Hues turned to look at the man awkwardly salute as he clambered the steps. “High Command? Okay, what is it?”
“They say that our forces are not to get too dug in with the city. They said that once the enemy show sings of retreat from the capitals, our forces are to leave immediately!”
Hues was slightly confused. “And why might this be?”
“They say that the enemy are planting some sort of tactical nuke to destroy each capital!”
His eyes widened with shock. “What! Is that really the message?”
“Yes sir! They just sent it out too all personal in charge of each section. They said that there’ll be a brief notice of high energy signals, then the bomb will go off.”
“Dear god. Lance Corporal Anderson! Give me energy readings of the battlefield now!”
“Right away sir!”
“Return to your station, soldier.” He muttered as he turned to face Dublin again. His eyes changed from shock to absolute horror as he watched Dublin begin to glow a bright blue aura.
“Sir, energy signals are off the scale! I think there’s…”
“A nuke gone off.” He paused. “Those devious bastards.”
“Sir!” Came the voice of the same man who delivered the message. “New order from High Command again.”
The Captain didn’t even turn his gaze. He was too stunned by the sight. Janet looked at the light, then at the captain.
“I’ll take the message for him.”
“Yes Ma’am. High Command has ordered the ship to turn about and return to High Command itself.”
“Really? That’s weird.” She looked at the captain who still hadn’t taken away his gaze. She gave a sympathetic look, and then turned to face the rest of the deck. “New orders! Turn the ship about and make heading for High Command Naval Head Quarters.”
The order snapped Captain Hues to attention, and he turned to face the Lieutenant. “Why the hell are we leaving! Explain Lieutenant!”
“Orders from High Command. I’m not sure why, but they want us to return there a.s.a.p.” She spoke without turning around.
Hues didn’t move for a moment as he pondered the new order. Then he finally turned to face Dublin. The blue light had gone, and not even smoke seemed to be left. He noted the lives that were lost, and saluted.
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That's about all I reckon I should put.
Hope you enjoyed what you did read and that maybe it psyched you up for it's eventual release.
Because its in already, I've skipped the part of the opening, gone the next two, jumped to a critical point, and then stopped. If YOU want to read up and find out what's happened, you can either e-mail me or wait till I finish this and get it published.
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IRON SOUL
Cry of the Angels
SECTION 1: Reflections
PART1
1910 Hours, August 29, 2280AD. Unknown Location.
“Prepare those guns! That things coming closer!” Came a shout.
“Contact is now within 1300 metre radius!” Came another.
David continued to run down the hallway towards the command deck. Usually someone would have stopped him, but now they were all too absorbed into their work to bother stopping him.
“We have a system failure at grid 4 and 7.”
“Then fix it! We have to get ready for that thing.”
He slid between a group of people hurrying by, a tech squad by the look of their blue uniform. It was chaos everywhere and it had been like this ever since that ‘thing’ had landed. Everyone remembers that day.
Around a year ago, a massive metallic asteroid crashed into the surface and from it arose a machine like creature standing at 35 metres tall. It was the first contact between humans and aliens and, unlucky for the humans, it was a hostile encounter. For a year it rummaged around destroying cities and ‘practicing’ with the many troops and armoured infantry sent to take it down.
You would think that after this long, someone would have lost by now, and by the way things were going it would be the humans that lost. Yet the creature only destroyed what apposed it. Occasionally assaulting a city or town. But for the rest of its time it explored the surface as if looking for something.
“Contact is at 1000 metres!”
“Then unlock the safeties on all Zeus Anti-Matter cannons, charge to 75%.”
David opened the door leading into the command deck that overviewed the majority of the HQ. He run up to the window and looked down. Then he saw them. Three large machines built to combat the alien threat. David wanted to see this more than ever because inside the red machine was his father, Samuel Riley.
The three machines were known as Battle Suits. They stood at around 34 metres tall, shaped to resemble a human figure with a design like gladiators armour. Each had a large energy weapon that fired out a concentrated particle beam (or laser) carried in the right hand, a small cannon mounted on the left shoulder equipped with anti-matter missiles, and titanium thick armour. There was also a tritanium (an advanced metal of titanium) combat dagger. They were the first built.
Apart from the red suit, there was Fredrick Salvatore piloting the green suit. And in the blue suit was Richard Jacob. These three were the best the earth had to offer. Showing the highest potential and most likely to defeat the alien threat.
“Its now in combat radius!”
“Fire artillery! Launch all missiles from bays A to H. Full Charge to Zeus’s and fire on my mark… MARK!”
A burst of cannon and missile fire erupted and in the dark distance explosions erupted. It was difficult to see far since dark clouds obscured the moon and a storm brewed in the distance. But when the artillery hit something, the light that emitted from them illuminated the massive creature. It slowly approached. It had no weapon. It fought only with its hands. Then it leaped high; crossing a great distance and landing only 50 metres from wear the three suits stood.
The combat was immediately underway. The three pilots taking no chances and attacking with everything they had. The storm had picked up and lightning flashed behind the clouds. Lighting up the scene temporarily. David observed the creature. Its metallic armour had small open sections of what looked like visible flesh and muscle. It had been long aware that this creature was an advanced life form, but now David had seen that reality with his own eyes.
Suddenly a suit crashed into the wall, shaking the foundations. David fell forward onto the window. He was lucky that it had only cracked and not broken. The suit stumbled to get up, but the creature had landed on top and began to rampage it. It grabbed the dagger weapon and stabbed it into the chest, piercing the armour and causing it to combust around the opening. Earth’s first hero had fallen.
The green and red suit still stood and fired quickly to destroy the creature. But it took most hits and charged. David gasped as his father was knocked away. Was this the end of him? The creature went up to him and went for the dagger to finish him, but before it could happen the green suit had leaped on top and began to stab into it. The creature flung him off and took the dagger out. Went over and stabbed it into the arm of the suit, pinning it down. Then it began to tear away at the front to get to the centre. David’s father stood up and took aim. He wanted to stop it, but was not quick enough. The suit piloted by Fredrick was torn open, and the laser weapon taken and fired inside. Destroying it.
David’s father fired again and again but to little affect. The creature charged him and stumbled slightly. It was weakening from the attack. Perhaps they were doing damage. His father took advantage of this stumble, grabbing his dagger and attacking right after he fired his missiles. The creature stumbled onto the ground and fell. It took time to get up, but before it made it right up, David’s father had stabbed the weapon into his back. A large flash of lighting came down, striking the ground mere metres from where they were. Both of them struggling to gain advantage. But the creature overpowered and flung his father off, making him land hard.
His father tried to stand up quickly, but his suit seemed to have failed slightly. But so did the creature. It could barely move, and as soon as it reached his father, it fell into him. Some people in the control room began to stand and seemed to be smiling. But David sensed something they hadn’t. It wasn’t victory just yet. It couldn’t be that easy. And it wasn’t to be.
The creature glowed brightly, blinding others. And when the light had died down, it had David’s father in its full grip. But the light had begun to engulf him. Something was happening, but David didn’t know what. There was a scream that echoed loud. David cupped his ears to block it, but the sound remained. He looked around at others in the room, but they seemed unaffected. Why was it only him that could hear it? He looked back out at the scene. His father’s suit was fully engulfed in light and the creature seemed to be morphing around him as if merging with him. David watched in awe, gritting his teeth for the sound to go away. Then it left just as his father’s suit was fully engulfed.
Outside, the lightly glowing creature floated above the ground. Its form changed to something more thin than before. Its design had changed. But this time you could see its eyes. Small slits near the head that glowed. And they looked right towards David.
Suddenly it did something unheard from it since it had landed. It spoke.
“You have proved yourself worthy of battle. But your race is still far to inferior. So I will give you a chance to prepare.” It lifted higher into the air. Lightning barely missing it. “Prepare your race well for in 25 years I shall return once more. But it wont be a test that time. If you ignore this opportunity, then you will all die. You have 25 years right from now.”
The noise came back again. Something of a mix of screaming and crying at the same time. David fought against the sound and watched up at the creature as it began to speed off towards the stars. Finally he let go of his fear that kept him from moving and screamed himself.
“FATHER!”
Part2
0320 Hours, June 29, 2305AD (62 Days till “Invasion Day”). Peterson Hill Military Academy, Sleeping Quarters D1-D34. (Academy Code: 32PS-2C)
David woke up immediately in a hot sweat. He breathed heavily as he stumbled from his bunk and over to the small bathroom. He only just made it in time to throw up inside the toilet bowl. He suspended himself over the bowl for a while before forcing himself up to wash his mouth out at the sink.
“He bro’. You okay there?”
Jeff stood at the doorway, squinting at the light as he rubbed his eyes. He yawned slightly as David turned to face him, rubbing his forehead as he did.
“Yeah. Just got a little sick.”
Jeff laughed a bit. “Ah. The price you pay for partying too hard.”
David turned around again and splashed some water on his face.
“Are you sure your alright. You look a little more than just sick?”
“I’m fine. You just go back to bed.”
Jeff shrugged then exited the doorway to sleep. Jeff was one of David’s best friends since the academy. He had a childish attitude. Was always getting into trouble. Overdid things at parties. And almost every time David saw him down at the park, he was with another woman. But apart from that, he was a reasonably and mature man. At least what you’d expect from a 32 year old.
Even though David was one year older, Jeff always seemed to act the boss. Being the big brother for David. He always looked out for him and helped where needed. Of course this sometimes led to him getting in trouble. But this didn’t bother David too much.
He stood at 2.31 metres, brown hair and eyes, a couple of freckles, a stern posture, and well built. He was also one of the fastest at the army campus. In some ways, he was opposite to David.
David was 2.23 metres tall, dark blonde hair, slightly green eyes, moderately built but he was not too fast on his feet. In most fitness tests, he’d come around 34th out of the 42 people in his unit. But he made up for this with endurance. He was able to keep at something for hours on end before giving up. He was almost better than George Hoffman (nick named ‘Hoff’). One of the highest ranked members in his unit.
David walked slowly back to his bunk and slumped down on it. Sitting at the edge. He recalled the party. He had probably drunk too much. And eaten a few things he shouldn’t of. But his head didn’t ache too much from being drunk, so that wasn’t the reason from throwing up. He knew the reason for it happening. The excessive partying mixed with the same dream he’d been having for weeks now. That’s what caused him to be sick.
The dream however wasn’t fictional. But based along truth. Though he knew that it must be distorted after almost 25 years, he recalled each event that happened that night. The thunderous storm. The fighting. The creature. His father. Even the words that were spoken, word for word. They were words that everyone knew of, and remembered as their warning.
The creature had warned its return in exactly 25 years. Giving humanity a chance to prepare itself for the inevitable attack that would come. An alien army capable of destroying our world. But humanity was confident. For 25 years we had been preparing for it, and technology had advanced so far with the entire Earth united as one. To think of it. Thanks to that creature attacking and leaving the warning of attack. Humanity united as one to fight against the attack. Not a single war between mankind had broken out for all these years. It was like a goodwill gift left behind for humanity to take and use.
Humanity had an army that spanned the entire globe. Army Head Quarters were placed at most world capitals, and each was stocked with its own large army. But to maintain such a large force takes a lot of effort. So two of the greatest generals in the world were placed in command of two main armies. Commander Timothy Davison was placed in charge of the Naval and Air force. Commander Xavier Vestock was placed in charge of the army, which involved the majority of one of the humans’ greatest weapons since the creature attacked. Battle Suits of different sizes and shape, but each still resembling that of a human in ancient armour. Siege Armour, which were practically tanks that could walk. Sometimes they could even fly. And finally there was Combat Armour. These were the smallest. Standing only around 10 metres. But they usually wielded massive chain guns and missile launches. Sometimes with energy weapons, like particle guns or plasma cannons.
Though the ground force had the majority of these, Siege Armour was modified for the Air force, and the Navy had Combat Armour. This evened out the control of these, keeping balanced control with the two generals.
David was enlisted with the Air force. His unit specialised in ground operations though, but were trained for covert paradrops. They had a large unit of 42 lead by Lewis Newman. Nick named ‘Lewy’. Their group was slightly mixed with skills. Some were better at the covert stuff. Like explosives, technical or scouting. David was fairly good at the scouting aspects. Being a top aim with a rifle. He wasn’t too bad at technical stuff and he could defuse a bomb. But out of the 10 other aspects, these were his only good traits.
He laid down on his bunk and pulled the sheets up. Making himself comfortable. His gut had settled now. But the dream still bothered him. He only started having it a few weeks ago. But it was beginning to get more constant. And there was only one logical reason he could think of for it. The very day that the proposed invasion to occur was three months away. Close to only 72 days. He knew the dream would become more constant until it finally happened. He tried to forget the thought, and eventually drifted off to sleep.
PART 3
1215 Hours, June 29, 2305AD (62 Days till “Invasion Day”). Peterson Hill Military Academy, Sleeping Quarters D1-D34. (Academy Code: 32PS-2C)
“Hey, bro’. Wakey, wakey.”
David groaned and pulled the sheets higher up.
“Don’t make me force you up.”
“Go away.”
“Ha. Feeling a bit hung over are we? Don’t worry. I knew you would and made you some of my secret, “Hung Over Relief” recipe as well.”
David groaned some more. So Jeff pulled the sheets down and tried to force him to sit up. David fought back and shoved him off, before pulling the sheets back over his head.
“Damn it David. Get the hell up!”
“Piss off.”
“Argh! Fine. I’ll leave it here for when you’re ready. But don’t blame me if you fail the exams today.”
The mention of exams was enough to stir David from his sleep. He had forgotten all about them.
“Shit. What’s the time? I can’t be that late.”
“It’s already 12:15. I’d get moving if I were you.”
“Why didn’t you wake me earlier?” David asked as he picked up the odd coloured liquid Jeff left him.
“I did. But you tried to bite my arm off.”
“Yuck! What the hell did you put in this thing?”
“Four raw eggs, some tomato sauce, clove of garlic and about half a packet of N-Ergie.”
“It’s awful!”
“Yeah, well it got your taste buds working didn’t it? And you’re obviously awake now.”
David flipped his legs over the side of the bed and rested on the edge before hoisting himself up. He rubbed his eyes and groaned a bit more.
“Oh stop groaning ya’ pussy. And get moving. You now only have twelve minutes to get ready.”
“Ah shit. I’m never going to do that again.”
Jeff left the room as David went off to the closet. There wasn’t enough time to shower, so he just changed his clothes into a sports outfit. Just some shirts and a tank top really. He walked back into the bedroom. Stared at the drink. Then bravely drank the rest. He then hurtled out of the room. Almost tripping over himself as he did. As he did he almost ran into some people walking by. Three girls laughed at him as he stumbled by. He blushed slightly.
“Really. From now on I’ll never party that hard.”
He knew he was lying to himself. He’d told himself numerous times before not to over do it. But each time he lost himself and ended up feeling sick in the morning. He remembered a time where he didn’t even wake up in his bed. He woke to the sound of a garbage truck trying to picking up the garbage from outside the base. He was lucky he woke up before they reached him. He found two of his friends past out not far from him, except they were smart enough to choose some bushes.
It was funny to think that on a military campus, you’d see order and not people past out from a long night. And in all respects, you wouldn’t. Most people tried not to act too stupid at the risk of getting in trouble from one of the campus commanders, or worse, the Drill Sargent’s. Lucky for David. The Drill Sargent that was taking the test was a fairly calm woman. And to the eyes of the males of the unit, a very beautiful one. And David wasn’t afraid to admit he was fond of her. But it was against regulations to date your commanding officers. At least in most circumstances.
David finally emerged into the area where the exam was taking place. Jeff stood around casually talking with Trevor and Peter (also knows as Lucky. No one knows why we call him that, but he doesn’t complain). It seemed the Dill Sargent wasn’t here yet.
“David. Glad you could make it.” Said Jeff, half laughing.
“Hey… everyone.” Panted David.
“Heard you took the big dipper last night, eh David.” Said Trevor.
“What? Big dipper?”
“You know. The massive tub of beer.”
David looked puzzling at Trevor as he recalled the previous night. But when he tried, all that came back were the memories of the dream. He shook his head.
“Nope. Still have no idea.”
Trevor laughed. “Whoa, you must have been really wasted!”
Peter started to laugh with him and Jeff almost followed. David began to laugh too, but with a slight look of embarrassment on his face. Suddenly there was a loud, booming voice.
“Alright you maggots! Get your arses in line now and get ready for the exam!” The voice was not the usual one they heard in the morning. This one was strong, firm, and very demanding.
They each quickly turned to see the Drill Sargent and upon seeing him they immediately formed in the line with the others. Rather than their normal Drill Sargent, there stood a very large and agitated looking man. He was stocky, well shaved, short military cut hair, cargo pants tucked into his boots formally and a rainbow of colour on his left chest were his medals were.
“Stand up straight!” They all did so. “STRAIGHTER!” They stood up as straight as possible. “Alright. My name is Sargent Hoffa, and since your usual trainer is sick today, I will be giving you the exam. And I expect 100 percent from all of you! Understand?”
They all replied, “Yes Sir.”
“Good.” He began to pace up and down the line, eyeing up everyone. Looking for signs of weakness. “Now. Listen now and listen hard. Because I WILL NOT repeat anything I say to you now. I want all of you to give me three laps around the oval, head over to Section 5 of the obstacle course, and then head down to the creek where you will trek up that until you reach the lake! Did you all get that?”
“Yes Sir!”
“Oh. And you’ll do it all carrying a large pack which is allocated just over by the gym. Head there first!” He stopped pacing at the end of the line. “NOW MOVE IT!”
Everyone immediately took off, some almost tripping over themselves as they did. David stumbled slightly as he charged off with the others to the gym. Peter was next to him.
“Well David… You regretting the Big Dipper now?”
David didn’t answer, he just groaned and pressed onward. The Gym was in site. Most had already grabbed their packs and run off. The packs were almost fully loaded, as per standard. They would have contained anything from medical and food supplies, weapons, ammo, equipment, tents, extra clothing, drinks, etc. And this made them very heavy.
David hoisted his up onto his back and strapped it on. He almost collapsed under the weight, but managed to reagin himself. The pack would have weighed at least six kilograms.
“Now I regret that Big Dipper.”
Peter had already taken off ahead. The only two still with him were Hutchison, Jeremy (“Dozer”) and Warren (“Wazza”). He was five meters ahead of them when an announcement came over the loudspeaker. It sounded just like the same Drill Sargent.
“A note to the unit currently taking the exam, you have one hour to complete the task. NOW KEEP MOVING!”
David groaned some more. Sargent Hoffa was a classic, stereotypical image of a Drill Sargent. He was strict to the max, always seemed angry, and tended to lose his temper.
David has reached the oval, mostly puffed out. He only had to do three laps, which wasn’t too bad. The oval was quite small, maybe on 100 meters long. It was the obstacle course and then the distance between that and the creek that would take the time.
Section 5 was one of the toughest courses. You had to climb over large walls, go under razor wire, climb rope, jump gaps, swing, slide you name it. Section 5 was everything put in one. And at one section it suspended itself 12 meters above the ground. And with the pack, it was going to take him at least half an hour to do it.
He completed his third lap and charged off. He had caught up to two others. One was Lucas and the other was Dredge.
“Hey David. Whoa, you aren’t looking too good. You feeling alright.” Asked Dredge.
David looked at him and checked himself.
“Everything seems in order.”
“You sure?”
“I’m fine. Must be a little extra exhausted from last night.”
“Okay then. If you say so.” He looked ahead and shook his head. “There’s the course. This should be fun.” He laughed sarcastically.
“That isn’t funny.” Replied Lucas.
They all came up to the course and began to climb up a wall. They hopped the side, crawled awkwardly through a narrow trench, and then half-slid down a steep hill. The next part was tricky. They had to scale up another wall, which connected to ropes. From there you crossed a long suspension bridge and went down the other side by attaching a grapple to your safety belt and swinging down. Which sometimes, if timed incorrectly, ended in hitting a tree.
“I really hate this part. The ropes always just that harder to get onto when your on the wall.” Complained Dredge.
“Yeah, but it sure beats climbing up that pole and shimmying across a rope to get to the wall.” Said Lucas.
“Nah. I think that’s even harder yet.”
“Do you ever not complain?”
“Ha, ha. Not really, no.” Laughed Dredge.
David joined him in laughing as he lurched up onto the rope and began to climb.
“Don’t look down ladies. You might feel a little sick.” Laughed Dredge some more.
David shook his head and wiped some sweat off his face.
“It’s quite humid out today, ain’t it?” He said.
“Not really.” Replied Lucas.
David wiped some more sweat off his face and looked up at the sun’s light shining through the tree branches. He peered at the rope and shook his head some more.
“I’m serious here, David. Are you sure you’re feeling alright?” Prompted Dredge.
“Will you stop asking that? I’m fine.” Snapped David.
“Just checking, just checking. No need to get angry.”
They finally reached the top of the climb and began to slowly cross the bridge. The bridge wobbled around and bounced as they crossed it. David peered down at the ground below and shook his head again. He looked at the sun again, but this time seemed dazzled by it’s appearance. He wiped his face and continued to walk along. Dredge and Lucas had gotten ahead and were getting ready to mount the grapple and head back down. Then David’s feet gave away under him. He fell onto the bridge and rolled back over. He was very close to the edge. He panted hard and wiped his face some more.
“Damn it’s hot!”
He began to unbuckle his shirt with one hand as he reached for his bottle with the other. He popped its top with his teeth and tried to stand, but he almost fell over again and dropped then fumbled with the bottle. He hesitated and tried to grab hold, but it was falling to the edge. He reached out, almost lunging for it. The bottle tumbled out of his reach as he sweared at it and lunged completely, but now he was far too close to the edge. He collapsed over the rope and fell over the twelve-meter high bridge.
“DAVID!” Screamed a voice.
David’s mind froze completely. The heat he felt went, all thoughts disappeared, and the bottle he held seemed to be no longer there. His eyes were open in shock and terror as his body gave way to gravity and hurtled towards the earth. He hit the safety net hard and bounced high, landing again and then bouncing once more, tumbling as he did towards the edge. He bounced again and rolled off the net, hitting the ground.
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...The Sargent grabbed a radio and gave the message to all the commanding officers. The message seemed to not even be needed as soldiers looked up at the bright light that seemed to tear apart the sky as it pierced the atmosphere. It hurtled down with a red spire of twisting flame trailing behind it, and within a few moments it striked the obelisk, crushing it beneath its speed and weight.
The shockwave it produced tossed a sandstorm 100 feet into the air that swooped across the field, blinding all soldiers. Some got ready to shoot immediately, but they were ordered not to fire through the sand. The thermal images they had showed the object was completely inactive, and satellite images showed no more activity.
The sand cleared and people became far tenser. They held their position, trying not to move too much. It was staring to get difficult to maintain their own position. Soon enough, someone would make a mistake.
Finally, the object showed activity. A single hatch opened up from the side of the twenty-meter object. And from it, emerged several sixteen-meter tall machines, each armed with their own weapons. They eyed off the human force, the slits where their eyes were glowing a brilliant crimson, their armour plating matching the eye colour. They carried a large staff weapon with an axe tip in one hand, and a small blaster in the other. Another one emerged from behind them, this one with golden plated armour. It, like the others, had a skeletal look to it. And by the looks of how the others moved out of its way, it was in command.
It raised its weapon and in a sarcastic and metallic tone, it spoke, “Sorry we’re late.”
SECTION 2: Invasion Day
Part 1
1918 Hours, August 29, 2305AD (3 minutes ID). Unknown location, Military operation surrounding alien threat.
“OPEN FIRE!” Came a shout that erupted a mass thunder of guns and cannon fire that lit the area with a blaze of light and sound that would level a small city.
From the target zone, the eight alien machines leaped into combat, firing off at the human forces that tried to shoot them down. Within the first seconds, one alien had taken enough hits to be shot down, but the others had escaped unscathed by the assault. They made a counter attack and brought down a set of tanks. Another of them fell to the attack, but managed to fire off a large cannon before it went down. The shot from the cannon blasted away a large group, along with two Siege Armour’s known as Goliath’s. Luckily, one managed to remain operation and return its fire to the enemy.
The orange armoured unit darted around and took cover against the upturned Goliath. A Battle Suit carrying a rocket pack shot down another alien, which was pulled away behind the Goliath just in time to avoid some artillery. An alien began to try and revive the fallen one as the others charged up and over. They destroyed the wounded Goliath and took aim at the reserves that compiled of extra ammunition, medical supplies, food and water. They set it alight and managed to get away with it.
A few battle suits charged into close combat and they fought on with three others, as the other two kept moving onward. The one that was reviving the fallen bolted around the other way leaving its dead comrade behind. Artillery fire erupted around it, almost sending it flying through the air. It fired at the Artillery, but couldn’t make a perfect shot until finally, it managed to hit one and destroy it.
The suits in combat with the other three tried frantically to destroy their enemy. One suit was ripped in half with the aliens weapon and finished off with a stab. The alien machine whipped out its gun and prepared to fire, but was striked straight through by a bolter cannons round. It was torn perfectly from rear to front. It fell to the ground and perished.
The other two fighters managed to bring down one alien, but were defeated by the other. The golden plated alien was too strong and destroyed them both efficiently. It immediately proceeded to the others who were trying to gain advantage. As it did, it seemed to loose focus on the battle. Within another minute, three more objects crashed onto the surface, and emerging from them came three more full squads, just like the first. The alien refocused in time to be slabbed several times by a Battle Suit.
The battle was getting close to defeat for both sides. The wrong move and it was over. The aliens were taking cover behind their pods because the artillery fire had become more direct and was striking too close for them to run. They had to rely on the only squad that was close enough to engage.
From the first squad, stood only one more alien machine, which slowly crumpled to the ground as a barrage of fire striked it. It gave way and exploded violently. There were now only three squads left, each with eight in them. Out of the human forces, just over half remained. Not far from the battle, a large squad of jets flew in to provide air support for the ground forces. They had seven F-12 Fighter jets, and eleven AS Bombers, nicknamed ‘Black Angels’.
The still attacking squad managed to get up to the front lines and started a harder assault on the troops there. They were smart, they knew that the artillery couldn’t harm them due to the risk of injuring their own. The only thing that was holding them back was the Siege Armour and Battle Suits that continued their barrage on the advancing enemy.
The two-trapped squads spotted the oncoming aircraft and opened fire. The jets streamed in and let loose a cloud to make it harder to get a shot. After that, the bombers dropped their payload, which remained accurate because of thermal technology. They had little chance to avoid the attack. By the time the smoke cleared, there were none left alive. The final squad saw the situations and became fearful enough to fall back. They were losing and they knew it.
The squad leader seemed to lose focus like the first and shortly after, more pods dropped. Once more there were only three. But emerging from one of them was a different alien. Inside was a massive tank like machine that had to have a much larger pod to keep it inside. It moved slowly, but to make up for speed, it carried a large array of weapons to fight back. The artillery changed focus and fired a salvo. The machine took each shot and remained on its advance. It fired and brought down half the artillery squad.
From above, the bombers made their assault on the machine. It fired at them, along with some extra fire from a squad. Five bombers were blown away, but the rest managed to drop their payload. The machine took the blows from the bombs, but managed to keep moving. Damage was evident, yet didn’t seem to have done enough to stop it. The only good was that the bombes had killed off most the squad with it.
Back at the front line, the advancing squads made their way through another unit, destroying everything there was. They approached another reserve and began to target it. From within, however, Two Siege Armour’s emerged and blew three aliens away. They changed their assault stance and quickly attacked the armour. They were losing their forces quickly to the humans, and the stress to gain an advantage was being shown in their now slightly sluggish efforts.
Some soldiers were wondering why they hadn’t simply attacked with a massive assault. They may have had a larger chance then, but instead they attacked in small assault groups. The only thing they seemed to had made the right decision about was the huge tank-like machine that had survived yet another payload from the bombers. The aircraft retreated away, their bombs and missiles expended on the assault. In a short time though, more were going to arrive to replace them.
On the other side of the massive sand hill, a squad of helicopters had made their way and deployed reinforcements. Along with them were two of the best Siege Armour’s the army had. The UI2000 Rolling Thunder carried twice the firepower of the second largest, the Goliath. Its armour was reinforced with two layers of tritanium, including an iron cannon. They made their way slowly up the hill and towards the top. Along side were four more battle Suit’s, a small squad of tanks, and vehicles carrying infantry.
Back on the front line, the enemy tank had taken out the remaining artillery, and another two squads had been deployed. There were about a quarter left of human troops to defend against the enemy, and they were getting weary of fighting against the impossible enemy that continued to advance upon them. Finally the Rolling Thunder’s emerged atop the hill where the artillery was and opened fire. The aliens had no chance against them. The tank took the hits from one and exploded away into nothing. The squad that was nearest was obliterated, and the remaining two that had avoided the salvo were shot down.
The newest squads made their way back to the pods for cover. They prepared to make a long ranged assault, but within twenty seconds, the Rolling Thunder’s had their weapons fully recharged. They fired away at where the enemy took cover and destroyed the pods. After that, the new air support arrived and finished the job.
The soldiers waited for more to come. But after a minute of nothing, they immediately celebrated. The truck that the bloodied sergeant was near oversaw the ship. It opened once more and a single object came down.
He radioed across to all surviving units to prepare again. The soldiers readied as an object descended and smashed to the ground. Its hatch opened up and from it emerged a different alien. The pod it had was unique to the others. Its shape was more angular and it had an alien detail to it. Recognisable to human culture, was the skeletal images pictured and the demonic twists that showed souls burning in hell. The alien slowly moved out, extended its black jets and ascended 100 feet into the air.
The new threat was more skeletal to the others, but had large plates extending from the shoulders. It’s armour plating was more detailed for that of a warrior. Its evil eyes were no more than glowing slits of rage. The order to open fire was given and everything fired at the target. From what they saw, almost everything had hit. Finally the order to cease-fire was given and the smoke aloud to clear.
When it cleared, the creature was revealed. It appeared to have taken barely any damage at all. It’s evil look showing no mercy for those that had fired on it. The demonic look striking fear into all those that gazed upon it. Suddenly, it began to glow brilliantly, blinding the soldiers who began to open fire once more.
From a location more than one thousand miles away, back at Peterson Hill Military Academy. A man called David oversaw the carnage on the TV. Amazingly, the truck was still broadcasting the events. Suddenly a loud scream erupted in David’s and everyone else’s ears. The noise was a mix between crying and a scream of pain. The noise toned down and David managed to look back at the image. He heard a voice through the screams. A familiar voice that reminded him of someone he knew from his childhood.
“Beware…For I am the Dark Angel… And I bring your end…”
Suddenly the voice was recognised in David’s ears. He snapped to attention to and fought against the pain in his ears and cried out.
“FATHER!”
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Part 3
2144 Hours, August 29, 2305AD (6 hours 2 minutes ID). Naval Command-ship, “Thunder Torrent”. 10 Miles off coast of Dublin.
The huge naval ship, Thunder Torrent, held its stance as three of its W2-Wing Lords, an aerial type of Siege Armour, returned from their flight. All three were battered and bruised from the battle at Dublin. One of them seemed so damaged that it seemed like it would collapse from the damage taken soon enough.
From the control deck of the massive ship, Naval Captain Brenton Hues surveyed the landing deck before him. He was a mid-aged man with blonde hair, which showed some silver streaks, either from age, or stress. His eyes were plastered a grey colour that showed his adverse attention, but also his tiredness. He furrowed his brow in annoyance because only three of the Wing Lords had returned from the battle.
He cast a look towards the direction of Dublin and the huge cloud of black smoke that loomed over the area, before redirecting his attention to his first mate, 1st Lieutenant Janet Lindsey. A woman only two years younger, brown eyes and light brown hair with her fringe dyed red. Her slender body and pretty face was a remarkable disguise for her tenacious attitude and ferocity.
She noticed the Captains annoyed look and immediately deciphered why he was mad with a quick glance at the light smoke emitting from the deck below.
“It is war. You can’t expect everyone to return safely. We should be grateful that three made it back.” She spoke as she began to jot something down on a notepad.
“I realise that Lieutenant.” He almost began to say something else, but decided not to get her started. If he even showed a single sign of moaning, she’d tell him off. And though he was the ranking officer, the Lieutenant retained a slight command on him, and he’d rather not embarrass himself in front of the other crewmembers.
“Sir!” Came a voice. “Sir, we just got word in from the High Command of Naval and Air Operations.”
Captain Hues turned to look at the man awkwardly salute as he clambered the steps. “High Command? Okay, what is it?”
“They say that our forces are not to get too dug in with the city. They said that once the enemy show sings of retreat from the capitals, our forces are to leave immediately!”
Hues was slightly confused. “And why might this be?”
“They say that the enemy are planting some sort of tactical nuke to destroy each capital!”
His eyes widened with shock. “What! Is that really the message?”
“Yes sir! They just sent it out too all personal in charge of each section. They said that there’ll be a brief notice of high energy signals, then the bomb will go off.”
“Dear god. Lance Corporal Anderson! Give me energy readings of the battlefield now!”
“Right away sir!”
“Return to your station, soldier.” He muttered as he turned to face Dublin again. His eyes changed from shock to absolute horror as he watched Dublin begin to glow a bright blue aura.
“Sir, energy signals are off the scale! I think there’s…”
“A nuke gone off.” He paused. “Those devious bastards.”
“Sir!” Came the voice of the same man who delivered the message. “New order from High Command again.”
The Captain didn’t even turn his gaze. He was too stunned by the sight. Janet looked at the light, then at the captain.
“I’ll take the message for him.”
“Yes Ma’am. High Command has ordered the ship to turn about and return to High Command itself.”
“Really? That’s weird.” She looked at the captain who still hadn’t taken away his gaze. She gave a sympathetic look, and then turned to face the rest of the deck. “New orders! Turn the ship about and make heading for High Command Naval Head Quarters.”
The order snapped Captain Hues to attention, and he turned to face the Lieutenant. “Why the hell are we leaving! Explain Lieutenant!”
“Orders from High Command. I’m not sure why, but they want us to return there a.s.a.p.” She spoke without turning around.
Hues didn’t move for a moment as he pondered the new order. Then he finally turned to face Dublin. The blue light had gone, and not even smoke seemed to be left. He noted the lives that were lost, and saluted.
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That's about all I reckon I should put.
Hope you enjoyed what you did read and that maybe it psyched you up for it's eventual release.