266 Horrors of War(1)
– Venice Beach, Los Angeles, America - 11:36 AM –
In the heart of Venice Beach, chaos reigned as the US military fought tooth and nail against the relentless onslaught of dark aether forces pouring out of multiple portals near the seas and sprinted across the large space of the beach. Tanks roared through the streets, soldiers raced into position, and attack helicopters streaked across the sky, unleashing hellfire upon the undead horde.
[IMAGES]
"There is no end to this!" shouted one of the US troops.
"Just hold them off for some time! Air support is on their way!" said a US sergeant, his voice barely audible over the cacophony of gunfire and screams.
Another US troop gritted his teeth as he unloaded round after round into the advancing zombies. "Sargent, how much longer can we keep this up?"
The US Sargent glanced at the portal looming ominously on the horizon. "As long as it takes, Private! We can't let whatever these things overrun the city!"
But their efforts seemed futile as wave after wave of zombies surged forth. The soldiers fought bravely, but the casualties mounted, and hope began to wane.
As the sun gradually reached the center of the sky that signaled the time had reached noon, the moment of truth arrived. Another massive wave of dark aether forces charged from the portal, their numbers seemingly endless.
Hundreds of soldiers formed a defensive barrier around Venice Beach, unleashing a storm of gunfire and artillery upon them. Tens of tanks thundered shells into the horde, killing dozens in an instant.
But no matter how many zombies they kill, more are coming and it seems like it doesn't end. Some even target the portal, which is shown to be useless as their bullets or explosive rounds were either passed through or had no effect when they exploded near it.
And moments later, a trio of F-16 fighter jets streaked overhead the army and headed towards the zombie horde.
"This is Viper 1 to ground team, are we clear to engage?" Viper 1 asked.
[Ground team to Viper 1, weapons free!] The sergeant shouted over the radio.
The F-16s then each shot two missiles upon the undead masses. The missile struck them, annihilating hundreds upon hundreds in an instant and formed a large cloud of sands that engulfed half of the beach.
"Hunter 7-5 to Overload, targets destroyed."
[Copy that, what about the status of that wormhole?]
"I-... what the?" The pilot on one of the F-16s suddenly noticed something within the cloud of sands, something purple.
"What is thi-" The pilot began to say, only to cut short when a blinding beam of light lanced out from the sand cloud, obliterating one of the jets in a fiery explosion.
"What the hell!?" One of the US soldiers exclaimed as he and the rest of the world's strongest military witnessed their air support getting shot down one by one.
And as the last one was done, emerging from the dust cloud was nearly half a hundred of Ordas, ranging from twenty to sixty feet in height as they slowly advanced through the beach along with another wave of dark aether zombies.
The US Sergeant's voice crackled over the radio as he shouted, "Command, we required more assistance! These things are too much for us!"
The US army responded by immediately shooting them down, their weapons spewing with lead and explosives in a relentless onslaught. While the zombies could be dispatched easily, these colossal monstrosities that towered over the battlefield proved to resist heavy gunfire and the army were only able to take down a few of them in more than ten seconds. Remarkably resilient, it took the concentrated force of two to three 120mm armor-piercing SABOT shells just to bring down the smallest of these things.
"Where are the reinforcements!? Why haven't they arrived yet!?" demanded a US soldier, his voice strained amidst the chaos. He staggered, nearly thrown off balance by the shockwave of an explosion as one of the towering monsters unleashed a devastating beam of purple energy, obliterating a nearby tank and claiming the lives of a dozen troops around it.
The other US soldier, who appeared to be a commanding officer, hesitated, his resolve faltering momentarily. Yet, understanding the futility of concealment, he delivered the grim news which might break the morals of his men.
"They won't come."
A collective chill swept through the ranks as his words hung heavy in the air. Weapons lowered, eyes oscillated between their leader and the encroaching horde, a palpable sense of despair descending upon them like a suffocating shroud.
"T-Then are we..." One of the soldiers trembled, tears mingling with dirt-streaked cheeks as a look of sorrow and depression loomed over his face. "Going to die here?" he whispered, gazing up at the horde of Ordas looking down at him like a towering behemoth, their ominous presence casting a shadow over all hope.
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– Unknown Location, SCP Universe - 12:00 PM - Six Hours After Invasion –
Joseph "Old Man" Joestar still remained stuck within the impenetrable walls of his cell in the Chaos Insurgency prison base with its exact whereabouts still unknown. With the runic cuffs circling his wrist prevented him from using his Stand, "Hermit Purple". Despite his confinement, Joseph meticulously scanned at each part of his cell in a search for any conceivable means of him making a straight escape. Regrettably, the cell offered no such opportunities.
Joseph clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction, "Of course they wouldn't make it easy. Surprisingly there is no camera here. Or is there?" he mused.
Standing up from his feet, Joseph checked every inch of his cell, meticulously examining each surface for any irregularity or gap from where he was being watched or something like a listening device. Alas, his efforts proved fruitless.
"Well great. It's like these guys KNEW I would exploit something from this cell. Welp there is one thing I can do." Joseph muttered, his frustration mounting.
He proceeded to bang on the cell door with his shackled fists, bellowing for assistance in a desperate bid for freedom.
"PLEASE HELP ME! OH MY GOD!!"
Suddenly, the cell door slid open, and Joseph found himself sprawled on the floor, courtesy of a forceful kick from a Chaos Insurgency soldier who strode in, sealing the entrance behind him.
"Stay here where you are, Mr. Joestar. We'll orchestrate your escape once the opportunity is right," the soldier declared, his tone carrying a hint of assurance.
Joseph immediately sprang to his feet and retorted angrily, "Like hell you will! I'm gonna beat-" His tirade halted abruptly as he caught something usual in the soldier's words. "Wait! Did you say get me out?"
"Yes," The soldier nodded discreetly, casting wary glances around the cell before leaning in to divulge his clandestine identity. "I'm actually an undercover Foundation agent, a member of MTF Delta-5, codenamed 'Front Runners.' I've been implanted into the Chaos Insurgency to gain intelligence here. I've been scoping this prison for weeks now."
Realization dawned on Joseph as he absorbed the revelation. "Ohhh... I see. In that case, get me out of this and let's bail from this prison."
"That's easier said than done," the agent cautioned with a grave expression. "This establishment is specifically well kept secret. It housed nearly a hundred CI personal, cybernetic soldiers, and the unsettling possibility of a Stand user among them. The risks are substantial. We'll have to wait."
Joseph raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Wait for what exactly?"
The agent explained, "My colleague and I, both implanted within the CI ranks, are transmitting vital data to the Foundation regarding this facility's location. Once they receive it, a coordinated assault will ensue on this place and get you out along with the other anomalous individuals here before tearing this place down."
Joseph pondered this proposition, rubbing his chin in contemplation. "Hmmm..."
"Of course, if you prefer a riskier approach," the agent added with a nonchalant shrug, "I don't know. Be my guest."
"Fine, I'll be patient," Joseph acquiesced. "If you guys can help me out with the coordinated attack, then by all means go ahead. But what is this place's name though? This prison base I mean."
"...The Gulag,"
With this answer, the Agent departed the room and the door closed, leaving Joseph alone in the cell.
As the door closed behind the agent, Joseph couldn't shake a sense of familiarity, "...Why does it remind me of that one level Jolyne played on her PS3 from a certain video game back in 2009?" he wondered as he went deep in thought, attempting to recall the connection without success, "Hmmm... I can't put my finger on it."
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– Ireland, Europe - 2:56 PM –
Percy and Goblin Slayer who were still sitting on top of the X-wing that was hovering five meters above a lake had finished sharing their stories with each other and both were astonished with how their party members and the type of threats they faced along the way, but Goblin Slayer kept his mentor out of the chat.
"Sheesh Slayer. You and your party have been through a lot, including yourself. Must be hard seeing your loved ones perished by goblins, and done much worse." Percy remarked empathetically.
"That still doesn't compare to yours by far, Mr. Da Rolo," Goblin Slayer responded solemnly, "But still, the past is... what drives me to slay the goblins and do everything in my power to make them extinct for what they did and that they are not to be taken as small threats as people see them to be. You, however, were driven by vengeance and overcame it with the help of your party, and the way you describe them... they're quite unique."
"Indeed they were, but they were good people," Percy said with a smile, "A family perhaps. Have you ever seen your party like that?"
"...I do not know."
Percy deadpans at his answer, "Of course you don't," he sighed as his expression softened at the confession. "You'll know it one day," he assured, rising to his feet and looking ahead at the vast expanse of water. "For now, let's focus on finding our way out of this lake."
Goblin Slayer followed as he stood alongside him, "Yes, we should."
"We could just swim. The shore might not be too far off," Percy suggested, eyeing the distant bank.
"Maybe, but who knows what might be waiting for us at the shore of this lake." Goblin Slayer countered warily.
"That's true, but staying put on this metal contraption while the enemy is hunting us might not be the best strategy to do at the moment. Unless... you plan on piloting this craft as we did earlier?" Percy queried hesitantly, a hint of reluctance in his voice.
Goblin Slayer hesitated before tentatively suggesting, "Perhaps we could-"
"No! Please. I have had enough of this metal bird for one day, especially with you at the helm." Percy interjected firmly.
"...Fair enough," Goblin Slayer conceded with a nod.
As they prepared to leap into the water and swim ashore, a voice echoed ominously from the surroundings.
"If you know what's good for ya, you will run."
Instantly, both warriors drew their weapons and put their backs pressed against each other as they scanned the area for the source of the warning.
"Anything?" Percy asked cautiously.
Goblin Slayer surveyed their surroundings from the lake to the shore, only to detect no immediate threat, "Nothing, but it's close." he confirmed, his senses on high alert.
Click!
Percy's sharp ears caught the distinctive sound of guns being cocked, prompting him to voice his concern.
"Do you hear guns clicking?" he asked, his senses on high alert.
Looking down at their feet, they were greeted by the sight of sixty miniature metallic-faced soldiers wielding assault rifles and had the two surrounded in a circle.
"The hell are these?!" Percy Percy exclaimed, bewildered by the tiny assailants.
"And why are they the size of wooden figurines I've seen in my world?" Goblin Slayer pondered aloud, scrutinizing the tiny soldiers with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
This was Bad Company.
[IMAGES]
But the surprises didn't end there. Hovering above their heads were six toy-sized Apache helicopters, accompanied by four diminutive tanks, all controlled by the miniature soldiers, which are all part of the colony Stand Bad Company.
But unlike the ones in the anime, these miniature soldiers were slightly different. While they had the same robotic-like faces, their military attires were red and their helmet seemingly covered the upper half of their faces.
"We can handle them, can't we?" Percy asked, eyeing the miniature army.
Goblin Slayer deliberated for a moment before cautioning, "Perhaps, but I get the feeling that we shouldn't pull a stunt, or we will be killed, so wait and keep your guard up."
"Got it." Percy affirmed, bracing himself for the impending confrontation.
Looking around themselves, Goblin Slayer's voice echoed with concern. "Where are you, sir?"
"INCOMING!"
Without warning, a male figure bursts out of the water and lands forcefully between Percy and Goblin Slayer. Before they could react, he swiftly whacks them both in the face with a shovel, sending them tumbling into the X-wing's cockpit and aiming a giant rocket launcher at them.
"That's a big weapon," Percy remarked nervously as his face was met with the imposing barrel of the weapon pointed in their direction.
"MAGGOTS!" the man bellowed, his gaze fixated on Goblin Slayer. "Are you with Merasmus?"
"Who?" Goblin Slayer replied, bewildered by the sudden accusation.
"Answer the question damn it!"
"No, we are not with this... Merasmus," Goblin Slayer clarified firmly.
"Hmm..." the man grunted skeptically.
"Look, let's calm down and talk this out like gentlemen," Percy interjected, attempting to defuse the tension. "Neither of us has fired a shot at each other yet."
The man stared at Percy for a brief moment before lowering his weapon, "Affirmative. NOW GET UP, MAGGOTS!!"
With haste, Percy and Goblin Slayer scrambled to their feet as the former addressed the man cautiously, "Next time, spare us the shovel treatment, please. And may I ask who you are?"
In response to his question, the man saluted crisply and placed his weapon in an upright position.
"I am Soldier... and I am red!"
[IMAGES]
"Yeah, the red attire made it obvious, along with these little guys." Percy remarked dryly.
"They are my troops! I am their leader in red and we kick some serious butt in the name of our great America!" Soldier declared as his gaze shifted skyward and placed his fist into his chest, "Amen."
Goblin Slayer leaned towards Percy and whispered, "He seems to be patriotic."
Percy nodded in agreement, "Yeah, I can see that."
Curious, Soldier turned his attention back to the duo "But what are you doing out in this lake, son?"
"Wellllllll..." Percy nervously scratched his cheek before launching into an explanation
Listening to what Percy explained, Soldier couldn't contain his laughter, "Hahahaha! You showed the Fritz what you're made of by stealing their wings! That's A-ok in my book."
"So we're good?" Percy asked tentatively.
"...YES!"
"How did you end up in this new world?" Goblin Slayer posed a question of his own.
"Oh that's simple. I got a delivery with a big BOX! I opened it. Saw those mini soldiers which you two saw right now but they weren't alive and I grabbed one of them and POOF! I was in a small rowboat in the middle of the sea with no oars. Traversing its dangers. Surviving thirst and hunger, though strangely, didn't feel for some reason . Tested my mini battalion out as the months went by until the sea currents guided me to the shores of this country! And that's when I saw enemy jets moving in the sky... bearing that DREEEEEAAADED flag that is red, white and black. The Third Reich!" He explained, his words filled with utter disdain the moment he referred to the people Percy and Goblin Slayer both encountered, suggesting Soldier harbored a bitter history with them.
Continuing, Soldier elaborated, "Jerry has set up shop here and they mean trouble, so I was able to steal a vehicle of theirs a while ago and reach this lake, and... saw you two on their jets, so I thought you were with them and that one of you is wearing knight armor which reminded of the days of MERASMUS!"
"Uh huh, and assumed us as an enemy." Goblin Slayer said.
"Indeed maggot."
"Alright. Can you operate this... jet, as you call it?" Percy inquired.
"I ain't airborne division, son. The only flying I do is with my rocket launcher." Soldier explained, patting his primary weapon like it was his pet.
"But you mentioned you stole one of their vehicles," Percy pressed.
"Indeed I did, I said it in front of you. It's parked on the lake shore." Soldier confirmed, gesturing towards a distant point where the two were able to see a tiny dot on the shore.
"Then we'll use that instead of this jet," Goblin Slayer proposed. "The enemy will look for their jet only, so not expecting us to move out from a ground vehicle will be an advantage to us to leave without being tracked."
"Son," Soldier stepped forward and patted Goblin Slayer's back, "Outstanding idea! You work in a medieval army as a general or something? You seem knowledgeable in tactics and combat!" he commended.
"No," Goblin Slayer replied simply.
"Okay," Soldier acknowledged before pointing his rocket launcher at the water. "Hold on to my back."
As instructed, Percy and Goblin Slayer gripped onto Soldier as he aimed his rocket launcher at the water's surface.
"HUP!" Soldier exclaimed before pulling the trigger. The rocket hurtled into the water, causing a massive explosion. Simultaneously, Soldier leaped into the blast, propelling himself, Percy, and Goblin Slayer into the air in a spectacular display of force.
This is the power of rocket jumping!
"Woah! Woah! Woah!" Percy's voice echoed in panic as they soared through the air.
"SCREAMING EAGLES!" Soldier hollered triumphantly.
Finally, the trio landed on the lake shore with a thud, where Percy and Goblin Slayer found themselves face to face with a Reich military truck parked just meters away.
"It's not the same steel wagon with the long snout I hid myself under," Goblin Slayer noted.
"Because it's a truck, dammit!" Soldier retorted.
"Hmm..." Goblin Slayer murmured thoughtfully.
"Now get in, maggots!" Soldier commanded.
Without hesitation, Percy and Goblin Slayer climbed into the truck and discovered spare Reich soldier uniforms strewn across the seats.
"You managed to acquire their clothing?" Percy asked him, eyebrows raised in surprise.
Seated in the driver's position, Soldier closed the door behind him and answered Percy's question, "Yes! I found them in one of their supply boxes stowed in the truck's cargo hold. Seems like they were transporting supplies before I snatched the truck."
"I see. Was there anything else in this truck?" Goblin Slayer inquired.
"There are more boxes containing more of their uniforms and some of their rifles. Nothing much else," Soldier replied.
"We could use the uniforms to sneak past enemy outposts if needed," Percy suggested.
"I refuse to wear my enemies colors!" Soldier shouted in disgust.
"Only if it's necessary to bypass any enemy outpost," Goblin Slayer clarified. "We will get rid of these clothes and the truck once we're safely past all the danger. But for now, we keep them intact."
Soldier grunted in reluctant agreement. "Fine, but I will burn them after we're done!"
"That we shall," Percy affirmed.
"Also, you two will explain to me while I'm driving who you are and what brought you here. You are now part of my platoon, and I am your leader! Got it, maggots!?" Soldier yelled the last part loudly as his voice resonated with authority.
"Okay," Percy and Goblin Slayer responded in unison.
A grin spread across Soldier's face. "Good."
With that, Soldier ignited the truck's engine since he had hotwired it earlier when he stole it. As he began to drive down the road with his newfound allies, Percy and Goblin Slayer. Unbeknownst to them, a towering twenty-foot-tall humanoid in armor lurked behind the trees and their canopy, observing their departure.
"King Allant will thou have the souls of this realm, and as his knight, I will honor that his wishes are fulfilled, but thou question the motives of the Forsaken in his promise to deliver the king souls," he pondered.
With determination beneath his large knight helmet, the armored giant began to follow the tracks left by the truck, trailing after the trio.
