(7)
“You know, if you keep this up then you are going to drink me out of house and home.” Captain Iverson said to Maxwell.
“Ramirez just lost Dark Serpent. It will take a miracle to find him. Judging by what Mad Dawg stated, if we don’t find him . . . then it’s all over for . . . (he then took a long sip off of his drink) us all.”
“I’m certain that if anybody could find him then it would be him.”
“Don’t be so certain. He picked up some signal that he had to go and investigate and it turned out to be nothing more than some old Asian woman throwing snowballs at him. If that is what he calls mission critical . . .”
“You know what I think. I think that you are taking everything too hard.” Iverson stated to which Maxwell had no comment. He wanted to, but couldn’t.
“I feel trapped with no escape. My strong sense of duty versus reality.” Maxwell stated after he took a sip. His depression was coming loud and true.
“You’re people needs you. But they do not need you like this. What would Lenkov and Omori have to say about your behavior?” Iverson asked him. Maxwell didn’t answer so Iverson left. Maxwell then started to cry within his heart and soul. He knew what Iverson did not, there will be too much blood for that world.
(8)
“Boy . . . how many times have told you to quit your yapping.” The father scolded his teenage son.
“But dad I swear that I saw a demon!”
“Do you even know what one looks like, boy?”
“Yeah! Big, black, ugly and stupid pa!”
“Kind of like you. In the stupid part.”
“I ain’t the mayor pa!”
“Boy . . . you ‘bout as quiet as a screaming whore in church confessing her sins!”
Several minutes passed by of intense silence as the local militias in their boats, did all their best at doing what the mayor would not allow Leon to do. It was cold and dark as the local fishermen begin the dreadful search of the swamps and defense of their way of life. In some cases whole families came out to give it their all in that defense. Only to realize that the greatest terror of them all was the silence that gnaws at the soul until it becomes too raw. But these are not the type of people who would back down and surrender their way of life to monsters without a fight.
“Shit me up a storm if I don’t have more of that sweet nectar.” One of the fishermen mentioned to his comrade after he’d too saw a red-Efiáltis.
(9)
Claire Daniel called a press conference long before the mayor did. What went on within the swamps was already resolved by this time. The docks were on the verge of being lost. At the exact time that Claire was giving her speech the Efiáltis’ were on the verge of entering the docks. The fate of the city and the people now rests upon Claire and her speech. Yes the mayor was watching it, but from the comfort of her home far from danger. What the mayor wanted, she did not get. Instead of hearing Claire give the mayor what she wanted to hear, Claire gave the mayor an earful.
“I come here today, not as a criminal as the mayor would have you to believe, but as a private citizen who is within her legal rights. Do any of you seriously believe that I, with a family, who’s record is there for all to see, a record that shows that I serve with honor and distinction, would risk everything as the mayor would have you to believe? Please, I beg of you, as a mother and as a wife, one who serve her community with distinction, I beg of you to open your hearts and eyes and trust me. Me and my husband would die for you, for this community. If you don’t believe me then answer me this: where is my husband and where is the mayor? How far away is the mayor’s home, and how far away is both mine and my husband? Yes I know that the mayor may use the argument that she is busy coordinating the appropriate authorities for the continual defense of the community. But answer me this, why is that all of those individuals, including my husband, chooses to be here and not in their luxury mansion? Oh, I forgot . . . I meant to say the same type of homes that you live in and not some luxury mansion. Rather they choose to leave those home and come to where the mayor cannot. Or dare I say, too afraid to. If my husband is to die then I choose to die with him. I know that may sound selfish of me when I, like you, have children. Children that we both love with all of our hearts and soul as I can imagine you do as well. But I know that many of you will lose your children. Some of you your whole family. I weep for you if that’s the case. I cannot imagine, nor shall I, the grief that you must feel. For those of you who chooses to fight, and if necessary to die with your family, then you can imagine why I am here and my children is not. For ultimately that is what it all comes down to, the sacrifice that each and every community must chose to make. I know that by being here . . . I . . . that I may die here. But at least I die with honor. So . . . what say you? What say the mayor? Let me tell you if, god forbids if, we shall fail . . . then who will be safe upon this world. But nobody. Nobody.”
It didn’t take that long for the people to learn the fate of those who stood their ground in the swamps. That, combined with Claire’s speech, turned the public against the mayor. It was the media, however, who turned on the mayor first. They had people in the docks. They had to witness the horror of the loss of their own people. They saw the horror of the live footage and had to edit it for viewer-ship. Seeing the loss of their friends right before their eyes. The mayor however did have a speech prepared, but it was Claire’s speech that delayed it. Seeing what the media was reporting on her, forced the mayor to abandoned her speech in favor of an off-the-collar speech. She, after all, had no other choice. But her speech, all in an effort to salvage her career, backfired on her. It made her look like she was out of touch with the people.
(10)
The crew of Dark Phoenix (Iverson’s ship), heading down to the surface, couldn’t help but to feel that the fate of the Marines was fixing to be their fate. 1st Lieutenant Rymer was tasked with smoking out the so-called safe houses of Dark Core. Since he arrived in the sector he just couldn’t help but to feel that a certain darkness will befall upon him. If he survives whatever fate throws at him, he promised within his heart and soul that he will marry his beloved girlfriend.
Once the safe houses have been eliminated (Maxwell had the data on where they are [he got them from the TIA], it just that there were too much data to review.) he was sent off on flanking missions to force Dark Serpent into a kill zone. Using game theory (which is something that he knew that the other three Dark Core members despised) greatly help him in achieving his goal. Dark Serpent for the first time ever started to realize that he was wrong in looking down at the theory. Trap with nowhere to run to he realize that there is one place that he could go to. If he does goes there then he will be able to lose his tail and gain the upper hand against his tormentors.
(11)
“Just call me Officer Jack.” The police officer told the militias and those civilians with him. It was all that anybody ever knew of him. But it was he who would ultimately save all of their lives. Nobody else who was at the docks would be as successful as he was. Yes there would be people who managed to escape, but since the docks were at a tip of a peninsula it made escape difficult. It was Officer Jack who, instead of using force against an unarmed assailant, he use the method of: track, observe, avoid, and collect valuable Intel. Those who did not do that (or think that bullets could stop them) learn the hard way a wounded beast can be as equally as dangerous as one who isn’t wounded and is starving. Because Officer Jack collected Intel upon the Efiáltis’ (including video) it allowed others to ascertain a way in defeating the unholy beasts.
(12)
“Daddy what did you do during the war?” The boy asked his father.
“Shut up! Leave me alone!”
“I love you daddy. Don’t treat me this way.”
“You’re not my son! You . . .! You’re one of those monsters!”
“And what would your mother say.”
“Shut up about her!”
“Don’t you want t
o honor her . . . daddy?”
“And I told you to shut up!?”
The Arukan defenders at the docks had to deal with these flying red-beast of the night being able to somehow tap into their SIN and use their memories against them. They had the ability to talk like anyone from a person’s past. They knew how to talk like, to act like, that lost love one. They even knew the secrets of the lost love one. But for some reason the red version only focused (or cared?) about those who served.
“You’re not my mother!”
“Why can’t you honor me like your father? Is it because of his cowardliness like yours? Please don’t blame me for how he treated you. I would never put you in a sweat box the way that he did.”
“Shut up. You are not my mother. She died . . .” He stated through tears.
“Thinking of you . . . and how you will join her today.” The voice from the sky stated in a unnatural tone of voice.
(13)
“Good god almighty.” Iverson stated when he saw the video footage coming out of Aruka. Setting on the bridge of his ship he finally realize (or so he thinks) why Maxwell gets drunk as much as he does.
“We finish retrofitting the bridge sir.” Lieutenant Commander North informed him.
“Do you really believe that these belts are that necessary?” Iverson asked as he tugged on the safety belt that was added to his chair. North’s engineering team added them to all the chairs on the bridge.
“Sir, were you ever caught within the gravity well of a planet while the ship is in a dog flight with multiple ships?”
“No.” Iverson responded fearing what he will hear next.
“As you know sir, there is no such thing as anti-gravity which is why you can ‘feel’ the pull from a planet’s gravity. If the ship does a barrel roll, loop-the-loop, etc, the crew will be tossed around like a rag doll.”
“Alright, I understand now. That will be all.”
(14)
The artillery barrage of the Arukan docks finally came to an end only because they ran out of shells. The docks were destroyed including any ships that were docked. Some of the high rises were reduced to rubble in an effort to hit anything that was too near the docks. The only thing that the defenders of Aruka knew is that the Efiáltis’ were “at the docks.” The person at the other end of the radio call never mentioned precisely where the Efiáltis’ were. The peninsula that the docks were on was hit randomly (the mayor’s lifeless body survived that bombardment) in an effort to make certain that maybe, just maybe, a few of the Efiáltis’ were hit (only a few were). A battle line outside of the peninsula was formed. Buildings, APCs, tanks, barricades, snipers, police, PDF and the militias, was the only line of defense for the city. Leon, Claire and Officer Jack was in the center within the command post. They all knew one thing—it’s not that easy to take down one single Efiáltis even if they are unarmed. But they also knew that this, hopefully, will be the last of them.
The first attack from the Efiáltis’ came on the defenders left flank. After twenty minutes they finally overrun the defenders position. The Efiáltis’ then attempted to swoop around to attack the defenders right flank. Although it failed to achieve much, it did weakened the defenders right flank, the only good news is that all the Efiáltis’ who made the attack (along with most who were still in the city) were wiped out. The next wave, although a small one, was just nothing more then the Efiáltis’ probing the defenders position. The next wave hit the center flank very hard. A long and very bitter battle ensued in which the center finally collapsed. Unfortunately, Officer Jack died in the attack. He was in a APC that was overrun. While the Efiáltis’ were around it (with some trying to get in), instead of driving off, he decided to blow it up killing himself and seriously injuring those Efiáltis’ that were near. Those that were left was gunned down by the retreating defenders. One group of militias then did a counter-attack and drove off the rest of the Efiáltis. The final wave came up through the center, killed all the militias who counter-attacked the previous wave, split up, with one group taking on targets of opportunity, and the rest trying to take out the command post. At one point a very large Efiáltis, seriously wounded, let out a earth shattering howl and then all the Efiáltis’ throughout the city converged at the command post. It was finally over when the Efiáltis took over roughly 75% of the high rise building.
Although it was over, the price for the defenders was severe. Maybe a little too severe. There was too much damage to the downtown part of the city, too many people fled with most never returning, the lost of life was too high, and worst of all—both Leon and Claire died defending the command post. Critically wounded, they both died in each others arms on the rooftop. (Leon was wounded when a Efiáltis threw a hand grenade and Claire was wounded when, running to him, a Efiáltis shot her with someone’s rifle.) The city of Aruka was no more and those who came back will not stay for long. And the only good news for everyone on Golden Hyperion was that upon that world—the red-Efiáltis are extinct.
(15)
Those communities like that of Fort Conti that was closest to the action were finally finished with the fortifying of their towns. Their suspicions and mistrust of the media was as such that none would talk to the vultures. The media, now afraid for their future, are now telling the truth. None of them wants to go back to the days when machines did all the reporting but that is the exact movement that is being created.
From where Task Force ZH-3C landed in Aruka, so many people came out to meet them that the team thought that it must have been half the city. Spread out from many different communities with a common bond that united each into one, what effects one, effects all. Skotadi always like that for it also meant that their communities will, not only be loyal to them, but also survives the harsh cold reality of space travel and colonization. And now they must survive the cruelty of Dark Core. The destruction of Aruka have put everybody’s loyalty upon that world, to the test. All it would take is another community to suffer under the yoke of Dark Core for the people to say that they have had it. And they are about to get it.
(16)
“What do you want to do sir?” The Crewwoman asked 1st Lieutenant Rymer.
“Since we can’t trust Castillo, then we are going to have to assume that Dark Serpent will unleash what is left of the Efiáltis clones out and attack our position. That bridge gave me an idea. We will need some artillery, preferably as many that can be spared, to shell what is on the other side.”
“Understood sir. Your orders.”
“As quickly as possible we need to turn that area into a kill zone. Everything most die nothing can live. It’s time to end this once and for all.”
“Yes sir.” She responded.
Most of everything was airlifted and then put into placed. Working as fast as they could, and pulling a triple shift, they got the job done within two days. And then they waited for the hell that they knew was coming. Maxwell allowed Rymer to keep five helicopters, two tanks, and seven APCs. Maxwell also informed him that no help will come since they are starting to get stretched thin.
“Hey sir, I just wanted to wish you a happy new year.” The Senior Crewman mentioned. Although there were slightly more than seven hours to go, he just wanted to say it before it was too late. Yes a new year dawns, but for whom? Rymer knows that only when there is peace than a true “new year” dawns.
(17)
“I kind of wish that he was still here just so that I can keep on messing with his head. I guess that I loved it too much.” Michael Christianson stated as he looked at the monitor and saw Captain Levine (Infernus).
Addicted to messing with his head, Michael decided to release both the medical and the psychological reports on Infernus. But he released it to the conspiracy nuts for he knew that Infernus will have no way in silencing them. Michael wanted to destroy the image of Infernus just because he knew that will drive him insane. The megalomaniac within him will surely come out in some way or another. Perhaps it was Michael’s way of saying don�
��t you forget about me. But whatever the case may be it will only bring out the evil genius within Infernus.
Falling Into Hell & Madness
(1)
Dark Serpent finally made it to his destination. He look at the cloning facility the way that only a madman would. He kind of suspected that since Rymer is no longer chasing him then all likelihood he building up a defensive position to take on the last remaining Efiáltis army. But he didn’t care. More lambs being led to the slaughter. And what ever is left of this army of demons will bring divine wrath upon all.
“My dark lord, what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?” Naomi R. Levitt asked.
“Is Castillo here?”
“Yes sir.”
“Good. Tell him I need to see everyone in the conference room immediately.”
“Yes my dark lord.”
Dark Serpent set in the conference room staring at a poster about Valkyrie that had a quote from Lenkov which read, “People like me have to dive into a pile of elephant shit so that those brass-holes don’t get any on them.” He both knew and feared what it would mean if too many of those in the military came around and believe in what Maxwell does. Dark Core will have no authority anymore. And that poster was reminding him of that. How he both hated it and feared that quote.
“I don’t know each of your names, so when you first speak please say your name.” Dark Serpent instructed everyone at the conference table. He then thought for a brief moment, and then said, “What is the status of the Efiáltis’ here?”
2288: The Skotadian Experiment Page 31
