by John Davis
Nearly a dozen heavily armed soldiers were first to exit the German Resistance marked air fortress, fully uniformed as they stepped cautiously from the stained wooden deck of the ship onto the hard pavement of the landing zone.
It was a huge area, formerly a parking lot that was set up near what had once been a large outdoor sports stadium. Back before hunting Ancients for the survival of the Human race had become the one and only sport that mattered. As the soldiers looked thoroughly across the surroundings, they motioned for the remainder of the passengers to join them.
“Must be pretty damn important for them to arrive with such a large security detail.” G muttered.
“Must be.” Alicia agreed.
He was right, normally an escort group consisted of only two soldiers. The idea was, if you ran across a group of Ancients, you were more than likely dead anyway. So large of an escort meant that the Germans wanted whoever was aboard the airship to damn well arrive in good condition.
When Nadia Jacobson first exited the ship, Alicia's group stood speechless. Tight black military grade pants topped off her solid gray shirt. Their full attention began to shift to her brilliant blonde hair as Nadia casually stepped onto the blacktop. Her lipstick a darker red tint, seemingly shimmering in only the faint light of day as she glanced into the direction of Alicia's group for a moment before turning back to watch her companions.
Preacher was the next to find his footing on solid ground. Alfons Scheper was anything but a holy man, earning his name from the large, Heaven-Six model sniper rifle that he chose to wield. It was man-sized, standing nearly six feet tall(a fact which earned it the name) as the stock of the weapon easily rested on the pavement. His short white hair was soon forgotten in favor of his scarring and leather-like skin. It was obvious to all onlookers that he had earned his keep in a war against the Ancients, and he carried a stone-faced grin to prove it.
Alicia's group began to walk forward to meet them when the third and final passenger of great importance jumped to the ground, falling only a couple of feet as his solid black boots hit the hardtop with a loud thud. Instantly, guns were on him, Alicia's pistols the first to take aim on the Ancient soldier as Calypso and G quickly followed suit.
“Stop, he's with us!” Nadia yelled loudly, stepping into the line of fire to protect Certes.
Without so much as a whisper, Alicia pushed the safety on both pistols to live fire, continuing her dead stare with the demon as Preacher and Nadia reluctantly pulled their weapons up to take aim on Alicia's team.
“Put your weapons down, or I swear by all that nobody will walk away from this.” Nadia said calmly, her words accented thick with German influence.
“I dunno, I've walked away from a lot better.” Alicia replied with sarcasm.
“There are no better.” Nadia replied quickly, steadily holding her chrome pistol in Alicia's direction. It was polished to a shine that led to believe it had never been used, a smooth wooden grip handle accenting it.
“Alicia! Put down your weapons this instant!” a man yelled as he briskly ran to them on foot.
Wearing a thick brown coat of leather and boots to match, his green eyes cut into her through glass lenses as he held an arm out and motioned for them to holster their weapons.
“For God's sake Alicia, I asked you to escort Nadia's group into the command center, not draw down on them!” he said sternly.
“You never mentioned they would have an Ancient with them.” Alicia replied as she continued to hold the unwelcome alien at gunpoint.
“I don't have to explain myself to you! It's one of the perks of being your commanding officer. Now put the damn guns away!” Commander Snelling shouted.
Seconds later, Alicia slowly holstered her pistols with a single motion, quickly followed by the members of her team.
“My apologies Nadia, I assure you I had nothing to do with your team being put into danger.” the man said apologetically.
“My team was never in any danger.” Nadia replied delightfully, quickly turning her attention from Snelling to Alicia and looking through her as if she weren't there.
The group had started to walk into the direction of the command center, which had formerly been known as the Washington Monument. After Invasion Day, however, it had been designated for military conversations of a sensitive matter.
“I think I'm in love.” Calypso said quietly, his eyes locked onto the curved backside of Nadia Jacobson and his mind on her attitude.
“Shut up Calypso.” Alicia said, glancing at him for a moment before the three followed the group up the steps and into the meeting.
“It's imperative that your group makes it to Texas.” one of the Resistance advisers said, directing the comment to Commander Snelling.
“What's in Texas?” Alicia whispered under her breath to both Calypso and G as they stood in the rear of the meeting, which included nearly a hundred top Resistance officials.
“Lackland Air Force Base. Or at least what remains of it.” Nadia Jacobson said loudly, glancing into Alicia's direction as the entire room turned to face her.
Giving both G and Calypso a quick glance of disbelief, Alicia turned back to face the woman who had an unbelievable knack for hearing.
“And when we get there?” Alicia finally responded, letting the blonde bombshell know up front that her team could accomplish anything.
“Our sources have confirmed that the Ancients are holding a power cell there. We need you to retrieve it and bring it back.” Commander Snelling said.
“Holding a power cell?” G asked, a rare vocal appearance on his part.
“They are using it to power one of their forward operating bases.” a government adviser replied, wearing his tuxedo style overcoat with black and gray pinstriped hat.
“So you want us to infiltrate an Ancient forward operating base, steal their only source of power and then slip out unnoticed in hopes of beating them back here?” Alicia asked, stunned by what had just been thrown onto her plate.
No replies came for a few tense moments.
“And there's gonna be Ancients there?” Calypso asked.
“Of course there are going to be Ancients there!” Alicia said under her breath as she forcefully slapped him across the upper arm.
“Don't worry, my team will be going along to assist you.” Nadia Jacobson said proudly.
“My only worry was for the unfortunate Ancients who get in the way,” Alicia replied loudly. She then added “bitch” under her breath, knowing Nadia would surely hear her.
“You will also have full support from the Norfolk Naval Base. They consider this a top priority mission.” Commander Snelling added, trying to reassure his team.
“Naval base?” Preacher asked.
“Yes. The Ancients pushed what remained of the American people into the protection of Guardian Angel. As we watched and waited from the streets of Washington City, they systematically destroyed every single military base in the country. One by one they fell, until the Ancients hit Norfolk Naval Base. The remaining U.S. Forces continued to fall back until they were all in and around Norfolk, and when the Ancients showed up for business as usual they got their asses handed to them.” Commander Snelling replied.
“Our army doesn't have the manpower to push its way back out into what remains of the United States, but we do have plenty to hold Norfolk, even without the protection of a Guardian Angel system there.” he added.
“Impressive,” Nadia said. “In Germany, we are not so fortunate. What remains of our military has been reduced to armored Tank divisions and foot soldiers. Nothing outside of the Berlin Safe Zone is free of Ancients.” She added.
“And when we recover the power cell, our people plan to send another series of satellites into orbit?” Alicia asked.
Nadia and her team gleaned at the Commander as he nodded his approval.
“It's alright, Alicia's team has level-five clearance.” Snelling said.
“We are not planning to launch another Guardian A
ngel, no. The power cell is for a ship.” Nadia replied.
“A ship?” Alicia asked, puzzled at passing on the chance to create a third safe haven for the human population.
“Our scientists have been working with the Germans in constructing a large space craft that will launch and go into direct combat with the Ancients' mother ship.” Commander Snelling replied.
Alicia and her team simply stood there, trying to soak up all of the information.
“We have three power cells at the moment, and this final cell will be enough to launch against them. If our ship is successful in destroying the Ancients' mother ship, their air superiority will be gone and the entire planet will become a safe zone. They will be reduced to fighting us in a conventional war campaign.” Nadia added.
“I see,” Alicia said. “And this ship?” she asked.
“The ship is approximately the size of six standard aircraft carriers, and is currently in the final stages of production deep inside of the Berlin safe zone,” Nadia replied. “Just help us get through the wastelands and retrieve the power cell, and I promise you that the Ancients will finally begin to regret the war they created. We will show them that the Human race is much more than the weak, mindless cattle they believe us to be.” she added.
“Get your team's needed supplies in order and then get some rest. First thing tomorrow we will be sending the convoy on its way.” Commander Snelling said, nodding to his team of elite soldiers with Alicia nodding back before leaving the meeting, both Calypso and G closely behind.
“Don't worry Nadia, my team will deliver. They always do.” Snelling added as he turned back to her group.
“I'm sure working together will lead to imminent success.” she replied with a grin, slowly gathering her group to exit into the streets of Washington City.
As she sat on the worn rooftop of a building close to the safe zone perimeter, Alicia looked across the landscape, her arms wrapped around her legs. The rooftop had long been her home, a shelter as well as many comforts around her. A glimmer waved across her dark hair as she began to look directly above, watching for several minutes the glowing lights which reflected above the city in unison.
Even during the day, Guardian Angel shielded them, though it was common knowledge that the Ancients very rarely traveled during the day. It had something to do with the gray pigment of their skin and the effects of a particular strain of ultraviolet light sent down by the sun's gleam. At least that's what she had always been told. Still, at times, the Ancients would travel during the day. Shifting their forces, but always heavily shielded when doing so.
Alicia's attention was quickly pulled from the defense system above as she began to follow an earth shattering screech, followed by a second. United States Navy planes, F-16 Fighting Falcons to be exact and hauling ass to say the least as they swept past the city with ease, more than likely to execute a tactical strike on a military target nearby.
The Human race was depleted, but not extinct. And those who had survived the initial strike on Invasion Day, had a score to settle. The Ancients sent their ships in behind a wave of Hydrogen bombs, a very advanced type that fed water into the tip of the missile moments before impact. It allowed the weapon to cause mass destruction, while leaving no traces of radiation behind.
Entire cities wiped out within minutes, the only memory of them implanted into those who survived to fight back. At first, the might of Earth's largest armies fought valiantly. Yet, after only weeks, they too had fallen for the most part. The United States and Germany remained. The fact that the United States had its army stationed all over the world made it hard to be tracked down. And though it remained, the greatest Human army to ever march was down to about ten percent in strength.
The Germans were also hovering around ten percent of their force prior to Invasion Day, possibly even less. The grit of the Russian Army held the Ancients back much longer than expected. Long enough for Japan, China and North Korea to arrive in full-force.
The War of Stalingrad lasted just over a month, millions of Human warriors falling and taking with them hundreds of thousands of Ancients. For the first time, the alien race had known the true loss of war, and it was that very loss that led to their first defeat in battle. Berlin.
The weakened race of star-born murderers went into Berlin expecting swift victory, but instead found themselves backing away just two weeks later. The Germans had held, at least what remained of them. And their scientists worked around the clock with the brightest minds of the United States in developing Guardian Angel.
It was a network of low orbiting satellites, each emitting a burst of EMP on a timer. Together, they formed Guardian Angel, and ensured that nothing of a digital manner could be used. Nothing technologically advanced, and that leveled the playing field for the Humans, at least inside of Guardian Angel, which sparkled in the night sky as though stars were randomly bursting.
Humans had become dependent on a more basic way of living. A society fueled by steam power, mixed with a thirst for revenge against the gray-skinned bastards who forced them into this life. And the Ancients continued to come, though it was limited to ground based fighting and the most simplistic weapons from their arsenal. In fact, they had developed their own weaponry for use inside of Guardian Angel.
The most commonly used loadout was a Puncher(fancy term for a semi-automatic rifle that was steam-fed and packed the punch of an American .50 Caliber rifle) and a man-chete. It had a toothed blade, was arm sized and machete-like. The Ancients had decided to call it the man-chete as if to mock the Human race, the blade killing countless men since it had been put into use.
Daylight was the biggest ally for Humans in this war of species, and what remained of the military-trained wasted none of it, wringing every second of every day in order to inflict as much damage as they possibly could to a race of beings who deserved nothing less.
“From Norfolk?” Nadia asked, approaching the seated vixen with caution. “I hope you don't mind. Snelling let me know where you were staying.”
“Yea. More than likely be hearing it all day.” Alicia replied in a calm voice, turning for a moment to acknowledge her face to face. “And no, I don't mind.”
Before Nadia could respond, a squadron of the older style F-14 Tomcats blazed overhead, locked and loaded as both women were able to catch a glimpse of the fighters and their inventory of attached missiles.
“So I see,” Nadia replied. “You guys are lucky to have such a military force still intact.” she added.
“Lucky?” Alicia asked, turning to stare into the area of several large boulders that lay between the horizon of the wastelands and the edge of Washington City.
“Less than a month ago, the Ancients made it to that exact spot, nearly taking the city.” she added.
“But your air power?” Nadia asked as she sat down.
“Power? Sure, they fly by in the morning ready to get into the fight,” Alicia said. “But by dusk, the few who are lucky enough to make it back are hauling ass with their tails tucked between their legs.” she added.
A silence fell across them both for several minutes, the sound of airships landing nearby as well as explosions in the far reaches of the landscape. A direct effect of the missiles seen only moments before.
“So. The Ancient?” Alicia asked with dedicated calm.
“Which one?” Nadia replied, bursting into laughter moments later as Alicia gave her a sarcastic, yet playful look.
“Certes came to us a little over two years ago.” Nadia added.
“Willingly? As in, to aid in our defense or willingly die?” Alicia asked.
“No. He showed up at the gates of the Berlin safe zone one rainy day, said he and a few others were against the innocent slaughter of any race. Provided us with a lot of important information. To be honest, none of us trusted them at first either. But, Certes has personally saved my life more than once.” Nadia replied.
“Them? You mean there are more of them?” Alicia asked, stunned at
the idea.
“Yes. Close to two dozen of them live in Berlin and aid our military. Several more who are loyal to us remain in the ranks of the Ancients, supplying us with information. Trust me, once you see what they can do in a hand to hand fight, you'll understand why Certes escorted us here.” Nadia replied.
“I wish we had the same luxury here.” Alicia responded.
“It comes at a great price,” Nadia said. “The faction of Ancients who fight us for Berlin are a different monster. Your enemy at the gates wishes to enslave you, ours prefers the salty taste of Human flesh,” she added. “I've seen them do things. Terrible things,” Nadia said before pausing. “Watching the soldiers around me having their tendons pulled from the skeletal frame beneath during battle, only to watch them feed the hunger of the bastards who slay us...it's not something I signed up for.”
“I understand.” Alicia said, turning to Nadia for a moment as silence fell across the two.
There were no words to follow, only a gaze of exploration on the part of both women. Nadia reached out a bit, smoothing the bottom of Alicia's chin with her hand as they continued their stare of forbidden expression.
“I have not been introduced to beauty such as yours in a long time, if ever.” Nadia finally said softly, her lips seeming to command Alicia's every thought.
Alicia was attracted to everything about Nadia. Her gorgeous figure, pursed lips and even the thick of her accent. She could tell that Nadia was a woman of high standards when it came to physical attraction, her attention to detail the giveaway.
“And I've noticed your eyes on me. In me,” Nadia said. “Am I right?”
Rather than verbally reply, Alicia continued her stare, gently bringing her tongue across her lips, before leaning in a bit.
Less than a second after Nadia had leaned herself, ready to begin a kiss which would surely lead to much more, the concrete block directly to the right side of her head burst into compacted dust, the sound of an extremely loud gunshot hanging through the streets of their section in Washington City.
