Guardian Angel Trilogy

by John Davis

  They stood atop a large building, its flat roof soon to be home for what they considered to be reinforcements. Or as their race called them, harvesters.

  And as the three large demons stood silently, each of them looking upward to a sky filled with explosions, a single craft began to appear; its silver shine casting a bright reflection down to Berlin.

  Loud explosions began to increase, the Berlin faction providing a blanket of covering fire for a skiff which contained such important cargo.

  And with a layer of icy steam rising from beneath the landing ship, the three Ancients who awaited their rebirth into the war began to grin. Grimacing teeth peeking through lips which appeared so void, a rare sight among their people.

  The first glimpse of harvesters who had come for battle, turned slight grins into complete smiles. They were only a shade taller than other warriors in their race, but seemed to be covered in an exoskeleton of steel. Their hair uncommonly long, braided down to their lower backs, while steel masks covered their faces.

  Harvesters, to some degree, looked as though they were a band of murderous Knights thousands of years deep into humanity's own history book. The difference of course, is that a single harvester could change the complexion of an entire battle, a handful...an entire war.

  If they had any weakness at all, it came in the package of a respirator. While standard Ancients could withstand the putrid filth of our planet's air, the harvesters were too genetically pure. It meant their strength was tenfold, as was their ability to heal quickly. And that, combined with a exoskeleton suit which was designed for war, made them the most effective soldiers the Ancients had to offer.

  But they couldn't breathe our oxygen.

  The deep wheeze and clicking of the exoskeleton suit's respirator only added to the fear broadcast onto its prey, giving them a more horrific persona.

  And, while their designed purpose was to harvest humans(and any other race unlucky enough to face an Ancient invasion) for the purpose of food, harvesters had no qualms about slaying their own.

  They would do anything wished upon them by their queen, and in the battle for Berlin, that meant slaughtering any and all who apposed them. Ancient, Human or otherwise.

  **

  “What is it?” Jackson asked, crawling slowly to Alicia as she continued to look across the central area of Berlin, binoculars pressed to her face.

  “Just saw a strange looking ship land atop that building,” she replied, pointing his attention. “Looks to be near one of the depots marked on the list, but I've never seen an Ancient ship of that design.”

  “What did it look like?” he asked.

  “Bright chrome. Almost as if it was designed to draw attention. Sounds strange, I know, but I just felt like it was carrying someone important. One of their higher-ups maybe?”

  “I dunno.” Jackson replied, though he knew from her description that harvesters had indeed entered the battle.

  “Think we should mention it to Nadia?” Alicia asked.

  “Speaking of Nadia,” Jackson said. “You got a moment?”

  Oh God. Alicia thought, a million excuses seeming to flood into her mind, knowing well that Jackson had picked up on her sexual desires for the blonde. I guess the best thing to do is confess my desires to him.

  “Yea, I do. I've been wanting to talk...”

  “I know you have,” Jackson said, looking to her truth. “I can tell you're hurting, and I want you to know I'm here for you.”

  Hurting? Huh? Alicia thought.

  “Calypso's gone. Nothing we do can change that, but I'm still here. And I always will be.” Jackson said.

  Calypso who? Really? I was so close to completely making out with Nadia and that was somehow interpreted as grief? Oh Jackson, you poor, poor lug.

  “Just keep that in mind alright baby?” he said.

  “I will definitely do that,” Alicia replied, shining a manufactured smile. “I feel better already.”

  “I'm glad I could help,” he replied, placing his hand to her lower back for a moment. “And no, don't mention it to Nadia. At least I wouldn't.”

  “Huh? Mention what?” Alicia asked.

  “The ship you saw dear. Don't mention it to her, she'll have us running the streets of Berlin to chase it.”

  “Oh, I see. Good plan.” Alicia said, firming herself as she came to realize her wanting for Nadia's smooth touch remained undetected.

  Watching her lover begin crawling his way back down to the rest of the group, each of the soldiers taking a moment to rest and refill their bellies, Alicia instantly discovered Nadia's stare. One of intention.

  “Alicia, can I speak with you for a moment?” Nadia asked, the bombshell German approaching close.

  “Sure,” Alicia replied. “Preacher, take watch.”

  And as the German sniper made his way above, crawling to one of the higher spots on a small hill of debris, Alicia joined Nadia below.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “I need to speak with you in private for a moment.” Nadia replied.

  “Um, alright.” Alicia responded.

  As both women seemed to drift several yards from the group, turning a corner in order to speak in private, Nadia began to passionately kiss the lips of Alicia Lucard.

  “Wait,” the brunette replied, doing her best to fend off the attack of warm lips. “My loyalty is to Jackson.”

  But after several moments of convincing, the tip of Nadia's tongue dragging across Alicia's neck, the vixen seemed to succumb to such sexual advances, eventually meeting Nadia's tongue with her own.

  The women continued such a kiss of passion and tenacity, each of them clinching onto the other and rubbing hands across the most vital of areas...the sexual areas.

  “I can't continue to do this, I'm sorry.” Alicia said, finally pulling away from the blonde, though her body longed to stay.

  “You and Jackson,” Nadia replied, grabbing Alicia's attention. “You two have never made any sense. Just cut him loose so we can make it official.”

  For several moments, each woman stared onto the other, wheels of contemplation working hard.

  “I'm not just going to cut him loose. He deserves better than that,” Alicia said, purely regretting her feelings for Nadia, shaking her head in doing so. “He deserves better than me. But, if he's going to give me the opportunity, the least I can do is everything I can to make him happy,” she added. “He is a good man.”

  “And you're a good woman. That's why I want you.” Nadia responded, refusing to give up easily.

  “I'm a committed woman, so this, whatever this is...ends now.” Alicia said, turning to walk away.

  “And if Jackson were to find out about us?” Nadia threatened.

  Rather than reply, Alicia continued to walk back into the direction of the group.

  “Jackson, Nadia and I just kissed. We've had feelings for one another for some time now. She pulled me away from the group in an attempt to pull me away from you, but I'll love you as long as you'll have me.” Alicia said loudly, making damn sure the entire group heard her and making damn sure Nadia's threats were squashed.

  “Yea, I know. I have known.” Jackson replied with a bit of a grin.

  “You have? But I thought you...” she began to ask, confused by his admission.

  Why the hell do you think I continue to carry this spoon around woman? He thought.

  “Really? You thought I was that much of an idiot? I just believe these kinds of things work themselves out in time. Figured if you were really meant to be by my side, you would be.” Jackson replied.

  “No, you're by my side,” Alicia said, grinning wide and feeling liberated from the guilt that had put a strain on her own happiness. “I'm the Ranger, you're Tonto. Let's get that straight,” she added, falling into his arms. “I'm so sorry.” Alicia confessed, eyes full of tears as her Tonto held her tight.

  “Don't be, you've nothing to be sorry for. Honesty is what it takes to make love work,” Jackson replied. “
And I do love you.” he added, staring into her eyes, which sparkled beneath flush tears. “But this Tonto thing, that's getting talked about later. I'm the main character of this story.”

  “Like hell you are,” Alicia replied loudly. “I love you too.” she added in a whisper.

  “Alright people, we need to move.” Nadia said, feeling as though the daggers of a thousand eyes were pointed into her direction.

  Her mind on retribution.

  “There's something about three clicks ahead. Some type of shiny craft on the rooftop, one I've never seen.” Preacher said.

  Ah for fucks sake! Alicia thought, staring to her lover for a moment with despair. Though his despair was simply happiness disguised.

  “Well. Looks like it's close enough to get a closer look before nightfall.” Nadia replied.

  And with those words, along with a stone-faced glance from Nadia, Alicia and the group prepared to move forward. Furthering their cut into the city of Berlin. But not before Jackson secretly placed another marker.

  “We've dispatched all but two of the harvesters into battle, they remain here for our own protection.” an Ancient warrior said, approaching the three demons clad in burgundy robes.

  “Good. The heathen tribe which travels with humans steadily approaches.” one of the Ancient elders replied, his voice both chilling and rasp.

  “Let them. Our queen has sided with our cause, not theirs. Bring them in close and she'll dispatch a thousand warships onto the begging screams of their dying bodies.” a second elder said.

  “It is unlike our queen to favor any side of a debate between factions.” the Ancient warrior replied, speaking a bit out of place in the throne room of elders.

  “When they enlisted the help of cattle, they spit on our very race. On our very beliefs. I have been assured by our queen that ships remain on standby in deep orbit. NOW GO!” one of the elders yelled, his voice turning demonic, threatening the Ancient soldier in doing so.

  And with a slight bow of forgiveness, the Ancient soldier, turned to once again take his place beside the grunts of war.

  “She cares nothing for this war, or even this planet. Her concern is to seek retribution on those who approach our doorstep.” one of the Elders said, the group of three standing in a room that could be considered dark, though several triangle-shaped digital platforms illuminated their walls. Computers, though advanced beyond Human understanding, the digital platforms could pass information instantly throughout even the toughest clutches of deep space.

  As the others nodded slightly, each of them began scanning the data that broadcast from the digital platforms; projecting both numbers and video feeds onto the wall. Seemingly making the grime of war elegant, at least to a degree.

  “Fucking bloodbath!” an Ancient Templar yelled, his statement quickly agreed upon by his second in command.

  Tahian wore the colors of a once-mighty Berlin faction, a mixture of black armor and brown leather. He was the one who answered to only queen and elders, making him the highest-ranking officer with boots on the battlefield.

  Since arriving to Earth, Tahian had slaughtered thousands of humans by his own hands, adding hundreds of his own species to that number after the war of factions began.

  But, as he wiped blood splatter from his face, the mighty soldier knew it to be inevitable. They were losing to the North American faction, and losing badly. In mere days, he had seen over half of Berlin fall from his control. And though the Elders continued to praise his command, knowing he was fighting with less than half of the strength of an army approaching, Tahian worried first for the warriors loyal to him. Those who haunted his dreams with their screams of tragic death in battle.

  Watching as warriors who fought for him were torn to bits by artillery, large tanks continuing what had quickly become an endless barrage of pain. A few of them even human tanks, man-made steel shaking fiercely as it thew shells onto groups of weary Ancients.

  Fucking bloodbath.

  “Continue the march forward!” Kiamat yelled.

  He was the leader of an assaulting army onto Berlin. And though Ancient, Kiamat was a shade smaller than most. What he lacked in height, however, he more than made up for in grit.

  “I said get 'yer asses moving!” the feisty leader yelled, a bit of saliva thrown against his hanging beard of white.

  His demands were quickly met as the North American grunts marched forward, backed by tanks and butchers. Literally thousands of beating hearts, each of them thinking of a victory in Berlin.

  “Sir, we've just received reports of harvesters in battle. Ahead less than two miles and closing.” a warrior said, delivering the message to his leader.

  Though Kiamat stood there as though he was numb to the report, his mind was anything but.

  Our queen has forsaken us. Our cause is lost. I am doomed to be the leader of a force that has been shunned by his kingdom. He thought.

  “Sir, your orders?” the warrior asked.

  “Fall back.” Kiamat said.

  “Fall back? But sir...” the warrior began to ask.

  “Fall back! Have you no understanding as to what this means? The queen has decided against us! This battle, the one which unfolds before our very eyes for a human city, it is meaningless. Our queen will continue to come at us now, we are shunned by our own race. We must think about the defense of survival at this point. So yes, fall back...” Kiamat responded, his words becoming hushed toward the end.

  Nodding his understanding, the warrior turned to deliver such grim news to a force which had already endured so much loss, all for nothing.

  **

  “Whatever they are, I've never seen them before.” Preacher said, laying prone to his stomach with the thick glass of scope pressed to his eye.

  The harvesters weren't much larger, not by Ancient standards, but the look of them alarmed to deadly. They appeared more demonic in appearance, giving the impression of more beast than humanoid. They walked upright, but seemed to carry themselves with a bit more zeal. Harvesters were born for war, bred for the murder of other races, and it showed in the simplest of glances.

  “We need to get as much intelligence on them as...” Nadia began to reply.

  She was quickly halted, however, as Preacher held up a clinched fist. Soon after, the sniper communicated a look of danger to her.

  Almost out of nowhere, the silence around them became engulfed by the increasing thump of boots to ground. Making the entire group painfully aware that a huge force approached.

  “Everyone get down, now!” Nadia yelled, though in a whispered voice.

  The entire team of resistance soldiers scattered, each of them finding quick places to hide in wait.

  It wasn't difficult to do, the area around them just as it was throughout Berlin. Vacant rubble. Finding cover would be easy enough, but should a single member of their group be discovered, the hard part would be survival, having virtually no place to retreat.

  “Oh God.” Alicia said, witnessing what the others were in that same moment.

  What seemed like a never-ending line of Ancient warriors, marching their way past as they retreated from battle. A few human traitors even mixed in as tanks sparked from damage, all under a sky which slowly began to darken above them.

  Their vehicles bore markings of the North American faction, as did their uniforms. The same group which had nearly taken Berlin in what could have been considered inevitable victory, now marched away in defeat.

  “What are they doing?” Jackson asked.

  “Retreating, I think? You sound disappointed?” Alicia replied in a whisper.

  Though no verbal reply came, Jackson's eyes began to worry her a bit. A true look of despair broadcasting from them.

  He had planned to return home before the retreat of the North American faction. His orders simple and his plan solid. But as he watched things continue in motion around him, essentially shattering his plans, Jackson knew it would be a matter of time before the rest of the coming events wou
ld unfold.

  “Jackson, you need to tell me what's going on.” Alicia said.

  “I...I can't.” he replied, turning to her as they both remained hidden behind a large metal cylinder, one that humans had used for oil storage before an invasion from the heavens.

  Hundreds, if not thousands of Ancients, marching in retreat only yards away from their position. Vehicular noise combining with the echo of boots to ensure their conversation had no chance of being heard by the alien race.

  “What is that supposed to mean? What do you mean you can't tell me?”

  “I need to know if you trust me?” Jackson asked.

  It was at that very moment that Alicia began to worry. Truly worry. Her heart alarmed her to something very wrong. Something so very out of place with the man she loved.

  “Of course I do. I love you. Now please tell me what the hell is going on.” Alicia demanded.

  “I need you to trust me when I say that I can't...alright?” he asked.

  “Jackson, please?”

  “Alicia,” he said, turning a bit in order to rest his hand beneath her chin. “I can't. Not yet.”

  “I don't like where this is going.” Alicia replied, fearful of what Jackson may be involved with.

  “Just know that I hate the Ancients with every fiber of my being,” he replied, directing his attention to the Ancients for a moment. “And love you with everything I have left. Everything. I truly mean that from the bottom of my heart.” he added, turning back to her as his fingers began to hold her chin.

  “Now this,” she replied with a slight grin. “I like where this is going.”

  The two lovers remained silent for several minutes, simply finding comfort in the eyes of the other, hearts connecting emotionally.

  “I just worry for you. That's all.” she said.

  “I know,” he replied with a grin. “I'll be fine. Just please never forget how important your very breath is to my own existence. It's the one thing that keeps me going.”