by John Davis
Alicia played the part. Walking toward the gates of Washington with her arms raised high and her intentions focused on a single purpose. Raising hell.
“Jackson has informed us enough that we know the basics.” the general said, meeting Alicia right outside the gates.
“Good. We need to lead them as deeply into the city as possible. Then begin punching them with everything we have.” Alicia replied.
“They greatly outnumber us.” the general admitted, worrying for his Rise of Allies soldiers.
“General, they have a fleet coming that dwarfs everything we've faced to this point. The only way we survive this is defeat the enemy at our gates and then scatter to all parts of the planet. Make the chase so aggravating to their mighty fleet that they simply lose interest on the few that have survived.” Alicia said.
“There must be another way?” he questioned.
“There isn't. Make no mistake general, I saw the fleet with my own eyes while aboard the queen's ship. Washington City will fall. It is not a fight that we have any chance in winning, but this one is.”
“I see.”
“Raise a white flag at our gates to draw them in. The queen is expecting to meet with me near the rear of our city in a building she has selected. See to it that she makes it with no resistance. Use the time to ready our troops and then, when the time is right, wipe them out.” Alicia said.
“How will I know when the time is right?” the general asked.
“Trust me, you'll know.” Alicia replied.
“Alright then, Alicia,” he said, turning to salute. “It has been an honor serving with you – no matter the outcome today.”
“Likewise sir,” Alicia replied, returning his salute. “Just remember to get your soldiers into the surrounding areas following the battle. It's their only chance of survival. Caves, thick woods – anything that's a pain in the ass for the Ancients to traverse.”
-
After years of fighting the enemy, Washington City raised a white flag above its gates. The universal sign of surrender.
Most of it lay in rubble and their once-mighty Guardian Angel defense system lay scattered in pieces throughout the tired city. In a sense, humanity had been beaten for some time now.
A queen that had grown used to having her way – Karie grinned wide, her plans unfolding just as she'd hoped.
“Approach the city slowly. Use caution and judgment, but do not show aggression until I say so. Our first order of business is to locate their hero once more and slaughter her loved ones before her very eyes. Then, I will keep her alive long enough to watch her world fall to me, at which time I will kill her.”
“Yes my queen.” one of her highest-ranking Ancient soldiers replied, turning to order the warriors accordingly.
“Remember, nobody fires a fucking shot until I give the signal to do so.” the general shouted, his words strong enough to warn the men nearest to him. The remaining would be instructed to hold their fire by way of radio.
The citizens among Washington City stood alongside the street which led directly to the gate. Each of them wearing camo that was consistent with soldiering, their hands placed on their heads, as instructed by the general. Giving the impression of a complete surrender.
Meanwhile, the real soldiers within the Rise of Allies remained high up inside of second-level buildings. Using what little radio equipment they had to stay in touch, each small cluster of soldiers dug in. Preparing for what looked like it would be a battle worthy of remembrance long after they were gone.
-
Upon entering Washington City, Queen Karie and the army of Ancient soldiers were expecting a fight. Some sort of ploy by the Rise of Allies – which saw them enter with guns raised and amber-colored eyes scanning their surroundings.
However, as the queen caught sight of so many soldiers lined up with hands to their heads, her arrogance began to set it. They'd done it. They had pushed the last great city of humanity to the point of surrender.
“Locate the building in question,” the queen demanded, forcing her words to one of the many soldiers which surrounded her inside of the armored transport. “Our first order of business is to deal with their so-called hero accordingly. At which time we will begin prepping these cattle for processing.”
“Yes my queen.” the soldier replied.
They had found new respect for a queen that had started to slip from their graces a bit. Some of them having secretly thought of Karie as unworthy. But her ability to execute such a stunning victory without bloodshed, once again cemented her place among the Ancients.
The convoy of soldiers was thick, their armor even more so. A steady line of Ancient soldiers entering freely into humanity's last hope. Washington City.
Their vehicles entered, though each of them moved at a crawl's pace. Having left nothing more than a skeleton crew to operate the mothership.
Though it took nearly ten minutes, the queen and her finest arrived at the location in question. A small hospital, which had once served as an outpatient procedure office.
The building had been chosen, however, because of its appearance. Solid white, from foundation to roof. Many within the city had joked, often calling it the White House, rather than the home of former of presidents.
It was one of the few buildings left standing that simply couldn't be missed. Particularly with a large symbol of neon green spray-painted to its exterior, just as Queen Karie had requested. The Ancient's symbol for toxic.
The queen, however, knew there was no toxic disease to begin with. She had asked Alicia and her loved ones to remain inside, not to protect them as promised; but to keep them from the battle to come. Hold them here so that they could be dealt with personally – an example to those who may resist Ancient rule.
“To think that their hero has fought so long. Only to be gunned down in front of my very eyes.” Queen Karie commented.
“My queen, I strongly recommend you stay put until we are able to clear the building.” one of the Ancient soldiers suggested.
“I'll hear none of that,” she warned. “You may lead the group in at gunpoint, but I will have my moment of destiny.”
“Yes my queen.”
With that exchange, the transport came to a grinding halt. Metal sparking against metal as the eight wheels beneath the transport rubbed to its braking system.
Several Ancient warriors were the first to exit, panning around with rifles in hand. After assuring there was no immediate threat, they made way for a queen among the stars.
Eight soldiers, all of them among the best of the Ancient race, escorting Queen Karie to the door of the hospital. Completely disregarding the painted logo of warning.
Slam.
The front door of the small clinic-turned-hospital jolted open, slamming to the wall by way of a heavy Ancient boot. The queen had arrived for her prize – wanting Alicia's skin to hang from her wall by sundown.
Instead, they saw no humans inside. Just a small crate located in the center of the room with an envelope laying on top.
That bitch! The queen thought, immediately feeling double-crossed. I'll skin her family in front of her!
Snatching the envelope from the crate, gray-tinted hands ripping into it for information on Alicia's whereabouts, Queen Karie gritted teeth with anger.
To whom it may concern,
I'm a hero among my people because I'm not as stupid as you may think. If you indeed have a fleet on its way, they will no doubt have their moment. But you will not be here to see it. You'll be known less for your reign as queen and more for the idiot with a crate full of explosives.
You stupid bitch.
In the moments it took Queen Karie to fully understand the message, the small clinic burst into a million fiery-red pieces. Compliments of Perk's handiwork.
A queen and her arrogance swiftly retired into the realm of the dead.
“Open up on 'em!” the general shouted, knowing damn good and well that an explosion like that had to be the signal.
Total disarray soon followed as the Ancients immediately found themselves surrounded while holding the low ground. A terrible position to have in the thick of battle.
Citizens in camouflage ran for cover, while the true soldiers among them began to open up rifles from the windows above. Their attack met with panicked retaliation.
Their queen was dead, and worse, their vehicles had congested onto the narrow street with no true way to turn around. Seeming to bottleneck together, which provided a bit of cover, but not nearly enough. The mighty race of the stars was being cut to pieces, often times falling before seeing the position of their attackers.
The explosion was not only the general's signal to open fire, but also the smaller group of survivors' signal to rush to the vault. Which they began to do without question.
Alicia was first to return. Finding her plan had been executed to the letter, which impressed the hell out of the brunette beauty. Laddering herself down into the vault for a moment, Alicia saw nearly a hundred children, along with a few dozen women to care for them, as requested. What she didn't see, however, was the love of her life. Immediately forcing her back up the narrow ladder.
“Where is Jackson?” Alicia shouted.
“He is off with the main group scouring for supplies. Should be back momentarily. Perk, Gretchen and Katie should be on the return as well.” one of the soldiers posted to the front door of the barber shop replied.
Alicia felt terrible as she found herself caring nothing for the safe return of the others. Just Jackson. He had become the love of her life, and she would be damned if her plans included bowing out gracefully. Alicia would kill for him – even die trying, if that's what it took.
But she would not have to do either on this day. Catching sight of Jackson and his group hauling ass for the barber pole-laden building.
“Carry your asses!” Jackson shouted, each of them nearly dragging weight behind them as crates full of supplies barely lifted from the ground.
Alicia placed her rifle to the door, providing cover for the sprinting group if need be. She wasn't about to leave the Jackson's life in the hands of another.
Making it inside, Jackson stopped to grab a quick breath of air. The remaining soldiers strong-arming supplies down the hold beneath the barber's chair, which opened into the vault of innocent souls in need of protecting.
Alicia wanted to reach out and wrap her arms around the man who captivated her every thought. In fact, she intended to, until the sight of Perk hauling ass for the building was easily visible.
Perk had long been a friend of Alicia's, and had proven himself time and again. But she wasn't in love with him, which is why Alicia allowed the posted soldiers to cover his sprint as she remained close to Jackson.
“Fuck me mates, that building blew sky high.” Perk said, completely out of breath.
“The queen?” Alicia asked.
“Let's just say she has one hell of a sunburn, eh?” Perk replied with his usual humor.
“Just like that.” Alicia commented, satisfied that the mightiest among the Ancients had fallen so swiftly.
“They blow up fast, don't they?” Perk asked with sarcasm.
“Where's my wife?” Jackson asked with a serious tone.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Perk asked.
“My wife,” Jackson said, grabbing Perk by the front of his jacket. “Where is she?”
Grabbing Jackson's hands by the wrists, Perk shoved the man away from him.
“Damned if I know, I sent her and Gretchen this way thirty minutes ago. I've been at the white house ever since.”
“You sent them alone?” Jackson shouted.
“The fuck you want me to do?” Perk shouted in return. “Clone myself so I could be planting bombs AND escorting women? You didn't want her there when the queen arrived. Gretchen knows the way here as well as anyone, they should have been fine.”
Jackson answered his statement with a glance, quickly placing a .45 pistol into the back of his pants and heading for the door.
“Jackson, what are you doing?” Alicia asked.
“What do you think I'm doing?” he asked in return. “Alicia, that's my wife out there. I'm not going to leave her life to chance twice.” he added.
“I'm coming with you.” she replied.
“No, you need to stay...”
“Don't tell me what I need – you no longer have the right,” she stated firmly.
Turning quickly, Jackson began to walk the path between the barber shop and building which had ended the reign of a queen. Knowing it was the only twist of asphalt streets connecting the two locations.
Alicia trailing behind him.
-
“Fight damn you, fight!” one of the higher-ranking Ancients cried out. Knowing they were to die either way.
The fleet which approached would kill every last one of them for allowing their queen to perish. That much was a certainty. They were also losing badly in a battle within the walls of Washington City.
For several minutes, the Ancients had tried their best to back their vehicles directly out of the city. Their plan was altered, however, as precise mortar strikes disabled the vehicles in the rear of the convoy, essentially blocking the streets behind them.
The Ancients had been forced into a battle they didn’t want. They were prepared for the worst, but had dropped their guard a bit as the queen proclaimed victory. Now, it had become abundantly clear that there would be no victory. Their cries for help across the com systems would not be answered, because the few Ancients who remained at the base ship understood the situation.
If they remained until the fleet arrived, they could perhaps paint their former queen as incompetent and look as though they were heroes for having protected the ship. Their own lives may be spared in such a case.
As for those who drove into battle with the former queen, they would look weak in defeat and that was unacceptable among their race
Earth's population on day one of the invasion was an estimated 19.9 billion souls. The fleet which so rapidly approached, was twice that number – each of them military trained.
The Ancient fleet would descend upon our planet soon enough, taking with them whatever they desired. That said, the Ancients had no intentions of staying. Earth was not large enough, nor was it luxurious enough for a race like the Ancients. It was virtually depleted of natural resources, which mankind had been responsible for.
The Ancients would most likely stop just long enough to refill their water reservoirs, stock their freezers with as much human meat as could be rounded up and slaughter those responsible for the unsuccessful war campaign against mankind.
Earth was simply a rest stop on their course of voyage. Though we knew it as the Great War, to the Ancients it was a skirmish at best, their true test coming soon enough.
A race known as the Sirens.
The Ancients were using smaller planets, such as ours, to stock their mighty ships for the coming war with the Sirens. A war in which the Ancients and their technology were not the most-advanced.
They were far behind the Sirens when it came down to technology – hoping superior numbers would help them in the coming war.
The Sirens were human enough, at least from first glance. They were, however, cybernetic in design and had evolved as such. Genetics and digital machinery so closely fused that it simply became one in the same.
Their average soldier was smaller than the Ancient, yet just as strong. A synthetic metal lining their bones, allowing the species an incredibly fast heal – and one hell of a punch.
The Ancients had no desire to use the Sirens as a food source. It was simply a matter of their planet. The Sirens called Timirious Seven their home. A planet much like our very own, though at least eleven times larger. Plenty of room to colonize and grow. Plenty of resources.
Earth was one of many harvesting grounds along the way, and each was vital to the Ancients in the coming war. Humanity should have been wiped clean a
long time ago by Ancient standards. Their elders demanded it.
So those responsible for slowing the fleet down – hindering its ability to forge war onto the most dominant of races, they would be punished with their lives. That much was a certainty.
-
Jackson moved with purpose, leaning from the corners of abandoned buildings with his .45 pistol at the ready. Alicia trailed behind a bit, her rifle scoping onto every area around him for cover fire, if needed.
She had never imagined a moment where Jackson's life would truly crash before her very eyes, each flicker captured within the brilliant red glow of her rifle's ACOG scope.
But it did.
Jackson fell to his knees, dropping his sidearm in the process. Both his wife Katie and Gretchen lay dead. Their bodies riddled with gunfire.
Alicia watched the emotional struggle unfold as Jackson knelt over onto Katie's body, laying his sobbing face onto her stomach. She had known Jackson for a very long time, but never had Alicia known him to appear so broken.
Rushing to his position, Alicia did her best to cover the defenseless man as he sobbed heavily. Thinking of a life with Katie before all of the bloodshed. All of the Ancient battles.
“I'm so sorry.” Alicia remarked, placing a hand on his shoulder. Her statement was true – Alicia feeling truly bad for a man who obviously hurt so deeply.
Reaching up to her hand, Jackson clinched it tightly. Using her touch for comfort.
“We have to go.” Alicia said.
Jackson seemed to tremble a bit more with her statement. Knowing he was living the final moments of his time with Katie, even though she'd already fallen.
“Jackson, please,” Alicia said. “We have to go.”
