Chapter 21:
Back to the present time.
Boom~! The roaring sonic force, of the ethereal energy that Yin Chen used to push himself through the ocean waves echoed through the water. He swam through the ocean waves like a manmade torpedo. The location of his destination was not where he would have expected. How did father even get there? Why is him even at this location? What were these coordinates? Questions rapidly came to his minds. Theoretical and probabilities rapidly surged within his minds.
Each coming up with multitude of possible theoretical and correlating hypotheses. Once again, none were satisfactory. So, he kept on pressing onward, exerting more and more power accelerating through the water. He was more than certain due to his speed; he would have caught the attention of the war satellites high above in the heavens. Let alone trigger the buoy sensors in oceans. However, despite breaking all protocols he wasn’t the slightest concerned. Such fickle matters are irrelative now.
Onwards he went, towards his intent destination.
Back 13 hours 25 minutes ago before present time.
Fire and roaring waves of explosion sweep over the area. Supplemented by the notes of gun fire, along with the metallic tangs of metal on metal. Fort Ta Lo was burning, in the mist of it all. A light shone through the chaos. A poled golden sword, though coated in a layer of mispatched crimson. The edge still beamed a dim light of ethereal light. Held up high above the owner’s head, the long handle extended further transforming the weapon into a short spear. The weapon swung down hard, striking down another foe. Their life essence added to the mixture soup building underneath them.
“Drive them back~!” the wielder of the golden blade cried out. Yang Yanping swung his short spear again, his blade cleaved through another poor soul, one that sought to end him. Atlas this newest challenger now laid before his foot. Forever prone never to rise back up again. He didn’t even pay any mind to it another flash before him. However, before the newest adversary could attempt a challenge. He was struck down before reaching Yang Yanping. The blade protruding from his back made short work of that path.
Falling without grace the blade retracted, unveiling the form of his brother Yang Yanding behind the falling corpse. Locking eyes with one another, the brother gave each other a smirk. “Biting a little more than you can chew there brother.” Yang Yanding spoke before swiping his long blade cutting the head clean from another foe. “They’re a little too much for you don’t you agree.” The golden spear shot forward. Lancing towards his direction, striking not at his own kin. But a shadow behind Yang Yanding. The two and a half meter long golden blade, piercing effortlessly through the head. “I would say that of you, my brother.”
“Ha-ha, together then brother!” Then as one the brothers cleaved their way through the chaotic sea of destruction. Their bodyguards followed them cutting a score through the invaders. More troopers of House Yang rallied behind them. Regrouping their numbers around the two brothers. All around them their base burned. The last few fighters crafts they had, were locked in their own battle in the skies above. Though because of their ever-dwindling numbers, the shield screen they could provide was limited. Thus, more explosives and other arcane methods of destruction rained down upon the Fort. These seemed to dent the invaders number more than the defenders.
Seemingly striking their own unknowingly or they just didn’t care. Trying to maximize the damage they’re causing. Without any concern harming their own. This action disgusted the brothers, just how far their invisible foe will go for their end. They couldn’t fault the poor souls in front of them, even as the duo and their own warriors cut the foe down relentlessly. Without mercy, for they expected none in return. There was no such thing as civility on the field of war and death. Such notions were nothing more than a child’s innocent and fantasy.
Despite their heroics, there was only one outcome. The fire and death occurring around them, more than indicated their fates. The brothers were only delaying the inevitable. But if their foes wanted them dead, they’re going to have to earn it. Their forces were slowly being overwhelmed. Their airpower was near decimated at this point; their anti-air power was gone. More craft bored down unattested in the skies above. Instead of landing they hovered in the air.
This sight drew an inro of the brothers. What further tricks was about to be unleashed upon them? They got their answer soon. As the bay doors opened, but what came out wasn’t more troopers. Or war engines, but rather what appeared to be multiple containers. Before these had reach the ground, they burst into massive particles clouds. Without even reading the data stream that popped into their HUD. The brothers knew instantly just what had been unleashed. “Gas-gas-gas~!” Someone cried out. Shock and dismay echoed all around. In the air and in the comms net. Even after a millennium has pasted, gas was still a much-feared weapon. An attack by the very air induced an atavistic response deep in the limbic system, a fear of drowning, of suffocation, a fear common to all creatures that must breathe.
Yang Yanping and Yang Yanding locked eyes. Conveying something to one another beyond the means of the physical realm. The slight tingling sensation was brief, for it wasn’t just each other, they relayed their voices to. None tried to even run, for the feat was impossible. The gas clouds sweep through the ground with salvage hunger. Like a beast pouncing onto its prey. The gas enveloped both the troopers of Yang and the invaders armies, in one embrace. Through the sightless fumes that now cover the grounds. Screams and wailing of different magnitude could be heard echoing within. These fell on deaf ears however for there was none to listen to the screams, even when carried over the wind.
At the same time at another location. Mainland Private Manor of Yang, inner quarters of Sixth Son of Yang.
Yang Yanzhao felt uneasy. He was in the manor when he had received the news. Coming in the form of the familiar heat in the back of his mind. When it had come, it was short and quick. He didn’t know what to make of it. Let alone the other signs he already had. The family photo that fell from his grasp, now cracks like lightning bolt streak over the images of his father and brothers. To the slight sting in the back of his head before it was cut off. He didn’t like what that could imply. After all he was far more familiar with that sensation. Never in his whole life has it ever been cut off, like some crude network connection. It has never failed, not once. Unless it was cut off from the other end, but that would only signify one truth.
He didn’t want to believe it, then came the dreaded news. The disappearance of his father. This was the final straw, there was no time for delay. Ceasing his current tasks, he made for his closet. Changing his dress ware, donning his fine specialized tailored suit. Quickly pacing himself out his room and through halls to his vehicle. Before he called for his ride Yang Yanzhao stopped. He was alone, not just metaphorically but in the actual reality of the current moment. This he was certain, as he couldn’t detect any other form of life within the manor.
The original lively state of the manor was gone. Gone was familiar noise of the maids making their rounds in the walls. The hallway he found himself in was devoid of the lumen lights in the walls. Only the mid sunlight shining through the curtains shine the path.
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“Security. Security!” He tapped into his comms net to his families’ personal guards. None of them responded. Even those stationed at the end of the hall weren’t at their post. He processed slowly down the silent corridor. His footsteps light echoing off the marble walls. Slowly he reached for his side arm tucked behind underneath the outer coat of his suit. His trusted custom A-22B Chao Smart Pistol, still small, ultra-compact pistol with an 18 round magazine that fires in 3-round bursts. With some different features built into its tiny frame. Unholstering it and holding it in his combat ready stance. Listening, waiting for the slightest hint of life. None did, this caused his senses to heighten further. Upon reaching the end of the hall, he saw the reason. Gone was the need for stealth. If someone or something snuck into the manor undetected and killed his guards. They were aware of his presence.
He rushed through the long halls. After just minutes reached his intended destination. Along the way he found more of his guards prone on the ground. “Mom~! Are you here!? Mother!” Yang Yanzhao burst through the doorway to his parent bedroom. Only to find no one there. This caused his heart to beat harder. He began to breath rapidly; all sorts of thoughts and theories swam through his mind. Where was his mother? Where was his sister? Where were the girls? The girls. This gave him some pause. He trodden back out the room. Overlooking the carnage outside, looking side to side looking over the bodies. the realization hit him. The girls~! None of the bodies were of the girls!
“Where are?” Bang-! He ducked his head on instinct. His years of combat deeply honing his sixth sense, alerting, and enabling him to react to danger faster than his mind could process it. He pushed his legs, propelling himself back into his parents’ bedroom. Kicking the portal close, he leaped back onto his feet in one smooth motion. Adrenaline had initial numb his senses. Now it has sweep over him like a tidal wave. The pain he felt was immense, he hadn’t felt this pain in a long time. Despite his best motions, the shots had still connected. Landing square where his heart and liver were. Fatal it had truly connected. Flicking his outer coat, the rounds fell clattering down upon the marble floor panels of the floor.
For his suit was no mere fancy dress suit. Built within the suit itself had the most advanced systems one could afford or dream of. Advanced protective material compositions were the least impressive features of the suit. However, it still doesn’t protect the soft human innards from the impact force. As it should be, it was a reminder to the wearer that the suit wasn’t invulnerable. The tools doesn’t make the wielder but the user’s own skill. Should they be found wanting the tools they wield would be an asset or a liability. Such was his families’ teachings. Bracing himself against the wall. He didn’t wait long as something or someone broke down the doors. Not waiting, Yang Yanzhao fired on reflex hitting center mass. To his mild shock, the round was deflected. As the sound of the round hitting against metallic echoed in the air. ‘Of course, they’re also wearing protective gear.’ He rushed at the figure, shoulder first into his assailant. The instant he made physical contact, he received several conflicting details.
Though this was no time to be bewildered by some minute detail. He fired his side arm again, this time going for the possible weakness. Such as the joints. These proved to be more effective. The foe released muffled screams, falling but the muffled voice caused Yang Yanzhao’s unease to be more solidified. He ended it with a jab to the neck and squeezed. Sending blood spraying to the wall and over himself. Now prone no longer moving, Yang Yanzhao was now able to properly make his analyzes. The figure in question wore all black.
Hiding all facial feature, but not their body structure. The skin-tight body suit deeply defining their or her feminine body. The perfect curves of her hips, and the mound on her chest. Overlapping the suit were strap on body armor plates, the most defining being the indent on the breast plate where his first round had impacted. However, none of these truly mattered. Taking the weapon that dead corpse had dropped, he recognized it as the G-47 Dian. A fully automatic double barreled, anti-personnel Smart assault bullpup rifle.
The G-47 still appeared to be of the standard model, having a noteworthy negligible vertical recoil, instead involving an extreme degree of horizontal recoil. Which makes the weapon a popular among troops. Many of the other parts of the weapon can be folded into the main body. Allowing for more easier compact carry. advanced magnetic reloading system that snaps magazines into place with minimal effort, and a custom holographic sight to be used with it's smart targeting system.
Checking the magazine still enough, doing another fast check before cocking the weapon arming it. Then his gaze fell upon the helm mask still concealing his assailant’s face. Slowly he reaches for it, activating the seals. It sang of released pressure before allowing him to remove it. The face behind the mask caused his eyes to widen, he had hoped it wasn’t her. But the voice, the voice gave it away long before he had seen her face. “Mindy~.”
Brt-brt-brt-brt~! More rounds came from the side, hitting his shoulder and chest. Though once again his suit protected him. The kinetic force of the impact still hurt though, if not for the soft padding built into suit to soften the impact. The impact might have broken some bones about now. “Ah! (Groans in pain and frustration), Shit! More of them!” Pulling up his coat to shield his face, he made a dash. More gunfire came beyond the portal. Causing him to duck for cover.
Moving towards the side of the massive bed. All the while under fire. He returned a handful of shots, catching a glimpse of his attackers. There were five of them line up perfectly rifles leveled. They too donned the same uniform as the corpse know as Mindy. Though shield in dim shadow of the building, Yang Yanzhao was able to make out through the faint dim sunlight the same noticeable physical details. “The hells going on here?!” he groaned in frustration. Sighting down the supposed lead of the group and squeezed. The formation then shifted the other four shifted themselves behind the lead member. Shielding themselves behind the first, the shots bounced of the lead’s armor.
Then the rifle ceased firing, Yang Yanzhao knew what this meant. So did his opponents, bursting forth through the portal. Once more unloading more rounds at him. Chasing him back into cover. However, the frame of the bed was deteriorating. Riddled with bullet holes, it wasn’t going to be much protection for long. But Yang Yanzhao was pinned he couldn’t move so he waited. He waited for them to empty their weapons. He calculated that it should be soon. He was right for briefest moment the weapons fire ceased. This was his moment. He rushed forward, pumping his legs with strength, colliding with the closest body knocking her down. Having drawn in his sidearm in advance he aimed for the weak point such as the neck. Downing the first one, before grabbing the second just as she drew out her own sidearm. She didn’t get the chance to fire, as the bearing arm was grabbed. Before it was twisted at an angle causing the masked woman to drop the tool of death. Which was taken by Yang Yanzhao, its barrel now faced against its former master.
Bang-bang-bang! More shots rang out, the others were quickly dispatched. One shot or two for each body, aiming for the section that was mostly liking unprotected. Still even with the last opposition deceased. There was not time to rest. Quickly retrieving the nearest rifle, checking the ammunition reserves. Before searching the bodies more anything else other than ammunition. He didn’t find anything other important details than more familiar faces. One still lived however despite the hole in her throat. He didn’t have long but he still needed to know.
“Lisa why? What the hell is going on here? What is the meaning of all this, where is mother?” Yang Yanzhao demanded from the downed form of the one know as Lisa. Her life was now measured in seconds, but he needed to get something, in those last few seconds no matter how futile it was. Lisa’s words came out as a blobbing mess of choked air and blood. But her eyes, her eyes carried a strong message within them. One he didn’t expect from a one he had almost regard as close as family. Hatred. That was the message he received form Lisa, even as the light within faded.
This only added more questions to his ever-growing list. Still, he didn’t have any time to dwell on them, more footsteps echoed down the hall. Picking himself up to his feet, he sprinted down the opposite end of the corridor. The footsteps rapid pace after him, however he wasn’t running, but merely repositioning himself into a more favorably situation. His quick run landed him into the intersection corridor. Making a choice he processed down his chosen path. Hiding from view he hefted his rifle in hand and waited. It didn’t take long for his presence to appear. His held his finger back from squeezing the trigger, if he fired now, they would gun him down. He had another reason, have chosen this path instead of holding his ground back at his parents’ room. “Guns.” His tone breathed command, spoken loud and proud. He did so, yet nothing happened. That to this action his voice altered his foe. Instantly drawing their aim towards him. In response Yang Yanzhao finally squeezed the trigger. Dropping one but knew it wasn’t a kill. He rushed down hall, stopping every few feet to return fire.
As strafes of gun fire followed after him. The gunfire never ceased. “Guns.” Yang Yanzhao said again with more force. Still nothing happens, the medusa system didn’t activate. The manor has a smart system built into it, on command registered users on the property can disarm any assailant within the manor. Looking through the bio metric signals of sight of the registered manor occupant. Sending a current of ethereal energy from the emitters built into the walls close to the ceiling. Finally, he reached the end of the halls, grunting in pain once again feeling the impact of bullet rounds hitting his back but still didn’t penetrate his suit. His weapon was empty, he raced to reload it.
“Why won’t the medusa system work?” as quickly as he questioned, the answer dawned on him. The lumen lights! That was the first indication that the manor’s systems were down. Glancing upwards he couldn’t even see the dim lights of the halo emitters. “Guess I’ll have to do it the hard way.” Having resolved himself he turned from the corner he was hiding. Firing his rifle as he went on his path for there was now only one choice he can make. He will either live or he will fall such was the path he had embraced long ago.