"Area's clear, get in position, target 'AXIL' arriving in three mikes."
Dust filled the air as two figures emerged from the shadows of a nearby tree. They skillfully treaded up the sandy hill and behind two large stones, big enough to hide their bodies from anyone who happens to approach the area. The two stones created a small gap between them, big enough to lay down a muzzle without affecting the person's vision.
The larger figure, a male just over the age 20 with brown hair and eyes and a physique larger than most people his age. Most would describe his features as handsome, but due to the sniper he carried and the uniform he donned, a better description would be' fearsome'. His attire, a standard-issue 2045 desert pattern military uniform blended in with the dusty surroundings.
The smaller figure, a female just about the same age as the male with fair skin and flaxen hair that reached her shoulders. Though her looks were not of a beauty, they were above average, and coupled with the same military uniform, a rifle and a cold gaze, an indescribable charm surrounded her.
The larger figure silently holstered his pistol before reaching out for the sniper rifle that he had always carried with him, a modified M40A11. The model was unfamiliar to most as it was only distributed to a dozen marksmen, the best of the best. After the testing for the model concluded mid 2047 and details were made accessible to the public, the government was heavily scrutinized for the high development costs and cost per gun, which well exceeded $600,000 per sniper produced. Though the common person wouldn't comprehend the benefits of such a weapon over the standard M40A8 which was much cheaper, it was the difference between heaven and earth for the marksmen who had the privilege to use the weapon.
"Ready to engage, report status"
"Standby until target is visible. The shot is yo-"
"Fuck" The second person who had stationed herself behind the sniper cursed under her breathe. Communication was vital in such a scenario, and no one could blame her for her attitude.
"You getting anything Bastion?"
The sniper, Bastion, took out his radio with his empty hand and attempted to contact support, but he only received the same buzz the woman received earlier.
"Nothing, and watch your tongue Kat".
"They really love doing this during critical situations don't they? This happened last week aswell." Katrina let out a sigh before surveying the area.
"Nothing we can do about it, guess we have to do it just like the old days." Bastion remained expressionless and surveyed the target area with his scope, a marketplace with minimal activity. Usually the place was quite crowded, but since it was currently midnight, there wasn't a soul out doing business. Though the silence was quite strange for a city of ten million, it did reduce the risk of civilian casualties, and put Bastion's mind to peace.
"Old days? You make us sound old, we're not even 23 yet" Katrina complained as she finished inspecting the area. "You should go outside some more."
"What do you think I'm currently doing?"
"Missions don't count, how about we go for a date after this? You and me, down at Hartons next week." Though Katrina made it sound like an invitation, Bastion was aware that this was more of a statement, and that he would be forced to go no matter what, making him inwardly sigh.
The relationship between Katrina and Bastion was known to all. Both were geniuses in the art of war, born into a poor family and having served in the military since a very young age. Since the new laws passed down after the Third World War ended in 2031, children at the age of 10 and above could begin their military service through academies and constant supervised training and military programs. Western governments needed more manpower and talent in the military, and gave out benefits and support to the families of those who enrolled their children into military academies before the age of 12. Though human-right activists initially loathed the idea and expectations were low for the programs, the results were unexpectedly outstanding, and due to this, the western world was now miles ahead of all other powers when it came to military issues. Katrina Williams and Bastion Woods were both such children. Both having come from relatively poor backgrounds, their families relied on the aid provided through the programs to survive, and both were sent away to the ICA Military Academy at a tender of 10. Though their families had no expectations of them, the two quickly garnered fame through repeated displays of knowledge and skills required on the battlefield. The two met each other during an expedition camp to the Northern mountains, and quickly became friends.
Bastions went on to become the youngest sniper in Australian history, achieving his first confirmed kill at the age of 15 during an emergency defense operation against the GLA (Global Liberation Army), a terrorist organisation that controls a large area of the middle-east.
Katrina followed after and joined the Special Forces. Having shown great strength, skills, patience and great eyesight, she was perfect for sabotage missions behind enemy lines.
"You never change, do you? We've been in a squad for four years now, you should at least try to understand me a little." Bastions replied as he wiped down the scope.
"I understand you perfectly, maybe it's time you try to understand yourself and your desires."
Bastions remained silent and looked through the scope to confirm the target area. Two men in suits were stationed at the target area prior to the transaction that would take place in a minute or two. The other party had yet to arrive.
Katrina, who acted as a spotter in most missions such as these, kneeled beside Bastions and took the scope in Bastion's hand.
"No wind, target area is out 3.2k, estimated bullet travel time 9.2 seconds, shouldn't be too difficult for you though."
"I'm still speechless as to how you know all this without a tracker." Though Bastion was used to this, Katrina's tracking capabilities still left him speechless even after four years.
"It's called talent, don't complain when you have more than me."
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
"hehe..." Bastion let out a small laugh before receiving the scope that was handed back to him. It was rare for Bastion to show any emotion at all, known to have one of the coldest personalities in the military, he rarely showed his emotions, and these rare cases only occurred when he was around Katrina.
Though the two were formal with each other in the presence of others, they were much more intimate when they were deployed as a squad, which usually only consisted of the two of them alone. Though not to their knowledge, it was a running joke in the military as to when the two would hook up.
"AXIL is in sight, ready to engage."
A white van appeared through the scope and stopped next to where the two men in suits were. The back door opened and a middle-aged man with a clean-shaved face exited the vehicle.
Bastion's eyes widened as he gasped.
"What's wrong?"
"That's not AXIL, that's fucking Comrad!"
Major Comrad Wills was a military officer that often assisted Katrina and Bastion with their missions. The army lost contact with him around two weeks ago, and it was believed that he was taken hostage or killed during the GLA raid on the Australian outpost outside Baghdad where he was stationed. Never would anyone have thought that he would willingly assist the GLA with their matters.
"What!?" Katrina took out her scope and looked towards the target area. "Holy fuck you're right, what's he doing here at Baghdad? Nevermind that, why is he even in contact with the GLA?"
"Dunno, but this wasn't in the plan, try contacting support." The impatience in Bastion's voice grew as he surveyed Comrad's actions. "He's talking with the GLA operatives, we weren't informed of this, so can I take the shot on him?"
"Support isn't responding, just take the shot, we don't want him spilling information, and all the more reason to take him out if he's siding with the GLA." One would usually be afraid of Katrina's ruthlessness in such situations, but Bastion was far too familiar with it.
"Copy that."
As Bastion calmed down and returned to the scope, a sudden chill hit him. Comrad was looking straight at their general direction. Just then, a sudden realisation hit him.
"Hey Kat, when was the decision to make us station here made?"
Katrina looked up and dug through her memories before replying, "On the 15th I believe, why?"
"He's looking straight at us." Cold sweat dripped from Bastion's forehead. "The raid occurred on the 17th, meaning that Comrad knows that we're here, right?"
Suddenly, both their faces paled.
BAM
He didn't hesitate to take the shot and immediately stood up afterwards. Katrina did the same before shouting, "Run, rendezvous point is the same as before!"
But it was already too late. A crushing sound resonated through the sandy hills, as Bastion fell forward with a gaping hole through where his left eye should've been
ah, I've been hit, haven't I?
Time seemed to slow down as his vision blackened rapidly. The figure of Katrina shouting and attempting to carry him with her reflected in his eyes.
Even in such a situation, you still don't give up huh?
Sorry, looks like I won't be able to attend that date next week.
Bastion inwardly laughed at his last thoughts, before losing consciousness.
*************************************************************************************
"You may pay your respects."
The man draped in black slowly walked down from the pedestal, followed by a round of solemn claps from the surrounding people. The men dressed in their ceremonial attires began to play a slow tune that fit the atmosphere with their various brass instruments.
Slowly, members of the audience began to walk up to the casket and silently paid their respects before returning to their positions. From the uniforms everyone wore, it was clear that the soldier who had died was of a high rank or was respected amongst the ranks. It didn't take long for it to be my turn, but I simply stood frozen.
A nudge pushed me forward from behind. I silently tilted my head to see Major Jenkins giving me slow nod. "It's time Seargent Williams." I took a deep breath and stepped forward.
The last two weeks was almost like a dream - the person who understood me best, who shared my pain during the harshest of times was now gone, how could I accept that? Even though I saw his body collapse in front of me, even though I saw his lifeless corpse, how could I accept that he was dead?
I slowly walked forward to the casket, each step carried unimaginable weight as they carried a memory I had with him. When we first met, when he taught me how to handle a rifle, when he initially proposed the formation of the squad, all were priceless memories.
I arrived in front of the black box that donned an Australian flag in only a few seconds, though it felt like an eternity. The real body of Bastion was not inside the Casket, I had no choice but to leave it at the outskirts of Baghdad under heavy fire, though I still regret it. The body was missing after we went to retrieve it the day after, meaning that the GLA most likely found it and disposed of it themselves. Just thinking about it made my heart boil.
Those bastards, especially that traitor Comrad...
Comrad was also confirmed dead through video evidence. Bastion's shot hit him through the chest, killing him approximately four seconds after Bastion's death, making it the only confirmed kill by a dead sniper in history.
Even in death, he takes all the glory, hehe...
I let out a small chuckle, alarming the nearby officers and family members of Bastion. Though it would normally be viewed as rude to laugh at a funeral service, the family members stopped the officers who were about to call her out as they knew her relationship with Bastion.
After paying my respects, I bid farewell to Bastion's family and swiftly left to file for long term leave.
*************************************************************************************
[-sting, Testing, NPC04, can you hear us?]
[negative, it seems to be a failure, begin abort operation]
As I opened my eyes, blinding light flashed, forcing me to cover them.
Where the hell am I, wasn't I killed? Wait, was I captured? Fuck...
[Wait, there's movement! NPC04, can you hear us?]
I looked around, a white grassy plain untypical of the middle east stretched across what seemed like dozens of kilometers. A large tree stood to my left, blocking the breeze.
[NPC04, Respond immediately if you can hear us!]
Suddenly, I realised that there was someone talking to me, though I couldn't pinpoint the source of the voice.
"Who's there!?"
[Good, it hears us! Contact Leader, he needs to see this!] Several gasps could be heard from behind the voice.
Am I some test subject or something!?
The voice seemed to come from every direction, like an echo that bounced off the air. It was impossible to tell where the source was.
"Who the hell is there, show yourself!"
[Amazing, it's showing genuine emotion! Look at it, we could implement it in its current stage! Think of all the press attention! Think about the Beta players' reactions!]
[Calm down, it still needs additional testi-]
[It's a god darn artificial intelligence Bill, look at it- Hey NPC04! Can you hear us? Say something!"]
Though I was confused beyond belief as to what the **** was currently happening, it was in my best interests to play along with their words to learn their motives. It would be bad if this was some secret torture technique that I'd never heard of.
"Yeah I can hear you, mind telling me why at in an empty field, moreover who the hell are you guys?"
[It talks! It replies! Listen to it, it even sounds authentic, I think this is the one!]
I looked up with impatience, "Answer the question!"
[Oh! Well, uh... you're currently i- Oh look Leader, it's talking!]
[******-ello, This is Team Leader Jin, can you hear me? If you copy, say my name back to me!]
Jeez, these people made it sound like they had never heard a human talk before.
"'Team Leader Jin', I hear you loud and clear."
[Great! Keep testing, I have some business to attend, I want it on the servers by 12 sharp, and don't give it any restrictions, I want to see the limits of our creation!]
[Yes sir!]
This treatment... NPC04? Beta? Servers? It's almost like I'm being treated like an Artificial Intelligence...