Chapter II - 2: The Remnants

Down below, was what once had been a human military outpost. Next to the wreckage was a tube that led to the ground.

"Armiger, we've got to investigate. Put us to the ground, please"

She solemnly and gently did so. Wanting to help them too, she also moved away rubbles that may have blocked the duo’s paths.

"Thanks… Now, Yuri, check for any survivors and salvage what you can, I'll check the systems."

With that, both entered the tiny building. Meanwhile, Alice analysed the scene.

There were small scorch marks on the wall facing the base as well as comparatively bigger ones on the ground around said base. Tiny blood stains were also visible there.

Blood's visibly dry. Lack of actual remains and the splatter suggests these tinies were swiftly crushed to a pulp. A quick, yet scary death. Probably better than a plasma blast from any Gigan weaponry.

Then, she examined the marks.

Heat sensors detect nothing. No visible residual smoke.

As such, she concluded, The attack might have been one or two days ago, more or less. Damn, maybe… Just maybe I could've prevented this if I came earlier… Agh, don't dwell on it. Don't.

By the time then, the tinies left the building.

"Yuri, anything?"

"Only a few HCP cells. They should be compatible with your sniper." Yuri handed them over to Mack who kept them in his pockets. "And no. No one's left."

“Unfortunate, but we have to check on Viridasteck itself. What remained of the systems said the elevator's fully operational.”

Mack then looked up at Alice and told her, “I'm afraid you'll have to get to the roof by yourself, for obvious reasons. Sorry about that."

The giantess softly reassured him, "No worries, I'll manage."

Mack nodded and faced Yuri, "Come on, kid. The elevator's this way."

Both proceeded to the base of the tube and click a barely visible button. A hidden door slid open and closed as they entered.

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

Alice realised this tube was actually an elevator disguised as a water drain.

That's... Clever designing...

A feign zipping light glow could be spotted as the contraption headed upwards.

And up they go. Now... How do I get there too?

Looking around, she smirked as she noticed the fire escape above her.

I guess that's my way up.

Alice crouched, readying herself. With a grunt, she vertically jumped, reaching for the ladder - and grabbed onto it.

Pros of being a bit taller, I guess.

Going up, she reached the scaffolding and started to walk up the stairs, her suit clanking against the metallic stairs.

A minute of climbing went by, and she finally reached the roof - only to meet yet another saddening scene.

At the opposite end of the roof, she could see the remains of a slaughter. The sight was like what she had just seen below, but tenfold. In essence, this was akin to the aftermath of a successful Gigan terrorist attack on a human metropolis.

Get over it, it's not the first time seeing such a thing... It was just that this was most likely sanctioned by the government itself.

The thought sent shivers down her spine.

Recollecting, she approached the two tinies. Both were standing facing the ruins, frustrated. Hearing her entrance, Mack turned and faced Alice, "I see you're finally here."

She bobbed her head and asked, "Need any help? "

"Nah, we're fine," Yuri quickly spoke in the back. Despite his words, a tint of frustration was in his voice.

Mack's voice overlapped Yuri's, "Yes, we'd appreciate it."

The former simply looked the latter expressionlessly as if he was a pitiful idiot. Yuri sighed in resignation and concurred.

"Okay, okay... Don't give me that look," he briefly waved his hands in the air. The young man sighed, "We actual do. Bring us to the centre, the package should be at the institute's depot. Or at least, what remains of it."

Alice gently let the tinies hop onto the palm of her hands and headed to where Yuri pointed at. As she walked, she realised the unrecognisable scattered remains of Viridastek were literally all over the place.

There's no avoiding it I guess.

The situation made her self-conscious of her Gigan weight, being approximately seventy-two tonnes. She winced a bit as she felt the debris crumbling to rubbles as she stepped on them.

No one's below. No one's below. No one's below because there're only corpses left. Great, I'm defiling the dead. No! No, bad thought. Empty. Empty. Empty. There's a possibility that I'm crushing potential survivors. Aaa-

"You don't have to watch your steps. Everyone who hasn't evacuated is pretty much dead already. And there's no going around corpses, we'll waste time otherwise."

Surprisingly, it was Yuri that had spoken. Such 'reassurance' was unorthodox but somewhat helped her steady her pace. Briskly, he also commented, "Even face covered, your body language is far from subtle."

Before Alice could retort, Mack requested the HGCO Lieutenant, "Please drop us off near that structure's entrance. Hopefully, what we're looking for is still in there."

Alice did as requested while also moving away big chunks of rubble for them. Then, she simply waited outside.

Said building was what was left of a small warehouse. Two-thirds were blown away, leaving scorch marks. Next to the depot were the ruins of a comparatively big dome.

If it was still standing tall, it might have reached my hip.

A barely visible signboard was poking out of the rubble.

Viridas Bioengineering Institute. Must've been a research centre.

Alice examined the ground and deducted, Only burn marks, no splatters, so, the attackers only gunned the place and left.

Looking up, she found something was different about the sky. The Cruiser was gone.

I wonder where that battleship went…

As she stared in the horizon, she spotted a low altitude VTOL heading this way.

The vehicle was coloured white with a few back strips. The rectangular design was similar to that of a van.

Yet, visible lack of cockpit suggested it was an automated transport.

On the hull, was the Legion's military insignia… It was the same heraldic shield she saw at D4 Central.

That can't be good.