The reptile sat alone inside the back of an armoured transport vehicle. He hugged his trench coat tightly, doing his best to keep warm. Mist escaped his lips with every painful breath, his body doing its best as it reacted to the cold air. But he had to focus, he couldn’t allow his body to enter hibernation just to protect itself. He needed to complete a job, one he believed he wasn’t the first choice for the job.
As the armoured car screeched to a halt, the back doors swung open. Jackson flinched as a cold breeze rushed inside. The woman outside smiled at the reptile. She noticed his green scales, his entire body covered in scars and past injuries. He had three toes for each foot which could act as talons or as a second pair of hands. His reptilian face is short and jagged, his teeth slightly showing from his lips. The only thing she could believe was human was his blue eyes.
‘I see you haven’t acclimatised yet.’ She reached her hand out to shake the reptile’s. ‘Agent Anna Jones, leader of Disposal Unit 882.’
Anna was a short woman, standing at 5’11, though she was considerably taller than the reptile. She donned her black Disposal Unit body armour with the logo painted on the back. A stylised D inside of a U. She wore a bright blue beanie that hid her blond hair. Even the reptile could tell she despised the cold.
The reptile hopped out of the car, still hugging his coat like a child trying desperately to stay warm while he ignored her hand. The first thing he noticed was the Ikea complex in the middle of the road. Near it was a collection of tents where the victims and survivors were located, as well as the armoury the reptile would have access to. The homes near the Ikea complex had been desolated, ripped to shreds by the haunted building’s sudden appearance. If the complex wasn’t there, it would look like the small town was hit by an artillery barrage.
‘Situation.’ The reptile bluntly said to Anna.
Anna retracted her hand. Her tone changed from welcoming to serious once she realised the reptile cared little about pleasantries. ‘Nothing changed from the report you were given. The complex appeared out of nowhere and, as you can see, had made this place a ruin. The town is under quarantine, and the current cover story is that we, well, the SDF are conducting a military exercise and had an accident.’
Jackson knew the story was a stretch. While it was believable to tell the world that a military operation went wrong. It had holes, gaps in the narrative that could potentially reveal the truth if people looked deeper into the story. But desperate times called for desperate measures, and it was the only story that the Order could come up with in a short period of time.
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‘Creature?’ Jackson said, his tone flat and emotionless.
‘Unknown, we had a unit go inside, but we had heard nothing from them for awhile now. We got a pin from their Obelus, but…’ Anna’s tone shifted, her body language conveying a sense of worry. ‘I don’t know if they are alive in there, but it’s bad. We had radio contact with them for a while and they said the inside doesn’t make sense, like it is… moving or something.’
Jackson paused, thinking of a response. It was unlikely there would be survivors, and their deaths made him suspect that there would be threats he had to deal with. ‘I’ll look for them.’ The reptile coldly said to Anna as he made his way to the armoury. His attempt to bring up morale and hope to the young leader. ‘Weapons?’ Jackson questioned Anna as she followed behind.
‘We expected you needed everything. I made sure to bring the entire arsenal in case you or any other member of the Legion would come to deal with the problem.’ Anna responded, her tone rang with pride.
The reptile gave her a nod of acknowledgement. ‘Equipment?’
Anna sped in front of Jackson to open the armoury tent for him. ‘Nothing fancy. We have Chimes, but no other magical equipment. We have Charge-Spikes, Golf-Grenades, and a Spray-gun if you need it.’
Jackson walked over to the gun section, grabbing an AA12 with a flashlight attached to it, and a few drum magazines that he latched onto his belt. He reached for a Glock, a combat knife, and a few other explosives and equipment. Making him have the capabilities of annihilating a small platoon if he was forced to go against a conventional army. Though what sparked Anna’s attention was the reptile taking a grappling hook.
‘You are going to be indoors. I don’t think it would have a use.’ Anna commented.
‘It will.’ The reptile sharply replied as he placed a chime at the corner of the armoury after connecting it with another. ‘Expect the worst. Contact Heresy if I don’t return in two or three hours.’
Anna gave the reptile a salute with her two fingers and a cocky smile. ‘Already prepared for that occasion. We even set up around the complex, ready to take on anything that would come out of that place. Don’t worry, we’re prepared.’
‘Good,’ the reptile flatly replied as he walked out of the armoury tent with everything he needed. Heading straight to the entrance of the haunted Ikea. Anna stood back and watched as the reptile, with a heartless exterior, bravely walked into certain death alone without a care or worry. Like it wasn’t the first time he did such a thing, nor did she suspect it would be his last.