Sergeant Parker (Lucas Parker)
6/7/2031,
(Location Unavailable)
(Unknown Village)
“Don't.” she would just be a charred corpse if she just rushed in there parker thought. Christ it’s a dragon, maybe he is losing his mind. Parker thought to himself as he held onto the weird animal lady's arm. He would love to help her but with that thing torching up anything that moves…it's a death sentence. Parker looked over the Large village, from his vantage point, the village itself seemed to have nestled itself in a large cove, allowing easy access to the sea, it looked more and more like your typical fishing village, but just bigger.
Before he could do anything else, a roar came from above, one that even spooked the big ass flying lizard. He knew that sound anywhere, F-35s, the Flyboys came in clutch this time. The dragon hovered about, its attention now squarely on the f-35s as they started to turn around.
“David get up here!!” Parker yelled as the rest of the group finally arrived at the clearing. “get in contact with those jets, make sure they know we are here. And for the love of god, get me some firefighting support as well.” Parker stated to which his radioman nodded. The dragon roared again flying to meet the pair of F-35s BOOOM!!!! Only to be shot out of the sky with a defining explosion, the sidewinder hitting it directly in the head. just as Rathyeon and General Electric intended, everyone stood in shock as the corpse of such a devastating creature fell to the ground, swatted from the sky like it was a simple fly. Well everyone except for Parker's squad. they hooted and hollered as they watched capitalism at work.
“That’s got to be the most anticlimactic boss fight I have ever had.” James stated turning his head back to the area where he was pulling security.
The threat has been dealt with, just like that. But that did not stop the locals from fleeing as they now tried to seek shelter from the F-35s that circled overhead like sharks in the water. Parker let go of the young woman's arm, after a couple of seconds of gawking she finally got hold of herself and began to run down to save whoever she was so fanatical about. Parker turned to the expressionless masks of his fellow compatriots “Help who you can, this is not an order, but rather I am asking you as your leader, as your friend. Remember hurricane Mawelll in Venezuela, It didn't matter that they were not Americans. they needed help and we answered. So should it matter now.” Parker paused his eyes roaming over the marines in his command. “I am going into that hellscape either way.”
“Hell, I don't mind being praised as a savior.” James said, mostly trying to ease the tension in the group. This spurred his compatriots into action, as they all started moving past him. Parker couldn't help but feel a sense of pride wash over him as he looked at them. “Wait.” Mark, I need someone to guard David as he's on the comms.” Mark nodded, not arguing in any way as he walked back to the wagon. Parker's breath quickened, as he once again looked at the distant flames. Those in the wagon just watched on, as only two of the marines remained by their side, the radio operator and the marksman.
Some action music would be nice. Parker thought to himself as he moved to the outskirts of the town. His eyes lingering on the dragon's corpse as he jogged past it. It Held a weird type of armor, like what you would see on an armadillo lizard. He would love to take a picture. You know, for history and fame, and bragging rights too. But desires, should not cost lives. He has learned that well.
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The stench of death permeated the air, with the fumes of the fire and smoke. He had never been so thankful for wearing a gas mask before. If it weren't for it, he would have passed out by now.
Parker lurched into a stack of boxes, the rough wood tearing at his leg, but the sting barely registered. His breaths came short and shallow, his eyes locked on another house, a wall of flames devouring it whole. He willed himself to look away, but the inferno only fed the memories clawing their way back to the surface, vivid and relentless.
Get it together. He had to. He pushed himself upright, his hands trembling as he took stock of the chaos around him. His crew was scattered somewhere in the smoke, and he was grateful for it—grateful they couldn’t see the fissures cracking his mask. They couldn’t see the weight of a past that wouldn’t let him go, the struggle behind every breath. He needed to stay strong, to keep their confidence. But, in this moment, he wondered if that strength was something he could still summon.
Wait—was that? Yes, it was—the woman from the wagon, the one who had been frantic when she arrived in the village. She lay slumped in the street, probably weakened from smoke inhalation. Parker pushed himself to his feet and approached her, her eyes lifting to meet his with an expression he couldn’t read—despair, perhaps, or something close to it.
“I’m going to get you out of here, all right?” he said, kneeling down to check her for any visible injuries. Thankfully, she appeared unharmed, just exhausted and shaken. He didn’t know who she was, but she needed help.
With a slow, shaky hand, she pointed down the cobblestone street toward a small two-story building. Embers had already ignited the thatched roof, spreading across it in a pattern of sizzling destruction. Without another word, Parker reached down and helped her up, letting her lean on him as he guided her down the street. She murmured, “Lamqi,” her voice barely audible.
He guessed that Lamqi was someone—or something—important to her. She had been calling for this Lamqi earlier, her desperation evident as they had arrived at the village. Determined, Parker braced himself as they made their way toward the burning building, hoping he could find whatever she’d lost in time.
Though only seconds passed by, it felt like an eternity as he practically carried the woman to her door. “Stay here.” Parker stated as he set her down against a wall. Even though she did not know what he said, he still felt like saying it.
Parker finally reached the door, his mind fixed on finding this “Lamqi.” “What is this, anyway?” he muttered, wrestling with an odd hinge that wouldn’t budge. Ah, screw it. Slinging his rifle, he braced himself and kicked the door, each blow forcing the wood to groan and splinter until it crashed open, much easier than he’d expected. Smoke billowed out, thick and choking, swallowing the room’s details as he stepped inside.
It felt strange, violating the sanctuary of a stranger’s home. Not that it resembled much of a modern home—just a single, bare room that served as both kitchen and dining area, with minimal furnishings and a staircase tucked to one side. It reminded him of something out of a medieval history book. He muttered a silent thanks for the gas mask before moving further in, his rifle at the ready, his CQB training taking over as he methodically cleared the room.
Upstairs, the smoke thinned, allowing him to make out the other side. “Lamqi,” he called out, only to be met by silence. He was about to turn back, convinced he’d have to look elsewhere, when he noticed a faint flicker of movement near the bed—a small, quick flash of a tail. Lifting the edge of the bed, Parker found himself face-to-face with a young boy, maybe nine years old, his skin pale white in stark contrast to the black fur on his tail and ears. The kid was almost cute, in a surreal way, though he trembled with fear, holding a small blade defensively toward Parker.
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Parker backed up, raising his hands slowly to show he meant no harm. “Lamqi?” he asked again, his voice softening. “You probably can’t understand me, but you need to get out of here.” The boy’s face remained set in wary defiance, his grip tight on the blade as firelight began to dance across the walls. Flames licked their way into the room, casting a warm, ominous glow that promised what was to come.
No time. The roof could cave in any second. Parker moved in quickly, grabbing the boy despite his desperate attempts to stab and squirm free. The kid flailed, swinging his tiny blade wildly. Parker sighed, disarming him with a quick flick that sent the blade clattering to the floor. Right on cue, the boy’s face crumpled, and he started sobbing, convinced, maybe, that this stranger meant to harm or enslave him. The display was both horrific due to its implications and exhausting. With a deep breath, Parker adjusted his hold, trying to shield the child from the encroaching smoke and heat as he prepared to get them both to safety.
“Im a Marine not a fucking caretaker.” Parker announced to himself as if that would do anything. he hoisted the kid up on his right shoulder like he was a bag of rice.
Before Parker could dwell on it, his radio crackled to life. “2-1, come in. Over.”
“This is 2-1, send traffic.”
“Parker, I’ve made contact with command. They’re sending birds our way, ETA seven mikes… And the ship CAP wants to speak with you.” The last part gave Parker pause, and he took a breath before pushing through the main door and out into the street.
“Copy. Tell him I’ll get to him when able.” He set the kid down, who threw weak punches at him before trying to scramble away, only to be caught in a tight embrace from behind. Realizing it was his mother, the child stilled, and the two clung to each other, trembling with relief and sobbing as if they’d nearly lost one another forever. Parker averted his eyes, feeling something unsettling, a pang he couldn’t quite place.
“Thomas, James, how’s it looking on your end?” he asked over the radio. Outside, the thick smoke began to thin as locals and his squad worked together to contain the fires, preventing further spread. Breathing was easier now, especially for those without masks.
“Myers set up a makeshift med post at the docks. We’re treating any civvies who make it here,” came the reply.
“I’ve got around forty civilians in the town square, moving them toward you now. Good to see you’re still in the fight, Parker. We thought we’d lost you for a minute there,” Thomas added.
“So, I’m the only one who got lost in the smoke?” Parker muttered, a hint of defeat creeping into his tone.
“Kind of,” Thomas replied with a faint chuckle. “We regrouped quickly. I tried raising you on the radio, but you didn’t respond.”
“Yeah… Sorry. I got preoccupied.” Parker’s gaze drifted to the mother and child holding each other tightly. Before he could dwell on it, a loud crash shattered the moment, making them all jump as the house he’d just exited collapsed, the fire finally weakening its foundation. Parker looked up, catching sight of the gas giant casting an eerie glow against the black sky. The rain earlier had been brief; he found himself wishing it had lasted longer, enough to douse the flames.
“Myers, I hope you’ve got more room because I’m bringing more locals with me,” Parker called over the radio. He gestured to the mother and child, signaling for them to follow. But as they moved, both the mother and child suddenly froze, their ears perking up, catching Parker’s attention.
He heard it too—a deep, rhythmic thudding growing steadily louder, each beat rumbling through the air as it approached, shrouded in smoke. The locals looked bewildered, glancing at each other, some readying to flee or fight. But Parker knew what was coming. Fortunately, with a town-sized fire blazing, he wouldn’t need a flare to guide in the reinforcements.
The deep, thunderous thuds filled the air, each beat intensifying as it drew nearer, until it seemed to hover right above them. The woman and boy clung tightly to each other, likely reeling from one shock after another, unaware they were about to face yet another. The CH-53E Super Stallion burst through the smoky haze, its massive rotors sending ash and flames swirling, momentarily clearing the air. Suspended beneath the metal giant, a huge container of water hung in a sling. Parker tried to recall the name—probably a Bambi Bucket, the kind used by firefighting helicopters to douse flames.Parker placed a hand on the woman’s shoulder, hoping to reassure her that they weren’t about to be devoured by this mechanical beast. She looked up at him, her expression softening slightly, as though she could sense his calm despite the gas mask obscuring his face. He gestured for her to keep moving, and she nodded, scooping up the child in her arms as they continued down the street.
Behind them, the Stallion released its load of water onto a burning building, a massive splash extinguishing the flames until they hissed out entirely. Then the helicopter rose again, retreating toward the harbor to refill and continue its firefighting run.
As they walked, Parker took in the surroundings. The cobblestone streets and simple buildings looked increasingly like something from a medieval fantasy, each step reminding him just how foreign yet oddly familiar everything was. He caught snatches of the woman’s whispered words, “Clamistky, reentary,” the syllables both harsh and melodic.
If only I knew this language already, he thought, the struggle to communicate gnawing at him as he glanced back at the towering plume of smoke.
“Hey, you! Down the street!” Parker called out, spotting a figure moving quickly through the smoky haze.
“Who’s there?!” he yelled, raising his rifle. After the bizarre things he’d seen in recent days, he half-expected a creature out of a nightmare—a Wendigo wouldn’t even surprise him at this point.
“Parker, is that you?” The voice was familiar, and he immediately lowered his rifle.
“Marinara! Good to see you,” he said with a grin.
“Please, sir, it’s Maria,” she replied, clearly exasperated.
“Well, if you hadn’t snuck seven jars of marinara sauce into the barracks—without even having noodles, I might add—I’d call you Maria, on a side note, who even does that.” he shot back. Her head fell a bit at his words.
“All right, all right, if it bugs you that much, I’ll stop,” he said, offering a rare truce.
Maria let out a sigh of relief and then gestured to the woman and child Parker was guiding through the streets. “So, who are these two?”
“Haven’t gotten her name yet, but she’s from that wagon we escorted earlier. And I think this little one here is her kid.” Parker nodded toward the boy clinging to his mother.
Maria’s face softened as she looked at the child. “Oh, aren’t you adorable?”
“You really can’t resist anything cute, can you?” Parker remarked with a smirk.
“No human can,” Maria replied. “There’s a reason we joke about humanity’s tendency to pet anything cute, no matter what it is.”
Parker nodded, his gaze shifting to the four humanoids trailing behind Maria. They looked exhausted, coughing and struggling to keep up, the smoke clearly taking a toll on their lungs. Thankfully, the thick haze seemed to be dissipating more rapidly.
“Oh, god—Parker, you’re bleeding,” Maria said, noticing his arm. She grabbed him by the wrist, pulling it up to inspect the wound, already rummaging through her IFAK.
“What are you—” Parker stopped as he finally noticed the blood caked on his forearm.
“How did this happen?” Maria asked, pulling up his sleeve and quickly cleaning the wound before wrapping it in a tight bandage.
“I think… the kid over there.” He nodded toward the boy, a part of him embarrassed of having a little kid draw blood on him.
“The kid?” Maria looked at the boy, her confusion evident.
“Don’t feel like explaining right now,” he replied, relieved when she didn’t push further. She released his arm once the bandage was secure, and he flexed his hand to test it, grateful for the quick patch-up.
“Thank you Maria.” Parker said after inspecting the wound himself. “Hey, can you bring me to the Harbor?”
“Yeah can do. I don't think there's anyone I can help now, pretty sure that most of the town's population is at the harbor now.” The Latino began to move back in the direction she had come from, in which Parker followed. Those both following Maria and Parker followed suit. he did not know what they thought he was to warrant following them like followers of Christ, but he did not mind it. Nor did he care.
“Man I just want to sleep.”