[Observer]
[Connecting]
[. . .]
“Mobile Defense”
Day 0 - 09:32:45 AM Local Time.
District Fifty One, New Rouen Megacity.
Corporal, Sherman Williams.
Sampstonial National Guard Reserves.
Thun-thun-thun, another burst let loose. The expended belt links and casings rattled off the side of our armored vehicle, in the distance I saw the tracers pierce straight through one of those griffin shits, leaving a satisfying red mist and a small trail of smoke as it careened towards the ground in the far distance. I sat up, then leaned back in to look through the scope, scanning the skies above the tree canopy. Just to be sure I took out my binoculars and looked towards the horizon once more, most of the horizon beyond the city limit was now covered by tall trees, I really mean tall ones. They’re much taller than the ones I saw back home, like one hundred thirty seven meters. I checked the ammo box to the thirteen millimeters machine gun then I felt a tap on my leg, my attention swung to look down through the open turret hole.
I saw Private Bailey’s face looking up at me, “That makes what, twenty now? You’re a damn good shot Corporal!"
“That’s why I was paid more than you Bailey.”
“Fuck you too, Corporal.” Bailey sat back into his seat, I heard a couple muffled chuckles from inside the vehicle.
“Look alive, boys,” I’d turn to face, not rotating the turret, “Sergeant.”
“Corporal, I got off the payphone with District Command,” He paused as he looked up towards the sky, “Recon reported from a highrise position, a hundred from the South West. Our section is to split, then our squad is to move to support them at District Eighty One. There’s already two infantry sections stationed there, but they’re asking for mobile support, which is going to be us.”
“We can’t be the closest, Sergeant?”
“It seems that we might be, I was given word of fighting on the east side. It’s holding up some of the other mobile sections. So our squad is to break off and support, just in case they try to fly around us, the other half of the squad will stay here.” The sergeant walked over to the front passenger door, climbing in. I heard a few muffled words as our vehicle began to lurch forward.
Well, this day could get better or was it get worse? Which one brought the most luck?
We drove a couple blocks down, thankfully most of the roads leading to major positions were cleared by our stationed engineering boys. Then we took the highway exit and were on our way, entering the outer highway ring that circled the city. There were still some cars parked on the highway, but most were shoved to the side at this point. Traveling took some time, so out of boredom I spun around in the turret a bit, stopping to look towards the westside after a second. Most of the buildings on the westside of the highway were less than three stories as it was lowered into two story single family housing, at least in this district and others. The tree line was menacing from this view, there was a grass buffer for maybe a few kilometers, then just a dark forest of dark tall trees.
I spotted a couple griffins flying from over the treetop canopy in the distance, then a couple tracers hit them from some of the apartment buildings. Must be the recon sniper squads, I think one of the forward operating bases were stationed a bit further to the north where the bigger guns were. I continued to spin around in my turret a bit, stopping right before I got too dizzy before looking at the tree line and canopy top once more.
Thinking about it, it seems the griffins have a concept of tactics, using the canopy to conceal their immediate approach then usually try to dive at the first sight of our tracers. Though they dive fast, our bullets go quite faster. Though I haven’t personally seen them fly through the trees, yet. Though I’d assume they don’t due to the bulky armor I’ve seen them wearing or something.
We continued down the highway and soon enough I spotted the exit sign for district eighty one was ahead, I watched the blue highway sign pass over me. Our vehicle stopped next to the exit ramp, pulling over to the side which sat us practically on the overpass to the main avenue below us. And it gave me a nice clear sight picture to shoot the fuck out of anything that flies straight at us, seeing as the avenue was decently wide and straight enough. Also helped that the buildings around here weren’t skyscrapers towards the edge of the city.
The front passenger doors opened, the sergeant and a private stepping out, “Corporal, keep watch to the south west, this elevated nature of the highway should give us a good vantage point. There should be a payphone under us, I’ll tell them we’re here.”
“Yes, Sarge.” I’d spin the turret, watching the embedded compass on the turret ring and on my wrist watch. South westish, close enough.
I’d look out to the horizon, luckily the sun was behind us, guess it still lowers to the west here too.
[. . .]
[Swapping]
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[Connecting]
[. . .]
“Street Patrol”
Day 0 - 09:35:25 AM Local Time.
District Thirty, New Rouen Megacity.
Officer Second Grade, Johnathan Adams.
District Thirty Police Precinct.
“Contact left, do you see them?!”
“I see them, I see them!”
Thun-thun-thun-thun, Thun-thun-thun.
“Right, right!”
Thun-thun-thun.
I wish I had better ear protection, hopefully medical care is still good. The damned HMG reverberated off the walls of the buildings, and standing next to it felt like a damn jackhammer in my head. I’d watch as the tracers ripped through a few more griffins for each burst fired, sparks occasionally flew out when it struck their armor. The distant squawking was usually drowned out by the next burst, this is as close as I’ll get to seeing a CIWS. I tightened my grip on my rifle, looking behind us every so often. More recently, the bastards flew a little lower, using the apartment buildings as cover and concealment. Did that mean there were observers slowly learning? I mean its obvious that the damned birds can think, fuck if only we had the fucking full army. Feather piece of shit, I’d kick the griffin corpse next to me out of annoyance.
“Corpse bugging you?” Osborn stepped into the corner of my vision.
“If I wanted to be back into military duty, I think I’d sign—” I lowered my head as the machine gun let out another couple bursts, “—I think... I think I would have signed up for the damn army a few years back.”
“Well, we’re acting like a militia currently. Maybe we’ll be in the army next week.”
“Very funny, say where’s the Sarge and probies?”
“They took to the rooftop next to us. They informed the military sergeant already, the probie recommended to keep watch for the low fliers.” She pointed to the three story apartment to our left.
“Hope they’re nice and comfy up there, overhear any words on the other areas?” I’d look at the sky towards the treeline before looking back at her.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“I overheard from the military sergeant that the southwest was about to experience a push like we did.”
“Cheers to those guys—” I stopped myself, there was a rapid blur between buildings.
My eyes kept tracking ahead of it. But before I could fully turn to face it my legs suddenly gave out and I fell backwards as I felt something nick my custodian helmet my chinstrap pulling me backwards. As I fell back the glint of the steel claws were imprinted onto my vision. Then I was just flat on my back trying to turn over, I heard a panicked yell from Osborn and another couple of bursts from the machine gun followed. Then I watched the griffin impact a car down the street. I turned back over and saw Osborn kneeling above me, I saw her mouth moving but I didn’t hear anything for a second... then the sound just sorta came back.
“—ey, hey. You’re alright, you’re alright.” She put her hand on my shoulder and helped to sit me up, “Damned feathers shits, at least your reflexes work.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I took a deep breath, a slight image flashing in my mind, that man from earlier... I shook my head.
“You okay, you’re pale as a ghost,” She rubbed my shoulder.
“I’m fine, I’m doing good.” I’d slowly stand up, as she moved to help me to my feet.
“Don’t get too ghostly on me, we can talk later, right,” She eye’d me for a second, I’d just nod as I looked around.
“Sure, sure...”
My hands trembled a bit, I stared down at them then Osborn held them, a natural calm overtook the slow panic as I took a couple breathes. She only nodded at me as I looked back up, she handed me my white custodian helmet. There were a couple gashes straight up it, ending at the cap of it. I stared at the open tear, if it was a few more centimeters down, my face, my neck? Goddess, I fucking hate it here already, my damned hands are trembling again, the machine gun fire startles me every now and then, fuck I want to go home, I want to be in a nice soft bed. Aren’t these fantasy scenarios supposed to be an adventure, fuck. I—
There in the corner of my vision, a black blur, I spun in place aiming my rifle up. It was fast, I felt my gunfire as I squeezed, my rifle letting out a three round burst into it, another burst, another, but its momentum was still carrying it at me. I couldn’t move, MOVE FUCKING—
. . .
. . .
“—ey . . . medic. . .!”
. . .
The voices were wispy, muffled.
. . .
“. . . stand clear!”
. . .
. . .
It’s dark.
[. . .]
[Swapping]
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[Connecting]
[. . .]
“Mobile Defense”
Day 0 - 09:50:20 AM Local Time.
District Fifty One, New Rouen Megacity.
Corporal, Sherman Williams.
Sampstonial National Guard Reserves.
“—EEP FUCKING REVERSING!!”
“BEHIND!”
“OH FUCK!”
The tires and brakes screeched, a crashing noise as we came to a sudden halt. Then a smack against the windshield of our vehicle, I saw the disorientated griffin shake its head before angrily flapping upwards, then another one took its place swiping at the glass with its talons with little effect, squawking with annoyance. Then there was a thunk on the roof, the slow sound of its talons against the metal before it looked through the open hatch of the turret, angling its head as it looked around the cabin. I was laying down... beneath the turret—
“SHOOT IT!”
I was already reaching for my sidearm, a resounding bang in the cabin, the griffin’s gray matter pouring down as it slumped fully through the hatch onto my legs. I grunted a bit, I was laying down... why was I laying down? When my hand touched my face there was only the feeling of blood? I looked up and saw Private Ramirez’s panicked facial expressions, was my head in his lap? Everything he said was muffled, my damn ears were ringing. Then I felt the vehicle accelerate forwards, my pistol falling out of my hand. I heard a bum-bump, I think we ran one over. My ears were still fucking ringing, Ramirez was taking out some gauze and putting it on my face... weird when I close my right eye I can’t see at all. I laid back on his lap, I felt so nauseated, just a short nap maybe... maybe it will...
“Hey, hey, h—”
. . .
. . .
“—orporal. . . with. . .”
. . .
. . .
I sharply inhaled, blinking rapidly. I looked around and my head was in someone's lap? I wasn’t in the turret... I was...
“Corporal, you fucking alive? Blink for me!”
I’d turn my head to look up at him, “... Blink.”
“Real funny, but I’m glad you’re fine,” Private Ramirez smiled a bit looking up, before looking back at me, “Can you think straight?”
Can I think? What is... what? I moved my hand to my face, feeling the gauze over my left eye. Then I saw it, well more like I couldn’t see out of my left. When did...?
“What happened? Where are we?” I tried to recall something, it was a bit too fuzzy.
“We are currently retreating down the highway, there were way too many of them,” He shook his head, “I don’t know how much you remember.”
I tried to move my legs and sit up, only to realize the dead griffin was still there pinning me. If only I didn’t skip the workout days, maybe I could just...
“Lay still for the second. We, uh, didn’t get time to dump it yet. Just lay still, your legs are probably still there.”
I’d try to relax my legs, though there was a lack of sensation to relax with. Maybe it was just asleep, a little nerve pinching. Not mangled hopefully...
“Corporal, you're up. Ramirez fill him in,” the Sergeant’s voice was a bit calmer than usual, “Driver, take the next exit, should be a payphone down here. And I don’t see any Griffins in the rearview.”
I rubbed my face for a second, rubbing the gauze with my left hand causing some crusted blood to fall off.
“Aye, don’t rub it, you don’t want to irritate the wound,” Ramirez paused examining my face, “Anyway corporal, do you remember when you were struck?”
I was struck? I spoke aloud, trying to recall, “I was shooting at a group of them... I felt an impact on my side...”
“Right, they flanked us. Your vest seemed to have protected you from the torso hit,” He’d look down to the torn fabric of my plate carrier, then back at the top of my head, “I’d say the helmet probably deflected some hits as well, don’t know where it went. That’s how you ended up knocked out and not with a divided skull.”
I slowly ran my fingers on the top of my head, a little sting as I did causing me to jerk my hand back a little. My head and face is gonna have the nastiest scar, I’ll make a kick ass drill instructor one day.Then I looked down at the few large gashes in my plate carrier, the fabric was still holding, the plate was exposed but didn’t look too damaged. And... fuck, my magazine holders were missing where it was torn as well. Would the quartermaster lessen the blows if I didn’t lose them on purpose? Maybe they got that ammo factory setup and he won’t chew me out later. I’d shake my head then look back at Ramirez nodding for him to continue.
“Then after you got knocked out, we shot the fucker and got back into the vehicle. Turns out a huge formation of griffins took pincer tactics on our ground forces, more than expected it looked like,” He paused for a second looking out the window, “It was fucking chaos, civilians were fighting as well using sticks and some weird spears we saw them using,” Ramirez shook his head a bit, “Fuck, we barely have enough people for this shit man.”
“Quiet down, Ramirez. Shit will be fine, we still have a job to do,” The sergeant said, “Driver stop here, this will be a moment. Bailey, get the griffin out.”
I heard the Sergeant and Bailey dismount. I heard a bit of a grunt as I felt the griffin move as he tugged on its corpse. Then the best feeling of relief as sensation returned to my legs, I didn’t fucking lose them, thank the goddess. I heard a thunk-thud as I heard Bailey take a breath before he stuck his head back into the vehicle.
“You’re welcome, Corporal.” Bailey said, reaching in to help me up.
“Thanks.” I took his hand and tried to pull myself up.
As I tried to sit up, Ramirez would also help to push me up, allowing me to sit up on the dividing hump where the gunner stands. Bailey took a step back to allow me to continue out. So I pushed myself into the right side passenger seat with a grunt, then pushed myself out the door. My legs were still a bit wobbly but Bailey helped me stand up straight. He’d smile at me, patting me on the shoulder before grabbing something from the floor of the vehicle and presenting my sidearm. I must have dropped that after passing out the first time. I’d take the pistol and holster it, giving him a handshake before stepping a little bit away. I stretched my legs and arms, trying to assess myself a bit. My head was still spinning, but it seemed to go away after some movement. Though, my missing half of my vision was weird, maybe I can adjust overtime. Wonder if they have those fancy prosthetics or maybe my eye is fine under these bandages. I heard footsteps as I turned to see the sergeant come from around the front of the vehicle looking at me.
“I see you can stand, Corporal.” he looked me down and up, before facing the rest of us, “We have new orders, it seems city hall has heard of our retreat from a recon section. They were blindsided by a formation that went through the trees rather and over, damned feather fucks are getting smarter or the intials ones weren’t fully trained. Currently, they’re gearing up a quick reaction force made of guardsmen and federal agents. Apparently, they got an IFV working at the downtown armory.” The sergeant’s eyes shifted to me for a second, “Due to the corporal’s injuries we are going to detour to the nearest hospital and drop him off before meeting up with another mobile section, I’m sorry corporal.”
“It’s alright, Sarge.” I’d lean against the vehicle.
The sergeant walked over and patted me on the shoulder, before stepping up into the front passenger seat, “Alright people, let’s get a move on.”
Bailey patted me on the shoulder as well, letting me get in first. I stepped up into the vehicle, then pulled myself up into the turret. I examined the machine gun, racking it a couple times. Seems this baby wasn’t damaged at least, I’d give the roof a knock as we started to drive back up onto the highway. Maybe I will become a kickass drill instructor after a nice medical leave, scar and everything like the movies. I looked back up to the skies and back down at the cityscape, watching it pass by.
[. . .]
[Disconnecting]