Old friends

A few weeks after returning from Afghanistan Angela Ziegler walks down a corridor with her daughter by her side.

"Skiing season is stressful, but basically spa when compared to the warzone."

"Those missions really give me some appreciation for the peace in europe."

Angela takes a sip from her cup of coffee as they enter the cafeteria. A large room with bright colors and ceiling to floor windows.The outside view is a snowy mountain landscape.

On a large wall mounted TV a medical drama is shown.

"Who had the idea to run medical dramas in the cafeteria of a hospital? They are either boring or wildly unrealistic or both."

"I'm pretty sure you put the TV there when planning the renovations and they have to run something."

While they watch the movie is interrupted. A new speaker sits in a serious looking news studio.

"We interrupt the program to inform the population that an omnic attack has been reported. According to General Hopkins the terrorist organisation known as Null Sektor has engaged in combat with NATO peacekeeping forces near Venice. The population is asked to remain calm and under now circumstances enter the area."

The same announcement is repeated in Italian then German then French.

Angela and Sophia look at each other.

"Looks like work."

Angela already holds her phone in her hand when a call arives.

"Lazarus calling Mercy. Do you copy?"

"I can hear you. Get Dropship ready, we meet at the landing pad. If we start now we can be there within half an hour."

Then she opens a call to all members of the Independent combat medic association.

"All available Valkyrie units. Group at landing pad we are moving out."

Around half a dozen medics boards the dropship before it takes off.

While they travel they put on their Valkyrie suits that are stored in the dropships cargo hold.

Angela obtained a map from the internet and studies it on a screen. Lazarus, the second in command approaches her.

"What is the plan?"

"Priority zero. Evacuate civilians. There is a presence of troops already so chances are they gathered the population in central places to keep them safe. We will act in pairs. The groups touch down here, here and here."

She points at a school, a gym and the townshall.

"Search the building, then move on to the surrounding houses. If you find someone call dropship and get them out of there."

Lazarus nods and pases the orders on to the others.

Sophia looks at the map.

"You only designated three landing zones that leaves the two of us. What are we going to do?"

"We are going to check on the general and his troops."

"ETA in 5 minutes. Get ready to deploy." The pilot reports over the intercom.

The town comes into view. The main street is illuminated by muzzle flashes and blasterfire.It is immediately clear that that the anti terror group is vastly outmatched.

They cower behind the wrecks of some cars that provide barely any cover.

"Okay everyone. You know your landing zones. Move out."