Resistance: A Storm Hawks Story

Chapter Six - Dust To Dust

In the days following his first mission, Rourke continued to earn the trust of the Resistance. At the same time, the Resistance were gaining momentum in their fight against the Cyclonian backed government. One day, Rourke was working on his Skimmer when Callista approaches him.

Callista: Rourke. The commander wants to see you. It's urgent.

Most wasting anytime, Rourke follows Callista to Havelock's office.

Havelock: We've just received word that Governor Kraton has ordered a bombardment on the city of Vaas. He's doing this as a show of force to try to put fear on the people of Terra Skavis. 

Rourke: Seems like overkill. Why would he bomb an entire city? 

Callista: Because Governor Kraton rules through fear. By bombing Vaas, he hopes to instill fear to the people. But we won't let that happen. 

Havelock: We've already sent a transmission to Vaas and warned them about the bombardment. Vaas is in the middle of evacuation, but we're losing time. That's where you and Callista come in. Your mission is to help and save essential personnel and resources. You'll come under heavy fire, so move quickly and keep your head down.

With that, Rourke and Callista accepted the mission. They got on their Skimmers and began making their way to the city of Vaas. As they reached the city, they quickly found Vaas under heavy artillery fire. 

Callista: Damn! The Loyalists have already started their attack!

Rourke: Then we need to move fast!

Callista: Head for the hospital! There's a secret cache of medical supplies! 

Without wasting time, Rourke and Callista rushed for the hospital, dodging artillery fire along the way. As they reached the hospital, Rourke followed Callista to the emergency room where she opened a secret door. As they were gathering the medical supplies, a baby's cry was heard. 

Rourke: I'll go see what's going on! 

Rourke followed the crying until he reached the maternity ward where he found a baby boy crying. Rourke grabbed the baby and tried to comfort him. 

Rourke: It's okay, little guy. I'll get you out of here. 

Rourke then ran out of the maternity ward and met up with Callista outside the hospital. Rourke then saw a woman rushing inside the hospital. 

Woman: Has anyone seen my baby?!

Rourke: OVER HERE!

The woman turned her attention to Rourke who was holding the baby. As Rourke handed the baby to the woman, the hospital was leveled by an artillery shot. 

Rourke: Run! Get the hell out of here!

The woman then ran with her baby. 

Callista: Good work, Rourke! Now we need to head to the refuge center. There's a bunker we can use to hide the civilians. 

With that, Rourke and Callista began assisting the evacuation effort while dodging artillery fire. As the bombing intensified, it seems as if it was raining fire. Despite this, Rourke and Callista continued aiding the evacuation. 

Callista: We've done our part with evacuating the city! Now we need to get to the archives building!

Rourke and Callista then ran to the archives building which had yet to be leveled. 

Rourke: We better hurry. It won't be long until the artillery hits this place!

Callista: It'll only take me a minute to retrieve the data. Go check the building for survivors. 

As Callista began collecting the data, Rourke checked the building for survivors. He soon found a group of kids hiding in the basement.

Rourke: You're not safe here. Come with me.

As the kids began to follow Rourke, he met up with Callista. 

Rourke: I'm taking these kids to the bunker! 

Callista: Once you're done, we're leaving! I'll meet you outside the city!

With that, Rourke began leading the kids to the bunker. After that, Rourke rode his Skimmer outside the city and met up with Callista. Before leaving, Rourke looked to see the city of Vaas in complete ruins. When they returned to the safehouse, Rourke lashed out at Havelock. 

Rourke: I just watched the Loyalists waste an entire city! There's just a goddamn crater back there! You people are outmanned and outgunned!

Havelock: You people? I thought you were one of us.

Rourke: What's the point in fighting a war we can't win? They'll blow us, our towns, our whole Terra to hell! 

Callista: If we give up now, then all those people will have died for nothing. The damage could've been much worse. We helped minimize the casualties. There are hundreds of people who want to thank you. We did good work today. 

Havelock: I understand your frustration, Rourke. Johns shared those very same frustrations. Governor Kraton won't level Terra Skavis. Master Cyclonis won't allow it. By resorting to these tactics, the Loyalists showed us that they're scared. They know that their days are numbered. Like a cornered animal, Governor Kraton will resort to any atrocity that will keep him and his cronies in power for a little longer. But they won't win. As long as even one of us still has the spirit to carry on the fight, then the Resistance survives. You did good work today. Both of you. Despite the destruction the Loyalists have wrought on Vaas, this is a victory for the Resistance. Rest. You two deserve it. 

With that, the mission was over. The Loyalist attack on Vaas had devastated the city. Despite this, many lives were saved thanks to the actions of Rourke and Callista. But the war against the Cyclonian Loyalist Government had now reached even more destructive heights. For the Resistance, they must not let their momentum go to waste.