Dynamic Patrol: Gel-Squad (Remastering!)

Chapter 17: Fallen City

D1 found a rudimentary backup computer that ran the ship just fine until she could restore the main one. That is assuming she could fix it. With the system wipe, she had to reprogram it from scratch completely; it would take far too long, and the ship would have to be sitting in one place in diagnostic mode to do it; that was her current search, to find a spot to park and reestablish the auto control system. The news broadcasts did not detail the attack's outcome, or maybe they did, but the ship couldn't pick up the signal. Long-range scanners picked up an extensive collection of buildings and smaller structures on solid ground that spanned more than 54,000 miles. The ship cruised at a high altitude because any lower and D1 would've hit something without an operational nav computer.

Tommy and Russell joined D1 on the bridge as the ship prepared to clear a large collection of ash and smoke. It was noteworthy that the smoke lingered-- even after about a month, it made it look like a polluted, backwater planet or a storm that brewed and threatened to erupt but never did. Quite eerie. Perhaps something in the atmosphere made it continue to loom over the city. They approached the large land, which Russell confirmed was indeed the city of Odonridge, which he'd recognized based on the scans that D1 took with the limited long-range scanners. Russell spent a good chunk of his life here after picking up the job working on Orbital Stations. He'd been given some vacation time and was lucky enough to return to the Omeocoon Capital City when he had time. It was his home. And it pained him to see it in this light.

The city was the main target of the terrorist attack because it would've gotten the most attention in the media, and they were right. "Hull temperature is rising, preparing to enter the main city line," D1 announced as the ship pushed past the dark smoke screen. D1 switched to the external cameras when the windows became too smoked to see out of effectively. Everyone on the bridge was silent as they moved through the city blocks; many of the buildings collapsed, and some were still burning despite the attack being almost a month ago, likely because of all of the fallen buildings- there was an infinite amount of fuel to feast on. Skyscrapers and homes once sprawling with activity were now covered in smut and unoccupied. The windows were blown out. Some were vaporized entirely, leaving behind a thin line of debris. "The backup computer has estimated the death toll to be--" D1 paused to consider the atmosphere on the bridge. "It is... high, but it could be inaccurate. It still needs to be reprogrammed from scratch." D1 was considering empathy; she knew that Tommy and Russell were feeling all types of emotions right now, and it was best not to make things worse for them. She switched the external lamps on to search for something, anything. There was nothing. This city contained the largest population of Omeocoon on the entire planet, and they were all gone now.

Tommy and Russell observed silently, each swelling in their thoughts about the outcome. They just didn't know how to express them openly. "There are answers down there," Russell stated, his eyes locking with Tommy's, and his fellow Omeocoon agreed. "City Hall, the Chancellor's Chambers will contain the answers if I remember correctly... they record all data, up until the last minute. If it hasn't been scrubbed, we'll find what we're looking for; a message, a location of a bunker-- anything." He started. D1 laid in the course silently and altered the ship's heading. Within the hour, they were on approach for a large building, perhaps the largest the sensors had picked up. It was laced with significant traces of gold and silver, which were built around the glass that was once shiny and elegant. Certainly the quarters for the Chancellor and his entourage.

It was designed with starships in mind, and they docked on a level closest to the Chancellor's penthouse. Despite the toxicity of the air, Tommy was feeling just fine, but Russell hacked and coughed every once in a while. Generation Two Omecoon had lungs and a heart... that was Russell's first giveaway; Tommy wasn't sure before, but he definitely was now. "Will you please put on a suit?" Tommy urged. Russell crossed his arms like he was in a straight jacket, "No! It feels bulky and itchy. I refuse." Russell stomped. Instead of a suit, Russell found a flashlight and a small firearm. Both were promptly stuffed into his pack as he prepared for his away mission. Tommy refused to carry a weapon; he had enough powers at his will and was more confident in his abilities than Russell was. D1 was to stay with the ship and ensure it was prepared for a rapid departure should they deem it necessary.

The only light they had stepping off the ship was the airlock's internal illumination as it breezed open. The lights flickered to life and extended down the darkened hallway, which, luckily, was not wholly smothered in smoke as the outside had been. Instead, the windows were covered in smut from the outside-- so it was dark. Tommy used both hands to gently turn Russell by the shoulders, undoing the velcro on his backpack before reaching in and feeling around for the flashlight, "Hey--" Russell started. Tommy shushed him. Russell had no further objection. He let it happen. Tommy pulled out what he was looking for and turned it on. Its beam extended farther than the airlock lights to the end of the hallway. Tommy and Russell observed the destruction, cracked walls and windows, and no power. No life. Omeocoon were resilient, but none of them could survive an attack like this.

"High-yield explosion, it had to be. Nothing could destroy a city as big as this, high-yield... and more than one. Whoever did this was a monster." Russell snarled as they stepped out and started to move down the hallway. They found all kinds of things scattered across the floor: data pads, chairs, pens, and whatever miscellaneous items one would find in an office setting. "In all my years, I never thought I would be inside these halls. I've dreamed of it... I hoped when I joined the Dynamic Patrol, I'd finally get to visit. I just didn't think it would be like this." Tommy expressed as they approached an elevator. Russell tried the buttons, but nothing, of course.

"No power, that makes sense; Odonridge generates most of the energy for the entire planet; if there are survivors, they'll have difficulty creating any serious electricity," Russell remarked, having been the one who recently resided in Odonridge. "We'll have to take the stairs. I hope you like cardio." Tommy said, grinning tiredly as he pointed at Russell's chest, where his heart was nestled. "Are you alright, Tommy? We could return to the ship and try tomorrow. You should rest." Russell suggested. Tommy shook his head. The bunny was right. Tommy's energy was depleted despite taking a nap a few hours ago, stealing the ship, and fighting 15 guys at once, which completely drained his energy. "I'm fine, Rus. I just got bags under my eyes... Really. I'm fine." Russell shrugged, but that did not put his mind at ease. He sighed. "Alright... but if you change your mind–" Tommy nodded, appreciating Russell's concern.

It was dark, slightly filmy from the smoke, and dangerous. They stuck together, moving side by side. This building was not as easy to navigate as they thought; they went through several doors until they'd finally found a stairwell and started the climb to the Chancellor's Private Chambers... 34 levels up. "Did you know anyone?" Russell asked Tommy as the squirrel took point. He still had the light. Tommy was very surprised when Russell attempted to initiate a conversation... out of all the situations.

"Uh.. well," Tommy started, stumbling over his words. "Of course. Didn't everyone? Before signing on to the DP, I planned to attend the Odonridge Law Enforcement Academy. This was my home about three years ago." Tommy said seldom. However, he'd already become emotionally detached as per his training, but it was still challenging to get over it. He wondered how Russell was feeling. Tommy was beginning to learn that Russell was an expert at concealing his emotions. "So you were going to be a cop anyway? I see. I saw all of your broadcasts. You're interesting. Determined, fierce. People called you a hero, y'know." Russell said, amused by the thought. "Well, what about you? Didn't you live here too?" Tommy changed the subject. He hardly liked talking about himself. "Only in the last few years. Before that, I was part of a tribe. I left it, wanted to do my own thing."

Tommy chuckled. "I guess this isn't exactly what you had in mind, huh? We could be the last survivors on this planet. Do you think we'd make a good couple?" Tommy snickered again in the dark, his voice echoing in the stairway. "No. But I'd really like to merge with you for fun. I feel like if you opened up your mind a little, we could understand each other more. We should stick together." Russell proposed. Tommy scoffed, "You think that I'm the one who needs their mind open?" Russell smiled. The thought of merging with Tommy immediately overwhelmed him the second he touched the squirrel, having been away from his people for weeks, being held prisoner. He longed for the connection that his people could achieve. He wanted Tommy. Tommy took a moment to respond, and then finally. "I'll think about it."