The Fox, Red

090 - War Is Always An Option

Money in my paws meant that I was able to move around a lot easier. I couldn't fly but I did take a bus to Florida, hop on a second, and head back to some old stomping grounds. There were going to be words had with one General Parson. I can't track down the mysterious agent that sent us on that mission. He's my best lead to the next step. Or this would be where it ends.

I grabbed a taxi to take me to the front gate. He can't drive up without being stopped and causing me issues. I don't have my military ID anymore. I'm confident they don't have my records anymore. It was clear that everything about me was burnt to the ground. The shepherd working the gate comes out to stop me. "Sir, this is a restricted area. Civilians are not allowed without clearance."

"2nd Lieutenant Welch to see General Parson."

"ID?"

"I don't have it anymore. General Parson might be able to explain."

His eyes look uneasy as he heads back into the hut. I see him pick up the phone making a quick call. He shuts the door as someone picks up so I'm unable to hear. Whatever the conversation is, it's not in my favor. The phone goes down as he comes back out. His sidearm is unhooked and ready to be drawn, "Sir, you are not authorized to be here."

"Did they mention anything about me? Or just nothing."

"You are not allowed to be here."

I don't want to play this game. I don't want to have to deal with this. I also don't want to use force. "Did they give you any warning about me? That I might be dangerous?" His paw goes to the weapon on his hip. He has a light grip on it as he tells me again that I'm not authorized to be here. This poor guy has no idea what he's up against. They gave him nothing. He has no chance. "Let me ask one question then. Who do you go home to? And do you want to go home to them again?"

He's drawn his weapon as he's shouting orders. It goes in one ear and out the other. Oh well, I tried. But I'll make it easy on him. I push him back into the hut with an airblast that knocks him off his feet. I slam the door shoving my paw where the door meets the small building. I superheat the metal to weld the door shut. As he pulls on it I run around to the other side doing the same to the other side. He'll have plenty of air. Someone will get him out eventually. But for now, he's stuck.

I hear the pop of his firearm going off. The glass spider webs but nothing comes through. His next action would be to call and set off an alarm. They'll know I'm here and they're going to do what they can to stop me. I'm on a time limit now. With a light jog, I start moving on to the base to the building where I remember where General Parson's office was located. I don't get very far before I hear an alarm going off. There are quite a few folks running around getting to their stations. I hear yelling and orders being given.

I can try to pick up the pace but I know it won't be long before vehicles are rolling through. I step off the street and stick to the buildings. I know they're going to search in between them. It's going to be a matter of time before I'm found. After that, the real fight will being. I just need to get as far as I can with as little resistance as I can before it kicks off.

Engines roar as they pass on the road. I hear more shouting as the echoing sound of boots hit the pavement. I see a small squad run by in between a building. Three had sidearms and one has a rifle. I wonder what the orders are. Am I to be captured alive or shot on site? I'll ask the General when I get there.

Every hundred feet feels like a mile to try and getting anywhere is a slog. The building I need is in sight. The many soldiers that are posted there are proof that their high-value individuals are inside. It's still a ways away but there are lines of defense set up. And the patrols are going around sweeping every inch they can.