Frostbite (Mindgames #1)

Chapter Twenty - Mantis

We waited for hours, as the surveillance drone scanned the area for any sign of movement or life forms. I glanced up, hearing the sound of the buzzing engine that operated it.It slowly moved around the sky taking pictures of the landscape we were hiding in, obviously trying to make sure there was nothing in the fields waiting to pounce on us.

The sound of crickets began to rise in volume as the sun began to set, I couldn't help but be a little tired, sitting in the same spot for hours waiting for seemingly nothing.Eventually, the sound of all the unit's communications turning on scared me, I felt Langley also flinch when the communications turned on.

"Command to unit, The area has been surveyed and there is no sign of foul play such as mines or snipers in the midst. You may proceed with caution. Over."

I watched as the unit, with all its members scattered around, slowly get up, and slowly getting up, peaking their heads over the tall grass.

"I'm going to stay back and watch for the second unit, if they are allowing us entry they are most likely going to send reinforcements. Permission? Over." I heard Stephanie speak for a moment before I watched Langley pick up his communication and speak back to her. "Granted, keep an eye out for unit bravo, over."

I looked back towards the warehouse as we wordlessly crept towards the warehouse, as we got closer I noticed that all of these scarecrows were frozen solid. These scarecrows had ice pricking out of where the eyes would be, the mouth and nose would be, and the ears would be.The unit members around us had their guns up, walking towards the warehouse, the only sound that was heard amongst everyone was the sound of heavy footsteps making their way to the place.

I decided to also raise my gun, following behind Stormrider and Cobra, I watched as Langley made his way to the back, with his gun protecting our back.Everyone flinched as the loudspeaker crackled once more, instead of it being just numbers it was audible words this time.

"Status quo and the eternal blaze have been torching this planet for far too long. The Keepers intended for a great glorious passage to all, denying the freedom nature has always had, Nature reigns supreme over man, Man has lost its right to be at the top of the food chain, and the new ice age will bring equality and balance to the solar system, starting with the wretched greedy souls of Tawrion. The worst of the system. Status quo and the eternal blaze has been-"

"Does this guy not shut up?" I whispered to Langley, looking at him, trying to lighten the mood a little, I also was losing my mind over this recording. I wanted to tell this guy to shush.I heard the communications turn back on and command speak to all of us. "Command to unit Alpha, unit Bravo is forming a circular barrier around the perimeter of the warehouse, Proceed inside. Over."

I watched as Cobra grabbed something out of his pockets, it looked to be a kind of bug. "What is that?" I asked quietly. "No time for questions, when we get this done I'll answer as many as your heart wants." I heard Langley say in the back, watching the field for anything trying to come at us.

Cobra got out what seemed to be a remote control as he got to work, looking at the screen on the controller. "See anything?" Langley asked Cobra as he worked."Nothing yet, just a lot of boxes..." Cobra said, I watched as he operated the bug and surveilled the place. I looked up at the sky, feeling that same chilly breeze again, while the sun started to set. "You hear anything, Rivera?" Langley asked me, closing one of his eyes to adjust to the changing light.