A Tale Retold, RED MIST

War

  “I see. So you’re the one who continued the work of.. your father? A discovery fifty years ago that led to the destruction of planet Earth.” A man spoke.
   Anthony was sent into one of the high generals of Timekeeper. He was the one who ordered the rescue mission that Anthony’s father went to.
   “Yes.” Anthony replied. “While we thought that this is over, the reality said otherwise. I am carrying the corruption at the very moment.”
   “And what do you want again?” He asked.
   “I need to go back there. Fifty years back from now. I need to make sure that I destory the corruption completely so that my father won’t find a trace of it.” Anthony answered.
   “You do realise that you can’t change the past on your own, right? You’re only a spectator in that frame of a time.” He said.
   “Yes, I aware of that.” Anthony replied. “But I still can influence people in that time frame. I can make them do what I want.”
   The man stared at Anthony for quite a while.
   “Do you really think this is worth to do?”
   “I promise you.” Anthony said. “Once this is all done, the red mist will only be but a story.”

…

   The wolves were raging. They were barking towards the containment door, as if they want to go out from there. In midst of their chaos, an explosion and rumble were heard from a far, from where the station was.
   10 took notice of the ruckus and went to see what had happened. He could see how the station was gone, literally gone, it had sunk into the abyss, leaving a sinkhole that who knows how deep it was.

   "What is it?" 18 came to him. He then saw the chaos in front of them. "The hell..?"
   "The station.. what happened to them..?" 10 asked the same thing. He turned to looked at 18. "Don't you think.. the creatures here are raging because of that?"

...

   1 and 3 stared from one of the reserve ship's balcony. The chaos, the destruction.
   "You think they made it out alive?" 1 asked 3. He lit another cigarette.
   3 glanced at him then back at the distance. He caught his eyes on those who came back. Only a few, not even fifty. He saw 2, 6, and Luna, they were on the very back of the crowd.
   3 then left 1 alone. He went to meet them.

   3 stood and saw them going to the infirmary. He then went out from the ship to see the situation more clearly. He could see from the distance that the mist started to crawl back towards them.

...

   "This is command. Change of plan. Terminate target if possible."

...

   "The wolves are attacking the door, sir." They said to 10. "What should we do?"
   10 looked at the containment behind the control panel.
   "We should prepare the exterminator squad, they could breach at any moment." 18 said.
   "Wait." 10 interrupted them. He looked at them then back to the containment. "Let them out."
   "What? You're out of your mind?" 18 asked.
   "No. They're with us. Their aggressive behaviors." 10 looked at 18. "Not for us. For her."
   18 stared at him. He saw how dead serious 10 was.
   "You sure?" 18 asked.
   10 gave a nod. To prove his point, he walked and put himself directly in front of the containment door.
   "Open it." 10 said.
   "Sir.." They all looked at 18. They shook their heads. "This isn't right.."
   Although 18 was hesitating, he trusted 10. "I hope you're right, my friend." He closed his eyes.

   "Open the door."

   The containment door opened. The wolves stared at 10. They all were furious, fangs were showed to state dominance. Yet, one went past 10. It stopped behind 10, turned its head to signal the others. It then began to ran, followed by the others. They all ran past 10.
   18 was completely fascinated by it. He quickly went to the intercom.
   "Containment opened. Do not engage with the creatures. I repeat, do not engage with the creatures! Let them be!"
   The wolves circled the wreckage and ran to where Alexa was. Many of the soldiers inspected the wolves movement.
   By their surprise, something unexpected happened. Alexa sent her creatures to the charging hordes of wolves. Soon, the wolves and creatures from Alexa began to battle each other. A war between the creatures, something that they never seen before.

   "I knew it.. I fucking knew it!" 10 began to laugh. "My wife!" He shouted. "You're alive! You soul lives amongst the creatures of this nest!!"
   The nest began to produce more than just wolves. Soon, other animals began to pour out and aid the battle. It kept producing to the point it started summoning elephants.
   "Fuck! 10!" 18 ran and pulled 10 to the side.
   10 looked at 18 with shimmering light on his eyes. "My wife's spirit is in them!" He said.

   At the other side, 2 ran to the balcony. There, he already saw that 6 was seeing the battle as well.
   "What is happening!?" 2 shouted because of the loud noises.
   "War, my friend! War!" 6 shouted back. "The creatures from our nest are fighting against her's!"
   "What!?" 2 was in disbelief.
   They continued to watch. The battle was a bloodbath and soon they realise, that both side were pouring creatures infinitely, but Alexa was way stronger. The creatures from their side could only held Alexa's forces for some time before they become overwhelmed.
   "We need to help them.." 2 mumbled. "We need to help them!!"
   6 looked at 2. He gave a nod.
   "Artillery!!" 2 ran back inside. He went to the intercom. "All ship, ready your artillery. We are fighting back."

   The ships then began to aim their gigantic turrets towards the battle. After minutes of coordination and preparation, 2 was ready to give the command.
   "Fire!!" He shouted.
   A volley of turrets began to bombard the battleground. Friendly fire was inevitable. Both side were shattered to pieces as the round cracked the battlefield, turning it into a hell.
   Suddenly, a shockwave punched all of them. All ships were losing power immediately, disabling the turrets to work. The shockwave was coming from Alexa's side.

   "The fuck was that!?" 2 asked.
   The power turned back on.
   "EMP attack." Someone said. "She's fighting back."

   The battle was getting more difficult now that the ground was bombarded. Alexa's forces was in an advantage as their nest began to producing only wolves again.
   "The mist.. the nest needs the mist to feed!!" 10 realised.
   Unfortunately, they have pushed out the mist so far. It was clean for them, but how could they knew, that cleaning the air was a bad idea.
   The ship couldn't immediately ready the main turrets and Alexa's forces was drawing closer. Aside from that, she also began producing flying creatures, but fortunately for now, it could be taken down easily with the ships anti-aircraft guns.
   Second EMP attack came. It shut down most anti-aircraft guns. They resorted to more traditional, manual aimed high caliber machine guns. Now, it was getting more difficult to take down the flying creatures. Following, the land creatures also were closing by.

   "We need to extract!" Luna realised the impending doom they're facing.
   Many agreed with her, but how will they extract? They're at risk of an EMP attack. Alexa could've do it when they're on mid flight and crash them all down.

   "Battle suit ready! Weapon ready!" 6 shouted to the lines of formation.
   They were readying themselves in front of the entrance. No other choice, they needed to fight the creatures head on.
   6 turned to face the battle. Gatling gun ready on his arms. All of them readied and aimed their guns to the creatures that slowly reaching them.
   Horror stuck them when they saw it, at the distance.. dinosaur. A Tyrannosaurus charging at them.
   "Fuck! Are the turrets ready!?" 6 shouted over the intercom.
   "The fuck we can do!? She attacked us two times! We're still on restarting progress!" They replied.
   "Fuck you and your advanced turrets!" 6 cursed them. "Machine gunners, t-rex inbound! Explosive rounds! Fire at sight!"
   Several machine gunners then turned their focus from the flying creatures to the dinosaur. They switched ammunition to explosive and began firing to it.

   At the balcony. 1 was inspecting the battle. He equipped himself with a telescope.
   "A massive hive." He said.
   3 was with him.
   "A faint glow was emitting from it. I could see silhouette of our target. She's inside the hive." He said.
   "I get it now.." 3 replied. "4, Alexa.. the hive.. that's how they battle."
   1 looked at 3.
   "I suspect that.. she could only produce creatures when she's inside the hive." 3 said.
   "So you're saying..?"
   "We need to destroy the hive. It would temporarily disabled her." He said. "Yeah.. we can't kill her, but we can disable her. Temporarily."
   "How though? She's too strong, we are losing ground." 1 said.
   "Turrets are failing and missiles wouldn't work because she could just disable them mid air." 3 was thinking. "But a man-guided plane.."
   "What are you suggesting?" 1 asked.
   3 stared at 1 intensely.

   "Listen.. we fly the plane high up, so high. So that even if she attacks with EMP, the momentum could still drive the plane. The plane will be equipped with bomb, like a mini nuclear. Because I think standard explosive will not do it. The plane will dive down, straight into the hive." 3 looked at 1 dead in the eyes. "And.." He made a explosion gesture with his hands. "After that, we can charge and capture her. A cryogenic treatment should shut her body down."

   "Don't you think it's a bad idea? We're sending men to die. Even if the pilot ejected, they will still die because of the immense explosion." 1 said.
   "I will do it." 3 replied.
   "Wait.. no.. no! Are you out of your mind!?" 1 held both of 3's shoulders.
   "We are losing, 1. This is the only thing we can do to change the tide."
   "You can't die! Not like this! Not here!" 1 refused.
   "I have nothing left." 3 said. He backed away from 1. "I have no one.. even if I returned, there's no one waiting for me."
   "You're wrong.. we all here. We're all care for eachother. We're family." 1 said. “You’re the one who said it yourself.”
   After thinking about it for a while. 3 shook his head. He gave a smile to 1.
   "No.. while it's true that you're all family to me.. but I still couldn't accept the fate that I am alone now." He looked to the battle. "The war inside of me hasn't done yet, and this is the opportunity to do so."
   "What are you saying? You're making no sense.." 1 replied.
   "I am already a soldier before joining this force, 1. I've lost all of it after the war ended, but for me.. the war is still not over. I need to finish my duty. It was a promise I've made.. I have lived all this time thinking that I broke that promise, but now I got the opportunity to fulfill it."
   "Break it off with that promise thing! You need to move on from your past." 1 said.
   "Is that how you managed to stay until now?" 3 glanced at 1. "Leaving your family for this life."
   "What.." 1 was surprised that 3 was bringing that up.
   "I know about it. Your problem with your wife. I know that you're struggling everyday about it. You too can't escape the past." He walked to 1. He held 1 by the shoulder. "This is the time to redeem myself. I hope your time will come too."
   3 left 1 alone..

   He then went to Red Horizon's ship, where he told his plan. Different from 1, they were agreeing to the plan. It was his decision, they could only proceed with it. They readied the plane, a high powered jet plane, with it's payload unequipped. Unnecessary parts were also removed, and a nuclear warhead was planted on the nose of the plane. The way it works was as soon as the plane dives down, the bomb will be armed manually from the cockpit, then it will explode as soon as the nose struck the hive.
  
   A suicide mission that resulted in uncertainty. 1 told the others about it. With heavy hearts they accepted 3's decision and began preparing for an assault. As the hive destroyed, they will immediately charge.
   6 on the other hand, were combating the creatures. With the help of machine gunner from several ships deck, they managed to stop the creatures from charging too deep into them.

   Soon, the plane was ready. With only one chance to get it right, 3 readied himself. He bid his farewell and thank to them. He entered the cockpit and closed the glass panel. He pulled out the pocket watch and placed it somewhere around the control panel where it will not fall down. He opened the watch and admired the picture.
   Someone from outside knocked the window. 3 looked at it. He gave a thumbs up. The person then moved away. With deep breaths, 3 turned on the ignition.

   The hangar opened. It faced the backside of the battle zone. After he was ready, he slowly pushes the throttle, moving the plane forward.
   "This is BV3, ready to take off." 3 said.
   "Copy that. You are cleared to take off."
   The plane then blasted its way to the sky. 3 pulled the stick, raising the plane to a really high altitude before finally turning it to face the battlefield.
   "Altitude reached, proceeding with the mission." 3 said.
   "Copy that. Audio cutoff in ten seconds." They replied. "Thank you for your service, soldier. May you rest in peace." They bid their farewell before finally cutting off.

...

   3 was cruising so high in the air. It was calming, way too calm. He was above the clouds. He could feel the warm sunlight..

   But his calm moment was running out as shockwave struck him. Just as predicted, an EMP attack. The plane was stalling, so 3 went and continued to the second stage of the plan, to glide and use the momentum to strike the hive like a bolt of lightning. He began to nose down, diving deep into the clouds.
   The warm and calming sky turned dark and then turned into utter chaos as he entered the battle zone again. He could see the hive now. He pulled the lever to stop diving and use the momentum to blast forward, closing his distance to the hive.
   Just a few more seconds until impact. 3 looked at the pocket watch. He once again admired the picture. Below the picture was a broken watch, frozen in time, it showed 8:15 am. 3 closed his eyes, accepting that his death will soon come..

   Kochan..
      Kochan..

   Voices.. whispers were entering 3's mind..

   Koichi-kun..
      Koichi-kun..

   The voices was getting stronger and clearer..

   Koichi..?

   Yasukuni Koichi-san!!

   3 abruptly opened his eyes. Where was he? He looked around. He was not in the cockpit of the plane. He was standing in front of a woman. She was bedridden.
   "What..?" 3 was in disbelief.
   "Kochan.." The woman held 3's hand. "Why are you spacing out?"
   "Suzuka..? What.. how..?" 3 was staring right at the woman. It was the woman on his pocket watch.
   "What is it? Something is bothering your mind?" She asked.
   Still in disbelief, 3 checked on what he wore. Shock was deepening as he saw a Japanese soldier uniform.
   "How.. how am I back.. is this a dream.. am I already dead?" He mumbled.
   "What are you saying?" She pulled him closer to her.
   "Suzuka.." 3 called her. "I.. this.."
   "Shush.." She put her finger on his lips. She then gave him a smile. "My time here is running out. Soon I'll be gone. So I want you to promise me something."
   3 listened closely. He was still couldn't believe of what has happened.
   "You've done so much only for me to leave you.." She chuckled. "I'm sorry.. you deserted the army and threw your dignity away only to meet me in my deathbed.. how can I accept such kindness?"
   He grasp was getting stronger. Her chuckle
   "A deserted kamikaze pilot.. how can I thank your kindness?" She let go of her hold. She pulled a drawer beside her with her weak hand. She then took a small picture, just about the size that can fit inside a pocket watch. "Take this. I believe the last one I gave you was lost?"
   3 took the picture. It was the same one as he had.
   "Please.. promise me.. stay alive. If you're feeling down, just look at me. Remember me. Relive my spirit inside you."
   The woman stared at 3 deep in his eyes.
   "Live. Live for me."
   Memories began to struck 3. He went to one of his pocket and pulled out the pocket watch. His heart was hesitated to open the watch. But soon he opened the watch to store the picture.

   "I love you, Kochan.." She said.

   3 stared at the woman. He leaned in closer.
   "I love you too, Suzuka.." 3 replied as he kissed her forehead.
   3 then accidentally glanced at the time. 8:14 am. His eyes widened. He finally remembered why his heart was wavering to open the watch. Soon, from outside the window, a blinding light stabbed them.

.

.

.

   Bright. A white light..
   A thousand and a hundred years before the current event,
   on August 6th 1945, Hiroshima, Japan..
   The first atomic war-used bomb, named "Little Boy" was dropped by an U.S. bomber plane, a B-29 Superfortress named "Enola Gay".

...

   3 opened his eyes. He was sent back to reality. Cramped cockpit. He returned back to above the clouds. All he experienced before was just an illusion, a dream of sort. He looked at the pocket watch, Suzuka and the time, 8:15 am. The time the bomb exploded.
   Soon, the EMP attack struck him. The dive will soon started. The plane began to stall. 3 pushed the lever so the plane will start diving. His final seconds started to count down.
   The calming sky turned into chaos as he entered the battle zone. The hive was straight into his diving track. 3 didn't need to pull the lever, he will strike the hive like a thunder, an explosive storm unleashed.

   He was getting closer..

      and closer..

         and closer..

   3 was blazing his plane so fast that no one could saw he was coming. Like a fallen angel, he fell in grace, bringing destruction to his path.
   He took a final look at the picture.
   "Suzuka.” He called. “I will finally fulfil my job as a kamikaze pilot. My war will soon be over." He closed his eyes. "Let's meet again in the afterlife.." He smiled.

.

.

.

   Fireball emerged from where the hive was. A shockwave shook the entire ground. Heatwave followed after, decimating every creatures on its path. The soldiers were already told and were locking themselves inside the ships.
   Mushroom cloud then slowly emerging, rising its way to the sky. It was utter silence afterwards. No sound. No battle. No nothing. It was.. silent.

   3 had done his task,
   and he had done it beautifully.

   The ships turned their engine and began to cruise into the destroyed hive. There they found her. She was dangling by the organic cords, unconscious. They acted fast and froze her with super low temperature, giving her a cryogenic treatment. 3's plan has successfully work, all were based on assumptions, and yet they managed to capture the main target.

   Alexa was finally secured.

   Soon, they all extracted back to the space station. A successful mission despite the big losses.

...

   On the other side, at the now flattened wreckage of the reserve ship. An emblem of BVA was found, a patch that was read BV10. He had refused to leave the nest where 4 was locked inside the hive. He went down with the nuclear, finding peace at last with his wife..