All of You

Edonia

I was doing my daily night report to Adam when I heard Chris yelling and knocking on my door. I hurriedly apologised to Adam before rushing to the door and opening it.

"Get your gear and meet me and everyone else in the foyer in 5."

"Yes, sir."

I did as I was told and rushed to my fall-in position. Everyone was looking a little tired from today's intense training and we were all ready to hit the beds. Something in Chris' voice told me we were far from getting our desired rest. Chris, in full armour, came in with a serious look on his face.

"Listen up, Alpha Team. We're going into battle in Edonia. I know it's Christmas Eve tomorrow, but we can't rest just yet," Chris spoke. He walked past me to inspect everyone's attire and gave a brief nod at Piers. "There's a civil war in Edonia right now. Delta Team is already there, and they need backup. The faster we get there, the faster we can help them and get back home. Is everyone with me?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Get prepared and be on the plane in 10. I will brief your mission reports later. Piers, Riley, stay behind."

Everyone scrambled to grab their ammo while Piers and I looked at each other confused.

"Captain, is something up?" Piers asked.

Chris took in a deep breath as he looked right at me. "You've been living in Edonia practically all your life, am I correct?"

I nodded, remembering what was stated in my file. As far as Chris knew, I had been growing up by myself in a godforsaken place with BOWs crawling around.

"Are you alright with going back to Edonia?"

"Yes, sir. That's not a problem."

Chris nodded, looking at Piers next. "Piers, I know you've been my right-hand man for a while now, but I need you to step down."

Piers wanted to retort, but Chris beat him to it. "Just for this mission. I need someone who's familiar with the area. From Delta Team's reports, it's even worse than any of the missions we've been in. I need Riley to become my second-in-command."

Piers seemed to take a while to take in all that information. He was clearly disappointed that he wasn't Lieutenant, but he agreed anyway. Chris clapped his shoulder, giving him the signal to move.

"I hope you're ready, Lieutenant Hunter."

"Always."

—

After landing in Edonia approximately thirty minutes ago, Alpha Team gathered at the scout area. There was only one body from Delta Team lying on the ground.

"He was running recon," I started. "Alone."

"Listen up. In the BSAA, our job is to rid the world of bioterrorism, and the only way to do that is by sticking together," Chris said.

"Nobody's expendable," Piers continued. He couldn't help but continue his Lieutenant duty. I didn't blame him.

"Exactly. Now each and every one of you may be ready to die for our cause, but it's my job to make sure we all get through this alive."

Finn started crying then Piers told him to suck it up. I asked Finn to give the update. Finn explained that there were new species of BOWs called 'J'avos'. Chris reminded everyone to be extra sharp then commanded us to split into our three teams, just like how he briefed earlier in the plane. Everyone else moved out but Piers, Finn and I remained. Chris turned his attention to Finn, telling him not to get worried because the team had his back. Chris then walked off, but Finn couldn't stop staring at him in admiration.

"Is he always this awesome?" Finn whispered.

Piers groaned, leaving the two of us.

"Don't worry about Piers, Finn. Let's go."

He nodded enthusiastically. I still wondered how a kid like him could think that going into the battlefield was going to be an easy road. I entered the shotgun seat of the humvee in front of Chris' and Piers'. We were heading straight towards City Hall, but it was far from where we were. I kept my assault rifle close to me. I had a bad feeling about this whole mission, and I hadn't contacted Hunnigan to tell her my whereabouts.

"Enemy fire, enemy fire! Alpha Team engage!" I shouted into my radio.

A grenade hit my humvee and it turned over. The glass from the window broke, but I was quick enough not to get hit by any of the shards. I crawled out of the humvee and immediately went for cover. I saw Chris and Piers heading out of their humvee and getting into cover position. I made a signal for Alpha Team to move forward.

After a while of killing the J'avos, we were told that we were sitting ducks out there and needed to get into the building. Chris, Piers and I headed in and crossed the bridge. Suddenly, we felt tremors underneath us. A huge BOW emerged and was heading straight towards us. Piers fired some shots, but that didn't do anything. I yelled at them to jump just as the BOW crashed the bridge. Chris motioned the two of us to run into the next building so that we could get a vantage point of the BOW. I fired my assault rifle at the BOW's face, briefly stunning it.

"Riley! What the hell are you doing?"

I heard Piers yell, but I ignored him. I jumped onto the BOW's back and used all of my strength to remove the plug from his back. After successfully pulling it out, the BOW screeched and I jumped off of it. Finn's voice came through the radio and not long after, he crashed through the gate with the APC. Meanwhile, the BOW had run off. The APC stopped right beside me. Chris and Piers came rushing down. Piers wasn't definitely not looking too happy with me.

"That was a dangerous move, Riley Hunter. Why the hell did you do that?"

"We're here to eliminate BOWs and provide backup. I did what I had to kill that thing, but it got away."

"You could've gotten yourself killed."

"I was doing it for our mission and to protect us."

"Are you trying to be the hero here, Lieutenant?"

Chris came in between both of us, forcing us to back off and focus on the mission. Piers glared at me before walking ahead. Chris placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"Let's go, Captain."