We sacrificed so much for this...but why do I feel so hollow now that it's over...was this all for nothing...or is something missing now...
Day of the Final Operation
"Med-Evacs are on the way to the facility. All uninjured units, please secure the facility and ensure there is no longer a presents inside. If any soldiers are found and surrender, take them as prisoners," I said through comms, "please let your platoons know as well. We need to ensure our victory here today". "Roger that, Daniels," Finn said before comms went dark, allowing me to sigh as I rose to my feet. It was over and I was thankful, relieved from the amount of stress that faded with the last shot. Though, I felt sorrow for the losses experience through the battle and wished they did not have to occur. "Send out word of our victory, I want to speak to the remaining political figure to figure out a new government for these nations," Madam Bell said to one of her commanders as I entered the command center. "Evan is confirmed dead, Madam Bells," I said as I approached her, "Fang has also been found to be dead". "So I've heard, their sacrifices will not be forgotten," she said as her commander left the room, "they both will be remembered as heroes". I nodded, standing their awkwardly for a moment before another man rushed into the room. "We have a problem, the Reverends are outside the gate demanding entry. They want a piece of the victory we just won," the man panted as the Madam turned to him. "I figured they come...is Ransom with them," she asked as she gestured for me to follow while heading for the door. "Yes, Ma'am. He was the one make the demands," the man said as we moved out into the hanger. She nodded, looking rather irritated as another soldier came up and handed her a rifle before doing the same to me. "Oh, I don't..." I began before the Madam turned to me. "It's just for safety, you won't have to use it," she said before turning to Grindel, "Open the door, Grindel. Let's greet our guest". He nodded with a low growl, pressing a large panel on the wall next to the door. It began slowly opening, allowing the moonlight to shine inside while several armed men stood several meters away. "Finally get a response from the people who did the dirty work," a man shouted as Grindel moved through the door first and stood in the way of the soldiers, "and it seems they sent the bouncer to do it". "I'd suggest putting away your weapons or things may get ugly," Grindel growled as Madam Bells led me and several soldiers out to greet the new guest. "Is that a threat, big guy," the man taunted back with a confident grin. "No, it's a warning," Madam Bells snapped, aiming her rifle at him, "What do you want Ransom". "Oh, you know exactly what I want," he said, smiling at her in a way that made me want to shoot him in the face, "I want control of the nation that my people reside in". "And what have you done to deserve such a gift from me," she snapped, the other soldiers around us aiming their weapons at the group, "you supplied us with nothing and you expect us to pay you what you haven't earned". "No, I want to offer you a choice," he said, putting his hands up as if he was holding something in each, "do what we ask or we invade your home and take what we want. We know none of your warriors are home". Madam Bell paused, thinking about her response before a red laser appeared on his chest seconds before several others moved to each of his peoples' chests. "I wouldn't do that if I were you, Ransom," a man voice came from above us, "none of you will walk away from this". I looked up to see several snipers positions above the doorway, each aiming at a different target. "I was hoping to see you, Brunswick," Madam Bells called out as she looked up at him, "I wanted to talk about your part of the reward after supplying us with so many troops and weapons". "And that is why I'm here. Seems I came at the right time too," he said before looked back to Ransom, "now you Reverends go before I have to pop a cap in each of you". Ransom growled as he turned to his men, gesturing for them to leave as some appeared in his hand. It looked like a shard of ice, making my eyes widen before grabbing ahold of the Madam. He quickly turned and threw it towards her, making me pull her back and move my back in front of her. It pierced my back, making me cry out in pain while a single shot was fired. "I warned you Reverends. Now get lost before you follow the same fate of Ransom," Brunswick snapped as I feel to the ground, blood seeping from my back as the ice began to melt. "Get the medics," Madam Bells ordered as she grabbed ahold of me and pulled my to my feet, "thank you, Daniels". I nodded, unable to feel my legs as she tried to get me to stand up. "I think he paralyzed me," I muttered, wincing slightly as I spoke, "Just lay me down until the medics get to me". She nodded, gently bring me to the ground as Grindel seem to follow the Reverends away from the ruins surround the front gate. "If I see any of you again, I will personally make a meal out of you," Grindel growled as he stopped at the edge of the ruins, watching them closely as they disappeared into the trees. Medics arrive a few minutes later, rushing me into the infirmary to fix my wounds. I was told I'd never walk again as the shard had shattered three vertebra in my spine. That didn't matter to me since I always worked behind a desk, but the limited mobility did put a damper on my spirit.
