Gate of Dimensions

[Act 2] Chapter 9: Shades of Grey

The thumping of helicopter blades pressed against Werner von Goldberg's chest as he looked out the open hatch, which was usually kept shut - which wouldn't be a problem, considering the enemy doesn't have anti-air guns. He guessed that anyone with a gun was probably on the walls, being wiped out by howitzer fire, meaning the battle was nearing its end. Werner kept his vision fixed on Blanche's central tower as the wind blew fiercely inside, knocking his goggles loose. Next to him, Major Salomon Klass gripped his experimental laser weapon. This device put his commanding officer's Sturmgewehr to shame.

A small squad of soldiers crowded the compartment, their features ghostly but determined. Some were veterans of Germany's civil war, others were young recruits, and a few were new Freikorps members, both human and elven, chosen for this mission. Red lights gave off a faint glow, reflecting off gunmetal, bayonets, and sharp Stahlhelms. Some soldiers just wanted it to end; a few wiped away sweat, while some murmured prayers to God, the Paragons, or Totem Spirits.

The young officer couldn't help but grin as he stared down at his uniform; it was the first time since the last real war that he'd worn a uniform again. 

"Noch zwei Minuten bis zum Einführen, Oberstleutnant!" The pilot's urgent voice buzzed over the radio, shredding through the steady noise. Two minutes until insertion, Lieutenant Colonel.

Werner nodded, closed the hatch, and squeezed into a spot in the cockpit where he could look out the windows. The other helicopters in the squadron made for an impressive sight, but he kept his attention on the towers. As they passed by, he saw distant figures on the walls, scrambling and firing arrows or old guns at the helicopters, only to be gunned down by the machine gun up front. It was the perfect vantage point to pick off targets. He couldn't see which tower Simo's team had landed on, but he figured a rifle and a box of bullets would be enough to clear the outer walls.

Werner went back to the troop compartment and sat down, gripping his gun. He wore a combat uniform now. Ammunition pouches crossed his chest, a Luger hung at his waist, and an SS dagger, kept as a hidden memento from a past kill, rested on his chest. He was overcome by a wave of pride at wearing the uniform again, even if it was only to keep his men from accidentally shooting the target.

He turned to meet Salomon's intent gaze. The Finn looked calm, his jaw firm and eyes focused while he steadied his grip on the weapon. The gun buzzed quietly in Salomon's hands, its power a steadying presence before the violence ahead.

"Remember," Werner called out over the roar of the blades, mainly for the non-German soldiers. "We're going straight into the fight. Don't expect resistance. Our job is to grab one target: the one who started the whole thing. We go in, grab him and make sure we are out before the main army breaks in, and he becomes collateral."

"Jawohl!" the Germans replied. "Yes, sir!" echoed the others.

Werner gave a grim, approving nod. Salomon had proven himself many times, and their trust had grown through battle and the pressures of command. It offered peace of mind that the Major would be there when chaos broke out.

"Wir landen!" The pilot's voice snapped. We're landing!

Werner instinctively held the handrail, adrenaline sharpening his senses. The helicopter tilted slightly, its nose rising as the pilot reduced forward speed for the final approach. There was no sound of incoming fire, a signal that perhaps his allies within managed to direct the garrison away from the top.

With a final aggressive tilt, the helicopter swung above the central tower, hovering for a moment over the rooftop. The hatch squeaked open, revealing the marble landing zone to everyone inside. Two other helicopters had already landed, their soldiers forming defensive positions and waiting for their commanding officer to arrive, holding back from entering the marble stairways that led down into the structure. Werner braced himself as the helicopter dropped, shouting over the noise, "Listen, as soon as we land, we move out. One squad covers the top, two others cover our rear. The battle's already won, but remember that we must make this quick so stray bullets don't hit us ourselves. Let's move fast."