Chapter 41: Angel of Death

*December 24, 1018, Midgard continent. In northern Elysion, a battle unfolding on the smallest scale was unseen in the territory. This war pitted the Regular armed forces of the Duchy of Elysion against the rebel forces of the same. Many armies were sent to suppress but all failed without exception. I'm still thinking about what that old man said to me when we ran into each other.*

-We don't want war. Go hunt your fictional rebels elsewhere.

*I'm still thinking about it, why did he use that word? He doesn't define himself as a rebel nor he seems to want any harm in the Duchy, but then why did they come into conflict with us?*

-You are saying that there were no rebel forces in the North? *Asked an old man*. It's absurd.

-No general I am saying that this shouldn't happen to begin with. Knowing the origin of a conflict allows us to avoid it. Facing the North gave birth to formidable warriors who could have been on our side.

- You insolent. shouted another general. Are you saying our efforts were wasted and our men died in vain?

That's my feeling yes. No, I don't feel like it's my fault anymore.

- That's enough general. Said the chairman of the committee. We are not here to judge Cailum but to listen to him. You speak for everyone here so we listen to you.

-Well....

*After the destruction of the train I lost consciousness as dry. When I woke up in the morning I was in the infirmary with a bandage in my arm. Everything that happened that night came back to me like flashes to such an extent that I didn't feel like I had slept.*

-You are finally back with us.

*Just to my right was Sergeant Keita holding my hand. Behind her Bryce Hartkins who had a bandage on his head. Keita looked sad but she seemed happy to see me awake from my sleep. I jerked up.*

-Calm down....

-HABIB WHERE IS HABIB....

-Rest you are not in a state.

-Nuts. Where is Habib? *I asked*. And Streiss. What happened to Streiss.

*My last memory was of Rico fighting the old man.*

-Shit. Rico where is Private Quincy? *I asked Panicked.*

-Lieutenant. *Keita shouted.*

I calmed down and looked at her who looked annoyed. But be it, she let out a sigh.

-Sergeant Habib Kahil is dead. We couldn't do anything to save him.* she explained to me.* Sergeant Streiss is fine. He's still sleeping but he'll be fine. His injuries are minor. As for Private Quincy....

*She changed her tone as she mentioned it and I feared the worst. After putting on my coat and taking my rifle, she leads me out of the complex. Outside there were a dozen body bags. No, there were even more and it didn't end.*

-30. Bryce tells me that's the death toll from last night. And we have about 80 injured. Some in critical condition, for the others... Impossible to know.

-And we won't be able to save them since we're running out of medicine from treating all the patients.

-Unless Lancell comes back with the drugs from his camp. *I whispered.*

I walked in the middle of my dead and advanced towards a row where the wounded stood. Some were disfigured from the explosion of the rockets. Seeing me exit the building most of my soldiers stopped working and stared at me before standing at attention.

-Greet the Lieutenant. *shouted a soldier.*

I staggered into their midst and returned their salute. I then saw among the wounded and from behind.

-Quincy? Rico is it you?

Hearing me, he raised his head. A doctor was patching up his arm at shoulder level. He stood up abruptly despite the needle under his skin and greeted me.

-1st class Enrico Quincy reporting to duty lieutenant.

- I thought you were dead, little moth. What... Where's the old man?

-The enemy managed to escape, sir, I couldn't do anything. A machete blow in the shoulder got the better of me. But I will no longer be surprised.

A real badass, this little guy. And to think that he and Lancell are the same age. I was about to walk towards her when I felt a hand grab my ankle. I saw at my feet a young soldier whom I recognized immediately.

-You... You were on the roof last night.

-I see I said that old man was dangerous haha....

He had been blown away by the train explosion and was covered in bandages. I get down on one knee and grab him tight.

- Don't worry, man, it'll be fine.

- No, lieutenant. He said being on the verge of tears. I'm screwed... I'm going to die... But promise me you'll take this old man to visit us. I want revenge.

He squeezed my hand tighter and tighter as blood dripped from his mouth. I looked him straight in the eyes and I felt his life leaving him. Although I clenched my fist in anger, I didn't lose my temper. So I got up and stared at my men.

-Last night our camp was attacked. And we're not the only ones, they probably attacked Price and Hammerhead's camp. They entered here as if they were at home and killed several of our brothers. Make no mistake about it, we killed several of theirs too, but as I speak to you, those who committed this act are going to attack our fellow wolves at the neighboring outpost. Can you tolerate such an act happening again?

-NO SIR.

The men have already begun to prepare. Arms and ammunition were gathered together with grenades and rations.

-The enemy made a monumental mistake yesterday, he didn't finish us off. He probably believes that Beowulf is not a worthy opponent. That we only pass for a wounded animal.

Some jeeps and motorcycles were brought in from the factory as well as trucks to transport the material.

- But he is seriously mistaken. I tell them. I understand that after such a violent attack many of you refuse to fight and that is all to your credit. But a Wolf does not give up, he continues to bite and choke his prey until it dies. You can stay hidden here in the shelter of these walls. For my part, I'm going to get in my jeep and cross the forest and kill all the motherfuckers who took part in this attack even if it must take me a week.

-HOORAH.

-So whoever loves me follows me.

The number of soldiers wanting to do battle was incredible, practically the entire garrison was volunteering. Only I couldn't leave the factory unprotected. So I asked about sixty of them that I sorted into 3 squads of 20 each led by Bryce Hartkins, Luther Streiss and myself.

-You need another NCO. *Bryce told me.*

-He is right. If you slam I will take over command. *Laughed Streiss.*

-Haha very funny.

I turned to Rico and looked him straight in the eyes.

-1st class Enrico Quincy I hereby raise you to the rank of sergeant of Beowulf. You will take Habib's place and his squad will be under your command. Does it suit you ?

-I accept with pleasure.

- Does anyone have an objection?

-NO SIR. *shouted the volunteers.*

-If so.

I saw Keita emerged from the ranks with the other 6 medics.

- We've just patched up his right arm, he's not in a condition to shoot.

He grabbed his pistol with his left hand and smashed the glass of a soldier about ten meters away before smiling at him.

-Too bad for him, I'm left-handed.

-Satisfied ? *I asked*. So on the way.

As everyone got into the vehicles she approached me.

-I can't leave the camp because without me they will all die but I am entrusting you with 2 of my best medics. They worked all night like. Ruben, Ludmila come this way.

They approached and stood at attention. A guy and a girl both very young. But we're all young here.

-It is an honor to meet you Lieutenant.

-Shared pleasure. Come on up, each choose a jeep.

They climbed up and Keita took my hand.

- Take care, lieutenant. Without you these young people are lost.

-I'll be careful, promise.

She smiled and left, there I saw another soldier disembark with a machine gun and two boxes of ammunition.

-And you who are you ?

-Frederick Thibault sir but everyone calls me Fredy sir.

- You were on the roof with me yesterday, weren't you? The guy dying here, he was your friend, right?

-Yes... And I'm mad sir. *He said almost on the verge of tears.*

-As we all. Tell me, Fredy, do you know how to use a campaign radio?

-Eh ? Yes they showed it to me in practice at Fort W.G. But... I thought the radio wasn't working.

- This is also what our enemies believe. I say with a sly smile.

I learned later that it was Rico who had dragged me out of there by carrying me on his back. He was injured but he held on, damn Rico he was really tough. The enemy did not attack after the destruction of the train, apparently they would have taken advantage of it to recover the bodies they had come to seek. It was strange behavior but at least we had peace until morning. Our convoy consisted of 8, Jeeps and 2 trucks and 5 motorcycles. The enemy being pros of the ambush our convoy had little chance of arriving safely but the purpose of this convoy was not to arrive safely, but rather to transport us ultra quickly. Once close enough We ended up parking in a corner of the forest and we camouflaged our vehicles in the snow after erasing our tracks.

- The camp of Swan is 10km from the factory but it is surely surrounded at the present time.

-Last night's assault was a diversion. *Says Rico*. We must believe that they had not provided enough men to dislodge us. Lieutenant Der Linde is the most isolated and the least likely to receive reinforcements...

-Consequently it is the most likely to be annihilated if attacked. *tell Bryce*.

*We heard the sounds of mortars and cannons from Swan which sounded as if they were close to us*.

-If I was the old one once the attack on the factory was over I would regroup with the main unit then I would come back to finish the factory. *I said*.

- But the factory is still standing. *Said Rico*. Which means that Swan who can always cover us is always there. As Result the group supposed to crush the factory will gather here to crush him.

-Except we're not going to let them.

*We cocked our guns and started moving around the hillside. My guys had undergone mountain training twice. Once in the regular army training program and once in the Beowulf program at Fort W.G where was the start of the mountain ranges leading north. We are not as experienced as those people who have lived here all their lives but we have nothing to be ashamed of, especially since we are fresh and above all *...

- We are angry.

-Contact. *Screams Fredy*.

*A firefight broke out between us and the enemy mortar unit. They were obviously not expecting our visit and there were more of us. With heavy and precise fire we took them out before they even realized we were there. The position and the mortars* were seized.

-Hey but... These are ours. *Said Bryce*. Gear stolen from our army.

- They were even well protected. Amateur. *Fit Streiss*.

- Amateurs are also lucky. *I repeated*. That's what Habib said.

- Yes Lieutenant.

-Streiss you're going to stay here you're the least fit of all of us and also I don't want you to force yourself. Don't worry, we'll leave you the machine gun and a short-range radio. We call you when needed.

-It's okay, Lieutenant.

-And I'll take half your squad.

-Hey, that's unfair.

*As I walked I saw out of the corner of my eye Bryce exchanged a manly handshake with Streiss. I didn't know they were so close*.

- Watch out for yourself, my brother. And don't shoot me by mistake.

-Don't worry.

* After that we started moving again, still in a circle, detecting and massacring isolated enemy units. Those who supplied them, those who waited in reserve or those who set traps. The goal was to break the encirclement by forcing the Enemies to take us seriously. And it worked after half a dozen enemy squad liquidated we were to locate a large contingent. I had deactivated my gift since last night to recover so I had to estimate their number by guesswork*.

-About 150. *Said Ruben*.

- They are surely 3 times more. *Said Bryce*. With our maneuvers which have succeeded in weakening their defense, they must believe that we are a whole regiment and therefore react accordingly.

- What do we do, lieutenant? *Asked Quincy*. Are we going back to get within range of Streiss mortars?

-And now he speaks familiarly because he is a sergeant. *Bryce sighs*.

*I observed the situation then stared at the sky. I touched the snow to be sure*.

-I was saying to myself...

-What ?

*When I told them they thought it was too amazing but really not that much. Rather than retrace our steps, I ordered that we stay in position. So our enemies eventually joined us and slowly overtook us. How was this possible? The camouflage, we didn't have a Ghili Suit but our camo went perfectly with the climate. In addition we buried ourselves under the layer of snow which was rather easy to hide. Once all our enemies had given us back, we engaged them by opening fire. They were well 150, like what Fredy smell it good and the fact that we engage them out of nowhere prevented them for a moment from understanding where the shots came from, but even when they understood it was too late, the confusion prevented them from answering properly and we threw grenades at them. That said, when we were about to annihilate them, shots rang out in the opposite direction*.

-Eh ? Where do these guys come from?

-I had said that they were 3 times more. *Screams Bryce*.

*Indeed another group was behind us. Those there were concealed and had the same camo as us. Very quickly we found ourselves surrounded*.

-They are seriously vicious in the north. Looks like... Hunters. *Said Bryce*.

-There's no point in complimenting them, they're shooting at us. *I said*.

Already very quickly we were cornered and some enemy soldiers were surely bypassing us to reach the mortar position they had lost. Some of my men took bullets. Ruben and Mila managed to drag them behind a rock wall to deal with them but that didn't stop the bullets from coming from the other side which forced them to duck.

-Damn it's everywhere. *Fredy shouted.

-Shut up, *kill them.* yelled Rico.

-Cailum? Any genius idea to get us out of here? *Bryce asked as he reloaded.*

- Fredy. RADIO.

The crouched young man rose from his position and dodged a barrage of bullets before joining me behind a tree trunk. Important rule in the art of asymmetric warfare. Forcing the enemy to show himself by making him believe that we are in a weak position. Thus the confident enemy will come out of hiding and surround us, that's when we take advantage of it.....

-To crush them with our firepower. *Says Swan.*

- Did you receive the coordinates? Don't miss those assholes.

- No fucking way.

We heard the sound of 3 deafening cannons on the hill. The shells began to rain down on the group that had taken us from behind.

-That... You... You just spoke with Lieutenant Der Linde there? I thought the radio was off.

Shells fell again making the ground vibrate under our feet while our ragged enemies flew in the sky. One of them even fell behind our cover with his mouth open and his guts out.

-Don't flinch. This is war and this is a retribution.

-I.... I... *He refrains from throwing up*. The radios....

- Didn't work. We use the frequency of blimps to communicate. *Say I pointing to the sky.*

He looked up and saw one of the airship which had just shown up. Each airship had an independent radio antenna, using it as a relay we could again communicate with each other.

-It's... It's great.

Fredy continued to indicate the enemy coordinates and Swan struck with such precision.

-It is as if the hand of God covered us. *Bryce said.* We should call it God Hand.

- Don't forget the airship above our heads. *Recalled Enrico who had just killed an enemy.*

But this one was different.

-But what is it ? *Said Fredy surprised.*

-During the Vietnam War the United States had tested an artillery project on board an aircraft. They mounted artillery guns on one of their C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft.

-What are you talking about ?

-The project was a great success and the army developed means to make this artillery even more deadly and more precise. Of course the AC-130 was not invulnerable.

-Here Overwatch has Shepard leading. Ask for confirmation to engage the targets. *Said the operator in the airship.*

I waved to Bryce who marked our position with green smoke. Swan from his outpost did the same and Streiss also imitated us.

-This is Shepard Leader. *Make it rain lightning.*

The deafening din that followed was the sound of machine guns knocking out our enemies and shells cutting them to pieces. I was standing with a smile on my face admiring the mix between cannon fire and shouting. It's a shame we didn't have more time, I would have armed the other airships with the same artillery, but hey, we'll settle for this one. Fredy stared at me in shock while plugging his ears.

-Do you want to know what nickname the AC-130 received for being so deadly and frightening in this war?

He nodded, staring at me with a look of more than surprise.

-The Angel of death. The spooky.

The intervention of the Spooky of Venus firm saved us all that day. It bombarded the area indiscriminately within 600 meters of the smoke, and it was terribly effective. He alone could be credited with a thousand deaths in the enemy ranks.

- You say that such a weapon was also effective and was not produced in mass? *Asked the chairman of the committee.*

- With what money? Venus employees don't work for free as far as I know.

- Tempered your impertinence lieutenant. *Says another general.*

-Sorry sir.

- The intervention of your Joker was not enough to gain the upper hand over your enemies?

-Much of it had leaked. Those who are not dead anyway. However I was confronted with an enemy who was more than tough.

-What kind of enemy lieutenant?

-The kind who is not afraid of guns.

The airship had had a devastating effect on enemy morale. The rebels were being cut to pieces by a weapon they couldn't bring down even with their cannon, it was a shock. The shells came straight out of the sky at an altitude where it was impossible for them to defend themselves. With that we regained the advantage in our shootout, we had semi-automatic rifles compared to them who had repeater rifles and some muskets. Our rate of fire was therefore higher and there were more casualties in their ranks. Very quickly we regained the advantage. Streiss finally joins us then we inform Swan that we will join him with the radio. So we set off and took the shortest paths. Alas I had underestimated the ability of some people to survive all situations. As we approached the camp one of the soldiers of Streiss' squad set off a homemade mine. I hadn't anticipated that.

-Shit

-Jansen is hit. Jansen is hit. *Ruben shouted.*

- Everyone down. *Rico ordered before I did.*

We suddenly found ourselves drowned in the fire again. Damn, it was unbelievable, an enemy squad in front of us didn't back down. Worse, they also seemed numerous and approached dangerously. We didn't have time to install the mortars.

- Shit where are they coming from?

- Are there other traps in the area?

- Everyone stays on their position and we fight back. *Cried Rico*. Ludmila, Ruben take care of Private Jansen.

- Yes Sergeant.

-Lieutenant, can't I ask the monster to help us again? *Fredy asked.*

-Impossible we are too close.

The Spooky wasn't going to shoot us anyway. But yes, they were in the firing safe zone, pulling off such a trick requires someone back home to know Elysion's practical safe distances. But why did my stomach still turn upside down facing this squad. Something was wrong these guys were.

-GRENADE. *shouted Streiss.*

We took cover but it exploded on a mine causing a tree to collapse which blocked the passage and separated my squad from the rest of the group. That said Rico took the machine gun and install it on the trunk to use it as a barricade.

-HELLO GRANDPA. How do we meet ?

-I KNEW IT. *I cried out loud.*

Rico began drowning them in a deluge of lead as they ducked behind rocks or trees. Some behind the trees were getting stabbed but on the whole they held on.

-Hartkins you take 5 guys and you flank the old man. *I screamed.* Rico and I are making a diversion.

-And lieutenant ammunition level? *he asked.*

I looked at my charger, I only had one left.

-Goes on single shot mode.

The single shot mode of the rifle made it possible to gain in precision but reduced the rate of fire to that of a normal rifle. Fine, as long as we can kill this old man. But he was not alone this time. Smoke exploded just in front of Quincy and suddenly a man leaped at him from the left, he had completely escaped our detection, he and his group had surrounded us. He grabbed Rico and the two men fell into the ravine below. Enemy soldiers joined them and some of our own. The machine gun now silent, the old man came out of the smoke and lifted one of my men, crushing him against a tree before stabbing him violently. He used him as a shield as he fired at us with the guy's gun. Believe it or not, this guy with a semi-automatic rifle pinned us down. He took down 3 of my men easily, wounded Ludmila in the hand, and knocked off Streiss's helmet.

- Shit, what is this beast? *yelled my sergeant.*

Fortunately he quickly ran out of ammunition, that's when Bryce came out of nowhere and shot him. The bullet went through his arm but as he was about to finish him the old man slipped behind and went around Hartkins. Bryce had to reload but during this time the old man grabbed him and used him as a shield before aiming at me. Bryce kicked him in the abdomen and he winced in pain. Far from flinching I pulled and touched his weapon which he dropped.

-Looks like Rico hit him hard. *I thought* Bryce step aside. *I screamed.*

The sergeant tried to obey but the old man stood as close as possible. It was then that Streiss, who had managed to circumvent them despite the encirclement, planted a bayonet in his back.

- Take that motherfucker.

That said the old man pulled the gun out like it was paper and headbutted Streiss who lost his balance and bled from the nose, Bryce jumped to his neck trying to strangle him but the old man passed him over his shoulders and threw him through the air as if he weighed nothing.

-HOLY FUCKING SHIT. *Bryce swore*.

He crashed in a thick layer of snow but injured himself when he hit a rock. I managed to sneak up behind and knocked. The old man withdrew my weapon without difficulty but I let go of it voluntarily and fired the pistol. The first shot hit his shoulder but the second missed his head because he had moved just before. He managed to approach and disengage my weapon with a wave of his hand and kicked me. I retaliated by striking with a machete which got stuck in his boot.

- Don'T tell me that your feet are made of titanium? *I say sarcastically.

-You should have stayed lying on the ground kid.

He withdrew his leg which removed the blade that remained stuck in his boot.

-It would have saved you from suffering unnecessarily.

He threw me away with a kick and I hit a tree. I admit I felt this obe, but at first sight I had nothing broken. He held back again? But why ? I, on the other hand, showed him the pin of my grenade left at his feet.

-Sorry, I never said I would be fair.

He jumped back but the explosion just blew snow. I took the opportunity to retrieve the machine gun and sprayed him while he was hiding. While I was busy with him one of his men flanked me and tried to plant me. The dodge forced me to drop my weapon and I slammed him against a tree. I tried to plant him but he held me firmly by the wrist. Damn what do these old people eat in this bled to be so damn strong? In the end I hit him with a headbutt and managed to pull out my pistol and then emptied my magazine into his chest. I felt a presence in my back and immediately redirected my knife towards the head of my enemy, but the old man avoided me and pinned me against the tree and I fell on my back. The others were higher still in the middle of the shooting when apparently Streiss, who had regained his senses, pushed them back with a mortar. On my isolated side with the old man he picked up my gun.

-In my time the officers ordered artillery strikes inside the security zone. *He told me.*

-In my time we also care about the lives of soldiers. *I answered.*

I saw him displaying a smirk as if my answer amused him. He pointed it at my skull immediately but I didn't flinch.

-Not even the blink of an eye.

-He's empty.

He fired a shot and killed one of my men who approached him discreetly in the back. I jumped seeing that and he pointed at me again.

-Are you still sure?

I think my blood boiled.

-Put your gun down son of a bitch.

Quincy disembarked. Definitely he had a knack for taking care of his entrance. He was covered in blood, his shoulder wound had reopened and he had a man with him who was serving as his hostage. The old man was distracted so I took the opportunity to apply a close combat technique and snatched my gun from him before shooting him in the head.

-It's empty. *he told me.*

I let out an amused and reassured sigh, I don't even know why.

-Where are the others ? *I asked Quincy.*

- He killed them.

-And mine?

- I killed them too. Now give it up or I'll blow his brains out.

- So why is he still alive? *I asked*

-Because I saw him before the attack. He was there last night they were fighting side by side. And today they are still together.

-Omar?

Rico pointed the gun at the man who turned out to be Omar Rashford. The old man's brother.

-I told you we were too old for this bullshit. 5 guys is too much for me at my age.

- Surrender. Order your guys to cease fire, or I'll shoot him.

The old man stared at Rico with an aura so oppressive that it would scare anyone away, but Rico returned his murderous gaze. I didn't know that kid was so creepy.

-I count to 5 and you drop it.

- And I count to 2.

The elder looked at me with a disappointed look.

- So you have sunk so low.

-I already told you old man. We didn't come to be fair.

This is how Seb was captured... The leader of the rebels. Or so we thought.

End of the chapter