Chapter 4 Battle of Basswood

"The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos. The winner will be the one who controls that chaos, both his own and the enemies."-Napoleon Bonaparte

the busiest street of Novergrad used to be filled with incoming vehicles from left to right and now it's filled with rubble and destroyed vehicles, the anti-aircraft guns are taking down enemy planes, Ghost Grenadiers are on position whenever the KNAF is coming by or not, little that they know that they took a shortcut on C. Lee Street, fewer soldiers are patrolling the damn area. the Greek, The British, and the African soldiers are checking their corners if there are enemy soldiers are hiding in the rubble while Zane is taking a view on top of a ruined apartment building with a dead body, it's one of the Ghost Army snipers but taken down earlier.

"how's the view up there, mate?" Kendrick asked from above

"it's all good, there's an enemy Juggernaut nearby. stay alert for the big guy while I'm going for the big gun, it ain't easy going alone" Zane replied

"copy that, moving left"

they took a left turn next to a shattered cafe and that's where he used to work there, then somebody bites the dust and another one is down as the Greek shot them down until the Juggernaut caught their attention. a rush of bullets is poured down on the crooked street while the Peacekeepers took cover on a destroyed police mobile, It a good thing Zane is above the Juggernaut and he's about to use him as a landing pad.

the neck of the armored beast spilled out blood after penetrating to the nape of the enemy, the blade was reforged in real Vibranium, it was discovered by Morpheus Kelvin, the blacksmith of the Keepers during their expedition on Istanbul. a synchronizing technique is the main key to make the cloaked daggers are the highly dangerous weapon that the Keepers used it for good intentions, the blades are so sharp it can cut any armor including a bulletproof vest can't bite into this, even the Katana was made out of Vibranium steel.

"good work Private, not bad for a recruit like you," Nicholas said

"don't mention it, ain't honest work but gotta fight what's right" Zane replied

"so, what happened to the "Keepers"? after the incident back in 2022?"

"dissolved, I heard he's alive elsewhere with a new name. probably true or just a hoax"

"damn, I remember the time they went to Nigeria to help out my people after Cyclone Kenneth, I owe them a lot for that"

"Delta Squad, be advised that there's multiple enemy movement came from the north and it looks like it's ready for us" Motherboard advised

"copy that Motherboard" Deacon replied

"What's going on Lieutenant?" Lewis asked

"Multiple enemy movement is coming for us in the north, let's get ready"

"How about we use his gun for a change?" The British asked

"Good idea, what a waste of firepower on that"

"Luckily he has another set of ammunition, let's get ready"

The Peacekeepers and the Assassin prepared their surprise attack against the Ghost Army until they've arrived. the Juggernaut's armor was used by the Tanzanian and he's manning the Gatling Gun while the real guy is dead and hiding in the rubble. little that they know that the Juggernaut is a Peacekeeper in disguise while an eagle flew up to the sky, then a pack of cloaked figures came in and swiftly kill the whole unit. Delta Squad need a mind condom because they are mind fucked of how on earth did they do all in one try, some sort of a resistance group or a secret elite unit that the KNAF didn't reveal to it yet but they all have the same Phoenix symbol as him, it looks like there's a branch of Keepers of Novergrad

"what," said Lewis

"the," said Nicholas

"actual," said Caitriona

"fuck?!" three said in unison

"it looks like they have the same patch as Zane does," said Deacon

"Hey, you! are you the Resistance?" Jacob asked

"does it looks like? what's our motto?" replied the cloaked figure

"motto? what motto?" Nicholas questioned

"don't intervene" Zan e hissed quietly

"*ad Phoenix interfecti rursus ut inmortui in Millenium" both said in Latin

"oh my god, you're are the Keepers, I thought they were dissolved back then!"

"We were, but they thought were dissolved forever but it won't last long."

"The Headmaster, is he still alive?"

"he is, he survived the accident"

"But, who's the guy on the boat after the bomb set off?"

"just the Headmaster's double, don't worry he's alright"

"Alright, we have the resistance on our side," the Greek said aloud

"Who are they?" the cloaked figure asked

"they're the Peacekeepers from UN and NATO, and that's Lieutenant Deacon, Kingdom of Novergrad Armed Forces"

"Good to meet you Lieutenant, so are we ready to fight alongside you?"

"why would I say no? let's retake the Capitol and then the Royal Palace after that"

"Can I keep this?" Lewis asked Zane

"keep it, it's useful for this op"

the Peacekeepers and the Keepers are united to liberate Basswood City, the artillery unit are making progress until a so-called friendly Juggernaut mowed down them down while the Assassins are doing their objective and Zane is planting the bomb of one of the artillery cannons and it's useless after the damages are done. the Nigerian set off the flares to pick them up but an enemy tank came by, It good thing they brought along the M72 for this mission or they're toast but it wasn't effective as the tank hit a dud rocket, they have another rocket in handy then the Ghost Elite Army came in, they are the feared unit of the Ghost Army and they're alike of the Kingdom of Novergrad Special Forces or the KNSF. the unworthy assassins were gunned down as they are going to pounce them, all thanks to the guidance system installed on their helmets.

Zane pulled out his grappling gun and aimed at them while the Identity Ripper's blade came out and stab the soldier in the front after he pressed the button for retraction. then he pulled out his katana and each of every unit of GEA is down after Zane was shot in the shoulder but he pulled it out with his knife and injected a blue medic gun like real bad-ass. The fallen assassins are tucked away in the APC while Zane is about to contact a lift from the base after destroying the anti-aircraft guns

"Delta Squad to Mother Board, we need transport-" said Zane

"incoming!" exclaimed the Tanzanian

the Peacekeepers and the Keepers took shelter in the nearest building near the Square. the bombardment lasted for thirty minutes and luckily they survived. they're not ready for that and good thing they are prepared or they're good as dead, the APC didn't survive the bombardment. one of the assassins found a secret door to the sewers, kinda stinks but they hit the jackpot, the sewage system. They better not flick a lighter because the place is packed with methane and Lieutenant Deacon wanted to smoke bad that he can't do it right now. they found a door and took the path to Live Aid Stadium, the former name was Lexington Stadium but it's been demolished and refurbished into a new one and named Live Aid Stadium because the day that the stadium is finished is the anniversary of the Live Aid concert on the 13th of July 1985 and it was modeled after the former Wembley Stadium

"here we are, Live Aid Stadium," Zane said

"damn, they just trashed the place, I missed the games of the day. only if the Ghost didn't invade in the first place," added Lieutenant

"same shit missed the SuperSonics versus Killer Queens. they were the best"

"Going to miss those bastards already, anyhow. if the Ghost Army is inside. check your ammo before leaving the stage"

they checked their ammunition on the bleachers and they are full, as they pinpoint their rifles to the building for incoming enemies, none of them peeked out. only their shadows are displaying on the fairly dimmed hallway. heavy footsteps trembled the hallway while Delta Squad stood in caution as the footsteps are getting close and closer, whether it's friend or foe. it can't decide to them, the Delta Squad aimed their rifles to the shadows until armored units aimed their rifles at the Delta Squad, it's none other than the 57th Delta Stormtrooper Battalion.

"Hold your fire! we're the Delta Squad!" Deacon said aloud

"Delta Squad? What the fuck are you doing here? And who the fuck are these guys?" Cormac questioned Zane

"The Keepers of Basswood City, they're the resistance. and I know them and the reason we got here is that the Ghost Army bombed our assess after taking down their anti-aircraft guns and they aren't happy about it, we took the sewage system as our escape route and then we got here" Zane replied

"have you tried to contact to base before the bombardment?" Sandeep asked Lieutenant Deacon

"Zane tried before the bombardment but they jammed our comms before blowing up their line of defenses, I heard some statics on my radio, so does the others" Lieutenant replied to the Indian

"where's the jammer located? I'll deal with that"

"right to the Royal Palace, the Royal Guards received hefty damage after they fortified the place for five weeks, right now the Ghost Army used it as a stronghold. can you do the risks, Zane?"

"I'll take it" Zane nodded

"Private! that's a dangerous task you're taking" Nicholas said to Zane

"don't worry, I'm not going alone, I'll take Deacon, Kendall, you, and what's your name? I haven't heard your name after you joined us" Zane asked the cloaked figure

"oh, my name is Keira, Keira Miles. nice to meet you Zane McBride" Keira greeted the Assassin

"good, any C4's left Lewis? we'll need it to stop the jammer"

"it's only one left, do you think it's strong enough to take down a tower?" Lewis questioned Zane

"here, take this, you'll need it," Cormac said while giving the assassin a C4 explosive

"Thanks, Cormac, I owe you one" Zane thanked the Stormtrooper

"no problem, go get 'em, tiger!" Cormac said while patted his back

"Thanks, but call me a Phoenix Assassin"

Zane pulled up the hood back to his head while tucking away the C4 explosive to use it later as they are going to the Royal Palace, a Humvee came by to pick up the strike team while Lieutenant Deacon light up a cigarette for the first time after leaving the sewage system, what would they see in the Royal Palace filled with Ghost Army? who would know if they're ready for them as they reached the Royal Palace? things are filled the recruit's head and it needs to be out now, but it's doesn't matter and he needs to finish the mission and replace the flag of the Ghost Army to the Kingdom of Novergrad on the flag pole. only if they have one in handy in the trunk or in the room where they keep it during flag-raising ceremonies or meeting up with foreign leaders throughout the world.

The Royal Palace was heavily guarded by the Ghost Army and the Royal Guards wanted to take it back but they lost a lot of men, the only ones left is 2nd Lieutenant Kyrie Lystell and the 20th Royal Guard Detachment, he found the Humvee that stalled near the makeshift Garrison. Zane spilled the beans about his mission and what happened back to the Capitol, they'll use them as a divert tactic to sneak inside to take out Commander Jason Dean Roosevelt, right now he's standing on the balcony of the Royal Palace, smirked at his successful attack on Basswood City, he took a sip of a cup of bourbon on the rocks while a soldier barged in.

"Commander Roosevelt, the bombardment of the Capitol is on full effect, and it looks like they're all dead now," said the soldier

"Good job, that Assassin is in there? Perhaps not, those sneaky little motherfuckers think they can defeat the Ghost Army? We're superior to the Phantoms!" the commander boasted

"Sure thing sir, I'll just go now," said the soldier

The soldier left the room while the Assassins sprawled up on the roof of the Royal Palace while the Ghosts are patrolling the entire area, many soldiers are preparing for their next move on Ruby Hill, Sapphire Grove, Amethyst Cove, and Murdoch Hill. and he's not going to let it slip 

"We'll see about that" Zane added

he jumped on the balcony while the Commander is about to flicker a cigar from the table, he didn't see the assassin on the back until he's spilling red, Zane snatched the cigar after he casually put his body on the balcony as a set-up that he's still alive even though he died. the onslaught of the Royal Palace begun after the body was set off as a signal of attack. numerous assassins jumped off and deliberated numerous unaware soldiers of the Ghost Army until pits of smoke made them blind, each by each enemy soldier is down by hidden daggers or a silenced pistol while the remaining tried to shoot but they weren't lucky as their guns jammed during the process. even their tanks weren't used in the carnage.

the UN and NATO Peacekeepers and KNAF stormed to the Royal Palace until they noticed that the bodies of their enemies are scattered everywhere including Commander Roosevelt was chilling on the balcony, they've become confused about what happened until they showed up. the flag of Novergrad rose in the flag pole after liberating Basswood City, as a sign of victory. numerous Ghost Army has driven away about what happened and some are surrendered. 60,000 KNAF soldiers were called died in action while 30,000 were wounded on the opposing side received a hefty casualty rate, 75,000 GA died in action while 55, 000 were wounded and 30, 000 surrendered.

this marks the Battle of Basswood City, one of the bloodiest conflicts that shook the ground like a fiery earthquake including on national television and the world. the Assassins are relaxing on the rooftop while Zane sliced the tip of the cigar with his knife and ignited with a lighter that Keira brought along. the first puff was like hell, the Assassin coughed after putting it on his mouth and the taste is like watered cigarettes were dried in sunlight. he gave it to Keira and took a puff like it's a regular cigarette but she coughed like Zane afterward. he surrendered the lit cigar to Lieutenant Deacon because he forgot that he's a non-smoker so, he gave it to the higher rank because he deserved some, close but no cigar Zane, and remember. smoking kills

translation:

ad Phoenix interfecti rursus ut inmortui in Millenium: the Phoenix will rise again in the millenium