TheLittlePenmen

Captain Elizabeth Vinea - an officer with the 3rd Reconnaissance Squadron has been tasked with a retrieval mission.

Her team of four, are two occupy the ruined township of Lycoa and unearth the entrance to a demonic gate reportedly located underneath the now devastated city.

Reports indicated a relic from within the gate is to be retrieved at all costs.

"Intel's here and there, not much to go on, I know. Nevertheless, I'm entrusting this mission to you Cpt. Vinea. We need bodies on the field, and we need them immediately." The Colonel handed over the mission brief to the saluting officer.

"Understood, Colonel, we depart for Lycoa at once." 

"Godspeed."

The captain left with her new orders in hand, the colonel - once the doors to his office were close: snickered, and begrudged:

"...Damned demons...what could they be plotting now..." before continuing on with his desk-work.

**I will be posting this story on RoyalRoad.com**
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We Who Aren't They

"Need I remind you that this isn't a rescue operation. We want the gate's coordinates. That's all."

"..." The lieutenant went silent. Continuing to survey the building's main entrance.

He can't argue against logic, but that expression on his face... Oh boy! Are you an insubordinate, Lieutenant? Are you really?

His body was ready to spring itself into action. I wonder what's even tethering him at this point.

After much anticipation, the ghouls made their exit, dragging the woman by her long hair. The baby was being aggressively tossed around by the adults like a bouncing ball.

She was putting up quite the resistance; struggling furtively to reach for the infant: flailing her arms, feet, and desperately making as much noise as humanly possible in the process - Even so, for every ounce of unruliness she showed them, a healthy helping of jabs and kicks were gleefully dished out: momentarily shutting her up some.

Battered and bruised...the both of them. The rags they had on completely tattered. The baby was naked at this point, she, in turn, barely had on anything as well.

Frankly I'd expect them to dispose of the little one immediately. What gives?

Woman make for good incubators, but children? A new toy for the youngins' perhaps?

"Captain, what if I merely secured the two of them, and let the mark live. Can't we track it afterwards?" He tried so desperately to retain some level of composure in speaking those words.

What's more: he's trying to negotiate, adorable.

"Lieutenant Forneus, We are not having this discussion right now. I mean it."

"Heartless? Maybe so. The mission comes first and that's the end of it."

The child was finally thrown aside. One of the adults signaling the youngins' over.

All of them dashed forward utterly curious as to what new toy their parents offered them.

Naturally. They started hitting the child, bashing him against the stone-cold ground. The discovery process for how to enjoy a new toy can be grueling - I know that all too well with this one.

The lieutenant tensed up even more. His gaze fixating on her. She who was no longer being dragged.

He knew all too well where this was going...

The abnormal finally caught up with the rest, who were now encircling their prey. They towered over her; waiting for the elder's approval before digging in.

After a brief once-over: The adults were given free-reign to do as they wanted.

From what I could gather the creature was specifically looking around the woman's groin and thighs. Was it expecting to find something engraved on her skin?

Now I'm curious...why the inspection? What are you looking for?

I inadvertently clenched my fist; wondering about the possibilities to such a question.

Why would she bear one, you idiot!

My momentary lapse made me unaware of what just suddenly happened.

"Huh?" I exclaimed. The lieutenant was no longer where I last saw him.

A new found commotion ensued down below. I turned to look.

Defiance