The Battle for the Beacon
The yellow-orange light from an old-fashioned desk lamp casts warm, flickering shadows over the room, highlighting the details of the map pinned to the wall. Friendly forces encircle the Old Commercial District of New Avalon, while hostile markers are scattered throughout the area, all connected by one central pin.
“Sir, Obsidian Squadron just reached phase line red. The first team will drop onto the central building in five minutes. Our objective is still on the 4th floor.”
General Wilks glances at his desk drawer before responding. "Thank you, Matt. Ensure the 10th closes the perimeter around Obsidian Troop to quickly provide support. We need to flush these rebels, rebuild the city and return it to its citizens in a timely manner. Lastly, ensure the utilities are restored in the affected blocks of New Avalon after this operation is concluded."
"Yes, Sir," Colonel Levi responds, then leaves the office, the door clicking shut behind him.
The Skyhunter is cramped and tight, with the smell of fuel and oil blending with the sound of the rotors beating steadily overhead. Andris, Trost and Finn sit tightly packed together, their weapons and gear taking up most of the space. The smell of sweat and the sound of their breathing mix with the hum of the engine. The walls are cold metal, and their vibrations can be felt through the soles of the team’s boots. Internal sensors cast a deep red glow over everything, and wind rushing past the aircraft can be heard over the roar of the engine.
The soldiers with relaxed expressions sit in silence. The sound of equipment clinking, and the smell of gear oil add to the sensory overload as the Skyhunter soars high in the sky. The pilot's voice crackles over the radio, “Two minutes…One minute”.
The engine growls as the rear ramp begins to lower. Filling the air is the sound of metal grinding against metal. The soldiers stand, full exoskeleton suits creaking and whirring as they move. The suits' motors hums like a chorus of machines. The team checks their weapons and gear. Clicking and clacking echoing throughout the cabin.
One by one, they approach the edge of the ramp, take a step forward, and jump out of the helicopter. The rush of wind becomes overpowering, and the roar of engines disappear behind them. Andris surveys the surroundings, his gaze drawn to the bright lights of Historic New Avalon. Focusing on the bright green dot displayed on his augmented reality display, he sees it located in a dark and unlit part of the city. He angles his body towards the dot, leading his team behind him.
A few seconds later, the exoskeleton suits activate their thrusters, controlling each team member’s descent. The thruster’s sounds are muffled by the stealth design of the suits and slowing each member’s fall, allowing them to land safely and silently.
As they land on the roof, the smell of fresh air and the sound of wind whip past their ears. Andris looks at the top right of his display and sees a red pulsating beacon four stories below on the fourth floor. He nods affirmatively to his team, and they quickly secure the roof and begin their descent down the stairwell.
"Team Echo is entering hostile controlled areas. The 10th is pushing the perimeter forward," Andris hears on his internal radio.
The exoskeletons muffle their footsteps, making barely a whisper as they tread the stairs. They reach the seventh floor. With each step, the musty scent of concrete and the gentle tap of their boots pervade the air. Footsteps echo softly through the halls, blending with the sound equipment and weapons. They methodically search each room, weapons at the ready, ready to neutralize any potential threats. The quiet opening of doors and the careful shuffling of furniture are the only noises in the still building.
They return to the stairway and repeat the process on the sixth and fifth floor. They reach the door labeled with a large "Floor Four". Andris feels a squeeze on his shoulder and opens the door. They enter the hallway and feel the ground shake beneath their feet. Glass shatters and explosions roar, buckling the walls and raining down debris.
Andris’s heart pounds in his chest as he tries to steady himself. The choking smoke and the bright orange glow of the fires outside fills his senses. He hears rubble crashing and the roar of inferno consuming surrounding buildings. Andris quickly looks up to the right and sees the green pulsating beacon is gone.
Gunfire erupts in the tight confines of the hallway, shaking the walls with each impact. The smell of gunpowder mixes with the bitter stench of burning insulation and melting metal. Andris's team takes cover behind walls and furniture as Truthers enter the hallway with rage in their eyes.
Shouting, explosions, and falling debris fill the air as Andris's team advances. The flash of muzzle flares illuminates the smoke-filled hallway, casting flickering shadows on the walls. The team communicates through hand signals and short radio chatter, coordinating their efforts to neutralize the enemy.
The heat of the firefight is palpable, the air thick with smoke and the smell of burning materials. The sound of reloading weapons and spent shells hitting the floor is constant. The floor vibrates with each explosion, the walls buckling and dust raining down from the ceiling.
The team moves with grace and precision, taking advantage of every opportunity to advance and take out the enemy. Their weapons discharge echoing through the building, punctuated by cries of the wounded and dying. The firefight continues pushing forward clearing each floor until the last of the Truthers is neutralized.
Andris's team bursts through the door on the main floor and stumbles onto the street, gasping for air. The sudden rush of fresh air shocks their eyes as they take in the scene before them. The city district is now a wasteland of smoldering ruins and devastation. Andris's eyes dart back and forth as he takes in the full extent of the destruction. He feels a surge of adrenaline as he surveys the scene with disbelief.
He sees piles of broken concrete and twisted metal that used to be buildings. The air is thick with smoke and the tart scent of burning and smoking debris. Small fires still rage, sending plumes of black smoke into the sky. The streets are littered with shattered glass and chunks of concrete.
Andris stands motionless, taking it all in. His eyes widen as he sees bodies of the fallen scattered among the ruins. He feels his hands start to shake, his body reacting to the shock of what he is witnessing. He takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself and steady his nerves.
"What the hell happened here?" Trost exclaims, his voice shaking.
Andris stands motionless for a second, his eyes darting back and forth. Emergency sirens fill the air. The smell of smoke and burning materials is overpowering, and Andris feels the heat from the fires on his skin.
With a sense of urgency, Andris switches his communications channels on his internal radio.
"Anyone on this net, this is Alpha 6." he says, his voice terse. All Andris hears is static. "Anyone on this net, this is Alpha 6."
Still nothing but static. He turns to the team, determination in his eyes. "Move out to the emergency rally point, now!"