We have reached our initial destination, and the commanding officer, Colonel Black, directed his personnel to disperse throughout the area. As we entered the industrial zone, the building in question appeared relatively unremarkable, blending in with its surroundings. Leon Adams and Ethan Armstrong promptly parted ways, each heading in their respective directions. Meanwhile, Erica Kennedy remained in close proximity to the Colonel, seemingly attentive. She was holding a tablet that appeared to be some sort of map and sensor that she was studying. After receiving a nod of approval from Sano, I took a moment to scan our surroundings. I carefully observed every detail, searching for anything that seemed out of place or unusual. With a sense of determination, we combed the area, hoping to uncover any clues that might lead us to our goal. We were utterly clueless regarding the nature of our search, leaving us with no clear indication of what we needed to find.
I struggle to comprehend why individuals of high importance would opt to occupy this derelict factory facility. Upon initial inspection, there isn't anything overtly remarkable about the space. However, considering the interior's size and layout, it would require considerable time to meticulously search every section. It's evident that we're purposely being kept in the dark about the true nature of this location.
While exploring the empty rooms on the third floor, my perception of this location began to shift. At first glance, it appeared to be a factory. Still, upon further exploration, we uncovered that it was actually a clandestine location. This was a site that a government agency like the CIA or NSA might utilize. Sano snapped her fingers, drawing my attention. She pointed at something along a wall. A closer inspection revealed this was a false wall. There was a room behind it. Typical of clandestine operations. 'But why was it here, and why were we here?' Sano felt around until the hidden door slid open. She looked at me, and I nodded.
"Colonel Black, we have something," I said over the comms.
"Copy that, Armstrong, Adams, rendezvous with me," the Colonel ordered.
I was taken aback by what I saw as soon as I entered the room. Upon observation, I have encountered numerous shelves lined with armaments meticulously fashioned for a particular purpose. The issue pertained to the way in which they were produced. Upon reviewing the report presented by the Hunt brothers, I was informed of the extensive collection of weaponry housed within the church located in the upstate region. After conducting a thorough examination, I can confidently confirm that the weapons in question match the detailed descriptions provided.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that the display area contained an impressive collection of religious relics, consisting of over one hundred crosses from various faiths, prominently displayed on the walls. At the back were armor sets that matched the report from Eddie and Thomas. The Colonel entered the room and gave it a once over before speaking.
"Load up with ammunition and idols. We'll need them against these monsters," Colonel Black ordered. "Kennedy, contact Colonel Hawk and inform his team that we found the armory," he added.
Erica stepped aside, relaying the information the Colonel had ordered. Black walked up to both of us. "As you can see, this is a hidden cache placed here for emergencies. The military leaves things like this behind in case of war. Make no mistake, we are behind enemy lines. What we face is far beyond what normal civilians understand," the Colonel whispered.
"No shit, demons, right??" Sano blurted.
"Yes, in the purest sense. There are rules in this war. Ones that we can exploit. Forget what you read or were taught in Sunday school. This is the real deal now. Our world is being invaded by alien, hostile forces, and they are hell-bent on wiping all of us out by any means," the Colonel explained.
I took a moment to absorb and process the words that he had just spoken. I didn't immediately react or respond but let his message settle in and weigh on my mind. It was important that I fully understood what he was trying to convey before formulating a thoughtful and appropriate response. I've realized that I've been avoiding the truth that was right in front of me all along. I had believed that this situation was something out of the Bible, but that would only lead to hope. The global community found itself embroiled in an all-out conflict. Yet, a significant portion of the population remained unaware of the dire circumstances.
It is a regrettable fact that a portion of our own species chose to assist the opposition in their efforts to eradicate us. Despite our shared heritage and common interests, these individuals acted against the well-being of their own kind. Such treachery is a sad testament to the complexity of human nature and the potential for misguided allegiances. Despite the fact that my headwear was concealing my face, Colonel Black was able to discern the thoughts that were weighing heavily on my mind.
"Relax, Giannetti, this isn't God's work or his plan. What we are facing is an intrusion from another plane of existence, masquerading as what we know as demons. That doesn't change the fact that these are demons. Bullets do kill them. Our holy relics just add extra damage. Fire is mostly useless except for rare instances. Remember, aim for center mass if a headshot doesn't put them down. They're just like us in that regard," Colonel Black revealed.
"Colonel Black, Colonel Hawk is inbound. He advised that we proceed with our objectives," Kennedy reported.
"What's our next objective," I asked.
Before the Colonel could answer, gunfire exploded from nearby. The radio crackled to life.
"Colonel, we've got contact!" Adams yelled.
"Fall back to my position!" the Colonel replied. "Check the window, Giannetti! Sano, Kennedy, with me!" he yelled.
I left the room and raced over to the window in the room. Numerous orange and yellow flames monsters approached the building. I spotted the closest target. 'Time to see if this new ammo is worth the effort!' I exchanged the magazine and put a fresh one in from the armory. Adams and Armstrong backed into the room, firing at something down the hall. I heard the Colonel tossing something down the hall, and a loud bang lit the corridor. Colonel Hawk's voice cracks over the comms.
"We're on the way. Hang in there!" Hawk barked.
Colonel Black said something, but I couldn't hear as I was spraying the street as more flaming monsters came out of nowhere. The demons hung just outside the factory, but they weren't coming in. No, that was the crazies piling in the building. I caught sight of one entering the room as the Colonel mowed him down.
"Keep them at bay! This site is blessed, so only the foot soldiers can get inside! We take them out, and we're good!" the Colonel yelled.
I continued to discharge my weapon toward the blazing creatures in order to prevent them from getting too close. It was quite apparent that the demonic entities were being inflicted with considerable harm due to the impact of these rounds. Suddenly, a truck speeds down the street, crushing any demons in its way. An armored Humvee violently collides with more nightmares, causing chaos and destruction. In a matter of seconds, the mighty fifty-caliber machine gun mounted on the vehicle unleashes a devastating barrage of bullets, rapidly eliminating the demonic creatures that threaten the safety of the team. Colonel Hawk's team was accompanied by an additional unit like ours. An additional pair of transportation trucks have just made their way onto the premises.
"Giannetti! Go with Adams and Armstrong to the roof. Lay down suppressing fire for the convoy. We have to hold this location until all the arms are loaded," Black said.
"Understood!" I said.
I linked up with the two team members and followed them as we ascended to the rooftop. The individuals were cognizant of their intended endpoint, and I maintained a consistent speed alongside them. Following a brief search, we were able to ascertain the route to the roof access and proceeded to make our way up there.
"Giannetti, take the middle. We'll flank you on either side!" Armstrong stated.
I carefully placed myself in the exact spot at the rooftop's forefront and center area, ensuring that I had a clear and unobstructed view of my surroundings. More were coming from either side of the street, and more were emerging from the adjacent alleys. Their numbers increased as they drew closer. I swiftly and confidently pulled out my weapon. I unleashed a barrage of bullets toward the malevolent demons without any hesitation or delay. The fighting brought back memories of my time in combat. In order to successfully accomplish this mission, it was imperative as we couldn't rely on reinforcements. Time was of the essence, and we needed to act swiftly and decisively. The two units didn't waste time making their way inside the building, displaying a sense of purpose and determination in their actions. We were left with only three people and the two fifty-caliber gunners to protect the street.