Chereads / The Starved Rock Series / Chapter 15 - The Aftermath of Corpus Christi

Chapter 15 - The Aftermath of Corpus Christi

 After the shock of the Lasalle Lake Powered Cannon's destructive capabilities had worn off. The C.T.R and the O.S.F made the small trek back to Dallas. Once all of the aircraft had landed, the pilots were instructed to cover their ears, heads and vital organs. The air around them shook violently as the Ghost flew overhead, dropping in for a landing. The O.M.P.A-XF84H was sight to behold once its engines had fallen silent. 

President Keith was the first one to inspect the armor after the mighty roar of the turboprops had fallen silent. 

"Man! I gotta get myself a suit like this."

However, the Ghost never uttered a word. Rather, he simply nodded and made his way over to Dr. Sue, carrying the L.L.P.C in his hands. Once he reached her, the dead look in his eyes said more than he did.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I couldn't risk not knowing." Said Dr. Sue looking down towards the ground. However, the Ghost lifted her head. The dead look in his eyes had faded, and had been replaced by courage and confidence. 

"LISTEN UP EVERYONE!" Started the Ghost, "Today, we witnessed a weapon capable of turning the tide of this war! Tomorrow we return home, allow the Texans time to rebuild, allow us time to repair the damaged aircraft. Then, my fellow Americans, THEN WE LIBERATE THIS FUCKING COUNTRY!" Yelled the Ghost, inspiring those around him, but he had only the final sentence he had to say.

"This New World Order shall forever mourn the day the Midwest finally let out their rage, for that is the reason they will lose... WE DON'T QUIT!"

The soldiers cheered as they went into town for a drink. Meanwhile, about twelve hours later, word of Soros' death had reached Rothschild.

"HOW IN THE FUCK DID THIS HAPPEN!" Yelled Rothschild as he tossed everything off of the top of his desk. 

"We're not certain Lord Rothschild."

Rothschild took a deep breath and turned to his advisors. "Was it nuclear?"

"No evidence of radiation, nor any explosives."

This is just great. Our grip on the Eastern Hemisphere is shaky at best and THAT FUCKING MORON GOES AND LOSES NINETY PERCENT OF HIS STRIKE GROUP SOMEWHERE BETWEEN SOUTH AMERICAN AND THE FUCKING UNITED STATES!" Yelled Rothschild as he flipped the massive desk over. 

The New World Order had been struggling to maintain their footholds in Russia, China and Northern Europe. Their forces spread far too thin, and without extra manpower Rothschild was on the verge of losing everything. 

"Call up that fascist prick. Tell him Operation Risen Bar is greenlit. I will NOT lose this kind of power!"

The next day, the people of New Ottawa awoke to the sound of rumbling engines. As they rushed outside, their victorious soldiers had landed. Everyone was eager to hear their tales of the battle, but President Keith had his people compile the warbird and jet footage of the whole battle onto reels for the Ottawans to watch.

As everyone sat down in the Roxy Theater, Bubba loaded the reels up, and plugged in the cassette tape audio. As the reel counted down, the cassettes' audio began to play.

"From the battlefield right to your cinema, it's your beloved Symbol of Perseverance and the Ottawa Strike Force!"

As the reel began the movie, the C.T.R was first on screen, showing their desperate struggle to fend off the onslaught Soros had unleashed on them. As the reel reached a peak, the audio voice paused for a moment as the aerial camera picked up the New Ottawans. 

"Folks, it was straight out of an action movie, an anime, the Ottawan's appeared in full force wasting no time at all to aid our Confederate Republic!"

As the reels shows the O.S.F in their full glory, it reaches the trios duel to reach the Enola Gay first. "It seems the O.S.F is finished, but wait! What could be lingering in Enola's shadow?" The music begins to crescendo, then the voice yells, "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! For his big debut in a show of force to the New World Order, please welcome to the screen, your hometown hero, THE GHOST OF OTTAWA!"

The Ghost was caught in the best pose the camera could've captured. His right hand balled in a tight fist around the missile that the F-22 had at the Enola Gay, ready to throw that missile back at the F-22. The photo was affectionately dubbed, "Return To Sender!" 

As the reel continued, the Ottawa locals watched the Ghost unleash the full powers of both the O.M.P.A-XF84H and the L.L.P.C upon his enemies. Once the reel ended, everyone stood up and clapped for their soldiers and hero, but their hero was nowhere to be seen. Atop the roof of the First Federal Bank Building, the Ghost stared out over Ottawa. 

"I bet you would've loved that Dad.... Grandma.... For as long as this body has the willpower to do, I shall reclaim our nation.... No matter the cost." As he stood up, he leapt off the building, firing up the dual turboprops on his back, and headed for Dr. Sue's office.

As he landed, he stared her in the eyes, not a lapsing moment passed as he spoke.

"I want armor designed around that cannon. I want two shoulder cannons, I want it to have more offensive capability than anything we have."

"Wait, I thought you were mad at me for making it!"

"No, I was mad you didn't tell me sooner. That cannon has the potential to change the entire world."

"What makes you say that?"

The Ghost removed the helmet of the Thunderscreech Armor. "Take into consideration the fact that the cannon split a massive naval vessel into four pieces as if it were a pickle. Then combine that with my indomitable willpower and your armor making skills.... Madie, together, we're not just going to rebuild this country, we're going to install us on top, make sure the entire world recognizes our might."

As Madie Sue looked into the Ghost's eyes, they were wide and full of bloodlust only the New World being served up on a silver platter would cull.