Chapter 71: Demon Invasion - Part 7
Black Eagle stared at the distant village, the flames licking the sky as smoke billowed into the horizon. He cursed under his breath, realizing they were trapped between two advancing forces. Grabbing his radio, his voice cut through the static.
"To all units, if we stop here, we'll be trapped in the open between two enemy forces. Full throttle ahead! Don't let that horde close in on us!"
Immediately, the engines roared to life. The convoy surged forward, the ground trembling under the weight of the armored columns. Black Eagle's orders rang out over the comms.
"First column of tanks, light those demon bastards up. Blow them to hell! Second column, three-quarters of you, support the first! The rest of you, cover our eastern flank—anything hostile approaches from that side, you take it out. Jeeps, focus your fire on the demons, but conserve your ammo!"
The barrage began instantly, with the thunderous booms of tank shells firing, creating a symphony of destruction. Explosions rippled across the field ahead as the shells slammed into the demonic horde. The demons screeched, wings torn off, bodies ripped apart by the sheer power of the artillery.
Lina, seated in a jeep at the rear of the column, watched the chaos unfold through her binoculars. The ground ahead was scorched black, littered with demonic corpses. But the horde kept coming, a seemingly endless tide of wings, claws, and teeth, surging toward the JTF.
"Shit, they're not stopping!" one of the jeep gunners shouted, his machine gun rattling as he mowed down another wave of flying demons.
Suddenly, a deafening explosion rocked the convoy. A massive fireball erupted from one of the lead tanks, hurling its heavy frame into the air. Lina watched in horror as a gigantic demon, a Goliath, roared triumphantly, its massive fist still smoking from where it had smashed through the tank's hull.
"Goliath!" someone screamed over the radio.
"Concentrate fire on that thing!" Black Eagle ordered. The tanks adjusted their aim, but before they could fire, another explosion erupted—this time from the eastern flank.
Lina turned her head just in time to see a column of smoke trail up from the ruins of Saint-Léonard. "Missile!" she screamed, her eyes locking on the incoming Javelin. The missile streaked toward the convoy and smashed into one of the rear tanks, tearing it apart in a devastating blast.
"We're under fire from the village!" another voice shouted through the radio, panic creeping in. "The bastards took over Saint-Léonard!"
The sky darkened as a fresh wave of demons swooped in from above, their numbers overwhelming despite the continuous artillery fire. The tank cannons boomed again and again, taking out clusters of demons with each shot, but it wasn't enough. The horde seemed endless.
A jeep to the left of Lina was suddenly ripped apart by a demon's claws. She saw its occupants, two soldiers, flung into the air like ragdolls. Lina ducked as their blood sprayed across the windshield of her jeep.
"Focus fire on that Goliath!" Black Eagle's voice commanded, but the Goliath was already on them, slamming its fists into another tank. The metal screeched as the enormous demon lifted the entire vehicle, flipping it over as if it weighed nothing.
In the midst of the chaos, Lina spotted Cain beside her, firing his rifle at a demon trying to crawl onto their jeep. The demon's head exploded in a shower of black blood as Cain pumped round after round into its face.
"We have to get out of this kill zone!" Cain shouted over the deafening sounds of battle.
"Hold the line!" Black Eagle's voice crackled in, determined despite the growing losses. "We can't let them overwhelm us!"
Ahead, the horde kept closing in, the ground rumbling under the weight of the stampeding demons. To the east, more Javelin missiles streaked toward them, several slamming into tanks and jeeps, reducing them to burning husks of metal.
"Tanks on the eastern flank are down!" came another panicked voice. "We're being overrun!"
But Black Eagle's orders were clear. The JTF pushed forward, fighting desperately to break through the demonic horde and the missile fire from the village. The tanks fired relentlessly, but even they couldn't hold back both waves for long.
As Lina reloaded her rifle, she heard another gut-wrenching scream—another Goliath had appeared, charging through the smoke toward the center of the column. This time, three tanks locked onto it and fired in unison, the massive explosions tearing chunks out of the creature's body. It howled in rage, stumbling but not falling, its blood raining down like tar.
The battle raged on, the sounds of gunfire, explosions, and monstrous roars mixing into an overwhelming cacophony. The JTF were caught in the fight of their lives, trapped between the unrelenting demon horde and the now hostile forces occupying the village.
And still, there was no sign of the end.
Black Eagle surveyed the chaotic battlefield ahead. His sharp eyes caught sight of the insurgent forces, but what truly made his heart sink was the sight of demons soaring through the sky, moving toward the insurgents. At first, he prepared for what he assumed would be a brutal clash between the supernatural creatures and the human insurgents, but to his surprise, the demons didn't attack. Instead, they conversed with the insurgents. His confusion deepened when the demons took the insurgent leader, their apparent commander, and began ascending toward the ominous portal above.
Determined not to let the enemy escape, Black Eagle grabbed his sniper rifle and adjusted his scope. His Resh-1 companion quickly provided the necessary information—wind speed, direction, bullet velocity, and the distance to the target. His hands were steady, but his mind raced, knowing this shot could be pivotal. After thirty tense seconds of calculation and focus, he exhaled slowly and pulled the trigger.
The shot rang out, and for a brief moment, he thought it was a success. The insurgent commander was hit, blood spraying from his shoulder. However, before he could finish the job, a swarm of demons swirled beneath the commander, shielding him from further gunfire, obscuring Black Eagle's line of sight. Frustration surged through him as he watched the enemy leader disappear into the thick demonic mass.
Almost immediately, the insurgents began a renewed, ferocious assault. Black Eagle, now under intense pressure, quickly contacted the fleet via radio. He called in for an artillery barrage on the village now occupied by the insurgents, hoping to break their advance. But to his dismay, the response came back negative—the fleet was engaged in a dogfight with a new wave of demons, and the skies were too treacherous for air support. The realization dawned on him that their situation was growing increasingly dire.
Muttering under his breath, Black Eagle contemplated their next move. "Merde… I think we need to fall back. We're outnumbered, and they're not letting up."
His words drew shocked stares from the soldiers around him. Resh-1 had a reputation for seeing missions through no matter the odds. But this time, the forces arrayed against them—the combination of insurgents and demons—seemed too great to overcome.
He keyed his radio once more, trying to suppress the tension in his voice. "Black Eagle to Overwatch, the mission is compromised. We are facing overwhelming enemy forces—requesting permission to retreat."
The response came back quickly but not what he expected. "Request denied. Reinforcements have arrived."
Before Black Eagle could process the news, a massive explosion erupted within the ranks of the insurgents. Out of nowhere, two fighter jets roared past at low altitude, their engines screaming as they tore through the air at full throttle. A wave of shock rippled through the battlefield, followed by silence, but it was short-lived.
Suddenly, shimmering circles of thaumaturgy began forming in the sky above. From them burst torrents of lightning and fireballs, raining down on the enemy forces. Then, to the JTF's astonishment, more circles materialized, this time closer to their position. From these new formations, warriors clad in green robes emerged, armed with both modern assault rifles and potent magical abilities. Their high-tech goggles and tactical gear complemented their arcane spells, giving them a unique mix of technological and mystical prowess.
They unleashed a barrage of spells and bullets upon the demons, their combined forces quickly overwhelming the horde. To their side, the air shimmered again, and this time, dozens of figures in formal suits and long gray robes appeared, each bearing the symbol of the Mages Academy. Unlike the green-robed fighters, these individuals did not engage with weapons but instead unleashed powerful spells—fire, lightning, and other arcane forces—against the demons and insurgents alike.
As if that wasn't enough, a third group materialized from massive blue thaumaturgical circles. They were soldiers in dark blue uniforms. Some of them wore long blue robes, with occult insignias adorning their brassards. With them came armored vehicles—tanks, IFVs—and even massive mechs equipped with miniguns designed to tear through both flesh and magic alike. The mechs, each towering over the battlefield, leaped over cliffs and obstacles, landing in the middle of insurgent ranks, utterly decimating them.
In a coordinated assault, the blue-clad forces, green-robed mages, and their mechanized behemoths systematically obliterated the enemy forces. Any remaining insurgents and demons who hadn't fled were swiftly neutralized. Meanwhile, the green-robed troops managed to obliterate the demonic horde, their precise spells and gunfire proving deadly against the supernatural foes.
As the battlefield quieted, Black Eagle breathed a sigh of relief. His forces, though battered, were still intact.
Lina glanced around, taking in the array of new forces now allied with them. After scanning the battlefield, she regrouped with Cain and Black Eagle. From her position, she noticed a group of mages in green robes approaching Black Eagle, led by a figure slightly shorter than the others, their face hidden behind a black and gold mask. Another group of mages soon followed, led by a woman wielding a staff with a radiant stone almost as tall as she was. Lastly, the mechs that had obliterated the insurgents returned, standing tall as their hulking frames loomed over the others.
The three groups convened in front of Black Eagle simultaneously, creating an unusual alliance of various forces. Black Eagle greeted them with a salute and said, "I am Black Eagle, commander of Resh-1 and this JTF. May I know the names of these fine leaders?"
The woman in green robes stepped forward first. "I am Midnight., Leader of the Serpent Hand," she said with a firm voice.
The mage with the towering staff followed. "I am…" She paused, then continued, "Clara Klein, Chairwoman of the Mages Academy," introducing herself with an air of quiet authority.
Finally, the cockpit of the leading mech opened, revealing a masked young man who seemed just as intimidating as the others. He stepped out, his voice calm and composed. "You can call me DC. DC Al Fine. Secretary-General of the Global Occult Coalition."
As soon as DC's gaze fell on Cain, recognition sparked in his eyes. His body stiffened with excitement. "Is that… SCP-073?" His words barely left his mouth before he leaped down from the mech, trotting toward Cain with fascination. He held up his mechanical arm, studying Cain's form. "It really is him," he exclaimed, sounding like an enthusiastic fanboy.
At this, the two other leaders—Midnight. and Clara—curiously approached as well, their attention drawn to Cain's mechanical arms. They examined him closely, almost in awe, while Cain stood confused and slightly overwhelmed by the attention. For the first time, Lina saw a bewildered look on Cain's face and couldn't help but chuckle softly.
But Lina's amusement was cut short by a sudden realization. DC had introduced himself as part of the Global Occult Coalition. A chill ran down her spine as she recalled a conversation where she had been warned that if the GOC ever captured her, they would kill her. Panic bubbled within her, and she instinctively backed away, her eyes fixed on DC with fear.
Midnight. noticed Lina's movement and swiftly turned toward DC. With little warning, she delivered a sharp blow to his head. "What the hell was that for?" DC asked, rubbing his head in confusion.
"You're scaring her," Midnight. replied coldly, pointing toward Lina.
DC, still defensive, protested, "I didn't do anything!"
Midnight. narrowed her eyes and threatened, "Then stop making her nervous, or I'll deal with you personally."
Unfazed, DC rolled his eyes and replied, "Oh, fuck off."
Midnight. shot back without hesitation, "No, you fuck off."
The two began hurling insults at each other, much to the bewilderment of the soldiers and mages around them. The intensity of their argument escalated until Clara, pinching the bridge of her nose in exasperation, sighed. "Here we go again…"
Everyone, including Black Eagle's forces and the mages, watched in confusion as the two leaders argued heatedly. The tension grew until, abruptly, a loud clap rang out.
All eyes turned toward the source of the sound—a masked figure wearing a long trench coat, flanked by several guards. DC's eyes widened, and he sighed in relief. "Ah, finally. Administrator i presume."
Midnight. and Clara's eyes followed DC's gaze, locking onto the new arrival. Before anyone could speak, a figure broke from the group and rushed joyfully toward the Administrator. It was Elise, who, to everyone's surprise, embraced him tightly in front of the entire crowd.
The Administrator, however, remained stiff, not returning the hug. With a flat tone, he asked, "Since when are you so into physical contact?"
Blushing furiously, Elise stepped back, stammering, "I was just… happy to see you."
She suddenly realized everyone was watching, and embarrassment washed over her as she awkwardly distanced herself from the Administrator, her face still flushed.
DC couldn't resist a grin and whistled teasingly. "How'd you get that much rizz? Naaaah you have to teach me how you do it."
The Administrator snapped his fingers in embarrassement, and two Resh-1 operatives quickly set up a folding table. Without wasting time, they placed a device on it, and another operative connected a tablet to the machine before handing it to the Administrator. The device emitted a soft hum before projecting a 3D holographic map of the battlefield. The terrain was littered with blue and red dots, representing the positioning of various forces. Most of the red points were clustered around a colossal column, unmistakably identified as the demonic portal.
"We've fallen back too much," the Administrator stated flatly, his eyes scanning the map. "And to be perfectly honest, the offensive maneuver I ordered was nothing more than a diversion. It was designed to allow the bulk of our forces to regroup here. I did not anticipate an outside organization joining this battle. Before arriving here, I made a quick stop at Saint-Léonard to inspect the corpses of our so-called 'guests.' We found something interesting. This."
He tapped on the tablet, and an image appeared next to the map—a symbol. DC, Midnight., Clara, and Élise immediately stiffened, their eyes narrowing. In unison, they spoke the name, voices brimming with barely concealed disdain: "Chaos Insurgency."
The Administrator nodded. "According to the observations of Black Eagle and the rest of Resh-1," he continued, glancing at the sniper, "it seems that the insurgents and the demons are cooperating, which sends a clear message."
"The CI's are part of Chaos System," Clara whispered darkly.
Lina watched the exchange, puzzled, as the five leaders seemed to share some grim understanding that none of the others in the room grasped. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she leaned toward Alpha-6's commander. "What is the Chaos Insurgency?"
The commander folded his arms, his brow furrowing as he considered how to explain it. "The Chaos Insurgency… well, they're an offshoot of the Foundation. They broke away decades ago, taking classified technology and SCP objects with them. Their agenda? Complete destabilization—political, societal, even metaphysical. They don't care about the rules. They only care about the power that anomalies can give them. And they'll work with anyone—demons, insurgents, rogue mages—if it serves their goals."
Lina shuddered involuntarily as she absorbed this information. The idea of such a group, one that could manipulate anomalies and strike deals with entities from other dimensions, made her feel small in comparison. It was terrifying to realize that not only were they up against demons but also an organization that thrived on chaos itself.
The revelation seemed to hit the others just as hard. The leaders of the various groups exchanged knowing looks, their expressions grim. The Administrator sighed deeply, then straightened, addressing the group with renewed resolve.
"We need to act fast. The Chaos Insurgency is no ordinary enemy. If we let this portal remain open any longer, we risk more than just a battle. We risk much Higher troubles such as Satan pulling up."
The holographic map flickered slightly, zooming in on the chaotic zone near the portal. The red dots, representing the demonic forces and the insurgents, were steadily advancing, pushing against the blue positions. The next steps had to be decisive.
The Administrator zoomed in further on the map, showing more specific details of their planned assault. He pointed to various key locations. "I've ordered all Mobile Task Forces currently in the operational zone to regroup at the village of Tanis. Supported by artillery and naval forces, the MTFs will advance toward Huisnes-sur-Mer and push forward until they reach Montitier. The goal is to cut the battlefield in two. A smaller detachment will move toward La Guintre and initiate a maneuver to encircle the enemy."
He paused, looking at the leaders assembled before him. "As for us, we will split into two main units. One will head to La Guintre. The other—an elite unit composed of joint forces—will move directly toward the portal."
Resh-1 and Alpha-6 were selected immediately, with Black Eagle stepping forward to acknowledge their orders. The Administrator then turned to Cain and Lina, gesturing toward them. "These two will be with us as well," he added before turning to DC. "And you? Which elite unit will you deploy?"
DC barely hesitated. "We can bring in Strike Team 4325, 'Thronebearers,' and Strike Team 9999, 'Max Damage.' The rest are Assessment Teams or units from the General Response Corps."
The Administrator nodded. "Good. Both strike teams will come with us. The others will participate in the extermination operations."
DC gave a thumbs up in approval, and the Administrator turned next to Midnight. She immediately called out, "Viper Squad, regroup!" In response, an elite unit of agents appeared behind her, their uniforms a strange blend of tactical gear and dark, almost ceremonial attire. The agents looked as though they were ready to face any threat, no matter how extraordinary.
The Administrator then turned to Clara. "What about you?"
Clara gave a sharp command. "Magistrate, to me!" In an instant, several elderly men and women materialized behind her, each wearing long, intricately detailed robes. They bowed slightly and responded in unison, "Yes, Chairwoman."
Leonard glanced at Élise, the last leader left to declare her forces. "And you?"
With a confident stride, Élise raised her hand and called out, "Paladins, come forth!" From the crowd, several knights clad in radiant armor emerged, their steps heavy and resolute as they took their positions behind her.
Lina, watching all this, was stunned into silence. The diversity of forces gathered before her—modern soldiers, mechs, cultists, knights, and magicians—was overwhelming. She couldn't help but feel like she was standing at the crossroads of history, a strange fusion of the past, present, and future.
As the elite forces assembled, a middle-aged woman in a crisp military uniform stepped forward. She coughed loudly, gaining the attention of everyone present. "I am Colonel Dumont," she announced with authority. "This is our country, and it is our duty to protect it. The Gendastrerie will be accompanying you."
The place fell into an awkward silence. The leaders exchanged uncomfortable glances, unsure of how to respond. Finally, DC spoke up, clearly trying to be diplomatic. "No offense, Colonel, but your forces aren't exactly… well-versed in anti-anomaly warfare."
Midnight, less inclined to soften her words, cut in sharply, "You'll be a heavy burden on the team."
Dumont visibly clenched her jaw, her face flushing with frustration. As much as she hated to admit it, she knew they were right. Still, the sting of their words was hard to bear.
Sensing the tension, the Administrator stepped in. "The Gendastrerie can join the extermination group. It'll give them valuable experience in anti-demonic warfare."
Dumont, though clearly unhappy, nodded stiffly. "Very well," she agreed, before turning on her heel and walking away.
With the awkward moment passed, the Administrator stepped forward again, addressing the entire assembly. "This is no ordinary battle. We are not just fighting to push back the enemy; we are fighting for the future. For our world. These demons, these insurgents—they want to tear our homeworld apart. But we won't let them. Together, we will send them back to whatever hell they crawled out of."
His words sparked a wave of energy in the room. The leaders and their forces stood a little straighter, their determination hardening. This wasn't just another operation; this was the defining moment of the war.
"Get into position," the Administrator ordered. "Operations begin in twenty minutes."
With that, the assembly erupted into movement as teams scrambled to prepare for the coming assault. The battle was about to begin, and no one could afford to fail.