[Evans Stark's POV]
Dismounting from his SynthMech, Evan's chain of command who saluted at him. Two of them wore red berets and black military attire with tactical vests covering their torso. "How was the assessment of the defenses going?"
"The enemy has assets of their own, sir. It may hamper our progress in taking the city." Barry, Evan's second in command, said.
Barry took off his beret to cool his head down. His commander, Evans, stood before him, wearing his helmet over his long black hair. He had a scar on his face and looked stern.
"I see…" Evan replied and opened the zipper of his SynthMech Pilot suit. "I will oversee the progress of the attacks. I am done testing the new model."
"How is the new unit? Sir?" Barry asked.
"It was fine, new functionalities and perks. Useful on the battlefield and superior to most models I have tried." Evans replied.
A messenger suddenly arrived after Evans was talking. It was a scrawny young man in his late twenties. He was wearing glasses and was catching his breath."I apologize, sir, for being late. I was looking around for you, sir Evans!"
"What was that about?" Barry asked the scrawny man.
"I am Emilio, sir! I have delivered a message from Felicia." Emilio introduced himself and handed a letter to Barry.
"Read it!" Evans ordered Barry.
Barry opened the letter and read it. After reading all the contents, Barry looked at Emilio and asked. "Why is this command sent by courier?"
"To avoid interception, sir!" Emilio replied.
"What threat in communications are the higher ups expecting?" Barry interrogated Emilio."It may be there are spies, or interception via wireless. If the order was sent directly to me, then I will comply!" Evans said and fixed his SynthMech pilot suit uniform.
"Wait, you're not serious, are you?" Barry protested.
"I am!" Evans said and added, "The 'Successors' are expecting much of me. This is the time I will prove myself. For my family and for my country, reduced to ruins by the world order. Vengeance will be upon them, by me and the blade entrusted to me!"
[Marrick's POV]The bombardment halted, and it was silent. The snipers from the rooftop were observing the situation, looking at enemy activity. So far, they found nothing out of the ordinary.
The horde was still at the front lines, serving as the meat grinder. The enemy drones were hovering above them and maintained distance. They were at least thousands of meters away and waited.
Marrick was not manning his position, taking a coffee break. He sipped his drink to calm his nerves as the hot liquid entered his throat.
"You are quite an excellent shot!" A fellow sniper on break talked to Marrick at his back.Marrick grinned back at him and replied, "It was only luck, my friend."
"I don't believe so!" the impressed sniper told him and added, "I also heard that the commanding officer was impressed. He may buy you a case of beer!"
"Don't kid on me…" Marrick replied to the man.
"By the way, sir. I hear it was the successors this time that caused this trouble. They just caught a spy earlier, and the command was in trouble earlier." The man said.
"What do you mean!?" Marrick exclaimed in reply.
"They were cracking down on spies and traitors right now!" The man explained.
[Dorothy's POV]"Continue until he talk. We don't have all day to babysit him!" Major Adams said to the two sergeants beating up Captain Erick in a makeshift brig.
"Yes, sir!" The Sergeants replied and closed the door as Major Adams left.
After administering first aid to Dorothy, the medics gave her painkillers. The pain was gone, but her senses were becoming numb. She rested near the chair at the stall.
"Did he talk?" Dorothy asked Major Adams, who was checking her out.
"Not yet, ma'am!" Major Adams replied. "Ma'am, we need to do something. We can't just wait here and let the enemy overpower us."
"How do you suggest we do that? Major?" Dorothy asked.
"We need to plan the evacuation, destroy what equipment or ammunition will remain, and take the prisoner with us," Major Adams suggested.
"A sound plan but… nnnnghhh!" Dorothy suddenly grunted in pain as she tried to stand up."Take it easy, ma'am!" Major Adams worriedly said.
"No, I don't have time for this… Major. We will plan the evacuation now that the enemy had stopped bombarding us." Dorothy said and continued, "We will head to the port. Our company's submarine will be there by 2 hours."
"What about the others?" Major Adams asked."We will pick those who will come with us. The rest will be sacrifices. Make sure the SynthMech pilot we have employed is ready!"
"Yes, ma'am!" Major Adams replied.