Hybrid War: Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Angel woke to see an almost empty room. He had a couple of pictures of his family before he joined the military. It was another day on the base although things had been slow lately. The only thing he had to do was run specs on the two Night Ravens that had come in that morning. He got dressed and activated his Skill Armor. He finally had his harness on and started walking to the hanger where a special surprise awaited him. He smiled as he walked into the hanger and found a red Night Raven waiting for him to claim. It was exactly cherry red and probably flew faster than the one the one Cherry was in. He ran to his first Raven and began transferring his computer system. Once done he climbed into his new Raven and started everything.
"Good Morning Commander" Cherry said from the speaker
"Good morning Cherry, can you run specs on this new system while I run specs on another Raven?"
"Yes Commander"
Angel jumped out and went to the next Night Raven. This one was made for a Biosuit to fit into. He smiled as he thought Lexy could now ride with them on their sky missions. He checked specs and found it was the usual deal. He called Mellony and Lexy to come check their new Ravens... His old one would go to Mellony since he had enough leg room for her if she had a leg malfunction. He had to design a new computer for Lexy's Raven though.
"Hey, you finally got your cherry red Raven" Lexy smiled as she ran in with Mellony right behind her, "And you're giving me your old one?"
"Nope" Angel smiled, "That one was sent for you, I'm giving this one to Mellony"
"Shut up and let's go for a drive" Mellony said as she climbed into her Raven.
"Wait" Angel laughed at her excitement, "She doesn't have a computer in hers yet"
She stopped mid-ladder and started climbing down. He felt bad at the moment but they also had a mission pending for the day. He put his hand to his comm. link and started talking, "Patch me through to equipment... hey it's Angel, I need a computer system made for the new Night Raven that was delivered. Mellony saved her old Computer, I transferred mine, Lexy's in need so she can start flying finally"
"Yes sir, right" Her sentence was cut off as the control room started speaking, "Commander, General Razari is waiting for you and your team in the briefing room"
He looked at Mellony and smiled as Lexy was already running. The intercom came on and all Hunters were called to the briefing room. He ran with his friends and smiled as everything was all fun and games until they reached the briefing room and straightened out. General Razari was on the big screen and smiled upon seeing Angel who held a serious face.
"Angel... I wouldn't be bothering you but the Capthians attacked a small facility that keeps animals, introduced into this new terrain, healthy and well. They plan on using them to their advantage and turn them into the ultimate human killing machines" Razari looked at him, "They took 19 cheetahs from the facility and are traveling back to their ship. Stop them and get the animals back"
Angel turned and looked at his team of 10 and frowned, "Everyone move out, stop at the armory and get a new A-38 rifle. Reilly go start the Dragonfly and have it waiting to take off" He looked at Lexy who was happy as could be, "I don't need to give you orders because you know what I'm going to say"
She would be the most useful in this mission as an assault fighter, "I'm going"
"General will you do me a favor?"
"Yes" Razari nodded.
"Contact control and tell them to have 6 Raven Pilots ready to launch at a moment's notice"
"Okay"
Angel now the only one in the room took off to grab his AN-94. He joined his team in the Dragonfly, jumping in mid-run. They took off as pilots started running into the hanger.
Angel looked at Mellony who held a smile on her face, "Mellony, do you still have a map of the base?"
"Yes" She said with a smile as she pulled out the digital blue prints, "Here you go"
"Thank you" Angel walked into the cockpit and sat in the co-pilot seat and plugged it into the computer and soon he saw the map, "Okay, so we have a place for these cheetahs to live and a nice place for the facility to move to"
He saw a replicated African jungle under the base meant for such occasions. He also found an empty research lab on level 4 that would hold the entire facility. He smiled as he turned the device off and left Reilly to her flying. He would have it all moved to the Crisis Core so it would no longer happen. He joined his team in preparing for a drop.
"ETA six minutes" Reilly yelled back to him.
"Weapons loaded, ropes ready" He ordered as he activated his armor then chambered a round in his AN-94, "Let's start hunting"
The green light flashed and they jumped out, sliding down the ropes into the jungle. Angel was alert and ready as he hit ground. Reilly's voice came through the comm. link, "I put you right in front of them Angel... make the best out of it"
"We'll pop flare when we're done" Angel said as he looked for a place the Capthians wouldn't notice him, "dig in and hold. Be ready for my signal"
"I don't like this" Angel looked to see Alex at his side, "Angel... something doesn't feel right about how the Capthians are changing tactics"
"I know but we'll discuss this at a better time, it isn't exactly a pressing matter right now"
Alex closed her mouth as Angel opened his can and put a pinch of Tobacco in his mouth. H looked at the trail ahead of them, whispering into his headset as they started appearing through the undergrowth.
"Everyone pick a target, Green light on me, don't miss no matter, if you don't think you can make the shot don't fire" Angel said before silently disengaging the safety and taking aim as the hand drawn wagon appeared.
He took aim on the one pulling the wagon and put two rounds in his chest before everyone else started shooting. The Capthians dived and ran for cover as his team started moving around. He slung the strap of his rifle over his shoulder and pulled a knife and 9mm pistol.
"Go Commando" He ordered as he ducked into the undergrowth and started moving to where the Capthians were hiding.
He saw one fixing to change position before he ran forward and tackled him to the ground, his knife digging into his chest multiple times. He heard the war cry and brought the 9mm up and fired four quick shots into the charging Capthian. He heard a scream in pain to his right and watched as Alex dropped into the ground with another rushing to her. He charged forward and intercepted, tackling him to the ground and firing a shot into his head at point blank.
"Alex, you alright?" He said as he grabbed her and moved her into cover.
"I'm fine, that son of a bitch caught me high in the shoulder"
"Angel, they're retreating" He looked at over his shoulder to see Bowie pointing.
"Alright, come help Alex, Mellony, pop flare!" He said as he ran up to the metal wagon and climbed in, "You guys take care of securing the wagon, someone toss me the field kit"
Angel caught it and walked through the beautiful cats that rubbed against his leg in thanks. He knelt next to the injured cheetah and gently put his hand on her head. She seemed to still be awake as she tried to growl at him.
"Don't worry, I'm here to help" He smiled as she gave up, she didn't have the strength to protest, "I need you to stay awake and tell me what happened" She remained silent as studied the wound with gentle hands, "You can't trick me... all animals saved by being moved here can speak English, the scientists made sure of that"
"How do I know I can trust you?" She spoke finally.
"My name is Angel Sharpe, Commander of the Crisis Core" He said looking at her fluttering eyes, "You can trust me because one of my jobs is to protect you. Plus I'm trying to save your life and I saved all of you from the Capthians"
This made her smile as she looked him over out the corner of her eye, "How did such a young human make it this far"
"Talent and luck" He said opening the first aid, "I've got to clean the wound... you'll feel a small sting from the disinfectant"
She didn't even take in air as he put the cloth to the wound and rubbed. He was trained for basic field medical care. She growled when he started probing the wound for shrapnel or a bullet. He was trying to be gentle as he could but it just wasn't happening as he found what seemed to be almost an arrow head. Angel looked for tweezers or something to pull it out with but found nothing of the sorts.
"I'm sorry, there's something stuck in your side and it needs to come out... this will hurt so try to fight passing out" Angel said, looking at the hole in her side, "On the count of three I'm going in. 1... 2... 3"
Angel began probing his fingers into the wound, pushing further in and finding the hard piece of metal in her side. He managed to get his finger tips on a small part and started easing it out. She was lucky that nothing went past the muscle and tissues. He smiled as he held it in his hand to show it to her.
"There... now to just sew it up and pray that you regain strength" He said, pulling the needle from the alcohol wrap.
"Thank you Angel" She said as she looked at him, "My name is Inari"
"It's a pleasure to meet you Inari" Angel smiled as the Dragonfly appeared with the tow cable ready. They hooked up the cable and loaded into the Dragonfly as he finished doctoring Inari's side, "How are you feeling Inari?"
"Just a bit uncomfortable" She said, opening her eyes once more, "I'm just tired of laying on the hard floor"
He sat down and looked up, raising his hand and spinning it around, "Sorry but I can't really help you with that until we get back to base"
"It's okay" Inari chuckled softly, "I just want someone to talk to for now"
"I'm guessing you trust me now" Angel said as he relaxed and watched her move so she could rest her head in his lap, "That's good, I love Cheetahs"
"Then I guess you're a good guy after all" She rubbed her head against him, "and you're soft"
"How am I soft?" She laughed.
"Your leg... it's all warm and pillowy" She said with a weak chuckle, mainly because it felt soft to her but she knew it was a muscle as solid as a rock, "Relax... you're tensing up"
"Sorry, just trying to keep on edge in case we get followers" He started stroking her fur out of instinct.
"It's okay" She said, enjoying the soft touch he possessed. He was a bit of a softy in her eyes, "You're a natural at this petting thing" She smiled.
"There's a dolphin on my team... she likes when I rub her down while we swim"
"Can she speak English too?"
"Yes"
"Think I can meet her?" Inari asked as she brought her head up to look into his eyes.
"When she's able I'll introduce you" He smiled, lost in her beautiful eyes. He wouldn't mind losing himself in those big blue eyes as often as possible, "You'll be away from the rest for a while, you can rejoin them when your wounds are fully healed"
"That sounds good to me" She licked at his chest and softly asking, "Can I stay with you?"
"I don't see why not... but I have to ask why?"
"I feel like we could be very close friends... you're the first human I've ever liked and trusted" Shed nuzzled him, purring this time, "I feel like being playful and relaxed around you... that's never happened before"
"Well, as long as you don't get too active"
XXX
He quietly walked into his room, carrying Inari who was asleep and gently laid her on his bed, curled up like a kitten. Deactivating his Skill Armor, the red lines of his assault programs brightening on his skin then disappearing as the electronic field dissipated. He removed his shirt and studied his body to see if any stray bullets had caught him. He chuckled softly as he saw not even a scratch from running through the vegetation.
"Hey Angel... Queen Minami would like to talk to you" The voice belonged to Max... he was a good man, a bearded dragon hybrid. But he was also too old for the field so he ran the prison block, "She says it's important"
"I'll come down after debrief" Angel answered as he looked at his scared eye in the mirror.
He sighed and walked away as the memory of his brother came back to him. He couldn't understand why his brother chose to fight for the other side. His brother was the most loyal man he knew yet he was fighting for the other side... the people that wanted to kill his own family and he still went with it. Angel walked up to the door and waited for it to open. His team was waiting inside for him with General Razari waiting on screen.
"Good work Hunters" She said with a smile, "I hope you're all unscathed for the most part"
"Well, Alex took a round to the shoulder but she's okay" He said as he looked at the screen, "It was only a 9 man team for them though"
"I see" She said, looking thoughtful, "What are they planning on doing?"
"I don't really know, I suggest you send in the recon bugs" Angel said as he looked down at his hands, "But they probably had something set up with the Nelons and their infection experiments"
"I'll see what I can do from up here" Razari said before closing the connection.
"Okay everyone, you did a good job today. Get some rest, you deserve it" Angel walked out the room and went straight to the elevators.
One elevator was meant for him and the rest of the prison block team, with the exception of Bowie who was their lead interrogator. He stepped in and felt it start dropping down to the prison block, it was literally a one way in, one way out, the air vents were too small for anyone to fit through. The elevator stopped and opened, Angel stepping out to be greeted by the entire prison block security, Max waving him over to lead him to the cells.
"Alright green lady... stick your hands through the bars" Max said as he pulled the handcuffs up.
"That won't be needed" He said, typing his I.D. number into the lock panel and opened the cell door, "Are you feeling okay milady?"
"Why didn't you kill me?" She said as he closed the cell behind him.
"Leave us" Angel looked at Max. Once he was gone Angel took the stool and set it down where he was sitting across from her, "I gave everyone the excuse that we could use you against them... but I actually think you were ordered to do this, that you're just a long for the ride and actually have no control"
"How'd you come to that conclusion Commander?"
"Please, just Angel" He chuckled, "The look in your eyes while we were fighting, and the tone you used, there was no steel behind it"
"You're good" She said, looking at his stitched wounds, "May I?"
He watched as she got to her feet and walked closer to him, kneeling in front of him with her eyes on his torso, "Can I trust you?" He asked, stopping her.
She nodded and he removed his weapon harness and sat back, relaxing a little bit. She leaned in close and followed her fingers as they traced ever line in his skin, noticing the ridges from his toned muscles. She was soft in her exploration, her hand coming up to his neck, moving over his cheek, and slowly tracing her thumb over the scar that went over his eye.
"You've been in many battles" She said with a smile, "Why do you fight some much?"
"It's all I know how to do these days... it's all there is to do these days" Angel answered as she held his gaze, "My entire world is a war zone"
"I am sorry to hear this" She looked away for a short second, "Please be careful the next time you go outside"
"I will be" He said as he stood up. She reached down and grabbed his weapon harness, holding it out to him, "I'll try to find out whatever I can to get you out of here and in your own quarters, but you'll have to do me a favor in return"
She smiled as he left and walked out the cell block and into the guard room. From there he left and went to his room to find Inari awake. He kicked off his boots and pants after hanging his harness and lay down. She snuggled up against him and started purring as his hand absentmindedly started stroking through her fur. He looked at her as she kind of curled up against him and went back to sleep. He also let sleep take him as well, not knowing what the next day would bring.
Inari suddenly brought her head up and started licking his cheek as his soft snoring started, "I like you Angel..."
XXX
Angel walked into his room carrying a tray that had a steak and another one filled with eggs and bacon. He smiled and set the steak down next to her as she managed to get to her rear to eat her breakfast. He was kind of sad that he couldn't spend the day with her but he had a mission to do. It was a mission that he was performing on his own, no back up, no team, just him and his sniper rifle.
"Thank you for bringing me something to eat" Inari rubbed her head against his bare chest. She could smell him and found him to smell as he was a male cheetah. "You're welcome" He said, petting her head softly, "It was the least I could do before telling you that I'm gonna be gone all day"
"Why?" Inari asked as her ears flattened.
"I have a mission, you'd never see if I was to disobey and order" He said as he threw away his finished food and started changing his clothes. He pulled on a black shirt and black jeans, then his boots before putting on a black bandana and activating his skill armor, "I'm sorry..."
She watched him put his weapon harness on and fill his small backpack with magazines. Next he grabbed his M82A1 and walked to the door. She didn't know what to do now, so she started sniffing his blankets and pillow and started rolling around in his bed. She couldn't help herself, he smelt wonderful to her, and she wanted to be covered in his smell so she could have it all the time. She got so involved in this activity that she didn't hear the knock on the door before Lexy walked in. Inari noticed her and suddenly froze on her back with her legs spread wide and her head tilted in an embarrassed matter.
"Sorry..." Lexy said as she looked down, "I'm Lexy... Angel asked me to keep you company while he was gone for the day"
"Oh, you're the dolphin that that Angel always talks about" Inari smiled with her tale waving around behind her, "I'm Inari... it's a pleasure to meet you"
"Why are you rolling around all over Angel's bed?"
"I-I... love his scent, I don't know why... I just do"
XXX
"Alright Cherry, return to base, I'll meet up with Alpha team when I'm done here then I'll activate my beacon when I'm ready for pickup" He said as he jumped to the ground.
"Yes Commander"
He started running through the jungle, the dot on his tack map bleeping and showing him where he was going. He was only a few yards away from the cliff that would be his sniping position and slid under two bushed as he hit the cliff. He set up his .50 cal on its bipod and took his pack off, opening it and setting it down beside him.
"Let's go Angel... it'll be fun... I'm gonna kick Reilly's ass if I ever die, it was her idea to join the military"
The camp was two miles away but he was surprised... Capthians and Nelons were sharing this camp. He reached into a side pocket and pulled the suppressor and quickly attached it before looking through the scope and chambering a round. He reached up and put a finger to his comm. link, "I can see an estimated number of 30 enemies but General, it seems the Capthians and Nelons have joined forces or something, they're sharing this camp"
"Alright, I'll file that in the report, but it still doesn't matter, you got the green light Commander"
He pulled the trigger and the Nelon dropped with a wide hole in his chest. He started leading targets with his cross hairs as they ran for cover. They were in panic until one of them made it to the rocket launching systems. He hit the man as the rockets targeted him but the man fell forward and the rockets launched. His eyes went wide as he grabbed his rifle and his pack and started running away from the cliff as fast as he could.
"Activating distress beacon, send a retrieve team and a medical unit" He said into his comm. link as he ran faster and faster.
"What happened Angel?"
"They launched their rockets on me" He said, looking back to see the rockets clear the lip of the cliff.
XXX
Rachel studied the broken, bleeding angel that lay before her. Diagnosis said some places were beyond repair and beyond his healing factor. She looked at the screen that showed that Razari was watching.
"Ma'am, there's only one way to save him and his body" Rachel said with a frown.
"I know it" Razari said, "He won't be able to perform for a week"
"I know" Rachel said, "But he needs his right arm, left leg, and right foot"
"How far up is his leg injured?"
"About just above his knee" She looked around with a smile. She was about to save the greatest soldier she had ever met. He started chuckling as her hands moved over his body, "It seems someone's awake, I'm fixing to put you back to sleep though"
"As long as I'm back on my feet, I don't care" He said hoarsely, "Don't do anything that'll put me out for a month"
"Just a week" She smiled as she injected the fluid into him.
XXX
"Oh man, my arm, my leg, my foot!" Angel said softly, feeling it underneath his artificial skin, "And what the hell happened to my hair!?"
"Don't worry, you'll get used to it" Mellony walked in with a smile, "Soon you'll stop wearing the skin all together, as for the hair... no idea"
"Whatever" He said, getting to his feet, "I wanted to remain human as long as possible"
"Well, at least you're still mostly human, and the metal they use can block a blade really well"
He left the room, walking normally to his own room where Inari sat waiting patiently for him to walk through the door. She had been worried since Lexy told her what happened.
"I'm back"
"How are you feeling?" She asked as he sat down next to her, "I mean, you did just get out of a 10 hour surgery"
"I feel like I cheated death honestly" He smiled, lying down with his head on his pillow.
"As you wish" She smiled as he pulled her down into his arms.
He rubbed her chest as he reveled in the warmth that she emitted. He was soon dreaming of the fun he would have if he was mostly cybernetic, he wouldn't have to worry so much about tearing up his body. It would take something fierce to destroy his arm, leg, and foot now.
End of Chapter 3