Chapter 21: Chapter 19

Ilos: Guan-Tuan Plateau: Fort Able

(3rd Person's Point of View)

Raging flames engulf a village while a visible gas of unknown source and composition surrounds the place. In the middle of it stood a bloody Anderson and in his hand is an empty M1911. He was trapped by the blazing inferno and he had difficulty breathing. He recognized this place, the place where a tragic event occurred during his time in the War Against Chinese Aggression.

"Why am I back here?" he silently asks himself 

Behind him emerged from the flaming wrecks a man wearing U.S. Spec Ops Armor with noticeable damage revealing its rotten skin. The man also wore a military-issued Augmented VISOR which covers his whole face. With a shakey and low voice, it spoke "Do you remember Anderson?"

Recognizing the man's voice he turned towards the man and said "Jenkins, is that you?"

The man didn't respond but continued to ask Anderson while slowly approaching him "Do you? The Death and Destruction we brought to the people we promised to protect"

Realizing what Jenkins is talking about Anderson yelled back "You know, we have to do it. It is the only solution we had"

"IS IT!? IS IT ANDERSON!? WE KILLED 48 INNOCENT CIVILIANS! YOU DIDN'T GIVE A F*CK WHETHER IT WAS A CHILD, A WOMAN, HECK EVEN A BABY" Jenkins yelled this time with a demonic voice 

Unfazed Anderson stood his ground and faced him now yelling back "YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENED AND WE MADE A CHOICE. WE KNEW THE CONSEQUENCES AND THE BURDEN WE HAVE TO CARRY. WE ARE SOLDIERS, JENKINS, WE WERE TRAINED FOR THIS. WE HAD TO GET OUR HANDS DIRTY TO KEEP THE WORLD CLEAN"

Jenkins didn't answer but reached into the raging flames and pulled out a little girl. The girl has severe burns on her body with large chunks of her flesh missing and the icing on the cake is the bullet wound found on the girl's forehead. Jenkins spoke again "Do you remember her, Anderson? Do you remember the promise that we will protect them?"

Then from the fire came out more people this time with different wounds and stages of decay while screaming in pain and agony.  Anderson rolled into a ball and covered his ears trying to ignore the yells for mercy and help. His fear and guilt now showing itself

"You pinky promised me, mister, that you will protect us," the girls said now in front of him. This prompts Anderson to slowly look at her with tears rolling from his eyes.

"I'm sorry" Anderson replied now sobbing but the girl grabbed him by the throat with such force he was now choking.

"You promised" she yelled over and over, her voice slowly turning from an innocent girl to demonic and her remaining flesh and face started to decay at a rapid pace leaving only a skeleton.

The screams got louder and louder and Anderson was losing his mind. Suddenly skeletal hands emerged from the ground piercing through his vest and clothes before digging deep into his skin. Slowly he was dragged underneath the soil and before he was wholly submerged Jenkins gave Anderson a final message "We're not Soldiers Anderson. Just Glorified Killers"

Inky blackness then surrounds him as soon as he is dragged below the ground and despite being buried alive, he felt like he was floating underwater. He felt both tense and relaxed at the same time. He closed his eyes despite all he sees is darkness. 

*RING*

*RING*

You are reading story A Way to Return Home at novel35.com

*RING*

Anderson sat up from his bed, his sweat flowing down from his face despite the low temperature in his room. It was just a nightmare, it always had been and lately, he had these horrifying dreams more vivid than the last.

"I was forced to do it," he said to himself

He wiped the sweat from his face and grabbed his ringing phone. It had been ringing for the past 5 minutes and left 5 missed calls before a message popped up. It was from Roger notifying him that they are called by Maxwell. 

He sighed in relief as he gets up from his bed and changed his clothes to his tactical gear before leaving the barracks. It had been 27 hours ago before they returned to Fort Able after they were critical on their supplies and ammunition. They promised that they would return to Ennervae after some rest and resupply.

Anderson made his way to the Command Post and noticed many changes in the fort.

The first major change is the growing number of refugees in the fort after being saved from slave caravans, captured by bandits, and other situations that require the intervention of the U.S. Forces and its allies. Due to a large number of refugees, tents are being erected at large spaces inside the fort, those being the airfield and motor pool while the aircraft and vehicles were stored in the large underground complex of the fort. 

The second major change is not inside the fort but rather outside because a literal town was built to house the refugees. This will also increase positive Public Relations between the locals and the soldiers in Fort Able.

He soon arrived in front of an elevator which he took to get to the underground complex and made his way towards the Command Point. During his walk towards his destination, he noticed multiple Modified Osprey being prepped and 2 large mechs being outfitted with large guns and an assortment of armaments. He entered the Command Point only to find Maxwell and Maria in the room talking about something important.

"What's the matter?" Anderson asked not bothering to greet the two. 

Maria explained the situation to Anderson "A few minutes ago, a wyvern rider landed in front of one of our patrols to deliver a message. The wyvern and its rider were barely clinging to life, and the onsite medic was surprised that the man was still conscious but the rider still died due to blood loss and severe injuries"

Maxwell then handed the letter in question to Anderson. Anderson then carefully took it because the paper looked like it was about to be ripped from a slight touch before reading it.

"So Ennervae is under siege by the Undead and now they are asking us for help? Did I read that correctly?" Anderson said giving back the delicate paper to Maxwell

"Yes, your team and a full company will be part of the QRF(Quick Reaction Force). Your transports are being prepared and I'm pretty sure you saw the large mechs back there, those will be your armored supports although they are a bit impractical or haven't adapted to our tactics in modern combat, they will be a valuable asset here" Maxwell said which excites Anderson

"Understandable, since our tanks would have a hard time navigating and maneuvering to the maze-like layouts of the cities here in Ilos. They will be more suited in the open field" Anderson said 

"Enough chit-chat, we have work to do. Anderson gear up and move out. Maria, I want you to notify and prep the men. And Anderson, one last thing, Make one hell of an entrance out there"

Anderson smiled "Consider it done"