DOAAS: Mission 1
Chapter 3
“Alright ladies, let’s load up and move out!” Ina grabbed her gear and headed to the plane that was going to take them to Montana. The rest of the team followed her.
“We’re taking a lot of gear. Do we really need all this?” Vargo asked.
“We don’t entirely know what we’re up against. From what I’ve heard the strength of these monsters changes from region to region.” Heavy said as they all took their seats.
“How can we not know what we’re up against? We always know what we’re up against.” Terry said, looking a bit frantic.
Heavy sighed and shook her head, “You really didn’t get out much. I’m really surprised you got the rank you do.”
Terry glared at her, but said nothing.
“So what’s the plan? Simply go in, get them and get out?” Mungo asked.
Ina nodded, “Basically.”
Mungo nodded and sat back.
It took a few hours, but soon they landed in Montana in a tiny green part that hadn’t been touched. It was a large farm, half had been mutated. They got off the plane and started towards the house.
“What a waste. All that corn. Gone.” Vargo said and shook his head as he looked out at the purple corn.
“Spread out and watch for monsters. Vargo you’re with me.” Ina said and headed towards the barn. Vargo followed her while the others did a sweep of the perimeter.
“Hello? Is anyone here? We were sent from Washington. We’re here to help.” Inola called into the barn. They were answered by horses neighing and stomping.
The two went into the barn and looked around, “They’re hungry. Either the owners are mutated or too scared to come out of the house.” Vargo said. He moved his gun so it rested on his back and fed the four horses that were in the barn.
Once that was done they headed to the house. Ina knocked on the door, “Hello? We’re looking for survivors!” she called, knocking on the door. They listened for anything and then Ina tried the door, “It’s locked. Stand back.” she said. Vargo took a few steps back and Ina kicked the door down and they went in, “You go upstairs.” she said and checked the downstairs and the basement.
Vargo went upstairs and found the family of six in the main bedroom. They were scared and the father had come at him, “Easy! I came from Washington. The President sent us looking for survivors.” he said.
“You sound foreign. We ain’t belivien’ you!” he said, raising the bat in his hand.
Vargo quickly stepped back, “I’ll get my commanding officer.” he said, “Inola!! I found them!” he called down the stairs.
A moment later Ina came up stairs, “Please sir. Put the bat down. We’re here to get you to safety.” she said.
“I don’t believe you. He sounds foreign and you-“he stopped when Ina showed him her ID.
“We’re with the military. Now come with us and we’ll take you some place safe. Just get your things and come with us.” she said.
He nodded and the family got their things, “What about the horses? They’re part of our family, along with the dogs.” the mother said.
“I’ll call an animal transport, but your dogs are gone.” Ina said.
“Try under the porch. They like hiding under there.” one girl said.
Ina nodded, ”Alright, but I think you should call them out. I don’t know their names.”
The girl nodded, ”Ok.” she said.
It took the family about ten minutes to get their things and the two surviving dogs out from under the porch.
Ina went to the pilot, “Take them back to base and call for an animal transport. We’re going to the next point on foot.” she said.
Then there was a snarl and a scream. ”Jenny!!”the mother yelled as one of the girls was snatched and dragged away by mutated creatures, ”JENNYYY!!!”Her mother screamed, being held back by her husband.
“Get them in the plane!” Ina said, running after the creature.
“General, wait!” Mungo called after.
Terry started to go after her, “Stay here! She can handle herself.” Heavy said. Terry stopped and watched Ina disappear into the corn field.
-xx-
Ina chased after the creature as it dragged the screaming Jenny. She tackled the creature and they rolled a few times before it kicked her off and ran. She jumped back and went to Jenny. Her leg was scratched and she was already bruised from being dragged through the forest. Jenny sobbed, “My leg.” she gasped.
Ina looked at it, ”No.” she said softly.
The wound was starting to turn purple, ”Jenny,” she pulled out a syringe that would numb her body, “Jenny I need you to calm down ok?” she said softly and injected it into her.
Jenny sobbed, “I’ll try.”
Ina nodded, “Now you’re gonna go numb, but just stay calm.” she said and then was grabbed from behind by a creature. She struggled, pulling at its arm so it wouldn’t get her in a choke hold. She found it no use and grabbed her knife and stabbed the monster. It gave out a screech and dropped her, clutching where it’d been stabbed. Ina jumped back and watched it run off. Once it was gone she went back to Jenny, sheathing her knife.
“Crap.” Ina said softly as she heard mass movement around them and snarling. She grabbed her gun and waited, Jenny was pale with fear, but couldn’t feel her body anymore.
A dozen jumped out of the corn, going straight to Ina. She switched her gun to automatic and let out a steady stream of fire, killing all the creatures. She knelt beside Jenny and gritted her teeth. Her leg was completely purple.
“This can’t be happening.” she said, but had no idea what to do. She picked Jenny up and ran back to the house, “Vargo!!”she called.
Vargo and Mungo looked over. Vargo ran over to her, “What happened?” he asked.
“The creature scratched her. Vargo we have to stop this. I’m not going to let her become one of those things.” she said as she gently laid Jenny on the ground. Jenny had passed out on the way back.
Vargo looked at the wound and looked at Ina a little helpless, “I don’t know what to do.” he said.
“Wrap her leg and get her back to base.” she said. Vargo wrapped it and sent her with her family back to base.
“What happened?” Heavy asked as she trotted over, glancing at the plane as it took off.
“She got scratched and is starting to turn.” Ina said as the rest of the team came over.
“Is that even possible?” Terry asked, watching the jet take off and head back to base.
“Apparently. Now keep a close eye out.” Ina said and started towards the next point.
It took a few hours to get to the next place, but it was too late. A group of creatures was already feasting on the family. They killed the creatures, but the family was already dead.
They called to be picked up and sat and waited. Ina sat off on a hill while the other sat on the porch. Vargo went over to her, “You didn’t expect this did you?” he asked as he pulled out a cigarette and lit it as he sat beside her.
“Not at all. You got another one of those?” she asked, looking up at him. He nodded and gave her one and his lighter.
She lit it, took a puff, and sighed out smoke, “I can’t believe this is happening. They said we’d destroy ourselves in war or global warming would kill us. No one ever expected this. I don’t even know what to call it. The higher ups call it The Darkness, but it’s got to be more than that.” she sighed and shook her head, the idea boggling her mind.
Vargo glanced at her, “What else do you think it is? It’s not a virus. No virus attacks like it did. No virus has some giant purple cloud go around the world or attack plants. It hasn’t killed anyone except the people the creatures have killed. It’s either some alien thing or something we ourselves created.”
“Oh what a surprise that would be. We created the Darkness. Wonder why we did that.” she said. Vargo shrugged.
Few hours later a plane came and picked them up.
Once back to base they all went to their rooms, reflecting on what they’d experienced. Heavy went to Ina’s room, “You ok?” she asked, leaning against the wall by the door.
Ina sighed, “I don’t know. I was un-able to save that girl and she’s going to turn and be killed. Pat I never expected this. We’ve seen everything, but this.” She sighed, “This is something from the movies. Some zombie apocalypse where disfigured people are chasing you to eat your brains!” she took her boots and visor off, rubbing her eyes as she sat on her bed.
“I know. I have a feeling this wasn’t natural either. If it was it would’ve appeared earlier in history, but there’s been nothing like this. If there was it would’ve been in stories in every culture.” she said.
Ina nodded, “I know, but we can’t point fingers. We don’t have the power.” she said.
Heavy nodded, “We just go with it until we have some proof.”
“Yeah.” Ina said and then Heavy left and Ina laid down and stared at her ceiling, thinking.
-xx-
Heavy had gone to get a late dinner, the others had done the same.
“Ina not going to join us?” Mungo asked as Heavy sat down.
Heavy shook her head, “She just went to bed. She does this every time she can’t save someone.”
“So she really does have a heart.” Terry said in a snotty tone.
Heavy glared, “You watch your mouth! Your parents may have not cared what you said or who you insulted, but here respect matters. Dis-respect the wrong person and they’ll make you wish you were dead and no one will ever be able to find you.” She growled, pointing her fork at him.
The others glanced at each other, sensing Heavy’s energy spike. With Terry being Human he wouldn’t sense it and being as stupid as he was he’d get himself into a heap of trouble.
Terry scoffed, “What’re you gonna do about it? Report me and have me to some extra training?”
“Dude shut up.” Mungo hissed.
Terry shook his head, “All you talk about is respect. What about your respect to us?! You work us like dogs and treat us like dirt! You want respect from us? Give us respect! That’s how it works.”
Heavy was tense and Vargo scooted away from her a bit, not wanting to get in the way when she blew up, “You humans are so stupid. You think you know what respect is, but you don’t have the slightest idea.” she said softly ,her voice straining to be calm.
Terry glared, “You think we’re stupid? Just cause you’ve lived thousands of years means nothing!”
That was it. In a blink Heavy had lunged over the table and pinned Terry on the floor with an arm behind his back and his face pressed to the floor, “You say it means nothing,” she growled, “I have lived through many wars, famines, droughts, depression, and times of complete chaos. I have fought for many freedoms for my people, your people, and many others. Living less than 90 years is pitiful and you humans think reaching 80 is an achievement. You are a naive race and know nothing and refuse to learn from those around you. You want to stay here and survive? Learn some respect and see yourself as an equal.”
Terry whimpered under her, wincing as he struggled. Two other Demons came over, “Everything ok here?” one asked.
Heavy shoved Terry further into the floor as she stood, “Everything’s fine.” She said. She grabbed her tray and left, going to eat someplace alone.
Terry slowly got up, “You picked the wrong Demon to piss off dude. Patricia may not seem like it, but she’s one of the most powerful Demons in the world.” One of the guys said and then they both left.
Terry groaned as he sat down, “Damn that hurt.” He said, rubbing his arm.
The other three guys looked scared.
“What?” Terry asked.
“One things you humans lack is the ability to sense the energy of another person. Heavy has below average readings for a Demon. You pissed her off and her energy spiked by almost 1,000 times.” Mungo said.
Vargo and Akio nodded, “I suggest you get rid of the attitude and hit the books. You’re gonna need to smart up if you really want to survive.” Vargo said.
Terry looked super confused, “Come on kid. I’ll help you get started.” Mungo said, standing and taking his tray and throwing away his trash. Terry did the same as he worked things out in his head, leaving with Mungo.
“Mungo’s got his work cut out for him.” Vargo said.
Akio nodded, “He seems patient. We’ll see how long it lasts.”
“You don’t like him do you?”
“No. He’s a high strung idiot who’s to full of himself for his own good. Though it’s changing. When that creature came out and grabbed that girl he went pale.”
“He’s got guts though. Even terrified he still chased after Ina.”
Akio nodded, “I think he’ll be ok once he gets everyone figures out.”
Vargo nodded, “Starting with the General’s is best for him.”
Ina sat beside Akio, surprising him and Vargo. She sat a bottle of liquor on the table, it half way gone and sighed.
“Couldn’t sleep?” Vargo asked.
“I did. Then the nightmares started.” She grumbled as she took a gulp from the bottle, “Where’s everyone else?”
“Terry pissed off Heavy,” Vargo started.
“Not surprising.” Ina muttered.
“She left and Mungo took him to the library to learn about energy spikes and the different species on Earth.” he finished.
“Wow. He really was sheltered.” She said.
“Or didn’t care about anyone unless they were human.” Akio said.
“I’d go with that.” Vargo said.
Ina nodded slowly as she stared at her bottle, “You sure you’re gonna be ok?” Vargo asked.
She simply shrugged, “Maybe.”
“I think you will be. I’m going to turn in.” Vargo said and stood and left, tossing his trash.
Ina and Akio sat in silence for a long moment, “Wanna try meditating?” Akio asked her.
“Sure, but let’s stay inside.” she said and stood. Akio nodded and went with her to a small training room that no one was using and stayed there for most of the night.